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By M. I. Novgorodova

Most of the gold in the earth's crust occurs as finely-dispersed gold and accounts for much of the gold lost in extraction processes and during exploration for gold. The Compositions, sizes, and morphology of fine gold particles (0.01 to 10 ~m in diameter) were studied with high resolution electron microscopy coupled with electron microprobe and microdiffraction devices, using colloidal carbon replicas. Correlations were made between fine gold, mineral associations and ore genesis. The results provide qualitative information on the proportions of finely dispersed, invisible and visible gold distribution in ores. Such knowledge is fundamental when planning an optimum technological recovery process.

Jan 1, 1991

By Mario Gerards, Axel Wellendorf, Arulnesan Rajesh

"In times of increasing energy cost and global demand for improved machine technology, the optimization of industrial mineral processes in terms of efficiency and production cost is an important factor when choosing industrial equipment suppliers. Of course this applies for screening machines, feeders and distributers as well!Besides of the ability of a screening machine for being adjustable to changing requirements during the production process itself, it becomes more and more important to choose the correct screening machine type, peripheral equipment for arising screening tasks and to optimize the overall design of the screening machine starting at a very early stage.The different types of screening machines bring many advantages and disadvantages with them. The selection of the correct type of screening machine can improve the flow rate, energy, efficiency, yield, quality, output, availability and decrease the maintenance costs and structural steel work.The machine optimization has to be a consecutive process in which at any time results of simulation and “real-life measurement” are compared and the findings are implemented in machine development and design. As an example, it is possible to reduce machine weight and reinforce the steel structure of a screening machine at the same time, which enables the manufacturer to use smaller drives for the screen.This paper will present the methods ANSYS and 3D Solid Works used at RHEWUM GmbH for this way of optimizing machine design and construction and examples for results gained from this continuous improvement process."

Jan 1, 2016

By Anderson Rosa Pereira

A constante busca pelo aumento contínuo de produção e redução de paradas não programadas em transportadores, tem gerado demanda para equipamentos inteligentes dotados da capacidade de corrigir os constantes problemas de desalinhamento dos TCs. Os métodos hoje utilizados para corrigir este problema são prioritariamente passivos, o que impossibilita uma intervenção mais direta, precisa, automática e efetiva no posicionamento da correia. Esta publicação descreve o funcionamento e os resultados obtidos com a integração do sistema Alinhador Inteligente para Transportador de Correia AITC em um transportador de minério de ferro com vasto histórico de problemas de desalinhamento. Assim, a linha principal deste artigo mostra através de um exemplo prático os benefícios e ganhos mensurados com a aplicação do Alinhador Inteligente para Transportador de Correia.

Aug 16, 2017

By James P. Connell

The Montana Operations of the Anaconda Company constitute an integrated, though geographically separated, non-ferrous metal production complex. The mines are located at Butte and consist of one large open-pit mine, two small underground mines, a precipitation plant for both underground and pit-dump leach water, and the Weed Copper Concentrator. The smelter, located at Anaconda, Montana 25 miles to the west, processes all Butte copper shipments as well as copper materials from both Anaconda and private mines. Copper and zinc are refined at Great Falls, Montana, 165 miles to the north. Other facilities developed over the years include the Anaconda Forest Products Division, the Butte, Anaconda, and Little. Chicago Water Companies, and the Montana Hardware Company. Data processing for these operations has been performed on an IBM 360 Series, Model 30 computer, utilizing a Disc Operating System. This was replaced in September 1970 with a 360 Series, Model 40 128K unit. In addition, some data processing is also done for Anaconda Company operations located at Britannia Beach, British Columbia; Columbia Falls, Montana; Yerington, Nevada; and Twin Buttes and Tuscon, Arizona. The material under discussion in this paper will be concerned primarily with the mining operations at Butte.

Jan 1, 1970

By Robert K. Koch, Henry E. Blake

Laboratory tests were made to determine if aluminum fluoride of commercial grade could be synthesized by reacting alumina hydrate with dilute ( 25 to 75 grams per liter of fluorine ) aqueous fluoride solutions . • Products containing up to 90 percent aluminum fluoride ( A1F ) were synthesized by reaction of alumina trihydrate ( A120 3H2O) with either dilute hydrofluoric acid ( HF ) or ammonium fluoride ( NHF) solutions , the ammonium fluoride solution resulting from ammonia ( NH ) desilication of a hydrofluoricfluosilicic acid ( HF - H₂ SiF ) solution . Fluorine recoveries of over 80 percent were obtained with either type of solution . The hydrated precipitates of AlF, and ( NH4 ) , A1F ( ammonium aluminum fluoride ) obtained by reacting hydrated alumina with these solutions were subsequently converted to anhydrous AlF, by controlled heating .

Jan 1, 1964

By M. F. Dlamini

The hydrodynamics of a hydrocyclone present a complex internal flow structure, the numerical simulation of which remains a non-trivial task. We report on three-dimensional water-only computational fluid dynamics (CFD) hydrocyclone flow field predictions and highlight some of the issues concerned with the development of a CFD model incorporating an air core. The potential for the application of CFD as a hydrocyclone design tool is also discussed. Physically realistic velocity profile predictions were obtained, which challenge the classical account of the hydrocyclone radial particle classification mechanism. A pressure field distribution consistent with literature reports was also predicted. Keywords: hydrocyclone, computational fluid dynamics (CFD),classification mechanism

Jan 1, 2005

By Lawrence P. Bonicatto

The steel industry's increased demand for higher grade pellets has caused the pellet producers to investigate methods of upgrading their product. The Hanna Mining Company's Groveland plant is no exception. The Groveland Mine is located in Dickinson County on the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The low grade iron deposit is a complex mixture of magnetite and hematite with chert, quartz, jasper, and various iron silicates. (1) Beneficiation is by Humphrey spirals and anionic flotation of the iron minerals. (2) A general flowsheet is shown in Figure 1. Flotation of the spiral tailings makes up about 75% of the concentrate. A minor amount of concentrate, less than 3%, is produced in magnetic circuits. The concentrate is pelletized at the rate of 1.6 million tons per year.

Jan 1, 1968

By M. S. Lee

A cold model study on the effects of various operating conditions on the dispersed-phase holdup in a liquid-liquid emulsion generated by bottom gas injection has been performed using water and kerosene. Dimensional analysis was used to correlate the holdup with the operating conditions and the sampling locations. The holdup increased with gas velocity, and decreased with axial and radial distances. The radial distribution of holdup follows a Gaussian function. The holdup increased with increasing ratio of the heavy phase to light phase volumes and decreased with the total height of the heavy phase. The combined effects of various operating conditions can be represented by the Froude number. The variation of the holdup within the plume was correlated by a single equation involving a set of dimensionless numbers.

Jan 1, 1995

By Phillip E. Gramlich

Through extensive practical experience and multiple studies, tensioned roof control systems have proven beneficial in difficult mining conditions. Due to increased mining of less desirable seams, tensioned roof control systems have claimed a progressively larger share of the total number of roof bolts installed in the US coal industry. Each tensioned roof control system has its benefits, but also has problems concerning cost, cycle time, stress concentration, load retention, and protrusion into the mine opening. For example, resin-assisted mechanically anchored bolts (also known as resin point anchor bolts) have a fast cycle time and the potential for high tension loading, but the stress from the mechanical shell is concentrated in a small area and can create concerns with certain roof structures (Zhang and Peng, 2001). Resin point anchor bolts can be difficult to fully grout. The cost of resin point anchor bolts can be an issue; a two-piece resin point anchor bolt has a large number of parts (10) and manufacturing steps (9), adding to its higher cost. Tension rebar bolts can achieve high loads and are easier to fully grout but have longer cycle times. In addition, a high percentage of the installed load can ?bleed off? if the resin mixing time or the ?hold time? before tensioning is short-circuited. Tension rebar bolts can be notorious for protruding into the mine opening, creating an obstruction for man and machine (Figure 1), in particular, with reduced mining heights. A new tensioned roof control system has been developed that doesn?t have moving parts, is cost effective, provides fast cycle times, has a low profile, and is simple t install.

Jan 1, 2014

By Katsuyoshi Kondoh

The utilization of silica particles originated in rice husks as reinforcements of magnesium composites was discussed. By using the solid state reaction of rice husk silica particles with magnesium powder, P/M magnesium based composites dispersed with the magnesium silicide (Mg2Si) and magnesium oxide (MgO) were fabricated. High-purity silica particles were originated from rice husks, one of the major agricultural wastes, via the citric acid leaching treatment and combustion in air. The effects of the silica particle characteristics such as size, crystalline and porous structures, on the reactivity of silica and magnesium to synthesize Mg2Si intermetallic were discussed. Amorphous silica was more useful for this reaction than crystalline one. The reactivity of rice husk silica was superior to that of the conventional mineral silica particles because of not only its amorphous structure but the larger specific surface area due to their pore structures. In the case of the green compact of the mixture of the rice husk silica and Mg powder, the silica particle size was not effective on the reactivity because the coarse particles were fractured into fine ones by cold compaction. The distribution of Mg2Si intermetallics of magnesium powder composites consolidated by SPS process was investigated by XRD and SEM-EDS analysis. Their mechanical and physical properties were also evaluated in detail.

Jan 1, 2009

By C. W. Kovach, A. Moskowitz

Studies were undertaken to investigate the effects of manganese content on the machinability and other Properties of a free machining martensitic stainless steel (AISI Type 416). Machinability was found to be significantly improved in steels of high manganese content, and a direct relationship was obtained between machinability and steel Mn:S ratio. As the manganese content of the steel increases, the sulfide Phase present changes from CrS to (FeMn)Cr2S4 to (MnFeCr)S, and finally to MnS. The average sulfide inclusion hardness decreases through the same range of increasing manganese content. The mechanism for machinability improvement is discussed in terms of a soft ductile sulfide affecting deformation in the secondary shear zone. Type 416 containing relatively high manganese for improved machinability shows good general properties. The effects of increasing manganese content on mechanical properties, cold formability, and corrosion resistance are described. THE addition of sulfur is commonly used to improve the machinability of stainless steels. However, little attention has been paid in the past to the composition and characteristics of the sulfur-containing phase or phases present in these resulfurized steels. Recent information on the properties of sulfide phases, and their role in metal cutting, suggests that variations in these phases could have critical effects on machin-ability, as well as important effects on formability and other properties such as corrosion resistance. Manganese, chromium, and iron are strong sulfide forming elements present in stainless steels! of these, manganese has the greatest sulfide forming tendency and iron the least.1"1 The manganese content of resul-furized 13 pct Cr steels, often about 0.5 pct, can be insufficient or only barely sufficient to combine with the sulfur that is present; thus, the precise level of manganese can strongly influence the nature of the sulfide phase. Sulfide phases which may be present in stainless steels have been reported to include CrS, a spinel-type sulfide, chromium-rich manganese sul-fide, and manganese Sulfide.5,6 Detailed phase relationships for the Fel3Cr-Mn-S system have been reported by the present investigators,7 and a portion of this work will be referred to subsequently in this paper. Recent work by Kiessling6 and Chao et a1.8 has shown that sulfide phases can display wide variations in hardness, and may undergo considerable plastic deformation under isostatic loading.9-12 Early theories of metal cutting attributed the influence of sulfur to a lubricating effect. It is now apparent that the influence of the nonmetallic inclusions and their properties on crack initiation, deformation in the shear zones, and boundary films must also be considered in relation to the machining process. This paper presents the results of studies conducted to relate machinability to the various sulfide phases which occur in stainless steels. This work has led to the development of alloys with improved machinability, and has generated information on the effects of inclusions on metal cutting processes. Effects of sulfide inclusions and steel composition on other important metallurgical properties are also discussed. MATERIALS For drill machinability and inclusion studies, 10 lb laboratory heats were melted in an air induction furnace. These heats were made with sulfur contents be tween 0.10 and 0.50 pct and manganese contents be tween 0.05 and 3.0 pct. Residual elements were added to the heats in amounts typical for commercial steels. The typical compositional range covered by the heats is shown below: C Mn P S Si Ni Cr Mo Cu N 0.10 0.05 0.007 (M0 0.40 0.40 13.0 0.20 0.10 0.03 3.0 0750 The laboratory ingots were forged in the temperature range of 1800" to 2100°F to 3/4-in. sq bars, and all bars tempered to a hardness aim of 200 Bhn prior to testing. Because of differences in composition and tempering response, the tempered bars showed some variation in hardness (175 to 275 Bhn) as well as variations in delta ferrite content (0 to 50 pct). Composition, hardness, and delta ferrite content were considered in the analysis of the machinability data. Additional tests involving tool-life evaluation and determination of other properties were conducted on materials from commercially melted and processed 15-ton electric furnace heats. TESTS AND PROCEDURES Machinability of the laboratory heats was evaluated in a drill test. In this test, 1/4-in. diam holes, 0.4 in. deep, were drilled alternately in a test bar and in a standard bar for a total of four holes in each. This sequence was repeated three times using a freshly sharpened drill each time. The average time required to drill a hole in the test bar was compared to that for the standard bar. A drill machinability rating was assigned to the test bar relative to a rating of 100

Jan 1, 1970

By W. M. Bangert, F. S. Boericke

"INTRODUCTION Determination of the thermodynamic properties of metallurgically important compounds of chromium has been one of the activities of the Pacific Experiment Station of the Bureau of Mines. Earlier reports have dealt with the entropies 4/ 5/ of chromium, chromic oxide, and chromous and chromic chlorides, with the thermodynamic properties of the chlorides of chromium, 6/ and wits the thermodynamic properties of the carbides and oxide of chromium. 7/ Evaluation of the thermodynamic properties of chromite, FeO.Cr2O3, is desirable, as this material in impure form constitutes the only natural source of chromium of any consequence.Two general methods are available for directly determining heats of formation - (1) measurement of heats of combustion and (2) measurement of heats of solution. Neither of these methods is directly applicable at present to ferrous chromite, which accounts for the lack of previous data. Combustion of a stoichiometrical mixture of iron and chromium under conditions prevailing in a calorimetric bomb yields a mixture of iron and chromium oxides rather than chromite. None of the usual calorimetric solution media dissolve chromite at temperatures low enough for solution calorimetry. Sulfuric acid and an oxidizing agent, such as MnO2 or CrO3, are known to dissolve chromite, but the possible calorimetric use of t is medium would require long preliminary investigation. Consequently, recourse must be taken to some indirect method. At the start of the present work, the most promising method appeared to be the determination of equilibria in the selective, reduction of the iron in chromite by hydrogen;"

Jun 1, 1945

By M. Potesser

After the primary or secondary lead production the bullion lead is remelted and charged into a vessel with following refining process. The removing of arsenic, antimony and tin takes place by salt slags or oxidizing gases like air or pure oxygen. Due to the increasing lead price, Messer Austria GmbH in cooperation with the institute of Nonferrous Metallurgy at the University of Leoben have developed a new process named OXIPOT for the refining of tin, arsenic and antimony. The OXIPOT process is in principle based on purging technology with a ceramic or steel purging device. This leads to an increased retention time of the refining products due to the deeper bath level and an optimized specific reaction volume concerning the bubble size. This paper describes the process, pilot plant, and thermodynamic calculations for the optimization concerning the selectivity of element removal.

Jan 1, 2008

By Douglas E. Pollock

Recent NIOSH published information has shown an increase of rapidly progressive coal workers? pneumoconiosis (CWP) in the southern Appalachian coal region (SAR) of the U.S., despite the fact that compliance data indicates that most coal miners have been exposed to coal mine dust concentrations below the statutory limit of 2 mg/m³. While the exact cause of these elevated CWP levels in the SAR has not been established, several factors may be contributing to the increase in occupational lung disease among coal miners. The mining of high rank coal is known to lead to higher CWP rates, and this type of coal is mined in a portion of this region. Also, a high percentage of the mines in the region are on reduced dust standards because of the high silica content of the airborne dust resulting in miners possibly being exposed to excessive amounts of respirable silica dust. Exposure to excessive amounts of respirable silica dust can lead to silicosis, a disabling and potentially fatal lung disease. NIOSH?s Respiratory Hazards Control Branch has been investigating the possible causes that would account for the observed higher trends in disease progression through literature review, data analysis and in-mine surveying. The investigation to date has revealed that underground mines are faced with cutting large amounts of rock in order to maintain haulage clearances. Cutting rock not only increases the potential for silica exposure, it increases the requirement for machine maintenance, which was a concern observed during dust surveys conducted by NIOSH. Over half of the mines operating in the SAR are on reduced standards due to high silica content. Adequate face ventilation of the continuous miner and roof bolter and limited down-wind operations from the miner are also issues of concern and items that require the constant attention of miners operating in these conditions.

Jan 2, 2010

Beatrix Gold Mine, a deep-level gold mine in the Free State province of South Africa, has the highest methane emission rate of any gold mine in the country. Methane is emitted from underground sources intersected during mining operations and is liberated into the general mine atmosphere. The total methane emission rate for the mine is of the order of 16001/s and the South section of the mine emits approximately 10001/s of methane gas. The mine has a history of gas accumulations which have led to a number of underground explosions. Following the last explosion in 2001 and the subsequent investigation, a number of recommendations were made. Two of these were to consider extracting the underground mine methane to render the mine atmosphere safe, and to declare hazardous locations that require special operating procedures. A number of such workplaces have now been declared at the South section of the mine. Methane gas is a potent, explosive greenhouse gas whose contribution to global warming and climate change is 21 times higher than that of carbon dioxide. To reduce its inherent danger and to mitigate its global warming impact, a carbon credit project under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) of the Kyoto Protocol has been developed and implemented, the aim being to capture and destroy the methane at Beatrix mine. The mine has constructed an extraction system to capture and extract 400 (Is of the methane. Percentage methane (per volume) of the gas intersected at source is 85%, with negligible concentrations of other hydrocarbons and water associated. The mine contracted the services of Group Five to design and construct the flare and ancillary equipment on surface, and Promethium Carbon was contracted to assist with the carbon¬-related aspects, approval framework, and administration of the project. A number of design and construction challenges had to be faced to extract and transport the gas effectively to the surface of the mine as the emitters are approximately 3 600 m away from the mine shaft at a depth of 860 m. Further considerations were the requirements for the type of column to be used to transport the methane gas, the pressure loss over the system, the safety systems needed to address the risk factors involved in the transport of the methane gas, and a suitable pumping system to extract the gas to the surface. The system operates under negative pressure provided by two blowers on surface delivering the emissions to a flare capable of burning off 450 8/s of methane gas. In this paper a number of benefits for the mine are discussed. These include, but are not limited to, the removal of approximately 55% of the total volume of methane gas from the general body of the air in the geographical areas of the mine where the methane gas is emitted into the atmosphere, and reducing the risk of methane-related incidents. A further benefit of this project is the mitigation of the global warming impact of the methane gas and the reduction of the mine's carbon footprint by approximately 25%. This project could also assist in alleviating the energy shortage being experienced in South Africa by means of the planned generation of 4 MW of electrical power, utilizing the methane gas, as a second phase of the project.

Jan 1, 2011

By Willie M. NeSmith

Conventional augered, cast-in-place (ACIP) piles were introduced into the New York City area as a result of the damage to existing structures caused by pile driving operations. ACIP piles are often specified where deep foundations are to be installed adjacent to transit facilities, sensitive underground utilities or in close proximity to existing structures. However, loss-of-ground issues associated with the installation of ACIP piles have prevented the wide-scale use of these systems. Beginning in 2002, Berkel & Company Contractors, Inc. began using its augered, cast-in-place displacement (ACIPD) system in the New York City area. Like conventional ACIP piles, this system produces almost no vibration. Also, as almost no material is brought to the surface, there is no opportunity for loss of ground. This paper presents a description of Berkel's displacement pile system and a brief discussion of six projects in the New York City area that have been executed with this system over the past two years.

Jan 1, 2004

By Gregory Poole

With access to the World Wide Web, many resources are readily available for improving claim reports. With a little time spent on line, a more thorough report can be created. Claimants will accept the conclusions of a report more readily when they can view support information on their own computer, particularly when the support information is not just from blasting related web sites. Some suggested resources are discussed including aerial pictures, local tax maps, topographical maps and home repair web sites. This paper provides suggestions for tracking down support information on the web and information on how to properly reference this information. Case studies of several claim investigations are presented. These are some examples of how a little time spent online provided clear and convincing evidence to support the conclusions of the investigation.

Jan 1, 2006

By Tsunenori Shibata, Kazunori Jimbo, Kaoru Toya, Masafumi Matsumoto, Jinya Mitsui, Toshinori Tsuji

"The Toyama Line is under construction as a natural gas pipeline with a length of 102 km from Itoigawa City to Toyama City. A 2 km-long tunnel section of the pipeline that we are reporting here is being excavated in a mountain area away from an urban area. The geology under which the tunnel is constructed is collapsible fractured breccia slate and Holocene sandy soil. Other tunnels of the Hokuriku Expressway and Hokuriku Shinkansen are in service above the tunnel route. From the starting shaft on Toyama side, conventional tunneling was adopted to facilitate excavating the base rock layer and maintain enough distance from the Hokuriku Expressway tunnel. From the starting shaft on the Itoigawa side, TBM tunneling was adopted to cope with the unconsolidated soft ground for a 200 m-long section from the shaft. We will discuss the issues and countermeasures concerning the selection of a tunnel route and excavation methods, performance of both conventional and TBM tunneling, and underground connecting of these tunnels excavated by conventional (NATM) and TBM methods under a high groundwater pressure up to 1.2 MPa. INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND The International Petroleum Exploration Teiseki Co., Ltd. (INPEX) is constructing a high-pressure main pipeline network in the Toyama Prefecture area to promote the use and reliable supply of natural gas as shown in Figure 1. As part of the Toyama line project that has a total length of 102 km, A-1 construction, the nearest section to the tunneling starting point in Itoigawa City, where various tunnel excavation methods have been adopted to install the high-pressure pipeline 20 inches in diameter, a 2 km tunnel in the A-1 construction section discussed here is to be excavated by conventional and TBM methods in a mountain area. Based on environmental studies such as traffic jams due to frequent traffic of heavy vehicles disposing of soil, and the effects of dust, noise and vibration during construction, we selected the route to install the gas pipeline in a mountain area as shown in Figure 2, where the impact on the surrounding environment could be minimized."

Jan 1, 2016

By Nelson C. White

This paper summarizes the present state and future prospects of the potash industry, with special reference to its impact on production in Saskatchewan.

Jan 1, 1968

By R. V. Ramani, S. Shankar

"Available literature on the effect of re-entrainment on overall airborne dust concentration in mine airways or the fundamental mechanisms of coal dust re-entrainment in mine atmosphere is scant (Shankar and Ramani, 1991 ). Therefore, as part of the Respirable Dust Center's ongoing research, the following three-part study was undertaken:• a study of the re-entrainment phenomena of anthracite and bituminous coal dust particles in a wind tunnel under the influence of varying air velocities;• a study of the same in the Lake Lynn Laboratory Mine of the USBM with both air flow and walking by personnel causing re-entrainment; and• the mathematical modeling and computer simulation of the re-entrainment phenomenon.In this paper, results from the re-entrainment studies in the wind tunnel and the Lake Lynn Laboratory mine are presented. Comparing the results from the two studies,it was observed that increasing the air velocity increased the rate of re-entrainment ( Shankar and Ramani, I 994a) and the rate of re-entrainment decreased with the time of exposure of the source dust to the flowing air. In addition, when the source dust was composed of particles of different sizes, the airborne dust concentrations due to re-entrainment were higher than when the source dust was composed of particles of the same size. The contribution of airborne dust concentration due to air flow was negligible compared to the contribution due to walking. IntroductionIn underground coal mines, dust is produced primarily during the process of mining and during such activities as pillar spall, loading, belt transfer and roof fall. The generated dust is entrained and then collects on surfaces through dispersion, diffusion and eventual deposition. Removal forces, such as flowing ventilation air or turbulence caused by walking and moving vehicles, can re-entrain the deposited dust (Hall, 1955). A portion of the re-entrained dust remains airborne and increases the concentration of airborne dust in mine airways.The presence of airborne coal dust in mine airways in large concentrations can be hazardous. Health effects include coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP) and silicosis, and it can be a nuisance affecting visibility. In addition, as is common during methane explosions, if the concentration of airborne coal dust becomes significant, there could be a coal-dust explosion (Singer, Cook and Grumer, 1972; Singer, Harris and Grumer, 1974; Edwards and Ford, 1988). Through concerned research efforts over the last decade, significantprogress has been made in reducing the airborne dust concentration in mine atmospheres. However, secondary sources, such as re-entrainment, have not been studied in-depth. It is important to understand the phenomenon of re-entrainment and its potential contribution to the airborne dust concentration in mine airways for further decreasing airborne dust hazards in mines."

Dec 1, 1996