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By H. Suharyono

A laboratory investigation of flocculation following polymer addition during slurry flow through pipes and in-line (static) mixers is described. Results are presented showing the effects of flow velocity, pipe length, in-line mixer elements and the use of multiple addition points on flocculation performance as measured by settling rate and supernatant turbidity. The effects of agitation and mixing time are shown to be generally consistent with the results of equivalent tests, both batch and continuous, conducted in stirred tanks.

Jan 1, 1995

By P. G. Martin

"As the speed of business has continued to increase over the last decade, the focus on real-time control of the performance of both stationary and mobile assets has become an increasing priority. Traditionally the maintenance team has been focused on the management of the availability of assets while the operations team has been focused on the throughput of those same assets. Typically operations and maintenance teams worked almost independently in spite of the fact that they were both working with the same assets. Part of the problem has been their traditional performance measures which have often been diametrically opposed. Recent advancements in the area of real-time performance measures and decision support have helped to drive higher levels of collaboration between operations and maintenance leading to real-time asset performance control and higher levels of business performance. This paper will explore the forces driving the need for changes, present an effective approach to the definition of the most appropriate business performance measures, and examine the effectiveness of contextualized real-time decision support resulting in asset performance control. TRADITIONAL APPROACHES TO ASSET PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT In most industrial operations the phrase asset performance management is synonymous with maintenance of the industrial assets. This is the way industry has viewed asset management and asset performance management for decades. This is a very limited perspective that is serving to constrain the profitability of industrial operations. As industrial organizations began to form following the Industrial Revolution, the complexity of the operations forced an organizational design based on specialization. No single person could understand all of the aspects of an industrialized operation. This was particularly true at the plant floor level where the operation and maintenance of the industrial equipment required very different skillsets and training. To accommodate the vast differences most industrial organizations set up operations teams to run the equipment and maintenance teams to keep the equipment available to the operation. Both teams were dealing with the same industrial equipment but from very different perspectives and with very different performance measures. Typically the operations team was measured on maximizing the output of the equipment – or throughput. On the other hand the maintenance team was measured on the uptime – or availability of the equipment."

Jan 1, 2015

By Noel Jarrett

Energy consumption and distribution in aluminum production, conservation accomplishments, and future goals are presented. Electrolysis and electrode manufacture show the greatest promise for major improvements. Means are proposed for reducing waste heat generation in smelting and for conserving energy in anode manufacture by furnace design and substitution of other materials for petroleum coke. Hall-Heroult Process modifications, alternative designs, and the Alcoa Smelting Process are discussed as energy savers. Scrap recycling, more use of aluminum in transportation, and the installation of offshore smelters in less developed countries are shown to be additional means of coping with possible energy dislocations.

Jan 1, 1981

By Shaoxian Song, Ling Xia, Hongqiang Li, Yubiao Li, Yunliang Zhao, Shaobing Xie

Since human daily demands for fresh water have been increased significantly, the supply of fresh water for the mining industry, especially froth flotation, should be considerably reduced. In addition, stricter environmental standards have been implemented in many countries to reduce the risks due to the disposal of wastewater, many flotation operators have to seek more efficient ways to utilize the limited fresh water sources. Recycling water with high concentrations of impurities is a normal strategy for most of the mineral processing plants; however, water quality should be carefully considered to guarantee a smooth flotation process. Recently, the application of seawater in flotation has attracted much attention due to its availability and abundance rather than fresh water. However, the influencing mechanisms due to the application of seawater in flotation have not been fully understood especially the reactions between mineral particles and bubbles in the presence of high concentrations of cations and anions. This would impede the application of alternatives to fresh water in the flotation. Therefore, this paper reviews the current water sources and the technologies for water recycling in the flotation process. Specifically, the life cycle of water in flotation was proposed. In addition, the strategies including high pulp density flotation as well as the most promising alternatives to fresh water have been discussed in details, with the related mechanisms being demonstrated.

By Hasan Nizamoğlu, M. Deniz Turan, MÜCEVHER TURAN, RAMAZAN ORHAN

Tailings (flotation waste) that is formed during copper production may be considered in the class of valuable wastes due to the amount of copper it contains. Owing to the decreasing grade values in copper ores, utilization of wastes such as tailings that carry certain amounts of copper as secondary sources has become a necessity in both the economic and environmental sense. This study investigated the usage conditions of five different ammonia salts as leaching reactants for the purpose of selective extraction of copper from tailings. For this purpose, the effects of parameters such as leaching temperature and leaching time were examined at different concentrations of ammonium hydroxide, ammonium carbonate, ammonium nitrate, ammonium chloride, and ammonium persulfate. The copper extraction efficiency in the case of using the aforementioned salts by themselves were listed as (NH4)2CO3 (73%) > (NH4)2S2O8 (69%) > NH4OH (64%) > NH4Cl (42%) > NH4NO3 (40%). The highest copper extraction efficiency was obtained in the leaching process that was conducted with the solutions obtained by mixing ammonia salts in the best conditions. Accordingly, as a result of 6 h of leaching at 30 °C in the presence of 22.5% NH4OH and 100 g/L (NH4)2S2O8, 91.47%of the copper was transferred into the

Jun 3, 2020

By Wallace W. Key

Problems of marketing industrial minerals to chemical manufacturers are manifold. In addition to the difficulty of establishing demarcation lines between "crude" and "processed" industrial (nonmetallic) minerals, and "industrial mineral compounds" further uncertainty exists because some chemical manufacturers do not talk the same language as the industrial mineral producer. For example, paint technologists use "rutile" and "anatase" to describe highly refined chemical compounds. The earth scientists use these terms to describe naturally occurring minerals. Further, marketing research problems are intensified because of the overlapping data of the Standard Industrial Classifications (SIC) groups, and the inexactness of "Chemical Industry," "Chemical and Allied Products Industries," and "Chemical Process Industries," which are widely variable in meaning but are often used interchangeably. Bureau of Mines information Circular 8244, "Minerals for Chemical Manufacturing," was the out¬growth of an attempt to unravel some of the problems caused by overlap of statistical data compared with actual industry practices. Using this study as a base, specific industrial mineral applications of some important sub-industry groups were analyzed for the; California chemical industry. Differences between local and national practices were compared. Practices usually differed, depending on cost and availability of alternate minerals, climate, idiosyncrasies, local regulations, and other conditions. Bureau of Mines Information Circular 8260, "Mineral Fillers for the California Pesticides Industry," is the first such analysis of, a sub-industry group. Other such studies are underway. Obtaining national data is easy, but to be able to compile meaningful information which can be revealed on a regional and State basis generally is difficult and often impossible. This paper will briefly emphasize some of the industrial mineral problems encountered, and bring out the needs and benefits being derived through the continued cooperation of authoritative officials concerned with supply and consumption of industrial minerals in government and industry.

Jan 1, 1965

By O. A. Bascur

The lack of integration of mining and metallurgical information with sufficient detail for analysis causes inefficient operation and hence sub-optimal energy and water use. It is difficult to analyze the performance of mining and metallurgical processes without an integrated view of mine transactions, stockpile inventories, process flows and assays. To take action requires real time information from manufacturing assets, corrected for gross errors from trucks, shovels, conveyors, faulty sensors, bad instrument calibration. This paper presents an infrastructure with advanced tools that sift through available data, identify and eliminate gross errors, and transform the data into business information for continuous improvement and optimization. Collaboration is a key component of improving efficiency of energy and water use, and the evolution of Web technology enables collaboration and troubleshooting of plant information to more quickly act on issues to reduce wasteful operation. Keywords: Mine Concentrator Optimization, Real Time Performance Management, Data Unification, Integration of Operational and Business systems, Mass and Energy Balances, Real Time Web Services, Equipment Availability, Efficiency.

Jan 1, 2009

By Richard J. Leary

At the 1976 Annual Meeting of AIDE, Alan Merson reminded his audience that economic' success comes to those who understand things as they are, rather than as they have been or what ideology says they should be (1). He went on to say that, measured by this standard, the mining industry is in trouble. The mining firms had recognized long ago the importance of effective lobbying in Washington and the state capitals. But, he pointed out, those methods are nearly worthless anymore in coping with many land use problems because the critical decisions are likely to be made at the local level. There the tactics are far different as are the relations of the decisionmakers to the parties before then. Furthermore, in his estimation the trend is to leave land use regulation largely to the local level of government. All who are concerned for access to land for mineral development will be benefited by reading Professor Merson's paper lie is speaking effectively about the context of decisionmaking for specific cases, the shape of things in the here and now. There is, however, a longer-tern set of considerations that if pursued will be likely to foster the creation of public support for mining developments. At that sane meeting I spoke on two foundations of the long-term relationships: namely, the growth in requirements for minerals implied by projections of increasing consumption; and a rationale for fostering mineral exploration and development. I mentioned in passing the social decisionmaking process for public uses of land (2). This paper is intended as a complement. The growth of requirements for Minerals and the rationale for development based on the Entropy Law will be only mentioned. The main concern will be on the process of social decisionmaking in the context of access to land for mineral development.

Jan 1, 1976

By R. Klimpel

Recent work has shown that the measurement of flotation kinetics in the laboratory is useful in providing guidelines on how operating sulfide flotation plant performance can be improved. This work outlines the influence of various factors on flotation kinetics such as collector/frother type and concentration, particle size, and frother blending.

Jan 1, 1981

By W. G. Prast

The role of governments as a factor in the international non-metallic minerals industry can take several forms. Classically, the government acts as a taxing agent, collecting part of the economic rent on behalf of the country from private-sector mine operators. In addition to its taxation policies, the state can and does provide the practical commercial framework of regulatory and fiscal incentives and restraints that shape the activities of the mining firms. In addition to its functions as an agent of the public interest, the government can choose to take a more direct stake in the mining industry, and has done so in the instance of several industrial minerals that are actively traded on world markets. In this paper, the actions of three governments are reviewed and the consequences of their actions are examined.

Jan 1, 1981

By Ravindra M. Chhatre

Uranium associated with phosphate deposits has been the subject of numerous investigations (1-8). In the land-pebble phosphate deposits of central Florida, uranium is found in the phosphate matrix (ore) and in the leached zone between the over-burden and matrix (1). Between 0.01 to 0.02 percent uranium is found in the leached zone, which consists of apatite and aluminum phosphate minerals (crandallite, wavellite, millisite) (Z). The primary phosphate mineral in the matrix is apatite, and the 0.005 to 0.01 percent uranium typically found in the matrix is associated with this mineral (1). It is generally believed that uranium substitutes for calcium in the apatite structure (3-5). Clay and quartz phases associated with phosphate deposits contain little uranium (1, 6), and no descrete uranium minerals have been detected in these deposits (4). A typical phosphate matrix consists of quartz, slimes (-150 mesh material) and recoverable phosphate. When the matrix is beneficiated, partition of uranium and radium takes place (9, 10). Although considerable data exists on how uranium is distributed in the phosphate deposits, no systematic study has recently been reported on the distribution of uranium during phosphate rock beneficiation. The purpose of this study was to determine how uranium is distributed in the various strata which comprise the overall land-pebble phosphate deposits, as well as how the uranium is redistributed during beneficiation of phosphate matrix. To obtain this information studies were carried out on matrix samples obtained from three different mines in central Florida. Using pilot-plant scale beneficiation, an analysis was performed on how uranium in the matrix is distributed among the pebble fractions, flotation concentrates, flotation tails, and slimes. The uranium level profile for an active mining area was also obtained. Also, since thousands of acres of slime ponds may someday become a source of both phosphate and uranium, a depth versus uranium content profile was determined for an inactive slime pond.

Jan 1, 1978

By Michael J. Friedel

The scale-dependent hydraulic properties in a fractured porphyry copper oxide deposit are investigated for relevance to in situ leach mine (ISLM) design. In most well field designs, mine operators assume that hydraulic properties represent a continuous spatial function, or continuum. The problem, however, is that the representative elemental volume, the volume over which hydraulic properties are described as a continuum, is a domain (if it exists) that occurs between end members representing varying degrees of heterogeneity. At the Cyprus Cas a Grande mine, transmissivity fluctuations are spatially correlated suggesting that at the scale of ISLM, the hydraulic process is heterogeneous and a typical continuum representation is inappropriate for design. Alternatively, a conditional stochastic approach using the simulated annealing (SA) technique is deemed useful for the imaging of heterogeneous hydraulic properties. Specifically, SA preserves transmissivity extremes and spatial complexity, both necessary for accurate conditioning of a flow simulator. Also, the stochastic continuum approach provides an avenue whereby uncertainty (or risk) may be addressed. Currently, the SA weaknesses are that it is computationally time consuming, and uncertainty may increase when simulating under conditions of statistical isotropy. Recognizing that ISLM exerts a dynamic influence on hydraulic properties with time, the mine design should be reevaluated at intervals throughout the evolution of the leaching process.

Jan 1, 1993

Because of complex geological environments, a number of coal reserves occur in inclined or dipping coal seams in certain parts of the world. Longwall top coal caving using split-level a singleentry panel system (SSPS) has been widely used for extracting such coal seams with large thicknesses (greater than 6 m) in China because SSPS can reduce or mitigate problems of coal outbursts, gate road deformations, overturning of shields, downhill sliding of shearer and armored face conveyor (AFC), and so forth, during mining of inclined coal seams. Depth of yield is the range of yield coal from the rib of the pillar to the boundaries where yield ends. It plays a significant role in maintaining the gate pillar stability. This paper presents a study on the stability of an unconventional water-obstruction gate pillar (UWGP) formed by SSPS to prevent water inrush in mining of an inclined thick coal seam in a coal mine in China. As the shape of this pillar is non-cuboidal, nonparallelepiped, a conventional empirical or analytical method is not applicable for studying its stability.

Jan 7, 2020

By M. Popescu

In the southern part ?f the Occidental Carpathians an iron ore body embedded in crystalline schist was exploited. The presence of minerals such as magnetite, pyrite, pyro-chorine, allanite, monazite and xenotime, which also include within their structure substituted thorium isomorphic, was pointed out. The iron ore was processed by crushing, grinding and magnetic separation in order to obtain magnetite concentrates. The environment was affected by pollution generated by the mining activities. In 1995 due to the economic reasons, it was decided to cease mining exploitation and remediate the area. The paper presents the ecological impact caused by mining activities on a number of environmental targets and the population. The pollution sources, namely sterile dumps and mine waters are characterized (from the physical, chemical and radiometric point of view); the pollution pathways and theirs effects on potential targets, namely soil, vegetation, hydrographic network and population are identified as well. The degree of pollution due to all sources was assessed and maps of pollution sources distribution were generated. The supplementary effective doses for the population were assessed using rigorous scenarios and considering all exposure pathways. The rehabilitation plan includes solutions for dumps geometrization, covering and revegetation as well as mine waters management.

Jan 1, 2005

By Sandeep Kumar Jeripotula, Govinda Raj Mandela, Aruna Manglapady

Dumper operators are frequently exposed to whole body vibration (WBV) in surface mines. Surface mining activities involve the amalgamation of comparatively high intensity of vibration and extended exposure durations. Efficient risk reduction mandates knowing of important phases of a task that poses a threat to health of dumper operators. So far in India very limited studies have been reported on WBV exposure with regard to surface mines. This paper evaluates WBV of dumper operators based on ISO 2631-1:1997 Standards and European Union (EU) Directive 2002 for different phases of job cycle. Six dumpers were considered for this study and the vibration measurements were made for all the four phases of the job cycle by placing the triaxial accelerometer on the operator’s seat-surface and at the seat-back, independently. The findings of the study revealed that the haulage task (loaded travel and empty travel) remains the chief contributor to vibration exposure according to seat-surface and seat-back measurements. Maximum frequency weighted root mean square (RMS) of 1.12 m/s2 and 1.09 m/s2 were reported for empty travel task for seat-surface and seat-back measurements, respectively. For seat-surface measurements based on RMS, Z axis remains as the dominant axis of vibration for all the dumpers during haulage task, whereas for seat-back measurements, the dominant axis varies between X and Y. Exposure action value (EAV) based on RMS has exceeded the threshold value of 0.5 m/s2 for all the dumpers during loaded travel and empty travel for seat-surface as well as for seat-back measurements.

By R. Mathur

Cu isotope fractionation in low temperature aqueous environments has been well documented. Here we apply Cu isotopes to two distinct, yet related mining problems. First, an exploration geological application where we measured copper isotope fractionation in oxidized leach caps, chalcocite enrichment blankets and hypogene mineralization in 4 porphyry copper deposits located in South western USA. Cu isotope patterns exist in the lateral and vertical distribution within the mines coupled with distinct relationships with Cu grade. Second, a hydrometallurgical application where we measured the leach fluids, feed and residues from a quick leach text of Cañariaco ores. The results indicate the relative proportions of the minerals providing Cu during leaching. Interpretations of the QLT test measurements indicate covellite is the dominant ore mineral providing Cu during leaching. Both applications clearly demonstrate the power and ability of using the Cu isotope technique to understand low temperature aqueous processed involving copper.

Jan 1, 2010

By K. Muralidharan, P. R. Rao, M. Momayez, K. A. Runge

The evolution of trapped geothermal heat in hot underground mine along with emission of toxic gases and dust during mine activity makes the mine environment unfavorable is hazardous to worker’s health. This imposes significant demand on cooling and ventilation systems. As a result, substantial costs are incurred while implementing environmental regulation processes to dissipate the heat and provide comfortable working conditions. Thus, as an alternative, the development of cost effective materials to act as efficient thermal insulators is on the rise. Thermal conductivity is an important property that is a direct measure of a material’s ability to facilitate/deter heat flow. In addition to their superior chemical resistance, adequate mechanical strength, abrasion and fire retardant as well as environmental benefits in comparison to existing building materials such as ordinary Portland cement, aluminosilicate based geopolymers are now gaining widespread interest as promising thermally insulating and sustainable materials. This paper begins with an overview of geopolymers, transitioning into a discussion of recent developments in the field of geopolymer development as a thermally insulating material broadly classified into: filled geopolymers and porous geopolymers resulting in structures with enhanced ability to impede heat flow.

May 9, 2020

By S. Ersayin, I. Iwasaki

Application of a magnetic field was shown to be effective in controlling iron losses in pilot-scale cationic silica flotation in the processing of magnetic taconite concentrates. The design of a magnetic field distribution device and batch flotation test results using a 1.42m3 (50 cu. ft.) WEMCO cell are reported. Major losses of iron units in froth products were in the -25µm (500 mesh) fraction, and the application of a magnetic field decreased the flotation of fine magnetite, thereby improving the selectivity of separation. The “as received” sample was sufficiently magnetized and no further benefit was gained by magnetizing treatment. Selectivity was somewhat adversely affected by demagnetizing the sample, though its effect was minimal due to the magnetic field. The device is simple in construction, low cost and may be installed readily in existing equipment.

Jan 1, 2002

By Fritz F. Prugger

This paper considers some of the main aspects of underground mining in the flat, rich, but deep lying deposits of Saskatchewan. It briefly describes the pertinent geological features as they relate co mining and the practical de-stressing techniques used to allow productive extraction in the high stress environment present in many of the province's mines. Fining layouts, materials handling and the evolution of some of the world's largest mining equipment are examined.

Jan 1, 1980

By Ernesto Maldonado, Zach Agioutantis, Jesus Romero

Reliable prediction of dynamic deformations is important when planning to undermine important structures that cannot tolerate large relative deformations and or large horizontal strains. This paper presents examples of dynamic deformation profiles that include subsidence, horizontal displacements, and horizontal strain for a number of points over a retreating longwall panel in the eastern United States. The prediction points are located at different distances from the excavation rib and therefore present a different response in terms of dynamic movements. The formulation is based on the influence function method as implemented in the Surface Deformation Prediction System (SDPS). Results show that the subsidence development curve may be reliably predicted for surface points in the middle of the panel. However, in cases where points may be affected by the magnitude of the edge effect offset, subsidence predictions may be very conservative, that is, higher than actual movements.

Jul 1, 2023