A mine management system includes a carrying machine that is loaded with ore and travels from a mining area to an earth removal area in underground of a mine, a loading machine that mines ore in the mining area and loads the ore onto the carrying machine, and a management device that sets a work mode in the underground based on an input signal, and changes a work parameter of the carrying machine and a work parameter of the loading machine.

A mine management system includes a carrying machine that is loaded with ore and travels from a mining area to an earth removal area in underground of a mine, a loading machine that mines ore in the mining area and loads the ore onto the carrying machine, and a management device that sets a work mode in the underground based on an input signal, and changes a work parameter of the carrying machine and a work parameter of the loading machine.

A hole in geologic material, such as a wellbore, may be extended by impacting the working face of the hole with high velocity projectiles. A tube may be placed within the hole, and the lower end of the tube may be sealed to prevent ingress of material from the hole into the tube. A projectile may be accelerated through the tube, such as by igniting a combustible gas mixture to impart a force to the projectile. The impact of the projectile may extend the hole. In some cases, accelerated projectiles may be used in conjunction with a drill bit to drill a wellbore or other type of hole.

A system and method for relieving hang-ups, comprising a mobile command vehicle operative to transport a robotic vehicle to a control location remote from a hang-up location; the robotic vehicle operative to advance from the control location to the hang-up location, scan the hang-up location, transmit scanning information to the command vehicle, and receive positioning commands to position the robotic vehicle for drilling into the hang-up location, implant an explosive, and withdraw.

A system and method for relieving hang-ups, comprising a mobile command vehicle operative to transport a robotic vehicle to a control location remote from a hang-up location; the robotic vehicle operative to advance from the control location to the hang-up location, scan the hang-up location, transmit scanning information to the command vehicle, and receive positioning commands to position the robotic vehicle for drilling into the hang-up location, implant an explosive, and withdraw.

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.

One or more ram accelerator devices may be used to form one or more holes in geologic or other material. These holes may be used for drilling, tunnel boring, excavation, and so forth. The ram accelerator devices propel projectiles which are accelerated by combustion of one or more combustible gasses in a ram effect to reach velocities exceeding 500 meters per second.

A method and system of in-situ leaching of ore deposits located within underground formations comprising non-porous and impermeable rock. The method includes hydraulically fracturing the impermeable formation containing an ore deposit to create a fractured zone within the formation. Then a flowable explosive is introduced into the fractured zone and detonated to rubblize the fractured zone to create a permeable zone within the formation that is suitable for in-situ leaching of the ore deposit.

A method and system of in-situ leaching of ore deposits located within underground formations comprising non-porous and impermeable rock. The method includes hydraulically fracturing the impermeable formation containing an ore deposit to create a fractured zone within the formation. Then a flowable explosive is introduced into the fractured zone and detonated to rubblize the fractured zone to create a permeable zone within the formation that is suitable for in-situ leaching of the ore deposit.

A block caving mine configuration including one or more drawbells that each funnel into a respective intersection of drives in an extraction level, such that there are at least four draw points at the base of each of the one or more drawbells.