Abstract: A method for mining high grade ore from an ore body uses a near horizontal hole. The horizontal hole is bored into the ore body through as many of the high grade portions as possible. A jet mining tool is inserted into the hole to the high grade portion farthest from the tool insertion location and that portion of the high grade ore is removed. The tool is then pulled out of the hole until the jets are in a high grade portion which is adjacent the high grade portion previously mined and this portion is then jet mined. The process is repeated until all of the high grade portions of the ore body have been mined. The mined material is removed through the horizontally bored hole.

Abstract: A conveyor apparatus for moving a slurry line supported above the ground by a plurality of wheeled carts which are interconnected by one or more linkages, through a 180.degree. bend by having a disc journaled to a platform through the axis of the disc. Notches are formed in the periphery of the disc for receiving a wheel and a portion of the cart which extends outward from the linkage. Linkage retaining means extends from the periphery above and below the linkage and traps the linkage against the disc during the 180.degree. bend. On each side of the platform, below the linkage is attached a guide means to insure that the linkage is properly positioned both vertically and horizontally for mating with the linkage engaging apparatus which is attached to the disc periphery.

Abstract: A transport vehicle for movement along the surface of the earth has a forward portion with apparatus mounted for mixing dry coal with fluid to form a slurry. The terminus of a cart-supported slurry hose apparatus is connected to the rear portion. A portion of the cart-supported slurry hose apparatus includes linkages which are attached to the rear portion of the transport vehicle. An improvement in the attaching apparatus includes means for pivotally attaching the terminus of the linkage to the vehicle. An arcuate support is attached to the vehicle over the rear end of the vehicle. A coupling is attached between the arcuate support and the linkage to permit the linkage to pivot freely while supporting the linkage from contact with the surface of the earth.

Abstract: In a low profile crusher which has first and second cylindrical rolls journaled so that the rotational axis of the rolls are parallel and an input conveyor and an output conveyor is improved by journaling the first roll so that the distance from the axis of the first roll to the product side of the output conveyor is slightly greater than the radius of the first roll. The input conveyor is mounted over the first roll so that the distance between the axis of the first roll and the return side of the input conveyor is slightly greater than the radius of the first roll. The second roll is journaled above the first roll so that the maximum height of the second roll is at least equal to the height of the product side of the input conveyor and close enough to the first roll to produce a predetermined maximum size of product. A scalping method for the above is formed by mounting the input end of the input conveyor in substantially the same plane as the output conveyor.

Abstract: In order to concentrate coal slurry from a plurality of mine faces being pumped through a plurality of individual pipes, a shallow sump is formed by digging a trench along a mine tunnel and the individual pipes empty into the sump. The product, such as coal, is allowed to settle to the bottom where it is picked up and pumped out of the mine at a controlled concentration, thereby improving the pumping efficiency of the pipeline system.

Abstract: Improvement structure for use in mine slurry conveyor systems of the type which transport mined material from a plurality of work spaces in the mine to a remotely disposed recovery and finishing plane. The system utilizes permanent tank or silo storage of slurry and water at a centralized point within a mine for reception of material slurry from all work faces in order to re-regulate slurry concentration for further conveyance out of the mine to a recovery station. The slurry silo communicates with a positive solids feed device which deposits mined material into a submerged slurry pit for re-slurry mixing at controlled rate of positive solids feed and agitation of re-slurry water whereupon the adjusted slurry is hydraulically conveyed to the recovery station.

Abstract: A conveyor for a flexible slurry hose of the type carried on a plurality of wheel-supported carts interconnected by an articulated linkage. The conveyor provides guidance and track means for transporting the carts and hose through a 180.degree. turn by lifting the wheels from the ground and guiding the linkage through the 180.degree. turn. The hose linkage and carts are guided through portions of an elliptical path before and after passing through an arc of a circle facilitating greater ease in negotiation of the entire turn, and a lesser degree of lateral displacement of the linkage than in systems guiding through a 180.degree. path of travel formed on a constant radius.

Abstract: An underground, improved slurry transportation system consists of a first and second vertical cavity. Both cavities have a vent means to the surface of the earth. Slurry input means from a plurality of mine faces communicates with the upper portion of the first vertical cavity and slurry output means communicates with the lower portion of the first vertical cavity. A pump connected to the slurry outlet forces the slurry from underground through a slurry handling pipe system to a preparation plant located on the surface of the earth.Water is added to the second vertical cavity by an inlet communicating with the upper portion of the cavity. Water is also provided to the first cavity, and valves are provided to add water to either the first or second cavity upon demand. A decant system is also provided between the first and second cavities to remove any excess water that may accumulate in the first cavity.

Abstract: Methods and systems for forming a particulated solids-carrier liquid slurry and transporting it through a conduit are provided wherein a continuous stream of carrier liquid is flowed into a sump, particulated solids to be transported are introduced into the sump so that a pumpable solids-carrier liquid slurry is formed therein, and the slurry is pumped out of the sump into a conduit for transport to a remote location. The flow rate of the stream of carrier liquid flowing into the sump is varied in inverse proportion to changes in the flow rate of particulated solids introduced therein so that the flow rate of slurry formed in the sump is maintained substantially equal to the flow rate of slurry pumped out of the sump.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming a particulated solids-carrier liquid slurry and transporting it between first and second locations wherein a continuous stream of carrier liquid is flowed to the first location at a constant flow rate and particulated solids to be transported are injected directly into the carrier liquid so that a particulated solids-carrier liquid slurry is formed. The slurry is pumped to the second location at a flow rate such that the pressure level of the carrier liquid at the first location is maintained at a predetermined level thereby facilitating the direct injection of particulated solids thereinto.