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By Carmen M. Neculita

Optimizing the long-term efficiency of passive systems for the treatment of highly contaminated acid mine drainage (AMD) is still a challenging issue. The optimization lies, among others, on improving the understanding and quantification of metal removal mechanisms in order to predict and enhance the stability of neo-formed minerals in secondary phases. Sorption, and precipitation as oxides-hydroxides, carbonates and bio-sulfides are likely the most important metal removal mechanisms involved in passive biotreatment of both slightly and highly contaminated AMD. In the same time, the preferred mechanism is precipitation of metal sulfides that are more stable and less pH dependent than carbonates and oxides-hydroxides. However, results of relatively recent research studies performed at laboratory scale showed that sulfides accounted only for up to 15% of total metals removed in passive bioreactors treating highly contaminated AMD dominated by iron (around 500 mg/L). Several approaches were used in the aforementioned studies to understand and quantify metal removal mechanisms in spent reactive mixtures collected from long-term (12-15 months) operating column bioreactors. These included: thermodynamic equilibrium modeling and various chemical extractions and mineralogical analyses (such as single and sequential extractions, acid volatile sulfides-simultaneously extracted metals determination, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and thermo-gravimetric analysis). The large proportion of metals (85%) removed by sorption and precipitation as oxides-hydroxides and carbonates suggests a relatively high mobility of the neoformed minerals, especially in low pH conditions. However, no data is available on the long-term stability of spent reactive mixtures and, on the implications for the sustainable management of this type of solid waste. Lately there is almost a consensus that the efficiency of highly contaminated AMD treatment is warranted by the use of multi-step passive systems, including both chemical and biological units, installed sequentially. However, very few well-documented studies are available on the design, construction, operation and long-term efficiency of these multi-step systems. A leading example is the tri-unit passive system installed on the abandoned Lorraine mine site (Québec) to treat a highly contaminated AMD dominated by iron (about 2,500 mg/L). This tri-step system (160 m3), consisting in two bioreactors separated by a unit filled with wood ashes, achieves to date a satisfactory removal of iron (up to 99%). Moreover, based on the data collected during laboratory testing, iron was mainly removed in the wood ashes unit (from around 3,200 mg/L to 10 mg/L) by precipitation of oxides-hydroxides as predominant mechanism and only partially by sorption. However, no data is available on the actual metal removal mechanisms in the field. Overall, theses multi-step systems are more complex and their long-term performance is even less predictable than the single unit systems. This paper presents the current knowledge and the research needs on metal removal mechanisms in passive bioreactors and multi-step systems for the long-term treatment of highly contaminated AMD. KEYWORDS

Aug 1, 2013

By W. R. Cowan

The Caledon Outwash is a large deposit of glaciofluvial gravel and sand located 55 km north west of down town Toronto. For the most part it was laid down in a meltwater channel fronting the Paris Moraine about 14,000 years ago. Applying the braided bar model of Eynon and Walker (1974) the principal facies present are imbricated coarse gravels (bar corefacies); crudely stratified, imbricated bar top sandy gravels; and trough crossbedded side channel sands and gravelly sands. Of lesser importance are crossbedded bar front gravels, shallow braided stream facies gravels, and stoss side facies sands and pebbly sands (rare). Lithologically these deposits are characterized by FIGURE I. Geological relationships of Caledon Outwash. Industrial Minerals in Canada up to 95% Ordovician limestone and siltstone in the gravel fraction. A siltstone content of up to 34% requires that beneficiation be carried out for the production of better quality aggregates. Resources remaining are estimated to exceed 500 million tonnes in 3000 ha of the most suitable part of the deposit. Present production is about 4.5 million tonnes per year, shared by several producers.

Jan 1, 1984

By Norman O. Lotter

Drill core is preferred as the sample material for metallurgical and mineralogical characterisation and flowsheeting of an orebody. The question arises as to how to do this at the economic optimum, since geologists have several other strategic uses for their drill core. The limiting factors are the cost of extra drilling for the metallurgical testwork and the need to preserve the drill core record. In this study, the representative sampling of drill core at an economic optimum for metallurgical testing is addressed. This phase of the drill core work is preceded by earlier drill core characterisation - for which other appropriate sampling protocols are used - that has provisionally categorised the orebody into geometallurgical units. In stratified sampling of drill core, use is made of a version of the stratified approach to compound distributions proposed by Cochran in 1946. Use is made of Gy’s 50-piece minimum sample mass model to estimate minimum requisite sample mass. In the case where sampling and testwork are required on a Lifeof- Mine blend of a given ore deposit, whereby defined ore types or geometallurgical units are present, the sample mass requirement is significantly reduced by working from drill-core at the geometallurgical unit level. A case study using Raglan drill core is discussed. Using nickel as an indicator paymetal, and sampling at a fundamental variance level of 8%, the minimum sample masses for disseminated sulphides, net-textured sulphides, and massive sulphides are 3.80, 7.37 and 4.39 kg respectively. When the same drill-core is sampled as a Life-of-Mine mixture without knowledge of the geometallurgical units, the minimum sample mass increases to 84.28 kg. It is thus possible to assemble a representative Life-of-Mine sample of drill-core more economically, at the same time validating its representativity. Equivalent calculations for copper, platinum and palladium are discussed, with outcomes consistent with this finding. When all four paymetals are considered, one selects the largest minimum mass out of all four cases. This results in minimum sample masses of 11.67, 74.90 and 175.16 kg for disseminated sulphides, net-textured sulphides and massive sulphides respectively. The simulated Life-of- Mine blend would require a minimum sample mass of 377.33 kg to cover all four paymetals.

Jan 1, 2010

By James A. Brown, Marius Botha, Christopher A. Fleming

"The technical and economic feasibility or re-processing hundreds of millions of tons of tailings in a number of historic gold tailings dams in the Witwatersrand area of South Africa is being investigated. The objective is to recover uranium and residual gold from the tailings, as well as to oxidize the sulphides to eliminate long term environmental liabilities associated with acid mine drainage. The tailings from the re-processing plant will be re-deposited in a new area far from urbanization, allowing for the rehabilitation of the real estate currently occupied by these historic tailings.The first step in the process involves a mild-regrind and mild acid leach of the tailings (pH 2.5 to 3.0) to dissolve up to 40% of the uranium. This uranium is recovered directly from the pulp by resin in pulp (RIP) with a strong base resin. The RIP tails are then treated by flotation to recover a rougher pyrite concentrate, and flotation tailings that are discarded. The rougher concentrate is cleaned to produce a final pyrite concentrate and cleaner scavenger tailings, and the pyrite concentrate is oxidized in an autoclave to leach uranium and generate acid. The autoclave discharge is combined with the cleaner scavenger tails, and the acid and ferric ions generated in the autoclave are used to leach more uranium and oxidize more sulphide in the cleaner tails. The product from the concentrate leach circuit is processed by resin in pulp for uranium recovery, followed by neutralization, cyanidation and carbon in pulp for gold recovery.The rougher float tails may be further treated to recover gold that was not recovered in flotation, but which had been liberated from the old dumps by natural oxidation of some of the pyrite over many decades. The float tails would be neutralized and treated by cyanidation and CIL to recover this liberated gold.All parts of the flowsheet have been extensively tested in the laboratory, and the critical elements of flotation, pressure oxidation and resin in pulp have been demonstrated in pilot plants. The results of the hydrometallurgical investigations are presented here."

Jan 1, 2010

By J. Châteauneuf, R. Dupéré, D. Mrabet

"In gold processing plants, it is common to start gold cyanidation in the grinding circuit by simple cyanide addition or as a result of recycling residual cyanide. In such cases, advantages such as a decrease in gold lockup and reduced leach time have been noticed. The prevailing conditions in grinding circuits such as intense mixing, particle breakage and friction or high temperature are quite different from those found in tanks and so is the resulting cyanidation behaviour. To gain a better understanding of the cyanidation behaviour in mills and of the pertinence of cyanide addition in grinding circuits, lab tests were conducted using an industrial ore from Canadian Malartic mine. In this study, the effects of different parameters on cyanidation in grinding circuits were examined; parameters such as such as temperature, dissolved oxygen, cyanide concentration and pH. The results showed that the kinetic benefits of high temperature in the mill can overcome the low dissolved oxygen concentration thus leading to an overall gold dissolution kinetics improvement for temperatures up to 50°C. However, gold leach in the studied grinding circuit at lab scale caused an increase in cyanide consumption with a higher generation of iron cyanide and SCN-. These results were confirmed by tests in the Canadian Malartic plant where the cyanide addition was moved from the SAG mill to the leaching tanks resulting in a 20% savings in cyanide consumption.IntroductionCyanidation in grinding circuits can benefit gold processing by decreasing gold lockup and by reducing leach time. However, other aspects regarding gold and cyanicide dissolution come into play in the conditions prevailing in grinding circuits. Indeed, high turbulence, high temperature, recycling load, friction and particle breakage make cyanidation behaviour in grinding circuits different from in-tank cyanidation (Marsden and House, 2006). In several cases, cyanide in grinding is limited to a very low level or completely avoided such as in circuits with gravimetric separation, for ores requiring oxidative pretreatment or for preg-robbing ores. In other cases, water management imposes a certain recycling of residual cyanide. This problem is generally addressed by a case-by-case approach. However, the chemistry of cyanidation in mill circuits is worth investigating in order to assess the advantages and disadvantages."

Jan 1, 2016

By J. A. Espinosa-Guillen, J. A. Lopez-Molina, S. García, J. A. Valencia-Quintanar

"The design and implementation of grouting treatments in rock masses are procedures that require continuous adjustment of parameters and criteria to optimize the results. In this proposal we describe a set of tools that enhance decision-making for this type of jobs particularly in dam projects. The methodology is focused on hydrogeological zoning of the site and its constant update combining engineer’s experience with artificial intelligence techniques to integrate the site knowledge; as well as the evaluation of grouting results for different scrutiny scales, with special attention on the relationship between water absorption and grout consumption. INTRODUCTIONSeveral methodologies for design, implementation and evaluation for grouting rock masses have been developed for the solution of specific problems and tested in diverse geological conditions. Each of these methodologies is focused on results evaluation for different scrutiny scales (Table 1) and is employed to assist decision-making before or during the grouting process.Some methods define specifications for grouting each stage of the borehole, making theoretical, semi empirical or experience-based considerations to define basic parameters as maximum pressure, maximum volume, grouting time, flow rate, etc. Ultimately each approach aim to optimize the injection process, adjusting volumes or the grouting time required to obtain satisfactory results, reducing risk of creating new flow paths or unnecessary grout travels, and enhancing the mixture properties to achieve adequate penetrability and long-term behaviour. Some of these criteria have been widely used in dam projects, for example the concept of Grouting Based on Facts to define the maximum pressure and volume (Ewert, 1997), the GIN method (Lombardi & Deere, 1993; El Tani, 2012), or the North American standards based on Apparent Lugeon measures (Naudts, 1995; Bruce 2011); on the other hand, there are relatively new criteria that have shown good results for dam grouting as the Aperture Control Method (Bonin et al., 2012; Carter et al., 2012) or the Real Time Grouting Control Method (Stille et al., 2012)."

Jan 1, 2015

By Richard W. Hutchinson, Christopher Osterman

Abstract -The Selebi-Phikwe deposits are hosted by amphibolite to granulite facies gneisses of the Limpopo belt. The sulfide orebodies are generally stratiform and conformable to the foliation of the wallrock gneiss. Sulfide remobilization has occurred during metamorphism and has produced discordant sulfide veins, called piercement structures, which project into the hanging wall and foot­ wall gneisses. These piercement structures are compositionally similar to the stratiform sulfides, consisting mainly of pyrrhotite, pentlandite and chalcopyrite. However, texturally the piercement sulfides are coarse grained and inclusion-free, whereas the stratiform sulfides are fine grained and packed with tectonically produced wallrock inclusions. The piercement structure sulfides and adjacent stratabound sulfides were sampled and analyzed for major base metals and PGE's for comparative purposes. Most of the piercement structures were enriched in Cu, Ag and Au, whereas they were generally depleted in Ni, Co, Fe and PGE's. Changing elemental associations were observed from the stratabound sulfides and along the length of the piercement structures. This and the degree of depletion or enrichment of various major and minor elements in the sulfide piercement structures may reflect the relative mobilities of metals under metamorphic conditions. The similarities between sulfide piercement structures and the footwall Cu-POE veins in some Sudbury deposits are reviewed.

Jan 1, 1994

By P. F. Venus

In December 1977, a large pillar was removed by blasthole mining methods at lnco's Creighton No. 3 mine. Although the 2,363.000-ton blast was not a size record for a single underground blast at Inco, it did represent a significant departure from conventional blasthole mining. In terms of the application of nominal 6-inch-diameter boreholes underground, coupled with bulk slurry explosives, the magnitude of the blast is considered a first and very important development. The application of large-diameter boreholes in underground operations was first tried successfully in 1973. Since that time over 13/4 million feet have been drilled in this adaptation of an open-pit technique to underground operations. The blast, which required 708 holes, totalling 131,500 feet of drilling, was loaded in a six-week period, using special slurry handling techniques developed jointly by Inco and CIL. Inco operating and engineering personnel consider this application of large boreholes and slurry explosives for blasthole mining a very important milestone in modern mining technology.

Jan 1, 1978

By Martin Stoklossa

Surface mining operations typically require run-of-mine material to be sized for further processing. In-pit crushing facilities serve this need, as stationary, semi-mobile or fully mobile units. Although in particular fully mobile crushing facilities have been in use for over half of a century, other surface mining techniques have typically been implemented. However, with increasing operating costs in truck and shovel operations, and other economic considerations, mobile crushing plants are increasingly a viable option. The operational and economical parameters in relation to the optimal surface mining equipment selection will be reviewed. The role of the mobile crushing technology within the continuous vs. noncontinuous surface mining operation and basis for mine planning are also discussed. Current applications and respective case studies will be reviewed. Key performance indicators will be presented. These performance parameters can be viewed as a tool to aid in the equipment selection process. The future direction for further research and development in mobile crushing facilities will also be presented.

May 1, 2008

By L. R. Plitt, A. J. Neale, B. C. Flintoff

"INTRODUCTIONThis is not a technical paper in the normal sense. It is an informal document which is intended to share the results of some recent cyclone research with our colleagues both in operations and in research.PILOT PLANT FACILITIESFigure 1 is a schematic of the closed circuit hydrocyclone pilot plant testing facility at the University of Alberta. In this figure the system is configured for some experimental work on wide angle cyclones which was recently completed. The rig is designed to study cyclones in the approximate range of 10 cm to 20 cm diameter. Notable features include the variable speed feed pump, the magnetic flowmeter and pressure sensors on the cyclone feed line and the travelling launder which permits simultaneous sampling of both product streams.ORGANIZATIONFor organizational convenience the subject matter has been divided into three parts:(1) Peculiar Partition Curves(2) Wide Angle Cyclones(3) Rope DischargePECULIAR PARTITION CURVESMuch of the initial empirical mathematical modelling work on cyclone classifiers dealt with homogeneous ores. A homogeneous ore is one in which all particles have substantially the same apparent density, or where one phase is very clearly predominant. In contrast, a heterogeneous ore is one in which there are at least two different density classes, each making a significant contribution to the ore composition. (Particle shape similarity is always assumed.)One of the problems which can arise when analysing the overall solids partition (selectivity, Tromp, etc ... ) curve for a heterogeneous ore is the peculiar shape which may be observed, when compared to partition curves for homogeneous ores. This is not an unusual occurrence and it has been documented by Lynch and Rao, Finch and Laplante and Larsen and Spring. The purpose of this section is to identify those operating conditions which may give rise to peculiar partition curves."

Jan 1, 1986

By W. Keith Buck

This paper defines the discipline of mineral economics. By example, it describes the application of the tools of economic analysis to mineral problems - to problems in the areas of: mineral resource analysis and forecasting, mineral industry activity from exploration to distribution and marketing, mineral commodity analysis, and mineral policy analysis and policy formulation - all in a regional, national or international context.

Jan 1, 1972

By A. C. Ter-Oganesyants, N. N. Anisimova, G. P. Kotukhova, G. N. Dylko

The process utilized at Norilsk Nickel Polar Circle Division for treating slimes from the electrorefining of copper and nickel was developed in the late nineteen fifties and has survived without any fundamental changes. This technology is a combination of pyro and hydrometallurgical operations to produce PGM concentrates that are sent away for refining. The characteristic feature of the current technology is multiple-stage, extended cycle treatment with significant incomplete production, low labour and automation efficiency and poor hygiene and sanitary conditions. To eliminate all negative aspects mentioned above, specialists of Norilsk Nickel Polar Circle Division have developed a new hydrometallurgical process for treating electrolytic slimes. The main steps of the flow sheet developed are autoclave leaching of the slimes and electrochemical opening-up of a cake from autoclave leaching. The implementation of the new process will allow Norilsk Nickel Polar Circle Division to shorten the process cycle 4-5-fold thus reducing the volume of incomplete production, considerably increase labour efficiency, simultaneously improving working conditions, upgrade the final concentrate, reducing costs and increasing PGM recovery during refining and, ensure higher security of precious metals by employing automated processes and vacuum sealed units.

Jan 1, 2004

By J. G. Cullain

In conjunction with the over-all goals of energy conservation at Inco Metals Company, a program of improvement in compressed air utilization was established. Air flows were monitored and compared to calculated requirements to establish efficiency by area. With the cooperation of area management, measures were implemented to reduce nonproductive usage. At the operation, annual savings in power consumption alone were 80,000 dollars. The program is being extended to other mine areas within the Division.

Jan 1, 1979

By Cindy Schiewek

Industrial injury occurrences are an ongoing concern for Mine Operators. Along with the personal suffering of injured workers comes an increase in compensation and productivity costs. Growing recognition of repetitive stress and bodily injuries, accompanied by recent studies, validates the assumption that a relationship exists between ergonomic injuries and machine design. Intuitively, there is a belief that an ergonomically designed machine will reduce repetitive stress injuries through design and education however; quantifying this belief has been a challenge for Mine Operators. Sandvik Tamrock has undertaken a project aimed at developing a business model to assist in quantifying the benefits of ergonomic intervention. This model focuses on distinguishing and quantifying this method of intervention to allow for a better evaluation of the machine. For simplicity, the project initially focused on the Face Drill Jumbos. The target of the project was three fold: !" Recognition of the cost drivers for compensation; ergonomic injuries !" Identification of the relationship between ergonomic machine design, and the decrease of the negative effects associated with the cost drivers !" Systematic prioritization for ?prevention by design? The project findings substantiate the expected reduction in injuries and compensation claims. Based on all ergonomic intervention studies conducted, each case showed a reduction in compensation cost; through prevention by design, one can reduce the amount of potential risk. The paper addresses the resources and methodology used, along with the findings and its relevance to the issues that face the Mining industry.

May 1, 2003

By G. R. Yourt

"Generally speaking the usual approach for controlling dust is three-fold:1. Suppress the formation of dust at the source.2. Confine dust that cannot be suppressed.3. Dilute and remove dust that cannot be confined.This discussion will be concentrated on the second approach, namely, confining and disposing of dusty air.Dust BehaviourBefore delving into actual design principles a brief discussion on behaviour of dust should be helpful. For prevention of silicosis only respirable dust, ranging in size from < 0.5 to 5u needs to be controlled. As particles of this size have insignificant mass and momentum they follow air movements very closely. Consequently if contaminated air around dust sources is confined within enclosures and leakages maintained, strongly indraft dust is automatically controlled and capture velocities are of no concern.Dust SourcesAt metal mining operations ore is prepared for wet concentration by crushing it to mostly <3"" in size. This usually involves a jaw crusher, one or two cone crushers, one or more screens and several conveyors. Dust is actually produced only by the crushing action but it is liberated also when numerous fine particles contained in the ore stream are dispersed by surges and vibration at the discharge of the crushers, screens and headpulleys of conveyors. Furthermore, dust is dis¬persed when the slime adhering to the underside of the return portion of belts becomes dry and is rendered airborne by vibration and by cleaning floors especially where the slime has dropped."

Jan 1, 1971

By W. Evans, C. E. Ells

Nuclear power reactors using zirconium alloy pressure tubes generate electricity in several countries. Such reactors are particularly important in Ontario, where CANDUs* generate about 30% of the total electricity produced in the Province. Starting with the commitment of NPD-2 in 1956, the pressure tubes of the first five CANDU reactors were made of coldworked Zircaloy-Z, an alloy of Zr and Sn. This alloy was developed by the US Navy, but the decision to use it in a cold-worked condition was based on AECL work. In 1958, the USSR published information on a new alloy, Zr-2.5 wt% Nb. The Nb promotes stabilization of the (3-phase in the material, thus presenting opportunities of exploiting metallurgically strong pressure tubes analogous to the heat-treatable cx-{3 titanium alloys. After construction of two reactors using Zr-2.5 wt% Nb in a quenched and aged condition, an extensive development program on cold-worked Zr-2.5 wt% Nb pressure tubes resulted in them becoming the reference tubes for all CANDU reactors committed since 1966. Anticipating the future needs of the domestic and export markets, AECL have pressure tubes of Zr-3.3 wt% Sn-0.8 wt% Nb-0.8 wt% Mo (Excel) in an advanced state of development. These tubes will be used in an annealed condition; our projections show that they will have improved dimensional stability over the lifetime of the reactors. These improvements result from experimental programs leading to an understanding of the relationship between microstructures and fabrication variables and effects of the environment during service in nuclear reactors.

Jan 1, 1981

By Catherine N. Mulligan

Thickening of mine tailings is a relatively new concept for their sustainable management. Removal of water from the tailings to form a paste instead of slurry disposal decreases environmental and geotechnical concerns. As the use of these pastes is relatively new, their behaviour requires investigations such as liquefaction and seismic stability, freeze-thaw behaviour, consolidation and leachate characterization. Slurry density, ore type, particle size distribution, specific gravity and environmental conditions can all influence paste characteristics. In this paper, the effect of the above-mentioned parameters is examined. New developments in water removal, and additives (such as flocculating agents, cements, organics, fertilizers, etc) leading to low moisture content tailings are reviewed, and the potential for thickening to enable sustainable management of mine tailings is discussed with respect to storage volume requirement, use of virgin land, consolidation of the tailings, land use after decommissioning.

May 1, 2007

By Robert B. Parsons

"The last edition of Tax Notes expressed concern about two proposed tax changes in Finance Minister Paul Martin&apos;s 1995 budget that could have detrimental effects on Canada&apos;s mining industry. This month, Tax Notes expands on these concerns. This article is based on a paper that the author presented at ClM &apos;95 in HalifaxIntroductionOn a global basis, there are more investment opportunities in the mining industry today than at any other time in history. Countries in Central and South America, Eastern Europe, the CIS, Central Asia, and Asia are competing aggressively to attract investment to all sectors of their domestic mining industries. Today, the demand for investment dollars exceeds the amount of dollars that are available for investment in mining. It is not surprising, then, that the established mineral producing nations are witnessing a decline in spending on exploration and development on their home turf, and an increase in spending in developing countries. In the context of a developed country such as Canada, there are two manifestations of the problem of declining investment: (I) Foreign investors are allocating more of their capital budgets to new opportunities in developing countries; and (2) Canadian juniors and seniors are spending proportionately more abroad. This shift in global spending patterns is the source of some concern for the future of Canada&apos;s mining industry, particularly because it is widely believed that the current rate of discovery of ore reserves in this country is too low to replenish depleting reserves.""Government bashing"" has always been a popular pastime in Canada. Invariably, this pastime has focussed, at !east in part, on taxation. In view of the intense competition that Canada faces on the global mining scene, it is important that the role of taxation in the decision-making process be kept in perspective. This paper seeks to put the role of taxation into perspective."

Jan 1, 1995

By D. D. Liu

This paper proposes a charge induction dust measurement method based on detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA) for use in coal mine environments, based upon electrostatic interference, dust properties, wind speed, particle size, moisture content and other factors. In this methods, sequence x(t) is first obtained through a dust concentration sensing probe, and then the cumulative deviation y(t) is calculated, and y(t) is divided into same lengths. Secondly, a first-order linear fit is used for data of each interval, and mean-square deviation filtered DFA was calculated for each interval. Finally, the dust mass concentration of the corresponding time is obtain by supplemented calibration coefficient and fitted the data point which is the mean and square root for all lengths of interval. Simulation and verification experiments showed that the charge induction dust measurement method based on DFA can reduce coal mine electrostatic interference effects with high accuracy. The design has been successfully applied to select areas.

Aug 1, 2013

By B. McLaughlin

Agnico-Eagle started sinking the Penna Shaft in 1995 with a hoisting plant capable of hoisting 1800 t/d from a 2240 m deep shaft. Exploration success led to the installation of a hoisting plant capable of extracting 4500 t of ore and 1800 t of waste per day from a depth of 2210 m. The introduction of a new rope selection factor, permitting a safety factor of 4.0, represented the breakthrough required for a cost-effective project. This paper describes the process taken to introduce the new rope selection factor and its impact on the original plant.

Jan 1, 2004