A mining apparatus for primary breakage having a drop hammer with a drop weight that may fall from a first position where the drop weight is suspended within an upper end of the drop hammer and a second position where the drop weight extends from a lower end of the drop hammer. The mining apparatus has a shock absorber assembly coupled to the lower end of the drop hammer with a first passageway through which the drop weight may pass. The mining apparatus also has a rebound cage coupled to the shock absorber assembly and having a series of guides positioned therein and arranged about a second passageway that is in alignment with the first passageway. The rebound cage controls the drop weight when it falls into the second position, strikes the ground, and rebounds.

An impact hammer for breaking a working surface, the hammer including a drive mechanism and a housing with an inner containment surface and a reciprocating hammer weight. A reciprocation cycle of the hammer weight includes an upstroke and a down-stroke, the hammer weight respectively moving upwards and downwards. On the down-stroke the hammer weight impacts a striker pin with a driven end and a working surface impact end. A vacuum chamber in the housing is formed by the containment surface, upper vacuum sealing coupled to the hammer weight and lower vacuum sealing. The hammer weight is driven toward the striker pin by the pressure differential between atmosphere and the vacuum chamber formed on the upstroke. A down-stroke vent permits fluid egress from the vacuum chamber on the down-stroke.