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By R. G. Ward, D. R. Gaskell

Using the maximum bubble pressure technique, the densities of iron silicates at 1410°C have been measured blowing helium, nitrogen, and argon. By ensuring equilibrium between the melt and the blowing gas with respect to oxygen potential and by minimizing tempcrature cycling of the furnace, iron precipitation in the melt has been prevented. Thus the previously reported effect of blowing-gas composition on the densities of the melts has been eliminated. Consideration of the oxygen densities of the melts gives an indication of the structural changes accompanying composition change. The density-composition relationship of iron oxide-silica melts in contact with solid iron has been the subject of several investigations1-7 and considerable disparities exist among the various results obtained. Of these investigations, all except one5 have employed the maximum bubble pressure method. In the most recently reported of these investigations1 the density-composition relationship obtained blowing nitrogen differed from that obtained blowing argon. The measured densities obtained under nitrogen were greater than those obtained under argon, the difference being a maximum at the pure liquid iron oxide composition and decreasing with increasing silica content. This observation rationalized the disparities existing among the results of the earlier investigations, showing that two lines, one for nitrogen and the other for argon, could be drawn to fit all the earlier results. No explanation for this phenomenon could be offered. Chemical analysis of rapidly quenched samples of melt for dissolved nitrogen, and direct weighing measurements, excluded solution of nitrogen in the melt from being the cause of the increase in density. The range of blowing gases was extended by Ward and Hendersons who measured the density of liquid iron oxide bubbling helium, nitrogen, neon, argon, and krypton. The measured density was found to decrease smoothly with increasing atomic number of the bubbling gas. The work reported here is a continuation of the program initiated by Ward and Sachdev7 to study the densities in multicomponent melts in which the iron oxide-silica system is the solvent. As such it is necessary to explain or eliminate the anomalous densities of iron silicates under different atmospheres, and the present rede termination was carried out towards this end. EXPERIMENTAL The maximum bubble pressure method of density determination was again employed and the experimen- tal apparatus used was essentially the same as that used by Ward and Sachdev.7 A molybdenum-wound resistance furnace heated an ingot iron crucible of internal diameter 1 in. containing a 2-in. depth of melt. The bubbling gas was blown through a 1/4 -in.-diam mild steel tube onto the end of which was welded a 2-in. extension of 1/4 -in.-diam ingot iron rod, drilled out to 5/32 in., and chamfered to an angle of 45 deg. The blowing tube was introduced to the furnace through a sliding seal and its position was controlled by a vertically mounted micrometer screw which allowed the depth of immersion to be determined with an accuracy of ± 0.01 cm. A Pt/Pt-10 pct Rh thermocouple was located below the crucible and temperature control was effected initially by means of an on-off controller and later by a saturable core reactor. The bubble pressure was determined by measurement of a dibutyl phthalate manometer using a cathetometer. PREPARATION OF MATERIALS Iron oxide was produced by melting ferric oxide in an inductively heated iron crucible in air. The liquid was quenched by pouring onto an iron plate. Silica was prepared by dehydrating silicic acid at 650°C for 12 hr. RESULTS Before any measurements of the density of a melt were made, the density of distilled water at room temperature was measured bubbling helium and argon. Both gases gave the density as 1.00 ± 0.01 g per cu cm which showed that the density of the manometric fluid (dibutyl phthalate) was not affected by contact with the blowing gas. With the furnace controlled by an on-off temperature controller an attempt was made to measure the density of pure liquid iron oxide by bubbling argon. The furnace atmosphere gas and bubbling gas were dried over magnesium perchlorate and deoxidized over copper turnings at 600°C. It was found that the pressure required to blow a bubble at a given depth increased slowly with time, and thus it was impossible to obtain a unique value for the density of the melt. Inspection of the blowing tube after removal from the furnace showed that rings of dendritic iron had precipitated from the melt onto the immersed part of the tube. This is shown in Fig. l(a) where the various "steps" correspond to different depths of immersion. The precipitation of iron was considered to be due to one or both of two possible causes: i) The composition of the liquid iron oxide is that of the liquidus at the temperature under consideration and can be expressed by the equilibrium

Jan 1, 1968

By H. Takamoto, M. Ichinose

"The basic objectives of mine roadways are to provide sufficient cross sections in order to meet the needs of accommodation of equipment, transport, personnel travel and ventilation. However, many roadways become damaged to the extent of needing maintenance, generally dinting, and in some cases requiring re-ripping. The damaging of a roadway is a result of several factors including geological properties of surrounding strata, method of roadway formation, support systems and so on. Among these factors, strata conditions play important effects on the stability of roadways and other mining activities. Weak rocks cause excessive roadway closures, and water softens some rocks and worsens the closure problem. In Indonesia, over 250 Mt of coal is now produced from almost surface mines. In the near future, some coal must be mined from underground. Unfortunately, the mechanical properties of coal measures rocks are not so good to open underground mines. In this paper, a scientific discussion on the effect of water on the stability of roadways is given on the basis of results obtained by means of in-situ investigation and laboratory tests both in Japan and Indonesia."

Jan 1, 2011

By R. F. Stewart, A. W. Hall

A method has been developed for continuously measuring the moisture content of coal. The method is based on the thermalization of fast neutrons by hydrogen in the coal. Neutrons from a small radio-isotope source penetrate the coal, are scattered by hydrogen, and measured by a thermal neutron detector. The number of thermal neutrons counted can be directly correlated with the moisture content of coal. In a pilot-scale system, moisture was measured continuously within 0.2% in coal moving at rates up to 20 tph. The method is adaptable in industry for continuously measuring the moisture content of coal at high tonnage flow rates. Such an application would permit continuous recording of moisture in coal without sampling and facilitate quality control. An automatic and continuous method of measuring the moisture content of coal is needed by the coal industry. Automatic control of the coal quality would reduce the cost of coal preparation, improve the product, and thus indirectly increase the use of coal. Moisture in coal can be determined by several methods, but the time required to obtain samples and analyze them by existing methods makes it difficult, if not impossible, to control the quality of the product. Both producers and consumers need a method for continuous and instantaneous measurement of moisture content without sampling in order to regulate process equipment and keep the moisture content of coal within specifications. At the Morgantown, W. Va., Coal Research Center we are developing a nuclear method for continuous measurement of moisture in coal. This method is based on the thermalization of fast neutrons by hydrogen in the water and organic matter of coal. Neutrons from a small radioisotope source penetrate the coal, are scattered by hydrogen, and are measured by a thermal neutron detector. The number of thermal neutrons counted can be directly correlated with the moisture content of coal. Design of a moisture meter based on neutron thermalization depends on many variables, any or all of which can affect the sensitivity of the meter. These factors include those related to the nuclear aspect; type and size of neutron flux and source, type of detecting device, and background count; and those related to the coal being tested: rank, particle size, and ash content. A survey was initiated to eliminate the relatively insignificant factors and to ascertain the magnitude of the major effects. Such information was necessary to fully evaluate the technique and to establish design criteria. Coal contains a relatively large amount of hydrogen in the organic coal substance and the water of hy-dration of the shaly material as well as in the moisture. To apply this concept of moisture measurement to coal requires that the organic substance in coal from any one seam of a particular mine be uniform in hydrogen content. The difference in total hydrogen content of wet and dry coal is relatively small, so that a moisture measurement based on this concept requires a measurement between two large numbers to a high degree of precision. Thus, it was necessary to develop a highly precise instrumentation system for continuous measurement and to obtain a physical arrangement permitting measurement of moving coal with a minimum effect from density variation. EXPERIMENT WITH TRAYS OF COAL Tests were conducted with metal trays containing SO to 100 lbs of coal to develop an instrument system of high precision. A scaling system with a maximum instrument error of 0.2% was used to test different types of thermal neutron detectors. The most suitable type of detector was a boron-10-lined proportional counter tube. While this type of detector showed satisfactory stability, extensive testing disclosed a long-term count reduction probably due to some type of deterioration in the detector. However, development of an electronic system using dual detectors eliminated this deterioration as a serious problem. (The second detector would be used to measure a reference drum of dry coal — the difference in count rate between the wet coal and dry reference coal being a direct measure of moisture content.) Table I, column 1, shows typical results with a 1-curie plutonium-beryllium neutron source and a thermal neutron detector beneath a tray of coal and illustrates the precision of measurement. Consecutive measurements (indicated in Table 1, columns 2-5) of thermal neutrons at various times and positions be-

Jan 1, 1968

By R. Q. Honaker

A significant problem in ultrafine particle classification is the significant amount of submicron particle by-pass to the coarse particle stream. In classifying cyclones, submicron particle by-pass to the underflow stream can be reduced by decreasing water recovery. Past studies have shown that a reduction can be realized when the feed solids concentration is increased or the apex diameter is reduced. However, both adjustments tend to increase the particle size cut point and negatively affect classification efficiency due to the impact on slurry rheology. The addition of a viscosity modifier to the feed stream of a classifying cyclone improved the classification performance and decreased the particle size cut point over a range of feed solids concentrations. The detailed test program investigated the use of the modifier in conjunction with varying apex diameters to identify conditions that minimize ultrafine by-pass. With small apex sizes, roping conditions were readily eliminated by the addition of viscosity modifiers. The addition of the modifier had no deleterious effect on froth flotation performance, which commonly serves as a downstream separation process. The fundamental and practical benefits of viscosity modifiers in classification processes are discussed in this publication.

Jan 1, 2006

By Linlin Tong, Xiangling Song, Guobao Chen, Zhenan Jin, Hongying Yang

Biooxidation of a high arsenic-bearing refractory gold ore was investigated to determine the arsenic removal efficiency by the cultured bacteria and to examine the effect of biological pretreatment on subsequent gold cyanidation. The biooxidation pretreatment process utilizes the ability of adapted acidophilic bacteria to oxidize pyrite and arsenopyrite and release the encapsulated gold. The released gold can be efficiently extracted by the subsequent cyanidation process. The biooxidation experiments were conducted with cultured bacteria using various sizes of agitation tanks. Leaching results showed that over 96.26 % arsenic extraction could be obtained from this ore after 6 days of bioleaching with continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR). Gold extraction during the cyanidation process was increased from 29.35% to 96.71% after biological pretreatment. The content of arsenic in the biooxidation residue was reduced to below 0.3%. The transformation process of As was considered as [AsS]2- ? As (?) ? As (?) during the biological pretreatment.

Jan 1, 2014

By Ray Jambakhsh, John Okell, Frank Cook

"In early 1988, an experimental study was carried out at the Inco's McCreedy West Mine inLevack, Ontario. The objective was to develop blasting techniques which would allow themine to maintain production targets and reduce blast induced vibrations and overpressure.Due to its close proximity to the town of Levack (approximately 900 feet), particularconcern was expressed as to the vibration and overpressure resulting from the undergroundblasting operations."

Jan 1, 1993

By Stefan Larsson, Sebastian Adevik, Sadek Baker, Razvan Ignat

"Abstract Uncertain strength, deformation and flow properties in dry deep mixing columns often lead to conservative choices concerning design values where the design is regularly complemented with a surcharge fill. The surcharge not only leads to increased cost but also to logistical problems where the surcharge is a physical obstacle. The deformation properties of a ground improvement were studied by means of two small embankment load tests. The settlement measurements were also used in FEM analyses, where the effect of surcharge on creep settlements was investigated. Based on the results, the effects of the surcharge were considered negligible and could safely be ignored. The project is an example how the contractor can use a field test as an effective design approach.IntroductionGround improvement of soft soils with dry deep mixing columns, or lime-cement columns, is often combined with a surcharge fill. The main reason for using a surcharge is to force the primary settlement and some of the secondary settlement that would have occurred under the final embankment height alone, to take place under the surcharge loading. Another reason is to level out uneven settlements. Strength and deformation properties in improved soil cannot be sufficiently assessed in advance, before columns have been tested on-site, and this uncertainty often lead to conservative choices concerning design values. In order to compensate for a slow forecasted consolidation process, the design is regularly complemented with a surcharge. The surcharge not only leads to increased cost but also to logistical problems where the surcharge is a physical obstacle.Extensive research undertaken by Åhnberg (2006, 2007) shows, by means of triaxial and oedometer tests, that cementation processes and a load acting on the columns during hardening, makes the improved soil to behave as a heavily over-consolidated soil due to an increase in quasi pre-consolidation pressure. The effects of using a surcharge on the time for consolidation and creep properties are thus probably small, since the stress level does not normally exceed this quasi pre-consolidation pressure. A study presented by Venda Oliveira et al. (2013) shows that the stress level within small ranges has limited effect on the creep properties.This paper presents a case study where the deformation properties of a ground improvement using dry deep mixing columns was investigated by load tests on two small test embankments. The tests were performed at the Interchange Värtan project site, which is part of the Norra länken infrastructure project in Stockholm. The tests were not performed as a research project but simple load tests performed by the contractor with the purpose of rationalizing the design delivered by the client. One purpose of the load tests was to assess the deformations when the columns are loaded temporarily by overlaying concrete works. Another purpose was to provide some input data to a study of the effects of using surcharge on creep settlements. The analysis was conducted as finite element modeling using the commercial code PLAXIS, where creep settlements can be simulated using the built-in Soft Soil Creep model."

Jan 1, 2014

By Luis Felipe Morán G.

El objeto del presente texto busca difundir una manera de standarización en la formación técnica de los carbones peruanos, basándose en la standarización y desarrollo del mercado para antracita en Pensylvania. Asimismo se sugiere la introducción del sistema ASTM para de esa forma tener datos comparativos, con otros carbones en un sistema de difusión y aceptación. Para la utilización del carbón en el Perú y el extranjero, se requiere de un estudio que describa sus características físicas y químicas según el usuario y mercado, y siguiendo las pautas en que otros carbones fueron estudiados en las naciones industriales. En este sentido, los carbones más usados por los usuarios son las antracitas, cuya composición (volatibilidad, lustre, fiabilidad, facilidad de molienda), es similar a las de Pensylvania. De otro lado, no se encontraron estudios anteriores sobre las propiedades de carbón en aquellos yacimientos en exploración y reserva potenciales, excepto en las minas de actual explotación. Entre las propiedades del carbón está la volatiblidad, humedad, poder calorífico y ablandamiento de cenizas, mientras que la clasificación americana de la andracita debe basarse en el contenido de materia combustible y no por tamaños. En consecuencia, es necesario elaborar las pautas de conocimiento(características) sobre el carbón peruano, de forma que sirva de guía futura para el comprador y diseñador a nivel nacional.

Jul 20, 1959

By J. W. Walkiewicz

Studies were conducted by the Bureau of Mines to develop a method for fabricating Sm-Co permanent magnets. This method consisted of arc-melting, crushing and grinding the alloy, alining and pressing the powder, and sintering the green compacts. Results indicated that the optimum composition was 36.7±0.3 weight-percent Sm and 63.3±0.3 weight-percent Co. This composition was obtained by blending together Sm2C07 and SmCo5. The maximum values exper¬imentally obtained were MHC = 27.4 kOe, BHc = 7,510 Oe, Br = 7,810 G, and (BH)max = 15.1 MGOe. The optimum sintering temperatures and grinding times for maximum MHc and (BH)max were determined. Lowering the grinding temperature from 0° C to -60° C resulted in a significant increase of magnetic properties.

Jan 1, 1973

By J. H. Schubert

Mintek has developed a level-control system, FloatStar, for use in flotation circuits. Instead of controlling levels separately in each unit, the controller monitors levels throughout the circuit. It can thus take account of the global effects of any control actions. A collaborative project between Mintek and Karee Platinum Mine has begun, looking at aspects of flotation control. Karee plant was chosen as the site for this work because of its good existing control infrastructure. As a first stage of the joint project FloatStar was installed. Analysis during installation and running of the FloatStar has illustrated how circuit design and measurement technology can affect process control. Severe interactions have been observed in the levels of adjacent banks. The effect of FloatStar on flotation performance was tested and an improvement in level control was observed. Similarly, a faster settling of the plant after start-ups was observed. Both the improved level control and faster start-ups lead to higher platinum recovery.

Jan 1, 1999

By Fernando Generoso Neiva Ferreira

O aumento crescente dos requisitos de segurança a serem atingidos pela indústria automotiva vem cada vez mais exigindo a utilização de aços com maior conteúdo tecnológico, que é o caso do aço bifásico (“dual-phase”), que são caracterizados por uma microestrutura ferrítico-martensítica. Neste trabalho, estudaram-se, em escala laboratorial, os efeitos das temperaturas de encharque intercríticas (750, 800 e 850°C) e distintas taxas obtidas por dois diferentes meios de resfriamento (ar e ar forçado) na obtenção de microestrutura bifásica a partir de dois aços laminados a frio “full-hard” (produzidos industrialmente), com micro-adições de Nb e Mo e diferentes teores de C e Mn. Utilizando ensaios mecânicos de tração, microscopia óptica (MO) e eletrônica de varredura (MEV), observaram-se as influências da temperatura de encharque e da taxa de resfriamento sobre as microestruturas resultantes e as influências da presença de ferrita encruada, dos carbonetos não dissolvidos e da morfologia da segunda fase sobre as propriedades mecânicas das amostras estudadas.

Aug 16, 2017

By J. A. Eisele

There is currently much interest in how extraction of gold and silver from ores with acidic thiourea solution compares with extraction using alkaline cyanide solution. Agitation leaching tests were performed by the Bureau of Mines on 14 precious metal ores using sodium cyanide (?NaCN) and thiourea [(NH2)2CS) as extractants. The objective was to compare the results of the two extractants. NaCN was used at a concentration of 2 g/L with and without H202 as an oxidant. (NH2)2CS was used at concentrations of 2 and 20 gjL, and the solution potential was controlled at 390 to 420 mV standard hydrogen electrode (Eh) with Fe2(S04)3. With both reagents a.t 2 g/L extractant levels, NaCN extracted more gold and silver than (NH2liCS from all of the ores. At 20 g/L (NH2)2CS compared with 2 g/L NaCN, (NH2)2CS extracted more gold than NaCN from two ores, the same amount from one ore, and more silver from one ore. NaCN extracted more gold than (NH2 )2CS from 10 ores and more silver from 4 ores.

Jan 1, 1989

By Ning Zhang, Yan Chen, Qikang Yi, Linjian Ma, Guoan Wang

Laboratory tests were performed to explore the effects of frequency on the deformation property of rock salt subjected to cyclic loading under confining stress condition. A two-stage (transient and steady) evolution law of axial cumulative strain was obtained through cyclic stress-strain curves complied from the loci of minimum load of each cycle. The unloading modulus decreases with loading cycles/time as a negative exponential function. The damage of rock salt under cyclic loading is reflected by the degradation of elastic modulus. A unified damage evolution equation considering the effects of frequency and time was established based on the experimental results. A new creep damage model for rock salt was proposed by introducing the non-stationary modular components in Burgers creep equation according to the Lemaitre equivalent strain theory. Comparative study indicates that the new model can accurately describe the creep deformation and damage evolution of rock salt under different loading frequencies. This paper provides a more reasonable model and relevant mechanical parameters for the stability analysis of compressed-air storage cavern in the injection and withdrawal durations.

Jan 1, 2015

By AJIT SWAIN, SUNATI MOHANTY

The abstract discusses the importance of predicting the dewatering performance of industrial hydrocyclones from laboratory models. It highlights the challenge of scaling up design and operating parameters for efficiency estimation. The paper describes experiments with a 2-inch and 4-inch hydrocyclone using silica sand. It details the development of a model using the Nageswararao hydrocyclone model and a simulator to estimate model parameters. The model is validated with experimental data, and a new model is developed using 4-inch hydrocyclone data. The technique is then extended to predict dimensions for a full-scale dewatering cyclone operating at higher throughput and solid concentration.

Mar 30, 2022

By B. K. Parekh

Silicon carbide (SiC) can be produced by heating rice hulls to elevated temperature, The product is a mixture of beta crystalline silicon carbide whiskers, particles and unreacted carbon. The silicon carbide whiskers are 0.5 micron in diameter and 50 to 100 micron in length and have been found useful for reinforcing metal and other composite materials. The carbon can be removed by combustion, but this makes separation of the silicon carbide whiskers from particles difficult and a high grade whisker product cannot be made. However, a clean high grade Sic whiskers product can be obtained from the pre-burned converted rice hulls using physical separation processes that are based on differential wetting. Recovery of Sic whiskers from the pre-burned material was found to exceed 90 percent. A modification of the froth flotation process developed during this study is now being used commercially to separate silicon carbide whiskers and particles and to recover a high grade whisker product.

Jan 1, 1985

By Clive Chadbourne

Investigations of world wide coal face strata control practice, the study of theoretical calculations and detailed engineering analysis have been combined to design and select a powered roof support suitable for use in conjunction with the extraction of 4.5-m (14.7- ft) of the 7.5-m (24.6-ft) thick Warwickshire Thick Coal Seam. The interface between geotechnical criteria and engineering design has been closely considered along with the following 3 important factors: Firstly, the need to further improve strata control and operational characteristics whilst producing a wall integrated overall face design. Secondly, to enable the supports to be rapidly transported from face to face in roadways driven at the minimum size for operational requirements. Finally, to provide hydraulic power, automatic control and monitoring systems which will improve operations reduce manpower requirements and improve management information. Clear design requirements were determined in order to allow selection on a commercial basis. A method of tendering is described with the subsequent analysis and selection process. In the event oversupply of coal in the UK resulted in the order not being placed. Brief consideration has been given to supports suitable for reserves to be mined In a few year's time where there is potential for extraction well in excess of 4.5-m (1 4.74.

Jan 1, 1994

By Thomas Oberndorfer

INTRODUCTION Since several years the author is engaged in research activities in the field of mining method modelling (Oberndorfer, 1993 and 1994). The initial goal was to improve and assist the selection of the most appropriate mining method. However during investigations it became obvious that the most beneficial application of computer support is the fast calculation of numerical assessment rather than the consideration of all, i.e. also qualitative, criterions necessary for final decision. Numerical results serve - together with qualitative considerations based on the experience of the mining engineer - as a basis for decision. The emphasis is on "fast" calculation, as only this property makes it possible to calculate and compare many distinct variations. As long as no procedure exists, which optimizes all involved parameters, calculating many variations is of great important, because it is the only way to increase the chance to pick a alternative "close to optimum", but also to learn about the sensitivity the result will react on changes of input parameters, which are rarely known exactly. Generally speaking many trials give a better basis for final decision. It is no secrete that the most important obstacle towards quick calculations of a series of alternatives is not the processing time of the computer, but the time required for setting the input data in way that the computer can start processing, which is usually inter- active man work on the screen. Furthermore usually several distinct programs are required to cover the whole range of involved problems, with corresponding problems in automatic data transfer. The research work's goal was to overcome these problems. The approach developed was to describe a mining method more in a theoretical way (i.e. to give the computer some degree of "consciousness" on mining methods), which then can be applied under any specific conditions. E.g. a cut-and-fill operation will be "generally" the same in narrow or thick deposit areas, but the resulting keyfigures, e.g. total tonnage, productivity, dilution and loss, or finally costs per ton, will differ significantly. The approach (MMM = mining method modelling) presented reflects a deduction from the general case to a specific one (rather than the other way round). The developed model is general enough to be applicable to any mining method, and also to any degree of precision the mining method should be described, contrary to programs designed for specific mining method layouts which can be adjusted in a more or less wide range. PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT The principle correctness and feasibility of the approach was proved by a prototype program. However this program was more on a research level and far away from application for "real world" problems. The reason for this was, that it was regarded wasted time to re-invent certain tools, e.g. geometry intersection, deposit modelling or visualization. Hence it was tried to attract several software producers to invest in finalizing the model. Unfortunately this endeavor was not successful. Despite this defeat - and after some months of resignation - a final start on the project was decided. he reason for this decision was not at last the research activity in respect of low-cost underground mining methods for bulk- material as a substitute of typical quarry operations due to environmental restriction. This research work - which is in particular important for Austrian mining activities in beautiful and touristically used landscape - requires a lot of calculations in the way described. Both are still in state of progress, but - regarding mining method modelling - preliminary results can be presented. A complete re-programming of the program was required. Most obvious are the changes of programming language and operating system environment. Instead of Pascal under DOS C++ under MS-WindowsNT is now used. Several problems could be solved by this, in particular memory management, device drivers for input/output, and user friendlyness by up-to-date windows technology. However also more basic structures were changed. The idea was to utilize as many existing commercially available programs as possible to minimize programming efforts. WindowsNT helps already a lot by MFC technology, but also due to its multi-task facilities. This feature allows to run simultaneously several pro-

Jan 1, 1996

By C. Rutter, N. SHEA, K. KOLOBE

Henderson Mine’s primary production transitioned from the main portion of the 7700 level to the 7210 main panel in 2005. On the 7700 level, the southwest (SW) panel was brought into production in 2014 and produced through 2020. A-Panel was brought online in 2019 and took over primary production in 2020. The 7210 north panel is under development with production expected to commence in 2025. The 7700 northwest panel is expected to be the mine’s last production panel.

By Jerry Wallace

This project consisted of blasting for expansion of a major interstate natural gas transmission pipeline pump station. The pump station handled 400-500 million cubic feet (1 l- 14 million cubic meters) of gas per day.

Jan 1, 1996

By Mehmet F. Tauer, Pierre Trudel

"The metamorphosed mineralized Archean Bourlamaque batholith, dated at 2710 +-54 Ma, is a homogeneous body, composed mainly of quartz diorite; it is cut by late dioritic, mafic and aplitic dykes, and contains metasomatized ultramafic xenoliths. A geochemical investigation confirms the calc-alkaline affinity of the batholith, and the REE profiles are similar (Lal Yb = 3.9 to 8.1) to those of the intermediate to felsic metavolcanic rocks at Val d'Or into which the batholith was intruded and to those of the calc-alkaline members of the Blake River Group at Rouyn.Gold distribution within the batholith is heterogeneous and anomalous. Although the background Au content of the batholith is estimated to be 3.2 ppb Au by RNAA , the estimated median gold content of the batholith is 10 pp b (with P84 =32 and PI 6=3.1 ppb), much higher than that of ""normal"" granites (I to 5 ppb A u). The gold mineralization exhibits a close relationship with shear zones (e.g. Belmoral Mine) or with diorite dykes (e.g. Sullivan, Perron and Courvan mines).The following sequence of geological events is proposed: (I) pretectonic emplacement of the batholith, which is cogenetic with its volcanic host rocks; (2) regional metam orphism and deformation with localized shearing; and (3) hydrothermal alteration and quartz veining. We conclude that: (1) the Bourlamaque batholith is a gold-enriched intrusion, and (2) the determination of average gold content may be an effective method f or distinguishing ""sterile"" intrusions from those with potentials for gold mineralization.RESUMELe batholite archéen minéralise de Bourlamaque, daté de 2710+-54 Ma, est une intrusion homogène, constituée principalement de diorite quartzique, qui a été recoupée par des dykes tardifs de diorite, d'aplite et de composition mafique. Il contient aussi des enclaves de roches ultramafiques metasomatisees. L 'étude géochimique confirme le caractère calco-alcalin du bath olite et les profits des ETR sont semblables (La/ Yb=3.9 a8.1) a ceux des volcanites intermédiaires afe tsiques de la région de Val d'Or dans lesquelles le batholite fait intrusion et à ceux des unites calco-alcalines du Groupe de Blake Ri ver a Rouyn. La distribution de Au dans le batholite est à la fois anomale et hétérogène. Bien que le bruit de fond du batholite ait été estime à 3.2 ppb A u par AANR, sa médiane a été estimée a10 ppb Au (avec P84=32 et PI6= 3.1 ppb) , ce qui est nettement plus élevé que la valeur des roches granitoides ""normales"" donnée dans la littérature (1 a 5 ppb A u). Dans la batholite, la minéralisation aurifère est intimement associée aux zones de cisaillement (e.g. mine Belmoral) au aux dykes de diorite (e.g. mines Sullivan, Perron et Courvan).La séquence des évènements géologiques suivante est proposée: (1) emplacement pre-tectonique du batholite, lequel est cogenetique avec les roches volcaniques encaissantes; (2) deformation et metamorphisme regional avec des cisaillements tectoniques locaux; et (3) altération hydrothermale et développement des veines de quartz. Nous concluons que: (1) le batho lite de Bourlamaque est une intrusion enrichie en Au; (2) la determination de la teneur en Au peu être une méthode efficace pour distinguer les intrusions stériles de celles qui possèderaient un pot entiel pour des minéralisation s aurifères."

Jan 1, 1989