Mining system and method featuring a bread loaf shaped borehole

A method of making a borehole for a mine, said method comprising the steps of:

• making two substantially vertical circular cuts against the face of the mine, said cuts made by two substantially vertical counter-rotating cutting heads;
• removing the kerf at the upper intersection of said two substantially vertical circular cuts, said kerf at the upper intersection removed using at least one substantially vertical rotating cutting head;
• removing the kerf at the lower intersection of said two substantially circular vertical cuts, said kerf at the lower intersection removed using a plow type apparatus;
• and
• forming substantially vertical walls extending downwardly from said substantially circular vertical cuts and forming a substantially horizontal floor between said two substantially vertical walls, wherein said vertical walls are formed using at least two substantially vertically oriented counter-rotating drums.

An apparatus for forming a borehole in a mine, said apparatus comprising:

• a first cutting head constructed and arranged to rotate in a substantially vertical cutting plane, wherein said first cutting head has a plurality of bit assemblies pivotally mounted, wherein said bit assemblies comprise a plurality of springs for maintaining a radial position, thereby allowing maximum cutting diameter and further allowing ease of retraction of said cutting heads from said borehole, said first cutting head further comprising a plurality of water jet nozzle assemblies for removing material from a mine face;
• a second cutting head constructed and arranged to rotate in said substantially vertical cutting plane in a direction opposite to the rotation of said first cutting head, wherein said second cutting head has a plurality of bit assemblies pivotally mounted, wherein said bit assemblies comprise a plurality of springs for maintaining a radial position, thereby allowing maximum cutting diameter and further allowing ease of retraction of said cutting heads from said borehole, said second cutting head further comprising a plurality of water jet nozzle assemblies for removing material from a mine face;
• said first and second cutting heads each having a plurality of arms and open spaces therebetween, said arms and open spaces constructed and arranged so that said arms on said first cutting head intersect said open spaces in said second cutting head when said first and second cutting heads are rotated;
• a pair of substantially vertical counter-rotating cutting drums positioned behind said first and second cutting heads;
• a plurality of water jet nozzle assemblies disposed upon said pair of counter-rotating cutting drums;
• a cutting head constructed and arranged to remove the kerf formed in said cutting plane between said first and second cutting heads at the top of the mine face, said cutting head having a plurality of bit assemblies pivotally mounted, wherein said bit assemblies further comprise a plurality of springs for maintaining a radial position, thereby allowing maximum cutting diameter and further allowing ease of retraction of said cutting heads from said borehole;
• and
• a plow constructed and arranged to remove the kerf formed in said cutting plane between said first and second cutting heads at the bottom of the mine face.