Search Documents

By W. Baguley

There are many carbon-in-pulp and resin-in-pulp screening devices which are at present in use in the South African mining industry. Each one of these screens has been an improvement, from the very basic air cleaned and 'EPAC' types which were either circumferential or · diametrical launder screens, which were developed for C I P in the early 1980's, through to the more sophisticated LAP and Kambalda Screens. Each one of these screens not only increased the performance or throughput per square metre than its predecessor, but also addressed maintenance problems, wear, reliability and the ability to handle surge conditions, thereby preventing tank overflow. However, very little theory has been presented concerning, the flow of pulp through internal screens, carbon loss and screen wear rates. Almost all this information is based on empirical data. The NKM screen continued this trend and was able to offer flow rates in excess of 180 cubic metres per square metre of screen per hour and an average screen life of approximately six months. However, with increasing sophistication of the screen and the use of wedge wire as opposed to the normal woven wire, the mass was significantly increased and costs began to mount. Therefore, Mixtec undertook to develop a radically different screen, which incorporated many of the advantages of .the existing equipment and combined a few of its own.

Jan 1, 1992

The future phosphate rock deposits in South Florida contain a significant fraction of dolomite. The high MgO content of the rock is undesirable in the production of phosphoric acid. Several flotation schemes have been attempted to separate dolomite from phosphate rock. Alternately, Selective Flocculation process has been suggested to separate dolomite from apatite. A high MgO content rock was simulated by a 30:10:60 synthetic mixture of apatite, dolomite and silica. Single mineral selectivity was observed in the mixed mineral systems apatite-silica and dolomite-silica with Polyacrylic acid (PM) and Poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) flocculants respectively but not realized in apatite-dolomite system with PEO flocculant. Heteroflocculation, suspected to be the major reason for loss in selectivity, was minimized by addition of a Site Blocking Agent (lower molecular weight fraction of PEO). Process parameters such as size reduction schemes, flocculant/SBA dosage, and pH were investigated to achieve the desired separation. The selectivity obtained in binary mixed mineral tests was translated into the ternary mixed mineral system, viz. apatite-dolomite-silica. In this presentation surface chemical characterization of the samples and their flocculation behavior will be discussed.

Jan 1, 1994

By Faruk Oksuz, Dave Schiemann, Matt Trotter, Mike Padilla, Carmen Scalise, Miquel Sanchez

"The McCook Main Tunnel system consists of a 10-m (33-ft) finished diameter, 490-m (1,600-ft) long, hard rock tunnel constructed from a 27.5-m (90- ft) diameter and 92-m (300-ft) deep main gate and tunnel construction access shaft. The gate shaft houses six, high-head 4.4 m by 9 m (14.5 ft by 29.5 ft) wheel gates to be installed in the bifurcated and steellined section of the tunnel. The tunnel also includes portal and energy dissipation structures as it daylights into the reservoir.The construction of the tunnel system has been divided into two contracts. The gate and construction access shaft was completed in August 2011. The tunnel excavation and concrete and steel lining was completed in September 2014. The remaining and undergoing construction include the tunnel connections to the reservoir and the Mainstream Tunnel and installation of gates and hydraulic cylinders. This article focuses on the live connection of the McCook Main Tunnel to the Mainstream Tunnel that was initiated in November 2014 and will continue through the seasonal drier weather conditions in Chicago approximately from October through April. Chicago TARP systemThe MWRD has been addressing combined sewer overflows (CSO) and flooding in Chicagoland since the late 1960s and formally adopted the tunnel and reservoir plan in 1972 to protect the region’s most precious drinking water supply, Lake Michigan. Phase I of TARP, which included construction of 175 km (109 miles) of deep storage and conveyance tunnels with diameters up to 10 m (33 ft), was completed in 2006. In addition to protection of Lake Michigan from CSO discharges, Phase I resulted in substantial improvements in surface water quality as well as the quality of life for lake and riverfront communities in Chicago. Water quality improvements and flooding mitigation will be further enhanced as Phase II reservoirs are placed in service, including the three large reservoir systems, McCook, Thornton and Majewski (Fig. 1).The McCook Reservoir is the largest reservoir in the TARP system. Once completed, this $700-million reservoir facility will receive 38 billion L (10 billion gal) of CSO and flood water via the McCook Main Tunnel, which connects the TARP Mainstream Tunnel to the McCook Reservoir, and from distribution and Des Plaines inflow tunnels which will bring flow from the Des Plaines Tunnel of TARP."

Sep 1, 2016

By Jafar Safarian, Gabriella Tranell, Stine Espelien

Hydrometallurgical treatment of silicon is an effective process for the removal of metallic impurities for producing solar grade silicon feedstock. In the present research, the removal of impurities from silicon is studied through the addition of Mg into a commercial silicon, its solidi fication, and acid leaching. The effect of concentration of HCl, temperature and leaching duration on the removal of impurities are studied. It is shown that the impurities such as P, Fe, Al, Ti, Ca, …are effectively removed through the applied method and Mg improves the segregation and the removal of the impurities. Scanning electron microscopy examination of the samples indicates the disintegration and dissolution of Mg2Si phase in acid leaching which causes the chemical and physical removal of the impurities existing in the phases between the silicon grains. It is shown that the leaching process rate can be optimized through the control of the acid leaching conditions.

Mar 1, 2017

By Rossiter W. Raymond

(Read at the Amenia Meeting, October, 1877.) IN the case of The Eureka Consolidated Mining Company v. The Richmond Mining Company of Nevada, recently tried at San Francisco, California, the real defendant was the Richmond Consolidated Mining Company, of London; but this being a foreign corporation, holds its mining property in Nevada through the Nevada corporation of similar name, in which the London Company owns all the stock, except the few shares necessary to "qualify" the American directors. The trial would naturally have taken place in the Circuit Court at Carson City, Nevada, and before a jury. But by stipulation of the parties, the case was tried in San Francisco, before Hon. Stephen J. Field, Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, Hon. Lorenzo Sawyer, United States Circuit Judge of the Ninth Circuit, and Hon. E. W. Hillyer, United States District Judge, for the District of Nevada. The hearing began July 23d, 1877. The witnesses occupied two weeks, and the argument of. counsel three days. Very eminent lawyers were. engaged on both sides ; for the plaintiff, Messrs. Solomon Heydenfeldt, R. S. Mesick, John Garber, and H. J. Thornton ; for the defendant, Messrs. S. M. Wilson, Thomas Wren, and J. J. Williams. The court held the case under advisement until August 22d, when Mr. Justice Field delivered its unanimous opinion in favor of the plaintiff. The action was a complaint in ejectment, and an appeal was taken to the United States Supreme Court. The questions at issue between the Eureka and the Richmond Company in this suit, comprised several points in the construction of the mining law of the United States, and its relation to the customs and regulations of the mining districts, which possess an importance and an applicability far beyond the limits of the case in which they arose. It is my purpose to state these points, the arguments

Jan 1, 1878

By R. D. Nelson, D. H. Polonis

ThE eutectoid decomposition of 6 phase in the Cu-Sn system (32.53 wt pct Sn) has been studied by several investigators.1-6 On the basis of X-ray work, Iball and 0wen1 reported complete decomposition of 6 in powder specimens after 7 days at 300°C. Wang and Hansen followed the micro-structural changes during heat treatment of lump specimens and estimated 5 pct decomposition after 63 days at 300°C. Wang and Hansen suggested that the discrepancy between the decomposition rates of powder and lump specimens might be due to the excess surface free energy of powders. The present work involved 6 decomposition in copper-tin alloy powders containing 32.6 wt pct Sn. Alloy lump specimens exhibited entirely 6 phase after fairly slow cooling (air cooling) from above 350°C and were so brittle that they could be easily crushed to-200 mesh in a percussion mortar. X-ray diffraction study of the as-crushed powders (-200 mesh) revealed 100 pct 6 phase with very slight line broadening effects due to strain introduced by crushing. Only 6 phase was detected by X-ray diffraction in powders which were heat treated 4 hr at 450°C and air cooled to room tem-

Jan 1, 1960

By R. P. Alger, C. A. Doh, M. P. Tixier

The principle, the equipment and field operation of sonic logging are described. The tfio-receiver system produces logs independent of hole size and mud. Field experience is given and forms the basis for the interpretation of the log. The derivaiion of porosity values from measured velocities is discussed, according to the type of formations (hard formations, compacted sands, and unconsolidated formations). The time-average equation proposed by M. R. J. Wyllie, A. R. Gregory and L. W. Gardner is uscd as a basis for the computation of porosity in limestones, cemented sandstones and compacted sands. Variations in the lithologic character of limestones do not seem to change the porosity calibration markedly. The compaction of sands is related to the compaction of shale adjacent to them; and, thus, the shale velocity is used for the establishtnent of empirical relations for the computation of porosity in un-consolidated formations. Various forrnu.las are tentatively presented to account for shale and fluid content. Field experience demonstrates that considerable attenuation of sonic energy takes place in unconsolidated formations, particularly when gas bearing, and in fractrured formations. Unusually large attenuation produces skipped cycles, a feature easily recognized. The application of sonic logging to structura1 studies is featured, showing its possible integration with the dipmeter. Correlation and its application to the irrterpretation of seisrmic surveys are reviewed. The paper is illustrated with field examples. Sonic logging is the recording of the time required for a sound wave to traverse a definite length of formation. Sonic travel-times are inversely proportional to the speed of sound in the various formations. The speed of sound in subsurface formations depends upon the elastic properties of the rock matrix, the porosity of the formations and their fluid content and pressure. Below the "weathered" or low-velocity layer extending from 50 to 100 ft or so below the surface, sound velocities may range from about 6,000 ft/sec in shallow shales to as much as 34,000 ft/sec in dolomites. In hard formations (well cemented and/or compacted), the sonic log reflects the amount of fluid in the formations; hence, it correlates well with their porosity. In unconsolidated formations, which are usually of fairly high porosity, the sonic log gives an approach to porosity determination, when its readings are corrected for lack of compaction, shaliness, and fluid content. In such formations the sonic log may also indicate the presence of gas and may distinguish between oil- and water-bearing beds. Field experience with the sonic log in soft formations is more limited than that in hard formations. As a result, interpretation in soft formations is not as well developed at the present time. In all types of formations the sonic log is of considerable value for correlation and for the more detailed and accurate interpretation of seismic data. EQUIPMENT AND PRINCIPLE FIELD OPERATION The basic features of the sonic log" are a two-receiver system and two available short spacings. The log is recorded on film using a standard field unit. An SP curve is run along with the sonic curve to give a more interpretable log and to establish absclute depth control for comparison with other logs run in the same well. If desired, a gamma-ray curve may be recorded simultaneously with the sonic curve. Fig. 1 shows the sonic-gamma ray combination sonde. The sonic portion consists of a sound transmitter and three receivers mounted 3, 4 and 6 ft from the transmitter. When the first and second receivers are used, a sonic log of I -ft spacing (distance between receivers) is obtainea. Use of the first and third receivers provides a 3-ft spacing. The transmitter emits pulses at the rate of l0/sec. After the transmission of a pulse the first arrival of sound energy at each receiver triggers its response system. The differ-

By H. A. Stoess

The Minerals Industry makes heavy demands for and on its Material Handling equipment. It also gives progressive management the opportunity for considerable savings, ad consequently increased profits. In some cases, cost of Materials Handling amounts to 40°/o of the total cost of the ultimate product. Handling costs are hidden in overhead, indirect labor, excessive maintenance, productive workers performing handling tasks, and, a great many more. Even though Materials Handling is the oldest occupation of mankind, it is only within the past twenty years that it has emerged as a specialized field. While this industry has made full use of all types of mechanical and vibratory conveyors, pneumatic conveyors in their proper application can be a distinct asset. me use of pneumatic conveyors by this industry however is limited- to a certain extent by the particle size of your products through the various phases of manufacture, as well as their bulk density. However, with increasing knowledge of the fluidization of dry materials, their use is becoming more wide spread.

Jan 1, 1962

By Mark Sheppard

[Considerable research work hi been done on secondary crushing and coarse and fine grinding, and the literature on the general subject of Crushing contains many references to the work of investigators on the laws governing end the factors entering into the economical production of fine materials. However, little information on primary crushing in available The literature deals mainly with problems and practices in ore dressing, end in this field the engineer or investigator is concerned largely with the production of fine material and the unlocking of minerals in the ore. Under such conditions close control of screen sizes of primary-crusher products is a secondary consideration and has received very little attention.]

Jan 1, 1938

By I Thomson, L D. Black, R G. Boutilier

The social license to operate (SLO) began as a metaphor for the ability of communities to stop mining projects. Soon people began to speak of levels of social license and the ability of communities to raise costs without completely stopping exploration or mining activities. Today the concept has spread to other industries and is evolving towards becoming a general management perspective on the socio-political rights and responsibilities of the corporation. The business case underpinning the SLO perspective on management is the need to assess and manage socio-political risk. For mining companies, socio-political risk has been steadily rising for several reasons, including the efforts of non-government organisations (NGOs) to pre-empt government policy options; the entry of mining companies into jurisdictions weak in the rule of law; and the weakness of global economic and financial regulation. In this perilous world beyond the comfort zone of effective government, mining companies must build their own socio-political stability by engaging directly with stakeholders to develop a strong SLO. In order to become a practical management perspective, the SLO needs to be measurable, which amounts to measuring the socio-political risks and opportunities presented by stakeholders. We present the results of efforts since 2009 to develop a globally reliable and valid measurement tool at the project and industry levels, validated in studies in Australia, Bolivia, Mexico and the USA. A factor analysis suggested four factors that mine management can address to raise their SLO level. The most chronically neglected factor involves the political right of the corporation to foster more equitable social contracts locally and regionally in both developed and developing countries. We conclude with recommended steps to earn and maintain the social license at the project and industry levels.CITATION:Boutilier, R G, Black, L D and Thomson, I, 2012. From metaphor to management tool - How the social license to operate can stabilise the socio-political environment for business, in Proceedings International Mine Management 2012, pp 227-238 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Nov 20, 2012

By Kenneth R. Hancock

The importance of "Mineral Pigments" can best be shown by noting that the world production is estimated to be in excess of 47 billion kilograms (52 million st). This quantity if pack- aged in the common 22.6 Kg (50 Lb.) bag and placed end to end would circle the world over 500 times. This world production figure is based on a broad concept that pigments, extenders, and fillers have essentially similar functions. In this paper mineral pigments are products produced synthetically or from selected minerals and through pulverization have characteristics of pigments.

Jan 1, 1985

By A. W. Fahrenwald

"About two years ago the Bureau of Mines, Department of the Interior, and the University of Idaho undertook an investigation of classification in its relation to table concentration of Idaho ores. The cooperation of the management of the Bunker Hill & Sullivan Co. in placing at our disposal their West Mill and facilities as desired, offered an unusual opportunity for studying the field of hindered classification in its practical and economic relation to table concentration.It has been shorn theoretically, and demonstrated experimentally, that ore products are more easily and economically concentrated on tables if the natural feed, consisting of various minerals and of all sizes of particles of each mineral, be classified or grouped into a series of products in which the mineral particles of greatest density are small in diameter relative to the diameter of the mineral particles of lesser density. Products in which the maximum difference in diameter of light and heavy minerals occurs are to be obtained only by true hindered settling classification. To our knowledge there has never been a really good hindered settling classifier used in practice and the present tendency seems to be to by-pass any attempt at such classification.After a careful study of the nature of hindered classification and of the requirements for hindered settling in practice, a classifier has been developed that takes fullest practical advantage of the widely known, but generally only meagerly understood, condition of hindered settling so well analyzed a number of years ago by Dr. Richards.The present paper presents briefly some of the more important practical results accruing through the investigation."

Jun 1, 1924

By Bradford F. Townsend, Colin R. Speers

INTRODUCTION This is the first in a series of papers addressing practical tunnel lining design. The format for this and future papers is to present a particular topic and support the presentation of the guidelines by the practical application of a case history. The primary intent is to provide guidelines for the geotechnical and structural design of tunnels where the tunnel size and/or ground conditions dictates that systematic support of the excavation is required following each increment of excavation. This method of tunneling is commonly referred to as Sequential Excavation and Support(SES) and is also commonly termed the New Austrian Tunneling Method (NATM) The authors developed the design guidelines from experience gained over the past two decades during the design and construction of several major railway, highway and water-transfer tunnel projects in Africa and Asia. During this time it has been possible to compare the performance of the as-constructed structures to the predicted performance as given by the design process. Excavation was typically carried out in widely varying ground conditions (weak-bedded rock, jointed hard rock, and soil-like poorly cemented rock with groundwater). It is therefore intended that the design guidelines could be applied, in general terms at least, to any tunnel excavated in any ground mass condition with any ground material type (hard rock, soft rock, bedded rock, soft ground, and soil) with or without ground water. This first paper is an introductory paper that defines the scope and a brief outline of the design issues that may be presented in detail in later papers. What is design? It may be thought of as any rational/verifiable/justifiable process whereby a concept is transformed into information that can be used to bring the concept to reality. In the case of a civil structure, design may be defined as that process, which is documented and can be audited, that determines information such as the shape (form) of the structure, the dimensions (size) of the structure, the thickness and strength of structural members that comprise the structure, etc. This information can be used to compute the time, money and resources required for

Jan 1, 2005

By T. BoBo

"In the 1990’s metal prices were trending in a long term decline and the usual cost cutting exercises were adopted. Cuts to research and development made innovation difficult and the outlook was grim. But necessity is a strong motivator, and these conditions spurred the Mine-to-Mill movement which optimised across organisational “silos” and utilising new technology tools, innovative software and increased computing power. Many applications of Mine-to-Mill exploited the fact that comminution is usually the site processing bottleneck, and that blasting is more efficient at breaking rock than grinding. This approach sought to: • Understand and characterise rock breakage from mining to the mill • Develop models and simulators for blast design, fragmentation, crusher and mill circuits • Develop tools to measure in real time the particle size distribution of rocks on conveyors and Run of Mine (ROM) muckpiles • Ensure effective communication across the silos between geologists, blast design engineers, mining engineers and metallurgists These methods and the technology tools available in the 1990s were widely adopted at numerous sites around the world with significant benefits. SAG mill throughput increases of 10-20% were common. This was the advance the industry desperately needed. It was low capital cost; it was obvious. It was here to stay. Except, in too many cases, it didn’t. In the minerals price boom of the 2000’s Mine-to-Mill was no longer necessary to “survive”, even though it was still good business. Some operations, including some of the early success stories, slipped back to old habits of optimising within organisation silos instead of across them. Fortunately, other operators still embraced Mine-to-Mill and developed new techniques. Mine to Mill was still successful, but it not as widely adopted as we had expected it to be.Now the boom has ended and operations are again under cost pressure. Since these are the same circumstances that created Mine-to-Mill, it seems time to achieve the wider adoption. Since the 1990s many new or advanced technology tools are available for Mine-to-Mill projects: blast-hole sensors, new explosives formulations, new blasting techniques and modelling, ore tracking devices, improved image analysis to determine size, texture and colour of coarse ore, grade sensors, whole-stream simulation tools, even more powerful computing hardware and data analysis software. If we could achieve so much in the 1990’s, how much more can we achieve today when we have the same imperative, the same potential and a larger number of high technology tools?"

Jan 1, 2017

By McIntosh A. H, Torlach J. A

Since the last paper on mining methods was presented to the Annual Conference of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy in 1:960, numerous advances have been made in drilling and blasting techniques at Mount Morgan. This paper describes the drilling and blasting methods being employed in the open cut. The change over to track mounted percussion drills for all types of primary drilling is almost complete and new techniques such as detergent drilling and pressure loading of ANFO are being applied successfully.

Jan 1, 1965

By H. Miki, S. Wheatley

The addition of precipitated silica greatly enhances chalcopyrite leaching in the presence of sodium chloride at moderate temperatures (65-90°C) in acid media with ferric ions as the oxidant. The beneficial effect increases with the increase in chloride concentration and temperature. The addition of sodium silicate and silica sand has no significant influence. The analysis of solubility data in acid/salt solutions indicates that the solubility of silica as Si(OH)4 as the dissolved species is controlled by the activity of water, as expected from the hydration theory. Kinetic analysis shows the trends that copper dissolution from chalcopyrite in the presence of precipitated silica with sodium chloride follows a shrinking sphere model indicating a chemically controlled surface reaction. The effect of temperature on copper dissolution in the presence of both precipitated silica and sodium chloride was also larger compared to the results in sodium chloride alone. The SEM analysis shows that chloride and silica facilitates the precipitation of sulfur on the surface of the silica particles rather than the chalcopyrite particles which avoids the blockage of the mineral surface and thus improves the leaching kinetics.

Jan 1, 2014

WE the undersigned, being all persons of full age and citizens of the United States, and a majority residents of the State of New York, desiring to form a corporation pursuant to the provisions of the Membership Corporations Law for the purpose of incorporating, as provided in Section 5 of Article I. of said law, the existing unincorporated association known as American Institute of Mining Engineers, do hereby make, acknowledge and file this Certificate for that purpose, and do Certify as follows I. That the American Institute of Mining Engineers is an unincorporated association organized and existing with the object of promoting the arts and sciences connected with the economic production of the useful minerals and metals and the welfare of those employed in these industries by means of meetings for social intercourse and the reading and discussion of professional papers, and to circulate by means of publications among its members and associates the information thus obtained.

Jan 1, 1923

WE the undersigned, being all persons of full age and citizens of the United States, and a majority residents of the State of New York, desiring to form a corporation pursuant to the provisions of the Membership Corporations Law for the purpose of incorporating, as provided in Section 5 of Article I. of said law, the existing unincorporated association known as American Institute of Mining Engineers, do hereby make, acknowledge and file this Certificate for that purpose, and do Certify as follows I. That the American Institute of Mining Engineers is an unincorporated association organized and existing with the object of promoting the arts and sciences connected with the economic production of the useful minerals and metals and the welfare of those employed in these industries by means of meetings for social intercourse and the reading and discussion of professional papers, and to circulate by means of publications among its members and associates the information thus obtained.

Jan 1, 1923

WE the undersigned, being all persons of full age and citizens of the United States, and a majority residents of the State of New York, desiring to form a cor¬poration pursuant to the provisions of the Membership Corporations Law for the purpose of incorporating, as provided in Section 5 of Article I. of said law, the existing unincorporated association known as American Institute of Mining En¬gineers, do hereby make, acknowledge and file this Certificate for that purpose, and do Certify as follows I. That the American Institute of Mining Engineers is an unincorporated association organized and existing with the object of promoting the arts and sciences connected with the economic production of the useful minerals and metals and the welfare of those employed in these industries by means of meetings for social intercourse and the reading and discussion of professional papers, and to circulate by means of publications among its members and associates the informa¬tion thus obtained.

Jan 1, 1917

WE the undersigned, being all persons of full age and citizens of the United States, and a majority residents of the State of New York, desiring to form a corporation pursuant to the provisions of the Membership Corporations Law for the purpose of incorporating, as provided in Section 5 of Article I. of said law, the existing unincorporated association known as American Institute of Mining Engineers, do hereby make, acknowledge and file this Certificate for that purpose, and do Certify as follows I. That the American Institute of Mining Engineers is an unincorporated association organized and existing with the object of promoting the arts and sciences connected with the economic production of the useful minerals and metals and the welfare of those employed in these industries by means of meetings for social intercourse and the reading and discussion of professional papers, and to circulate by means of publications among its members and associates the information thus obtained.

Jan 1, 1923