Continuous-extraction mining system

Abstract

A material extraction system for an underground mine includes an elevated haulage conveyor extending between first and second ends of a roadway entry. The haulage conveyor is cantilevered from a mine wall and conveys material toward either end of the roadway entry. The system also includes a crusher including a drive operable to move the crusher along the roadway entry. The system further includes a bridge conveyor including a first end adjacent the crusher and receiving material from the crusher, and a second end adjacent the elevated haulage conveyor and positioned for depositing material onto the elevated haulage conveyor. The bridge conveyor is moveable with the crusher along the roadway entry. The system also includes a loader moveable along the roadway entry and into and out of material collection entries to collect material therefrom and transport the material to the crusher.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A load haul dump vehicle for moving material through an underground mine, the vehicle comprising:
 a front end including a moveable load bucket;   a rear end pivotally coupled to the front end; and   an electrical drive operable to move the load bucket and the vehicle.   
     
     
         2 . The vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the front end includes a pair of front wheels and the rear end includes a pair of rear wheels, and wherein the electrical drive is operable to rotate the front wheels and the rear wheels. 
     
     
         3 . The vehicle of  claim 2 , wherein each of the front wheels and each of the rear wheels includes a dedicated electric drive assembly for independently rotating an associated front wheel or rear wheel. 
     
     
         4 . The vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the electrical drive is operable to pivot the front end and the rear end relative to one another. 
     
     
         5 . The vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the electrical drive includes a battery assembly. 
     
     
         6 . The vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the electrical drive includes a cable management system for coupling with an external power supply that is fixed relative to the mine. 
     
     
         7 . The vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the front end includes a rock breaker positioned adjacent the load bucket. 
     
     
         8 . The vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the rear end includes a second moveable load bucket. 
     
     
         9 . The vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the electrical drive is operable to power a hydraulic system, and wherein the hydraulic system is operable to pivot the front end and the rear end relative to one another. 
     
     
         10 . The vehicle of  claim 1 , further comprising an internal combustion engine for supplementing the electrical drive.