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By H. W. Kilau

The Bureau of Mines tested chromium-bearing waste slags from industrial stainless steel and other chrome alloy operations to determine their chromium leachability characteristics under acid precipitation conditions and to devise measures to prevent any pollution originating from this source. Two critical slag composition factors were found to control the chromium leachability: (1) CaO:Si02 ratio and (2) magnesium content. Above a 2.0 CaO:Si02 ratio, chromium exists in slag as CaO·Cr203, which can be vulnerable to leaching by acid precipitation especially if oxi-dized to CaCr04 when exposed to the environment over an extended period. Maximum chromium leachability from industrial slags occurred when the composition of the slag had about a 2.0 CaO:Si02 ratio. Between a 1.0 and 2.0 CaO:Si02 ratio, in the presence of sufficient magnesium, MgO ·Cr203 was formed, which is very resistant to oxidation and to dissolution by simulated acid precipitation. Addition of magnesium silicates to molten slag to fix the chromium in the MgO·Cr203 form was successful in preventing chromium leaching in simulated acid rain solutions. Experiments showed olivine and waste taconite tailings were suitable for this purpose. Olivine addition to a waste slag having a composition vulnerable to leaching (CaO:Si02 > 2) reduced the chromium leachability more than 80 pct.

Jan 1, 1984

By T. Stuczynski

In the past ten years about 3000 wastewater treatment plants have been built in Poland. The result of this development has been a massive increase in overall sludge production. According to data supplied by the Ministry of Environmental Protection, 400,000 dry tons of sludge are generated every year in Poland (Koblak-Kalinska 1996). Still it is difficult to estimate the amount of sludge, which is used in agriculture or for reclamation purposes. However, it can be assumed that this comes to no more than 10 percent of all sludge produced in Poland on a yearly basis. Thus it became obvious that an urgent solution to this problem was needed. Local authorities in Silesia realized in the early 90?s that a demonstration was necessary to encourage the proper utilization of sludge. This was the basis for establishing the Biosolids Subpart of the Silesia Project, which addressed the use of biosolids in the reclamation of mining and smelting dumps (Stuczynski et al. 1996). Metal waste sites themselves are known to contain more than 87 million tons of waste (Pistelok et al. 1995). Each year this amount increases by approximately 400,000 tons. We realized that a simple solution for stabilizing these sites would be to cover them with vegetation in order to reduce leaching of toxic elements, as well as to keep metallic fugitive dust from entering the environment. The reclamation of smelter waste sites, which was carried out within the framework of the Silesia Project was a joint effort of local government, industry and international research institutions/agencies, including the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Center for Research and Control of the Environment (OBIKS), Virginia Polytechnic Institute and IUNG. One of the goals was to evaluate the possibility of adapting the rules of sludge management currently used in the United States to conditions commonly found here in industrial regions of Poland. However, the main objective of the Silesia Project was the development of guidelines concerning all aspects of sludge use for the reclamation of degraded lands and waste sites. Biological aspects related to reclamation of metal waste with the use of biosolids will be discussed in this paper.

Jan 1, 2002

By B. W. Stunkard

Hibbing Taconite Company is located by the cities of Hibbing and chisholm near the center of the Mesabi Range, approximately 169 km (105 miles) from the Canadian Border. The plant site is equidistant from these two communities, about 6.4 km (4 miles) from each. A 169 km (105 mile) railroad connects us with the port of Superior, Wisconsin, where the pellet production is loaded into lake carriers for lower lakes destinations. Immediately to the south of the mine area is the world famous Hull- Rust-Mahoning Mine which produced more than 700 000 000 million tons of red ore between the years 1893 and 1973.

Jan 1, 1979

By Christopher J. Bise

The objectives for the research project, "Coal Mine Injury Analysis: A Model for Reduction Through Training," were to identify and develop a means to indicate deficiences in human performance, job skills, and/or knowledge at a given mine site that are amenable to alleviation through training or job redesign, and to provide ;I set of analytical tools and training resources that will enable mine training personnel to effectively incorporate the noted deficiencies into a personalized model training program. The findings of this research project are contained in Light separate volumes. Volume I represents the Executive Summary of the study and provides a broad overview of the project's individual areas of emphasis and deliverables. The additional eight volumes provide greater detail on the development of a Model Mine Training Program based upon Professional Database Analysis, Incident Reporting, Loss Control, Job Safety Analysis, Risk Assessment, Cost/Benefit Analysis, and Mine Safety Management.

Jan 1, 1993

A chartered bus with about 30 attendees of the just completed 1998 SME Annual Meeting headed toward Green Cove Springs, FL, which the author had been told was located somewhere south of Jacksonville, FL. In conjunction with the meeting in Orlando, RGC (USA) Mineral Sands provided a tour of its facility. The author had worked with heavy minerals on a laboratory scale, performing the usual gravity and magnetic separations, but had never been to a heavy mineral mine and processing facility. Years ago as a metallurgist, the author once applied for a job in a heavy mineral operation in Florida -it may have been the same operation. After turning north on to Highway 95, the endless billboards promoting beach-front retirement communities proved the Atlantic ocean was just a few miles away (although the author never caught a glimpse of it). After another hour, the bus suddenly turned west and continued inland for about 65 km (40 miles). The thought occurred, "We are talking about beach sands, what are we doing heading away from the ocean?" As the bus continued inland, the author was struck by the flatness of the land and by the lakes, rivers and wetlands. He was also impressed by the many fine stands of pine and hardwoods. The office of RGC (USA) Mineral Sands is located about 16 km (10 miles) south of Green Cove Springs. Upon leaving the bus, members of the tour were greeted by Graeme Sloan, general manager, and Elliot Mallard, manager of mining. They provided some general information about the operation, including a slide show. RGC's Florida operation produces four concentrates: zircon (ZrSiO,), rutile (TiO,), ilmenite (FeTiO,) and leucoxene (an alteration product of ilmenite containing 67% to 70% TiO,). With a work force of about 170, the annual production of the above products is about 23,27, 45 and 14 kt (25,000 30,000 50,000 and 15,000 st), respectively. RGC also has other mineral sand operations, in addition to gold and base metal mines, mostly in Australia.

Jan 1, 1998

By R. M. Schuster

This study attempts to compare the costs of transporting coarse coal by pipeline, versus the more conventional use of belt conveyors. Hydraulic conveying of crushed (not pulverized) coal has not had widespread commercial acceptance. However, there is little doubt that the technology is available, so that, should this method be proven economical for a given application, implementation of this technology will become more acceptable. Hydraulic transport by pipeline between the mine stockpile and the coal preparation plant, for distances normally considered practical for an overland belt conveyor, should be an ideal application. In this application there is no need for dewatering facilities at the receiving end of the pipeline, because, the receiving screens at the plant serve this purpose. Further, clarified water from the preparation plant can be recirculated back to the mine, a plus for water resource and environmental considerations.

Jan 1, 1982

By Kal V. S. Sastry

Conventional iron ore balling circuits exhibit undesirable surging behavior which is known to result from uncontrolled occurrence of the mechanisms of nucleation, coalescence and layering. This study was undertaken to investigate the mechanism of pellet growth by layering. Several laboratory experiments have been carried out to delineate the effect of feed moisture content and feed quantity. This paper presents an analysis of the experimental results and a simple model to describe the layering process.

Jan 1, 1993

By M Campbell, A Jeffcoate, J-C Vannay, B Perriaux

Phyllite waste rock at the Simandou Pic de Fon and Oueleba Iron Ore deposits (Guinea, West Africa) variably weather to form clay-rich rocks. This weathering modifies the mineralogical, geochemical and mechanical properties of the phyllites. Final pit walls will largely be formed in phyllite, so it is critical that the slope design takes account of the distribution and variability of weathering within this material. Phyllite intact material strength has been correlated with geochemistry (ie mineralogy) facilitating the establishment of domains of intact rock strength (IRS). In order to calibrate this geochemically-based strength model, core from diamond drilling (DD), comprising a variety of phyllite material types (from soft clay to moderate strength rock), was geotechnically logged to assess intact strength; further validation was achieved by uniaxial compression (UCS) testing and point load tests (PLT). The correlation between geochemistry and strength offers a potentially powerful tool for differentiating basic mechanical properties of the rock mass, especially at Simandou where a significant proportion of the resource drilling is done by reverse circulation (RC). Unlike DD, reliable measurements of material strength from RC samples can prove difficult, especially in clay-rich material. Therefore, gaining information from routine geochemical assay results, independent of the sampleÆs physical integrity, is a valuable and cost-effective source of reliable empirical data. Data acquired using this approach provides an opportunity to develop strength domains, which are integrated into mine planning block models. In combination with other geotechnical characteristics, this can be a valuable input to the development of geotechnical models. This technique has allowed spatially representative rock strength data to be derived and offers the potential for optimising pit slope angles in areas where hitherto conservative design criteria had been assumed.CITATION:Jeffcoate, A, Campbell, M, Vannay, J-C and Perriaux, B, 2013. Modelling intact rock strength of clay-rich rocks with geochemistry at the Simandou iron ore deposit, Guinea, West Africa, in Proceedings Iron Ore 2013 , pp 193-202 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Aug 12, 2013

By J. Drelich, M. Pawlik

An improved experimental procedure to measure contact angle has been consolidated with coal surface preparation involving polishing with abrasive paper, alumina powder, and a cloth, followed by ultrasonic and mechanical cleaning. Specifically, the captive-bubble measuring technique has been compared with the sessile-drop technique and the former has been recommended for the examination of the hydrophobic properties of coal surfaces. Results of the research program, which is currently under way, on the examination of the effect of the nature, amount, size, and distribution of mineral inclusions in coal, on its wettability are briefly reviewed.

Jan 1, 1999

By A. D. Hammond

Vanadium is a transition metal, ductile and silver-gray. It is harder than most metals and steels and it has a good resistance to corrosion. It is stable against alkalis and sulfuric and hydrochloric acids. Vanadium is oxidized in air at about 660° C (1,220° F), although an oxide layer forms even at room temperature. The chemistry of vanadium is noteworthy for the accessibility of the four adjacent oxidation states, 2-5. In aqueous solution, the colors are lilac V2+, green V3+, blue VO2+ and, at high pH, yellow VO42-. Considered to be as abundant as zinc, metallic vanadium is not found in nature, but it is known to exist in about 65 different minerals. Economically significant examples include patronite (VS4), vanadinite (Pb5(VO4)3Cl), associated to the uranium mineral carnotite (K2(UO2)2(VO4)2?3H2O) and in a vanadium mica called roscoelite K(V3+,Al,Mg)[(Si,Al)4O10] (OH)2. Other important vanadium ore oxides are montroseite (V,Fe)O(OH) and corvusite (Na,Ca,K)V8O2.4H2O. Much of the world?s vanadium mine production comes from magnetite-hosted deposits and, to a lesser extent, sedimentary-hosted sandstone.

Dec 1, 2013

By Eric J. Beckman

Recovery of metals from dilute solution, whether the matrix is solid, or liquid, remains a considerable technical and financial challenge. Methods currently exist whereby metals can be extracted from either type of matrix, yet these methods consume significant quantities of reagents and can also generate multiple waste ,streams in the process. Technology developed in our lab allows efficient application of environmentally-benign CO2 to a number of separation problems involving metals. For example, we have employed biphasic mixtures of C02 and water as a green acid leach medium. Metals have been extracted from a steelmaking process residue and then recovered as metal carbonates through depressurization. In this process, metals are extracted and recovered without the use of reagents other than CO2 and water, and CO2 is sequestered as a solid. In addition, through synthesis of Cal-miscible phase transfer agents, we have shown that CO2 can replace the organic solvent currently used in refining of precious metals, The sensitivity to pressure of phase behavior in a CO2-mixture may allow significant streamlining of the process as well. Finally, CO2 soluble chelating agents have been used to extract toxic metals from acidic effluent such as that found in plating facilities.

Jan 1, 1999

The National Research Council was organized in 1916 at the request of the President by the National Academy of Sciences, under its congressional charter, as a measure of national preparedness. The work accomplished by the council in organizing research and in securing cooperation of military and civilian agencies in the solution of military problems demonstrates its capacity for larger service. The National Academy of Sciences is therefore requested to perpetuate the National Research Council, the duties of which shall he as follows: 1. In general, to stimulate research in the mathematical, physical, and biological sciences, and in the application of these sciences to engineering, agriculture, medicine, and other useful arts, with the object of increasing knowledge, of strengthening the national defense, and of contributing in other ways to the public welfare. 2. To survey the larger possibilities of science, to formulate comprehensive projects of research, and to develop effective means of utilizing the scientific and technical resources of the country for dealing with these projects. 3. To promote cooperation in research, at horse and abroad, in order to secure concentration of effort, minimize duplication, and stimulate progress; but in all cooperative undertakings to give encouragement to individual initiative as fundamentally important to the advancement of science. 4. To serve as a means of bringing American and foreign investigators into active cooperation with the scientific and technical services of the War and Navy Departments and with those of the civil branches of the Government. 5. To direct the attention of scientific and technical investigators to the present importance of military and industrial problems in connection with the war, and to aid in the solution of these problems by organizing specific researches. 6. To gather and collate scientific and technical information, at home and abroad, in cooperation with governmental and other agencies, and to render such information available to duly accredited persons. Effective prosecution of the council's work requires the cordial collaboration of the scientific and technical branches of the Government, both military and civil. To this end representatives of the Government, upon the nomination of the National Academy of Sciences, will he designated by the President as members of the council, as heretofore, and the heads of the departments immediately concerned will continue to cooperate in every way that may be required. THE WHITE HOUSE, WOODROW WILSON. 11 May, 1918.

Jan 7, 1918

By J. J. Wallace

1. The Pittsburgh is the most important bed in Greene County from the standpoint of present production and recoverable reserves. 2. Known measured and indicated reserves in all beds, based on a minimum thickness of 14 inches and 1,800 short tons per acre-foot of coal in place, are estimated at 6,011 million short tons as of January 1, 1954. Of this total, 5,967 million short tons is in beds 28 inches and more thick. Areas in some beds were omitted from the estimate because available data relative to the bed characteristics are too meager to make 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, 1955

By D. Wallace Fields

Increasing public pressure and demands from various tiers of government have generated a legislative maze of statutory and administrative requirements facing industries involved in mineral extraction and processing. Each tier, of government has asserted concurrent jurisdiction and threats of harsh measures if industry does not satisfy all requirements. In the field of water pollution control, federal requirements have increased, carrying with them increasing techniques of enforcement - ranging from injunctions through criminal penalties. Federal laws have required that states formulate water quality standards as an adjunct to federal regulation. Florida has reacted with the Water Pollution Control Act of 1967. This act incorporates state water quality standards and permit requirements for any installation constituting a potential source of pollution, and provides for civil sanctions as well as injunctive relief. The federal government has utilized an 1899 law to require a permit for discharges into navigable waterbodies - a term which has been judicially defined to include any watercourse capable, after reasonable improvement, for use in the transportation of waterborne traffic. Failure to secure these permits can result in the issuance of an injunction or civil or criminal penalties. The Corps of Engineers will not issue these permits without the approval of the discharge by state, local and other federal agencies. Air pollution similarly is regulated by a multi-tiered network of laws and administrative standards. Federal regulation has increased from early research support in the 1950's through the development of Air Quality Standards and their enforcement by large fines, injunctions, administrative conferences and public hearings. Florida regulation, under the Florida Air Pollution Control Act of 1967, parallels federal law but grants concurrent regulations, requirements and enforcement tools to local and state agencies. Although previous state regulation was minimal, consisting only of three acts passed in 189 1, 1899, and 1911, in the future the mining industry will have to contend with this increasing network of ecological requirements. It is recommended that the industry take the initiative by involving Florida in the Interstate Mining Compact, as well as seeking the passage of a state reclamation law funded by a severance tax.

Jan 1, 1972

By Henry M. Howe

1. The purpose of the National Research Council as organized for war purposes is twofold, to stimulate those outside its own personnel to conduct researches of importance for winning the war and to carry on such researches through its personnel to a limited extent. How this is done is explained in Section 10. "Research" is used here in a very broad sense, including, for instance, inventing and developing mechanical and physical devices. The need of this work arises from the inevitable concentration of most of the governmental war agencies on the production and transportation of war materials of the types now adopted, as distinguished from devising new kinds of instrumentalities, such as armor, guns, aircraft, and apparatus for detecting, locating, observing, signaling, transporting, and many other military purposes. But it is important that we should devise new agencies. The war came near being won by an invention, the submarine, and its course has been affected greatly by two other inventions, tanks and aircraft. In spite of our numerical superiority victory may well be snatched from us by an invention, if we allow Germany to outstrip us in inventing. Hence the importance of the Council's work in mobilizing and organizing the services of the patriotic civilian experts throughout the country, so as to bring their powers to bear on important war problems and on inventing war devices, as an adjunct to the development work of the regular governmental bodies. 2. Status of the Council.—Though President Wilson's request caused the Council to be created in 1916 by the National Academy of Sciences under its congressional charter; though his executive order of May 11, 1918, directs the heads of "Governmental departments immediately concerned" to "continue to co-operate with it in every way that may be required;" and though the Government has contributed largely to its financial support; it is not a department of the Government but an independent research body, aiming to evolve the necessary mechanism for the novel work of systematic stimulation and guidance of research. Thus the Government, which instigated the creation of the Council, recognizes and collaborates with it, and in part supports it. The Council acts moreover as the Department of Science and Research of the Council of National Defense.

Jan 1, 1919

By Richard C. Corson

Modern microprocessor systems make it possible to use several variables to anticipate changes in the process and to react with responses before upsets can be magnified by the process or by control action. Through tighter control, "insurance" can be eliminated from process set points without affecting product quality. In actual operation with a traveling grate furnace this control philosophy has produced savings of up to 20% in fuel consumption and 8% in fan power usage while producing a more consistent quality product.

Jan 1, 1982

By W. L. Dare

Tri-axial strains in pillars, created by pillar robbing, were measured in an experiment at the Dysart No. 1 uranium mine near Grants) New Mexico. At this mine, room-and-pillar stoping is used on the advance, and pillars are recovered on the retreat. The are deposit is, for all practical purposes, horizontal. Measuring devices were installed in pillars approximately 90 to 200 feet from the break line, and strains were recorded over a 4-to 6-week period. The measurements indicate that, in general, the algebraic magnitude of vertical strains increased, and the horizontal strains decreased, in turn, indicating that vertical (or near vertical) loads on the instrumented pillars lessened as pillars were recovered.

Jan 1, 1962

This paper presents the results of an investigation of the stability of the mass flow rates and average pellet size in the different streams of an industrial-scale balling circuit. The variables in this study include water content, drum speed and fresh feed rate. It was found that both the mass flow rates and pellet diameter are greatly disturbed when a change, positive or negative, in any of the variables takes place. For most of these disturbances to be damped don, a period of one hour or so is required. When a disturbance in the feed rate was made, the transient period extended to more than one and half hours (the duration of the experiment). It was observed that there is an interaction between the drum speed and moisture needed for producing an acceptable green ball product. The moisture content of the product pellets was found to be a function of the pellet size, with the larger pellets retaining a higher moisture content.

Jan 1, 1980

By G. L. Neumann

The Guymard mine in Orange County, N. Y., is reported to have been discovered in 1862 and mined until 1876, producing 10,000 tons of lead and zinc ore. The property was examined by an engineer of the Bureau of Mines in 1948. Development work was done by the Bureau in April and May 1949 and March 1950. During these two periods four drill holes totaling 2,090 feet were completed. The mineralized sections of the core were sampled and assayed.

Jan 1, 1952

By Won C. Park

Experiments showed changes in the mineral content of dolomitic oil shale at temperatures and exposure times which bracket conditions encountered during in situ retorting. Laboratory results correlate with cores from a spent in situ retort at Occidental's Logan Wash test site at Garfield County, Colorado. Dolomite, CaMg(CO3)2, decomposes rapidly to form periclase, MgO, calcite, CaCO3, and CO . Both calcite and periclase are intermediate products that can be stabilized by CO atmosphere at lower temperatures, while steam accelerates the formation 2 of silicates. The decarbonation of calcite appears to involve a direct reaction with both quartz and periclase in forming these silicates. Decarbonation preceeds the formation of akermanite, Ca2 MgSi 207, and diopside, CaMgSi 206, within several hours of heating and is followed by the nucleation of forsterite Mg2SiO4, and monticellite, CaMgSiO4. Under in situ retorting conditions, akermanite and diposide are the major minerals above 800°C. Equilibrium is not attained within 200-300 hours. In situ retorting temperatures above 800°C for extended periods of time should reduce potential ground water leaching by the formation of silicate minerals. These silicates are less soluble than free lime, magnesium or alkali oxides. There is a corresponding decrease in the natural pH of these silicates from approximately 12 down to 7.5 to 9:

Jan 1, 1981