Abstract: The invention relates to the hydraulic underground mining of bituminous sands, oil shales and other friable mineral deposits. Accordingly, the invention resides in the provision of a tunnel complex at or near the base of the deposit, in which tunnels are driven parallel one with the other, and spaced a substantial distance apart. An exemplary distance would be in the region of 2,000 feet. Hydraulic excavators are driven outwardly from the sides of the tunnels until the excavator heads are in a position substantially midway between adjacent tunnels. The excavators are arranged in a multiple array at spaced intervals along the tunnels, these intervals being adjusted such that there is interaction during operation, between adjacent excavator heads. The excavators may be positioned in two or more tiers by insertion into the deposit at differing angles from the operating tunnel, such that interaction between excavators is in two dimensions, horizontal and vertical.

Abstract: This invention relates to excavating apparatus for use in the mining of bituminous sands, oil shale or other friable mineral deposits, and particularly adaptable for use in the "Fixed Arch Shield" mining technique. The excavating apparatus of the invention comprises a supporting framework having at least one excavator carrying member; guide means associated with that member; excavator support means constrained by the guide means for movement longitudinally of the member; means such as a hydraulic ram, for affecting movement of the support within the guide means; arm means pivotally mounted at an end thereof to the support means, and independent drive motors to affect rotation of the arm about its pivot and the ore cutting device respectively.

Abstract: A hook plow apparatus for use in longwall mining and particularly adapted for use in conjunction with a fixed arch shield mining system having rails mounted along the length of the shield. The apparatus includes a power transmission frame mounted for movement along the rails, a plow mounting body connected to the frame, upper and lower vertically extendable ranging plow blocks mounted on the plow mounting body and having plow blades thereon, means for propelling the frame, the mounting body and the ranging plow blocks along the rails, and means for extending the mounting body and the ranging plow blocks vertically and laterally toward the mine wall relative to the to the power transmission frame.

Abstract: In the underground mining of friable mineral deposits such as bituminous sands, method and apparatus are disclosed in which a working crosscut in the mineral deposit, is established, connecting two parallel operating tunnels, the front wall of the crosscut being unsupported and forming the mining wall, the roof and rear wall of the working crosscut being supported by a novel mining shield comprising a plurality of forwardly inclined, base supported arch members positioned in adjacent abutting relationship and each independently advanceable towards the mining wall. A conventional mining machine is employed under the mining shield in the working crosscut, operating across the full width of the mining wall. As the mining machine removes a cut, apparatus upon the mining machine advances individual mining arch sections forwardly into the mining face the depth of the cut, leaving the backs unsupported and free to collapse behind the advancing mining shield.

Abstract: In the underground mining of friable mineral deposits such as bituminous sands, method and apparatus are disclosed in which a working crosscut in the mineral deposit, is established, connecting two parallel operating tunnels, the front wall of the crosscut being unsupported and forming the mining wall, the roof and rear wall of the working crosscut being supported by a novel mining shield comprising a plurality of forwardly inclined, base supported arch members positioned in adjacent abutting relationship and each independently advanceable towards the mining wall. A conventional mining machine is employed under the mining shield in the working crosscut, operating across the full width of the mining wall. As the mining machine removes a cut, apparatus upon the mining machine advances individual mining arch sections forwardly into the mining face the depth of the cut, leaving the backs unsupported and free to collapse behind the advancing mining shield.

Abstract: In the underground mining of friable mineral deposits such as bituminous sands, method and apparatus are disclosed in which a working crosscut in the mineral deposit, is established, connecting two parallel operating tunnels, the front wall of the crosscut being unsupported and forming the mining wall, the roof and rear wall of the working crosscut being separated from the mining equipment by a novel mining shield comprising a plurality of forwardly inclined, base supported arch members positioned in adjacent abutting relationship and each independently advanceable towards the mining wall. A conventional mining machine is employed under the mining shield in the working crosscut, operating across the full width of the mining wall. As the mining machine removes a cut, apparatus upon the mining machine advances individual mining arch sections forwardly into the mining face the depth of the cut, leaving the backs unsupported and free to collapse behind the advancing mining shield.

Abstract: A propulsion motor is disclosed for use in propelling the mining machine used in a fixed arch shield mining system wherein the mining machine is movably supported by the shield. The propulsion motor comprises a power transfer means secured to the mining machine and being shiftable from a non-cutting position to a cutting position. The power transfer means includes a drive arrangement having portions engageable with certain of the arches of the mining shield for propelling the mining machine.