Search Documents

By Hamilton TM

The Holocene Minninup shoreline is a coastal barrier system stretching from Bunbury to Busselton, in southwestern Australia. It has developed in a microtidal swell wave environment, under the influence of the post- glacial marine transgression and Holocene sea level variation. Barrier sediments thin rapidly across a shallow shelf, and consist of quartzo-felds- pathic sands with a minor skeletal carbonate component. Holocene shelf deposits are laterally extensive sheets overlying Pleisto- cene limestone. Modern carbonate production is small. Development of the Minninup barrier system has been controlled largely by low rates of sediment input from terrigenous and carbonate sources, late Holocene sea level fluctuati,.,s, and pre-existent coastal landforms composed of Pleistocene limestone. Modern controls on sedimentation are the refracted, shoaling swell wave regime, and onshore winds, which combine to promote nett northward longshore drift. Holocene barrier systems of the southern Swan Coastal Plain are of several different types. These include prograded sequences of beach ridges overlying shoreface sediments, such as is found at Rockingham and parts of Geographe Bay, and complex polygenetic systems typified by the Leschenault Peninsula. Pre- liminary investigations of the barrier stratigraphy of the Minninup shoreline indicate that both progradational and polygenetic sequences are present. The processes involved in shoreline development and heavy mineral accumulation are being studied using aerial photograph inter- pretation, beach profile monitoring, sampling, and granulometric analysis. This will lead to an enhanced understanding of the mechanisms of heavy mineral accumulation, and assist in the development of genetic models as aids for Exploration.

Jan 1, 1986

By R. W. Kraft

The normal Mg-Mg,Sn eutectic is a classic example of a Chinese script eutectic. When the alloy is unidirectionally solidified, a much simpler topo-logical arrangement of the phase particles can be produced although individual grains still usually consist of two or more interpenetrating lamellar systerns. Specimens from unidirectionally solidified ingots were analyzed metallographicall~ and crys-tallographically, and it was found that the interfaces between the lamellae had a common crystallograPhic character describable by: Lamellar interfaces II {220}Mg2Sn 1) {1011}Mg Arguments are presented to explain why this particular orientation relationship tends to occur and it is shown that this criterion can be nearly satisfied simultaneously on up to four different lamellar systerns between two interpenetrating single crystals. Finally, on the basis of this work ad other similar work which has previously been done on Al-CuAl2 eutectics, a general principle pertaining to low-energy interfaces between two crystalline Phases is proposed. WITHIN the past few years several investigators1-4 have demonstrated that the microstructures of many eutectic alloys can be significantly altered by uni- directional solidification. If appropriate control is exercised over the purity of the alloy, the growth rate, and the thermal gradient during unidirectional solidification, ingots can be made in which the phase particles are aligned predominantly parallel to one another throughout substantial portions of the ingot. The present author has also shown for at least one of the alloys that the parallel lamellae tend to assume a unique crystallographic relationship during

Jan 1, 1963

By S D. Golding

The current study integrates hydrogeochemical and stable isotope results to investigate the sources and evolution of acid mine drainage at the historic Mount Morgan gold mine in Queensland, including the controlling factors and mechanisms of sulfate formation. The open pit and seepage sumps contain acid-sulfate waters and show elevated Al, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb and Zn values. Samples collected from the Dee River bordering the mine site are less acidic, with lower concentrations of dissolved metals that gradually attenuate downstream from the mine. Concentrated acid mine waters has lead to formation of efflorescences consisting mainly of hydrous Fe-sulfates. The results of the ongoing isotope analyses on water samples show distinctive grouping of the data. The range of the sulfur isotope values for dissolved sulfate in samples from the open pit and sumps (d34S = 2.1 to 3.0 per mil) are similar to those of sulfides in the Main Pipe mineralisation (d34S = - 0.2 to 2.8 per mil). The lack of fractionation between sulfides and sulfate indicates that intermediate oxidation states of sulfur are not significant and makes this technique a useful tracer to identify the sources of sulfate. The Dee River samples, on the other hand, have heavier sulfur isotopes (d34S = 2.8 to 5.0 per mil). These samples may contain dissolved sulfate from æinternal sourcesÆ in the river basin, show local bacterial reduction or indicate a simple mixing trend. Further isotope analyses including oxygen isotopes of dissolved sulfates will enhance the interpretations.

Jan 1, 2003

By Hang Zhao, Xinping Li, Pingan Wu, Yi Luo

The deep-buried rock surrounding the Jinping II Hydro-power Station was taken as the engineering background. Using model specimens of classified rock materials to simulate fractured rock mass under high in-situ stress conditions, the test about acoustic propagation law on single fracture model of specimen under different pressures and different angles were carried out. The variation of p-wave velocity in fractured rock mass and axial stress-strain relationship in the whole test procedure was also studied. Based on damage mechanics principle and the acoustic wave propagation in cracked rock mass, comparative study on damage constitutive relation of fractured rock mass under high in-situ stress in consideration of equivalent strain and equivalent energy was performed. As the results showed, with the change of axial stress level under constant confining pressure, the change in wave velocity can be divided into three stages: slow increase (small variation in amplitude), rapid reduce (large variation in amplitude ) and accelerate reduction. When the confining pressure is constant, the maximum p-wave velocity and the peak strength of specimens increases with the decrease of the crack angle. When the crack angle is constant, the maximum p-wave velocity and the peak strength of specimens increases with the increase of confining pressure.It is identified that the theoretical calculation results of constitutive relation about elasto-plastic damage model containing variable wave velocity in the fractured rock mass is consistent with the model test results.Therefore,the constitutive relation can provide reasonable suggestions for engineering practice.

Jan 1, 2015

The major slime forming minerals in coal seams are generally montmorillonite, illite and kaolinite, and due to the consistant trend to full seam mechanisation in New South Wales and Queensland these minerals remain in the feed to a coal preparation plant. After coming into contact with water their size degradation is very rapid, and therefore they mostly report to the fine coal cleaning section of the plant. Froth flotation, being the most effective method of beneficiating fine coal, is widely practised in these two major coal producing states of Australia. Plant experience and laboratory tests suggest that the presence of these slimes in the flotation circuit depresses the flotation of fine coal. Although the deleterious effects of slimes on the flotation behaviour of minerals is well known, the mode of their adsorption at the mineral surface has been a subject of controversy for some time. In this paper, on the basis of the surface properties of slime forming minerals and coal, a model has been put forward to explain the adsorption of slimes at the coal surface. The degree of slime coating has been examined by scanning electron microscopy. Laboratory tests have revealed that with the appropriate use of polyvalent phosphate electrolytes these slimes can be liberated from the coal surface. Just attrition and desliming are not enough to ensure complete liberation of slimes. Coal, after treatment with these electrolytes and then deslimed, floats readily with a common frother, such as MIBC. Modifications in the conventional flotation circuits have been suggested to ensure an efficient flotation of fine coal.

Jan 1, 1978

By Sarah Bélair, Denis Beltrami, Deka Moussa Ragueh, Valérie Weigel

"Scandium is a highly valuable element belonging to the rare earth elements (REE) but it has different chemical and physical properties from those of lanthanides. This metal is generally used in aluminum-scandium alloys and in fuel cells but the development of its market is slowed down by its high price (more than 1000 US$/kg for a 99.0% grade product). Indeed, the low scandium content in the continental crust (an average of 22 ppm) and the difficulties to extract it selectively from solutions containing high impurity concentrations increase the cost of the recovery processes. Nowadays, scandium is primarily recovered as a byproduct.ERAMET is developing a hydrometallurgical process in Gabon (Mabounié) in which the scandium content in the deposit reaches 10 to 100 ppm. The Maboumine project consists in the extraction and purification of uranium, niobium, tantalum and REE from Mabounié ore. In the frame of this hydrometallurgical project, ERAMET had also studied the feasibility to recover scandium as a byproduct. During the ore leaching, uranium and rare earth elements including scandium are solubilized into the pregnant leach solution (PLS). Among the various methods investigated to recover scandium from the PLS, liquid-liquid extraction using Primene JM-T as extractant was chosen and tested first at laboratory scale and then at pilot scale. Selective stripping of the loaded organic was carried out by using phosphoric acid solution, allowing the selective recovery of scandium from thorium and zirconium partially extracted from the PLS by Primene JM-T under the process conditions."

Jan 1, 2016

By F. Begazo

The most common approach to increase production in copper refineries is to increase current densities. However, if these increases are not well thought out beforehand and are not properly and effectively controlled, the end results could be reduced plant performance and a deterioration in cathode quality. Both of these factors result in lower efficiencies and increased costs. At the Ilo Refinery of Southern Peru Copper Corporation, a modernization and expansion program was implemented shortly after the Refinery was purchased from Minero Peru, in 1994. This program was intended to increase production from 195,200 mtpy of cathode to 227,000 mtpy over a 3-year period. Part of this production increase would come from increasing current density. During the period from 1994 to 1997, current density at the Ilo Refinery was increased from 218 A/m2 to 230 A/m2, while plant efficiencies were maintained at consistently high levels. The current efficiencies were maintained at >97.5% and time efficiencies were maintained at >98%. During 1998, additional increases in current density were implemented while the high plant performance was maintained at the same levels. By the end of 1998, the current density was 241 A/m2, while current efficiency and time efficiency of 98% were maintained. This paper describes the control processes used at the Ilo Refinery to maintain high plant performance levels while increasing the current density. Additionally, expected plant performances from extended test programs at current densities up to 280 A/m2, for future production increases, are reviewed and discussed.

Jan 1, 1999

By Wesley A. Grosh

The Valzinco mine, Spotsylvania County, Va., is a lead-zinc deposit with minor quantities of copper. The property was reopened n 1942 by Panaminas, Inc. The Bureau of. Mines, in an effort to increase the reserves of the deposit to justify greater production, diamond-drilled nine holes totaling 4,213 feet during 1943. Drilling by the Bureau delimited the original ore body and discovered another ore body on the hanging-wall side, which was being developed by the company at the close of the project.

Jan 1, 1949

Reduce dust at the auger mine face by modifying airflow patterns, around the minim machine. Approach Limited clearance between an auger miner and the mine root restricts airflow across the face and causes dust rollback. Directional sprays arc used to direct air across the face, thereby reducing dust rollback and increasing dust dilution (fig. 1). Laboratory and underground studies were used to test and optimize effectiveness of the directional sprays. Results of Laboratory Study Laboratory experiments were conducted in a simulated auger gallery equipped with a full-scale mock auger miner and bridge conveyor. A dual curtain configuration was used to direct the, ventilation, which averaged 2,700 cfm throughout the experiment. Testing variables included spray location, pressure, spacing, orientation, and number. Figure 2 shows the optimized directional spray system, also called the auger clearer spray system. The system consists of three sprays mounted alone the intake side of the miner. Sprays arc spaced 16 to 24 inches apart, and angled 30° toward the return side of the miner. The 24-inch spacing moved about 7% more air across the face than the 16-inch spacing; however, it resulted in some additional misting on the return side of the miner. A 30° orientation was more effective than a 60° orientation for moving air across the face and minimizing misting on the return side of the miner. Flat fan sprays arc used because their spray paths arc not obstructed by the top of the miner and mine roof, A 50° fan angle is used to minimize misting on the intake side of the miner.

Jan 1, 1989

By Hsun Hu

The formation of annealing textures in high-purity silver, from the various rolling textures obtanled in the course of texture transition, was studied. It was found that from a brass-type rolling texture the recrystallization texture is mainly (120) [211] type, which is quite different from the recrystallization texture of brass. From a predominantly copper-type rolling texture, the reclystallization texture is mainly (100) [001]. The recrystallization texture of silver- varies also with the degree of purity. In each case, however, the reorientation can be expressed as [Ill] rotations of 30° to 40°, which is consistent with the oriented growth theory of the formation of annealing textures. ThE recrystallization textures of rolled silver were studied long ago by Glocker and co-workers (1924-27) and were reported to be (113) [iil] upon annealing at low temperatures.1 Since that time, no further study of the recrystallization textures of silver, particularly with the modern techniques of quantitative texture determinations, has been reported in the literature. In a previous study2y3 it was found that the rolling texture of high-purity silver (99.999 +pct pure) is changed gradually from the common silver- or brass-type to the copper-type by raising the temperature of rolling from 0" to 200°C. The formation of annealing textures from the various rolling textures in the same material is, therefore, of considerable interest. The present paper constitutes the results of such a study. MATERIAL AND METHOD Specimens were taken from the same strips of high-purity silver* that were used previously for

Jan 1, 1962

By D J. Black

Ventilation modelling is used to evaluate ventilation system performance. This paper describes modelling to assess potential changes to a single entry longwall ventilation circuit to improve ventilation and gas management. The longwall panel is extracting a 215 metre face in a 1.5 metre coal seam at a depth of 900 to 1000 metres below surface. The 1.5 metre B seam is located approximately 25 metres below the main 3.0 metre A seam and the gas content of both coal seams is approximately 20 to 25 m3/t. The B seam is extracted prior to the A seam and the mine relies on fracturing of the overlying strata to induce gas emission from the A seam to reduce the gas content prior to mining. Longwall operations in the B seam are constrained by limited ventilation and high gas emissions. Due in part to statutory limits on gas concentration and air velocity, the average longwall production rate is approximately 700 t per day.Gate roads in the B seam are single entry, developed using road headers and supported with steel arches. Additional timber cog support is installed to reduce roadway closure from abutment loading. Due to the slow advance of gate road development, mine management were reluctant to consider significant mine design changes, such as two heading gate roads; therefore, the investigation focused on determining the extent to which ventilation and gas emission impacted on longwall production performance, while recommending short-term, low-cost actions to improve ventilation and gas management to support increased longwall production.CITATION:Black, D J, 2017. Application of modelling to improve ventilation and gas management in a single-entry longwall panel, in Proceedings Australian Mine Vent Conference 2017, pp 239–244 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Aug 28, 2017

By Y Zha, J L. Walshe, A Ord, N J. Archibald

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the concept of Geodynamic Modelling as an exploration tool and to provide a specific example, namely, the Century Zinc deposit in Northern Queensland. Geodynamic Modelling is an attempt to become more quantitative in the way we develop exploration models. It is a systems approach to ore genesis which examines the complete four-dimensional mineralising system of interest, rather than individual site specific ore deposits. The goal is to establish a predictive capability that enables the explorer to predict grade, tonnage, mineralogy, alteration patterns and precise location of a potential orebody given a particular exploration model. The process consists of two well-defined stages: firstly, a æsoftÆ modelling stage where all available data on lithospheric architecture, geodynamic history, fluid chemistries, fluid flow mechanisms and mechanisms of metal transport and deposition are collected; and secondly, a æhardÆ modelling stage where the system is modelled using fully coupled deformationûfluid flow-thermal transport-chemical reaction computer codes. In the case of the Century Zinc Deposit we point to its existence on the boundary between two fundamental blocks of Proterozoic mantle lithosphere. This boundary has controlled Pb/Zn mineralisation in Northern Australia from the Proterozoic through into the Paleozoic. Detailed thermal, chemical, fluid flow, deformation modelling of the Century System points to an origin involving mixing of crustal oxidised fluids bearing zinc, with reduced fluids bearing H2S and CO2 from the lower crust or mantle. We use this modelling to define critical exploration criteria for another Century type of deposit.

Jan 1, 2000

By Enrique Hauser

FIRE-DAMP is a mixture of methane with other inert gases or combustible gases. The inert gases in question are carbonic acid, water vapor, nitrogen, etc. The combustible gases are hydrogen, ethane, etc. The study of the properties of fire-damp, therefore, becomes a study of the properties of methane and the influence on its properties of the different gases we have mentioned. Characteristic Properties of Methane 1. Respirability.-Methane being a paraffin is characterized by its weak chemical affinities. From the physiological, point of view one could substitute it for nitrogen of the air at least momentarily, without experiencing any difficulty in breathing the mixture consisting of 21 per cent. 02 + 79 per cent. CH4. I .have tried this on myself, making the gas exhaled -from the lungs burn subsequently in a Bunsen burner.1 From the chemical point of view, this weak affinity permits the gas to be burned in certain circumstances with hydrogen and oxide of carbon in an oxygenated mixture, with the result that the last two gases achieve only a fractional combustion. This practice has been utilized with success in the methods of analysis which I have perfected and which I describe later in this paper. 2. Retardation of Flashing Point.-A characteristic property of methane is its retardation of flashing point, noted by Davy in 1816 and studied by Mallard and Le Chatelier in 1883.2 Taffanel and Le Floch have recently confirmed these results.3 Let us recall the nature of this retardation:

Jan 2, 1916

By Randolph A. Pax, Brian Cornish

The operation of grinding mills in an ore processing circuit is supported by monitoring the input and output variables. These can include the feed ore size distributions, ore feed and water addition rates. The outputs can include the discharge undersize density, oversize tonnage rate and the P80 of the discharge. The grinding mill performance is judged by the power draw, recycle rates and discharge grind size. Conditions inside the mill are inferred from loads cells or bearing pressures and past histories. An overall noise value is sometimes used to evaluate the load as well as the occurrence of excessive impacting of steel balls onto the liners/lifters of the mill. This paper presents results of the internal behaviour of a mill using non-contact stationary microphones located close to the mill outer shell (Pax, 2012). The noise generated by a mill can be attributed to a number of events that occur inside these mills and suitably analysed can provide real-time determinations of in-mill behaviour and can provide powerful insights into the operation of the primary comminution tumbling mills. The acoustically determined signals including a specific 'steel' signal, water hold-up, integrated area together with a classification of impact events. Specific results from case studies will show information of the trajectories inside a mill, steel to rock ratio as well as rheology effects. By incorporating a self-consistent understanding methodology for the in-mill processes from an array of microphones, the information can be used to diagnose the dynamic conditions inside a mill.

Jan 1, 2016

By R. A. Vandermeer, C. J. McHargue

The (001) fiber-texture component, found in aluminum rods extruded at subzero temperatures, consists of particles of various sizes having extremely irregular shapes dispersed in a nonuniform way throughout a matrix of the (111) orientation. Apparently the (001) texture component is not a result of recrystallization but rather is due to the presence of reimanents of the original grains which fragmented from the main body of material as it reoriented towards the (111) orientation during the extrusion process. Both X-ray line-broadening measurements and electron-microscopic observatwns indicate that, after extrusion, regions having (001) orientations are in a state of relatively less strain and distortion than (111) regions, suggesting that the former have undergone less plastic deformation. A (001) fiber-texture component is also found after complete recrystallization of extruded specimens. Approximately one third of the recrys-stallized volume has this orientation. The (001) fragments, formed during the extrusion process, act as nuclei for recrystallization; i.e., the pain boundaries separating these fragments from the matrix are capable of migrating during annealing. Electron-transmission microscopic observations and X-ray line-broadening measurements indicate that (001) regions recover at a much more rapid rate than (111) regions at annealing temperatures up to 187°C. DURING the extrusion of a rod or the drawing of a wire the individual grains comprising the piece tend to reorient towards a preferred orientation (texture) which is of the fiber type where a particular crys-tallographic direction, (uvw), in each crystallite tends to be aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis

Jan 1, 1964

By Donald R. Reichmuth

Most brittle solids are relatively weak in tension and this weakness can be very significant in determining their performance in structures and excavations. Consequently, accurate knowledge of the tensile strength of brittle materials has long been recognized as important. In the past, measurements of the tensile strength of materials such as concrete, ceramics, and particularly rock have been hindered by problems encountered in fabricating test specimens and in accurately loading them. These difficulties have resulted in a scarcity of published tensile strength data. This can be readily seen in tabulations such as Wuerker's "Annotated Tables of Strength and Elastic Properties of Rocks."1 There are now three distinct approaches being used to determine the tensile strength of brittle materials. These are shown schematically in Fig. 1. The first method consists of simply pulling the specimen apart by applying an axial load. Although this procedure is the easiest to understand, the technical problems encountered during testing are numerous. Specimens cannot be readily fabricated into dumbbell-shaped specimen* like those customarily used for testing inetals. Cylindrical specimens cannot be loaded in jaw-clamps because adverse stress conditions arise at the clamping points, which causes unreliable results. An innovation developed by Niles Grosvenor at the Colorado School of Mines, in which the load is applied through steel-end caps glued to the ends of the specimens, has considerable merit, hut the samples are costly to prepare.2 All tests using a direct pull are further handicapped by the possibility of small amounts of bending being present, the specimen's surface condition, and

Jan 1, 1968

By David Wilson

"El presente texto señala la importancia del uranio como combustible esencial en la industria de la energía atómica. Dado que Gran Bretaña tiene poco uranio en su subsuelo, se buscó un método que ayude a obtenerlo a través del mar. Posteriormente, los científicos descubrieron el uranio disperso en partículas pequeñas (3,34 millonésimas de gramo.) por cada litro de mar. Pero de los cálculos efectuados se deduce que el uranio contenido enlos mares de l mundo sobrepasa en total las 4.000.000.000 toneladas, Ante ello, se hizo pruebas como disolvente, hallándose contenido en las aguas pluviales de la zona de Nevada a través de la absorción de productos químicos a base de hierro y zinc. De forma que se utilizó materias inorgánicas como medio de arrancar el uranio de las sales marinas."

Jul 1, 1965

By O. S. Tinkler, K. C. Sole

Approximately 20% of current world copper cathode output is produced using a hydrometallurgical process route, generally referred to as the leach–solvent extraction–electrowinning flowsheet. Since its commercialization in the late 1960s, steady improvements in the performance and efficiency of the solvent-extraction reagents and equipment, combined with significant developments in leaching and electrowinning, have made an ever-widening range of ore types amenable to this technology. Following successful implementation on all major continents, a large proportion of growth in recent years derives from the re-emergence of copper solvent extraction in the Central African Copperbelt. This review provides a brief history of the development and evolution of copper solvent extractants and mixer-settler contactors, and the significance of the Copperbelt region in achieving commercialization and acceptance of the technology. The opportunities and challenges presented by the abundant high-grade oxide ores of the Copperbelt are contrasted with the processing of solutions derived from the low-grade mixed oxide–sulfide ore bodies that are prevalent in other geological regions. The current status of hydrometallurgical copper production in the African Copperbelt, within a global context, and a medium-term outlook for the technology are discussed.

Jul 5, 2023

By K. V. S. Sastry, S. C. Panigraphy, D. W. Fuerstenau

The batch balling behavior of hematite, magnetite and limestone was found to depend markedly on the grinding method used for feed preparation. Wet ground materials require higher moisture for balling than do dry ground materials. Further, as the fineness of the wet-ground material is increased, the overall rate of agglomeration decreases, whereas the opposite is true for dry-ground materials. In contrast, the resulting pellet size distributions are not affected by the nature of the feed material preparation. These differences and similarities in the agglomeration behavior between wet and dry ground materials may result from the hydrophilic/hydrophobic nature of the surfaces, the formation of pre-agglomerates during dry comminution, and possible variations in the packing density of particles in the agglomerates.

Jan 1, 1978

By H. Kazemi

A pressure fall-off test on the injection well of a forward combustion project may permit us to calculate the distance to the burning front. In the mathematical description and analysis of test data, we have considered the effect of temperature on the thermodynamic properties of reservoir fluids. The temperature distribution predicted by Chu' for a combustion wave has been used in analyzing a field test. Numerical solutions were obtained by simultaneous solution of the flow equation, the continuity quation and the equation of state. Although this analysis conccntrated on isotropic systems, the results can be extended to systems having directional permeability. INTRODUCTION Conventional pressure fall-off tests have been used extensively to determine reservoir characteristics in gas- or water-injection projects.- such tests consist of injecting fluid into the formation at a constant rate until steady state is nearly achieved, then discontinuing injection and measuring the bottom-hole pressure as a function of time. A plot of pressure vs the logarithm of time (measured from the instant of shut-in) yields a smooth curve characterized by three distinct regions (Fig. 1): Region I reflects the permeability alterations in the vicinity of the wellbore; Region II reflects the reservoir characteristics further away from the wellbore; and Region 111, the characteristics in the displaced fluid bank. The curves in Regions II and III are straight lines! the slopes of which are proportional to the reciprocal of the flow capacity of the formation behind and ahead of the interface as shown by Eq. 1, respectively:

Jan 1, 1967