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AT THE beginning of May the German government offered to the French and Belgians the payment of 30 billion .gold marks as indemnity, accom-panied by rather involved terms, among which was the ability of the Germans to finance the foreign loan. This offer was promptly and summarily refused by the French and Belgians. Since then there have been more palavers between the two parties, while the occupation of the Ruhr continued without especial incident, except some socialist riots and workmen's strikes. The renewed conference between the Allies and the Turks at Lausanne continued, without apparently getting anywhere. The Turks demanded an indemnity from the Greeks, which the latter refused to pay, threatening a resumption of hostilities rather than to do so. A. Bonar Law, the British premier, resigned his office soon after the middle of May, owing to poor health. The King appointed Stanley Baldwin as his successor. This. Attainment to the premiership of Great Britain by a business man is a noteworthy event. It is, moreover, to be remarked that Mr. Baldwin is personally acquainted with America and is well known to be a friend to Americans. The Irish rebellion came to an end. Economically there was some improvement in the situation in Great Britain during May, which was reflected in diminution in the number of unemployed. Nevertheless the aggregate of the unemployed in Great Britain continues at a very high figure. In Germany there has been an increase in the number of unemployed ever since the French occupation of the Ruhr, which naturally has been choking German industry. Previous to this the percentage of unemploy-ment among German workers had been low ever since the Armistice. A noteworthy domestic event was the non-stop flight of an airplane, May 2-3, bearing two aviators from New York to San Diego, California, in about 27 hours.

Jan 5, 1923

By Donald Leroux, Dave Scott, Giovanni Di Prisco

"The Lady Loretta lead-zinc deposit in Northwest Queensland, Australia contains an average of 5.9% lead, 17.1% zinc and 97 g/t silver. Ore mineralization is mostly comprised of fairly complex intergrowths of pyrite, sphalerite and galena. Starting in 1998, Noranda Inc., the major joint venture partner of the project, conducted extensive metallurgical test work, which culminated in July - August 2000 in a series of Pilot Plant tests. A common thread to all the metallurgical work has been the deportment of a large portion of silver into non-payable metallurgical products. Average silver distribution from four Pilot Plants shows a distribution of silver in lead concentrate of 28%, whereas silver in zinc concentrate was 49%, and 23% in the final tails.The consistently poor silver recovery as well as the fairly unusual silver distribution, particularly in zinc concentrate, was considered an issue to be thoroughly investigated. A mineralogical plan was devised to determine if these particular metallurgical results were somewhat related to the nature and mode of occurrence of silver carriers. Work was performed to determine discrete silver-bearing minerals and/or silver contained in solid solution in a suite of commonly occurring sulphides. Ore microscopy, SEM methods, Electron Microprobe and Ion Microprobe analyses were all used to answer these questions, and to find the silver carriers, so a metallurgical plan could be devised to improve silver recovery.INTRODUCTIONPotential economic exploitation of the Lady Loretta deposit in Queensland, Australia is driven by revenue derived from zinc and lead flotation concentrates and co-product silver recovery in lead. Relatively low recoveries of payable silver to lead concentrate, and high silver distribution to zinc concentrate necessitated an investigation into the natu"

Jan 1, 2002

By John F. Vynne

This paper will discuss several of the systems and processes that have been developed over the past few years, and are now being utilized by major mining companies on draglines in North America, Australia and South Africa. These technologies include production monitors and reporting systems, GPS navigation systems, structural integrity monitoring systems, structural analysis studies to increase the dragline RSLs, and inspection and response strategies. The use of these technologies provides significant increases in dragline production, and reduces maintenance costs and downtime. The question that needs to be asked is what value is there in monitoring? Increasing dragline productivity is dependent upon to two items with the overall goal being to maximize the number of bank cubic meters moved and to uncover more coal: 1) maximizing payload and 2) maximizing the number of cycles. If you do not measure and try to optimize the parameters that impact payload and number of cycles, there is very little chance that you can improve overall dragline productivity. These parameters are: Maximizing payload is dependent upon the following: ? Geology ? Blasting ? Monitor weighing accuracy ? Engage location ? Disengage Location ? Rigging ? Suspended load ? Bucket characteristics ? Operator skills ? Minimizing rehandle Maximizing the number of cycles depends upon maximizing digging time, and minimizing cycle and delay/down times by: ? Minimizing Operational Delays ? Minimizing Mechanical Delays ? Minimizing Idle time ? Minimizing Walking time ? Minimizing Fill Time ? Minimizing Swing Angle ? Maximizing Swing & Return Rates ? Minimizing Spot Time A third reason to monitor, conduct structural analysis studies, and have inspection strategies is to prevent catastrophic failures such as shown in the following photographs (figures 1 & 2).

May 1, 2008

By Shenxu Bao, Ying Bian, Xiang Liu, Liuyi Ren, Yimin Zhang, Chun Liu

Efficient enrichment of high-carbon low-grade mica stone coal containing vanadium is a key problem in the mineral processing field, and the mature beneficiation process is yet to be developed and applied. In this paper, a special mineral mica type of stone coal containing vanadium from Tongshan, Hubei Province, China was selected as the research object. Chemical analysis results show that this mineral contains V2O5 0.71%, SiO2 49.28%, C 13.44%, and CaO 6.26%. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) shows that vanadium generally exists in all kinds of mica minerals in 20 µm to 50 µm fractions. Mica stone coal containing vanadium must be ground to a particular fineness (approximately 45 µm). To reduce acid consumption during vanadium extraction from stone coal through acid leaching, a pretreatment process was proposed to enrich micas by using shaking table and flotation methods. A new combined technology process was implemented, resulting in a 0.96% improvement in the vanadium grade of raw materials in the succeeding process. Vanadium losses were controlled to 4.57% through the pre-concentration process, which reduced the burden of the subsequent procedure. The content of high acid consuming minerals was also diminished, such that approximately 6612 CNY was saved from producing 1 t V2O5. Therefore, stone coal containing vanadium should be pre-concentrated by using an appropriate combined process to reduce costs.

Jan 1, 2014

By Regina Maria Pinheiro

This work has for objectives to characterize a waste generated in the form of sludge during the treatment of the effluent of a paper making industry and to evaluate the effect of its incorporation in the amount of 10 wt.% on the properties and microstructure of a clayey body used for brick production. For the characterization of the waste the following techniques were used: X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, differential thermal analysis and termogravimetric analysis. Incorporated bricks were produced in industrial scale before firing at 750°C in a Modified Caieira type furnace. The physical and mechanical properties evaluated were water absorption and compression strength. The microstructure of the fired ceramic was evaluated by optical microscopy. The environmental evaluation was made by solution test and atmospheric emission by monitoring the release of SO2, NOx and particulate material. The results showed that, in agreement with the characteristics of the waste, its recycling into red ceramic can contribute to decrease the consumption of fuel during the firing stage. The properties of the fired ceramic attend the norms. With respect to the environmental aspect, the incorporation of the waste did not impact the environment.

Jan 1, 2009

In Australia we usually define "resource" in purely material terms, and rarely relate it to intellect and human capacity. We look at the sheer abundance of our natural resources and are satisfied with the feeling that we don't really need-to rely on using our brains. Certainly our country is fortunate to have the mineral resources it does, but in many ways Australia's worst enemy is its "lucky country" syndrome because we tend to underutilise the great resource we have in the capacities of our people. Raw material exports will undoubtedly continue to contribute a major share of our export revenue, but to harness the riches our country has to offer most effectively we need the vision and planning necessary to bring together our material and human resources. There is a need not only to find, exploit and process our minerals economically, but to turn as much of our mineral wealth as possible into high value products before it leaves the country. In particular we must use our brainpower if we want to maximise economic benefit from and political influence over the strategic minerals which leave our shores. In the past we have been successful in finding and exploiting minerals because our mining industry has been in the forefront of private sector research and development. But if Australia is to have an advantage over other mineral rich countries in insulating itself from the effects of cyclical swings in commodity prices, then the future of the industry must lie even more in technological sophistication rather than depending. on such considerations as size and location of mineral deposits. To survive, our mineral industry must have the foresight and resourcefulness to make its own luck. There are two keys to increased efficiency in exploration and production and in further processing methods: enhancement of the skills of the workforce and continual improvement of R&D.

Jan 1, 1986

By P Duplancic and C R Lilley, R Hudson, D Beck

For deep block and panel caving mines, undercut or extraction level instability can have as much impact on overall recovery as underbreak or the premature ingress of waste. If the area of the mine affected by excessive convergence is small, recovery is usually possible. However, there are several examples of entire blocks that were abandoned prematurely due to footprint collapse. Clearly, such global instability has a major impact on recovery and must be avoided – this is one of the essential tasks for the design team.The design problem is complex. The planning engineer must ensure that the footprint has sufficient capacity to withstand the maturing loads in the cave, accounting for the effects of stress path, geological structures and the rock mass conditions. These are often uncertain and only sometimes quantified.The demand on the footprint will also be influenced by decisions and actions taken during production, especially related to draw, which can worsen a developing problem. Perhaps most importantly, the design decisions that favour stability and lead to lower deformation also negatively impact on idealised cave flow. Many engineers aim to minimise the size of extraction level pillars, to improve theoretical future resource recovery but in fact this can reduce recovery if widespread deformation ensues due to the undersized pillars.In 2014, PT Freeport Indonesia undertook detailed numerical analysis to quantify the effects of variability in rock mass conditions and geological structure on overall footprint performance. The analysis accounted for a range of stress paths and maturing cave loading scenarios sourced from a calibrated whole-of-cave deformation-flow model. The intent was to replicate some of the diversity and distribution of pillar deformation outcomes that may be seen in practice at Freeport.The discontinuum finite element analysis was able to replicate damage localisation around persistent structures, a realistic distribution of drive deformation and show how small areas of instability can evolve into major problems if poorly managed. The limits of pillar size and ground support as solutions to a number of different instability problems was also investigated, showing that pillar size alone was not a sufficient remedy for all adverse circumstances.In this paper, we describe the workflow for numerical analysis of footprint deformation. We discuss the compromises and considerations for balancing the sometimes competing needs for efficient extraction levels pillars, ground support and prudent draw strategy.CITATION:Beck, D, Hudson, R, Wilson, A D, Duplancic, P and Lilley, C R, 2016. An investigation of factors affecting the long-term reliability of extraction level pillars in deep block and panel caves, in Proceedings Seventh International Conference and Exhibition on Mass Mining (MassMin 2016), pp 295–304 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

May 9, 2016

By Jin Zigang

In China there are more than 30 coal fields menaced by karst-confined water. In the north and east of China there are many collieries which mine coal seams of the Carboniferous and Permian Systems, which are above the Ordovician limestone (general thickness is 500-600 meters). Ordovician limestone is full of karst fissures, contains a lot of water under high pressure (15-65 kg/cm2) near the commercial coal seams (20-80 meters), the water easily infiltrates the thin lime- stone at the point of the structure crevice, so water-irruptions from the floor are the main source of water-related disasters in these coal fields. According to the statistics there were more than 300 accidents of all kinds of water-irruptions from the floor in these fields since the beginning of their development. It is of great significance in developing coal production in the eastern part of China to solve the problem of safe mining of the seams menaced by the karst-confined water of the Ordovician limestone. The research on this subject consists of three parts: (1) investigating the geological structure and hydrogeological conditions of each mine of the mining area; (2) researching the mechanism of water-irruptions from the floor and proposing reliable methods to predict and monitor; (3) improving the mining system and proposing a mining plan with safety precautions against water-caused accidents. The chief task is to research the mechanisms involved and to discover the causes and conditions of the phenomenon. The authors have obtained some findings on this subject in the last five years, making use of the comprehensive observation and research system, which will be discussed under three headings.

Jan 1, 1984

To cool hot working environments in deep mines more efficiently, while substantially reducing the maintenance required by presently used cooling coil heat exchangers. Approach A mine's chilled water supply cools fresh air enroute to hot working areas, in an improved, direct-mixing heat exchanger. How It Works Warm, fresh ventilation air traveling through the mine's ventilation tubing enters the lower portion of the cooler heat exchanger through a large round opening designed to accept the ventilation duct. This air flow is turned upward and evenly distributed by egg-crate lattice and pair guide vans at the bottom of the cooler. On the diagram, warm air enters at the bottom left. As the air moves upward through the cooler, it passes through a plastic or wire mesh pad which is arranged so that it offers the most resistance to upward airflow immediately above the cooler inlet: this more or less equalizes the upward air flow along the length of the cooler. The air next moves through the cold water sprays, and then through a wire-mesh demister pad before exiting from the cooler at the top right. Cooling of the air is accomplished in several stages. As the incoming air passes through the lower plastic or wire mesh pad, it is exposed to water flowing downward through the pad to the water sump. This is water that has fallen from the sprays or dripped from the upper wire-mesh mist eliminator. This water is slightly warmer than the spray water since it has already done some cooling,

Jan 1, 1981

By A. T. Tye

REGARDING the results of preferential flotation at Cananea, Weinig has stated that "The concentrating mill of the Cananea Consolidated Copper Company at Cananea, Mexico, furnishes an excellent example of modern flotation practice. The complete figures are given because they present so forcibly the advantages of modern selective flotation."' L. 0. Howard notes that "Perhaps the outstanding example so far published of improvements in results through the use of selective flotation is that at Cananea, Mexico."2 The following notes indicate the conditions under which the results were obtained at Cananea; also the effect of preferential flotation at the concentrator and at the smelter. In the majority of cases the full benefit of selective flotation is not fully realized, as the concentrates are shipped from the mill to smelters owned by other companies. The saving made at a certain concentrator by this method of flotation may be well understood but the saving resulting at the smelter from the results of preferential flotation at the mill is not so apparent, as the data are contained in the smelting records of some other company. Even at the smelter the great gains following preferential flotation may not be noted, as a variety of ores and concentrates from various sources are received and the difference from the changed concentrator operations of a certain mill may be obscured. As noted by Professor Weinig and Professor Howard, the results obtained at Cananea brought about a veritable metallurgical revolution at the smelter.

Jan 1, 1927

By Richard Franchot

FERROUS metallurgy today, defined as the art of extracting money from iron ores, appears to suffer from a complex of inherited theory. In so far as pig iron costs contribute to inadequate profit margins, this symptom may be diagnosed as due to persistence, despite disproval, of Sir Lowthian Bell's theories of reduction. An attempt to meet the economic situation by reducing costs through improving blast-furnace metallurgy would be inconsistent with Bell's theories. These theories, though refutable on the facts of practice, still prevail and today's metallurgy, as measured by its fuel economy or smelting efficiency ranging between 30 and 40 per cent. is no better than Bell's, showing a specific efficiency of 36 per cent.1 If fair to neglect dry-blast operations, it appears that the advance in furnace practice since Bell's day, as shown by a tenfold increase in individual furnace capacity, has been largely mechanical and that the metallurgy of the process has not been changed materially, since the introduction of blast heat, patented in 1828. It seems fair to attribute, this lack of progress on the strictly metallurgical side to a domination of the industry by false ideas first expressed by Lowthian Bell. What the furnace seems to need first, in the interest of lower costs and of better iron, is some destructive criticism of these ideas, in moderate doses, to be followed by a constructive theoretical treatment; then, research and still more research.

Jan 1, 1929

By A. W. Khair

This paper presents an analysis of respirabie dust generation due to the action of a continuous miner. Underground coal cutting by a drum-type continuous miner was simulated in the laboratory using a specially designed unique automated rotary coal cutting simulator (ARCCS). An analysis of -400 mesh particles was done on gravity collected material. Samples of entrained dust were collected through the use of cascade impactors. Both samples were analyzed for size distribution and particle shape. Using the simulated coal cutter permitted variation of operating and in-situ parameters to provide information on the effects on generation of -400 mesh particles. In these tests coal blocks with an approximate dimension of 18 in. x 15 in. x 6 in. (45.7 cm x 38.1 cm x 15.2 cm) were first subjected to confining pressures, equivalent to in-situ conditions. Such blocks were then cut by the cutting head of the ARCCS, thus simulating the action of the continuous miner in underground coal mining. During the tests under a particular set of in-situ and operating parameters a number of other parameters such as 1) penetration of bit into coal, 2) penetration resistance (thrust and cutting pressures), 3) rotating velocity of cutting head, and 4) acoustic emission activity in the coal block were monitored. After each cutting cycle the fractured surfaces were photographed and a velocity survey was conducted by using a sonic technique. At the end of each experiment the cutting paths of the bits in coal were photographed using an optical microscope with an attached camera.

Jan 1, 1985

By Lawrence W. Teufel

Knowledge of in situ stress and natural fracture distribution at depth improves our ability to stimulate and produce low permeability reservoirs. The focus of this study is three closely spaced, 2.5 km deep vertical wells in the Piceance Basin of Colorado. The wells were completed through the tight lenticular and blanket gas sands of the Mesaverde Group. In situ stress directions and magnitudes were determined from hydraulic fracture tests and anelastic strain recovery measurements of oriented core. The distribution, orientation, and characteristics of natural fractures in the subsurface were determined from detailed observations of over 1300 m of core, of which 400 m was oriented. Stress measurements clearly show that horizontal stresses are strongly influenced by lithology. In a sandstone/shale sequence at a depth of about 2.0 km in situ stresses in sandstone formations are anisotropic, with the average ratios of the minimum and maximum horizontal stresses to the overburden stress being 0.82 and 0.96, respectively. In sharp contrast bounding shale formations are lithostatic. This stress contrast between sandstones and bounding shale formations could act as a barrier to hydraulic fracture propagation during stimulation and impede vertical fracture growth. Natural calcite-filled fractures are present in over 7 percent of the core, with several horizons having a much higher frequency of fractures. Fractures are found primarily in sandstone. The fractures have a strong preferred orientation of N 1060E[+]110, which is aligned with the maximum horizontal stress and direction of hydraulic fracture propagation. The interaction between a well developed fracture fabric and anisotropic stresses in sandstone formations produces a permeability anisotropy, with the maximum permeability aligned with the fracture fabric and maximum horizontal stress.

Jan 1, 1986

By Frank E. McCall, Michael A. Trevits, Fred Garcia

The U.S. Bureau of Mines investigated the influence of atmospheric pressure changes on methane gas migration through mine seals at a mine site located in the Pittsburgh Coalbed. The mine gained access to a coal reserve through part of an abandoned mine and constructed nine seals to isolate the extensive old workings from the active mine area. Underground problems were experienced when atmospheric pressure fell, causing methane gas to migrate around the seals and into the active workings. During mining operations, methane gas levels exceeded legal limits and coal production was halted until the ventilation system could be improved. When mining resumed with increased air flow, methane gas concentrations occasionally exceeded the legal limits and production had to be halted until the methane level fell within the mandated limit. To assist the ventilation system, a pressure relief borehole located in the abandoned workings near the mine seals was proposed. Preliminary estimates by a gob gas simulator (computer model) suggested that a 0.76 m (2.5 ft) diameter pressure relief borehole with an exhaust fan would be necessary to remove enough methane from the abandoned area so that the ventilation system could dilute the gas in the active workings. However, by monitoring methane gas emissions and seal pressure, during periods of low atmospheric pressure, the amount of methane gas that migrated into the active mine workings was calculated. Researchers then determined that a relief borehole, 20.3 cm (8-in) with an exhaust fan could remove at least twice the maximum measured volume of migrating methane gas. Because gas concentrations in the abandoned workings could potentially reach explosive limits, it was proposed that the mine eliminate the exhaust fan. Installation of the recommended borehole and enlarging two other ventilation boreholes located in the abandoned area reduced methane gas leakage through the seals by at least 63%.

Jan 1, 1995

By A. J. Weinig

The Liberty Bell cyanide precipitate is unique in that it is apt to vary widely in composition in the course of very short periods of time, and a method of refining and melting that would prove highly satisfactory at one cleanup would yield7almost a hopeless "mess" at a second. Table I gives a general conception of the wide range in grade and composition of those raw precipitates. It is evident that no one standard flux could be expected to produce a high-grade bullion with such a widely variable precipitate, and that any method of treatment with acid requires most careful consideration. Refining by Acids Naturally, our first efforts to improve our precipitates were directed along the lines of acid treatment. Table II embodies the results of careful sampling and analysis of one cleanup at the time when wet refining reached its maximum development at this mill. We have now discarded all methods of wet refining, successfully replacing them by a more scientific method of flux calculation described herein, but it is believed that a general description of this wet refining is warranted as it throws some interesting side lights on acid refining in general. Table I.—Range of Composition of Raw Precipitates Per Cent. Gold and silver.................................... 25.0 to 75 Zinc.............................................. 18.0to 30 Lead............................................. 0.5 to 52 Copper........................................... 0.5 to 20 Silica............................................ 1.0 to 5 Calcium oxide...................................... 4.0 to 8 Sulphur.......................................... 0.5 to 8 Column A gives the analysis of the raw precipitate; column B, that of the precipitate after heating with steam, with frequent addition of hydrochloric acid until a point was reached where the batch had a strong tend-

Jan 1, 1917

By Hewitt Wilson

CHALK is soft, pulverulent limestone formed from calcareous remains of microscopic organisms. Whiting is the powder made by the fine- grinding of limestone. Although European chalk dominated the early American market and is still shipped to the eastern and western seaboards, the domestic producer, by new technical processing, improved equipment, and proper selection and mixing of raw materials has shown that the United States can be independent of foreign sources. DISTRIBUTION European Chalk-Outcrops of Cretaceous chalk are found in the area roughly bounded by Antrim, Ireland, on the east, East Prussia on the west, Sweden and Scotland on the north, and Nice, France, on the south. Commercial chalk is mined from the chalk cliffs between Dover and Hull, England; from deposits near Mons, in the Departments of Pas de Calais and Nord in northern France; and from similar de- posits in Denmark and Belgium. United States-Some grade of limestone is found in every state of the Union, but true chalk of Cretaceous age is limited to three large areas in the central and southern states. Niobrara (Cretaceous) chalk outcrops are found as a narrow band encircling the Black Hills in South Dakota, Wyoming, and Nebraska, and in much larger exposures in southeastern South Dakota, eastern Nebraska, and western Kansas. A third chalk belt extends from west central Arkansas into Oklahoma and connects with the Austin beds, which almost cross Texas. In the southeastern states, the Selma chalk extends from western Tennessee south through northern Mississippi and turns east across central Alabama. Most of the domestic chalks are discolored with iron oxide or carbon. Some marls can be included with chalks of commercial possibilities. Some of the soft, cream-colored limestones of northern Florida, Georgia,

Jan 1, 1949

By T. Hidayat

The distributions of minor elements between slag/metal and slag/matte in equilibrium with tridymite in the Cu-Fe-O-S-Si-Al-Ca system have been investigated in the range of conditions of interest to the high- temperature copper production, refining, and recycling processes. An improved experimental methodology has been used involving high temperature equilibration in controlled gas atmospheres, rapid quenching, and quantitative microanalysis techniques using Electron Probe X-ray Microanalysis (EPMA) and Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrum (LAICPMS). The effect of oxygen partial pressure on the distributions of minor elements between slag/metal and slag/matte has been accurately measured. The effects of slagging components (Al2O3 and CaO) on the distributions of minor elements between slag/metal have also been experimentally determined. The present study is a part of a larger integrated experimental and thermodynamic modelling research program in the systems relevant to high-temperature copper processing. INTRODUCTION In the high temperature processing of copper, minor elements are distributed between different phases, i.e. liquid slag, liquid matte, and liquid metal. From a processing perspective, it is desired to have the valuable minor elements distribute predominantly in the metal and matte phases rather than in the slag phase, and to have the non-valuable minor elements distribute predominantly in the slag phase rather than in the metal and matte phases. Knowledge of the distributions of minor elements between phases in the smelting, converting, and refining processes is required if the distributions of minor elements between phases in these processes are to be optimized.

Jan 1, 2019

By W. W. Loo

A REVIEW of the literature on the reduction of cassiterite showed. that scarcely any progressive changes were made in the methods of reducing cassiterite until within the last two decades, and that during that period many improvements in the metallurgy of tin have taken place. Since 1914 the world's consumption of tin has increased considerably, resulting in the exploitation of primary tin deposits such as the Bolivian lode, which has become an important source of tin. On account of the low tin content of Bolivian ore, and the presence of objectionable impurities of the reduced tin, the smelting of this ore and the refining of the tin has changed considerably from the methods formerly used. A comparative study of the methods of smelting cassiterite concentrates suggested that an investigation be planned so as. to determine what factors effect the extraction of tin from its ores by reduction with carbon. The first part of the experimental work was the determination of whether roasted cassiterite concentrates can be reduced by carbon without the use of flux, and the reduced pellets of tin be collected into a single mass separate from the dry gangue residue The second part of the experimental work was a comparison of the effect of variations of the different factors on the smelting of roasted cassiterite concentrates: first, the effect of varying the composition of the slag; second, the effect of varying the amount of reducing agent; third, the effect of varying the relative amount of the resulting slag; and fourth, the effect of different kinds of reducing agents:

Jan 1, 1928

By Jun-Yan Chen

Ground control problems in sublevel caving become evident as the rock pressure increases with depth. Recently, a finite element analysis of the stability problem of the sublevel caving method was completed by the author. This paper summarizes the results of stress analysis in sublevel extraction drifts under different field stress conditions by using linear elastic and nonlinear elastic-plastic finite element modeling techniques. A critical stress concentration will occur in the uppermost sublevel drifts beneath the caved area or blasted ore area. During the blasting and drawing cycle, a tensile and shear failure condition could develop in the center extraction drift when it would be mined last. Under a high horizontal stress field condition, almost all tensile stress in the back of the extraction drifts will be eliminated and only slight yield can be seen in the floor of the extraction drifts. Compared to the cases under the stress field where vertical stress is the dominant factor, the total yielding zone will be greatly reduced because of an in- creasing horizontal stress field with depth. However, it is predicted that the center of each ore column side will experience excessive shear stress that probably will result in ore failure. The two major conclusions drawn from this study to improve the overall stability of sublevel caving are: (1) the drift width must be carefully controlled and an appropriate stoping sequence selected; and (2) the sublevel caving method can be used in deep min

Jan 1, 1983

By L. M. Pidgeon

The reactive metals are above manganese on the electromotive series. Their compounds are characterized by large heats of formation and they cannot be reduced from their ores by classical methods. Three general production methods have been used: a) Fused salt electrolysis, b) reduction of a halide by another metal, and c) reduction of the oxide by another metal. Method (a) is highly developed, as in the case of aluminum, (b) in the case of titanium, and (c) has been successful in the case of volatile metals such as magnesium and calcium. It is suggested that future improvements will take place in (a), and particularly in (c), but are rather less likely in the case of (b). THIS year of 1963 is the centennial of the birth of both Charles Hall and of Heroult, the founders of the aluminum industry. Aluminum is the one reactive metal which has reached massive stature in modern industry and perhaps the only such metal to have been produced in any quantity before the turn of the century. It has been joined by others, some on a very modest scale, but all of importance and all of fascinating interest. When invited to give the Fifth Extractive Metallurgy lecture, it seemed appropriate to look back upon the short history of this group to trace the developments which brought extraction methods to their present state and, at great risk, offer opinions as to future trends.

Jan 1, 1963