Abstract: A surface mining system for removing material from a mining face generally includes a conveyor extending substantially parallel to the mining face, a miner supported by and moveable along the conveyor, and a conveyor translation device associated with the conveyor and operable to move the conveyor and the miner toward the mining face. A method for advancing a surface mining longwall system generally includes moving the longwall shearer along a face conveyor, operating load translation devices to move the face conveyor and the longwall shearer toward the mining face, resetting a first group of load translation devices, and then resetting a second group of load translation devices. A load translation device generally includes an actuator, a ground drilling device coupled to and moveable with a portion of the actuator, and a frame coupled to and moveable with another portion of the actuator.

Abstract: A surface mining system removes material from a surface mining block that has a substantially vertical and laterally extending mining face. The surface mining system generally includes a miner moveable in a lateral direction along the mining face, a face conveyor extending along the mining face, and conveyor translation devices associated with the face conveyor and operable to move the face conveyor toward the mining face as material is removed. The miner includes a rotating cutting member mounted to an end of a vertically ranging cutting arm and operable to remove material from the mining block. The face conveyor includes a discharge portion and is operable to convey material removed from the mining block toward the discharge portion. Each conveyor translation device includes a secured configuration substantially fixed with respect to the mining face and an unsecured configuration moveable with respect to the mining face.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mining apparatus for installing bolts into a mine entry, said apparatus including: a frame having a forward end, a rearward end and lateral sides; an upstanding bolter support wall attached to said forward end of said frame; a laterally extending guide frame mounted to said support wall which extends along a lateral plane which is generally parallel to the support wall; at least one bolting rig slidably mounted to said guide frame; and translation means for selectively moving the bolting rig laterally along the guide frame relative to the support wall.

Abstract: A continuous miner having a cutting head and a conveyor mounted on a moveable chassis, the miner including a shovel mounted on a supporting structure, the shovel being translatable relative to the miner, and means for translating the shovel relative to the moveable chassis so as to be able to be moved from a rearward location to a forward location relative to the moveable chassis.

Abstract: A mining apparatus dust collection component including a vessel to receive and circulate an airflow and an entrained particulate material; said vessel separating said particulate material from airflow by a centrifugal effect said vessel including an inlet and an outlet for said airflow said component including attachment means to attach a detachable bag to said vessel said detachable bag preventing air passing through it. A mining apparatus dust collection system including: at least one inlet associated with a respective drilling unit to draw air and dust into said system from a drill bit when said drilling unit is in use; at least a first stage of dust removal being a mining dust collection component as described connected to at least one of said inlet; a vacuum pump to draw air and dust from said drilling unit.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus (2) for installing bolts into a mine entry, said apparatus including: a frame (8) having a forward end (20), a rearward end and lateral sides; at least one bolting rig (140, 142, 144, 146) operatively mounted to said forward end of said frame; at least one roof support member attached to said forward end of said frame (8) separate from said bolting rig (140, 142, 144, 146) for selectively supporting said mine entry as bolts are installed therein; and an operator station (990) on said frame for supporting an operator thereon during operation of said at least one roof support member.

Abstract: The invention provides a vehicle which employs hollow structural members to store and cool hydraulic fluid used by the vehicle or by equipment located thereon. The preferred form of the invention provides an apparatus for installing bolts into a mine entry said apparatus including: a frame having a forward end, a rearward end and lateral sides, said frame defining a generally horizontal work area; at least one drive for propelling said frame within said entry; at least one bolting rig attached to said frame; a deck member attached to said frame and covering said frame for supporting an operator thereon; and a return oil tank incorporated into said frame to receive return hydraulic oil from said bolting rig or rigs.

Abstract: The present invention provides a storage pod for storing equipment and parts for use in underground mining operations, said storage pod being self supporting and removable from a transport or operational vehicle whereupon said pod is carried in use, said pod comprising a generally rectilinear body which forms an open topped upper compartment having a front wall, a rear wall, side walls and a floor, and a lower compartment located below said floor, said lower compartment being divided into a series of elongated storage slots, said slots being accessible from the front and/or rear of the pod. The invention also provides an underground mining machine in assembly with a pod of the type described above, the vehicle and pod having cooperating locking formations thereon for releasably locking the pod the vehicle for the duration of a mining operation and adapted to allow removal of the pod from the vehicle and replacement thereof with another pod as and when required in use.

Abstract: A rod storage and transport apparatus comprising a roof bolter including a tool. The apparatus includes a rotatable holding carousel adjacent the tool and adapted to hold a plurality of rods therein. The apparatus also includes an extending and retracting transport mechanism cooperating with the carousel to move one rod at a time between the carousel and the tool, so that the tool can use the one rod to perform a mine operation. The carousel has a generally elongated shape and is able to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the shape. This permits the carousel to position the one rod held by the carousel adjacent the transport mechanism, so that the transport mechanism can transport the one rod to the tool, or position the carousel to receive a rod transported by the transport mechanism from the tool. The transport mechanism when fully retracted is substantially within a cylinder generated by the rotation of one of the rods about the longitudinal axis of the carousel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for the handling of rods such as drilling rods, roof bolts, or rib bolts, so that they can be removed directly from a storage cradle near a drilling rig or other mining operation machinery. The invention removes the need to manually load rods into drill rigs or other machinery, by a system of transportation mechanisms made up of straps and/or hydraulic actuators, and gate mechanisms to control the entry and exit of the rods from a storage cradle. Gripping mechanisms are also included to deposit the rods to and from a desired location on the drill rigs or other machinery.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for the handling of rods such as drilling rods, roof bolts, or rib bolts, so that they can be removed directly from a storage cradle near a drill rig or other mining operation machinery.The invention removes the need to manually load rods into drill rigs or other machinery, by a system of transportation mechanisms made up of straps and/or hydraulic actuators, and gate mechanisms to control the entry and exit of the rods from a storage cradle. Gripping mechanisms are also included to deposit the rods to and from a desired location on the drill rigs or other machinery.