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By Mark Alan Marlkos

Blebs of solid bitumen from the Magmont West orebody of the Viburnum Trend were examined and analyzed in an attempt to relate hydrocarbon distribution and origin to ore genesis. The bitumen was calculated to be approximately 48 to 63 percent aliphatic and is considered to be a polymerized normal crude oil. Polymerization, which was probably caused by water-washing, hardened the bleb surfaces and appears to have "frozen" the blebs during primary migration from local source beds. Comparison of the bitumen to kerogen in local shaly partings strongly Indicates that the oil was derived locally. The polymerized oil blebs are considered to have been derived from a type II (marine) kerogen. Textural analyses indicate that oil migration occurred after lead-zinc mineralization and at temperatures that exceed normal ancient or present geothermal gradients. The following sequence of events is postulated for the Magmont West orebody: 1 Generation of hydrogen sulfide during diagenesis of a normal organic-rich carbonate sequence. 2 Introduction of pulses of hot, metal-rich fluids that resulted in: a Lead-zinc mineralization by the following reaction: Me++ + H2S ? MeS + 2H+ b Solution of carbonates by excess acid produced during the above reaction. c Brecciation of host rock in some cases. 3 Passages of the pulse resulted in: a Carbonate buffering of fluid system to more alkaline conditions. b Precipitation of dolomite c Slight temperature drop. 4 Eventually the high temperatures Introduced by heated brine caused oil generation and initiated primary migration. 5 Water-washing and mild biodegradation altered the hydrocarbon blebs to their present composition.

Jan 1, 2013

By J. A. L. Campbell

The Galatia Mine is a dual-seam underground coal mine located in Saline County, IL. In 1984, it became the first coal mine to be permitted by the Illinois Department of Mines and Minerals to operate diesel equipment underground. And it is one of the larger underground coal mines in the nation to use diesel equipment. From the beginning, Kerr-McGee determined that diesel equipment offered the best approach to the safe and productive development and operation of the Galatia Mine. The flexibility of this equipment and its ability to promptly respond to changing conditions and mining locations made its use desirable for building this large dual-seam coal mine. The mine had a planned nominal annual capacity of 3.6 Mt/a (4 million stpy) and would employ more than 500 people. Galatia's current reserves are estimated at 231 Mt (255 million st) of recoverable coal from two seams of high-quality, high-volatile bituminous coal. The Harrisburg No. 5 seam is shipped primarily as a low-sulfur steam coal or as a metallurgical blend stock. It is also used in the pulverized coal injection (PCI) process for steel making. The Herrin No. 6 seam is a medium-sulfur coal. Annual production is shown in Fig. 1. A good indicator of a mine's success is employee productivity improvement. For many reasons - the proper use of diesel equipment, the introduction of longwalls and increased employee ex¬perience - Galatia employees have achieved a steady growth in annual productivity (Fig. 1) while maintaining an exceptional safety record.

Jan 1, 1993

By W. R. Peters

An experimental hole-to-hole seismic probe system has been developed for use in coal measure geology as a means of determining the structural conditions of coal seams. The source probe produces a 500-joule electric arc discharge whose seismic wavelet has a spectrum in the 200 to 2,000 Hz frequency range. Low compliance hydrophones contained in the source probe as well as in a separate seismic detector probe are matched to the frequency range of the source. Both probes are constructed with 5-72 cm diameter housings. The transducers in the probes are equipped with fluid-inflatable boots to permit operation in either wet or dry boreholes. Preliminary tests in vertical boreholes drilled 213 m apart in sedimentary rock formations show reliable operation and useful seismic propagation measurements along horizontal and oblique paths up to 232 m in length. Because the seismic wave- let has an accurately repeatable waveshape, multiple shots and signal averaging techniques can be used to enhance the signal-to-noise ratio and extend the transmission distances.

Jan 1, 1985

By A. S. Hall

Significant pyrite often does not dissolve in the Sobek (1978) nitric acid extraction; therefore, the standard conservative approach is to estimate pyrite using sulfur present in the sum of the nitric acid and residual sulfur fractions. Alunite, when present, appears as residual sulfur. Because alunite does not generate acidic effluents, overestimation of AGP can occur if all residual sulfur is assumed to be undigested pyrite. Evaluation of 16 samples from the Florida Canyon Mine revealed that petrographic examination coupled with a modification of the Sobek method to include a 6 hour hot (250°F) 'nitric acid extraction resulted in a more accurate estimation of AGP.

Jan 1, 1999

By Dennis C. Martin

Assessment of the potential for mining induced subsidence and determination of ultimate design requirements for a mining operation should be based on a number of assessment approaches. Although the rock mechanics engineer has a variety of limit equilibrium and numerical modeling tools available for assessment and prediction of subsidence effects, empirical approaches based on precedent experience provide a powerful tool for calibration/verification of analytical models and prediction of subsidence. Three separate analyses approaches have been applied to the assessment of potential subsidence for a proposed block caving mine in eastern Canada. The investigations have included an assessment of documented historical information from previous block cave mining at the site, deterministic analyses using limit equilibrium approaches to assess kinematically possible failure mechanisms, and three-dimensional numerical modeling techniques. Analyses results have been used and compared with precedent experience and documentation of subsidence behavior from previous mining to optimize the subsidence predictions for the proposed mine.

Jan 1, 1998

By W. L. O?Connell

[Patent Issue No. Date Issued To Subject 386,504 July 24, G. Sweanor The separation of quartz from a 1588 metal with a liquid such as CS2 or CHC13 under water by introducing mixture into water layer. Quartz will stay in water layer while metal sinks through organic.]

Jan 1, 1963

By Lawrence S. O’Rourke

Pricing for tantalum raw materials experienced explosive increases in the period 1978-1979, and-similar declines over 1980-1982. The causes for this are examined. Negative effects on the industry are highlighted. Analysis is provided of subsequent structural changes within the industry which minimize probability of future pricing excursions. Data on markets, sources of material, and outlines of concentration and extractive processes are reviewed. The conclusion is reached that expanded sources, future flat demand, and a broader international base of industry participants are principal forces in this restructure. Flat demand is reviewed as a function of increasing application of tantalum, but in more cost effective forms. This is driven by technical advance, notably in electronics applications.

Jan 1, 1986

By Wen L. Chen

The steam coal quality is less stringent than metallurgical coal quality. The steam coal is prepared either by cleaning full size range of raw coal or cleaning coarse coal only, leaving the fine coal raw. The latter scheme is more cost competitive. It is particularly applicable to U.S. eastern soft coal where low ash coal is concentrated in fine sizes. For raw coal size separation, a recently developed Rotating Probability Screen, developed by the British Coal Board, may be advantageously used for easy change of raw coal separating size and to avoid screen deck plugging when handling wet and clayey raw coals.

Jan 1, 1983

By Henk L. C. Meuzelaar

Most of us are aware of the relationship between the golden-yellow resin spots on Upper Cretaceous Wasatch Plateau coals and fossil tree resins (?amber?). Nevertheless, confusion remains about the exact chemical composition and structure of commercial coal resin preparations as well as their observed heterogeneity. In order to arrive at a more detailed chemical description we need to distinguish between micropetrographic, organic geochemical and process technological definitions of coal resins, which may include substantial quantities of constituents unrelated to fossil tree resins. New information on composition and origin obtained by Curie-point pyrolysis/evaporation in combination with isobutane chemical ionization mass spectrometry, as presented in this paper, points to the presence of four more or less distinct resin components: (1) a sesquiterpenoid polymer; (2) sesqui-and triterpenoid monomers and dimers; (3) a suite of triterpenoid alcohols, ketones and acids; and (4) a series of increasingly aromatized hydrocarbons with naphthalene and picene type skeletons. Moreover, a strong similarity is found between the composition of recent Dammar resin and fossil Wasatch Plateau coal resins. Some of the technological implications of these findings and the consequent need for a more precise chemical definition and nomenclature are discussed.

Jan 1, 1990

This paper examines the feasibility of combining network modeling and computational fluid dynamics for modeling of underground mine ventilation systems. Both simulation methods have specific advantages and disadvantages for analysis of mine systems. Network modeling is widely utilized by many operations and allows for assessment of current systems and simulation for planning purposes. Alternatively, CFD has been utilized only marginally by operations and is typically a research tool, requiring considerable computational power, complex models, and careful analysis and calibration of results. Network modeling allows for a holistic approach to the ventilation system, giving quantity, velocity and pressure in every branch, but CFD modeling can resolve the flow regime in 2-D or 3-D, which is idea when examination of an area on a more detailed basis is useful, such as dust and gas control. Integration of the two can allow for more flexible systems analysis. The feasibility of integration, along with application to limited underground mine data are examined.

Feb 23, 2014

By Roland Arnold, Richard Gradnik, Martin Zeindl

This paper presents the details of the Kramer tunnel project in the Federal State of Bavaria, Germany. This road tunnel, which has been under construction since December 2019, is the key component of the western bypass of the town of GarmischPartenkirchen. Once completed, it will relieve the town’s central district from enormous volumes of traffic. The contractor is the joint venture named ARGE Kramertunnel consisting of BeMo Tunnelling and Subterra. The whole project will be completed and handed over to the project owner, Staatliches Bauamt Weilheim, in 2023. The opening of the entire bypass section including the tunnel to traffic is planned for 2024. The tunnel, with a total length of 3,609 m (2.24 miles) and an estimated cost of EUR 178 million (incl. VAT), is designed as a single-tube, double-lane structure with one traffic lane for each direction of travel. The safety issue that exists for single-tube tunnels is solved by a parallel escape tunnel passable for vehicles. All tunnels and ducts are excavated according to the principles of the New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM). In order to reduce the geological risk for the owner, the escape tunnel was supposed to be completed before the design process for the main tunnel ever began. The exploratory tunnel was awarded to a competitor with an separate contract.

Jun 13, 2021

By D. F. Malott

The Michigan Department of State Highways makes extensive use of geophysics for subsurface surveying which would be applicable for uses in other fields. Examples of resistivity surveys are given which include a proposed large volume excavation with suggestions for land use after excavation, subsurface evaluation for engineering design, and a subsurface survey for land appraisal. An example of a combined refraction seismic and resistivity survey is shown where the resistivity is used for outlining the unconsolidated soils, while the seismic method Is used to outline bedrock and to evaluate it for rippability. A refraction seismic survey at the bottom of bridge caissons for evaluation of bedrock uniformity and a relative aid In assessing rock strength is reported.

Jan 1, 1968

By P. D. Morrell

Jetbelt is the trade name for the air supported belt conveyor. It does not use troughing rollers. Jetbelt conveyors support the conveyor belt on a thin film of air. The belt rides in a steel trough which has small holes equally spaced along the bottom of the trough. Air comes through the holes under the belt, thereby supporting the belt. The air pressure is provided by a single centrifugal blower that creates very low pressure, between 249 Pa and747 Pa [10" and 30" water column], depending upon the tonnage being conveyed. The volume of air required ranges between .001415 m3/S and .00283 m3/S [3 and 6 CFM] per lineal foot of conveyor. Therefore, depending on tonnage being conveyed, a 304.8m[1000'] conveyor might require as little as 1.415m3/S [3000 CFM] or as much as 2.83m3/S [6000 CFM.]. (See Figure 1) Horsepower requirements can be less than troughing idler conveyors and considerably less than some other forms of bulk conveying. Savings are most significant in horizontal and down hill (regenerative) conveyor designs. Horsepower to lift material, of course, does not change.

Jan 1, 1984

By Denis Tepavac, Mark Trim

Structural performance of fiber reinforced concrete (FRC) depends on its ability to carry tensile forces after cracking. Australian Standards AS5100-2017 and AS3600-2018 are the only available design standards that establish a test procedure to determine strength and toughness of an FRC in direct tension. Direct tensile testing of fiber reinforced shotcrete samples was performed to determine if the model and guidelines in AS5100/3600 were applicable to shotcrete; all previous testing was from cast samples. In addition to direct testing, micro CT-scanning was also performed. The paper presents tests performed, results, and how the tests could be used on future projects. In addition, a brief summary is provided of the guiding structural mechanics used for estimating residual tensile strength and test methods utilized to verify those estimates.

Jun 13, 2023

By John W. Lane

Climax Molybdenum Company, a Division of American Metals Climax, Inc., operated a hydrometallurgical plant* at Climax, Colorado from August 1966 through August 1968 to recover molybdenum from a mixed oxide and sulfide ore. The ore treated for this addition to the existing plant contained sufficient Molybdenite values to be mined for Molybdenite recovery alone, so that the oxidized molybdenum recovery could be regarded as a byproduct operation. Climax is located at an elevation of 11,300 feet. All process equipment, except thickeners, was enclosed in buildings. Annual snowfall is approximately 250 inches per year. Paved highways and rail service to the plant are maintained and kept open all year. Most of the employees live in the town of Leadville, which is approximately twelve miles from the plant site. The sulfide flotation plant handles 40,000 to 45,000 tons per day of ore. The mine is one of the world's largest underground mines.

Jan 1, 1971

By D. H. McCain

Through a unique partnership between the Colorado Mine Safety and Training Program (CMSTP), the Colorado Rock Products Association (CRPA) and the Higher Education and Advanced Technology (HEAT) Center, a video packed, dazzling CD-ROM training program was developed for new miners entering the aggregate industry. Why this product was developed, and why the aggregate industry, will be discussed along with the challenges faced throughout the project. Cooperation from every one involved including MSHA made this the product of which all other training materials in the mining industry will be measured against in the 21st Century. This product's versatility and wide application makes it a tool that is as critical to a mine's success as any earth moving machine. Developed with both state and federal grant moneys allows this product to be affordable to small operators and independent contractors. The quality of this two CD-ROM set rivals any commercially made CD-ROM training.

Jan 1, 2001

By R. Venkataramani

Even though the mining industry in 1966 produced more ore than ever before, current extraction rates are only a fraction of what is expected in the later years of the twentieth century. Nearly 90% of all metals and-mineral products consumed last year was recovered by open-pit mining. This has placed great pressure on this segment of the industry which has, consequently, resulted in some spectacular developments. With increasing size of projects, the need for increased sophistication of engineering, planning, management and administration of modern mining installations has never become more apparent. The design of complete systems for the mine and plant that fit the mould of today's business and social environments is undergoing an evolutionary process. Traditional concepts in mine development and operations are being sidestepped in favor of new ideas and principles. As the overburden thickness increases, materials handling presents a major problem to mining companies, especially those concerned with the mass production of ore and waste from low-grade deposits. The profit margin here is likely to be significantly less as to take chances with capital investment. 1 Constant efforts are needed to improve upon productivity if the ore is to be economically mined.

Jan 1, 1970

By Huiqin Yao, Dongmei Liu

The study investigated the potential use of low activity circulating fluidized bed combustion (CFBC) ash and phosphate tailings for the production of a filling material based on the cement. The phosphate tailings were used as aggregate and consolidated by cement and CFBC ash. The results showed that the bleeding rate and fluidity of all mixtures decreased with the increasing the amount of CFBC ash. The fluidity of filling slurry is highly related to the experimental factors such as the content of sulfur solid ash, B/A ratio, and mass concentration. The replacement of CFBC ash ranging from 20 to 40% led to a significant decrease in setting time and an obvious increase in compressive strength, but the above effect was obviously weakened when reducing the mass concentration and B/A ratio. The hydrated calcium silicate gel and ettringite generated from the hydration of cement and CFBC ash were the main sources of strength for the filling materials. When the recommended proportion was 1/6 binder/phosphorus tailings ratio, 76% solid content, and 40% CFBC ash replacement, the filling material still met demands on working and mechanical properties; at the same time, the utilization of CFBC ash and phosphorus tailings was maximized.

Oct 11, 2021

By T. J. Malterer

Peat has unique physical, chemical, and biological properties. These include high porosity and water retention, high absorption and adsorption properties, high buffering capacity, and it is a rich medium for microorganism activity. Peat has traditionally been used for horticultural purposes. However, in recent years, peat is increasingly being used for waste treatment purposes. This paper reviews North American literature on the use of peat for waste treatment applications. The literature indicates promising use of peat in treating municipal and on-site effluent, removal of low concentrations of heavy metals from wastewaters, and adsorption of liquid and gaseous hydrocarbon pollutants.

Jan 1, 1995

By Dale C. Matthews

Pressure oxidation of refractory gold ores is becoming more popular in our environmentally sensitive society. This paper will discuss some specific process problems and solutions involved with starting up and operating an autoclave circuit.

Jan 1, 1991