Abstract: The present invention includes a hydro-shearing apparatus, a hydro-shearing system, and a method of mining waste coal. The hydro-shearing apparatus includes a fluid supply line adapted to permit the transporting of fluid, a nozzle adapted to emit the fluid, a pump adapted to recover at least the fluid, and a fluid discharge line adapted to permit the transporting of at least the fluid. The method may include positioning the hydro-shearing apparatus at least fifty feet away from a high wall of waste coal, manipulating the hydro-shearing apparatus to a vertical position within twenty feet of the top of the high wall of waste coal, operating the hydro-shearing apparatus such that a fluid stream contacts waste coal material, recovering the coal product with the pump of the hydro-shearing apparatus, and transporting the coal product away from the hydro-shearing apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention includes a hydro-shearing apparatus, a hydro-shearing system, and a method of mining waste coal. The hydro-shearing apparatus includes a fluid supply line adapted to permit the transporting of fluid, a nozzle adapted to emit the fluid, a pump adapted to recover at least the fluid, and a fluid discharge line adapted to permit the transporting of at least the fluid. The method may include positioning the hydro-shearing apparatus at least fifty feet away from a high wall of waste coal, manipulating the hydro-shearing apparatus to a vertical position within twenty feet of the top of the high wall of waste coal, operating the hydro-shearing apparatus such that a fluid stream contacts waste coal material, recovering the coal product with the pump of the hydro-shearing apparatus, and transporting the coal product away from the hydro-shearing apparatus.

Abstract: A nuclear jig control unit which is an electronically controlled system employing nuclear sensing devices and electro-hydraulic operators to proportionally control the opening and closing of a refuse gate of a jig. These components permit remote operator control and monitoring of the jig. The system provides for immediate adjustment of the specific gravity setting which triggers refuse discharge. This allows complete removal of the built-up refuse yet minimizes inadvertent coal losses with the refuse.