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By P. Kawulka

An integrated pilot plant for the development of the S-C Copper Process was constructed at Fort Saskatchewan in 1975 and operated in 1976. The pilot plant was designed to treat 9 tonnes per day of a pyritic copper concentrate. A demonstration run conducted during the last quarter of 1976 averaged 90% on-stream time, and confirmed that the process is operable as a stable and integrated unit. The paper describes the parameters and equipment developed for thermal activation of chalcopyrite copper concentrates to make them amenable for the dissolution of iron and zinc, and their subsequent separation and recovery. The resulting high-grade copper sulphide was leached with return electrolyte and oxygen to extract 98.5% of the copper into solution. The copper was electrowon at 650 amps per square metre from purified solution, to produce cathodes analyzing 0.1 ppm Se, 0.1 ppm Bi, 4 ppm Pb and 10 ppm S. The electrical conductivity was >101% lACS and the spring elongation value [ ]350 mm. Elemental sulphur and gangue are removed from leach residues to make a concentrate containing over 95% of the silver and gold and most of the unleached copper. Conventional construction materials such as stainless steel, titanium, Hastelloy, acid brick, rubber and plastics performed well. The containment inherent in hydrometallurgy provided high standards of hygiene and safety.

Jan 1, 1978

By D. E. G. Maschmeyer

The operation of the pilot plant for the S-C Copper Process during 1976 has provided the basic data for the design of a commercial-scale plant. This paper introduces the commercial aspects of the S-C Copper Process through the presentation of a process flow diagram, a schematic flow diagram and basic design parameters for 75,000 tonnes per year (tpy) copper rod production from chalcopyrite concentrate. Basic operating requirements are outlined and a preliminary estimate of operating and capital costs for a Western Canadian location are summarized. The results have been compared with a modern smelter/electrorefinery to highlight the advantages and disadvantages of these two alternatives and to show why the new S-C Copper Process technology should be of interest to the copper industry.

Jan 1, 1978

By W. L. Sherwood

Present conventional techniques for primary steelmaking in both integrated and non-integrated plants are outlined. 'Direct reduction' alternatives are reviewed and categorized according to the nature of the product produced, with particular emphasis on the limited number designed to yield steel as the end product. A proposed new technique, referred to as the Sherwood Process, is described in some detail as a new combination of selected features from the prior technology. This process is in-tended to realize, in integrated operations, the result of continuons steelmaking directly from the ore in a single plant and, in non-integrated operations, continuons steel-making from a metallic charge of scrap, sponge iron or pig iron. Prominent features are continuons processing in elongated, horizontal, rotary furnace equipment, controlled direct heating of each process stage and, for the over-all integrated process, a size separation for removal of excess solid reductant and other waste just prior to the melting step. Material and energy balances are presented as well as exemplary cost data. Reasons for selecting this particular combination of process elements are dis-cussed.

Jan 1, 1968

By Eric Lundgren

The mining paradigm is changing on the continent of Africa. Jessica Kogel?s closing statement from her September 2013 President?s Page (ME, September 2013, pp. 6) has never been more appropriate, ?Africa is shaping up to be the next mining powerhouse, and there is huge opportunity for local communities, national governments and private industry to work together to create a win-win situation for all.? Supporting this notion, attendance at numerous industry conferences around the world demonstrates the shift toward a more sustainable, more environmentally conscious extractive model. But questions remain: How effectively is the industry making this transition, and how willing are companies to learn from the experiences of others? The international development community, as we like to call ourselves, is going through a parallel shift. We are experiencing our own funding crisis; governments are not as flush with resources as they were pre-economic meltdown. But more importantly, after a half century of implementing development programs, we must admit that while some of our programs have been fantastically successful, too many still fail to achieve the goal of poverty alleviation for the world?s poorest. Moving forward, we are forced to recognize that achieving success in scale and sustainability is not always accomplished from our work alone. As the director of international programs for Africare, a nonprofit with more than 40 years of experience implementing community-based development programs in Africa, I can report that our organization is changing the way we think about successful development partnerships. Africare recognizes that for too long the mining sector and nonprofits have been at odds, choosing noncommunication as a ?solution? to the problem. Both sides now recognize that this standoff is outdated, and Africare, specifically, is ready to cross the proverbial line. We see the potential benefits of mining for local communities and, when done responsibly, the opportunity to properly manage Africa?s resource boom as a benefit to all. There are challenges in this conversation. Many mining professionals view nonprofits as whistle-blowers, ready in a pinch to speak to news sources and complain about poor operational standards. Those are advocacy organizations, and while their role is important, they are not the only nonprofits interested in mining operations in developing countries. Organizations like Africare, with decades of experience implementing poverty reduction programs, approach this differently. We know we can work with mining companies to promote economic opportunity in the communities where mining operations are occurring. We recognize that the conversation is difficult, and we are open to discussions about how we can bring our unique experience to bear on the problems faced by mining companies in carrying out their investment programs.

Jan 1, 2014

During the past decade, the miner-al industries have been faced with an increasing shortage of engineers. The point has now been reached where the shortage may be termed critical. This shortage may be attributed directly to declining enrollment in the mineral science programs offered by the universities on this continent. Although the reasons for declining enrollment are undoubtedly many, two major hypotheses may be postulated. The first is that high-school graduates are either unaware of the mineral industries and the opportunities in them or that they are aware of them but have somehow obtained a false image of their true nature. The second is that they are aware of the true nature of these industries and the opportunities they offer but find them exceedingly unattractive. The problem of dwindling enrollments has, in recent years, been subjected to a concerted attack by the industries and professions concerned. However, their efforts to date have been based essentially on the first hypothesis. Sufficient results are now available to suggest that either the methods of attack are inappropriate

Jan 1, 1965

By Robert Sturk, Knut O. Halvorsen

"INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND The world needs visionary people to break new ground and bring development forward. The human race has an inherent power and lust to explore and push borders, but also to connect and bring people together. Transport of people and goods has through history been a key factor to develop societies and increase collaboration between people and regions. Today, in the era of globalization, efficient transport systems are still vital for further development. Often, ideas of bold projects, like long bridges or tunnels, have been raised long before those projects are realized and actually built. This shows that visions must gradually be transformed into feasible business cases and sustainable political solutions. In some cases also technological development is necessary to make visions come true. Isambard Kingdom Brunel, indeed a visionary engineer, completed the oldest underwater tunnel in the world when the Thames Tunnel in London was opened in 1843. This tunnel is still in operation and now part of London’s rail transport system. Another milestone for the tunnelling industry was passed when the 54 km long Seikan tunnel in Japan was opened in 1988 after more than 15 years of construction. This tunnel is presently the world’s longest railway tunnel. Together with the 50.5 km long Channel tunnel between the UK and France, which has the longest undersea portion 37.9 km, they constitute examples of pioneering engineering projects that bring the industry forward. In 2016, the Gotthard Base Tunnel will be opened and then becomes the longest railway tunnel in the world with its 57.1 km. The trend is obvious that tunnels throughout the world are getting longer and longer. The Brenner Basis Tunnel presently under construction will yet again break the record being 64 km long. Presently, a number of even longer tunnels are planned and under design, some of these also have very long subsea portions, e.g. Bohai Straight Tunnel (123 km), Irish Sea Tunnel (around 100 km) and the Helsinki – Tallin fixed link (approximately 90 km). Northern Europe sees an increasing demand on efficient transport corridors to meet the growth of freight transportation between the Scandinavian Peninsula and central-Eastern Europe. Sustainable solutions will be required, and a shift from road/maritime transports to rail is imperative. Consequently, this paper describes yet another visionary project, a fixed railway link between Sweden and Germany, the Shortcut, to enhance traffic between these regions and to make it greener. It is true that this project still requires some work from politicians, economists and engineers to be realized, however, building a 100 km long tunnel under the Baltic Sea may become reality sooner than we think."

Jan 1, 2016

By Adele Garkida

Compacts of crushed waste window glass, fluorescent tubes, drinking glasses and laboratory glass wares were made at various proportions from 106 microns and minus 75 microns powders in combination with 5% bentonite as binder for each glass type, after several trials to determine compatibility of particle sizes. They were made using the uniaxial press at 10,000 psi and sintered at a temperature range of 700- 750oC. The results showed anisotropic shrinkage behavior for all the samples, exhibiting an axial shrinkage lower than the radial shrinkage. Sintered compact from waste drinking glass which comprised of 60% 106 microns and 40% minus 75 microns powders showed the least sintering shrinkage factor of 1.125, fused at 700oC and the highest shrinkage factor of 1.286 obtained at 750oC. This shrinkage behaviour connotes that sintering can be employed to utilize these waste glasses up to the maximum of 95% recycled glass content in ceramic tile production.

Jan 1, 2008

By S A. Campbell

There has been a reduction of coal production in the United States due to environmental pressure and the increased use of natural gas. This reduction will require coal producers and consumers to make decisions on whether to sample more to verify contract quality or sample less in an effort to cut costs.CITATION:Campbell, S A, 2014. The shrinking coal market in the US – sample more or sample less?, in Proceedings Sampling 2014 , pp 3–6 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Jul 29, 2014

By Thomas N. Walthier

This paper will review world trends that are increasingly restrictive of mineral exploration and mining throughout the Free World This is occurring in the face of projected huge increases in demand for mineral products Some of the impediments are direct and absolute; others are indirect, but nevertheless effective; still others represent merely hostile attitudes Many of the world governments have a reputation for lack of integrity in dealing with existing foreign investments within their borders, and consequently are quite uninviting places for new investments, especially in the capital intensive natural resources industry. Compared with even 35 odd years ago (and pre-World War II is not that long ago) there are few places left where private mining investments are both wanted and where investors are willing, to go. We shall begin with an analysis of conditions in the U. S., shift to neighboring Canada and Flexico, and then have a look around the world. As the world grows smaller for the private mining sector, the function of exploration, development, and operation is passing over to government. We'll conclude with a view of what this holds for the future

Jan 1, 1976

By R. Y. Wan

Acid ferric sulfate solution has been used for heap and dump leaching of low-grade chalcopyrite ores and is being considered as a possible lixiviant for the hydrometallurgical processing of copper sulfide concentrates. For many years, researchers have attempted to explain the leaching behavior of chalcopyrite, since the reaction rate kinetics are extremely slow and seem to be significantly influenced by the nature of the reaction product. A summary of conclusions drawn from reported literature on chalcopyrite leaching is found in the paper by Munoz, Miller, and Wadsworth(1) and more recently by Dutrizac.(2) Lowe(3) and Jones and Peters (4) attributed rate control to a surface reaction. Linge,(5) Dutrizac,(6) Bauer,(7) and researchers at the University of Utah(1,8) reported that the reaction rate is limited by transport in the chalcopyrite lattice or through the elemental sulfur reaction product layer. Munoz et al.(1) presented a model, derived from the Wagner theory of oxidation, which is based on the formation of a protective sulfur layer with rate control by electron transport through the insulating sulfur layer. By utilizing Wagner's parabolic oxidation relationships, (9) the following equation was obtained: [ ] where a is the fraction of CuFeS2 reacted at time t, pB is the molar density of CuFeS2, do is the initial diameter of the particle, e is the electronic charge, s is the total electrical conductivity of the sulfur layer, and ?G is the Gibbs free energy for the reaction:

Jan 1, 1984

By Fitterer, G. R.

The impact of the work of Herty "et al" on modern liquid steel technology can only be evaluated by first setting the stage as it existed in 1926. It is important to briefly review not only the steel making process and viewpoints regarding methods of refining, but also to describe the tools which were available for research at the time. One must recall that only 15 years before the beginning of this program, the open hearth production exceeded that of the Bessemer in the United States. Many open hearths were still operating on producer gas (a very inefficient fuel), although some plants were converting to the use of natural gas and very few to oil. Continuous rolling of wide strip started this year. The Faraday Society in England held a World Conference on Physical Chemistry in Steel Making in 1925 and the contributions to this work created considerable interest throughout the world and it appeared that physical chemistry might convert the art of steel making into a science. These papers, however, attempted to solve the problems through the use of the older physical chemical concepts such as Nernst's numbers, etc. and considerable data were missing. In 1923, Lewis and Randall had published their book Thermodynanzicsl and this was later to establish and standardize the steps which are now accepted for the calculation of physico-chemical equations. At the time this research work was started, there were no small high frequency induction furnaces. Northrup had just invented his high frequency furnace and a few large units had been instilled in plants. The vacuum fusion method lor the determination of oxygen in steel was

Jan 1, 1957

By F. H. Willcox

IN Bessemer-steel practice, air is blow, through a bath of iron, or projected strongly upon its surface to burn out silicon, manganese, and carbon. Toward the end of the blow, when the iron is not protected. from oxidation by these elements and the excess of air becomes great, there is oxidation of the iron. In open-hearth practice, the same difficulty is experienced with dissolved gas and oxides in the product, though not to as great or severe a degree as in the Bessemer process because the oxidizing conditions grow less severe as the end of the heat is approached, and if the bath is allowed to boil for a time it undoubtedly frees itself from a large part of the gas and oxides which have been absorbed in the earlier part of the process. Basic open-hearth steel is usually assumed to contain a larger proportion of oxides than acid open-hearth steel, but it may be said that all steel, Bessemer and open-hearth, contains more or less oxide of iron dissolved in the fluid metal at the end of the "blow" or "heat." That certain metals are solvents for their respective oxides has been shown, in the case of copper, by Heyn, and, in the case of iron, by Law. It is indicated that the solubility of iron oxide in iron increases with the purity and temperature of the metal. This confirms what is observed and known by operating men, and these observations may be summarized as follows: 1. Cast irons is rarely subject to oxidation, as is logical from its composition. 2. Normal steel, unless deoxidizers are added, contains blow holes. 3. Steel known to be oxidized is full of blow holes. 4. The addition of deoxidizers prevents, to a greater or less degree, the formation of blow holes in normal steel. With these observations in mind, it is logical to deduce that the cause of blowholes lies in part in the presence of dissolved oxide of. iron in the

Jan 2, 1917

EDMUND NEWTON, Minneapolis, Minn. (communication to the Secretary?).-In discussing the question of the deoxidation of steel and material suitable for performing this function at the end of the heat, it would seem logical also to include the question of prevention of oxidation in the steel or the formation of iron oxide, FeO. I refer to the use of manganese in the basic open-hearth and basic Bessemer processes. The advantages of high manganese in pig iron for these processes have evidently been clearly understood in Germany for a number of years, although little has been written in regard to the exact manner in which the benefits are obtained. In this country, while we make no steel by the basic Bessemer process, our basic open-hearth process is becoming more and more important. Until 10 years ago, in this country, manganese in the pig iron for this process was considered of little value and by many writers it was spoken of as a disadvantage. During the past 10 years, however, in certain parts of the United States, higher contents of manganese in basic pig have been used with considerable success, although there is apparently nothing in our technical literature to show the reasons for this trend. A German book, "The Basic Open-Hearth Steel Process" by Carl Dichmann does, however, offer an explanation. Dichmann says that if the charge for either of the above-mentioned processes contains 3 per cent. of manganese or above, satisfactory steel.

Jan 6, 1917

By G. D. Just

INTRODUCTION Large scale underground mining involves the bulk handling of fragmented material. The cost and efficiency of the mining systems is there- fore significantly influenced by material flow characteristics. Flow problems may occur in the form of ore pass blockages which interrupt the free flow at extraction openings. The costs of such delays can be readily assessed and compared to the costs incurred in reducing blockages by improved fragmentation or larger ore passes. In practice the problem is more complex than this statement suggests because it is generally un- economic to design for zero ore blockages. Another major flow problem occurs in the form of relative movement of ore and waste as the fragmented material is extracted. This produces waste dilution in the recovered ore and influences total ore recovery. This flow problem is much more complex than the ore block- age phenomena. Many questions concerning the precise flow characteristics remain unanswered because of the variability of size distributions, particle shapes, material properties and the total extraction layout and design. Model studies can provide a visual and quantitative illustration of probable flow characteristics but full scale data collection is necessary to evaluate the precision of such information. The methods and types of data obtained must be carefully selected to recover the maximum volume of useful information for operational control and future design. It is essential that honest precision levels are assigned to the data and any subsequent analyses. Grade control data may give misleading short term information on flow characteristics because of the difficulty in knowing the true grade of the mass of material before extraction commences. However, in the long term control of extraction grades is vital to the profitable operation of the mining system. The most efficient extraction design and operational schedule can only be determined after all of the facts and variables are known. This is usually only possible after the orebody has been completely extracted. However, if design and operational personnel have a full appreciation of the nature and variability of material flow under different conditions the best possible results should be achieved. The most significant features of material flow are out- lined in this paper in order to provide mine planning and mine management personnel with some of the necessary information relating to material flow. Available facts and reliable figures from selected publications are noted in association with unbiased and hopefully accurate opinions of the relevance of the data to mine design and mine system control. Possible future developments and profitable areas for research into material flow problems are also detailed. MATERIAL FLOW AND MINING METHODS The effects of material flow on the design and operation of an integrated underground ore handling system is one factor which is common to most mining methods. Analysis of the system as detailed by Just, 1980, permits the identification of unit process objectives. For example, a typical underground ore handling system as illustrated in Figure 1, involves the following unit operations:- (i) Gravity flow of ore in stope (ii) Ore extraction at base of stope (iii) Ore haulage on the production level (iv) Dumping of ore into ore pass system (v) Gravity flow of ore in the ore pass (vi) Underground crushing of ore (vii) Haulage of crushed ore to shaft (viii) Hoisting of ore to the surface. Average flow rates in each of these unit operations can be misleading due to variability in incremental capacity caused by flow blockages and machine delays. Thus to effectively analyse the probable performance of the system, it is necessary to have a measure of the flow loading and haulage rate variability. Mechanical equipment performance specifications can be used to provide such information for loading, haulage and crushing; however, in the case of the gravity flow of material field measurements are required to relate the probability of "hang-ups" to the degree of fragmentation. Factors affecting the frequency of flow stoppages are, size, distribution and cohesiveness of broken material and the geometry and size of the flow channel. Ore pass channel design is relatively simple since regular cross-sectional shapes are used

Jan 1, 1981

By C. Gasparrini

Mineralogy may be applied to the selection of appropriate separation techniques, as well as to assist in the evaluation of problems causing loss of metals and other economically important elements during plant processing. Mineralogic studies may thus help develop techniques to optimize metal recoveries. The present paper describes how such factors as the minerals in which the elements of interest are concentrated, their chemistry, the chemistry of the associated minerals, grain size and textural associations with other minerals in the ore, may affect decisions on separation techniques for the recovery of economic elements. A number of case studies are described in which the mineralogical observation of ore samples has revealed the cause of problems experienced in the extraction of select precious and base metals, or has been decisive in the choice of appropriate techniques for recovery.

Jan 1, 1981

By X. T. Feng, Y. H. Hatzor, Y. Tal, G. Yagoda-Biran

"When studying jointed rock mass deformation around underground openings it is of great importance to model correctly the excavation sequence during the numerical simulation. This is because for effective arching mechanism to develop in the roof minute block displacements must take place and some of the available discontinuities shear strength must be mobilized. If from the beginning of the simulation the underground opening already exists in the numerical model, block displacements into the excavation space will initiate and develop from time zero, before the initial stresses in the model have attained their actual initial level in the field. These initial block displacements are therefore artificial and exist only in the numerical model, not in the physical reality, and may lead to erroneous assessment of the stability of the designed structure, typically on the conservative side. We have introduced sequence excavation capabilities both in the numerical manifold (NMM) and the discontinuous deformation analysis (DDA) methods and show here the advantages of this modification using three different case studies, each illuminating a different aspect of this enhancement.We begin with the 25 meter deep 2000 year old underground Zedekiah limestone quarry below the old city of Jerusalem, Israel, which is still standing today unsupported with a free span of 40 m. We show that when the opening exists from the beginning of the numerical simulation the required friction angle for roof stability is 25 degrees, whereas when the opening is removed after all stresses and displacements in the model have been stabilized the required friction angle for stability is only 15 degrees.We then model the excavation sequence of a tunnel model representing a 2500 meter deep research tunnel in the Jinping hydroelectric project, China, in order to determine the in situ stress field at this depth by a grid search inversion of displacement data obtained using the sliding micrometer technology in the course of tunnel excavation. Thus we are able to constrain the in situ stress field at these depths where standard in situ stress measurement procedures are extremely difficult to execute properly.Finally, we use sequence excavation modeling capability to find the total height of the expected loosening zone around tunnels excavated through columnar jointed basalts which pose a great engineering challenge because of the characteristic dense network of slender prismatic blocks that transect the opening at a steep inclination. We use MPBX data obtained during excavation of a deep tunnel through such a rock mass to validate our numerical results and show that application of standard empirical guidelines for dimensioning rock bolt reinforcement in such rock masses may in fact result in very un-conservative design because existing empirical approaches typically ignore the anisotropic nature of the structure of such rock masses which, as we show, plays a very significant role in determination of the extent, shape, and geometry of the loosening zone around the opening."

Jan 1, 2015

By Jr. Smith

Silver-gold ratios were studied at the Tayoltita epithermal vein deposit using channel sample, channel sample line, stope, ore body and vein sample populations. The ratios are highly variable among individual channel samples (25:1 to greater than 500:1) with both high and low values randomly distributed within ore bodies and veins. Whole vein ratios for the fourteen most important ore producing structures range from 44:1 to 105:1, and show zonal distribution relative to two small granitic stocks, low values closest to the intrusives. The zoned nature of the deposit suggests that the stocks, apophyses of an underlying batholith of Late Eocene age, were the heat engines which powered the hydrothermal system responsible for ore deposition.

Jan 1, 1978

By Douglas M. Smith

Silver-gold ratios were studied at the Tayoltita epithermal vein deposit using channel sample, channel sample line, stope, ore body, and vein sample populations. The ratios are highly variable among individual channel samples (25:1 to greater than 500: 1) with both high and low values randomly distributed within ore bodies and veins. Whole vein ratios for the 14 most important ore producing structures range from 44: 1 to 105:1, and show zonal distribution relative to two small granitic stocks, low values closest to the intrusives. The zoned nature of the deposit suggests that the stocks, apophyses of an underlying batholith of late Eocene age, were the heat engines which powered the hydrothermal system responsible for ore deposition.

Jan 1, 1980

By J. D. Miller

On the basis of nonequilibrium zeta potential measurements by laser-Doppler electrophoresis, the sign of the surface charge of alkali halides in their saturated brines has been established. The results are generally as expected from simplified lattice ion hydration theory. This recent electrokinetic information coupled with the stability and prevalence of collector colloids in such soluble-salt flotation systems suggests that the selective flotation of alkali halides is due to the adsorption of oppositely charged collector colloids by heterocoagulation. Experimental flotation results confirm this surface-charge/collector-colloid adsorption model and are presented herein.

Jan 1, 1992

By Charles White Merrill

Mankind's progress is measured in minerals. Man's emergence from prehistory is marked by passage through a Stone Age and a Bronze Age and into the present era, sometimes called the Iron Age or the Age of Metals. With the evolution of civilization and the development of a modem industrial economy, minerals become more and more important. Structures, roads, and machines are built largely of minerals; the energy to heat the structures and to drive the machines is mostly mineral; agricultural fertility is maintained by mineral fertilizers and water; and military strength is provided by fortresses, armaments, and munitions, largely of mineral origin. Thus in the material world, in the productivity of the economy, access to minerals has paramount importance. Every evidence indicates increasing dependence on minerals in the modem economy, particularly on the mineral fuels as energy sources to provide the power base for advancing industrialization. Both the total and the per capita consumption of almost every mineral is increasing in the industrialized nations. Moreover, nations with predominantly agrarian economies call themselves underdeveloped and universally strive to industrialize. Most mineral consumption trends in the more advanced economies have been greatly exceeding population growth-which itself has been advancing at an accelerating rate--and sometimes have surpassed the growth in real income. Some minerals have only recently been adopted or grown to importance in use. Titanium as a metal appeared as a commercial product only in 1948, and even coal seriously displaced wood as a source of heat less than two centuries ago. On the other hand, minerals have always played an important role in construction. The prehistoric megaliths that form the dolmens of Salisbury Plain are stone; the pyramids are andesite faced with limestone; and many other ancient structures are built of mineral materials. In modem times the whole course of architecture has been redirected by new building materials, mostly mineral. Most conspicuous is the sky-

Jan 1, 1959