Search Documents

By C. Tom Blevins

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN : This presentation is to discuss production and roof control problems associated with directional lateral stresses in an in situ stress field and the approach that Inland Steel Coal Company made in trying to cope with them. Before proceeding, a brief description of the mine location, product, geology, restraints, and mine history is in order.

Jan 1, 1982

By M. W. Grabinsky, B. D. Thompson

ABSTRACT: Use of cemented paste backfill (CPB) offers economic and environmental advantages over other backfill methods. However, many operations have limited knowledge of how their CPB behaves in situ. Therefore, to avoid over-pressuring containment barricades, backfilling strategies necessarily tend to be conservative. In situ monitoring at Barrick Gold Corporation’s Williams Mine and Inmet Mining Corporation’s Cayeli Mine has been conducted and factors controlling barricade pressures are demonstrated, including rise rates, binder content, stope geometry, and tailings properties. The application of barricade pressure monitoring on a stope-by-stope basis can increase backfilling efficiency and, thus, reduce stope cycle times, while maintaining optimal safety.

Jan 1, 2011

By W. H. C. SIMMONDS

The mining, metallurgical, and petroleum industries can be viewed as financial or as social institutions or both. The differences between these two conceptions of their businesses will influence their environmental 'and social actions. During the next 10-20 years western industry will be subject to a drop in the growth of a more highly educated labour force and to the emergence of holistic economics, new national goals, and a new ecological perspective. The profitability of the mining industry may therefore be influenced by the human side of its business to a greater degree. The increasing human, social, and environmental responsibilities can be discharged by improving the miner's equipment; by learning to look at situations through the eyes of all those involved; by developing common 'languages' which governments and the public can understand; and by mediating where feasible on the international scene.

Jan 1, 1978

By N. Chow, W. McCombe, G. Remple, J. Nikkari, L. Nightingale-Mercer

Orano Canada Inc. (Orano) operates the McClean Lake mill in northern Saskatchewan, processing high concentration uranium ore, delivered in slurry form, from the Cameco operated Cigar Lake mine. This slurry is ultimately processed into the purified uranium oxide product known as calcined yellowcake. During the calcining process, sulphate (SO42-) entrained in the yellowcake undergoes thermal decomposition into sulphur dioxide (SO2). SO2 is a colourless gas that poses health and safety risks. Since 2016, an anhydrous ammonia dosing system was successfully added to the existing Venturi particulate scrubber system to provide efficient removal of SO2 from the calciner off-gas. Within the pH controlled scrubber solution, SO2 exists in a pH dependent equilibrium with sulphite/bisulphite (SO32-/ HSO3-). The presence of a significant fraction of reduced sulphite and bisulphite in mill solutions presents a hazard in downstream circuits. Should these solutions drop in pH, either through natural oxidation or inadvertent mixing with low pH solutions, the solution equilibrium will shift from SO32-/HSO3- in favour of SO2, resulting in the evolution of SO2 gas from any liquid surfaces. In 2018, Hatch Ltd. (Hatch) and Orano implemented a design change in the calciner scrubber system. Blowdown from this system is now treated in an oxidation pre-step utilizing hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and anhydrous ammonia (NH3) for pH control, in order to convert the residual sulphite/bisulphite present in solution to stable ammonium sulphate product. This paper will detail some of the challenges and actions undertaken to minimize SO2 risk, culminating in the recent introduction of a novel system designed to oxidize sulphite/bisulphite and prevent mobilization from the calciner scrubber solution into other mill areas where there is the potential for acidification and SO2 release.

Jan 1, 2020

By A. Brown

IN INTRODUCING the subject of rock pressures, it may safely be assumed that mining men are only too familiar with the physical effects of strata stresses that accompany the extraction of minerals. It may be further assumed that they have, as individuals, arrived at certain conclusions regarding their nature, based upon years spent in observing such phenomena and in learning how to continue mining in spite of them. Such hardly won experience forms the core of what is often referred to as 'pit sense'. This essential type of knowledge is not ?based on theoretical considerations, nor can it be found in text books. It is highly individualistic in nature and almost impossible to pass on from one generation to another in terms of precise rules for guidance. It is this aspect of individual judgment based on practical experience that has led to the significant phrase The Art of Mining.

Jan 1, 1956

By A. Becker, R. Tait, S. L. George, A. Carlisle

Surface treatments like laser shock peening (LSP) induce residual stresses penetrating up to 1 mm deep, surpassing traditional methods, thus significantly increasing the potential impact on materials prevalent in the automotive and aerospace sectors. Through extensive fatigue testing and fractography investigations, it was determined that LSP resulted in a fatigue life increase of over five times for aluminium alloy AA7075-T6 and titanium Ti-6Al-4V. Increased fatigue life was also noted in AISI316 stainless steel, which showed increases in fatigue life of 1.7x. While fatigue life in all cases improved, the efficacy of LSP was shown to be material dependent.

Jul 23, 2025

By John P. Gooch

The solubility of 1,1,2,2-tetrabromoethane (TBE) in water was determined from 1.0° to 97.0° C. The solubility (S) of TBE in grams of solute per 100 grams water was correlated with [S = 1,920.55 [exp (40292L7 11, T2 10 T 737.577 + 9.923962 ] where T is in degrees Kelvin. A thermodynamic analysis conducted on a system consisting of a TBE phase and a water phase in equilibrium with a vapor phase led to the calculation of the activity coefficient, vapor-liquid equilibrium distribution coefficient, relative volatility, and heat of mixing for saturated solutions of TBE in water. Data required for these calculations were the solubility of TBE in water and the vapor pressures of TBE and water as a function of temperature.

Jan 1, 1972

By M. B. Royer

Sulfur is present in many ores and other raw materials that are used in the production of metals and alloys of industrial importance. Its presence, especially in ferrous-metal products, generally is undesirable because of its detrimental effect during processing and upon various physical properties of the finished metal. Therefore, various methods are resorted to for elimination of the element to some specified maximum final content. Such removal or elimination of sulfur is designated as desulfurization.

Jan 1, 1948

By W. P. Blacutt

A financial-economic model incorporating physical, market, and policy variables is developed for mining investment in Bolivia. Additional risk criteria emanating from political instability. new mining legislation, recent environmental regulations, and a new minerals taxation system are accounted for and are integrated into the investment decision model. Results of the model indicate that geologic and market variables have the dominant effect on the investment-worth function. Among policy variables, exchange rate and taxation policies have the most significant influence. Depreciation allowance for infrastructure development has negligible weight in the investment-worth function. The business structure of the firm considering investing in the Bolivian Polymetallic Project is found to be an instrumental factor in the investment-worth outcome. Specifically, undiversified mining companies whose operations exclude zinc production as the primary source of revenue would benefit most from adoption of this project.

Jan 1, 1993

By N. G. Macfarlane, G. C. Howell, C. R. Mtshali

This paper explores the philosophical risks of role misalignment in tailings storage facilities governance. Central to this discussion are the roles of the Engineer of Record, Responsible Tailings Facility Engineer, and Accountable Executive as required by the international standards like the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management. The paper examines how these roles interconnect. It critiques current governance practices and calls for a shift toward genuine engagement.

Apr 8, 2026

By Michael J. Friedel

The permeability and flow capacity in unsaturated media is investigated by the Bureau of Mines for application to in situ copper leach mining at the Cyprus Casa Grande mine site. Moisture retention properties are derived and combined with scanning electron microprobe data to characterize the mineralogy, texture, pore size, distribution, and permeability of the host rock. Finite element modeling is used to derive a saturated permeability, ambient degree of saturation, and assess various injection-recovery schemes. Recommended design modifications for optimization of solution distribution and maximum recovery from the rock matrix requires either (1) the injection pressures on the order of 1500 psi and recovery wells operating in a suction mode, or (2) performing permeability enhancement, through rubblization. By producing a maximum block diameter of 4 m, injection pressures can be reduced to 500 psi with improved recovery and containment of solutions.

Jan 1, 1991

By David H. Browne

(Pittsburg Meeting, March, 1910.) NICKEL has always been a fruitful mother of problems. Previous to the year 1906 nickel was regarded as an element replacing iron in copper-mattes, and it was believed that the same laws which governed the elimination of iron could be applied-to nickel. This conception has lately undergone a complete change, and nickel in all its stages is now regarded as an element replacing copper; in other words, copper-nickel is considered now as two elements, but as one metal. When we commenced our investigations on Monel metal we made a great many experiments on the conversion of mattes, both high copper and high nickel. We studied closely the composition of the mattes and the changes produced by the blow. We found in all cases certain agreements which we believe are due to some law. Briefly stated, our conclusions are as follows 1. Nickel is not an element replacing iron in matte. 2. Nickel-copper alloys act in the matte-blow like one metal. 3. Nickel-copper alloys follow, during the matte-blow, exactly the same laws as govern. the behavior of copper alone. This brings up the question : What are the laws governing the production of metallic copper, and what are the relations copper to sulphur and iron during the Bessemer blow ?

Apr 1, 1910

By B. M. Eiter, J. Hrica, D. R. Willmer

"Mineworkers are routinely tasked with making critically important decisions about whether or not a hazard presents an imminent danger. Researchers from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) collected formative data to investigate mine safety professional perspectives on workplace examinations, which revealed a potential gap in how mineworkers are assessing risk. During interviews, participants indicated having processes in place for what should be done once an imminent danger situation is identified. Critically, however, they report having no systematic methodology for mineworkers to use to determine if a hazard is considered imminent danger. While this is important for all imminent danger situations (e.g., failure to lockout/tagout), it is especially important for those situations that are not immediately recognizable as imminent danger. In this paper, we identify and describe, three distinct categories of imminent danger complexity and discuss potential steps that could lead to improved identification of imminent danger situations. Finally, we identify potential practices to incorporate into risk management efforts, including feedback, communication, and specialized training to increase awareness of imminent danger situations. INTRODUCTION In recent years, the metal and nonmetal (M/NM) mining sector, as categorized by MSHA, experienced an increase in the number of fatalities occurring at mine sites. From 2013 to 2015, 69 mineworkers were fatally injured; that is twice the number of fatalities that occurred in each of the previous two years (MSHA, 2015a). As a way to address this increase, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) issued a program policy letter (P15-IV-01) suggesting that “miners would benefit from rigorous workplace examinations conducted by experienced and trained examiners (MSHA 2015b).” The goal of workplace examinations is to find hazards in the field and mitigate them before they cause injury or death to mineworkers. While it is important to identify all hazards in the workplace, it is critically important to identify those hazards that are considered imminent danger because they require an immediate response to avoid a severe or even fatal injury."

Jan 1, 2018

By T. A. Henrie

A technique was devised for measuring the rate of chemical reactions between reactive metals and molten-salt mixtures at high temperatures. The rate of the heterogeneous reaction between high-purity titanium metal and titanium trichloride in molten sodium chloride was determined. The reaction is surface-controlled, and the heat of activation is 8.29 kilocalories per mole TiC13. An active site or reaction nuclei is created by adsorbing a TiC13 molecule at the metal surface. Reaction of the second TiC13 species forms an activated complex that decomposes into three TiC12 molecules.

Jan 1, 1963

By John Newby, Mahmood Khwaja, Bernard Theron, Janice McGovern, Bernard Catalano, Michael S. Schultz

Launching a full-size pressurized-face Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) in difficult ground conditions is always challenging. Recently, few projects have innovated the process by scaling the trenchless method of pipe jacking, and modified steel bell approach, to facilitate the launching of a full-size TBM without the need for large and deep trenches, starter/tail tunnels, or for incrementally installing supporting gear as the machine advances. This paper presents three such projects; evaluates the post-bid contractor proposed modifications; details the innovative use of pre-cast pipe segments to facilitate machine launch; and, provides an overall assessment of the benefits, challenges and lessons learned related to the modified approach.

Jun 13, 2021

By Mehmet Guney

[The Atlantis-II-Deep is a hydrothermal mineralization located along the median valley of the Red Sea at a water depth of about 2200 m. Extensive exploration of the metal-rich brine deep revealed a potentially mineable deposit on economic interest consisting of oxides, silicates and sulphides with considerable concentrations of zinc, copper, cadmium and silver. Geostatistics was applied to assess the most likely in-situ vague of the metal potential for economical exploitation. Semi-variograms were constructed to characterize the structure of the regionalized distribution of the geological parameters. Volume grades and thicknesses were determined by the kriging technique, avoiding systematically biased high or low grades, and then block .tonnages were computed. The estimation variances, distribution of errors and histograms of observed and kriged values in each grid Mock were also produced.]

Jan 1, 1983

By H. G. Stephenson, C. W. Gregory

"This article describes the methods used for pillar extraction in the Wilson Seam at Canmore Mines, Alberta. The Wilson Seam is extremely gassy and varies in thickness between 7 and 30 ft, with an average of 12 ft. The gradient varies from 5 to 30 degrees, with an average of 15 degrees. The seam was developed using Lee Norse miners to form pillars which the company intended to extract using the same machines. Before pillar extraction commenced, an abandoned and inaccessible mine 160 ft above the Wilson had to be drained of 360 million gallons of water. When this was done pillar extraction commenced. Conditions in the mine slowly deteriorated and after 6 months the decision to withdraw the continuous miners was taken. Slusher hoists were installed to replace the continuous miners, with the result that roof conditions and safety steadily improved."

Jan 1, 1972

By S. Nikolic

"Calcium ferrite slags are currently used in a number of copper-converting processes. Despite the industrial importance of this system the phase equilibria have not been fully investigated. Characterization of this slag system is necessary to improve the control of process parameters, including fluxing and operating temperatures. Recently, a modified experimental method has been developed; this involves rapid quenching of slag samples equilibrated at high temperatures with the resulting phase assemblages analysed using electron probe microanalysis (EPMA). In the present study, experiments were completed under controlled temperatures and oxygen partial pressures using CO/C02 or H2/C02 gas mixtures. The investigated slags were supported during equilibration by a substrate of the primary phase. This technique removes the limitations arising from the use of crucibles and facilitates rapid quenching of the melt. Experiments were carried out at 1200°C and 1250°C (1473 Kand 1523 K) and in the composition range 0-40 wt.% Cu20, 0-25 wt. % CaO and 45-80 wt. % Fe203. Liquidus and solidus data are reported for the primary phase field of spinel between the oxygen partial pressures of 10-4.5 to 1 o- 6-5 atm. The analyzed compositions of liquids and solids are used to construct the phase diagram of ""Cu20"" -CaO-""F ez03"" system in equilibrium with metallic copper at fixed oxygen partial pressures."

Jan 1, 2007

By Malcolm Scoble, Nick Vagenas, Greg Baiden

Recent advances in underground communications technology have demonstrated the feasibility of teleoperation and automation in underground metal mines. One major challenge lies in the automation of underground mobile machines from surface, with the potential to reduce significantly the need for human involvement in underground operations. This paper reviews the evolution of underground metal mining automation, principally related to the development of teleoperation and automation of mobile mining machines. Examples of prototype systems are given and the associated benefits that have been observed are reviewed.

Jan 1, 1997

By Thomas L. Ochs

The stripping of iron-laden solvent with hydrochloric acid in the iron-removal step of the clay-hydrochloric acid process for the extraction of alumina from calcined kaolinitic clay results in a loaded ferric chloride stripping liquor. Treatment of this stripping liquor at boiling with calcined kaolin to form insoluble Fe203(s) and a dilute A1C13 solution was undertaken by the Bureau of Mines to characterize process problems and to aid in sizing of solids-liquid separation equipment. Variables identified as important in the chemical reaction were calcined kaolin particle size, ratio of calcined kaolin to FeC13, and reaction time. These parameters were tested for significance and their interactions investigated. Fine calcined kaolin (-65 mesh) at a greater than 1:1 mole ratio of contained acid-soluble A1203 to Fe203 equivalent of the FeC13 in the stripping liquor required less reaction time than coarser (-16 mesh) material. Solids-liquid separation of the reacted slurries by both settling and filtration requires flocculation.

Jan 1, 2011