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By K. C. Lahiri, H. P. Das, G. G. Sarkar

"The petrographic components of any particular rank of coal often show some distinct physical and chemical characteristics. Therefore, their pro-portionate distribution in a coal greatly influences the technological behaviour of the coal.In any size or gravity separation of a coal, the petrographic constituents become segregated to different degrees in some preferred size or specific gravity range. Therefore, a knowledge of the petrographic nature of the washed and/or screened fractions is often considered essential in selecting the most efficient method for coal preparation and in exploring the proper evenues for its utilization.A graphical method is described in this paper to indicate the mineral-matter content and the petrographic components of the washed fractions of a coal at different ash levels of separation in the form of a new washability diagram. This diagram can be conveniently used to assess or predict the petrographic composition of clean coal or sinks corresponding to any desired ash level in the cleans. With the help of this diagram, it is also possible to locate the yield level of cleans at which maximum enrichment of vitrinites and exinites occurs with the least amount of mineral-matter content."

Jan 1, 1971

By D. J. Lloyd

"Bending is involved in the forming of many sheet parts and it is important to understand the phenomena involved. In this paper the basic equations describing bending on a global scale are compared with strain measurements of bent sheet. The development of strain on a local, microstructural scale is also investigated, as is the general aspects of plasticity and the failure process. It is shown that the global equations can be used to estimate the strains involved and the local strains can be attributed to various aspects of the plasticity. The bendability can be related to the fracture strain of the sheet and the ability of a sheet alloy to accommodate the necessary bending to form the part can be assessed.INTRODUCTION The ability of a sheet alloy to undergo bending without failure is an important capability in the forming of many parts and it is useful to be able to assess the bendability of an alloy during its development. The basic mechanics of bending were developed in the 1950s (Lubhan & Sachs, 1950; Hoffman & Sachs, 1953). When a sheet is bent the upper bend surface is in tension, the lower surface in compression and at some point within the sheet there is a plane of zero strain which is referred to as the neutral axis. For sheet exhibiting limited plasticity the neutral axis is static and occurs at the mid-point of the sheet thickness but for sheet exhibiting extensive plasticity the neutral axis progresses deeper in to the sheet as bending progresses. This results in two expressions for the maximum strain at the upper bend surface depending on the motion of the neutral axis. For Al alloys such as AA6111, AA6016 and the like extensive plasticity occurs and the neutral axis is expected to move during bending. However, very few studies have examined how the neutral axis motion and the strains develop, compared with the mechanics analysis. Geist and Parker (1984) used hardness measurements to investigate neutral axis motion but these experiments did not have the resolution necessary to compare the results with experiment but did indicate neutral axis motion. To understand the nature of plasticity and failure during bending it is important to know the extent of neutral axis motion, the scale of strain gradients developed through the sheet and the maximum strains occurring at the bend surface, finally comparing experimental results with the theoretical predictions. The influence of microstructure on the evolution of strain and failure can then be considered in the context of these parameters. Recently, bending in some automotive Al alloys has been reported mainly from the microstructural perspective (Lloyd, 2000, Lloyd et al., 2002, Mattei et al., 2013) and FEM studies have also investigated the development of plasticity under bending, demonstrating the tendency for strain localization (Becker, 1992, Shi et al., 2014)."

Jan 1, 2018

By Charles Tkaczuk

Key issues ? Process control is a corporate function implemented locally. ? Security and documentation is mandatory requiring standard practices. ? Publish and communicate activities (do not re-invent the wheel). ? Payback metric system for all projects. ? Partnering with vendors based on experience, expertise and joint R&D. ? Focus on phased process control projects and distribution of costs. ? Integration of services and functions. ? Application of global standards. ? Big picture application thinking.

Apr 1, 2005

By P. V. Barr, Y. -H. Li, A. P. Watkinson

Subsequent to a campaign of pilot-kiln trials of firing bio-oil and natural gas, scale-up to commercial lime kilns was made using an in-house mathematical kiln model. Both dry limestone and lime mud kilns of 3.5 m OD. by 100 m length were used for bio¬oil firing simulations. Comparisons were made against natural gas firing on the basis of specific firing rate, off-gas volume, energy consumption and overall lime quality. Model simulation results indicate that conversion from natural gas to bio-oil with no productivity loss will increase energy comsumption by about 7.5% and total off-gas volume by about 8%. Alternatively, a 6% decrease in productivity would be expected if off-gas volume is maintained constant. The calculations are sensitive to deviations in the lower heating value (LHV) used in the simulations. A 5% increase in the LHV of the bio-oil, which could result from a 3% decrease in the moisture content, reduces the energy penalty to 2% coupled with a slight reduction in off-gas volume.

Jan 1, 2004

By M. Bender, H. D. Goodfellow

"Belt conveyors, because of their low capital and operating costs and inherent flexibility in handling a wide variety of products, have numerous applications in the mining industry. With the increased emphasis on improving the workplace environment, dust emissions from belt conveyors at transfer and other points have become a significant problem for many applications.The paper reviews belt conveyor dust control technology and compares dust emissions from belt conveyor systems with other possible materials handling systems. Technical information on existing belt conveyor installations which have been designed to minimize or eliminate dust emissions is summarized. The important features of good design as well as the necessary input from operating and maintenance personnel are highlighted. The status of research and development work on dust control on belt conveyor systems on a world-wide basis is discussed. A proposed methodology for field measurements of emission factors from belt conveyor systems is presented. Data collected from such a test program can be used to establish a design basis for new dust-free belt conveyors.IntroductionBelt conveyors have proven themselves over the year s in the mining industry as a reliable and low-co st method of moving bulk material at high tonnage rates. Because of the above, as well as their inherent flexibility in handling a wide variety of products, belt conveyors are often called the ""workhorses"" of bulk material handling systems. For many processing plants, belt conveyors serve as the ""vital link"" in providing feed to the plant and the removal of the finished product. As would be expected, there has been considerable engineering effort in designing rugged and reliable belt conveyor systems.It is also well known that belt conveyor systems are a primary source of respirable dust emissions. The major sources are from the tail pulley where material is received and the head pulley where material is discharged, from the return idlers, due to the fine material attached to the return belt, and from the take-up pulley. It is usually considered that for dust particles less than 10 microns, these particles will remain airborne and thus can have a profound effect on the workplace environment."

Jan 1, 1982

By W. D. Sinclair

"Between 1934 and 1956, nearly 31 million grams of gold were produced in the Matachewan area from deposits on properties belonging to Young-Davidson Mines Limited and Matachewan Consolidated Mines Limited. In 1979, production from these properties was renewed by Pamour Porcupine Mines Limited.Most of the gold produced has come from relatively lowgrade deposits (3.4 gl t or less) that occur in an east-trending belt of dykes and irregular bodies of trachytic syenite. Although small by comparison, these deposits have some of the characteristics of porphyry copper-molybdenum deposits. The mineralized syenite contains up to 5 per cent disseminated pyrite and is highly fractured and cut by quartz and quartzcarbonate veinlets. Gold occurs as native gold along fractures, in quartz veinlets and as minute inclusions in pyrite. Minor chalcopyrite and trace amounts of scheelite, molybdenite and galena are also present. Mineralization was accompanied by potassic alteration, consisting mainly of potassium feldspar.Some gold was also produced from small, but higher-grade, deposits in volcanic rocks. These deposits occur near the syenite-hosted deposits and consist of quartz veins and stringers mineralized .with pyrite and gold. Minor gold is present in some low-grade, porphyry-type copper-molybdenum occurrences and, locally, in large, isolated quartz veins.Lead isotope analyses suggest that the gold deposits were formed at about 2700 Ma and were locally remobilized at approximately 2400 Ma, following the Kenoran orogeny. The deposits appear to be genetically related to felsic magmas emplaced in an epizonal environment and deposited from hydrothermal solutions relatively concentrated in S and K20."

Jan 1, 1982

"The ore currently being milled at Delnite is a high pyrrhotite ore with the gold intimately associated with the pyrrhotite. To get maximum recovery of the gold with the lowest reagent cost, it is necessary to keep the pH as low as possible In the laboratory the best results were obtained with a pH of 10 but in the plant it was found that a pH of 11 was the minimum practical pH. With the n1anual control it was difficult to maintain this figure.The Mines Branch had a conductivity probe (see Fig. 1), developed by Dr. G .G. Eichholz that they wished to try out in plant operation.On June 17, 1963, the probe with all necessary control equipment was installed in the regrind circuit (see Fig. 2) at Delnite Mines. Crushed quick lime is fed at this point but it is also necessary to feed hydrated li1ne at two other points in the cyanide circuit in order to maintain the pH close to 11. 0 throughout the circuit. Only the feeding of the quick lime at the regrind mill was controlled in this test.One thing that concerned me with the operation of the probe was whether the reading on the probe chart would correspond to the pH. A look at the graph accompanying this paper will show that except for very minor variations the graphs of the chart reading and the pH reading are parallel. The upper graph shows that the pH reading and the lime titrations also correspond and that the cyanide titrations appear to have little effect on the pH reading.Table 1 gives the results obtained for the two months before and after the instal1ation of automatic control as well as the two months of control. Unfortunately there was a decided change in ore just after the automatic controls were removed. There was much less pyrrhotitc in the ore than usual thus changing the need for lime and cyanide."

Jan 1, 1964

By A. J. Hyett

Due to the ongoing revolution in electronics and communications more cost-effective geotechnical instruments can be manufactured using digital technology. This new generation of digital instruments have embedded microcontrollers that provide highly accurate and reliable measurement of geotechnical behaviour in real world units that can be immediately interpreted. Digital measurements can be transmitted across existing mine-wide wireless communication networks, interfaced directly with infra-red enabled PDA?s or PC?s, and parsed to memory by low-cost data-loggers.

Oct 1, 2004

The current mining operations at Newmont Boddington Gold Mine (NBG) commenced in 2008, and commissioning of the processing plant started in the latter half of 2009. Metso Process Technology and Innovation were engaged to assist NBG with commissioning and project ramp-up through the implementation of a comprehensive ?Mine-to-Mill? Process Integration and Optimisation project. This methodology entailed extensive data collection which included drill and blast audits, ore characterisation, comprehensive comminution circuit surveys and review of operational data to assess the limitations within the current mining and processing operations. The results of these investigations have been used to define the operating base line of both the mining and processing areas and identify improvement opportunities. The use of modelling and simulations, utilising actual production data, has allowed for multiple scenarios to be evaluated, minimising the requirement for actual trials and thereby minimising impact on the operation. Improvements implemented to date include: the introduction of routine rock strength measurement for inclusion in block models, modifications to blast design improving ROM fragmentation and downstream comminution process performance, and changes to improve performance of secondary crushing and grinding circuits. Close cooperation between the mine and plant personnel is playing a significant role in overcoming the challenges presented to this operation and further improvements are targeted for the second full year of process plant operation.

Jan 1, 2012

By D. Fleury

"This paper describes the challenges of mining a sill pillar under various types of paste backfill quality. From 1994 to 2002, Louvicourt mine produced approximately 12,600,000 t grading 3.5% Cu, 1.5% Zn, 27 g/mt Ag, and 0.85 g/mt Au. The mining method is transverse blasthole stoping, mining primary and secondary stopes. The production of this 4,300 t/d operation was accomplished using two mining horizons; from the 655 m level to the 415 m level and from the 860 m level to the 680 m level. The main sill pillar is between the 680 m level and the 655 m level. The second sill pillar is between the 885 m level and the 860 m level representing a quarter of the main sill pillar in size. Since 2002, production has gradually decreased and mining activities are expected to end in mid-2005. The sill pillar production will represent almost 25% of the total mine production. The overall recovery of the sill pillars stopes will be discussed in this paper. To recover the sill pillars, more than 1,500 m of development was planned in or under paste backfill. The first sill pillar stopes under paste backfill were mined out in 2002 with excellent results."

Jan 1, 2005

By D. R. Boyle

"The basal type uranium deposits in south central British Columbia occur within unconsolidated, late Miocene fluvial paleochannel sediments that overlie major fault zones within the Okanagan Highlands Intrusive Complex. Prior to the formation of mineralization, paleovalleys containing host sediments were flooded by Pliocene valley basalts of the Plateau Basalt Formation. Five uranium deposits have been outlined to date, of which the Blizzard (4020 tonnes U) and TYee (650 tonnes U) are the largest. The basement intrusive complex underlying the deposits varies in age from early Cretaceous to Eocene and is comprised of quartz monzonite, granodiorite, Coryell monzonite, porphyritic granite and pegmatite.The mineralized host sediments comprise a complex sequence of interfingering conglomerates, arkosic sandstones and mudstones. Organic material is abundant in many, but not all, mineralized beds. Uranium mineralization is present in the form of uranous (ningyoite) or uranyl (saleeite, autunite) phosphates coating clastic grains and filling voids. Because of very strong reducing conditions related to large concentrations of marcasite and organic material, ningyoite is the only uranium mineral in the Tyee deposit, whereas the Blizzard deposit contains a more complex assemblage of minerals (saleeite, autunite, ningyoite). The observed paragenetic sequence of mineral precipitation in the Blizzard deposit (autunite-saleeite-ningyoite) indicates that the uranyl minerals, saleeite and autunite, are primary. Small amounts of Zn, Ni, Co and Mo have been introduced into the Blizzard deposit whereas Mo is the only non ore-forming element enriched in the Tyee deposit. Mn is the only depleted element in both deposits."

Jan 1, 1986

By C. M. Anson

Introduction The prosperity of any country today is dependent upon the efficiency and growth of its primary steel industry. The ?march of the United States of America to its present commanding position in world affairs parallels the growth of its steel industry. The remarkable growth of that industry was possible only because bountiful providence endowed that country with adequate supplies of the raw materials necessary for steel making -coal and iron ore. If we accept this hypothesis, and surely we must, then to what extent can we envisage the future of our own country? This symposium deals with the most important of the raw materials required for steel making -iron ore. If we are blessed with a bountiful supply of iron ore, then surely a glorious future awaits only our taking advantage of that blessing. It is becoming increasingly evident that Canada has immense iron ore deposits. It is my privilege to make you acquainted with one of these, one that can only be classified as among the more important ore reserves in the world. I refer to the Wabana ore deposits in Newfoundland. Location These deposits lie under the floor? of Conception bay, off the east coast of Newfoundland. They consist of a series of beds which outcropped for a distance of about three miles on the northeastern shore of Bell Island, dipping at approximately 8° toward the northwest. This three-mile outcrop is the only key to the occurrence.

Jan 1, 1951

By David M. R. Stone

Underground mining in the gold industry is gaining popularity in Nevada, and with it the use of cemented rockfill is becoming mainstream. Even with today?s high metal prices, however, mining companies are very sensitive to the margins they realize, and are constantly looking for ways to reduce costs or improve efficiencies. Given that the backfill is one of the largest cost centers in underground mining, mines are constantly under pressure to reduce backfill costs. This paper will present an overview of the factors that impact cemented rockfill quality in Nevada mines based on the authors many years of consulting experience. Cemented rockfill quality can be linked directly to binder consumption, hence programs aimed at improving quality generally result in lower binder costs, better performance in the fill (hence less dilution), and improved safety. The paper will conclude with the key elements of a comprehensive program of backfill quality assessments and backfill QA programs. Comparative laboratory and minesite data from a number of operating and proposed mines will be presented.

May 1, 2007

By Rick Steen, Weldon Read, Morrism Tracy T.

Edging for starter sheet blanks used in conventional copper refineries has always been problematic for getting the edging to seal and adhere to the titanium material used for the blank so that copper is prevented from plating under the edging and cause undo problems in getting the copper sheets to separate from the blanks. A method was developed at the Amarillo Copper Refinery utilizing an injection molding process that better adheres the edging material to the titanium that makes the harvesting of starter sheets much easier to the point that robots are now used to strip with and which holds up very well to the unforgiving physical nature of the electroplating process. It is believed that this technology could be successfully utilized for permanent cathodes as well. INTRODUCTION ASARCO LLC (Asarco) was organized in 1899 as the American Smelting and Refining Company. Originally a consolidation of several lead-silver smelting companies, it evolved over the years into an integrated producer of primary non-ferrous metals, including copper, lead and zinc and associated co- products (Marcosson, 1949). Grupo México, S.A.B. de C.V acquired Asarco in 1999. Today, Asarco is a vertically integrated producer of primary refined copper and associated co-products such as gold, silver, molybdenum, selenium and tellurium. Asarco operates three open-pit mines and mills and two solvent extraction-electrowinning (SX-EW) plants all in Arizona plus a copper smelter in Arizona and a copper refinery in Texas. Figure 1 illustrates how the copper metal comes out of the ground at the mine and ends up as a refined product at the refinery. The copper refinery in Texas is known as the Amarillo Copper Refinery (ACR) and is located in Amarillo, Texas. It was built in 1975 to replace 3 other aging refineries and was designed to produce 550,000 tons (500,000 MT) of refined copper per year using conventional starter sheet technology. At the time it was commissioned it was the largest tankhouse in the world at just under 1/2 miles long under one roof.

Jan 1, 2019

By M. Maccagni, J. Nielsen

"The recovery of lead from battery paste has been investigated for a long time and with the use of many different electrolytes. A number of processes have been presented, but none of them reached even the demonstration step. Engitec has developed a new concept for the battery paste electrowinning using a chloride electrolyte fed through a very innovative flow cell. The process has passed the lab and the demo scale and it is ready to be introduced on the market. In this paper, a description of the process will be provided.INTRODUCTIONThe need for improved energy storage systems as well as the introduction of commercially viable electric vehicles is providing a strong compulsion toward the research of new batteries. The lead battery is playing an important role because it is inexpensive, reliable and it is the most recycled material. This last aspect marks the lead acid battery as quite peculiar making it both the primary lead based product and the main raw material for lead production.In the last years the legislative pressure has become very strong and has forced the lead production to react through the introduction of important process innovations and market changes. The dispersive products, such as additives for paints and for fuel as well as bullets, have been practically banned all over the world while the battery market continues to grow. The lead acid battery remains the cheapest and most integrated energy storage system available and is improving to meet the new technical challenges. This is testified by the news coming from the development of new and more efficient lead acid batteries which are confirming their leading position.Unfortunately, the image of lead is very negative in the public opinion and some important actions are required to try changing this sentiment. Among them, better information to the market and users and the introduction of new and cleaner technologies in the production of lead can help."

Jan 1, 2016

By C. R. Edwards, D. G. Feasby

"Over the last 50 years disposal of uranium mill tailings has evolved from dumping untreated tailings into the nearest depression to depositing chemically-stabilized tailings into highly engineered management facilities. This paper describes the evolution of disposal methods and the criteria which have determined the development path followed. Remediation techniques to bring older and now unacceptable tailings deposits into satisfactory compliance with today's· regulations are reviewed.With the closure of the uranium mines in Elliot Lake, Ontario, considerable effort is being made on decommissioning the tailings areas by developing long term maintenance of water covers. The innovative methods being used to develop these water covers are detailed. Methods now under development in Saskatchewan for subaqueous deposition of high density or paste tailings for permanent disposal in mined out open pits are described.SummaryThe technology for uranium mill tailings disposal in Canada has evolved considerably over the past 51 years. This evolution has been driven by an improving understanding of how best to safely and permanently store tailings, in conjunction with stricter environmental protection regulations. Old sites are being decommissioned in situ, but may require long term care and maintenance. The use of water covers is an important technique in eastern Canada to prevent intrusion, radon evolution and, for the Elliot Lake tailings, acid generation. The major drawback of water covers in any above ground disposal method is the requirement that a long term maintenance and monitoring plan be put into effect for each site.New higher grade mines in Saskatchewan will increasingly use disposal in mined-out pits using the pervious surround method and/or paste tailings technology as a method to permanently dispose of these wastes and to permit “walkaway” after a few years of monitoring."

Jan 1, 1996

By Witold J. S. Ostrowski

The shaft structure being part of an underground mine, depends on programned functional duties, and on geological and hydrological conditions. The majority of Canadian metal mine shafts are in hard competent igneous rocks, which are in an elastic state of equilibrium around the excavation. Others penetrate soft sedimentary or very weak water-bearing rock formations in which the equilibrium varies from plastic to hydrostatic. Knowledge of how to interpret the underground conditions, determine acting forces and design proper structures is essential for the production and safety of the future mine.

Jan 1, 1973

By S. Joshi, E. Asselin

An electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM) was used to study the leaching of pure gold in deaerated 1 M Na2S solution. Multiple cyclic voltammograms were measured between -0.76 and 1.242 V (SHE) at 20 mV/sec and 2 mV/sec and the frequency shift of the quartz crystal was simultaneously measured. Both the forward and reverse scans showed oxidation occurred between -0.40 to 0.20V. The frequency shift increased during both the forward and reverse scans in the potential range of -0.40 to -0.06 V indicating electrode mass decreased. Since at -0.40 to 0.20 V oxidation peaks were also observed, part of the oxidation was due to oxidation of gold. Eh-pH diagrams were constructed and showed soluble Au(I)-S(IV) species formed between -0.30 and 0.10 V (SHE). Atomic absorption spectroscopy of the test solutions and the mass change recorded by EQCM both showed about 0.015 mg of gold leached. Since the majority of the frequency shift increase corresponding to gold oxidation occurred at -0.40 to -0.06 V during multiple cyclic voltammogram measurement, the total leaching of gold could be approximated to occur at this potential interval to give a leaching rate of ca. 6.4x10-5 mg/s-cm2.

Jan 1, 2011

By Delio J-J Tortosa, Fred F. Langford

"The Cenex orebody occurs at the intersection of northwest and northeast-trending fault zones that formed during post-Hudsonian uplift. The ore is localized in breccia zones, along faults, and in veins and adjacent wallrocks. The host rocks are Tazin quartzo-fe/dspathic mylonites and ultramylonites and chloritesericite- quartz-graphite-feldspar mylonite schist. The uraniumbearing minerals are finely disseminated pitchblende and uraniferous titanate.The earliest mineralization may have been associated with /ate-stage retrograde metamorphism in the mylonite schist. The main stages of mineralization were associated with brecciation, hematization, carbonatization, and chloritization of the mylonites and ultramylonites. Uranium mineralization was clearly much later than any igneous or metamorphic activity associated with the Hudsonian orogeny.Late post-orogenic uplift, erosion, and deposition of the Martin continental clastics in fault basins were coeval with uranium mineralization. The deposit is consistent with a meteoric-hydrologic system constituting a source for orebearing fluids, hence the close spatial relationship of the uranium deposits in the Beaverlodge area with the basal unconformity of the Martin Group."

Jan 1, 1986

By Robert B. Parsons

"A study recently completed by the Prospectors and Developers Association, assisted by the author and computerized mine models he developed, presents a strong case that present tax rules severely handicap the junior exploration company relative to the established producer. This month, Tax Notes briefly summarizes the highlights of the study and some of the Association's ideas which came out of the study.IntroductionIn the case of any industry, a particular project or investment will generally generate a more attractive after-tax rate of return to a tax paying entity than to a non-tax paying entity: the ability to shelter current taxable income with tax deductions related to the project or investment can present a definite advantage as compared to shielding taxable income in the future with the same deductions. But, this advantage is probably seen nowhere more clearly than in the mining industry where the tax rules allow for substantial up-front write-off's. Studies show that the junior mining company which is earning no taxable income currently can be seriously disadvantaged, compared to the mining company which is currently generating taxable profit and paying taxes. This is particularly disturbing when one considers the importance of the junior segment of the mining industry. One might well ask where the equity is, in a tax system which causes the junior company to look at a deposit and see rock in the ground, when at the same time the deposit represents a viable mine to an operating company. This inequity and the importance of the junior mining company have been recognized to some extent in the income tax legislation. In recent years, the expansion of the rules for deducting certain earned depletion allowances against any source of income, and changes to improve the flow-through share rules, have gone part way in helping to put the junior on a more equal footing with the operating company. But it is questionable whether or not these helpful changes to the tax rules have done enough to alleviate the apparent inequities in the income tax legislation."

Jan 1, 1985