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By J. P. Ulery

As a result of several recent methane/dust ignitions in surface auger and highwall mines, the U.S. Bureau of Mines investigated the occurrence of methane gas at these operations. Three mine sites were visited in western Kentucky and one in western Pennsylvania to collect run-of-mine coal samples for gas content determination using the modified-direct-method (MOM). Results indicate the samples emitted small quantities of methane, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen. Either methane or nitrogen was the predominant gas released. The same gases were released after crushing the samples for residual gas content; however, nitrogen was the primary component of this fraction. Total ~as contents ranged from less than 0.01 cm /g to 0.54 cm3/g. The hydrocarbon gases probably originated during coalification. Other gases may have originated partially as a byproduct of coalification and partially as a result of other, near-surface processes. The data suggest that although methane quantities are small, desorption could occur at near surface conditions prior to mining. The desorbed methane could accumulate as a free gas in fractures in the coal bed or roof rock. When these fractures are penetrated by the auger, methane could rapidly enter the whole atmosphere possibly creating explosive conditions.

Jan 1, 1994

By C. Konya, A. Konya

"INTRODUCTION Over the past twenty years this Linear-Regression Modeling has become widely accepted for ensuring limits are not exceeded at a site, using the Scaled-Distance variable. In today’s industry, numerous equations are present for different scenarios, geologic environments, hole sizes, and numerous other factors with an emphasis on site-specific equations developed for all major projects; however, underground blasting applications have not been analyzed to a great degree of detail. Without previous knowledge this puts underground blasting operations into a guessing-game to ensure that vibration levels are not exceeded. This paper will review two recent projects that have been worked on by the authors and linear-regression models that were used with both burn cuts and stope blasts. BLAST VIBRATIONS MODELING The first major research project conducted in the United States on blasting vibration was Bulletin 442 (Thoenen & Windes, 1942) which looked at the relationship between blasting and blast vibrations in the fall of 1940. This study examined numerous blasts and began the investigation into topics such as damping, structural damage from vibrations, frequency dependency on vibration, resonance vibration, delayed blasting, and numerous other factors. Bulletin 442 had two major conclusions which are: 1. The vibration from a blast can be predicted with a relationship of size of the shot and distance to the structure (now known as scaled distance) 2. “The vibration of a structure at resonance does not in itself cause damage because of the restraining effect of damping inherent in the building” (Thoenen & Windes, 1942) Due to the increase of blasting near homes and busier areas the USBM commissioned an additional study to further develop a few of the topics covered in Bulletin 442; this study would go on to be published as RI 6561 (Duvall, Johnson, Meyer, & Devine, 1963) with the study looking into delayed blasting and the relationship between charge weight, distance, and peak particle velocity of the blast. This relationship would be termed as the ‘scaled-distance’ and take the form of:"

Jan 1, 2018

By Harry Teicher

The subject of Specialty Silica Products could encompass a broad range of materials, some of which would be familiar to members of the Society of Mining Engineers. With the concurrence of your chairman, I have chosen to limit my remarks to synthetic materials, not including such siliceous materials as diatomaceous earth, asbestos, quartz and clays. For purposes of discussion, I have classified Specialty Silica Products into two groups -- powders and liquids -- which I will discuss in that order and which are categorized in Figure 1. The synthetic silica powders are amorphous to x-rays and are manufactured by various processes resulting in products of a wide range of physical and chemical properties, as well as functional performance and applications. Applications or functional properties are generally dependent upon such physical properties as micron-sized particles exhibiting large surface areas per unit weight and low apparent bulk density. Their presence in various systems modify surface properties. As summarized in Figure 2, they act as viscosity modifiers, flow conditioning agents, anti-slip agents, anti-blocking agents, flatting agents in surface coatings, reinforcing agents in polymers such as silicone rubber and numerous other applications. Although the various types of silicas exhibit various levels of functional performance in these end uses, they are not usually equally effective as direct replacements and I will briefly discuss the various types of materials.

Jan 1, 1974

By Chelsea Woodward

The Spokane Research Laboratory of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has demonstrated a prototype hydrogen-fueled mining vehicle as an alternative to diesel equipment in underground mines. Safety and control systems were added to allow a 70-kW rubber-tired hydrogen vehicle, originally developed by the U. S. Bureau of Mines and Hydrogen Consultants, Inc. (now Hydrogen Components, Inc., of Littleton, CO), to be tested. This work began in late 2000 and culminated with a Mine Safety and Health Administration fire safety review and field tests at the Stillwater Mine in Nye, MT, in 2004.

Jan 1, 2006

By Alain S. Kivava, Olawale K. Aromolaran, Charles Nzolang, Anthony T. Bolarinwa, Georges M. Kasay

Rare earth elements (REEs) are crucial in high-tech and green technologies. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), rich in mineral resources, shows potential for REE deposits in carbonatites, pegmatites, and placers. This paper reviews global REE resources, highlights potential REE targets in Africa, and emphasizes the need for further research and exploration in the DRC to unlock its REE potential.

Feb 4, 2022

By Yi Luo, Jian Yang, YUJIA LIAN

Scale physical models, constructed according to the principle of similarity theory, have been widely used to simulate the mining disturbances to surrounding strata and to evaluate the effectiveness of implemented ground control techniques. This technique has also been used for studying mining-induced surface and subsurface subsidence. The movements of the observation points installed on the physical model at different mining stages are currently measured using total station which is time-consuming and inaccurate especially on small scale models. A photogrammetry-based measurement system has been developed. During a physical modeling process, photos of the model can be taken during the simulation process reducing survey time from hours to a few seconds. A program, Photogrammetry Analysis for Physical Modeling of Mine Subsidence Process (PAPMMSP), developed based on photogrammetric principle is used to quickly identify the installed observation points and accurately determine their coordinates. The measurement accuracy is well under submillimeter level—an ultra-important advantage as any measurement errors in coordinates are magnified by the model dimension scale (commonly 20 to 400). A physical modeling case of subsurface strata movements and deformations associated with longwall mining operations is presented in the paper to demonstrate the functions and capabilities of the developed photogrammetry program.

Aug 11, 2020

By J. R. Klaehn, M. Shi, T. E. Lister, L. A. Diaz, J. S. McNally

Since 2019, approximately two dozen international battery recycling companies have been operating at the commercial or pilot scale [1]. However, current process capacity does not exceed 100,000 tons of end-of-life (EOL) lithium-ion batteries (LIB) per year, and the current recycling rate is only about 5% in North America [2-3]. Recycling metals from EOL LIBs is not only essential to waste minimization and environmental stewardship, but also a source of critical materials, which can contribute towards supply chain stabilization. LIB recycling can be roughly divided into three categories: direct recycling, pyrometallurgy, and hydrometallurgy. Direct recycling seeks to retain as much of the manufactured effort with minimum chemical processing [4]. The evolution of battery designs and chemical compositions are challenges to this approach [5-6]. Pyrometallurgical processes are robust and flexible allowing a broad spectrum of batteries with minimum pre-processing requirements. Some of the matrix issues are solved through combustion of some constituents. Smelting is strongly tied to fossil energy and air emissions are a concern. In addition, pyrometallurgical processes are not stand alone, as hydrometallurgical refining normally required to separate and recover the metals of interest (Co, Ni, and Cu) from the produced alloy and Li from the slag [7]. Hydrometallurgical processes can be highly selective and efficient in recovering high purity materials [8]. In general, hydrometallurgical processes are considered cleaner and less costly than high temperature processes [4,9-10]. Extensive chemical consumption and waste generation significantly increase the operating costs and overall environmental impact of the hydrometallurgical processes [11]. Leaching of metals from LIBs is dominated by the mixture of sulfuric acid (1 to 4 M H2SO4) and hydrogen peroxide (1 to 15 wt.% H2O2) [10]. Although organic acids have been tested as lower environmental impact alternatives, the reported pulp density operations are low < 60 g/L [10-11]. For the H2SO4/H2O2 leachates, high leaching efficiencies >90% are reported for Co, Ni, Mn, and Li from cathode materials at temperatures over 40 ⁰C and pulp densities between 30 to 200 g/L [9-10]. H2O2 acts as reducing agent to convert Co+3 and Mn+4 into their soluble forms, Co+2 and Mn+2 [12]. Despite the claims of H2O2 being a clean reducing agent [13], production of H2O2 has significant environmental impacts as determined by life-cycle analyses [13-14]. Moreover, the costs and risks associated with H2O2 transportation and storage cannot be ignored [15].

Mar 2, 2022

By M. R. Shahan, C. E. Seaman, S. E. Mischler, T. W. Beck

"Float coal dust is produced by various mining methods, carried by ventilating air and deposited on the floor, roof, and ribs of mine airways. If deposited float dust is re-entrained during a methane explosion, without sufficient inert rock dust quantities, this float coal dust can propagate an explosion throughout mining entries. Consequently, controlling float coal dust is of critical interest to mining operations. Rock dusting—adding inert material to airway surfaces—is the main control technique currently utilized by the coal mining industry to reduce the float coal dust explosion hazard. To assist the industry in reducing this hazard, NIOSH’s Pittsburgh Mining Research Division (PMRD) initiated a project to investigate methods and technologies to reduce float coal dust in underground coal mines through prevention, capture, and suppression prior to deposition. Field characterization studies were performed to determine quantitatively the sources, types, and amounts of dust produced during various coal mining processes. The operations chosen for study were a continuous miner section, a longwall section, and a coal handling facility. For each of these operations, the primary dust sources were confirmed to be the continuous mining machine, longwall shearer, and conveyor belt transfer points, respectively. Respirable and total airborne float dust samples were collected and analyzed for each operation and the ratio of total airborne float coal dust to respirable dust was calculated. During the continuous mining process, the ratio of total airborne float coal dust to respirable dust ranged from 10.3 to 13.8. The ratios measured on the longwall face were between 18.5 and 21.5. The total airborne float coal dust to respirable dust ratio observed during belt transport ranged between 7.5 and 21.8. INTRODUCTION During the extraction of coal, various dusts are produced that can be classified into two categories of interest: respirable and float coal dust. Respirable dust (diameter 10.0 = µm) has the capability to penetrate beyond the terminal bronchioles and become deeply embedded into the human lungs, leading towards respiratory disease complications (Potts et al., 1990). Float coal dust is defined as coal dust having a diameter less than 74 µm (Harris et al., 2009). During the mining process, float coal dust can be deposited on the floor, roof, and ribs of mine airways. With the proper mixture of methane gas (between 5% and 15%) and an ignition source, a methane gas explosion can occur (Barker and Humphreys, 1996). The resulting explosion can develop a pressure wave which lifts the deposited float coal dust material into the air, propagating a disastrous coal mine explosion (Harris et al., 2010). The current technique to safeguard against the propagation of a coal mine explosion is to treat the mine airways with incombustible rock dust (typically limestone), maintaining an 80% total incombustible content of the deposited material. NIOSH initiated a project to investigate control technologies that could be aimed at reducing the amount of float coal dust allowed to deposit in the mine airways using three approaches: prevention, capture, and suppression prior to deposition. Reducing the float coal dust being generated during the mining processes and capturing or suppressing airborne float coal dust prior to deposition would in turn increase the efficiency of the applied rock dust used to prevent mine explosions."

Jan 1, 2017

By Carrie Pourvahidi

The California High Speed Rail Authority (Authority) was created by the State of California through legislation in 1996. The purpose of the Authority is to plan, construct, finance and operate a statewide intercity high speed passenger rail system. In 2004 the Authority prepared a programmatic level environmental document in compliance with the California Environmental Quality and National Environmental Protection Acts (CEQA and NEPA).The Authority and Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) were the lead agencies overseeing the development of the environmental documentation. The resulting document includes two volumes and 64 supplemental technical reports analyzing the transportation needs for California and the selection of an approach to meeting the project transportation needs. The Programmatic Environmental Impact Report and Environmental Impact Statement (EIR/EIS) identified High Speed Rail as the most environ-mentally protective, sustainable and economical approach to meeting the state?s projected transportation needs.

Jan 1, 2008

By T. K. Kim

Iron, cobalt, and nickel in waste ferric chloride solutions were separated from each other by solvent extraction. The iron was extracted from the cobalt and nickel by the use of methyl isobutyl ketone, and then the cobalt was separated from the nickel by the use of a high-molecular-weight quaternary amine dissolved in a solvent of high aromatic content.

Jan 1, 1980

By C. W. Schultz

The Alabama tar sands of the Hartselle Sandstone formation present a more difficult problem in primary extraction than do the Athabasca tar sands. In contrast to the Athabasca tar sands, the Alabama tar sands are "oil wetted" and the contained tar, or bitumen, is of much higher viscosity. A physical beneficiation scheme was developed in which clean sand from an external source was used as a scrubbing medium. High intensity scrubbing liberated the tars which are readily recovered by froth flotation. Locked cycle tests have shown that, after the use of an initial ration of clean sand, the system produced enough new clean sand to be self sustaining.

Jan 1, 1992

By D. L. Langhans

Platinum-group metal (PGM) converter matte from the Stillwater Complex, MT, was subjected to chemical and biological leaching in an effort to upgrade the matte by decreasing the Cu and Ni content. Copper and NL extractions were optimized in a two-stage chemical leach. Atmospheric pressure sulfuric acid leaching removed over 90 pct of the Ni and Fe in the first stage, while 95 to 98 pct of the Cu was removed is the second stage using an acidified cupric chloride leach. This two-stage leach, followed by an elemental sulfur removal step, decreased the weight of the matte by 90 pct. The combined Cu and Ni content was reduced from 65 pct to less than 20 pct, while the PGM content was increased from less than 2 pct to 26 pct. Biological oxidation using Thiobacillus ferrooxidans also proved to be an effective method for removing Cu and Ni. Over 90 pct of the sulfide was oxidized and 99 pct of the Cu and Ni were solubilized, leading to a 60 pct reduction of sample mass during the 17 week bio-oxidation of the Stillwater converter matte. The final residue, after removal of jarosite that accumulated during bio-oxidation, contained less than 3 pct combined Cu and Ni and 6 pct MM.

Jan 1, 1993

By Peter W. Harben, Edward M. Dickson

The distribution of metallurgical grade bauxite deposits will be discussed with the aid of a comprehensive table and a reference map. Information will include operating companies, mine locations, ore grade, and chemical analysis, geological environment, and production capacities. General comments will be made on the distribution of production and its relationship with major consuming regions. The pattern for the future will be assessed, including potential new producers, changing specifications and industry structure.

Jan 1, 1984

By K. Hanumantha Rao, P. K. Sharma

A pure strain of Paenibacillus polymyxa and mineral- adapted strains are used to bring about surface chemical changes on pyrite and chalcopyrite and, thus, theirflotation. Paenibacillus polymyxa was adapted by repeated subculturing in the presence of pyrite and chalcopyrite. The surface chemical changes of bacteria due to adaptation and of minerals after their interaction with bacterial cultures are evaluated by electrokinetic and infrared spectroscopy and are discussed with reference to their flotation responses. Interaction of bacterial cells, bacterial metabolites and whole bacterial cultures affected the Hallirnondflotation behavior of the sulfide minerals. The Xanthate flotation results show that pyrite, but not chalcopyrite, is depressed when the tests are carried out after interaction with chalcopyrite-adapted Paenibacillus polymyxa. This investigation demonstrated that the surface chemical properties of bacteria can be manipulated successfully to achieve the desired effects in the flotation process.

Jan 1, 2000

By S. D. F. Rocha, A. L. A. SANTOS, E. M. A. BECHELENI, F. P. C. Silvas

Hydrometallurgical processes are needed to extract nickel (Ni) when it is disseminated in mineral matrix. High-pressure acid leaching (HPAL) and atmospheric acid leaching (AAL) are alternatives, and AAL has the advantage of requiring mild temperatures and pressure. Reducing-reagent tests improved the extraction of metals for the specific limiting portion of the ore. Low dosage of sodium thiosulfate presented better selectivity and safer operating conditions, allowing metal extractions of 50–62 percent at 95 °C. However, the low extraction rate obtained for Ni and the similar levels of impurities — magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), cobalt (Co) and iron (Fe) — extracted may represent economical and technological challenges in the downstream process.

By L. K. Lepley

A marine sonic sub-bottom profiling system and a hovercraft were used in an engineering geophysics survey of the tailings being deposited at the Mercur gold mine. Detailed density sections with vertical resolution of one meter were desired for computations of strength, permeability and potential self-compaction. The logistical problems of conducting a geophysical survey and in collection of geotechnical soil samples from an active tailing impoundment was solved by using the amphibious hovercraft for towing and transport on the impoundment. The "chirp" sonic system produced continuous, real-time geophysical cross-sections with vertical resolution of ten centimeters showing possible trapped gas. The hovercraft provided a platform over water, ice, slurry, and solid beach for collection of geotechnical information and physical samples.

Jan 1, 1994

By Saul J. Escalera

Mechanisms involved in the depression of the sulfides: pyrite, chalcopyrite, galena and sphalerite with potassium permanganate have been investigated. Flotation tests were conducted using potassium amyl xanthate, Z-6, and pine oil in the absence and presence of potassium permanganate at around pH = 6. 5 naturally yielded by the sulfides in the pulp. On the basis of crystal chemistry considerations, the amount of xanthate adsorbed by the sulfides depends on the amount of sulfur and metal ions present on the surface; thus, the avidity of the sulfides for xanthate should increase in the order: sphalerite C chalcopyrite 4 galena 4 pyrite, and the ease of depression response to the permanganate action should be in the same order. Depression of the sulfides in the system occurs primarily due to the removal of the collector ions by the permanganate ions to form manganese dioxide and dixanthogen according to the reaction: 3 M(RX)2 + 2 Mn04 + 4 H20 2 ? MnO2 + 3(RX-XR) + 3 M+2 8OH where M represents the metal ion, RX the xanthate ion and (RX-XR) the dixanthogen molecule. Results seem to indicate that the permanganate ions play a triple role in the system: (1) they convert xanthate ions into dixanthogen, (2) they further oxidize the mineral surface and (3) if present in excess, they may oxidize the xanthate beyond the dixanthogen stage with the formation of CO2, H20 and SO4. All sulfides, except for chalcopyrite, showed a depression response in the order predicted regardless of the order of addition of xanthate and permanganate reagents. Chalcopyrite did not depress as easily; this behavior may be due to the avidity of the colloidal MnO2 to adsorb Cu+2 ions on its surface, this would destabilize the colloid making it coalesce with the formation of a layer of precipitated MnO2 on the surface of the mineral. The presence of this layer would prevent further action of the permanganate ions on chalcopyrite.

Jan 1, 1970

By S. J. Schatzel, R. B. Krog, H. Dougherty

Longwall face ventilation is an important component of the overall coal mine ventilation system. Increased production rates due to higher-capacity mining equipment tend to also increase methane emission rates from the coal face, which must be diluted by the face ventilation. Increases in panel length, with some mines exceeding 6,100 m (20,000 ft), and panel width provide additional challenges to face ventilation designs. To assess the effectiveness of current face ventilation practices at a study site, a face monitoring study with continuous monitoring of methane concentrations and automated recording of longwall shearer activity was combined with a tracer gas test on a longwall face. The study was conducted at a U.S. longwall mine operating in a thick, bituminous coal seam and using a U-type, bleederless ventilation system. Multiple gob gas ventholes were located near the longwall face. These boreholes had some unusual design concepts, including a system of manifolds to modify borehole vacuum and flow and completion depths close to the horizon of the mined coalbed that enabled direct communication with the mine atmosphere. The mine operator also had the capacity to inject nitrogen into the longwall gob, which occurred during the monitoring study. The results show that emission rates on the longwall face showed a very limited increase in methane concentrations from headgate to tailgate despite the occurrence of methane delays during monitoring. Average face air velocities were 3.03 m/s (596 fpm) at shield 57 and 2.20 m/s (433 fpm) at shield 165. The time required for the sulfur hexafluoride (SF6 ) peak to occur at each monitoring location has been interpreted as being representative of the movement of the tracer slug. The rate of movement of the slug was much slower in reaching the first monitoring location at shield 57 compared with the other face locations. This lower rate of movement, compared with the main face ventilation, is thought to be the product of a flow path within and behind the shields that is moving in the general direction of the headgate to the tailgate. Barometric pressure variations were pronounced over the course of the study and varied on a diurnal basis.

Jan 1, 2018

By S. J. Schatzel, R. B. Krog, H. Dougherty

Longwall face ventilation is an important component of the overall coal mine ventilation system. Increased production rates due to higher-capacity mining equipment tend to also increase methane emission rates from the coal face, which must be diluted by the face ventilation. Increases in panel length, with some mines exceeding 6,100 m (20,000 ft), and panel width provide additional challenges to face ventilation designs. To assess the effectiveness of current face ventilation practices at a study site, a face monitoring study with continuous monitoring of methane concentrations and automated recording of longwall shearer activity was combined with a tracer gas test on a longwall face. The study was conducted at a U.S. longwall mine operating in a thick, bituminous coal seam and using a U-type, bleederless ventilation system. Multiple gob gas ventholes were located near the longwall face. These boreholes had some unusual design concepts, including a system of manifolds to modify borehole vacuum and flow and completion depths close to the horizon of the mined coalbed that enabled direct communication with the mine atmosphere. The mine operator also had the capacity to inject nitrogen into the longwall gob, which occurred during the monitoring study. The results show that emission rates on the longwall face showed a very limited increase in methane concentrations from headgate to tailgate despite the occurrence of methane delays during monitoring. Average face air velocities were 3.03 m/s (596 fpm) at shield 57 and 2.20 m/s (433 fpm) at shield 165. The time required for the sulfur hexafluoride (SF6 ) peak to occur at each monitoring location has been interpreted as being representative of the movement of the tracer slug. The rate of movement of the slug was much slower in reaching the first monitoring location at shield 57 compared with the other face locations. This lower rate of movement, compared with the main face ventilation, is thought to be the product of a flow path within and behind the shields that is moving in the general direction of the headgate to the tailgate. Barometric pressure variations were pronounced over the course of the study and varied on a diurnal basis.

Jan 1, 2017

By A. Kalogeropoulos, T. Michalakopoulos

The DEM has been used in several studies to numerically simulate the response of rocks to the cutting action with drag tools. In this research, the aim is to realistically simulate the rock material and the cutting process by controlling the grain interlocking of the numerical assembly and streamlining the calibration process while focusing on the cutting force and the failure mechanism.

Apr 1, 2023