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By Yasuo Ojima

The mainstream of copper smelting processes in the world today is a combination of Outokumpu type Flash smelting and PS (Pierse Smith) converting process. Presently it can be estimated that about 50% of the worldwide copper production is produced by the Flash smelting process and 80% by the PS converting process. PS converting process due to its operational flexibility and despite its batch character of operation has been widely used in many smelters for more than 100 years. However, an environmental issue has been pointed out related to this process because of the difficulty of handling the fugitive gases. Recently several copper smelters in the world have been newly constructed and others have executed major modification and modernization, The continuous converting process has been applied in many of them instead of PS converting process. This paper compares PS to the emerging continuous converting process and makes a prospect of the future of the copper converting process.

Jan 1, 2003

By E. T. Tuzcu

In this manuscript, a new approach for modeling the rate of grinding process is explained. A review about grinding rate definitions so far is given and the possible ultimate way for grinding modeling is given as modeling the rate based on energy spectra. The traditional/phenomenological approaches for modeling size distribution of grinding mills give their place to a new generation modeling technique. Developments in the computational methods and necessity to model product size distribution of large mills, larger than ball mill size, paved the way for this novel technique. The traditional grinding rate models are mostly based on the back calculated breakage parameters from the experimental data. However, direct modeling of breakage parameters and hence the prediction of size distribution of the grinding mills may become possible with this approach. The material breakage data and discrete element method (DEM) energy spectra are the main components of this approach. Albeit the focus in this study is on modeling of breakage rate under impact mode of breakage, the abrasion mode of breakage was also tested by carrying out abrasion tests. Impact mode of breakage was analyzed using ultra-fast load cell device (UFLC) and drop weight tester. Dry tumbling test was carried out for abrasion experiments. Obtained material breakage versus energy data are combined with the collision energy spectra to obtain the breakage rate function. In addition, the material breakage versus energy information from the tests is converted into breakage distribution function. The model was verified in a lab scale mill (90 cm diameter-15 cm length). 10 to 15 kg of limestone was ground using 50 mm steel ball at varying conditions, i.e., rpm, volume loading. It is shown that the proposed model predicts all (1, 2, 4 min.) grinding intervals for all experiments highly accurate.

Sep 1, 2012

By Franklin G. Pardee

IN 1920 the Minnesota Tax Commission estimated a reserve of 1,341,674,538 long tons of iron ore in Minnesota, the Michigan State Tax Commission report showed 199,092,855 long tons in reserve in that state, and the Wisconsin Geological Survey set the Wisconsin reserves at 21,500,000 long tons. The total reserve that year for the Lake Superior District amounted to 1,562,267,393 long tons. Ten years later the reserves of iron ore in these same districts were Minnesota 1,235,227,510, Michigan 168,349,823, and Wisconsin 23,000,000, or a total of 1,426,577,333 long tons. The decrease in ore reserves in this ten-year period was 135,690,060 long tons, but the shipments were 520,746,975 long tons. In other words, the ten-year depletion in reserves was only 8.68 per cent. If similar conditions carry into the future this calculation would indicate a life for the ore reserves of the Lake Superior region of over 100 years.

Jan 1, 1933

By Donald B. Gillies

THE great source of iron ore for the furnaces of this country has been the Lake Superior district. Ore was first discovered there in 1844, and the first shipments made via the Great Lakes in 1852 to a furnace at New Castle, Pa. The stream of ore from that region increased slowly to exceed a million tons in 1873, and did not reach 10 million tons until 1895. By 1901 it exceeded 20 million tons, and in 1907 over 40 million tons. Total Lake Superior output through 1948 was about 2500 million long tons. Outside the Lake Superior district are the Southern district, including mainly Alabama, Georgia, Missouri, and Texas; the Eastern district of New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania; the Western district embracing Wyoming, Utah, and California.

Jan 1, 1949

By James A. Finch

"Developed countries are in the midst of re-structuring education in minerals-related disciplines as raw materials, once vital to wealth generation, contribute progressively less to the economy. The changing circumstances mean institutions must justify mineral processing by new criteria. After considering what a mineral processor needs to know the ways to deliver are considered. Taking twenty graduates per year to illustrate, one institute could justify this number as a program in a department or school (of whatever grouping of disciplines). A strong research component would make the package additionally attractive. Divide among four institutions and mineral processing is best served in a research centre with delivery taking advantage of multi-centre and distance learning opportunities.INTRODUCTIONThis is one of five plenary lectures at the Congress. I may have preferred a technical subject, as that is what occupies most of my thinking hours, but it is reasonable as an academic that this topic should come to one of us. The fact the topic has not been high on my agenda may provide one advantage: that I can suggest directions free of pre-conceived notions, just as when reviewing the background to a technical article the temptation to select in support of one?s interpretations is resisted. The trick will be to add something new.One reading of the title seems to query whether mineral processing education has a future. (I will refrain at this juncture from defining mineral processing and assume for now we share an understanding of the term.) The proximity of natural and human resources led to the Industrial Revolution and the interaction continues to stimulate and sustain industrial and economic development in many parts of the world. The search for raw materials has historically played a key role in opening frontier areas, with undersea and outer space next. The reason is obvious: raw materials along with food and energy underpin society. Thus mining will remain part of human activity along with the need to pass on the knowledge and skills.What happens over time is resource relocation. Raw materials become exhausted in one area to be replaced by sources elsewhere; the demand for some materials lessens while growing for others. Educational institutions can find themselves with the wrong geography or with staff focussing on the wrong subjects. When this happens the restructuring produces much discussion. This is where we are in parts of the world. Japan, Western Europe and the United States are the prominent examples (Dowd, 1998; Flemings and Suresh, 2001; McDivitt, 2002). Mineral processing is becoming a series of courses in related disciplines: resource engineering, environment engineering or materials engineering. The start of the transition is evident in Canada and Australia, perhaps earlier than expected given the contribution of raw materials to their economies. A common backdrop in the developed countries is social pressure to reduce the impact of the ?untidy? aspects of life, and that includes mining. (This is not new: in classical times the mine face was the preserve of slaves and convicts.) These values are exportable, potentially affecting recruitment into mining schools everywhere."

Jan 1, 2003

By M. Javier

"Mining makes civilization possible. It also creates socio-environmental liabilities forcing us to ask how much more of this mining can our planet support. It is clear that the future of mining differs from mining in the future. The laws of nature are being compromised by mining. This paper studies the problems at the core of the mining business which need to be addressed. What kind of mining will serve our existence with nature on this planet? What kind of mining perspectives are we able to formulate without having negative effects for future generations? Is mining technologically sustainable? The values of predictions, imagination, and creativity must be integrated to define what mining should be. Those values should be in the technologies necessary to restoring equilibrium of nature (Geomimic) as well as in complete extraction of metals, better utilization of the mineral reserves, and design the usage of metals to recycle. The purpose of this research is to examine many views and perspectives for future generations and to accelerate the pace of innovation of having mining without socio-environmental liabilities by design and by understanding nature. KEYWORDS: Geomimic, Sustainability, Waste mine Design, Management by Loss. INTRODUCTION The future of mining is being stifled by many antiquated and stagnant attitudes and policies by the industry and society as a whole. The time is now or never for real action and education against these attitudes and to upgrade them to meet the current needs of this planet if we are to survive. Doing this will prove that we understand and respect nature for us and our posterity. It will also show a positive assessment that the mining process can be reversed before the point of no return. And that is to say, only if reversibility is still an option. It may not be anymore but it’s worth a try. We need to use our imagination and engineering know-how to come up with new proposals to change the core of mining. It would entail re-engineering. There is a profound difference between the future of mining and mining in the future. The future of mining is the continuation and persistence of past practices in the industry and expecting new results. Mining in the future requires a paradigm shift for extraction through modern thinking about mining as it pertains nature. The new paradigm for mining in the future would restore equilibrium with nature. Always keep in mind the connection of mining to nature. What is the future of nature? To predict mining in the future we need to use past experiences in mining and our knowledge of modern science and engineering to formulate a prototype that will enhance mining while maintaining equilibrium with nature. Mining and protecting nature are not mutually exclusive. This new prototype has nothing to do with the level of bonding or insurance that the mining industry can legally provide. The goal of this paper is to contribute some new ideas to help transform the mining industry based on the laws of nature and its limitations. Using this new prototype we will develop the following 1. Extraction of minerals Reserves-Dimensions-Technologies 2. Usage of mineral resources-Manufacture’s products designed to be reused and recycled 3. Nature- Equilibrium (physical, chemical and biological)"

Jan 1, 2016

By Robert E. Wilson

TO show the vital importance of our future oil supplies to our economy, I will merely point out that this country, with something like 15 per cent of the world's land area and something like 7 per cent of the world's population normally uses between 65 and 70 per cent of the motor vehicles of the world, between 65 and 70 per cent of the world's rubber, and produces and refines between 65 and 70 per cent of the world's petroleum. Despite all the arguments as to which is cause and which is effect, all will agree that all three of these important industries are mutually dependent. If we had not been able to produce 65 or 70 per cent of the world's oil in this country we would not have the degree of mechanization, or the efficiency of transportation, or the high industrialization that we enjoy. Furthermore, the fact that oil has been plentiful and cheap has had a tremendous effect on all the things in which we as engineers are interested. For that reason, if for no other, it is well to look ahead to see what the outlook is for the near and far-distant future.

Jan 1, 1945

By R. J. Fruehan

Oxygen steelmaking (OSM) is not only the dominant steelmaking process but defines the structure of the industry. There are a number of myths regarding the future of OSM, which are false. These myths include that the EAF will become the dominant process in the near future, it is less costly to produce steel in an EAF and OSM is a mature technology and no new developments are occurring. These myths are shown to be false. Selected new developments are discussed such as post combustion, recycling of waste oxides, slag splashing and sensors.

Jan 1, 2004

By D. Neely

As Saskatchewan potash mines grow in age and size, mining reaches greater depths.  The stress-relief design principals which were empirically derived at shallower depths are beginning to show fault.  Nutrien Vanscoy Potash has began to encounter new ground support and panel design challenges which were previously had negligible effect.  While the initial reaction was to reduce extraction and implement distance buffers between operating machines, it eventually became clear that these would only provide short term relief and that in order to continue safely and efficiently mining broad areas, a fundamental change in the mine design would provide the long-term protection required.  Presented is a case study with an overview of the challenges encountered at Vanscoy Potash in areas of greater depth along with an account of the design changes considered, implemented and recommended for future success. 

May 4, 2025

By J. Parke Channing

THE production and use of copper in the world, like that of other metals, has been of slow growth. In 1880, production in the United States, was only about 60,000,000 lb. and the world's production 325,000,000 lb. Up to 1913 there was a gradual and regular increase in production; in 1912 the production was 1,250,000,000 lb. for the United States and 2,200,-000,000 lb. for the world. At the outbreak of the war there was a slight falling off, both in the United States and elsewhere, but when it was realized that the war was not to be a short one and that copper was one of the most important things for carrying it on, there was a tremendous increase in production every-where. Roughly speaking, the average production for the years 1916, 1917 and 1918 was very close to two billion pounds in the United States and three billion pounds in the world. WAR DEMANDS STIMULATED PRODUCTION Not only did the production of copper in the United States increase, but the same may be said of .all the base metals, particularly of zinc. Much of the zinc used by the Allies came from Australia, but had been smelted in Belgium and Germany, now closed to them. We were called upon to make good this lost supply and in feverish haste built new zinc smelteries and opened new mines. The armistice found the United States with a large surplus of copper on hand, variously estimated at from 800,000,000 to 1,000,000,000 lb. In addition to this surplus in the United States, there were considerable stocks in the hands of the Allies and also immense quantities of unused brass. To. complicate the situa-tion still further, the reclamation of old brass shell cases and other used material was instituted, still further curtailing the demand for new material. This situation was- not appreciated at the time and it was assumed, that the Central Powers would immediately come into the market ? replenish their exhausted stock of copper. During the war Germany had torn down copper trolley wires and roofs, and melted up bronze bells, doors, statues and other copper-bearing material to reclaim this metal for military purposes. But Germany-was unable or at least unwilling immediately to replace her copper substitutes.

Jan 1, 1923

By J. L. Heaver

All complete plant foods require phosphorus, nitrogen and potassium. And phosphate rock is the primary source for the phosphorus of the inorganic fertilizers. As more and more world food production is grown with these chemical fertilizers and since the Florida field supplies over 30% of the phosphorus component, let us look at the vital phosphate industry. Mining of phosphate rock in Central Florida began in 1891 and production has continued to grow at a steady pace. In 1965 a phosphate mine was opened in Hamilton County, North Florida and one in Beaufort County, North Carolina in 1966 . Since the beginning of mining in 1891, approximately 700 million metric tons of phosphate rock have been produced of this amount one-half was mined in the last 11 years. While the field was not deliberately "high-graded," the best of the known deposits were mined first. Those now being mined, and those yet to be mined, cost more to operate and the product is of lower grade. The U. S. Bureau of Mines' data for 1977 lists "Florida" phosphate rock production as 40.6 million tons; 86% of U. S. production and 85% of "Florida" capacity. The U. S. Bureau of Mines includes North Carolina production in "Florida" statistics so as not to reveal individual data for the one mine operating there. Approximately one-half of "Florida" production is exported, either as rock or as rock equivalent in upgraded products. Deposits of phosphate rock necessary to support present and future production are catalogued as: reserves, paramarginal reserves and resources. Reserves denote deposits which can be mined at a profit now. Paramarginal reserves are defined by the U. S. Bureau of Mines and the U. S. Geological Survey as: that portion of sub-economic resources that a) borders on being capable of production economically, or b) is not commercially available solely because of legal or political circumstances. The " b)" part of this definition may now be expanded to include environmental controls and requirements. Resources are deposits which cannot be mined at a profit at present. Listed in Table I are reasonable values for each of the three categories of phosphate deposits in the northern and southern parts of Central Florida. North Florida and North Carolina.

Jan 1, 1978

By Dale C. H. Nevison

One of the most intensive of material rivalries is the confrontation between zinc die castings and plastic injection moldings. Pressed hard by the plastics industry, zinc die casters are learning how to make parts with less material yet without sacrificing quality. The key to this new trend is the technique of Thin Wall die casting. The obvious benefits of Thin Wall are lighter weight and lower cost. Again, obviously, these are the very selling points that put plastics into many appliance and automotive parts formerly made of zinc. One of the factors that has been most conducive to the outstanding growth of plastics has been the increasingly prevalent concept that "adequate" properties are sufficient, especially if there are cost advantages. Most of modern design today is oriented around the reasonable life of a product, rather than indefinitely extended life. This is simply an acknowledgment of the existence of a design environment that pervades many areas, reflecting the life-cyclic desire for change. Too often, so-called "weight-saving" materials end up being very costly - not only in production, but in durability and dependability. Change for the sake of change usually doesn't effect a change for the better. In the majority of cases, the best bet is to design in traditional materials and minimize the material needed, while maximizing the efficiency of the production process. Component prices of products to be produced from either plastics or zinc must be studied in detail to determine which material will produce the lowest cost of manufacture. It is not uncommon for two parts, similar in appearance at a casual look, to have a considerable difference in energy requirements and production costs. Detailed cost estimates of the advantages of each material should therefore be prepared for zinc and plastic parts before the final design and material selection decisions are made.

Jan 1, 1978

By R. J. Goodman, P. Lafleur

This paper presents a current interpretation and projections of recent statistics on raw materials availability based on familiarity with the Canadian steel industry and its development. Problems and opportunities are recognized and discussed.

Jan 1, 1976

By J. D. McAteer

It is widely agreed throughout the mining community that federal mine safety and health legislation administered by the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) deserves significant credit for the past quarter-century's remarkable improvements in miner safety and health. Recently, however, it has been suggested that the mining industry in the United States has now evolved to a point that current mine safety and health law may be obsolete. This proposition deserves attention. Today, I propose to give it the close logical scrutiny that is its due. I conclude that the obsolescence of current mine safety and health law is not supported by the evidence. The existing mine safety and health law continues to serve as a critically important supplement to mine operators' safety programs at a modest cost to the taxpayer. At the same time, trends in a changing industry do call for responsive adaptations in the Federal mine safety and health program. I will argue that timely and appropriate responses to changing needs can be accomplished within the framework of existing legislation, provided federal officials avail themselves of the flexibility provided by existing law.

Jan 1, 1996

By H Utama, R Heryadi

PT Indo Muro Kencana (PT IMK) is a surface gold and silver mine located in Mt. Muro area, Central Kalimantan province, Indonesia. The mining operations of multiple open pits using combination of excavator and haul truck is operated. This operation is performed in two shifts in a day. The articulated dump truck (ADT) with capacity of 40 t and 60 t deliver ore to the mineral processing plant and discard waste material to the waste dump area. Overall, PT IMK’s mining operation department is consisting of two sections, namely mining operation section and drill and blast section. Firstly, mine operation section is responsible to manage loading, hauling, pit service (mine dewatering, earthwork, road maintenance) and mine operation engineering. Secondly, drill and blast section is in charge to manage drilling and blasting (blast engineering, blasting operation, explosive permit and magazine or explosive storage). Additionally, conventional blasting method (ore-waste blasting) with non-electric initiation system is used and sleep blasting is undertaken as bulk explosive is buried for maximum two days. The first purpose of this paper is to elucidate about role of mining engineer in mining operation department (mining operation engineer and D&B engineer). At this point, mining operation engineering practice (fleet management system, production control and mining manpower management) and also blasting daily practice will be elucidated. Daily blasting practice is consisting of surface blast design, explosive engineering, sleep blast practice and the concept of scaled depth of burial to ensure a safe work environment in blasting activity. Next, the second purpose of this paper is to explore workforce evolution and future skills for mining engineer in surface mining operation. Furthermore, strategy to advance future skills such as mining continuous improvement program, training and skills development for mining engineer (mining operation engineer and D&B engineer) in order to develop their skills is also discussed. It is expected that in the future, these future mining leaders will become new mining leader, for instance mining superintendents, D&B superintendents and mining managers. In conclusion, it is clear that awareness about workforce evolution, professional development, training, skills development, mining economics awareness and mining continuous improvement program are essentially required as professional development for mining engineer (mining operation engineer and D&B engineer), in order to be commercially competitive in their future career and in order to be adapted with future workforce evolution in mining.

Sep 1, 2024

By D. L. McCain

The movement of solids by pipeline is an art dating back well over 100 years as evidenced by many references in the literature. Even though all of the early pipeline transport systems were based on trial and error and relied mainly upon the designer's experience, hydraulic transport offered distinct advantages in convenience or cost for the chemical, mining, and civil engineering industries. It became well established for in-plant process lines, dredging, waste disposal, and other uses almost exclusively for short distances. During more recent times, much research work has been done in an attempt to understand the underlying principles involved in transporting solids in a fluid. Design criteria for pumping slurries have evolved to the point where pipelines designed for distances of several miles to several hundred miles can be accomplished successfully. Consolidation Coal Company designed and built a 10-inch diameter 108-mile long line1 for transporting coal in the 1950's and operated it from 1957 to 1963 when it was placed in mothballs because of falling freight rates for rail shipment. More recently, the 273-mile Black Mesa Pipeline2 was built and is operating. There are other examples of long distance pipelines,3 but all are for specially prepared fine slurries which allow the pipeline to be operated more economically.

Jan 1, 1975

By Gordon M. Miner

When I was originally invited to speak to this audience on the subject of the future supply of precious metals I was somewhat apprehensive and suggested that the Program Chairman select someone with more credentials. He declined and the results of our conversation gave me cause to reflect and recall the opportunities I have had over the years and how fortunate I have been to be associated with so many successful companies and knowledgeable people affiliated with the precious metals field. I discovered that since 1935, 1 have worked in or visited most of the gold and silver camps in the United States; have been a leaser of a gold mine in Mohave, California; have both lost and made money in the silver futures market; have worked for two of the greatest precious metals companies in the United States - Homestake Mining Company and Hecla Mining Company, have spent a considerable amount of time in precious metal related discussions with men like Don MacLaughlin, Paul Henshaw, Dick Stoehr, Abe Shoemaker, Bill Love, Phil Lindstrom, Simon Strauss, Herbert and Bunker Hunt and many others. It is those exposures and experiences that I draw onto discuss the subject at hand.

Jan 1, 1980

By Barry Welch, Kai Grjotheim

"The capital intensive nature of the present process for aluminium smelting, the low productivity per unit reactor, and pressure to reduce the electdcal energy demand have motivated the search for an alternative process. Optional routes include carbo-thennal reduction of alumina (using an alloy phase immediate), chlorination followed by electrolysis of aluminium chloride, and electrolytic decomposition of alumina using inert electrodes. Materials performance and reactor design constraints have been a major limitation for alternatives. However parallel research has led to considerable advances in the process efficiencies and scale of both the Bayer process and the Hall-Heroult cells.Future development of alternatives is dependent on breakthroughs in Materials Science such as the development of stable conducting anodes and stable wettable cathode materials. However if successful it is probable that some spin-offs will be retrofitted to existing cells. Therefore the basic Hall-Heroult technology will continue as the dominant process for at least the next half century.IntroductionThe present Bayer/Hall-Heroult process for production of aluminium is just over 100 years old. Frequently, during the century of its technological development questions have been raised as to whether it is the ideal route for metal production. The questioning was particularly intense in the period between the mid-1950s and the mid-1060s when the limitations of the Hall-Heroult electrolytic stage were evident. Then the cells were only 30 to 35 % efficient with respect to the utilisation of the hydro-electricity (requiring 16 18 kWh/kg, thus making it strongly dependent on cheap electrical energy), while the size of cells being installed were 80 to 130 kA. Hence the process was capital intensive, the productivity per reactor volume low, and the process was labour intensive (requiring about 15 man hours per tonne of aluminium). In addition, the use of pitches for Soderberg anodes and the fluoride electrolyte were creating problems through emission. At that time material science had paid little attention to the manufacture and use of carbonaceous materials or the development of alternatives that were corrosion resistant to cryolite or liquid aluminium. Hence cell lives were short - typically 600 to 1000 days - thus adding to operating costs. Thus the grass over the fence, as foreseen in 1960s vintage crystal balls appeared much greener for alternative processes."

Jan 1, 1988

By C. Williard

Computer based mine monitoring and control systems represent a relatively new technology to be applied in the U.S. mining industry. While computer assisted engineering, design, and planning have been accepted as tools for specific technical and engineering jobs within the industry, integrating mine-wide monitoring and control systems into mining operations has been slow. This paper reviews the state of the art of mine monitoring and control systems and provides insights into future trends and developments.

Jan 1, 1988

By John Sasadi

The mining industry depends upon inexpensive water transportation. Today, large quantities of mined products are transported by ships over oceans, from continents to continents, over lakes and waterways to the ultimate users. Sometimes, the routes these Bulk Carriers travel cover only a few hundred miles, sometimes thousands of miles halfway around the world. Most of the products of the mining industries are relatively inexpensive. A significant portion of their cost to the ultimate users are in the cost of transportation and not in loading and unloading these commodities at the ports of origination or destination. So far, the industry has produced very efficient loading and un- loading installations, but has very little influence over marine transportation or the design of the vessels themselves. Very little was ever published dealing with integrated transportation systems properly correlating all phases of the operation; namely, loading, marine transportation and unloading bulk materials.

Jan 1, 1967