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By T. Rockley, J. Brune

"The mining of tabular deposits accounts for a significant portion of modern production in both underground hard rock and especially, soft rock mining. There is a large discrepancy between the availability of tabular reserves and the amount of development of these deposits, particularly when the deposit has a dip of around 25-50 degrees. This project studied the technical and practical barriers to the mining of these deposits through modern and historical case studies. The primary technical barriers to the development of these deposits are material movement and roof support. The study of historical attempts overcome these barriers and why they failed allowed us to research the possibility of implementing modern technology on previously unsuccessful methods. By modifying some common mining methods, some of these deposits can be mined at only a marginal increase in cost and using readily available equipment. These modified mining methods could make previously underdeveloped deposits to become viable. INTRODUCTION Tabular deposits are defined as orebodies that extend at least hundreds of meters along two dimensions, and a substantially smaller amount along another [1]. Moderately bedded tabular deposits are mined less often than their more horizontal counterparts due to the technical issues they present. These issues often cause lower productivity, higher cost, and more frequent accidents. Moderate dip is a less well defined term; but in this case, it will refer to any deposit which has a dip of at least 20°. This paper will focus on deposits that dip around 25°-50° and are deep enough to require underground excavation methods. These deposits are too steep for most conventional methods yet not steep enough for gravity fed methods to work efficiently. In some cases, this dip range is also referred to as intermediate or steeply dipping. The types of deposits most likely to fall into this category are sedimentary bedded deposits such as coal, trona, evaporates, placers, and other alluvial deposits. Some other types of deposits can fall into this category as well. These include some of the metal reefs such as the Bushveld Complex in South Africa, which was deposited by lava flows, but is tabular. Some areas have dips that fall into the moderately inclined category. There are also some metamorphic deposits such as slate or marble that can have dips of more than 20°. The dip angle of these deposits can cause several challenges. Ore movement becomes more difficult as the exceeds the limits of conventional conveyors, rubber-tired, or tracked vehicles. At the same time the dip is below the angle of repose of the material. This prevents gravity assisted haulage, as the ore and waste will not run downhill by itself. Another common problem in moderately inclined underground mines is roof support. The dip angle can increase the risk of pillar and support failure. This is due to slippage between rock layers, non-perpendicular support of the vertical stresses, and slippage of standing supports. The inclination leads to stresses that are not usually found in typical horizontally bedded deposits. These stresses may require larger pillars that may reduce ore recovery below profitable levels."

Jan 1, 2017

By Edmar de Souza Silva, Antonio Augusto Gorni, Emanuelle Garcia Reis, Daniel Bojikian Matsubara

Controlled rolling followed by accelerated cooling, known worldwide as TMCP, aims to increase mechanical properties without toughness deterioration. The process principle is to promote the plate cooling with water jets along the range of the austenite transformation temperatures. The accelerated cooling process is only fully effective when controlled in an integrated manner, as it alone cannot ensure significant improvements in the final properties of steels. Plate surface quality depends on some parameters that must be controlled before the start of the plate accelerated cooling. Good flatness is essential to avoid irregular water accumulations during cooling. After the reheating process, the slab should have uniform temperature, uniform austenitic grain size and easily removable scale. The slab thermal and microstructural heterogeneities are inherited by the rolled plate and tend to increase further during the accelerated cooling. This results in flatness problems, high level of internal stresses and mechanical property variations. The descaling strategy is an extremely important factor and must be determined with great caution. It is important that scale thickness and distribution is uniform to ensure homogeneous cooling over the entire plate surface. Otherwise, there will be an uneven temperature distribution, which can cause serious problems of flatness, surface quality and mechanical properties.

Oct 1, 2019

By Tim B. Vander Wood

Standard methods of determining clay mineral powder aspect ratios involve manual scanning electron microscopy analyses of shadowed particles in order to measure both platelet thickness and diameter. We present a method whereby the diameters of platelets are quickly determined by automated scanning electron microscopy and their images are recorded and digitally transferred to a transmission electron microscope equipped for parallel electron energy loss spectroscopy. Thickness' of platelets whose diameters are known from the previous analyses are determined by measurement of the ratio of scattered and unscattered electrons in the beam after it has been transmitted through the platelet.

Jan 1, 1995

By R. W. Bartlett

The extensive central Idaho black sand placer deposits are a potential source of rare earth elements, particularly the heavy rare earth elements that are not prevalent in commercial bastnasite deposits. These placers derive from the Idaho batholith. The geology, occurrence, and extent of these deposits are reviewed and the diverse mineral assemblages and complex mineral chemical compositions of these sands are described. Niobium, yttrium and thorium are also present in significant concentrations. The results of prior mining practice, including concentration and separation of the heavy minerals are reviewed. Technical approaches to extraction of rare earths from Idaho black sand concentrates are discussed.

Jan 1, 1992

By Ron F. Schritt

Over the many years since the development of the steam powered shovel, various powering and control techniques have been employed for the various shovel functions. While volumes have been published on this subject, this paper will be limited to a very brief discus-sion of one of the latest of these and its application to a unique machine. The evaluation of the subject machine is far beyond the scope of this discussion, which will be limited to the techniques and equipment employed, and the considerations involved in their choice. The basic requirements for any power and associated control system for any power shovel function have remained relatively un-changed over the years. To the extent possible, such an equipment grouping must be: Easy to install during fabrication Easy to maintain and repair by available personnel Life cycle cost competitive Adequately reliable Adequately responsive And as may be expected these factors are arranged in various orders of priority by different manufacturers and users. All the various time honored approaches have to some extent fulfilled these require-ments but were discarded or fell into disuse when more effective approaches were developed. The latest in this long line of develop-ments and perhaps the most promising is that of electro-hydraulic controls and hydraulic drive.

Jan 1, 1977

By Giorgio De Tomi, Rondinelli Sousa

Whilst all public mineral reporting codes require classification of mineral resource and reserves according to the level of geological knowledge and confidence of the estimates, companies are not required to disclose how mineral estimates and associated cashflow projections respond probabilistically to the incorporation of different types of risk events. As the level of expectations and scrutiny of investors and stakeholders continue to increase over the years, it will be essential for companies to adopt an integrated framework for sensitivity analysis to increase corporate value through better capital allocation and reduce potential losses associated with poor investment decisions. Failure in fully capturing the impact of unexpected incidents in mineral estimates and financial modeling could be extremely harmful to the business, affecting the company’s reputation, and negatively impacting the relationship with stakeholders.

Feb 22, 2026

By R. R. Wells

This report summarizes the results of preliminary mineral-dressing studies by the Bureau of Mines on five samples of copper-bearing ore from various Alaska de-posits. The work on each sample was not extensive enough to warrant individual publication. The results, however, indicate the possibilities and limitations of concentration of the respective ores. The information therefore may be helpful in future development of these ore bodies. Four of the five samples tested were submitted to the laboratory by engineers of the Bureau of Mines as part of the examinations and survey investigations of strategic-mineral deposits in Alaska. This program is conducted to assist development of mineral resources in the Territory and particularly to aid economic exploitation of marginal or complex ores. The fifth sample was submitted by engineers of the Defense Minerals Exploration Administration.

Jan 1, 1956

By Sharon L. Eyer

"FTIR spectroscopy is employed to define mineable ore deposits based on exploration samples. The RAMBO (Robotic Assessment of Mineable Bauxite Ore) technology is operating successfully at an alumina refinery in K winana, Australia, for assessment of a number of critical ore attributes including available alumina, extractable organic carbon and total iron. Classical methods of analyses for these properties require laboratory-scale digestion of alumina ore (bauxite) or XRF analyses.Multivariate calibration is used in the RAMBO system to generate robust mathematical models that are able to estimate classical data from FTIR spectral data. Furthermore the models can highlight regions of ore that are relatively unusual. Unusual ore may be investigated for potential impacts on refinery processes well in advance of mining.The components of the technology are described and some results for an example application (bauxite) are presented. Challenges and difficulties are discussed. The potential to apply the technique to process control is introduced."

Jan 1, 1999

By Konrad Krimpelstätter

The need for more effective and flexible roll-gap lubrication technologies in hot and cold rolling mills is steadily increasing due to ever-greater requirements placed on the rolling process and the final products. In particular, the rolling of high-strength steels poses enormous demands for both the rolling mill and the coolant/lubricant to be used. The presented paper focuses on two innovative technologies for highly efficient roll-gap lubrication for hot and cold rolling, which were developed utilizing extensive knowledge and expertise about the tribological interactions in the roll-gap. The advanced work-roll lubrication package (A-WRL) for hot rolling and ESP mills is using specially designed mixer-nozzle units to mix the water/oil emulsion very close to the nozzles to minimize the risk for contamination and clogging. The nozzles are quickly exchangeable and are optimized to ensure uniform lubricant distribution, high plateout efficiency and minimum oil consumption. This eco-friendly solution does not require any chemical additives or cleaning agents and significantly reduces electrical energy consumption and work-roll wear. The roll cooling system on mill entry and exit side remains switched-on, which is of vital importance especially for highperformance hot strip mills. Minimum Quantity Lubrication MQL® represents a new generation of roll-gap lubrication technologies for cold rolling, which applies minimum amounts of pure rolling oil finely atomized with pressurized air directly onto the work roll surface. This allows controlling the oil film thickness depending on actual process and product parameters, providing increased lubrication flexibility, significant improvement of strip surface cleanliness through reduction of strip wear. MQL® was successfully installed and tested on two industrial tandem cold rolling mills in Europe. Advanced WRL and MQL® represent Primetals’ latest technologies that feature a robust and reliable system comprising standardized interfaces and flexible communication options. Both packages can easily be integrated into existing or new hot strip mills, ESP lines or cold mills.

Aug 17, 2017

By G. R. Addie

While the cost of transporting raw phosphate matrix from a pit to a processing plant via slurry pipelines is more efficient than it could be by rail cars, conventional trucks or belt conveyors, it still amounts to many millions of dollars, and in many areas there still exists much room for improvement. By taking advantage of pipeline test data on different slurries, it is possible to reduce costs by optimizing pipeline diameters, operating velocities and slurry concentrations. Better wearing, more efficient pump designs are now available which, if applied correctly, can lead to significant savings. The authors discuss what benefits are possible in relation to the electrical operating and wear maintenance costs and go into some of the factors associated with taking advantage of these benefits, identifying what they see as being practically possible.

Jan 1, 1998

By Kaustubh Joshi, Pradip, Beena Rai, Kesri L. Menaria, Venugopal Tammishetti

"Beneficiation of alumina rich iron ore slimes is a major challenge for the Indian iron ore industry. High alumina is deleterious for the performance of both blast furnace as well as sintering plants. Slimes generally contain 5 - 10% alumina, and hence despite assaying as high as 60% Fe, those are dumped in tailing ponds. The slimes are typically less than 37 microns. Selective flocculation of iron ore slimes using highly selective reagents is thus an option worth exploring. Our research is directed at employing state-of-the-art molecular modeling techniques for the selection/design of selective reagents for this separation. We have earlier reported our results on starch as a selective flocculant for iron ore slimes. In this paper, we present our results on the selective dispersion-flocculation of natural iron ore slimes using guar gum flocculant. With careful selection of various process parameters such as flocculant dosage, dispersant dosage, pH and settling time, we were able to obtain a concentrate assaying >66% Fe and <3.5% Al2O3 with an yield of 65 to 68% (recovery of iron values more than 70%) from a natural iron ore slime sample assaying 58% Fe and 7% Al2O3."

Jan 1, 2014

Simulation has established itself as an accepted tool for the design and optimization of complex minerals processing plants. This paper addresses the use of simulation as a tool for the design and optimization of carbon-in-pulp and carbon-in-leach (CIP/CIL) plants. The complex, interactive nature of CIP/CIL plants makes detailed experimentation an expensive and time consuming approach to CIP/CIL plant design and/or optimization. This paper discusses a simulation-based software tool that can make the process of CIP/CIL plant design and/or optimization much more cost effective. Many of the issues and problems pertaining to the use of simulation for CIP/CIL design and operation are generic. Thus, this paper also attempts to highlight generic issues that must be solved before simulation will become a more widely used design and optimization tool. Requirements for the application of simulation for CIP/CIL plant design and optimization are highlighted. Similar problems and issues can be identified for most mineral processing plants.

Jan 1, 1994

By Phil Shelton

What exactly does clean coal mean? Mining coal creates dust and releases methane gas. And burning coal liberates CO2 and emits particulates, including SO2 and NOx. Coal creates wastes that are often stored in unsightly and potentially dangerous slag heaps and lagoons. When clean coal technology is discussed, it sometimes seems that creating modern or ?ultra super critical? coal-fired power stations is presented as the main or even the only answer. However, there may be a more holistic approach. Using the energy potential of coal is always going to have environmental impacts. Some of these will be negative. But the need to secure future energy resources demands that society tackle these negative issues and find ways to minimize and offset them.

Jan 1, 2010

By Hyun. I. Park

Although numerous investigations have been performed over the years to predict the behavior and bearing capacity of piles, the mechanisms of these behavior and bearing capacity of piles have yet to be entirely understood. Bearing capacity is difficult to predict, because it is affected by many parameters, which have complex relationship with each other. The present paper describes the application of Artificial Neural Network (ANN) in dynamic load tests to predict the resistance of driven piles. The tip, shaft, and total pile resistances can be predicted only for piles with available corresponding measurements of these values. The design methodology composed of ANN and genetic algorithm (GA) is applied to find the optimal neural network model to predict pile resistance. The results of this study indicate that the neural network model serves as a reliable and simple tool for predicting the capacity of driven piles.

Jan 1, 2006

By R. T. Jones

"SynopsisScientific progress relies on the publication of ideas and experimental results that can be replicated, tested, and improved over time. The first printed book on metallurgy to have been published in Europe is considered to be De la Pirotechnia, written in Italian by Vannoccio Biringuccio, and published in Venice in 1540. Together with De Re Metallica, written by Georgius Agricola and published in Latin in 1556, this can be considered to mark the start of scientific and technical literature in this field. Scientific publishing of journal papers has been in existence for 350 years, since the world&apos;s oldest and longest-running scientific journal, the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society, was first published in London in 1665.The nature of scientific societies has changed significantly since the early days when regular meetings were held to discuss science and conduct experiments, and the reading of scientific papers took place, and publication of papers was undertaken to record the proceedings of meetings, often including rather robust debate. In today’s world, there is a plethora of publications, and it is close to impossible for anyone to keep up with the vast flow of information. International conferences with hundreds of presentations have taken the place of the local meetings that used to discuss a single paper or experiment. In this frenetic environment, it is essential that researchers are able to trust the material they read.The system of peer review is used to maintain standards and to improve the quality of papers. This vital system is, however, significantly flawed. There is little incentive for reviewers to invest sufficient time in picking up all errors in publications, and any ineptitude on their part is usually protected by anonymity. It has reached the point where some reviewers have mistakenly permitted the publication of hoax papers deliberately presented with a complicated scientific facade. In light of such astounding inadequacies, perhaps a more open review process would be an improvement. Electronic publishing allows errata to be linked to the original papers.There is an increasing trend towards open access for papers in scientific journals and conference proceedings, which helps to reach as wide an audience as possible. This also supports the statement in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which says ‘everyone has the right freely to … share in scientific advancement and its benefits’."

Jan 1, 2015

By W. A. Gow, H. H. McGreedy

It is believed that many of the problems encountered in the operation of gold cyanidation plants are difficult to resolve due to the lack of sufficient and reliable in-formation regarding the variations and actual values of operating variables at any given time. The application of instruments to monitor the more important variables in the cyanidation process should result in more efficient plant operation and a better understanding of the process. The use of pH and conductivity sensing devices for alkalinity measurements, a monitor to determine the dissolved oxygen content of plant solutions, a continuous cyanide titrator and sonic control of grinding circuits are discussed. Although the discussion is oriented toward the cyanide process, much of the paper is applicable to other ore treatment operations.

Jan 1, 1966

By A. C. Atenas

The majority of refineries that operate with traditional starting sheet technology ?starting sheet- uses a relatively low current density of 250 A/m2. Industrial tests at high current density with conventional technology were carried out in Refinery of Potrerillos, getting satisfactory results that are similar the results obtained with permanent cathode technology. The series of copper refining electrolyses electrolysis trials were carried out between 300 to 325 A/m2. Electrolysis conditions, in accordance with industrial practice, were kept constant in all sets of experiments and were as follows; 45 g/L Cu 2+, 210 g/L H2SO4, 62 °C, electrolyte circulation of 14-18 L/min. The same Dosing dosing of Additives additives used in permanent cathode technology was required in these tests. In general, only not importantminor operational modifications were necessary in comparison to normal practice in the Refinery to assure the good results. Different quality of starting sheet and anodes were examined. The test included starting sheets from smelter and laminated process. Results indicate that the charge physical quality of the electrodes and the control of the process during the two first days of operation are the keys to get the best results.

Jan 1, 2007

It is desired to call the attention of young men who have had technical training and experience to the fact that their abilities can best be put at the service of the country by selecting a branch of service in which their special qualifications will be of the greatest use. The submarine force of the United States Navy requires the services, as officers on board submarines, of young men who have had technical training in mechanical and electrical engineering and who have had experience in these professions. It is intended to enroll a number of such men as provisional ensigns in the Naval Reserve Force, give then a course of instruction in deck duties at Annapolis and a course in submarine work at New London. Those who successfully pass these courses will then be sent on hoard submarines for regular duty. It is requested that any men who desire this duty and who are qualified as below outlined send their names and addresses to the Commander Submarine Force, U. S. S. Chicago, care of Postmaster, New York. Qualifications required: Desire to serve in submarines. Degree of M. E. E. E., or E. M. Two and one-half years&apos; practical experience in profession. Not over 35 years old. Physically strong and sound.

Jan 7, 1918

By A. J. Burger, F. L. D. Cloete

Tests indicated that effective recovery of pyrite from a coarse Witwatersrand quartzitic ore can be accomplished by intensified flotation in an air-sparged hydrocyclone. Air is fed through the porous cylindrical wall of the hydrocyclone into a swirling layer of slury. Hydrophobic particles are attached selectively to small air bubbles, which form a froth and are recovered through the overflow. Hydrophilic particles pass out in the underflow. A spigot in which flow is restricted by an orifice was found to be more successful in preventing blockage by wood chips than an annular opening between a pedestal and the cylinder wall. Pyrite recoveries of 85 to 93 per cent at grades of 35 to 40 per cent sulphur were obtained in the air-sparged hydroclone with residence times of about 1 second. Comparative tests in a batch flotation cell after 320 seconds yielded average recoveries of up to 96 per cent, but with a mean grade of 32,5 per cent sulphur. A high colector dosage of 120 g/t was required in the cyclone, compared with the 40 gft used in conventional operations. An air flowrate of about 150 I/min was adequate at a slury feed rate of 35l/min. Particle sizes between 38 and 106µm yielded the best flotation results.

Jan 1, 1988

By Thomas J. O’Neil

From the time of its emergence as an independent state until the late 1950&apos;s, the Republic of Ireland suffered from chronic unemployment, the lowest living standard in Northern Europe, and-most serious of all-an aggravated emigration problem which drained off most of its talented young people. In 1958, however, there was a drastic legislative reaction to these problems, and this in turn ignited the current mining boom in Ireland. Paving the Way to Prosperity In order to reverse the tide of emigration, the Irish government now realized, challenging domestic employment opportunities had to be increased and living standards had to be raised. It was also apparent that future industrial and economic growth in Ireland had to be based on producing goods for export. The home market could not sustain large-scale expansion, and consequently Ireland&apos;s chronic balance-of-payments deficit could best be minimized by producing export goods. These considerations, together with the limited amount of accumulated wealth in Ireland, combined to set the objectives of the country&apos;s First Program for Economic Expansion in 1958. The general objectives of this program were (1) to stimulate all segments of the economy, (2) to develop foreign trade and (3) to attract foreign capital.

Jan 1, 1970