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German manufacturer DBT signed a contract to supply a sixth automated-plow long-wall system to Shenyang Coal in Liaoning province in northeastern China. This most recent order occurred just weeks after DBT signed a contract to deliver a fifth automated-plow longwall system to Datong Coal in Shanxi province. The plow will go into service at Shenyang Coal’s Hongyang Mine. Mining conditions at the mine, coupled with DBT’s advanced automated-plow technology, means that the system has the potential to become one of the world’s most productive thin-seam longwalls.

Jan 1, 2004

By A. B. Cecala

Enclosed cabs have been used for many years to isolate workers on mobile equipment in the mining industry for health and safety reasons. These enclosed cabs create a microenvironment for workers where they can be either more protected or more vulnerable to contaminants. Over the past decade, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has performed substantial research efforts to improve the air quality inside enclosed cabs of both underground and surface mobile mining equipment. In these efforts, NIOSH has partnered with mining companies, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), and manufacturers of filtrations and pressurizations systems in a synergistic effort to reduce respirable dust and improve the air quality inside these enclosed cabs. Various field studies over this time have shown an array of results ranging from very minor to very significant reductions (protection factor: 3 ? 89) in respirable dust levels inside these enclosed cabs. In addition to and concurrent to the field work, NIOSH also performed a comprehensive laboratory study to evaluate all the factors involved in cab filtration and pressurization systems and identified those factors that were most significant for an effective system. From this comprehensive research effort, the key components for an effective filtration and pressurization system have been identified in an effort to provide the best air quality, thus minimizing the respirable dust exposure, to equipment operators inside of enclosed cabs of mobile mining equipment.

Feb 27, 2013

By Bo-Hyun Kim, Mark K. Larson

"Bumps remain a critical safety concern in underground coal mining, despite significant advancements in engineering controls. These events occur when relatively high stresses in a coal pillar in conjunction with low confinement exceed the pillar’s critical capacity, causing the pillar to rupture without warning. Floor failure often occurs and can be an indicator of bump risk, as it is strongly associated with brittle failure known as spalling under a lower confinement. Significant floor heave at a western U.S. coal mine has been observed where the pillar width in a three-entry gate road system was 53 m, while no significant floor heave was observed where the pillar width in another gate road system was 22 m. This phenomenon was widely reported in the region and at another mine in another western coal field it has been reported that larger pillars are always associated with floor heave. In this study, a spalling model based on the S-Shaped brittle failure criterion and associated with the anisotropic characteristics of the materials was used in FLAC3D. The observed floor heave phenomenon associated with the larger pillars was demonstrated using this modeling approach.INTRODUCTIONFloor failure in a coal mines often inhibits longwall mining operation, as large displacement of floor strata, known as floor heave, interferes with travel, access, ventilation, and equipment operation. Aggson (USBM 1978) investigated floor heave in West Virginia where underclay is relatively strong and high horizontal stress is present. It was reported that the failure mode is mainly by buckling rather than by plastic flow.This study was developed as part of an effort by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to better understand rock mass behavior in longwall coal mines in highly stressed, bump-prone ground. More specifically, this study attempts to explain through numerical models small energy releases in the form of floor heave. The authors believe that brittle rock failure is associated with both floor heave and some bump mechanisms, if not directly involved in their cause."

Jan 1, 2019

By James M. Barker, George S. Austin

Stone, one of the oldest building materials, today remains a well-established material throughout the construction industry. The use of natural stone is much less prevalent now than in the past. It is still widely considered to be the most aesthetically pleasing, prestigious, and durable building material. New and re-opened quarries are coming onstream to meet increased demand related to new building technology and increased residential use of stone. CLASSIFICATION No classification can completely eliminate overlap between dimension stone, aggregate, and decorative stone because most stone is multi-purpose. Many used for decorative purposes are not produced specifically for that end use. Rock otherwise considered waste in dimension stone or aggregate quarries can be decorative stone coproducts (Fig. 1). Many uses require a compromise between decorative and structural qualities (Bowles, 1992, written commu¬nication). Shipley (1945) used decorative stone interchangeably with or¬namental stone. Gary et al. (1972) defined decorative stone as that used for architectural decoration, such as mantels, columns, and store fronts, but added that it is sometimes set with silver or gold in jewelry as curio stones. Bates and Jackson (1987) also restricted decorative stone to that used for architectural decoration. Meanings of otherwise identical terms used in the stone industry differ be¬tween geologists, engineers, and quarriers. They often carry a much broader meaning for quarriers and engineers compared to their very specific use by geologists (Makens et al., 1972). Decorative stone, including ornamental stone, is more broadly defined by geologists as any stone used primarily for its color, texture, and general appearance. It is not used primarily for its strength or durability, such as construction stone, or in specific sizes, such as dimension stone. The decorative stone industry uses a much wider range of stone types compared to stone that is dimensioned. Decorative stone usually serves some structural pur¬pose, but is not load-bearing to any great extent. Weak or costly stones serve in decorative, not structural, applications. STATISTICS AND END USES Decorative and dimension stone data are difficult to separate because the US Bureau of Mines keeps statistics only on dimension stone and crushed stone. The value of domestic dimension stone production in 1990, which includes some decorative stone, was about $210 million compared to imports of about $524 million and exports of about $35 million. Production was 1 080 t of which at least one-third was for decorative uses (Taylor, 1992). The principal uses are rough blocks in building construction (23%) and monu¬ments (18%); the remainder is used as ashlar (18%), curbing (12%), and miscellaneous (29%). Major rock types are granite (50%), limestone (30%), sandstone (10%), slate (3%), marble (2%), and other (5%) (Harben, 1990). Crushed stone valued at $5.6 billion was produced in the United States in 1990 by 1700 companies operating 3400 active quarries in 48 states (Tepordei, 1991). About 52% is used in con¬struction, 9% in cement and lime manufacturing, 2% in agricul¬ture, 2% in industrial uses, and 35% for unspecified uses including decorative aggregate. Limestone and dolomite comprise about 71%, granite 14%, and traprock 8% of the stone crushed in the United States. The remaining 7% are, in descending quantity, sandstone, quartzite, miscellaneous rock, marble, shell, calcareous marl, volcanic cinder and scoria, and slate. The basic types of decorative stone are: rough stone, aggregate, cut or dressed stone, and manmade stone [(Table 1)]. Rough Stone Rough stone is used as it is found in nature with very limited processing such as minor hand shaping, edge fitting, and size or quality sorting (Perath, 1992, written communication). This stone type is often marketed locally in relatively small tonnages and includes fieldstone and flagstone. The primary end uses of rough stone are landscaping, edging, paving, or large individual stone landscape or interior accents [(Fig. 2)]. Fieldstone: Fieldstone is picked up or pried out of the ground (gleaned) without extensive quarrying and includes garden or large landscaping boulders (Austin et al., 1990, Hansen, 1969). Boulders and cobbles may be split or roughly trimmed for use in rubble walls and veneers, both interior and exterior. Popular fieldstone rock types include sandstone, basalt, limestone, gneiss, schist, quartzite, and granite, but many others are suitable. Much fieldstone is col¬lected by individuals or small companies because the industry is labor intensive and markets are small. The stone may be sold locally in small quantities from the back of vehicles (Austin et al., 1990). Fieldstone includes many rock types, sizes, and shapes with the only common denominator that it must be set by hand and be durable (Power, 1992, written communication). Moss Rock. Moss rock is fieldstone partially covered by algae, mosses, lichens, and fungi that give the rock an aged and variegated patina (Austin et al., 1990). The plants are supported by moisture and nutrients in the stone. Moss rock is used for landscaping, walls, and fireplaces. Although almost any durable rock can be a moss rock, most are slabby or rounded sandstone and limestone (Fig. 3). Flagstone: Flagstone or flagging consist of thin irregular slabs used for paving, walkways, and wall veneers. Random-shaped flagging is produced widely in the United States. Suitable stone

Jan 1, 1994

By S. R. Titley

Results of regional analyses of precious metal habits in Arizona ores lead to interpretations of a fundamental ore control related to geographic location that corresponds with crustal contrasts. Measurements of isotopic and trace element characteristics of Laramide ore-related intrusions lead to interpretations of crustal derivation of apparent ore-related magmas. Interpreted regionally, the numerous kinds of Laramide ores, which include porphyry copper deposits of this southern cordilleran region appear to be phenomena of a specific crustal lithology characterized by a basement of Proterozoic turbidites and (an interpreted) lower crust of amphibolite. This association with a specific basement terrane may be extended in principle from the United states into Mexico where faulted offsets of this basement are similarly favorable to formation of Laramide porphyry ores -to the exclusion of adjacent terranes. Whereas plate tectonic mechanisms may have triggered evolution of these ores, it is hypothesized here that crustal setting and crustal composition are more profound influences of metallogenesis.

Jan 1, 1992

By Christopher Haycocks

Because of growing pressure from government and consumers to produce more coal, the mining industry must improve existing techniques and devise more efficient mining methods. Mining of the thicker, shallower and geologically superior coal seams in the western United States is being subjected to increasing pressure from environmentalists; and so in order to meet the demand, the coal industry is exhausting the more accessible surface seams and beginning to mine seam of over 1,000 feet in depth and less than. 30 inches in thickness. The longwall mining system is the natural choice for extracting deep and thin coal seams, as it operates almost independently of the overburden rock stress. Due to the added fact that longwall mining is an inherently more productive method than room and pillar mining, many coal producers are looking to it as a means of increasing productivity without a corresponding cost increase. The consistent rise in application of longwall mining in the United States in the last decade illustrates the excellent potential of this technique for the future. American mining conditions are geologically different from those in Europe where longwall mining has been highly developed and extremely successful. Although numerous successes have been recorded in the U.S. with this mining system, a substantial number of failures have also occurred. These failures are due primarily to roof control problems usually over the face, in the tail entry, or both. Another problem area for American operators contemplating the use of this method has been correct selection of equipment, which should be custom fitted to local mining conditions for optimum productivity. It is essential that correct estimates for chock resistances, support densities, supported and unsupported roof spans, as well as rates of advance and length of working faces be provided to optimize mining conditions. Unless extensive pilot projects are planned engineers must choose their equipment correctly at the outset. A typical investment in longwall equipment will amount to several millions of dollars.

Jan 1, 1979

By Carl E. Williams

During the past two years a computer program called "COPOR," Computerized Open Pit Optimization Routine, has been developed and used for mine planning of several base metal deposits. This routine utilizes a three dimensional computerized block model of an orebody, some economic parameters and operating constraints to locate the mineable or economic limits of the deposit schedule the yearly production from the mine and produce bench by bench ore reserve summaries and maps of the yearly and ultimate pit configurations. The moving cone method is used to perform these functions with a conventional block model. This model is conventional in the sense that each block is assumed to be homogenous; i.e., either ore or waste but not a mixture of the two. Due to the nature of a seam type deposit this approach is not realistic; therefore, revisions have been made to form a new version of the COPOR program. This version has been named "COALOR," Coal Optimization Routine. COALOR contains all of the power of the COPOR program but is equipped to handle the intricacies of coal seam type deposits. The deposit can be composed of a single seam or multiple seams which are horizontal or dipping at any angle. The numerous coal quality values can be incorporated to aid the optimization of the economic pit limits and yearly scheduling.

Jan 1, 1978

By Arash Dahi Taleghani, Pooyan Asadollahi

Slurry walls, also known as diaphragm walls, are commonly used as temporary and/ or permanent support of excavation for construction of shafts in soft ground. Through case history, this paper demonstrates economical benefits of disregarding long-term structural contribution of the slurry walls particularly in severe environmental condition. In addition, for temporary slurry wall shaft systems, possibility of using steel fiber, synthetic fiber or additives in lieu of temperature/shrinkage reinforcement is discussed with detailed analysis. Finally, the paper will be concluded by introducing unreinforced slurry wall shaft system using newly developed/patented concrete additive.

Jun 13, 2021

By T. G. Melkus

A Setaram C-80 heat flux micro- calorimeter was used to study the surface and interfacial properties of fine coal particles in water containing flotation agents via heat of immersion measurements. Heat of immersion (?Himm) is usually a small exothermic quantity and can be used' to characterize a solid in terms of its relative hydrophobicity or hydrophilicity. The effects of coal type, surface oxidation, mineral matter content, kerosene concentration, and pH on the wetting characteristics were investigated. Results obtained from the calorimetry experiments correlated well with results from independent flotation experiments.

Jan 1, 1987

By D. McElhinney, J. Winfield, G. Buchan, B. Slaker, A. Iannacchione, T. Minoski, G. Rashed, M. Van Dyke, M. Murphy

"The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has previously established pillar design guidelines for the underground stone mining industry. These guidelines were created from an empirical database of pillar observations and were largely drawn from shallow, flat-lying mining operations. Current trends forecast a great amount of underground stone mines developing under deeper cover, higher seam dips, and more frequent multiple-seam mining configurations than in the past. The complex loading conditions and limited experience in these environments presents a substantial increased risk of ground failure. To investigate these loading conditions, NIOSH has installed a pillar and roof monitoring system at an underground limestone mine in central Pennsylvania. The mine is operating in a seam with dips ranging from 13 to 18 degrees and overburdens ranging from 275 m (900 ft) to 425 m (1,400 ft). Instrumentation installed in an undeveloped pillar and in surrounding strata is currently measuring pillar and roof behavior in response to stress redistribution during excavation. Laser scans are being used to measure ground displacement and changes in conditions associated with local mining conditions and significant geological features. Initial stress measurements show a gradual increase in stress in response to mining, and stress changes that correspond with blasts. The seismic system is operational, with calibration events signaling on each of the 18 sensors. INTRODUCTION Improving mine-wide ground control stability can help reduce the potential for catastrophic failure of underground structures. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has conducted prior research in stone pillar design and has established fundamental pillar design guidelines for the underground stone mining industry, which resulted in the development of the S-Pillar program (Esterhuizen et al., 2011; Esterhuizen and Murphy, 2015). The data that constitute the S-Pillar program were derived from past mining experience that was almost exclusively drawn from shallow, flat-lying, single-level mining operations1. Stakeholder interactions with NIOSH researchers have indicated that increased numbers of underground stone operations are expected to mine under significantly deeper cover, with greater seam dips, and under multi-level operating conditions (Slaker and Murphy, 2016). The complex loading conditions and limited experience in these challenging environments present a substantial increased risk of ground failure. Inadequate pillar design in these new and challenging environments could result in catastrophic wide-area pillar collapses and an increased safety burden to miners working in the U.S. limestone mining industry. To develop design guidelines and prevent inadequate pillar designs for these challenging environments, NIOSH is currently conducting detailed pillar response investigations at case-study mine sites operating in challenging environments."

Jan 1, 2018

By E. Oraby, S. Garcia, A. Thurgood, D. Bertoldi, G. O’Malley

Mining and Process Solutions (MPS) most advanced process, GlyCatTM is the only process that can be easily adapted to existing cyanidation plants in the market today whose real advantages over cyanidation are when treating copper containing ores, concentrates or tailings. With such complex material, GlyCatTM requires 70-90% less cyanide addition to achieve the same precious metal extraction. However, GlyCatTM is not simply cyanidation with added glycine. It is a completely different process where the solution chemistry and conditions needed to effectively leach the precious metals are quite different. Downstream however, the process is largely unchanged as the recovery of the leached gold and silver uses existing known processes such as conventional activated carbon or zinc cementation (Merrill-Crowe process). Another advantage is lower SCN, OCN, WAD and no free cyanide in the effluent which can substantially reduce cyanide detoxification requirements and decrease the OHS and ESG risk of the operation. This paper outline some of these differences and presents testwork, piloting and process examples to highlight the advantageous of this new process over conventional cyanidation.

Feb 1, 2023

In phosphate flotation, more than 90% of the finer fraction (-35, + 150 mesh) is recovered as opposed to 70% of the coarser material (-16, + 35 mesh). On the other hand, coarser fraction is higher in phosphate content than the finer feed. Consequently, improvement in the coarse recovery is highly desired. It was determined on bench scale that emulsification of the collector (fuel oil and fatty acid mixture) can lead to enhanced recovery of coarse particles. Flotation of phosphate with emulsified collector resulted in improved recovery and grade also on the plant scale.

Jan 1, 1992

By Delbert L. Keenon

The principal concepts of computer control and automation have been successfully applied in industries world-wide, The enthusiasm generated by the proponents of computer control, and the apparent mystery enveloping the techniques of computer control, have caused attention to be focused on this infant industry from all quarters. Consequently, the motivation to "computerize" may be the hope that computers will solve all economic problems. The truth remains that not only have there been monumental successes, but there have been some colossal failures. This paper will attempt to outline a generalized guide to computer control and present methods for avoiding some of the major pitfalls. Since the investment required for computer control systems has been drastically reduced in the past year, small operations will likely find that computerized process control is attractive in areas where it has never been considered before, The discussion presented here is intentionally non-technical and directed towards those who may soon find they have a possible application for a control computer. The primary purpose of computer control is to reduce expenditure and increase profits by improving the quality of product, increasing the efficiency of operation, reducing the materials and man hours required or a combination of these. Success or failure to reach the desired goal depends, to a large degree, on a well-planned approach. This includes recognizing a possible computer application, properly defining the job which is to be accomplished, evaluating computer systems, selecting a capable manufacturer, and following through with sound systems engineering and programming.

Jan 1, 1965

By H. J. van Antwerpen

AngloGold Ashanti operates the world`s deepest mine, Mponeng gold mine, in South Africa. A vast refrigeration and ventilation system provides acceptable working conditions 3800m below surface at 60°C rock temperature. In such a system, optimisation and assessment of modifications becomes very difficult. With that in mind, a research project was launched to determine whether recently developed system simulation technology can be applied to a mine as vast and complex as Mponeng. Using the techniques and methods as implemented in FLOWNEX software, it was indeed proven to be possible to do a mine-wide combined simulation of compressed air flow, ventilation air psychrometry and refrigeration water systems. Interactions between the various streams included heat transfer, pressure drop, evaporation and condensation. The simulation model was used in a parametric study to test various water flow and temperature operating points for the refrigeration system. It was found that, given current limitations, the mine refrigeration system is running fairly close to optimal but with some opportunities for improvement. The simulation model also provided useful insight for future changes or extensions to the system.

Feb 23, 2014

By Mark A. Krall

The Conda Partnership's Dry Valley Phosphate mine is a thinly bedded, multiple seam, open pit mining operation where selective mining techniques are used to recover phosphatic shales. The mining methods used are truck/shovel and scraper/ dozer operations. The ore that is mined is shipped 32 km (20 miles) by rail to a beneficiation facility which upgrades the ore via washing and calcining. The mine and beneficiation complexes are owned by the Conda Partnership. The Conda Partnership is a joint venture between Beker Industries Corp. of Greenwich, Connecticut, and Western Co-Operative Fertilizers (U.S.) Inc. of Alberta, Canada. The Conda Partnership operates as a separate entity from the two partners.

Jan 1, 1984

By Victor Phillips

The Humphrey Preparation Plant of Christopher Coal Company, located in Monongalia County, West Virginia, was built to process the combined production of the Pursglove No. 15 and the Humphrey No. 7 Mines. Both Mines operate in the Pittsburgh Seam, primarily producing Metallurgical Fuel destined for by-product ovens in the Pittsburgh District. The results of an extensive core-drilling program have established sufficient reserves of low-sulfur coal to justify a 20,000 ton-per-day preparation plant, This is the story of the preparation phase of this combined operation. Christopher Coal Company operated the Pursglove No. 15 Mine to produce steam coal, which was prepared in a conven-

Jan 1, 1958

By Donald B. Buddecke

The large walking dragline has been the most commonly used overburden-stripping equipment in Texas lignite mines. These draglines, operating on the highwall side of the pit, can excavate to a depth of 45 m. Considerable overburden rehandling is required beyond 30 m and may reach 100 percent by 45m. As pit depth increases, dragline operation also becomes more complex, with two or three passes being necessary to make a cut 30 to 40 m wide. Multiseam operations also require extra passes. At pit depths greater than 45 m, the dragline must be operated also from a spoil bench. This can be difficult in the unstable alluvial deposits in which lignite occurs.

Jan 1, 1985

By A. C. Kunkie, C. J. Marshall

Highly delaminated muscovite mica products (WG-1 and WG-2) have been developed by J.M. Huber Corp. The micas are characterized as a 325-mesh product having high brightness and very narrow particle size distribution. At 40% loading in polypropylene, WG-1 mica provides substantial improvement in tensile modulus and equal tensile strength to unfilled polymer; in high-density poly- ethylene (HDPE), WG-1 provides four times the tensile modulus and a 50% increase in tensile strength over unfilled polymer. Surface modification of the water-ground mica (SM ™) provides substantial improvement in tensile strength over untreated mica at greater than 20% loading in polypropylene; in HDPE, tensile strength is twice that of unfilled polymer.

Jan 1, 1988

By Steve Karl

President Reagan may be "a nice guy," but he is "misinformed, misdirected, and misadvised," when the subject is the state of the US copper industry, according to Sen. Dennis DeConcini (D-AZ). DeConcini took the opportunity as keynote speaker at the Arizona Conference AIME in Tucson to fire a few salvos at the Reagan Administration's industrial policies. "American copper used to stand above the rest of the world," he said. Now 21,000 copper workers, about half of the total, are out of work due to less expensive foreign imports. "Those 21,000 are real people, not statistics," he said. US production has been cut to one-third of its capacity, he said. And the Administration shows no signs of changing its position to favor US copper protection. "Third world copper towns are booming," he continued, "while ours are dying." Regardless of profits and despite oversupply, Chile continues to produce, he said. And, while US mines continue to close, "the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is handing more than $1 billion to six copper producing countries." President Reagan wanted $8.6 billion from the IMF. "I'm damn mad about it," DeConcini said. "For the life of me, I can't understand how this Administration can stand by while this industry is brought to its knees." Last year, the International Trade Commission ruled that imports were injuring domestic copper and recommended relief. The President, DeConcini said, vetoed those recommendations. DeConcini softened his tough talk a bit saying the President's image makes it difficult for people to not like him or stand up to him. "How can anyone stand up to President Reagan?" he asked. "He's such a nice guy. But it's time someone did. He's just misinformed, misdirected, and misadvised. We must take real action and we must have a president who understands this." DeConcini said he has introduced legislation aimed at helping domestic copper. It would limit copper imports to 385 kt/a (425,000 stpy). Imports now stand at about 635 kt/a (700,000 stpy). The bill would also impose a $0.33/kg ($0.15-per lb) duty on foreign copper. DeConcini called the duty a sort of "environmental equalizer" because that is the amount domestic producers must spend on pollution control devices. Foreign competitors do not have such controls, he said. "I face people who are damn mad that this country is being pushed around," he concluded. "It's time we stand up and say we can be competitive. If they (foreign countries) put an import duty on our stuff, we will do the same. It's time this country stopped being the nice guy." As if to underscore domestic copper's desperate situation described by the Senator, Duval Corp. announced about the same time as the meeting that it has nearly closed its eastside office in Tucson. Staff has been reduced from 120 to four. Spokesman Dean Lynch said the four will consist of President A. Everett Smith, a secretary, a person in environmental affairs, and another in purchasing. Duval is also selling an office and a laboratory in Tucson. Pennzoil Co., Duval's parent, has been trying to sell the company for more than a year. It began dismantling Duval in November 1984. Pennzoil took over its subsidiary's profitable sulfur operation in Texas, sold the New Mexico potash facility, and spun off gold interests in Nevada, forming Battle Mountain Gold. Northwest Mining Association - Spokane Rock Jenkins, Associate Editor The true role of minerals needs to be realized by both the policy makers and the people of the US, according to Robert Dale Wilson, director of the Office of Strategic Resources, US Commerce Department. In addition, a re-thinking of the theory of free trade and competitive advantage is necessary. Wilson made his remarks in December at the opening luncheon of the 91st Annual Convention of the Northwest Mining, Association in Spokane, WA. At a later press conference, Wilson said one of the mining industry's main problems is that its presence in Washington has been reduced in the past few years. Part of this can be seen by events within the American Mining Congress (AMC), he said. "The problem with AMC," Wilson said, "is that in 1981, when Reagan came in, no problems were seen for mining and a lot of their (AMC's) lobbyists were let go." He

Jan 1, 1986

By Werner Burger

After its first introduction in 2013, Variable Density TBMs have increased their application significantly in mechanized closed mode tunneling. Throughout a variety of successfully completed and ongoing projects since then, Variable Density TBM technology has demonstrated its advantages in a wide range of applications. This paper will present the developments and lessons learned from these projects as well as the future potential of Variable Density TBMs.

Jun 13, 2021