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By Raj K. Singhal

Three principal activities are involved in planning and developing a surface mine. These are 1) definition of economic and technical feasibility, 2) design, procurement and construction, and 3) mining and reclamation. The last is the only activity which begins in the feasibility study and continues throughout the life of a mine. It is also the activity which depends heavily on use of computers. This paper deals with a method of selecting mining software and dwells on the recent progress, made in this area. Discussed also is the status of computerized equipment management and information systems: a microprocessor based technology applied to dispatch systems, monitoring of equipment health and performance, wireless data transmission to a centralized data processing unit, and mine- wide information and reporting system. Reference has been made to upcoming developments which offer the potential- of transforming the surface mine of the year 2000 into a "manless pit". Canadian achievements in all of these areas have been highlighted at appropriate places in the text.

Jan 1, 1989

By C. Peppin, H. McLoren, D. Bayer

Hecla Mining Company and Master Builders Inc. conducted a study to evaluate the use of admixtures in reducing backfill binder concentrations. Additionally, admixtures were evaluated to help mitigate the occurrence of cold joints in the fill. Initial results demonstrated a 20% reduction of cement was possible while maintaining critical strength and flowability criteria. Admixtures also helped to control the formation of cold joints in backfilled areas.

Jan 1, 2001

By Larry DeGraff

With the increase of new mine development in the past several years, many coal mines have decided to self- perform the design and construction for their slope development projects. The development process of determining the proper configuration is challenging, and a major economical consideration. Greenbrier Smokeless Minerals engineering staff and consultants, along with DSI/American Commercial, developed a support configuration that was best suited for their slope. The developmental process took into consideration the length of slope, depth of slope at the high-wall transition, economics of a single or multiple entries, waterproofing, stresses on the steel supports and lagging during the backfilling operation. This paper describes the developmental concept of using a single entry, side by side configuration, using steel ?Banjo String? supports with steel plank lagging, to develop a long term permanent installation in a cut and cover application.

Jan 1, 2009

By D. A. Robbins

The application of remote sensing for environmental measurements is already being utilized. Aircraft mounted imaging spectroscopy has been utilized to evaluate areas of historical mining operations as well as active mine sites. To the extent that remote sensing can provide more sensitive, cost effective, and timely monitoring potential, the technology is of interest to the industry. Questions remain about the application and validation of the data and the availability of the technology in the private sector. This presentation will discuss some of the potential uses, benefits, and concerns related to remote sensing and efforts to monitor the technology's development.

Jan 1, 1999

By Thomas F. Pugsley, Wilf J. Davies, James Gallagher

Falconbridge Limited is developing a major nickel mine at Craig which lies between 600 m, 915 m and 1500 m below surface and is accessed on the 600 m and 1250 m levels of Onaping Mine. To supply adequate ventilation for mine development and initial ore production, two raises, 1200 m long are to be driven in norite and granitic gneiss. Falconbridge has purchased a Robbins 97RL Raise Drill and a string of 330 mm drill pipe to ream these raises in 600 m legs at diameter. The paper describes the introduction of deep hole, large diameter raise boring technology into Falconbridge operations involving contractors and specialists in the technology.

Jan 1, 1989

By Berthold Pilz

The importance of a power economy that is efficient both in technological and economic terms has been clearly recognized in recent years. In 1977 the German Federal Government therefore introduced its Energy Research and Energy Technologies Program 1977-1980, which consolidates the government activities in the field of nuclear and non-nuclear energy research. The priority objectives of this program can be summarized as follows: safeguarding the medium- to long-term energy supply in the Federal Republic of Germany at reasonable overall macroeconomic cost, taking into account the requirements of environmental protection and the safety of the population. In the field of coal mining technologies, about 200 research projects are currently under way. A total of DM 1.7 billion is earmarked for research to be conducted in this area between 1977 and 1980.

Jan 1, 1979

By Tetevi B. Wilson

Analysis of the distribution of ore-bodies in space can be useful generally in the estimation of mineral resources or the management of exploration. This study is di¬rected to analysis of the undiscovered potential of well known areas of mining district size, referred to as metallogenic units (MUs). The analysis employs an effort¬ adjusted and truncated probability model for number of occurrences within a subdivision (quadrat) of a MU and Monte Carlo sampling to generate an approximation to the probability distribution for number of occurrences and number of mines within an MU when it is totally explored. Exploration potential for Monitor, Bodie, Au¬rora and Camp Douglas MUs (Walker Lake quadrangle of Nevada and California) are estimated to be 9, 4, 7 and 4 mines, respectively.

Jan 1, 1992

By Kenneth A. Gutschick, Harry L. Francis

A large number of minerals and chemicals (Table 1), some mineral-derived, are used in the treatment of both potable water and domestic sewage waste water and solids (Anon., 1990). In water treatment there are ten principal process uses as shown in Table 2 (Anon., 1990), which also lists the major chemicals in each process. Since lime (calcium oxide, calcium hydroxide, and dolomitic lime) is the largest chemical (by tonnage) used in water treatment, this chapter will deal primarily with this product. Note that it is included in five of the process uses shown in Table 2, and that indirectly it is also used in at least one other category (taste and odor control, where lime is used with potassium permanganate to provide optimum pH condition). POTABLE WATER TREATMENT Water Softening The biggest use for lime in water treatment involves water softening, where it serves to reduce carbonate hardness caused by dissolved bicarbonate and carbonate compounds. Currently there are more than 1000 domestic water softening plants (Table 3) located in most sections of the country, but particularly in Ohio, other midwestern states, Florida, and Texas, where limestone bedrock abounds (Anon., 1990). Among the other uses for lime in water treatment are coagulation, disinfection, and removal of heavy metals due to high pH softening, removal of certain radioactive and organic compounds and fluorides, neutralization of acidic water, removal of silica, particularly with dolomitic lime, and removal of color. Most of the above advantages accompany water softening, although at some plants lime is used specifically for one purpose, such as silica removal with dolomitic lime, minimizing pipeline corrosion by addition of lime to correct an aggressive water, and others. Hardness in water comprises two types - carbonate hardness, caused by dissolved calcium and magnesium carbonates and bi- carbonates, and non-carbonate hardness caused by dissolved non- carbonate salts, particularly calcium sulfate, calcium chloride, magnesium sulfate, and magnesium chloride. Total hardness is the sum of the carbonate hardness and non-carbonate hardness. Waters are classified as soft (0 to 75 mg/L as CaCO,), moderate (75 to 150 mg/L), hard (150 to 300 mg/L), and very hard (above 300 mg/L). Most water plants strive to reduce total hardness to about 100 mg/L, although in recent years the tendency in some cities has been to allow a little higher value in order to reduce both chemical costs and the amount of water softening sludges produced. There are four basic types of softening plants: lime softening, primarily to reduce carbonate hardness; lime-soda softening, for reduction of both types of hardness (in some plants caustic soda is used in place of soda ash, but it is more costly); split lime-zeolite, where a base exchange mineral is employed in place of soda ash (this system also requires salt [sodium chloride] to regenerate the zeolite mineral); and finally zeolite softening, which is generally used in small systems for private houses and small municipalities. Principal disadvantages of the latter system are its relatively high cost and the salt requirement, which introduces considerable quantities of soluble salts into the waste water discharge system.

Jan 1, 1994

By Natarajan K. A.

During sulphide ore grinding, electrochemical interactions between grinding medium and the minerals play a significant role in bringing out enhanced ball wear on the one hand and alter the surface property of the ground minerals on the other. The role of the flotation reagents added simultaneously during grinding with respect to ball wear as well as flotation is yet to be established. Electrochemical measurements such as rest potential, combination potential and galvanic current between sulphide mineral and ball material couples have been carried out in the presence and absence of flotation reagents to understand the nature of electrochemical interactions between ball material and sulphide mineral. Electrochemical mechanisms and models have been proposed to explain the role played by the flotation reagents during different binary, ternary and quaternary interactions with respect to ball wear during grinding.

Jan 1, 1992

By R. Frenette, A. W. Mo, H. A. Hamza

Fine particles present major technical and economic problems to those who deal with solid/liquid separation processes. In the coal industry the problem is compounded by the large amounts of produced fines such as those present in Western Canadian coals. Flocculants in the form of high molecular weight water soluble polymers are commonly considered an effective solution for the enhancement of the separation process. These reagents are relatively expensive especially when considering a low-price commodity such as coal. Optimization of the use of these reagents is therefore an operational necessity. Six polymers were evaluated as to their effectiveness in flocculating a fine coal tailing. Results were compared with those for a reference flocculant, in-use at that time in the washery. It was shown that, in general, flocculants significantly improve the solid/liquid separation process. The ranking of the flocculants as to their effectiveness in settling and filtration indicated that the best flocculants for settling were not necessarily the most effective for filtration. Flocculants that showed the best filtration improvement were generally cationic and those best for settling were anionic.

Jan 1, 1988

By George D. Roberts

Dams are constructed to retard the flow of water or debris; therefore natural forces are constantly at work to remove such obstructions. To circumvent nature and avoid expensive trouble with a dam requires thoughtful far-sighted planning, careful construction control and vigilant periodic inspections to detect and repair deterioration at its inception. Although the factuality of the foregoing statements is apparent, all too many have failed to consider them in the past as will many in the future. "The economic, but safe construction of dams calls for the highest order of technical knowledge, practical experience and sound judgment." (1)

Jan 1, 1967

By Bruce C. Trent

The need for effectively evaluating the potential for surface subsidence due to under- ground mining has been widely documented. As the emphasis within the coal mining industry changes to reflect the increasing demand of this resource, the potential for damage due to differential surface subsidence will certainly become more acute. The present state-of-the-art of predicting ground motion due to underground excavations is, at best, primitive when one considers the immense complexity of possible geological inter- actions. For the most part predictions have been limited to empirical evaluations based upon earlier case histories. While the tools of the subsidence engineer are limited, they are important and serve to provide reasonable bounds for possible ground motion. As underground mining becomes more extensive, however, there will be many instances where excessive subsidence will be most undesirable and yet there may be few, if any, case histories similar to the operation in question.

Jan 1, 1982

By W. E. Foreman, A. Hayatdavoudi, A. Ghalambor

The objective of this investigation was to determine the sensitivity of three selected input parameters in the operational control of continuous bottom fed thickeners used for the treatment of coal refuse slurries. The three variable parameters were "Feed Flow Rate," "Feed pH," and "Feed Solids Concentration." These three input parameters were studied under three cationic-anionic polymeric conditions. For each polymeric condition, two mathematical models were developed, one for overflow response and the other for underflow response. The combination polymers produced the best quality of overflow and underflow. For this polymeric condition, change in the feed solids concentration was the most sensitive factor in the maintenance of the overflow quality, and the feed pH was the most sensitive factor for the maintenance of underflow quality. The mathematical models generated a set of plots that would allow an operator to control and/or adjust any of the three variables to achieve optimum conditions.

Jan 1, 1991

By Michael DiMatteo, Michael D. Gardner, Eric F. Perry, John K. Felbinger, Robert S. Evans

A hydrologically isolated surface coal mine was reclaimed using acid material handling, alkaline addition and ground-water management techniques. Eight pit floor drains were installed during reclamation to intercept ground-water flow in the mine backfill and minimize water table buildup. All drains began flowing within six months of installation. Water quality and ground-water discharge have been monitored for four years after mine closure. A thin water table aquifer about five to seven feet thick has developed in minespoil about 20 to 40 feet thick. Ground-water flow direction is largely controlled by geologic structure and the drains. Median ground- water discharge is about 0.43 gallons per acre per minute, and varies an order of magnitude between wet and dry seasons. About 19 % of precipitation enters the aquifer as recharge. Seven of the eight drains typically discharge net alkaline water. Alkalinity is produced continuously and concentrations are highest during dry periods. Conversely, sulfate and acidity concentrations increase during wet periods as slugs of accumulated acid products are leached. Overall water quality is controlled principally by minespoil geochemistry and added alkaline material. The drains have successfully directed ground-water to a planned discharge area. Without the drains, a ground-water mound was expected to form against a buried highwall and discharge over a large area.

Jan 1, 2000

By W. R. Penney, J. M. Richardson, J. Y. Oldshue

Introduction The mining industry has for years underrated the value of mixing in mineral processing unit operations. In present-day operations where leaching is playing an ever increasing role in the total profit picture, the need for good mixing is becoming more obvious. The engineer in the research laboratory and in the operations is by necessity becoming more familiar with the concepts of mixing. This section is designed to provide the engineer with mixing data and correlations sufficient to assist in the general planning of simple mixing systems.

Jan 1, 1985

By R. W. Barbaro, R. V. Ramani

Generally, production planning is concerned with the best use of fixed resources to determine a production schedule for one or more production units supplying one or more markets. Production scheduling determines when each production unit will be used and its production level. However, the production scheduling problems are intimately associated with the location of existing or new production units and processing facilities. Normally, mine location allows only a limited choice; processing plant types and locations are considerably more flexible. This paper presents a generalized multiperiod MIP model as an aid in determining the mine production schedule and the processing plant types and location to satisfy multiple markets. A brief description of MIP and how it has been applied in the mineral and other industries is discussed. A complete description of the model with an application to a coal preparation plant system is presented.

Jan 1, 1987

By James J. Guesk, Robert W. Reisinger, Timothy C. Richmond

A high-altitude (2,900 m [9,500 ft]) historic underground copper mine in Wyoming is discharging copper-laden water with a neutral pH into an otherwise pristine creek. The Wyoming Abandoned Mine Land program is reclaiming the site under a CERCLA deferral agreement. The clean-up goal is to reduce copper in the mine discharge so that the creek can eventually support a trout fishery. A pilot-scale passive treatment test utilizing sulfate-reducing bacteria has been conducted at the site beginning in summer 1997. Test results show significant reduction in copper concentrations in near-freezing mine water at flow rates ranging to 19 liters per minute (5 gpm)

Jan 1, 2000

By Gordon R. Wicker, Willem P. C. Duyvesteyn, Robert E. Doane

A versatile acid leach process has been developed which is applicable to a broad range of oxide nickel ores. Inherent in this process are high recoveries of nickel and cobalt, as well as a relatively low energy consumption. These features extend the range of economic exploitation of laterite deposits to low grade limonites and to garnieritic ores not suitable for pyrometallurgical processing. Particular advantages can be realized in treating orebodies containing both limonite and garnierite and ores containing significant amounts of cobalt.

Jan 1, 1979

It doesn't take any special acumen to note that US engineering and construction firms are busier than ever with mining projects in this mineral conscious world. This special issue of Mining Engineering takes a look at E&C companies-their expanding role, their special capabilities, and their challenges and problems. ME sent a questionnaire to a representative sample of E&C firms. Information was sought about officers, ownership, and amount of business. ME also asked about types of projects and commodities dealt in as well as market distribution and forms of payment. The accomnanying charts show how the 17 responding E&C firms answered these and other questions. Other ME survey questions, and a review of company literature, yielded information about financing techniques and special challenges for E&C firms. Insights were gained concerning government impacts, customer-generated problems, and promising areas for development-including synfuels-in the minerals industry. These areas are discussed later in this article. Accompanying articles in the special issue discuss the E&C company's role in mining projects, research and development in E&C firms, one approach to contract work used by an E&C firm, and an E&C project case study.

Jan 10, 1980

By A. C. Burrow, R. P. King

A dynamic model that predicts the variation of carbon content with time in the argon-oxygen decarburization (AOD) process has been developed. The model recognizes three distinct zones in the AOD vessel: the tuyere region in which the blown oxygen reacts very rapidly with the metal components in the molten alloy; a region in which bubbles of inert gas and oxide drop lets rise through the molten alloy; and a zone in which the slag layer can interact with the molten alloy. The process is dynamically controlled by the rate at which dissolved oxygen, produced on the surface of rising oxide droplets, and dissolved carbon diffuse through the molten alloy to react at the surface of the rising bubbles. The rate at which carbon and oxygen react on the bubble surface is assumed to be intrinsically very fast. Predicted decarburization rates compare reasonably well with rates measured in the AOD vessel at Middleburg Steel and Alloys. The model has been developed primarily to allow development of a time-optimal blowing stategy for the AOD vessel.

Jan 1, 1990