Search Documents

By P. H. Tumialán

El presente trabajo señala el proceso de mineralización del yacimiento de plata San Juan de Lucanas, Ayacucho, cuyas vetas NE de cizalla y juego NNE de tensión son producidos por fuerzas de compresión NNE- SSW. Asimismo, se describe su fisiografía, petrografía y petrología, geología estructural, estratigrafía histórica, geología económica, textura, zoneamiento, alteración hipógena de cajas, persistencia de mineralización, comparación de otros yacimientos, controles de mineralización, las reservas de diciembre de 1979, concluyendo con las posibilidades de mineralización de plata a través de un plan sistemático de exploración.

Oct 14, 1980

By S. D. Thompson

Several discrete-event simulation models have been developed for designing the conveying system capacities of underground coal mines. Most of these models require the use of a step-function approach to mimic the loading process at each conveyor loading point. Over the years, practitioners have generally employed one of three versions of the step-function approach. An important issue is how these three versions compare to each other in terms of simulated capacity requirements for belt conveyors. Another is-sue is how they compare to peak capacity design. This paper addresses these issues by statistically and quantitatively comparing their simulation results. The consequences and problems associated with using each version are also discussed and summarized.

Jan 1, 1997

By B Prasad, M P. Roy, P K. Singh, C Drebenstedt

Blasting operations play a pivotal role in the overall economics of opencast mines. The blasting subsystem affects all the other associated subsystems, ie loading, transport, crushing and milling operations. Fragmentation control through effective blast design and its effect on productivity is a challenging job for the practicing blasting engineer due to inadequate knowledge of actual explosive energy released in the borehole, effect of varying initiation practice in blast design and its effect on explosive energy release characteristic. This paper describes the result of a systematic study on the impact of blast design parameters on rock fragmentation at two mines in India. Both the mines use draglines and shovel-dumper combination for removal of overburden. Despite its pivotal role in controlling the overall economics of a mining operation, the expected blasting performance is often judged almost exclusively on the basis of poorly defined parameters such as powder factor and is often qualitative, which results in a very subjective assessment of blasting performance. Such an approach is a very poor substitute for accurate assessment of explosive and blasting performance. Forty-seven blasts were conducted with varying blast designs and charging patterns and their impact on the rock fragmentation are documented. A high-speed camera was deployed to record the detonation sequences of the blasts. The efficiency of the loading machines was also correlated with the mean fragment size obtained from the fragmentation analyses.CITATION:Singh, P K, Roy, M P, Drebenstedt, C and Prasad, B, 2015. Blast design parameters and their impact on rock fragmentation, in Proceedings 11th International Symposium on Rock Fragmentation by Blasting, pp 755–762 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Aug 24, 2015

By F Grobler

Many projects fail because project performance in unfavourable economic conditions was not anticipated at the investment decision stage. This type of failure may have been avoided through the selection of a strategy that enables the project to perform well under a range of possible future economic conditions (a ærobustÆ strategy); rather than an æoptimalÆ strategy for expected future conditions that will never eventuate. This paper describes a method of rapidly generating mine plans for a number of project strategies, and then evaluating it against a representative range of equally likely economic conditions. The key performance indicators derived for each strategy are the mean value and the distribution of values (variance). A prudent investor will identify prospective strategies not only on the merit of highest mean values (as a proxy for economic reward), but also on the probability of not meeting specified investment hurdles (a proxy for risk). A robust strategy will achieve its financial objective even under adverse economic variations. This paper focuses on the effect of commodity price uncertainty; particularly around the choice of mining and processing capacity levels. Results from enumerating 2000 prices scenarios against 63 strategy combinations show how processing and mining capacity can be manipulated to manage the risk-reward trade-off.

Sep 26, 2011

By J. Yianatos

The regrinding stage is necessary to achieve the particle size (liberation) for the final upgrade in the cleaning flotation process. At present, vertical mills (Vertimill) are employed at industrial scale, using small steel balls as grinding media. The regrinding process characterization requires mixing regime knowledge along with the mean residence time of the liquid and solid phases. The residence time distribution (RTD) and the actual mean residence time estimations from theoretical relationships are complex due to the presence of three components (solid mineral, balls and water), mass transport characteristics and segregation affecting solid holdup. Therefore, the experimental RTD determination is suitable for industrial mills. In this work, RTD measurements were performed in two different industrial flotation plants. Both plants operate with Vertimills of 1000-1500 HP in the regrinding process with different circuit arrangements according to the plant treatment capacity. The RTD was measured using the radioactive tracer technique. This technique allows for non-invasive tracer detection where the procedure consists of selecting a liquid (Br82 in aqueous solution) or solid (irradiated solid) tracer for RTD data acquisition in real time. The RTD was modelled by the Large and Small Tanks in Series (LSTS) model, which allowed the characterization of the different mixing regimes for both liquid and solids in the regrinding mills. Effective mean residence times in the range 2-11 min were obtained with RTD shapes similar to those obtained in tumbling ball mills. It was found that residence times of liquid and fine particles were similar, which is consistent with results observed in other mixing systems, e.g. mechanical flotation cells. Also, the mean residence times estimated from the RTD allowed the mass balance adjustment to be validated from metallurgical sampling data. RTD estimations are useful for better understanding the Vertimill behaviour and to identify the actual breakage rates. Keywords: vertical mill, residence time distribution, particle size, modeling

Sep 1, 2012

By R. A. Kleiv, H. Havskjold, N. Church, T. Malvik, M. Tro, E. Larsen

Liberation is one of the major purposes of comminution in mineral processing. In the simplest form, two or more minerals are present in a particle and have to be reduced such that the individual particles contain only one mineral. The complexity of the mineral intergrowth varies from ore to ore. Poor magnetic separation of iron ore may have many causes. In this paper, the emphasis is given to the problem of fine magnetite inclusions in quartz or other gangue minerals. This is highlighted by two Norwegian cases: one on a magnetite ore and the other on a hematite/magnetite ore. The inclusions in question are so small that they are not liberated by reasonable grinding. In both cases, the result has been either poor recovery or lower grade concentrates than desired. The first example concerns production of direct reduction concentrates from magnetite. Magnetic inclusions in gangue particles will be magnetized enough for the particles to pass into the concentrate. The second example is given a more detailed study, where the problem is caused by silicates with small inclusions of magnetite in a combined LIMS and WHIMS separation. This study included microscopy, Davies tube testing, and magnetization measurements. In particular, large gangue particles with magnetite inclusions were shown to have a tendency to bypass the LIMS separators as drag forces in presence of hematite are large. Such particles will then be picked up by the WHIMS as their magnetization is higher than for hematite. This was demonstrated by Davies tube tests, which indicated that such particles were picked up in preference to hematite particles. However, the Davies results did not give a good quantification. Magnetization measurements of gangue particles with magnetite inclusions was shown to be a better tool to quantify the magnitude of the effect of magnetite inclusions in magnetic separation.

Jan 1, 2018

By Hongjie Yu, Mike Mooney

Transitions between geological/geotechnical soil units have a critical impact on the operation and performance of a tunnel boring machine (TBM). Geostatistics-based probabilistic modeling is used to quantify the uncertainty in soil transition locations. This paper presents two unique soft-ground tunneling case studies where the results from the geostatistics-based probabilistic modeling are compared to the TBM data and as-encountered ground conditions derived from the actual TBM data. The assessment enhances the confidence in using geostatistics to improve ground awareness for efficient tunnel construction, minimizing different site condition (DSC) claims, and improving decision-making on tunnel projects.

Dec 1, 2022

By P A. Lang, J G. Ayotte, R W. Humphries

Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) has the responsibility for research, and development of technologies, for the safe and permanent disposal of Canada's nuclear fuel wastes. As part of this comprehensive program, AECL is constructing an Underground Research Laboratory (URL) near Lac du Bonnet, Manitoba, to evaluate aspects of the concept of waste disposal deep in stable geological formations. No nuclear wastes will be used in the URL program.

Jan 1, 1986

By John P. Turner, Steven S. Dapp, Dan A. Brown

"The Goethals Bridge Replacement (GBR) spanning the Arthur Kill Waterway between Elizabeth, NJ and Staten Island, NY consists of a dual-span 1,982.5-ft long cable-stayed bridge with approach spans of 2,545 ft on the NJ side and 2,788 ft on the NY side. The bridge is supported on over 200 drilled shaft foundations ranging in diameter from 4.5 ft to 10 ft and socketed into Passaic Formation siltstone. Drilled shaft resistances for design were based on load tests as described in a companion paper (Dapp et al. 2016). This paper presents the main foundation design considerations and challenges. The approach to construction of the rock sockets, with a focus on quality in order to support the use of high nominal values of side and base resistance, is described. Lessons learned from this project and their application to future similar projects are presented.INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUNDThe Goethals Bridge Replacement (GBR) project is a Public-Private Partnership (P3) that represents a major milestone for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) in its distinguished history of bridge building in the greater New York City metropolitan area. The new bridge will replace the existing Goethals Bridge, named after Major General George W. Goethals, Chief Engineer of the Panama Canal and the first consulting engineer for the Port Authority. The existing Goethals Bridge along with the Outerbridge Crossing and the Bayonne Bridge comprise the three Port Authority bridges connecting Staten Island with New Jersey. The existing Goethals Bridge and the Outerbridge Crossing are cantilever truss structures and both opened on the same day in 1928. They were designed by J.A.L. Waddell under the supervision of the eminent engineer Othmar H. Ammann (1879-1965), who was the designer of many other iconic bridges in the NY City area including the Bayonne Bridge (1931), the George Washington Bridge (1931), and the Verrazano Narrows Bridge (1964). The designer of record for the replacement Goethals Bridge is Parsons Corporation, which is the successor firm of Robinson & Steinman, whose principal David B. Steinman was also a notable NY area bridge designer and a contemporary and rival of O.H. Ammann.The replacement Goethals Bridge is supported on over 200 rock-socketed drilled shaft foundations. Each main pylon tower is supported on a group of six 9-ft diameter drilled shafts and each anchor pier is supported by two 10-ft diameter shafts. Each approach pier consists of a two-column bent with each column supported on a rock-socketed drilled shaft. A rendering of the Main Bridge crossing the Arthur Kill is shown in Fig. 1."

Jan 1, 2016

By H. Lieberwirth, M. Klichowicz

The comminution at grain size level for the liberation of valuable minerals usually requires the highest size-specific energy. Therefore, the full understanding of the comminution process at this level is essential. Models based on the Discrete Element Method (DEM) could be a helpful tool for this purpose. In those, the mineral microstructure, which has a dominant influence on the fracture behaviour, can be described in great detail. One major concern, however, is the missing representativeness of simulated models. In this study, a method to overcome this limitation is presented. The authors show how a realistic microstructure can be implemented into a particle bed comminution simulation using a two-dimensional Bonded Particle Model (BPM). The improved algorithm based modelling approach is exemplarily compared to an equivalent real experiment. Thereby, the focus is set on the analysis of the interfacial breakage and the capability of the simulation to reproduce the experimental results. The comparison of the results shows that simulations at grain size level allow a more detailed evaluation of the fracturing behaviour. This is of special interest as the aim of comminution in mineral processing is not only the size reduction of coarse particles, but an efficient liberation of the valuable components. Hence, simulations with automatically generated real mineral microstructures will help to further improve the efficiency of ore processing. Keywords: Discrete Element Method, grain modelling, particle bed comminution, realistic synthetic

Jan 1, 2020

By J. Ma

Vanadium ore is widely distributed in black rock series (Fan, Zhang and Ye, 2004) in many provinces of China, which accounts for 87% (Zuo, Peng and Dugang, 2001) of vanadium reserves in China. In Cambrian black rock series in south Qinling Mountain, there are large or medium-sized sedimentary deposits such as Zhongcun vanadium deposit, Yinhua vanadium deposit, Qianjiaping vanadium deposit, Xiajiadian gold-vanadium deposit and Lengshuigou vanadium deposit. The vanadium is distributed in other minerals mainly in the form of isomorphic replacement. These types of ore are characterized by no independent vanadium mineral, low grade and vast reserves. Now in China the vanadium extraction technology is backward with low utilization rate of resources. The difficulties of vanadium extraction from black rock series are that the enrichment by means of mechanical beneficiation is difficult; the cost of direct chemical extraction is high and the emission of waste gas from pyrogenic process does not conform to environmental protection standard. Therefore the study of vanadium occurrence, the improvement & optimization of vanadium extraction technology and the realization of pollution-free and low-cost extraction of vanadium from black rock series are of great and realistic importance for environment-friendly exploitation & utilization of vanadium resource in China. The study is based on carbon content in ore of Cambrian black rock series in south Qinling Mountain. Two kinds of ore are selected. Vanadium ore with low carbon content (TC<1%) is taken as Sample 1 while vanadium ore with high carbon content (TC>10%) as Sample 2. Based on analysis of ore?s lithologic features and vanadium?s occurrence, a vanadium extraction technological process characterized by selective grinding, low cost and no pollution is proposed.

Jan 1, 2014

By M. H. Tyeb, C. Banerjee, A. K. Majumder

The primary requirement from a hydrocyclone is the classification of the feed solid particles. Particle classification occurs inside a hydrocyclone by virtue of the relative radial distribution of the suspended particles, based on their size and specific gravity. The particle classification behaviour in a hydrocyclone is experimentally studied in this paper. The phenomenological features of the air core at different feed solid concentrations and the distribution of the solid concentrations in the hydrocyclone are also analysed by the theoretical study of flow features in a steady Rankine vortex. Semi-empirical models for predicting the hydrocyclone performance in terms of flow split ratio, and cut size have been developed using the background knowledge of convoluted hydrodynamics. In addition, to validate the classification performance of a smaller diameter hydrocyclone, the potential of the present model is extended for envisaging the same for larger diameter hydrocyclones. A comparison between the model predicted values and the measurement data shows a good match. Keywords: Hydrocyclone, classification, Rankine-vortex, air core, modelling

Jan 1, 2020

By J. Etay, S. Daugan, Y. Fautrelle

"New type of electromagnetic parametric instabilities arising at the free surface of liquid metal in the presence of a low frequency magnetic field are presented. First, the mechanism of the instability is analysed in an idealised case. Then, the experimental device working with mercury is described. Various shapes, both regular and irregular, of free surface are found. A experimental stability diagram is obtained. Measurements of the deformation performed on photographs are compared with physical orders of magnitude.IntroductionWhen a liquid metal pool of electroconductivity a is submitted to an A.C. magnetic field B = B0 cos mt, electrical currents j are induced in the liquid metal and interact with the applied magnetic field to create electromagnetic body forces F = j x B. Those Lorentz forces comprise both a mean value (time average) and an oscillating part. Those forces are widely used in many metallurgical processes to stirr a liquid metal or to control its free surface, e. g., in aluminium continuous casting or electromagnetic levitation problems (1-3). When liquid metal free surfaces are submitted to AC. magnetic fields, the shape of those interfaces may interact with the applied field and leads to a various instabilities. A review of these instabilities may be found in Fautrelle (4). That instabilities may be a problem for the control of processing as electromagnetic levitation or quasi-levitation."

Jan 1, 1999

By F T. Suorineni

Empirical methods are deeply rooted in geomechanics. This is a consequence of the recognised complexity of the nature of the rock mass. The usual assumptions of material continuity, homogeneity, isotropicity and linear elasticity often assumed for soil, concrete and steel are difficult to justify in a rock mass except for mathematical convenience. These assumptions form the bases for most mechanistic, analytical and numerical methods in geomechanics. Believers in empirical methods argue that the complexity of the rock mass and its interaction with structures developed in it is adequately accounted for in empirical methods, which compensate for our ignorance.Franklin (1993) defines empirical design as quantified judgement based on experience. He further states that empirical methods often prove ‘closer’ to the ‘truth’ than the apparently more precise predictions of theoretical analysis, adding that based on real data empirical methods provide a standard against which theoretical predictions are measured and can be judged. This paper takes a critical look at the common empirical methods in geomechanics – rock mass classification systems (Bieniawski, 1973; Barton, Lien and Lunde, 1974; Hoek, 1994a), Laubscher block caving design rules (Laubscher, 1994), the stability graph (Mathews et al, 1981), pillar design equations (Salamon and Munro, 1967; Hedley and Grant, 1972; and their derivatives), pillar design chart (Lunder and Pakalnis, 1997) and failure criteria (Hoek and Brown, 1980; and its derivatives). The common thread in the application of these methods is that in most cases they are often applied blindly without an understanding of the underlying assumptions and database limits. This paper emphasises that users of these methods need to know the underlying assumptions, database limits and inherent hidden risks that are often unmentionable for their satisfactory use. Finally, suggestions are provided for the efficient use of empirical methods and how they can be improved.CITATION:Suorineni, F T, 2014. Reflections on empirical methods in geomechanics – the unmentionables and hidden risks, in Proceedings AusRock 2014: Third Australasian Ground Control in Mining Conference , pp 143–156 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Nov 5, 2014

POSITIONS VACANT (Under this heading will be published notes sent to the Secretary of the Institute by members or other persons.) Wanted for a mill on the Ivory Coast of Africa an experienced amalgamator and millman. Salary, $160 to $200 per month. No. 18. ENGINEERS AVAILABLE (Under this heading will be published notes sent to the Secretary of the Institute by members or other persons.) Chemist-metallurgist of broad technical training, university graduate, with experience in chemical and metallurgical research work, desires position, preferably in the East. Has successful past that stands investigation. No. 73. Member, mining and metallurgical engineer; thorough technical training, Ph.D., Columbia University, aged 39, married, with-an-extensive experience in smelting, mining, and economic geological work in U. S., Mexico, and South America, desires position as assistant to the Manager or Superintendent, or as a director of experimental and research work, with a reliable mining or metallurgical company. The West, Mexico, or South America preferred. No. 98.

Jan 6, 1914

By J. L. Keats

IN THE literature on the elimination of metalloids in basic open-hearth practice, there are a great many heats recorded in which excellent data on changes in slag and metal composition during refining are given, but in almost all of these heats either temperature data or weights and analysis of charge are unrecorded and observations on the physical characteristics of the slag are almost always lacking. With these points in mind, a test heat was made in which as complete as data possible on all the factors that affect the elimination of metalloids were obtained. THE TEST HEAT The test heat was made in a standard 100 ton stationary furnace at the Lackawanna Steel Co., Lackawanna, N. Y. on January 17, 1922. The Charge-Scrap.-The scrap consisted entirely of rail-heat butts, selected from a number of heats made, the week before the test. The average analysis of the scrap was calculated from the analysis of these heats-and from the weight of scrap from each heat. Pig Iron.-Two ladles of pig iron were used in the charge and two samples were taken from each ladle as it was poured into the furnace. These four samples were composited for the average pig-iron sample.

Jan 2, 1926

By Jing Zhan, Tian-zu Yang, Wei-feng Li, Li-Hua Jiang, Shi-yan Xu, Jian-yang Huang, Chuan-fu Zhang, Yan-qing Fan

The amount and activity of coal, reduction temperature and other parameters of the process of bottom-blown reduction of liquid high lead slag were investigated in laboratory. Methods to strengthen the bottom-blown reduction process were studied by industrial production. The results were in the follows: the reduction temperature was 1150℃; reduction time was 1.5h; the reductant was anthracite; lead content in slag was controlled to 2%; the rate of coal was 7% and gasification loss of coal in high temperature was severe; liquid lead slag reduction rate was faster with coal; prolonging the reaction size had little effect on reducing lead in slag; the size of the reactor can be further reduced.

Jan 1, 2015

By Andreu J. Ferrero

Polyurethane and acrylate resins are routinely injected into soils to gain strength and control water flow. However, most published data regarding strength gain is derived from laboratory samples created under ideal conditions. This study endeavored to inject resins into full scale mock-ups that could then be excavated and tested to yield results comparable to actual field conditions. To achieve this goal, a large container was filled with a silty SAND (SM), as defined by the Unified Soil Classification System (USCS). The soil was moisture treated and compacted in lifts of 0.3m. PVC pipes installed in a diamond grid into the soil were used to inject polyurethane and acrylate resins. Dynamic cone penetrometer (DCP) tests were conducted on the polyurethane treated soils, the acrylate treated soils, and the baseline untreated soils in the container. Testing results will be correlated to SPTn and CBR values to evaluate increases in the soil strength parameters in the treated soils. Cored samples of polyurethane and acrylate treated soils will be tested in compression, shear, and triaxial. These laboratory test results will focus on material property gains for the treated soils, in comparison to standard values for similar soil types. Complete documentation of the soil type, compaction methods, injection methods, and testing performed have been documented and will be presented in the final paper.

By Ralph A. Sherman

In these days of intense competition for the domestic fuel market much is heard of the low efficiencies with which solid fuels, and most particularly bituminous coal, are burned in domestic heating equipment. In contrast to the every-day operating efficiencies of 85 and 90 per cent in large, central, electric-generating stations, efficiencies of 50 per cent and lower are cited for the hand-fired home furnace. Just as the miles per gallon of gasoline is only one of the factors that determine the cost of operation of an automobile, so the thermal efficiency is only one factor in the cost of domestic or other heating. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the total costs of domestic heating by various fuels and types of equipment, to determine the relative importance of efficiency and other factors, and to discuss what this signifies relative to the future of the use of fuels in the home. Factors That Govern the Choice of Fuel and Burning Equipment A rational, intelligent selection of fuel and equipment for heating the home would consider two groups of factors: Cost Factors Convenience Factors 1. Cost of potential heat in fuel 1. Attention 2. Efficiency of combustion and heat transfer 2. Dirt 3. Fixed charges 3. Noise a. Interest b. Depreciation c. Repairs 4. Power costs 5. Cost of handling ash and refuse. As just stated, the purpose of this paper is to analyze the relative importance of the five cost factors and not to discuss particularly the relative total costs of different methods of heating. However, to arrive at the percentage costs and to show clearly how they were determined, a statement of the total costs is unavoidable. One example only will

Jan 1, 1934

By T Baumgartl, C Gonzales, A Soliman, M Edraki

A soil cover isolates potentially acid-forming (PAF) mine wastes from atmospheric interaction and thereby mitigates acid mine drainage. As a cover that comprises either a single layer or a composite barrier, it essentially manages percolating rain water from flowing into these PAF materials and minimises air flow as oxygen has low diffusivity in saturated soils. However, the availability of suitable soils as cover materials is limited, especially in arid and semi-arid regions where weathering rates are low.This paper investigates the potential use of mine wastes as cover materials in a water-shedding soil cover in north-west Queensland. Four cover trial plots were built using mine wastes as cover materials. Each 2.3 m cover trial plot consisted of a 1.5 m soil cover made up of waste rocks and fines, a 0.5 m drainage layer that consisted of 0.1 m waste rock aggregates and a base layer made up of blended mine tailings. The hydrologic properties of cover materials were determined by in situ measurements and laboratory experiments, which, in turn, were used as input in a numerical model that described the cover’s transient soil moisture profile. The successful performance of the cover is reliant on the long-term stable geochemical behaviour of the substrate used as cover material. Therefore, investigations were carried out to determine the geochemical properties of the cover materials constructed from benign waste rock using static and kinetic tests, with the objective to increase the level of certainty of the material’s benign characteristics. Consequently, the long-term performance of this water-shedding cover design is described in terms of the physico-chemical characteristics of its outflows.CITATION:Gonzales, C, Baumgartl, T, Edraki, M and Soliman, A, ?2014. Mine wastes as cover materials in a water-shedding soil cover in north-west Queensland, in Proceedings Life-of-Mine 2014 , pp 261–270 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Jul 16, 2014