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By MAHESH SHRIWAS, CHRISTOPHER PRITCHARD

Ventilation monitoring and control in mines are becoming an integral part of day-to-day activity for maintaining the health and safety of miners. This paper evaluates potential real-time monitoring solutions for detecting and reducing diesel particulate matter (DPM), mine fires and dust in situ and examines the state-of-the-art use of ventilation monitoring and control in underground mines for detecting and reducing air contaminants to acceptable regulatory limits. In this study, relevant documents, including research papers, trade publications and manufacturer website information, are reviewed to identify research gaps. This paper also includes evaluations of contemporary sensors (airflow, gas, dust and silica), control system and software technologies, data transport systems, the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), ventilation network simulators and control devices to identify potential health and safety research gaps. Examples of some mines in Canada, Australia and the United States that have been using ventilation monitoring and controls are included as well. Overall, this review identifies multiple challenges and research gaps in applying mine monitoring and control systems that could be the focus of future research, offering potential improvements to miner safety and health and financial benefits.

By R. R. Graham

Echo Bay Minerals operates a 650 tpd gravity float gold circuit at their Manhattan facility. The objective of this paper was to document the gold recovery by size distribution. This was accomplished by studying the material balance of each size fraction as it progressed through each gravity Circuit separator. It proved to be an impossible task. Figure I depicts the gravity circuit. The gravity cyclone underflow goes to two duplex Pan American type jigs. The jig overflow reports to the OK Flash Float Cell. The cyclone hutch product is reground and goes to a full size wilfly table. The rougher table concentrate reports to a pilot size Wi1fly cleaner table. The cleaner and rougher table tails circulate back to the jig feed. The gravity circuit was composite sampled for two to four hours per day for four days. Each sample was taken every 20 minutes. Each composite sample was filtered, dried, repu1ped, and screened through a wet/dry screening procedure. Each size fraction was checked for gold value by fire assay fussion technique. A material balance was run on each size fraction. The tables listing the results are enclosed.

Jan 1, 1989

By Jonathan K. Hrica, CASSANDRA L. HOEBBEL, Jennica L. Bellanca

Accidents involving powered haulage and mobile equipment like haul trucks are a major safety concern in the U.S. mining industry. They account for more than 50 percent of surface mine fatalities each year [1]. A recent National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) analysis of 91 fatal incidents identified loss of vehicle control and situational awareness as key contributors [2]. However, the first-hand perspectives of operators are often missing, emphasizing the need for deeper insights into operators’ decisionmaking, lessons learned, sensory cues and mental strategies used during near-miss events. The findings in this analysis will help inform the development of training and safety solutions to prevent or reduce haul truck accidents.

May 1, 2025

By Daniel A. Servigna, Pedro V. Porcayo, Humberto F. Preciado

This case study presents successful conversions of two conventional slurry tailings storage facilities (TSFs) to filtered tailings storage facilities in Durango, Mexico, for two mining operations with production rates ranging from 1,200 to 4,500 t/d (1,320 to 4,960 stpd). In both cases, the decision to make the conversion was driven by: • Ability to increase the storage capacity via stacking of filtered tailings. • Reduction of the tailings’ impacted footprint. • Mitigation of long-term geotechnical stability risks. • Alleviation of environmental risks by reducing tailings water as a source of pollutants, and a net reduction in process make-up water demand. The case studies can be divided in two classes: class 1 facilities, where slurry tailings are loaded almost immediately with filtered tailings because of storage area limitations; and class 2 facilities, where the conversion is immediate but the available area allows gradual or eventual loading of the previously stored slurry tailings. The condition where slurry tailings must be loaded almost immediately represents the greatest engineering challenge because of the geotechnical risks of instability and liquefaction (under both static and dynamic loads). Regardless of whether these facilities are converted immediately or eventually, they all require monitoring of pore water pressure conditions within the slurry tailings being loaded as the depth of placement of the filtered tailings above the slurry tailings increases. Additionally, where loading rate exceeds the pore pressure dissipation rate, tailings dewatering may be required to increase the rate of consolidation and strength and mitigate the risks of foundation failure.

Jul 1, 2025

By Robert W. Gordon

This report describes the results and conclusions of the further development of a lightweight probe drill for use in anthracite mines. Improvements to the drill previously developed under Contract H0282044 were made and tested at an Eastern Pennsylvania mine. These improvements were: 1. Better hole cleaning due to the development of an air-water mist flushing system. 2. The application of roof drill bits to allow drilling through rock seams and lenses. 3. The development of a quick coupling drill system which reduced total steel change time. 4. Adaptation of a swivel to the drill anchoring system which greatly reduced set-up time between holes. With these improvements the probe drill demonstrated its ability to drill the required 11 holes in one shift. It also gained miner acceptance as a viable underground working tool. The probe drill proved to meet all of the design requirements of portability, low weight drilling controllability, structural integrity and reliability. In addition to its ability to drill the required probe pattern, the probe drill has the capability of drilling long holes. By drilling several holes over 80 feet deep the probe drill has demonstrated a potential for use in robbing pillars and for methane drainage.

Jan 1, 1981

By John R. Riede

The use of radioactive gages in beneficiation plants is relatively new However, enough applications have been made so that it is now possible to positively state that these gages have definitely progressed from a laboratory device to a very rugged and reliable on stream process measuring instrument. Gamma Ray Gages of the type presently being used in the beneficiation industry consist of three basic components: (1) A source of radiation (2) A radiation detector (3) An electronic amplifier The source is usually a radioisotope such as cesium-137, or cobalt-60. This source, adequately protected and ruggedly mounted, is most commonly placed on one side of a pipe or vessel. The radiation detector is then mounted on the opposite side, Since the absorption of gamma radiation as it passes through various materials is a function of the density of the material, the change in radiation measured by the detector is proportional to the change in specific gravity of the product in the pipe or vessel. One popular type of detector in use today is a cell which converts radioactive energy directly into electrical energy1. This electrical energy, when amplified, presents a usable output for metering and control devices. There are, of course, many other components which are part of a working gamma gage installation, such as zero compensators, lead shielding, mounting brackets, equivalent absorbers, etc.

Jan 1, 1958

By G. R. Heckman, H. J. Murphy, C. T. Sims

An incestigation has been made of the effects of heat treatment and alloy composition on the long-time stress-rupture properties and structural stability of the similar nickel-base alloys Udimet-500, Lrdimet-520, and Udimet-700. Rupture test data are presented at stresses ranging from 4 to 50 ksi at temperatures from 1450° to 1900°F for times up to 14,000 hr. Ductility response is emphasized. Optical and electron tnicroscopy were complemented by X-ray diffraction analyses of extracted phases to relate microstructural stability to the observed rupture properties. Particular attention is paid to Udimet-520 since structural characteristics of this alloy appear to vary somewhat from its sister alloys. Both cast and wrought performance of Lrdimet-500 are discussed. The computerized PHACOMP calculational technique, based on electron-vacuncy theory, is discussed and related to structural stability where appropriate. Electron microscopy and microprobe techniques were used to conduct evaluation of the oxidation characteristics of Udimet-500 exposed in air for 16,100 hr. The steady advance in strength and reliability of nickel-base superalloys continues to be one of the high points of modern metallurgy. The stress capability of these materials has increased steadily, allowing higher and higher operating temperatures in the highly sophisticated aircraft and industrial gas turbines now on the market. The attendant increase in efficiency, of course, means greatly improved power output. Gas turbines for industrial and marine use have long been designed with these objectives paramount the usual design requirements in terms of time of service being 100,000 hr. High-efficiency, long-life aircraft such as the supersonic transport require superalloy engine materials with high-strength and long-time structural stability. Thus, materials studied for and operating experience from industrial gas turbines provide a good reservoir from which technology of high value to the SST program can be drawn. This study is one such case. Three prominent nickel-base super alloys—Udimet 500, Udimet 520, and Udimet 700 were extensively evaluated for industrial gas turbine bucket use. Particular attention was directed toward structural stability as a requisite property. Within the present context, structural stability is defined as freedom from the propensity to form strength-robbing or embrittling phases such as u,p,x,or Laves, and the ability to maintain useful rupture strength and ductility throughout design life. MATERIALS The three alloys, cast Udimet 500 (U-500C), Udimet 520, and Udimet 700, were chosen for detailed evaluation based on preliminary studies which indicated that U-500C and U-520 possessed comparable rupture strength capabilities, and that U -700 had a greater strength capability but somewhat poorer ductility than wrought U-500. The nominal compositions of the three alloys, along with the compositions of the heats investigated, are presented in Table I. PROCEDURE Dimensionally rejected U-520 buckets from Special Metals Corp. heat 63370 were heat-treated using the four cycles delineated in Table 11. Cycle A was investigated to determine the effects of a shortened 1700°F primary age. Cycle B was considered a "standard" treatment. Cycle C investigated a higher solution temperature in combination with a shortened primary age, while cycle D assessed the effect of the higher solution temperature alone. These heat treatments were designed to produce optimum combinations of rupture strength and ductility through maximum y' development, the development of a y' grain boundary cushion, promotion of MC carbide degeneration reactions, and agglomeration of resultant M23CB. Since one of the premises of the evaluation of U-520 was that rupture strength would be equivalent to U-500, forged U-500 buckets from Special Metals Corp. heat 62916 were heat-treated with cycles A, B, and C to provide comparison. The heat-treated structures of U-520 and U-500 are illustrated in the 8700 times electron micrographs of Fig. l. The U-700 tested was all from 3-in.-diam hot-rolled and centerless-ground rod from Special Metals Corp. heat 2-1426. Two heat-treatment cycles were employed, E and F of Table 11. Cycle E is a standard four-step, triple-age treatment intended to provide an optimum match of strength and ductility through well-developed matrix and grain boundary y', as recommended by U-700 vendors. Treatment F is a shortened , single-age cycle which could provide a significant processing cost reduction should adequate strength and ductility be maintained. Following heat treatment, rupture specimens of U-500 and U-520 were machined from the buckets and tested. Standard rupture bars of U -700 were machined from the heat-treated rod and rupture-tested. Failed and withdrawn rupture bars were prepared and examined by optical and electron microscopy. Select specimens were electrolytically digested, and the residues analyzed for carbide and topologically close-packed phases using CrKa or CoKo radiation. Of the six different U-500C heats evaluated, five were cast by Misco Precision Casting Co. and one was cast by Haynes Stellite Co. Cast-to-size rupture bars

Jan 1, 1968

By Karl-H. Daum

Over many decades, numerous feasibility studies have demonstrated, that the production of sulphuric acid remains the most viable option of sulphur recovery from smelter off gas and abatement of SO2 emissions to the atmosphere. This is particularly more pronounced as smaller but more concentrated off-gas flows are to be treated from smelters, and enhanced sulphuric acid processes be-come available. Off-gas handling systems represent a significant capital and operating cost burden to the metallurgical operation. Modern pyrometallurgical smelter processes for sulphide ores based on the use of oxygen-enriched air, produce relatively small off-gas flows with high SO2 concentrations in the smelter gas of 30?60 %-vol. of SO2. This is a prerequisite for substantial cost reductions in the smelter off-gas handling and treatment system. As an alternative to sulphuric acid production, numerous scrubbing concepts with alkali or dual-alkali combinations as well as organic absorbents have been proposed. Also the reduction of the SO2 to elemental sulphur has frequently been studied. Very few of those alternative processes have been built in industrial scale, but all were generally characterized by none sustainable operation due to cost reasons, problems with issues related to chemicals used and by-products or poor availability. Thus the traditional concept of converting the SO2 to sulphuric acid is most common, although regarded as un-economic, but is at least a proven, environmentally sustainable and reliable way of sulphur gas processing. With the high acid price levels these days, operating companies are even able to generate significant revenue with their otherwise ?fatal? acid.

Jan 1, 2009

By William Gleason

"What will the mine of the future look like? Will it resemble the current operations that supply the world with the products it needs to function, or will it be something totally different? How will the demands from the communities that are most affected by mining operations shape the mine of the future? How will technology and innovation be used to help miners reach deposits that are getting harder to access, and what are the dangers of this new world? Who will work at the mine of the future, and what will that work look like?These are questions that do not yet have definitive answers, but they are questions that need to be asked for the mining industry to move into a future that is as filled with uncertainty and challenge as it is with promise and opportunity.On Feb. 16, the 2015 SME Annual Conference and Expo and the 117th CMA National Western Mining Association conference began with a keynote address, "The mine of the future: Forecasting opportunities and challenges for the global mining industry." Panelists from five sectors of the mining industry participated in the session, which was followed by the conference and expo, that in large part, were also trying to answer the question of what the mine of the future will look like.In coming months, Mining Engineering will continue the discussions and answer some of the questions submitted by members of the 2,000-person audience during the keynote address in a monthly feature called, "Predicting the Mine of the Future," and in Thought Leaders Podcasts with the panelists and other industry experts."

Jan 1, 2014

By In-Ho Chi

In copper metallization, resistivity of copper seed layer is very important since the thickness of seed layer is less than 200iun. Conventionally MOCVD has been used for this purpose however electroless copper plating is simple process and the resistivity of copper deposit is less than that of copper prepared by MOCVD. In this study eIectroless depositions of copper were conducted on different substrate to find optimum conditions of electroless copper plating for electronic applications. To find optimum conditions, the effects and selectivity of activation method on several substrates were investigated. The effects of copper bath composition on morphology were investigated. The effects of pH and stabilizer on deposition rate was investigated. The resistivity of copper with thickness was also measured.

Jan 1, 2001

By N. J. Rarmrez, C. Perez, J. D. Calderon, L. Lopez

"Among the thermal characterization of any material, one of the variables to know is the coefficient of thermal conductivity because this value can tell how much heat passes through the material and if the material could be used as an isolator. In order to determine this parameter is required some kind of special equipment and controlled conditions which implies high costs in the development of tests. The present paper proposes a design of a low cost measurement system in order to determine this coefficient with the lower possible error. This equipment was thought for companies or labs where they do not have the economic resources or the infrastructure (environmental controlled labs, heat flux transducers, human resources with specialized knowledge) to do this kind of tests.The system is based on ASTM C 518 - 04 [l] and integrated by two plates (one that contains a thermal resistance and which temperature is controlled by a closed loop controller and the other one with a route of water flow). The thermal resistance is actuated by a relay and a supervisor system checks the total time the relay is on in order to determine the effective power applied to the system. The contact faces of the plates contain a group of temperature sensors connected to a data acquisition system that process and record the temperature in each measurement point.With the power applied to the system, the measurement of temperatures and a process of calibration is possible to determine the coefficient of thermal conductivity. IntroductionWithin the thermal characterization of a material of known variables is the coefficient of heat transfer, since this value can know the amount of heat the material is capable of transferring or isolating. To determine this ratio requires specialized equipment and controlled conditions, which implies high costs in the development of a test. This article proposes a design of a low cost machine to allow closer this coefficient with the least possible error. This equipment was done thinking about companies that do not have the infrastructure (laboratories, controlled environment, heat flux sensors, human resources expertise) and financial resources to conduct these tests."

Jan 1, 2011

By G R. Hancock, S Grant, T Whiteside, J B. C Lowry, J Boyden, T J. Coulthard

Physically-based landform evolution models (LEM) provide a spatial framework to forecast the long-term geomorphic stability of post-mining landscapes. When used to test the relative stability of different landform designs, LEMs may assist with the development of optimal closure designs for rehabilitated mines. However, in order to reduce prediction error, factors controlling landscape evolution must also be accurately represented by models. This requires that the correct sets of processes are represented and that driving parameters used in LEMs are, if necessary, calibrated to the landscape of interest.Vegetation exerts strong controls on the hydrologic and geomorphic processes that drive landscape evolution. Hence, the spatial and temporal scales over which typical patterns in vegetation are represented in different landscapes are important considerations in LEM calibration. However, vegetation is rarely accounted for in LEMs and even when integrated is often represented simply, without representing spatial dynamics of vegetation cover that may impact landform development.This study focuses on characterising vegetation patterns to calibrate a new vegetation module of the The Cellular Automaton Evolutionary Slope and River (CAESAR)-Lisflood LEM to be applied to a conceptual rehabilitated landform of the Ranger uranium mine located in the Alligator Rivers Region (ARR) of northern Australia. In the ARR the spatial dynamics of vegetation over time are largely driven by monsoonal rains and topography. Extensive dry season fires are also common in the region, temporarily reducing vegetation cover where they occur. Hence, hydrology, topography and fire disturbance interact to shape a distinct, yet dynamic, mosaic of different vegetation types of varying cover density. As a basis for calibrating the new vegetation function, the distribution and dynamics of vegetation are characterised for this savannah landscape by remote sensing, in conjunction with ground data.CITATION:Boyden, J, Lowry, J, Coulthard, T, Whiteside, T, Hancock, G and Grant, S, 2016. Accounting for vegetation dynamics in landform evolution modelling, in Proceedings Life-of-Mine 2016 Conference , pp 63–66 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Jun 28, 2016

By Emily Wortman-Wunder

While the mood at the 2013 annual joint meeting between the Pittsburgh Coal Mining Institute of America (127th Annual Meeting) and SME Pittsburgh Section (68th Annual Off-the-Record Meeting) in Canonsburg, PA was subdued following a rocky year in the coal industry, attendance was down only slightly, to 300, and overall, the meeting?s focus was optimistic about the future of coal. The conference began by addressing one of the central challenges of coal mining head-on with a keynote address on the status of safety in the mining industry. Noting that two more U.S. miners had died in 2013 than by the same date in 2012, the National Mining Association?s (NMA) Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Bruce Watzman made a plea for a new approach to safety. He described the NMA CORESafety initiative, a program that promotes proactive safety measures versus a compliance-driven model. CORESafety, described in more detail on pp. 29 of this issue, focuses on developing successful ways to change company cultures of safety and behavior. Other industries that have adopted this approach have seen dramatic drops in fatalities, including the Australian mining industry, which has seen its annual fatality rate drop to nearly zero even while the number of people employed in the industry has soared. The rest of the morning?s sessions explored what is arguably the industry?s biggest challenge right now ? maintaining the social license to operate.

Jan 1, 2014

Develop and evaluate a mechanical position and heading system (MPHS) that provides information about underground mining machine position and heading to aid in the remote positioning of mining machines during face maneuvers. Background While great improvements have been made in mineworker safety, progressive technology continues to create a safer, better working environment for miners by keeping them away from the dangerous face area. In maintaining such high standards of safety, the Bureau is investigating remote, computer-assisted operation of mining systems for underground, highwall, and surface mining applications. A key component of computer-assisted operation is a guidance system. Since there are no guidance systems on any commercial continuous mining machines, the Bureau itself developed and tested the mechanical position and heading system (MPHS). The MPHS is based on linear position transducers (LPT's), and operates on principles of triangulation to provide machine position (xy coordinate), and orientation in the xy plane (yaw or heading). These data are needed in order to keep the continuous mining machine in proper alignment before and during the cutting cycle. The MPHS theory development is in three parts: characterize the sensors used and their configuration; select and define the navigation reference frames; and derive a closed-form solution for determining the position and beading from sensor information. Application of the MPHS theory required the development of hardware, software, and system interfaces.

Jan 1, 1992

By R L. Grogan

Regulators of deep-sea mining projects are becoming increasingly hesitant about the concept of adaptive management as a tool to facilitate compliance and continuous improvement. Adaptive management is a relevant and useful instrument to ensure that the mine plan is successfully implemented throughout the life of mine, in parallel with optimum environmental performance and compliance.CITATION:Grogan, R L, 2018. Adaptive management in deep sea mining – looking like you know what you’re doing when it’s never been done before, in Proceedings Life-of-Mine 2018, pp 20–22 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Jul 25, 2018

By E. R. Olson

The introduction gives not only a historical background but also touches on shaft sinking and surface construction and gives some general information on the Potash Conservation Regulations which the Saskatchewan government introduced in 1969. It also gives information on the corporate and local organization of Alwinsal Potash.

Jan 1, 1972

By N Madani

Linear interpolation of geo-related variables is important to different aspects of mining engineering such as long and short-term mine planning. The ore deposit description attained from spatial modeling of blast hole datasets has been widely taken into account, particularly, for short-term mine design and grade control, so as to define the ultimate destination of a mined block. It is approved in practice that making the wrong decision leads to losing a huge amount of money for choosing the destination of a mined block. In the case of complex ore deposits, the issue of estimation of variables in the region is questionable and somehow tedious. Due to this fact, modeling those complications in the co-spatial behavior of the grades in multi-element deposits prompts one to employ enhanced geostatistical techniques. Traditional approaches of this purpose such as polygon, inverse distance weighted and even (co)-kriging approaches, are incapable of reproducing those complexities such as non-linearity, heteroscedasticity and geological constraint that frequently exist among the variables of interest in those deposits. Another difficulty in employing those linear interpolations in grade estimation is smoothing effect, in which the estimated grades are over and under estimated. CITATION: Madani, N, 2018. 3D estimation of variables with complexity in cross-correlation structures, in Proceedings Complex Orebodies Conference 2018, pp 49–52 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Nov 21, 2018

By E. Kenneth Siroky

The concept of ultrasonic measurement was originally applied to marine operations. Sonar . . . standing for Sounding, Navigation and Ranging, was developed for military uses. Today Sonar has become very important to the fishing fleets and marine construction industries where its applications cover a wide range of uses our company, in addition to the inair ultrasonic equipment as discussed in this paper, is also deeply involved in marine sonar and works primarily with oceanographic research and fishing industries. Ultrasonics, by simple definition, are sound waves beyond the audible range of the human ear and are generally accepted to be waves over 20,000 cycles per second. When applied to level measurement, the principles of ultrasonics are basically quite simple. A sound pulse is initiated at a point in time and the time interval for the echo from that pulse to return can be interpolated into distance. The speed of sound in air under standard conditions is approximately 1,100 feet per second, or if converted into more meaningful information as related to distance measurement, the time required for sound to travel one foot round trip is 1.78 milliseconds. An early application for ultrasonic level monitoring equipment was in large grain elevators. Prior to ultrasonics, the common practice of inventory measurement was to have an employee walk around the top of these large grain elevators, which are often over 100 feet above ground level, and drop a weighted rope or chain down into the silo to determine the level of the grain. Needless to say, this was a slow process and could be extremely unsafe, especially during windy and snowy weather conditions. An alternate

Jan 1, 1971

By Pim van Geffen, Dave Lawie, James Cleverley

A growing problem facing geoscientists, metallurgists and process engineers is the lack of knowledge transfer between the exploration and production teams. This siloing is generally unintentional, as a typical project may change ownership several times over several decades before it reaches the feasibility and operation stages. Many exploration projects generate vast amounts of high-quality, quantitative data with great spatial resolution, but unfortunately these data are often ignored in subsequent deposit modelling. Instead, deposit models tend to rely on subjective, non-standardized, qualitative classification of geological materials (e.g. rock type, mineral abundance) and processes (e.g. alteration style and intensity), obtained through visual logging of drill core. When projects advance to feasibility studies, the required quantitative data are obtained through expensive metallurgical test work and detailed quantitative mineralogical analysis, such as QEMScan or qXRD. These detailed tests are generally only performed on a small number of large composite samples and the results are extrapolated throughout the deposit, inherently underrepresenting their true variability. Geochemical data obtained during all stages of the project provide comprehensive data coverage at much greater detail and spatial resolution, which allows for the estimation of key metallurgical performance parameters that are required for accurate deposit modelling and domaining.

Jan 1, 2015

By William Gleason

Despite a global slowdown in most mining sectors, Caterpillar, the world?s largest mining equipment maker continues to forge ahead with new, and improved offerings to the global mining industry. On Nov. 10, as part of its Loading and Hauling Mining Focus Session at its Tinaja Hills proving grounds south of Tucson, AZ, Caterpillar unveiled to customers and media its two latest mining products, the 994K wheel loader and 6020B hydraulic shovel. The Caterpillar 994K wheel loader builds on a nearly 25-year history of the 994 model but with one noticeable difference ? the 994K is bigger ? much bigger. Weighing in at 239,142 kg (527,218 lb) the 994 K is up to 20 percent larger and comes with up to 30 percent increase in payload capacity. This behemoth of a machine is currently being tested at Caterpillar?s Tucson Proving Grounds, Anglo Gold Ashanti?s Cripple Creek and Victor gold mine in Colorado and Taseko?s Gibraltor copper and molybdenum mine in British Columbia, Canada.