Abstract: A mining system for removing overburden from a valuable mineral or coal deposit from a pit (9) is disclosed. The mining system comprises a dragline (600) for removing overburden from a high wall side (3) of the pit (9) to produce a properly formed high wall face. The mining system further comprises a cross-pit transport assembly which comprises a cross-pit vehicle (13) for dislodging and transporting overburden that is located between the high wall side (3) and a low wall side (7) of the pit (9) towards the low wall side (7).

Abstract: An apparatus for removing overburden or for mining a mineral from a valuable mineral or coal deposit, such as in an open pit mine, is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a cross-pit vehicle which is adapted to move between the high wall and low wall sides of the pit and, as it moves across the pit floor, to cut overburden from the pit floor and to carry the dislodged overburden to the low wall side of the pit. The apparatus further comprises a winch assembly on the low wall side of the pit and a cable which connects the low wall winch assembly to the cross-pit vehicle. The apparatus further comprises a winch assembly on the high wall side of the pit and a cable which connects the high wall winch assembly to the cross-pit vehicle. The low wall winch assembly is adapted to move the cross-pit vehicle from the high wall side towards the low wall side and the high wall winch assembly is adapted to return the cross-pit vehicle to the low wall side.