Top 5 Types of Mining Equipment Explained: A Beginner’s Guide

In the mining and construction industries, selecting the right machinery is the key to productivity. Below, we simplify the definitions and best applications for the five most common types of equipment found in a quarry.

1. Jaw Crusher

• What it is: A primary crusher that uses compressive force to break rock between a stationary jaw plate and a moving jaw plate.
• Best For: Coarse crushing of hard and abrasive materials (Granite, Ores, Basalt).
• Key Feature: Simple structure, high reliability, and low maintenance.

2. Impact Crusher (HSI)

• What it is: A horizontal shaft machine that uses fast-spinning rotors with blow bars to strike and break the stone.
• Best For: Secondary crushing of soft to medium-hard materials (Limestone, Recycle Concrete).
• Key Feature: Produces excellent cubic-shaped aggregates.

3. VSI Crusher (Sand Maker)

• What it is: A vertical shaft impact crusher that uses centrifugal force to throw rocks against an anvil ring or a rock bed.
• Best For: Making artificial sand and shaping aggregates.
• Key Feature: “Rock-on-rock” technology minimizes wear costs.

4. Hammer Crusher

• What it is: A crusher that relies on a high-speed rotor carrying hammers to impact and pulverize materials.
• Best For: Industrial applications involving soft materials like coal, chalk, and gypsum.
• Key Feature: High crushing ratio; can sometimes finish the job in a single pass.

5. Vibrating Screen

• What it is: A screening machine that vibrates to separate crushed materials into different size grades.
• Best For: Sizing and grading control in all aggregate plants.
• Key Feature: Adjustable amplitude and multi-deck options for precise separation.