METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR A COMBINED HYDRAULIC- MECHANICAL RECOVERY OF EXTREMELY HARD MINERAL RAW MATERIAL

摘要

A method and apparatus is disclosed for recovery or mining, particularly suitable in winning predominantly hard minerals. The invention utilizes the sequence of, first, undercutting a layer of the face of a seam at a predetermined depth by producing a cut by a jet of superpressurized water, second, mechanically breaking off the undercut portion by wedging tools inserted in the cut, and, thirdly, by conveying the recovered material away from the seam working area. The invention improves the economy of the mining operation and also makes it possible to achieve the best results by selectively adjusting the position of different parts of the machine relative to its frame and also by adjusting and re-adjusting the pressure of the superpressurized water used in generating the cutting jet.