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By J. Weng

The equations of heat conduction are numerically solved for two kinds of artificial freezing- mechanical freezing and liquid nitrogen freezing. A two dimensional finite difference model simulating the freezing field is developed. The procedure introduces a way to simulate the effect of latent heat released when water transforms from liquid to solid. The procedure also produces a way to calculate the harmonic mean of heat conductivity used when dealing with heterogeneous material. The theoretically derived temperature distributions in frozen soil are given and compared with measured data. An analysis is made on the thermal design in shaft freezing. The average temperature of frozen soil is calculated by using numerical integration. The regularity of development of frozen soil radius is revealed and given in an appropriate mathematical model.

Jan 2, 1984

By J. R. Craig, T. N. Solberg, M. A. Linden

The central and southern Appalachian Mountains were the major sources of domestically produced gold throughout the first half of the 19th century and continue to yield gold today. Small amounts of gold were probably extracted by the Indians and the Spaniards but the first documented report of gold in the region was made by Thomas Jefferson who found, in the Rappahannock River of Virginia in 1782, a 1.8 kg (4 lb) lump of gold ore that yielded 26 g (0.85 oz). Gold was subsequently discovered in North Carolina between 1793 and 1799, in Virginia in 1806, in South Carolina in 1827, in Georgia in 1829, and in Alabama about 1830 (Becker, 1894-5; Pardee and Park, 1948). Production climbed to more than 933 kg/a (30,000 oz per year) between 1830 and 1852, but dropped sharply after the California gold rush in 1849 as experienced miners moved west in search of bigger and easier stakes. The Civil War briefly halted gold mining in the Appalachians, but production rose to an average of about 249 kg/a (8,000 oz per year) from 1865 until 1878 and to about 404 kg/a (13,000 oz per year) from 1881 until 1915 when it again fell to near nil (Pardee and Park, 1948). Minor resurgences occurred in the 1930s and 1940s. Although there has been no reported production in recent years, it is likely that "weekend panners" still remove hundreds of ounces from streams annually. The total reported production for the area through 1959 is more than 77 t (2.5 million oz). This paper reports some initial findings of a long-term project designed to investigate the mineralogy, chemistry, mode of occurrence, and petrology of gold occurrences in the Appalachians. The goal of the initial phase was to determine the compositional range of gold in the Appalachians as a step toward deciding if sufficient variations were present to allow the definition of "compositional signatures." The very few published data on gold fineness in the Appalachians are based on assays that commonly include gold and silver from several mineral species. Analyses in the present study were performed on individual grains of electrum using a spot size of 10 µm x 10 µm to 100 µm X 100 µm (394 X 394 micro in. to 3,940 X 3,940 micro in.), and thus reveal the true composition of the principal precious metal-bearing phase.

Jan 1, 1984

By L. G. Billington

"The Agnew nickel deposit occurs in a major linear greenstone belt in the Archaean Eastern Goldfields Province of Western Australia, and has been subjected to mid-amphibolite facies nietamorphism of dynamic style. The largest dunitic ultramafic body in the Perseverance Block is host to the bulk of the nickel mineralization. The Perseverance Ultramafic is mineralogically zoned and has an embayed western margin against a mixed metasedimentarv-metavolcanic wallrock sequence.Three categories of nickel sulphide mineralization are concentrated on this western margin at the thickest part of the ultramafic exposure. Massive sulphides characteristically occur as contact mineralization, internal mineralization and as remobilized concentrations in vein form structures. Disseminated ore constitutes the largest volume of mineralized materials in the deposit and occurs in three separate shoots in en-echelon relation. Weakly mineralized 'cloud sulphide' zones surround and envelop the shoots and persist much further along strike. In the upper mine levels the shoots are truncated by a shear or crush zone, which inhibits geological knowledge to the south but marks a major fundamental structural break.Most of the ore types have suffered supergene alteration and there is a complex variable distribution of the mineralogical facies. The ore types have been metamorphically retextured, but the oreshoots can be characterized by their Ni tenor and some chemical ratios. S/Se values, PGF. and precious metal values are distinctly different from those of other nickel sulphide ores extracted.Despite intense structural and metamorphic modification of the mineralizations, some features support an original magmatic derivation for the sulphides. These include the localization of massive sulphide ore types on one marginal contact within an emhayment structure, the general distribution of disseminated mineralizations located immediately above the massive sulphides and the Ni/Cu, Ni/Co, Fe/Ni ratios of the oreshoots being similar to those of deposits that typify the intrusive dunite- associated class of nickel sulphide deposit. Varying S/Ni ratios between different shoots suggest a revision of the single magmatic intrusion model in favour of a changing composition between successive magmatic episodes."

Jan 1, 1984

Particles finer than 10 um often cause problems in flotation. The current under- standing of the nature of the following effects is discussed: slime coatings on particles, carrier flotation, increased froth stability, entrainment of ultrafine gangue, excess reagent consumption, slower rate of flotation, more reactive surfaces. The review emphasizes the principles underlying these effects rather than details of progress in practical solutions to the problems they cause. The princi- ples of selective flocculation and floc flotation and the various approaches to achieving selectivity are discussed. Hydrodynamic effects on floc growth are reviewed. The evidence suggests that satisfactory performance in the ultrafines fraction will be achieved only by simul- taneously increasing the rate of flotation of the ultrafine valuable mineral and de- creasing the rate of entrainment of ultra- fine gangue.

Jan 1, 1984

By D. Erik Spiller

Introduction The recovery of precious metals from ore can generally be accomplished using either gravity concentration, flotation, and/or hydrometallurgical (leaching) techniques. The objective of this paper is to show why gravity concentration can be an important part of recovery systems which employ leaching as the primary unit operation. A brief discussion of modern gravity concentration equipment is also presented.

Jan 1, 1984

By H. Xi-Lum

Three rapid cold bonding production methods wing sponge iron powder as a binder for low temperature pellets have been successfully developed. These methods differ from ordinary bonding by the elimination of salt and other catalyzers, equipment corrosion and environmental pollution. Experiments show that these pellets have good metallurgical properties. A semi-industrial test has proven the laboratory results, with the continuous and stable production of metallic pellets. These methods replace traditional high temperature firing of oxidized pellets for direct reduction. As a result, the plant for oxidized pellets can be saved and substituted for grate in the grate-kiln system. Thus, 20% of the investment could be saved, and production cost may also be decreased because the production of cold bonding pellets does not need additional space.

Jan 1, 1984

By Nancy S. Brodsky

A specimen of Westerly granite was cyclically loaded to near failure at 50 MPa confining pressure. Holographic interferometry provided detailed measurements of localized surface deformations during loading and unloading. The data are consistent with deformation occurring primarily elastically at low differential stress; in conjunction with one incipient fault zone between approximately 350 and 520 MPa differential stress; and in conjunction with a second incipient fault zone above 580 MPa and/or during creep. During unloading only one fault zone, that which is active at the intermediate stress levels during loading, is seen to recede.

Jan 1, 1984

By Gordon E. Agar

"The effectiveness of two this compounds for copper sulphide depression in molybdenite flotation has been examined with batch bench scale tests.Both thioglycollate and trithiocarbonate proved to be good depressants producing results similar to those f or cyanide and hydrosulphide. Ferrocyanide was ineffective on the samplematerial tested.The depressing effect of thioglycollate was readily reversed by an addition of xanthate.IntroductionThe separation of molybdenite from copper sulphide minerals has been practised for a long time(1,2). The predominant scheme is to depress the copper sulphides while capitalizing on the ready floatability of molybdenite to effect the separation. There are many recipes for depressing the copper minerals(3), among them the addition of sodium cyanide, particularly if the copper is present primarily as chalcopyrite; some form of sulphide whether as sodium sulphide, sodium hydrosulphide or phosphorous pentasulphide when there is a mixture of copper sulphides such as bornite, chalcocite and chalcopyrite; potassium ferro cyanide may be used when chalcocite is the principal copper sulphide; peroxide or hypochlorite; as well as heating in the presence of lime. There are different mechanisms by which these reagent s depress the copper sulphides. Sodium cyanide and the sulphide-producing compounds apparently reduce the potential of the copper sulphides to the point where they ar e rendered unfloatable by xanthates . Another study(4) showed that after cyanide addition, chalcopyrite was rendered un floatabl e until the REDOX potential (measured with a gold electrode with a saturated calomel reference) had become more positive than -250 mY. If the chalcopyrite pulp was conditioned after the cyanide addition the REDOX potential increased slowly, whereas if air was introduced during the conditioning the potential r ose much more rapidly. The difference in time to reach the desired level of - 250 mV was as much as 20 minutes' 25 minutes being required when air was absent but less than 5 minutes when air was admitted . These observation s demonstrate some of the problems encountered when using cyanide to depress sulphides such as chalcopyrite . The system adjusts to counteract the depressing effect of the additive. To overcome this tendency it is necessary to either add an overdose at the beginning or to more or less continuously add the regulating reagent. In this study cyanide solution was added under automatic control to maintain a specified REDOX potential."

Jan 1, 1984

By Harry W. Campbell

A mineral survey by Bureau of Mines personnel identified no mineral resources or mineral occurrences with development potential at prospects in the Mecca Hills Wilderness Study Area (WSA). Bentonite occurrences are in Skeleton Canyon and Surprise Canyon. Sand and gravel occurrences are numerous in and near the WSA. Much of the Mecca Hills WSA was leased for oil and gas exploration in 1983. No current mining claims or other leases were found in the study area. The Skeleton Canyon Clay Mine yielded clay to seal irrigation canals, Clay to seal ponds was also mined from the Red Top Clay Mine west of the USA. A sand and gravel pit south of the study area (near Box Canyon Wash) supplied material for local construction projects. A commercial sand and gravel pit was operating in 1983 near the mouth of Thermal Canyon 4 miles west of the WSA.

Jan 1, 1984

By D. M. S. Bhatia

Twenty-six insitu analyses of cubic galena crystals from a Mississippi Valley-type deposit were undertaken with a laser microprobe spectrograph to study the variation of nine trace elements from the crystal center to its periphery, both along the diagonal and vertical. The general trend is an increase in the concentrations of Ag, Ga, Ge, and In with As showing the opposite trend Bi, Cd and Sn did not show any pattern. Sb was not detected. These variation patterns nay serve as a model for similar studies of other Mississippi Valley-type deposits.

Jan 1, 1984

By Khosrow Bakhtar

A series of nineteen shear tests were performed on fractures 1 m2 in area, generated in blocks of sandstone, granite, tuff, hydro- stone and concrete. The tests were conducted under quasi-static and dynamic loading conditions. A vertical stress assisted fracturing technique was developed to create the fractures through the large test blocks. Prior to testing, the fractured surface of each block was characterized using the Barton JRC-JCS concept. The results of characterization were used to generate the peak strength envelope for each fractured surface. Attempts were made to model the stress path based on the classical transformation equations which assumes a theoretical plane, elastic isotropic properties, and therefore no slip. However, this approach gave rise to a stress path passing above the strength envelope which is clearly unacceptable. The results of the experimental investigations indicated that actual stress path is affected by the dilatancy due to fracture roughness, as well as by the side friction imposed by the boundary conditions. By introducing the corrections due to the dilation and boundary conditions into the stress transformation equation, the fully corrected stress paths for predicting the strength of fractured blocks were obtained.

Jan 1, 1984

By Larry D. Hartzog

PANELISTS Paul Chamberlin, Nerco Minerals Jim Gourdie, Goldfield Mining Corp. Roger Leonard, Cyprus Northumberland Mining Co. Eric Daniels, Tenneco Minerals John Dasher, Consulting Metallurgist Bob Shoemaker, San Francisco Mining Associates Larry Hartzog, Bechtel Civil and Minerals, Inc.

Jan 1, 1984

By Muir DM, Tsuchida N, Dalton R

The adsorption or loading of anions onto extruded based peat activated charcoal has been studied by potential measurements in a flow through cell. Loading rates are in the order F-

Jan 1, 1984

By Georges Verly

The estimation of local recoveries is an important issue in a selective mining operation. Two techniques, probability kriging and multigaussian kriging, are applied to estimate local recoveries at Jerritt Canyon. The pros and cons of each method are discussed in light of the results. Both methods provide simple and satisfactory solutions to the problem of estimating local recoveries. Consequently, they can be useful tools to work with in a selective mining operation.

Jan 1, 1984

A novel problem-solving exercise for undergraduates is described which is directly relevant to production supervision. It is based on the fictitious Metwin Plant which produces refined metal from sulphide concentrates via a hydrometallurgical route with six unit operat- ions. Students are given details of the chemistry, process engineering and normal operating conditions. They are also given min- imum data for the Plant when it is operating with a fault. By requesting further data, for which they are 'charged', the students must diagnose the fault. The responses of students to the exercise are described. The data were produced by computer simul- ation of steady state operation under normal and various faulty conditions. The development of this program was an educational experience for the author and it stimulated new interest in metallurgical process engineering.

Jan 1, 1984

By William K. Callaway

Cominco American has operated the Magmont Mine for 16 years as a traditional open stope room and pillar mine. Diminishing ore reserves and the discovery of high grade ore zones over 90' in thickness caused consideration to be given to hydraulic sandfilling as a method of ground support to increase pillar extraction and mine life. This paper will review the results of sandfill testing. Plans for underground experiments, and operational plans for the future will also be discussed.

Jan 1, 1984

By J. A. Rajala, R. W. Smith

The effect of increasing ionic strength, via monovalent and divalent ions, on alkyl sulfate flotation of hematite and quartz war investigated. The effects of collector chain length and pretreatment on this flotation were also studied. Sodium hexadecyl sulfate was shown to be a superior flotation collector to sodium dodecyl sulfate for recovery of hematite when there was no salt addition. Similar observation were made when sodium sulfate or sodium chloride was used to control ionic strength. Sodium dodecyl sulfate floated hematite better than its longer chutited counterpart under conditions of low pretreatment temperature and increasing calcium chloride concentration. The flotation recovery for all salt containing pulps was almost always improved after preboiling. Most of the results obtained when the pretreatment temperature was raised were attributed to increased solubility of the collector.

Jan 1, 1984

By C. T. Sheeran

The Bureau of Mines investigated a microprocessor-based real-time control and monitoring system for uranium mining applications. The system is capable of controlling and monitoring up to 768 stations within 3 km of the central processor on a common four-wire cable. It can be used in conjunction with detectors to continuously monitor and display radiation working levels at points throughout the mine. Surface alarms are sounded for critical situations such as rapid radiation buildup, loss of power to monitors or fans, and changes in air door position. Permanent records of all changes are automatically printed out with their time of occurrence. Printouts can also be obtained for shift reports or trend logs. The system can be used to remotely control fan startup and shut-down, and also can alert miners of underground conditions by blowing horns or turning on lights. Battery backup keeps the system operative for up to 4 h in case of a mine power outage. A special software feature permits automatic, time-delayed, sequential restart of fans.

Jan 1, 1984

Alluvial gold exploration is aimed at recognizing areas of anomalous gold content as evidenced by the nature of the drainage system, its age, geomorphic history and other features of the geological environment including the provenances. Subsequent studies to quantify the findings are governed by the need for accurate data based upon precise measurements. Computerization allows the use of more complicated mathematical procedures than are feasible manually, thus promoting the development of more advanced technological aids. Data banks provide the means of storing vast quantities of information for instant recall.Sample representivity is a major problem and a clear understanding of both sampling and analytical requirements is essential for dealing with problems arising from variations in sample size and particle size distribution. Field samples must always be large enough to ensure adequate representivity or the sampling has failed in its purpose.

Jan 1, 1984

By Russell L. Wood

The title of this session seems to have been picked especially for this paper. It is 1984, it is the morning after, and there is one monumental hangover among many if not most of the oil companies that have invested in mining in the past decade or so. How an oil company looks at mining depends on what time period you are talking about. A few years back around the time of investment this is what they were probably looking at: 1. A balance sheet of their own that was beginning to go wild, with many of their commodity prices having already seen increases of two, three, or four fold, and with no end in sight. 2. A need to invest their earnings someplace fast before the stockholders or the government got too interested. And that someplace should be in an industry where their own management skills could be applied. (Only a true cynic would suggest that this is a form of job security) 3. In mining there was an industry amazingly similiar to their own, one working with non-renewable natural resources, dealing with the same types of government agencies, and having the same type of critics and pressures from the general population. 4. An industry that was somewhat backward as compared with their own, and one where a generous ration of the capital and management skills so handsomely bestowed upon the oil industry could be used to great advantage.

Jan 1, 1984