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By Ankit Jha, Javad Sattarvand, Aaron Young

Blockchain technology is one of the prominent disruptive technologies that are being implemented in several disciplines. The application of blockchains in the mining and mineral industry can provide utility to several processes especially when the industry is undertaking digital transformation. The governing principles of blockchain technology are applicable in undertaking transformation in several processes within the mining industry. This study investigates the applications of blockchain technology within the realms of the mining industry and identifies key areas of implementation. A systematic review of publications on academic platforms relating to blockchain technology in the mining industry did not retrieve a considerable number of articles. Consequently, a thorough review of white papers and articles authored by individuals on use cases within the mining industry is compiled and presented in this review article. This review article identifies all the potential areas within the mining industry where blockchains could provide value and improve processes through their implementation. The broad area of implementation of blockchains includes supply chain, traceability in spares parts, contract management, regulatory compliance and cybersecurity.

Mar 1, 2024

By Marie-Josée Banwell, Cyriac Sebastian, Giacomo Falorni, Sara Del Conte

Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) is a satellite-based monitoring technique that complements other in-situ methods for detecting and measuring surface displacement. Recent advances in data processing algorithms, coupled with the use of high-resolution satellite systems, make it possible to now provide high-frequency InSAR monitoring services, with updated results delivered every time a new satellite image is acquired. The advent of large, continuously updated data sets, however, brings new challenges, including the need to rapidly sift through the data to identify only those points showing relevant ground displacement information. This has been achieved by using trend variation analysis tools, that quickly isolate and highlight only areas of anomalous behavior. The paper focuses on project case studies where continuous InSAR monitoring has proven to be key in identifying displacement trend changes near tunnel alignments.

Jun 13, 2021

By Joe D. Allison, Tom D. Baugh

The analysis for total cyanides (CN, or the cyanide due to the combination of free, weakly associated and refractory cyanide complexes) is required by most regulatory agencies for determination of effluent compliance. This method requires a distillation of the sample at low pH's and is most often sent to contract laboratories at a high time and monetary cost. This paper describes a new micro­distillation apparatus which allows for a multiple of CN,"' analyses to be carried out simultaneously saving both time and money. It can be used in the field, since only electrical power is required for the method. While not being appropriate for reporting values to the respective regulatory agencies as of yet, it is quite valuable for screening a large number of samples prior to submission of the samples to a contract lab for "official" reporting.

Jan 1, 1990

By T. Fernandez, V. Juchen, C. Petter, F. Cantini, V. Lenz, V. I. Araújo, R. Petter, R. Darrigo, A. Young, I. G. da Costa, J. Oppermann

There are many methods to estimate costs quickly. One of these is the Parametric Method, where costs are estimated from general algorithms (or curves). Derived from an original tool based on the O’Hara model, a software called MAFMINE was developed. MAFMINE is based on parametric models to estimate investment and operational costs in mining. The software itself is based on the use of a computer model known as client-server. However, the model needs new inputs from advances made by the mining industry, mainly in terms of electrification, automation, digital transformation and preconcentration to face Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) concerns. Thus, this work was to prepare a new core module ready to incorporate the new technologies aiming to deliver operation and capital costs associated with environmental impact mitigation. The tool generates an order of magnitude estimate for CAPEX and OPEX to establish a very first Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) in a mining venture. For quick evaluations, at a preliminary level, the results are very promising.

Mar 2, 2022

By Tedd B. Bodimer

Why complicate an already complex machine such as a continuous miner by adding roof drills? Immediate permanent roof support is an immediate thought of the mining engineer just as elimination of frequent time-consuming places changes is a thought of the methods engineer. The realization of those two objectives has the potential for improved safety with increased production is the thought of the general manager. Miner-Bolters Used a Generation Ago These are not new thoughts as the 1CM continous miner equipped with two integral roof drills was introduced twenty-five years ago. Approximately two hundred of these machines were sold in the next five years for use in medium and high seam operations. The 1CM miner chassis that remained stationary in the center of an entry or room while the ripper bar was swung and sumped hydraulically provided an ideal platform for mounting two roof drills that could be operated during the continuous miner's production cycle. Two roof bolts could normally be installed in less time than required for the mining cycle. A typical roof drill unit is shown in Figure I.

Jan 1, 1981

By Carlo Grandori

Foreword In loose ground and soft rock formations, mechanical tunnel boring is necessarily dependent on the adoption of shield machines and the application of adequate support or lining structures. These structures are erected either within or immediately behind the rear portion of the shield and provide the required reaction to the forward thrust. In competent rock formations where systematic support is not a requirement, hard rock tunnel boring machines generally advance by thrusting from a structure gripped against the tunnel walls. These machines may feature a more or less extended cutterhead shield or roof support, but when in weathered, fractured or otherwise weakened ground, or in fault zones filled with soft gouge, the gripper mechanism often cannot provide enough thrust reaction to advance the cutterhead. Under these conditions, early support of the arch and walls is generally required in the form of rock bolts, steel rings and laggings and some times of a primary concrete lining placed in the short section between cutterhead and grippers. Such tunnel support measures generally fail to produce an adequate increase in thrust reaction capacity, but

Jan 1, 1976

By Yehia El-Ibiary, M. P. Evans

One way of increasing conveyor systems productivity is by monitoring the key parameters in the systems. In this paper, a new line of smart bearings will be presented and discussed. The new bearings are capable of monitoring temperature, vibrations, and belt speed for early detection of potentially serious problems. The new smart bearings have built in sensors that are carefully integrated and protected for long life service. These bearings are going to be the key to increasing the up time of belt conveyors in the future.

Jan 1, 1996

By D. D. Lauriski

The Mining Division of Utah Power and Light Company is located in the coal fields of southeastern Utah -main office in Huntington, Utah. The Division will produce 6.5 million tons of low sulfur steam coal in 1988, making UP&L the largest underground mining operation west of the Mississippi. Coal is mined from three underground mines utilizing continuous miner and longwall mining methods. All coal produced by the Mining Division is utilized at UP&L's two largest steam-electric power plants, the Hunter and Huntington plants with a combined capability of 1,995,000 Kw. At UP&L we believe that to achieve success a company must have clearly defined goals which are understood, communicated and shared at each level of operation. We have also found from experience that a safe operation is generally an efficient and productive operation. As a Division, we have established a goal to achieve the safest, most efficient operation in the country. This is an ambitious goal. To achieve such a goal requires real commitment and a safety/training program capable of achieving needed results. The following is an overview of the program we have established at UP&L which has enabled us to reduce our accident frequency rate from over 40 in 1980 to 8.00 at present, as illustrated in Figure 1.

Jan 1, 1989

By E. O. Mixon, Joseph P. Sehulster

This paper describes the driving of a 1421 m long by 2.74 m diameter sewer tunnel in postglacial soils of the Menomonee River Valley in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. An earth pressure balance machine was used for excavation and to install a "one pass" pre-cast concrete gasketed segmental liner. Also discussed is the use of ground freezing to stabilize the ground for the start of tunneling operations and modifications made to two structures to accommodate final tie-ins for the sewer tunnel.

Jan 1, 1989

By K. A. Natarajan, Namita Deo

The interaction of Bacillus polymyxa and minerals such as hematite, corundum and quartz resulted in significant surface chemical changes, both on the cell surfaces and on the interacted oxide minerals. After such treatment, quartz was rendered relatively more hydrophobic, while hematite and corundum were rendered more hydrophilic. Biopretreatment was observed to be beneficial in the separation of silica from hematite and alumina by both selective flocculation and flotation. The possible role of bacterial adhesion and metabilites in the biobeneficiation process is illustrated.

Jan 1, 1998

By Donald D. Born

Mine No. 95 is located in Harrison County about 5 miles west of Shinnston, WV, with coal properties covering the northwest corner of Harrison County and the southwest corner of Marion County and with adequate Pittsburgh seam reserves to support the mine for many years. The mine was opened in 1967 and was planned, projected and operated as a room and pillar mine. It is located on a spur branch of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, has rail loading facilities and shipped by rail during its development stage. In 1972 it was converted to a mine mouth power station supplier and now transports coal by conveyor belt directly to the Harrison Power Station of Allegheny Power System. In 1971 the first longwall unit was installed in a selected area of the mine and immediately an orderly system of planning was developed to overcome the restrictions associated with longwall mining. The first was the development of the technique necessary for the plugging of abandoned oil and gas wells that existed in the area. With the assistance of the Morgan- town Energy Research Center of the Bureau of Mines, this restriction was overcome and thus opened a great potential for longwall mining in northern West Virginia. Other restrictions that had to be considered for longwall planning were dwellings and other improvements, snap top zones, water courses, and adequate bleeder systems, and the handling and treatment of mine drainage. In 1975 the second longwall unit was installed and soon therefore became a total longwall mine.

Jan 1, 1986

By P. J. Lechler

A review of the geology and mineralogy of several of the better known hydrothermal platinum-group metal (PGM) deposits is undertaken. Along with new data from two recently discovered occurrences in Nevada, a number of common characteristics of these deposits are identified. Newly described PGM occurrences in Nevada are the abandoned Gibellini mine workings characterized by limestone-hosted hydrothermal Mn-V-Zn-Ni mineralization and the granite-hosted base-and precious-metal veins of the Gingerload claims.

Jan 1, 1989

By J. F. T. Agapito, L. J. Gilbride, K. Hollberg

Room-and-pillar mining at the Big Island Mine uses narrow, yield (i.e., load transferring) pillars to achieve high resource recovery and productivity. Two flat-lying 3- to 3fi-meter (10- to 11fi-ft) seams are mined. The interburden between the seams is about 10 meters (33 ft) and the cover depth is 250 to 330 meters (820 to 1,080 ft).Most of the mining has been single-seam, but two-seam mining will begin in the near future. Yield pillars minimize stress transfer between the seams. However, it is important that good long-term stability be maintained to prevent subsidence over a large portion of the mine beneath the Green River channel. Three stress issues impacting stability are discussed in this paper: (1) higher-than-gravity vertical pre-mining stresses, (2) time-dependent stress transfer or arching, and (3) stresses induced by strata gas. Although the stress environment and behavior is not fully understood, steps have been taken in mine design and operations to minimize impacts to stability. Stress determinations have been very important to verify analytical predictions used in mine design and in long-term stability assessment.

Jan 1, 2004

By R. R. Fernández

Newmont Mining Corporation has been processing refractory gold ores by roasting since January 1995. The ores are refractory due to the association of the gold with iron sulfides, namely pyrite and marcasite, and the presence of carbonaceous components and is oxidized in an oxygen-enriched gaseous atmosphere. The structural characteristics of the calcine have a strong influence on the eventual recovery of gold by cyanidation. These characteristics are strongly dependent upon the roasting conditions, mainly the roasting temperature. Originally, the sulfides and carbonaceous matter were oxidized at a temperature that typically ranged between 535 and 560 °C. Controlling the roasting temperature within the lower and narrower range of 510 to 515 °C produced a calcine with a larger surface area(e.g. higher porosity), which resulted in a gold recovery increase of3.3 percent in 2001 equivalent to 5.1 million dollars of additional gross revenue. The new strategies of operating at temperatures never tested before are discussed. It constituted a great challenge to the control room operators for the lower operating temperature falls much closer to the ignition temperature of the sulfide ore and smaller and more frequent adjustments in operating parameters were needed to improve and maintain high gold recoveries. Based on the encouraging results that were achieved in 2001, a decision was made to install a “smart” process control system because the roaster temperature control was performed by manual inputs from the control room operators. The development and implementation of the control system to reduce or eliminate the temperature variability between the different control room operators commenced in June of 2002 and was fully operational by the end of October. Lower roaster temperatures were achieved (500 to 505 °C), which resulted in further increase of gold recovery by about two percent. The overall recovery increase equated to 8.0 million dollars of additional revenue for the first 10 months of 2002.

Jan 1, 2003

By Scott G. Britton

Many times during the construction of a project, whether large or small, the engineer will become involved with management of the work and workforce. In some cases, mine management will turn over the direction and responsibility of doing the work to the engineer. Because of this, it is important to know some of the basic principles of human resource applications- among other management concerns. This chapter, therefore, looks at the fundamental principles of human resource management. Three broad discussions are presented to the reader. These are: (1) organization, communications, and responsibilities of management; (2) analysis of worker motivation; and (3) supervisory leadership. Each topic encompasses the current thinking for coal mining and mining management. Much of the information in this chapter comes from Practical Coal Mine Management, by this author and published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., which discusses in depth many of the ideas presented here. Interested persons are directed to this text for more information on management skills.

Jan 1, 1983

By G. G. Marino, Z. R. Widup

Marino Engineering Associates, Inc. (MEA) was asked to determine the effects of mining beneath a proposed roadway structure. In order to determine the subsidence potential and the magnitude of the mine stabilization costs it is important to know whether underground mining is present, and if so, to what a real extent. The site investigated had the potential to have mining in three different coal seams. To determine where mining was present MEAÕs borehole radar system was used. In summary, the borehole radar subsurface investigation validated that the available mine map in the most shallow coal seam was fairly accurate despite its age (1888), found no mining in the underlying coal seam and detected an area of unknown mining at a depth of about 300 ft in the lowest coal seam which was verified by subsequent drilling.

Jan 1, 2004

By R. Y. Wan, J. R. Parga, J. D. Miller

The direct recovery of precious metals from a1kaline cyanide solution is frequently accomplished by the well-established Merrill-Crowe process involving zinc-dust cementation. This is particularly true for silver. Plant data from two operations are presented and analyzed in terms of intrinsic reaction features. In such Merrill-Crowe plants a plate-and-frame filter press acts as a semicontinuous fixed-bed reactor with a distribution of particle retention times. For the plants studied, 99Yo of the silver is recovered with a solution retention time of less than 2 min. Differences in plant operating conditions and product characteristics can be related to the nature of the surface deposit of silver which forms on the zinc particles. From laboratory experiments and plant samples it has been found that the presence of lead in the system activates a change in the silver deposit morphology to the dendritic state which affects the rate of silver deposition as well as the filter cake porosity. Finally the plate-and-frame press is considered from an engineering perspective as a semi- continuous fixed - bed reactor to describe the behavior of the system.

Jan 1, 1987

By Qun Wang, Elena A. Alonso, Janusz S. Laskowski

Primary normal long-chain amines are insoluble in saturated brine. Their colloidal solubility (dispersion) in concentrated electrolyte solutions is strongly affected by the presence of surfactants (frothers). This paper shows that a better usage of alcohol type surfactants, which are commonly used in potash ore flotation as frothers, can significantly improve the flotation of both coarse and fine sylvite particles. A new process of potash ore flotation is developed, which includes premixing an effective frother with an aqueous solution of amine or emulsion of extender oil containing amine. With such a combination of flotation reagents, KC1 particles up to 5 mm in size float very well in the short flotation column, and particles up to 2 mm float in a mechanical cell; when used to treat fine fraction-containing sample, this method may as well provide an improved concentrate grade.

Jan 1, 1995

By Bill Reid

Coal companies mining the seams in the Appalachian region appear to be optimistic. Although some older mines are closing, newer mines are expanding. Money is being spent on new equipment and research to increase mining productivity, as well as improve safety. Coal has been produced from the rich Appalachian seams for about 200 years with no end in sight. Many equipment manufacturers have substantial backlogs of orders for new equipment. Some of the innovations being monitored by the Appalachian underground coal operators include au¬tomated longwall mining, continuous haulage systems and methane drainage. Appalachian coal was a major ingredient in the steel that culminated in the Golden Spike ceremony at Promontary Point, UT, where the final link in the transcontinental railroad was closed. This occurred on May 10, 1869, according to a history published by Union Pacific Coal Co. It stated that "rails and fastenings for track construction were purchased in Danville, Scranton, and Johnstown, PA and Troy, NY." Ever since, coal from the eight Appalachian states has contributed in no small measure to geographic expansion and economic growth of the United States.

Jan 1, 1995

By Joseph M. Keane

Introduction The English word "sedimentation" is derived from the Latin verb "sedere" meaning to sink down. As a mineral processing unit operation, sedimenta¬tion has been defined as the separation of a suspension into a supernatant clear fluid and rather dense slurry containing a higher concentration of solid (Brown, G.G. 1960). Sedimen¬tation has been historically subdivided into thickening, which has the primary purpose of increasing the solids content of one of the thickener prod¬ucts relative to the feed stream, and clarification, which has the primary purpose of removing solids from the feed stream to produce a product essentially free from particu¬late matter. There is no absolutely precise distinction between these subdivisions and in certain applica¬tions, both objectives can be accom¬plished. Major Design Factors The capacity of conventional metal¬lurgical sedimentation devices is a function of slurry throughput and its attendant settling rate. Important factors, recognized by early investigators (Taggart, 1972), which influence the settling rate of a given metallur¬gical slurry include: Feed dilution or solids-liquid weight ratio Size and shape of the particulate solids Specific gravity differential between the solids and liquid phases Presence of electrolytes and/or flocculants Pulp viscosity Slurry temperature In addition to the foregoing histor¬ical factors, recent investigators have noted (Pearse, M.J., 1977) that other parameters which may have an influence upon settling rate and, thereby, thickener performance include: Method of flocculant application Particle size distribution Particulate wetting characteristics Feeding arrangements Rake speed and type Existence of convection currents Wind disturbance Evaporation All of the above factors should be examined and the effect upon thick¬ener performance brought about by manipulating the factor over the expected operating range should be determined if performance optimization is desired.

Jan 1, 1986