(Chief Editor Mining Report Glückauf)
Editorial
This year’s bauma trade fair is to be held in Munich/Germany from 24th to 30th October and mining is set to be the key theme of this important international venue for the construction, building materials and mining equipment industries. At the last bauma in 2019 some 25 % of the exhibitors were showcasing products for the mining sector and more than a quarter of all visitors used the event to gather information on the latest trends, make new contacts and finalise business deals. With raw material prices on the rise and international mining companies registering positive results the mining sector in general is anticipating renewed growth after a period of stabilisation and recovery. The growing demand for mining machines and equipment will also be much in evidence at the bauma fair and German mining suppliers, whose reputation has always run high, have excellent prospects of winning new orders in the global mining market. This latest issue of Mining Report Glückauf will therefore be presenting what we consider to be some of the most interesting technological and technical developments taking place in the German mining sector.
In spite of all the technology advances made in areas such as digitisation and automation the number of accidents involving mobile machines and vehicles in the raw materials industry has continued to increase. A modern collision avoidance system could provide much-needed help here. The use of waste materials for backfilling underground cavities created by mineral extraction is one way to achieve stability in the mine workings. Heilbronn mine has been conducting tests aimed at improving conventional salt extraction results and has significantly increased its operating efficiency by combining its conventional and cutting mining systems. In the clay mining sector a sustainable dewatering strategy has had a direct impact both on the production process and on the environmental situation. In the shaft construction industry concrete logistics involve a whole range of issues that require individual solutions. The ongoing development of exploitation drilling technology means efficient production from reef and vein deposits. The Rail Running Conveyer combines the advantages of belt conveyor technology with those of a rail transport installation to create an energy-efficient, cost-effective bulk handling system. Fitting sensor technology to belt idlers constitutes a preventive maintenance solution for belt conveyor installations. And last but not least replacing mineral oil with mineral oil-free fluids in hydraulic systems represents a major contribution to climate and environment protection.
The industry reports that make up this edition of Mining Report Glückauf are rounded off with a discussion of issues relating to raw materials, climate change and environmental protection – and all this against a backdrop of possible energy-resource shortages.
With my best regards
Dipl.-Ing. Andreas-Peter Sitte
Chief Editor Mining Report Glückauf, Essen