Continuous mining

Abstract

A method useful in the continuous ore extraction in underground works intended for the permanent production of extraction from draw points or trenches, comprising the construction of reduced size drifts ( 4 ) wherein through the center defined by a group of drifts crosses a drift ( 2 ) which is intended for ore haulage, such drift crosses successively all drift groups defined at the exploitation face,—such extraction points ( 11 ) are arranged to form a regular layout [m4] at certain distances which are compatible with an interactive gravitational flow; once such drifts, trenches and haulage drifts are constructed the pre-conditioning, caving and extraction stages are carried out.

1 . A method useful in the continuous ore extraction in underground works intended for the permanent production of extraction from draw points or trenches, comprising the construction of reduced size drifts wherein through the center defined by a group of drifts crosses a drift which is intended for ore haulage, such drift crosses successively all drift groups defined at the exploitation face; such extraction points are arranged to form a regular layout[m2] at certain distances which are compatible with an interactive gravitational flow; once such drifts, trenches and haulage drifts are constructed the following stages are carried out: a. Pre-conditioning consisting in modifying the in situ rock by intensifying its fracturing degree until reaching the levels that turn such rock into a rock with secondary rock mass features, b. Caving consisting in caving the rock mass by undermining its base through well known procedures in well-fragmented rock environment, and c. Extraction consisting in the simultaneous operation from multiple draw points defined during the construction stage of such exploitation drift. 
     
     
         2 . A method useful in the continuous ore extraction of  claim 1  wherein once such trenches have already been constructed, stationary equipments are installed on such trenches in order to produce the extraction of ore. 
     
     
         3 . A method useful in the continuous ore extraction of  claim 1  wherein in such haulage drifts permanent haulage means are provided for hauling the material that is being extracted from the trenches across such drifts. 
     
     
         4 . A method useful in the continuous ore extraction of  claim 3  wherein such means that are provided in the haulage drifts are belt conveyors or endless chain belt conveyor usually known as “Panzer” in the mining jargon. 
     
     
         5 . A method useful in the continuous ore extraction in  claim 1 , further comprising the construction of a level for material transference located at a downward level with regard to the level defined by such exploitation drifts and consequently at a downward level with regard to such trench level. 
     
     
         6 . A method useful in the continuous ore extraction of  claim 6  wherein a construction of a duct is carried out between such exploitation drift level and such transference level, into such duct the material falls from the trench to such transference level, and also it allows material accumulation. 
     
     
         7 . A method useful in the continuous ore extraction of  claim 1  wherein such pre-conditioning stage is carried out by hydraulic fracturing. 
     
     
         8 . A method useful in the continuous ore extraction of  claim 1  wherein such pre-conditioning stage is carried out by confined blast or explosive-driven dynamic weakening. 
     
     
         9 . A method useful in the continuous ore extraction of  claim 1  wherein such preconditioning stage is carried out by the combination of hydraulic fracturing with explosive-driven dynamic weakening 
     
     
         10 . A method useful in the continuous ore extraction of  claim 1  wherein such regular layout[m3] is provided with extraction points at distances ranging from 8 to 15 meters. 
     
     
         11 . A method useful in the continuous ore extraction of  claim 1  wherein such pre-conditioning stage should produce a fragment size capable of being drawn and hauled by the system. 
     
     
         12 . A method useful in the continuous ore extraction of  claim 1  wherein each draw point is provided with a stationary extraction unit that extracts the ore from the trench and feeds a collecting system provided at trench outlet so as to convey the ore towards such haulage drift by continuous means leading it to its destination. 
     
     
         13 . A method useful in the continuous ore extraction of  claim 1  wherein the extracting, collecting and haulage means have an automatic command-assisted remote driver operated from a control room. 
     
     
         14 . A method useful in the continuous ore extraction of  claim 13  wherein crushers are installed at each end of such collection system to produce the plant final feeding size inside de mine.