An underground mining system for reduced costs, improved efficiencies, higher productivity and a safer working environment through penetrated block extraction
AssigneeUnderground Extraction Technologies Pty LTD
InventorsBrian MacDonald, Michael Mapp
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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.
Claims21
1-30. (canceled)
An underground mining method including the steps of forming:
- one or more sets of underground gate roads, each set of gate roads including at least two headings;
- and
- underground dead end plunge cuts extending from the sets of gate roads, each plunge cut formed with an unmanned continuous miner and being greater than 30 metres in length with a roof that need not be supported.
An underground mine including:
- one or more sets of underground gate roads, each set of gate roads including at least two headings;
- and
- underground dead end plunge cuts extending from the sets of gate roads, each plunge cut formed with an unmanned continuous miner, each plunge cut having a generally quadrilateral cross section and being greater than 30 metres in length with a roof that need not be supported.
An underground mining system including:
- (1) an underground mine including:
- one or more sets of underground gate roads, each set of gate roads including at least two headings;
- and
- underground dead end plunge cuts extending from the sets of gate roads, each plunge cut having a generally quadrilateral cross section and being greater than 30 metres in length with a roof that need not be supported;
- and
- (2) an unmanned continuous miner for forming the plunge cuts.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.