Conveyor segment, driving means and method for high wall mining

1. Conveyor segment assembly for use in a train of conveyor segments for high wall mining, comprising a conveyor segment and an assisting driving assembly detachably coupled to the conveyor segment;

wherein the conveyor segment comprises:

a conveyor for transporting mined material from and to opposite adjacent conveyor segments in a train of conveyor segments, and

a transmission for transmitting power from and to opposite adjacent conveyor segments in a train of conveyor segments and for transmitting power to the conveyor,

wherein the transmission is provided with a coupling assembly for cooperation with the assisting driving assembly, and

wherein the assisting driving assembly comprises a motor and a mechanical coupling for conveying mechanical power from the motor to the coupling assembly of the conveyor segment, the assisting driving assembly transmitting power to the opposite adjacent conveyor segments of the train and being transported with conveyor segment to which it is detachably coupled.

2. Conveyor segment assembly as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that the conveyor segment comprises a driving assembly power supply line for power supply to the driving assembly attached to the conveyor segment.

3. Conveyor segment assembly of claim 1 , wherein the assisting driving assembly is provided with a grip for handling the driving assembly.

4. Conveyor segment assembly of claim 1 , wherein the assisting driving assembly comprises a controlling device.

5. Conveyor segment assembly of claim 1 , wherein the assisting driving assembly comprises communication means.

6. Conveyor segment assembly of claim 1 , wherein the assisting driving assembly comprises an electrical motor.

7. Conveyor segment assembly of claim 1 , wherein the assisting driving assembly comprises a hydraulic motor.

8. Train of conveyor segments, comprising at least one conveyor segment assembly as claimed in claim 1 .

9. Train of conveyor segments comprising a plurality of conveyor segment assemblies according to claim 1 .

10. Method for high wall mining comprising the process steps:

the in succession coupling of a number of conveyor segments to form a train of conveyor segments connecting to a cutter head,

the coupling of transmissions of adjacent conveyor segments,

the driving of the coupled transmissions by an external power source located outside the mine shaft, and

the transportation of mined material from the cutter head by the train of conveyor segments towards the entrance of the mine shaft,

characterized in that the driving of the transmissions is assisted by at least one assisting driving assembly detachably coupled to a conveyor segment as claimed in claim 1 incorporated in the train of conveyor segments.

11. Method as claimed in claim 10 , characterized in that the driving of the transmissions is assisted by a plurality of driving assemblies connected to conveyor segments.

12. Method as claimed in claim 11 , characterized in that the plural driving assemblies are individually connected to different conveyor segments mutually separated by at least one conveyor segment without a driving assembly.