Abstract: A mobile machine for use in opencast mining employs a chassis with endless tracks and the chassis has outriggers projecting laterally outwardly from the tracks. A hopper supported by one outrigger receives raw ore material excavated by another machine or machines. The raw ore material passes from the hopper to a screen arrangement with superimposed oscillating screens which sieve the material to separate the finer mineral ore product from the coarser spoil. The mineral ore product which passes through the screens is transferred by a multi-stage conveyor extending perpendicularly to the tracks to a separate conveyor laid on the floor of the working alongside a path of movement of the machine. The spoil is transferred with another conveyor to the inlet of a jib which extends laterally outwardly from the tracks opposite the hopper. The jib itself has a conveyor which transports the spoil along the jib which then discharges the spoil onto a dump.

Abstract: A transfer station which includes an elongated main frame, a conveyor movably mounted in the elongated main frame; a feeder box comprising opposite feed devices connected to opposite sides of the elongated main frame, each feeder device including a box compartment which can be tilted to discharge debris deposited therein onto the moving conveyor; a crusher mechanism for crushing debris carried thereto by the moving conveyor; a discharge chute for discharging the crushed debris into a hauling device; and lifting devices attached to the elongated main frame to lower it onto the ground and place the transfer station in a lowered, operational mode, or raise it above the ground and place the transfer station in an elevated transport mode. Once the transfer station is in its elevated, transport mode a caterpillar tractor can be positioned under the elongated main frame to transport the transfer station to another processing location.

Abstract: A feeder box for dumping bulk materials onto a conveyor of a mobile transfer station comprises at least one feeder device located adjacent a side of the conveyor, each feeder device including a box compartment and a support structure for the box compartment, the box compartment being pivotable with respect to the support structure so as to tilt towards the conveyor to dump bulk materials onto the conveyor.

Abstract: A shield support assembly for underground mining operations having a caving shield supported from a ground-engaging structure by a support beam pivotally attached at opposite ends to the shield and the ground-engaging structure, the shield being also pivotally attached to such ground-engaging structure by a pivot which is displaceable longitudinally of such structure by pressure-fluid-operated ram means arranged to act between such structure and the shield, the pivot or an extension of the shield beyond the pivot.

Abstract: A shield support for underground mining operations having a roof bar pivotally mounted on the upper end of a caving shield and laterally extensible aperture sealing plates of L-section arranged along opposite sides of the roof bar and opposite sides of the caving shield, the plates on the roof bar extending back to the rearward edge of the roof bar and the plates on the caving shield extending no further forward than the arc described by the rearward end of the roof bar plates upon pivoting of the roof bar relative to the caving shield.