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By Takashi Miyamoto, Hideo Nakae, Hideki Yamaura, Takeshi Yanagihara

"For the production of partially composed metal matrix composites, namely discontinuous MMCs, using a casting· process, the interpenetrated phase composites with SiC particles were fabricated by pressureless iDfiltration using molten Al-Si alloys. This process is based on a wetting phenomenon, therefore, we discussed the technique based on the reactive wetting. The SiC particles coated by diluted water glass were sintered in a mullite Tammann tube and simultaneously infiltrated with molten Al-Si alloys in air at 1173~1573K. As for the improvement of the wettability between the SiC and the liquid aluminum alloy, Fe3O 4 powder was mixed with the water glass due to the thermit reaction between Fe3O4 and molten aluminum alloy. In some experiments, pure aluminum powder was placed on the sintered SiC to increase the interfacial area and the chemical reaction between the sintered Sic. and the melt. By combining these conditions, we succeeded in the complete infiltration without pressure at 1173K.IntroductionAs is well known, the mechanical properties of metal matrix composites (abbreviated MMCs) are superior than that of ordinary metals. However, their use has not been widely accepted because the production cost is very high due to their poor machinability. Therefore, the production of partially composed, namely discontinuous MMCs, by as the Lanxide process [l,2] has been investigated for many years. The Lanxide process, it takes a long time, sometimes up to 10h, in a nitrogen atmosphere for the infiltration. Therefore, the cost will be higher for common use. On the other hand, a high 'pressure process has been adopted for the production of discontinuous MMCs by the Toyota Motor Corp.[3]."

Jan 1, 2000

By Anthony Sharkey

Introduction In Europe, longwall mining accounts for over 95% of coal produced from deep mines, whereas in the U.S.A., longwall accounts for less than 5% of deep mine coal production. There are many reasons for the difference, but in general: a. U.S. mine operators have invested heavily in continuous mining or conventional equipment which continues to produce acceptable results; b. There 1s a reluctance to change from, a familiar (and proven) mining method to an unfamiliar one, despite promises of huge production increases,; c. Multi-seam mining in Europe has made longwall the only really viable mining method, whereas In the U.S.A. multi-seam mining (particularly in "below-drainage" mines), is relatively rare; d. Although some spectacular results have been achieved by longwall in the U.S.A.(I), the general performance of longwall in this country has not been good enough to generate much enthusiasm for its wide application; e. The much higher level of investment in face equipment required for longwall when compared to alternative methods (approximately $7.5 million for a medium seam longwall installation and $1 million to $1.5 million for a continuous miner section). However, declining productivity, national energy requirements and safety legislation are creating a situation in which longwall as a viable mining method is being examined more closely and in more places than hitherto. This paper, therefore, attempts to identify some of the principal criteria needing examination in any assessment of the feasibility of longwall application, the limitations of information for those criteria in the decision making process and the need for further research and development to assist the mine operators make the decisions.

Jan 1, 1981

By Emil B. Milosavljevic

Problems associated with distillation and other classical methods for analyzing operationally defined cyanide (CATC, WAD, Total and Free Cyanide) will be discussed. These methods often achieve incomplete, species dependent cyanide recoveries and suffer from serious interferences. Depending on the relative concentrations of interferents and other matrix constituents, underestimation (ultimately Type II errors probability of not detecting a constituent when it is actually present) or overestimation (ultimately Type I errors -probability of deciding a constituent is present when it is actually absent) of the cyanide levels present in a ,given sample may occur, causing in the first case false security and in the second case, excessive cyanide treatment costs. Mahy, if not all, enumerated problems can be solved by using novel flow injection (FI) gas-diffusion amperometric methods. A modification of the recently approved FI ligand exchange (FIILE) method for determination of available cyanide (USEPA Method OIA-'l677) that obviates sulfide interference will be discussed. Eight laboratory round-robin data obtained for the FI UV -digestion (FIIUV) method that determines total cyanide (Proposed Method OIA-1678) will also be presented. In addition, some methods for cyanide speciation will be presented. Finally, research needed for developing reliable methods for determination of operationally defined cyanide in solid samples will be summarized.

Jan 1, 1998

GENTLEMEN: Submitted herewith are the report of the Treasurer for the year 1940 and reports for the same year of the following standing committees: Admissions, Membership, Pa¬pers and Publications, Mining and Metal¬lurgy (Magazine), Library, and Student Relations. These reports present additional details. MEMBERSHIP For the third year in succession member¬ship reached a new high level for all time, as indicated in the accompanying tabula¬tion in which "Members" includes all categories except Student Associates.

Jan 1, 1941

By O. Lundhede

Today, systems and machinery usually are designed to meet only one specific customer?s requirements. One reason for this is that underground automation and smart functions are often developed tightly together with a customer. This is natural, since risk and cost can be shared between the customer and the supplier. Nevertheless, when the automation product develops and the market increase this will cause problems: The highly specialized products will not fulfill the next customer?s demands. In order to cope with this problem, Atlas Copco works towards a common platform. Instead of designing solutions for specific customers, we will lift the abstraction and focus on standardized modules. These modules, or function blocks, can then be combined in a large variety of configurations. The benefits of combining modules into products are, for example: increased flexibility when options are available for many machines; easier commissioning and maintenance since less different spare parts and tools are needed; and easier operation since the user interfaces have a similar look and feel. This paper will present the ongoing work towards standardized modules. We will discuss how our Rig Control System (RCS) allows for modular design at Atlas Copco. RCS has number of standardized modules that are used in different surface and underground mining and tunneling equipment. These modules are also used for optional products such as, drilling, radio-remote control, and telematics systems.

Aug 1, 2013

GENTLEMEN Submitted herewith are the report of the Treasurer for the year 1938 and reports for the same year of the following standing committees: Admissions, Membership, Papers and Publications, Mining and Metal¬lurgy (Magazine), Library, Speakers for Local Sections and Student Societies, and Student Relations. To these reports members are referred for further details. Membership.-The end of the year 1938 saw Institute membership at an all-time peak: 12,474, made up of 2898 Student Associates and 9576 members of other classifications. The next highest level had been reached at the end of 1921 when corresponding figures were: total, 10,329; student members, 1450; all other classifications, 8879. The net gain for the year was 1495, of which 751 were Student Associates and 744 in the other categories. Two factors contribute to the growth of membership: (1) the enrolment of new members; and (2) the retention of members already on the roll as reflected in a relatively small number of resignations and suspensions for nonpayment of dues. For the first, much credit goes properly to the general Membership Committee that functioned for a second year under the chairmanship of Clyde E. Williams. With the cooperation of Institute members in general, to whom Mr. Williams expresses appreciation in his report, the Committee has been successful in acquainting eligible nonmembers with the purposes, activities and advantages of the Institute. The result has been the receipt during the year of 1162 applications, exclusive of Student Associates. This compares with 1212 during 1937 and 1266 during 1936. However, in considering this modest decline, account must be taken of the somewhat less prosperous conditions prevailing in the mineral industries and, consequently, among engineers engaged ?in those industries.

Jan 1, 1939

By J. E. Tupper

"This paper will discuss strategies for the introduction of computer technology in the mine environment. More specifically, it will focus on issues such as: (a) make or buy; (b) programmer less mines; and (c) support from corporate groups.The paper relates these strategies to systems for mine operations. These will be illustrated by considering the implementation of some phases of these systems at Teck Corporation.IntroductionThis presentation addresses some of the major considerations in a strategy for mine computerization and then relates these considerations to the computerization cycle and Teck Corporation.Strategy is defined as a conceptual framework or plan to accomplish a goal. For purposes of this paper, the goals can be more simply defined for operational purposes as either increasing revenue or decreasing costs.The strategy will allow us the framework for measuring tactical decisions such as computer and software acquisitions.The Mine Life CycleTo start with, let us look at the mine life cycle from a computer systems point of view:-Exploration-Property Development-Feasibility-Construction-OperationFrom a systems point of view, the exploration cycle is oriented to geophysical and geochemical computing. Property development starts with drilling and building the geological data base. The feasibility cycle includes all stages of evaluating the decision to proceed with mine development: ore reserve calculations; mine planning; and financial projections. Construction includes project management and project accounting systems. Systems required for operation are those needed by personnel at the mine site."

Jan 1, 1982

By M. Tangstad, B. Monsen, H. Midtgaard, R. Ishak, M. Syvertsen, I. Solheim

Charcoal is an interesting reducing agent because it is produced from growing wood which is renewable and does not contribute to global warming, provided that there is a balance between the felling of timber and growth of trees. In the biocarbon project the possibilities for using charcoal is investigated as well as other biological based and renewable reductants for ferroalloy production. The background for the project is that the Norwegian ferroalloy producers wish to contribute to reduction of CO2- emissions. This paper focuses on the use of charcoal instead of coke for the production of manganese alloys, and the consequences of doing so. Results from practical SiMn smelting experiments on a pilot scale have previously been reported, where only 12-14 % Si in the metal was obtained when charcoal was used. Recently we have attained satisfactory 18 %Si also for charcoal, but good results are indeed dependant on good furnace performance. There is no tradition for using charcoal for manganese production in Norway. A change from using mainly coke to the use of some charcoal will demand new routines for furnace operation, raw material and off-gas handling. Hence, characteristic properties of charcoal, which may cause change of furnace operation, have been measured and are compared to coke. The following results are presented: ?Thermal abrasion strength together with CO2- reactivity; important parameters for the performance of the upper part of the furnace. ?Coke-bed resistance; it will increase with the use of charcoal (a review of new results). ?Slag reactivity; a relevant method for testing slag reactivity of industrial reductants is of interest. The suggested method can serve for comparing slag reactivities towards graphite.

Jan 1, 2007

Professor Miklos Salamon, Research Adviser to the Chamber of Mines of South Africa, has won the Rock Mechanics Award for 1983 of the American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical and Petroleum Engineers 'for applications of analysis to many varied practical mine design problems’. Mintek reports Report M119 A versatile computer programme for data capture in multi-element analysis by a sequential X-ray spectrometer. Report M120 South African costs of equipment for the metallurgical industry (1983). Report M125 Commissioning of an automated microphotometer used in spark-source mass spectrometry.

Jan 1, 1984

By MARK H. LAMB

(Canal Zone Meeting, November, 1910.) THE recent growth of a sentiment among cyanide-plant designers against the use of gravity-stamps for the crushing preliminary to cyanidation may be said to date from the almost simultaneous perfection of the ribbed tube-mill liner and of the tall, air-agitation tank. The first step in the resulting change of practice was the universal adoption of the tube-mill for fine-grinding and the use of coarse screening oil the battery. This was the beginning of the surrender of supremacy by the gravity-stamp ; since merely the single fact that it was a more economical machine for crushing fine had retained it in favor as compared with ball-mills, rolls, or steam-stamps. The surrender, however, is not yet complete. It is the universal practice to use rolls where a relatively small tonnage is to be crushed coarse, as, for example, when coarse concentration is included in the plan of treatment. Power, attendance, repairs, and first-cost are smaller for the rolls, under such circumstances, than for stamps; and it is becoming daily more apparent that, with no concentration to provide for, the use of rolls and tube-mills, without the complication of trommels and elevators required by concentration, is rapidly gaining favor in the eyes of the leading designers. The next step was the use of the rapid-running Chilean mill between the gravity-stamps and the tube-mill, which again narrowed the field of operation of the gravity-stamp while radically widening its screen-aperture. Such a combination of stamps and Chilean mill offers advantages when fine concentration is necessary, since the reduction in the Chilean mill call be adjusted easily and governed by varying the screen-mesh. But even concentration is now looked at askance. One of the leaders of this metallurgy has abandoned the separation and

Jul 1, 1910

By Kunio Nakahara, Kashiwagim Junichi, Takao Hayashi

"There are many problems for electronic devices and parts which were caused electrostatic damage by static electricity. It is necessary for prevention of electrostatic charge to decrease surface resistivity of material using electroconductive coating. Mitsui Mining & Smelting Co., Ltd. developed metal oxide type electroconductive pigment PASSTRAN (trade mark) Type-IV which is barium sulfate coated with SnOz(Sb) thin electroconductive layer. This paper shows about pigment characteristics and film condition of antistatic transparency paint which contained PASS TRAN.L.IntroductionRecently rapid development of electronics technology diffused electronic devices and products to Office, Factory, Laboratory and our life. But the other side, there are many problems for electronics parts which were caused electrostatic damage under static electricity. Demand of antistatic materials were become lager by this situation.There is close relationship between surface resistivity of material and static electricity. If the surface resistivity of object is enough low (under 109 Q /Sq), static electricity is dissipated quickly. So it is necessary for prevention of electrostatic charge to decrease surface resistivity of material using electroconductive coating.1) There are many type of electroconductive materials, for example, carbon black, metal powder, electroconductive polymer and so on. Especially, carbon black is used for general purpose by reason of its low cost, but it has big problem of black color. It can not get any color without black, and it caused contamination of carbon.In recent years, metal oxide electroconductive pigment (ECP) was developed and used for special purpose which demands transparent coating or easy dispersion to make ECP paint or endurance under hard environment and so on. Mitsui Mining & Smelting Co., Ltd. developed electroconductive pigment PASSTRAN Type-IV which is BaS04 coated with electro-conductive Tin oxide layer."

Jan 1, 1998

By Thomas R

The successful `marriage' between a company seeking to raise funds to develop a project and their financiers calls for a strong mutual understanding of each other's needs. For a company attempting to raise funding, the alternative methods are ever expanding. The optimum method will vary depending on the financial position, risk/reward outlook of the company and the strength of the project for which development capital is being sought. It is likely that small mining companies will need to raise equity funds for advancing projects to the development stage. At that time, they will probably still require a reasonable level of shareholder equity to meet the requirements of banks and other parties to cover potential cost over-runs on the project and feasibility costs. Larger companies, however, are likely to find it much easier and cheaper to raise debt from banks. When evaluating companies and projects for funding, banks will pay particular attention to the quality and experience of management in developing similar projects and it may be necessary for some companies to retain the services of outside consultants. Before a project needs funding, companies should meet with potential financiers to develop relationships to select and ensure a smooth transaction to funding in the future.

Jan 1, 1997

By E. M. Timoshenko

Autoclave technology can be effectively used for liberation of complex mineral raw materials to transfer valuable constituents into solution for their subsequent recovery or to refine feed material in order to remove deleterious impurities, e.g. arsenic. The high efficiency of autoclave processes is attributed to the fact that they are suitable for processing of refractory raw materials, have low capital costs, high productivity, ensure integrated utilization of the feed materials, produce innovative saleable products, completely eliminate any air emissions, provide low-waste or waste-less technology, mechanization and automation of production processes. In the immediate future, it might be expected that autoclave processes will find use on commercial scale for production of heavy non-ferrous metals in combination with other processes (hydrometallurgical, upgrading, sorption and solvent extraction, electrolytic, etc.) to ensure: - Integrated processing of refractory ores and concentrates (pyrrhotite, zinc, copper-zinc, lead-zinc, nickel-cobalt, copper, pyrite); - Production of metallic powders of base metals as commercial products (copper, cobalt, nickel, etc.), composites on their bases, final products and saleable salts. Processing technologies incorporating autoclave processes, especially at the stage of liberation (chemical upgrading) of raw materials are characterized generally by high overall recoveries of valuable constituents significantly exceeding recoveries common for conventional pyrometallurgical processes (for some elements by several tens of percent).

Jan 1, 2006

By James Chapman

THE observations here presented are those, not of an expert accountant, but of one who, while he has seen considerable service in the accounting departments of large companies, has spent more time in engineering and operating. This paper is intended to cover, in a measure, mine accounting for small mines, as distinguished from the elaborate systems, requiring many persons ;n the accounting department. I shall attempt to outline a system embracing the essentials of accounting, and simple enough in form to permit one or two persons to carry it on from month to month, in sufficient detail to be able to tell quickly the grade of ore, the prices received for metals, costs per ton for mining and milling, costs per foot for development, upward or downward tendencies in costs, ore settled or in transit, cash on hand, stocks of supplies on hand, efficiency of' labor, etc. As in all accounting, there are two main divisions: that of revenue received for what is sold, and that of disbursements made for what is bought, so in mine accounting we have to consider chiefly the income derived from sales of ore or concentrates, and the expenses incurred in producing the said ore or concentrates in a marketable condition.

Jan 3, 1916

By S. Sillitoe

In mining, as in other business and engineering enterprises, efficient operation depends upon how well and how quickly the lines of communication can function. Mines have used the telephone on and between levels for many years, but in the hoisting shaft maintenance of physical wire connections for communication with the moving cage or skip has been found, for all practical purposes, impossible. A most natural solution was, therefore, the code-bell or buzzer signal system between fixed levels, and this has been standard practice throughout the mining world for many years. However, this system has serious limitations which make it impossible to signal a cage between levels in the shaft, and it requires crude, hazardous or costly methods for signalling during daily shaft inspection. Radio signalling overcomes these difficulties, because the communication medium is never broken and the cage-tender or shaft inspector can safely signal to, and receive signals from, the hoistman at any time from any position in the shaft, whether stationary or in motion. In addition to both audible and visual code signalling, two-way telephone communication and slack cable alarm are facilities made possible in recent commercially developed equipment.

Jan 1, 1949

By Cynthia Belt

"Energy management is critical to aluminum processing given the high energy requirements of melting and processing aluminum. Energy costs have always been a high percentage of the total production costs within this industry. Energy management at many plants relied on better technology that many times required high capital. As carbon management has grown in importance and project payback becomes more critical, a larger view of a plant's process is required. This paper looks at the energy requirement due to current typical practices in overall product recovery, metal loss, utilization, and technology to understand potential methods of reducing overall energy within a plant and within the aluminum processing industry.IntroductionFor many companies that process aluminum, energy is a major portion of their costs that can surpass the cost oflabor. Aluminum processing can include secondary processing of scrap and prime aluminum into sows and/or molten aluminum or casting aluminum by various methods such as direct chill, continuous casting, low or high pressure casting, mold casting, and extrusions. In the case of this paper, we are considering only plants that include the melting process as a portion of their process. The process of melting aluminum takes energy. In most cases, the aluminum must then be heat treated one or more times. Post processing of the aluminum includes rolling mills used for making sheet, extrusion lines, and machining such as saw cuts, drilling, or surface finishes that all take additional energy.While these high energy costs directly affect the profits of the company, energy management within the metals industry is still not widespread. A co=on misconception is that the solution to high energy costs is high cost capital equipment. While state-of-the-art equipment can certainly improve energy efficiency, it is not the only solution. To obtain a truly energy efficient plant, several directions needs to be addressed through an energy management thought process with a wider scope. Impact on potential savings is possible through: product recovery, metal loss, utilization, and new technologies. An understanding of the potential costs and savings from these means is important. Several of these methods provide low cost approaches to saving energy.The background data used in this paper is not a random sample within aluminum processing but yearly averages from various plants in different aluminum processing industries. As is normal in this industry, the plants have been under different corporate management over the years with different strategies for energy management. This data is not meant to be accurate for the entire industry but to suggest areas for energy efficiency work."

Jan 1, 2012

By M. McChesney

Modern materials for underground support* by M. McChesney The properties required of a support material for underground tunnels are discussed and, because concrete is both economical and easy to apply, a number of new reinforcing materials for concrete are examined with particular reference to these properties. From about thirty tests on different types of reinforced concrete, it is concluded that the addition of polymer to a concrete does not seem to influence the concrete's post-failure behaviour, and the on'y benefit to be achieved by this addition is to increase its flexibility (or to decrease it, depending on the polymer). Steel fibres tend to increase both the strength and stiffness of the concrete, but polypropylene fibres, although having definite loadcarrying capacities, provide non-stable failure, also known as brittle failure. The best result was obtained for concrete reinforced with steel wire: the post-cracking strength was very good and was maintained for a considerable deformation.

Jan 12, 1976

By John R. Schuring, Walter Konon

The 2.0 in./sec. peak particle velocity criterion traditionally used to protect structures from blast induced vibration damage is non-conservative for landmark structures. Various factors which must be considered in establishing vibration criteria for landmark structures are discussed. Existing criteria by past investigators for this class of structure are presented.

Jan 1, 1984

By J. T. Hanks

Process development is one of the principal tasks required in the course of turning an exploration discovery into a mine. Exploration geologists should have an understanding of the more important metallurgical processes and the test work required for each process. The paper discusses the important metallurgical processes, the test work and sample requirements for each, and the costs and time requirements to accomplish the testing. The limitations of reverse circulation drill samples for metallurgical testing are discussed. The level of process definition required to support engineering studies: scoping, pre-feasibility and feasibility studies are also described.

Jan 1, 1997

By Jan W. Merks

"The settlements between mines and smelters are based on the mass of metal contained in concentrate lots. The mass of contained metal is a function of the wet mass of a lot, and its moisture content and metal grade while the variance of the mass of contained metal is a function of the same variables and their variances. Uncertainties in the measurement procedure applied to estimate each variable are quantified in terms of precision and bias. The absence of bias and an acceptable degree of precision are the keys to effective risk analysis and loss control.ISO Technical Committee 183-Copper, Lead and Zinc Sulfide Concentrates, has developed standard methods for sampling and weighing, estimating precision and testing for bias, the determination of mass loss on drying, the calculation of the mass of contained metal and its variance, and various analytical methods for major and minor metals. The variance for wet mass is calculated from the precision of the scale while the total variances of moisture and grade are estimated from pairs of interpenetrating primary samples. The variance of contained metal can be calculated either from mine data or from smelter data but the risk associated with the settlement is largely determined by the absence or presence of bias and the variance of differences between exchange assays.ISO/TC 183 does not deal with precision and bias for exchange assays but is developing guidelines to determine realistic splitting limits. Given that the exchange of assays between mines and smelters accounts for a large part of the risk associated with the settlement, precision and bias for exchange assays should be measured and monitored. The need for umpire services can be reduced by applying statistical quality control (SQC).Calibrating static scales, moisture balances and analytical balances, bias testing of sampling methods and sample preparation procedures, estimating the variance of a single variable or the variance of a function that a set of variables defines, and monitoring precision and bias for exchange assays, are the quintessence of metrology, the science of measurement, when applied in mining and metallurgy."

Jan 1, 1995