Abstract: A drill for excavating a bore in the earth includes a steerable boring tool configured to excavate a bore and sensors coupled to the boring tool. The sensors are spaced apart from one another at multiple azimuthal locations around the steerable boring tool and the sensors are configured to detect a mineral property in the earth adjacent the steerable boring tool.

Abstract: A drill for excavating a bore in the earth includes a steerable primary boring tool, a secondary boring tool and a sensor. The steerable primary boring tool is configured to excavate a primary bore. The secondary boring tool is configured to excavate a plurality of side bores that extend outward from the primary bore at a plurality of azimuthal locations around the primary bore. The sensor is configured to detect a mineral property in the earth adjacent each of the side bores.

Abstract: A method of separating a mineral bearing particle from a fluid includes providing a housing along a surface of the fluid, moving the housing along the surface of the fluid with a driver, and applying a radio-frequency electromagnetic field to the fluid with a generator. Applying the radio-frequency electromagnetic field includes increasing a temperature of the mineral bearing particle contained within the fluid to a boiling point of the fluid whereby the mineral bearing particle transfers heat into the fluid.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating a mineral from a liquid including a housing and a fluid having a mineral bearing particle and contained within the housing. The apparatus further includes a generator configured to apply a radio-frequency electromagnetic field to the mineral bearing particle. The field produces a temperature increase within a portion of the mineral bearing particle and the mineral bearing particle transfers heat into the fluid, the heated fluid imposing motion-inducing forces on the particle.

Abstract: A system for fragmenting material includes an energy source, an acoustic transmitter, and a controller. The acoustic transmitter is coupled to the energy source and includes a unit acoustic source configured to emit an acoustic wave through a volume of ground material. The controller is coupled to the acoustic transmitter and is configured to engage the unit acoustic source such that the acoustic wave fractures the volume of ground material at a target location.

Abstract: A system for fragmenting material includes an energy source, an acoustic transmitter, and a controller. The acoustic transmitter is coupled to the energy source and includes a unit acoustic source configured to emit an acoustic wave through a volume of ground material. The controller is coupled to the acoustic transmitter and is configured to engage the unit acoustic source such that the acoustic wave fractures the volume of ground material at a target location.

Abstract: A drill for excavating a bore in the earth includes a steerable boring tool configured to excavate a bore and sensors coupled to the boring tool. The sensors are spaced apart from one another at multiple azimuthal locations around the steerable boring tool and the sensors are configured to detect a mineral property in the earth adjacent the steerable boring tool.

Abstract: A drill for excavating a bore in the earth includes a steerable boring tool configured to excavate a bore and sensors coupled to the boring tool. The sensors are spaced apart from one another at multiple azimuthal locations around the steerable boring tool and the sensors are configured to detect a mineral property in the earth adjacent the steerable boring tool.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating a mineral from a liquid including a housing and a fluid having a mineral bearing particle and contained within the housing. The apparatus further includes a generator configured to apply a radio-frequency electromagnetic field to the mineral bearing particle. The field produces a temperature increase within a portion of the mineral bearing particle and the mineral bearing particle transfers heat into the fluid, the heated fluid imposing motion-inducing forces on the particle.

Abstract: A drill for excavating a bore in the earth includes a steerable boring tool configured to excavate a bore and sensors coupled to the boring tool. The sensors are spaced apart from one another at multiple azimuthal locations around the steerable boring tool and the sensors are configured to detect a mineral property in the earth adjacent the steerable boring tool.

Abstract: This system develops an ore body in two lifts, driven from opposite ends (at different times) and utilizes the concept of lane pillars rather than square block pillars. These conditions generate a new ventilation system that is flexible and well suited for the varying air requirements in oil shale mining.The ore handling system is load-haul-dump (LHD) to portable crushers to belts to surface. The layout of this method introduces unique functions for this system by creating two directional ore flow from the workings, which optimize logistics and material handling methods.