MINING OR QUARRYING

Introduced: September 1968

Description

E21C covers extraction methods and equipment for removing minerals, coal, ore, stone, and other solid materials from the earth through mining and quarrying operations. This subclass encompasses surface and underground extraction techniques, including opencast mining, underground mining systems, and quarrying methods for construction materials. Related specialized equipment such as mineral beneficiation, ore dressing, and sorting of extracted materials at the extraction site fall within this classification, while processing of minerals after extraction and beneficiation plant design are generally covered by other sections.

Of 16 combined children, 14 exist in both systems.

2 codes are CPC-only extensions.

Note: 2 CPC extensions are marked as secondary classification only.

10 shared codes have differing titles between IPC and CPC.

Child Classifications

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E21C 2100/00 Modeling, simulating or designing mining operations 2nd only CPC only CPC only
E21C 2200/00 Mining robots 2nd only CPC only CPC only
E21C 25/00 Cutting machines, i.e. for making slits approximately parallel or perpendicular to the seam (dislodging machines with slitting means E21C27/02, E21C27/10, E21C27/18) IPC+CPC Available in IPC and CPC
E21C 27/00 Machines which completely free the mineral from the seam IPC+CPC Available in IPC and CPC
E21C 29/00 Propulsion of machines for slitting or completely freeing the mineral from the seam IPC+CPC Available in IPC and CPC
E21C 31/00 Driving means incorporated in machines for slitting or completely freeing the mineral from the seam IPC+CPC Available in IPC and CPC
E21C 33/00 Trucks or other devices for transporting machines for slitting or completely freeing the mineral from the seam IPC+CPC Available in IPC and CPC
E21C 35/00 Details of, or accessories for, machines for slitting or completely freeing the mineral from the seam, not provided for in groups E21C25/00 - E21C33/00, E21C37/00 or E21C39/00 +2 CPC IPC+CPC Available in IPC and CPC
E21C 37/00 Other methods or devices for dislodging with or without loading (breaking-down by means inserted in slits E21C27/14) +1 CPC IPC+CPC Available in IPC and CPC
E21C 39/00 Devices for testing in situ the hardness or other properties of minerals, e.g. for giving information as to the selection of suitable mining tools IPC+CPC Available in IPC and CPC
E21C 41/00 Methods of underground or surface mining (E21C45/00 takes precedence); Layouts therefor (for peat E21C49/00) IPC+CPC Available in IPC and CPC
E21C 45/00 Methods of hydraulic mining; Hydraulic monitors (E21C25/60 takes precedence) IPC+CPC Available in IPC and CPC
E21C 47/00 Machines for obtaining or the removal of materials in open-pit mines (obtaining peat E21C49/00) IPC+CPC Available in IPC and CPC
E21C 49/00 Obtaining peat; Machines therefor (treating peat C10F) IPC+CPC Available in IPC and CPC
E21C 50/00 Obtaining minerals from underwater, not otherwise provided for (suction dredgers or component parts thereof E02F3/88; equipment for conveying or separating excavated material E02F7/00; dippers G01N1/12) since 1990 IPC+CPC Available in IPC and CPC
E21C 51/00 Apparatus for, or methods of, winning materials from extraterrestrial sources (cosmonautics B64G) since 1974 IPC+CPC Available in IPC and CPC