DOE/USBM will study water-jet assist for mechanized mining of oil shale

Oil shale cannot easily be mined using continuous roadheaders or drum-type cutting machines whereas blasting requires larger support pillars to be left and produces instantaneous releases of blasting gases and dust. The USDOE's Grand Junction Projects Office has signed a 1.5 million dollars cooperative agreement with Alpine Equipment/Astro International of State College, PA to evaluate the technical and economic feasibility of water-jet assisted mechanical cutting of oil shale, with a view to subsequent private sector development and commercialization of the equipment. The project will last for 24 months. 1 fig., 4 photos.