The mining industry is a heavy-duty production field where high tonnage, harsh environmental conditions, vibrating machinery, and dusty atmospheres coexist. Therefore, weighing systems used in mining must not only provide accurate measurements but also offer
high durability, long service life, and suitability for heavy industrial conditions.
Weighing systems in mining are used in ore extraction, transportation, crushing–screening plants, grinding facilities, product stock management, and shipment operations. Accurate weighing is critical both for determining the quantity of saleable products and for increasing production efficiency.
Weighing Requirements in the Mining Sector
Different types of minerals and materials are measured and controlled using weighing systems in mining operations. These include:
marble, granite, coal, chrome, copper, zinc, gold ore, iron ore, sand, gravel, stone, and aggregate.
Weighing systems in mines are used for:
- Loading and shipment weighing
- Truck and heavy machinery weighing
- Measuring conveyor belt material flow
- Bunker and silo stock management
- Dosage control in crushing, screening, and grinding plants
- Process reporting and production planning
All these applications require heavy-duty weighing equipment.
Truck Scale Applications
Mineral products such as ore, stone, coal, and aggregate are transported by trucks or trailers. Therefore,
truck scales are essential for mining operations. These scales are typically high-capacity and use load cells designed for harsh outdoor conditions.
Truck scales used in mining commonly feature:
- Steel or concrete weighbridge platforms
- High-tonnage compression load cells
- IP68-protected junction boxes and components
- Weather-resistant indicators and terminals
Truck scales ensure accurate material calculation during shipment, meeting both legal and commercial needs.
Axle Scales and Mobile Weighing Solutions
Since mining sites involve continuous vehicle traffic, fast weighing solutions are crucial.
Axle scales and
mobile weighing systems allow vehicles to be weighed without entering a full weighbridge. These systems are widely used at mine entry–exit points and temporary stock areas.
Mobile axle weighing systems offer:
- Portable structure
- Quick installation
- Low investment cost
- Operation suitability for heavy traffic
providing increased operational efficiency.
Conveyor Belt Scale Systems
The most frequently used weighing system in mining is the
conveyor belt scale. Materials transported on conveyors are weighed dynamically. These systems determine the flow rate and capacity of ore in the production line, especially in crushing–screening plants where calculating production output is critical.
Advantages of conveyor belt scales:
- Continuous weighing during production
- Ton/hour flow measurement
- Total production recording
- Automation system integration
Load cells used in these systems must be resistant to vibration and protected against dusty environments.
Bunker and Hopper Weighing Systems
Bunker weighing systems are used in material transfer processes in crushing, screening, storage, and grinding plants. Load cells placed under bunkers and hoppers enable controlled discharge and material dosing.
In bunker weighing systems, it is essential to use:
- High-capacity load cells
- Indicators with vibration compensation
- Overload-protected mounting accessories
- Impact-resistant mechanical structures
to ensure durable and accurate weighing.
Silo Weighing and Stock Management Systems
Ground materials are stored in silos, and their quantity must be calculated accurately.
Silo weighing systems measure stock levels using load cells installed on silo supports, enabling continuous stock monitoring.
Advantages of silo weighing:
- Real-time inventory tracking
- Simplified stock planning
- Material verification before shipment
- Prevention of loss and waste
Silo weighing provides valuable data for stock control and production planning.
Flow Control and Dynamic Weighing Systems
In crushing–screening plants and high-capacity production lines, material flow is typically fast.
Dynamic weighing systems measure both real-time and total weight of flowing material. These systems enable capacity and productivity analysis in mining operations.
Dynamic weighing systems provide:
- Continuous measurement during production
- Automatic flow and rate calculation
- Total material reporting
- SCADA integration
Technical Features of Weighing Systems Used in Mining
Weighing systems used in mining must be durable and reliable, featuring:
- High shock resistance
- Dust and water protection (IP67–IP68)
- Load cells designed for heavy tonnage
- Vibration-damping mounting hardware
- Corrosion-resistant material construction
- Wide operating temperature range
Indicators should be compatible with SCADA and automation systems for operational tracking.
Automation and Reporting Systems
In mining, weighing is not only for quantifying material; it also provides
traceable and reportable operational data. When integrated with automation systems:
- Production quantities are reported
- Mine entry–exit records are logged
- Billing and shipment data are stored
- Stock levels update automatically
- Energy–production efficiency can be analyzed
These capabilities allow mining operations to be managed digitally, both commercially and operationally.
Weighing systems in the mining industry play a critical role in every stage, from ore extraction to shipment. Truck scales, axle scales, conveyor scales, bunker/silo weighing, dynamic weighing, and stock management solutions are indispensable technologies for mining operations.
With durable, high-precision weighing technologies designed for heavy-duty environments, mining companies can increase efficiency, reduce costs, and achieve a more sustainable production infrastructure.
