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By R. D. Shackleton

Medusa Cement Company, a division of Medusa Corporation, is a medium-sized cement manufacturer serving the midwest, east, and southeast. Medusa's eight plants are located in Georgia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Canada. Of these, six have active limestone, shale, clay, and sand quarries now in operation. This paper deals with the various individual state laws regulating mining and reclamation at the Georgia, Illinois, and Pennsylvania quarries. Several recommendations for future state mining laws are discussed also.

Jan 1, 1974

By C. E. More

Some observations on 'ancient' mining at Phalaborwa C. E. MORE. B.A. (Pretoria) (Visitor) A brief account is given of historical references to the Phalaborwa area, the first being to the mountain of copper and iron sought by Francois de Cuiper in 1725. These are followed by a description of several finds in the area, which are related to finds described in the literature and to Bantu tradition on the subject. Phalaborwa is one of the earliest known mining sites in the Republic of South Africa, Loolekop having been a mining centre, as shown by carbon-14 dating, since 770 A.D.

Jan 1, 1974

By B. C. Litzinger

Minerações Brasileiras Reunidas S.A. - MBR is a brazilian iron ore mining company geared for the export market. It is controlled by Companhia Auxiliar de Empresas de Minerações - CAEMI through its subsidiary Empreendimentos Brasi leiros de Minerações - EBM which holds 51% in MBR and is formed by CAEMI, the six major japanese steelmills and five japanese trading companies, Universe Tankships, Inc., and Indústria e Comércio de Minérios S.A. - ICOMI. The remaining 49% of MBR's capital are held by St. John del Rey Mining Company, a subsidiary of The Hanna Mining Company. MBR iron ore reserves exceed 1.5 billion tons of high grade ore distributed in 36 deposits located in the so-called IRON QUADRANGLE in the State of Minas Gerais. The Aguas Claras Mine is the largest presently known and highest grade deposit owned by MBR. Other mines such as Pico, Mutuca and Jangada are in operation at a combined rate of production of about 2 to 2. 5 million tons per year. The project consists of mine, railroad and marine terminal (slide). The Aguas Claras deposit, which is located about six kilometers southeast of Belo Horizonte the Capital of Minas Gerais, was selected for initial development. The Sistema Regional Centro of the Rede Ferroviária Federal, through its 6th Division known as the "Central " is responsible for the transportation of MBR ore, and provided the necessary railway construction to connect Mine and Terminal. The Terminal is located on Guaiba Island near the entrance to Sepetiba Bay, at about 120 kilometers west of Rio de Janeiro.

Jan 1, 1974

By C. E. Gregory

In terms of a Research Proposals supported by a Grant Agreement dated 30 June 1973, the author was commissioned to prepare an annotated bibliography of mine fires. The main objective was to conduct a comprehensive program of library research and search of official files to prepare a list of articles dealing with actual occurrences of mine fires. This bibliography as now completed includes an annotated reference from each article or report cited, underlining the cause, extent, methods used, procedural errors made, results achieved, ventilation effects, and lessons learned from the operation of subduing the particular fire.

Jan 1, 1974

By Charles J. Haas

The objective of this research was to investigate the interaction phenomena of rock and types of rock bolts to develop design principals for using grouted roof bolts. The investigation was to determine the effectiveness of grouted bolts in resisting lateral displacement and axial separation along fracture planes, and also to determine if grouted bolts eliminate the axial tensile stress near the anchor and the resulting rock fracture. The first year's effort involved defining the post-tensioning response of grouted bars and determining the amount of shear resistance generated by conventional and resin-grouted bolts. A finite-element analysis showed that if the rock and resin grout behave in an elastic manner, the post tensioning of a grouted bar will affect mine roof stability only if movement occurs near the collar. An experimental shear test program revealed that both conventional bolts and resin-grouted reinforcing bars significantly increase shear resistance along fracture or bedding plane when the average normal compressive stress on that plane is low (in the order of 25 psi) and when the bolt is oriented so that the shear displacement tends to lengthen the bolt. An increase in shear resistance is also noted at the higher normal pressure of 250 psi; however, the increase is small compared to the corresponding shear resistance without a bolt. Conventional bolts oriented so that they tended to loosen with shear displacement added no significant shear resistance.

Jan 1, 1974

By William G. Hedling

The operation of electric face equipment in underground coal mines has proven to be extremely hazardous to mining personnel, including equipment operators and others working in the vicinity of active equipment. Recent industrial engineering studies* of accidents and fatalities indicate that a major contributor to this hazardous situation is noncompliance with modern principles of human engineering, particularly lack of standardization of control configurations. Control configurations differ not only among different machine types, but also among the same machine types produced by different manufacturers. This lack of standardization can produce a high incidence of error in the operation of electric face equipment, thus creating a potential source of accidents. Other examples of non-compliance with human engineering principles are the widespread use of identical black, round control knobs (regardless of the function being performed), and the inappropriate location, spacing, and labeling of controls. Any or all of these factors may place the operator in a "negative transfer" situation, which means that control manipulations appropriate for one type of machine are different from (or even the reverse of) the control movements required to produce the same effect on other machine types. This situation increases the accident potential to the operator, as well as to others in the vicinity. Accident potential is further increased by circumstances which do not allow for large error tolerance-specifically, emergency procedures. Reports of accident statistics cite operator inexperience as a primary cause of most accidents involving underground electric face equipment. Several factors contribute to operator inexperience, including: 1. High personnel turnover 2. Employee absenteeism 3. Current union practice of bidding for jobs.

Jan 1, 1974

By Clark A. Sumner, D. Arthur Burnham

A process for recovery of greater than 99% of the copper contained in acid leach solutions by sulfide precipitation using hydrogen sulfide as a hydrometallurgical reagent has been developed. The process incorporates the concept of hydrogen sulfide addition to recycled copper sulfide solids in a turbulent flow area where further precipitation or agglomeration occurs to increase the effective particle size of the copper sulfide precipitate. Because the recycled solids provide a larger number of particles upon which momentary excesses of hydrogen sulfide are absorbed, oversulfidization of the product is prevented. Copper sulfide precipitates produced in this manner in a laboratory test reactor showed greatly improved physical characteristics compared to copper sulfide precipitates obtained by conventional direct precipitation in which H2S is bubbled directly into acid leach liquor. Copper sulfide precipitates were evaluated and compared by use of filtration tests and settling rate studies. Electron microscopic examination of the solids confirmed the presence of larger particles in reactor-precipitated copper sulfide. Flotation was examined as an alternative to filtration for recovery of CuS precipitates and was found to achieve complete CuS removal without addition of collector or frothing reagents in a period of 2 min. In the same test reactor, a rapidly floatable CuS precipitate was also formed by mixing H2S with acid liquors used to leach crushed copper oxide-copper sulfide ore (LPF process). In the presence of gangue from the crushed ore, flotation of both natural and reactor-produced copper sulfides resulted in recovery of better than 90% of the copper contained in the crushed ore.

Jan 1, 1974

By Joseph G. Carleton

INTRODUCTION The increasing concern for the environment may well present far more opportunities than problems for those involved in all phases of tunneling. All too frequently in the past, environmentalists and their concerns have been cast in a negative light, as obstacles to be overcome. Often forgotten is the fact that these same environmental concerns have created a rapidly increasing demand for new tunnels. Tunnels for rapid transit projects, clean water supply, and sewage treatment have been given a boost because of environmentalists' concerns about overuse of automobiles, inadequate water supplies, and improper sewage disposal. Concurrent with increasing use of tunnels to help solve or alleviate some of our environmental problems is an obligation not to create new ones in the process. Concerns which we feel responsible tunnel owners, engineers, and contractors should address themselves to include: (1) Minimum energy consumption, both during construction and in operation of the completed project; (2) proper storage and/or disposal of the excavated material; (3) minimum disruption during the construction process - noise, traffic, unnecessarily unsightly work areas, and possible weakening of foundations of nearby structures; and (4) a finished project consistent with community and environmental goals. We are especially concerned about two things. First, the longrun implications of a project -- what's good for a few people in the short-run may be bad for most of the people in the long-run. Cutting corners to save a little money now is false economy. Second, the fact that ultimately we all share the same earth -- its water, air,

Jan 1, 1974

By David L. Brostrom, William C. Brice, Perry A. Canton

The business of mineral exploration and development has become much more than simply a problem of locating orebodies and designing mines. Favorable economic analysis of mining and processing feasibility is no longer sufficient to justify the development of a mine. New laws, enacted by virtually every level of government, require comprehensive land use planning, environmental analysis, mineland reclamation, mine safety studies, and many other considerations. This profusion of new laws says in effect, that the mining company is no longer responsible only to its stockholders. Mineral development today can be compared to a partnership. As in all partnerships, the risks and liabilities as well as the benefits are held jointly by all the participants. In addition to the mining operator, this partnership consists of the public, through its many levels of government, interest groups, and individual citizens. Therefore, you'd better know your partner very well - his responsibilities and capabilities. Mining is considered a high risk venture. The risk on the part of the operator and the lending institutions has long been recognized. The risk that the public and its government take in these mining ventures has now been recognized also. The people and their government have learned that they inherit, through abandonment or forfeiture, the mistakes and problems of individuals and companies regarding these natural resources. In looking through the "Mining Engineering Handbook" recently published by the Society of Mining Engineers, I noted that in their discussion of liability for excavations, the authors quoted from the book of Exodus, 20th chap., where Moses said to his people: "When a man leaves a pit open, or when a man digs a pit and does not cover it, and an ox or an ass falls into it, the owner of the pit shall make it good; he shall give money to its owner, and the dead beast

Jan 1, 1974

By JOURNAL SAIMM

SYMPOSIUM ON PELLETS AND GRANULES During October 1974, the Newcastle branch of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy is to hold a symposium on pelletizing and granulation, with particular reference to the iron ore, fertilizer, and cement industries.

Jan 12, 1973

By Stanley J. LeFond

Brazil is one of the most outstanding examples of economic development of our time. Its amazing growth record is substantiated by a GNP which has increased at an average rate of 92% for the period 1968-1970 and estimates for 1971 range from 11.7-12.5%. Hence, this growth, coupled with a more relaxed attitude of the Brazilian government towards foreign participation in business opportunities and the remittance of profits out of the country, has caused many exploration companies to reevaluate the potential of Brazil. Despite recent press notices and publicity, Brazil is still not a mining country in the tradition of Canada or Australia. It is still basically an agriculture and manufacturing country.

Jan 11, 1973

By P. W. J. van Rensburg

Our mineral heritage - PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS given by P. W. J. van Rensburg, Pr. Eng.. B.Sc. (Eng.)(Rand) INTRODUCTION Stone Age people were living in various parts of South Africa as recent,ly as a thousand years ago, when they were displaced by Iron Age people with a culture developed in the far north. These invaders brought farming, building, and the earliest mining developments to the Transvaal, thus ushering in the beginning of our great mineral heritage. It is of particular interest to record that, up to comparatively recent times, some of these people were excavating iron-bearing shale rocks for their smelting furnaces on the Melville Koppies in J ohannesburg. Although the most recent the iron-smelting furnaces discovered on these koppies is estimated to be some five-hundred years old, it believed that these Iron Age people were driven out, and their settlements destroyed, by Zulu impis only one-hundred-and-fifty years ago.

Jan 10, 1973

By Franklin H. Sharp, Kenneth L. Clifford

During the last few years the New Lead Belt of Southeastern Missouri has become the main source of lead in the United States. It also produces significant amounts of zinc, copper and silver. The mines are located on a narrow, mineralized trend extending southward from Viburnum, MG. for about 35 miles. The ore occurs as replacement deposits in the Bonneterre lime- stone formation which is about 1000 ft below the surface. In most of the mines, enough water is produced to supply the milling requirements without any reuse. There are dry areas, however, and at least two mills must rely on water reclaimed from their tailings lake to augment the mine water. These mills have no choice but to utilize recycled mill water.

Jan 7, 1973

By Gary E. Melickian

Last year's review was characterized as a year of politics and began an era of legislation. The 1972 review can be similarly characterized, with even more rigid health and safety regulations and environmental legislation. The mining industry should be aware of what's happening in the nuclear power and other fields as a result of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, where the environmental impact of most major construction activities are already under close scrutiny. Section 102 of NEPA requires that all federal agencies include a detailed statement on specified environmental conditions as part of every report on proposed actions significantly affecting the quality of the human environment. All such environmental reports must consider the same general conditions: • The environmental impact of the proposed action. • Any adverse environmental effects which cannot be avoided should the proposal be implemented. • Alternatives to the proposed action. • The relationship between local short-term uses of man's environment and the maintenance and enhancement of long-term productivity. • Any irreversible and irretrievable commitments of resources which would be involved in the proposed action should it be implemented.

Jan 2, 1973

By M. A. Mahtab

This report presents the geometric parameters (attitude, spacing, extent, and aperture) of fracture patterns in a selected portion (study area) of San Manuel copper mine, Arizona. The geometric parameters are quantified for input to structural analyses for studies of the influence of fractures on cavability of ores. Using an orientation analysis procedure developed earlier by the Bureau, three prominent and nearly orthogonal sets of fracture orientations were delineated in the study area. Sets 1 and 2 dip nearly vertically, and generally strike east-west and north-south, respectively, whereas set 3 is nearly horizontal. Both a horizontal rotation (of 14° to 26° for sets 1 and 2, respectively) and a tilt (of 20° for set 3) is shown to occur between the 1415 and 2015 levels of the mine. Gomparison of the three major rock types present in the study area (quartz monzonite, monzonite porphyry, and rhyolite) show that the rhyolite is characterized by short extent, small spacing, and tightness of fractures as well as the general absence of fracture set 3, which may account for its generally observed strong resistance to caving.

Jan 1, 1973

By T. M. Garland

A nomographical approach is proposed as a fast, easy-to-use, and reason- ably accurate method for estimating expected discounted cash flow (DCF) rate of return and payout time for onshore development drilling and oil production. All costs pertaining to drilling, completing, and equipping development wells, annual expenses of operation, maintenance, and taxes incurred in producing properties, and crude oil prices were considered in developing the nomographs. This report briefly outlines the origin, derivation, and use of the nomographs.

Jan 1, 1973

By G. M. Behrend

A group of mining men attending a recent workshop on "Analysis and Control in the Canadian Minerals Industry" issued, among others, the following statement: "Slurry flow measurement is considered to be one of the most inaccurate in the industry. A special program should be launched to encourage development." In response, this paper starts off the program with an investigation of the principles and the conventional practice of slurry flow measurement and identifies weaknesses which cause inaccuracies. Then it follows with descriptions of nonconventional systems in use at various locations and comments on their degree of success. The paper concludes that relatively simple methods, which it describes, can be applied to obtain an accurate slurry flow measurement.

Jan 1, 1973

By M. E. Grimes

Rio Algom Mines Ltd. owns eight uranium mines and mills in the Elliot Lake district of Ontario, seven of which were producing before 1960. At present only one mine is operating meeting current contract requirements. Under present economic conditions, it is not feasible to mine ore of less than 2.0 lbs./ton U308, although there are very large reserves below this grade. We are interested in preconcentration for three possible applications: to extend ore reserves by permitting use of lower grade ore, to reduce costs on processing of present grade ore, and to reduce capital investment in expanding production to meet future production goals.

Jan 1, 1973

By K. R. Coulter

"Good morning gentlemen. I am very pleased to have this opportunity to tell you a few of the things that happen within a completely unrelated activity, the electroplating industry, except that it does consume metals and has some slight similarity of problems so far as cyanide is concerned.First, just a few general terms about the industry. It is a relatively unsophisticated industry technically, and in many instances there are serious problems in obtaining staff that can operate the various systems that are currently available for destroying cyanide or precipitating metals.I would suggest to you that if you are investigating any system that you consider very seriously the personnel that are actually going to run it. The installation people; probably have some idea what it is all about but the operators must be chosen for their ability and not because they just happen to be available.We perhaps have another area in common. There is very little money for capital expenditures that produce no immediate return or even eventual return on the investment.The industry is largely made up of ""Jobbers"" who are strictly electroplating. There is another group in which the electroplating is captive as in large companions where it is a convenience operation. Also there are specialists, who do other things besides plating but it is a very major part of their operation. This applies to the automotive parts industry.Cyanide applications in the plating industry will be for copper, zinc, cadmium, silver, brass, and gold. Cyanide waste solutions come from those solutions adhering to the plated parts, and from the occasional discharge of the plating bath solutions. Also, in a related industry, the heat treating people with cyanide case hardening have some high concentrations of cyanide to dispose of. Concentrations of cyanide that we treat are 2500 parts per million or higher especially in wastes from heat treating. Solution volumes might be as low as 100 gallons per hour in a well run, carefully operated rinsing system. It may be as high as 3000 gallons per hour where dilution occurs."

Jan 1, 1973

By Henry W. Brandt

What is the most practical method for storing a huge quantity of crude oil for a long period of time to assure availability if conditions curtail the source of supply? Underground storage is a logical answer. But can abandoned mines be used for this purpose? That is the proposal Fenix & Scisson International, Inc. submitted to the S.F.F. Association (acting in behalf of the Department of Industries of the Republic of South Africa), Johannesburg, South Africa, in October 1966. This engineering and contracting firm with headquarters in Tulsa, Oklahoma, specializes in underground storage; and based upon previous experiences their engineers were reasonably certain that a mine could be used for storing crude oil. The answer subsequently proved to be "yes." The result was con- version of a coal mine to provide storage for a quantity of crude oil which is the equivalent of a sizeable oil field. The total cost of purchasing, testing, and converting the mine was less than 15 percent of the cost of conventional steel tanks. Operating and maintenance costs are proving to be about 2 percent of those experienced at two large tank farms owned and operated by the Association.

Jan 1, 1973