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By V. Osterholt

Sustainable development of mineral resources is based on a spatial model of the orebody that is only partly known from exploration drilling and associated geological interpretations. As a result, orebody models generated from the available information are uncertain and require the use of stochastic conditional simulation technique. This paper considers three methods for simulating orebody geology: (1) pluri-Gaussian simulation that limits the allowable contacts between the various units; (2) sequential indicator simulation using indicator kriging; and (3) an experimental multiple-point approach that captures some higher-order spatial statistics. The data requirements of the methods, how to meet them in mining applications, and performance characteristics are discussed. The application of these methods in a hypothetical deposit consisting of three geological units provides a comparison and illustrates the advantages of the different simulation approaches.

Jan 1, 2005

By Kazuo Magata, Hirohiko Fujita, Masazumi Tashiro, Yoshiaki Sato, Yoshio Shinoda

The Shinkansen of the Japanese National Railways (JNR) presently in operation between Tokyo and Hakata, approximately 1,000 km, was constructed at three stages: between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka opening in 1964, Shin-Osaka and Okayama in 1972 and Okayama and Hakata in 1975. Works on the extension of 400 km from Okayama to Hakata were launched in March 1970. As construction of the undersea Shin-Kanmon Tunnel on the extension was the toughest task, requiring many, many months, the work was undertaken earlier than any other works on the extension. It was brought to its completion in June 1974 at the cost of about 22, 000 million yen. The Shin-Kanmon Tunnel is the third undersea tunnel constructed to connect the main island of Honshu and Kyushu across the Kanmon Straits. (Table 1)

Jan 1, 1976

By J. A. Mielczarski

An infrared external reflection spectroscopy (ERS) technique has been developed to study the structure of the adsorbed layer of ethyl xanthate formed on copper and natural chalcocite (Cu2S) electrodes. The infrared technique provides information concerning the identity and the orientation of the adsorbed species at monolayer and submonolayer coverages. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) studies have also been conducted to monitor changes at the surface. The results show that the first oxidation peak on the voltammograms for copper and the first and second oxidation peaks on the voltammograms for chalcocite electrodes are not characteristic of a chemisorbed xanthate species, which is contrary to what has been reported by other investigators previously. As evidenced by the XPS spectra, there was an increase in sulfur relative to copper on the copper and chalcocite surfaces over the potential region where these oxidation processes occur. The spectroscopic results (ERS, XPS) indicate that the second and third (on copper) and the third and fourth (on chalcocite) oxidation processes recorded on the voltammograms are due to cuprous ethyl xanthate adsorption. The orientation of the adsorbed molecules of xanthate was observed to change with increasing surface coverage. Therefore, it has been concluded that xanthate can modify the copper and chalcocite surface in two different ways. At lower potentials, xanthate is a source of sulfur for the formation of a sulfur-rich surface. At higher potentials, an adsorption layer of cuprous ethyl xanthate is formed. Contact angle measurements show that both of these processes of xanthate surface modification lead to an increase in the hydrophobicity of the substrates.

Jan 1, 1990

By Peter C. Ashbrook

The Regional Copper-Nickel Study was initiated in large part because of fears that copper-nickel development might cause adverse effects on the environment from air pollutants such as sulfur dioxide (SOZ) emissions from a smelter, and water pollutants such as acid mine drainage. The Study comprehensively examined the potential for ad- verse effects on the environment and possible mitigation measures on both a local and regional scale by first characterizing existing air and water quality, and existing sources of pollution, and then developing hypothetical development scenarios to model potential adverse effects. This paper gives a brief overview of the Study's findings concerning air and water resources.

Jan 1, 1980

By Alain Broussaud, Guy Fourniguet, Jacques Franck, Pierre Conil

Steady-state simulation is now in current use to assist mineral processing plant design and optimization. However, the reliability of results generated by simulators has not until now been seriously investigated. A simulator supervision algorithm was designed and programmed to study both the influence of the reliability of experimental data on the accuracy of unit operation model calibration, and the influence of unit operation model accuracy on the results of direct plant simulations. An application to a grinding flotation plant is described and discussed. The approach may open the way to the quantitative analysis of the risks taken in mineral processing projects, which would be similar to the application of geostatistics to mining projects.

Jan 1, 1990

By P. Rambalee

A multiple coal fired boiler house provides steam for utility usage in various production plants. Maintaining stable header pressure and boiler availability is of critical importance for downstream consumers. Advanced Process Control comprising of a G2 based expert system and Model Predictive Control was implemented to improve the boiler house performance. The results yielded improvements in the main header pressure stability, reduction in boiler saturation and significant saving in coal consumption. All information used for this document is from a published whitepaper written and led by Prevlen Rambalee (Anglo Platinum) and Gustaf Gous (BluESP) titled, ?Control and Stabilization of a Multiple Boiler Plant: An APC Approach?.

Jan 1, 2012

By Frederick B. Brien

For many years tin mining in Bolivia has been very important to the economy of the country. In recent years the tin content of the ore reserves has been steadily declining. An improvement in concentration efficiency is highly desirable in order to increase productivity from the present-low-grade mine ores and to allow retreatment of the many millions of tons of tailings from past operations, some of which equal the present ores in tin content. A number of investigators have been or at present are working on various phases or approaches to the problem. Gravity concentration is used in Bolivia today as it has been in the past to recover tin minerals from the mine ores. An objective of the work reported in this paper was to examine the possibility of treating present low-grade ores and sink-float tailings products, at a relatively coarse grind, in order to produce a higher grade feed material to the present gravity concentration plants. The possibility of using heavy liquids in cyclones to treat large tonnages with a minimum of outlay presented itself and is of particular interest since appropriate heavy liquids are available and with physical properties which lend themselves to simple recovery methods. Tests were carried out using a closed circuit laboratory cyclone assembly. It was desirable to determine the value of using the SG50 concept and Tromp curves for analyzing the cyclone concentration test results. The effects of entrained water on the behavior of ore particles in the cyclone were examined.

Jan 1, 1964

By Mustafa Akser

The Pipestone Lake anorthosite complex in Manitoba, Canada, was recently been re-identified as a potential source for titanium, iron, and vanadium. The present study utilized a 350 kg hard rock sample, which originated from the "Main Central" zone of the deposit. Commercial pilot-size equipment, such as dry low intensity roll magnets, wet high intensity magnets (WHIMS), and high tension electro-dynamic roll separators, was employed. As products, ilmenite up to 48.5% TiO2, and magnetite concentrates up to 87.9% Fe3O4 with 5.25% TiO2 were obtained. The majority of the vanadium reported to the magnetite concentrate. Subsequent characterization of various separation products shed light on the potential grade and recovery of the minerals from this deposit.

Jan 1, 1996

By James L. Hendrix

This paper is intended to give the reader an update on the work being done at the Mackay School of Mines about the fate of cyanide on precious metals mill tailings waste. During the last two years several tailings impoundments have been sampled and analyzed for total and free cyanides. From our sampling program we are beginning to learn valuable information concerning the fate of cyanides in precious metals mill wastes. Included in this paper is a detailed description of our sampling and analytical techniques. Also, some of the data obtained from five sites are given.

Jan 1, 1986

By E. A. Schmidt

The Thompson Creek molybdenum deposit is located in the Bayhorse mining district about 20 air miles southwest from Challis, Idaho. Cyprus Mines Corporation began exploration on the property in 1968, and at present is in the pre-production stripping phase. Molybdenum mineralization is contained in a late Cretaceous (88 m.y.), composite, biotite granodiorite-quartz monzonite intrusive complex. The complex intruded carbonaceous argillites, causing local silicification and hornfelsing of the sedimentary rocks. The main portion of the orebody is unconformably overlain by up to 1000 ft of Challis volcanic rocks (49 m.y.). Surface mineralization and related rock alteration can be recognized over a 2500- x 8000-ft area extending northwesterly from the discovery outcrop. Molybdenite occurs in a network of subparallel quartz-biotite-muscovite-orthoclase veins and veinlets within the intrusive rocks. The zone of +0.020/0 Mo mineralization outlines a steeply dipping tabular configuration in the main orebody and gradually changes into a hood-shaped configuration along strike to the northwest. The overall grade [ ] of the deposit is controlled by the abundance of the quartz- molybdenite veins and veinlets in the intrusive rock. Very little disseminated mineralization is present, and no economic mineralization occurs in the argillaceous sedimentary rocks. Muscovite, biotite, and orthoclase/microcline define three alteration zones that conform with the overall zone of mineralization. The upper alteration zone contains dominantly muscovite and sericite associated with quartz veins. The central zone contains coarse biotite and locally orthoclase and microcline. Molybdenite is most abundant within this zone. The lower zone contains thin envelopes of orthoclase/microcline around quartz veins. Based on about 313,000 ft of drilling and 8592 ft of underground development work, computer-derived ore reserve calculations indicate 200 million tons averaging 0.1 1% Mo at a 0.050/0 Mo cutoff grade with a waste to ore stripping ratio of about 3:l.

Jan 1, 2013

By Frank F. Aplan

Introduction Heavy media separation (HMS), also called dense media or float¬sink separation, is one of the newer forms of gravity concentration. Though the concept can be traced to the last century, the process has enjoyed its major growth since 1940. Heavy liquid separation is a mutation. The heavy media process is used extensively to clean coal and for the concentration of a wide variety of ores such as those of iron, lead-zinc, chrome, manganese, tin, tungsten, fluorspar, magnesite, sylvite, garnet, diamonds, gravel, etc. It may be used where ever a significant density difference occurs between two minerals, and commercial separations are typically made in the range of 1.3 to 3.8 sp gr. The particle size treated ranges downward from 6-8 in. top size. Particles greater than about 1/16-in. (10 mesh) may be treated in a "static" bath, though for reasons of separation efficiency, + 1/2 -in- feed is usually preferred. For particles less than this size, separation in a heavy media cyclone is generally used. The flowsheet of a typical heavy media process, in this case one using a ferrous medium, is shown in Fig. I. In essence, the process consists of: (1) preparation of the feed usually by wet screening to remove undesired fines, (2) heavy medium separation, and (3) removal and recovery of the medium from the separated products. Many muta¬tions of the basic scheme are possible and numerous options are possi¬ble. HMS offers the following potential advantages:12 1) Ability to make sharp separations. 2) Ability to change the specific gravity of separation quickly to meet changing conditions. 3) Ability to remove products continuously. 4) Ability to treat a broad size range of products. 5) Ease of start-up and shutdown without loss of separating efficiency. 6) Relatively low medium cost and low media losses. 7) Low operating and maintenance costs. 8) High capacity with the use of relatively little floor space. 9) Relatively low capital investment per ton of capacity. The process may be used to produce a finished concentrate, two finished concentrates, or a concentrate and a middling of differing quality, or a preconcentrate by rejection of unwanted gangue. It is an ideal method for the reprocessing of coarse waste dumps. The greatest use for the process lies in coal cleaning and in the preconcentration of ores. The relatively inexpensive heavy media process may be used advantageously to reject large quantities of coarsely crushed gangue. When used in this way, the process will allow: (1) the use of lower cost but less selective mining methods with the "overbreak" material being removed at the front end of the concentrator or preparation plant; (2) a substantial reduction in the quantity of ore that must be finely ground for subsequent mineral liberation and separa¬tion. Since comminution is often the single most expensive step in beneficiation, it is desirable to eliminate as many essentially barren pieces of rock as possible before the grinding step, (3) a decrease in overall plant capital cost per ton of concentrate since the size of the plant from the dense medium step onward will be smaller. Several general references are available,12-18 though much of the technical data on the process is widely scattered in the general litera¬ture. Heavy Liquid Separation Organic Liquids Given sufficient settling time, it is possible to make a perfect separa¬tion between two particles of differing density by placing them in a liquid whose density is intermediate between the two. This means of achieving a perfect separation has proven to be elusive because of problems in feed preparation, particle settling rates, operational considerations, and economic constraints. There are a wide variety of heavy liquids that could be used, most of them halogenated hydrocarbons, and a few typical examples are given in Table 4. These liquids are most commonly used in ore dressing for the laboratory fractionation of ore particles on the basis of specific gravity. Laboratory Separations. Using liquids typified by those given in Table 4, separations are made to develop either the standard washability curves used to estimate the response of a given sample to gravity concentration or to prepare a partition curve to evaluate the effective¬ness of a given gravity separation process or piece of equipment. A typical washability curve is given in Fig. 2.19 Such curves are generated for raw coal, e.g., by treating either the whole or various size fractions of the sample in a series of heavy liquids and analyzing the various specific gravity fractions so produced. The procedure is relatively simple for coal samples because of the ready availability of a wide variety of relatively low cost heavy liquids in the density range 1.2¬-2.0. For ores the problem is much more complicated, because only a few high density liquids, all of rather high cost, are available. Parti¬tion curves are generated in the same manner by treating the separated products in the same liquids. Greater details on the procedures to be used in heavy liquid separa¬tions are to be found in the literature (for coal, Refs. 13, 14 and 19 and for ore, Refs. 20 and 21). For testing coal, calcium and zinc chloride solutions have been used extensively in the past, though today halogenated hydrocarbons (available under the trade name Certigrav) are the preferred media. The liquids shown in Table 4 may

Jan 1, 1985

By D. M. Thayer

Dry magnetic separation of feebly magnetic minerals and wet magnetic separators suitable for highly magnetic minerals have been commercially utilized for a number of years. The beneficiation of magnetic taconite ores by conventional, low intensity magnetic separators in combination with flotation is well established technology (1). However, over the past decade much effort has been expended in developing techniques for the upgrading of feebly magnetic oxidized iron ores (2,5). Such research and development have been stimulated by the limitations of the above-mentioned techniques in application to ores containing fine material; for example, ores requiring fine grinding for liberation or slime-forming ores such as the oxidized taconites or semi-taconites. Wet separation has allowed the reduction of the minim particle size that can be effectively treated from that allowable for high intensity dry magnetic separation. Consequently, the development of high intensity wet magnetic separation methods has received much attention in the search for an effective method to treat the weakly magnetic minerals. Recently Lawver and Hopstock (5) have provided an excellent review of the state of know- ledge of this technology. In addition, a valuable compendium of available laboratory and commercial devices is included. Nonetheless, the feasibility of the use of high intensity magnetic separation in a particular application is largly empirical in nature and requires experimentation to chazacterize the response of a particular ore. The purpose of this paper is to assess the incorporation of high intensity magnetic separation for the beneficiation of a non- sliming specular Michigan hematite. Particular attention is focused on the existence of a lower limit of particle size that can be treated effectively and is inherent in the use of these techniques. Additionally, a rationalization of various models presented in the literature is attempted.

Jan 1, 1979

By J. R. Koehler

Mining practices at the Sunnyside Mines, Sunnyside Coal Company, Sunnyside, UT, have been documented by U.S. Bureau of Mines researchers to preserve the extensive history of yield pillar-based longwall gateroad system evolution on the property. An overview of the historical mining conditions, practices, and innovations that resulted in the evolution of the two-entry yield pillar gateroad system currently employed at Sunnyside was developed from interviews of 30 long-time Sunnyside employees. Employing yielding chain pillars at Sunnyside virtually eliminates tailgate pillar bumps and contributes to reducing face bumps. Limiting the overall width of the gateroad system benefits bump control and especially, roof and floor stability.

Jan 1, 1994

By H. Lyn Bourne

This is the fourth annual tabulation that gives mineral royalty information. The table presents previous information plus about two dozen new entries. In addition to the royalty information, some entries show the cost of purchased reserves. Last year's tabulation appeared in two issues, to accommodate all of the information. This year the format has been changed slightly so the table can be printed in one issue. This year's table presents the commodities in the same sequence as last year. Sand and gravel information appears first, followed by: crushed stone for aggregate; other stone; industrial sand; other industrial minerals; energy minerals (coal, oil shale, uranium); and finally metals. As always, a caveat relates to factors that influence the reserve values. The data should serve only as a general reference. The table is not intended to present an absolute scale of reserve costs. Several factors influence the value of mineral commodities. These factors include: • location and transportation costs (especially significant for most industrial minerals); • market conditions for both the commodity and the company acquiring the right to mine it; • quality or grade of the deposit as it reflects the amount of processing and beneficiation necessary to produce the finished product; • and legislative restrictions and conditions for mining a given material at a given site. These and other factors will influence reserve costs of reserves. The table shows the range of royalties and the variations in the basis of computing the fees. In a few instances, it gives the cost of acquired reserves based on purchase price and quantitative estimates of the material in place. The table lists the commodity; the location (either by state, US geographic area, or Canadian province); the cost (R for royalty and P for purchased cost); and the year in which the lease or purchase agreement occurred. The last column offers either comments or gives a footnote number for more information. The cost column requires more explanation. The units may refer to cubic yards (/yd), cubic feet (/cuft), tons (/T) (2000 lbs) or acres (/A). 1 cu yd = 0.76m3 1 cu ft =0.28m3 1st = 0.9 t7 1 acre = 0.40 ha or m2 In several cases the royalty is a percentage of the finished products, sale price and is levied against either the amount produced or the amount sold. We thank those who contributed information for the table: J. Dunn, T. Eyde, K. Loda, L. Morgan, F. Nix, H. Sorenson, and L. Williams. Several people have said they would like this to be an annual tabulation. That can happen if new information comes to the writer. What appears in the table is only a very small fraction of the cost information relative to the various commodities and the geographic areas for which there is royalty information. If you find this column of interest and possess information write or call: H. L. Bourne, c/o Neyer, Tiseo & Hindo, Ltd., 38955 Hills Tech Dr., Farmington Hills, MI 48018, (313) 553-6300. Only with new information can this become an annual and current source of reserves costs.

Jan 8, 1986

Gold heap leach operations often process low grade ores with little margin for cost increases. The advantage of heap leach operations is the considerable savings in both capital and operating costs. This paper looks at an alternative pH modifier to lime in the heap leach process, namely bauxite waste mud or red mud. The red mud can contain trace amounts of gold and was found to be an excellent source of slow release sodium hydroxide for long-term pH modification. Column cyanide leaches showed that 25 kgt-1 of red mud provided a higher pH and longer pH modification than 0.25 kgt-1 of lime. Contaminants leached from the red mud hampered the adsorption of the aurocyanide complex onto activated carbon.

Jan 1, 1993

By B. J. Arnold, N. Terblanche

The features of the ‘Turbo’ froth flotation column will be discussed, including the double aeration system that improves flotation yield while not sacrificing grade, the internal launder system, and the unique feed/tailings sump that evens out flow to the flotation column preventing upset conditions. Results from various test programs and installations will be presented.

Jan 1, 2001

By V. K. Kollipara

Air flow patterns in the face area of a room-and-pillar mining are critical for understanding the dust dispersion characteristics and for developing engineering controls. SIUC has previously performed a CFD study to analyze the airflow patterns in the face area when continuous miner is making a straight cut. Results from this study identified low air velocity and re-circulation zones in the face area and illustrated the significance of line curtain, and scrubber operation on the air flow patterns. This paper discusses similar analyses when continuous miner is making a right turn cut as it is considered to be the dustiest cut among all the cuts made to advance an entry through a crosscut. This paper presents results for box-cut development for a right hand turn x-cut. This paper also addresses line curtain advance and air leakage through the curtain on the airflow patterns in the face area for such a cut. Low air velocity and recirculation zones were identified by analyzing the velocity vectors.

Jan 1, 2012

By J. Hines

Traditionally, fuel oil or diesel was the collector of choice in coal flotation, but in recent years these materials have come under increased scrutiny because of concerns about the toxicity of some components. In response to these concerns, Georgia-Pacific Chemicals LLC has commercialized a patent pending coal collector (Talon® 9400 reagent) that is 100% derived from the pulping of trees. This study presents a comparison of yields and recoveries for different coal collectors, including the one derived from the pulping of trees.

Jan 1, 2011

By R. Fedors, T. Ghezzehei, D. Or

The phenomena of dripping into cavities (e.g. tunnels and drifts) within an unsaturated fractured porous medium under ventilated conditions is studied to improve estimates of dripping rates, drop sizes, and chemical composition of droplets that could affect the integrity of high-level nuclear waste packages placed in drifts. The sensitivity of dripping rates and water chemistry to ventilation is analyzed at various flow rates using analytical expressions linking flow on fracture surfaces to drop formation and evaporation. The model was tested using laboratory experiments involving machined aluminum slabs designed to represent a simplified morphology of a fracture face intersecting a cavity and using natural fracture surfaces from a welded tuff. Comparison with ten years of data on dripping in natural caves showed good agreement with model predictions. In particular, for low dripping rates, evaporation due to ventilation leads to larger drop sizes and alters drop chemistry by increasing the concentration of solutes in the drop relative to that in the water flowing on the fracture face.

Jan 1, 2000

By Takeshi Tanaka, Shinya Ono, Tsuyoshi Kato, Masaji Kato, Yuusaku Tominaga

The knowledge of the macroscopic characteristics of a ventilation network is of fundamental importance for taking counter- measures to increase air quantity in-specified branches, such as those corresponding to working faces at advancing entries or longwall panels. Because the ventilation characteristics are inherent properties of each mine, it takes a long time for an engineer to accumulate experience on how a specific regulator may affect the air quantity in a specific branch of a mine with a complicated ventilation system. A computer-simulation training system, based on the macroscopic ventilation characteristics, is presented in this paper. When a trainee selects a specific condition from five regulator option (closed, almost closed, slightly open, half open, open), the change in air quantity for a network branch is indicated by the color allocated to the ratio of the new air quantity to the old or planned air volume. After the ventilation simulation, the colors in the specified branches are defined by using the fuzzy set theory. The trainee continues practicing the selection of closed/open conditions for different regulators until each of the specified branches is displayed in good state of airflow. The ventilation net- work of the Horonai coal mine is used as an example of the training system to control air quantities in six working faces with 33 regulators.

Jan 1, 1996