An assembly (7) for triggering an explosive in a hole (9) to produce an explosive blast in the hole includes (a) an explosion trigger (15, 19) for triggering the explosive in the hole, (b) a detonation unit body (21) that is configured to be located at or proximate an open end of the hole in an initial position of the assembly in the hole and (c) a trigger cord (31) that is connected to the detonation unit body and to the explosion trigger.

In combination a loader unit and haul unit for use in a block caving mining operation. Each of the loader unit and the haul unit comprise a removable bucket, which can be used for loading ore. In use the bucket carrying a load of ore can be transferred from the loader unit to the haul unit so that the haul unit can transport the ore from a loading site to a crusher. The loader unit and haul unit have a respective longitudinal axis extending from the fore end to the aft thereof, and the bucket is elongate with a longitudinal axis. In use when the bucket is mounted to the loader unit the longitudinal axis of the bucket is disposed orthogonally to the longitudinal axis of the loader unit. When the bucket is transferred to the haul unit, the bucket is placed upright on the haul unit with the longitudinal axis of the bucket parallel to the longitudinal axis of the haul unit.

In combination a loader unit and haul unit for use in a block caving mining operation. Each of the loader unit and the haul unit comprise a removable bucket, which can be used for loading ore. In use the bucket carrying a load of ore can be transferred from the loader unit to the haul unit so that the haul unit can transport the ore from a loading site to a crusher. The loader unit and haul unit have a respective longitudinal axis extending from the fore end to the aft thereof, and the bucket is elongate with a longitudinal axis. In use when the bucket is mounted to the loader unit the longitudinal axis of the bucket is disposed orthogonally to the longitudinal axis of the loader unit. When the bucket is transferred to the haul unit, the bucket is placed upright on the haul unit with the longitudinal axis of the bucket parallel to the longitudinal axis of the haul unit.

Described is a vehicle configured for the deposition of explosives in holes of open-pit exploration mines, wherein the vehicle is able to perform all seven steps carried out in the manual explosive deposition process, automatically, completely free of human intervention. Also described is a method of use of the aforementioned vehicle.

In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a robot automated mining method. In one embodiment, a method includes a robot positioning a charging component for entry into a drill hole. In one embodiment, a method includes a robot moving a charging component within a drill hole. In one embodiment, a method includes a robot filling a drill hole with explosive material. In one embodiment, a method includes operating a robot within a mining environment.

In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a robot automated mining method. In one embodiment, a method includes a robot positioning a charging component for entry into a drill hole. In one embodiment, a method includes a robot moving a charging component within a drill hole. In one embodiment, a method includes a robot filling a drill hole with explosive material. In one embodiment, a method includes operating a robot within a mining environment.

In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a robot automated mining method. In one embodiment, a method includes a robot positioning a charging component for entry into a drill hole. In one embodiment, a method includes a robot moving a charging component within a drill hole. In one embodiment, a method includes a robot filling a drill hole with explosive material. In one embodiment, a method includes operating a robot within a mining environment.

In-situ solution mining method of an ore bed, particularly containing trona, which comprises exposing to a solvent an ore region inside a borehole drilled in the ore, and dissolving a desired solute within the exposed region to provide a liquor and create a voided undercut, such undercutting making the ore susceptible to gravitational loading and crushing. Unexposed ore falls into the undercut by gravity without breaking the ore roof resulting in exposure of fresh ore to the solvent and in preventing solvent exposure to contaminating material near the roof. The desired solute is eventually dissolved away in the entire bed from its floor up to its roof. Solvent injection may be delivered through a conduit positioned inside the borehole, and may be moved by retracting or perforating the conduit. The method may employ an advancing undercut initiated up-dip and traveling down-dip, or a retreating undercut initiated down-dip and traveling up-dip.

In-situ solution mining method of an ore bed, particularly containing trona, which comprises exposing to a solvent an ore region inside a borehole drilled in the ore, and dissolving a desired solute within the exposed region to provide a liquor and create a voided undercut, such undercutting making the ore susceptible to gravitational loading and crushing. Unexposed ore falls into the undercut by gravity without breaking the ore roof resulting in exposure of fresh ore to the solvent and in preventing solvent exposure to contaminating material near the roof. The desired solute is eventually dissolved away in the entire bed from its floor up to its roof. Solvent injection may be delivered through a conduit positioned inside the borehole, and may be moved by retracting or perforating the conduit. The method may employ an advancing undercut initiated up-dip and traveling down-dip, or a retreating undercut initiated down-dip and traveling up-dip.

Automatic scanning and representing an environment with collision avoidance includes, for example, obtaining a first representation of the environment using a first scanning path, determining a second scanning path based on the first representation of the environment operable to avoid contact with the environment when obtaining a second representation of the environment, obtaining the second representation of the environment based on the second scanning path, and wherein the second representation of the environment is different from the first representation of the environment. The method may be employed in imaging and/or representing a rock wall having a plurality of spaced-apart holes for receiving charges for mining.