Tribology and Mining

摘要

We are always hearing that mining is still "pick and shovel" and using methodologies that are anything from forty to ten years outdated; this is changing. Health, safety and environmental pressures as well as cost and productivity issues and politics are necessitating change and development in the mining and quarrying arena. Most existing shallow depth ore bodies are already exploited, so more and more deep and ultra deep ore bodies will have to be mined safely and efficiently. Futuristic and high technology machinery and methodologies will have to be developed and implemented, going through a transition phase.