Patent ID: 6474745
Filing Date: 2002-11-05
Classification: E21C

Abstract:
A method of mining including the steps of:(a) forming a pair of longitudinal generally parallel roads in a seam to be mined, the roads being transversely spaced; (b) forming a transverse road between the pair of roads; (c) forming a plurality of further longitudinal roads from the transverse road, the further longitudinal roads being located at spaced locations between said pair of longitudinal roads; (d) forming a plurality of further transverse roads so that the further transverse roads and the further longitudinal roads intersect; and wherein (e) the further transverse roads are formed by a continuous miner that reciprocates between said pair of longitudinal roads and co-operates with a pair of extendable conveyors, conveyors being located on said further longitudinal roads to convey the mined material from the continuous miner, with the conveyors being located sequentially at longitudinally spaced locations along said pair of longitudinal roads as the further transverse roads are formed.