Wirtgen cutting drum opens up new options for surface miners in hard rock applications

At MINExpo 2024, the Wirtgen Group will focus on a new cutting drum that enables the cost-efficient extraction of resources with uniaxial compressive strengths of over 100 MPa UCS (14,500 psi). 

Limestone, gypsum, anhydrite, and other hard rocks and minerals

The new cutting drum has HT14 tool holders and a redesigned cutting geometry. The central-drum concept, which ensures ideal utilization of the machine weight, and the direct belt drive that transfers high usable power to the cutting drum, also contribute to the ability of surface miners to profitably extract even tough rocks and minerals with uniaxial compressive strengths of 100 MPa UCS (14,500 psi) and more – for instance limestone, gypsum, or anhydrite. 

The Wirtgen 280 SM(i) with the new cutting drum

The new cutting drum celebrated its premiere in practice on a limestone quarrying job carried out by a 280 SM(i) surface miner in Louisville, Nebraska. In addition to the extraction of very hard limestone at the quarry, it eliminated the need for drilling and blasting made it possible to extract previously unexploitable limestone deposits and extend the quarry's working life and all downstream production systems by several decades. For the quarry operator, surface mining is a cost-effective extraction method that also contributes to safeguarding jobs, increases safety in the quarry, and enables responsible management of resources. 

Faster infrastructure projects 

Wirtgen expanded its portfolio of products and applications with the 260 SX(i) cross-application miner two years ago. The cross-application miner speeds up construction times by eliminating the need for drilling and blasting, with the construction of stable embankments, in-situ grading of railroad tracks, and the recycling of the extracted material in place for use in further construction.  

At MINExpo 2024, visitors to the show will also be able to talk with surface mining experts from the Wirtgen Group about all other aspects of the cutting drum – like deployment and project assessment, recommended machines and equipment, related cost and performance estimation, and financing.