Course in Mining Vehicles: Draglines
Online 300 h course in mining vehicles: draglines. 6 modules covering ISO 4309 (steel wire ropes for cranes: inspection and discard), ISO 2408 (steel wire ropes: requirements) and Deswik. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Describe the role of the dragline in surface mining.
Design the excavation method and the geometry of the blocks.
Explain the electrical drive and rope systems of the machine.
Plan the inspection of ropes and structures using reliability criteria.
Identify operational hazards and their control measures.
Calculate productivity based on cycle time, slew angle and bucket capacity.
Assess operating costs in a final mine operation project.
Who it's for
- Mine planning engineer who wants to specialise in Mining Vehicles: Draglines.
- Dragline supervisor who wants to specialise in Mining Vehicles: Draglines.
- Mining electrical engineer who wants to specialise in Mining Vehicles: Draglines.
- Maintenance technician for large equipment who wants to specialise in Mining Vehicles: Draglines.
- Mining reliability engineer who wants to specialise in Mining Vehicles: Draglines.
- Mine productivity analyst who wants to specialise in Mining Vehicles: Draglines.
- Graduates in engineering or sciences seeking to enter coal mining.
What you'll work with
- ISO 4309 (steel wire ropes for cranes: inspection and discard)
- ISO 2408 (steel wire ropes: requirements)
- IEC 60204-1 (electrical equipment of machines)
- ISO 12100 (safety of machinery: risk assessment)
- Royal Decree 863/1985 (General Regulation on Basic Mining Safety Standards)
- ISO 13849-1 (safety-related parts of control systems)
- Directive 92/104/CEE (opencast extractive industries)
6 modules · 300 h
1.1What a dragline is and where it is used1.2Coal and sand mining: typical applications1.3Components: pontoon, superstructure, boom and bucket1.4Rope system: hoisting, dragging and suspension1.5Walking mechanism and machine relocation1.6Power supply and trailing cable1.7Capacities: bucket, reach and dump radius1.8Comparison with shovel and truck as a loading method1.9Duty cycle and theoretical productivity1.10Workshop: identification of components and capacities
2.1Benching method and waste stripping2.2Pit geometry and machine position2.3Pass and dumping sequence2.4Effective reach and geometric limitations2.5Spoil pile formation and angles of repose2.6Double handling of material and how to avoid it2.7Stability of the supporting bench2.8Topographic control and guidance2.9Coordination with drilling and blasting2.10Practice: geometric design of a dragline pit
3.1Pre-shift checks3.2Positioning and levelling of the pontoon3.3Bucket filling and drag control3.4Hoisting, slewing and dumping: coordination of movements3.5Control of bucket swing3.6Operation in hard and sticky material3.7Night operation and reduced visibility3.8Machine relocation: walking procedure3.9Shutdown, parking and shift handover3.10Practice: complete cycle sequence
4.1Dragline maintenance programme4.2Rope inspection and replacement4.3Wear of bucket, teeth and chains4.4Electrical system and machine motors4.5Centralised greasing and lubrication4.6Condition monitoring and oil analysis4.7Planned shutdowns and major overhauls4.8Critical spare parts and supply lead times4.9Cost of downtime per hour4.10Practice: annual maintenance plan
5.1Main hazards of the machine and its surroundings5.2Electrical hazard and handling of the trailing cable5.3Exclusion zone beneath the boom and bucket5.4Personnel work in the vicinity of the machine5.5Energy isolation for maintenance5.6Work at height on the superstructure5.7Ground stability and subsidence5.8Weather: wind, electrical storms and rain5.9Emergencies and evacuation from the machine5.10Practice: safe working procedure
6.1Production calculation per cycle and per shift6.2Factors that reduce productivity6.3Overall equipment effectiveness indicator6.4Energy consumption per cubic metre6.5Cost per cubic metre moved6.6Economic comparison with a truck fleet6.7Operator training and certification6.8Operating data and dashboard6.9Common errors in dragline operation6.10Final project: dragline operating plan
How you'll learn
Fully 100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetable: students progress at their own pace within the enrolment period, which makes it possible to combine study with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Deswik, Maptek Vulcan, MATLAB, advanced Excel, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real procedures for dragline excavation block design, inspection of drag and hoist ropes, and bucket cycle and performance analysis. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final integrating project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Describe the role of the dragline in surface mining.
Design the excavation method and the geometry of the blocks.
Explain the electrical drive and rope systems of the machine.
Plan the inspection of ropes and structures using reliability criteria.
Identify operational hazards and their control measures.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior degree is required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme’s software.
- Spanish language level sufficient to follow technical regulatory reading.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme comprises 300 hours in total, spread over 3 to 5 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with a full-time job.
The course works with Deswik, Maptek Vulcan, MATLAB and advanced Excel. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
An SEIUM own diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrating project. This is in-house training, not an official qualification from the Ministry.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised towards the advanced programme. Check the credit recognition policy when you enrol.
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