When outfitting yourself with purchases from mining equipment suppliers, there are many choices to be made. Mining equipment is not inexpensive, and there are many mining equipment distributors and suppliers to choose from. You need to carefully consider the basic things you should look for in new and used mining equipment and those who sell it.

Mining equipment distributors and suppliers basics are essential to understand before you make any purchase. Although the equipment you buy is specific to whatever type of mining you're involved in, there are three broad categories to consider:

1. Mining equipment manufacturers and suppliers specializing in coal-specific products

2. Mining equipment sellers with a wide selection of mining drills

3. Mining equipment distributors who carry mining-appropriate heavy equipment

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find a mining equipment distributor specializing in coal mining products

If you require equipment for coal mining, seek a manufacturer or distributor who focuses on this specialized area. They should carry, among other things, a variety of roof bolters, longwall bolters, roof supports, degasification drills and continuous miners. Choose only products from established manufacturers to ensure your employees' safety and the longevity of your equipment.

I recommend: J.H. Fletcher & Co. has a variety of coal mining equipment for sale, such as material handling systems, remote drills and single- and dual-head bolters. Joy Mining Machinery sells mobile, onboard and portable bolting systems, continuous miners and longwall systems. Mining-Technology.com offers many resources for miners of all types; check out their "Products and Services" glossary, as well as their white paper articles on mining.

Buy from a mining equipment manufacturer or supplier with a selection of drills

Drills are one of the main pieces of equipment you'll be needing. Among the many types of drills you may require are handheld rock drills, drifters (for such things as long hole and bench drilling), pusher legs (for tunneling and drifting) and paving breakers (for rock outcrop and pavement).

I recommend: Read a list of types of mining drills at MineSource.com to learn about the many drills available for your business. Industrial & Mining Tools Co. offers a variety of drills, including handheld rock drills and pusher legs.

Discover a mining equipment seller with appropriate heavy equipment

For surface, open-pit or underground mining, heavy equipment is a must. Look for distributors and manufacturers who sell heavy-duty loaders, dollies, cranes, shovels and scrapers. Most manufacturers who sell heavy equipment for construction also have suitable equipment for mining.

I recommend: Kingsgate Consolidated offers helpful information on using heavy equipment in the mining industry. Wager Equipment Co. offers "build your own" heavy equipment and a variety of common earth moving equipment. Hoss Equipment Co. sells new and used heavy equipment suitable for mining.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When buying from mining equipment distributors and suppliers, don't neglect to buy safety equipment. Gas detectors, respirators, fall protection systems, rescue systems and other safety tools should all be employed where appropriate.

Mining equipment distributors serve one of the oldest industries in the world. Mining involves extracting or excavating metals and other minerals from the earth. Mining operations today go far beyond the pick axe and shovel of yesteryear; now, a wide array of industrial machinery and automated instruments are available to maximize the efficiency of your operation.

Mining equipment suppliers need to know what type of mining operation you propose in order to provide you with equipment that is strong enough and durable enough for your operation. Regardless of whether you have a surface mining operation or an underground mining operation, mining equipment distributors and suppliers will have just what you need to get up and running. Some of the vendors you will need include:

1. Surface mining equipment suppliers of excavators and draglines for digging

2. Underground mining equipment manufacturers of drills to bore into the earth

3. Mining equipment distributors of crushers to load reduce material to smaller particles and rock dust

4. Mining equipment suppliers of mine hoists to raise and lower equipment and manpower

5. Manufacturers of underground ventilation equipment to provide and maintain a fresh air supply

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Unearth your bounty using excavators from a mining equipment supplier

Mining equipment sellers carry a wide range of excavating equipment. Continuous excavators cut minerals from the rock face and loads them onto conveyors in one smooth continuous operation. Dragline excavators combines the digging operation of the steel scoop with a wire rope, or dragline, to bring it back to the machine. Excavators themselves include a family of digging machines like skimmers, graders, trenchers and dozers.

I recommend: FLSmidth RAHCO Inc., a global mining equipment manufacturer, designs specialized mining equipment for some of the most complex mining operations and specializes in fully-automated systems. Wagner Equipment Co. offers an entire line of build-your-own excavating equipment as well as a lengthy list of used mining equipment to meet every need. Gradall Industries, Inc., manufacturers an excavator with a telescoping, tilting boom in models that can take on the most demanding terrain.

Bore through production with drillers from a mining equipment distributor

Mining equipment manufacturers develop drilling equipment to bore into the earth and locate mineral deposits. Core drills make it possible to drill into the earth and lift the core sample to the surface to be examined. Other types of drills chip away at the rock formations to recover the mineral deposits.

I recommend: AAMCOR LLC deals in all types of surface and underground mining equipment. They specialize in used mining equipment, particularly rotary blast hole drills. Antraquip Corporation is one of the leading mining equipment distributors and suppliers of drilling systems. They work with their clients to evaluate the cuttability of material prior to recommending a drilling machine to ensure the highest production rates in your operation.

Crush your competition by working with mining equipment distributors and suppliers

Mining equipment suppliers developed crushers to reduce material to the desired particle or aggregate size. Jaw crushers crush material between alternating and fixed plates, while roll crushers reduce the material between a roll and a fixed plate. When selecting a crusher you want to evaluate the type of material you are mining and its hardness.

I recommend: Franklin Miller, Inc., is one of the mining equipment manufacturers of crushers. They assist each customer in selecting the correct size and piece of equipment for their mining operation. D'Angelo International has access to a large inventory of used crushing equipment. Their reputation for service and honest trade has given them a strong base of repeat customers.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  The Mining Equipment Prospector published a quarterly directory to facilitate the buying and selling of mining equipment worldwide. The directory houses a plethora of mining equipment suppliers across the globe.

If you're interested in becoming a mining equipment distributor, there are some things you'll need to know. These include information such as who the best suppliers of used mining equipment are and who the top selling mining equipment distributors are. In addition, experience in mining or general miner training can help you better understand what your customers value and help you determine what to stock.

However, you'll also need education and training on basic functions of mining equipment and supplies, safety procedures and new and updated equipment entering the market. Mining equipment distributors and suppliers education and training gives you a better understanding of your customers' needs and allows you to help them with their selections. For more training and education information, consider the following:

1. Learn the basic functions of common mining equipment with mining equipment and supplies training classes.
2. Get continuing education in the form of mining equipment manufacturer conferences, trade shows and workshops.
3. Study the safety equipment and concerns of using new and used mining equipment with online resources.
   

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Take classes to learn how the mining equipment and supplies you plan to sell work

The best way to learn more about new and used mining equipment is to take a class in mining equipment operations. These classes often are available as individual courses or as part of a larger mining program. They usually cover all basic mining equipment and power tools, as well as some of the more general aspects of mining. This information can help you sell the benefits and features of particular models, as well as prepare you to answer any questions your customers may have.

I recommend: Check out the Training Solutions for Mining and Construction Heavy Equipment class offered by VISTA Training, or enroll in a mining degree program at the University of British Columbia Institute of Mining Engineering.

Get educated at workshops, conferences and trade shows hosted by mining equipment manufacturers

Conferences, workshops and trade shows hosted by mining equipment suppliers or manufacturers provide you with great opportunities for continuing your education. Workshops allow you to practice new and old industry techniques, while trade shows and conferences give you information on new features and models, as well as current mining industry trends. Attending events like these also lets you network and exchange information and ideas with other mining equipment sellers and professionals.

I recommend: Check out the Mining Industry Skills Centre Conference, or attend events listed at mining-technology.com.

Learn safety procedures for mining equipment for sale using online resources

Knowing the proper safety procedures and precautions necessary for new and used mining equipment helps you answer customer questions and address customer concerns. Learning which models are the safest and which safety features are most effective can also be a good selling point when offering mining equipment. You should be able to discuss the risks and precautions associated with the equipment you're selling.

I recommend: Access mining equipment safety training videos like at Caterpillar, or learn from resources at the Mine Safety and Health Administration.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Suppliers of used mining equipment may need more education and training on repair and maintenance as used equipment may require part replacement and repair. Used mining equipment should also be thoroughly inspected before sale, ensuring that it's functioning properly and safely.

When you begin the process of locating a mining equipment distributor and supplier, it's important to know the industry basics. These basics start with learning a few key terms. After all, purchasing mining equipment is a large capital outlay and requires thorough research and planning. Whether it's the national associations related to the industry or the specific equipment types, the terms will help you choose the best supplier and distributor for your business. With these terms as a base, you can expand your industry knowledge to make the correct distributors and suppliers purchase decisions.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

National Mining Association

The National Mining Association is national trade organization for the industry. This organization offers resources for locating the best mining equipment distributors and suppliers in the industry.

I recommend: Review the scope and purpose of the National Mining Association for further details.

Associated Equipment Distributors

The Associated Equipment Distributors is an international trade organization dedicated to the mining equipment industry as well as sectors such as forestry and construction. The Associated Equipment Distributors provide another excellent avenue for mining equipment distributors and suppliers.

I recommend: Examine the goals and services offered by the Associated Equipment Distributors for more information.

Jaw crushers

Jaw crushers are one of the more common pieces of mining equipment in the industry. They can range greatly in size and price but they all serve the same function of crushing debris down to a manageable size.

I recommend: Evaluate the synopsis of the jaw crusher that's available at the Penn Crusher website.

Core drills

The core drills are for deep drilling and use a hollow core. It then drills out the core and loosens the earth to making mining a much easier process.

I recommend: Assess the definition of the core drill from Britannica.

Dragline excavators

Dragline excavators are primarily for surface mining and excavation as the name denotes. The larger of the dragline excavators are for strip mining mainly in the coal deposits. The dragline excavator is one of the largest piece of mobile equipment made, weighing up to 10,000 pounds. This is one of the most expensive purchases you'll make from a distributor or supplier.

I recommend: Study the dragline excavator tutorial from Blogged Advice.

Bucket-wheel excavators

Like the dragline excavators the bucket wheel excavators are extremely expensive. The bucket-wheel excavators are continuous cutting machines for soft or semi-soft materials like clay sand and gravel.

I recommend: Use the bucket-wheel excavator primer at Tenova Group to learn the basics of this piece of mining equipment.