Method and apparatus for mining an underground ore stratum with a drilling and mining tool which first drills a hole into the strata as it is assembled section by section until a desired depth is reached. The tool includes an outer conduit that is screwed together and at least two stab fitted inner conduits that are rotatable relative to the outer conduit for providing at least three conduit systems for conducting processing fluids into and out of the ore strata; and means for independently controlling, from the surface, the rate of flow in each conduit. During mining, one conduit system directs the flow of a mining liquid downwardly and into the ore stratum through a mining nozzle to create a slurry of ore and liquid, a second conduit system directs a slurry lifting fluid downwardly into and through a slurry lifting means, while a third conduit system conducts the slurry to the surface. During drilling, flow switching means communicating with one of the conduit systems is provided to direct a fluid through a drill bit into the hole being formed to wash the cuttings to the surface. During both drilling and mining the portion of the tool extending into the hole is rotated. In the first illustrated embodiment the slurry is lifted by an eductor pump, while an air lift is provided for additional embodiments.
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