METHOD FOR WORKING OF UNDERWATER FORMATIONS AND DEVICE FOR ITS REALIZATION Russian patent published in 1994 - IPC

FIELD: mining. SUBSTANCE: method includes exposure of formation, working of formation layer by layer from craft with removal of washing tailings beyond the commercial contour of formation reserves. In working of mineral formation with random shape of surface, each layer of mineral is divided into elementary blocks, their geometric centers are determined, and trench is excavated along line connecting geometric centers, which govern the craft course. Further mineral extraction in each layer is effected by closed stopes whose axes are parallel to line of craft course. Front of mining is oriented from longitudinal axis of each layer to commercial contour of formation reserves. Device including craft carrying mining unit and wheel modules with hydraulic motors. Craft is equipped with water-jet propellers located on wheel modules with longitudinal axes of wheel pair holders and water-jet propeller located in mutually perpendicular planes and at right angle in plan. EFFECT: higher efficiency. 4 cl, 14 dwg