Abstract:
A method for mining a mineral deposit underground in a vein having an underburden and an overburden which comprises boring a pilot hole into the vein between the underburden and the overburden. The thickness of the material is then measured at predetermined distances along the pilot hole, between the pilot hole and the overburden, and between the pilot hole and the underburden. The information measured is stored in a storage mechanism which relates the measurements to the distance in the borehole. A mining machine is then controlled in accordance with the distance between the borehole and the overburden, and the borehole and the underburden. The invention further contemplates a method of mining where the tunnel being mined is sealed off and filled with an inert atmosphere. This method will provide an explosion-free environment during the mining operation.