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By Clement K. Chase, George M. Potter

Copper dump and heap leaching operations are conducted worldwide for production of substantial amounts of copper Such dumps and heaps contain appreciable amounts of other potentially valuable elements such as gold, Iron, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, silver, titanium, and uranium. Except for uranium, recovery of these elements has not been attempted to any significant extent However, such recovery merits attention based upon availability of existing chemical techniques. This paper presents some thoughts on possible techniques together with opportunities for commercial applications.

Jan 1, 1983

By J. M. Mutmansky, T. K. Greer

This paper takes a look at the optimal velocity to be used in coal mine entries and determines a statistical relationship for optimal velocity that can be applied under current mining conditions. This relationship provides the optimal velocity for coal mine airways under variations in power cost, mining cost differential, airway friction factor, time value of money, airway lifespan, and quantity of air carried. This enables the ventilation engineer to make an easy, rapid determination of the optimal velocity for planning purposes.

Jan 1, 1985

By G. H. K. Schenck, H. W. Robinson

Private weather forecasting services available on a contract basis can significantly reduce the uncertainty associated with weather-induced changes in mineral production and demand. Such services offer the mineral producer the opportunity for tactical and strategic response to weather conditions. There are at least 50 private meteorological consulting services as well as numerous individual meteorology consultants. Fees for services range from $150-$600 per day for one man to over $20,000 per month where a complex forecasting or modification program is undertaken.

Jan 1, 1971

By Patricia Dillon

EHS Management Standards Communication and Reporting (8) ! Establish processes for internal and external communications ! Designate responsibilities for communication with COI ! Report as defined by senior management ! Report annually to employees, shareholders, COI on EHS and social performance Community Rights and Public Consultation (9) !Identify COI?s and establish process to hear concerns !Acknowledge and respond to complaints !Support local communities !Plan for closure and conduct public consultation !New projects include identification of COI?s, concerns to be considered in design

May 1, 2004

By W. G. Pariseau, S. C. Schmelter

The destabilizing effect of water pressure on rock-mass stability is examined quantitatively by the finite element method. A coupled code that accounts for the simultaneous effects of rock-mass deformation and transient fluid flow is used for this purpose. The traditional soil-mechanics assumption of an incompressible fluid is shown to be untenable for the analysis of porous, fractured rock slopes. A Mandel-Cryer effect, whish is a transitory but elevated and potentially destabilizing water pressure following a cut, was not observed.

Jan 1, 1999

By Sir Lowthian Bell

WITH the exception of air and water, it is open to question whether there is any form of matter which the human race could less easily spare than iron. Short of going the length of asserting that, without this metal for an anchor or steel for the compass, the adventurous navigator could never have crossed the wide Atlantic, we may credit the locomotive' and the steamer, and hence iron, for that sequence of events which has peopled North America with the

Jan 1, 1891

By C. C. Shale

A semicommercia1, high-temperature electrostatic precipitator and adjunct equipment are described, and operating characteristics at 1,470° F and 80 psig are presented for both positive and negative polarity. Removal efficiency for negative corona waS about 91 to 96 percent while that for positive corona was only about 75 to 77 percent. Results are compared with those from bench-scale investigations, and equipment limitations are discussed. Theoretical aspects of the precipitation process are related to the operating characteristics.

Jan 1, 1969

By Zhao JC, Chen JJJ

A water/air model was developed to simulate the refining of molten aluminium by the sparging of gas through an impeller. The optimal gas dispersion depends upon selecting the correct gas rate for a given impeller rotational velocity to prevent flooding or channelling. Correlations illustrating this flooding behaviour exist for standard impellers within standard tank geometries. However the validity of these correlations has not been substantiated for gas dispersion in high temperature molten metals with non-standard tank and impeller dimensions.

Jan 1, 1995

The winning and upgrading of mineral raw materials necessarily includes size reduction, which serves the liberation and production of marketable products from highly valuable and bulk materials. For crushing, the following factors can be duly accounted for depending on material type and the selection of the suitable machine: ò producing a particular size distribution, ò producing a particular grain shape, ò selective comminution, ò gentle comminution, and ò producing a size range required by a specific process and/or for a specific product.

Jan 1, 1993

By Andrew P. Jarosz

The present computerized mine planning systems use CAD-like and Data Base Management System (DBMS) environments for the handling of numerical, textural, and graphical data. These two environments are usually integrated, that the data provided by the DBMS are linked to any graphical element rendered by the CAD system. The subsidence monitoring, analysis and prediction process should be integrated with the mine design process. It should allow for the assessment of impacts of mining on surface, surface utilities, and structures. It should also provide for the measures to control mining, that will create only acceptable levels of negative impacts on the surface. The common data base, and graphical capabilities of the CAD interface, may be used with great advantage for both systems. The findings of the subsidence engineering modulus should be directly incorporated into the mine design system, and vice versa. In this paper the author suggests guidelines for the development of the comprehensive computer system, able not only to predict the vertical and horizontal components of the ground movement, but also assess the induced surface damages, and costs related to subsidence prevention and compensation.

Jan 1, 1995

By Garland Likins

High strain PDA testing has become common for verification of capacity of both driven and bored piles. It is equally applicable to Augered-Cast-in-Place (ACIP) Piles. It also evaluates other aspects of the installation such as integrity. The benefit of high strain dynamic test results for the relatively low cost of the tests compared to conventional static testing has resulted in widespread use. The method is described and specific procedures for testing ACIP piles are outlined. Example results demonstrate the application.

Jan 1, 2000

By C. M. Harrer

The location, features, quality, and extent of iron ore deposits are evaluated in this Bureau of Mines report. The results of pioneer beneficiation on Wyoming taconites and their success are discussed along with developments in the iron-ore mining industry, markets, and economics. Market potential, transportation, resource developments, taxation, cost of iron ore enterprises, and the future of Wyoming iron resources are evaluated. Although occurrences of iron ores in Wyoming were known prior to 1870, early production to 1900 was as a nonferrous metallurgical flux and as mineral pigment for paints. In 1901, the Hartville-Sunrise hematite deposits were available to the Western iron and steel industry and in 1962, the first western taconite operation was placed in production at Atlantic City, Wyo. This investigation disclosed the probability of other large iron deposits in Wyoming. Taconite in the Bradley Peak area of the Seminoe Mountains has a potentiality of 100 million tons; that in the Owl Creek Mountains may prove very large also. Pioneer beneficiation testing has been included, and results have been generally encouraging. Research continues on the large titaniferous magnetite deposits of Albany County, Wyo. At present high-density titaniferous magnetite is being mined and processed at Iron Mountain for heavy-aggregate and as a sized coating for underwater pipelines. Ample mineral raw materials needed for mining and processing Wyoming iron ores are available. Investments for iron-ore processing plants will generally be large, particularly for taconite and titaniferous magnetite.

Jan 1, 1966

By C. M. Harrer

The location, features, quality, and extent of iron ore deposits are evaluated in this Bureau of Mines report. The results of pioneer beneficiation on Wyoming taconites and their success are discussed along with developments in the iron-ore mining industry, markets, and economics. Market potential, transportation, resource developments, taxation, cost of iron ore enterprises, and the future of Wyoming iron resources are evaluated. Although occurrences of iron ores in Wyoming were known prior to 1870, early production to 1900 was as a nonferrous metallurgical flux and as mineral pigment for paints. In 1901, the Hartville-Sunrise hematite deposits were available to the Western iron and steel industry and in 1962, the first western taconite operation was placed in production at Atlantic City, Wyo. This investigation disclosed the probability of other large iron deposits in Wyoming. Taconite in the Bradley Peak area of the Seminoe Mountains has a potentiality of 100 million tons; that in the Owl Creek Mountains may prove very large also. Pioneer beneficiation testing has been included, and results have been generally encouraging. Research continues on the large titaniferous magnetite deposits of Albany County, Wyo. At present high-density titaniferous magnetite is being mined and processed at Iron Mountain for heavy-aggregate and as a sized coating for underwater pipelines. Ample mineral raw materials needed for mining and processing Wyoming iron ores are available. Investments for iron-ore processing plants will generally be large, particularly for taconite and titaniferous magnetite.

Jan 1, 1966

TRE ? worldwide leader in InSAR ? Spinoff of Polytechnic University of Milan ? Numerous patents for cutting edge technology (e.g. SqueeSAR?, PSInSAR?) ? Focus solely on InSAR with over 13 years experience ? ISO 9001 quality certification ? Powerful scalable parallel processor to handle all jobs What can InSAR provide for mining? An advanced suite of tools for monitoring ground deformation over mine sites: ? Deformation maps ? A dense network of measurement points ? Time series ? Cross sections of surface profile evolution

Aug 1, 2013

By Ian Misich

Surface subsidence resulting from "total extraction" of coal in the Collie Basin first occured in 1987 when Western Collieries Ltd trialed the Wongawilli mining method. Because very little quantitative subsidence data existed for the weak, Permian sediments, a research program was set up prior to the extraction of the first panel. The objective of the study was to be able to predict subsidence characteristics and effects prior to mining future total extraction panels. Attempts at predicting subsidence began using existing subsidence models from other coal mining regions, however, as more site information became available, it became clear that it was necessary to develop a separate, site specific predictive model for the Collie Coal Basin. Analysis of extensive field monitoring data for both surface and subsurface subsidence has produced a series of empirical models which can predict the shape of surface subsidence troughs and corresponding tills, and strains for rectangular panels and describe the sequences of ground movement from the mine root through to the ground surface. The fact that both subsurface and surface subsidence characteristics have tied in well, gives greater confidence for predictions made from these models

Jan 1, 1992

By H. R. Joesting

Geophysical search for minerals is stepped up to meet requirements of expanded defense program - Seismic and electrical surveys become firmly established for ground-water and engineering investigations.

Jan 2, 1953

By J. Weertman

The paper of Gifkins and Snowden considers the interesting but difficult problem of determining the stress dependence of secondary (steady-state) creep at low stresses. These authors have concluded that at stresses below 250 psi (2 x 107 dynes per sq cm) the secondary creep rate of lead is proportional to the stress (viscous creep) and is not proportional to the stress raised to about a fifth power. The experimental data considered by them were obtained on tests conducted at room temperature and at 50°C. The lowest stress employed was 50 psi (3.5 X 106 dynes per sq cm). The authors pointed out the main difficulty in determining the stress dependence of creep at low stresses. The creep tests must be run for very long lengths of time. However they made no estimates of when an experimental creep rate determination must be rejected because it does not represent a true steady-state or minimum creep rate. In order to be certain that a creep curve is within the steady-state region, the total creep strain should be of the order of 0.1 to 0.2. For a creep test of a year's duration this requirement implies that a secondary creep rate smaller than about 10-3 per hr cannot be measured reliably. The corresponding creep rate for a 10-year test is 10-6 per hr. The creep rates of the tests that were considered by the authors to prove the existence of viscous creep were of the order of or less than 10-6 per hr. One can conclude reasonably that this data does not prove unambiguously that large strain steady-state creep rate of lead is proportional to the stress in the stress range of 50 to 250 psi (3.5 x 106 to 2 X 107 dynes per sq cm). Another technique can be used to obtain the stress dependence at low stress levels. The creep rate is a very sensitive function of temperature. The creep rate can be increased by very large amounts merely by increasing the temperature. We carried out steady-state creep tests on lead single crystals25 at temperatures up to 320°C. We were able to obtain creep rate data down to stresses as low as 35 psi (2.5 x 10' dynes per sq cm). Our smallest creep rate was 8 x 10-5 per hr. Thus we obtained large strain, steady-state creep rates to even lower stresses than were considered by Gifkins and Snowden. No evidence was seen for viscous creep. The creep rate was proportional to the stress raised to about a 4.5 power down to the lowest stresses. Since there is no reason to believe that changing the temperature should change the stress dependence of steady-state creep, we feel that large strain viscous creep does not occur in the stress range quoted by the authors for lead single crystals or large-grain polycrystalline samples of lead. This conclusion does not imply that viscous creep may nat occur in a lower stress range or in the same stress range for fine grain material or at creep strains very much smaller than 0.1. Support by the U.S. Office of Naval Research is acknowledged. Authors' Reply R. C. Gifkins and K. U. Snowden We thank Dr. Weertman for his discussion and although, as we hope to show, we do not agree with his reservations, we do concur in stressing the importance of ensuring that creep rates are reliably obtained. Dr. Weertman appears to be content to accept n = 1 for low stresses with fine-grained material but not for single crystals. We believe our results show that the former result cannot be accepted without also accepting the latter. We will also show that the probable errors in our minimum creep rates are insufficient to alter our conclusions, that the criterion proposed by Dr. Weertman is arbitrarily restrictive and his alternative experimental approach possibly invalid. 1) A principal result of our Fig. 1(a) is that n = 1 for polycrystalline specimens at room temperature and 50°C for stresses below -250 psi. There was evidence that crystal slip and grain boundary sliding contributed approximately equaily to the overall strain in this low-stress regime. This implies that either a) grain boundary sliding controls slip within the grains or b) both grain boundary sliding and crystal slip independently occur according to mechanisms which give n = 1. Alternative a does not seem acceptable, so we were forced to consider b. This led us to reexamine work on bicrystals by Strutt and Gifkins and plot curves Fig. l(b). Previously Strutt et al. (loc. cit.), had merged these points with others using the Zener-Holloman parameter and thus, we now believe, had been led to overlook the behavior where n = 1. Curves C and D in Fig. l(b) did appear to confirm the hypotheses that n = 1 for crystal slip at these low stresses and the sliding curve F was similarly of the expected form. It was comparatively easy to find a quantitative theory to account for n = 1 for sliding and the similarity of curves C and D to curve F (all obtained from the same set of specimens) led us to feel that the single-crystal curves were valid. 2) We believe the secondary creep rates for both the polycrystalline and single-crystal specimens to be in error by factors c2. In Fig. 6 creep curves for polycrystalline specimens of lead(1) and lead(II) are reproduced as curves a and b, respectively, and curve c is for a single crystal at 100 psi. It is clear that, although the attainment of secondary creep rate takes 2 years for a and 150 days for b, thereafter the curve is linear for periods of 7 and -1 year, respectively. The single crystal has a linear portion commencing after 20 and extending to 90 days. Creep extension was measured directly using a traveling microscope reading to 0.01 mm on gage lengths marked on the specimens; the gage lengths

Jan 1, 1968

By Mark G. Lafontaine

Underground 802.11 wireless communications has become widely adopted for automation and communication purposes but maximizing the wireless signal presents many obstacles given the harsh environment as well as the presence of materials and conditions that can reduce signal propagation. Changes in elevations and curvatures in ramp to drift transitions also affect the wireless signal. Based on the requirements of wireless applications such as voice, data, or location tracking, the wireless site survey is the key tool for measuring and predicting signal strength and signal-to-noise ratio. These readings help determine the maximum distance between access points in order to sustain an overlapping wireless signal where required. This paper describes the methodology and tools used for measuring 802.11 wireless signal strength in an underground mine environment in Northern Ontario. The physical characteristics of the mine and the actual recorded wireless signal data will be presented in order for the audience to gain an understanding of the factors that affect signal throughput. Antenna selection used for the site survey will also be discussed as it played a key role in propagating the wireless signal.

May 1, 2013

By R A. Lynch, D A. Malovichko

The implementation of routine real-time micro-seismic monitoring of open pit mine slopes has been discussed. Some examples of seismic arrays have been given, and a recommendation of suitable seismic sensors made. Unfortunately near-surface sensors are required for good location accuracy, and the effects of reflection, mode conversion and surface waves must be accepted and compensated for during processing of the seismograms. It makes sense that mining at the base of a slope and levels of seismic activity within the slope should be related, and this is confirmed using both 2002-2003 and 2005 seismic data recorded at Navachab mine. An example of how seismic data can be used to gain information about seismically active geological structures has been described. The removal of broken rock, and not blasting nor the breaking of supporting rock, has been found to cause slope micro-seismicity. While the standard Brune source model is suitable for some 20% of the seismic events, unreasonable results are obtained for the rest. A moment tensor inversion has been performed after S-wave splitting and surface effects have been filtered out. This approach confirms a predominantly shear mechanism for a typical high frequency source.

Jan 1, 2006

By H. P. LeVan

The aced for reliable reserves of the essential element, manganese, has been a continuing concern of the Federal Government for more than three decades. Because of the increasing vulnerability of outside sources of supply efforts have been intensified to find a means for beneficiating United States domestic deposits. The deposits of most interest would of necessity be near, or have access to, suitable transportation to processing plants. The Georgia manganiferous iron deposits represent some 10 million tons4 of ore readily available to southern iron and steel industries, if a manganese recovery process capable of functioning in the presence of large quantities of iron can be developed. In addition, a successful method for beneficiating the Georgia ore could produce a significant quantity of high-grade iron concentrate. The Differential sulfatization process developed 47 the Bureau of Mines5 seemed to be well suited for this application, particularly because it results in low concentrations of iron in the leach liquors with relatively complete extractions of manganese. In this process, manganese in the presence of iron is preferentially reacted with sulfur dioxide at elevated temperatures and subsequently extracted with water.

Jan 1, 1962