In the world of mining draglines , not all are created equal . The heavy-duty machinery is used as a primary excavating tool in many surface mining operations worldwide . These highly productive and massive pieces of equipment offer the lowest material cost per ton and have an operating life span of 40 years . Pound for pound , draglines are the most productive and versatile machines in the mining industry .
How they work Utilized in a similar fashion as cranes , draglines are used primarily for open-pit operations to dismantle and transport materials . In strip mining operations , draglines are used to remove overburden from mines .
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