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By Henry Stoch

It?s a green, green world ? Public concern about the impact of human activities on the environment and the roles that businesses play in that impact is rising. What?s happened in the last few months? ? Recent news: ? British Columbia announces carbon tax in 2008 budget ? Federal Court ruling stalls oil sands approvals due to a lack of consideration of GHG implications ? US Energy Independence and Security Act could limit government procurement of oil sands-derived fuels ? Western Climate Initiative (WCI) suggests a ?first seller? approach for regulating generators outside WCI jurisdictions ? Implications ? A cost for carbon has arrived ? The lack of a GHG strategy can have a material impact on your business ? Regulations in other jurisdictions could affect your organization

May 1, 2008

By L. Schernikau, W. H. Smith

Oil, coal, and gas account for approximately 80% of global primary energy, but only a portion of total airborne CO2 eq (approx. 35% at GWP20 to 65% at GWP100), even though they account for 95% of total measured CO2 emissions. The benefits of these energy sources, as well as their related costs, are not all incorporated in current energy policy discussions. Global greenhouse gas policies must include documented changes in measured airborne CO2 eq to avoid spending large amounts of public funds on ineffective or sub-optimal policies. The authors examined airborne CO2, which is less than half of emitted CO2, as well as reported CH4 emissions and the global warming potential of CH4 as published by the IPCC for coal and natural gas. The surprising conclusion is that surfaced-mined coal appears ‘better for the climate’ than the average natural gas, and all coal appears beneficial over LNG. Therefore, current CO2-only reduction policies and CO2 taxes are leading to unintended consequences and the switch from coal to natural gas, especially LNG, will not have the desired impact of reducing predicted future global warming; in fact, quite the contrary. A large portion of anthropogenic global warming is attributed by the IPCC and IEA to CH4, but it must be noted that CH4 emissions from natural sources and from agriculture account for approximately 40% and 25% of annual global CH4 emissions respectively. Energy accounts for about 20% of documented CH4 emissions. CO2 contributes only approximately 35% of annual airborne anthropogenic GHG emissions after accounting for CH4, over a 20-year horizon. At a 100-year horizon, the contribution of CO2 increases to approximately 60%. Energy policies that do not consider all GHG emissions along the entire value chain will lead to undesired economic and environmental distortions. All carbon taxation and CO2 pricing schemes are incorrect and need to be revised. At IPCC’s GWP20 an approximately 2%1 higher loss of CH4 across the value chain prior to combustion of natural gas versus coal will lead to ‘climate parity’ of coal with natural gas. According to public data, natural gas value chains have high CH4 and undocumented CO2 losses. On a global average, using only IEA-documented CH4 data, natural gas emits approximately 15% more CO2 eq than surface-mined coal, over a 20-year horizon. This difference will increase as the use of shale gas and LNG expands. Investors should support all energy systems in a manner that avoids an energy crisis, including intermittent renewable energy systems where they make sense. If CO2 emissions need to be reduced, one of the most effective ways would be to install ultra-supercritical power plants with CCUS technology. However, the undisputed benefits of increased CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere because of its promotion of photosynthesis and plant growth effects (fertilization) need to be considered in energy policy decisions as well. The authors suggest that future research and development should concentrate on reducing net emissions from fossil fuel power plants and providing cost-effective and reliable new conventional power generation capacity, utilizing clean coal and clean natural gas technology.

Mar 2, 2022

By M Grigorescu, J H. Hodgkinson, H Alehossein

A new framework that collates and interprets pre-existing data to assess vulnerability and ultimately plan to avoid or minimise flood-related risk to infrastructure, people, downtime, environment and revenue has been developed. The æClimate Related Adaptation from Terrain Evaluation ResultsÆ (CRATER) method tested at a coal mine in Queensland, provides semi-quantitative information to assist decision makers when designating investment for minimising vulnerability of mining operations to climate. Here we present the processes involved in this three-step approach that uses pre-existing spatial data of the mine site and local knowledge to build a set of visual tools to assist decision-making. The first step of the process is performing multi-criteria evaluation (MCE) within a geographic information system (GIS) on ranked natural conditions at the mine, such as elevation, slope, drainage, soil and vegetation, which is performed to identify critical flood areas. Secondly, a fault-tree analysis identifies how impact can occur and what options there are for impact reduction. Finally, a resource assessment of the mineÆs capacity to adapt reduces the adaptation options to those most suited to the mine. The results are confidential, but for the purpose of introducing the methodology, we present simplified results, particularly of steps 2 and 3. CRATER can also be used for future æwhat-ifÆ flooding scenarios to identify the most suitable locations for roads, buildings or other critical infrastructure. The methodology is transferable to any mine, series of mines or locations along the mining value chain that have sufficient data, providing a practical decision-making tool to identify æno-regretsÆ actions that not only could reduce downtime after or during an event, but in some cases may enhance production between extreme events. We now plan to test this method at a broader scale, to encompass more than one mine in the analysis.CITATION:Hodgkinson, J H, Grigorescu, M and Alehossein, H, 2013. Climate Related Adaptation from Terrain Evaluation Results (CRATER) - interpretation of pre-existing data for mine site flood vulnerability and management, in Proceedings Water in Mining 2013 , pp 259-266 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Nov 26, 2013

By J. V. Ghelarducci, M. A. Sharpe, D. G. Chedgy

This article presents a novel design, called the Climax, High Capacity Processor (HCP), for pre-combustion cleaning of coal. This design is particularly suitable for the plant capacities of 400 ~ 660 TPH. The HCP is different from the conventional designs with an equivalent throughput in three major aspects: 1) the use of one large capacity HM cyclone to separate coarse and intermediate raw coal in a single circuit; 2) the elimination of the conventional secondary magnetics recovery system by use of the high efficiency Climax, magnetic separators; 3) the use of "single line" piping with a minimum requirement of ancillary devices. In comparison with conventional designs with similar capacity, the HCP plant costs much less in capital investment, operation and maintenance.

Feb 24, 1997

This paper briefly reviews the demise of professional mining education and training in NZ over the past ten years; compares it with the Australian experience; and discusses the immense success experienced by EXITO and the upsurge of competency based education and training we are currently experiencing in the mineral extraction and associated industries. It also looks to the development of a Bachelor in Mining Technology.

Jan 1, 2001

By Adam Gray, Emery Gray

State-of-the-art seismographs can be employed to assist the blasting engineer in understanding the propagation of vibration waves generated by blasting. Wave traces and frequency plots are used to adjust shot loading and timing, especially around close or near- field structures. Successful close-in blasting vibration monitoring requires careful consideration of the following: Geophone locations Mounting of geophone both on structures and in the ground Differences between ground motion and structural response This presentation will discuss methods used to control and monitor blast-induced ground and structure motions. Case histories are presented to illustrate seismic monitoring used as a tool to control vibrations and guide the blaster in the design process.

Jan 1, 2005

By C. Breeds, K. Jeremiah, E. Jennings

Washington State has a well developed set of blasting regulations which have been promulgated by the Department of Labor using extensive stakeholder input, not only from citizens but also from manufacturers and representatives of IME, blasters in charge, blasting engineers, blasting companies, local and federal law enforcement agencies, fire officials, and local and state government representatives. WAC 296-52 therefore provides a foundation or platform for developing city ordinances for Washington State cities should a City wish to do so. On the other hand, Oregon’s code is based on OSHA 1926, Subdivision U, Blasting and the Use of Explosives which provides scant direction regarding the modern use of explosives. Reference is also made to ODOT Section 00335 - Blasting Methods and Protection of Excavation Backslopes. This paper examines two separate programs that have been developed by two Cities, one in Washington State and one in Oregon to further regulate blasting inside City limits and discusses why the lack of a regulatory foundation made one approach more difficult than the other. One of the authors was retained by the City of Kennewick, WA to develop their ordinance and has more recently followed and reacted to a pending ordinance for the City of Redmond, Oregon. The paper will compare and contrast the different approaches and comment on the reaction from both Blasters and the public. We also present a case study that involved blasting in an urban area of Oregon to prepare a foundation for a water tank. Controlled Blasting was carried out within 70-ft of residencies and within a community that had expressed reservations regarding blasting even though the work would make a significant contribution to the betterment of the community. Pre-construction surveys of residencies located in a large area surrounding the site were performed and a well-planned blasting program was carried out. Residencies were subject to vibration levels that were monitored using six seismographs that surrounded the site and these units measured vibration levels that were significantly lower than allowed by statute. There were complaints triggered by individuals reactions to blast vibrations which validated commonly held models of human perception but no damage was caused by the Blasting.

Jan 1, 2024

By N. Skopak, C. Aimone-Martin, J. Redyke, B. O. Meins

PipeBlast is a spreadsheet-based calculator based on research conducted by Southwest Research Institute (SwRI), used by the pipeline industry to determine if proposed blasting planned near existing pipelines can be safely executed. The two factors determining “safe” are blast-induced pipe wall hoop stresses and predicted peak particle velocity (PPV) at the pipeline. Although methodology used to predict hoop stresses is somewhat sound, predicted PPV amplitudes are highly exaggerated based on inappropriate attenuation models developed using spherical explosive charges of limited charge weights, placed in soil adjacent to model pipelines that do not represent rock blasting. Hence, pipeline companies readily reject well-design blasts and limit scaled distances far beyond what is reasonable and cost-effective to pipeline owners. Full-scale trench blasting in rock was conducted near a 24in (711mm) diameter operating API 5L X70 grade steel pipeline in Texas to compare PipeBlast model predictions with a Ground Strain Model (GSM) based on field measurements of ground motions on the surface and at the pipeline springline. Results of the GSM were compared with pipeline strains measured using wire gauges mounted on the Springline. The comparative results showed that a site-specific velocity propagation model provided good estimates of ground strains that are replicated on the pipeline walls in terms of hoop and longitudinal strains. Trench blasting 28ft (8.5m) from the pipeline produced ground motions of 7.6in/s (193mm/s). At this ground motion amplitude, the factor of safety defined as the allowable stress divided by the combined operating and blasting hoop stresses was reduce from 3.04 in the absence of blasting to 2.98. This paper explains the research and findings on which PipeBlast is based and presents an alternative approach to predicting blast-induced pipe wall stresses based on site-specific velocity propagation measurements and a ground strain model.

Jan 1, 2024

By Joseph L. Petrillo

In July 1997, Kvaerner Environmental signed a unique contract with Echo Bay Alaska called the Transfer Risk and Accelerate Closure (TRAC). The contract called for Kvaerner to assume the responsibilities and obligations associated with closeout of the Alaska-Juneau (A-J) Mine. Kvaerner is an international engineering and construction company with global interdisciplinary experience in the mining industry and environmental remediation. Echo Bay’s requirements called for Kvaerner to: •Provide a fixed price for closure with no change orders. •Negotiate, prepare and implement a final closeout plan as outlined by Echo Bay. •Complete a closure program that exceeded current regulatory requirements. •Improve, expand and maintain a proactive public and community relations program. •Hire Echo Bay employees where possible. •Provide adequate performance guarantees and judicial relief of environmental claims.

Jan 1, 1999

By Adrian Dance

The Antamina orebody is a geologically complex, polymetallic skarn located in the Peruvian Andes. A range of copper and copper-zinc ores are campaigned separately through the concentrator producing copper and zinc concentrates as well as lead and molybdenum by-products. Ore type classification at Antamina is based on chemical assays; geological or lithological variations are not considered. Consequently, each ore type demonstrates a wide range of concentrator performance. Antamina is currently implementing a system to track ore movements from the shovel face to the concentrator. Relatively sophisticated models of the ROM and coarse ore stockpiles ahead of the mill will be used to account for the variable delay between mining and milling. One of the numerous benefits of ore tracking is the ability to directly associate the measured concentrator performance with a physical location in the orebody. Using existing mine planning software, three-dimensional models can be created of such performance measures as metal recovery, concentrate quality, operating cost and reagent consumption. Such a database of information allows the true value of different ore sources to be determined. The value of an ore source is conventionally measured as metal content (individual or combined ?equivalent?) with a cut-off grade applied to indicate some base level operating cost. However, the true value of an ore source should include dynamic factors like haulage cost, reagent use, smelter penalties and even prevailing metal prices. If an ore source is considered from all perspectives rather than simply its potential to deliver value, the concept of ?ore? becomes more flexible. Any ore source that reveals itself to be unprofitable can be eliminated from the mine plan or possibly blended with others to improve its value. The ability to predict mill performance ? and thereby profitability ? is a powerful tool. In an operation such as Antamina, where managing ore sources, campaigns and the delivery of a variety of concentrates in a narrow timeline to customers is a daily challenge, prediction is the key to success and improved efficiency.

May 1, 2003

By T. Braun, J. Parker

On June 25, 1999, BHP Billiton (BHPB) announced the suspension of operations at the BHP Copper Inc.(BHP) San Manuel copper mine in Pinal County, Arizona. Subsequent to this announcement, BHPB aggressively pursued a number of alternatives for the underground mine and open pit facilities, including continued curtailed operations, sale to a qualified mining operator and closure of the property. After consideration of these various alternatives over a 2.5-year period, BHPB announced final closure of the mine site on January 15, 2002.This paper describes how the BHPB charter and HSEC policy apply during the closure process.

Jan 1, 2004

By L. S. Cates

THE war is now behind us. We in the mining industry feel a just pride in the part that our industry and our men and our products played in defeating the enemy on the fighting fronts around the world. In five years of mobilization and actual combat, our mines and oil wells produced over 3 billion tons of coal, a billion tons of petroleum, 500 million tons of iron ore, 21/4 million tons of lead, 31/2 million tons of zinc, 5 million tons of copper, 14 million tons of bauxite, 17 million tons of sulphur, 68 million tons of salt, and 3 million tons of potash. It was an unparalleled performance. But what of today? Why the present low production and high costs? Among the black clouds in the mining sky none are so black as that presented by the labor situation. We know it is the result of the legislation and the interpretation of that legislation in the past ten or fifteen years. Since the passage of the Norris-LaGuardia Act in 1932, we have had nothing but a succession of laws, regulations, and decisions that have intensified the strength of the unions and made the operators of the mines and the sources of their financing prartirally impotent

Jan 1, 1946

By Alan Galley

CMIC Mandate CIM Annual Meeting, Toronto, May 6, 2013 To increase mining research, innovation and commercialization efforts in order to strengthen Canada?s pre-eminent role as a global leader in mineral exploration, mining and knowledge-based services and technologies. To increase the supply of highly qualified graduates from mining and earth sciences faculties to meet the significant demand today and into the future of industry, governments and academia. The CMIC initiative is intended to develop long term research strategies that extend five or greater years. Such a research plan will underpin fundamental research and innovation and the training of HQP

May 1, 2013

By Stephen J. Roberts

Gold catalysts were prepared on co-precipitated, calcined copper oxide - zinc oxide support by an inverse deposition-precipitation method. These catalysts were characterised by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and temperature-programmed reduction (TPR) and studied for CO oxidation activity at various catalyst calcination temperatures. TPR studies of the support material exhibited a double peak and shift to lower temperatures for the reduction of Cux+ to metallic copper, as opposed to the single reduction peak for pure CuO. This phenomenon is possibly caused by an interaction with the zinc oxide. The addition of gold to the support CuOZnO led to a further shift in copper reducibility to lower temperatures. Gold present in the initial uncalcined catalyst as Au3+ was auto-reduced to Au0 under various calcination temperatures. The Au3+ reduction peak was observed to shift to lower temperatures with increasing calcination temperature. The catalytic activity was found to pass through a minimum value with respect to calcination temperature. Catalysts with both gold in entirely the 3+ or metallic oxidation state were found to exhibit high activity. Furthermore, the catalysts were found to decrease in activity with decreasing Au3+ content up to an intermediate calcination temperature, afterwhich the activity increased sharply. Possibly at higher temperatures, a stronger Au-support interaction is formed, leading to a new active site.

Oct 1, 2003

By P. H. Williams, D. J. Morris

The co-disposal of coarse and fine coal wastes by combined pumping through a pipeline to subaerial deposition was pioneered in Australia in 1990 by Jeebropilly colliery in Queensland. Significant segregation of fines is found to occur in its co-disposal delta, leading to the formation of distinct mainly coarse upper and fine-dominated lower segments; the upper delta drains rapidly and is able to support traffic on its surface immediately after deposition. An existing theory of subaerial deposition, originally developed for mine tailings alone and later extended to trial co-disposal, is shown to apply also to the upper segment of the full-scale Jeebropilly delta

Jun 19, 1905

By E. S. Schubert

Keywords: co-generation, furnace CO-gas cleaning, disintegrator scrubber, Theisen In a closed, electric, reduction furnace, no oxygen enters the furnace from the surrounding environment. The off-gases are thus not ?burnt? and therefore contain a considerable amount of CO and H2. Traditionally these gases have been captured and burnt in a flare stack. Recent developments have led operators of such furnaces to revise this strategy and to consider utilising these gases as a fuel for gas-fired generator sets to produce electricity, thus becoming more energy efficient. On 31 March 2010 the new emission standards, in accordance with the Air Quality Act, Act 39 of 2004, were promulgated. The minimum emission standards according to the act require that the particulate matter emissions from the primary fume-capture systems on closed furnaces for ?new plants? in ferroalloy and calcium carbide production not exceed 50 mg/Nm³ and 25 mg/Nm³, respectively. By implementing co-generation, the producer automatically complies with the new environmental emission standards for an off-gas. As much as 30% of the electrical power cost, which is set to double in the near future, can be saved by partly generating one?s own electrical power. In December 2010, the National Treasury published a discussion paper for public comment, one entitled ?Reducing greenhouse gas emissions: The carbon tax option?. Irrespective of how the tax is finally implemented, it will result in an increase of production costs in affected industries. This paper focuses on the characteristics of a furnace-off-gas cleaning system for closed ferroalloy smelters, characteristics that meet the requirements of both reducing solid-matter emissions and operating a safe and reliable gas plant.

Jan 1, 2011

By G. M. Humphrey

It is a great honour and privilege to be here in this distinguished company of the outstanding men in the mining industry and the political life of Canada. I fully recognize that I am so honoured as a symbol of the combination of American and Canadian leaders in industry who are partners in the sponsor-ship of the Quebec-Labrador iron-ore mining development which we are undertaking, and as such I want to express our great appreciation of the co-operation and assistance we have met on every hand in Canada, and the genuine friendliness and never-failing courtesy which we are always accorded. We are quite aware that it springs primarily from the very high regard in which our partner and sponsor, Jules Timmins, and our other Canadian associates are held. Their high standing among you is well known and we quite naturally fall heir to the benefits of the great esteem in which you hold them. Jules Timmins and his long-time associate, John Knox, were the original inspiration for our participation in this venture. It was their enthusiasm and vision which caught our interest and led to our joining with them in the years of exploration and search which have brought us to the threshold of this great development where we stand today. So much has been written of the details of our exploration and plans for future development that it would bore you for me to review them further here, but there is a phase of this development, and an extremely important phase of it, which I think has passed almost unnoticed and which it may be well worth while for me to bring to your attention this evening.

Jan 1, 1951

By Dolf Gielen

This paper discusses the results of a Western European energy and materials systems engineering study that analyses the impact of greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction on the future of the steel and aluminum industry. he technology selection will be significantly affected by future CO2 policies. The avail- ability of C02 removal and storage technology and the social acceptance of this strategy for GHG emission reduction is of key importance for the strategy selection. The use of coal based smelting reduction technologies is optimal in case of weak C02 policies or in case of strong C02 policies and low CO2 removal and storage costs. The selection of CCF or Corex technology depends on the penalty regime. However, if C02 removal proves to be problematic, CCF development fails and strong C02 policies are introduced, the gas based DRI production processes will become more attractive. In both cases, the energy efficiency of the iron and steel industry will further increase in the next decades. The impact of GHG emission reduction on aluminum prices and aluminum use can be significant. However contrary to common notions the aluminum production will be positively affected by GHG emission reduction, notwithstanding the currently high emissions in aluminum production. A combination of emission mitigation in production and significant GHG emission reduction effects further down the product chain cause this effect. A significant potential exists for improved materials efficiency. This potential is generally neglected in energy efficiency and CO2 reduction studies. However improved steel qualities are of similar importance for C02 emission reduction as increased energy efficiency. It remains to see if this potential will be used to its full extent in the next decades. Model calculations indicate that the impact of C02 policies on the competition with other materials will be limited. Greenhouse gas emission mitigation will have much more impact on materials production and waste handling than on materials consumption.

Jan 1, 1999

By F. Freme

Coal production in the United States increased in2004 by 36 Mt (39.7 million st) to end the year at 1 Gt(1.11 billion st), according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). This was a 3.7-percent in-crease from 2003’s 971.6 Mt (1.07 billion st) (Table 1).(All percentage change calculations are done at the short-tons level.) Although U.S. coal consumption rose in 2004, not all coal-consuming sectors had increased consumption for the year. Coal consumption increased in the electric power sectors by 1 percent and declined slightly in the other industrial sector, while coking coal consumption dropped by 2.4 percent. U.S. coal exports rose for the second consecutive year, while coal imports again increased to record levels. Coal stocks declined during the year, as electric generators used their stockpiles to helpmeet increased demands and missed shipments. Coal producers used their stockpiles to supplement their production levels.

Jan 1, 2005

With the dawning of a new century came the beginning of a new era in the coal industry. Instead of the traditional practice of only buying and selling produced coal in the United States, a coal futures market was established. The New York Mercantile Exchange began trading coal futures in July 2001. But, even in this new era, many of the old is-sues that have beset the coal industry still remain, as was evident in2001. Coal production increased to are cord level during 2001, according to preliminary data from the US Energy Information Administration(EIA). Production in 2001 rose by4% to 1.01 Gt (1.12 billion st), compared with 2000 (Table 1). This barely surpassed the previous record level of 1 Gt (1.11 billion st)set in 1998. Coal consumption remained unchanged. The additional production was used to replenish the depleted stockpiles that had resulted after two years of declining coal production and increasing coal consumption.

Jan 1, 2002