Search Documents

This presentation addresses the sources and weighting of project risk in coarse gold deposits with relevance to experiences at the Ballarat mine and Castlemaine goldfield. With sample representation and reliability often a source of great error in the resource estimation of coarse gold deposits, it follows that this matter should be of greatest risk to a mining project - but is it? What are the costs and efforts required to best quantify the sampling error due to nuggetty effect? After all, the main problem in Victorian gold mining ventures in the current decade is not the amount of gold available, but defi ning which portion of it can be converted to Ore Reserves or more so profitable gold bars. The author postulates that greater risk to the project lies in the geological interpretation and matching resource spatial parameters to mining methods, than the degree of uncertainty related to grade due to nuggetty gold. Recent experience in the Victorian goldfi elds is that the investor market has already severely discounted Mineral Resources reported in accordance with The JORC Code - so if they don't believe in the capacity to upgrade the resource why should we? To this end, Castlemaine Goldfi elds Ltd at its Ballarat gold project does not intend to estimate its gold mineralisation for public release, instead choosing to focus on the geological interpretation and mine planning elements. So with coarse gold deposits, is your Mineral Resource reported with The JORC Code a glass half full or half empty? Our mining forefathers in Victoria had no predictive tools which could define resources to any degree and yet were successful. By over emphasis on the definition of mineral resources and particularly the sampling error, are we ignoring the basics of cost control, solid geological interpretations and maximum mining flexibility. This is an ABSTRACT ONLY. No paper was prepared for this presentation.

Aug 1, 2010

By B. K. Cantrell, K. L. Rubow

"The US Bureau of Mines and the University of Minnesota have developed design and performance criteria for a personal diesel exhaust aerosol sampler for underground coal mines. These are based on the premise that size can be used to separate diesel exhaust aerosol, which is mostly submicron in size, from coal dust aerosol, which is mostly greater than a micron in size. The sampler has three stages: a respirable aerosol preclassifier, a 0.8-um aerodynamic diameter inertial impactor to collect mineral dust and a final filter to collect the diesel aerosol. Using a sample flow rate of 2 L/min and gravimetric analysis to within 0.1 mg, the measure sub-0.8 um diesel aerosol has an a-priori limit of detection of 0.3 mg/m3.A miner working in an underground coal mine with diesel equipment is exposed to a wide array of pollutants from the diesel exhaust. These include CO, CO2. NO, NO2, SO2, diesel exhaust aerosol, and a variety of hydrocarbon compounds. A quantitative definition of the health risk resulting from these exposures remains elusive. During the past several years, though, progress has been made in defining the problem.Results from epidemiological studies by Garshick et al. (1988 ), animal inhalation studies by Mauderly eta). (1986), Iwai et al. (1986), and Brightwell et al. (1986) and in vitro studies by Lewtas et al. (1986) have provided sufficient data for the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NOSH) to recommend that ""whole diesel exhaust be regarded as a 'potential occupational carcinogen,' as defined in the Cancer Policy of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration"" (NIOSH, 1988). NIOSH further stated that ""though the excess risk of cancer in diesel-exhaust-exposed workers has not been quantitatively estimated, it is logical to assume that reduction in exposure to diesel exhaust in the workplace would reduce the excess risk.""The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has also been directed by an advisory committee to establish a diesel exhaust aerosol standard and to establish regulations to minimize exposure to diesel pollutants in underground coal mines (MSHA,1988). Both reports point out the need for development of measurement techniques for respirable diesel aerosol.In the past four years, the US Bureau of Mines (Cantrell,1987 and Cantrell, et al. 1987), in cooperation with Marple, et al. (1986), at the University of Minnesota's Particle TechnologyLaboratory (PTL), have studied the use of size-selective sampling techniques to measure the mass concentration of diesel aerosol in underground coal mines. Results from these studies have been used to develop design and performance criteria for a personal diesel exhaust aerosol sampler for use in underground coal mines.These criteria are based on the premise that size-selectivesampling techniques,can be used to separate diesel exhaust aerosol, which is predominantly submicron in size, from coal dust aerosol, which is mostly greater than a micron in size. In addition to the performance criteria, this paper discusses the laboratory and field test data used to develop the criteria."

Mar 1, 1992

By Arthur B. Yates

DIAMOND drilling has advanced and expanded during the past few years. Along with this increase there has been a marked trend to rely more and more upon drilling for the outlining of ore for reserve purposes. This is especially true underground, where men have not been available for opening up ore by crosscuts, drifts and raises. During the recent heavy call upon known ore reserves, more drilling has been done for exploration and it has become expedient to drill longer lateral holes from underground and deeper holes both from surface and from exploration headings in the mines. Furthermore, these deeper holes have to be drilled closely enough to warrant calculation of "probable" if not "proven" ore, from the results obtained therefrom. Interpretation of diamond-drill results has become more precise and reliable with the growing knowledge and understanding of the geologic structures that control the geometry of ore distribution, and this has broadened the field of usefulness of the drill. All of this has created a necessity and a demand for more accurate control of the hole as to direction, a more precise and reliable method of surveying for position, and a need for better and more complete core recovery, as well as larger cores, to provide an adequate sample. At depth the control becomes more difficult and, at the same time, more important. CONTROL A close study of drilling in various parts of the world for a period of more than 20 years has brought to light one definite rule, practically invariable; namely, that diamond-drill holes tend to deviate into a position normal to any structure existing in the rocks, such as bedding, schistosity, gneissosity, or even parting or jointing-even if the hole is started at almost any angle other than parallel with the structure. It also appears that the better developed the structure is, the more quickly will the hole get into a position perpendicular to it. It has often been said that there is a tendency for holes to "drift" in the direction of rotation. This is obviously untrue, for in a vertical hole the measure of deviation would depend upon the azimuth chosen as zero, and there is an infinite number of choices. It has been proved, however, that in homogeneous rocks there is a tendency for the hole to corkscrew, and that the direction of the spiral is the same as the direction of rotation. This may account for the belief that holes drift in that direction. Some tests have been made using right-hand and left-hand rods, and these show that no matter what the direction of rotation the hole will swing into a position perpendicular to the structure. Methods of Control The foregoing empirical rule may be used as an indirect method of control. If the prevailing structure is known, it may be advantageous to start the hole as nearly normal to it as possible, for the nearer the direction of the hole is to this ideal, the straighter it will remain. This, of course, is not always practical and in some cases is impossible. Usually such a

Jan 1, 1946

By K. K. Kelley

The heats of formation of two lead vanadates (Pb2V207 and Pb3V208) and manganese vanadate (MnV206) were determined by hydrochloric acid solution calorimetry, supplementing previous Bureau of Mines measurements of the vanadates of calcium, magnesium} and sodium. Heat and free energy data for 11 vanadates were assembled on a common basis. The stability of comparable vanadates (with respect to the oxides) increases in the following order: Magnesium, manganese, lead, calcium, sodium.

Jan 1, 1963

By R. J. Wagner, F. F. Craig, H. G. Riley, J. D. Griffith

Peripheral water injection has been underway in the Sholem Alechem Fault Block "A" Unit, Stephens County, Okla., since 1955. In the engineering planning of the flood, it was recognized that maintenance of pressure in the large, dry gas caps was vitally necessary to prevent the loss of an estimated 27 million bbl of oil through saturation of the gas caps by the oil banks moving updip on the peripheral flood pattern. The development of an abundant, low-cost water supply and the rising cost of makeup-gas purchases indicated that gas-cap control by water injection was desirable from an economic standpoint, provided an eflective water barrier could be placed without premature water breakthrough into downdip oil producers. A laboratory model scaled to the existing reservoir conditions was comtructed to evaluate the feasibility of gas-cap water injection. Model studies indicated that (I) water injected at the edge of the gar-oil contact would form a continuous barrier between the oil and gas zones, and (2) water would advance uniformly downdip without segregation due to gravity effects provided a specified, minimum water-injection rate was maintained. The model test results also indicated that it was not necessary to fill the gas cap completely with water. Water injection at the edge of one of the gas caps was initiated in March, 1958, to field test gas-cap water injection. Water breakthrough occurred at a downstruc-ture producing well in April, 1959, after approximately 2.5 million bbl of water had been injected into the gas cap. This was the volume calculated to be required to form the barrier between the oil zone and gas cap. This performance indicates that prevention of oil encroachment into dry gas caps in a peripheral water flood by water injection at the gas-oil contact appears practical and that the model studies provided a valid prediction of field performance. INTRODUCTION The Sholem Alechem Fault Block "A" Sims Sand Unit was one of the fist major waterflood projects in Oklahoma to utilize a peripheral injection pattern. Design of control measures to minimize oil encroachment into the large crestal gas caps was one of the greatest single problems during engineering planning of this flood. Engineering studies indicated that saturation of the gas caps with oil displaced by the peripheral water flood could result in a loss of about 27 million bbl of oil, or over one-half the estimated waterflood recovery. This estimate was based on a residual oil saturation after water flooding of 35 per cent pore volume, compared to the negligible oil saturation initially in the gas caps. The Sholem Alechem Springer field, located in Stephens County, Okla., is an elongated anticline with structural dips varying from 400 to 1,000 ft/mile. The structure contains numerous faults, some of which are sealing. The portion of the field considered in this paper is Fault Block "A", which is the largest of the five major fault segments in the field. A map of the unit is shown on Fig. 1. The unit is bounded on the east and west by major sealing faults, on the north by a water-oil contact and to the south by a deterioration of sand development. Two domes, each having gas caps, exist in the unit and are separated by a north-south fault as shown in Fig. 1. The sands being flooded are the Sims sand members of the Springer series of early Pennsylvanian age. The Sims sands average over 100 ft in thickness in Fault Block "A" and have a porosity of approximately 19 per cent. Core permeabilities average 160 md, with interstitial water saturation of about 23 per cent pore volume. Three different zones can be correlated over most of the area. However, they are commingled in most of the producing wells. The two upper zones, designated as First and Second Sims, are the most important. Both the First and Second Sims have gas caps in the east dome, while only the First Sims has a gas cap in the west dome. These gas caps, whose limits are also shown on Fig. 1, initially occupied nearly 11 per cent of the total reservoir volume. The major concern of this paper is the control of the two gas caps in the First Sims sand. Fig. 2 is a cross section, to scale, across the east dome of this formation. Notable features are the relatively shallow dip, the deterioration of the First Sims sand on the south side of the gas cap and the water-oil contact on the northern edge. The formation dip at the gas-oil contact in this cross section is approximately 5".

By E. S. Mardock, Robert E. Bush

The object of this paper is to report recent developments in the quantitative interpretation of radioactivity logs. The use of reference lines is described in the application of the new zero radioactivity reference line for the determination of neutron derived porosities is discussed. Illustrated examples are shown of logs from the reef limestone of the North Snyder Field and from the Lansing-Kansas City limestone of central Kansas. A method of using an interrelation factor calculated from the neutron and gamma ray curves, called the neutron Productivity number, for the estimation of productivity from sandstone formations is discussed. When used in a relative manner the neutron productivity number has aided in Predicting whether a given zone will produce gas or liquid or whether it is too shaly to produce. Examples of logs from wells in the Freites District, Venezuela, and in East Texas are shown to illustrate the application of the neutron productivitv number. INTRODUCTION The petroleum industry was introduced to some of the preliminary results of investigations into the quantitative interpretation of radioactivity logs in October, 1949." It was stated at that time that the methods presented were entirely relative because they involved the use of reference points obtained from the radioactivity log, i.e., shale reference lines, dense zone reference lines, or a combination of both shale and dense zone reference lines. These relative methods offered many advantages to the industry in interpreting radioactivity logs in terms of porosity with particular application to limestone and dolomite reservoirs. However, these relative methods did not offer the wide range of applicability desired because the esta1)lishment of reliable reference points from shale in some areas were difficult. It was recognized that a more reliable mean; of establishing reference lines was vitally needed. Such a method is now available through the introduction of an instrumeutal zero device. It is the purpose of this paper to discuss the application of this new zero reference to the quantitative interpretation of radioactivity logs. Previously all applications of quantitative interpretations of radioactivity logs have been made in limestone reservoirs with little or no emphasis placed on sandstone reservoirs. A brief resumé of investigations into the quantitative interpretation of radioactivity logs in sandstone reservoirs is presented here. This discussion deals primarily with the interrelation of the gamma ray and neutron curves and the response of the latter to the density of the fluids filling the pore space in relatively homogeneous sandstones of uniform porosity. The authors believe that the methods presented herein are only applicable locally to specific fields and reservoirs, and that they probably do not offer a wide range of applicability. However, tile authors believe that the wider use of the new instrumental zero references in sand areas will reveal more information about the specific response of the gamma ray and neutron curves to changes in lithology and saturation. Two applications of quantitative interpretation using the new instrumental zero references are presented. Examples are given which show the comparison of logs and porosity in the limestones and dolomites of West Texas and Kansas. Logs of wells in 'Venezuela and East Texas are compared with the drill stem test data, production data, etc.. to illurtrate the interrelation of the gamma ray and neutron curve: and the rise of methods involving these interrelations to determine certain saturation variables. THE QUANTITATIVE APPLICATION OF RADIOACTIVITY LOGS TO LIMESTONE AND DOLOMITE RESERVOIRS Tile theoretical basis for the gamma ray and neutron curves has been discussed elsewhere.9 he method of recording the logs and apparatus involved has also been thoroughly covered and will not be discussed here.'."".'" It has been shown that the neutron curve responds exponentially to liquid filled porosity over the 1 1/2 to 35 per cent

Jan 1, 1951

By Robert E. Bush, E. S. Mardock

The object of this paper is to report recent developments in the quantitative interpretation of radioactivity logs. The use of reference lines is described in the application of the new zero radioactivity reference line for the determination of neutron derived porosities is discussed. Illustrated examples are shown of logs from the reef limestone of the North Snyder Field and from the Lansing-Kansas City limestone of central Kansas. A method of using an interrelation factor calculated from the neutron and gamma ray curves, called the neutron Productivity number, for the estimation of productivity from sandstone formations is discussed. When used in a relative manner the neutron productivity number has aided in Predicting whether a given zone will produce gas or liquid or whether it is too shaly to produce. Examples of logs from wells in the Freites District, Venezuela, and in East Texas are shown to illustrate the application of the neutron productivitv number. INTRODUCTION The petroleum industry was introduced to some of the preliminary results of investigations into the quantitative interpretation of radioactivity logs in October, 1949." It was stated at that time that the methods presented were entirely relative because they involved the use of reference points obtained from the radioactivity log, i.e., shale reference lines, dense zone reference lines, or a combination of both shale and dense zone reference lines. These relative methods offered many advantages to the industry in interpreting radioactivity logs in terms of porosity with particular application to limestone and dolomite reservoirs. However, these relative methods did not offer the wide range of applicability desired because the esta1)lishment of reliable reference points from shale in some areas were difficult. It was recognized that a more reliable mean; of establishing reference lines was vitally needed. Such a method is now available through the introduction of an instrumeutal zero device. It is the purpose of this paper to discuss the application of this new zero reference to the quantitative interpretation of radioactivity logs. Previously all applications of quantitative interpretations of radioactivity logs have been made in limestone reservoirs with little or no emphasis placed on sandstone reservoirs. A brief resumé of investigations into the quantitative interpretation of radioactivity logs in sandstone reservoirs is presented here. This discussion deals primarily with the interrelation of the gamma ray and neutron curves and the response of the latter to the density of the fluids filling the pore space in relatively homogeneous sandstones of uniform porosity. The authors believe that the methods presented herein are only applicable locally to specific fields and reservoirs, and that they probably do not offer a wide range of applicability. However, tile authors believe that the wider use of the new instrumental zero references in sand areas will reveal more information about the specific response of the gamma ray and neutron curves to changes in lithology and saturation. Two applications of quantitative interpretation using the new instrumental zero references are presented. Examples are given which show the comparison of logs and porosity in the limestones and dolomites of West Texas and Kansas. Logs of wells in 'Venezuela and East Texas are compared with the drill stem test data, production data, etc.. to illurtrate the interrelation of the gamma ray and neutron curve: and the rise of methods involving these interrelations to determine certain saturation variables. THE QUANTITATIVE APPLICATION OF RADIOACTIVITY LOGS TO LIMESTONE AND DOLOMITE RESERVOIRS Tile theoretical basis for the gamma ray and neutron curves has been discussed elsewhere.9 he method of recording the logs and apparatus involved has also been thoroughly covered and will not be discussed here.'."".'" It has been shown that the neutron curve responds exponentially to liquid filled porosity over the 1 1/2 to 35 per cent

Jan 1, 1951

By W. M. Rutherford

A knowledge of the limits of miscibility between reservoir oil and possible injection fluids is required for selection of the optimum miscible-injection fluid. Limits of miscibility can be estimated from the results of equilibrium phase-behavior experiments. They can also be determined by means of displacement experiments conducted in a high-pressure sandpack. This paper describes the equipment and procedure which have been developed for determining miscibility conditions by stable displacement. A systematic series of displacements of a West Texas reservoir oil was carried out. The results indicate that, at constant pressure, miscibility is a function only of the pseudocritical temperature of the injection gas. This fact, together with improved experimental methods, makes the displacement technique a rapid, reliable means for determining miscibility conditions. In conjunction with the displacement experiments, phase diagrams were constructed for the oil with dry gas and propane and with dry gas and ethane. Phase behavior of the methane-ethane-propane system was determined at 110°F. The experimental work demonstrates the feasibility of using ethane-rich gases to reduce cost and pressure requirements for miscible displacement. INTRODUCTION In recent years, interest in the miscible displacement of oil by light hydrocarbon mixtures has been high. Many pilot and a few field scale projects have been started.1 These projects have made use of various methods for achieving miscibility: (1) the LPG-slug process, (2) the enriched-gas-drive process and (3) the high-pressure gas-drive process. Some field projects have been successful; the results of others are debatable. In general, projects which have performed best have involved the injection of an appreciable fraction of a pore volume of miscible material. Economical application of miscible displacement depends strongly on the cost of the miscible-injection fluid. If an appreciable fraction of a pore volume of material is required for successful application of these methods, a precise knowledge of the minimum requirements for miscibility in terms of composition of injection fluid is essential. Therefore, reliable experimental methods for determining miscibility conditions are important, and a procedure for estimating these conditions from the composition of the reservoir fluid is highly desirable. The subject of this paper is the problem of determining conditions which result in miscible displacement of oil by light hydrocarbon mixtures. Miscibility conditions can be estimated by means of equilibrium experiments conducted in a PVT cell, or they can be determined by means of high-pressure displacement experiments. This paper describes the equipment and procedure which have been developed for the determination of miscibility by high-pressure displacement experiments. These methods have been applied to the displacement of a West Texas reservoir oil with mixtures of dry gas, ethane and propane. In conjunction with the displacement experiments, triangular phase diagrams have been constructed for mixtures of the oil with dry gas and propane and with dry gas and ethane. The effect of injection-gas composition on conditions for miscible displacement in high-pressure sandpacks and cores has been the subject of several published papers.2-5 The experimental methods used in these investigations were such that displacements were unstable, and the effects of fingering and/or gravity layover are clearly evident in the results. Miscibility conditions were probably correct in spite of the instability phenomena, but the experiments evidently were time-consuming, and limited data were reported. Systematic high-pressure flow studies which would support a correlation of miscibility conditions have not been reported; however, Wilson5 has proposed the use of pseudocritical temperature of the injection gas as a parameter and Benham, et al,6 have based a miscibility correlation on observed and calculated equilibrium data.

By NRMR Bhargava

With the increasing use of lead-free solder alloys, low melting point alloy is often required due to the heat- sensitive parts or substrates in modern electronic devices. For such demand of low melting point, the nanostructure lead- free solder alloy, having excellent metallurgical characteristics and a melting point of <215oC, were developed by mechanical attrition of conventional lead free solder alloys (Sn-Ag-Cu, Sn-Ag and Sn-Cu). The decrease in melting point due to nanosize effect was calculated theoretically as function of particle size and the theoretical results were compared with experimental values measured by differential scanning calorimetry. The newly developed alloys have eutectic composition of Sn-3.5Ag-0.7Cu, Sn-3.5Ag and Sn-0.7Cu and the melting point depression found to be 5.10C, 4.10C and 6.20C when the bulk alloys reduced to 80 nm, 92nm and 96nm sizes respectively.

Jan 1, 2009

This paper examines the feasibility of combining network modeling and computational fluid dynamics for modeling of underground mine ventilation systems. Both simulation methods have specific advantages and disadvantages for analysis of mine systems. Network modeling is widely utilized by many operations and allows for assessment of current systems and simulation for planning purposes. Alternatively, CFD has been utilized only marginally by operations and is typically a research tool, requiring considerable computational power, complex models, and careful analysis and calibration of results. Network modeling allows for a holistic approach to the ventilation system, giving quantity, velocity and pressure in every branch, but CFD modeling can resolve the flow regime in 2-D or 3-D, which is idea when examination of an area on a more detailed basis is useful, such as dust and gas control. Integration of the two can allow for more flexible systems analysis. The feasibility of integration, along with application to limited underground mine data are examined.

Feb 23, 2014

By Austin Gudmundsen

"The smoke nuisance, like many other undesirable and longstanding features in our present civilization, is still with us. On reviewing the situation we are astonished to find no authentic record of a major smoke-abatement campaign that has succeeded in eliminating a smoke nuisance, in spite of the fact that the problem has been with us since the use of bituminous coal began. We might well ask ourselves where the trouble lies; is the problem impossible of solution? We can not blame the average citizen for harboring this thought as a conviction. He has been urged for so long but sees so little evidence of progress. He has repeatedly been assured by the scientist and the engineer in most convincing terms that smoke. is unnecessary, that it can be avoided; small wonder is it that he is beginning to distrust so-called authority on the subject.On the other hand, the scientist and engineer are entirely within their rights. We all know that even high-volatile coal can be and is now being burned with no visible smoke. We know that even small domestic heating furnaces, with favorable conditions and with proper care, can be fired by hand without producing much smoke. And we know that when such equipment is fitted with suitable stoking devices, little or no smoke results. What, then, is the answer?Perhaps we may learn something from a critical examination of a typical smoke-abatement problem. Probably one of the most enlightening campaigns that has been waged in the United States is that of Salt Lake City, Utah; therefore, the purpose of this paper is to discuss the important aspects of this particular case."

Apr 1, 1930

By Will H. Coghill, F. D. DeVaney

"Many of the iron ore deposits on the western end of the Mesabi Range Minnesota consist of the so-called ''wash ores."" Because of their high silica content these ores must be washed or concentrated to make them merchantable. Washing plants have been in operation for 20 years, during this period large quantities of tailings have accumulated in tailings ponds. These tailings contain the aggregate millions of tons of iron oxides which, if recovered, would greatly to the available tonnages and to the revenues of the mining companies. It the purpose of this paper to outline give results of concentration tests on tailings.In order that the reader may understand more clearly the type of material under consideration, a short description of the characteristics of the wash ores of the Western Mesabi Range and a brief resume a washing methods that have been are now being employed will be given. Appleby and Newton4 In their description of the district and of the ores say:The Western Mesabi district embraces the territory west of the town of Nashwauk in Itasca County. The territory to the east of this dividing line is known as the Central and Eastern Mesabi district. This subdivision is rot wholly arbitrary. While the ore bodies in the two districts resemble each other in. shape, size, and general structure, there is a marked and very important difference in the character of the respective ores. For purposes of comparison, the western deposits have been called washable ore bodies, and the central and eastern, standard ore bodies. The latter ores are the result of natural concentration processes which have teen carried far enough to produce a large proportion of high-grade ore Wet can be marketed direct; the Western Mesabi ores present a lesser degree of natural concentration and are as a rule of too low grade to admit of marketing without preliminary treatment. In many cases the grade can be improved by washing, hence the material is called washable ore. Exceptions to thin general rule may be noted in both districts. Many of the Western Mesabi ore bodies contain quite a proportion of merchantable ore. There are also portions of central and eastern Mesabi ore deposits which are of low grade and which can be improved by washing."

Nov 1, 1930

By Mark D. Fuhriman, Parham Khoshkbari, Robert Fosse

Drilled displacement piles are becoming an increasingly common deep foundation choice for their relatively simple installation methods, applicability to a wide range of subsurface conditions, and versatility. The installation method includes drilling and displacement of the soil followed by delivery of fluid cement grout under pressure, and placement of steel reinforcing to complete the pile. Because the installation method uses blind processes that do not permit direct observation of the pile, it is desirable to employ redundant testing tools to complement good construction techniques and inspection practices to ensure integrity of the piles. This paper examines the use of a range of integrity testing tools used for pile installations at a major office campus development. Because the integrity of a drilled displacement pile and its performance depend to a large extent on the skill and experience of the installation crew, the paper explores how use of multiple practical tools, including automated monitoring tools on the pile installation equipment, thermal integrity profiling, and high-strain dynamic testing, ensure structural integrity of the completed piles and how redundant integrity testing methods complement good construction and inspection practices add confidence in the quality of the foundation system.

Sep 8, 2021

By R. W. Smith

IN the manufacture of portland cement, the basic and fundamental essential is a limestone uniformly rich in calcium carbonate and carrying less than 3 per cent magnesium carbonate. In searching for such a deposit, also having in mind quantity of rock, accessibility and quarrying facilities, the Pacific Coast Cement Co. discovered and developed its present quarry at View Cove on the east coast of Dall Island, Alaska. Dall Island is about 100 miles west of Ketchikan and 650 miles north from Seattle. It is 70 miles in length and 5 to 10 miles in width. The climatic conditions are much more favorable than would be expected. The temperature ranges from zero to 70 degrees. The precipitation is considerably more than at Seattle, although there was less snow during the last season than at Seattle. The island is rugged and mountainous; the vegetation is moss and grass and a large portion is timbered with spruce, hemlock and cedar. Some of this timber has market value. The limestone quarry is about 30 miles north of the extreme southern end of the island. The company acquired 240 acres which contain limestone of remarkable uniformity, the percentage of calcium carbonate being about 95. It is estimated that there is ample recover- able rock on the holdings to supply the cement plant at its maximum capacity for well over 100 years.

Jan 1, 1929

By Brian D. Barkauskas, Terence P. Holman

A major combined nuclear and coal-fired power plant, located in on the western coast of Florida has undergone multiple upgrades in recent years to increase power output and enhance environmental controls. Construction of new elements within the existing plant structure required working in highly congested conditions and heavy crane lifts with large picking radii. The largest crane pick involved the use of an 1800 metric tonne capacity Mammoet PTC ring crane for a single long-radius, high altitude lift of a precipitator unit. Original bid tender documents had called for drilled shaft foundation support, but the presence of many critical utilities and unfavorable access for cost effective construction led specialty contractor Moretrench American Corporation to propose an alternate micropile foundation on the basis that high capacities could be achieved in the weak limestone geology and that the smaller size of micropiles would allow for more surgical installation in the utility-congested areas. This case history describes the design and construction of seventy three (73) high capacity micropiles for the value engineering alternative and the crane foundation for this critical lift. Each micropile was founded in a competent dolomitic fossiliferous limestone unit at typical depths of 23 m below existing ground surface. Strain gauge instrumented load testing was used to validate the geotechnical design parameters in the weak limestone bedrock and resulted in the finding that the entire test load was being carried in the upper half of the bond zone. Construction of the production micropiles required numerous relocations due to utility conflicts and local reanalysis and redesign of the 1.2 m thick reinforced concrete ring beam cap. Crane foundation performance was satisfactory and the effective life of this temporary foundation was only 6 months before decommissioning and demolition.

Jan 1, 2017

By T. van Heerden

A range of supported gold catalysts was prepared by ion exchange, varying many of the preparation variables, including concentration in the precursor solution, washing procedure, as well as drying and calcination procedures. These catalysts have been characterized extensively. TEM images show essentially the same crystallite size distributions, between 2?5 nm, for almost all catalysts, the only exception being catalysts not washed in ammonia, which did not show any small crystallites. Additional characterization with SEM yielded an interesting discovery. Catalysts that appear identical on the TEM also contain some large crystallites in the range of 50?500 nm. Differences in dispersion due to the drying procedure not seen on the TEM can now be observed. Oxygen chemisorption is being investigated as an additional method to characterize gold based catalysts to complement the typically used electron microscope techniques.

Jan 1, 2012

CONTENTSIntroductionNorthern ExplorationDrive ConceptionGeneralDriving CrewDrive Cross Section and Track DetailsVentilation by Electrically Driven FanTemperatures and HumidityFan PerformanceRock Drill Carriage and Rock DrillsStandard Drilling RoundElectric Firing from Power MainsExplosives and DetonatorsCharging and FiringMechanical Loading and Electric HaulageOperating CycleStatisticalEquipmentAcknowledgementINTRODUCTION.The driving project described in :this paper is one of greater magnitude than usual for the Broken Hill field, and in the execution of the work a departure was made from long-established local practice by the introduction of mechanisation. The primary object of the drive is to provide sites for gaining information regarding the behaviour of the ore-bodies well beyond the limits of the present exposures.Due to thermal conditions, the major portion of the work was done on a six-hour shift basis, in contrast to the normal one of seven hours, with a five-day week.

Jan 1, 1946

By L Lorenzen

The selection of samples for metallurgical test work is generally focused on providing geologically representative samples. One of the major problems experienced with metallurgical test work using drill hole data, is the small sample sets selected for metallurgical testing. Major&nbsp;process and financial decisions are being made from results obtained using snapshot samples. Snapshot samples means that samples are basically selected only by grade and spatial location with the assumption that the rest of the orebody or portion of orebody is similar and will respond metallurgically the same way – ie the assumption is that the mineralogy and lithology are basically the same as the test sample. From the test work, algorithms were usually developed and used to describe throughput and recovery using some explanatory variables including grade (mineral chemistry) and ore hardness. These algorithms were then used in&nbsp;the recovery models to determine tonnes produced and plant throughput. However, the metallurgical parameters are a function of many geological factors including grade, lithology, alteration, mineralogy, spatial relationships and SG. In previous years, the limited mineralogical information available was deemed enough for the metallurgist to make decisions as to how many samples are needed to evaluate the metallurgical performance of the ore during processing, and subsequently the basis for the plant design. If the orebody is consistent and not complex or refractory (thus, relative simple lithology), then only spatial and grade samples will be needed to evaluate the throughput and recovery, so limited mineralogical information may be acceptable. There is now, however, an increasing realisation that the mineralogy and geology change, as do the metallurgical characteristics of the orebody, so limited samples may not be sufficient for effective metallurgical test work.It is the purpose of this paper to discuss the effect correct mineralogical information has on the subsequent metallurgical test work program and process selection using a case study. Factors such as type of rock, rainfall and topography are thought to influence the minerals that ultimately form in various orebodies, with the result that different orebodies often react differently during metallurgical test work programs. It is therefore important to obtain accurate mineralogical and elemental deportment data, which will also indicate where the valuable metal containing minerals are located within the orebody. The better you plan and execute your metallurgical test work program during the early phases, the more accurate the decision-making process will be during the selection phase. Improved integration between geology and metallurgy data gathering (geometallurgy) during early phases will result in more accurate predictions with regard to throughput and recovery during modelling and process. Equipment selection will be considerably simpler in later phases with early planning, with improved mine and process scheduling and subsequent net present value (NPV).

Sep 5, 2011

By Manfred Hager

The ability of conveyor belts to transport large mass throughputs economically over previously unprepared ground has resulted in this system achieving great and extensive use. A significant component in this development is the conveyor belt itself. The development of high strength steel cord conveyor belts involves the optimising of splice design, the use of excellent rubber material especially in the splice, good craftsmanship during splice production and modern field vulcanisation equipment. The durability of a splice for belts of class St 3000 up to St 790 is expressed by the fatigue strength under dynamic stress. The results obtained with a test method and equipment developed by the University of Hannover indicate the present state of the art in this field. Belts of high nominal strength used on inclined long distance conveyors reach splice fatigue strengths of about 3000 N/mm. The design should only exploit approximately 50% of the fatigue strength determined in the tests as maximum operating stress. IMPORTANCE OF CONVEYOR BELT SYSTEMS The use of conveyor belt technology has expanded considerably over the last decades in the bulk goods transportation sector. Because of the favourable transport costs and the technology&apos;s adaptability to specific topographies, belt conveyors frequently represent the most economic solution. When flows of goods are large, as in German lignite mining operations, where masses of up to 40,000 t/h are given, it is the only technically feasible alternative. The use of belt conveyor systems allows the sensible distribution of the waste and the production of the coal (Hager, 1981). But this transportation alternative is also suitable when the masses involved are smaller. Whereas conveyor belts were only suitable for loose bulk goods up until a few years ago, today they are frequently also used for hard rock open cast mines, e.g. in the production of copper ore. Because of the favourable transport costs it is frequently still economic to use mobile crushers with a throughput of up to 10,000 t h 6 which breakdown the large blocks produced y explosives into transportable grain sizes. In many operations, trucks are only used to provide flexibility between the excavator and the crusher, i.e. over short routes, and the long, frequently steep, transport paths to the processing plant or to the spreader are undertaken by belt conveyors (Einenkel et al., 1992). The advantages of belt conveyors, i.e. to cope with large mass flows over inclines and down slopes of up to 1:4 have resulted in this system gaining very extensive use throughout the world. The conveyors can be installed over for the most part unprepared ground with suitable vertical radii, adapted to the locally available belt material. In the process individual conveyor belts with lengths of up to 15 km, and in the underground sector with lift heights of up to 1 km, have been built and operated. This great variety of application possibilities is complemented by a limited ability to pass through horizontal curves. This can be achieved with the help of design measures on the conveyor whilst bearing in mind the characteristics of the belt. STRESSING OF CONVEYOR BELTS IN DIFFERENT TYPES OF PLANT The advantage of conveyor belts compared with other systems is also to be found in the large available service-time window, i.e. the excellent reliability and the low costs of energy consumption and maintenance. It is in particular the reliability of a belt transport system which depends to a great degree on its main component, that is the belt - in all its different types and variations. For this reason, the belt is also given the greatest attention in the development of the individual components, because it is the belt which must be designed optimally with regard to various factors. The specific properties of the conveyor belt then assert a considerable influence on the design and sizing of most other components in a

Jan 1, 1993

By C. L. Pillar

INTRODUCTION The location, size, character of the ore de- posit and its adjacent formations will deter- mine the mining system best used for its ex- traction. The mining system chosen will have to be engineered to suit the ore deposit and the people that will extract it. What can be done in the Philippines cannot always be accomplished in the upper Northwest Territory of Canada. Mining operations developed under a free enterprise system are planned to achieve a satisfactory return on the capital required to place them into production. Hence, the choices made in planning and developing the mining system must be dictated by sound economics. The mining system planned must favor: 1. Maximum ore extraction of the deposit with minimal grade dilution. 2. The amount of capital expenditure used to develop and equip the mine must be in harmony with the financial policy of the group yet be sufficient to provide a reliable mining system. Excessive frills and extras that are not required for efficient, safe production should not be provided. 3. Mine production costs are determined by the amount of men, material, equipment and energy used in the production process. These must be kept to minimal limits in order to insure dependable, low cost production. Extras that later are needed in the production operation can be added as required by the operator. Basically block caving is a mining system that is normally used to extract deep seated, massive, low grade deposits of copper, molybdenum and iron where stripping ratios for open cast mining are economically prohibited. The caving system is limited in its selectivity. It is a mass production type of underground ore extraction that under favorable conditions is one of the most efficient, low cost mining systems in the world today. Usually block cave mining systems are large. They are capable of producing ore at a rate of 10,000 to 100,000 tons/day from large deposits at costs that are comparable with many open cast mining systems burdened by high waste to ore ratios. Block cave mining systems differ basically in the plan of the area layout, the method of undercutting and the method of draw. The balance of the mining system is the mechanical transportation of the drawn ore to the surface, the mine supply, drainage and ventilation systems. This paper deals mainly with the methods of draw. The method of draw to be used in a block caving system dictates the development plan of the mining area, is highly influential in the method of undercutting to be employed and the supply and ventilation system to be used. There are three basic methods of draw commonly used in today&apos;s operations. They are: Gravity draw Slusher draw LHD draw The type of draw planned will have a major affect on: Capital expenditure and time required to bring a deposit into production. Productivity, efficiency and cost of the production operation. Percent recovery of the ore deposit in both tonnage and grade. Degree of production reliability Fundamentally the type-of draw used must be compatible with the physical characteristics of the deposit to be extracted and the financial position of the mining operation. The type of draw chosen must work to advantage with the size, configuration, depth, strength and fracture pattern of the deposit and its adjacent formations. It must favor the financial protection of the planned mining operation. A Gravity Method of Draw requires a finely fragmented, easy flowing product from the caving action of the deposit. To obtain the desired economic advantage the ore deposit must also have sufficient area and height of column to permit minimal development cost on a per ton basis. The gravity system re- quires the maximum amount of development openings and uses the minimum amount of mechanized equipment of all the caving systems. It is unskilled, labor-intensive and is highly sensitive to size of ore fragmen-

Jan 1, 1981