The Archveyor{trademark} mining system: Automated high wall mining, a precursor to improved safety, productivity, and cost underground
Arch Mineral Corporation has an automated high wall miner called the Archveyor {trademark}. In production since 1992, it uses just two employees to operate the system. They consistently produce 91 metric tons per eight-hour employer-shift with peaks nearing 226 metric tons. The system uses a modified Joy 12CM miner cutting 3.7 meters. That loads into a 219 meter long continuous haulage Archveyor{trademark}. It discharges into a loadout vehicle that elevates the coal to load haul trucks. This technology can be adapted to mine over 305 meters into the high wall. Any continuous miner can be used to suit conditions. It is programmed to sump, shear down, sump, and shear up in a continuous cycle. It advances a set distance before the Archveyor{trademark} moves up behind it. The Archveyor{trademark} has a flight conveyor 838 mm wide used to tram and convey. Lift cylinders raise it off the ground to convey. To tram, the cylinders retract, dropping the Archveyor{trademark} to the ground. That places the full length of the return side or bottom of the flight conveyor in contract with the floor to tram in either direction. Programmable logic controllers are used with a gyroscope, gamma detectors, and inclinometers to keep on-heading and in-seam. Critical system functions are monitored and displayed for the operator. Safety, lower costs, and higher productivity drive the effort to use the Archveyor{trademark} technology underground. Arch Technology is assembling and preparing to install an underground system in the third quarter of 1996.
- OSTI ID:
- 478273
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9606286-; TRN: 97:001159-0009
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 92. proceedings of the Rocky Mountain Coal Mining Institute, Durango, CO (United States), 29 Jun - 2 Jul 1996; Other Information: PBD: 1996; Related Information: Is Part Of Proceedings of the 92nd regular meeting of the Rocky Mountain Coal Mining Institute; Finnie, D.G. [ed.]; PB: 147 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Archveyor{trademark} automated mining system - implementation at the Conant mine
The archveyor{trademark} automated mining system