Search Documents

By D. G. Abbott

This paper will describe the development, testing, performance evaluation, and in particular, the utilization for a mining application of revolutionary new mini-disc cutters for use in micro-tunneling and small-and medium-diameter tunneling or mining. It will begin by describing the engineering, testing, and development of rock cutting technology in conjunction with the Rock Boring Laboratories of the Colorado School of Mines. During initial tests, the five-inch cutters were able to penetrate limestone and welded tuff with compressive strengths of 9,000 psi to 24,000 psi. High excavation rates at low thrust and power were achieved with considerably less cutter wear than all previously available conventional discs. Eventually, the discs-with their modified carbide-insert cutting rings, high-load capacity bearings and cantilevered mountings-were able to facilitate the rapid and cost-effective installation of micro-and small-diameter pipes and tunnels in large cobbles and even solid rock, with compressive strengths exceeding 30,000 psi. This paper will also discuss the further development of the machine's cutter head and discs to full-scale site use on a range of tunnel machine sizes and soil conditions, including rock, boulders, and soft ground. Potential mining applications include the installation of tunnels to pro-vide ventilation, emergency escape routes, water drainage, compressed air, electricity, and sand-fill.

Jan 1, 1996

By J. A. Luppens

Five years ago, Phillips Coal Company decided replacing mainframe/workstation programs with a new package of PC software was clearly the best solution for computer reserve modelling. The system chosen was actually three programs distinguished by their power, cost, flexibility and integration, and ease of learning and use. Phase I involves the use of the "StratiFact" program for borehole data management and seam correlation. This phase is probably the most neglected, yet critical aspect of reserve evaluation. Phase II employs the "PC/Cores" package for modelling and volumetrics. Phase m is "PC-Cut" which provides mine planning tools including an automated cut generator.

Jan 1, 1996

By George J. Karcas

"Non-ferrous metals such as copper, nickel, lead, zinc and precious metals are produced via the electrorefining and electrowinning processes. Apart from controlling electro-chemical conditions for the production of these metals, there has always existed the challenge of controlling the corrosive effect of the electrolyte environment which serves as the medium for non-ferrous metal production.The practice of acid containment in electrometallurgical operations has entered the world of high technology with the advent of advanced acid resistant materials such as vinyl ester resin which is either combined with aggregate to form polymer concrete or used to line various acid containment vessels and ·surfaces. ill comparison to some Asian, European, and African copper refineries, the North and South American copper industry has recently embraced quite heavily in the use of polymer concrete electrolytic cells and process vessels, such as electrolyte storage tanks, and in the use of vinyl ester resin for corrosion protective surface sealing 'systems in lieu of epoxy, acrylic and other materials because of its combination of higher corrosion resistance and superior flexibility.Electrolytic cell construction has undergone a transformation from a multiple part configuration to a single piece moulded/cast unit. ·The one piece moulded polymer concrete cell, which has been patented by Corrosion Technology International, with the overflow, decant, inlet, fast fill and segregation systems integrally designed is now the industry standard.. The combination of a wood, steel, or concrete frame with a lining made of lead, asphalt, rubber or plastic has been historically successful in providing limited protection from chemical and mechanical attack in electrolytic cells and electrolyte storage tanks all over the world. These combinations have now become obsolete as materials such as polymer concrete provide exceptional corrosion and mechanical protection with greatly reduced maintenance requirements and improved efficiency and productivity for the tankhouse. ill addition, polymer concrete can be disposed of in a regular land fIll which is much less costly than disposing of contaminated concrete that is normally associated with conventional lined concrete cells."

Jan 1, 1997

By H. C. Rolseth

The first step in the quarrying of granite, following removal of any overburden material, involves the freeing of large blocks from the formation. For many years the use of explosives was the accepted method of obtaining these blocks. Even today there are operations where this is considered to be the most economical method even though it does result in a high percentage of damaged stone. In more recent times the preferred procedure at most quarries has been to produce a continuous vertical cut or slot completely around the block to be separated. Originally, this was done by drilling a series of closely spaced holes around the block and breaking the web between the holes with a chisel-like tool known as a broaching bar. The machine used in this mechanical method of producing the relief slot is known as the channel bar. The modern day approach to the production of continuous channels was introduced to the industry around 1955 by the Linde Division of Union Carbide Corporation. The method employs a small rocket - jet burner producing a high temperature, high velocity exhaust flame which when directed against the granite causes it to disintegrate. This method, which has come to be known as "Jet Channeling", is now used by practically every major granite producer in the United States and Canada.

Jan 1, 1968

By C. Flores

The most common experimental approach of studying one variable at a time while holding all others constant is extremely inefficient. Use of statistical methods enables engineers and scientists to obtain meaningful information with the fewest experiments, reducing cost and wasted effort. In particular, the Taguchi method can be more efficient than traditional full factorial experiment designs, as it can study more variables with fewer nuts, and it is more robust against process "noise." Taguchi designs are also simple to formulate and the results can be analyzed by simple PC spreadsheets. The role and benefits of using the Taguchi method in experiments to develop and optimize processes is discussed.

Jan 1, 1998

By A. C. Ross

"The paper will deal with non-destructive testing in general, and its advantages to those responsible for the maintenance of wire rope. An outline of the main features of the M.D. 6 Defectograph will be given, and the method of operation and results obtained will be described.The instrument will accommodate ropes at 7 /16-to 2 %-inch diameter at reasonable speeds, and is capable of detecting the most minute defects in even the largest-diameter wire ropes."

Jan 1, 1969

By Richard L. Werner

The petrographic microscope as a tool in determining impurities and grain size of limestones, clays, sand and coal ash for possible use as raw materials is discussed. Its use in the determination of the mineral composition of various size fractions of the raw mix, after fine grinding in ball mills, and of the waste dust from the rotary kiln. A description is given of the typical clinker crystals; alite, belite, tricalcium aluminate and ferrite. The process problems indicated by various changes in the crystal characteristics are listed with possible solutions. Finally the microscope as used in relation to field problems with concrete such as air void volume, percent hydration of the cement, cement aggregate bonding and the determination of solid additives, is presented.

Jan 1, 1982

By C. A. Rawlins

INTRODUCTION Radcont is a program designed by the author of this paper for the industry to use as an instrument for radiation contamination evaluation and ventilation planning system. Radiation in mines are associated with the mining of gold and gold bearing minerals, as uranium and thorium is incorporated in the mining of these minerals. Radiation contamination in South African mines is not a new concept as it was investigated by the Chamber of Mines in the early 1960's and found not to be hazardous at the time. Since some of our mines export scrap metal to customers abroad, it came to light (1991) that some of the scrap metal was radioactive. The authority that oversees the nuclear aspects in South Africa is the Council for Nuclear Safety (CNS). They investigated these matters and found that the mines needed further information regarding radioactive material and the handling of these contaminated materials. As the various mines were licensed (with various conditions incorporated) thereafter, the mines had to do their own investigations as to what extent their properties (Surface and underground) were radioactively contaminated. Some mines were found to be highly contaminated over the years of operation and controlling conditions were installed and measures installed to reduce the contamination levels. One of the conditions when issuing a licence by the Council for Nuclear Safety (CNS), is that a screening survey be carried out to determine the radiation exposure levels and corrective action to be taken if necessary. These surveys must be done by a person trained in the required procedures for such a survey. The person must also measure the risk correctly and assess the results properly. In such a survey, the internal and external exposure levels must be determined to assess the total exposure of persons working in those conditions and take appropriate action if necessary. When doing such a survey, hundreds and more likely, thou- sands of data points are recorded. In order to assess the data recorded, various integrated and difficult calculations need to be made, and takes up enormous amounts of time. (This excludes the interpretation of the results ) The following explanation of the program shows the different parts of such a survey assessment calculations to be done. The paper details the program layout and the different sub- sections within the primary program. It must be stated that the program, as with any other program, is as accurate as the data inserted into the data base. The program and details thereof are given under the following headings: 1. TOTAL EFFECTIVE DOSAGE WITH REGARDS TO: • GME required gravimetric results obtained (mg/m3) • Thick layer or total contamination measured (Bq/m2) • Dry condition surveys with dust loads taken as a Standard l0mg/m3 • Wet conditions survey with dust loads taken as l mg/m3 • Airborne long lived alpha and beta activities as determined by analysis in Bg/m3 • LTD (Thermoluminescent Dosimeter). Results as obtained from the SABS (South African Buro of Standards) are recorded in this section for each month of the year for each individual worker. An average dose is then determined at the end of the year. • Bucket measurements as recorded. • Smear samples (Loose contamination). As determined by Electra or by analysis • Occupational factors for Metallurgical and Engineering occupations in and around the Metallurgical facilities of your mine. • All underground dosage determination and calculations. (Radon and Thoron) 2. INFORMATION REQUIRED WHEN PROGRAM IS INITIALISED: As the program is started, it opens up on the contents page. Here there are various options to choose from, but one is cautioned as a beginner in operating the program, not to perform any tasks before carefully reading these instructions. Firstly, one must go to the 'Information required" pushbutton. Press this button. The information required page is shown where the cursor can be moved to the block where one can enter the specific mines name. To enter a mines name, put the cursor in the block provided and just insert the mines name with the normal keyboard keys and press the enter button on the computer keyboard. To enter the other information required such as Alpha and Beta instrument efficiency, ALI (Annual limit of intake) and probe area, one can either press the 'Data required" button for a dialog box information or enter it manually by just putting the cursor in the block provided and entering as did above. In order to insert all the required information for the pro- gram to calculate the information required, one must proceed further by entering the area names surveyed in the spaces provided. There are 20 spaces to enter 20 different areas surveyed. One must further also provide the amount of days worked in each area (i.8. 250) in the block provided. The de- fault is 250 days. There are also standard information given in the information data page such as breathing rate (1,2 m31h), 8 hours worked per day, 5 days per week and 50 weeks per

Jan 1, 1997

By S L. Martin, M Wimberger

The binary indicator coding of assay and lithological data according to a single criterion or multiple criteria is a powerful technique for representing mineralised shapes through the modelling of probabilities. This can be as simple as using a single indicator to model the probability of occurrence of a condition, usually a grade threshold or a lithology, but it can also be used with a number of categories. Case studies are presented to show the power of this approach, where the geological controls on mineralisation or on the distribution of a rocktype or alteration, often coupled with mineralisation, are unclear. The categorical approach is often used as a de facto grade filter in disseminated or stockwork mineralisation. The ultimate expression of the indicator formalism is in multiple indicator kriging (MIK), where a conditional distribution of probabilities is generated for each estimation panel. This has applications in recoverable resource estimation, as the input for continuous or categorical simulation, where the distribution of sample grades is multimodal, or when there are superimposed mineralisation events with different orientations. However, in some cases, MIK is being used as an excuse for ignoring a quality geological interpretation. Examples from the public domain show the abuse of the categorical and MIK approaches to modelling probabilities, together with a plea for greater consideration of the geology.

Mar 22, 2022

By Alexander Fleischanderl

Steel market has become somehow unpredictable and requires quick adjustment in production conditions to survive in the harsh market environment. Steel production is not anymore driven by output records, but by efficient cost reduction measures to remain competitive under strongly varying production conditions. Energy efficient production and flexible raw material scenarios have become decisive factors to succeed and survive in our industry. Such scenarios have to be carefully investigated to be well prepared to adopt production steps continuously. The paper analyses various process opportunities to optimize energy and raw material consumption in the production route. Off-gas treatment systems have still a huge untapped potential to recover energy from the hot waste gases. This is valid for the EAF mini mills as well as for the integrated route. Various examples for waste heat recovery systems including resulting benefits are discussed for the EAF, agglomeration, blast furnace, direct reduction and BOF. New innovative bag-filter systems feature extremely low emission levels at lowest pressure loss and sound emission conditions. Also improved control and automation solutions support the operators to minimize the operation and maintenance costs of their off-gas system. Steelmaking by-products shall not be considered as residues, but as a valuable and cheap raw material source. The paper presents some show cases how to valorize slags as well as utilizing coke and iron oxide fines to increase productivity and minimize raw material cost. A new process for highly flexible converter steelmaking allowing for extraordinary high HBI and scrap rates above 50% and improved yield is discussed and evaluated

Oct 30, 2017

By D Cooke

In 2010, Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mines (KCGM) was Australia’s largest gold producer, with total annual production of 788 000 ounces. Of the gold produced by KCGM in 2010, 95 per cent was extracted from the Fimiston open pit, also known as the Superpit. The Fimiston operation encompasses the historic Golden Mile, from which more than 55 million ounces of gold have been extracted from the world-class Fimiston lode style mineralisation.The operational performance of the KCGM Fimiston open pit was reviewed for the period between 2005 and 2010. Key performance metrics reviewed included mined tonnes and grade, cost per ounce of gold produced and the mine to mill reconciliation trends. The years 2007 and 2008 were characterised by a decline in performance against key performance metrics. The ore zones were diluted, with the excess tonnes mined resulting in lower grade and an increase in the cost per ounce. Poor reconciliation between ore mined, the ore reserve model and the grade control polygons was also observed.A series of improvement initiatives were implemented in late 2008. As a result of changes made to the grade control and mining practices, the site performance recovered. Unplanned dilution was reduced, which had a positive impact on mined grade. The lower tonnes combined with higher grade reduced the cost per ounce to below budgeted levels in 2009 and 2010, enhancing the profitability of the operation. The operational performance between 2005 and 2010 was compared to the turnover statistics for the KCGM geology department over the same period. Turnover accelerated between 2005 and 2007, peaking at an annualised rate of 43 per cent. With the onset of the Global Financial Crisis and the implementation of retention initiatives, turnover reduced significantly between 2008 and 2010. A strong consistent correlation was observed between the turnover trends in geology and the performance of the grade control function and resultant site metrics.The cost of turnover is known intuitively, however, rarely quantified. To evaluate the benefit of the improved performance, a detailed financial model was used to quantify the impact of the grade control function. In 2010, the headgrade exceeding budget by just four per cent contributed an additional A$24 M of value to KCGM. In contrast, if the 2008 performance had been replicated in 2010 (-9 per cent on headgrade), the result would have removed A$61 M in value from the business. The KCGM experience between 2005 and 2010 demonstrates the value of human capital in a mining operation and the importance of a high performing geology grade control team to the profitability of a mining operation.

Aug 22, 2011

By R Brake

The Enterprise Mine (EM) is located at Mount Isa and is wholly owned by Mount Isa Mines Limited (MIM). This high-grade copper mine extends from about 1000 m below surface to almost 2000 m below surface. A recent $400 million upgrade has taken the operation from a production rate of 1.3 Mtpa to a capacity of 3.5 Mtpa. The effects of high surface ambient temperatures in summer, combined with the depth of the mine and high virgin rock temperatures results in heat stress in the working place that, without intervention, would exceed the levels that human physiology can withstand. It would also result in significant decreases in productivity and high accident rates even where work is possible. Moreover, with a very hot and deep mine, the needs of æegressÆ and entrapment of workers during a mine emergency must be carefully considered. Enterprise Mine has taken a æsystems approachÆ to the issue of working productively, healthily and safely in heat. This involves setting limits of thermal stress for workers, understanding productivity decrements when working in heat, establishing productive and healthy environmental targets, developing engineering solutions to meet these targets, creating a well-educated workforce with respect to working in heat and then developing health protocols to ensure workersÆ health is protected. Refrigeration must be added to the mine to provide acceptable and productive conditions underground. By the time the mine is commissioned in 2000, Enterprise mine will have an installed refrigeration capacity of in excess of 40 MW(R). The ventilation engineering principles proven over many years at the other Isa underground mines are tailored to æfloodingÆ the mine with air to remove the heat, which is the main contaminant. This principle will not work at the Enterprise Mine, for reasons discussed below. With the underlying ventilation principle no longer satisfactory, a complete review of the entire ventilation principles and engineering solutions was required for the Enterprise Mine.

Jan 1, 2000

By R. A. McIvor, R. S. Rafuse

"INCO Limited purchased a custom designed mobile hoist rope winder/tensioner in 1988 from TimberLand Equipment Limited to handle Large hoist ropes and serve as an emergency hoist. This paper describes the operation of the winder/tensioner and some of the different applications that the machine has been used to handle large loads.IntroductionINCO Limited operates 24 mine hoists in the Ontario Division and has approximately 50 miles of mine hoist rope hanging in the shaft plus an equal amount on spare reels. The mine hoist ropes range in size from )( inch to 2.305 inches in diameter with the majority being 1 3/4 inches and above. Prior to the procurement of a new high powered winder/tensioner in 1988, the mine hoist ropes were handled with a variety of methods and equipment using hydraulic or pneumatic powered reel winders. The largest such reel winder has a pull rating of 8000 Ibs and travels approximately 40 ft/min. Head ropes for the tower mounted friction hoists were installed and removed using a magazine on the hoist drum to wind and unwind the rope because the loads were greater than the capacity of the existing machinery. It was recognized that a large high capacity machine would improve the productivity for handling the larger hoist ropes and a feasibility study was undertaken to determine the parameters for such a machine."

Jan 1, 1995

By M. Peters, P. Schmäh

The development of renewable energies and a sustainable power grid are the challenges for future energy supply. Underground cables will replace the vulnerable overhead lines, because of their safety benefits. Due to the public environmental awareness, smart tunnelling and trenchless solutions are required for inner-city and cross-country installations of underground cables, as well as for crossings and the landfall sections to connect offshore wind farms to the transmission grid. Methods from the tunnelling and pipeline industry provide a high flexibility in the planning of alignments, including versatile tunnel concepts and the installation of protective pipes with E-Power Pipe and Direct Pipe.

Jun 13, 2023

By Leonhard Weixler, Peter Platzek

The Company Bauer Maschinen is very well known in the field of specialist foundation equipment. In the diaphragm wall market, we have experiences both in manufacturing and executing projects all over the world since 1984. We have a population of more than 300 units working all over the world in all climate and soil conditions. Especially for hard soil and rock conditions, we have developed several cutting tools and systems to optimize the performance, e. g. the “flipper tooth” Besides the execution of land based foundation projects, we have performed our firs offshore project with the trench cutter in 1994. Our task was to take samples out of the alluvial soil off the coast of Namibia in a water depth of max. 200 m. We converted a drill vessel and launched the cutter thru the moon pool. The samples had a cross section of 3,40 m² and a max. depth of 5 m. They were used to estimate the content of diamonds. The first time, we reached the seabed of the deep sea was together with our seafloor exploration rig MeBo, where we can take cores up to a length of 160 m in a maximum water depth of 4000 m. With our customer MARUM, we have done several expeditions since 2005. The last expedition took place in the Black Sea to explore gas hydrates.

Jan 1, 2018

By Leonhard Weixler, Peter Platzek

The Company Bauer Maschinen is very well known in the field of specialist foundation equipment. In the diaphragm wall market, we have experiences both in manufacturing and executing projects all over the world since 1984. We have a population of more than 300 units working all over the world in all climate and soil conditions. Especially for hard soil and rock conditions, we have developed several cutting tools and systems to optimize the performance, e. g. the “flipper tooth” Besides the execution of land based foundation projects, we have performed our firs offshore project with the trench cutter in 1994. Our task was to take samples out of the alluvial soil off the coast of Namibia in a water depth of max. 200 m. We converted a drill vessel and launched the cutter thru the moon pool. The samples had a cross section of 3,40 m² and a max. depth of 5 m. They were used to estimate the content of diamonds. The first time, we reached the seabed of the deep sea was together with our seafloor exploration rig MeBo, where we can take cores up to a length of 160 m in a maximum water depth of 4000 m. With our customer MARUM, we have done several expeditions since 2005. The last expedition took place in the Black Sea to explore gas hydrates.

Jan 1, 2018

By OÆShea P. J, Dickson T. W

In April 1994 the Victorian Premier announced new State initiatives, collectively termed the Victorian Initiative for Minerals and Petroleum (VIMP), for exploration totalling $16.5 m over three years. The program, initially centred on the northwest of Victoria, the Eastern Highlands and the Otway Basin, is due for completion in June 1997 and has been designed to attract explorers to highly prospective but currently under-explored parts of the State. Major components of the program include acquisition of geophysical data (including airborne magnetics and radiometrics, gravity and seismic data), stratigraphic drilling, geological mapping and mineral resource data compilation. At the completion of the current program, 70 per cent of the State will have been covered by airborne magnetic and radiometric coverage at 400 m line spacing or better (Figure I) while 20 per cent of the State will have been covered by new geological mapping. The completion of database compilations for geochemistry, mine data and exploration licence summaries during the VIMP program is shown in Figure 2. The new airborne geophysical surveys have been flown partly under the VIMP program and partly by AGSO under the National Geoscience Mapping Accord (NGMA). Data from these surveys have been interpreted and incorporated into the geological mapping in order to enhance the quality of map products, especially in areas of Cainozoic cover. The first series 1:250 000 scale geological map coverage of Victoria was completed by the Geological Survey of Victoria (GSV) in 1977, and was based on compilation of historical geological mapping with minor field checking in most cases. The first metric 1:50 000 scale geology maps were also commenced in the 1970s, but were discontinued in the 1980s in favour of 1:100 000 scale map production. Driven by customer survey findings and with the benefit of detailed airborne geophysical data in the 1990s, the GSV reverted to 1:50 000 scale map production in 1995, with 1:10 000 scale maps made in areas of significant gold production. Geological reports still cover standard 1:100 000 scale map areas, but are now accompanied by four 1:50 000 scale maps. These new series 1:50 000 scale geological maps have been supported by comprehensive mine data and exploration licence summary databases in addition to the new geophysics, and benefit from the advances made in structural geological interpretation over the last decade. The new phase of geological mapping in Victoria, commenced under the NGMA in 1990 and accelerated under VIMP in 1994, has been focused in the central Victorian goldfields and eastern Highlands areas of the State (Figure 1). Results to-date have led to a number of major advances in the understanding of the eeoloeical evolution of Victoria.

Jan 1, 1997

By Howard C. Homeyer

Coal and water are the two basic external feedstocks required for a coal gasification project. The WESCO project in northwest New Mexico, a joint undertaking of Texas Eastern Transmission Corporation and Pacific Lighting Corporation, will require about 25,000 tons of coal and approximately 7.5 million gallons of water each day to produce 250 million cubic feet per day (MMCFD) of pipeline quality substitute natural gas (SNG). The coal and water supply arrangement with Utah International, Inc. assures the project of an adequate supply of these two vital feedstocks.

Jan 1, 1974

By Dave Deglon

The Western Cape Mineral Processing Facility (WCMPF) is a collaborative educational initiative between the Departments of Chemical Engineering of the University of Cape Town, the University of Stellenbosch and the Cape Technikon. The WCMPF was established in 1989 with the aim of improving mineral processing education in the Western Cape. Since its inception the WCMPF has had a number of successes in this area, especially in improving the quality of mineral processing practical training. In addition, the WCMPF has played an important role in promoting liaison and interaction between tertiary educational institutions teaching mineral processing in the Western Cape. Over the past decade the WCMPF has played a key role in the education of over five hundred mineral processing graduates and diplomates. This paper presents an overview of the activities of the WCMPF and attempts to encapsulate the ‘lessons learned’ from over a decade of successful functioning as a collaborative educational initiative in mineral processing.

Jan 1, 2003

By George R. Pratt

Although the title of this paper focuses attention to the Winnipeg coal market the following remarks should be considered applicable not only to conditions in Winnipeg but to the whole western coal industry. Technical descriptions of coal and coal-burning have been omitted. These details are already covered in other numerous publications. In discussing a market the first consideration must be the product which is required to be sold. The class, quality and price at the point of origin must be taken into account and therefore this feature will be discussed before proceeding to outline conditions in the Winnipeg local market. The writer thinks of coal as a manufactured article, not, as it is generally considered, a fuel to be dug from the ground and dumped into the consumer's bin. The work of manufacturing must be considered in detail:- 1. Consider first the coal as it is in the ground: (a) What is its fuel value? (b) Where is its market? © With what will it be in competition? 2. Consider secondly: (a) What it will cost to mine the coal. (b) What has to be done to prepare the coal for market after it is mined. This must be considered in conjunction with the answer to question 1 ©. 3. Thirdly, consider the method of business to be adopted by the producer:- (a) Is it proposed to build a market on price? Or (b) On quality?

Jan 1, 1925