ABSTRACT
To ensure mining activities safely and save production costs, it is necessary to select optimum excavation method. Both the drilling and blasting and mechanized excavation methods are commonly applied in mining and civil industries. Feasibility analyses lead to determine appropriate method selection. In this context, initial investments and running costs also play an important role. The main objective of this paper is to analyze the running cost of driving roadways by two methods. Cost analyses of drill & blast method and excavation of roadheader were evaluated based on the data obtained from a mine colliery in Turkey. The results show that the running costs per one meter of progress in drilling and blasting is 47% more expensive than that of roadheader excavation cost. In order to reduce the costs more, daily and monthly advance rates of roadheader should be increased. In addition, it is suggested that a reliable estimation of the running costs should be conducted before starting development works in a roadway and buying a machine.
