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By R. E. Cook

"Mineral deposits require substantial amounts of energy to transport and be processed into useable form, and as such present a real processing challenge in that the deposits are never homogeneous and ore body compositional characteristics are all over the map! Extracting the desired mineral(s) from the deposit at sufficient profit margin, despite severe fluctuations in market price, requires process automation architecture capable of supporting an integrated enterprise solution. Such an architecture will encompasses the activities of individuals, process units, process areas, plant level activities, mine management and business planning and accounting systems. Key to the automation process is the aspect of value generation. This paper brings together the various requirements for the automation of a mining enterprise and presents the different aspects of how to obtain value across the entire mining operation.INTRODUCTIONMinerals’ processing sites are historically long lived, 20 year life of mine is not uncommon and 75 years is not unheard of. Considering that hardware technology advancements are introduced every six months, or less, it is prudent to select process automation systems that adhere to “open” industrial standards versus proprietary based systems. In the minerals processing industry, the key to survival is driving the cost of production per unit volume to the lowest possible level and provide enough profit to sustain operations. Control system architecture and Business information technology are rapidly becoming important tools in the quest for productivity. Getting key dynamic business performance information at the right time to the right person or process unit is crucial to successfully achieving corporate goals. The process automation architecture selected must therefore be able to integrate to the various networking enterprises and business systems.The mining industry is generally known as an “extractive” industry that is very physically-oriented with respect to operations and the activities in which workers engage. Large numbers of people performing manual tasks in difficult surroundings, produce very variable outputs. But, times are changing – and so are industry best practices. While the nature of work still consists of activities such as ore extraction, ore movement, ore concentration, refinement and logistics, automation innovations are starting to change the nature of many of the production steps. The industry has transitioned from requiring more physical activities by workers, to more information management, automated control and collaboration within the operation. Humans are good at situational intervention and non-linear reasoning and do best when empowered with an overall production perspective. Machines and automation are good at repetitive functions, steady state operation, and managing transitions. Thus, a combination of advanced technology solutions, reliable and useful information and full human contribution are necessary to mining operations for value generation."

Jan 1, 2015

By Christos Roumpos, Philip‑Mark Spanidis, Francis Pavloudakis

Coal mining operations are large-scale, long-term frameworks of high complexity. Mining organizations accumulate, develop, and leverage knowledge from diverse scientific and technological fields as a result of these operations. Both practical experience and existing literature indicate that knowledge management (KM) methods within the mining industry primarily target solving immediate technical challenges and operational requirements. However, they are not commonly regarded as strategic tools to enhance the performance and competitiveness of mining companies. Empirical evidence from the Greek mining industry suggests that the management of available knowledge is intricate, less effective, and dysfunctional. This paper presents a methodology based on the principles of quantitative research (QNR), collaboratively conducted with a group of mining experts, to assess the KM landscape in the Greek mining industry. The methodology involves a structured data collection framework using questionnaires, subsequent statistical analysis, a discussion on critical methodological aspects, and an interpretation of results focusing on key aspects useful for planners and designers of KM systems in the mining industry. Finally, the paper concludes by summarizing the methodology’s outcomes and proposing further perspectives for research.

Mar 16, 2024

By R. E. Driscoll

The exploration, geologist of necessity has to have a wide working knowledge of many specialties other than hiw own, First he has to use his own technical background to find a deposit,, of a mineral that is of interest, Once found, his problems are Just beginning, He then has to assume the role of an economist, an accountant, a mining engineer, a chemist, a metallurgist,, a salesman and what-have you, In the economic field, he must determine the marketability of either the ore or the refined mineral. He must gauge the supply and demand for the particular mineral he is interested in and make his best guess as to ultimate cash flow from a deposit over the estimated life of said deposit, He must then assume the role of a mining man and estimate cost of recovery, including an, evaluation of the most economic mining method, cost of supplies and labor, and again estimate a net cash flow. He must then determine amenability of ore to economic metallurgical methods, he must determine the legal status of the property involved and, after analysis of the specific situation, determine the best approach to a deal, After all of this he must sell it to the people who will put up the money and then put his deal together and sell it to the people who own the minerals, if that be necessary. Then he has to sit back, with crossed fingers and crossed legs wondering for some months, and in many cases even years, whether or not he is right. The expenditures required to open up a mine in this day of wild inflation are such that he has to be right, and the responsibilities are awesome.

Jan 1, 1958

By Donald A. Ranta

Every mineral project or mine is based on a geologic entity-an ore (mineral) deposit. A well-defined mineral deposit and its associated geologic characteristics are the only aspects of a project that cannot be altered. Mine plans can be modified to exploit the deposit using alternative approaches and yielding similar results. A variety of processing methods also are often available producing generally comparable results. Major modifications can be made to other aspects of the project without substantially changing project economics. However, all engineering and metallurgical aspects of a mine must be accommodated to the spe¬cific location and geologic characteristics of the deposit. Geologic data and interpretations form the foundation for both mine evaluation and mine production by providing esti¬mates of reserves and essential information for mine planning and process design or control. Proper geologic work requires a keen awareness of and an ability to anticipate the technical requirements of geotechnical engineers, hydrologists, mining engineers, metallurgists, and other specialists. Geologists are inte-

Jan 1, 2008

By A. D. Hammond

Vanadium is a transition metal, ductile and silver-gray. It is harder than most metals and steels and it has a good resistance to corrosion. It is stable against alkalis and sulfuric and hydrochloric acids. Vanadium is oxidized in air at about 660° C (1,220° F), although an oxide layer forms even at room temperature. The chemistry of vanadium is noteworthy for the accessibility of the four adjacent oxidation states, 2-5. In aqueous solution, the colors are lilac V2+, green V3+, blue VO2+ and, at high pH, yellow VO42-. Considered to be as abundant as zinc, metallic vanadium is not found in nature, but it is known to exist in about 65 different minerals. Economically significant examples include patronite (VS4), vanadinite (Pb5(VO4)3Cl), associated to the uranium mineral carnotite (K2(UO2)2(VO4)2?3H2O) and in a vanadium mica called roscoelite K(V3+,Al,Mg)[(Si,Al)4O10] (OH)2. Other important vanadium ore oxides are montroseite (V,Fe)O(OH) and corvusite (Na,Ca,K)V8O2.4H2O. Much of the world?s vanadium mine production comes from magnetite-hosted deposits and, to a lesser extent, sedimentary-hosted sandstone.

Dec 1, 2013

By H. V. S. Tingley

My topic today is future trends in compensation for the mining industry. I seldom get the chance to speak about a subject of such immediate interest to an audience, so I would like to make the most of this opportunity by telling you that everybody in this room will become rich beyond his wildest dreams in the next few years. I would like to open my talk that way, but in compensation, like everything else, there is a great gap between dreams and reality. Back to reality. When we talk about compensation, we?d better define our terms because the compensation is really an umbrella for five basic types of payment made to management personnel. Slide 1 identifies these elements of compensation.

Jan 1, 1980

By W. G. Pariseau

Reliable stress measurement using hollow inclusion gauges and monitoring stress change using borehole stress meters and borehole deformation gauges in anisotropic rock remains a challenge for the rock mechanics community. In this regard, the complex variable method advanced in 1983 for deducing stress in anisotropic rock is flawed and software is privileged. Fortunately, advances in computer hardware and software now enable fast, reliable reduction of hollow inclusion stress measurement data for determining stress in anisotropic rock. Monitoring stress change in anisotropic rock poses a different challenge but is also subject to numerical analysis. Stress measurement using a hollow inclusion (HI) gauge such as the triaxial Australian HI is done in four steps: 1) drilling a measurement hole, 2) installation of an HI, 3) stress relief of the HI by overcoring, and 4) data reduction. The last step, data reduction, is the focus of this work. The process is well-known in linearly elastic, isotropic rock (Worotniki and Walton 1976, Duncan Fama and Pender 1980). However, in case of linearly elastic, anisotropic rock the requisite technology is not readily available. This situation is somewhat surprising because anisotropy is more often the rule rather than the exception, especially in the neighborhood of ore bodies. Rahn (1984) has pointed out the potential for significant errors with neglect of anisotropy and the adverse consequences for engineering design. Amadei (1984) has also pointed out the potential for errors with neglect of anisotropic rock properties in stress measurement. Worotniki (1993) cites other studies that indicate potential for serious errors when doing measurements in anisotropic rock. In both theoretical cases (isotropy and anisotropy), data reduction is essentially a composite of solutions to boundary value problems in linear elasticity. In the finite element approach, the analysis is a simulation of gauge hole drilling, installation and overcoring. Two important advantages with the finite element approach are a more faithful representation of the conditions of HI stress measurement than approximated in theory and the capability for handling rock whether isotropic, transversely isotropic or fully anisotropic

Mar 2, 2022

By James J. Anthony

High-angle in-pit conveying is an idea that is being seriously studied by a number of important mining companies in North America. Its application in coal, iron ore, and copper mining is expected to reduce mine operating costs considerably compared with the conventional discontinuous methods, such as truck haulage, which are fuel, labor, and maintenance intensive. Therefore, a mine introducing high-angle in-pit conveyors will gain a competitive advantage over mines which continue to use conventional haulage. While the capital outlay for in-pit conveyor systems obviously varies depending on pit depth, the angle of incline, and the capacity required, it generally will not exceed that of truck haulage when all Factors are taken into consideration. These factors include the cost of excavation, as measured in relation to the volume of minerals mined, the cost of building truck ramps and roads, and the capital outlay for the trucks and maintenance facilities. In many cases, in Fact, the capital outlay will be less than for truck haulage. This cost advantage will best be realized by new mines, whereas in existing producing mines the switch from truck haulage may involve the abandonment of a substantial capital asset.

Jan 1, 1983

By Garry G. Lowder

The regional geologic setting is essentially a volcanic island arc built upon an oceanic basement, consisting of basalt and minor pelagic sediments (the Tinombo Formation of Eocene - lower Miocene age. Trail et. al. 1974). -- An east-west chain of intermediate and acid calc-alkaline volcanoes (the Bilungala Volcanics) was built on the oceanic basement during the Miocene. The Bilungala Volcanics are flanked to the north largely by contemporaneous andesites and volcanoclastic sediments of the Dolokapa Formation. During middle to upper Miocene time the Bilungala Volcanics were invaded by large masses of predominantly dioritic intrusive rock and it is within one of these dioritic intrusive complexes, the Bone Diorite, that the cluster of porphyry copper systems occurs. Renewed volcanic activity in the Plio-Pleistocene produced acid pyroclastic rocks (the Pinogu Volcanicsi whose distribution is controlled by present-day topography. Structural trends, largely interpreted from SLR imagery, are pre- dominantly NW or NIWJ. The right-lateral Gorontalo Fault, which trends hW through the town of Gorontalo (Katili, 19691 is the most prominent structural feature. Many of the major structures in the Tapadaa district have similar orientations and may be sympathetically related to the Gorontalo Fault.

Jan 1, 1976

By Peter J. Szabo

Introduction There has been much said recently about the sophistication of Japanese management in turning out reliable, inexpensive products, such as cars and steel. Techniques include consensus management and quality control circles. These have been touted as prime reasons for inexpensive Japanese products. An often neglected, but major factor in the equation of cheap export goods is the role played by Japanese trading companies. These venerable institutions are a vital factor in Japan's overall strategy of keeping the price of raw materials at the absolute lowest levels. This is critical to the country's economy since the nation must import more than 85% of all its coal. A country that is so desperate for imported raw materials would appear, at first glance, to be at the mercy of its suppliers. In Japan's case, however, the opposite is true. With the exception of brief' windows in 1974-75 and 1980-81, Japan has been in the driver's seat in negotiating contract terms. Due to its dominant role in world coal trade, Japan's situation can be described as a de facto monopsony. By definition, a monopsony is a market situation where the product, in this case coal, is offered by many sellers, but is sought by one buyer. This has been due to the role of Japanese trading companies in dealing with suppliers. Table I depicts trading companies by size in 1982. Mitsubishi and Mitsui are overshadowing in terms of size. The others, though less significant, play a vital role in orchestrating the marketplace. Three critical building blocks on which the strategy of the trading companies are based include intelligence networks, exceptional training of company traders, and shrewd contract negotiation practices. Intelligence Networks All success is derived from these three key components. Of the three blocks, intelligence gathering is the most important. With all the sophistication of the Central Intelligence Agency, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Interpol, and the Surete', the Japanese trading company's method is every bit as competent and far more gentlemanly. Friendly competition is the key to survival. Although one Japanese trading company appears to be in ardent competition with its rival Japanese trading companies, when studied closely, a totally different picture emerges. The end user nominates certain trading companies as market channels and informally guarantees they will receive compensation regardless of which company wins a specific order. With this concept in mind, the pressure is off. The trading company can aim at getting the best price for the end user. Therefore, bargain, beat, and share information. Do whatever is necessary, but get the lowest price for the end user. Even with the game so gentlemanly, no victory could be assured without an adequate intelligence network. Proper intelligence is only as good as the sources drawn from. But how is one assured of getting the right information? The answer is verification. Verification is comprised of numerous independent sources each cross checked at a central processing unit in Tokyo. Each major Japanese trading company receives input, not only from its own trader, but from other trading companies as well. In addition to their own compilation, trading companies rely on the The Coal Manual, published annually in Tokyo by TEX. This manual covers every major coal producing country. Mines are located and seams identified, mining recovery, equipment lists, washing yield, railway distances

Jan 1, 1985

By Gary Brieley

Until well into the 20th century, most construction work was performed under the auspices of a master builder or in a manner that would be described today as design-build. In addition, many civil engineers served as ?interns? under the tutelage of a master builder in order to learn how to design and construct a certain type of structure. This was certainly the case for tunneling projects with various individuals having been identified as tunneling experts as a result of successfully completed projects The master builder approach began to change in the early 1900s to a model that would be referred to today as design-bid-build. A design-bid-build approach to project procurement gives the owner more control over the final product and al-lows the contractor to know exactly what is expected of them before the work is constructed. As a result of this transition in project procurement, civil engineering schools placed a greater emphasis on the training of ?design? professionals. This article will document how the training of tunnel design professionals progressed within the United States. Although it is difficult to generalize about the hundreds of tunnels that were constructed in the first four decades of the 20th century, there is one project that stands out as having resulted in a university program related directly to tunneling and that is the Chicago Subway. During a visit to the United States in 1938, Dr. Karl Terzaghi met a student named Ralph Peck who was then studying at Harvard University in a pro-gram established by Arthur Casagrande. Shortly thereafter, Terzaghi traveled to Chicago for a lecture and was asked to consult on the Chicago subway project that was then under construction. The Chicago subway was being constructed in clay, and the owners were worried about possible settlements to nearby buildings. Terzaghi asked Peck to serve as his field engineer for that project. Thus was established one of the most productive relationships in the history of civil engineering in the United States. Peck, who would become Dr. Peck, moved to Chicago in 1939 to participate in an extensive research project that con-tinued until subway construction was halted in 1941 because of World War II. During that time, the cost of subway construction in Chicago was reduced substantially as a result of Peck?s observations and Terzaghi?s recommendations. In fact, it was reported that subway construction in Chicago cost less than one-half of similar projects in London even though the clay in London is considerably stiffer compared to Chicago. Upon the completion of his work on the Chicago Subway, Peck accepted a professorship with the University of Illinois in Champaign/Urbana.

Jun 1, 2010

By Gordon J. Hughes

The ldaho Cobalt Belt represents a unique geologic environment containing some of the largest known reserves of cobalt in the United States. Stratabound cobalt-copper-gold deposits formed within a sedimentary basin that was generated by the rifting of an Archean cratonic block. Host rocks for these deposits are the Early to Middle Proterozoic Yellowjacket Formation comprising a suite of clastic sediments, volcaniclastics, and mafic tuffs that accumulated in the intracratonic rift basin about 1.7 b.y. ago. Rifting was probably initiated during a regional heating and doming event that may date back to 1.8 b.y. ago. During this time, other rift basins were likely to have formed in the region. They probably represent the precursors of a much larger depositional environment having characteristics of an Atlantic- type or passive continental margin where younger formations of the Belt Supergroup were deposited. The Yellowjacket Formation has been subdivided in the Idaho Cobalt Belt into three genetic units representing various subenvironments of a deepwater clastic fan complex. A northwest- trending deep-basin structural trough accumulated fine-grained muddy sediments that were periodically interrupted by distal turbidites of the subaqueous fans. Subsequent progradation caused the deposition of coarser-grained clastics of the more proximal portions of the fan complexes. Submarine fan lobes were built across northwest-trending tectonically active basin growth faults. These in-basin structures caused a great deal of penecontemporaneous deformation within the Yellowjacket sequence. Northeast-trending fault zones formed an orthogonal set of fractures that controlled the shape and size of sub-basins, and were also an influence on lateral migration of dominantly fine-grained clastic material. The eruption of mafic tuffs at about 1.7 b.y. ago added a new component to the Yellowjacket sedimentary sequence. Around the Blackbird mine area these tuffs commonly occur either near the base or within some of the sandier sequences. Since most of the sand influxes were largely controlled by basinal tectonism, the tuffs were probably erupted during tectonically active periods of basin development. The dynamic nature of the sedimentary environment probably caused much of the tuffaceous component to be mixed with other clastics and even resedimented as volcaniclastic material. In time, the change to a higher energy sedimentation regime resulted in such a dramatic clastic dilution of the tuffs that they could not survive in the areas of the vents, and, if present, they must have been distributed elsewhere in the basin.

Jan 1, 2013

By C. Gregory Knight

Adequate planning for the development, operation, and reclamation of a surface mine requires attention to present and future uses of land, both on the mine site and in the mine vicinity. This paper outlines land use implications of surface mining, and suggests procedures that could link mine planning, mine operation, and reclamation to more general land use concerns. Mining is viewed as a temporary use of land that may irretrievably commit land resources away from some future activities, but may allow other uses, some of which may have been impossible without mining. The paper accepts the premise that surface mining should attempt to minimize environ-mental damage and to maximize future alternative uses of land by appropriate reclamation. I. The Effect of Surface 1'1ining on Land Use Surface mining is a temporary utilization of the land most often criticized because the disturbances it creates are of far greater duration than the actual extractive operation, Resource recovery disrupts existing activity on the land, at least temporarily, and

Jan 1, 1977

By Ulf B. Andersson, Christina Dahnér-Lindkvist, Bruno Figueiredo, Jessa Vatcher, Jonny Sjöberg, Joel Andersson

Hydraulic fracturing to precondition the rock mass in high seismic risk environments has great potential. Unfortunately, there are many unanswered questions about how to best implement a hydraulic fracturing program at individual mine sites, and even how to best use our engineering tools to evaluate these plans. To give the hydraulic fracturing field tests at LKAB’s Kiirunavaara Mine the best chance of success, fully-coupled, discontinuum numerical modelling Itasca’s 3DEC code was used together with statistical simulations of the fracture network. For modelling purposes, it was assumed that hydraulic fracturing successfully reduces seismic risk through 1) the creation of hydraulic fractures along a plane at each injection site, and 2) activation of existing discontinuities. A variety of scenarios for the mine were evaluated, which focused on site specific uncertainties (such as the spacing of the pre-existing discontinuities) and practical solutions (such as the hydraulic fracture spacing, selection of injection medium, and hydraulic fracture site location relative to production). The discrete fracture network (DFN) realizations were developed using available statistical data for discontinuities near where hydraulic fracturing was planned.

Apr 26, 2022

By M. Javier

"Mining makes civilization possible. It also creates socio-environmental liabilities forcing us to ask how much more of this mining can our planet support. It is clear that the future of mining differs from mining in the future. The laws of nature are being compromised by mining. This paper studies the problems at the core of the mining business which need to be addressed. What kind of mining will serve our existence with nature on this planet? What kind of mining perspectives are we able to formulate without having negative effects for future generations? Is mining technologically sustainable? The values of predictions, imagination, and creativity must be integrated to define what mining should be. Those values should be in the technologies necessary to restoring equilibrium of nature (Geomimic) as well as in complete extraction of metals, better utilization of the mineral reserves, and design the usage of metals to recycle. The purpose of this research is to examine many views and perspectives for future generations and to accelerate the pace of innovation of having mining without socio-environmental liabilities by design and by understanding nature. KEYWORDS: Geomimic, Sustainability, Waste mine Design, Management by Loss. INTRODUCTION The future of mining is being stifled by many antiquated and stagnant attitudes and policies by the industry and society as a whole. The time is now or never for real action and education against these attitudes and to upgrade them to meet the current needs of this planet if we are to survive. Doing this will prove that we understand and respect nature for us and our posterity. It will also show a positive assessment that the mining process can be reversed before the point of no return. And that is to say, only if reversibility is still an option. It may not be anymore but it’s worth a try. We need to use our imagination and engineering know-how to come up with new proposals to change the core of mining. It would entail re-engineering. There is a profound difference between the future of mining and mining in the future. The future of mining is the continuation and persistence of past practices in the industry and expecting new results. Mining in the future requires a paradigm shift for extraction through modern thinking about mining as it pertains nature. The new paradigm for mining in the future would restore equilibrium with nature. Always keep in mind the connection of mining to nature. What is the future of nature? To predict mining in the future we need to use past experiences in mining and our knowledge of modern science and engineering to formulate a prototype that will enhance mining while maintaining equilibrium with nature. Mining and protecting nature are not mutually exclusive. This new prototype has nothing to do with the level of bonding or insurance that the mining industry can legally provide. The goal of this paper is to contribute some new ideas to help transform the mining industry based on the laws of nature and its limitations. Using this new prototype we will develop the following 1. Extraction of minerals Reserves-Dimensions-Technologies 2. Usage of mineral resources-Manufacture’s products designed to be reused and recycled 3. Nature- Equilibrium (physical, chemical and biological)"

Jan 1, 2016

By Gordon R. Haworth

During the past ten years we have experienced a period of rapidly-changing ground rules for the mining industry. Domestically we have had to contend with numerous new regulations controlling the impact of mining-related activities on the environment. However, for the purposes of this presentation we will assume that in the United States, after a certain amount of compromise on all sides, the industry will be able to work within the framework of the new regulations, and therefore we will concentrate on offshore developments. Due to the limitations in time and scope, this paper will be directed primarily toward the metal mining industry. We contend that the U.S.-headquartered mining company should remain active, and even expand its interests in foreign countries in the future. This is our feeling in spite of recent setbacks and the low return on investment experienced in recent years by some of the metal mining companies in their foreign operations.

Jan 1, 1975

By Mike Perkins

The Summitville Au-Ag-Cu district in the southeastern part of the San Juan volcanic field has been a major gold producer in Colorado. Mineralization is hosted by the composite South Mountain quartz latite porphyry volcanic dome, which is believed to have been localized by the intersection of the northwest margin of the Platoro-Summitville caldera complex and the northwest-trending Platoro fracture zone. K-Ar age dates indicate that alteration and mineralization were nearly contemporaneous with emplacement of the dome at 23-20 m.y. ago, 6-7 m.y. after collapse of the Platoroo-Summitville caldera complex. The dome consists of at least four major phases including strongly altered quartz latite porphyry; a late-mineral, coarse-grained sanidine quartz latite porphyry; and postmineral quartz latite dikes. The dome was emplaced into intracaldera rhyodacite and andesite. Gold-silver-copper mineralization is concentrated near the top of the dome and is associated with pods, pipes and steeply dipping tabular zones of silicification and advanced argillic alteration. Alteration is zoned outwards from the center of mineralization through argillically and propylitically altered rocks, and is largely confined to the area of the dome. Trace element geochemical patterns for the deposit indicate a central zone of anomalous As-Au-Pb-Ag and low Mn within an exterior zone of anomalous Ag-Au-Pb-Hg and high Mn. The chief ore mineral is native gold which is associated with goethitic iron oxide in the oxide zone. In the sulfide zone, native gold is associated with copper sulfide-sulfosalt mineralization. A genetic model for the Summitville deposit is based on recent models of modern geothermal systems, with which it shows similarities in alteration, ore mineralogy, zoning, and structural patterns.

Jan 1, 2013

By G. T. Lineberry

Underground mine development begins with the positive investment decision to mine and ends with the inception of full-scale exploitation. It incorporates all activities, personnel, and equipment required for creation of underground access to a mineral deposit. Because of the depletion of near-surface mineral resources, the reduced mobility of large surface mining equipment, increasingly stringent environmental constraints, and the introduction of promising innovations to rock penetration and rock excavating equipment (e.g., continuous miners, rock borers), under-ground mining is projected to account for an increased share of worldwide mineral production in the foreseeable future. Without proper engineering during the mine development phase, failure of the underground mining project is axiomatic. A frustration attendant to coverage of the complex area of underground mine development lies not only with the need for treatment of the many disparate specialties within the area but even with the lack of systematization of these specialties in what is recognized as a vital precursor to successful mining. Section17 offers insights into (1) the basic principles of the planning and design process, including baseline assessment, reserve determination, premine planning, and subsystem design (Chapter17.1); (2) equipment selection and sizing, with emphasis on exca-

Jan 1, 2008

By Zoë Dugdale, Gerald Poplin, Tim Bauerle

"Fatigue presents several challenges for the mining industry. Depending on the specific occupation, daily work or operational setup on any given mine site, mining jobs can have a fair amount of labor-intensive tasks mixed with monotonous and repetitive duties. Combined with the long working hours and shift-work schedules of mining work, the prevalence of fatigue in mine workers may seem rather unsurprising.Mining is certainly not alone in facing the challenge of addressing worker fatigue. Indeed, many of the characteristics above mirror the similarities of fatigue in other industries, such as health care, aviation and security. To the extent that fatigue in mining acts like fatigue in any other industry, then any fatigue management applications, trainings, or interventions in existence can be borrowed from other industries and applied to mining in a cookie-cutter approach. However, some have argued that mining in particular is especially susceptible to increases in the prevalence of fatigue beyond the characteristics listed above due to the multifaceted combination of factors in mining environments associated with fatigue: dim lighting; limited visual acuity; hot temperatures; loud noise; highly repetitive, sustained, and monotonous tasks; shiftwork; long work hours; long commute times due to mine site remoteness; early morning awakenings; and generally poor sleep habits (Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety, 2012; Legault, 2011). Legault (2011) in particular argues that it is the combination of these factors simultaneously that can make mineworkers particularly susceptible to sleep deprivation and fatigue in comparison to other industries where these factors are often not present all together. If fatigue looks and acts different in mining, as others have argued, more research is needed to determine if, how, and why worker fatigue might need to be managed differently in mining.While the burden of fatigue on the mining population has not yet been evaluated thoroughly, methods and measures of fatigue management remain a popular point of discussion. Many commercial suppliers and consultancy groups have begun to develop technologically based fatigue monitoring systems (McMillian, 2013). Some technologies can monitor vehicle operators for indicators of wakefulness, such as percent eyelid"

Jan 3, 2018

By T. W. Camm

"We hear all the time about the value of hard work and perseverance, and the part they play in the professional life of successful people. What we do not hear so much about are the many professionals who work hard and persevere, yet never seem to quite reach the level of success they aim for. Some current authors are beginning to give more attention to the part luck/black swans/outliers play in success. This is not a new phenomenon, Machiavelli had a lot to say about it back in the Renaissance. So how can knowledge of this dynamic help in a modern organization? INTRODUCTION Work hard and you will succeed. Go to the right school, major in the right degree, study hard, and get a good job. Look at the lives of successful people, and do what they do. Be all that you can be. You can be anything you want to be. Really? Those who are successful always get attention, people want to know what they did to reach such a high position. Invariably, at least part of their narrative will include hard work, wise insight, taking advantage of opportunities, etc. If they are of a more generous nature, they might also allow that building the right friendships and collaborations also played a role. All of this may be true; what we do not often hear are the stories of those who did all of these very same things, but did not find success. An example from pop culture: The Voice. I have watched this show occasionally the past couple of years. One of the things I like about the show is that the initial screening of contestants is based solely on their singing voice (hence the name of the show), and not on their appearance. At the time of this writing (early November), the judges have just finished elimination rounds for their final teams to go on to the live shows. Here is my point—in almost every case the judges agonized over choosing who would go forward and who would be eliminated. And the reason is because all of them are really talented singers. It is impressive how gifted they are. At the end of each season, only one is declared a winner, out of that gifted pool of singers. When you hear their stories, they are all talented, hard-working individuals sacrificing for their art. And as far as I know, none of them has ever become a star. Hard work, dedication, sacrifice, talent—sometimes it is enough, sometimes not. I will be looking at the part uncertainty/luck/black swans play in our lives, but I want to make it clear at the beginning that I am not saying everything that happens to us is out of our hands or beyond our control. Taleb makes this same point (2007, p. 52): “This problem is chronic: if you tell people that the key to success is not always skills, they think that you are telling them that it is never skills, always luck.”"

Jan 1, 2017