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By Gary B. Williamson, Barton K. Cross

Digital simulation is a modern analysis tool which allows the mine operator to evaluate the result of making a decision without actually changing the organization or buying the equipment. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the use of digital simulation in evaluating a decision of whether or not to introduce dispatching in an open pit mine. The analysis shows that appreciable savings can be realized by dispatching. In certain cases, an operator can reduce the number of trucks required to move a specified tonnage. A second analysis evaluates the alternatives of using one large shovel or two smaller units. In this case, the operating cost of the haulage equipment necessary to support the shovels turns out to be the critical factor in this decision.

Jan 1, 1969

By D. J. Barrett, M. A. Sochocky

INTRODUCTION Summary of Factors Influencing Comminution Circuit Design The selection of an appropriate comminution circuit for a specific ore is one of the most important decisions in the design of a processing plant. The importance is related to the fact that the capital and operating costs for crushing and grinding plant generally represent, as is well known, the major portion of the plant costs. This chapter will, therefore, identify as many as possible of the factors which influence the selection of a comminution circuit. The number of factors which will have to be considered for any comminution project will depend, among other things, on the type of project. If, for example, the project is an entirely new mining development, then most, if not all, the factors identified will have to be analyzed. If the project is an expansion of a developed mining operation or if the new orebody is adjacent to a viable operation, then the existing operation will influence the choice of factors or design constraints which need to be considered. The existing infrastructure or supporting systems may be quite adequate to accommodate the requirements of any expansion or new development. Hence, those factors may not have to be considered. To cover, however, the widest spectrum of projects, the factors which have been identified in this chapter are those which will have to be considered for the most complex of projects, that of developing an entirely new mining operation. The range of factors is as broad as the range of different ore types. Thus, each development must be treated with individualized care. The most important step in the development is the analysis and understanding of the ore characteristics. The hardness of the ore, its abrasiveness, friability, moisture content, grade, mineralization including gangue mineralization, liberation size, chemistry, and other characteristics should be the first to be analyzed in the investigation. The next should be the determination of factors such as plant size, throughput, location, climate, accessibility, and availability of water. The selection of samples for initial bench scale work and bulk sampling (when needed) for further

Jan 1, 1982

By Colin C. Rae

The absence of paraffin and other oil hydrocarbons in the soil although they are concentrated in extensive deposits in some localities, the common distribution of plant remains through many formations that are not productive for oil, and many other factors, seem to indicate the existence of an intermediate organic compound between the complex plant compounds and the petroleum hydrocarbons; and much evidence points to the humus acids or associated organic compounds, which are probably collected by surface waters and concentrated in certain areas by means of precipitation by electrolytes, which would be contained in sea water or possibly in various inland seas or lakes. Present-day Evidence There are many present-day evidences of the association of petroleum with humus acids. Binney, in 1912, made observations without explanations on the peat mosses of Down Holland, England, where he found petroleum being formed by decomposition in the presence of an infiltration of sea water. The analysis of a typical peat will show its relationship to the humus acids under consideration. Sample No. 1, SamplE No. 2. PXr Cent. PER CENt. Water......................... 20.0 29.6 Ash.......................... 3.0 3.05 Fiber.......................... 47.0 54.95 Humus acids................ 30.0 12.50 J. D. Haseman and others have noted the association of asphalt and hydrocarbons with the swampy, boggy areas, particularly adjacent to the sea. Many of the rivers carry much humus acid in solution, and some tropical rivers carry in the aggregate millions of tons of humus each year. The amount of humus is a variable factor, depending on climatic conditions, and on the salts and alkalies present in the water, also on the density and temperature.

Jan 1, 1923

By Colin C. Rae

The absence of paraffin and other oil hydrocarbons in the soil although they are concentrated in extensive deposits in some localities, the common distribution of plant remains through many formations that are not productive for oil, and many other factors, seem to indicate the existence of an intermediate organic compound between the complex plant compounds and the petroleum hydrocarbons; and much evidence points to the humus acids or associated organic compounds, which are probably collected by surface waters and concentrated in certain areas by means of precipitation by electrolytes, which would be contained in sea water or possibly in various inland seas or lakes. Present-day Evidence There are many present-day evidences of the association of petroleum with humus acids. Binney, in 1912, made observations without explanations on the peat mosses of Down Holland, England, where he found petroleum being formed by decomposition in the presence of an infiltration of sea water. The analysis of a typical peat will show its relationship to the humus acids under consideration. Sample No. 1, SamplE No. 2. PXr Cent. PER CENt. Water......................... 20.0 29.6 Ash.......................... 3.0 3.05 Fiber.......................... 47.0 54.95 Humus acids................ 30.0 12.50 J. D. Haseman and others have noted the association of asphalt and hydrocarbons with the swampy, boggy areas, particularly adjacent to the sea. Many of the rivers carry much humus acid in solution, and some tropical rivers carry in the aggregate millions of tons of humus each year. The amount of humus is a variable factor, depending on climatic conditions, and on the salts and alkalies present in the water, also on the density and temperature.

Jan 1, 1923

By Paul C. Merritt

For more than 100 years, British Columbia has been considered a mountainous mining province, rich with potential but relatively poor in actual production. Times have changed. Today, Japanese interests and money have altered the difficult, if not once impossible, economic conditions and market factors which until recently precluded any great growth of the British Columbia mineral industry. The mining boom now underway in British Columbia has carried the total value of mineral production in the Province to a record height in 1962 as it rang up a 27% increase over that of 1961. Breaking the $200 million barrier for the first time, total value of British Columbia's mineral output reached $229- 276,385. Of this amount, metals accounted for 70%; industrial minerals, 6 %; structural materials, 9 %; and fuels, 15%. The substantial increase is attributed to the record production of copper, iron, asbestos, natural gas and petroleum, in addition to the continuing high production rate and favorable prices of other mineral commodities.

Jan 12, 1963

ON Coal's Horizon one development rises above all others. That is the swift expansion of output to make Soviet Russia the largest coal producer on earth next to the United States. Few Americans are aware of the speed and extent of that expansion nor of the accompanying creation of a strong, resourceful mining machinery industry, nor of the extent and character of the mechanization of Soviet coal mining. Two initial clarifications are necessary for better understanding. First, we must keep in mind the sharp distinction between the Russian people and the communist Soviet dictators who rule them. The great mass of the Russian people are not members of the Communist Party as people here are Republicans or Democrats. They are not permitted to be members. There are, by various estimates, only 2 to 4 million members of that party in all Soviet Russia. The other 196 to 198 million are the victims of their tyranny and their terror. It is the activity of the Soviet rulers that concerns us here.

Jan 1, 1954

By G. J. Roe

Drawing largely on desulfurizing practices which have been developing abroad in the last several years, this paper will cover the main ways in which producing steels with low sulfur provides appreciable benefits -- beginning with improvements in ingot processing and carrying over into improved product properties, in particular cleanliness, formability, notch toughness and weldahility. Because the raw materials and fuels used in steelmaking are sources of sulfur and the removal of this element is difficult, sulfur has tended to be accepted as an unavoidable incidental contaminant of steel. Although it was early recognized that sulfur significantly affects several mechanical properties, the main concern was with its effect on hot shortness. Concentrating on countering this effect, operators have traditionally added manganese in sufficient multiples of the sulfur content to form manganese sulfide and thus avoid iron sulfide formation, the assumption being that the steel would then be acceptable in terms of both processing and mechanical properties.

Jan 1, 1972

Jan 1, 1967

Jan 1, 1967

FOR the benefit of those of our members who may be asked what they know about Mr. Hoover's connec-tion with the Kaiping coal mines in China and who will naturally wish to appear thoroughly well informed on the subject, we reprint below an authoritative state-ment, recently made to the Japan Advertiser, by Tang Shao-yi, former premier of China, now retired to his country home at Tang Chia. "Information has reached me at my retreat that persons in America and China insinuate that Herbert Hoover acted dishonorably in dealings involving the Chinese Engineering and Mining Company a quarter of a century ago. I be-lieve myself the only Chinese living who was closely iden-tified with that company during Mr. Hoover's connection. My uncle founded the company and my family always has been a large shareholder and, therefore, I possess direct knowledge of its history. "I am actuated in this statement by a sense of justice and also gratitude for Mr. Hoover's acts in rescuing my family during the Boxer uprising. Mr. Hoover's record in China is clean and honorable, highly creditable and in many ways remarkable. Legal action brought in London in 1905 occurred after Mr. Hoover left the company. There were not any charges against Mr. Hoover and he was not a de-fendant in the lawsuit, but an important witness whose testimony helped the Chinese shareholders to save their property.

Jan 5, 1928

By T. P. Oxford, G. Y. Onoda, E. D. Whitney

Disposal of phosphatic clay waste slurry has been a problem since the advent of hydraulic processing of phosphate rock in Florida. Alternatives to the present practice of storing slimes behind earthen dikes have been earnestly sought for more than a quarter of a century. Seepage dewatering is a promising technique intended to increase waste clay solids content to a level sufficiently high to permit clay disposal in mine cuts, in lieu of above-grade impoundment. An experimental array of vertical seepage columns containing mine tailings sand was constructed. Significant improvement in waste clay dewatering relative to that occurring in a control test was observed when approximately 1800 m3 of waste clay was disposed of in the presence of the seepage aids.

Jan 1, 1983

By Charles R. Keyes

In the dry regions of the globe many silver-deposits display certain remarkable features, which at the same time are so totally unlike anything met with among ore-bodies elsewhere that they hare long presented exceptional dificulties, not only to a satisfactory explanation of their origin, but to economical milling. A most striking peculiarity of these ores is the haloid character of many of their bonanzas. To this fact more than to any other may be ascribed most of the unusual uncertainties of mining-operations in desert countries—the marvelous local richness of the ores under certain conditions and the often abrupt transition to utter poverty; the inadequacy of ordinary prospecting customs and the constant devising of new exploratory methods; the unaccountable losses in smelting and the continual change in treatment-practice. For these anomalies certain climatic conditions seem to be chiefly responsible.

Jan 1, 1912

By E. D. Meier

SINCE Dr. St. Albans, in 1840, began to build successful watertube boilers—some of which are still in use—the gravity-return water-tube boiler has been built in many forms, more or less familiar to all who have studied the subject. A single firm in this country published recently a pamphlet, showing some fourteen modifications of their boiler during about as many years. There were hence available to the thoughtful inventor of this latest form many data showing what forms were to be avoided, as well as the effects sure to follow certain erroneous methods of construction in the older types. Improvements in materials, tools, and workmanship made possible, forms formerly prohibited by excessive cost. The first Heine boiler was built by A. Borsig & Co., for the

Jan 1, 1886

In the seven years that have elapsed since the AIME World Symposium on Mining and Metallurgy of Lead and Zinc, there have been a number of significant milling innovations and trends implemented in lead-zinc flowsheets to either improve grade and recovery or to control escalating mill costs. First, mill controls and instrumentation, which only had a foot in the door in 1970, have become increasingly common. In Australia, research into automatic crushing control has been implemented by Mount Isa Mines, and in virtually any large lead-zinc mill worldwide, an assortment of on-stream x-ray analyzers, grinding circuit controls, level detection devices, and reagent metering methods can be found. The increased circuit control offered to mill operators by this new technology points to more efficient flowsheets, as well as to a greater dependence upon computer-controlled operation.

Jan 11, 1977

Lester Guttman (General Electric Research Lab-boratory)—Seybolt has measured the thermodynamic activity of silicon in dilute solution in a iron. The anomaly which appears at 800 °C in the approximate range 1 to 6 wt pct Si is most naturally attributed, as Seybolt has done, to the existence of a region of

Jan 1, 1960

By Herbert D. Drechsler

Mining Finance is the interrelated aspects of "determining the total amount of funds to employ in a mining firm; allocating these funds efficiently to various assets; and, obtaining the best mix of financing in relation to the overall valuation of the firm." The first section is an overview of the financing problem through examination and discussion of the Balance Sheet and Income Statement. The next section is a discussion of the nature of the criteria developed in feasibility study. The third section describes type of capital funds, and the final section describes case studies of mining finance

Jan 1, 1985

Wabush Mines is the largest single supplier of iron ore to the Canadian steel industry, with 42% of its 6 million tpy of iron ore production going to the company's two Canadian owners-The Steel Co. of Canada and Dominion Foundries and Steel Ltd. Six other companies hold interests in Wabush Iron Co. Ltd. These are Lykes-Youngstown, Inland Steel Co., Intrerlake Steel Corp., Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel Co., Finsider of Italy and Pickands Mather & Co. Field work on Wabush began in mid-1957 when a long-range program of economic, geologic, and metallurgical investigations started. This work was followed in 1959 by the construction of a temporary camp and a 700-tpd pilot plant. At the same time, work was also started on a 38-mi railway connection to Ross Bay, Newfoundland.

Jan 1, 1970

By William E. Ford, Edward Salisbury Dana

1. Normal Class (1) Galena Type 2. Pyritohedral Class (2) Pyrite Type 3. Tetrahedral Class (3) Tetrahedrite Type 4. Plagiohedral Class (4) Cuprite Type 5. Tetartohedral Class (5) Ullmannite Type Mathematical Relations of the Isometric System 50. THE ISOMETRIC SYSTEM embraces all the forms which are referred to three axes of equal lengths and at right angles to each other. Since these axes are mutually interchangeable it is customary to designate them all by the letter a. When properly orientated (i.e. placed in the commonly accepted position for study) one of these axes has a vertical position and of the two which lie in the horizontal plane, one is perpendicular and the other parallel to the observer. The order in which the axes are referred to in giving the relations of any face to them is indicated in Fig. 85 by lettering them a,, a2 and a3. The positive and negative ends of each axis are also shown.

Jan 1, 1922

By A. J. Lynch, W. J. Whiten

Extensive research, ,development and plant application work has been done on automatic control systems for wet grinding and sulphide flotation circuits during the past twenty years. The result is that there is a good understanding of the process mechanisms, the effects which changes in different variables have on these processes, the procedure for design of control systems to satisfy particular objectives and the problems in the implementation of control systems. There is also an appreciation of the problems which are still to be solved. These are reviewed briefly in this paper. Other processes used for the beneficiation of fine particles have been studied in lesser detail. The control of dry grinding, coal flotation and gravity separation are mentioned briefly in this paper.

Jan 1, 1980

By T. A. Rickard

In " The Genesis of Certain Auriferous Lodes "* Dr. Don makes a reference to a curious vein-formation known as the "Indicator," which characterizes a portion of the Ballarat mining district,, in Victoria, Australia. During 1890 and again in 1898 I had an opportunity of making a few notes, which, although somewhat belated,t may be worth adding to the observations recorded in the Transactions of the Institute. The country of the Ballarat gold-field consists of the Lower Silurian slates and sandstones, which also enclose the reefs of Bendigo; but it is noteworthy that the successive anticlinal folds, and accompanying saddles of quartz, which distinguish Bendigo are not characteristic of Ballarat, the geological structure of which presents greater complexity. That part of the district known as Ballarat East became famous early in its history on account of the large nuggets which were found in the alluvium, and subsequently it became further known because of a peculiar persistent black seam, traversing the bed-rock underlying the alluvial deposits, which was found to be associated with rich bunches of gold-ore, not only in the gravel that capped it at the surface but also in the quartz-veins which crossed it underground. The name of " Indicator " was early given. In 1871 Mr. Morgan Llewellyn directed attention to it as influencing the distribution of the gold. In the government quarterly report for December, 1888,

Jan 1, 1901