Longwall trench mining system
US4017122A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 23, 1976 |
| Grant date | Apr 12, 1977 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 23, 1996 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21C41/32
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
Disclosed is a method for mining minerals at depths where strip and deep mining methods are not practical or economical. After site layout, a plurality of generally parallel-spaced, elongated trenches are formed to expose the mineral bed. Continuous mining equipment is used to mine the minerals from the base of the trench. A conveyor is disposed in each trench to convey the mined minerals to one end of the site to a collection conveyor. After the minerals are mined from the base of the trench, mining tunnels are formed to the opposite sides of and generally perpendicular to each trench and adjacent one end thereof. The tunnels are extended distances at least several times the width of the trench and thereby form longwall mining surfaces. Longwall mining equipment is disposed in each tunnel and the minerals are mined by advancing the longwall mining equipment in a direction parallel to the trench and toward its opposite end. As the longwall mining equipment advances, the overburden caves behind the equipment. The minerals mined from the tunnels are conveyed to the trench conveyor and then lengthwise along the trench to the collection conveyor. After the longwall equipment has advanc…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.