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By Craig M. Shillaber, Joseph E. Dove, James K. Mitchell

"This paper addresses two primary factors affecting the sustainability of Deep Mixing Methods (DMMs): construction materials and handling of the spoil from wet mixing methods. We examine these factors within a life-cycle embodied energy (EE) and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions accounting framework, using the LPV 111 project in New Orleans, LA as a case history. The underlying assumption is that project planning and preliminary design have determined that a DMM is the best ground improvement alternative for achieving the broader aims of sustainable development. While EE and CO2 emissions are direct measurements of environmental impact alone, we illustrate how their minimization can also influence the social and economic consequences of the project. It is recommended that DMMs use lower energy and carbon material alternatives to Portland cement and lime in the binder whenever possible, with preference given to locally sourced materials. Currently available alternative cementitious materials include fly ash and slag, which are waste products from other processes. In addition, recycling the spoil material from wet mix methods on site is recommended. If the material cannot be recycled on site, transporting it to a processing and recycling center for later use as fill is preferred over landfilling. INTRODUCTIONWithin the geotechnical community there is an increased appreciation for sustainability considerations, which are an important component of the planning, design, construction, operation and maintenance of projects. An assessment of project sustainability includes holistic life cycle thinking, systems analysis, environmental impact assessment, use of safe and benign materials, awareness of local societies and cultures, social equity, protecting human health and well-being, and monetary costs (Abraham, 2006). Since ground improvement is a principal practice domain of geotechnical engineers, it is important that geo-professionals play a role in addressing the sustainability for these projects. In this paper, we illustrate by case history how different materials and methods associated with deep mixing projects can impact overall project sustainability through quantifying project embodied energy (EE) and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. EE is defined as all energy consumed to bring something into its present state (Chau et al., 2008; Inui et al., 2011; Soga et al., 2011; Chau et al., 2012). Recommendations are then made for how adverse environmental impacts of Deep Mixing Methods (DMMs) may be minimized, leading to more sustainable geotechnical construction."

Jan 1, 2015

By Ken Goering, Steve Kral, William Gleason

"Once every four years, the global mining industry gathers in Las Vegas, NV for MINExpo International. According to the show’s organizer, The National Mining Association (NMA), about 44,000 people attended the three-day show from Sept. 26-29. It was a show that featured the latest and greatest in equipment and technology. It also served as the backdrop for a snapshot of the state of the industry and while the picture of a global industry is never completely clear at any one time, one thing that is evident is technology has become a major force in the way mining is done.Had it not been for the awe-inspiring “iron” that was on the show floor in the form of haul trucks and shovels weighing hundreds of tons, one could be forgiven for thinking that they were at the Consumer Electronics Show. From training simulators designed to give a realistic experience of operating mining equipment to virtual reality technology that can take the user into the depths of an underground mine or the middle of a mapped ore deposit, an overriding theme of MINExpo 2016 was that the mining industry is connected like never before.In the north hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center was the GE Mining booth that was designed to showcase its efforts to help create a mine that will be connected from the front office to the face of the underground wall or bottom of the openpit. GE Mining called its booth a digital mine, and it included a suite of technologies that can improve performance, reliability, safety and operations. GE Mining said it views each mine as a mini-city, requiring power, water and transportation. Intelligent, real-time monitoring across the mine allows operators to make data-driven decisions that improve equipment reliability and optimize mine operations for substantial savings. And GE Mining was just one of many exhibitors showing off software that allows various types of equipment to communicate. Its booth sat in the shadow of the Komatsu booth with its new 360-t (400-st) 980E-4 haul truck that included GE’s 360-t (400-st) electric wheel motor. This is just one example of how technology is connecting machines, operations and people around the world and how mining is moving forward."

Dec 1, 2016

By M. C. Ethier, A. L. Laramie

"The Granisle and Bell Copper mines were officially put into production in 1966 and 1972, respectively. The Granisle Mine was purchased in late 1979by Noranda and the two operations were amalgamated as one division. Both mines were closed in 1982after sustaining heavy financial losses during a period of low copper prices beginning in 1981.This paper describes the resumption of operations at the Bell Mine in 1985 after its shutdown period of three years and the dramatic and sustained improvements in productivity and efficiency realized as a result of a commitment by employees and management to the application of Participative Management and Employee Involvement principles. After a general description of the effects of such a philosophy on the operation as a whole, and a comparison to the operation's last full year as a producer, it deals with the practice of this philosophy in the maintenance department at the Bell Mine and the superb results realized.IntroductionThe Bell Copper deposit was discovered in 1963 and came onstream as a 10000 ton s per day open pit mine in the fall of 1972. Identified reserves at that time were 46 million tons of ore containing 0.50% copper. The mine shared facilities of the townsite of Granisle with the nearby Zapata-Granby mine which had established the community six years earlier.Because of easy grinding ore and improvements to milling circuits, Bell's throughput rate was increased to 17 000 tons per day by the late 1970s. In the open pit, improvements resulted in mining of additional reserves with higher stripping ratios. At startup, a half ton o f waste was mined for every ton of ore processed.By the end of 1982, with 48.2 million tons already mined, the Bell Mine had identified additional mineable reserves of 39.4 million tons containing 0.52% Cu.In November 1979 the Granisle Mine was purchased from Zapata-Granby. The two mines, with a total of 700 employees, were operated under common management as the Babine Division until 1982 when low copper price s forced the closure of both for an indefinite period.The outlook for copper prices remained bleak and only 50 people were retained on the payroll to maintain the two plants, most of them working on a part-time schedule.The population of the Village of Granisle dwindled from over 1500 inhabitants to under 500, as people moved away to seek other employment.Prior to the shutdown, the Bell Mine employed 370 people and pit extraction averaged nearly 50000 tons per day of which 16000 tons was mill feed, and the remainder waste. Total cost to produce a pound of copper was C$1.36 in 1982."

Jan 1, 1990

By Yang Zhao, Tao Xiu-xiang, Chen Song-jiang

"China is rich in low-rank coals that account for 45.68% of existing coal reserves in China. The clean and efficient utilization of low rank coals is of great significance for ensuring the effective energy supply and promoting economic development and environmental protection. In order to solve the difficult problem in flotation of low rank coal, it has become the focus of research in the related field that oily bubbles instead of air bubbles are taken as a carrier in flotation to improve the attachment efficiency and recovery of low rank coal. In this paper, low rank coal slime collected from Shendong mining area was used as the experimental material, and it focused on the characteristics of oily-bubble flotation process of low rank coal. Additionally, difference in conventional flotation and oily-bubble flotation was discussed. The induction time between air bubbles, oily-bubbles and fine low rank coal particles was measured. The results indicated that the induction time between oily-bubbles and coal particles was obviously lower than that of air bubbles. By comparing the foam height of air and oily bubbles, it was found that the amount of oily bubbles is less than air bubbles, causing relative low flotation rate of oily-bubble flotation at initial stage. Besides, the maximum foam height and half-life of air bubbles and oily-bubbles were measured respectively. The results showed that the stability of oily-bubbles was higher than that of air bubbles, which is benefit for the enrichment of concentrates. The clean coal water recovery of oily-bubble flotation is lower than that of air bubble flotation, which indicated oily-bubble flotation is lower in water entrainment. INTRODUCTION China is the largest energy consumer in the world, accounting for 23% of global energy consumption in 2016 and 27% of global energy consumption growth. Whereas coal is taken as the major primary energy source and its share of China’s primary energy consumption is 62% in 2016, in which the low rank coals, such as lignite, long-flame coal, weakly caking coal, and non-caking coal, accounted for about 50% of total coal production capacity (China’s energy market in 2016, BP). Moreover, the exploitation and utilization of low rank coals and other coals that are difficult to float have been an important strategy for China’s sustainable development of the coal industry (Liu et al., 2014). However, the combustion of low-quality coals leads to a serious environmental pollution. In addition, the deterioration in geological conditions of coal resources, and the increasing improvement in the mechanization for mining significantly caused the increased amount of fine coal."

Jan 1, 2018

By Betty J. Laswell, Gerald W. Laswell

The stepped-up pace of US open-pit and surface mining during the 1970's is a direct response by mining firms and equipment manufacturers to rising costs and declining ore grades. In the race for bigger and more efficient machines, rotary drills have emerged as the foremost leader in primary drilling at major US surface operations. At least 12 different manufacturers now offer rotary rigs in the 102- mm-diam. (4-in.) or greater blasthole size range. With capital investment for the larger units quickly approaching $1 million, the question is asked, "What's been the performance record to date of rotary drill rigs operating in North America?" To answer that question, a comprehensive study of rotary blasthole drills was conducted which qualitatively reveals various problem areas inherent in the rotary drill market and indicates some new directions for improvement.

Jan 6, 1978

By R. J. Hundermark, L. R. Nelson

"The critical importance of tap-hole design and management for furnace performance and longevity is explored through examining some of the specific matte, metal, and slag tapping requirements of non-ferrous copper blister and matte converting and smelting, ferroalloy smelting, and ironmaking systems. Process conditions and productivity requirements and their influence on tapping are reviewed for these different pyrometallurgical systems. Some critical aspects of the evolution of tap-hole design to meet the diverging process and tapping duties are examined. Differences and similarities in tapping practices and tap-hole management are reviewed. Finally, core aspects of tap-hole equipment and maintenance are identified – aspects that are considered important for securing improved tap-hole performance and life, so pivotal to superior furnace smelting performance. IntroductionThe sheer diversity of tapping configurations used on industrial pyrometallurgical operations is at first bewildering. They range from historical tilting furnaces without tapholes to modern eccentric bottom tapping (EBT) tilting and/or bottom slide-gate electric arc furnaces; to classical single tap-hole multiphase tapping (e.g. metal/matte and slag); to dedicated phase tap-holes (e.g. dedicated metal/matte-only and slag-only); to dedicated phase multiple tap-hole configurations (up to eight metal/matte-only tap-holes and six slag-only tap-holes); to more esoteric metal/matte-only siphons and slag overflow skimming, e.g. Mitsubishi Continuous Process (Matsutani, n.d.). This can be further complicated by periodic batch tapping; consecutive tapping on a given taphole; alternating tap-hole tapping practice; near-continuous slag-only tapping, with discrete batch matte/metal tapping on higher productivity, but low metal/matte fall (<20% by mass feed) Co and Ni ferroalloy and platinum group metal (PGM) matte furnaces; near-continuous tapping through batch tapping of individual tap-holes that are opened consecutively (Tanzil et al., 2001; Post et al., 2003); to fully continuous tapping on coupled multi-furnace cascades (Matsutani, n.d.)."

Jan 1, 2016

By R. van Heerden, T. R. Stacey

In the challenging environments of deep-level, narrow tabular orebody gold mines in South Africa, rock mass classification offers a potential method for predicting hazardous areas and optimising rock support systems. This study evaluates the applicability of various rock mass classification systems, with a focus on the Modified or Mining Rock Mass Rating system tailored for high-stress, deep-level mining conditions. Extensive data collection was conducted at Kusasalethu Mine, involving underground mapping and analysis of the 2020/2021 fall of ground database. The Mining Rock Mass Rating system was adapted to the unique geological and operational conditions, providing a simplified, user-friendly approach for rock engineering and geology personnel. Results indicate that this adapted Mining Rock Mass Rating system effectively quantifies rock mass conditions and influences proactive mining adjustments. The study’s findings highlight the system's capability to enhance understanding of rock mass behaviour and substantially mitigate the occurrence of rockfalls and ground collapses. Further application and refinement of the system are recommended to continuously improve mining safety and efficiency.

Oct 24, 2025

By John S. Wakeman

The progress results of a pilot plant study on the effects of ball top size and other mill operating parameters are reported. Test series on taconite and quartzite crude ores using a 1.7m diameter primary mill in closed circuit with a vibrating screen indicate clear trends on the improvements of mill throughput and power consumption when using larger diameter balls. Possible effects on mill liner and ball consumption as well as future research plans are discussed.

Jan 1, 1984

By F. C. Sturges

[CONTENTS PAGE ................. Introduction-Grouting in Mines. By F. C. STURGES. I Use and Technique of Pressure Grouting in the Construction Industry. By V. L. MINEAR . 3 Technique of Pressure Cementing in the Petroleum, Mining, and Construction Industries. By WY. D. OWSLEY and R. E. MOELLER. ..................... 9 An Example of Controlled Pre-grouting in Shaft Sinking. By R. H. ALLEN and J. W. GALPIN. 15 ........ Solidifying Mines and Shafts Areas by Pressure Grouting. By B. H. MOTT 17 .............. Grouting in Southeast Missouri District. By W. W. WEIGEL 20] Introduction-Grouting in Mines By definition the word "grout" means a thin mortar, or a kind of plaster or cement, and "grouting" means to fill up or finish with grout. The words "cement," "plaster" and "mortar" mean a substance that is used in a soft state which subsequently hardens. Thus, grouting is the filling of void space with a substance that hardens. Construction cements are the most common substances used, either by themselves or in mixtures, but the term grouting is applied quite correctly when other substances such as plastics and certain chemicals are used. Also, the use of the term grouting to cover the filling of voids with materials that do not actually become hard, such as the flotation tailings used in grouting in the southeast Missouri lead district, should be considered correct, as some stiffening does take place and, anyway, it is a better descriptive term than any substitute. Engineers are interested in grouting because some of the materials with which they must work contain voids, and certain conditions can be improved if these voids can be filled with something solid and permanent. Grouting is done to accomplish several purposes: I. To stop the passage of fluids and gases, 2. To cement materials together to make them stronger, and 3. To prevent consolidation of materials by filling void space with something solid as a replacement for the air and water that could be forced out under load. The construction industry uses grouting extensively for all three purposes. Grouting is used to stop water percolation under and around dams. It is used to control water flow in tunnel driving and in shaft sinking. It is used to improve foundation conditions under civil engineering structures by permanently filling void space and thereby reducing settlement, or by cementing broken rock together and increasing its supporting strength. The oil and gas industry does a lot of grouting, primarily to stop the passage of gases and fluids. The search for oil at increasingly greater depths has meant greater investment per well, and the oil industry has spent large sums on development of improved drilling methods. This

Jan 1, 1947

By Vilkul Yuri

Operation of the iron ore deposits of Krivbass which has been going for 130 years, has led to serious problems related to reaching great depths in open pit and underground mining. Extraction of the huge volume of rock mass (about 9 billion m3) resulted in mass violations of the natural state of the subsurface. At present most mining operations are carried out either by combined open pit and underground mining or by open pits in areas underworked by underground mining. Now the process of movement of the strata underworked by underground mines is not completed ? work fronts of open pits approach the areas of possible funnel, terrace and fissure formation, movement continue to develop. With deepening mining operations the remaining reserves are worked off under layers of incumbent rocks of > 900 m. Significant underground voids arise from mining "blind" deposits at large depths. Heaving of voids over the mined area lasts for decades; it may result in not only unpredictable time of funnel emerging and area development of movement synclines, but also the threat of air blows in mines. Forced caving of incumbent rocks as a way of controllable backfilling is difficult to achieve for economic and technical reasons. This is much more expensive and dangerous than stoping. Furthermore, the mining practice does not know examples of enormous volume backfilling under a km thick rock layer. Currently, RMI "KNU" is conducting research and pre-design work directed at creating a specialized pilot Geoinformation System (GIS) of continuous remote monitoring of rock mass in areas of underground voids influence in Krivbass area. Implementation of this system will enable to determine promptly in time and space the areas of the beyond cut off stress condition, to inform about possible occurrence of events that may result in accidents and to improve safety of mining along with other systems of forecasting and controlling the stress condition in rock mass. RMI "KNU", with a large number of professionals from many Ukraine?s leading mining research centers, has developed a research and design work program that includes the following principal stages: 1. Analyzing geomechanical conditions of combined mining of magnetite quartzite and rich ore deposits; determining mechanisms of moving of rock strata underworked by underground mining and places of hazardous area monitoring. 2. Investigating anthropogenic factor influence on the safe state level of rock strata underworked by underground mining (laboratory studies). 3. Developing processing techniques for continuous remote monitoring of rock mass in areas of underground cavity influence. 4. Modeling the state of rock mass based on results of pilot GIS hardware measurements. 5. Developing an expert diagnostics system for rock mass state in areas underground void influence. 6. Experimental investigation and testing the GIS, its improving for efficient application. After testing the pilot GIS it is supposed to be implemented at all mining enterprises as an integral part of iron ore mining and processing technology in the Krivbass area.

Aug 1, 2013

By Walter V. Knopp, Laurence Delisle

The aim of this work was the preparation of nickel-steels from elemental metal powders by powder metallurgy techniques. It was known that plain carbon steels could be made from a mixtufe of iron powder and graphite and that the effect of carbon on iron in powder form was of the same nature as that produced in fusion metallurgy. The problem in making nickel steels from elemental powders consisted therefore in finding out whether sufficient diffusion of the nickel and other incidental metals . normally present in such steels could be induced in the solid state to modify the properties of plain carbon steels made from powders and produce the beneficial effect of alloying. The composition selected originally was that of an S.A.E. 2330 steel. Metal powders, in the proportion correspending to that composition, were mixed with graphite, pressed, and heated at different temperatures for different periods of time, to produce bonding of the metal particles and mutual diffusion of the various elements without melting. Temperatures up to 1325°C and sintering periods as long as 6 hr were first investigated because it was expected.that such conditions would produce maximum diffusion with an accompanying improvement in the properties of the alloy. It was found that, although diffusion proceeded to a large extent under the conditions investigated, it would not be complete unless sintering were carried out at a high temperature for much longer than 6 hr. Relatively high temperatures and long sintering times are objectionable from a practical point of view, particularly when a low COSt material is to be produced, because they necessitate the use of special, costly equipment. Work could be done to improve the diffusion of iron and nickel by changing conditions other than the sintering temperature and time, that is, finer primary or alloy powders could be used. However, a marked change in the properties of the steel had been observed even with only partial diffusion. It was thought, therefore, that instead of trying to improve the diffusion, advantage might be taken of its incompleteness to produce a special structure consisting, in the unquenched condition, of a hard constituent, rich in nickel, dispersed in a tough pearlitic matrix. Steels with such a structure, not readily obtainable by fusion, should have desirable mechanical properties. Besides, it should be possible to prepare them from elemelltal powders under economical conditions. This latter alternative was therefore adopted for the second phase of this work. This report is divided into four parts: I. General Procedure. 2. Effect of Sintering Temperature. 3. Effect of Varying the Nickel Content. 4. Effect of Alloying Elements. General Procedure The general technique of cold pressing as used in powder metallurgy was applied.

Jan 1, 1949

By Walter V. Knopp, Laurence Delisle

INTRODUCTION THE aim of this work was the preparation of nickel-steels from elemental metal powders by powder metallurgy techniques. It was known that plain carbon steels could be made from a mixture of iron powder and graphite and that the effect of carbon on iron in powder form was of the same nature as that produced in fusion metallurgy. The problem in making nickel steels from elemental powders consisted therefore in finding out whether sufficient diffusion of the nickel and other incidental metals normally present in such steels could be induced in the solid state to modify the properties of plain carbon steels made from powders and produce the beneficial effect of alloying. The composition selected originally was that of an S.A.E. 2330 steel. Metal powders, in the proportion corresponding to that composition, were mixed with graphite, pressed, and heated at different temperatures for different periods of time, to produce bonding of the metal particles and mutual diffusion of the various elements without melting. Temperatures up to 1325°C and sintering periods as long as 6 hr were first investigated because it was expected that such conditions would produce maximum diffusion with an accompanying improvement in the properties of the alloy. It was found that, although diffusion proceeded to a large extent under the conditions investigated, it would not be complete unless sintering were carried out at a high temperature for much longer than 6 hr. Relatively high temperatures and long sintering times are objectionable from a practical point of view, particularly when a low cost material is to be produced, because they necessitate the use of special, costly equipment. Work could be done to improve the diffusion of iron and nickel by changing conditions other than the sintering temperature and time, i.e., finer primary or alloy powders could be used. However, a marked change in the properties of the steel had been observed even with only partial diffusion. It was thought, therefore, that instead of trying to improve the diffusion, advantage might be taken of its incompleteness to produce a special structure consisting, in the unquenched condition, of a hard constituent, rich in nickel, dispersed in a tough pearlitic matrix. Steels with such a structure, not readily obtainable by fusion, should have desirable mechanical properties. Besides, it should be possible to prepare them from elemental powders under economical conditions. This latter alternative was therefore adopted for the second phase of this work. This report is divided into four parts: 1. General Procedure. 2. Effect of Sintering Temperature. 3. Effect of Varying the Nickel Content. 4. Effect of Alloying Elements. GENERAL PROCEDURE The general technique of cold pressing as used in powder metallurgy was applied.

Jan 1, 1948

By Valerie Kollonitsch

Functional mineral pigments are used in large quantities in paint, paper, plastics, rubber, textiles, agriculture, and several other industries. U.S. consumption in 1969 is estimated at over 5 million tons a year, valued at nearly $150 million, as shown in Table 1. Originally extender pigments were employed only to lower cost. They were thought of merely as adulterants to replace more expensive prime pigments and binders. However, over the years their role has become better understood, and today their main functions are: - Increasing strength, stability, and service life. - Improving surface properties. - Enhancing application and processing properties. - Extending prime pigments. - Controlling viscosity and package stability - Lowering overall costs of the finished product. The principal minerals used as functional pigments are kaolin, ground calcium carbonate, talc, and asbestos. Other minerals include barytes, attapulgite, diatomite, mica, ground silica, wollastonite, and nepheline syenite. Several synthetic products, including precipitated calcium carbonate; precipitated, gel, and fumed silica; alumina trihydrate; and barium sulfate, compete with mineral products. They are more expensive, but often have more closely controlled particle size or other properties because they can be tailor-made according to the requirements. This paper covers only natural products selling for $10 or more a ton, approximately the lower limit for pigment grades. Data refer only to consumption in pigment applications. For example, such applications as filter aids for diatomite are not included. Key properties of the major mineral pigments are given in Table 2. It is important to note that these properties are primarily physical rather than chemical. In general, these products are sold to performance specifications for what they can do rather than on chemical composition specifications on what they contain.

Jan 1, 1969

By Tyler Acorn, Brandon Wilson, Jeff Boisvert

Scenario-level uncertainty is a representation of large-scale differences encountered when considering ultimate mining pits optimized over various subsets of stochastic realizations. Accounting for scenario-level uncertainty allows mine plans to be assessed against several probabilistic subsurface interpretations. Scenario-level uncertainty is found through clustering stochastic geostatistical realizations and optimizing final pits across the realizations in each cluster. Where these pits are geometrically different, plans for each scenario differ. Knowing these differences allows the value of each planning alternative to be assessed based on the value and relative probability of each scenario. These results also facilitate the use of formal decision-making frameworks for planning, leading to optimization that better represents the full statistical characterization of the deposit. An example utilizing this approach evaluates both infrastructure placement and drilling program requirements. In both cases, scenario-level uncertainty improves initial plans by limiting opportunity costs and identifying additional potential.

By J. Hansen

"ABSTRACTThe paper addresses the application of automated monitoring, control, and navigation to improve dragline performance. SummaryImproving dragline performance in the Canadian coal mines is critical to the continued success of the industry. Draglines represent a large capital investment and coal prices are low by historic standards. This paper argues that the introduction of monitoring, control, and navigation on draglines offers an opportunity to significantly reduce a dragline’s operating cost per cubic metre moved. To place the importance of this in perspective, a North Dakota mine calculates that every 1% increase in dragline productivity means a savings to the mine of US$340,000 per year. MonitorsAutomated dragline monitoring is a well established technology with commercial products available since the early 1980s. The three main reasons for placing monitors on draglines are (Walker, 1993):1. productivity increases: reduce variations between different operators’ performance across different shifts;2. quality increases: increase the percentage of ore and waste loads that go to the correct destination; and3. special projects (engineering projects): justify installing static field exciters and regulator upgrades; implement power management; aid operator training; study high performance buckets, rigging changes, and various excavation sequences.Mines as diverse as Kennecott’s Cordero- Rojo Complex in the United States and Natal Coal Corp.’s Optimum Mine in South Africa report dragline productivity increases of 10% to 20% in the region attributed to the implementation of dragline monitoring."

Jan 1, 2000

By A McKay

The Great Artesian Basin (the Basin) is a large aquifer system underlying more than 20 per cent of continental Australia and most of Queensland. The aquifers of the Basin are an important water source for many industries, including the mining sector. The Queensland Great Artesian Basin Water Resource Plan (the Plan) was released in March 2006. The Plan provides a framework for the long- term holistic management of the aquifers in the Queensland Section of the Basin, in a manner that is consistent with the strategic management plan for the Basin as a whole. The paper describes the Basin and summarises trends in the demand for water in the Queensland section of the Basin. It describes the broad framework for management of the Basin by the individual Australian states, as well as the planning entitlement framework for water resource management in Queensland. The paper discusses the content of the Plan. This includes: the division of the aquifers into management areas and management units for management purposes, provision for protection of the flow of water to springs, limits on further allocating water, provision for a competitive process for access to new water and provision for water trading. Under the Queensland planning and entitlement system a resource operations plan is prepared to specify operational arrangements to implement a water resource plan. A resource operation plan for the basin is expected to be finalised before the end of 2006. The paper summarises the likely content of the plan.

Jan 1, 2006

By M Alston

Many organisations struggle to yield meaningful outcomes from incident investigations. This paper will demonstrate that we can discover systemic issues by rethinking the ‘Why’ and ‘How’ of investigations, fostering genuine risk reduction. Key points: 1. Shift from ‘prevent recurrence’ to ‘learn and reduce risk’: conventional investigations focus narrowly on recurrence prevention, resulting in narrowly focused investigations with limited ability to identify and reduce organisational risk. Redirecting our objective to learning and improvement opens avenues for broader risk mitigation. 2. Understanding daily work for risk insights: recognise that work is not always completed in full compliance with procedures. Workers will adapt how they complete tasks influenced by the conditions and management systems that exist every day. Understanding the conditions and systems affecting everyday work is vital for uncovering systemic risks. 3. Unearth systemic issues through in-depth exploration: many investigations address surface concerns such as lack of training, incorrect procedures, equipment not being maintained, and missing overarching organisational risks. Systemic, organisation-wide risks are not identified. To discover these systemic issues and create shared learnings, investigators must question management systems, including resourcing, planning and risk management. 4. Design actions for safe failure: common actions like discipline and training fall short and do not reduce risk. Resilience emerges from well-designed controls. Incorporate planning, better resources, interlocks, and guarding to bridge the gap between task execution and risk. 5. Investigation Reports as a Business Case: Investigation reports should not simply state historical information regarding an incident. They are to facilitate decision-making and be presented as a business case to drive change. Organisations can move beyond localised risk and ineffective administrative actions by changing investigation objectives and methods. They can facilitate learning, understand daily work intricacies, identify systemic issues, and enhance the capacity for safety, driving lasting risk reduction.

Apr 16, 2024

By Leo Panian

Over the last decade, drilled and post-grouted micropile foundations have come to be increasingly relied upon for resisting seismic loads in building foundations on the West Coast. Micropiles have been successfully deployed in a range of soil conditions, in vertical as well as battered configurations, to support a variety of structural systems difficult soils. Their high load capacity in tension as well as in compression, their ability to be installed in confined spaces with minimal overhead clearance, and their ability to be directly tested in an installation have made them indispensable for seismic strengthening of existing structures. More recently, growing industry experience along with improvements in design guidelines have led to wider acceptance of micropiles among engineers and building officials. The increasing availability of the specialized materials, coupled with growing familiarity with drilling technologies among design-build contractors has made micropiles more cost-effective and competitive. For the first time, micropiles are finding applications in the construction of new buildings, where they are combined with shallow footings in hybrid foundations to efficiently resist seismic loads. These new applications rely on more intensive engineering analyses to evaluate the performance of micropile foundation systems and develop detailed requirements for design and construction. This paper describes the design approaches and the analytical methods for the seismic design of hybrid micropile foundations, and provides examples of recent construction projects that demonstrate the application.

Jan 1, 2010

By Robert D. Pehlke

"Current continuous casting processes are going through a rapid evolution of advances and new developments. At the same time, intense efforts are being directed to the development of radical new technologies such as continuous casting of thin slabs and strip steel.Traditionally, the casting processes for steel have been anticipated by the development and implementation of processes in the non-ferrous industry. This trend is reviewed and what it may portend for steel is described.IntroductionThe continuous casting of steel has been a widely adopted process in the production of steel. The concepts for this processing go back into the early and mid 1800's; however, commerical development was delayed for a variety of reasons until the mid twentieth century.Beginning in the early 1960's, adoption of continuous casting was initiated and continues at this point in time to be accelerated. In Japan, more than 90% of the steel produced is continuously cast (1). More than 50% of the steel produced in the United States is continuously cast and this fraction continues to rise (2). Numerous examples can be cited of installations costing well over $200,000,000 which have provided a payoff in less than a year and a half. As this process has continued to be applied and its technology to increase, computer control systems have been installed. In particular, in the larger plants producing slabs, sophisticated computer systems involving the integration and networking of mini-computers, micro-computers, and mainframe including back-up systems at all levels are being utilized. Pehlke (3), and Harabuchi and Pehlke (4) have described the structure of these systems."

Jan 1, 1988

By P .. H. Grimley, N. Champigny

"Fourteen companies (Appendix) representing senior mining organizations in Canada were canvassed in order to assess: (1) the current usage and trends, and (2) the usefulness of computer applications in ore reserve estimation and grade control. The results of the questionnaire suggest that:• computers are unsurprisingly, predominant in the mining industry for calculating reserves and performing grade control;• time and cost savings are realized;• computer-based approaches are applicable to underground situations;• geological information is incorporated to the computerization process; and• computer usage does not hinder the collaboration of geologist and mining engineer.A clear need is identified for case histories comparing computer-calculated ore reserves and actual production data.IntroductionAmong the management and technical staff of some mining companies there is a perception that the application of computer based technology for the estimation of ore reserves and grade control, has as many drawbacks as benefits. Some of the objections raised against the utilization of computers for ore reserve estimation are that:• computer-based reserve models work for large open pit mines but not for underground situations;• computer-generated reserves ignore the geologist&apos;s knowledge base; they are strictly a number crunching exercise; and• the use of computers for ore reserves hinders collaboration between the geologist and mining engineer.In order to determine (I) the extent of current computer usage and future trends and (2) whether the objections noted above are borne out by experience, a number of senior Canadian mining companies were canvassed.The respondents were asked to provide:• an assessment of the importance of the computer in the ore reserve estimation and grade control process;• the level of involvement of individuals and staff groups with computer-based ore reserve estimation;• the advantages perceived and realized from the utilization of computer-based ore reserve approaches;• the current and future human resources requirements for the evaluation, implementation, maintenance and development of computer-based ore reserve systems;• the hardware and software resources presently used and planned; and• the developments needed to increase the use and acceptance of computer-based ore reserves."

Jan 1, 1990