Abstract: The present invention relates to a mining system. The system includes a continuous miner for forming plunge tunnels from a roadway. A flexible conveyor system is coupled to the continuous miner for conveying mined material from the plunge tunnels. A controller is provided for controlling the continuous miner and the flexible conveyor system to travel along a predetermined path. Advantageously, the controller may control the drive and steering (including turning maneuvers) of the continuous miner and each conveyor module of the flexible conveyor system along the predetermined path to avoid striking either any adjacent equipment (e.g., another conveyor), or the “ribs” of a plunge tunnel being mined.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for recovering a continuous miner arrangement from a tunnel. The system includes a coupler for coupling the continuous miner arrangement to a pulling apparatus. The pulling apparatus pulls the continuous miner arrangement from the tunnel. Advantageously, the pulling apparatus may pull the continuous miner arrangement from the tunnel, either fully or partially until the continuous miner arrangement may once again retract from the tunnel under its own power.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mining system. The system includes a continuous miner for forming plunge tunnels from a roadway. A flexible conveyor system is coupled to the continuous miner for conveying mined material from the plunge tunnels. A controller is provided for controlling the continuous miner and the flexible conveyor system to travel along a predetermined path. Advantageously, the controller may control the drive and steering (including turning maneuvers) of the continuous miner and each conveyor module of the flexible conveyor system along the predetermined path to avoid striking either any adjacent equipment (e.g. another conveyor), or the ‘ribs’ of a plunge tunnel being mined.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mining system. The system includes a continuous miner for forming plunge tunnels from a roadway. A flexible conveyor system is coupled to the continuous miner for conveying mined material from the plunge tunnels. A controller is provided for controlling the continuous miner and the flexible conveyor system to travel along a predetermined path. Advantageously, the controller may control the drive and steering (including turning maneuvers) of the continuous miner and each conveyor module of the flexible conveyor system along the predetermined path to avoid striking either any adjacent equipment (e.g., another conveyor), or the “ribs” of a plunge tunnel being mined.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mining system. The system includes a continuous miner for forming plunge tunnels from a roadway. A flexible conveyor system is coupled to the continuous miner for conveying mined material from the plunge tunnels. A controller is provided for controlling the continuous miner and the flexible conveyor system to travel along a predetermined path. Advantageously, the controller may control the drive and steering (including turning maneuvers) of the continuous miner and each conveyor module of the flexible conveyor system along the predetermined path to avoid striking either any adjacent equipment (e.g. another conveyor), or the ‘ribs’ of a plunge tunnel being mined.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for recovering a continuous miner arrangement from a tunnel. The system includes a coupler for coupling the continuous miner arrangement to a pulling apparatus. The pulling apparatus pulls the continuous miner arrangement from the tunnel. Advantageously, the pulling apparatus may pull the continuous miner arrangement from the tunnel, either fully or partially until the continuous miner arrangement may once again retract from the tunnel under its own power.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mining method including the step of forming one or more sets of gate roads. Each set of gate roads includes at least two headings typically for providing and retuning ventilation. Dead end plunge cuts extend from the sets of gate roads. Each plunge cut is formed with a continuous miner coupled to a flexible conveyor system. Each plunge cut is greater than 30 meters in length. Advantageously, narrow elongate pillars may be left between adjacent plunge cuts, thereby resulting in greater material removal per volume and improved operating costs when compared with bord and pillar mining.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mining method including the step of forming one or more sets of gate roads. Each set of gate roads includes at least two headings typically for providing and retuning ventilation. Dead end plunge cuts extend from the sets of gate roads. Each plunge cut is formed with a continuous miner coupled to a flexible conveyor system. Each plunge cut is greater than 30 metres in length. Advantageously, narrow elongate pillars may be left between adjacent plunge cuts, thereby resulting in greater material removal per volume and improved operating costs when compared with bord and pillar mining.

Abstract: A modular ramp system contemplates two molded plastic ramps placed back-to-back so that one would travel up one ramp and then down the other. The ramps are interconnected by a spine. The spine connectors are dovetail recesses and projections. The ramps have connections on their sides, so other ramps may be assembled to the two ramps to make a wider ramp. The ramp can have a plurality of ramp sections assembled together to create a ramp. A table is designed to be used with ramps and other components and includes openings facilitating installation of a grind rail or a support rail. The table surface includes a peripheral coping. A grind rail includes legs with arcuate bottoms to facilitate support of a grind rail regardless of angulation. Curved sections of grind rails allow lateral and vertical curvature of a grind rail configuration. Connectors are provided to interconnect adjacent grind rail sections.

Abstract: A modular ramp system contemplates two molded plastic ramps placed back-to-back so that one would travel up one ramp and then down the other. The ramps are interconnected by a spine. The spine connectors are dovetail recesses and projections. The ramps have connections on their sides, so other ramps may be assembled to the two ramps to make a wider ramp. The ramp can have a plurality of ramp sections assembled together to create a ramp. A table is designed to be used with ramps and other components and includes openings facilitating installation of a grind rail or a support rail. The table surface includes a peripheral coping. A grind rail includes legs with arcuate bottoms to facilitate support of a grind rail regardless of angulation. Curved sections of grind rails allow lateral and vertical curvature of a grind rail configuration. Connectors are provided to interconnect adjacent grind rail sections.

Abstract: A modular ramp system contemplates two molded plastic ramps placed back-to-back with one another so that in a direction of travel, one would travel up one ramp and then immediately down the other. The ramps are interconnected by a spine including connectors interfacing with connectors provided on the facing surfaces of the ramps. In the preferred embodiment, the connectors consist of dovetail recesses and dovetail projections. The ramps also have connection structure on their lateral sides, so that other ramps may be assembled to the two back-to-back ramps to make a ramp that is incrementally wider. The ramp may consist of a plurality of ramp sections assembled together to create a ramp. A table is designed to be used with ramps and other components and includes openings to facilitate installation of a grind rail or a support rail. The table surface includes peripheral coping integrally formed with the table during manufacture.

Abstract: A modular ramp system contemplates two molded plastic ramps placed back-to-back with one another so that in a direction of travel, one would travel up one ramp and then immediately down the other. The ramps are interconnected by a spine including connectors interfacing with connectors provided on the facing surfaces of the ramps. In the preferred embodiment, the connectors consist of dovetail recesses and dovetail projections. The ramps also have connection structure on their lateral sides, so that other ramps may be assembled to the two back-to-back ramps to make a ramp that is incrementally wider. The ramp may consist of a plurality of ramp sections assembled together to create a ramp. A table is designed to be used with ramps and other components and includes openings to facilitate installation of a grind rail or a support rail. The table surface includes peripheral coping integrally formed with the table during manufacture.

Abstract: A molded plastic ramp is made in a one-step molding process. The ramp includes reinforced side and rear walls and a smooth radiused ramp surface. The ramp includes laterally extending side and rear supports that engage a ground surface and the forward portion of the ramp surface extends forward of the forward extent of the side supports.