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By Rushikesh Battulwar, Javad Sattarvand, Joseph Seamons, Masoud Zare

In the last decade, new developments took place in the area of indoor positioning (or localization). Since the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) cannot be used in underground mines, other technologies are needed for localization. Positioning and communication options today primarily include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Ultra-Wideband (UWB), Radio Frequency Identification Device (RFID), etc. Smartphones and tablets currently have an array of sensors and radios, which can provide valuable information to allow indoor localization via various methods. Where mineworkers could keep smartphones with them, they can be highly effective at enabling localization and navigation. Recent applications of these technologies in underground mines have been thoroughly reviewed and examined for the likelihood of their utility for accurate localization where no other means exist. Some critical challenges and gaps that need to be addressed in future research have been identified.

Sep 5, 2021

Inn mining communities throughout the western United States, cows have always been part of the landscape as they graze on surrounding rangelands. Until recently, mining companies regarded these animals as something to be kept off their properties — especially any freshly reclaimed lands. During the last few years, though, this situation has begun to change. Today, cattle can be seen in a handful of mine settings, moving up and down the slopes of mine tailings and waste rock. These animals are being used by several companies to do some of the reclamation work once performed by large earth-moving equipment, mechanical spreaders, rippers and seed drillers. This is because cows can contour slopes more naturally and produce and spread soil nutrients in ways that tractors and ripping machines cannot.

Jan 1, 1999

By William A. Hustrulid

The subject of surface mine development is large. This section covers the fundamental concepts involved in both the open pit mining of thick or steeply dipping deposits as well as the strip mining of thin, shallow, and relatively flat-lying seams or beds. Design involves the marrying of geometries, ore and waste characteristics, equipment, and economics so that the desired result is achieved. Generally, there are many possible combinations from which to choose. For example, extraction over a short time period requires one strategy while quite another is applied for longer times. Variations in supply and demand require some flexibility of operation. Customer requirements impose certain constraints regarding the set of possible designs. Over recent years, planning and operating considerations for surface mining imposed by environmental requirements have increased markedly. There have, at the same time, been enormous advances made in the design aids available to the mine planner. Computer simulation of the various options, whether it be for mine design or equipment selection, provides detailed information for decision making in real time. A significant challenge to the engineer/planner is how to best use the aids avail-able. Because of the widespread use of commercially available and in-house computer software by industry, this section does not deal with the details of planning (for basic coverage of mine development, see Section 7). Rather, some of the basic concepts are stressed. The principles involved in equipment sizing and selection are discussed. A highly important but sometimes over-looked aspect of planning, haul road design, is also covered. For surface mining operations of the future, in-pit crushing and conveying will become even more important. Some of the considerations for application evaluation are included. The section concludes with some future concepts for surface mining.

Jan 1, 2008

By D. R. Wilburn

This summary of international mineral exploration activities for 2008 draws upon available information from industry sources, published literature and U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) specialists. The summary provides data on exploration budgets by region and mineral commodity, identifies significant mineral discoveries and areas of mineral exploration, discusses government programs affecting the mineral exploration industry, and presents analyses of exploration activities by the mineral industry based upon these data. Two types of information are reported and analyzed in this annual review of international exploration for 2008: 1) budgetary statistics expressed in U.S. nominal dollars provided by Metals Economics Group (MEG) of Halifax, Nova Scotia (Metals Economics Group, 2008a, b), and 2) information on regional and site-specific exploration activities that took place in 2008 and compiled by the USGS. The MEG information summarizes planned company budgets for worldwide exploration activities in 2008, primarily for precious metals (gold, platinum-group metals and silver) and base metals (copper, lead, nickel and zinc). MEG includes information on additional mineral commodities only where it is available. Information on uranium exploration was included in the MEG overview for the first time in 2007, although this information was not included in the USGS analysis. The MEG survey methodology was changed in 1999 to include companies with exploration budgets between $100,000 and $2.9 million, as well as those companies included in prior studies whose anticipated budgets were above $2.9 million. MEG estimates that its post-1999 surveys cover at least 90 percent of world nonferrous nonfuel mineral exploration budgets. The 2008 survey is reported by MEG to cover an estimated 95 percent. Companies that chose not to participate in the MEG study, private companies that do not publish data, and government-funded exploration activities make up the majority of the remaining 5 percent. MEG included 91 more companies in its 2008 survey than it did in 2007 USGS compilations of site data described here primarily include nonfuel minerals, with an emphasis on base metals, diamond and precious metals. Analyses are based on information provided by USGS mineral commodity and country specialists and by other USGS scientists, as well as industry contacts and trade journals.

Jan 1, 2009

By W. W. Hartley

Following a Major underground coal mine incident there followed a review of the role of mines rescue ? the Queensland Mines Rescue Brigade. It wasn?t until 2002 that the real change started to happen. The issue of geographical distance was addressed by mines rescue sub stations being located on the mines sites with parent rescue stations in a central location. The funding was by means of a levy on the mining industry with legislative standards and performance included. The previous Rescue Brigades were not well organised (central districts) and the application of recognised quality management practices within local management was lacking. The structure was based on other nations models and miners managing miners was an issue for the organisation. The reform was some what painful and the QMRS organisation will still evolve with continuous improvement. Queensland has the National Champion mines rescue team for the eighth year. QMRS is participating at the level in the industry of influencing emergency systems and training senior mine management in ?Emergency Mine Management? coaching the industry in emergency response systems. We have come a long way. We have had some success and there is always the challenge of setting the standards, those we should aspire to and the courage to influence the industry to higher goals of a safer future.

Jan 1, 2010

By L. J. Altenburg

There are a lot of key factors involved in achieving a successful Safety Program. I would like to discuss some of these factors and how they have played a major part in our success at Jacobs Ranch Mine. The areas I will cover concern: 1) Facility Standards (Corporate/Minesite), 2) Communication (Employee/Management -"Teamwork"). 3) Proper Training (Employee/Management). 4) Employee Attitude. 5) Incentive Programs. 6) Health Programs. 7) Results/Benefits.

Jan 1, 1994

By Joel K. Waterland

The Homestake Mining Company at Lead, South Dakota is one of the few remaining gold properties still in operation, in this country. The mine is relatively deep, with a bottom production level of 4250 feet, and a bottom development of 6200 feet. 4, 800 tons of ore are produced daily from three rather large, but inconsistent ore bodies; the dip of which is easterly at about 72 degrees, and the plunge to the south is about 30 degrees. The ore is, for the most part, a chlorite schist with large veins of secondary quartz and cummingtonite schist The ore is not continuous in any direction, but is localized at the ridges of the very intricate system of anti clinal folds. This property has been in active production since its establishment in 1876, except for a period during World War II. The incentive, or contract pay system, has been a gradual process that has been developed by the trial-and-error method down through the years. In looking over the old records, hand-shoveling was paid on an incentive basis as far back as 1916. Since this time, the contract system has grown until it now includes almost all types of underground work - except haulage and maintenance work

Jan 1, 1960

The 30th annual American Mining Hall of Fame Awards Banquet and Fundraiser sponsored by the Mining Foundation of the Southwest (MFSW) will be held at the JW Marriott Star Pass Resort, Tucson, AZ on Saturday, Dec. 1, 2012. Each year, one living inductee, two recipients of Medals of Merit and up to five honorees from mining history are chosen by the MFSW for their outstanding contributions to the mining industry. Gregory H. Boyce will be the guest of honor, featured speaker and inductee into the American Mining Hall of Fame. Boyce, chairman and chief executive office of Peabody Energy, is being honored for his leadership in the coal industry.

Jan 1, 2012

By K. W. Grubaugh

Indigenous people are nearly always affected when projects enter their territory. Crop and other asset compensation can help or undermine a project’s progress depending on the approach. When compensation is handled poorly, a technically viable project can get indefinitely entangled by local unrest. Stake holders associated with compensation issues include; the state, the indigenous people, non-governmental organizations, and the developer. Appreciation for the unique perspective of indigenous peoples and the influences affecting them can avert problems and prevent delays. A review of the compensation issues encountered in Ghana during its recent gold boom can assist in avoiding problems associated with handling poor and uneducated people.

Jan 1, 2002

By Angelina Anani, Nathalie Risso, Gail Heath, Dean Riley, Nilufer Akbulut, James Werner, Víctor O. Tenorio

Implementing a Digital Twin at the San Xavier Mine Laboratory (Sahuarita, AZ), requires a network redesign with a robust architecture. The goal is to create an ecosystem in where all personnel and equipment can be monitored in real-time from the University of Arizona campus, visualizing the site in a digital terrain model. A wireless mesh will help to test robots with autonomous features. Expected outcomes include data retrieval and analytics, the evolution of communications and safety protocols, tele-operation, and an innovated approach for managing the site with new supervision challenges. A timeline with expected commissioning benchmarks is also included.

Feb 1, 2024

By K. A. McDonald

This paper will describe the experiences of Hibernia Holdings, Inc. in constructing a mineral processing facility in Mexico. It will attempt to set forth a guideline on what companies attempting to operate in Mexico can expect and what actions they can take. Ownership laws, import/export laws, labor laws, security, transportation and operating experiences will be discussed.

Jan 1, 1994

The Pogo Mine, near Delta Junction, Alaska is a new 2500 STPD gold operation. The control system of the mine and milling operations are a hybrid of DCS (Distributed Control System) control and PLC (Programming Logic Controller) control. A DeltaV DCS system serves as the main control and operation platform while the PLCs operate a multitude of vendor specific packages. The communication backbone of the DCS system is a hybrid of star and ring fiber optic topology, which provides reliability and flexibility. The communication between the DCS and PLCs is typically facilitated by serial communication. This communication insures the integrity of the whole control system.

Jan 1, 2008

By B. Berhe, R. D. Lawrence, J. Hinzer

"The fortunes of mining companies and their implied value are tied to cycles - both economic and commodity – within which they operate. Hence the determination of appropriate future metal prices is one of the most critical factors faced by mineral valuators especially for advanced projects. Price, and hence revenue, is usually the most sensitive input to the valuation model. Empirical studies of past forecasts show that the success rate for commodity price forecasting is very poor. This paper explores various approaches and comments on their strengths and weaknesses. We conclude that careful evaluation of long-term metal prices is a key element and is hardly a luxury that can be left to simple averages or rules of thumb. INTRODUCTION Discounted Cash Flow (""DCF"") analysis, is well suited for the valuation of advanced mineral development assets, for which there are identified mineral resources and some form of economic assessment (Pre-Feasibility or Feasibility Study). The DCF method is also the most commonly used method for determining value for such assets. It provides a means of relating the magnitude of expected future cash flows from profits (or losses) to the magnitude of the initial cash flow (investment) needed for capital expenditures to purchase or to develop an asset for commercial production. The method proves useful in making investment decisions as it allows for the quantification of the Net Present Value (“NPV”), as well as the Internal Rate of Return (IRR) and Payback Period on initial investment capital. Valuation by its very nature is a forward-looking exercise. The DCF method attempts to estimate the NPV of expected future cash flows, by selecting factors that will likely affect future cash flow based on informed analysis. One of the most critical and sensitive factors is the determination of appropriate future commodity prices. “The variables that have the greatest impact on a DCF evaluation are the reserves, the metal prices, and the discount rate.”1 The determination of future commodity prices for valuation purpose or during M&A negotiations is a hotly contested issue. There are a number of analysts, institutions and specialized commercial data suppliers that provide both short and long-term commodities price forecasts. Also, the use of an aggregated mean for all available forecasts, or consensus forecasted prices for valuation purposes is not uncommon. The methods used in making forecasts for each forecaster may vary and in many cases may not be publically disclosed. Nonetheless, the aggregated mean of all forecasted commodity prices of reputed institutions is usually taken to “represent the market’s view of likely future commodity prices.”"

Jan 1, 2016

By G. R. Robinson

Aggregate resources consist of sand and gravel, and crushed stone. They are large-tonnage, bulk-minable mineral commodities that are used in construction and industrial activities (Tepordei, 1999, 2001).Rates of aggregate production, use and mine permit approval in the mid-Atlantic region differ by population density. These rates are influenced by economic and human factors, such as demand, costs, land availability and community opposition. In some areas, the local availability of aggregate is limited. This is due to the lack of suitable local source materials for aggregate, the loss of potential high-quality aggregate resource production sites by preemptive land development and restrictive zoning (resource sterilization), and the difficulty of developing and permitting production sites for aggregate.

Jan 1, 2004

By L. A. Clark

Although vein-, syenite-, and pegmatite-type deposits are known in Saskatchewan, recent intense exploration stems from discovery of several exceptionally high grade uranium and uranium-nickel deposits locallized near the basal unconformity of the 1.3-1.4 b.y. Athabasca Sandstone Formation. Graphitic basement rocks and post-Athabasca faulting or brecciation coincident with the unconformity are important in locallizing uranium deposits which form as tabular, shoe lace-like bodies with grades averaging over two percent and containing up to 50,000 tonnes U308. Some deposits have similar nickel contents. A few published sandstone analyses average 0.8 ppm uranium while basement granitoid and meta-sedimentary rocks vary from 0.5 to 20 ppm. In the proposed genetic model, traces of uranium are leached from these rocks by oxidized formation waters sweeping through the sandstone and along faults. Solutions are reduced and uranium is precipitated as basement graphitic meta-pelites are encountered along brecciated fault zones.

Jan 1, 1979

By M. Gunter, M. Buzon, B. McNamee

"A Google search on talc asbestos will yield over 500,000 hits – the reason being the growing number of civil lawsuits in this area. Historically the litigation was centered on amphibole-containing industrial talc. There was no debate these talcs contained amphiboles, but the issue was the definition of asbestos. Ultramafic hosted talcs, however, are formed in such a way as to not favor the formation of amphiboles in the talc; they can occur in the surrounding black-wall, also the serpentinite host rock is in direct contact with the talc. Thus allegations can be made non-asbestiform amphiboles or non-regulated serpentine group minerals can occur in the final products. INTRODUCTION Gunter (1994) wrote the following in regard to the question “What is asbestos? “The question yields different answers depending upon the audience. To a mineralogist, asbestos is a mineral form. To an engineer, it is an industrial material with several useful properties. To a medical doctor, it is an agent that might cause certain diseases. The third answer invokes several more issues: to a lawyer, a possible lawsuit; to a news reporter, a story; to an asbestos abatement worker, a job; and to a public school administrator or a parent, a nightmare.” The main function of that article was to try and provide background information to be taught at the college level to help students understand some of the issues associated with the use of asbestos in our modern society, and especially its use as a fireproofing agent in schools and public buildings. At that point in time one of the main issues was asbestos abatement as the mining and use of asbestos was waning as its health risks became more clearly known in the occupational setting. Now over 20 years later the current issue we are dealing with herein is “asbestos” occurring naturally in talc. This is a well know concern for those in the talc industry and they have been working on methods to ascertain if their products contained “asbestos” since last century. As such our articles will focus more on issues emerging from recent litigation, and the confusion that occurs, especially in the “asbestos” nomenclature as the mineralogist, engineers, doctors, and lawyers previously mentioned try to communicate. And lastly we need to remain cognizant of the fact that people are still dying of mesothelioma in the US. As a last resort to recoup expenses as they are dying they often respond to the TV advertisements we’ve all no doubt seen."

Jan 1, 2016

By V. T. McLemore

NMBGMR has been collecting data on uranium mining districts, mines and mills since it was created in 1927 and has converted years of historical data into a relational database that can be imported in ArcMap. The database includes information on mining districts, mines, mills, geochemistry, photographs, and bibliography. The available data includes location, production, reserves, geologic, geochemical, resource potential, and other data. The NURE stream-sediment data provides geochemical analyses for >27,000 samples collected in New Mexico during 1970s. The NURE hydrogeochemical data provides analyses for water samples. ArcMap includes location of individual ore bodies as polygons and incorporates the mines and NURE data as individual site locations. The purposes of these databases are to provide computerized data that will aid in identifying and evaluating resource potential, resource development and management, production, and possible environmental concerns, such as physical hazards (i.e. hazardous mine openings), indoor radon, regional exposure to radiation from the mines, background geochemical data and point-sources of possible pollution in areas of known mineral deposits.

Jan 1, 2010

By A. Nieto

A dump edge and vehicle proximity warning system is being developed at the Colorado School of Mines using GPS and wireless local area networks to improve the safety of off-highway trucks in open pit mines. After two years of research, software development, and testing in the laboratory, field tests are currently being carried out at operating limestone quarries and open pit mining operations to evaluate the effectiveness of the system under rugged operating conditions. This paper describes the progress made on this NIOSH-funded project and discuss, tests carried out recently, at the Morenci open pit copper mine in Arizona.

Jan 1, 2002

By Tim O’Neil

The US Bureau of Mines and the Santa Cruz Joint Venture (SCJV) are working on a production-scale, in situ copper recovery project in Arizona. The research is being conducted at the Santa Cruz site, located 11.2 km (7 miles) west of Casa Grande, AZ (Fig. 1). Santa Cruz is a 1.36-Gt (1.5 billion st) porphyry deposit averaging 0.6% Cu, of which 65% is oxidized, concealed beneath post-mineral alluvium at depths of 365-914 m (1500-3000 ft). The Bureau and the SCJV will evaluate in situ mining as a method for extracting copper from this previously unmined deposit. Research objectives of the Santa Cruz project are: - to demonstrate that an in situ research test can be operated in an environmentally acceptable manner ; and * to operate an in situ well pattern long enough to develop information on copper recovery and economic feasibility data. In situ mining of copper from undisturbed deposits has not been attempted commercially. There are several potential advantages with in situ mining: less exposure of miners to hazards, lower pital costs for the mine and plant and lower operating costs. In addition, there are no pits, dumps or tailings, which means less environmental impact.

Jan 1, 1991

By M. R. Shahan, W. R. Reed, P. Zhang, J. P. Rider

Roof bolter operators may be exposed to high respirable dust concentrations on continuous miner sections with blowing face ventilation when bolting is performed downwind of the continuous miner. One solution to reduce the high respirable dust concentrations is to use a canopy air curtain (CAC) to deliver clean air from a filtered blower fan directly to the bolter operators under the canopies. The influence of CAC installation in the airflow and dust dispersion around the location of the roof bolter operator can be evaluated by using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). This study, performed by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), considers two scenarios: (1) a roof bolting machine in the center of the entry for installation of the fifth row of bolts from the face, and (2) a roof bolting machine positioned close to the face for the installation of the last row of bolts. In both scenarios, the bolting machine is placed in an environment which contains 6.0 mg/m3 of respirable dust and is ventilated by a blowing curtain with 3,000 cfm (1.42 m3/s) of air. This environment is used to simulate the roof bolter machine operating downstream of a continuous mining machine. Two operation positions are simulated at the same bolting location: dual drill heads in the inward position for two inside bolts; and dual drill heads in the outward position for two outside bolts. The influence of the CAC on airflows and dust dispersion is evaluated with the CAC operating at 250 cfm (0.12 m3/s). INTRODUCTION Roof bolting machines are used to drill bolt holes into the roof of an underground mine at specified patterns and to install roof bolts to secure the roof from falling. At times, the roof bolting machine is also used to install rib bolts; however, only the roof bolting operation was considered in this simulation. Though the roof bolting operation drastically improved the safety of miners from roof falls, some roof bolter operators are experiencing health problems associated with respirable dust. Based on recent statistics [1], following a low point in the late 1990s where the prevalence of coal workers’ pneumoconiosis (CWP) in miners with 25 years or more tenure was approximately 5%, CWP now exceeds 10% for miners with 25 years or more of tenure. In central Appalachia (Kentucky, Virginia, West Virginia), 20.6% of long-tenured miners have CWP and 4.5% have progressive massive fibrosis, the most severe form of CWP. CWP, also known as black lung, is an occupational respiratory disease that has no cure and can ultimately be fatal. The only way to prevent the incidence of black lung is to eliminate miners’ exposure to respirable coal mine dust. Current U.S. regulations require that the overall respirable dust concentration to be 1.5 mg/m3 or less for a full-shift sampling if respirable quartz is not present; otherwise, the standard is 10 divided by the percent quartz (not to exceed the 1.5 mg/m3 respirable dust standard) [2, 3].

Jan 1, 2019