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By Charles Vaught

This paper discusses the fact that US coal mining organisations are losing the knowledge they need in order to be able to respond to emergencies. The authors note that knowledge management provides a useful perspective from which to view the problem, but that the debate about what constitutes knowledge should be broadened to include a debate about what constitutes management. It is argued here that knowledge is actually shared knowing distributed across group members; that such knowledge can be managed by cultivating it; and that narrative is the medium through which this may be done. The paper then examines NIOSH research that has attempted to use such an alternative knowledge management approach to help potential mine emergency responders better deal with the predicaments they are likely to encounter on-site.

Jan 1, 2006

By Bruce R. Conard

Consideration of environmental and human health issues in metallurgy is growing rapidly. While not all metallurgists need to have detailed expertise in environmental and health questions, they should be aware of the challenges the metals industry faces, be able to interact with colleagues in other sciences and contribute to sound metal resource management. Hydrometallurgists occupy a unique position among metallurgists because of their knowledge of the behaviour of metals in aqueous systems, which are of fundamental importance in understanding environmental chemistry and human toxicology. As a result, hydrometallurgists should more frequently and passionately lend their expertise in assessing environmental and health risks of metals and in helping to develop effective global guidelines, regulations and process and product stewardship strategies, thereby enabling metals to continue their beneficial service to society.

Jan 1, 2003

By F. W. Bloecher

D ETERMINATION of the surface area of finely divided minerals is of interest to mineral engineers engaged in flotation, comminution, and dewatering studies. In the industrial minerals field, many materials are classified as to fineness according to their specific surface (surface area per unit weight). A method of surface area determination has been tested and used in the Richards Mineral Engineering Laboratories at M.I.T. It involves low temperature krypton adsorption measurements using the technique described by Beebe.1

Jan 3, 1951

By B. M. Davis, J. Wilkins

The method of conditional simulation is easily implemented on the personal computer when the LU decomposition algorithm of Davis (1987) is employed. This algorithm is fairly compact, yet can generate moderate-sized simulations in a few minutes on a 80286 or 80386-based personal computer. The application of conditional simulation presented here is to generate possible ore inventories from a limited amount of exploration sampling. The simulations can then he examined to decide if the potential inventories are sufficiently attractive to proceed with further exploration. An example showing one application of this approach is presented.

Jan 1, 1992

By S. Gundiah

Preparation of functionalized polymers from the polymerization of monomers and preformed polymers are discussed with a few illustrative examples. The methods of their characterization, with reference to their application in flocculation, are described.

Jan 1, 1987

By Lin Bin, Qain Minggao, Qu Qundi, Yao Zhichang

This paper describes the application of a 89C52 chip microcomputer in hydraulic pressure information monitoring system of powered supports in a coal face, and the details of circuit and software of a monitoring system substation. Each substati

Jan 1, 1998

By Alan K. Burton

Having estimated fleet size and productivity, the next and final step in this analysis is to introduce cost. Total cost of the system is a combination of capital, operating, and any other external costs that may be incurred. The last item, external costs, can be particularly important when comparing one size or type of truck fleet with another. Once costs are calculated, it is possible to compare systems on a total cost, cost per hour, cost per ton, or any other basis that is required. Methods used vary from simple owning and operating costs to sophisticated discounted cash flow analyses involving optional fleet replacements over the project life.

Jan 1, 1976

By P H. Warton

It is proposed to construct a gold extraction plant at Matatoki, near Thanes. Ore to be processed at the mill will come from reopened and enlarged underground mines north of Thanes. The project has been described in some detail in environmental impact reports (Worley Consultants Ltd 1984, 1987), and is now at an advanced stage in terms of obtaining the required statutory approvals.

Jan 1, 1987

By K. Eric Livo

The Front Range Infrastructure Resources Project (FRIRP) of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is currently using Landsat Thematic Mapper? and air- borne-visible-infrared-imaging-spectrometer (AVIRIS) data along with planned thermal-infrared data and interferometry-synthetic-aperture radar (IFSAR) data to assess the industrial-minerals quality and quantity along the Colorado-Wyoming Front Range Urban Corridor and to characterize surrounding areas. Landsat? satellite data show synoptic views of the corridor, which may readily be used to identify potential regions of permissible terrain, such as river drain-ages, pediment surfaces, upturned lithology, and bed- rock exposures, where various types of deposits may occur. Descriptive models of these deposit types are used to define the physical features that need to be recognized and characterized. In the case of Landsat? data, the measured light is either reflected or partly absorbed by surface materials, depending on the wave- length of the light, which allows coarse mineral classifications to be made.

Jan 1, 1999

By Michael E. Allen

The building of sanitary and storm drainage sewers in urban or environmentally sensitive areas often requires the use of tunnel construction procedures. While hydraulic considerations may require only small diameters, traditional tunneling techniques make small sizes the least economical. Current state-of-the-art techniques using highly mechanized systems of pipe jacking can provide cost effective solutions to the problems of construction of small size tunnels. The characteristics of mechanized pipe jacking allow rapid advances under difficult ground conditions. The basic pipe jacking cycle is used with a variety of excavation systems to permit the contractor to satisfy engineering as well as economic parameters. These characteristics and several of the systems available are outlined.

Jan 1, 1981

By Sandra L. Maxfield, Alan Mair

Strategic design of groundwater monitoring programs can increase public confidence in mine management, decrease financial assurance requirements, and minimize environmental budgets. Monitoring of inorganics is challenging because many occur naturally with baseline concentrations fluctuating spatially or temporally. Evaluating monitoring data to distinguish between a hazardous release or a natural fluctuation in baseline concentration can be controversial. In order to develop an effective program, monitoring parameters should be selected which are mobile and stable. Statistical procedures should be customized to address the uniqueness of groundwater systems. Calculated baseline concentrations should minimize the false negative & false positive rate.

Jan 1, 1995

By Michael Wieland

Delay blasting in underground coal generates shock waves and rifting forces that damage charges remaining in the blast pattern. Damaged charges detonate poorly, raise fume toxicity and reduce coal breakage. Such circumstances could be prevented by using explosives resistant to cross-hole interaction damage. The design of rugged explosives is fraught with contradictory requirements, but tradeoffs related to hard-particle size characteristics prove useful. Hard particles, related voids or trapped bubbles represent reaction nucleation centers which strongly influence the performance of coal mine explosives.

Jan 1, 1992

By A. J. Naldrett, N. T. Arndt

In Archean greenstone belts, ultramafic lavas occur interbanded with basalts, commonly at the base of volcanic-sedimentary cycles. The lavas form part of a recently recognized extrusive rock series, the magnesian series, in which liquid compositions range from peridotitic (33 wt-% MgO) to basaltic (8 wt-% MgO). Rocks of this series occur as peridote, pyroxenite and magnesian basalt flows, and intrusive/extrusive bodies of dunite (49 wt-% MgO) grading outwards into a peridotitic marginal zone. The nickel sulfide deposits are of two main types: (1) basal accumulations of massive and disseminated pyrrhotite + pentlandite associated with some of the thickest and most magnesian (<40 wt-% MgO) of the peridotite flows, and (2) widespread zones of disseminated sulfides in the dunite lenses. Massive sulfide segregations may occasionally occur within the dunites.

Jan 1, 1977

Mine evaluation methodologies are well suited to evaluating many projects in capital-intensive industries other than mining. These industries include oil, gas, power generation, transport and infrastructure projects. A case study of an open cu

Jan 1, 1998

By D. B. Gentzler, J. L. Kohler

A method of monitoring production information (raw tonnage and machine state) from each working section has been developed. The method is based on the sensing of electrical parameters in each section load center, and the reporting of this information through the existing mine-wide monitoring system. A decision-theoretic type of pattern classification technique has been used to define the machine states. The basis of the method is presented in this paper, along with a proposed hardware and software implementation scheme. Information issues central to the development and use of the proposed production monitoring system are also discussed.

Jan 1, 1990

By S. O. Yuan, R. L. Grayson

As a followup to a USBM-sponsored research project, the authors utilized the knowledge-base structure and system concepts from a Sun Sparcstation-based worker-scheduling system of the mine-management support system to develop a PC-based application. The new software adopts the nested-window concept to facilitate data collection and modification on personnel, including their availability and work priorities during a shift. The system can optimally allocate manpower on a work shift and can delineate supervisory training responsibilities. The various components of the software, including enhancements made to the original system, are described in detail.

Jan 1, 1998

By Kal V. S. Sastry

Mineral processing simulation has come a long way since its beginning about thirty years ago. With our increased understanding of mineral process systems and the advent of new software and hardware technologies, we can visualize an ideal mineral processing simulator. This paper attempts to identify a number of desirable features of an ideal mineral process simulator and to describe the exciting trends in making such an ideal simulator a reality.

Jan 1, 1992

By F. F. Aplan

Rather than reiterate what is well known about the flotation of the non-sulfide minerals, emphasis has been placed on those separations which are not so effective. These difficult separations are largely connected with problems of selectivity in the flotation of the base metal oxides, the other slightly soluble minerals, the insoluble oxides and the naturally floatable minerals. The paper discusses possible methods of improving selectivity between similar species and of improving selectivity against the gangue minerals.

Jan 1, 1994

By Michael D. Loy

While the coal industry in general has been slow in accepting automation, the last few years have seen a myriad of products developed by the private sector. These packages run the full gamut from sophisticated geological information systems to line entry discounted cash flow analyses. This paper is an attempt to unravel the confusion that may exist about mining software. Discussions will highlight major differences between software products (such as block vs. grid models, prefeasibility programs vs. Monte Carlo analyses), briefly discuss known vendors, list known package features and touch on hardware requirements. The paper also focuses on the costs of automation (both software and hardware), possible trade-offs, advantages to in-house systems (vs. timesharing), a recommended review/selection process (including suggested RFP format), a test case procedure, when to bring in a consultant, and staffing considerations.

Jan 1, 1983

By Bilbrey J. H

Land utitized duxting the past 45 yeans by the mining industty in the United States con all puxpos ez to tal4 neatly 4 million sexes. Ob this axes, 13 pexeent is used bon dL4posal ob bLne -sized mtinexal wastes dL4eaxded by one milling plants. These wastes, especi- ally the inactive taLeLng4 ponds, xequixe some type ob stabULzation to pxevent aix and watex pollution. Because these tailings ponds axe locat- ed undex wideey vaxyting etLmctLe conditions and thetix physical and chemi- cal ehaxactexti5tLes axe not constant, many methods have been developed by the Fedexal Buxeau ob Mines and oXhex inve4- ttigatoxs box 4tabLtLzLng taLtLngs. This papex detfnea.e4 the magnitude ob the pxoblemz associated with the xeelametLon ob milling plant wastes and discusses the vaxtious methods that have been developed and used. Data bxom selected Buxeau o4 Mines taboxato&y xeseaxch pxojects and a s.abAJLzetLon field txtial axe pxesen.ed.

Jan 1, 1976