Abstract: A mining machine in which a cutting drum undercuts a vein of coal and side relief cutters make vertical kerfs in the vein upwardly from the undercut. A chisel plate is forced into the coal vein and breaks loose the material above the undercut and between the side relief cuts. The coal falls into conveyors and is loaded into mine shuttle cars for removal from the mine. The side relief cutters and chisel assembly are progressively raised to extract higher levels of coal from the vein until the desired roof height has been reached. The tramming track assembly, which propels the machine, may be rotated 90.degree. to permit extraction from the vein immediately adjacent the initial extraction. All power supplied near the working face of the vein is hydraulic to minimize the risk of fire or explosion, and a water spray system minimizes dust circulation. Hydraulic roof and floor jacks are provided to increase the stability of the mining machine when exceptionally hard material is encountered in the coal vein.

Abstract: An improved hydraulic mining tool for recovering minerals, particularly bitumen, and other viscous crude oils, from subterranian formations is disclosed, composed generally of a radially directed cutting jet nozzle which discharges a high velocity liquid to dislodge bitumen, viscous crude oils, and sand particles from the formation and a venturi-type pump and jet nozzle which lifts the dislodged material upward to the surface. The mining tool includes a rock crushing mechanism having means to vary its impact force and reciprocation frequency and an Archimedes feed screw which provides a variable quantity, continuous feed of mined material into the jet pump inlet.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method of surface mining along an elongated pit using a cross-pit conveyor for transferring selected excavated material, such as topsoil, directly across the pit while using a separate overburden excavator to transfer the remaining overburden. The method uses a cross-pit transporter which is supported solely on the working bank, includes a cantilevered conveyor which extends completely across the pit, and is slewable so it can periodically swing to a non-interfering position when passing the other excavator. The method allows the selective replacement of the different overburden materials in accordance with modern reclamation practice.

Abstract: An improved mining method for a surface mine has pairs of slurry and water pipes placed from a processing area on the surface to the floor of the mine beneath the mined out material, pairs of pipes (slurry and water) are spaced along the mining trench. A slurry haulage system is connected to the water and slurry pipes at the beginning of the mining operation. As the mining progresses and the haulage system reaches its maximum capabilities, it is disconnected and connected to the next set of pipes and the first set or pair of pipes is extended the width of the mined trench. The overburden is placed on top of the pipes as the mining progresses.

Abstract: A mineral mining plough for use in asymmetric ploughing, and movable to and fro alongside a conveyor, has a plough body provided with cutter means at its two ends. A first cutter means is arranged to win material when the plough is on the uphill run (that is to say when the plough moves in the opposite direction as the conveyor). A second cutter means is arranged to win material when the plough is on the downhill run. The second cutter means is mounted on the plough body for vertical movement relative to the plough body. This enables the second cutter means to be swung out of its working position (on the downhill run) to lie in a rest position (on the uphill run) in which it is in the path of travel of the first cutter means. This vertical movement of the second cutter means results in a plough of shorter length than known asymmetric ploughs.

Abstract: A method of mining a mineral deposit from a remote point, particularly useful in mining pitching or horizontal seams, comprises boring, casing and preparing a log of a probe hole; the casing will later be used as a guide for the mining head. All personnel are remotely located from the mining face and the mining head follows the probe hole and is rotated by means of a novel drive stem powered from a portal based plant. Thrust is imparted to the rotating mining head in a non-cyclical manner by the intermittently supported drive stem. The mineral being mined is automatically removed from the face and discharged at the portal. Steel or reinforced concrete support collars follow the mining head and support the drive stem until the bore is mined out whereupon the collars, the drive stem and the guide are removed for reuse.

Abstract: A tool for slurrying and recovering minerals, including bitumen, from a single bore hole by hydraulic mining and jet pumping to the surface in which the tool includes conduits for pumping water into a venturi throat, a generally concentric bottom inlet to the venturi throat and a collection device below the venturi for lifting mineral into the venturi. The tool additionally includes means for selectively adjusting the distance between the screw and venturi throat to vary the proportion of suction applied to the bottom and side inlets to the venturi thereby accommodating variations in slurry concentrations and density.

Abstract: In digging and hauling soil, rocks, minerals and the like by the use of a dragline the invention provides a novel combination of said dragline, a conveyor for hauling the materials dug, and a hopper disposed over and movable along the conveyor whereby material may be efficiently excavated and transported out of the working area.

Abstract: A contour miner has walker means carrying an external deck outside the formation being mined having power supply and control means for movement along the periphery of a coal seam with a reciprocating carriage having a rotary cutter for removing the coal from a work face extending inwardly below the overburden perpendicular to the seam periphery; a conveyor extends adjacent the work face and conveys the removed coal out beyond the external deck; an internal roof support-walker assembly is positioned inwardly of the formation and has hydraulic cylinder actuated movable roof supports and ground pads and hydraulic cylinders for walking forward toward the work face with dragline means moving prefabricated roof supports behind the support-walker assembly as it is moved toward the work face.

Abstract: Material removed from a longwall mining face is comminuted to obtain particles of predetermined size. A hydraulic fluid is circulated through the thusly obtained particles at a pick-up location so as to entrain and convey the particles from the pick-up location through a conduit to a separating location. At the separating location the hydraulic fluid is separated from the particles. The separated hydraulic fluid is recirculated from the separating location back to the pick-up location and into entraining contact with additional particles at the pick-up location.

Abstract: An underground mining method and apparatus which utilizes at least first and second spaced-apart shafts extending essentially downwardly into the earth and at least one lateral opening connecting the two shafts at a location below the earth's surface. An empty ore carrier is dropped into a first of said shafts and allowed to gravitationally fall towards the bottom of said shaft, its rate of descent being controlled by regulating the flow of air out of the bottom of said shaft. When the empty ore carrier reaches its stopping point in the first shaft, the carrier is transferred into the lateral opening filled with ore, then into a watertight compartment which is sealed and filled with water, and then into the second water-filled shaft. The ore-bearing carrier then floats to the earth's surface, is emptied, and returned empty to the first shaft for a repeat of the above procedure. Several carriers are kept in service at the same time.

Abstract: A full face miner including a simplified conveying arrangement and designed for easy maneuverability into and out of mine sites. A plow operatively mounted to and longitudinally movable with each of a pair of rotatable cutting heads of the miner provide for the conveyance of cut coal to a middle conveying portion for ultimate transport away from the mine site. The mounting mechanism for the cutting heads is designed so that at least the end portions thereof are movable from a position generally parallel to the mine face to a position generally perpendicular to the mine face and extending in front of and in line with the central conveying means, for ease of withdrawal from the mining area. A motive power source, such as a powered crawler or powered wheels, is provided which is movable into operative engagement with the ground to transport the miner to and from the mining site when in a collapsed position.

Abstract: Methods of and apparatus for recovering bitumen from tar sands and the like in which the tar sand is mechanically dislodged from the formation in which it is deposited and in which a solvent for the bitumen is mixed with the mined material to reduce the viscosity of the bitumen and thereby facilitate the transfer of the mined material to an operation where the bitumen is separated from solid components of the tar sand.

Abstract: A coal mining technique is disclosed whereby the coal, which is to be removed from horizontal seams, is cut from the inside of the seam first, thereby allowing the earth around the seam to collapse behind the cutting blades. In one embodiment, a tunnel is bored into the seam from a front surface of the hill. The tunnel is constructed into a "U" shape such that both an entrance and an exit hole are laterally displaced along the front surface of a hill. A chain drive having rotating cutters spaced therealong is drawn through the tunnel by a motor located outside the tunnel. The motor provides continuous outward pressure on the chain, causing the blades to rotate, thereby cutting the coal from the inside back wall of the tunnel. Buckets mounted along the chain serve to remove the coal from the tunnel. When rotating blades are not used, cutters may be mounted on the outside of the buckets to chip the coal from the seam.

Abstract: A method for elevating extremely large blocks of earth by displacement with a slurry composed of water and locally excavated materials. The blocks are separated on lateral faces by variously drilling, jetting, fracturing, and kerf cutting operations. The blocks are separated at the lower end by notching and hydraulic fracturing. Block movement is started by injecting gelled fluid into the narrow separations.In one set of applications the high density slurry filling the side clearances is less dense than the block being elevated. In these cases the earth blocks are displaced upward by injecting fluid into the underside, and the non hydrostatic component of the displacement pressure is contained by the gel strength of the slurry filling the narrow side clearance. In a second set of applications the blocks being elevated contain a high percentage of coal, and slurry filling the side clearances exceeds the block density. The blocks are then displaced upward by hydrostatic pressure.

Abstract: The excavating machine has a cutter carrying boom carried by a boom support member which can be swung about an axis extending in the direction of the roadway. The machine includes a cutter unit and a stay unit each of which is releasably anchorable in the roadway and each of which can be advanced relative to the other unit.

Abstract: Mining apparatus for removing near surface narrow seams of mineral deposits such as coal without removal of overburden is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a horizontal coal mining machine which is adapted for use in cooperation with large scraper type earth moving machines or bucket type cranes utilized in strip mining operations. The horizontal mine apparatus comprises generally a wide track service vehicle on which an internal combustion engine and hydraulic motors are disposed. An elongated cutting tool for removing a mineral deposit in a deep slot having a large depth to thickness ratio is supported on an elevator assembly which is pivotally mounted to the vehicle chassis. Linear actuators are coupled to the elevator assembly and cutting tool for adjusting the elevation, sweep and pitch of the cutter assembly to accommodate various changes in elevation and slope of the coal seam.

Abstract: A method of winning material in a mineral mining working utilizes a mineral mining plough which is movable to and fro alongside a conveyor. The plough is provided with first cutter means arranged to win material lying in a first height range, and second cutter means arranged to win material lying in a second height range. The plough is driven on the downhill run with the cutter means so positioned that material is won to a greater depth over the first height range than over the second height range. The plough is then driven on the uphill run with the cutter means so positioned that material is won to a smaller depth over the first height range than over the second height range.

Abstract: A system for mechanically or hydraulically driving or powering equipment in underground mines off an advance flight of a belt conveyor, in which an assembly of a spaced and drivably connected drive roller and pump and a common base is releasably mountable on wire ropes or other supporting members at opposite sides of the conveyor for selective positioning longitudinally of the conveyor beneath the conveyor belt's advance flight and is vertically adjustable relative to the advance flight for adjusting the driving engagement of the drive roller with that flight for either continuous or intermittent drive of the drive roller and pump while the belt is running.

Abstract: The present invention relates to mining machinery and presents a new an improved machine, and components therefor, suitable for mining tar sands and other soft materials such as soft coal, oil shale and so forth. The machine can be used both above ground and below ground, and is particularly suitable for underground mining, to take advantages, for example, of the absence to exposure to inclement weather, excessive moisture, and for other reasons. Underground mining use of the machine is particularly suitable since the tar sands will not freeze up when the mining function is accomplished below-grade. The machine itself has a cutting face comprising a series of cutting heads that may be rotated in the same direction, revolve at the same speed, and inter-mesh so as to provide for an effective solid cutting surface. The machine is provided with air compressor means for blow cuttings rearwardly of the machine through a provided trough carried by such machine.

Abstract: A method of sublevel caving and pillar and top coal extraction for mining thick coal seams includes the advance mining of rooms and crosscuts along the bottom of a seam to a height of about eight feet, and the retreat mining of the top coal from the rooms, crosscuts and portions of the pillars remaining from formation of the rooms and cross-cuts. In the retreat mining, a pocket is formed in a pillar, the top coal above the pocket is drilled, charged and shot, and then the fallen coal is loaded by a continuous miner so that the operator remains under a roof which has not been shot. The top coal from that portion of the room adjacent the pocket is then mined, and another pocket is formed in the pillar. The top coal above the second pocket is mined followed by the mining of the top coal of that portion of the room adjacent the second pocket, all by use of a continuous miner which allows the operator to remain under a roof portion which has not been shot.

Abstract: A method of mining thick seam materials is performed by forming a pair of generally horizontal, vertically spaced, vertically aligned passes or drifts in one side of the thick seam. A number of contiguous vertical holes are drilled in the material from the lower to the upper drift to form a relatively large opening extending the length of the drifts. This large opening is then filled with low grade concrete to support the overburden and, after the concrete is set, a second pair of generally horizontal, vertically spaced, vertically aligned drifts are formed adjacent to the first mentioned drifts and the foregoing process is repeated. The above steps are continued until the entire seam of material has been removed.

Abstract: A machine for mining hard material in-situ between adjacent auger holes is disclosed which is suitable for being drivingly connected to a conventional mining apparatus, particularly an auger mining apparatus. The mining machine includes cutting apparatus for mechanically contacting and dislocating hard material in-situ between adjacent auger holes. A power operated system is drivingly connected to the cutting apparatus for generating a cutting motion during the in-cutting operation. A guiding system is provided for maintaining the cutting apparatus in mechanical contact with hard material in-situ between the adjacent auger holes. In one embodiment of the invention a collection bin collects the dislocated material which is transported from the position at which the material is mined to a remote location for deposit.

Abstract: The articulated boom-dipper-bucket assembly is utilized in a tunnel boring machine of the type which includes a hollow cylindrical body with a front circular cutting edge and a central axis on which an excavator including the assembly is positioned. The assembly includes a base having a front face facing axially of the machine and being mounted on a bulkhead having siderails which are received in channels fixed to the body and extending parallel to the central axis. A piston and cylinder mechanism is associated with the bulkhead for reciprocating same in a direction parallel to the central axis. The assembly further includes a boom having one end pivotally mounted to the front face of the base at one side thereof and a second end positioned outwardly from the base, an elongate dipper member pivotally mounted at a first inner end to the second outer end of the boom, and a bucket-scoop having an inner edge and an outer cutting edge and being pivotally mounted to a second outer end of the dipper member.

Abstract: The invention provides a shortwall mining machine comprising an assembly, which preferably is articulated and has a protective canopy. The assembly is arranged parallel to a shortwall mineral face, and a cutter is hauled along a guide on the assembly to cut the face. As the face is cut the assembly is moved towards the face by use of rams connected between the assembly and stay units located in roadways adjacent the face. The cutter may be a scraper bucket or a plough, and is hauled across the face by either one motor in one of the roadways, or by two motors, one located in each roadway. The cutter may be steered by use of jacks on the assembly located in the roadways.

Abstract: A method of mining a large underground seam of mineral, such as coal is described in which a first cylindrical shaft is drilled from the surface of the earth down to the mineral seam. A portion is enlarged at the base of the first shaft as a work room. A first radial shaft in the seam, out to a selected radius R, is drilled by conventional methods with the roofs supported by means such as hydraulic chocks which can be extended and moved selectively as the line of drilling progresses. When the first shaft is drilled, a continuous miner working on a short face method of mining is directly radially from the work room and is advanced outwardly until the width of the first radial shaft is such that the original wall of the first shaft has been cut away. The direction of the miner is then turned to be parallel to the first horizontal shaft and a short wall cutting advance is made to cut away the first wall of the first shaft and, in effect, drill a second shaft having a first wall spaced by the width of the cutter.

Abstract: An apparatus for crushing fragments of asphalt removed from a roadway by a paved roadway planing apparatus includes a grid upon which the fragments are deposited and a crushing tool having a plurality of cutting bits mounted on a rotating drum for movement along circular paths intersecting the grid. The crushing apparatus can be towed behind the paved roadway planing apparatus to receive the asphalt removed from the roadway from the paved roadway planing apparatus and to redeposit the crushed fragments on the roadway.

Abstract: A process for recovering underground fossil fuel deposits retained in an inorganic matrix wherein the deposit is contacted with an aqueous medium of anaerobic microorganisms for a time sufficient to produce particles of the deposit containing both the organic fossil fuel and inorganic matrix of a size capable of forming a slurry with the aqueous medium for pumping to the ground surface. At the ground surface, the particulates are separated from the aqueous medium of anaerobic organisms, the particulates further processed by efficient surface techniques to separate the organic carbon and hydrocarbon component from the inorganic matrix. The aqueous medium of anaerobic organisms is recycled to the underground fossil fuel deposit for further production of the slurry forming particles of the deposit. Spent inorganic matrix may be added to the aqueous medium of anaerobic organisms to provide solid support and nutrient for the organisms and to maintain the desired pH.

Abstract: Layers of overburden are progressively removed from one inclined side of a cut by a rotating cutter and deposited on the other side of the cut in substantially the same geological sequence by traversing the cutter along an arm sloping along the inclined side, conveying the removed overburden by the arm to the bottom of the cut, and depositing the overburden by an adjustable endless belt on the opposite sloping side. The arm is moved along the sloping side by self-propelled transport units at the top and bottom of that sloping side.

Abstract: A mine roof-bolter machine having an extensible conveyor running therethrough operates behind a continuous miner machine. As the continuous miner advances, the roof-bolter advances from position-to-position while installing roof bolts and plates, and the extensible conveyor gives and takes the slack between the continuous miner and the roof bolter and feeds mined material to a surge car behind the roof bolter.

Abstract: A tunneling machine provided with the plurality of impact type cutting tools adapted to be mounted on a rotatable or oscillatable workhead assembly in such order and number that the work done by each of said tools upon angular movement of the workhead is generally equal. The working heads of the tools are mounted in close fit through a circulator disc shaped shield which prevents rock or like particles from passing beyond the workhead area to the bodies of the impact tools. Movement is imparted to the workhead assembly by a plurality of self propelled mechanisms which, along with the workhead, are concentrically surrounded by an enclosed tubular shroud which extends generally the length of the machine and is affixed to the shield.

Abstract: An improved mining apparatus for excavating material, such as coal, for example, from an earth formation, such as a coal seam, for example, wherein a miner, having a forward and a rearward cutter, is guided through the coal seam and excavates a borehole therein, the borehole being filled with a working fluid during the operation of the miner, the working fluid facilitating the operation of the miner and providing a vehicle for removing the mined material. Substantially all of the operations of the miner are controlled from the earth's surface thereby eliminating the necessity and accompanying hazards and costs involved in utilizing personnel underground during the mining operations.

Abstract: A continuous miner is employed in conjunction with a flume that removes the mined product from the working face. The discharge from mobile continuous miner is deposited in a sloping trough supported by the miner which is in cooperative and relatively movable engagement with the flume and the product is washed down the trough with water which forms a slurry that is transported down the flume.

Abstract: When breaking up lumps of stone from a subaqueous stony ground, the lumps are loosened by means of at least one chisel inserted into the ground and being moved along the ground surface. In order to break up lumps of stone by low power and to main a predetermined size of the loosened lumps of stone suitable for being lifted by a suction dredger system, the structure of the top layer of the stony ground is disturbed by inserting displacers from above into the ground at places distributed over the ground surface.

Abstract: A strip mining technique wherein an active mining area is continuously moved across a mining ground. In one form of the invention, overburden is removed from a leading end of the active mining area and conveyed by a conveyor system located on a highwall of the mining area to a following end of that mining area. The conveyed overburden is dumped adjacent the active mining area following end to form a spoil bank which is landscaped and reclaimed. Another form of the invention includes a conveyor system located on the main bench.

Abstract: A strip mining technique wherein an active mining area is continuously moved across a mining ground. Overburden is removed from a leading end of the active mining area and conveyed by a conveyor system located on a high-wall of the mining area to a following end of that mining area. The conveyed overburden is dumped adjacent the active mining area following end to form a spoil bank which is landscaped and reclaimed.

Abstract: A method of drilling shot firing holes in the face of a roadway or tunnel by means of a bucket loader on which is displaceably mounted a drilling mast which carries a slidable drill head, with power unit to displace the drill head with respect to the mast connected between the drill head and mast, comprises the steps of:Advancing the mast from a non-active, rearward position towards an active, forward position, by fixing the drill head with respect to the loader and activating the power unit;Fixing the position of the mast with respect to the loader and releasing the drill head and again activating the power unit to advance the drill head with respect to the mast, after drilling as required; andRetracting th drill head by activating the power unit, either as a preparatory step for subsequent advance to drill further holes or alternatively for purposes of retracting the mast, after fixing the drill head in its retracted position with respect to the loader and releasing the mast and again activating the power u

Abstract: A method for maintaining suitable velocity or velocity range in a slurry pipeline system of the type with a water pipeline return and slurried material pipeline output with more than one slurry injection point. A single set of primary pipelines, one water and one slurry, is able to serve multiple points of hydraulic injection by means of slurry pipeline flowmeters downstream from each slurry injection water bypass junction, with each flowmeter actuating water control valves to bypass water to the slurry pipeline at the respective junction so as to maintain slurry pipeline velocity within prescribed limits.

Abstract: Method of operating a quarry area comprises the steps of advancement of excavation such that a central trench is first provided for receiving overburden from adjacent strips to both sides of such trench. When the operation in the quarry is completed, a plurality of elongated spoil ridges are left with the valleys between the ridges providing solid ground for access roads to a further quarry area subsequently opened to one end of the depleted area. The method also facilitates the handling of overburden and transportation of the excavated rock in the existing quarry.

Abstract: An aerial conveyor system comprises a pair of spaced apart cables extending from a first vehicle including material delivery apparatus across a material receiving zone, across an open area, and across a material discharge zone to a second vehicle. The cables support a plurality of conveyor support frames each comprising a pair of tubular members extending substantially parallel to the cables, a plurality of hook rollers for supporting the tubular members on the cables, and a plurality of transversely disposed conveyor support rollers. An endless conveyor belt is mounted for movement around a course defined by the conveyor support rollers of the conveyor support frames and functions to transport material received from the delivery apparatus of the first vehicle in the receiving zone across the open area to the discharge zone.

Abstract: An auxiliary device for a longwall mining machine incorporating an underframe, by which it is mounted for movement along the conveyor of the mining machine, and it is coupled to the mining machine. The auxiliary device comprises a rotary breaking or crushing element drivably carried by the underframe and the underframe is provided with a reaction means, preferably a plate, spaced away from an adjacent periphery of the rotary element. In use, material on the moving conveyor passes between the rotating breaking or crushing element and the reaction plate where the material is broken up or crushed. In this way, it can be ensured that any large lumps of coal or rock on the conveyor can be broken down to a sufficiently small size so as not to become jammed beneath the main frame of the mining machine straddling the conveyor.

Abstract: A tabular mineral deposit is mined by drilling overlapping holes in the plane of the deposit, the first hole being drilled in any convenient manner and each subsequent hole being drilled by a box hole type machine with a coring bit. The core breaks up and passes out of the core barrel into the orbit of vanes that transfer the broken rock into the hole being lapped. The broken rock is then removed along the hole being overlapped as by means of a drag line scraper.

Abstract: A mining machine that may be used in place of an auger miner that is much more energy efficient in transporting mined material from the cutting site to the mouth of the mine. The machine includes a non-rotatable body member with stabilizers, at least one rotatable pilot cutting head mounted in front of the body member and a shaft operatively connected to the cutting head for rotation thereof, and a conveyor assembly mounted behind the pilot head in operative association with the body member. The conveyor assembly includes a scoop disposed posteriorly of the cutting head and having a bottom portion abutting the floor and extending posteriorly therefrom at an angle of about 14.degree. or less, and having side members that funnel toward each other.

Abstract: A device for removing relatively larger size gravels, stones, crushed rocks and the like contained in a discharged mixture of fed slurry or muddy water and excavated ground formation components in hydraulic tunnel boring systems. The device comprises a lattice-shaped classifying means connected at one end to a discharging pipe for conducting the mixture from the tunnel face, a primary chamber connected to the other end of the classifying means for receiving and storing classified gravels and the like, and a secondary chamber communicating with the primary chamber through a valve for receiving and retaining the gravels and the like filled in the primary chamber. A housing surrounds and rotatably supports the classifying means and includes a discharging pipe for conducting muddy water passed through the clarifying means. A motor rotates the classifying means for performing classifying work.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for hydraulically hoisting particulate solid mined minerals from one mine level to another in which bore holes are used as conveying conduits for the mineral-water mixtures. Batches of the mineral are charged into a pressure vessel at a lower level and discharged intermittently into a borehole conduit system in which water is circulated, under pressure, between the two mine levels. The mineral is separated from the conveying water at a higher level by a conventional dewatering apparatus and the water is returned to the vessel for mixing with a new batch of mineral. The method is conducted cyclically with mineral batches being charged to and then discharged from the vessel at controlled intervals, the control being achieved by valve means which alternately isolate and integrate the vessel with the water circuit. The pressure vessel is further characterized by a discharge port in a sidewall of the vessel connected to a discharge pipe outside the vessel.

Abstract: The invention refers to a paddle wheel type pick-up device for loading stored piled bulk materials or the recovery of mined minerals. The pick-up arrangement is supported on the frame of a carriage parallel with the breakdown front of the stored pile, or mined surface and coordinated with a travelling beam, also hinged at the carriage frame, covering the breakdown front. The beam accommodates a cutting device.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel configurations of open pit mines and methods of mining in open pit operations in which the benches are established radially outward from a turning point to facilitate the use of a mobile crusher adjacent the benches in combination with a belt conveyor system that can carry crushed mined mineral materials directly from the mobile crusher and deliver them directly to the turning point area.

Abstract: Connected support sections for a mineral face conveyor are individually supported on the forward sides of chocks which move in towards the rib of a panel behind a mining machine. Backfill is transported to the mined area behind the moved-up chocks via a conveyor supported from connected support sections on the rear sides of the chocks.

Abstract: An excavating mining and conveying apparatus is formed of trough segments or sections with screw sections mounted on the trough sections carrying out the mining and conveying functions. Actuating means are provided to bring the screws successively into inclined contact with the face or seam of coal at an angle of from 5.degree. to 50.degree.. A drive is provided to transmit a torque to drive the conveying and transporting screws.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for hydraulically mining of coal. An entry is driven upwardly through a panel of coal to a predetermined terminus and a fluming system, which slopes in the same direction as the entry, is installed in the entry. A monitor is positioned in the entry and a high pressure jet of water from the monitor is employed to cut coal from the face area of the panel of coal. The cut and broken coal is then further broken with a jet of high pressure water from a second monitor positioned in the entry and located near the face area. The broken coal then is fed to the fluming system and transported through the flume with the aid of gravity as a coal-water slurry.