A method for assigning a set of tasks to a plurality of mining machines, said machines being arranged to be driven between positions for performing tasks is provided. The method includes defining a first set of constraints to be fulfilled finding an overall solution fulfilling the first set of constraints by solving each constraint as a sub-problem, a solution to at least one sub-problem being dependent on the solution of at least one other sub-problem; the overall solution fulfilling the first set of constraints being an overall solution where a first of said sub-problems is validated by solutions of others of the sub-problems, and assigning tasks to the machines according to the determined validated overall solution, wherein tasks are arranged to be carried out at least partially overlapping in time by the mining machines.

A method for assigning a set of tasks to a plurality of mining machines, said machines being arranged to be driven between positions for performing tasks is provided. The method includes defining a first set of constraints to be fulfilled finding an overall solution fulfilling the first set of constraints by solving each constraint as a sub-problem, a solution to at least one sub-problem being dependent on the solution of at least one other sub-problem; the overall solution fulfilling the first set of constraints being an overall solution where a first of said sub-problems is validated by solutions of others of the sub-problems, and assigning tasks to the machines according to the determined validated overall solution, wherein tasks are arranged to be carried out at least partially overlapping in time by the mining machines.

The invention relates to a method for mining and processing of an ore. The method comprises at least one mobile comminution device (26) comprising at least one mobile crusher unit and at least one mobile grinding unit located proximate to an ore body that is being mined (20), fragmented ore (22) from the ore body is comminuted in the mobile comminution device (26) to a size which can be readily pumped (28) without the use of special carrier fluids, preferably to a particle size p50 in the range between 0.05 to 1 mm and the comminuted ore is combined with water to form a slurry.

A system and method are described for excavation of gravel from a gravel formation including an elongated cylindrical casing surrounding and supporting a rotating auger extending a chosen distance beyond an open end of the casing, and having openings through its upper surface for permitting gravel to enter the casing in addition to entering through the open end thereof, a source of vibration for vibrating the casing, a conveyor for removing material excavated by the system through an opening in the bottom surface of the casing, and a tracked excavator or other suitable vehicle for preventing the casing from rotating and for pushing the casing in a chosen horizontal direction into the gravel formation.

A system and method are described for excavation of gravel from a gravel formation including an elongated cylindrical casing surrounding and supporting a rotating auger extending a chosen distance beyond an open end of the casing, and having openings through its upper surface for permitting gravel to enter the casing in addition to entering through the open end thereof, a source of vibration for vibrating the casing, a conveyor for removing material excavated by the system through an opening in the bottom surface of the casing, and a tracked excavator or other suitable vehicle for preventing the casing from rotating and for pushing the casing in a chosen horizontal direction into the gravel formation.

This invention is a continuum of enabling technology applying prior patent applications to create and then sustain a planetary heavy construction, soil and water mining and refining using a nuclear power appliances infrastructure. The methods used within this invention provide capabilities to build a sustainable support environment for earth-like habitable complexes that will include buildings and maintenance facilities, living spaces, and office spaces focused on full scale commercial mining operations for He3, H.sub.2O and other strategic minerals and raw building materials.

This invention is a continuum of enabling technology applying prior patent applications to create and then sustain a planetary heavy construction, soil and water mining and refining using a nuclear power appliances infrastructure. The methods used within this invention provide capabilities to build a sustainable support environment for earth-like habitable complexes that will include buildings and maintenance facilities, living spaces, and office spaces focused on full scale commercial mining operations for He3, H.sub.2O and other strategic minerals and raw building materials.

A mine exploitation method based on stoping, separation and filling control is disclosed herein. The method includes deploying a gangue-less coal mining system; choosing a suitable coal and gangue separation method according to a separation requirement; choosing a suitable filling method according to mine geology, production conditions and rock stratum control requirement; reversely calculating a filling rate according to gangue discharge requirement and control indexes by utilizing theoretical calculation, simulation and experiment; determining a filling process and a separation process according to the filling rate; and feeding back and adjusting the filling process and separation process parameters by monitoring filling and control effect indexes.

The present application comprises a system for controlling a plurality of autonomous vehicles on a mine site, the system comprising: a centralized platform configured to store an inventory list of vehicles travelling on the mine site and comprising a first communication interface configured to communicate missions to the vehicles; a plurality of autonomous vehicles, the autonomous vehicles comprising: a first communication interface configured to wirelessly communicate with the centralized platform for receiving a predetermined mission, a trajectory control system configured to autonomously control the autonomous vehicle according to the predetermined mission; and at least one portable device, the portable device comprising a second communication interface configured to wirelessly communicate with a second communication interface of the plurality of vehicles from the mine site.

Disclosed are a vehicle body utilized in a rockbreaker, a rockbreaker, and a rock breaking method. A rock breaking operation area is configured to pass through the vehicle body and in a direction perpendicular to and above the ground. An operation area of a rockbreaker arm is arranged within a vehicle range.