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By D. Christofferson

As an alternative power source to eliminate trailing cables, ESD Corporation is installing a flywheel system on a shuttle car. Flywheel power is extracted by a high-speed generator, developed by Lear Siegler Corp,, and the system -- including vacuum and lubrication and cooling auxiliaries -- is supplied by the aerospace group, Rocketdyne Division of Rockwell International. The flywheel system is being developed under a three-year contract with the Department of Energy. It is a follow-up contract to a previous DOE-contracted study by General Electric Co. in which it was shown that a flywheel can be a feasible power source for a shuttle car from technical, economic, and safety standpoints. This paper addresses the status of the program, design decisions established, and plans for laboratory test procedures and underground demonstration. The flywheel-powered shuttle car is a conventional 6-ton capacity shuttle car equipped with a 7-rotor flywheel energy storage package. The energy package is the sole source of power for the shuttle car through a complete mission duty cycle (MDC) of tramming to the miner, receiving a load of coal, and returning to the secondary haulage system. Energy stored in the system exceeds MDC requirements and waiting times to provide an ample margin of reserve energy. The energy storage system is recharged by spinning the rotors back up to maximum speed each time the shuttle car comes back to the secondary haulage system. The electrical charge motor is connected to a power source to recharge the system while the load of coal is being discharged.

Jan 1, 1982

By Gerald R. Coonan

I'm really here to talk about my pet subject of government relations. I've been in Peabody's Environmental Quality Department, working on regulations, for over five years, and I have seen a number of individuals in the coal industry who were completely stunned when a new regulation was brought to their attention. Their first reaction was, "where did this come from"?

Jan 1, 1980

By Tom Setterfield

Conclusions ?Canada is a prospective place to explore for IOCG deposits ?Time distribution of IOCG mineralization in Canada mimics that in the rest of the world ?Canada may have been the first country to start mining IOCG deposits ?Production from newly discovered IOCG deposits in Canada may start soon

May 1, 2006

By D Bruggemann, F Sereshki

There has been an ongoing research on coal and gas outburst for the past two decades at the School of Civil, Mining and Environmental Engineering, University of Wollongong. Research study began with a humble beginning, initially conducting basic laboratory studies on the coal and gas properties, progressing into the determination of gas content of coal by sorption technique and the effect of gas pressures on coal strength. The present laboratory facilities and research interests are extended to include the study of coal permeability and shrinkage properties and their effect of gas drainage characteristics with respect to gas type, and pressures. All the changes are examined with respect to changing in-site geological conditions of the coal deposit investigated. The aim is to provide a long-term support to industry in establishing a data bank for Australian coal deposit characteristics and properties.

Jan 1, 2005

By FRANK COLE

THE territory covered in this discussion includes all the states west of the Mississippi river. Agriculture is expanding each year in this section, but until recent years the application of commercial fertilizers as an aid to crop production was not practised to any great extent. The use of commercial fertilizers has increased somewhat, but is still on a small basis as compared with the tonnages used else- where in the United States. During 1928 these western states used 665,100 tons of all classes of fertilizer as compared 'with 7,933,600 tons used in the whole United States; or this western area, compromising near- ly two-thirds the land area, uses about 5 per cent of the total fertilizer. To show how large a tonnage one state may consume, North Carolina for the year 192s used 1,349,360 tons of commercial fertilizer or about twice the amount used by 22 western states.

Jan 1, 1930

By Pierre Beaudoin

"This paper deals with the repairs made on two damaged mills. It investigates briefly the causes of the damage, explain its nature and the design of the repair. It explains the detrimental effect on operation and the solutions implemented to reduce them. Finally, to review the follow-up required for such repairs. LOCATIONThe Holt McDermott Mine is located 75 kilometers Northeast of Kirkland Lake and 30 kilometres west of the Quebec border in Northeastern Ontario. The town of Kirkland Lake is located approximately 500 kilometres north of Toronto. HISTORYThe discovery of gold in Holloway Township dates back to early 1920. In 1984 Barrick Resources, which amalgamated with Camflo Mines, acquired more claims on the property and initiated an extensive drilling program. By 1985, the drills indicated reserve increased to 2,500,000 tonnes grading 6.8 g/mt. In 1986 a production decision was made and in 1988 the mine was officially opened.As of December 31, 1998, 4,691,507 tonnes grading 5,66 g/tonnes have been milled from 4 ore-bodies. The mill started up in June 1988."

Jan 1, 2001

By Hyun Soo Kim, Joon Soo Kim, Myong Jun Kim, Jyothi Rajesh Kumar, Jin-Young Lee

Rare earth materials have an ever growing variety of applications in the modern and hitech technology. They apply to many an industry with crucial materials and they provide numerous a customers with benefits. Rare earth materials utilization increasing day-by-day in the worldwide, at the same time the resources is very limited in many countries like Korea. The present general article divided four sorts such as 1) mineral processing of Korean ore deals the gravity, magnetic separation and froth flotation, 2) decomposition and leaching of concentrates included sodium hydroxide fritting, sodium hydroxide hot digestion, hydrochloric acid leaching, 3) separation and purification of rare earth elements in mixed rare earth chloride solution consists reduction and oxidation method, solvent extraction, 4) preparation of rare earth oxide compound from purified elemental rare earth chloride solution having oxalate salt precipitation by reaction crystallization. The last part consists of a summary of the present study.

Jan 1, 2015

By William C. Howe

This paper describes the technical status of the atmospheric pressure fluidized bed combustion (AFBC) process for utility steam generation. Major areas where AFBC development work is needed are discussed. Various approaches to solving these key issues are identified and the ongoing research and development programs addressing the key development areas are described. Other significant programs pertaining to the development of AFBC for utility steam generation are also discussed and needs for future work identified.

Jan 1, 1978

By Michael Swisdak, John Tatom, James Tancreto

In 2002, testing was proposed to generate needed data to assist in developing improved explosives safety standards within the US Department of Defense. This testing emphasizes two major areas: (1) full-scale donor/acceptor trials examining debris generation and acceptor response and (2) debris perforation testing of representative roof/wall materials. The full-scale donor/acceptor trials are referred to as the SciPan series. The first three tests in the SciPan series have been completed, as has the first phase of the SPIDER program. This paper describes the status and future of these testing programs, reasons for choosing specific tests, potential benefits, and planning for future phases.

Jan 1, 2006

By David Roha, Øyvind Mikkelsen

"Significant resources have been spent throughout the years in the investigation of production of aluminum by carbothermic reduction. Due to the technological challenges involved, the efforts have not yet resulted in a commercial process. An initiative to overcome issues that prevented previous attempts to succeed was taken by Alcoa through the Advanced Reactor Process. The research program has resulted in technical developments which have resolved many of the previous issues. The knowledge about the process has continuously improved through physical and computer modeling as well as by experimentation at various scales. The technical achievements together with improved process understanding have resulted in a reactor design able to continuously operate the process for several weeks at the time, with hundreds of kilograms of alloy in every tap.IntroductionThe Hall-Heroult process has since its invention in the late 19th century, been essentially the only process used for commercial production of primary aluminum. The process has so far proved to be superior to all potential process alternatives and has continuously been improved. Although the Hall-Heroult is a reliable process it also has challenges:"

Jan 1, 2012

By H. Y. Sohn, Y. Mohassab, D. -Q. Fan, M. Elzohiery, A. Abdelghany

The Flash Ironmaking Technology being developed at the University of Utah is aimed at producing iron directly from iron oxide concentrate. In this technology, the concentrate is reduced by H2 and CO gas mixtures formed from the partial oxidation of natural gas in a flash reactor. Natural gas represents an economically and environmentally superior reductant/fuel for the flash ironmaking. The rate equations for the reduction kinetics by H2, CO and H2 + CO gas mixtures were determined in the temperature range 1150–1600 °C. These rate equations were applied to experimental results from a laboratory flash reactor using Computational Fluid Dynamics CFD simulation. A new mini-pilot reactor, which is capable of operating at 1150–1550 °C with a concentrate feeding rate of 2–5 kg/h, has been installed. Commissioning of the reactor with an emphasis on preheating of the reactor, production of reducing gas mixtures and the feeding and collection of iron ore concentrate and product particles has been completed.

Mar 1, 2017

By Herbert Hoover

IT is always a pleasure for me to join in the Ameri-can Mining Congress, for not only has my own professional life been closely linked with the industry, but the Secretary of Commerce is specifically enjoined in the organic act creating the office to promote and foster the interests of the mining industry. And it is a vital part of our national life. It is one of those indus-tries without which. the nation could not go on for a week. It ranks second only to the agricultural industry in its contribution to our raw materials. Its production amounts to nearly 6 ½ billions annually, providing direct support to probably ten millions of our people through employment to about two million workers. But the in-dustry has a greater importance than even these figures indicate, for with agriculture, forestry, and water power it furnishes the raw materials upon which the whole work of our civilization rests. When the raw ma-terials of our mines emerge. from manufacture with the added expenditure of labor and capital upon them, they have a wholesale value of over fifteen billions of dollars. And in this, the second stage of their application, they give employment to another two million workers and support to about ten million more of our people. A large portion of these manufactured commodities must filter through the retail trade; their total value when delivered to the consumer exceeds twenty billions of dollars. And from this distribution arises the support of many more millions of our people. It is estimated that the products of agriculture when they reach . the consumer, with transportation, manu-facturing, and distribution costs added, have about the same value as the mineral industries-each of them thus contributing about one-quarter of our total na-tional income. No other continent has demonstrated its possession of such a magnitude of minerals as has ours, and such a bountiful distribution over our whole land. But our mineral resources differ in one essential from our other natural resources-they are not renewable. Agricul-ture, forests, and water power replenish their supplies from season to season. Some people conclude from the non-renewable character of the mineral supply that they must shortly be exhausted. The practical question is ,one of time, and time in these matters needs to be measured in generations, and apprehension of exhaus-tion needs to be tempered with many probabilities in-cluding the advance in technical methods of extraction. In some of our minerals, such as coal, iron, and building materials we can, through a knowledge of their geologi-cal structure and occurrence, make fairly good estimates of our reserves. We. know that they will outlast many generations of Americans. In non-ferrous metals and oil, geology affords us no great basis for an estimate of future supply. We only know of the occurrence of minerals of this type by actual exposure of them, and we can thus make no estimates except upon reserves which have been proved by actual development by the process of mining. To develop them ahead merely for national satisfaction of assured future supply would imply an unbearable waste of capital. The consequence is that in these groups there is never a demonstrable assurance of more than a few years' supply ahead of us. Yet we have never failed from year to year to find new deposits and extension of old deposits.

Jan 1, 1928

Minerals are a fundamental component of the Nation" material and economic base. Without a continuous supply of minerals to meet growing and changing needs, the basic character of our society would be very different. The importance of minerals to the United States was reemphasized by the Congress in I970 when it enacted the Mining and Minerals Policy Act, which stated that it is the continuing policy of the Federal Government in the national interest to foster and encourage private enterprise in (I) the development of economically sound and stable domestic mining, minerals, metal and mineral reclamation industries, (2) the orderly and economic development of domestic mineral resources, reserves, and reclamation of metals and minerals to help assure satisfaction of industrial, security and environmental needs, (3) mining, mineral, and metallurgical research, including the use and recycling of scrap to promote the wise and efficient use of our natural and reclaimable mineral recources, and (4) the study and development of methods for the disposal, control, and reclamation of mineral waste products, and the reclamation of mined land, so as to lessen any adverse impact of mineral extraction and processing upon the physical environment that may result from mining or mineral activities.,.

Jan 1, 1977

"Status of the Mineral Industries" provides a written and graphic view of the Nation's mineral position and its mineral industries. The report, issued annually by the Bureau of Mines, U.S. Department of the Interior, describes recent activities in mineral production, consumption, imports, exports, and uses of significant minerals and mineral raw materials. Charts profile trends for the past 28 years in supplies and uses of iron, steel, major nonferrous metals, primary nonmetallic construction raw materials, fertilizers, and plastics. Also included are current and historical financial data on the mineral industries, such as debt-equity ratios, asset-to-liability ratios, and plant and equipment expenditures.

Jan 1, 1979

By W. N. Roman

This paper will examine the challenges involved in ventilating and cooling South African mines, with particular emphasis on solutions to the issues of heat (generally associated with depth), mechanization and energy efficiency. Comparisons will be made with other international mining areas. Some of the deepest mines in the world are to be found in the South African goldfields. The Mponeng mine is approaching 4,000 m below surface, with virgin rock temperatures (VRT) of between 60°C and 70°C. Mining at these depths has only been possible with the use of large refrigeration plants supplying cold air, water and ice to the workings. In the Bushveld Igneous Complex, where most of South Africa?s platinum mines are located, similar VRTs are being experienced at significantly shallower depths. This is due to the different geothermal properties of the host rock between the two areas. Existing mines are being forced to go deeper and new underground mines are being planned and constructed in other areas with widely differing thermal conditions. South African metal mining has traditionally been labour intensive for historical reasons as well as for the narrow tabular nature of many ore bodies. Due to cost pressures and labour problems, some mines have been investigating the possibility of using mechanized equipment, both diesel and electric, to increase production and to improve efficiency. Studies have been carried out to determine the effect of the additional equipment on the overall ventilation system and some of the conclusions are discussed. The use of diesel equipment adds heat and pollutants to the ventilation air but, although electrical equipment has a lesser effect on the ventilation systems, it is generally less favoured due to claims of lower flexibility/manoeuvrability. Mechanization holds the promise of more concentrated mining activities but, with higher localized ventilation and cooling needs. Systems which will control the provision of air and cooling more effectively are required and are being implemented. In the 1990s and early 2000s, the South African economy experienced significant growth which was not matched by the growth in infrastructure. Consequently, at present there is a shortage of electricity generation capacity which affects large industrial consumers, including mines. Increasing levels of heat and mechanization will require more electrical energy for ventilation and cooling. There are many initiatives underway to save power or to shift consumption to periods of national low demand and these will be described.

Aug 1, 2013

By H Mischo, G Barakos, J Gutzmer

The continuously growing demand for rare earth elements (REEs), in combination with the crisis of 2009 and the price spike of 2011, has initiated a treasure hunt for rare earth deposits all over the world in recent years. Since then, commodity prices have declined and are now quite stable, yet the world is still dependent on China’s dominance of the market and its export policies. Exploration is unremitting and numerous resources of potential interest have already been revealed in many countries; however, proceeding to mining operations is not that simple, especially when it comes to the exploitation of rare earth deposits. Evaluating the feasibility of a mining project is always a unique, sensitive and rather complex process that depends on multiple criteria.This paper focuses on clarifying the present and future global situation in the development of respective deposits and on identifying rare earth-specific criteria that influence the overall feasibility assessments of any potential (especially underground) mining projects. Environmental impacts, legislation issues and the presence of radioactive pollutants are some of the notable boundary conditions that govern rare earth mining operations and need to be taken into consideration. Furthermore, the balance problem between the supply and demand of the different REEs can determine decisively whether a deposit of specific REEs is economically exploitable. For this reason, evaluations are made regarding the future strategies to be enacted in order for the rest of the world to detach itself from this situation. The ultimate goal of these evaluations is for them to be incorporated in an overall assessment tool for rare earth underground mining procedures that will be implemented in real case studies to determine their sustainability.CITATION:Barakos, G, Mischo, H and Gutzmer, J, 2015. Status quo and future evaluations of global rare earth mining (with respect to special rare earth element-industry criteria), in Proceedings Third International Future Mining Conference, pp 21–30 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Nov 4, 2015

By R. A. Deju

The Basalt Waste Isolation Project of the U.S. Department of Energy is a part of the National Was re Terminal Storage Program. Its mission is to assess the feasibility of siting a nuclear waste repository in the basalt formations which underlie the Hanford Site of the U.S. Department of Energy. The progress in all program areas is summarized in this paper. Activities conducted to date have led to the identification of possible repository candidate sites within the Hanford Site.

Jan 1, 1981

By Lawrence D. Ramspott

A test of retrievable geologic storage of spent fuel assemblies from an operating commercial nuclear reactor is underway at the Nevada Test Site (NTS) of the U.S. Department of Energy his generic test is located 420 m below the surface in the Climax granitic stock. Eleven canisters of spent fuel approximately 2.5 years out of reactor core (about 1.6 kW/canister thermal output) were emplaced in a storage drift along with 6 electrical simulator canisters. Two adjacent drifts contain electrical heaters, which are operated to simulate within the test array the thermal field of a large repository. Fuel was loaded during April-May 1980 and initial results of the test will be presented.

Jan 1, 1981

By A. J. Getz

The paper reviews the status of the major precious metals projects in Australia, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, the Philippines, and New Zealand. The projects may be at the stage of exploration, development, operation, or expansion. The paper covers project location, reserves, method of resource exploitation, anticipated production, and other unique conditions.

Jan 1, 1990

Following the Moura No 2 Wardens Court of Inquiry and subsequent changes to the Queensland Mining Legislation there is a requirement in Queensland coal mines for: a person with the recognised competencies to be appointed at each underground coal mine to the position Ventilation Officer; and the person is directly responsible for the implementation of the mine ventilation system and for the establishment of effective standards of ventilation for the mine. The Regulations require that an underground mine must have principal hazard management plans that provide for at the least the following: emergency response, gas management, methane drainage, mine ventilation, spontaneous combustion, and strata control. Other than strata control all the plans require the ventilation officer to have roles and responsibilities to develop, control, monitor and undertake actions in relation to these plans.There are also another 34 Regulations that either directly or indirectly requires the Ventilation Officer to take actions.The purpose of this paper is to outline the information that the regulators look for in sealing plans and the actions the regulators will take if the sealing does not go to plan (TARPs being exceeded).

Jan 1, 2005