Abstract: A rotary drill bit for boring a hole through a solid body is disclosed. The drill bit comprises a collar and a penetrating member. At a proximal end, the collar is attachable to a drill shaft. At a distal end, the collar is attachable to the penetrating member. The penetrating member has a connecting end for attachment to the collar and a cutting end for engaging the solid body. A pilot drill is fixedly attached to the cutting end for initiating contact with the solid body.

Abstract: A method of mining using a pair of continuous mining machines 12 and an auger mining machine 16. The continuous mining machines form spaced longitudinal roads 10, 11, 13 and 14. Further longitudinal roads 17 are formed by the auger mining machine 16 with subsequent transverse roads 19 being sequentially by the continuous mining machines 12.

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: A method of mining using a pair of continuous mining machines 12 and an auger mining machine 16. The continuous mining machines form spaced longitudinal roads 10, 11, 13 and 14. Further longitudinal roads 17 are formed by the auger mining machine 16 with subsequent transverse roads 19 being formed sequentially by the continuous mining machines 12.

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 rotary drill bit for boring a hole through a solid body is disclosed. The drill bit comprises a collar and a penetrating member. At a proximal end, the collar is attachable to a drill shaft. At a distal end, the collar is attachable to the penetrating member. The penetrating member has a connecting end for attachment to the collar and a cutting end for engaging the solid body. A pilot drill is fixedly attached to the cutting end for initiating contact with the solid body.

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).