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By David De Lemos Pires

Mining is essentially a materials management process where materials are classified, excavated, moved to a desired location, processed at a cost and sold for a price hopefully to generate a profit. ?How much is that cost and can it be reduced?? is the age-old question. The requirement for a paradigm shift with regard to materials movement in search of low-cost production has not just happened by chance but, rather, has been driven by agents of change that include mining companies, consultants, governments and equipment suppliers. During the past 100 years of mining, surface mining technology has involved humans with hand tools, humans with machinery and unmanned automated equipment. In the past 50 years, surface mining technology has evolved and now takes the form of trucks and loaders (TL), in-pit-crushing conveying (IPCC) and autonomous haulage equipment (AHS).

Dec 1, 2013

By Verne Huser

The intensity of environmental conflict, the delays and legal battles that have marked the 1970's suggest the need for additional processes to resolve environmental disputes. Our present means frequently fail to address the real issues separating individuals and institutions. They are primarily adversary processes that foster polarization and reduce cooperative efforts. At the Office of Environmental Mediation, we have no quarrel with adversary processes nor with polarization, for both serve as important spurs to necessary change. We do seek cooperation among parties at a point where there can be a realistic expectation of success in facilitating a resolution of their mutual differences.

Jan 1, 1979

By Raja V. Ramani

Discussion in this section of the Handbook is limited to the working environment of miners, the mine workers themselves, and the machines used in mining (Fig. 11.0.1). The contents emphasize personnel health and safety aspects and engineering design and control practices to ensure a productive health and safety environment. Reference is to the health and safety of the individual miners as well as to the safety of the working environment. This Handbook also contains references to health and safety regulations in Chapter 3.2 and environmental protection in Chapters 3.4 and 7.3.

Jan 1, 2008

By H. D. Van Veldhuizen

The Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency(MIGA) is part of the World Bank Group, and has as its mission the facilitation of foreign direct investment by providing political risk insurance (guarantees) to foreign investors and lenders. As a development institution, MIGA is required to ensure that the projects that it insures will bring development benefits to the host country. Demonstration of this includes review and analysis of the environmental and social soundness of a prospective investment. Environmental guidelines and policies developed by the World Bank Group are important components both in analyzing the environmental and social soundness of a prospective investment and in risk management. MIGA has recently formalized and adopted environmental assessment and disclosure policies. The approach taken by MIGA to environmental review of investments and implementation of these policies is described in this paper.

Jan 1, 2000

By S. Norman Kesten

The Galena mine is located astride the Polaris fault in the Coeur d'Alene district of northern Idaho. The surface installations are about a mile up Lake Gulch, the mouth of which is about 2.4 km (1 112 miles) west of the old town of Wallace. The mine had its beginnings when the first claims were located in the early boom days of the district in the 1880s and when the first underground ore bodies were opened up in 1917. During the ensuing 14 years, ore was mined from which were recovered 5.4 Mkg (12 million lb) of lead and almost 14.2 Mg (112 million oz) of silver. Workings consisted principally of a vertical shaft from surface to the 800 level and an offset underground shaft to the 1600 level, together with extensive lateral openings. High-grade silver-copper ore was discovered near the Silver Standard fault in the Sunshine mine, a few miles to the west, on the 1700 level in 1930. By 1937, the Sunshine and adjacent mines were producing silver-copper ore on a regular basis. In 1943 additional ore of a similar type was found along the Chester fault, to the east of the principal Sunshine workings. The interest of American Smelting and Refining Co. (renamed ASARCO in 1975) was aroused and the company's geologists determined that the Galena mine, idle since 1931, provided a geological environment in which similar ore might be found. After negotiations were initiated with the owners of the property, Callahan Zinc-Lead Co., the property in question was deeded to Callahan's wholly owned subsidiary, Vulcan Silver-Lead.

Jan 1, 1990

By Robert A. Cummings

A field inventory was made of the mineral, geologic, geothermal, and groundwater resources of three geologically recent lava fields in the desert of Oregon. The term "resource" was applied with care: a "resource" must have particular value or worth, although it need not be economically viable. The spectacular volcanic features of the area have particular scientific and general interest and thus constitute geologic resources. The mineral endowment, mostly occurrences of low unit value such as stone and cinders, in large part are not resources, due to market conditions, regulations, and other factors. These and other conclusions will be used by the Bureau of Land Management in its multiple land use planning process for the area.

Jan 1, 1980

By Casandra Gamez Gonzales, Angelina Anani

Copper, the newest addition to the critical mineral list, is an essential metal whose electrical and heat conductive properties label it as a vital mineral for the creation of renewable energy sources and the reduction of Greenhouse Gases (GHGs). However, despite copper’s leading role in the transition to sustainable energy and mining practices, the mining industry has faced various battles in the extraction of this valuable material. These challenges are based on mining’s negative reputation and extensive impact on the environment, nearby communities, and human rights. To ensure the survival of mining in the future and achieve mineral demands, an emerging topic that has initiated the revolution of the traditional sector into a more environment- friendly and transparent industry, is Environmental, Social, and corporate Governance (ESG). ESG has motivated companies to seek growth opportunities and standardize risk accountability and transparency based on its collective framework that creates, modifies, and implements local, national, and international standards. These standards focus on improving environmental, social, and governance issues faced by companies and their projects. ESG has served as a guideline that investors utilize to assess companies and promote sustainability, responsibility, and disclosure to create positive and balanced relationships with stakeholders and the environment. Nonetheless, concerns have been rising which state that ESG is negatively impacting the mining industry by targeting what fuels the industry and world: ore deposits and their resources. Therefore, this research focused on answering the following research questions: what are the impacts of ESG on the copper supply chain and how will stricter ESG standards affect future copper production?

Feb 1, 2024

By D. L. Murr, J. R. Jensen

Testing was conducted on a Minnesota Iron Ore concentrate with Cook Clay as a binder using compressive sheer mixing to enhance the performance of the agglomeration mechanism. The testing was conducted on a bench scale at the Midland Research Center the summer of 2004. Results of the test program will be presented that shows the impact of compressive sheer mixing had on the strength achieve in a green ball.

Jan 1, 2006

By Allen D. Graham

The coal industry in South Africa is briefly outlined. Test- work carried out on bulk samples of coal in the laboratory and used in the design of the Van Dyks Drift washery are described. Factors affecting the selection of equipment and the designed capacity of the plant are discussed. A description of the crushing plant, washery and load out section is given together with performance data obtained in the final acceptance tests. New features incorporated in the Van Dyks Drift plant and in more recent plants of the Group are outlined.

Jan 1, 1982

By Doug Brown

The recent expansion of our cities into hilly areas, particularly on the Pacific Coast, has resulted in damage or destruction of many homes due to geological problems such as landslides, soil creep, erosion, subsidence, or groundwater seepage. In southern California, landslides are the principal cause of damage and attention is focused on them. Landslides have occurred due to the reactivation of old slide masses, or have been caused by grading and increased water, infiltration resulting from development.. Reactivation of a portion of the ancient Portuguese Bend landslide in Palos Verdes, Los Angeles County, affected approximately 150 homes. A common type of new failure' occurs when grading has undercut bedding or other essentially planar surfaces so that they dip unsupported out of slope. Other slides have occurred due to the inherent weakness of the material involved. Preventive measures undertaken to eliminate damage in the southern California area have. included areal geologic mapping programs-in-advance of development, enacting or strengthening grading codes, and requiring extensive studies by consulting geologists and soils engineers both during the design stage and during construction. In the design stage, proposed cuts are frequently flattened, lowered or reorientated. Frequently, due to the high cost of land, they are supported by compacted fill buttresses. As a result of these measures, the geologic environment has a major effect on the feasibility, design, and development of, a very substantial percentage of tracts or individual homes.

Jan 1, 1967

By C. Opoku-Ware, M. Kukay, P. Conrad, F. Inkoom, R. Pal

Researchers at Montana Tech are investigating the potential for developing trees tolerable to degraded un-reclaimed mine site tailings and soils as a solution to re-establishing long-term tree growth on those sites. This project involves growing tree seedlings from seeds planted in the degraded mine tailings and soils in which they will eventually be planted. The outcome of the project is expected to lead to a successful solution for re-establishing tree growth in degraded tailings and soils in Butte, Montana with minimal post-planting human intervention. Work conducted on the project to date has shown successful growth of seedlings in degraded tailings and soils. INTRODUCTION In an effort to improve Butte Area One natural resources, this research project is working to help restore tree growth in the Butte Priority Soils Operable Unit Boundary (BPSOU) (Opoku-Ware, et al 2018). Research by Blicker, et al (2003) found that, the BPSOU, which is part of the Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area National Priorities List (Superfund) Site within and near Butte, Montana has multiple historic mining sites situated entirely within the urban setting of Butte. Mine wastes and mill tailings, accumulated from over 100 years of gold, silver, and especially copper mining are dispersed throughout Butte, posing health risks to human and environmental receptors. Stabilization of tailings sites is needed to control fugitive dust, prevent run-off of toxic material resulting in subsequent sediment deposition in streams, reducing the volume of water seepage through acidic and heavy metal contaminated material, and improving land productivity and aesthetic values (Watkin and Watkin, 1982). If successful, the project will help restore water quality and maintain stream flow in Silver Bow Creek where it flows through Butte Area One. Trees native to Butte are being grown to seedlings in a greenhouse located on Montana Tech’s campus which will be planted in degraded soils located within the BPSOU. Growing trees is expected to help restore vegetative ground cover within the watershed contributing to stream flow in Silver Bow Creek. The trees will prevent soil and tailings from eroding and being deposited in Silver Bow Creek where they could degrade water quality and choke stream flow. The project combines research with tree seedling growth to provide a resource for Butte that could produce thousands of tree seedlings each year adapted to the harsh climate, soil, and tailings conditions that exist in the BPSOU where they will grow. It is anticipated that the trees developed by the project will have the capability for long-term survival and growth because they will be germinated and grown into seedlings in the degraded soils and tailings collected from the BPSOU where they will be planted. Soils and tailings collected for the project have been evaluated to determine if they lack nutrients or contain substances potentially toxic to the long-term growth and survival of the trees. Toxic levels of metals, high concentrations of soluble salts, extremes in pH, nutrient deficiencies and imbalances, surface crusting, high bulk density, low infiltration rates, high surface temperatures, low cation exchange capacity, restricted microbial activity, low water retention, harsh climatic conditions and surface particle movement are some of the traits of mine tailings sites that restrict revegetation efforts (Barth, 1986).

Jan 1, 2019

By Michael Gay

Right in the heart of Boston Harbor lies Deer Island, where a ten-year, 6 billion dollar sewage treatment plant is under construction. The 9.5 mile long, 25.5' diameter Effluent Outfall Tunnel is the center piece of this program. A Robbins double-shielded TBM is currently driving this challenging tunnel some 400 feet below sea level. This paper will discuss the set-up and operation of this Tunnel Boring Machine in driving the longest single heading tunnel ever built in North America.

Jan 1, 1993

By Nicholas T. Esposito

An advanced coal preparation plant has been built at Homer City, Pennsylvania, by Pennsylvania Electric Company, a subsidiary of General Public Utilities Corporation, and New York State Electric and Gas Corporation, as an alternative to utilizing flue gas desulfurization technology to meet the Federal Environmental Protection Agency and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources air quality emission regulations of 4.0 lb S02/106BTU for the two (2) existing coal-fired generating station Units No. 1 and No. 2, and a 1.2 lb S02/106BTU for the new Unit No. 3. The coal preparation plant is designed to process 5,200,000 tons of run of the mine coal annually and has a design capability to process 1,200 tons per hour via two (2) equal capacity 600 tons per hour preparation circuits.- The plant is designed to produce multi-product coal streams consisting of a middling product of medium ash and medium sulphur content, which is environmentally compatible to support operation of the two (2) existing generating Units I and 2, and a deep cleaned, low ash, low sulphur coal product capable of environmentally supporting the ambient air quality requirements of the new Unit 3 generating facility. The waste product from the process consists of high ash, high sulphur reject material. The process has the acronym MCCS (Multi-Stream Coal Cleaning System).

Jan 1, 1982

By Marcie A. Greenberg

The Fence Lake Project is located in the Salt Lake coal field, an extension of the San Juan Basin. Geologic formations exposed in the Project area range in age from late Cretaceous to Quaternary. Coal is encountered in the Moreno Hill Formation (upper Cretaceous). Salt River Project (SRP) followed the basic textbook approach for the exploration, regional appraisal, detailed reconnaissance, detailed surface appraisal and three dimensional sampling (physical exploration). SRP is exploring this property as a potential fuel source for the Coronado Generating Station. Therefore, for the physical exploration stage, the quality sampling program was designed from a utility company viewpoint to determine possible impacts to the Station. Exploration drilling was completed in spring, 1982; September, 1982, and summer, 1984. Engineering, environmental, and land acquisition studies were added in the Summer, 1984 Program to more closely evaluate the potential Fence Lake Project coal supply option for the Coronado Generating Station. Studies, including drilling, are ongoing-at this time.

Jan 1, 1984

By R. H. Hanewald

The processing of EAF baghouse dusts from both the specialty steel industry and low alloy producers will be reviewed. In addition, the INMETCO process has been modified so as to recover nickel, chromium and iron from many other waste materials such as pickling solutions or filter cakes, spent nickel and chromium plating baths, carbon refractories from pickling tanks, and super alloy wastes including baghouse bags. INMETCO is the only North American company presently capable of recycling nickel-cadmium batteries by high temperature metals recovery. This, along with the details of INMETCO's BDAT Test Program and results performed to pre-agreed standards with the EPA will be discussed.

Jan 1, 1992

By Oliver W. Marsden, John O. Marsden

This paper presents the results of a hypothetical case study that evaluates the potential transition of a large copper mining and extraction operation to 90% renewable energy. The case study considers three phases to accomplish such a transition; phase I considers installation of renewable power generation at the site to meet a portion of the current electric power needs, phase II considers conversion of diesel combustion mining equipment to electric equipment, and phase III considers implementation of renewable energy generation coupled with energy storage systems to provide approximately 90% of the total mine site energy requirements. The paper evaluates the results in the context of a range of purchased electric power unit costs ($0.065, $0.100, and $0.135/kWh) as well as various carbon tax scenarios ($0, $5.00, and $37.30/t CO2). While the case study is hypothetical and considers a range of assumptions, it clearly identifies a pathway to potentially economically viable transitions to a renewable energy platform for mining companies. This represents an approach that mining companies can use to help to meet emissions targets, as well as social responsibility and reporting requirements.

Jun 4, 2021

By C. Opoku-Ware, M. Kukay, P. Conrad

"This project is exploring the potential for developing trees tolerable to degraded un-reclaimed mine site soils and tailings as a solution to re-establishing long-term tree growth on those sites. The project incorporates growing tree seedlings in an underground greenhouse grown from seeds planted in the degraded mine soils in which they will eventually be planted. The outcome of the project is expected to lead to a successful solution for re-establishing tree growth in soils and tailings containing high metal concentrations with minimal post-planting human intervention. The research is being conducted in an underground greenhouse located 100 feet below the surface in the old Orphan Boy Mine Underground Mine Education Center (UMEC) located on Montana Tech’s campus in Butte, Montana. INTRODUCTION In an effort to improve Butte Area One natural resources, the research project was proposed to help restore tree growth in the Butte Priority Soils Operable Unit Boundary (BPSOU). Research by Blicker, et al. (2003) found that, the BPSOU, which is part of the Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area National Priorities List (Superfund) Site within and near Butte, Montana has multiple historic mining sites situated entirely within the urban setting of Butte. Mine wastes and mill tailings, accumulated from over 100 years of gold, silver, and especially copper mining are dispersed throughout Butte, posing health risks to human and environmental receptors. Stabilization of tailings sites is needed to control fugitive dust, prevent run-off of toxic material resulting in subsequent sediment deposition in streams, reducing the volume of water seepage through acidic and heavy metal contaminated material, and improving land productivity and aesthetic VALUES ((Watkin and Watkin, 1982). If successful, the project will help restore water quality and maintain stream flow in Silver Bow Creek where it flows through Butte Area One. Trees native to Butte are being grown in an underground greenhouse located in the UMEC and will be planted in five areas located within the BPSOU designated for tree planting by the Butte Silver Bow government. Growing trees is expected to help restore vegetative ground cover within the watershed contributing to stream flow in Silver Bow Creek. They will prevent soil and tailings from eroding and being deposited in Silver Bow Creek where they could degrade water quality and choke stream flow."

Jan 1, 2018

"Editor’s note: Each year, Mining Engineering features an industrial minerals review. Several people put in a fair amount of time in developing the material for this issue, all the while doing their own jobs. Thank you to the industrial minerals annual review editor, to the Industrial Minerals and Aggregates Division technical committee chair and vice chairs, and to the authors of the individual commodity profiles.Jim Norman, member SME, of Tetra Tech, is the industrial minerals annual review editor.Vishal Gupta, member SME, of EP Minerals LLC, is chair of the Industrial Minerals &Aggregates Division’s Technical Committee.The technical committee vice chairs include:• Vishal Gupta, member SME, of EP Minerals LLC, Agricultural Materials.• Joe Garska, member SME, of Imerys, ceramics and refractory materials.• Stanley Krukowski, member SME, of the Oklahoma Geological Survey, chemical raw materials.• Russell Winn, member SME, of R.E. Janes Gravel Co., chemical raw materials.• Justin Zdunczyk, member SME, of Pike Industries, construction aggregates.• Jerry Gauntt, member SME, of Golder Associates, fillers and pigments.• Ebrhaim K. Tarshizi, member SME, of the Michigan Tech, sorbents, filters and process aids.• Daniel T. Eyde, member SME, of St. Cloud Mining, specialty minerals.Their help makes possible this July industrial minerals issue. On behalf of ME readers, the editors thank them.Virta, R.L. U.S. Geological Survey, National Minerals Information CenterFour companies - H.C. Spinks Clay Co., Inc., Imerys, Old Hickory Clay Co., and Unimin Corp. - mined ball clay in four states in 2013. On the basis of preliminary data, production was 1 Mt (1.1 million st) with an estimated value of $47 million. Production increased by 3 percent in tonnage from 973 kt (1.1 million st) with a value of $45.1 million in 2012. Tennessee was the leading producer state accounting for 64 percent of domestic production, followed by Texas, Mississippi and Kentucky. About 67 percent of total ball clay production was airfloat, 22 percent was crude or shredded and 11 percent was water-slurried.ConsumptionIn 2013, domestic ball clay producers sold clays to the following markets: ceramic floor and wall tile (44 percent); exports (21 percent); sanitaryware (18 percent); miscellaneous ceramics (9 percent); fillers, extenders, and binders, and unspecified uses (4 percent each), based on 2012 end use patterns and current markets. Other markets accounted for less than 1 percent of the remaining ball clay sales or use. Sales reported for the manufacture of fiberglass or most filler, extender, and binder applications were likely to have been mainly kaolin mined or purchased by the ball clay producers.PricesThe average value of domestically produced ball clay was approximately $47/t ($43/st) in 2013 compared with $46/t ($42/st) in 2012, on the basis of a preliminary survey of domestic ball clay producers. The unit values of exported and imported ball clay were $126/t ($114/ st) and $373/t ($338/st), respectively, in 2013, compared with $62/t ($56/st) and $314/t ($285/st), respectively, in 2012. Unit values for most large export shipments increased in 2013, and a larger number of low-tonnage, high-value export shipments were shipped in 2013 than in 2012, resulting in a doubling of the average export value. Two low-tonnage, high-value shipments in 2013 accounted for the increased value of imports."

Jan 1, 2014

By F. Scott Carpenter

During the past several years, more frequent reference to Wollastonite has appeared in print, both in this country and abroad. The reason for this is the apparent growing interest in this mineral as it approaches commercial maturity. Twelve years ago, wollastonite was available in only limited commercial quantity. In 1933, a deposit in California was worked for a short time to provide a calcium silicate raw .material for the manufacture of mineral wool* It was not until the spring of 1953 that Cabot Corporation put into operation a modem commercial plant to produce this material in a variety of grades. These grades covered both a range of particle size and of particle shape. At that time, applications for wollastonite were largely speculative, although a few commercial applications in glass frits and welding fluxes did exist, For all practical purposes, it was a new material for which few commercial uses had been fully proven.

Jan 1, 1964

By Robin Dill, Julian Prada, Kathryn Kelly, Brian Hann, Todd Moline

Narragansett Bay Commission’s (NBC) Pawtucket Tunnel Project includes construction of the 11,600-ft long, 30-ft ID, deep rock tunnel. This paper presents insight into the features and benefits of lump-sum, design-build that led NBC to select it as the project delivery method. The use of a design-build contracting process that included proprietary meetings to discuss and obtain feedback on Alternative Technical Concepts as well as to facilitate reaching consensus on modifications to the GBR-B is also described. The discussion includes features and benefits of design-build process that not only addressed NBC’s desired outcomes, but also allowed the Design-Builder to propose several innovative changes to the Base Technical Concepts included in the bid documents, and to develop a GBR-C that was compatible with their proposed means and methods of construction and addressed what they believed to be the more significant subsurface risks on the project.

Jun 13, 2023