Search Documents

By M. Khodadazadeh, K. G. van den Boogaart, T. Leißner, L. Tusa, J. Gutzmer, R. Gloaguen, M. Kern

Ore sorting is a technology that is increasingly used to process primary raw materials. Timeconsuming and expensive empirical state-of-the-art test work is carried out to assess whether the use of ore sorting for the enrichment of a particular ore makes technical and economic sense. With the innovative simulation-based approach presented here, it is possible to direct the selection of a suitable sensor based on quantitative mineralogical and textural data, thus avoiding much of the empirical studies. Required data can be collected quickly and cost-effectively using available methods of automated mineralogy. The obtained parameters such as mineral grain size distribution, modal mineralogy, mineral area and mineral density distribution have been utilised in this study to simulate the prospects of success of ore sorting, applying different types of sensors. Empirical tests with commercially available sensor systems have been conducted to experimentally validate the predictions of the simulations. The estimation of the target mineral grade can be further optimised by the use of machine learning algorithms for the integration of automated mineralogy data and sensor data. The approach can easily be adapted to other types of raw materials and thus has great potential to become a key technology for the optimisation of processing experiments. Keywords: Automated mineralogy, hyperspectral imaging, machine learning, ore sorting

Jan 1, 2020

By J. C. Barry, J. H. van Laar, P. L. Crouse, H. Bissett, I. J. van der Walt

"Plasma-assisted spheroidisation of metal powders offers several technical advantages with respect to both the ease of materials handling and powder-metallurgical item manufacturing. Advantages include improved flowability, increased powder packing density, elimination of internal component cavities and fractures, changes in morphology resulting in decreased friction between particles and contamination during pneumatic transport and enhanced particle purity. In this empirical study, spherical iron particles were produced using a microwave plasma operating at atmospheric pressure and characterized using optical microscopy and SEM techniques. Iron powders were fed into the system at fixed operating conditions, resulting in particles with spherical structures. The theoretical estimate of the time required for melting to occur is 1.6 ms, an order of magnitude smaller than the actual residence time. IntroductionParticle design and functionalization has become an increasingly popular aspect of materials synthesis and powder-metallurgical item manufacturing. One such technique involves the spheroidisation and densification of feed materials, typically in the form of chemical powders with wide particle size distributions. The major benefits of powder spheroidisation include improved powder flowability, increased powder packing density and powder purity, reductions in internal voids and defects, as well as the ability to manipulate the particles surface morphologies (Boulos, 2004). Thermal plasma processing has the potential for scale-up and for producing industrial quantities of spheroidised powder.Thermal plasma technologies offer a wide spectrum of material synthesis and treatment options, amongst others the synthesis and spheroidisation of nano-sized ceramic and metal particles (Kumar and Selvarajan, 2006). The spheroidisation process occurs within the plasma discharge via in-flight heating and melting of the powder feed material, given high enough plasma temperatures (Fridman, 2008, p. 495). Surface tension in the molten droplets results in spherical, or nearly, spherical, powder particles being formed upon exiting the plasma discharge where the droplet undergoes rapid cooling and freezes. Quite often, the bulk density of these spherical particles is higher than that of the starting material (Boulos, Fauchais and Pfender, 2013, p. 42). The different plasma spheroidisation techniques reported include radio frequency (RF) induction thermal plasmas (Jiang and Boulos, 2006; Karoly and Szepvolgyi, 2005; Yuming, Junjie and Yanwei, 2013), nontransferred direct current (DC) thermal plasmas (Chaturvedi et al., 2014; Kumar and Selvarajan, 2008; Suresh, Selvarajan and Vijay., 2008) and microwave-assisted plasma processing methods (Chen, Gleiman and Phillips, 2001; Vanamu et al., 2004; Weigle et al., 2004)"

Jan 1, 2016

By R. L. Crosby

The effect of indium on the solid solubility of calcium and of silicon in magnesium was studied using metallographic, X-ray diffraction, and electrical resistivity techniques. The addition of 2 weight-percent or more of indium reduced the solid solubility of calcium in magnesium by forming a compound containing indium and calcium. Indium additions have no perceptible effect on the solid solubility of silicon in magnesium.

Jan 1, 1963

By Charles Will Wright

FRANCE will be given a large portion of the Marshall Plan funds for relief, reconstruction, and industrial development in France and in her colonial possessions. At present that country is not in position to export any large tonnages of the mineral products needed in the United States. However, if, through Marshall Plan aid and private capital investment, production of these products can be largely increased, agreement should be made by which the United States is to get a substantial portion of such increased output in part payment for the material and technical aid they receive. France issued a decree, published in the "Official Gazette" on Feb. 3, 1948, which permits conversion into dollars of dividends derived from dollar investment in Government-approved projects and will agree to a scale of capital amortization to be determined in each individual case. This decree is to encourage private capital to cooperate with local capital in industrial undertakings. The French Colonial Ministry has prepared an extensive program for aid to the mining industries in overseas possessions to be undertaken by

Jan 1, 1948

By P Gardner

The Kanowna Belle gold mine in Western Australia has reached a depth of 1000 m on the way to 1300 m. A feasibility study undertaken in 2006 identified the mining of E-Block as both technically and commercially feasible. One of the major risks identified in the study was the ventilation capacity, as the existing primary ventilation system would not support the production schedule for mining and a major system upgrade would be required. Failure to provide the necessary airflow would put the project at risk. A review of the airflow requirements and infrastructure options detailed in the feasibility study was undertaken to ensure that the assumptions and design were optimised. This review recommended a minimum airflow of 206 m3/s, but by acknowledging the necessary constraints imposed by mining at depth and re-engineering the mine layout to optimise the primary ventilation circuit, this requirement was reduced to 160 m3/s. This represents a 22 per cent reduction in airflow and a reduction in capital cost that will see mining at depth become economically feasible at Kanowna Belle. This paper discusses the processes that led to a redesign of the mining layout and highlights the importance of including the ventilation network in the optimisation process.

Jan 1, 2008

By George Piscsalko

"Quality control of drilled shafts and ACIP piles is greatly dependent upon the practices of the site personnel. In many applications it is difficult to properly inspect the shaft prior to concreting, such as when the shaft is drilled under slurry. In other cases, such as ACIP piles, it is impossible to inspect the shaft in any manner prior to concreting. There are numerous methods currently available to assess the integrity of drilled shafts and ACIP piles. Each method has its advantages and limitations. This paper will compare the various available methods as well as introduce a new method for assessing integrity in drilled shafts and ACIP piles. This new method, known as Thermal Integrity Profiling, determines the integrity over 100% of the shaft both inside and outside the reinforcing cage by measuring the hydration temperature of the concrete along the length of the shaft. These temperature measurements can be made by either passing a thermal probe through a standard Cross Hole access tube typically 12 to 48 hours after concrete placement, or from embedding thermal wires within the shaft prior to concrete placement and monitoring them with unattended data collectors for 12 to 48 hours after concrete placement. This Thermal Integrity Profile method will be described in detail and several case histories will be presented. Additional testing methods which will be compared include low strain Pile Integrity Testing, and Cross Hole Sonic Logging. Advantages and limitations for each method will be discussed.IntroductionDrilled shafts and Augered Cast-in-Place (ACIP) piles have been increasingly used over the past several years due to several reasons including the reduced noise and vibration, speed of installation for ACIP piles, and the large axial and lateral capacities which are attainable for very large drilled shafts. ACIP piles are drilled and cast without any visual inspection. Drilled shafts can be cast in a dry hole which allows for inspection of the hole prior to casting, but the casting process is very difficult to nearly impossible to inspect with any accuracy. Drilled shafts are frequently cast under slurry as a means to stabilize the surrounding soils during the construction process. When casting a drilled shaft under slurry, it is very difficult to accurately inspect the hole prior to casting and it is equally difficult to inspect the shaft during the casting process. Many of the above mentioned processes are blind to inspection and therefore the chances increase for having defects present in the completed elements."

Jan 1, 2017

By Ott F. Heizer

This paper describing the mining practices at the mines of Massachusetts, Massachusetts Co., Inc., at Mill City, Nev., is one of a series being prepared by the Bureau of Mines on mining practices, methods, and costs in tie various mining districts of the United States. The author acknowledges the assistance of William C. Vanderburg, associate mining engineer, U. S. Bureau of Mines, in the preparation of this paper.

Jan 1, 1930

By S. P. Cashin, D. Kashuba, W. Esplin

Barrick has had 6 autoclaves in operation at the Goldstrike Mine, North of Carlin Nevada, since 1993. The 6 autoclaves operate in parallel, processing slurry of gold ore. The gold in the ore is predominantly associated with, and encapsulated by, sulphide minerals. It is necessary to oxidize at least 90% of the sulphide mineral before the gold can be concentrated using a cyanide/carbon-in-leach (CIL) circuit. Sulphide oxidation chemical reactions occurring in the autoclaves are exothermic; however, the sulphide content in the ore is not high enough to operate the autoclaves in an auto-thermal mode. Heat from steam is added to the first 2 of 5 autoclave compartments to initiate the sulphide oxidation reactions. The steam used to heat the autoclaves is supplied by three boilers, which are fuelled with propane gas. The completion of a few operations and maintenance projects in the last 2 years has resulted in a 50% reduction in propane energy requirements. The autoclave operating temperatures were minimized. Excess oxygen addition was held as low as possible. The material of construction for the compartment walls inside the autoclaves was changed from brick to Titanium metal. And, the speed of the autoclave slurry agitators was increased. All of these activities had an impact on the propane energy requirements of the autoclaves. Presented below is a description of the autoclave systems, and a discussion of how the energy needs were reduced, resulting in significant operating cost savings.

Jan 1, 2004

By Charles Goodale

With notes on other mines of the Marysville district by WALTER McDERMOTT, London, England, and F. L. Sizer, Dos Cabezas, Ariz. (Salt Lake Meeting, August, 1914) THE purpose of this paper is to review the history of the Drumlummon, one of the famous old mines of the West. Mining engineers, when sent to examine new mines in old districts, or to decide whether an old property, under new conditions, will pay to re-open, have had difficulty in learning anything authentic regarding workings which are under water, and historical facts about the working character of the ore, the total production, and the value of the ore with increasing depth. Not many years elapse after the pumps are pulled, before maps, books and records are destroyed, and the value of the publications of the Institute would be increased if they contained the history of many old mines now abandoned. The unsuccessful efforts of the writer quite recently in trying to obtain reliable information about a gold mine which was reported to have produced several million dollars between 1880 and 1888, the workings of which are now partially caved and under water, impressed upon his mind the desirability of having a permanent record of old properties. In this particular case, the owners insisted that under present conditions of improved methods of treatment -particularly by the use of cyanide, which was not an applied process when the mine was operated, the property. could be made to pay a handsome profit on ore left in sight in the old workings, but no assay records could be found to confirm these assurances, and even the records of bullion shipments had been destroyed. If surveys and maps were made as the work progressed, no trace of them could be found, and therefore opening of the ground through a new shaft and drifts therefrom would be attended by some risk while exploring near the old workings. Fatal accidents by flooding under these conditions have occurred, and as an evidence that miners have fears of such dangers, it was urged upon the Mining Committee during a recent session of the Montana Legislature, by a delegation of

Jan 8, 1914

By Mostafa O. El-Bealy

"To estimate the interdendritic cracking tendency in casting processes, a new model for interdendritic cracking criteria has been proposed. The model combines a concept of the alloying element effect on the interdendritic strain generation and therefore on the susceptibility of interdendritic cracking phenomena. A susceptibility of interdendritic cracking is modeled by using El-Bealy's interdendritic cracking susceptibility function ""BJCSF' and the opening displacement between the dendrites ""EIA "". These concepts are modeled based on the previous experimental observations and ElBealy' approach. The model is implemented numerically for a one-dimensional model problem with some similarities to the casting of steel. The variation of some key parameters that are known to influence the frequency and severity of the interdendritic cracking is then studied.I. INTRODUCTIONInterdendritic cracking ""hot tearing"" commonly encountered in both ferrous and nonferrous castings (1,2]. It is generally believed that interdendritic cracks start to nucleate and develop in the interdendritic strain region within the mushy zone [l-5]. The interdendritic strain region is then definitely coherent, but continuous films of liquid still exit (4,5]. This distinguishes interdendritic cracks from cold cracks forming during the casting process after complete solidification (6,7].Much effort has been put into the understanding of the interdendritic cracking phenomena, and several theories have been proposed. Fellini [8] stated that interdendritic crack ""hot tear"" will result if the material is subjected to too high of accumulated strain within so called vulnerable part of the solidification interval. Kinosita et. al. [9] and Campbell (10] also emphasized the role of tensile stresses in the forming of interdendritic cracks. Most interdendritic cracks criteria simply consider the size of solidification interval, stating that solidification range is associated with a lager interdendritic cracking susceptibility than a short range. Clyne and Davies (11] formulated a more refined such criteria based upon the time spent in different regimes of the solidification interval. They defined a vulnerable region in which thin continuous films of interdendritic liquid exist, and the permeability is low. When thermal strains are induced in this region, the film is not able to sustain the stresses, and an interdendritic crack will form."

Jan 1, 2001

By Bernard G, Limpach R, Ulveling L

A major aspect in competitive ironmaking is to replace metallurgical coke by injecting alternative cheap fuels. Whereas in the past, heavy oil injection as well as on a lower scale natural gas injection have proved to be reliable, the progressing high price level of these fuels has prompted international interest in looking for alternative cheaper fuels, especially pulverized coal. Theoretical analysis and practical operations showed that for constant adiabatic flame temperature, potentially more coke may be replaced by injected coal than by heavy oil, because of less endothermic cracking of hydrogen components. Since about 1974, the ARBED-Group has been looking for alternative fuels and in 1976 came to conclusion to select for first trials pulverized lignite for the following reasons:

Jan 1, 1981

"The Antamina orebody is a geologically complex, polymetallic skarn located in the Peruvian Andes. A range of copper and copperzinc 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 run-of-mine 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."

Jan 1, 2005

By Hemendra N. Kalia

Several attempts have been made in the past sixty or so years to commerciliaze the vast oil shale deposits of the United States of America. However, the industry has yet to become viable and economic. To date, it has not been possible to produce oil from the oil shales at a competitive price when compared to the oil produced from oilfields by conventional methods. However, the development work has been quite fruitful in furthering the art of thick bed mining and technology of in situ retorting. The in situ method has the potential of recovering oil from thick beds and the resource recovery potential is much greater than that from underground mining and surface retorting. In situ methods require that the shales/ marlstones be fragmented ' in place to induce adequate porosity and permeability to allow in situ' heating of the fragmented shales. This can be accomplished by using explosives. However, it has been found that the existing blasting systems, though very efficient, are somewhat lacking. The explosive become insensitive when shot in multiple vertical decks. They can also become insensitive when spaced horizontally at close proximity to other charges. Also, since the blasting is done in a very limited free face, this limits the delay time that can be allowed between charges. Consequently it is not always possible to predict the performance of the blasting system on a routine basis. Furthermore, since it is not possible to undertake secodary blasting, it is imperative that the blast design function properly. Recent, successful retorting by Occidental Petroleum Company of retorts seven and eight suggests that some of these problems may have been overcome. This paper addresses some aspects of in situ retorting and problems those have impeded the development of a viable oil shale industry in the U.S.A.

Jan 1, 1983

Crandallite and millisite in Christmas Island 'B' and 'C' phosphate ores are rapidly decomposed by sodium hydroxide solutions at about 80QC. As these phosphates generally contain less than 1% silica, an alkaline extraction process can be designed, in which up to 95% of the sodium hydroxide used, may be recycled. The insoluble residue consists of an impure, highly reactive apatite, which in pot trials, has given good responses as a direct application fertiliser; alternatively this residue can be underacidulated to give a granular product with fertiliser potential. The hot leaching solution contains up to 95% of the alumina and approx- imately half of the phosphate from the original ore. Simple crystallising techniques have been developed on a laboratory-scale to use this leaching solution for producing smelter-grade alumina and detergent-quality trisodium phosphate. As the demand for detergents is limited, an investigation was made of the reaction between trisodium phosphate and slaked lime, derived from a high-grade New Zealand limestone occurring near Oamaru. The product is calcium phosphate, containing up to 40% P205, and less than 0.2% each of iron, aluminium and fluorine, and it should be a useful raw material for phosphoric acid manufacture. A preliminary economic evaluation of the whole process looks promising, And warrants further investigations, including pilot-plant work.

Jan 1, 1971

By George Wilson

When pumping abrasive slurry mixtures, special attention must be given to pump design and construction. The second article in this two-part series describes some design features to consider when selecting centrifugal slurry pumps. Hydraulic Design Most centrifugal pumps are conventionally designed to achieve the desired hydraulic performance at the highest efficiency and lowest cost when handling clear fluids in reasonably clean environments. Manufacturing limitations are not imposed on the configuration of the pump, since conventional materials such as cast iron, bronze, and stainless steel are used. Manufacturers and buyers usually select the highest specific speed commensurate with the lowest cost attainable. Part life is almost infinite. When a centrifugal pump is designed for slurry service, the important factors in pump design are wear and materials of construction; size and efficiency assume lesser importance. The pump must operate at low rotational speed and the impeller has to be a truly radial flow design. These factors immediately determine that the pump must be of a low specific speed design in the range of 600 to 1800. The specific speed is a type number that is constant for all geometrically similar pumps; it designates the geometry of the impeller and casing. [ ] where n = rpm, Q = flow (US gpm), H = total head (ft), and Ns = specific speed. Since wear is a function of velocity it can be shown that for a given head and capacity, wear will increase with increased Ns. Centrifugal Pump Casing The casing has a profound effect on performance. If designed incorrectly it can destroy a large part of the energy given to the flow by the impeller, resulting in low efficiency, high hydraulic forces, and excessive wear on both the casing and impeller. In a conventional spiral volute, the static pressure around the impeller is uniform only when there is a free vortex velocity distribution in the volute, i.e., when the spiral flow from the impeller coincides with that of the volute spiral. This occurs only at the best efficiency point (BEP), between the pump's best operating zone and over capacity zone. Departure from the free vortex velocity distribution in the volute at partial or over capacities produces circumferential pressure gradients at the impeller periphery, which is directly proportional to the specific gravity of the mixture being pumped. At partial or over capacities, the flow will not tolerate the abrupt deflection at the tongue and severe energy losses and wear are created near the casing throat and on the impeller. Concentric and semi-concentric volute designs produce uniform static pressures at the impeller periphery and make the pump, much less sensitive to "off"' BEP operation. Hydraulic forces and wear are considerably reduced-eliminating the tongue prevents abrupt deflection of the flow, turbulence is minimized, and the velocity in the casing volute and throat is reduced. Good efficiency is sustained over a wider operating hand. Casings of this design are easy to cast. • Spiral volute (conventional)-Radius to the outer periphery of the casing and the volute area constantly increases. • Semi-concentric casing-Radius to the outer periphery of the casing and volute area remain constant within a certain angle. • Concentric casing-Radius to the outer periphery of the casing and volute area remain constant through 360°. The degree of concentricity must be reconciled with efficiency, hydraulic radial load, and wear for each specific speed chosen. Up to 1200 Ns the casings can be fully concentric without sacrificing too much efficiency. Above 1200 Ns, the casings can be semi-concentric. The angle of concentricity

Jan 10, 1981

By M Bellamy

The DeGrussa copper deposit was discovered by Sandfire Resources in April 2009. Construction of the 1.6 Mt/a concentrator, open pit and underground mining operations commenced in March 2011 with first concentrate production achieved in October 2012. Over the next ten years, DeGrussa grew to include both the DeGrussa and Monty underground mines, establishing itself as one of the world’s premier copper producers with total production of 663 000 t of contained copper by the time the mine closed. Final ore was trucked from Degrussa on 5 October 2022. This paper examines the mine closure experience from both a planning and operational perspective. The paper provides an overview of the site’s mine planning process including the factors involved in determining the end of the mine life and how this was tracked and communicated in the lead up to the end of mining operations. It will also look at some of the specific operational aspects involved in maintaining steady state production all the way through to the last day while facing increasingly challenging conditions. These factors, along with the external factors faced by most of the industry such as labour shortages and COVID related disruptions, contributed to making it an interesting journey to the end of operations at DeGrussa.

Mar 29, 2023

By B. F. Fackenthal

The earliest history shows that, in the reduction of iron-ores, natural draft was used to supply the blast, and that, when artificial blast was first used, it was supplied by leather bellows, usually made of skins, which were worked by the feet or hands, the blast entering the furnace through one tuyere or nozzle. The prehistoric bellows and its tuyere or nozzle are still in use in some form wherever iron is made. The original Durham furnace, built in 1727 at Durham, Pa., which was one of the earliest blast-furnaces in this country, was blown with a bellows, the power being supplied by a waterwheel. The old records show the purchase of leather at various times to repair the bellows, and mention the freezing of the water-wheel as one of the causes for going out of blast. In the early days of our iron manufacture but one tuyere was used; in fact, a cousiderable number of charcoal-furnaces continued to use but one tuyere down to recent years. I am

Jan 1, 1899

By R. R. Tatiya

Data obtained from a copper mine were used in a comparative study of the reserve estimates generated by applying geostatistical methods to surface borehole data, underground core drilling results and assay values from chip sampling. Global estimation of the deposit performed by kriging of the low-density sampling data from the surface boreholes did not provide reliable results, but could identify the potentially mineralised zones. The reserve generated from core drilling results correlated well with that estimated from chip sample data and with that estimated by the conventional methods used at the mine. A satisfactory reserve evaluation could, therefore, be obtained by kriging of the data from the underground core drilling alone, provided that a systematic sampling procedure was adopted. Estimates based on chip sampling information could be used as a check, which could avoid the current practice of chip sampling of most of the mine workings. The aim should be to develop a semi-variogram for the deposit, which could be used to estimate the reserves by kriging

Jun 19, 1905

By Rafael Valencia-Dongo, Ernesto Ramírez, Julio Tapia

Enfocado en una novedosa metodología de resolución de conflictos basada en la teoría de juegos, este artículo propone estrategias para generar un equilibrio estable entre empresa, Estado y comunidad. Tras evaluar la tipología y características de la conflictividad socioambiental por acción de líderes opositores a la inversión, se desarrolla un marco de resolución de conflictos a través de lo que se denominan pactos de contrapeso, que cubren los ámbitos de comunicación, gestión sociopolítica y fidelización del trabajador minero. Estos pactos permiten cambiar la percepción, incentivos y acciones de los actores, lo que incluye la acción de terceros legítimos.

Sep 30, 2019

Geometallurgical Study of Copper Oxide Mineralisation Hosted in Gravels of Different Physical Quality

Sep 13, 2010