Method and system for mining hydrocarbon-containing materials

Details Method and system for mining hydrocarbon-containing materials Method and system for mining hydrocarbon-containing materials

2005-08-16

2005-08-16

Kreck, John (Department: 3673)

Mining or in situ disintegration of hard material

With separation of materials

Separation below surface of earth or water

C299S055000, C299S064000, C299S018000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06929330

ABSTRACT:
The present invention is directed, inter alia, to devices and methods for excavating valuable materials, particularly soft ores such as oil sands, oil shales, and the like, that use one or more of a number of features, including backfilling for ground support, a small trailing access tunnel, processing of the valuable material in the excavation with the tailings optionally being used as backfill and the valuable material being transported to the surface, a plurality of movable shields for ground support, and/or a movable tail shield to provide interim support to the backfill while additional liner sections are installed and/or formed.

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