Search Documents

By C. W. Vierrether

Mineralogical analysis contributes directly to the selection of applicable beneficiation techniques for a given site. Tentative remediation methods for use on the Sharon Steel tailings in Midvale, Salt lake County, UT, were determined in part by mineralogical characterization. A systematic characterization scheme was employed to identify mineral species, mineral associations, and grain size. This paper presents the mineral content and distribution data collected for site characterization. This data was used to determine areas that were representative of the total tailings at the Sharon Steel site. Although this was the main focus of characterization, other useful information was obtained. The approximate location of "old jig tails" was identified and insight on possible arsenic, mobility through the pile was also obtained from the mineralogical study.

Jan 1, 1991

The central question concerning the health risks associated with mining and processing of taconite ores in the Eastern Mesabi Range is ??does asbestos, of any variety, occur within the gangue mineral population?? Free silica in the form of quartz does exist in the taconite, but silicosis has been relegated to a secondary issue. The focus has shifted to the asbestos minerals and the malignancies that might occur following low-level exposure to dust. Although mineral fibers do exist in the Mesabi taconite ores, Ross, Nolan and Nord conclude ??no asbestos?, as explained in their contribution ??The Search for Asbestos within the Peter Mitchell Taconite Iron Ore Mine, near Babbitt, Minnesota?. Their area of study is located in the eastern Mesabi Range. It is here that the tectonic and metamorphic effects associated with the intrusion of the Duluth Gabbro have been profound. A variety of amphibole minerals have developed as a result of these geological events, some with names recognized within the US Asbestos Standard. The issue tackled by the authors is whether or not these amphiboles are present in the mine and if so whether or not they are asbestiform in habit.

Jan 1, 2008

By Randall L. Neal

This paper discusses the impact of taxes at the state and federal level on typical on-shore oil and gas exploration economics in the USA. Taxes considered are the windfall profits excise tax, state production (or severance) taxes, state income tax, and federal income tax. Also considered will be market prices for oil and gas in the USA. The effect of government take as a percent of revenue, on rate of return, discounted Payout, and discounted cumulative cash flow is shown on the attached tables. The conclusion drawn is that tax laws, while rarely the most important factor to be considered when drilling a well, can have significant impact on the profitability of oil and gas ventures, and should be considered when determining where to drill. Hypothetical exploration wells were analyzed for the impact of tax laws on project profitability. The results of this study show that when factors other than taxes are postulated to be the same (such as producing rate, capital, operating costs, and prices), cash flow can vary by as much as 68% due to the differences in the tax laws. Other significant findings for the cases studied include: (a) that discounted payout varied by as much as 1.8 years, (b) that rate of return differed by up to 67% and (c) the total tax rate as a percentage of revenue had a maximum variance of 33%.

Jan 1, 1982

By Ted H. Eyde

Both private industry and the Interior Department have become alarmed about the enormous amount of Federal land that has been withdrawn from appropriation either under the Mineral Leasing Laws or the Mining Law of 1872. According to a recent article by Gary Benethum and L. Courtland Lee, governmental actions have withdrawn nearly 400 million acres from the operation of the Mining Law of 1872 and over 500 million acres from the Leasing Laws. An addition al 100 million acres for the Mining Law of 1872 and 70 million acres for the Leasing Laws are either encumbered or being managed in such a way as to constitute a defacto withdrawal from mineral development. This means simply that mineral exploration end development under the Mining Law of 1872 is either prevented or discouraged in an area the size of the states of California, Arizona, Washington, Oregon, Nevada, Utah, Idaho, and one half of Colorado combined. Under the Mineral Leasing Laws, exploration and development is either prevented or discouraged in an area equal in size to all the states east the Mississippi River, except Maine.

Jan 1, 1976

By O. G. Olvera

"Refractory sulfidic ores consist of materials in which gold occurs finely disseminated within metallic sulfides or forming solid solutions, with pyrite and arsenopyrite being the two sulfides most commonly associated with gold. Typical cyanide operations show poor performance and require oxidative pretreatments to increase gold recovery. Pretreatment alternatives include roasting, pre-aeration, acidic and alkaline high pressure oxidation, and bacterial oxidation. The presence of arsenic, however, introduces a serious disadvantage to the use of roasting and bacterial leaching, while high pressure oxidation involves high capital costs. This work focuses on evaluating the effect of the addition of a carbon resin as a sulfur collector on the oxidation of different arsenopyrite concentrates under atmospheric tank leaching (ATL) conditions. The addition of the resin improved the oxidation of sulfides and favored the formation of elemental sulfur over the generation of sulfate. The use of AF5 in ATL resulted in higher gold recoveries under standard cyanide carbon-in-leach and thiosulfate leaching.INTRODUCTION Refractory sulfidic ores consist of materials in which gold occurs finely disseminated within metallic sulfides or forming solid solutions, with pyrite and arsenopyrite being the two sulfides most commonly associated with gold. Gold is not readily accessible to solutions in these types of ores and typical cyanide operations show poor performance, thus making the use of oxidative pretreatments a requirement to increase gold recovery. Pretreatment alternatives include roasting, pre-aeration, acidic and alkaline high pressure oxidation, and bacterial oxidation. The presence of arsenic, however, introduces a serious disadvantage to the use of roasting and bacterial leaching, while high pressure oxidation involves high capital costs. The use of carbonaceous materials to enhance the dissolution of sulfides is not novel, and leaching additives such as coal, activated carbon and carbon powder have been considered for the improvement of bioleaching, atmospheric leaching, and pressure oxidation leaching processes. However, this type of technology has been focused mainly on the recovery of copper from copper concentrates containing chalcopyrite with less attention paid to other sulfides."

Jan 1, 2017

By Thomas R. Kuesel

All engineering designs are based on assumptions regarding the behavior of the structure or facility being designed. These assumptions may be based more or less heavily on theory, but are credible only if verified by observations of field performance. Dr. Peck's "State-of-the-Art" paper has described the semi -empirical process of soft ground tunnel design, emphasizing the importance of records of field performance of actual projects constructed under a variety of conditions. This paper will present the principal results obtained from measurements made during construction of the soft ground tunnels for the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit System. SCOPE The BART System comprises 75 route miles, including 14 miles of soft ground tunnelled subways in San Francisco, Oakland, and Berkeley. All tunnels are single-track sections, approximately 18 feet in diameter. Usually there are two parallel tunnels at the same level, but under Market Street in San Francisco there are four tunnels (two over two), and there is also a three-track section (two over one) in Broadway, Oakland.

Jan 1, 1997

By Charles Vaught

The U.S. Bureau of Mines evaluated the self-contained self-rescuer (SCSR) donning proficiency of 243 miners. These workers were from eight underground coal mines in the eastern United States. The objectives of the study were (1) to gather information on skill levels, since all miners in the study had prior instruction and opportunity to practice donning the apparatus, and (2) to summarize a quality control procedure useful in conducting periodic evaluations of donning proficiency. The sampling procedure used proved to be both reasonable and efficient in gathering information on training effectiveness_ It also provided a good statistical base for making informed site-specific decisions regarding SCSR training needs. Results from the observed samples at each of the eight mines indicate a wide variability across sites. The rate at which miners failed to isolate their lungs varied from 33 to 40.0 pct. Concomitantly, proficiency rates (miners either performing adequately or demonstrating a perfect 3+3 sequence) ranged from 13.3 to 63.3 pct.

Jan 1, 1991

By D. J. Bauer

A pure scandium solution was concentrated from 10-4 mole per liter to 0.5 mole per liter by continuous foam fractionation in a spaced, packed column. Recovery in the foam was 77 percent using a spaced, packed draining column with sodium n-methyl-n-"coconut oil acid" taurate as the surfactant. The technique was first studied batchwise in a small unpacked column to determine the more important variables. Optimum surfactant concentration was found to depend on scandium concentration. Extraction and, in general, enrichment ratios were highest in the 2.5 to 3.5 pH range at temperatures ranging from 50° to 70° C. An airflow rate of 136 ml./min. was satisfactory in the equipment used.

Jan 1, 1962

By C. M. Wright

Siendo la veta principal San Cristóbal, una de las estructuras que atraviesan el Anticlinal Chumpe en la provincia de Yauli, su explotación ha sido limitada a las rocas volcánicas y filitas en el flanco sur-oeste del anticlinal. Por tal motivo, el texto señala que el análisis de la distribución de los metales y minerales dentro de la veta, revela un zoneamiento horizontal bien definido, que es compatible con el origen de las soluciones hidrotermales en el centro del anticlinal. Asimismo, este estudio cuantitativo determina las características de las partes ricas de la veta, trazando líneas de contornos de los cuatro tipos de metal en secciones longitudinales, como los controles de la distribución de metal y relaciona las áreas ricas de la veta con su medio geológico. De otro lado, en San Cristóbal, la distribución del metal presenta una característica zonal donde la paragénesis y el zoneamiento están íntimamente relacionados. Concluyéndose que con la aplicación de los resultados de este estudio, se permitirá una mejor exploración y desarrollo de las áreas ricas de la Veta Principal San Cristóbal y se proporcionará una guía útil para la exploración y desarrollo de vetas paralelas en esta área.

Aug 20, 1963

By G. E. Burpee

A COMPREHENSIVE study of insoluble residues in the productive Permian limestone in the Hobbs and Eunice fields, Lea County, N. M., has been conducted by Shell Petroleum Corp. engineers {luring the past two years. This study was prompted by the belief that the stratigraphy of the producing formation might be worked out in detail and that some relationship might be established between the permeable oil, gas, and water zones and correlatable lithologic horizons within the productive formation. As a result of the study, correlations have been established which have proved of great value to both an orderly development and corrective program.

Jan 1, 1935

By Les F. Sawatsky

Surface drainage, particularly mine closure drainage, must be properly considered during all stages of mine planning because it presents constraints that are critical to economic mine operation, minimizing environmental impacts and ensuring compliance with government regulations. Deficient mine site drainage increases costs of operation, causes unnecessary environmental impacts and may result in regulatory violations. The scope of this paper includes stream diversions around mine areas, drainage systems within the mine disturbed footprint, and closure drainage works to control surface water, ground water, erosion, sedimentation, and seepage discharges following mine operations. Developing selfsustaining drainage facilities upon mine closure, requires a mine plan that develops appropriate topography and constructed drainage courses that replace the function of pre-disturbance drainage systems without aggravated erosion and deterioration. Drainage criteria, particularly closure drainage criteria, represent important constraints on mine planning and are best considered by integrating drainage features into the mine plan well in advance of mining activities. Integrated mine planning by a multi-disciplinary team is recommended to achieve closure objectives at minimum cost and maximum effectiveness The geomorphic approach to channel design is an effective means of providing a drainage system that has the appearance, function and longevity of natural systems. By incorporating this technique into closure drainage planning, mine operators can construct sustainable (walk-away) drainage systems that require little or no maintenance in the long-term. This paper presents a process by which drainage criteria and associated mine plan constraints can be integrated into the mine planning process. This paper outlines the process for detailed design of drainage facilities, particularly closure drainage systems that are designed by the geomorphic approach.

May 1, 2009

By D. R. Parker

"This paper canvasses emerging trends in public policy and law, which may influence the zinc industry's interest in recycling. There are forces at work beyond direct economic benefits that will drive recycling of zinc, including:• corporate determination to pursue sustainable practices and product stewardship.• public perceptions and pressure,• customer and investor demand,• workforce recruitment, and• protection and expansion of marketsIn this paper, these ""indirect"" forces are examined with particular focus on the zinc industry: It is concluded that, in today's world with an emerging precautionary approach to policy and law making, public perception concerning the environmental implications of metal products, and the need to conserve resources for future generation, a strong industry response is required."

Jan 1, 2000

By Iván Turco

Las redes de distribución de energía eléctrica, compuestas por subestaciones, cables eléctricos de arrastre, conectores y accesorios, tienen la misma tecnología desde hace décadas. El presente trabajo muestra los excelentes resultados que obtuvimos frente a los problemas de salida de servicio y los tiempos extendidos en reconexión por fallas en los cables de arrastre y/o conectores con la finalidad de brindar la confiabilidad de alimentación de energía eléctrica a equipos movibles, asegurando la operatividad en campo, minimizando perdidas y maximizando la inversión en estos activos.

Sep 29, 2023

By Alan M. Bateman

Before World War II we proudly considered that we were the nation of all the world most richly endowed in mineral resources. We knew it was no accident that those countries abundantly supplied with mineral resources became the great manufacturing nations, and the politically and militarily strong ones; and that our own great industrial cities sprang up where coal and iron met. We all reallized, especially we of the mining profession, that the energy of fuels and the solidity of metals spelled industrial growth and in turn industrial might and that other nations came to regard mineral self-sufficiency as one of the chief goalsof economic nationalism.

Jan 1, 1949

By R. R. Klimpel

This paper describes a series of mechanical flotation cell results run with various chemical reagent schemes designed to economically improve the flotation performance associated with selected industrially available coals. The emphasis is on the identification of practical flotation methods of processing coals containing unusually coarse and/or fine feed sizes, of increasing the recovery of oxidized and/or difficult to float coal, and of increasing the selectivity of coal over pyrite in high sulfur coals.

Jan 1, 1991

By T. J. Ballard

"The Hog Creek mine, in lot 92 of the 17th district in Towns County, Georgia, was examined in 1890 by F. P. King, who reported the existence there of a 4-foot vein of corundum. The mine is about 2 miles west of Hiawassee, on the southern side of Ramey Mountain. Ed Burch, of Hog Creek, holds the surface rights, and the mineral rights appear to be vested in the heirs of William R. McConnell, who formerly owned and prospected the property.Examination by the Bureau of Mines showed the workings to be caved, but it was thought advisable to open the mine and uncover the reported vein. The Bureau's work consisted, of trenching and cleaning out the pits and shaft.William R. McConnell, the former owner, prospected the property in about 1890. At some tine during that operation, the prospect was visited by Francis P. Kings a geologist with the Georgia Geological Survey.3/King reported that a 4-foot vein of corundum was exposed g feet below the surface in the main cut and was opened for 20 feet along the strike. He also reported that the so-called ""Georgia rubies"" were taken from this mine.The main mine is about 2,000 feet- north of Hoc Creek on a timbered southern slope of Ramey Mountain. It lies at an altitude of about 2,100 feet, approximately 100 feet above the high-water level of the Catuga reservoir, which floods Hog Creek to a quarter of a mile above its confluence with the Hiawassee River. The nearest water is a small branch about 1,000 feet to the west.Chlorite schist is the principal host rock. It has been intruded by irregular masses of a very herd periodtite rock possibly troctolite. The schist near the surface is extremely weathered, presenting white and red laminations parallel to the schistosity. At a depth of 40 feet in the cross-cut it appears as a fine-grained green-chlorite schist. The schist strikes about N. 350 E. and dips 800 to the southeast.No corundum vein was found, and if any existed it must have been mined out after King's visit. In the pit, about 15 feet west of the shaft, approximately 150 pounds of zoisite and an occasiona1 small crystal of corundum were found imbedded in schist about 18 feet below the surface, near hard, dense troctolite."

Mar 1, 1946

By Vitor Barcelos, Eduardo Elói, Gabriella Vaz, Davi Oliveira, Leandro Silveira

Following a routine production blast at Vale S.A.'s Itabira Mine in the Quadrilátero Ferrífero region of Minas Gerais, Brazil, nearby residents registered complaints about blast-induced vibrations. Analysis of the blast footage revealed that multiple blastholes were detonated simultaneously, resulting in a higher-than-expected charge per delay, ground vibration and cratering even though the electronic delay timing was configured correctly. Subsequent blasts within the mine's soft schist region confirmed the occurrence of sympathetic detonation. Mitigating or eliminating this phenomenon is critical for the mine's operation. Two dynamic pressure tests were conducted using carbon resistors together with typical VOD monitor maintaining the standard booster, electronic detonator, and a blend of 70% emulsion with 30% ammonium nitrate explosive. The tests involved increasing the distance between the central hole (detonated first) and the four surrounding holes in a five-hole sequence. Unfortunately, sympathetic detonation occurred in all these tests. To address this issue, a new explosive with a lower density and detonation velocity was tested. This approach proved promising, as no sympathetic detonation occurred. By leveraging the data obtained from this study, engineers can now identify situations at risk of sympathetic detonation and implement preventive measures, such as selecting the appropriate explosive and recommending safe minimum burden and spacing settings as well as confinement level for each blast while maintaining the desired level of rock fragmentation.

Jan 21, 2025

LARGEST known fluorspar deposits in the world are mined in southern Illinois (Hardin County), and northwestern Kentucky (Crittenden County). Colorado, New Mexico, Montana, and Utah are the principal western sources in the U. S. Rosiclare Fluorspar District Hardin County, Illinois The Rosiclare area is located in the southern part of Hardin County on the Ohio River where the Illinois Central Rd. branch line terminates and provides transportation. Fluorspar has been mined commercially in this area since 1870. Aluminum Co. of America and Rosiclare Lead & Fluorspar Co. are the two major producers in this area. Ozark-Mahoning Co. operates a concentrating plant in Rosiclare but the bulk of its ore is mined near the town of Cave-in-Rock.

Jan 1, 1958

By N. Wahl, D. M. Blackketter, R. Thornton

This paper evaluated using a water-filled abandoned mine (Orphan Boy) as a heat source for a 240- kW closed-loop heat pump with the goal of heating a 2,000-m2 building. The mine has a 245-m vertical shaft connected to a large stope by three horizontal cross-cut shafts. There is 1,250 x 106 L of water at a consistent temperature of 24-26° C that is available mostly in the stope. The only heat exchanger placement option is in the vertical shaft. Therefore, the focus was to model heat exchanger placement in the vertical shaft to determine the extent to which the systems will induce thermal currents between the stope and vertical shaft. Modeling of thermal currents, temperature profiles and heat contribution from the ground was done using finite difference and computational fluid dynamics. An optimal configuration was determined showing sufficient water movement and heat transfer will occur with a low water temperature in the shaft above 20° C. This project supports a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) grant that will implement the full-scale system.

Jan 1, 2013

By Charles Legrand

In many iron, coal and copper mines where large tonnages are known before starting operation and proper provisions can be made, the problems of electric traction by trolley locomotives are not very different from those of surface plants. In such installations the gauge of the track, the radius of curves, and the clearances, both vertical and horizontal, can be made to suit the conditions of the traffic. It is more difficult to install electric traction in mines which were started with hand tramming and where no consideration was given to the possibility of mechanical traction being used. The writer having had some experience in the installation of electric traction in copper mines, the following remarks apply more particularly to these mines. With the gauge of track usually 18 or 20 in., the weight limit of locomotives obtainable from manufacturers in this country varies from 3 to 6 tons. The full-load speed varies from 49 to 6 miles per hour. These locomotives, being made to run on very small radius curves, have a short wheel base and a long overhang from axle to coupling, which necessitates a coupling' with a good deal of lateral motion to avoid derailing the cars on sharp curves, especially if couplings are of the standard railroad automatic type. Although 3-ton locomotives will run on 12- or 16-lb. rails, it has been found more satisfactory to use 25-lb. rails, as the track keeps in much better shape, it is easier to maintain the bonding in good order, and fewer derailments from dirt on the track occur with the larger rails. Where 6-ton locomotives are used the 25-lb. rails are satisfactory, but 40-lb. rails have proved cheaper where the traffic is heavy and the ground is soft, as the track maintenance is considerably lower with the heavy rails. The locomotives will run on 15-ft. radius curves, but on through runs it is advisable not to go below 40-ft. radius. The voltage used should not exceed 250 to 275 volts, and the trolley wire should be protected, to prevent accidental contacts, in front of chutes and at all points where it is low. With the air lacking somewhat in oxygen and the heat and high humidity prevalent in many mines, this

Jan 1, 1915