Abstract: The extraction machine for underground ore extraction operations, with extraction of the extraction product by blasting has an advancing support equipment (11) and a face conveyor (18) coupled to it as well as at least one boring device (26) for the production of shot holes (23) and a loading device (27) to supply the face conveyor (18) with the blast rock loosened by blasting, whereby the boring device (26) and the loading device (27) are assigned to a common boring and loading machine (24), which can be driven along the face conveyor (18) at right angles to the direction of mining in the direction towards the rock face (20) running parallel to the direction of mining, or away from this.

Abstract: A method for extracting mineral deposits in a mineral reserve, a portion being accessible from a sloping surface and the remaining portion being inaccessible, is disclosed. The sloping surface is mined to create a bench and highwall for providing access to the mineral reserve around the accessible portion. Then, a surface is formed in the highwall to create an insertion highwall between an endwall extending from the insertion highwall and the inaccessible portion of the mineral reserve. A starter entry is created for cutting into the mineral reserve across the entire length of the insertion highwall from the endwall to the inaccessible portion of the mineral reserve. Roof supports are advanced into the starter entry with spoil added to form a starter passage from the endwall to the inaccessible portion of the mineral reserve. Shortwall or longwall mining techniques are then used to mine the mineral reserve along the starter passage.

Abstract: A highwall mining system of the type wherein multiple conveyor cars are connected together to form a conveyor train which extends into a seam being mined by a mechanical miner located at the inner end of the conveyor train is capable of effective operation in steep dip seams, e.g. up to about 30°, and is constructed so that it can be quickly disassembled, moved, and reassembled and put into operation with minimal downtime.

Abstract: A mining system to convey mined materials (eg., coal) from a mining machine (10) to a remote location has a crushing unit (20) receiving the mined material from the mining machine (10) via a surge bin (21). The material is crushed and sized and mixed with water to form a slurry in a pumping unit (30). Slurry pipes (41-43) interconnect pumps (31-33) on the de-watering unit (50) to convey the slurry to the de-watering unit (50) from which it can be conveyed by fixed conveyors (60) to the remote location. The slurry pipes (41-43), and return water pipe(s) (51), have intermediate portions (41a-43a) suspended from a monorail (106) and/or mounted on a sled (206), and flexible end portions (41-43a, 41c-43c) to allow advance off the mining machine (20) along gateroads (101) and/or crossroads (103) in the mine.

Abstract: A method of mining an underground ore body, includes the steps of excavating at least one first tunnel in the ore body by means of an auger mining machine, and excavating at least one second tunnel in the ore body, the, or each, second tunnel coinciding in at least one point with at least one associated first tunnel. The invention extends to a method of backfill mining of an underground ore body, the method including the steps of excavating at least one first region of the ore body to retain at least one second region defined in the ore body, the, or each, second region providing a first support for a roof of the mine; backfilling at least one of the excavated first regions to provide a second support for the roof of the mine; and excavating at least a portion of the, or at least one of, the second regions of the ore body.

Abstract: A concrete grinding apparatus for use with a hand-held concrete grinder that can be detachably mounted in either a right-facing orientation or a left-facing orientation. The apparatus providing a variable wheelbase to modify grinder pressure acting upon a working surface. The apparatus further providing a mechanism to adjust the levelness of the hand-held grinder.

Abstract: A mining machine having a stabilizing apparatus includes a mining machine and a stabilizing apparatus attached to the mining machine. The stabilizing apparatus includes a stabilizing element and a moving arm attached to the stabilizing element and the mining machine for raising the stabilizing element above and lowering the stabilizing element into contact with a mine floor.

Abstract: The present invention is directed, inter alia, to devices and methods for excavating valuable materials, particularly soft ores such as oil sands, oil shales, and the like, that use one or more of a number of features, including backfilling for ground support, a small trailing access tunnel, processing of the valuable material in the excavation with the tailings optionally being used as backfill and the valuable material being transported to the surface, a plurality of movable shields for ground support, and/or a movable tail shield to provide interim support to the backfill while additional liner sections are installed and/or formed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed, inter alia, to devices and methods for excavating valuable materials, particularly soft ores such as oil sands, oil shales, and the like, that use one or more of a number of features, including backfilling for ground support, a small trailing access tunnel, processing of the valuable material in the excavation with the tailings optionally being used as backfill and the valuable material being transported to the surface, a plurality of movable shields for ground support, and/or a movable tail shield to provide interim support to the backfill while additional liner sections are installed and/or formed.

Abstract: A method of roadway development for longwall mining The method includes using a continuous mining machine (100) from which there rearwardly extends a conveyor (102). As the machine (100) progresses to form a road, the conveyor (102) extends. At the rear extremity of the conveyor (102) a roadway development auger mining machine (103) receives mined material from the conveyor (102) and delivers it to a further conveyor (104). A transverse auger (106) also conveys material from the parallel roadway to the machine (103). Mined material is delivered to the auger (106) by a further machine (101) and conveyor (107).

Abstract: A mining apparatus 10 to mine coal from a seam 11. The apparatus 10 includes a continuous miner 12 to form a mine road 13. Extending along the road 13 is a conveyor 15 having a forward end 20 to which the mined material from the continuous miner 12 is delivered. The apparatus 10 further includes an auger mining machine that advances an auger drill string 28 into the coal seam 11 in a direction generally normal to the road 13, with the mined material also being delivered to the conveyor 15.

Abstract: The extraction machine for underground ore extraction operations, with extraction of the extraction product by blasting has an advancing support equipment (11) and a face conveyor (18) coupled to it as well as at least one boring device (26) for the production of shot holes (23) and a loading device (27) to supply the face conveyor (18) with the blast rock loosened by blasting, whereby the boring device (26) and the loading device (27) are assigned to a common boring and loading machine (24), which can be driven along the face conveyor (18) at right angles to the direction of mining in the direction towards the rock face (20) running parallel to the direction of mining, or away from this.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the mining of material from a seam includes a mining apparatus and a self-propelled conveyor capable of advancing or retreating in the seam on its own power and an advancing and steering arrangement for the mining apparatus. The self-propelled conveyor, electric cables and other services for the mining apparatus are protected against roof falls. The power input for the self-propelled conveyor is provided by continuous drive shafts powered at either one or both ends of the conveyor. Alternately, a unique reciprocating conveyor mechanically powered at either one or both ends of the conveyor is provided for conveying of aggregate material. An apparatus for assembling the conveyor and receiving aggregate material is provided at the rear end of the conveyor. A method and apparatus for accurately and precisely navigating the mining machine is disclosed.

Abstract: A method of roadway development for longwall mining. The method includes using a continuous mining machine (100) from which there rearwardly extends a conveyor (102). As the machine (100) progresses to form a road, the conveyor (102) extends. At the rear extremity of the conveyor (102) a roadway development auger mining machine (103) receives mined material from the conveyor (102) and delivers it to a further conveyor (104). A transverse auger (106) also conveys material from the parallel roadway to the machine (103). Mined material is delivered to the auger (106) by a further machine (101) and conveyor (107).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mining of aggregate material from a seam includes a mining apparatus and a self-propelled conveyor capable of advancing or retreating in the seam on its own power and advancing and steering arrangement for the mining apparatus. The self-propelled conveyor, the electric cables and other services for the mining apparatus are protected against the roof falls. The power input for the self-propelled conveyor is provided by continuous drive shafts powered at either one or both ends of the conveyor. Alternately, a unique reciprocating conveyor mechanically powered at either one or both ends of is provided for conveying of aggregate material. An apparatus for assembling the conveyor and receiving of aggregate material is provided at the rear end of the conveyor.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for excavating material from a mining or reclamation operation, and is generally considered useful in open cast mining operations. The apparatus has a first conveyor and a second conveyor attached to a chassis. The first conveyor is fitted with a material remover such as a excavator bucket on a first end. Material discharges from the first conveyor onto a second conveyor which is generally longitudinally aligned with the first conveyor and has a material receiving point located elevationally below the discharge point of the first conveyor. The first conveyor is moved in a forward direction by a crowder which consists of motion generally along the coincident longitudinal axes of the two conveyors. The first end of the first conveyor which is fitted with the excavating bucket is elevationally moved by virtue of a boom and cable configuration.

Abstract: A process for demolishing a bridge deck by a truck assembly equipped with a a receptacle comprised of a right side and a left side and a first wing rotatably connected to the right side of the receptacle. The process includes the steps of: (a) disposing the truck assembly beneath the bridge deck, (b) rotating the first wing upwardly and outwardly from the right side of the receptacle to a first position, (c) supporting the first wing in its first position by a support contiguous with the first wing, (d) demolishing the bridge deck and causing debris to fall therefrom, (d) receiving debris from the bridge deck within the receptacle, (e) ceasing supporting the first wing in its first position and moving it downwardly and inwardly towards the right side of the receptacle, (f) moving the truck assembly, and (g) removing debris from the receptacle.

Abstract: A continuous control system for a mining or tunnelling machine having a boom (12) with a motor driven cutting head (14) at one of its ends and a rotatable turret (20) at the other end, the control system comprising angular encoders (40, 44) for continuously measuring the angles of the boom (12) and of the turret (20) and a linear encoder (55) for continuously measuring the linear position of the cutting head (14), and further having pressure transducers (P.sub.1, P.sub.2, P.sub.3, P.sub.4) for continuously measuring the pressures of the various hydraulic cylinders or drives (41, 43) used to operate the boom (12) and the turret (20). It may also have a power transducer (57) for continuously measuring the power input to the motor (18) driving the cutting head (14) to control the RPM of the latter.

Abstract: A method of highwall mining, the method includes providing a continuous miner (11) connected to a car train (12) extending to a launch vehicle (13). As the miner (11) progresses down an inclined mine tunnel (15) additional cars are added to the train (12) at the launch vehicle (13). The launch (13) applies a force to the end car so that the car adjacent the mine (11) provides a reaction force for the miner (11).

Abstract: A system for providing utilities and support infrastructure on a continuous basis from the surface to the cutting face of an underground operation. A flexible belt structure system incorporates water supply and discharge lines, power and communication cables, hydraulic supply and return lines, bulk lubrication delivery systems, and belt support structure for underground coal haulage. The system consists of modular components that are added at the surface and connected underground to form a continuous support structure to the working area, such that the infrastructure necessary for the mining operation is expanded or reduced to keep up with the position of the mining face without interruption of operation. The belt structure is mounted on a stationary rail fixed to the roof of the mine and is rolled forward or backwards in the belt entry as the mine advances or retreats, as applicable.

Abstract: An automatic control of the operation of a machine used for excavating drifts, tunnels, stopes, caverns or the like of a predetermined profile having a rotatable head (10) and cutting arms (14, 16) mounted on the head for rotation therewith, extending in the direction of excavation with at least one cutting arm (14, 16) being radially pivotable. The angular position (.phi.) of the head (10) is continuously measured and the output signals from these measurements are processed by the computer (44) which controls the angular positions of the head and of the arms according to a predetermined profile code or program stored in the computer memory for cutting the predetermined profile. Additional sensors (54,56) may be provided to control other parameters such as RPM of the rotating head, the force exerted on the arms, the positioning of the machine and the like.

Abstract: A conveyor unit for a high wall mining system; a mining system employing a train of such units. The conveyor units are pushed in tandem into the mine. The system contemplates a motor mounted on a cutter at the head of the train; through a series of shafts and clutches, serially through the train of conveyor units, rotation power is transferred mechanically from the motor to turn the conveyor belts of the individual units. The invention includes a preferred coupling/clutch apparatus and a launch vehicle for adding conveyor units to the train which has the ability to start the rotation of the conveyor belt on the new unit as it is added.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for demolishing concrete chimneys. The apparatus for demolishing concrete chimneys from the top downward comprises: (a) a first support, (b) a second support, (c) means for forcibly vertically moving the supports relative to each other, (d) a crane carried by said first support, and rotatably attached through an upright axis, and (e) means for power actuated rotation of the crane about the upright axis.

Abstract: A method of installing a multiple lift, vertical conveyor system in a conveyor shaft includes steps of: erecting a framework for the vertical conveyor system, installing a first belt for operation on the framework; feeding a second belt into position for installation on the framework by advancing the second belt on the first belt and installing the second belt for operation on the framework.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for haulage of material in a self-propelled vehicle on a sloped surface by supplementing traction force of the self-propelled vehicle by rope under variable tension in order to achieve the desired velocity of haulage.

Abstract: A mining machine uses front cutters (barrel cutters) to cut into an area to be mined defining a first profile, and then expands rear cutters on the sides to cut a second, larger, profile during out-cutting. Cutter chains and drums of the rear cutter initially move cut material (e.g., coal) forward, and then through openings in the side frame of the machine onto a first, lowest, conveyance surface over which an endless conveyor chain with flights moves. A second conveyance surface above the first conveyance surface is also traversed by the chain with the flights to move material from the front cutters. A reversible motor powers the chains so that cut material is moved over the second conveyance surface during in-cutting, and over the first conveyance surface during out-cutting. The rear cutters are a sufficient distance above the mined floor formed during in-cutting that cut material tends to move onto (rather than under) the first conveyance surface.

Abstract: An improved method and equipment of removing a minable product, such as coal, from an underground seam of minable product, such as a coal seam, includes the steps of drilling a vertical hole from the earth's surface through the seam of minable product, installing in the recovery hole an improved recoverable down hole tool, having a vertical auger and a hollow shaft extending from the earth's surface to the auger in the down hole tool, water pumped down the hollow shaft exiting through nozzles mounted from below the auger segments in the down hole tool and spaced vertically along the length of the hollow shaft to the earth's surface through the seam of minable product, the injection holes being drilled in a pattern extending from the recovery hole inserting and sequentially igniting explosives in the injection holes, injecting water sequentially in the injection holes and removing the fractured minable product by operating the down hole tool and water nozzles in the recovery hole and raising said minable produ

Abstract: A mining method and apparatus includes drilling two relatively small diameter shafts in proximity to each other, and operating a single hoisting system between the two shafts. The hoisting system includes a hoist that simultaneously moves first and second conveyances in opposite directions respectively in the first and second shafts.

Abstract: When a shield tunneling machine is deviated from the scheduled line while being propelled, the deviation of the shield tunneling machine from the scheduled line is detected and according to the data obtained on the deviation of the shield tunneling machine from the scheduled line, the propelling direction of the shield tunneling machine is automatically controlled.

Abstract: A surface mining system for mining successive, generally parallel cuts in a coal or similar mineral seam includes at least one endless belt conveyor disposed on a spoil pile directly adjacent the cut being excavated and a second conveyor extending from the first conveyor to a material storage site. Material is transferred to the first conveyor by an excavator working the longitudinal extent of the cut and transferring excavated material to a moveable crusher and conveyor apparatus which transfers the material to a second moveable crusher and conveyor apparatus. The second moveable crusher and conveyor apparatus discharges material onto the conveyor disposed on the spoil pile. The mineral seam may be mined by progressively advancing into the seam with successive parallel cuts and progressively moving the conveyor system onto newly formed portions of the spoil pile.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved equipment useful for winning of ores particularly coal in longwal mining, the equipment comprises hydraulic master chock shield having atleast two legs at the outer edges, the master chock shield having a cylindrical conveyor belt intake end roller rotatibly mounted on a stand fixed to the base plate of the master chock shield, the base plate of the said chock shield also being provided with a plurality of stands having free moving conveyor belt guide rollers a plurality of known hydraulic chocks having atleast four legs at its edges, being placed in front of master chock shield in a horizontal line, the master chock shield and the chocks being interlinked by atleast one hydraulic ram, the base plates of each of the chocks being provided with plurality of stands having free conveyor belt guide rollers, the end chock also being provided with two horizontally fixed multi-telescopic booms supported on free moving wheels the extreme end of the booms being fixed to a fi

Abstract: An apparatus for mining aggregate material from a seam includes a miner for cutting material from the seam and a conveyor for conveying the won aggregate material from the miner for recovery. The conveyor is formed by a series of individual conveyor units that are coupled or interconnected in series so as to form a train. The coupling comprises cooperating clevises and tongues interconnected by locking pins. Each unit includes a main frame supported on ground engaging wheels. A belt conveyor is supported in the main frame and a conveyor drive mechanism is provided on each unit. The apparatus also includes a launch vehicle. The launch vehicle includes a frame holding a conveyor for receiving won aggregate material from the conveyor train and for delivering that material to a discharge conveyor. Additionally, the launch vehicle includes a reciprocating drive assembly to aid in advancing the conveyor train and miner into the seam face.

Abstract: A system for supporting the drive of an excavating type underground advancing machine is provided to lighten the operator's burden so that an unskilled operator can perform operation comparable to that of the skilled operator. In this system for supporting the drive, output signals from a group of first sensors (12a) for measuring magnitude of operation of a rocking actuator (10) for orientation control and an output signal from a second sensor (12b) for measuring cutter torque pressure are input into an automatic measurement portion (14). These signals are adjusted in an automatic adjustment portion (15) and input to a fuzzy control portion. The rocking magnitude of an excavating cutter is calculated in a rocking magnitude control aiding system portion (16a) in response to the adjusted signal from the group of the first sensors.

Abstract: A method for removing asbestos containing material from an area of a building by creating a containment area substantially surrounding the area of the building where the asbestos containing material is located. Removing and compressing compressible asbestos containing material within the containment area and cutting rigid asbestos containing material into pieces within the containment area. Packaging the compressed and cut asbestos containing material for removal from the containment area. Demolishing block walls within the containment area and grinding pieces of the walls into particles for removal from the containment area. Scraping adhering asbestos containing material from surfaces within the containment area and encapsulating the surfaces from which asbestos containing material has been removed with a lock-down agent.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method and an apparatus for easily controlling the advancing direction of an excavating machine without causing the excavating machine to largely trace in a zigzag way. The direction control is done by the steps of mounting a reflector on a head portion of a shield body so as to receive a light beam directed along an imaginary reference line, mounting a target on a tail portion of the shield body so as to receive the reflected light beam from the reflector, controlling means for correcting the direction so that the reflected light beam may be irradiated at an objective position within the target, and thereby controlling the advancing direction of the excavating machine so that a subjective portion at the front end of the head portion may follow along the reference line.

Abstract: A haulage system and related process are provided for intermediate continuous conveying of coal or other mined minerals from the discharge of a continuous mining device to a distant point (typically outside the mine) where the mineral is stockpiled or transferred to another conveyor. The continuous haulage device of this invention is able to advance behind the continuous miner without interruptions for repositioning, and to follow the continuous miner without intervention, as it proceeds into the mine entry and beyond. The subject haulage system is not mechanically coupled to the miner and does not rely on the miner for its locomotive power. The receiving end of the haulage system maintains its position beneath the miner discharge by means of a mechanical proximity sensor, which enables the system to mimic the irregular pattern of advancement typical of continuous mining systems.

Abstract: A system to control contamination during the retrieval of hazardous waste comprising an outer containment building, an inner containment building, within the outer containment building, an electrostatic radioactive particle recovery unit connected to and in communication with the inner and outer containment buildings, and a contaminate suppression system including a moisture control subsystem, and a rapid monitoring system having the ability to monitor conditions in the inner and outer containment buildings.

Abstract: A method for developing thick beds of minerals accomplished by large-section rooms. The method comprising the preparation of the room for winning which includes providing a conveyor working below the soil of the room and extending for the entire length thereof, driving transport and fan drifts and raises, and forming an inclined working to fit the design contour of the room. The winning is effected in horizontal layers in a descending order by forward and reverse movements of the cutter-loader. Each horizontal layer is developed by stopes throughout the entire length of the room via overlapping the cutter-loader movements. The first stope in each layer is developed in the range of the raises. Subsequent stopes are formed adjacent one another outwardly in the direction from the first stope toward the edges of the room. Extraction of subsequent layers starts from the soil of the preceding layer by deepening the cutter-loader to a layer underneath to the height of its actuator.

Abstract: A mining machine includes a material dislodging mechanism and a cascading conveyor system extending rearwardly on a mobile frame. The cascading conveyor system includes a fixed, main conveyor and a discharge conveyor underlying the main conveyor and pivotally connected to a stabilizer shoe of the machine for lateral swinging movement 90.degree. on either side of the longitudinal axis of the mining machine. The fixed conveyor and the discharge conveyor are in linear alignment in a first mode of operation. The discharge conveyor is also vertically pivotal on the stabilizer shoe to permit lateral and vertical displacement of the discharge conveyor relative to the main conveyor in a second mode of operation. A dust collecting system includes a longitudinal duct extending beneath the fixed, main conveyor with dual inlets extending above the tracks of the mining machine rearwardly of the dislodging mechanism.

Abstract: A method of strip mining coal or other minerals by way of continuous-operation winning equipment with a cylindrical winning tool that excavates strips with a more or less rectangular section. The rectangle is approximately as wide as the tool and no higher than half the tool's diameter as the equipment advances. The equipment is connected by a system of conveyor belts to a loader that deposits the excavated minerals onto a face conveyor. The face conveyor can be shifted more or less parallel to the direction the equipment moves in. A quadrilateral district is exposed as the equipment travels first along one short side, then along one long side, and finally along the other short side. Its tool lifts out a strip of mineral. The equipment turns at each end along an arc of approximately one eighth to one fourth of a circle to end up in a ramp surface that occurs when the tool is lowered and raised. A terraced wall is created by lifting out many strips as the equipment's travel is shifted to the side.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of surface mining wherein a continuous surface miner is moved up and down an inclined surface to remove adjacent strips of material, which may be valuable commodity and/or waste, and the excavated material is transferred to a mobile conveyor which extends along the inclined surface generally parallel to the continuous surface miner.

Abstract: A method of split load mining a coal seam having a thickness less than that conventionally considered economical to mine is economically mined utilizing a cutting head having a diameter equal to the coal seam thickness. Coal in the coal seam is cut and conveyed from the mine bore to the mine mouth, and periodically the overburden is out to enlarge the bore, thereby generating non-coal (e.g. rock) cut material. The cut coal and rock are continously automatically conveyed in a common path in separate masses away from the bore mouth while the ash content or the material is automatically analyzed to determine whether conveyed material at a first location is primarily coal (e.g. less than about 50-60% ash) or primarily rock. In response to the automatic analyzing, the material is automatically diverted to a second location if coal, and to a third location if rock. An angled conveyor belt is utilized to convey the coal and rock for analysis and sorting, and the analyzer preferably is a radioisotope gauge.

Abstract: A method of removing a mineable product, such as coal, from an underground seam of mineable product, such as a coal seam includes the steps of drilling a vertical hole from the earth's surface through the seam of mineable product, installing in the recovery hole a vertical auger and a pipe extending from the auger to the earth's surface, drilling a plurality of closely spaced apart injection holes from the earth's surface through the seam of mineable product, the injection holes being drilled in a pattern extending from the recovery hole, inserting an explosive in the seam of mineable product where penetrated by each of the injection holes, sequentially igniting the explosive in each of the injection holes to blast fractured mineable material from the seam, injecting water sequentially in the injection holes to move fractured mineable material toward the recovery hole and operating the auger to raise to the earth's surface the fractured mineaable product that has been blasted from the seam.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing an underground pipeline from an excavated hole uses a drill head with a suitable tool attached thereto. Loosened soil is transported out of the drilled tunnel with a transportation drum containing an internal spiral. The drum is supported by a roll devices fixed to outer pipes. Rotating movement is transmitted to the rotating drill head from the transportation drum which is driven by a motor. Cylinders push the whole system and force is transmitted by the outer pipes to the drill head. Guiding of the drill head is accomplished with fluid actuators. Attachment and removal of the drill tool is accomplished through a free hole in the transportation drum and a central hole in the drill head, and the free hole and central hole also allow observation of the drill tool and tunnel face during drilling.

Abstract: An apparatus for mining aggregate material from a seam includes a miner for cutting material from the seam and a conveyor for conveying the won aggregate material from the miner for recovery. The conveyor is formed by a series of individual conveyor units that are interconnected in series so as to form a train. Each unit includes a main frame supported on ground engaging wheels. A belt conveyor is supported in the main frame and a conveyor drive mechanism is provided on each unit. The apparatus also includes a launch vehicle. The launch vehicle includes a frame holding a conveyor for receiving won aggregate material from the conveyor train and for delivering that material to a discharge conveyor. The launch vehicle also includes a pair of spaced guide tracks adapted to receive and guide the wheels that support an end conveyor unit of the conveyor train. Additionally, the launch vehicle includes a reciprocating drive assembly to aid in advancing the conveyor train and miner into the seam face.

Abstract: A spiral conveyor section assembly for a mining machine includes a spiral conveyor mounted by a shaft for rotation about an axis, the shaft having first and second free ends each adapted to be connected to another shaft. A motor, gearing, and like power device effects rotation of the shaft about its axis. The power device is mounted directly in association with the spiral conveyor between the ends of the shaft. The power device has at least about 1/4-3/4 horsepower for each foot of spiral conveyor (e.g. about 32-36 inches in diameter). A second (or more) spiral conveyor can be provided mounted parallel to the first, with the power device effecting rotation of both, toward each other. A guard is mounted in association with each inner portion of the spiral section to prevent mined material from being flung from one spiral to the other. It is possible to convey mined material 1,000 feet or more utilizing spiral conveyor sections connected end to end.

Abstract: A method of mining seams is provided for a mineral deposit situated beneath a substantial overburden, such as would be found in a mountaintop ridge formation previously mined by contour mining operations so that roadways exist at the sides of the ridge formation. A continuous loop chain cutting device which extends across the width of the ridge is positioned near the front end of the seam. Vehicles supporting the ends of the device move along the roadways so that the cutting device cuts a thin slot in the seam which remove the mineral deposits yet allowing the remaining mineral deposit and overburden to subside gradually after the cutting blade has passed a given point. At a desired point along the length of the ridge, the vehicles direction and the cutting device continues to cut a thin slot in the seam in the opposite direction. This back and forth movement is continued until the mineral deposit is substantially removed from the ridge.

Abstract: Complexes of underground batch retorts, designed to duplicate surface retort prototypes proven successful in use, which may extend for miles on branch drifts intersecting central main drifts above and below the retorts, the main drifts emerging at surface. The batch retorts are very large, deep, planned mine cavities, with relatively small upper and lower openings, remaining after shale oil ore has been extracted by vertical crater retreat stoping and free-fall controlled at the bottom opening. Resort openings are sealed after they have served their purposes, which enables the symmetrical progression of the upper and lower branch drifts along which the retorts are mined. The drifts provide access to blasting sites, conveyors for removing fragmented ore to be crushed and screened, and conveyors for returning processed ore to the retorts. Loading is accomplished through a retracting device which deposits processed ore with minimal free-fall, to avoid creating fines in the loading process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for bench mining employs a rotating wheel excavator with excavator wheel positioned outwardly to one side of a tractor unit for the excavator so that the tractor unit draws the excavation wheel along a bench line or cut line between different layers of the bench mine. The cutting wheel can either be moved to opposite sides of the tractor unit or a second wheel can be positioned at the other side so that the excavator can operate in both directions of movement.

Abstract: In a mining scheme, a mobile continuous haulage system follows a miner and transports material onto a floor mounted beltway. The beltway supports a roadway on which the haulage system is carried. The roadway has wheels captured in outboard rails on the beltway and lift cylinders on the roadway when lowered, raise the beltway off the floor so that the beltway can be advanced for a belt move to facilitate adding additional belt sections.