ABSTRACT
The prediction of the cutting/excavation/production performance of any mechanical miner for any mineral or rock formation is one of the main concerns in determining the economics of a mechanized excavation operation. Inaccurate performance predictions result in underestimation or overestimation of excavation costs. In the feasibility stage, this can drastically affect the decision-making process for project bidding, as well as the costing and scheduling of the entire project. The adverse affect of these mistakes might result in lower advance rates, higher machine maintenance, lower machine utilization, higher cutter changing rates and costs, sometimes changing excavation machine or method because of difficulties in excavation, and disputes between the parties involved (owner, designer, contractor, and other related parties). All these problems would increase the overall cost of excavation and sometimes make the project uneconomic or inapplicable.
