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By W. P. Arnott, P. Nascimento, X. L. Wang, K. C. Kocsis, S. J. Taylor, H. Firouzkouhi

We report the first spectral photoacoustic measurements of silica, coal, and kaolinite dust absorption coefficients from 11 to 13 μm at 5 nm resolution made with a tunable quantum cascade laser. This is important because airborne silica dust and coal dust within mining environments continue to be a problem for mine workers and staff due to their severe health effects on the respiratory system, while other dust types are potentially interferents to their detection. Our real-time spectra compare favorably with the non-real-time filter-based Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR) spectra obtained using the sampling system developed by NIOSH for their end-of-shift method to determine silica dust concentrations using a portable FTIR. We discuss our new dust generation system and instrument testing chamber. We also show that our PM4 silica mass concentration measurements by a low-cost air quality sensor (SPS30) are in good agreement with the TSI Aerosol Particle Sizer instrument, the NIOSH end of shift method, gravimetric mass, and correlate well with photoacoustic light absorption measurements at a wavelength where silica absorbs strongly.

Aug 20, 2022

By V. A. Myazin, M. V. Korneykova, A. V. Svetlov, V. G. Minenko, D. V. Makarov, A. L. Samusev

The paper discusses the treatment problem of mine (waste) water for enterprises of the Russian Arctic. The wide range of relevant pollutants, financial resources, the availability of land for the construction of a treatment plant, waste generated during the treatment process are some of the factors controlling current and future process design solutions. All mining operations have adopted water treatment and water quality monitoring solutions, however there is no single approach to the problem and each industry participant operates within the scope of its available resources. The range of existing and emerging methods is extensive — from using constructed wetlands for the deposition of mineral nitrogen compounds in settling ponds, reagent deposition and chemical coagulation in exhausted mine workings, and filtering dams on the surface to retrofitting existing mine drainage treatment plants with the adoption of the electrochemical coagulation process. Methods of wastewater treatment from heavy metals, oil products, and nitrogen compounds are demonstrated in the example of two industrial facilities in the Murmansk region. It was found that the use of electrochemical coagulation provides effective treatment of mine water from NO3, NO2, Ni, Fetotal and petroleum hydrocarbons (the degree of purification from 50.5-99.7%), the use of phytotreatment system provides wastewater treatment from ammonium ions and nitrite ions by 53-84%, nitrate ions - by 22%. Keywords: Industrial water treatment, treatment flowcharts, settling ponds, constructed wetlands, reagent sedimentation, chemical coagulation, electrochemical coagulation

Jan 1, 2020

By A. W. Ambrose

"Those having an intimate knowledge of the relation between production and consumption of crude oil in the United States have realized for some time that production will not be able to keep pace with consumption. The American public has had this called forcibly to its attention by the increased prices of gasoline and crude oil, and by the recent shortage of gasoline on the Pacific Coast. In substance, each year we are consuming millions of barrels of oil more than we produce, and this deficit must be made to by importations. A careful analysis of the situation makes it evident that we need every barrel of oil that can be produced.Need for the Petroleum Production Engineer.Under present production practices perhaps 80% of the oil still remains in the sand. (See Lewis, J.O., Methods for increasing the recovery from oil sands, U. S. Bureau of Mines, Bulletin 148 p. 8.) Many wells are making water, and even whole pools are being flooded. The burning of fuels under field boilers is not generally efficient, and often gas is not made to do its full duty in bringing the oil to the well.In the past the producer has had to combat these and other problems single-handed. He has been too busy to give them special attention, and he has had little competent engineering advice. Oil, gas, and water occur underground according to certain natural laws. Undoubtedly an engineer, who is familiar with production practices and understands the fundamentals of the accumulation of oil and gas, can be of service to the producer by specializing on certain problems with a view of getting mare oil from the sand. In every other enterprise of similar magnitude the engineer is regarded as a necessary unit to its operation, and he should be so in the production of oil. His field of work should extend to every phase of production in which science and engineering and geology"

Sep 1, 1920

By Lewis M. McNay

The Bureau of Hines and industry (mining and private) have studied the placement of hydraulic sandfill in deep-vein mines to identify existing problems and to develop techniques to strengthen the support characteristics of the sandfill. The hydraulic sandfill system, physical properties of typical classified mill tailings, and properties of sandfill modified by various techniques are discussed. Computer analysis has defined the support capability of various sandfills using actual mine field data as a reference base. High-modulus sandfill can provide adequate support in deep-vein mines to alleviate rock and pillar stresses and to reduce rock-burst incidence.

Jan 1, 1975

By C. Stollberg

The recovery of valuable materials from electronic waste is of growing importance for the re-source management not only in the industrialized nations. Being a significant step in an innovative automated process for recycling of metals and plastics from used electric and electronic equipment, the results of the work introduced below, prove the applicability of microbial leaching of metals from printed circuit boards (PCBs) at industrial scale. Within the first project step, which started in March 2005, experiments in shaking flasks with a mixed culture of chemolitotrophic bacteria (mainly Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans and Leptospirillum ferrooxidans) were carried out to study the solubilization of non-ferrous metals present in the electronic waste. It was found that the best results were achieved by means of a two-stage process in which leaching of these metals was carried out by acidified ferric sulphate solutions generated as a result of the prior bacterial oxidation of ferrous ions to the ferric state. Special reactor systems for bacterial generation of such solutions and for the subsequent leaching of non-ferrous metals from the waste were developed, constructed and tested under laboratory and pilot scale conditions. The optimum technological parameters such as concentration of iron ions, pH-value, temperature and presence of nutrients were established for both reactor systems. Parameters such as particle size, pulp density and flow rate of the suspensions being leached were established for the leaching process carried out under continuous-flow conditions. The complex flow sheet reflects a highly efficient technology on the basis of metal recovery, environmental effect and economical acceptance. The process was successfully implemented into an industrial demonstration unit.

Jan 1, 2014

By James R. Walpole

Less than 100 years ago the first major federal regulatory agency, the Interstate Commerce Commission was established (in 1887), and since that time literally hundreds of other federal agencies have been created. The regulations set by these agencies tremendously affect the individual citizens of this country as well as U.S. institutions. A few examples of the myriad agencies established include the Food and Drug Administration. (1907), the Bureau of Mines (1910), the Federal Reserve System (1913), the Federal Trade Commission (1914), the Tennessee Valley Authority (1933), the Securities and Exchange Commission (1934), the National Labor Relations Board (1935), the Small Business Administration (1953), the Federal Maritime Commission (1961), the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (1965), the Farm Credit Administration (1971), etc., etc. Eight years ago, on December 2, 1970, still another federal agency was established by the reorganization plan of President Nixon -- the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The Administrator of EPA was given authority to regulate certain activities affecting the environ-ment, which were formerly within the jurisdiction of the Department of Interior, the Department of Health, Education and Welfare, the Federal Radiation Council, the Atomic Energy Commission, the Department of Agriculture, etc. Within weeks after the formation of this Agency, Congress began to enact legislation which would be administered by EPA. Over the last eight years a considerable number of such laws have been passed, a few of which include: the Clean Air Act (1970), the Noise Control Act (1972), the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (1972), the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act (1972), the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (1973), the Safe Drinking Water Act (1974), the Toxic Substances Control Act (1976), the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (1976), the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1977, etc. It may be helpful to review, in a summary fashion, the major provisions in some of these statutes, and accompanying regulations, as they relate to water quality control in the mining industry. The Safe Drinking Water Act and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act contain provisions to be examined, as well as the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and the Toxic Substances Control Act. One other law, the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (1977), is not administered by EPA although it does contain many provisions related to environmental control, and it will also be dis-cussed because of its importance to the mining community.

Jan 1, 1978

By B. Rivard, D. Francis

A layered Archean magma chamber is exposed at the base of the Yasinski segment of the La Grande greenstone belt. This intrusive complex lies beneath a sequence of mafic volcanics and is underlain by granitoid basement which is crosscut by a swarm of gabbroic dykes. The gabbros of both this complex and the dyke swarm of gabbroic dykes. The gabbros of both this complex and the dyke swarm define a pronounced Fe-enrichment trend. The volcanic patterns of the La Grande and Eas tmain greens tone belts, however, define a series of iron depletion trends which originate in the iron enrichment trend of the gabbroic intrusives. These patterns suggest that the gabbros produced in the intrusive complex may serve as parental liquids for some of the lava suites of the James Bay greens tone belts.

Jan 1, 1984

By G. H. Blackwell

Open pit mine management must ensure that sufficient trucks are available and are being used effectively for production, and that operating costs are under continued control and review for improvements. This paper describes methods for estimating truck fleet requirements which have been used effectively at large- and medium-sized open pit mining operations. Applied to commonly available data, multiple regression analyses can indicate when mine plans should be revised toward optimizing the number of trucks required. Prediction of major cost items for budgetary purposes is addressed, along with an example of how readily available production data can be used to reduce costs systematically.

Jan 1, 1999

A mining operation can be identified as demonstrating prudent management when a number of vital characteristics are evident.All risks and opportunities that are critical to the on-going success of the operation have been identified and are being effectively managed. All significant tasks and events are plan driven. All levels of management visibly support the policies of the operation through their attitude, behaviour and actions as well as words. Supporting evidence for required activity and the outcomes is readily available. Improvement mechanisms are working to advance the key business processes. Everyone is working towards satisfying the needs of the stakeholders of the operation. When these characteristics are integrated with the satisfaction of all legislative requirements, all industry codes and optionally all relevant international management system standards then an operation is fulfilling all the requirements of a Due Diligence Process. The majority of mining operations do not show all of these characteristics and therefore unnecessarily suffer from missed profit opportunity and constant cost pressure, less than acceptable safety and health and environmental performance and consequent poor relations with employees, unions and regulators. In these operations the characteristics to be observed are quite different.Serious incidents are occurring with no sign of a rate decrease. The operation lurches from one panic ituation to another. Management are absent in their leadership, but very active in developing rules and enforcement methodologies. The operation has no history. Re-inventing the wheel with employees who come and go at an alarming rate seems to be forever occurring. All efforts are directed at controlling the business outputs with a strong emphasis on blame. Everyone is trying to look busy to avoid the ever-present cost reduction threats. To change to more prudent management utilising a Due Diligence Process is not theoretically difficult. However it does take clear direction, focussed efforts, supporting actions with appropriate tools and perhaps most importantly an internal desire and drive to become such an operation. A Due Diligence Process is about doing the important things that have to be done, providing the understanding of why they are important, demonstrating proof of activity and effectiveness, and leading the way through effective management.

Jan 1, 1998

By M. E. Volin

Reagent control for optimum concentrate yield was studied by laboratory batch flotation tests simulating the Groveland plant flotation circuit in which a rougher concentrate is cleaned twice. The reagents were a fatty acid collector, a sulphonate collector and sulphuric acid. The study included two types of flotation feed representative of the reground and deslimed tailing from the spiral concentration circuit, one when the ore mineral is predominantly specularite and the other when it is magnetite. The factorial design included three levels of fatty acid, five levels of sulphonate and five levels of H2S04, with the two types of ore in nested blocks, making up a total of 75 tests. Similarity of results and reproducibility were established in preliminary tests. The final tests were performed in random order under closely controlled conditions following the established procedure.

Jan 1, 1965

By Sean Gallagher

This report was written in an effort to provide better control measures for low back pain (LBP) and low back disability in the mining industry. There are numerous factors associated with development of LBP, many of which can be effectively controlled while some cannot. Better job design is promoted as the best method of reducing cases of LBP and can also reduce the disability (i.e., lost time from work) associated with LBP when it happens. The report draws attention to what is currently known about LBP, what the causes are thought to be, and discusses recent back injury trends in the mining industry. Research describing unique physical demands in mining, such as the capabilities and limitations of working in awkward postures, is also presented. Methods that can be used to prevent initial LBP episodes are provided, including facilities design and layout for materials and supplies, use of mechanical-assist devices, improved design of lifting tasks, and better seat design. Methods of reducing the disability associated with LBP (including workplace design, proactive return-to-work efforts, communication, and management commitment) are also discussed. The report concludes that control of LBP and disability in mining requires a comprehensive approach to limit the repetitive loading that can occur on the low back due to manual materials-handling tasks and exposure to whole-body vibration (WBV). Specific recommendations include the following: ? Successful LBP prevention efforts require a proactive program that has strong management commitment and incorporates employee involvement. ? More efficient supply handling systems and use of mechanical-assist devices can greatly reduce exposure to hazardous lifting tasks. ? Lifting tasks should be designed to minimize low back stress. Tools to evaluate and redesign lifting tasks are presented. ? Improved seat design can reduce exposure to WBV and improve posture, leading to reduced LBP risk. ? The disability associated with LBP can be reduced. Getting the worker back on the job as quickly as possible is in the interest of everyone involved.

Sep 1, 2008

By W. Joseph Schlitt, William D. Southard, Bruce P. Ream, Lawrence J. Haug

The operation of Kennecott's Bingham Canyon copper precipitation plant, one of the world's largest, is described. This description includes a brief historical review of precipitation at Bingham and the general layout and operation of the present cone cementation facility. Current practices are based on results of studies undertaken to define improvements needed in each unit operation. These improvements were required to meet changing plant conditions and were implemented primarily within the constraints of the existing facilities. Specific unit operations included were the cone precipitators, the cone discharge thickener, the cone effluent settling basins, and the plate and frame filter presses. As a result of these improvements, loss of precipitated copper decreased and the degree of precipitation increased, raising copper recovery by 9 t/d. At the same time, iron consumption was reduced by 22.5 t/d. Problems in drying the cement copper were also overcome so that a product containing 12 - 15% moisture could be consistently delivered for smelting.

Jan 6, 1979

By William D. Southard, Joseph W. Schlitt, Bruce P. Ream, Lawrence J. Haug

The operation of Kennecott 's Bingham Canyon copper precipitation plant, one of the world's largest, is described. This description includes a brief historical review of precipitation at Bingham and the general layout and operation of the present cone cementation facility. Current practices are based on results of studies undertaken to define improvements needed in each unit operation. These improvements were required to meet changing plant conditions and were implemented primarily within the constraints of the existing facilities. Specific unit operations included were the cone precipitators, the cone discharge thickener, the cone effluent settling basins, and the plate and frame filter presses. As a result of these improvements, loss of precipitated copper decreased and the degree of precipitation increased, raising copper recovery by 9 t/d. At the same time, iron consumption was reduced by 22.5 t/d. Problems in drying the cement copper were also overcome so that a product containing 12-15% moisture could be consistently delivered for smelting.

Jan 1, 1980

By E. H. Ahrens

This paper deals with the daily work of operating geologists and should be of interest to recent graduates. Working with development and production is quite different from exploration and many of the required skills and techniques must be learned on the job. Try to obtain your first position at a mine where good geological work is being done because it is important that you establish a solid foundation by learning valid techniques. Many do not! Those who desire to work in exploration are well advised to spend the initial two or three years at an operating mine where they will deal daily with an orebody during development and mining. Attempt to understand the controls of ore deposition and be interested in all phases of the operation. Learn something about factors which can adversely affect profitability and you will be a better explorationist.

Jan 1, 1983

By Vhutali Carol Madanda, FHATUWANI SENGANI, François Mulenga

The first introduction of fuzzy theory in the nineteenth century created room for continuous research and application in various fields. Fuzzy set theory has been globally applied in geotechnical engineering, and research in this field continues to date. The fuzzy inference system is considered to be one of the most popular techniques adopted to resolve some of the geomechanical challenges faced in both surface and underground excavations. This paper unpacks fuzzy theory-based approaches in mine geomechanics with the aim of expanding the innovative application of the same approach specifically in tunnel geomechanics. This aim was achieved by conducting a review of recent successful and unsuccessful applications of fuzzy inference systems in underground excavations/tunnelling geomechanics. Indeed, this review has outlined some cardinal points associated with the ability of the technique to solve complex geomechanics problems. However, the success of the technique was accompanied by a few limitations associated with the methodology. Finally, a future outlook associated with the technique has been established.

May 15, 2023

By E Rubio, N Morales

Currently, mine plans are optimised by using several criteria as objective functions, like profit, life-of-mine, concentration of some pollutants, mining costs, confidence level or ore resources, with consideration of constraints related to production rates, plant capacities and grades. Whilst this approach is successful in terms of producing high value production schedules, it uses a static opening sequence of the drawpoints and therefore the optimisation is made within the level of freedom left by the original opening schedule, and as a result it is far from the true optimal value of the project. This paper presents a model to optimise the sequence of drawpoint opening over a given time horizon. The emphasis is in the precedence constraints that are required to produce meaningful operational sequences considering the exploitation method (panel or block caving), physics considerations and logical rules. Further on, while it applies the standard approach of maximising net present value (NPV), it considers other targets for optimisation, like the robustness and constructability of the plans. Finally, it applies the model to real data to obtain feasible plans by means of this model. The first tests were done varying the production capacity of the mine.

Sep 26, 2011

By Robert D. Thomson

The Bureau of Mines has compiled coal reserve data for the United States as of January I, 1974, for bituminous and anthracite coalbeds 28 inches or more in thickness to a maximum depth of 1,000 feet and for Lignite beds 40 inches thick or greater. These data were organized by State, county, coalbed, and rank. To evaluate the reserve by sulfur content, the reserve and analytical data from the Bureau of Mines energy data bank were synthesized using computer techniques. The reserve base in the Eastern States was determined to be 202.3 billion tons. Bituminous coal accounts for the greatest reserve base: 161.5 billion tons of deep-minable coal, and 32.5 billion tons of strip-minable coal. Virtually all of the anthracite reserve base, 7.3 billion tons, is minable by underground methods. All of the lignite, 1 billion tons, is strip minable. Subbituminous coal is not significant in the Eastern United States, About 14 percent of the bituminous coal reserve base, 26.5 billion tons, contains 1.0 percent or less sulfur. About 87 percent of the anthracite reserve base, 6.3 billion tons, is low-sulfur coal.

Jan 1, 1975

By Thomas Curtin

The Bureau of Mines, in its researches aimed to prevent wastes and to increase efficiency in oil-well practice, has investigated the matter of casing troubles and fishing methods. The results of the investigation are set forth in this paper. After expensive development work, many wells being drilled for oil have been abandoned because of casing troubles. These troubles in many instances have been thought to be insurmountable, whereas they are sometimes susceptible of solution. In fields_ where casing difficulties are of daily occurrence, methods have been evolved for combating them. Were these methods more widely known and applied wherever the same conditions exist, the oil industry at large would be greatly benefited. This report attempts to classify these troubles and suggests solutions that will save the operator discouragement and expense. It is assumed throughout this paper that the reader is so familiar with the ordinary oil-well drilling and fishing methods that detailed explanation is unnecessary. The well-drilling terms that are used herein will be readily understood by those for whom this discussion is intended. However, in order to avoid confusion as to the sense in which some of these terms are applied, definitions &re included.

Jan 1, 1920

By Ziyuan Liu, Xun Zhang, Yan Wei, Hang Qiu, Shaomin Lei, Yubiao Li, Yu Meng, Min Lin, Bin Liu

High-purity quartz (SiO2) is an important material widely used in many industries, including semiconductor technology, telecommunication, and optics. The content and distribution of impurities in quartz significantly affect the processing methods. This paper provides an insightful review on the processing of high-purity quartz, covering the analytical techniques, separation methods, and the critical procedures used to assess the quality of quartz ore. More importantly, the critical review of the thermal phase transition separation method for fine-grained mineral inclusions, micron-grade fluid inclusions, and lattice-bound trace elements is notably opened for the first time. It is proposed that the research field as a monopolized industry would benefit by expounding the critical problems that occur during the preparation of high-purity quartz.

Jun 22, 2020

By J. Fraser Forbes

"The meaning of the term ""process control"" has evolved significantly since its widespread use began in the manufacturing industries in the 1940s. Further, the scope of process control applications has drastically increased both in terms of the breadth of industries using process automation technologies and the vertical integration of these technologies within a single industry. This evolution and integration of process control technologies within the manufacturing industries has proceeded to such an extent that process automation is an integral part of modern business practices.This paper will examine the current status of process control technology from simple process regulation through process performance optimization to business planning. Each layer of the operations automation hierarchy will be discussed both in. terms of the current state-of-the-art and the directions in which these technologies are evolving. The key tools and tasks necessary for success at every level of the automation hierarchy will be introduced. Finally, the critical challenges that must be faced in accomplishing the goal of complete Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) will be described.Finally, although this paper addresses issues of practical importance to any manufacturing company, the discussions will be framed in terms of the particular challenges facing and the opportunities available within the materials manufacturing industries."

Jan 1, 2000