Underground mining system and method
OwnerStuart David THOMAS, Mark John O’TOOLEinventors
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A mining system (1) and method for pillar (8, 9) extraction in underground mines. The system (1) includes a central unit (2) to be propelled along a central roadway (6), and a plurality of ancillary units (3, 3′) on either side thereof, and a controller to control the operation of the system (1). Each ancillary unit (3, 3′) includes a main body to be propelled (35) adjacent to the central unit (2) and a canopy portion (36) to extend outwardly therefrom to define a shielded mining space thereunder.
Claims24
A mining system for the extraction of pillars on either side of a control roadway of an underground mine grid, the mining system including:
- a central control unit, adapted to be initially positioned at an intersection of said control roadway and an installation roadway, and configured to be forwardly propelled along the control roadway in a mining direction towards an extraction roadway;
- and,
- a plurality of ancillary units, at least one ancillary unit being located on each side of said central control unit, each ancillary unit including:
- a main body, adapted to be forwardly propelled-adjacent to-said central unit relative to an adjacently positioned unit thereto in the mining direction;
- and,
- a canopy portion, adapted to extend substantially outwardly from an upper portion of the main body to thereby define a shielded mining space thereunder;
- and,
- wherein, the central control unit includes a controller that is configured to control the operation of the central unit and each ancillary unit.
(canceled)
An underground mining method for the extraction of pillars on either side of a control roadway of an underground mine grid, the method including the steps of:
- positioning a central control unit at an intersection of said control roadway and an installation roadway;
- locating at least one ancillary unit on each side of said central control unit within said installation roadway, each ancillary unit including a main body and a canopy portion extending substantially outwardly from a main body to thereby define a shielded mining space thereunder;
- mining any mineral or other pillar material provided within said shielded mining space;
- advancing the position of said central control unit and each ancillary unit progressively towards an extraction roadway;
- and,
- repeating said mining and advancing steps until said central control unit and each ancillary unit reaches the extraction roadway.
A pillar extraction system for underground mining, including:
- a central control unit;
- at least one ancillary unit located on each side of said central control unit, each ancillary unit including:
- a main body, adapted to be forwardly propelled;
- and,
- a canopy portion, adapted to extend substantially outwardly from an upper portion of the main body to thereby define a shielded mining space thereunder;
- wherein the central control unit includes a controller configured to control the operation of the central control unit and each ancillary unit.
(canceled)
(canceled)
(canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.