A cutting assembly for a rock excavation machine having a frame includes a boom and a cutting device supported on the boom. The boom includes a first portion and a second portion, the first portion supported for pivotable movement relative to the frame. In some embodiments, the first portion includes a first structure extending along a longitudinal base axis and a second structure moveable relative to the first portion in a direction parallel to the longitudinal base axis, and at least one bearing supports the second portion for movement relative to the first portion. In some embodiments, the second portion is pivotably coupled to the first portion by a universal joint, and a suspension system including a plurality of biasing members may be coupled between the first portion and the second portion.

A cutting assembly for a rock excavation machine having a frame includes a boom and a cutting device supported on the boom. The boom includes a first portion and a second portion, the first portion supported for pivotable movement relative to the frame. In some embodiments, the first portion includes a first structure extending along a longitudinal base axis and a second structure moveable relative to the first portion in a direction parallel to the longitudinal base axis, and at least one bearing supports the second portion for movement relative to the first portion. In some embodiments, the second portion is pivotably coupled to the first portion by a universal joint, and a suspension system including a plurality of biasing members may be coupled between the first portion and the second portion.

A disc cutter for a cutting unit used in an undercutting operation and a method of producing the same. The disc cutter including an annular disc body made of a metal alloy or metal matrix composite having a first side, a second side arranged substantially opposite to the first side and a radially peripheral part. At least one metal alloy, metal matrix composite or cemented carbide cutting part is mounted in and substantially encircling the radially peripheral part of the disc body which protrudes outwardly therefrom to engage with the rock during the mining operation. The at least one cutting part is made from a material having a higher wear resistance than the material used for the disc body, wherein the disc body and the cutting part are joined by diffusion bonds.

A disc cutter for a cutting unit used in an undercutting operation and a method of producing the same. The disc cutter including an annular disc body made of a metal alloy or metal matrix composite having a first side, a second side arranged substantially opposite to the first side and a radially peripheral part. At least one metal alloy, metal matrix composite or cemented carbide cutting part is mounted in and substantially encircling the radially peripheral part of the disc body which protrudes outwardly therefrom to engage with the rock during the mining operation. The at least one cutting part is made from a material having a higher wear resistance than the material used for the disc body, wherein the disc body and the cutting part are joined by diffusion bonds.

A drilling and bursting heading machine, comprising a drilling and bursting device (1), an angle control device, a forward-backward telescopic device and a cantilever type heading machine (2), wherein the drilling and bursting device (1) is mounted on a forward-backward moving component of the forward-backward telescopic device by means of the angle control device, and the forward-backward telescopic device is mounted on the cantilever type heading machine (2); the drilling and bursting device (1) comprises a fixing support (1-20), as well as a rock drill component and a bursting component fixedly mounted on the fixing support (1-20) respectively; the angle control device comprises a mounting base (1-15), an auxiliary rotary hydraulic motor (1-14), an adjustment hydraulic cylinder (1-13) and a main rotary hydraulic motor (1-12); and when the forward-backward moving component of the forward-backward telescopic device completely extends out, the distance from a front end of the drilling and bursting device (1) to a working plane is shorter than the distance from a front end of a cutting head of the cantilever type heading machine (2) to the working plane. The drilling and bursting heading machine has a compact structure and is able to implement quick drilling and bursting on a hard rock stratum having a rock hardness f greater than 10 without increasing the energy consumption, so that the heading efficiency is improved and potential safety risks are reduced.

A drilling and bursting heading machine, comprising a drilling and bursting device (1), an angle control device, a forward-backward telescopic device and a cantilever type heading machine (2), wherein the drilling and bursting device (1) is mounted on a forward-backward moving component of the forward-backward telescopic device by means of the angle control device, and the forward-backward telescopic device is mounted on the cantilever type heading machine (2); the drilling and bursting device (1) comprises a fixing support (1-20), as well as a rock drill component and a bursting component fixedly mounted on the fixing support (1-20) respectively; the angle control device comprises a mounting base (1-15), an auxiliary rotary hydraulic motor (1-14), an adjustment hydraulic cylinder (1-13) and a main rotary hydraulic motor (1-12); and when the forward-backward moving component of the forward-backward telescopic device completely extends out, the distance from a front end of the drilling and bursting device (1) to a working plane is shorter than the distance from a front end of a cutting head of the cantilever type heading machine (2) to the working plane. The drilling and bursting heading machine has a compact structure and is able to implement quick drilling and bursting on a hard rock stratum having a rock hardness f greater than 10 without increasing the energy consumption, so that the heading efficiency is improved and potential safety risks are reduced.

A method for mining narrow vein deposit of ore, the narrow vein deposit having a hanging wall and a foot wall, the method comprising: drilling a pilot hole into the narrow vein deposit along a path substantially centrally between the hanging wall and the foot wall to a depth within the vein; following the pilot hole with a larger diameter drilling assembly to fragment the ore into drill cuttings; circulating the drill cuttings to a wellhead; and collecting the drill cuttings for processing to recover the ore therefrom.

A method for mining narrow vein deposit of ore, the narrow vein deposit having a hanging wall and a foot wall, the method comprising: drilling a pilot hole into the narrow vein deposit along a path substantially centrally between the hanging wall and the foot wall to a depth within the vein; following the pilot hole with a larger diameter drilling assembly to fragment the ore into drill cuttings; circulating the drill cuttings to a wellhead; and collecting the drill cuttings for processing to recover the ore therefrom.

A milling device for excavating mining materials is disclosed. The milling device comprises a milling drum rotatable about a drum axis; a first group of excavating heads arranged around a periphery of the milling drum and driven to rotate about a first rotational axis extending substantially radially to the drum axis; and a second group of excavating heads arranged around the periphery of the milling drum and rotatable about a second rotational axis extending substantially radially to the drum axis. The first group of excavating heads includes a plurality of first excavating tools configured to perform a first, cutting operation, and the second group of excavating heads includes a plurality of second excavating tools configured to perform a second excavating operation different from the first, cutting operation.

A milling device for excavating mining materials is disclosed. The milling device comprises a milling drum rotatable about a drum axis; a first group of excavating heads arranged around a periphery of the milling drum and driven to rotate about a first rotational axis extending substantially radially to the drum axis; and a second group of excavating heads arranged around the periphery of the milling drum and rotatable about a second rotational axis extending substantially radially to the drum axis. The first group of excavating heads includes a plurality of first excavating tools configured to perform a first, cutting operation, and the second group of excavating heads includes a plurality of second excavating tools configured to perform a second excavating operation different from the first, cutting operation.