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By S. A. Ghoreishi-Madiseh

Underground mines, with their relatively high ground temperature and their extensive backfilled stopes provide a great opportunity for producing geothermal heat. The novel idea of installing a network of heat exchange tubes into stopes prior to backfill placement converts each mine stope into a heat producing battery. In this system, backfill plays the role of the heat exchange medium conducting heat from the surrounding rockwalls to the heat exchange tubes. This geothermal heat can be used for heating: mine facilities and buildings, the intake air, a close-by mineral processing plant, or even nearby communities. This paper investigates the possibility of extracting renewable geothermal energy from backfilled mine stopes by means of closed-loop geothermal cycles. To simulate realistic operational conditions a heat transfer model is developed and solved numerically. To evaluate the numerical results, a small scale physical model is constructed and the experimental results are compared with the simulation results. The study estimates the sustainable rate at which heat can be extracted from a typical underground mine stope, the resulting outlet temperature and performance of the geothermal system. The results show that mine stopes are capable of sustainably producing geothermal heat not only when the mine is active, but also after the depletion of the ore body. Therefore, an underground mine will no longer be perceived as an enduring economic liability, but as a long-lasting source of clean, renewable, and inexpensive low-grade geothermal heat.

Aug 1, 2013

By Y. Wang

In this study, homogeneous (unseeded) precipitation of nesquehonite (MgCO3.3H20) by the reaction of MgC12 with (NH4)2CO3 in supersaturated solutions at 30 °C was investigated. Factors which influence the precipitation of MgCO3.3H20, such as initial concentration, temperature, stirring speed, titration speed, equilibration time, have been studied. SEM images show that the initial concentration and titration speed have significant effect on nesquehonite's crystal morphology and particle size. In addition, stirring speed and equilibration time also have some influence on its properties. With the optimization of operating conditions, the crystals can grow up to a length of about 40µm and a width of 5µm, indicating good filtration properties. High purity nesquehonite obtained in this study was calcined to produce highly pure MgO at 800 °C as shown by XRD results. The novel process may be used to separate Mg and Li from high Mg/Li ratio brines in Qinghai, China.

Jan 1, 2007

By E. A. Morris

It has been shown that Alberta oil-sands fluid coke can be effectively used to reduce SO2 to elemental sulphur while simultaneously producing sulphur-impregnated activated carbon (SlAC). In the capture of mercury from industrial flue gases, SIAC has proven to be a highly effective adsorbent material. The current research aims at developing an existing SlAC technology to meet the needs of copper smelters for mitigating both mercury and SO2 emissions, while making elemental sulphur as a co-product. The challenge behind this undertaking is that these flue gases generally contain percent levels of 02 and H20 vapour (2-12%). The focus of this study is therefore on the feasibility of reducing SO2 using fluid coke under copper smelter flue gas conditions, as well as the optimisation of SIAC properties for capturing vapour phase mercury. It is hypothesised that mercury capacity is strongly affected by the 02 potential of the activation gas due to changes in surface sulphur types arising from different reduced sulphur species. To verify this, gas chromatography is used to analyse the reaction products while XPS and XANES will be used to describe the nature of sulphur on the SlAC surface. CVAFS analysis of mercury capacity will finalise the hypothesis assessment. Preliminary results indicate that 02 at 5% does not play a significant role in SSA or pore development. As expected, increased residence time contributes to SO2 reduction and elemental S yield.

Jan 1, 2007

By S. Rash Ahmadi

Welding is highly reliable and efficient metal joining process. In welding the metal adjacent to the weld joint is subjected to severe thermal conditions. As a result, complex changes in metallurgical structure occur in this region. These changes in structure depend on the material and the temperature history experienced. Friction stir welding (FSW) is relatively a new welding process in which, heat is generated by friction between the tool and the workpiece. The amount of heat conducted into the workpiece determines the quality of weld, residual stress and distortion of the workpiece. The objective of the current work is to study the transient temperature in a friction stir welding. So, a three dimensional transient analytical model is used to study the thermal distribution during the welding. Heat input from the tool shoulder alone is considered in the model. The process parameters like axial load, welding speed and tool rotational speed, used in actual FSW process are taken to build the model. This analytical model is very useful for select the optimized affected parameters in friction stir welding. The model illustrates the comprehensive equation including actual affected parameters in FSW and it can be used for different materials. In addition to the above the thermal history finds application in design of welding tools.

Oct 1, 2011

By K. G. Davies, M. J. Royea

"A major program of pillar recovery at the Sullivan mine has been assisted for the past several years by a concerted series of rock mechanics investigations. The object of these investigations is to measure the parameters of rock behaviour which influence pillar mining. This quantitative information is then used in the design of mining methods appropriate for various conditions.Instrumentation to measure absolute rock stress, changes in rock stress and the gross deformation of rock masses has been developed. Various instruments are described, as are instrument evaluation procedures and typical test results. The data from underground measurement projects have been used to modify pillar extraction sequences along re-treat fronts. Rock mechanics information from individual pillars has been incorporated into the design of mining methods to suit particular circumstances."

Jan 1, 1968

By C. M. Campbell

THE dire effects of rapidly vanishing natural resources, widespread unemployment, and increased debt and taxation in recent years have challenged Canadians to produce a practical solution to these national economic problems. In more recent months, wars and rumours of war have indicated, among other things, the need for better control of our mineral wealth. The erection of a smelter on the lower mainland coast of British Columbia, treating all Western ores, and such ores as it will be found advisable to import, will make an important contribution toward a solution of these problems. It is believed that the ores tributary justify a smelter of major proportions. A stock-taking to confirm this can be made with reason-able accuracy in a short time, and this should be undertaken without delay. Enough general information is, however, available .in this paper to justify the technicians of the Department of Mines at Ottawa and of interested smelting companies making a preliminary study of the matter. THE DEFENCE ARGUMENT As a factor in rearmament, metals play a vital part. That rearmament is to continue on an increasing scale is indicated in Premier Chamberlain's address of October 3rd last, when he said: ?'For a long period now we have been engaged in this country in a great programme of rearmament which is daily increasing in pace and volume. let no one think because we have signed 'this agreement between the four powers at Munich we can afford to relax our efforts or call a halt in our armaments at this moment'. As matters stand, the facilities in British Columbia are entirely out of line with the strategic importance of this Province as the Western Front of Canada and the Empire. All our copper ores, and an appreciable part of our lead and zinc ores, are sent for treatment to Japan, United States, and Europe, while we import our iron and alloys. A treatment plant on this Coast would not only give us control of war metals and chemicals but it would provide an increased industrial and research population, badly needed in this area and of the greatest value in the case of war. This is where the mining industry can do its bit.

Jan 1, 1939

By M. L. Wacker

"Cigar Lake high-grade uranium mine in Saskatchewan is operating after 25 years of test mining, construction, and mine flood remediation. Factors include ground stability, groundwater control, radiation exposure, and ore handling. A 10 year test program resulted in validating “jet boring”, a non-entry mining method involving artificially freezing the orebody and surrounding rock; tunnelling to develop access crosscuts below the orebody; installing cased pilot holes through ore; extracting ore using rotating high-pressure water jets within pilot holes; and cavity concrete backfilling. Ore slurry is prepared underground, pumped to surface, and trucked to McClean Lake mill for processing to uranium concentrate.RÉSUMÉ Après 25 années d’essais sur les méthodes minières, de construction et d’assainissement suivant les inondations à la mine, l’exploitation de minerai à haute teneur en uranium Cigar Lake, localisée dans la province de la Saskatchewan, est opérationnelle. Les principales difficultés concernent la stabilité du terrain, le contrôle des eaux souterraines, l’exposition aux rayonnements et la manutention du minerai. Un programme d’essai de 10 ans a abouti à la validation du « forage à érosion », une méthode minière qui consiste à congeler artificiellement le corps minéralisé et les roches environnantes ; à creuser des tunnels pour développer des travers-bancs d’accès en dessous du corps minéralisé ; à installer des puits de fondation pilotes à travers le minerai ; à extraire le minerai à l’aide de jets d’eau à haute pression dans les puits pilotes ; et à remblayer les cavités avec du béton. La boue de minerai est préparée sous terre, pompée vers la surface puis transportée par camion jusqu’à l’usine de concentration de McClean Lake pour le traitement afin d’obtenir du concentré d’uranium.INTRODUCTIONThe Cigar Lake deposit is in northern Saskatchewan, 660 km north of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, at the east edge of the Athabasca basin (Figure 1; Bishop, Mainville, & Yesnik, 2016). The operation is jointly owned by Cameco Corporation, AREVA Resources Canada Inc., Idemitsu Canada Resources Ltd., and TEPCO Resources Inc. Cameco has been the operator of Cigar Lake since January 2002. The discovery hole was drilled in 1981. Commercial production was declared in May 2015 and the Phase 1 operation will have a mine life of 15 years."

Jan 1, 2017

By J. F. Harkom

Introduction The importance of the preservative treatment of mine timbers need scarcely be stressed here. Increasing the life of mine timbers will reduce one of the major costs of mining and also conserve the available timber supply which lies within easy access of the mines. When treated, several species of timber may be used which otherwise could not be considered, owing to their short life. Another feature which should appeal to the mining industry is that wood preservatives are a mine product, and the benefit to be derived from the increased consumption of wood preservatives due to the example set by mine owners is not inconsiderable. Mine timbers may be divided into three classes when considering preservative treatments. (1) Timber obviously not profitable to treat owing to long natural life or short period of time in service. (2) Timber that obviously should receive protection from decay. (3) Timber installed in locations where the length of service required will depend on future developments, so that preservative treatments might or might not prove to be a profitable investment.

Jan 1, 1930

By Champoux. G., E. Ghali, W. Zhang, G. Monteith, A. -M. Lafront, G. Houlachi

The efficiency of the electrowinning process of zinc depends on the performance of oxygen evolution reaction, anode quality and corrosion resistance of lead anodes. Original surfaces of rolled commercial lead-silver anodes were examined using conventional polarisation methods in acid zinc sulfate electrolyte with manganese sulphate at 38 °C. The self-discharge method (potential decay) following 5 h polarisation at 50 mA cm-2 was considered to evaluate electrochemical activity, oxygen overpotential and anode stability. The influence of silver content is compared to that of the microstructure, the fabrication process and the composition of the corrosion products. Polished anode samples have also been examined for microstructural and corrosion performance studies. The experiments show that the duration of the plateau at 1600 mV versus SHE, the potential level (active corrosion state/stationary state) and the rate AEco/At during the decay could be a good indicator to compare the corrosion rates of the anodes in industrial zinc electrolytes.

Jan 1, 2008

By G. M. Behrend

"The mining and processing of mineral ores is a very old industry which is steeped in tradition. Rising demand for metals has recently forced the exploitation of lower-grade orebodies which require extensive beneficiation. The high capital expenditures involved, together with market pressures for high-quality concentrates and pellets, have forced the development of new process technologies which are heavily dependent on automatic process control. Development of suitable instrumentation has been rapid and it is being applied to mining processes today with a high degree of sophistication. The drive for higher efficiency and profitability goes on and has reached a level at which modern digital computers appear to be the only answer. However, the efficient application of a digital process computer is extremely complicated and is therefore approached by the mining industry with considerable hesitation.Some of the benefits promised by the digital computer can be obtained today by other means, which are more manageable and can provide immediate payoff. The result would be a building-block system which would utilize the digital process computer as its final component, to perform true plant optimization, free from routine chores."

Jan 1, 1971

By J. P. Morris, J. T. Novak, E. A. Sarver

"A variety of reagents are utilized in coal preparation, but aside from performing their desired function relatively little is known about the behavior of these reagents within the processing circuits. Where exactly do reagents go once dosed? In this paper, we present preliminary results of partitioning studies on frother (i.e., MIBC) and collector (i.e., diesel) chemicals commonly used in coal flotation, and examine implications for water management (e.g., in closed-loop systems). Additionally, we discuss the usefulness of such data in predicting environmental transport and fate of chemicals – which is currently a top priority for industry.INTRODUCTIONThe purpose of coal preparation is to upgrade mined coal into more valuable products. Since coal is primarily used as a fuel source for electricity generation, product specifications are typically contracted to minimize unwanted constituents that detract from the overall heat value (e.g., ash and moisture) or that add to environmental pollution or other problems like corrosion at a power plant (e.g., sulfur) (Pitt & Millward, 1979). Failure to meet specifications results in a financial penalty for the coal producer (Szwilski, 1986), and thus preparation processes have evolved to simultaneously optimize recovery of valuable “clean” coal with rejection of mineral matter and moisture. In addition to advancements in equipment and circuitry, development and application of various chemical reagents has dramatically improved the performance of coal preparation processes.Contemporary preparation plants typically include multiple circuits that can be categorized by the size of particles they process: coarse, intermediate, and fine/ultra-fine (Figure 1). Coarse and intermediate circuits generally rely on size classification and gravity separations (e.g., dense-media cyclones), and do not require significant chemical reagents. However, fine and ultra-fine circuits often use froth flotation to separate coal from impurities, which requires chemical additives (Table 1). The primary additives include collectors, which coat the surface of the coal particles to render them (more) hydrophobic and thus more likely to attach to air bubbles and float; and frothers, which aid in the formation and stability of the froth that will accumulate the floated coal particles. Modifiers are also commonly added to flotation circuits to regulate pH in instances where coal or impurity characteristics may change water chemistries (Laskowski, 2001). Following flotation, coagulants and flocculants are often utilized in solid-liquid separations (i.e., dewatering or clarification) for coal products, and for tailings slurries prior to their disposal in impoundments. Coagulants function via double-layer compression1 to bring colloidal particles together, while flocculants promote bridging between the grouped colloids – and the combined result is enhanced sedimentation (Wills, 2006). Defoaming or anti-foaming agents may also be required to avoid fouling of dewatering operations."

Jan 1, 2012

By Z. Xiao, A. R. Laplante

"The recovery of gold by gravity from grinding circuits differs from virtually all other gravity recovery approaches in that stage (or unit) recoveries are low, typically 1 to 5%, but overall recoveries are generally in the 25 to 60% range, because individual gold particles are presented many times to the primary recovery unit. Full-scale recovery is difficult to predict from benchscale tests. Further, maximizing metallurgical recovery is generally not the primary objective, because of the more efficient downstream recovery circuit (flotation or cyanidation). In this paper, a new concept, the gravity recovery effort, is presented to assist in the design and optimization of gold gravity circuits. It is defined as the product of the circulating load treated by the primary gravity unit, the recovery of this unit, and the gold room recovery. Predicted gold recovery is linked to the recovery effort, the size distribution of gravity recoverable gold (GRG), the dimensionless retention time in the mill and the partition curve of GRG. A case study of economic optimization of the gravity recovery effort is presented. INTRODUCTIONPredicting gold gravity recovery from grinding circuits has always been a hit-and-miss exercise. The problem can be traced to the highly variable gravity recoverable gold (GRG) content of ores, high GRG circulating load, fraction of the circulating load treated, and performance of primary gravity recovery and gold room. Typical values, highs and lows are shown in Table 1."

Jan 1, 2001

By D. Kovachevich, M. A. Pfeifer

"A t remote locations typical of mines and associated ore processing plants, diesel electric generators are ideally suited for power plants due to their inherent operating flexibility, efficiency and reliability. In recent years rapid escalation in fuel and related transportation costs has made extensive waste heat recovery from generating sets financially attractive to a much greater extent than previously.The paper outlines key considerations during planning and design stages for utilizing the various waste heat sources available to best advantage. Based on two /980 mining projects built in the Canadian Arctic, data is presented on potential operating and capital costs savings. A review of heat balances, engineering flow diagrams and major equipment selections for process and building heating systems utilizing waste heat is included.IntroductionResource projects increasingly occur in remote areas requiring on-site self sufficiency in electrical power generation. For such projects, the low- or medium-speed turbo-charged diesel engine is very often the preferred choice as a prime mover for the generating sets . It is inherently reliable, has good response to load changes and has comparatively high fuel efficiency over a wide load range . From a project execution standpoint, It is capital cost- competitive and procurement lead-time normally ' fits ' within tight schedule constraints. In addition, its potential for waste heat recovery is excellent , particularly in northern climates where space heating requirements are usually substantial, and also where there a re requirements for heat for process and plant services.The high cost of fuel , with add-on transportation costs , provides a major incentive to fully exploit the available waste heat recovery potential o f such installations.As a result of the rapid escalation in the price of petroleum products following major crude oil price increases in 1973 and again in 1978-79, liquid petroleum fuels, having the desirable properties of comparatively high heat content and transportability, are no longer 'cheap' commodities and have become so valuable that industry has widely undertaken serious conservation efforts.Currently, it appears that petroleum cost trends of the 1970s may not continue, at least in the near term, and that we may see somewhat reduced energy costs for a time. In the longer term , and certainly within the life spa n of major projects, however, it is generally believed to be inevitable that these fuels will be increasingly expensive . Energy costs are today a major operating cost for remote minerals processing plants and will remain so for the foreseeable future.In order to meet the economic challenge posed by high energy costs, future projects should be thoughtfully planned from the outset with the goal of minimizing energy requirements and maximizing the use of waste heat recovery to meet such requirements. There is also considerable potential for significant energy savings by retrofitting of existing installations."

Jan 1, 1984

By Mohamed Sassi, I. Kolo, R. L. Sousa, R. K. Abu Al-Rub, Manhal Sirat

"Fractures induced by folds are pivotal in hydrocarbon exploration, ground water transport and harnessing of geothermal energy. This is because of the need to predict and understand fracture propagation in reservoirs which have folded rock formations. Despite its prominence, there is a lack of reliable numerical models for simulating fractures resulting from rock folding. This is partially due to the difficulty involved in fracture modelling. As a contribution to fold-fracture modelling, this work applies a coupled plasticity-damage model to rock fracturing and anticlinal folds. Parametric studies on a single folded layer give insight into the fold formation and behaviour. The anisotropic continuum damage model which considers both tension and compression is formulated using the power damage evolution law. For ease in formulation, strain equivalence hypothesis is adopted whereby the strain is the same for both damaged and undamaged configurations. Lubliner plasticity yield criterion is adopted for plastic deformation. The model is coded in Abaqus user subroutine UMAT and is applicable to quasi-brittle materials.INTRODUCTIONThe understanding of fractures in the earth’s crust helps in the prediction, evaluation and characterization of fractured reservoirs, whether they are petroleum, geothermal or underground water reservoirs. This is partly because reservoir permeability and stability are dependent on fracture properties (Nelson, 2001). To achieve this, various approaches have been developed to analyze reservoir rock fractures. These could be grouped into (a) discrete approaches – where the rock mass is represented by a finite number of well-defined components and (b) continuum approaches – where the mathematical assumption of an infinitesimal element is made (Jing, 2003). Ivanova (Ivanova, 1998) comprehensively studied fracture systems in nature and highlighted folds as one of the major geologic settings that produce fractures. Naturally occurring folds in reservoirs sometimes compound fracture analysis. It might not be clear whether the fractures formed before, during or after rock folding. Fractures formed during the folding process are expected to show stress orientations related to folding and are thus of primary concern in rock folding simulation. It could be argued that there are no numerical models that as"

Jan 1, 2015

By F. A. Auld

"During the period 1958-1980 seven deep shafts were sunk from the surface in the UK. From 1977 until 1989 sixteen deep shafts were sunk in the UK, all concrete lined. Subsequently from 1989 up to the present day no deep shafts have been sunk in the UK, a period of 30 years. Developments in the design and construction of deep shaft linings in the UK therefore were predominantly carried out throughout the period 1977–1989. This knowledge is recorded in several published papers by the author over that period which will be referred to in the paper. INTRODUCTION The paper includes a review of past precedent for the design of deep shaft concrete linings in the UK and sets out the principles for future designs, including the design load to be adopted and Factors of Safety (SFs) to be used in the design. Hydrostatic pressure increases with depth from the surface and therefore the concrete lining must increase in thickness and strength throughout its depth to resist the pressure. High strength concrete mixes were developed to enable economic linings to reach greater depths and these will be detailed. The ground conditions to sink through in the UK consist of predominantly competent (self-standing when excavated) rock, which can be water bearing, and hence a hydrostatic pressure resisting lining is required. The paper describes the construction measures needed to produce a dry shaft by way of pour length, joint detail, backwall grouting and joint sealing details. PAST PRECEDENT FOR UK DEEP SHAFT SINKING AND LINING Seven deep shafts were sunk from the surface in the UK from 1957–1977 over a 20-year period (Auld, 1987). These are listed in Table 1. Three shafts were for British Coal, two were for Cleveland Potash Ltd and two were for the Central Electricity Generating Board. The British Coal shafts were 5.486 m and 7.315 m internal diameter to depths of 550 m and 780 m, respectively. At 5.5 m internal diameter and a depth of 1150 m, the two Boulby Mine shafts for Cleveland Potash Ltd are currently the deepest shafts in the UK. The two Central Electricity Generating Board shafts of 5 m and 10 m internal diameter, to depths of 255 m and 440 m, respectively, were ventilation shafts for a pumped storage scheme. Six of the shafts were sunk by Thyssen (GB) Ltd and one by Cementation Mining Ltd."

Jan 1, 2019

By M. H. MacLeod

"IntroductionTHE ORE PASS raise system at the H.B. mine as contracted by the Patrick Harrison Company consisted of two raises 6 ft. by 10 ft. in section •at 60 degrees to the horizontal. No. 88-88 raise, the longer of the two, was a straight raise 690 feet long, with access only from the bottom. In addition, this raise had two branch knuckle-backs only one of which was driven by. the Patrick Harrison Company. The other, known as 88-89 raise, was 540 feet long with knuckle-backs at 280 feet and 410 feet. Its access, also, was from the bottom (see Figure 1)."

Jan 1, 1954

In 2009 Newmont Mining Corporation?s annual global spend on grinding media reached $94M USD, having doubled in the five years since 2004. The major contributing factor to the spend escalation during this period was unit consumable price, with total media consumption also rising as a function of annual ore tonnes milled. In an effort to better understand and manage the growth of this expenditure a significant supply chain management program was implemented. This was complemented by a series of technical initiatives focussed on grinding media specifications, quality management and the prediction of grinding media wear rate as a function of physical ore characteristics. This paper discusses the methodology and outcomes of these activities.

Jan 1, 2012

By W. J. Kempson

In recent years, substantial progress has been made with respect to the definition and control of the primary energy requirements in underground mines. Little has, however been done to develop a more detailed understanding of how to limit the various pressure losses which are intrinsic to shaft systems. This is in spite of the fact that more than half of the pressures generated by the ventilation fans in deep level mines are dissipated as pressure losses within the shaft system. This paper presents research which has been completed to optimise the pressure losses which occur in shaft systems as a result of the ventilation air flowing through them. In this regard, the response of various shafts to the ventilation air flowing through them was measured. These results were evaluated against the current theory for the calculation of shaft pressure losses. Finally the results of the measurements and calculations were used to calibrate a Computational Fluid Dynamics model of the shaft systems. This model was then iterated to allow meaningful conclusions as to the specific make up of the shaft equipment which contributes the most to pressure losses in shaft The results of the above analysis demonstrated that the current theory used for the evaluation of these pressure losses is deficient. The paper discusses these conclusions and the specific ramifications of the analysis. Finally, the understandings gained with regards to the above research are applied to the design and layout of equipment in mine shafts. In this regard, the shape and orientation of the shaft steelwork is evaluated and it specific interaction with the piping and conveyance is evaluated. Coming out of this evaluation are specific recommendations for the design of future shaft systems. These recommendations are based on the above models and offer specific savings on the lifetime operating costs of shaft systems.

Aug 1, 2013

By Gordon W. Hines

This paper, dealing with network planning in an industrial complex, discusses the type and size of project that can be handled on a manual basis. After a review of the fundamentals of network planning, and specifically of the Critical Path Method, the author analyses several different types of projects, each with its own characteristics. Some can be handled in conjunction with a computer, but others can be dealt with equally well without one. Among the projects discussed are a blast furnace reline, the installation of a billet mill flying shear, and routine maintenance-type operations.

Jan 1, 1967

By James A. Finch, Robert E. McIvor

"This paper presents the development of a new grinding circuit steady-state modeling system. It is fundamentally based on the “functional performance equation”, which has now been used to improve the performance of numerous grinding circuits. This equation characterizes the two distinct efficiencies that are at work in a ball milling circuit, and how these relate to overall circuit productivity. It does so based on the particle size chosen to distinguish between coarse and fine (product size) material. Now, by applying it to all the material size classes, a simple yet reliable ball mill model was created. Combined with cyclone recoveries, the complete, detailed grinding circuit performance can be exactly reproduced mathematically by the computer program. It can then be used with separate process equipment application engineering methods to systematically engineer grinding circuit improvements. The development, features, uses and limitations of the system are described.INITIAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE CIRCUIT MODELThe Functional Performance Equation for Closed Circuit Ball (or Pebble) MillingIt has been shown that closed grinding circuit performance can be effectively characterized by the “functional performance equation” for closed ball or pebble milling circuits (McIvor, 2006a). One method of its derivation is summarized here for convenient reference.First select a cut-off size to define “coarse” versus “fine” or product size material for the grinding circuit. Any particle mesh size can be used to differentiate between coarse material and fines, but the circuit target P80 is often an effective choice for these purposes.Any energy expended on “fines” is wasted. It also generates “extreme fines” often detrimental to downstream processing (McIvor and Finch, 1991). Only the portion of the mill power draw that is expended on coarse material is effectively used. This portion can be estimated from the mill feed and discharge size distributions (McIvor, 1988a) by taking the average of the percentage of “coarse” material in the mill feed and discharge. We can define the thusly calculated percentage of the mill power that is expended on coarse material in the mill as the ball mill circuit “classification system efficiency” (CSEff). The “effective mill power” (EMP) can be calculated from the total mill power (TMP) as follows."

Jan 1, 2007