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By A. F. Lee

Dr E. C. Hanekom (Visitor): Two years ago we used the bubble pick-up technique as developed at Anglo American Corporation for screening candidate flotation agents prepared in our laboratories. It was obviously necessary to know to what extent the technique gave reproducible results and a statistical evaluation of the test method was made using a mineral sample provided by Anglo American Corporation. A bubble of 2.0 mm diameter was used and the measuring graticule was divided into squares (units) with sides of 5.0 mm at 25 X magnification. The mineral granules had diameters from 53 to 74 mm. The bubble was loaded by depressing it against a layer of mineral grains to give an arbitrary but constant compression of 0.4-0.5 mm. It was rolled five times through 2 mm horizontal displacement. The bubble was then lifted, its load compacted by gently stirring and the projected area measured in squares (units) on the grid. Each substance was tested at 5 ppm concentration in distilled water at five points in the pH range 3-6. With these standardized conditions of operation the reproducibility of the test was studied. Four materials were tested and at each pH value the procedure of forming a bubble, picking up granules and counting the units was repeated ten times. From these results the standard deviation for a single count at any pH value was calculated for each material (Table 1. The coefficient of variation of approximately 3 per cent was relatively low and it was decided that further refinements in the counting procedure would be of doubtful benefit with the present apparatus. Similar experiments were carried out with 12 sample materials. In this case the bubble formation and pick-up were repeated four times at each pH value, the mean value was calculated for each set of four observations and final pick-up values for the materials were obtained by selecting the highest mean count. Each test was completely repeated a number of times as indicated in Table 2 and the standard deviation calculated. The results allowed the selection of the more promising materials and the rejection of poor performers at the 95 per cent confidence level. All tests were carried out by one operator. Some evidence was obtained that the method is sensitive to operator bias. In conclusion it can be said that from all the results analyzed it would appear that once operation conditions are fixed (viz operator, pH control) the precision of the method is adequate. The author wishes to thank Messrs African Explosives and Chemical Industries Limited for permission to publish these data. G. S. Stander and C. J. Kooij (Visitors): We must congratulate Mr Lee for this most interesting and useful development of the pick-up experimental method. It certainly provides research workers with an instrument which makes flotation more of a science and less of an art. We visited Mr Lee at his laboratory where he gave us a demonstration of the bubble pick-up instrument and technique as developed and improved by him.

Jan 12, 1969

By Majid Saghaeian, Rasool Hejazi, Parisa Ghobadi

"Pulp handling in mineral processing circuits is very complicated due to its inherent different specifications compared with other fluids such as water. Because any variation in ore property (e.g. size and abrasion index) and pulp specification (e.g. density, solid content and pressure) causes problem in this part and reduces the plant availability and throughput as a result. The most common issues in the hose system are sumps and pipe-line blockage, wearing of the pumps impeller and liner, and pipe tearing specially at elbows and bends. High pressure grinding roll (HPGR) is employed in a closed circuit with a screen as the first stage of grinding in Zarand Iranian Steel Complex (ZISCO). Wearing of the pump and pipeline transferring the screen undersize stream was the main problem from the plant commissioning. The plant couldn't achieve to the design capacity because of this defect. Although various practical solutions such as improving the pipes and impeller material quality and eliminating the elbows, as much as possible, were done in order to downtime minimizing, but damages didn’t vanish. Since HPGR discharge contains somewhat rough and abrasive particles, the mentioned modifications didn't effective very much. Therefore, converting of the wet screen to dry and using of belt conveyor to the screen undersize handling was employed based on the plant capability evaluation and experimental and pilot trial results. Although this reformation imposed another additional cost (for conveyor system), but it had significant advantages such as increasing the plant availability up to 96%, reducing the operating costs of the wear parts, providing more stable operating condition for the HPGR performance and decreasing abrasion rate of the HPGR rolls liner because of the lower moist feed."

Jan 1, 2014

By John P. Dolan, Charles A. Einarsen, GiIman A. Hill

his paper discusses how the following formation characteristics can be determined mathematically from drill-stem test pressure charts: true formation pressures, effective permeability of the entire section tested, well productivities, wellbore damage, and possible detection of barriers (faults, pinchouts, etc.). This paper also presents a practical method for im-mediate determination of eflective permeability and well-bore damage from successful double shut-in pressure tests. A list of recommendations for improving the reliability of drill-stem rest pressures is also presented. INTRODUCTION A drill-stem test is a temporary completion designed to sample the formation fluid and to establish the possibility of commercial production. Early pressure recording devices were used merely to verify proper operation of the testing tool. Until recently the accuracy of the pressure gauges has been insufficient for any reliable quantitative use of the recorded pressures. In view of the need for more reliable formation evaluation and as a result of the recent interest in exploration work employing the concept of hydrodynamic en-trapment,1,2,3,4 better pressure recording gauges are now in use. These devices can record pressure within 1 per cent above 1,000 psig and can detect differential pressures as low as 1/2 psig. In addition to formation pressure, several other reservoir characteristics can be determined from DST charts; namely, well productivity, formation permeability, wellbore damage, and the possible existence of bar- riers (faults, pinchouts, changes in permeability, etc.). This paper presents a practical method to interpret DST pressure charts for formation pressures and many other reservoir properties, a method that has been developed in analyzing approximately 4,000 DST charts during the last five years. The techniques used are a composite of published articles on drill-stem testing5,6, together with well-known pressure build-up analysis methods. THEORY It has been shown7,8 that the following equation may be used for analysis of pressure build-up curves: Po - Pw = 162.6 qu/kh log ( to + ?/?) .....(1) When this equation is applied to the curves obtained in drill-stem testing, the assumptions and boundary con-ditions are more nearly realized than in conventional flow and build-up tests on producing wells. Zak and Griffen9 have recently discussed in detail the use of this equation in analyzing DST charts. One of the problems with DST curves is the lack of reservoir data for precise analysis. Therefore, it is necessary to develop empirical rules and field methods for analyzing DST charts in quantity. For this reason, the empirical methods presented in this paper have been developed, and their derivation is found in Appendices A and B. METHOD USED FOR ACCURATE READING OF DRILL-STEM TEST CHARTS In order to apply the pressure build-up theory to DST charts, it is necessary to obtain a digitized expression for the pressure and time data recorded by the pressure gauge. These data may be either provided by the service company or interpolated by projecting a

Jan 1, 1958

By David A. Summers, John Corwine, Li-King Chen

The results from fracturing plexiglas beams are combined in eight existing equations to determine the surface energy of the material. The reliability of each equation is tested, and the equation in use to determine fracture toughness is found to be the most exact. This equation is then used in determination of the surface energy of Barre Granite.

Jan 1, 1971

By B. C. Riblet

THE president of a large smelting and refining company once telegraphed me that they had acquired extensive mining interests in northern Peru and requested me to inspect their properties as it would be necessary to install a system of aerial tramways between their mines and treatment plant. The concentrator was about 50 mi. from the coast, reached by a fairly good motor road. From the concentrator an aerial tramway would he required, about 6 mi. long, to their first property, a gold and silver mine. The lower terminal of the tramway was at an elevation of 4000 ft. and the mine at an elevation of 9500 ft.

Jan 1, 1937

By Ronald P. Hollenbeck

Shales in the Appalachian Region of Kentucky and Tennessee were sampled and tested to determine their use as raw materials for the manufacture of lightweight aggregate by the rotary-kiln method. Nine samples were obtained from eastern Kentucky and 143 samples were obtained from eastern Tennessee. As a result of preliminary testing of these samples, two sources in eastern Kentucky and 11 sources in eastern Tennessee were resampled for rotary-kiln tests. The rotary-kiln tests showed the two sources in Kentucky and seven sources in Tennessee contained shale that would produce satisfactory aggregate. Lightweight aggregate processed from these nine sources was tested in concrete shapes and was found to be suitable for use in structural concrete.

Jan 1, 1968

By Ken Bright

This paper is an overview of approaches to assessment of ore grade for gold and the platinum group at the exploration stage of a project. Proper sampling techhniques must be complemented by good assaying. In turn, correct assaying has its roots in thoughtful, systematic sampling and sample preparation procedures. While intricacies of the subject matter could occupy a book, we will comment on acceptable sampling approaches, outline a lab hand- ling scheme, and discuss preferred analytical methods. Pitfalls previously encountered by the mining and exploration industry will be highlighted with emphasis on a perceptive under- standing of the nature of ore occurrence. Lastly, focus will be centered on reliable assay approaches.

Jan 1, 1988

By Carlos Magno Palacios Arbizu

La calidad total es la estrategia que busca la mejorar la productividad y eficiencia de los productos que ofrece -en tanto sean reconocidos por este valor-, de forma que genera competitividad en las organizaciones peruanas y se presenta como respuesta a nuevos enfoques de gestión surgidos ante el proceso de globalización. En este sentido, el presente trabajo analiza la forma del avance en el nuevo enfoque de gestión de las empresas mineras, para así proponer alternativas de tratamiento e implementación de un modelo basado en la Calidad Total, de manera que esté alineado dentro de un sector que tenga características propias y diferenciadas de organizaciones de otros sectores productivos.

Sep 12, 2005

By Lloyd Williams

1. This investigation shows that the Poplar Creek is the most important bed in Scott County from a production standpoint. Although the Poplar Creek bed contains the largest reserve, the Big Mary has a larger recoverable reserve. Estimates of reserves also have been made for the Pewee, Red Ash, Windrock, Upper Pioneer, Jellico, and White Oak beds. 2. Known measured and indicated reserves of coal, based on a minimum bed thickness of 14 inches and on 1,800 short tons per acre-foot of coal in place, are estimated to be 143 million tons as of January 1, 1954. Of this total, 74 million tons is in beds 28 inches and more thick. Areas in each bed were omitted from the estimate because available data relative to the bed characteristics are too meager for making an estimate that conforms with the definitions of measured and indicated coal adopted for this study. Should future drilling or development prove reserves in these areas, such reserves should be added to the total estimated reserves.

Jan 1, 1956

By John W. Taber

Discovery of these unusual fluorite deposits was brought to the attention of the Bureau of Mines late in 1951, shortly after the first locations were made. A brief investigation of the deposits by the Bureau revealed seven principal outcrops of fluorite in two areas. The smallest outcrop continuously exposes massive fluorite over an area 25 by 55 feet; the largest outcrop is a similar exposure 180 by 240 feet. The deposits appear to be sharp-walled, low-angle-, tabular ore bodies in granite and are at least 10 feet thick. The Bureau investigation of the deposits included bulldozer strip-trenching, drilling and blasting rock cuts, and channel sampling across three of the largest outcrops. This sampling indicated an average grade of 97.2 percent CaF2 and 1.44 percent SiO2. Preliminary metallurgical tests on the ore indicate that it can be concentrated to acid-grade specifications by simple gravity methods. One laboratory test recovered 78.4 percent of the fluorite in a product containing 98.7 percent CaF2, 0.25 percent SiO2, and 0.10 percent Fe2O3.

Jan 1, 1952

By F. S. Norcross

MANGANESE has long been considered one of the United States' most important strategic raw materials. Its indispensability in steel manufacture makes it vital to the nation's industrial life. Coupled with this indispensability is the fact that domestic producers have not been able as yet to supply more than a small part of the nation's manganese needs; consequently the United States has had to depend upon such distant foreign sources as the U.S.S.R., British India, the African Gold Coast and Brazil for the major portion of its ore. The great bulk of the mineral is consumed in the form of ferromanganese, an alloy that averages 8o per cent manganese and 20 per cent mainly iron and carbon. Manganese is used as a deoxidizer and desulphurizer in steel manufacture. By combination with the residual oxygen and sulphur of the bath, it helps to produce a clean, sound metal. Approximately 14 lb. of manganese, it is estimated, is used in making one ton of steel. For standard-grade ferromanganese, the ore should have a minimum of about 48 per cent Mn and preferably more. Beneficiation methods have not yet been developed for making the immense low-grade deposits in the United States salable at prevailing prices. Dependence upon foreign sources thrust the United States into serious difficulties during the World War. At the start of hostilities in 1914, the nation was obtaining about four-fifths of its ore from the Eastern Hemisphere. Domestic production had been negligible, amounting to only 3000 to 7000 tons a year. As the war continued, shipments from the East, endangered by sea attack and blockade, dwindled rapidly. Imports from Brazil mounted. In this grave emergency, the United States, starting almost from scratch and under the stimulus of high prices, succeeded by 1918 in producing a peak of 311,000 tons, about 3 5 per cent of its consumption that year. Since the war, the United States has depended upon foreign sources for more than nine-tenths of its high-grade ore. During 1936, 1937 and 1938, imports for consumption averaged 736,000 tons a year. During the same period, domestic shipments averaged 21,000 tons a year. Of the imports, the U.S.S.R. accounted for an annual average of 280,000 tons, the Gold Coast 208,000 tons, India 74,000 tons, and Brazil 72,500 tons. But India and Brazil, which in 1936 ranked third and fourth in the list of importers, were displaced in 1937 and 1938 by a new and much nearer source-Cuba. From less than 1 per cent of United States imports in 1931, the island republic increased its shipments to more than 27 per cent in 1938. Cuba's average for this three-year period was 97,000 tons, and its total for 1938 was 131,000 tons.

Jan 1, 1940

By K. M. Kim

A site-specific blasting model has been developed for the Asarco Mission mine. The main inputs to the model are the in-situ block size (F80), the post-blast fragmentation (P80) and the intact tensile strength (To). The output from the model is the specific blast energy (ESE). Modern techniques are being used to obtain the input parameters for the site-specific blast fragmentation model. In particular, image processing software is used to obtain both the in-situ block size and the post-blast fragmentation, and the Schmidt hammer is used to obtain the tensile strength at numerous locations throughout the rock mass. An initial model was developed using five test shots in one area of the mine that contains Argillite and is relatively homogeneous. This also included calibrating Schmidt hammer readings against actual Brazilian tensile measurements. The model for Argillite will be updated as more tests are conducted, and the model will be extended to the other four primary rock types at the Asarco Mission mine.

Jan 1, 2011

By Manuel Gomez

This, report presents correlative data on ash and sulfur forms for Pittsburgh seam coal from Greene County, Pa. Prediction equations were developed for sulfur form distributions and washability characteristics. The equations developed were evaluated with an independent set of exploration core samples. It was demonstrated-that both sulfur distributions and washability characteristic's can be predicted from exploration core data ahead of mining. This information can improve the efficiency of selective mining techniques for the production of a uniform metallurgical coal product.

Jan 1, 1967

By Y. Numata

2-Mercaptobenzothiazole (MBT) is a heterocyclic-mercaptan and belongs to a group of molecules containing nitrogen and sulfur as electron donor atoms. MBT has been employed as a collector in flotation under names of MBT, Captax, and Flotagen. It is a major constituent of reagents in the 400 series of the American Cyanamid Co. Current applications of the reagent include flotation of copper minerals, tarnished or oxidized lead, copper activated sphalerite, and nickel ores. It has been used successfully in the flotation of pyrite in acid circuits in the range of 4 to 5.

Jan 1, 1990

By Victor V. Nazimko

Multiple mining generates gob-interaction displacements. They redistribute stress m strata and obey laws of irreversibility thermodynamics. An irreversible state causes inhomogeneity of the stress distribution on the mass. A destressed zone develops along a working panel, and worked out panels are deprived of the destressing. The inhomogeneity is smoothed out during elapsed time.

Jan 1, 1996

By S. A. Mersol, C. T. Lynch, F. W. Vahldiek

The room-temperature microhardness of as-grown and annealed MoaC single crystals was measured on the (0001), {2110), and1012) planes using Knoop and Vickevs indenters at loads ranging front 25 to 1000 g. The orientatimz dependence of hardness with respect to crystal axes was also studied. The average random hardness of as-grown crystals was determined to be 1520 kg per sq nm. Annealing to 2000°C decreased. the average hardness by 150 units. An increase in hardness after annealing at 2200 ;C was noted. Optical and electron microscopy revealed slip and twin traces on all planes studied, as produced by mi-cvohavdness indentations. Basal (0001)(2i10) slip was determined to be the primary slip system and was substantiated by electron transmission microscopy. A secondary {1010)(2110) slip was produced by mi-crohardness indentations. The lattev also produced twinning- of the {10i2)[0001] type, as proven by electron diffraction. Electrical resistivity and elastic-modulus anisotropy were found and correlated with hardness anisotropy and Mo2C crystal structure. Elastic-modulus values were obtained by microhard-uess and ullrasonic methods. Bonding mechanism of Mo2C is discussed. ROOM-TEMPERATURE microhardness indentations are useful for studying hardness anisotropy, slip, and twinning in brittle materials. Slip has previously been produced in this manner in and WS~~.~ Recently, the authors5 reported slip of the {10i0)(11~0) type produced by high pressure and microhardness indentations on hexagonal TiBz (c/a = 1.066) single and polycrystals. This slip system was also reported by French and ~homas' and Taka-hashi and ~reise~ for hexagonal WC (c/a = 0.976) crystals. These results suggest that prismatic rather than basal slip is favored in hexagonal nonmetallic materials having a c/a ratio considerably less than the ideal (1.633). Buerger precession and cylindrical X-ray rotation patterns were previously' taken on cleaved sections of the Mo2C single crystals studied in this work. Th~y were found to be hexagonal MoaC with a. = 3.0233A, co = 4.7344A, and C/O = 1.5660. The latter ratio is close to that of the beryllium metal (c/a = 1.57), which slips primarily on the (0001) plane: but also slips on the (1010) planes.'0 ~irconium" (c/u = 1.59) and titanium12 (c/o = 1.59) deform mainly by slip on nonbasal planes which contain a close-packed direction. This is due to the fact that for these two metals the initial resolved shear stress for slip on the (10i0) prismatic planes is lower than that on the (0001) plane. The prominence of basal rather than prismatic slip in metals of high c/o ratios is shown by cadmium (c/a = 1.89), zinc (c/a = 1.86), and magnesium (c/a = 1.62) which deform mainly by basal slip. However, in case of the latter, by stressing magnesium crystals in tension or compression parallel to the basal plane, slip on (10i0) planes can also be produced.13 Several hardness values for polycrystalline Mo2C are reported in the literature: Biickle ' and Samsonov'~ give a value of 1800 and 1479 kg per sq mm, respectively, at a 100-g load; and Kieffer and Benesovsk~'~ report a value of 1950 kg per sq mm at a 50-g load. ~ott'~ reports a Vickers hardness value of 2000 kg per sq mm, with the load unspecified. A Rockwell A hardness value of RA = 88 has also been reported.'' In the present work, for comparison with single-crystal Mo2C hardness values, a Khnloo value of 1600 It 150 kg per sq mm was found on 99.6 pct pure and 99 pct dense hot-pressed Mo2C. This work was undertaken partly to explain the considerable differences in hardness values reported for polycrystalline Mo2C. EXPERIMENTAL The Mo2C single crystals investigated were prepared by a Verneuil-type process using an electric arc by the Linde Co. of the Union Carbide Corp.lg The largest specimens grown were boules 7 mm in diam by 40 mm in length. The crystals had an average density of 9.04 g per cu cm, with a Mo + C content of 99.8 wt pct. The major impurities were: 100 ppm each Na, Zr, and Ca; 85 ppm 0, 55 ppm Fe, and 10 ppm each Cr and Ta. The crystals were found to be carbon-poor, the average carbon content being 5.73 wt pct (stoichiometric value is 5.89 pct). The molybdenum content was found to be 94.08 pct, which is nearly stoichiometric. Electron-microprobe traverses of selected specimens were done with a Phillips-AMR microanalyzer. Thin-film and carbon replicas were used to prepare electron micrographs. This work was done with a JEM-6A electron microscope. Prior to optical and electron-optical studies, specimens were mounted in Lucite and polished on a vibratory polisher using diamond-paste grades ranging from 9-1 p and Linde A powder for up to 48 hr. Dilute nitric acid was used for thin-section polishing and chemical etching for 1-15 min. Electrical-resistivity measurements at room temperature were taken with a Rubicon bridge, using gold contacts. For hardness measurements, a Tukon Microhardness Tester Type FB with Knoop and Vickers indenters was used. Measurements were taken at loads ranging from 25 to 1000 g; however, the 100-g load was chosen as the standard load. All measurements were taken at room temperature. Indentations of cracking classes 1 and 2 only were considered for hardness determinations.20)21 (There are six cracking classes, ranging from "class 1" for a perfect inden-

Jan 1, 1967

By F. Parada Luna, F. Parada Torres, J. Salvo, A. Reghezza

In the pyrometallurgical processes of copper concentrates, arsenic is preferentially concentrated in the dusts carried by the gases as a result of their volatility and subsequent condensation in the gas cleaning train. In this work results obtained by alkaline leaching of the dusts from Ministro Hales roasting plant, belonging to Codelco, are presented. For the Ministro Hales plant the alkaline leaching would be an alternative to the recirculation of dusts to the roasting furnace. The experimental study considered NaOH and NaOH plus NaHS leaching of two samples of dusts, with 4.24 and 2.55% arsenic respectively. The results show that it is feasible to extract 90% of the arsenic and 50% of the antimony at room temperature using only NaOH, and when the temperature increases to 95ºC, the extractions of As and Sb increase. Copper remains in the solid residue with less than 1% dissolution, and the NaOH net consumption was approximately 140 kg/t of dust. In leaching tests with NaOH + NaHS, two types of methods were tested, baking plus leaching with water and direct leaching with a NaOH+NaHS solution. With the second method arsenic extraction increased to 95% and copper dissolution was less than 0.01% at 85ºC, NaOH 100 g/L, NaHS 90 g/L, 1.5 h and L/S ratio of 5/1 (L/kg). The bismuth remains stable in the solid in all cases. INTRODUCTION The presence of arsenic in copper concentrates has increased with time and the environmental regulations are becoming increasingly more stringent. In concentrate treatment pyrometallurgical plants, most of the arsenic is volatilized condensing in the gas train and is collected along with the entrained solids to form the flue dusts. Under these conditions, in smelters of copper concentrates with high arsenic content, the dusts are being treated in hydrometallurgical plants to extract and stabilize the arsenic, which also means that most of the copper contained in the dust is co-extracted with the arsenic. This affects the recovery of copper in the smelter and an alternative such as the selective alkaline leaching of arsenic, would allow the copper from flue dust to be recovered.

Jan 1, 2019

By K. Y. Vasioutchkov, Y. F. Vasyuchkov, B. M. Vorobjev

In general a term "unconventional mining or "non-traditional mining technology" getting more and move familiar to the mining engineering media. There are several alternating terminological combinations such as "in situ mining", "borehole mining", "shaftless mining", "mineless mining", "geotechnology" etc.; specific terms denote particular method of unconventional mining technology: "underground coal gasification in situ", "underground coal combustion in situ", "borehole hydraulic coal mining" and others. Principal scheme of unconventional coal mining technology is shown in [Figure 1:] One of the greatest potential for coal utilisation during the beginning decades of on coming cetury is the synthetic fuel-gas derived from coal as a product of coal gasification. It is quite logical to enrich this gas before burning it with natural gas, that is methane, contained in coal measures. Thus it is reasonable to suggest a new concept of unconventional coal mining and utilization technology featuring integrated methane drainage with coal-gas combined cycle. Proposed unconventional technology of coal mining is characterized with: - opening up a coat deposit through boreholes, drilled from the surface and used for coalbed methane drainage as well as for coat gasification in situ; - aggregation of methane producing and coal gasification station on mining side with thermo power plant on the electric power generation side in one integrated industrial enterprise. The further improvement of the conventional coal mining technologies both surface and underground could give only insignificant results in economical, ecological and social aspects, but would not be able to provide basic requirements of the XXI-st century. Significant increase in economical efficiency, cardinal humanization of coal mining and basic improvements in environment protection would be achieved through introduction and implementation of innovative or unconventional coal mining technology. These considerations are applied on both coal production and coal utilization sides as far as coat based energy generation is concerned. Now a general opinion is widely spread that an application in the same manner of the traditional technologies of coal mining and electric power generation would inevitably cause further irreversible damage of the global eco-system, notwithstanding the certain environment protection measures being taken. Keeping the recent pace of the eco-system degradation the whole our civilization would be in danger. Thus the solution of this problem is to be found in developing, promoting and implementing in industry unconventional coal mining and modern advanced clean coal technologies. Coal reserves with favourable conditions at shallow depths are -being rapidly depleted in all countries with developed coal industry. So in nearest future more coat will be mined from deeper levels with higher operational expences and with lower labour productivity. For example in Russia only 20% of proven coal reserves can be specified in quality as easy mined reserves, i.e. coal reserves with a good minability. Unconventional (borehole in situ) coal mining enables us to mine difficult coal reserves, deposited under unfavourable geological conditions with higher economical and socio-ecological efficiency than that in conventional coal mining, in view of these the basic principles and concepts of coal mining and coal utilization for energy generation should be reconsidered taking into account the latest achievments in underground coal gasification/combustion, coalbed methane extraction, clean coat technology and advanced developments in environmental engineering. The authors have developed a new concept of ecologically clean and resource saving coal-gas electricity, protected by a patent of Russian Federation (1995). The main principles and technological features of these conceptual technologies are explained hereupon. It should be a break through into a coal mining technology of new generation, which is known as unconventional coal mining technology. Under current global energy policy, transection to the new generation of coal mining technology is inevitable. Now we are standing at the treshhold of the coat's regeneration based on integrated unconventional coal mining and innovative coal fueled electric generation technologies.

Feb 24, 1997

By T Haskell, Y Joe, S Dickie

A current trend amongst producers is the increase in dewatering of iron ore fines (<0.5 mm), due to an increase in wet beneficiation processes used to upgrade lower quality ore deposits, increased water content in orebodies located below the water table, and increasing focus on transportable moisture limits (TML). Vacuum filtration is commonly used for dewatering of iron ore fines, and as with all filtration processes performance decreases with particle size. Significant improvements are possible with the use of filter aids, usually anionic surfactants and flocculants. Anionic surfactants reduce the surface tension of the associated water, which is then removed more readily leading to improved filtercake moistures. Anionic flocculants used correctly can improve cake permeability, in turn, decreasing cake formation times and increasing filtration rates. In addition to increased throughput, savings and benefits for producers can include: moisture limit penalties, improved handleability, along with energy and water savings.The effect of filter aids on two iron ore fines samples from the Pilbara region were evaluated using a lab scale vacuum filtration unit. The first sample showed a reduction in the filtercake moisture content by 2.3 per cent weight/weight (w/w) with the use of BASF’s Drimax® 1234. For the second sample a reduction in the filtercake moisture of 3.4 per cent w/w along with an increase in filtration rate of 20 per cent was achieved by using a combination of Magnafloc® 5250 and Drimax® 1239 NF, as both filter throughput and cake moisture were considered important by site.CITATION:Haskell, T, Dickie, S and Joe, Y, 2017. The use of filter aids on iron ore fines, in Proceedings Iron Ore 2017, pp 183–186 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Jul 24, 2017

By Mokhinabonu Mardonova, Yosoon Choi

Open-source technology to support Industry 4.0 has become the target of academic research in many sectors. This study reviews the trends of open-source technology, its forms, and some industrial applications. As a case study of the use of open-source hardware and software in the mining industry, this study proposed a low-cost environmental monitoring system for nonmetallic underground mines to support mine safety and occupational health. The system was developed using open-source hardware, Arduino and 3D printer, to design the monitoring device, and open-source software, MIT App Inventor, to develop an Android application for smartphones to enable remote communication with the system. Field experiments were conducted at an underground tunnel and a nonmetallic underground mining site to assess the performance of the system in mobile and static modes, respectively. Although a few limitations related to the precision of the low-cost dust and gas sensors exist, the findings of the experiments show that the mining industry can benefit from open-source technology deployment when considering cost factors.