Search Documents

CHARLES E. WILSON'S second quarterly report "Meeting Defense Goals" was encouraging on the outlook for the mining industry, as prolonged demand for minerals seems assured; but for the individual engineer things are not so rosy. Ten percent of the gross national product is going for defense but the gross national product has been increased by 9 pct since the national emergency was declared apparently a commendable rate of progress. The increased production does not seem to have had the stabilizing effect on prices it should and housewives have been revising domestic budgets upward on a quarterly basis. Government economists have reached the conclusion that more taxes and wage and salary freezing are necessary to counteract inflation.

Jan 8, 1951

MINNEAPOLIS-HONEYWELL Regulator Co., and Trans-Weigh Co., have come up with a conveyor belt that thinks. The belt weighs material and then figures out the tons-per-hour that it carries. And you can't fool it by adding or subtracting material along the way. It makes allowances for any additional material as well as for any loss. The belt rides along a set of rollers. The force exerted on the rollers is transferred to a gage. The weight of the belt is subtracted electrically. Final measurements are fed into an electronic recorder which indicates the flow at the moment and the total amount which has been carried by the belt.

Jan 1, 1952

A Report Of Current Activity In The Industry

Jan 5, 1951

LATEST estimates of Russian steel production for 1951 give rise to the belief that on at least one vital front, the Western bloc of nations has maintained a definite advantage. On the surface, we are outproducing the Eastern bloc by more than twice. The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe estimates Russian output at 31.30 million tons, a 15 pct increase over the previous year. Production for the entire Iron Curtain is figured at 40.93 million tons. Western Europe alone produced 17 pct. more steel during the same period. The figures are misleading in one sense. We have no precise idea of how much steel is being used for arms. The Western nations are still expending much of their production for consumer goods, and you cant throw washing machines in a shooting war. It is significant to note that Russian production is well, beyond estimates made by world authorities prior to the current international situation. INTERIOR Secretary Oscar L. Chapman warns that the United States must make use of the resources of other nations or face mineral impoverishment once the time of struggle is over. He pointed out that the present struggle between two ideologies can leave the United States in such a state as to preclude anything but political' victory-with an accomp anying economic loss that will be irreparable. Chapman scored the attitude whereby conservation programs are looked upon as a luxury, pointing out that the nation faces an ever increasing need for action on that front. He also announced that the Bureau of Mines doubled its facilities for producing pure zirconium during 1950-51 at the request of the Atomic Energy Commission. Zirconium may be an important structural metal for atomic power devices. The Interior Secretary also said that the AEC has provided the Bureau with funds for the study of radioactive minerals and to help test and evaluate about 9000 ore samples believed to contain uranium.

Jan 1, 1952

A Report Of Current Activity In The Industry

Jan 4, 1951

PHILIP D. BLOCK, JR., vice president of Inland Steel Co., visualizes a fine future for the Menominee Range of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. He sees a future unclouded by threat from foreign ore imports or the development of low grade ore processing in Minnesota. The statement was made during the opening of Inland's new Cayia mine near Crystal Falls. Inland, according to the vice president, is planning to use an increased amount of the high phosphorous ores found on the Menominee Range. He said that other steel companies will probably do the same, because the steel industry has learned how to use ores of high phosphorous content. He said: "I do not mean to imply that we can use an unlimited amount of high phosphorous ores or that we can burden our blast, furnaces with 100 pct high phosphorous ores, but we have reached the point where we can absorb a much larger percentage of these ores without any detrimental effects. Foreign ores and lowgrade Minnesota ores cost too much to offer real competition, Block said. Transportation costs from the Menominee range to steel producing centers in Chicago and on Lake Erie are less than for any other range in this country. In the meantime, the American operators of the Bomi Hills iron ore mine in Liberia, have reportedly signed a new agreement with the Government. Several months ago, President Tubman of Liberia expressed a definite dissatisfaction with the original contract. Informants state that the agreement only needs the approval of the Export-Import Bank, which loaned Liberian Mining Co. $4 million to develop the iron ore properties. Majority stockholder of the Liberian Mining is Republic steel, with 61.57 pct of the stock. Under the new contract, the Liberian Government will start to share in the profits when the indebtedness is liquidated and the return of invested capital accomplished, or April 1, 1957, whichever is earlier. Under the old agreement the Liberian Government received a 5 cent per ton royalty and an additional sum based on the price of pig iron. The royalty rate reached more than 17 cents per ton this year. After debt liquidation the Liberian Government will receive 25 pct of net profits for the first five years; 35 pct for the next ten years; and 50 pct thereafter. Until the Government starts to share in profits it will receive a royalty of $1.50 per ton in U. S. currency, in addition to royalties provided for in the old agreement.

Jan 1, 1952

THE iron and steel industry spent $1,170,000,000 in 1952 for improvements and expansion, with an accompanying rise of 9 million net tons in capacity to 117.5 million tons of ingots and steel for castings. More than $4,600,000,000 has been invested in the seven years following World War 11. An average of $1260 has been laid out every minute during those seven years for an increase in capacity of 25.6 million tons.

Jan 3, 1953

NOTHING makes the run-of-the-hall Congressman feel quite so secure as to be on an investigating committee. It's sure fire publicity for one thing and is a convenient excuse for absence from Congressional sessions when controversial issues are being balloted. The minerals procurement program has just had a thorough investigation by Congressmen of the House Interior and Insular Affairs Committee who heard valuable testimony from men like John D. Morgan, director of materials procurement, DPA. He listed over 40 government agencies concerned with mineral affairs. Testimony disclosed the justification for many of the agencies but Congressmen and mine operators have been regarding the defense minerals program in the same light as did the mining student who remarked to the descriptive geometry prof "it's not the intrinsic difficulty of the problem which gives me trouble; it's the multiplicity of detail."

Jan 9, 1951

By J. G. A. Stevenson

"IntroductionDURING the past quarter of a century diamond drilling, in all its phases, has increased in Canada to a very impressive total of more than 10,000,000 feet annually. Since the art of diamond drilling became recognized, some seventy-five years ago, there has been considerable improvement in both equipment and technique. The steam-powered drill rig and the hand-set diamond bit are things of the past.The purpose of this paper is to review some drilling trends •and practices over the past few years. In the preparation of the paper, the author wishes to acknowledge kind assistance of Mr. J. D. Cumming, Dr. C. H. Hitchcock, Mr. Robert H. Quintal, and many others, including staff members of the Longyear organization.Figures provided by the Dominion Bureau of Statistics for the year 1954 show that Canadian production of metallic and non-metallic minerals and structural materials had a value of $1,454.2 million, excluding radioactive products for which figures are not available. Approximately 61 per cent of this valuation comprised production of nickel, copper, gold, coal, asbestos, zinc, lead, and iron. It is certain that diamond drilling played a major role in the discovery and development of the orebodies from which these minerals were obtained.After the surface examination of an ore deposit, diamond drilling will automatically follow, in order to determine structure, grade, and tonnage.Footage drilled by mining companies and contractors on mineral exploration and blast-hole work since 1945, as reported by the Do-minion Bureau of Statistics, is shown in Figure 1."

Jan 1, 1955

By Othmar Mueller

Building demolition techniques using blasting are different depending on the structure of the building, on surroundings, traffic, debris-transport systems, and re-usability of salvaged building materials, etc. This paper outlines some of the trends and problems in demolition blasting technique in Europe and especially in Hungary.

Jan 1, 1975

By Carlos Rebolledo, Nelson Parra

Arsenic is an unresolved problem in the mining industry considering the fact that most of the new copper deposits have high arsenic contents; stricter environmental restrictions for handling, transporting and processing complex materials are expected and stable abatement of arsenic is not extensively applied. In 2018 Chile produced 24.5% of the total copper from concentrates and in the future copper production in Chile is expected to increase, mainly associated with production of concentrates that will also contain more arsenic. China has set an import benchmark of maximum 0.5% for arsenic content in copper concentrates and this value is expected to be more restrictive in the future. On the first day of 2018 China banned the importation of scrap. Blending practice has been a business option, but it is not sustainable in the future, as “normal” copper concentrates become less and less clean. By the end of 2018, Chile formulated new regulations, increasing the capture of SO2 and arsenic to 95%. In order to comply with these regulations Chilean smelters had to make large invest large amounts of money. Disposing of arsenic as a stable residue is a pending issue. EcoMetales is a 100% subsidiary of Codelco and provides the mining industry with environmental solutions. It has a plant near Calama in Chile that treats flue dust from smelters, refinery effluents and acid solutions from acid plants. EcoMetales is fully committed to contributing to the solution to the arsenic problem. Currently we are developing four main projects: 1) Concentrates treatment. A PLCC project considering the treatment of 200 ktpy of copper concentrates with arsenic from the northern district of Codelco; 2) EPAS DET project considering the treatment of 700 m3/d of weak acid solution with arsenic from the of El Teniente devision of the Codelco acid plant; 3) Borras project, considering the recovery of valuable metals (Cu, Ag, Ge, Pb) from the flue dust leaching plant; 4) Tailings project, considering the recovery of metal values from tailings. The purpose of this work is to present the trends and treatment processes for arsenic handling in the copper mining industry with a focus on the scorodite process. INTRODUCTION Between 2000 and 2015 the global copper concentrates production has grown from approximately eleven to fifteen million metric tons per year. Chile produced 26.5% of the total copper from concentrates and in the future copper production in Chile is expected to increase, mainly as a result of the production of concentrates (Figure 1)

Jan 1, 2019

By George E. Aiken

Agglomeration developments in the iron ore industry of North America are closely related to shifting patterns in commercially acceptable ore grades and even the definition of iron ores. These relationships have occurred mainly during the last 20 years. Many of these changes are an outgrowth of events which involved the history of the Mesabi Range. Although magnetic taconites had been discovered in the Lake Superior area about 1870, they remained unvrorked in part for lack of concentration methods and a generally unfavorable economic climate. Some 20 years later the rich Mesabi hematites were found beginning the era of direct shipping ores which continued through World War II. These Lake Superior iron ores included reserves of an estimated three billion tons. Following World War II, decreasing ore grades and rising costs began to force the closing of many underground iron mines. The early 50's saw the beginning of the decline in direct shipping ores and a spurt in produc- tion of natural iron concentrates. However, the market for unprocessed concentrates began to decline in the early 60's as agglomerated products and foreign ore s began to dominate the U. S. market.

Jan 1, 1973

By George E. Aiken

Agglomeration developments in the iron ore industry of North America are closely related to shifting patterns in commercially acceptable ore grades and even the definition of iron ores. These relationships have occurred mainly during the last 20 years. Many of these changes are an outgrowth of events which involved the history of the Mesabi Range. Although magnetic taconites had been discovered in the Lake Superior area about 1870, they remained unworked in part for lack of concentration methods and a generally unfavorable economic climate. Some 20 years later the rich Mesabi hematites were found beginning the era of direct shipping ores which continued through World War II. These Lake Superior iron ores included reserves of an estimated three billion tons. Following World War II, decreasing ore grades and rising costs began to force the closing of many underground iron mines. The early 501 s saw the beginning of the decline in direct shipping ores and a spurt in production of natural iron concentrate s. However, the market for unprocessed concentrates began to decline in the early 601 s as agglomerated products and foreign ores began to dominate the U. S. market.

Jan 1, 1972

By Lyman GJ

Systems for the routine on-line determination of ash content of process streams in coal preparation plants and handling systems have been in use in Australia for over four years. More recently, monitors for on-line moisture measurement have been developed to complement the ash measurement function. The technology for these systems is reviewed briefly. The development of reliable ash and moisture monitors has made the implementation of automatic systems of coal quality control practical. The emerging philosophies of automatic control in Australian preparation plants are examined with particular emphasis on systems involving dense medium circuit regulation. Related developments in flotation control and coal sorting are noted to complete this overview.

Jan 1, 1987

By G. R. Robinson

Aggregate resources consist of sand and gravel, and crushed stone. They are large-tonnage, bulk-minable mineral commodities that are used in construction and industrial activities (Tepordei, 1999, 2001).Rates of aggregate production, use and mine permit approval in the mid-Atlantic region differ by population density. These rates are influenced by economic and human factors, such as demand, costs, land availability and community opposition. In some areas, the local availability of aggregate is limited. This is due to the lack of suitable local source materials for aggregate, the loss of potential high-quality aggregate resource production sites by preemptive land development and restrictive zoning (resource sterilization), and the difficulty of developing and permitting production sites for aggregate.

Jan 1, 2004

By J. J. Daniels

Advances in borehole geophysical research for mineral assaying and remote detection of mineralization away from the borehole are cited. Nuclear activation measurement research has provided accurate in situ assays of economic metals with neutron-gamma activation, using a high resolution intrinsic-germanium detector. Although nuclear activation analysis is the present "best hope" for obtaining in situ assays for some elements, gamma-gamma and magnetic susceptibility measurements can provide accurate assays for lead-zinc and magnetite, respectively. Borehole optical spectroscopy and X-ray fluorescence are being investigated as possible in situ assaying techniques for some minerals. More laboratory and field calibration research is needed before non-linear complex resistivity (NLCR) can be routinely used as a quantitative assaying tool. Field tests have shown that variations in the local geologic environment can affect the quantitative accuracy of assay values from downhole NLCR measurements. Deeply penetrating borehole geophysical methods are increasingly being used for mineral exploration as drilling costs and exploration have increased. Borehole electrical measurements have been shown to be useful for detecting conductive ore bodies that are not intersected by a drill hole. Hole-to-surface resistivity and surface-to-hole time-domain electromagnetics are demonstrated to be particularly effective for defining mineralized zones in a massive sulfide environment. Borehole gravity meters and three-component magnetometers have been developed and should prove useful for defining geologic anomalies away from the drill hole.

Jan 1, 1987

By Jeffrey J. Daniels

Advances in borehole geophysical research for mineral assaying, and remote detection of mineralization away from the borehole. Nuclear activation measurement research has provided accurate in situ assays of economic metals with neutron-gamma activation, using a high resolution intrinsic-germanium detector. Although nuclear activation analysis is the present "best-hope" for obtaining in situ assays for some elements, gamma-gamma and magnetic susceptibility measurements can provide accurate assays for lead-zinc and magnetite, respectively. Borehole optical spectroscopy and x-ray fluorescence are being investigated as possible in situ assaying techniques for some minerals. More laboratory and field calibration research is needed before nonlinear complex resistivity (NLCR) can be routinely used as a quantitative assaying tool. Field tests have shown that variations in the local geologic environment can affect the quantitative accuracy of assay values from downhole NLCR measurements. Deeply penetrating borehole geophysical methods are increasingly being used for mineral exploration as drilling costs and exploration have increased. Borehole electrical measurements have been shown to be useful for detecting conductive orebodies that are not interesected by a drillhole. Hole-to-surface resistivity, and surface-to-hole time-domain electromagnetics are demonstrated to be particularly effective for defining mineralized zones in a massive sulfide environment. Borehole gravity meters and three-component magnetometers have been developed and should prove useful for defining geologic anomalies away from the drillhole.

Jan 1, 1985

By R. T. Erskine

"IntroductionIn this paper it will not be possible to cover all details of the reagent systems at Brunswick Mining and Smelting but it is hoped that a description of the evolution of these systems will be of some benefit. The concentrator of Brunswick Mining and Smelting located near Bathurst, New Brunswick was originally designed as a 3,000 ton per day operation but before construction commenced was uprated, with 4,500 tons per day being treated by the summer of 1964. Development of the open pit at another ore body five miles away was initiated in 1965 and additional concentrator and crusher facilities went into operation in September, 1966. Present total daily throughput is over 8,000 tons per day. The ore at Brunswick is very high grade but mineralization is very fine grained and requires grinds generally over 75% minus 400 mesh for liberation. The amount of surface exposed using grinds of this order understandably requires great quantities of reagents, Reagent mixing systems for the original concentrator allowed only for batch mixing and were very expensive in labour cost especially.During the first three years of operation total number of men employed in reagent handling reached a peak of four men per shift and six men on dayshift unloading cars for a total of 22 men. At present only one man is employed on shift, and four men on dayshift take care of unloading and mixing reagents, a total of 8 men. The man on shift is almost entirely occupied with checking feeder operation, flow rates, and head tank levels. Most commonly used reagents are tabulated in Fig. 1 showing average monthly and daily requirements in the Brunswick operation as well as pounds per ton of mill feed as found in 1969. It is very obvious that with over seventeen tons each of lime and soda ash and six tons of copper sulphate used each day, opening of bags and mixing batches of solution is an inefficient undertaking."

Jan 1, 1970

By L. H. Thorleifson

Demand for both gem and industrial diamonds is very strong. Synthetic production supplies industrial uses, but synthetic gems remain inferior and expensive, so the large gem market is supplied by mining. Several major mines have been depleted, and the market is receptive to new sources of high quality gems. Canada's Precambrian terrane, extending across the Canadian Shield and under the Phanerozoic cover of the Plains and Hudson Bay, has excellent potential for diamonds, but exploration conditions are difficult due to recent glaciation. Early world exploration relying on recognition of diamond in alluvial sediments was adequate to launch pre- 1900 production from India, Brazil, and Africa. Exploration success in Canada, as was the case in Russia and other more recently discovered sources, however, had to await large investments in effort supported by advanced science and technology. Canadian exploration in many ways is similar to that in other regions, relying on analysis of tectonics, indicator minerals, geophysical surveys, and multiple stages of drilling and sampling. Very different from other regions, however, is Canada's surficial environment, in which recent glaciation has caused fresh indicator minerals to be transported hundreds of km. Exploration accelerated in Canada after 1960, first in Ontario and the Arctic Islands, then in Saskatchewan in 1988, and most importantly after the Chuck Fipke - Stew Blusson discovery at Lac de Gras, Northwest Territories, in 1991 that led to the billion-dollar BHP - Dia Met Ekati Mine that opened in 1998. In 2003, production from Ekati will be supplemented by that from the similar and nearby Diavik Mine of Rio Tinto and Aber. These mines will bring Canadian output to over 10% of world supply, and will position Canada with Botswana and Russia as world leaders in production of high quality gem diamonds. There could be other mines as well, as sites across the Arctic and in the south from Alberta to Québec are being explored by an array of companies, including De Beers, other majors, and several juniors.

May 1, 2003

By Isokangas T. A

With some two-thirds of the production exported, coal mining prac- tices of the last few years in Australia have been much influenced by the decline in the price received. It became essential to improve efficiency and rationalise operations. Trends in underground practice vary. On the one hand many additional longwalls have been installed and most recently the results achieved by them have shown a significant up-turn; this may be correlated more with increases in equipment capacity than with utilisation which has altered little during the past six years. Varied constraints remain affecting cur- rent and future longwall operations. On the other hand a number of mines have been closed whilst others have sought to improve results by various installations including miniwalls, shortwalls, and use of continuous haulage and mobile breaker line sup- ports. All mines continue to review working practices.

Jan 1, 1988