Recycling possibilities for reducing waste from cutters on combined cutter-loaders and road builders

Abstract

The objective of this study was to find opportunities for metal waste recycling in the process of rock breaking in mines. A built-up cutter design for a combined cutter-loader and a recycling technique for a considerable portion of the deteriorated tool are suggested. Industrial tests have proven the possibility of a ten-fold increase in the use of cutters on mining machines for coal rock mass destruction. The proposed technique allows a four times reduction in metal consumption in the production and use of cutters and a reduction of the ultimate resulting waste by 80%. This advanced technique could be transferred extensively into such industries as open-cast mining, repair of motor-roads, construction and agriculture.