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By R F. G Phelps, C J. S Sangster, G S. C

Narrow vein metalliferous mining in the UK has a long history, but there are only two small gold operations at present (Clogau and Gwynfynydd). Four further gold properties are at various stages of evaluation (Calliachar, Cononish, Curraghinalt and Maestryfer). The South Crofty tin mine closed earlier in the year. Narrow veins are exploited underground and are challenging to evaluate because of their geologically variable nature. They are generally less than 3 m wide, discordant, of variable dip (

Jan 1, 1998

By A. Long, A. Silverman, J. L. Kulp

Garth Crosby has written an excellent geologic description of the deposits surrounding the Gem stocks in the Coeur d'Alene district. The ore deposits in the area of the Gem stocks may hold the key to the age and mineralization history of the entire Coeur d'Alene district. A recent isotopic study10 of the Coeur d'Alene district in this laboratory illustrates that a classical geologic interpretation of these deposits, with its implications for the whole district, may lead to erroneous conclusions. For this reason it seems pertinent to submit a summary of these results and an interpretation of the mineralizing history of the Coeur d'Alene districts. Pitchblende from the Sunshine mine has been dated as 1100-1200 million years (m.y.) by Kerr and Kulp,11 and Eckelmann and Kulp.12 This pitchblende is known to predate the major sulphide introduction in the Sunshine mine, but it clearly follows the metamorphism and folding of the Belt Series. Recently, Goldich (personal communication) dated sericite from the Belt rocks as 1200 m.y. by the potassium-argon method. This date establishes a minimum Belt age if the sericite is of metamorphic origin and a maximum age if detrital. The Belt Series, therefore, is not latest Precambrian. Lead isotope ratios of galenas have been measured and model ages calculated by Bate, et all3 for the Sunshine mine, Farquhar and Cummingl4 or the Bunker Hill and Sullivan mine, and Cannonl6,18 for a few other deposits in the district. Galenas from similar deposits in Southern British Columbia have been measured by Bate, et al,23 Farquhar and Gumming,11 and Wanless and Leech." The new work in this laboratory includes leads from ten widely scattered mines north and south of the Osburn fault, and through a vertical distance of over 5000 ft (Star mine). Included in this group are the Hercules, Sunset, and Mountain Goat mines, which are adjacent to the Gem stocks. In addition, galenas from stringers which cut the Gem stocks in the Success and Sunrise mines and the Hercules hanging wall dike in the lower western portion of the Hercules mine, were included in the study. All of the above leads, except one, give model ages of 1300-1400 m.y. for the time of segregation from the parent material. The concordance of the common lead and U-Pb ages, the great horizontal and vertical uniformity of the lead ratios, the sulphur ratios of two Sunshine mine galenas and three galenas from the Edith, Page, and Hercules mines indicating average crustal sulphur, and the U23/Pb204 ratio inferred for the original lead environment, indicate that the entire mineralization of the Coeur d'Alene-British Columbia base metal belt was derived from a deep source and emplaced in the Precambrian. One sample of galena from sulphide stringers cutting the North Gem stock at the Sunrise Prospect mine gave a modern (i.e., Tertiary) lead ratio. This mine is located at the northern tip of the stock. The presence of modern lead suggests mobilization of some rock lead during the intrusion of the Gem stocks and their outliers. Larsen et al.l8 have dated the Gem stocks as Tertiary by the lead alpha method. If Coeur d'Alene mineralization was genetically related to Tertiary magma formation and intrusion

Jan 1, 1961

By R. Pakalnis, Richard P. Curtin, Lewis A. Martin

Instrumented cable bolts developed at the Spokane Research Laboratory of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health were used in conjunction with existing ground control to monitor rock mass loads at various field sites (T.G. Soda Ash, Getchell, Meikle, SSX, K-2, and Stillwater). Axial and shear loads were determined by strain gages to levels of instrument accuracy of ±5 N or ±5 microstrain as these loads were transferred to the instrumented cable bolts. These gages were 12.5 mm long and embedded into a remanufactured king wire that replaced the conventional king wire. Cable bolt performance, quality of grout, and installation techniques were also assessed. By using instrumented cables, a mine operator can determine axial load along the cable at predefined gage locations. By monitoring load on and displacement of the rock mass, more effective ground support can be selected and installed, which will lead to safer working conditions for miners.

By Walter Smith

Environmental Quality Committee ?EQC was created in 1995 to facilitate dialogue between industry and northern communities and help build the understanding of the industry in those communities. ?EQC is made up of representatives from 32 northern communities. ?Meet regularly with Cameco to discuss on going and new projects. ?Tour mine sites on a yearly basis.

Nov 1, 2011

By Georgene Renner, William R. Yernberg, Steve Kral

Allmand exhibited its LSC 100Light Sequence Commander, the mining industry’s first automatic lighting and command control system. The system is available with all of Allmand’s portable light towers. The LSC100 uses a preset photocell sensor that allows the light tower to be automatically turned on or off. At dusk, the sensor engages the power unit and then activates the light. At dawn, the sensor automatically shuts off the light. The unit also features an eight-event digital timer that allows eight separate sequences daily. The LSC100’s sequenced light control ensures that the engine is started before the lights are turned on or off. This prevents possible generator damage that can occur if the unit is powered down under load. Also, a low-fuel shutdown sequence helps protect the generator from damage by automatically shutting down the unit when the fuel level reaches 10 percent. And the LSC100’s smart circuitry senses engine water temperature during startup, determines the glow-plug time requirement and schedules repeat intervals, if necessary, to start the diesel engine.

Jan 1, 2004

By U. N. Bhrany, N. Arbiter

F. C. Bond (Consulting Engineer, Processing Machin-Dept., AllisChalmers Manufacturing Co., Milwaukee) This is a very comprehensive paper. It deals with 1) size distribution functions, 2) energy-particle size relationships, and 3) criteria for grinding efficiency. The method of analysis used consists of tracing the increase and decrease of successive Tyler scale screen fractions as grinding progresses. The treatment is based upon the assumption that the work done in grinding is concentrated entirely upon the coarse size fractions in the mill. It is postulated that when a feed consisting entirely of particles of one size fraction is batch ground that finer fractions increase at a constant rate as grinding progresses, until finally each in turn begins to be ground and to decrease in amount. It is shown that under these conditions the empirical Gates-Gaudin-Schuhmann log-log size distribution plot can be logically explained. It is difficult to imagine any condition of ball mill operation, or any probability analysis, which would result in no grinding contacts on the finer particles present. However, the authors' postulate must be accepted if their conclusions are to be sustained. They conclude that the equation expressing the for mation rate of each size fraction can be resolved into the G.-G.-S. size distribution equation, and that the curvilinear portion of the log-logsize distribution line represents the only particle sizes which are being ground as well as produced. The author's statement that the G.-G.-S. Eq. 4 applies only to the finer portion of the size distribution while the Rosin-Rammler Eq. 6 applies over the whole size distribution range certainly supports the view that an exponential equation of the Rosin-Rammler type corresponds more closely to actual size distribution than does the power law G.-G.-S. equation. However, the G.-G.-S. equation is used to derive Eq. 8 and Eq. 9, which state that the energy required to grind a ton through a particular mesh varies inversely as the particle size to the exponent -a , whic h is the slope of the extended G.-G.-S straight line. This is stated to apply to both batch and continuous grinding. The G.-G.-S. slope exponent thus becomes very important in all crushing and grinding analyses by this method. The authors include some data which can be used to test their conclusions, as described below: We will consider grinding a feed composed of 14 mesh (1190u) to -200 mesh (74u). The average of 17 Allis-Chalmers grindability tests on quartz gives a work index (Wi) of 12.77. The -200 mesh product should have 80 pct passing 41.6u or P = 41.6. The equivalent 80 pct passing size of the 14 mesh feed particles is considered to be the particle diameter, as is true for spherical particles. Thus F is 1190u. In the work index equation 10 wi 10 wi 127.7 127.7 P f 41.6 1190 = 16.1 kw-hrperton. In Table I the ball mill exponent for quartz is 1.0 and from Eqs. 9 and 10: w=kw-hr/ton =Constan/(do/di) = 16.1 ton so that (1190) Constant/ Constant and the Constant equals 259. The tons per horsepower-hour value is 0.0464, in agreement with Table IV. The exponents for other minerals are listed in Tabl e 11. In Table IIA, the kilowatt hours per ton required to grind these minerals between the same sizes as the quartz, both by the authors' method and the work index equation, are listed. According to the authors kw-hrperton = 259/(16.1)".

Jan 1, 1961

By M. Ahmadiantehrani

The concept of hypochlorite treatment prior to cyanidation in the heap leaching of low grade carbonaceous gold ores is discussed. Laboratory column leach tests using a low grade carbonaceous ore were performed to investigate the effects of pH, concentration, hypochlorite consumption, and bed height on the total gold extraction. At high pH, the hypochlorite stability increases and thus, hypochlorite consumption is decreased. At room temperature, the total gold extraction is proportional to the hypochlorite consumption. However, at some point additional hypochlorite consumption does not increase gold extraction. Gold recoveries of 10 and 80 percent are obtained for 12 and 167 lbs/ton hypochlorite consumption, respectively. Increasing hypochlorite concentration increases the rate of extraction. For a given hypochlorite consumption gold extraction was increased by shortening the ore column height. Finally, calcium hypochlorite is more effective than sodium hypochlorite.

Jan 1, 1990

By E. Cho

Illinois No. 6 coals of IBC 101 and IBC 112 were treated in solution with sodium hypochlorite to remove their sulfur contents, especially organic sulfur. The lab experiments were conducted in two steps of leaching at room temperature and hydrolysis at 90oC. The removal of organic sulfur from IBC 101 was by 37.8% while that from IBC 112 was only 13.7% under their respective optimum conditions. This large difference in organic sulfur removal is considered to be due to difference in concentration of surface total acid group, 3.14 vs. 0.88 mmol/g of coal.

Jan 1, 2007

By Richard Zamora

El presente trabajo describe la mineralización del fierro, cobre y oro en el distrito de Montaverde, Chile. El distrito Mantoverde está ubicado a 53 km al SE del puerto de Chañaral en la Cordillera de la Costa de la III Región de Atacama, Chile. La explotación minera del distrito se inició a principios del siglo pasado y continuó en forma irregular hasta que en 1989 la Empresa Minera de Mantos Blancos S.A. desarrolló los trabajos de exploración. Posteriormente, dichos trabajos a escala distrital permitieron ampliar el conocimiento de la mineralización hipógena e incrementar el potencial del yacimiento. En este sentido, el presente texto señala diversos antecedentes que ubican a Mantoverde como uno de los más importantes distritos cupríferos de la Cordillera de la Costa de Chile.

Apr 24, 2001

By Irina A. Pulyaeva

Hydrogenetic Fe-Mn crusts play an important role in marine mineral-deposit research because of their widespread occurrence and high concentrations of valuable and rare metals. Most Fe-Mn crust deposits occur on the tens of thousands of seamounts found in the global ocean as well as on ridges and plateaus. Because of these circumstances, it is essential to clarify a number of outstanding issues with regard to Fe-Mn crust history and development, including controls on metal sources and concentrations. The first-order characteristics of Fe-Mn crusts as potential ore deposits include concentrations of metals (grade) and the thickness of crusts (tonnage), which vary depending on Fe-Mn crust structure and texture. Data on the structure, composition, age, and deposit characteristics will help define which factors are key for the creation of mineral accumulation and which combination of factors leads to the formation of potentially economic concentrations of metals. In this paper, we address the structure and characteristics of Fe-Mn crust stratigraphic sections collected from Central and Western Pacific seamounts. We describe the changes in mineralogical and chemical compositions of crust layers of different ages, the occurrence and regional distribution of these layers that correlate regionally, and reconstruct the paleoceanographic conditions that influenced crust growth.

Jan 1, 2010

By K. KAKLIS, O. SAUBI, Z. Agioutantis, R. JAMISOLA

Machine learning in the form of artificial neural networks was applied to investigate whether specimen load evolution can be predicted as a function of acoustic emission (AE) signals in the case of three-point bending (TPB) marble specimens instrumented with piezoelectric sensors. The ultimate objective of this study is to develop a model that can quantify rock behavior under loading that can lead to rock-failure prediction in underground structures subjected to bending, such as roof failure in development or production openings.

Nov 1, 2022

By J. J. Carrigan

DURING the experimental stage in our use of the electric cap lamp in the Anaconda mines at Butte. Mont., we were somewhat concerned as to how the spitting of fuses would be carried out if we completely eliminated the open-flame light. This problem was at once given serious attention by the engineering research department and some thought was given to having all blasting done by the use of electric delays, which has been the practice for some years

Jan 1, 1936

By Robert Morgan

The mind-set that only blasters and their helpers need training in explosives can result in risk to other employees working at mine or construction sites where blasting is conducted. Misfires are not always immediately obvious during postblast examinations performed by the certified blaster in charge; the presence of undetonated explosives may not appear until well within the muckpile as was the case in the photo, right. To avoid accidents involving misfires, follow safety procedures specified in mine safety regulations, and the ISEE Blaster’s Handbook that include the following:

Jan 1, 2004

By Leslie Carver

The effects of longwall mine subsidence on water resources were studied at a West Virginia coal mine (mine Z) by Carver (1994). Data were obtained for 137 domestic supply wells and springs and 12 baseflow streams. Subsidence caused short-term dewatering (of a few days to weeks) of wells located on lower hillslopes and valleys, and long-term dewatering of hillslope and hilltop springs (with no recovery yet). New or increased spring discharge was observed at lower elevations. Unsubsided water supplies experienced no dewatering beyond a nearby panel's 27°-38° angle of dewatering influence zone. Subsidence from longwall mining beneath streams commonly reduced discharge when panel ages were less than two to three years. However, "normal" discharge was typically observed over panels greater than three years in age; such streams exhibited lower baseflow recession constants, moderated winter baseflow, and increased summer baseflow compared to unsubsided streams.

Jan 1, 1994

By A B. Phillips

This paper details the approach adopted to upgrade the current metallurgical facilities at both the Driefontein and Kloof Gold Mines in the Republic of South Africa. Goldfields Ltd operates eight metallurgical plants within South Africa of which three have recently been upgraded to replace the older technology previously installed, with modern equipment. This upgrade was undertaken with a view to improving extraction efficiencies and to reduce operating costs. The upgrade was undertaken in a phased approach with the first phase focused on the replacement of the filtration/zinc precipitation processes with modern pumpcell carbon-in-pulp technology. Included in this upgrade phase was the installation of an automated hands-free electrowinning cell, which represents the first commercial application of its kind in the industry. The second phase of the upgrade entailed replacement of the multiple comminution stages previously installed with large SAG and SAG/Ball mill combinations. Due to the rapid return on these projects, a fast-track approach was adopted which necessitated the purchase of available good conditioned second-hand mills from both within South Africa as well as in Australia. Goldfields Ltd is a large mining house with gold mining operations in South Africa, Australia and Ghana. A well advanced PGM exploration project is underway in Finland- Arctic Platinum.

Jan 1, 2003

By Albert L. Toenges

Alaska requires an adequate fuel supply for its development, and has large potential coal reserves ranging from lignite to subbituminous and anthracite. Coal production in the Territory now is less than the requirements. In 1947, production was 361,000 tons, divided about equally between bituminous coal from the Matanuska field and subbituminous coal from the Nenana field. There is need for development of modern mechanized mines, which should produce the required output with a minimum of workers. These mines should not be thought of in the light of large potential capacity, as in the States. However, these new mines should be developed by modern methods, which should result in lower costs than at present. Because of the diverse physical conditions in the coal fields, intensive investigation by diamond drilling is necessary to properly plan the development and equipment of mine sites at minimum cost. The Bureau of Mines is doing this now in the Wishbone Hill area of the Matanuska field. All coal land in Alaska is government-owned and subject to the Coal Leasing Act.

Jan 1, 1949

By Robert S. Mayo

The haulage of muck from mines was first illustrated by Georg Agricola in De Re Metallica in the year 1556. In many of his ancient wood cuts he showed a crude car running on wooden rails. These wheels had no flanges. There were four pins sticking down from the car to guide it along the rails. Eventually they made the wheels of cast iron with flanges on them. In England, coal was hauled from the pit mouth to the nearest river or canal in "wains", or wagons, running on the common highways. These wains carried one chaldron of coal, weighing 2500 lbs and it took six horses to haul these wains over the atrocious roads of that day. Somebody, about 1760, invented a cast iron rail. These were cast iron troughs, 4 ft long laid on wooden sleepers. With these iron rails they found that one horse could do the work of six. But this U-shaped groove trapped all the dirt and grit. Somebody had the brilliant idea of attaching a flange to the inside of the wheel and from then on the rails were of timber protected against wear by a strap of iron. Rolled rails, of wrought iron, were first used in England in 1820. I am sure that many of you people have wondered why the British and American railroads standardized

Jan 1, 1974

By J. Sigler

A series of small scale tests have been performed to establish the effect of powder factor and initiation timing on the grindability of rocks. The blasts were performed in high quality granite blocks, which were cut from stone prepared by dimensional stone quarry operations. Three different types of granite were tested. The charge configurations included detonating cord placed in five holes with water as a coupling medium or concentrated charges of equal mass, placed in the same number of holes, fully stemmed or air decked. The powder factor was varied from 0.4 to 1.2 kg/m3. Typically all charges were detonated simultaneously; however, in some experiments, detonation waves collided in the middle of each borehole and in others a small delay was used between charges. All fragments were collected and screened, and drop weight impact tests were performed on selected size fractions, using different impact energy, to calculate the resistance of the rock to impact breakage. The work index of some of the blasted samples was measured using a standard Bond mill arrangement. The experiments generally showed increased softening of the rock with powder factor, which appeared to be the dominant factor. Charge configuration as well as in-hole collisions of detonation waves affected the initial fragmentation but had little effect on the impact breakage of the samples.

Jan 1, 2008

By Albert R. Ledoux

With the improvements in design and efficiency of machinery the element of danger in its use is becoming less, but it is a question whether the strain involved in operating modern plants is not increasing somewhat the danger of accident due to human fallibility. I propose to describe a somewhat uncommon casualty resulting from a not infrequent incident in the use of air-compressors. It is not necessary to state the location of the mine in which the accident occurred nor the makers of the compreseor, and the object of this brief paper is more to draw out suggestions from members more familiar than am I with the practical handling of mining machinery, than to point a moral. The compressor in question was a three-drill machine of standard make. At the time of the accident it was furnishing air to a single drill working in an upraise from a well-ventilated tunnel, and giving ventilation to a winze below the tnnnel where two men were hand-drilling. The compressor also furnished power to a small hoist in the winze, but the hoist was only operated occasionally, and never while the drills were working. The drills were located about 1200 ft. from the compressor. The engineer testified that he never had been short of air, and that there had been no complaillts that the

Jan 1, 1904

George B. CoRless, Chairman. Superintendent, Gulf Coast Division, Humble Oil & Refining Co., Houston, Texas. W. H. Geis, Associate Chairman. Geologist, Los Angeles, California. Benjamin C. Craft, Secretary-Treasurer. Associate Professor, Petroleum Enginecring, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, La. Executire Committee George B. Corless, Chairman. M. Albertson, Production Engineer, Shell Petroleum Corporation, Houston, Texas. D. R. Knowlton, General Production Superintendent, Phillips Petroleum Co., Bartlesville, Oklahoma. R. P. McLaughlin, General Manager, Dominguez Oil Fields Co., Los Angeles, California. Hallan N. Marsh, Production Engineer, General Petroleum Corporation of California, Los Angeles, California. Theron Wasson, Chief Geologist, The Pure Oil Co., Chicago, Illinois. Production Engineering M. L. Haider, Vice-chairman. Petroleum Engineer, Carter Oil Co., Tulsa, Oklahoma. Joseph Chalmers, DeBataafsche Pet. Maatschappij, The Hague, Netherlands. Emile HugUenin, Deputy State Oil and Gas Supervisor, Los Angeles, California. Carl E. Reistle, Jr., Petroleum Engineering Department, Humble Oil & Refining Co., Houston, Texas. Production J. TERry Duce, Vice-chairman. Geologist, The Texas Company, New York, N. Y. Basil B. Zavoico, Associate Vice-chairman. Geologist, The Chase National Bank, New York, N. Y. Engineering Research R. L. Huntington, Vice-chairman. Associate Professor, Petroleum Engineering, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma. Economics Sidney A. SwensrUd, Vice-chairman. Assistant to the President, Standard Oil Co. (Ohio), Cleveland, Ohio. Refinery Engineering Walter Miller, Vice-chairman. Vice-president, Continental Oil Co., Ponca City, Oklahoma. 10

Jan 1, 1938