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By G. R. Chaudhury

Many base metals, such as copper, lead and zinc, are commercially extracted by thermal processing of sulphide concentrates. However, owing to the depletion of high grade sulphide ore reserves and to environmental legislation, efforts have been in progress for some years to develop methods for the extraction of metals from lower-grade oxide ores and secondary resources, and there are now examples of commercial-scale operations.

Dec 1, 1995

By V. Krupa, E. Lazarova

A method is proposed for the continuous calulation of a rock mass in real time while tunnelling with a TBM. Rock properties are investigated through models of the fracture stress under the disc cutters, the quasi-shear stress between the disc cutters and the specific energy of cutting under the disc cutters. Comparison of theoretical and monitored data of cutting specific energy can be used to determine theoretically the prevailing shape and size of the bulk debris. The shape and size of the chips from a given rock vary with the boring parameters. Introducing shape and volume corrections into the models of the evaluated stresses suppresses the influence of the boring regime and allows the rock properties to become dominant

Dec 1, 1996

By J. E. Misiewicz, A Rozendaal

Paper presented at Geofluids '93, held in Torquay, UK, 4-7 May 1993. The tin field consists of a fragment of Lower Proterozoic volcanosedimentary rocks surrounded by granitoids. Almost all the significant deposits are hosted by arkoses and are classified as replacement and space-filling types, with particular styles of mineralisation dominating at different mines. Petrological and geochemical investigation of borehole cores from four centres indicated the presence of a stratified zone 500-600 m thick and continuous over at least 20 km along strike, consisting of pervasively altered clastic arenitic sediments. The alteration is zoned into a grey-green sodic albitised footwall, an 80 m thick sericitised-tourmalinised sulphidic tin zone and a red haematitic potassic hanging-wall. The zoning and the localisation of three cassiterite phases are consistent with the tectonic history and with multiple pulses of stanniferous hydrothermal fluids derived from late differentiates of the granites over a prolonged period. Areas of high fracture density acted as conduits for the fluids, whose initially rapid ascent was retarded by decreasing pressure contrast, limited development of fracturing and/or impermeable shaly arkose to cause lateral spreading and pervasive alteration over a broad, stratified front. Lateral overlapping of local fronts at the various centres suggests a continuous zone, while the many petrological and geochemical similarities point to a shared fluid composition

Aug 1, 1995

By R. K. Rath

Adsorption, electrokinetic and flotation studies were carried out. The maximum density of adsorption of guar gum was obtained at pH 7.5 on sphalerite and at pH 11.5 on galena. Flotation recovery of sphalerite was reduced only marginally by the presence of guar gum in the pH range investigated, whereas recovery of galena was reduced to about 20% at pH 12. Differential flotation tests on binary mixtures indicated that 10 ppm of guar gum can depress galena and separate it from sphalerite at around pH 12.1. Co-precipitation tests confirmed the formation of a metal ion-guar gum complex in the bulk solution, suggesting that this is the precursor to adsorption. The adsorption isotherms for both minerals followed Langmuirian behaviour, but adsorption of guar gum on galena was significantly higher than on sphalerite and dissolution tests indicated that the concentration of Pb ions released from galena was an order of magnitude greater than that of Zn ions dissolved from sphalerite

Jun 21, 1905

By Qing Wang, H. Sevim

Belt network simulators are the most widely used models in the design of belt networks. The simulators developed in the past two decades are reviewed and their limitations are discussed. To overcome these limitations and to provide a design model that can be used efficiently in real-life applications, a comprehensive non-simulation model has been developed. The features of this model are briefly discussed. A real example is used to demonstrate the model's superiority over belt simulators

Sep 1, 1991

The paper, presented at the North of England Institute of Mining and Mechanical Engineers' general meeting held in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, 8th April 1916, presents experimental work undertaken to observe the quenching effect of different substances, to find the most efficient of these substances, and to arrive at a possible explanation of their preventive action. The coal-dusts experimented with were such as passed through a 100-mesh sieve (10,000 holes to the square inch), and were obtained by grinding the coals. The quenching substances, used in as fine a state of division as possible, included gypsum, dried Chance mud, quicklime, magnesia, magnesia alba (levis), anhydrous sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, soda-crystals, Glauber salts, ground shale and boiler-ashes

Dec 1, 1916

By T. From

The organisation's mission is to promote research and technological development in processes relevant to the minerals industry by providing expertise, developing and managing jointly funded projects, undertaking commissions and education and establishing and maintaining research and development networks. It was responsible for the administration of the Mining Technology 2000 national programme to reduce production costs per metallic unit by 50% over 5-8 years, which involved 120 projects in all. Technical areas included ore characterisation/delineation and mine planning, rock fragmentation, rock mechanics, maintenance, energy and ventilation, automation and information systems, cut and fill, bulk mining methods, drifting and production-face development. Other projects have been the Ore Geology Related to Prospecting (PIM) programme to raise the standard of ore geology research in Sweden and promote exploration for volcanogenic massive sulphides in three key regions, and a joint research project on ventilation control according to requirement, including development of fan and gas monitoring systems and an improved, adjustable and intelligent fan

Jun 17, 1905

The Aredor mine employs conventional dragline methods to exploit alluvial diamond deposits. Production began in 1984 with the policy of mining in the terrraces during the wet season and in the river flats during the dry season. Early production failed to meet predicted grades. A major geological programme to re-evaluate existing reserves was undertaken. This resulted in considerable increases in reserves in the river flats. Many of the reserve blocks included flats on both banks of the Baoule river. Methods of access into the river flats, normally flooded in the wet season, were developed to allow mining throughout the year. River diversions have been the main method used to provide access into the reserve blocks and, most importantly, to remove the risk of flooding. Aredor has carried out six main river diversions with a total length of 12 km. The diversions allowed production planning to be made on the basis of the economic evaluation of the reserve blocks, without undue regard to natural ground conditions or to seasonal factors. The Manning equation was used for the calculation of channel dimensions and gave satisfactory results. The practical aspects of the diversion preparations and flooding prevention are described

Sep 1, 1991

By R. Venugopal, T. C. Rao, N. Suresh

Experiments were carried out using the cyclone to treat coal in the size range -2.0+0 mm. The diameters of the cyclone outlets (vortex finder and spigot) were varied to study their effects on cyclone performance. The cyclone products were deslimed over a screen with an aperture of 0.075 mm. The performance of the separator was studied for washing coarse coal (-2.0+0.075 mm) and fines (-0.075 mm). Performance curves were plotted for the separation of -2.0+0.075 mm coal. The concept of a generalised distribution curve was adopted to predict cyclone performance. A mathematical representation was derived from the generalised distribution curve. The specific gravity of separation for individual size fractions showed a decreasing trend with decreasing particle size down to 0.85 mm, beyond which a reverse trend was noted. It was also found that the fine size fraction (-0.075 mm) does not separate on the basis of size or specific gravity but follows the water distribution

Apr 1, 1995

By A. R. Naderian

Laboratory strength and deformation testing of freshly blasted sandstone and claystone overburden from Jeebropilly colliery in Queensland and in-situ plate-bearing tests on four backfills of different ages showed that the bearing capacity of backfill is a function mainly of compaction, not of age. The modulus or stiffness of the backfill is significantly increased by previous loading, in some cases up to threefold. Backfill material experiences some compaction through the passage of mining vehicles, likely to provide a bearing capacity that will support normal construction activities; the limited testing performed suggested that completed backfills are capable of supporting loads of up to 200 kN/m2 while sustaining displacements acceptable for a wide range of residential and industrial uses, but may be susceptible to collapse settlements due to saturation in the long term

Jun 19, 1905

By T. Lenarcic, R. Svrkota, J. M. McNeal, E. Prohic, S. Pirc

Paper presented at the 28th International Geological Congress held in Washington DC, July 1989 (International geochemical mapping sessions). Surface drainage samples, the usual media employed in mapping national territories, cannot be used for the geochemical mapping of carbonate terrains because there is no regular surface-drainage pattern on karst. Suitable sampling media have been studied in Yugoslavia, one-third of which consists of karst terrain. Sampling designs for the work were based on analysis of variance techniques. During initial investigations of various sampling materials in NW Yugoslavia sediment and aquatic moss from karst springs, along with soil, were established as the most appropriate media. Modified sampling procedures were then carefully applied along the entire Yugoslav karst belt, which includes terrains of contrasting topography, climate, pedology and vegetation. The studies indicate that climate and relief do not systematically influence the geochemical composition of soil. Regional and local variability was assessed for 21 chemical elements and the feasibility of producing stable regional geochemical maps was determined for a number of elements on the basis of sampling aquatic moss and sediment from karst springs and soil

Jul 1, 1991

By V. A. Melezhik, A. H. Green, L. N. Grinenko

Finally, a theoretical model is constructed that takes

Aug 1, 1994

By D. J. Spottiswood, R. K. Tuteja

Axial grade profiles were analysed for a pilot column operating in reverse flotation mode to float talc from a gold-bearing sulphide ore. It was found that concentration gradients in the pulp are very low. Most of the cleaning action, both upgrading of valuable minerals and rejection of gangue, occurs in the froth zone

Jun 17, 1905

By R. L. F. Kay, T. A. Fletcher, A. J. Boyce, C. M. Rice

Paper presented at Mineralisation in the Caledonides, the Mike Gallagher memorial meeting held in Edinburgh, 27-28 June 1996. The synorogenic, mafic Ordovician intrusion comprises orthopyroxene-rich xenoliths and mafic-ultramafic cumulates with low-grade pyrrhotite, chalcopyrite and pentlandite mineralisation. Despite abundant textural, mineralogical and O isotope evidence for significant assimilation of country rocks, S isotopes indicate only a modest uptake and suggest that mineralisation is dominated by magmatic sulphur. The preferred explanantion is that the magma was close to S saturation on emplacement. Uptake of elements such as Si and O led to early crystallisation of orthopyroxene, resorption of olivine and early segregation of a sulphide liquid. Post-magmatic interaction with a high-temperature, surface-derived fluid, whose movement may have been controlled by regional shear zones, reset biotite and whole-rock O isotope values but not those of orthopyroxene. This model identifies the presence of olivine-rich rocks and evidence of extensive assimilation as guides to prospectivity

Jun 19, 1905

By W. Doherty, P. C. Lightfoot, V. A. Fedorenko, N. S. Gorbachev, V. I. Kunilov, A. J. Naldrett, Z. Johan

Paper presented at the conference Economic geology in Europe and beyond II, models for mineral deposits in sedimentary basins, held in Keyworth, UK, 13-14 April 1994. A model is presented which regards the Lower Talnakh- and Talnakh-type intrusions as part of the plumbing system for the overlying lavas. As magma ascended along the Noril'sk-Kharayelakh fault it was forced to spread out within sedimentary strata immediately beneath the obstruction of the accumulated volcanic sequence. Here it was severely depleted in chalcophile elements by sulphides, which were then trapped by their high density and remained behind in the main arteries to form the central, elongated zone of maximum thickness. Subsequent magma also lost Ni, Cu and PGE to the sulphides as it flowed through. The Lower Talnakh-type intrusions represent part of the plumbing system that became blocked at an early stage, before the influx of much mokulaevsky-type magma rich in chalcophile elements. The model accounts for the high metal content of the ores in comparison with the size of their associated intrusions, the extensive metamorphic aureoles, the chalcophile depletion of some overlying volcanic suites, the presence of the ore in near-surface intrusions rather than deep magma chambers, and the sulphur isotopic composition of the ore

Apr 1, 1995

By A. M. Tunstall, N. Djordjevic, H. A. Villalobos

The damage zone behind a typical smooth-wall blast in the open pit was assessed by visually examining diamond drill core to identify blast-induced cracking, mapping core rock quality designations to identify changes in fracture frequency and conducting uphole seismic testing to determine changes in rock mass characteristics. The results from the three techniques show reasonable correlation. They suggest that major damage, in the form of fracturing of intact rock, occurs at least 7 m behind the smooth-wall blast and significant damage, in the form of opening and extension of calcite-filled fractures, at least 12 m from the blast. At greater distances the dominant damage mechanism is the loosening of existent joints within the rock mass. In the trachytes at El Soldado these damage mechanisms correspond to peak particle velocities of 2 000, 900 and 500 mm/s respectively

Jun 19, 1905

During the construction of storage caverns, and during their lifetime if the use to which they are put so requires, it is necessary to provide adequate ventilation to ensure the safety and comfort of the underground workforce. An analysis of likely contaminants during construction has indicated that where a large facility is situated in a rock mass of even moderate temperature climatic conditions are likely to be the limiting factor during most of the mining operation and atmospheric pollution when blasting is undertaken. Possible options for improvement are increased air flow, cooling of intake air and reduction of the heat source by altering the number and type of haulage units employed in the cavern. Local solutions are an alternative approach where heat problems are confined to a few specific locations

Aug 1, 1994

By B. Tiryaki, O. Z. Hekimoglu

Shearer drums are a critical component in the overall performance of coal shearers, with the cutting performance depending very much on the disposition of cutter tools on the drums (the tool-lacing arrangement). A series of practical and theoretical studies has been undertaken to investigate aspects of shearer drum vibration in terms of circumferential pick spacing. A number of commercially available drums were redesigned and the lacing patterns compared with those of the original drums under near-uniform conditions. Mine trials were carried out at the Middle Anatolian lignite mine in Turkey with drums fitted on Eickhoff type EDW-230 double-ranging drum shearers. It was found that the performance of drums could be improved if the concept of circumferential pick spacing was taken into account in CAD packages along with the existing design parameters such as cutting rate, reduced dust, low pick consumption and low down-time

Jun 19, 1905

By A Cox

It has been demonstrated that all the cadmium from spent batteries, typically 4 g per battery, can be recovered by burning polyvinyl chloride waste to yield hydrogen chloride; this reacts to produce volatile calcium chloride, which can then be condensed and collected in a separate reactor. Alternatively, chlorine may be used to chlorinate the cadmium with equal efficiency. There is also a prospect of using very low concentrations of these gases, less than 1%, to effect the separation. The Cd was recovered more quickly when exposed to sustained, controlled flow rates of chlorinating gases, whereas when PVC was burnt most of the gas was produced in a very short time, not allowing complete reaction. This problem can be overcome by recirculation of the gas into the reactor. The technology is efficient and clean and the equipment used is simple, enhancing the prospects for a pilot-scale version of the process

Jun 21, 1905

By R. A. Halatchev

A risk model for assessment of the uncertainty in the forecasts of the planned profit is developed. It is based on the selling price of the metal recovered from the ore and the production per shift of the excavators. These two critical variables characterise the economic and technical aspects of the mining venture. Time-series methodology is used to describe the behaviour of the economic variable, which improves the adequacy of the modelling. A hypothetical open-pit gold mine is used to illustrate the application of the model. Results obtained show that the model is a good alternative to sensitivity analysis in taking account of the stochastic character of the price of the metal recovered from the excavated ore and the production per shift of the excavators used. The model can be extended by the inclusion of new variables that have a probabilistic nature

Dec 1, 1996