A seafloor haulage system (10), for lifting seafloor materials from the seafloor to the surface, that has a line member (150), preferably synthetic rope, that extends at least partially between the seafloor and the surface and a container (400), preferably a plurality of containers, capable of carrying a load connected to the line member (150). The containers have a steerable element (410), such as a rudder, that enables the container to manoeuvre as it is propelled, typically towed by the line member, through the water.

A portable sand plant may include portable equipment disposed at a site adjacent to a fines recovery pit and a main mine pit. In addition, timber or composite matting may be laid on a surface of the site. The portable equipment is placed to form a portable wet plant and a portable dry plant directly on the surface of the site, or the timber or composite matting, or the combination thereof. Further, some of the portable equipment may be skid mounted. Furthermore, the portable sand plant may also include one or more relocatable sand storage buildings formed on the site.

A portable sand plant may include portable equipment disposed at a site adjacent to a fines recovery pit and a main mine pit. In addition, timber or composite matting may be laid on a surface of the site. The portable equipment is placed to form a portable wet plant and a portable dry plant directly on the surface of the site, or the timber or composite matting, or the combination thereof. Further, some of the portable equipment may be skid mounted. Furthermore, the portable sand plant may also include one or more relocatable sand storage buildings formed on the site.

A collection tank for use in a vacuum operated earth reduction system, the collection tank comprising a closed first end, an open second end defining a tank sealing flange and a body extending between the closed first end and the open second end. An internal chamber defined by the body, the closed first end and the open second end has a door coupled to the open second end and is configured to releasably seal the open second end. An automated door closer is coupled to a center of the door, wherein the automated door closer provides a closing force at the center of the door so that the closing force is equally distributed about a periphery of the door to seal the door against the tank sealing flange.

A collection tank for use in a vacuum operated earth reduction system, the collection tank comprising a closed first end, an open second end defining a tank sealing flange and a body extending between the closed first end and the open second end. An internal chamber defined by the body, the closed first end and the open second end has a door coupled to the open second end and is configured to releasably seal the open second end. An automated door closer is coupled to a center of the door, wherein the automated door closer provides a closing force at the center of the door so that the closing force is equally distributed about a periphery of the door to seal the door against the tank sealing flange.

Embodiments of the invention provide apparatus and method for seabed resources collection. The apparatus comprises a main module and a plurality of seabed resources collecting devices releasably attached to the main module, wherein the main module and the plurality of collecting devices are configured to be launched from a surface vessel towards a seabed; the main module includes a control module which is configured to determine a mining path for each of the collecting devices based on characteristics of the seabed, control each of the collecting devices to collect seabed resources along the determined mining path and control transfer of the seabed resources collected by the collecting devices, wherein each collecting device is configured to be released from the main module after the apparatus is launched, and to collect seabed resources along the mining path determined by the main module after being released.

A machine routing and planning system for mobile machines at a work site includes a plurality of haul trucks, at least one loading machine, and a controller. The controller is configured to generate an initial material movement plan based upon an initial number of loading machines and haul trucks and the initial carryback threshold, and generate initial movement command signals to operate the loading machines and haul trucks at the work site based upon the initial material movement plan. The controller is further configured to generate a modified material movement plan based upon a modified number of loading machines and haul trucks and the modified carryback threshold, and generate modified movement command signals to operate the loading machines and haul trucks at the work site based upon the modified material movement plan.

A machine routing and planning system for mobile machines at a work site includes a plurality of haul trucks, at least one loading machine, and a controller. The controller is configured to generate an initial material movement plan based upon an initial number of loading machines and haul trucks and the initial carryback threshold, and generate initial movement command signals to operate the loading machines and haul trucks at the work site based upon the initial material movement plan. The controller is further configured to generate a modified material movement plan based upon a modified number of loading machines and haul trucks and the modified carryback threshold, and generate modified movement command signals to operate the loading machines and haul trucks at the work site based upon the modified material movement plan.

Arrangements for diverting and removing spoil created when a microtrench is being cut. The disclosed arrangements divert the debris and dust away from the microtrench during the cutting process. In optional embodiments, a spoil vacuum system is used to remove the dust particles during the debris diversion process. In further optional embodiments, a microtrench slot cleaning tool and slot vacuum system may be used. The microtrencher can be mounted on a skid-steer loader or a similar support vehicle.

Arrangements for diverting and removing spoil created when a microtrench is being cut. The disclosed arrangements divert the debris and dust away from the microtrench during the cutting process. In optional embodiments, a spoil vacuum system is used to remove the dust particles during the debris diversion process. In further optional embodiments, a microtrench slot cleaning tool and slot vacuum system may be used. The microtrencher can be mounted on a skid-steer loader or a similar support vehicle.