Continuous mining machine having core cutting assembly

A milling system for a continuous mining machine, comprising:

• a milling drum;
• a plurality of cutting tools mounted to an outer cylindrical surface of the milling drum;
• a strut supporting the milling drum;
• a shaft connected to rotate the milling drum about a first axis;
• a drive mechanism connected to the shaft at an end of the milling drum;
• and
• at least one rotary cutting bit supported by the strut and powered by the drive mechanism to rotate about a second axis that is substantially orthogonal to the first axis.

A continuous mining machine, comprising:

• a frame;
• a mobile undercarriage supporting the frame;
• a boom pivotally connected to the frame;
• a milling drum having an outer cylindrical surface divided into a plurality of segments, and a plurality of cutting tools mounted to each of the plurality of segments;
• a strut connecting the milling drum to a distal end of the boom;
• a shaft configured to drive the milling drum about a first axis;
• a drive mechanism mounted to the strut and driven by the shaft to rotate about the first axis of the milling drum;
• and
• a plurality of rotary cutting bits arranged within a common plane, supported by the strut in a forward driving direction of the continuous mining machine, and powered by the drive mechanism to rotate about a second axis that is substantially orthogonal to the first axis.