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By Rustyn Sherer

Curis, the name of a new Arizona-based mineral development company, is an acronym which stands for ?Cu? (elemental symbol for copper), ?r? (recovery), ?is? (in situ, the Latin for ?in place?). The company was created specifically to advance the development of the Florence Copper Project in Florence, AZ and to pursue other next generation copper development projects in progressive jurisdictions around the world. ?We are extremely excited about this project,? said Curis Resources president and chief executive officer Michael McPhie. ?We?re here to set the standard for Greenfield in situ copper recovery (ISCR) operations in Arizona and around the world. We believe in our people, our technology and our process; and we are passionate about our commitment to environmental stewardship and community development. We?re making a long-term investment in Florence, and in Arizona.?

Jan 1, 2011

By Wayne A. McCurdy

I welcome the opportunity to meet with you and discuss the work and program of the Office of Coal Research. Our programs are oriented to serve the conservation objectives of the Johnson Administration and of the Nation by seeking out the most efficient and best uses for coal. We believe that even if only a portion of our program is successful, the coal industry and the Nation will benefit far out of proportion to our expenditures. Operating with a budget of $7,220,000 in Fiscal Year 1966, OCR sponsors contract research which offers potential for achieving benefits to the coal industry in the form of new production and new markets. This directs us into many areas of research activity: in coal combustion, in advancements in mining methods and coal preparation, in new uses for coal, and in associated economic and marketing research.

Jan 1, 1966

By Fred A. Glover

It's a pleasure to be included with this group. I am not here to sell my services, but rather to share with you some ideas and considerations on using environmental consultants. Environmental consultants have developed some problems as well as created new costs for companies that are as legitimate as engineering costs. Each day the mining industry is becoming more affected by the proliferation of environmental regulations and their interpretations by federal and state agencies. How does a modern mining company cope with all the demands for environmental consideration by regulatory agencies and special interest environmental groups-- yet produce a product and make a profit? One way is to make efficient use of environmental consultants. But, as everyone here knows, this approach has been fraught with seemingly inherent frustrations, difficulties, and much justified criticism.

Jan 1, 1979

By Harald Ulrik Sverdrup, Anna Hulda Olafsdottir

The long-term supply of nickel to society was assessed with theWORLD7 model for the global nickel cycle, using new estimates of nickel reserves and resources, indicating that the best estimate of the ultimately recoverable resources for nickel is in the range of 650–720 million ton. This is significantly larger than earlier estimates. The extractable amounts were stratified by extraction cost and ore grade in the model, making them extractable only after price increases and cost reductions. The model simulated extraction, supply, ore grades, and market prices. The assessment predicts future scarcity and supply problems after 2100 for nickel. The model reconstructs observed extraction, supply and market prices for the period 1850–2020, and is used to simulate development for the period 2020–2200. The quality of nickel ore has decreased significantly from 1850 to 2020 and will continue to do so in the future according to the simulated predictions from the WORLD7 model. For nickel, extraction rates are suggested to reach their maximum value in 2050, and that most primary nickel resources will have been exhausted by 2130. After 2100, the supply per capita for nickel will decline towards exhaustion if business-as-usual is continuing. This will be manifested as reduced supply and increased prices. The peak year can be delayed by a maximum of 100 years if recycling rates are improved significantly and long before scarcity is visible.

Jan 26, 2021

By J. S. Rapp

This report is based on existing reports and recently gathered field data. It discusses mineral resource potential of Tertiary playas in the Fort Irwin region. An estimated 1.3 million tons of measured salt "reserves", and 20 million tons of indicated salt resources, have been identified north of the fort. Other indicated resources include 300,000 tons of celestite, 800,000 tons of gypsum, and 10 million tons of selenite. Zeolitic tuff was mined south of Fort Irwin from 1978 to 1984, and unexplored occurrences are widespread. Calcium-bentonite is mined near Barstow, and more may exist, including valuable sodium-and lithium-based bentonites.

Jan 1, 1992

By B. Goertz

Since the turn of the century the mining industry in the United States has had a number of serious mine explosions, fires and ground fall disasters that have led to a major re-evaluation of mine communication and rescue practices. One of the hindrances of current underground communication technologies is the potential of lost or cut connections when a serious accident, such as an explosion, fire, inundation or major ground fall, takes place. The Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response Act of 2006 (MINER Act)1 mandated that each underground coal mine in the U.S. must provide for two-way wireless, post-accident communications between underground and surface personnel as well as electronic tracking of underground workers One area that has gained renewed attention in the mining sector is Through-The-Earth (TTE) communication. TTE technology has a major advantage in that transceiver devices can be carried by miners and set up quickly during an emergency, since they require no wire connection to the surface. TTE technology uses ultra-low frequency (1 to 4 kHz) electromagnetic waves, requiring relatively large wire loop antennas and highly sensitive receivers. The signal bandwidth is narrow and the permissible antenna currents in coal mines are restricted, which has led to limited usability of TTE technology in the past, as evidenced in research studies conducted by the U.S. Bureau of Mines in the 1970s. Yenchek (2012)2 pointed out that recent advances in receiver and signal processing technology have enabled voice and text communication capabilities and much improved sensitivity that offers new possibilities for TTE communication in mining applications. One company that has been developing such technology is Vital Alert Communication Inc. Vital Alert has been providing TTE communications since 2003 with a growing focus on emergency response and portable systems. The company?s Canary® Go System is one such product that looks to provide reliable communication capabilities in a portable, user friendly unit that can be utilized both for normal operation and mine rescue scenarios. Researchers at the Colorado School of Mines (CSM) have tested the Canary Go TTE communications system in the CSM Edgar Experimental Mine to determine signal propagation distances, signal quality and aspects of practical application.

Feb 23, 2014

By Angela Binder, Mareike Schubert, Yichen Jiang, Sandra Nowosad, Oliver Langefeld

GermanyINTRODUCTIONThe mining industry is currently characterized by various factors such as environmental impact, resource scarcity, social responsibility and geopolitical uncertainty. The production of minerals required to meet the demand for renewable energy is expected to increase by 500 % by 2050, particularly for critical minerals such as graphite, lithium and cobalt 1. Easily accessible deposits are often depleted, meaning that deeper and more complex deposits need to be developed. Furthermore, investors’ value systems have shifted towards more sustainable practices. Alternative approaches to solving this problem are therefore currently being developed, such as the Modular Mining Systems concept for scalable and adaptable mining projects 2. Many mining companies have also taken important steps to become more sustainable, implementing measures such as proactive closure strategies, restoration programs and the development of renewable energy projects. In the European Union, laws such as the Critical Raw Materials Act and the Net Zero Industry Act support the mining industry 3,4. They see it as important for the energy transition and promote more sustainable ways of working in the industry Particularly negative environmental impacts such as land degradation, scarcity of local water resources, water pollution and greenhouse gas emissions are ingrained in society’s memory. Despite these efforts, the public image has not yet changed. To change this perception, the industry must strive to better communicate its sustainable practices and the steps it is taking towards a more responsible and sustainable future, promote transparency and build trust.Digitalization, automation and electrification are driving the digital transformation in mining. However, their implementation can lead to higher capital expenditure, limiting their adoption across the industry. Furthermore, implementing new technologies can be a daunting task for any organization. Change management comes into play when introducing such disruptive technologies. It involves preparing an organization for change, potential resistance and establishing effective communication. This helps to ensure that the implementation is successful and the benefits of the new technology are maximized. Digital transformation requires well-trained, young mining, electrical, mechatronic and software engineers with a deep understanding of information systems. Unfortunately, the industry faces the enormous challenge of attracting this younger generation, who have little interest in the extraction of raw materials. The need for action is compounded by an aging active workforce heading into retirement and the forecast of increasing demand for critical minerals.In this challenging environment, the concept of Blue Mining with its constant further developments represents a promising approach. This implies a shift from a linear to a sustainably oriented circular economy. For the mining industry, this specifically means the introduction of innovative technologies, the increased recovery of materials from waste and the consistent questioning and application of circular principles along the entire life cycle of a mine. Such a change can not only reduce the environmental impact, but also contribute to economic resilience and increased social acceptance of mining.

Feb 1, 2025

By B. G. Long

Coastal States Energy Company (Coastal), a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Coastal Corporation of Houston, Texas, owns coal mining operations in Utah and Kentucky. One of the Utah operations, Southern Utah Fuel Company (SUFCo), located 30 miles west of Salina, Utah, has been operated by Coastal since 1974. This operation is a single-seam, six-section mine operated from one portal area. It produces 2.2 million tons of coal per year and has a payroll of approximately 300 employees, Coal is mined by continuous miners, hauled by diesel-powered haulers and transported by belt conveyor to outside crushing and screening facilities. Sized coal is hauled by contract truckers 80 miles to a unit-train facility located at Levan, Utah.

Jan 1, 1983

By David Hatem, Paul Madsen, Daniel Adams, James Morrison, Randall Essex

Managing commercial risks associated with subsurface construction may be the greatest challenge the underground industry faces. The Geotechnical Baseline Report (GBR) was developed in the U.S. to help manage those commercial risks, and to stem increasing litigation in the industry. A guidelines document by the American Society of Civil Engineers was published in 1997 and was updated in 2007. This paper provides an historical perspective, overviews the main objectives of a GBR, presents issues and trends that instigated the need to update the 2007 publication, and describes the process that will lead to a new GBR guidelines publication in 2022

Dec 1, 2022

By J. `. Spitzinger

In situ recovery (ISR) of uranium alters the baseline groundwater geochemistry in order to mobilize and complex uranium to extract and concentrate it. ISR wellfield restoration is often challenging, and primarily relies on groundwater sweep, reinjection of treated permeate, and/or injection of reductants. Greater focus should be placed on injection-based approaches (using existing infrastructure) based on established engineering concepts used for in situ remediation of groundwater plumes. Such injection-based approaches could shorten restoration timeframes consequently reducing long-term operational costs. This paper addresses various types of injection-based approaches to wellfield restoration based on in-situ remediation success with other constituents that require similar treatment. This paper describes necessary design practices for injecting reactive chemicals (e.g., reductants or biostimulants), operations and maintenance (O&M) strategies to prevent fouling of the chemical delivery system and well network, and natural constraints to restoration. Best practices for successful biostimulation strategies that minimize residual uranium, radium, oxoanions, and other trace elements are as described. Advantages of such injection-based approaches could include significant reductions in restoration times, and consequently, lower restoration costs.

Feb 23, 2014

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 Pratt Rogers, Aaron Young

This paper considers the mining industry’s need for digital transformation (DT) and presents a three-part review of the foundational components of the DT process: ubiquitous data, connectivity and decision-making. It also provides a discussion on the future of DT in mining as well as a research direction, which identifies the need of academia to provide support for mining companies in the form of both research and the education of digitally literate, dynamically capable mining engineers into the coming decades.

By Yues Bertube

Molybdenite and chalcopyrite are two often-associated minerals. In Quebec, the Gaspe Copper Company, a subsidiary of the Noranda group, currently operates a molybdenite flotation circuit to recover a one percent trace of this mineral in the chalcopyrite concentrate. The low levels of molybdeni 2 preclude the use of flotation to remove molybdenum directly from the ore while scavenging of chalcopyrite concentrate for molybdenite yields a concentrate of the latter of somewhat inadequate quality. Such a situation could possibly best be solved by hydrometallurgical means, if molybdenite could be leached selectively from the chalcopyrite concentrate. Work in the field of extractive metallurgy was initiated about 22 years ago in the laboratory of the department of mining and metallurgy at Laval University, Quebec. Following a literature search, two objectives were selected. The present talk will outline some of the results obtained to-date and it is hoped the ensuing discussion of the paper can raise questions of immediate assistance to us for the future. First, as an immediate objective of-practical use, the oxidation rates for molybdenite and chalcopyrite in alkaline media would be studied under conditions of possible industrial application. Secondly, the kinetics of mass transfer of gases in pressure reactor are to be studied. Solubility data for various gases in aqueous solutions have been gathered by a few investigators, to mention the work of Pray1, Wadsworth2, Pawlek3 and Gerlach. Scattering in experimental results and discrepancies between authors are ominously present. Kinetics of mass transfer have somewhat been more neglected. A systematic investigation by the school of Berlin has greatly helped in the design of impeller most suitable for gas dispersion, without much reference however to the solid dispersing ability of the various designs. Variables affecting rates of gas transfer to the solution have not been studied. Studies on the aqueous oxidation of sulfide minerals are much more numerous. While molybdenite has been relatively less studied, work has been carried in two areas namely in alkaline oxidation of MoS2 , work performed by Dresher2 and Wadsworth, and in the hypochlorite leach of molybdenite by Bhappu4 and co-workers, These two methods showed appreciable rates of leaching for molybdenite. In general, comparisons between rates of oxidation of this sulfide with that for chalcopyrite have not been made.

Jan 1, 1972

By J. Starwood

Post-super-cycle mining executives must exploit every aspect of the value chain to deliver continued value to stakeholders. Integrating enterprise-wide information technology with value-chain-wide operational technology, known as IT-OT integration, is essential to extracting optimal results from the value chain. Mining companies trail other industries with respect to IT-OT integration across the value chain. Manual data consolidation and value chain optimization using spreadsheets and human intelligence are widespread practices within the industry. Increasing automation with smart devices and controllers means the volume and velocity of data will soon increase beyond human abilities. Enterprise Architecture provides a method for aligning information technology with the business operating model to successfully implement IT-OT integration. A Value Realization Framework (VRF) provides a means for predictable traceable value realization from IT investments and assets. With these principles, frameworks, models, methods, and techniques, mining organizations can accomplish IT-OT integration that provides their executives with a strategic value-chain-aligned platform for sustained value realization over the long term.

Feb 23, 2014

By Carlton H. Baab

In June, 1981 the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) issued a report titled "Control Systems in Coal Preparation Plants" to determine the status of instrumentation and automation systems in the coal preparation industry. EPRI concluded that the control systems presently being employed in the U.S. coal preparation plants "are relatively primitive compared with those in other mineral processing industries; and analytical instrumentation is virtually non-existent". Until recently, clean coal has had a low selling price and satisfying the purchasers' specifications required only minimum cleaning. However, it is becoming more apparent that the increases in coalfired utility power plants forced outage rates are relative to the deterioration in the quality of fired coal. Utility companies are becoming aware of the economic value of reducing the variability of ash, moisture and sulfur in steam coal purchase orders. New contracts are currently being negotiated between electric utilities and coal producers that include provisions for increased penalties if the product does not meet specifications. With tighter specifications on the quality of steam coal, interest is increasing in more sophisticated control systems. One type of device that is currently assisting the preparation plant operator optimize and control the coal cleaning process is nuclear based instrumentation. Nuclear instrumentation includes methods for measuring weight, level, and density as well as for performing elemental analysis on coal. This paper discusses the various types and applications of nuclear instrumentation currently in use in the coal preparation industry.

Jan 1, 1983

By Don Cchultz

The United States Forest Service, as a land managing agency, is responsible for the surface administration of National Forest lands. The basic objectives of management are protection and utilization of renewable resources such as water, forage, timber, wildlife, recreation, and clean air. Much of the National Forest land in this country is open to mineral prospecting and development. When large de-posits of minerals are extracted from the forest environment, especially by surface methods, there are oftentimes conflicts between accepted mining methods and the objectives of other resource management goals. Such is the situation in Southeast Idaho where several members of the phosphate industry are operating on and adjacent to the Caribou National Forest. In 1966, the phosphate industry and the Caribou National Forest became mutually concerned with the problems of rehabilitating mined areas and minimizing potential damage to adjacent forest areas. A Cooperative Administrative Study was initiated with industry supporting the Forest Service financially and with equipment, material, and manpower, as well as interest and enthusiasm. The objectives of the study are to provide basic, applicable information pertinent to: 1. Protecting the quality of water emanating from mined water-sheds. 2. Providing for soil stabilization on mined areas. 3. Returning mined areas to surface resource production. 4. The feasibility of making mined areas esthetically acceptable. It was concluded that the following separate--yet intergrated--fields should be studied in order to obtain the desired information:

Jan 1, 1971

By David M. Koogler

If you are contemplating starting a small coal mining operation there is a good possi¬bility that you can not afford it. If you, have already started, you may be on the road to bankruptcy. If you are a small but well established operator you may be trading dollars, or even dissipating your capital, equipment and other assets. A bleak outlook? Yes! Meant to be discouraging? No! Just a reminder that, with todays costs of doing business, high interest rates, rapidly increasing costs and decreasing sales prices, a small businessman/miner had best watch closely or he will be mired in something worse than a soft bottom - namely a cash and credit shortage, and in too many instances In recent times, bankruptcy. We will not dwell on what happens once you are that far gone, though I could cite a good example. But, let us look at what should be done to avoid such a catastrophe.

Jan 1, 1981

By G. M. L. Robinson

The Clean Water Act, as administered by the Environmental Protection Agency, has mandated industry, government and the public to comply with potentially conflicting and vague water quality statutes, regulations and guidelines. Universal regulatory strategies have been developed which have introduced and have created regulatory, compliance and institutional conflicts. Conflicts have been created because National water quality performance goals and design standards are vague, and, in many cases, cannot be scientifically justified. Because of regulatory technical requirements to define background and environmentally impacted water quality characteristics, the ability to achieve regulatory compliance is difficult. Difficult issues requiring resolutions includes but are not limited to site specific surface and ground water quality classification systems, water quality standards and guidelines, point and non point pollution sources etc. Because of these statutory and regulatory complexities, a confrontational regulatory system has been created as it relates to: - defining performance criteria in relation to design criteria; - resolving water quality statistical compliance conflicts; - defining laboratory precision requirements; - determining background groundwater characteristics; and - locating a representative point of compliance. Because of these complex regulatory issues, the ability to balance goals, needs and economics has not been achieved or in many cases has not been attempted, without legal intervention. A few examples illustrating where water and waste management compliance conflicts have been experienced.

Jan 1, 1992

By D. L. McClure

Gold mineralization at the Colosseum Mine is submicroscopic and associated with pyrite. Pyrite occurs in breccia clasts, replacing dolomite, in crackle breccia veinlets with traces of quartz, and as disseminations in two small, interconnected intrusive pipe complexes of rhyolitic felsite and breccias of felsite and wall/country rock. Breccia types grade from felsite plus wall rock of Pre-cambrian gneiss to cross-cutting breccias "of felsite, gneiss, and Paleozoic sedimentary rocks that are in contact with the Precambrian gneiss terrane one-quarter mile (40Om) southwest of the Colosseum pipes. Mineable reserves are estimated to be 8 million short tons (7.3 million metric tons) at 0.074 troy ounces of gold per short ton (2.3 g/metric ton) at a cutoff of 0.03 troy ounces of gold per short ton (1.0 g/metric ton).

Jan 1, 1988

By P. R. Taylor

This investigation (Bowles, 1990) involves consideration of technology utilized by three separate fields of metallurgy and materials science: 1) The recovery of metals employing the use of solvent extraction, 2) The fabrication of materials using powder metallurgy, and 3) The use of composite materials in fabrication of engineering materials. The research considers each of the processes in order to realize the benefits of each. In light of the fact that materials have an intended use -it does seem plausible to simplify the process required between "mother earth" and final use. For instance, a primary copper producer that already employs a solvent extraction and electrowinning process could produce value added products directly. Part of the existing extractant flow could be diverted into a pressurized hydrogen stripping process in order to produce specialty composite powders. Innumerable methods have been employed for the recovery of metals; solvent extraction, the one considered in this study, was used due to the possibility of it providing a pure powdered metal. The use of solvent extraction in the recovery of metals has gained wide acceptance and its use proves beneficial in many applications (Ritchey and Ashbrook, 1984). Pressure hydrogen stripping of solvent extractants may provide the benefit of flowsheet simplification compared to conventional solvent extraction followed by electrowinning. It may also provide the benefit of direct production of high purity metal powder (Demopoulos and Distin, 1985).

Jan 1, 1992