Method of excavating overburden in surface mining operations

Abstract

In the removal of the overburden prior to surface mining of minerals in an elongated pit, one or more first excavating machines remove the overburden along one elongated part of the pit and direct the removed material via a cross-pit transporter across the pit where it is deposited outwardly from and along the opposite side, called the dump side. At least one other excavating machine travels along the remaining elongated part of the pit at a level not higher than the level of the cross-pit transporter and removes the overburden to the same dump side of the pit. The excavating machines moving along the elongated part of the pit operate independently of one another. When the cross-pit transporter and the second excavating machine operating in the remaining elongated part of the pit on the same level, meet while moving in opposite directions, the second excavating machine moves across the pit out of the path of the cross-pit transporter and the transporter is moved past the second excavating machine. The excavating machine is then returned to its previous position and the overburden excavation is continued. If necessary, temporary changes in the travel direction of the transporter and its associated excavating machines can be effected, continuing the excavation operation until the conditions for the passing maneuver have been accomplished.