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By C. C. Hatch

As part of a general project to simulate a concentrator, the Brenda Mines Limited secondary crushing plant, located near Peachland, B. C., was sampled during the summer and winter of 1975 to develop a digital crushing plant simulator specific to the Brenda operation. The purpose of this simulator was to study the influence of manipulable process variables on important responses and to permit study of alternative circuit configurations if desired. This paper describes the simulation methodology employed and presents the results of a computer study of the secondary crushing plant (1).

Jan 1, 1979

By S. Zendejas-Mendivil, E. Pérez-Segura

The Cananea porphyry copper-deposit is the site of the second largest mining operation in Mexico. Mineralization is related to quartz-monzonite Laramide stocks that intrude volcanic and volcaniclastic Mesozoic rocks. The ore deposit is a stockwork and breccia-pipes system with Cu-Mo sulfides and pervasive quartz-sericite hydrothermal alteration. A study was made of the arsenic distribution in the mine and the ore-dressing plants. The arsenic (As) in the mine is related to a feldspathic quartz-porphyry type rock associated mainly with the breccia pipe structures (100-700 ppm As in the Veta 7 Breccia). There is vertical zoning, with As decreasing in the deepest part of the breccias. This As mineralization corresponds to a later sulfide hydrothermal stage. The concentrates are made of Cu, Fe and Mo sulfides and some minor quantities of As minerals. The most important copper minerals are chalcocite-covellite, bornite and chalcopyrite. Some of these minerals have 390-880 ppm As. The main As mineral is enargite[ [Cu2.97Fe0.06(As0.90 Sb0.01Pb0 01 )0.92 S4 051 and there are traces of stibioluzonite-luzonite I Cu, .95(Aso.4vSbu.49)0.9rfS4.07-Cu2 93(Aso.H4Sba.10)0.94S4.13] and of another stibioluzonite mineral type with substitution of As by Bi[Cu,96(Ascr,,'Sb0ccrB'OJ3jI~6S] These minerals contribute 80% of the As in the concentrates.

Jan 1, 1992

By M. P. A. Hames, D. R. Beaumont

INTRODUCTION Legend has it that when Isembard Kingdom Brunel was confronted with the cost and consequences of one of his bridges having failed, he responded cheerfully that the event had saved investors and taxpayers a fortune because it prevented him from repeating the same design at several other locations. To meet the demands of rejuvenating and expanding the transportation system in an era of industrial growth Brunel and his contemporaries introduced bold designs and many innovations. Great advances in design and construction techniques resulted, yet these too had their practical limits as the story tells. In the gold mining industry today we face the same challenge of expansion, yet designers must respond mindful of economic restraints. Is innovation the answer? It has two meanings; to bring in novelties and to make changes. Distinguishing between improvement and novelties, or simply recognizing the benefits and limitations of new ideas over proven technology is part of good design. This paper will illustrate the practical aspects of selecting appropriate solutions to a design problem by examining a variety of examples common throughout the industry. Since a variety of engineering disciplines contribute to the design of a gold processing plant, and each has some old wisdom to impart or new development to boast this paper is divided into the different areas of expertise involved.

Jan 1, 1987

By D. J. Shields

The Sustainable Minerals Roundtable was established in 1999 to develop a set of national level indicators to measure the contributions of mineral and energy systems to sustainable development in the USA. The U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Geological Survey are sponsors of the Sustainable Minerals Roundtable, with meetings convened by the University of Nevada, Reno. Eighteen meetings have been held in various regions of the United States to receive input from different communities of interest. Indicators are being prepared under four criteria: legal and institutional, productive capacity, environmental impact, and socio-economic. This paper reviews the process followed by the Sustainable Minerals Roundtable, and presents the priority indicators.

Jan 1, 2003

By Gary MacDonald

What is the primary function of an impact assessment? Many people at the International Association of Impact Assessment?s (IAIA) annual conference said that it is time to return to the fundamentals and consider the underlying drivers of impact assessments ? human health, safety and security. This fall, managers struggling with those fundamentals will receive extra support when a new course focusing on health and socially responsible security is launched online and in British Columbia, Canada, home to many of the world?s junior miners. Now in its 33rd year, the IAIA conference recently held in Calgary, Canada, typically brings together a range of professionals who work in the impact assessment field, including academics, as well as people conducting applied disciplines, such as social and environmental performance management. It is a chance for people grappling with how to assess impacts from projects (for example, dams, mining and other extractive projects), to compare notes and to talk about developments in how to measure, track and report on them. The comments about returning to fundamentals rose as participants talked about the ongoing and increasingly recognized divergence between three main impact assessment streams: environmental, social and health (EIA, SIA and HIA, respectively). Discussions in sessions and in the corridors included calls for streamlining, for integration, for improvement and sharing of practice ? particularly in the HIA stream, where those deeply engaged in the health discipline questioned how HIAs and their intended outcome of protecting human health can be better integrated into the EIAs or SIAs that dominate the impact assessment realm. EIAs and SIAs have become the main tool, particularly from a permitting perspective for large-scale mines, but seem to leave projects with little real information about what they need to do. Human health is not the only concern re-emerging. Although not reflected at the conference, there appears to be an emerging understanding of the need to link the determinants of health with socially responsible security practices. Companies conducting independent social performance assessments for international financial institutions based on the International Finance Corporation?s Environmental and Social Performance Standards increasingly wrestle with both community health and security issues as extractive companies encounter challenging social environments around the world. Once again, the intended outcome is to better protect human health, including avoiding health impacts from conflict, abuses and violence.

Aug 1, 2013

By G. Adel, J. M. Richardson

Mine-to-mill optimization is a holistic approach to the optimization of mining and processing operations. Developed at the Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre, it attempts to minimize energy consumption through the optimization of the particle size reduction process. The approach involves sampling and modeling of blasting and processing, computer simulation to optimize the operation and develop alternatives, implementation of the most promising alternatives, and sampling to quantify energy savings. The primary objective of the present effort is to adapt mine-to-mill technology to the aggregates industry. This paper presents an update of work being conducted at quarries operated by the Luck Stone Corporation of Richmond, Virginia.

Jan 1, 2006

We have lived through a period of strong metal pricing during the past eight to 10 years. Copper has been hovering in the range of $3-$4/lb during much of the past eight years, averaging close to $3.30/lb. Gold increased steadily from less than $300/oz levels in the early 2000s, reaching almost $1,890/oz in the third quarter of 2011, before tempering back down to the $1,200-1,400/oz range in 2013. Iron ore prices started to rise in 2005 before the staggering increases experienced in 2008- 2010, reaching almost $190/metric ton in early 2011. During the past four years, iron ore prices have ranged from $100-180/t, averaging approximately $140/t. In the aftermath of such a run, it is perhaps too easy to forget where we have come from: The copper price averaged just 77 cents/lb during the six-year period from 1998 to 2003, and averaged just over $1/lb from 1989 to 1997. The gold price averaged $350/oz during the 10-year period from 1994 to 2003. Even more dramatically, iron ore traded in the range of $10-$15/t between 1985 and 2004. So, we have seen sustained, three- to four-fold increases in copper and gold prices, and 8 to 10-fold increases in iron ore prices.

Mar 1, 2014

By Ruoming Gong, Arindam Samanta, Ragula Bhaskar

Three studies conducted at the University of Utah relating to the effect of scrubbers on face airflow patterns, the resulting dust exposure of operators and the development of a throat scrubber for continuous miners are summarized in this paper. The first study involved full-scale laboratory tests to determine the potential dispersion patterns and transport of dust at a continuous miner face, using different ventilation configurations and a scrubber. Concentration maps were developed and potential exposures at operator positions were examined. The second study involved the development of a 3-D numerical model to predict airflow patterns generated by a scrubber at a continuous miner face. The model was designed to evaluate the role of various face parameters on airflow patterns at a miner face and to complement the full-scale testing. The third study involved the design and fabrication of a low profile hydraulically powered continuous miner throat scrubber. The scrubber uses three hydraulic motors and small diameter fans to draw about 3000 cfm (1.42 m3/s) of air and uses a flooded bed scrubber to filter dust particles.

Jan 1, 1993

By R. E. Mason

Shotcrete has been used for approximately 20 years to facilitate tunnel excavation through poor ground. Early examples of such usage in North America include the recuperation of the Granduc Mines access tunnel in Northern British Columbia, and similar work performed in the Carley V. Porter and Big Walker Tunnels in the United States. Mining companies such as Craigmont Mines in B.C. and Hecla Mines have used shotcrete in their workings for the past ten years. Shotcrete is now a widely utilized fool in the mining and tunnel construction industries in North America, but the accumulated experience is too limited for many to fully appreciate the capability of shotcrete to control ground movements and to understand the limitations of this tool. It is common, for instance, to use shotcrete to "bridge the gap" between rock bolt-supported and steel-rib supported ground and to avoid the use of shotcrete in water-bearing ground. Shotcrete can, and has been, used economically and practically under most severe ground conditions.

Jan 1, 1976

By Thomas G. Langton

The demand for mineral raw materials, especially in the major industrialized nations, has grown rapidly during the past three decades. One consequence of this growth has been an increasing reliance by the large industrialized countries upon nondomestic mineral supplies. These mineral supplies, to a large extent, have been developed by capital from the major industrialized countries. Until recently, most foreign mining ventures were either wholly-owned subsidiaries or joint ventures between two or more mining companies. The recent rise of economic nationalism has substantially changed the business climate and parameters under which foreign investors operate. This paper describes some of the underlying reasons for this change and notes how investors have adapted to the new business conditions.

Jan 1, 1974

By A. Davis

Pit lake chemistry depends on the lithology and hydrologic characteristics of the ultimate pit surface, the availability of buffering capacity in the wall rock versus oxidizable sulfide content, and the alkalinity of recharging ground water. In this paper, we assess the geochemistry of 11 existing pit lakes, ranging from the acidic Red Hill and Berkeley pit lakes (pH 2.6 to 2.8) to the alkaline Yerington Pit lake (pH 8.45). Predicted pit lake chemistry is similar to that in existing pits with the long-term pit lake chemistry lying on a geochemical continuum between end members consisting of influent calcium bicarbonate ground water, and naturally occurring sulfate-rich evaporite playa lakes.

Jan 1, 1996

By JOHN R. HEBERGER, MAHIYAR F. NASARWANJI, Jonisha P. Pollard, Lydia M. Kocher

nt in the mining industry, and identifying factors associated with these injuries is critical for developing prevention efforts. This study identifies nonfatal injury incidence rates, nature of injury, work activities, glove usage, and sources of hand and finger injuries in the U.S. mining industry, as reported to the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) from 2011 to 2017. Hand and finger injuries occur at a rate of 6.53 per 1,000 full-time employees, which is nearly double the rate of the next highest affected body part, the back. Most of the hand and finger injuries were classified as cuts/lacerations/punctures (53 percent) followed by bone fractures/chips (26 percent). Materials handling and maintenance/repair were common activities at the time of the incident with miscellaneous metals — such as pipe, wire and guarding — and hand tools as the primary sources of hand and finger injury. Although the information on glove use was limited, leather gloves were most often worn when an injury occurred.

By A. Dan Rovig, C. Kevin McArthur

Technical and managerial innovations in the minerals industry have allowed continuing mining activities in the United States, and elsewhere, as gold orebody quality has diminished or has become more refractory. Of course, world markets, permitting requirements, and political processes also have created a need for innovative practices that contribute to the survival of the mineral industry. The gold industry has been transformed, during the past approximately 40 years, from a predominantly underground mining and milling type of exploitation and extraction to the large-scale, relatively low-grade type of extraction that is common in the United States today. Indeed, with the introduction of gold heap-leaching technology and the development of mines that produce from large, relatively low-grade gold orebodies in the western United States, a "new" industry was born and continues to prosper today. It is worthwhile noting, however, that Dobra (1997) has reported that one of the major trends in the North American gold industry is a movement back toward underground developments.

Jan 1, 1998

By R. C. Freas

Imported products and materials have been in the news over the last several years in a wide variety of industries. Certainly the mining and industrial minerals industry has not been exempt from this. Cement imports have received considerable attention in the press and a number of written articles. We are also seeing imported aggregates particularly along the gulf coast and east coast of the United states. We are now hearing increasing talk of bringing high brightness calcium carbonate from offshore sources into the U.s. domestic markets. This paper takes a look at the location of these sources, factors affecting their acceptance by U.S. industry and presents a general cost comparison of offshore and domestic calcium carbonate. In addition, the market response of U.S. suppliers and the impact of imports is also discussed.

Jan 1, 1989

By L. Galarza

"INTRODUCTION Beneficiation of ores and minerals in a concentrator plant requires a significant amount of water [1] for the grinding and particle separation processes; most of it ends up being recirculated for reuse, slurry pumps are used after crushing and grinding feeding the ore to a classifier to separate fine-grained material (less than 5 mm) from coarse-grained material requiring further grinding. The lower ore grades [2] in the past couple of decades have demanded an increase on power size and efficiency of process machines to maintain a competitive plant throughput; Hydro-cyclone feed pumps to control both under and over milling or grinding are not the exception; Fig. 1 shows a conventional drive train [3] comprising an (1) asynchronous motor (also known as squirrel cage induction motor = SCIM), a high speed coupling (2), a gear reducer (3) and a low speed coupling (4) attached to the shaft of the pump (5), to accommodate the motor rated speed (typically 1800 rpm) to the process requirements (in the range of 250 rpm to 350 rpm), requiring additional components related to the gearbox: instrumentation, maintenance, disposable lubricants and filters, spare parts, thus reduces the overall system efficiency ultimately reflected into CAPEX and OPEX.WHY VARIABLE SPEED DRIVES FOR CYCLONE FEED PUMPS Hydrocyclones or commonly referred as “cyclones” are one of the most important devices in the minerals industry [4]; almost universally used in close-circuit grinding because of their high capacity and relative efficiency, the evolution of Power Electronics made affordable the use of Medium Voltage - Variable Frequency Converters (VFC) for Cyclone Feed pumps in combination with induction motors larger than 500hp (373kW) to gain multiple benefits: - Soft start with minimum electrical utility disturbance = inrush current mitigation - Full Torque available at zero speed for overload startup with pulp solidification after long still stand periods, superior to any other reduced voltage starting method. - Optimum and constant pump speed (independent of the electrical network or load condition), compared to across the line SCIM operation - Flexible Motor Voltage and Speed regardless of the power distribution Voltage and Frequency - Improved Power Factor (close to unitary), over the entire operating speed range"

Jan 1, 2015

By B. Alegria

The depressing effects of different inorganic chemicals on the flotation of pyrite have been investigated in this study. The results of the flotation tests indicate that pyrite can be depressed by oxidizing as well as reducing agents under controlled conditions of pH and reagent dosage. Oxidizing reagents such as potassium chromate and potassium dichromate were found to cause complete depression of pyrite in the acidic pH range. These effects are similar to those obtained in the pyrite-cyanide system. A less stable oxidant, potassium permanganate, inhibited the flotation of pyrite at a concentration as low as 0.1 mol/L at all pH values, Addition of reducing chemicals such as ferrous chloride or manganous sulphate to the flotation of pyrite were found to produce depressing effects depending on the additive concentration and pH of the solution.

Jan 1, 1982

By CADEN VITTI, Barbara J. Arnold

Mine tailings, the byproduct of mining and mineral processing, are increasingly mass-produced as a result of increased demand for metals and minerals as well as the advancement in technology that allows for the exploitation of lower-grade ores. Lower grades can increase the volume of tailings that may contain new gangue minerals that should be evaluated for the presence of critical minerals and other valuable metals. The practice of reprocessing, while relatively new, is crucial to reducing environmental damages, obtaining valuable critical minerals from waste, and contributing to more sustainable repurposing and disposal methods. With the increase in tailings dam failures in recent years, there is a large motivating factor in remining and removing the potential hazard to benefit the safety of potentially impacted communities. In analyzing the perspectives of various domestic and international studies, this literature review will determine the feasibility of reprocessing and reutilizing mine tailings waste for a more sustainable future while exploring current practices that have benefitted ecosystems and communities.

By Robert T. McKnight

Introduction The minerals exploration business, like many businesses, is faced with the problem of valuing future, risky cashflows. These cashflows are derived from those mineral deposits which have been successfully commercialized. Many deposits, however, do not have the quantities or grade of ore to be considered economic at the projected metal prices using the traditional tools of the Capital Asset Pricing Model and discounted cashflow analyses. If one calculates the future revenues, costs and cashflows of one these marginal properties, and discounted it at the appropriate risk-adjusted discount rate, it may have a negative present value. Yet such a property may still have real, positive value in the marketplace. Why would a firm pay money for a property with an (apparent) minus present value? Mining properties such as these are bought and sold in arms- length transactions on a regular basis. Why is this so? Part of the reason relates to the nature of ore reserve information. To generate cashflows, the analyst must t assume that the reserve information is known with certainty when, in fact, reserves are not known with certainty. Mineral reserves are a function of commodity price, extraction costs and the level of (usually drilling) information about the reserves. Stated, or currently known, mineral inventories may vastly understate the true state of nature. Some firms may therefore be buying a property based on a completely

Jan 1, 1988

By U. F. Beichmann

INTRODUCTION The City of Oslo together with the neighbor municipalities, Baerum and Asker, are presently building a jointly owned sewage treatment plant located on the west side of the inner Oslofjord. The project is scheduled for completion late 1981. Because the location of the treatment plant is at a distance of about 20 miles (30 km) from the city center, a discharge of more than 13 yds 3/sec (10 m3/sec.) of sewage and storm water will have to be transported over considerable distances. The topography of the area and the geological conditions early indicated that the only realistic transport method had to be through tunnels. As planning proceeded, full face tunnel boring emerged more and more as a favorable alternative to conventional drill and blast medhods. Today the scheme comprises nearly 25 miles (40 km) of tunnels being excavated by full face tunnel borers. In addition a number of access tunnels and cross cuts are to be excavated by conventional methods.

Jan 1, 1979

By R. C. Berry

The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) has become a routine requirement for mining operations on federal lands. A similar document is being required in developing countries. Baseline studies are needed prior to writing an EIS and these studies involve surface water, groundwater, air quality, and wildlife/ native plant evaluations. The required baseline hydrology and geochemical studies are often the most expensive and lengthy evaluations. This paper summarizes the hydrology and geochemical baseline studies required for .An EIS and presents suggested methods to expedite these studies and to shorten the time and the cost to complete the studies and the EIS.

Jan 1, 1999