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By Baohm C, Barker T

There have been significant changes in the Australian mineral sands industry in recent years due to changing supply and demand conditions, new product opportunities and opportunities for rationalisation of operations. Earnings within the industry have typically been volatile and this has been reflected in the share prices of listed mineral sands companies. Apart from the effects of variations in the state of the economy on the industry, share prices have also reflected the extent to which a company's earnings volatility is due to capital structure, the relative proportion of fixed costs to total costs and the nature of th'- sales mechanism. At the time of writing, the high prevailing share prices for industry participants and the current outlook for the industry would suggest that the time is opportune for raising equity capital. The immediate outlook for the industry and its various product segments appears favourable but beyond this the usual uncertainties remain. The new tax environment will cause most companies in the industry to have to rethink their dividend and capital structure policies. Most shareholders will now be concerned to maximize dividend receipts and minimise exposure to capital gains tax. Companies in the industry that have relied fairly strongly on earnings retention to help finance growth in the past will- need to look to increased equity raisings in the Future.

Jan 1, 1986

The opening session of the Institute was held at the rooms of the American Society of Civil Engineers, No. 4 East 23d Street, VicePresident R. W. Raymond in the chair. After a short introductory address by the chairman, the following names were presented by the Council for election as members and associates of the Institute. They were unanimously elected : MEMBERS. Abbott, James W.,.....Lake City, Col. Abbott, J. J., Jr.,...... Lake City, Col. Bartlett, J. C.,.....Cambridge, Mass. Billings, G. H.,.....Boston, Mass. Blake, Frank C.,.....Lafayette College, Easton, Pa. Dewey, Fred. P.,.....Lafayette College, Easton, Pa. Douglass, Samuel T.,. .. . Ann Arbor, Mich. Emmons, 9. F.,.....New York City. Engle, George U.,.....Philadelphia. Harrington, Dr. Bernard J.,. .. Montreal, Canada. Hayden, Wm. B.,.....Columbus, O. Hill, Leslie C.,.....Capelton, Quebec, Canada. Land, W. J.,......Atlanta, Ga. May, Wm. A.,.....Scranton, Pa. Mills, James E.,.....St. Louis, Mo. Moore, Charles W.,.... Montezuma, Ind. Page, William Byrd,.... Lexington, Ky. Putnam, Douglas, Jr.,.... Ashland, Ky. Richards, Henry,.....Dover, N. J. Boberts, Percival, Jr.,. .. . Philadelphia. Sackett, S. G.,......Brooklyn, N. Y. Schley, Wm. S.,.....Atlanta, Ga. Setz, Gustav,......Mine La Motte, Mo. Talhutt, John H.,.....Lexington, Ky. Torrey, Herbert G.,.... U. S. Assay Office, New York City. Wernlitz, Fred. W.,..., Cartersville, Bartow Co., Ga. Wiestling, Geo. B.,.....Mont Alto, Franklin Go., Pa.

By Robert A. Cook

In the increasing struggle to cheapen the cost of our iron and steel products a great deal of attention lias been given to economies in the manufacture of coke; and while but little lias been accomplished in this direction in the United States, the narrow margin between cost and market-price, which has obtained here for the past few years of continuing manufactur ing depression, has brought the coke-maker face to face with the problem, how to save, and benefit by it, the hitherto waste products of distillation. I These may be summed up under three heads, generally rank ing, in value, in the following order: 1. Ammonia salts.. 2. Oil- or tar-products. 3. Gas. There are cases in which the last may assume the position of greatest importance. The greatest obstacle encountered by the American coke maker, on investigating the subject, has been the apparent necessity of discarding his existing plant of bee-hive ovens, and erecting an entirely new and very expensive system of retort ovens, against the product of which Be has probably been prejudiced from his earliest knowledge of the subject. The object of this paper is to bring prominently before our coke-experts a brief history of the development at Sheffield, England, of a most successful system of the utilization of by products in connection with all already existing plant of bee hive ovens. This system has now been in satisfactory operation for about five years, and is applied to a series of blocks of ovens, comprising-about 140- in all At this plant, belonging to the well-known firm of Newton,

Jan 1, 1897

By W. G. Harbert, C. Upthegrove

DURing the past year considerable work dealing with physical properties of cartridge brass was done at the University of Michigan in cooperation with the Ordnance Department of the U. S. Army. This paper gives some of the data bearing on the effect of the anneal, previous to the final reduction-or rolling, on the physical properties, particularly the hardness. Various phases of the subject of physical properties of cartridge brass have been presented by different investigators. Mathewson and Phillips1 refer to the work of Grard, in 1909, as the first systematic presentation of the relation between temperature and time of anneal, changing of physical properties and microstructure, and the previous reduction by cold rolling. They discuss the relation between time and temperature of annealand the previous reduction by cold rolling; also the relation between physical properties and grain size of annealed brass. The degree of deformation previous to the annealing was found to determine the temperature at which recrystallization and corresponding changes in physical Properties would take place. relation between grain size and Brinell hardness, found the hardness for low-temperature annealing to be dependent on the previous degree of reduction, while for anneals above a certain temperature the hardness after the anneal was independent of the degree of reduction. Actual differences in hardness, due to the degree of reduction, disappear only on annealing at 600" C. or above; though the differences for metal subjected to different degrees of reduction and annealed at temperatures between 350" and 600" C. were found to be relatively small. In their determination of the relationship of grain size to Brinell hardness, Bassett

Jan 1, 1923

By Cleghorn JH

Underground mining operations on Kalgoorlie's Golden Mile were suspended in 1976, suffering the combined effects of low gold prices and grades. A subsequent substantial increase in the gold price led to the decision by Kalgoorlie Mining Associates to reopen their mines in 1979. The two shafts selected for access required excessive maintenance. The geological assessment and development parameters prescribed have been successfully used to establish reserves to maintain production at a 390 000 tonnes per annum rate. While ore reserve grade is being maintained from primary stoping sources, supplementary lower grade ore is drawn from remnant pillars and stopes at lower cost.Performance by the workforce has reached levels previously attained and a record tonnage was hoisted in the fourth year after recommencement.Keywords : Golden Mile lodes, geological research, payruns, cut and fill, mill holes, gold price, ore grade, amalgamation.

Jan 1, 1984

By E. Lancaster-Jones

THE gravity magnitudes obtained by means of observations with the Eötvös balance in the field are necessarily resultant or total effects due to all abnormalities of mass distribution, including even the effects due to the ellipticity and rotational motion of the whole earth. Since the object of the survey is to isolate the effects which arise solely from some particular subterranean, feature, and to deduce therefrom the configuration and extent of this feature, the first step is to eliminate from the observed effects all those due to "disturbing" (i. e., unwanted) features, whether above or below the surface of the ground. The disturbing features have different characteristics, according to their situation relative to the center of the balance and to the horizontal plane through the foot of the balance, or station point; this diversity was recognized by Eötvös, who divided the total effects into so-called Normal, Terrain, Topographical, Cartographical and Subterranean effects. This classification has been adhered to by most subsequent investigators, but the writer prefers to employ the term "three-dimensional," which really indicates the essential character of the class of effect known as "Subterranean," at any rate from the standpoint of the computer of effects. Before disturbing effects can be eliminated, the features must be measured up or surveyed, whether by topographical, mining, or boring methods, and then the effects of each feature calculated and subtracted from the total observed effects. After this the problem of interpreting the residual effects will itself necessitate the computation of the assumed feature, or even a series of trial features.

Jan 1, 1928

By Albert F. Hill

The manufacture of structural shapes in steel of uniform quality, which shall command the full confidence of the engineer, is a problem in practical metallurgy which is beginning to attract much attention in this country. The progress of the past fern years in the improvement of plant and processes has placed it within the power of the steel-maker to supply a material of such chemical composition as will meet the requirements; but this solves only in part the difficulties of the constractor. It is well understood that the influence of shop manipulations is a most decisive one upon the mechanical properties of the finished product; in many cases so great, in fact, as to cause an entire transformation in the character of the material, and to render it unfit for the service for which it was intended. On the other hand, mechanical treatment is frequently resorted to as an efficient corrective of certain undesirable properties, which may be due either to chemical composition or previous manipulation. This understood and accepted, it is evident that careful investigation of the effects of mechanical treatment is fully as necessary to the successful use of steel in engineering structures, as the investigation of the influence exerted by its chemical composition. All structural material has to undergo more or less mechanical treatment, such as shearing, punching, upsetting, etc. Each of these operations produces effects which are far more marked and decisive in steel than they are in iron, and means must therefore be adopted to counteract, or at least to modify, these effects before the material is permitted to enter the structure. The fact that both shearing and punching affect the tenacity and elasticity of steel has long been recognized; bat, through more recent investigations, it has been established that these effects are purely local, and are therefore susceptible of correction by other and simpler means than annealing. The importance of this discovery to the use of steel in structures is very great. The impracticability of

Jan 1, 1883

Tasker (1985) has detailed the accepted practices for constructing polygonal blocks of influerrce in the estimation of ore reserves. Further he suggests that users might fall into traps such as omission or overlap when determining the area of influence for each sample point.As an example of these types of errors Tasker (1985) describes under "Coverage ofthe Area" how 25 per cent of the exploration area will not be included in an equiangular triangular grid where hexagonal blocks of influence are used.The introductory suggestion of Tasker (1985) of "incorrect procedure" by Rudenno (1983) (and Armstrong (1983)) reiterated around the Figure 2a of Tasker (1985), is based on the brief description of the polygonal area of influence by Rudenno (1983). That description is not too different from that given by King, McMahon and Bujtor (1982).

Jan 1, 1985

By D. F. Hewett

[In an increasing degree in recent years, especially since the war, men in many parts of the world are turning their attention to the problems of the future, attempting to appraise the basis and extent of man's progress and interpret the problem that he faces in the near future. The war made clear to ma persons the degree to which modern industry depends upon t continuous flow of enormous quantities of raw materials, a especially of the minerals. In many circles throughout t world, the question of adequate supplies of the mine especially the fuels and metals, for near as well as more remo needs is receiving serious consideration. As a result, persons representing the state as well as industry are looking to geologists and engineers for all the data that throw light on the distribution, extent and availability of the minerals that must serve coming generations.] Obviously, in a brief research I have been able to consider only a few sources of the metals in Europe, perhaps fifty out of a total of many hundreds. In order that the conclusions may have value, however, I have chosen districts which have been important sources during some epoch of the last three hundred years or more.

Jan 1, 1932

To provide a means for mechanically separating and recovering nonferrous metals continuously from non-magnetic reject material produced at scrap automobile shredding facilities. Approach The Bureau of Mines developed a water elutriator system that separates metals from shredded scrap auto-mobiles based on differences in specific gravities. A premium-quality product, containing aluminum, magnesium, lead, zinc die cast, copper, copper alloys, and stainless steels, is obtained. How It Works Mixed nonmagnetic reject material currently being separated at automobile shred-ding facilities is introduced onto the top of an upwardly flowing vertical column of water. The water, overflowing a weir in the top of the vertical column, carries with it the floating, lightweight waste materials, mostly combustibles, while the heavier pieces sink through the rising water. Medium-density substances such as glass, rubber, and heavy plastics are carried off through a side port, located in the upper third of the column. The cleaned, mixed metal product sinks to the bottom and is continuously removed from the base of the column with a bucket elevator having perforated buckets. All three categories of material are removed from the system on separate wire mesh belt conveyors. Most of the water drains through the belts into a holding tank and, after settling, is recirculated back through the elutriator column. The purity and recovery of the metal product are influenced by two elutriator operating variables: the flow rate of water through the vertical column, and the height of the overflow weir at the top of the column.

Jan 1, 1983

By Frederic P. Dewey

The improvement in leaching introduced by the Russell process has stimulated the development of processes for refining lixiviation-sulphides. In the early days several processes for dealing with the sulphides were proposed, and some of them were tried more or less ; but the business finally settled down to sending the sulphides to the smelters, although this was known to be both troublesome and expensive. In 1891 Mr. C. A. Stetefeldt* introduced at the Marsac mill, Park City, Utah, an unpatented process, built up out of the general fund of information available. It consisted in matting the sulphides, grinding, roasting, grinding again, and dissolving the copper out in diluted sulphuric acid, then melting the silver and crystallizing the bluestone. It did not yield fine bullion, hence the bullion had to be refined as well as parted; besides, there was some loss. This process was thoroughly tried at the Marsac refinery and then a year's run was made, the net result of which was that it did not prove sufficiently better than the sending of the sulphides to the smelters to warrant its substitution for that practice. In 1893 the Dewey-Walter Refining Company undertook the refining of the Daly sulphides in the Marsac refinery by the sulphuric acid process, upon which two United States patents ? have been issued to the writer. Naturally, difficulties were encountered in starting a new process, and most of 1893 was taken up in getting it into smooth working order; but in 1894 a run was started, in which all the regular sulphides produced by the

Jan 1, 1897

By G. E. Pellissier, C. W. Mason

Tin has long been cited as offering a classic example of polymorphism, second in repute only to the allotropy of sulphul.. The notorious "tin disease," which Cohenl has studied so exhaustively in terms of the enantiotropic transformation of tetragonal white P tin to cubic gray a tin, has apparently encouraged the expectation that one or more additional polymorphic modifications might exist. The search for confirnmntion of this idea has, as might be anticipated, led to the accumulation of a body of miscellaneous evidence, much of which would probably never have been sought, or taken seriously even by its discoverers, but fur previous assumptions. The ball apparently was started rolling iii 1880 by Trechmann,2 who reported a new modification of tin (7 tin), which was brittle and found in "hard head," a highly arsenical, slaggy material produced in a certain stage of tin smelting. A mixture of two kinds of crystals was obtained from a Cornish tin furnace, and those thought to be 7 tin were studied crystallographically. The results indicated that these crystals were rhombic and of different density from the tetragonal tin prepared electrolytically by Miller. Their analysis was given as 98.7 per cent Sn, 1.3 per cent Fe, and traces of As, Sb, Bi and S. In 1881 von Foullon4 obtained similar crystals from a Bohemian tin furnace. Headden5 examined crystals similar to those of Trechmann and von Foullon and reported them to be monoclinic, but of analysis corresponding to stannous sulphide. Later, Stevanovic,~ by goniometric measurements, proved that these crystals of SnS were really rhombic. Groth7 pictures and describes both "rhombic tin" (Fig. 9, vol. 1) ant1 stannous sulphide (Fig. 84, vol. 1); their faces and angles correspond within the accuracy of measurement. Spencers in 1921 examined the above evidence critically; lie lound similar crystals from Cornish tin furnaces, proved them to be SnS, and even was able to analyze some of Trechmann's original specimens, finding high sulphur content. (Apparently Trechmann's analysis had been based on :L second lot of crystals, not described crystallographically.)

Jan 1, 1939

By S. B. Bealko

Mining haul trucks comprise the majority of the equipment used in underground limestone mining operations and are known to emit high levels of noise. A previous study conducted by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) indicates that 70-90 percent of all miners have a noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) great enough to be classified as a hearing disability by retirement age. These results demonstrate the public health need to protect the hearing of workers in the mining industry, including haul truck drivers. ng of workers in the mining industry, including haul truck drivers. Cab enclosures present an opportunity to isolate the haul truck operator from both truck and other noise in the mining environment. A total of twenty-five haul truck cabs were studied which were divided into three style (treatment) categories determined by soundproofing features and technology for noise reduction: old-, new-, and retrofitted-style. This study examines the contribution of cab acoustics, operator performance, and maintenance to noise reduction for each cab style. Dosimeters were used to measure 8-hr time weighted average sound pressure levels (TWA8 SPLs) inside and outside the cabs to determine if different acoustical treatments affect cab attenuation. Adherence to the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 90 dB TWA8 (with a 90 dB threshold) was used as the main indicator of overall noise reduction achieved. Dosimetery results indicate only 2% of the samples exceeded the PEL, but samples could still be reduced much further. Descriptive and comparative statistics indicate that noise levels inside the new-style cabs are significantly lower than the other two cab styles. Also, data suggest that there is no difference in noise exposures when comparing the old-style to retrofitted cab styles. Operator influence (opening doors and windows) was a significant factor for increasing noise exposure. This paper demonstrates that properly designed cabs can achieve major noise reductions, but noise levels could still be reduced much further below the MSHA PEL. New-style cabs, equipped with modern noise-reduction treatments, exhibit much lower noise exposures than the other two cabs styles, and the effectiveness of the current noise-reduction treatments for retrofitted cabs is questionable. Haul truck driver observations indicate that improved noise exposure reduction training is needed. Finally, specific targets for future noise reduction research are suggested that will further contribute to the prevention of hearing loss for haul truck operators.

Jan 1, 2008

By Persifor Frazer

A classification of natural objects is usually based either upon some fundamental and permanent attribute of the thing itself (as in the case of scientific classifications), or it embraces one or more generalizations convenient for use in ordinary life. Thus, it suffices for the statistician to know that so many tons of fish are annually taken by our fishermen, and that they realize so many thousands of dollars, whereas to the student of natural history the anatomy, habits, and relationships of the animals are of chief interest, as settling their respective places in the scale of animate nature. Many different classifications of coals have been attempted, as one would naturally anticipate from the immense extent of the coal trade, and the different localities whence the supply was derived. The English divisions were prevalent up to the date of the publication of the last geological survey of the State, except so far as they were modified by local designations. Indeed, Rogers' classifications made very little alteration in the English nomenclature, as may be seen by comparing the tables given below. To commence with the different kinds mentioned in Ure's Dictionary of Arts, Manufactures and Mines of 1845 : " 1. Cubical Coal.—Black, shining, compact, moderately hard and easily frangible. Comes out in rectangular masses, of which the

Jan 1, 1879

By José Vilca

La exploración cristaloquímica es una herramienta que permite descubrir mineralizaciones con estaño en lugares donde otros métodos no tuvieron éxito. En ese sentido, el presente texto describe la función de dicho método -en tanto identifica las zonas con ordenamientos atómicos específicos relacionados con la ubicación espacial de mineralizaciones de interés económico importantes. Asímismo cuantifica la concentración de los elementos químicos en la cristal-estructura de los minerales tales como óxidos, sulfuros y silicatos, y determina el grado de evolución cristalogenética de los minerales estudiados y su función a nivel molecular específica de cada uno de estos Estado Cristalo-Estructural ECE.

Oct 21, 2015

By D. Piper, J. Noble, M. Richardson, J. Wojcik, L. W. Cope

L. Cope Welcome. I am pleased to see so many people interested enough to stay until this last session of the last afternoon of the convention. Of the people on the panel here, everyone has done everything in placer mining, but we have tried to sectionalize it with each one of us taking a particular portion. Any one of us could probably answer any question. I am very pleased to see some well experienced people in the audience. To start the discussion, Joe, can you give us a brief comparison of pit and drill sampling? J. Wojcik They both have their place. If you expect your deposit is something that is going to have widespread fairly uniform grades, then the pits may be the way to go. If you are going to have something you have to trace for several miles down the river valley, you can't do it with pits and do a proper sampling job. C. McLain Joe, the end result of all of this is to go ahead and mine it if it is a deposit. Do you try to relate your drilling results to something in mining itself against the recovery, because the drilling in different types of ground will give you different kinds of recoveries, and mining in the end is what you are going to do? Do you try to relate this to your mining method?

Jan 1, 1992

By D. L. Wood

This investigation was concerned with the aluminum-oxide particle dispersions, the mechanical properties, and the re-c,uystallization characteristics of some internally oxidized copper-aluminum alloys. Obserued hardness vaviations are in agreement with variations in oxide particle size revealed by electron metallographic studies. The increase in yield strength caused by internal oxidation is quite sensitive to matrix grain size and is accompanied by a loss of ductility, particularly at higher temperatures. Elevated temperature ductility is con-side,vably improved if major grain reorientation is accomplished by ve recrystallization prior to testing. The oxide particles offer a considerable restraint to softening during annealing after cold deformation. THE diffusion of oxygen under appropriate conditions into a suitable alloy causes solute oxide particles to be precipitated at an inward moving interface.1,2 Previous work has shown that the hardness

Jan 1, 1960

By Michael Hitch, Jiajie Li

Dramatical increase in the CO2 concentration in the atmosphere has led to the climate change, which poses a significant threat to human life on Earth. CO2 sequestration via mineral carbonation is the one of the most effective method for mitigating global warming, and is the only way that could store CO2 permanently. In recent years, integrating mineral carbonation via ultramafic mine deposit has received significant attention due to its high potentiality towards commercial application. This review compiles the work conducted by various researchers over the last few years on integrated mineral carbonation processes in mining industry, which use the mine waste materials as CO2 feedstock for mineral carbonation. This paper initially introduces the basic theory of mineral carbonation, with a brief description of various techniques that enhance the rate of mineral carbonation. The enhanced mineral carbonation strategies include pre-treatment of feedstock by thermal, chemical and mechanical activation, and carbonation in a direct or indirect carbonation routes under gas/solid phase or aqueous phase. This paper then introduces the scope of application of integrated mineral carbonation. This includes the types of mine suitable for integrated mineral carbonation, the properties of mine waste materials preferable for CO2 sequestration, and the worldwide locations potentially viable for integrated mineral carbonation. Moreover, this paper critically reviews and discusses the integrated mineral carbonation process in mining industry. The integrated mineral carbonation processes include modified passive carbonation techniques at tailing dams, and ex-situ carbonation routes using fresh tailings. The focus of the discussions is the role of reaction condition on the carbonation efficiency of mine waste with various mineralogy, and the drawback of each integrated mineral carbonation process. All the discussions lead to the suggestions on the technology improvement in the integrated mineral carbonation process. Finally, this paper reviews the economical assessments on the existing integrated mineral carbonation process. Literature to date indicates that the value-add by-products (i.e. recovered metals, valuable carbonated products) play an important role in commercialization of an integrated mineral carbonation process.

Jan 1, 2017

By Miklos D. G. Salamon

The laminated model, in conjunction with the seam element method, is expected to be a powerful predictor of subsidence due to coal mining. The fundamental solutions for the model are presented. Numerical approach to determine the roof-to-floor convergence and evaluation of ground movement are discussed. Numerical results and comparisons with field observations are given to illustrate the validity and the potential of the model.

Jan 1, 1986

By Fred J. Hurst

In 1934, Irvin Lavine (A), University of North Dakota, stated that the low-rank coals (lignite and subbituminous) of this country represent a vast tonnage of fuel of commercial value and predicted that some day they will play an important role in our economic welfare. Lavine also pointed out that one of the major problems with efficient utilization of the low-rank coals is their high moisture content. Following the discovery of uranium-bearing lignite in the Williston basin of North and South Dakota in 1948 by D. G. Wyant and E. P. Beroni, detailed investigations were conducted (primarily during 1950 to 1954) by members of the U. S. Geological Survey to evaluate the geologic factors and economic possibilities of the radioactive lignites as a source of uranium. The information gained in these studies and summarized in several papers indicated that a large potential reserve of uranium is contained in the subbituminous coal and lignite deposits of the Dakotas and Wyoming (2,3,4). Most investigators concluded that an epigenetic emplacement of uranium in the coal by means of circulating groundwater and the more extensive concentrations of uranium in coal are apparently related to the permeability of the rocks enclosing the coal beds. Breger (5) and others have shown that uranium is readily adsorbed by coal and is held irreversibly as a disseminated adsorbed constituent. Briefly, lignite beds containing 0.1 to 10% uranium have been discovered in the Dakotas and Wyoming. The distribution of uranium was found to be erratic and was usually concentrated in thin layers, which were characteristically 10 to 14 in. thick and occasionally 30 to 36 in. thick. Lignite beds more than 3 ft. thick generally contain more uranium at the top of the bed than at the bottom. Special strip mining techniques are required to mine these thin

Jan 1, 1983