Mining method and mining machine for cutting away hard mineral materials

摘要

A mining method for cutting away hard mineral materials of a mining face, comprises, undercutting the mineral material by directing a liquid jet into the running face to form a mineral slab which overlies the undercutting and breaking the bond of the slab from the main face by striking it with a wedge-shaped impact tool in the undercut area and conveying away the broken-off material. The apparatus for carrying out the mining operation comprises a machine which is adapted to run along the mining face alongside a conveyor for conveying away the material. The machine includes an operating mechanism for moving a breaking head at each end inwardly into the mine face and along the mine face. The breaking head carries a percussion wedge member which may be driven into the mine face. In addition, it carries a nozzle assembly for directing a liquid jet at high pressure against the mining face so as to undercut an area thereof and to leave a slab overlying the undercut area which may be broken away by the wedge-shape percussion member.