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By Gilvandro Bueno

Os controles dos processos de cominuição estão normalmente associados à redução de granulometria e geração de superfície específica, usualmente utiliza-se peneiramento para medição de granulometria e permeabilímetro de Blaine para superfície específica, estes métodos são largamente utilizados para este fim. O método on line por difratômetros a laser também pode ser empregado para estas medições na indústria, como se trata de uma tecnologia recentemente adaptada para ao processo de Pelotização, foi necessário validar o equipamento e determinar equações de correlação de leitura com os equipamentos existentes. O trabalho consistiu em realizar uma série de amostragens cujas amostras foram analisadas no equipamento industrial a laser, em seguida analisadas em laboratório. As equações de correlações obtidas foram inseridas no equipamento industrial de medição on line por laser tornando a leitura familiar aos obtidos pelas análises de laboratório, onde foi possível garantir confiabilidade para tomadas de decisões.

Aug 1, 2018

By George R. Mitchell

It is a common observation that objects having, different; temperatures exchange energy by radiative transfer. The quantity of radiant energy emitted by an object is a definite function of its temperature. Therefore, a measurement of emitted radiation, by means of a calibrated radiometric instrument, provides a temperature measurement without contacting the emitting object. The physical laws describing radiant energy transfer and their application to remote temperature measurement form the substance of this paper. The energy radiated by bodies having temperatures up to 4000°C is largely in the infrared spectral region. The infrared spectral region is that part of the electro-magnetic spectrum having wavelengths longer than visible light and extending to the microwave region. The wave-lengths range from 0.7 micron (1 micron = 10-4 cm) to 1000 microns. In general, infrared radiometry deals, with the methods of measuring energy flux in the 1 to 15 micron region of the infrared spectrum.

Jan 1, 1960

By Stanisław Prusek, CHONG WEI, Huawei Xu, Jun Wang, Andrzej Walentek, Artur Dyczko, Derek B. Apel

The excavation-induced stresses transferred from the panels or pillars in upper coal seams play a key role in the occurrence of rockbursts in driving roadways during close-distance coal seam mining, which has become a common problem and threat to many underground mines. The authors established a 3D finite-difference numerical model via FLAC3D software using the closedistance coal seam mining conditions in the Zofiówka Mine as a case example to reveal the rockburst mechanism in such conditions. The excavation-induced vertical stresses are analyzed, which provides a basis to build a conceptual model to explain the possible source mechanism of the rockburst under such conditions. Nine typical rockburst indicators considering different contributing factors are then selected as the evaluation criteria to assess rockburst potential in the study site. The results suggest that the superposition of multiple excavation-induced stresses of the main drift and tailgate provides an environment for stress concentration and energy accumulation. The side abutment stress induced by mining in the upper coal seam has a “strengthening” effect to the rockburst occurrence. The great deviatoric stress induced by complex excavating situations is another important exterior cause. A strict calibration procedure should be implemented before using indicators to predict rockburst potential. A methodology was proposed to estimate the location and magnitude of rockbursts combined with numerical modeling, laboratory tests, and feedbacks from the field. The study could provide some references and guidelines for preventing and mitigating rockbursts in underground mines under similar engineering conditions.

Aug 26, 2021

By Xiyu Gao, Yi Yang, Mark I. Pownceby, Shuiping Zhong, Miao Chen

In the present study, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy were used to investigate the effect of chloride ions on chalcopyrite bioleaching and chemical leaching at 25 °C. The leaching results show that the addition of chloride ions suppressed the dissolution of chalcopyrite in both chemical and bacterial leaching. In chemical leaching, the solution redox potential in the experiment without Cl− stayed in a range more suitable for chalcopyrite dissolution compared with experiments with Cl− . In bioleaching, the bacteria activity was suppressed by Cl− leading to low dissolution rates of Cu. Surface morphology and chemical speciation studies confirmed the formation of potassium jarosite on the surface of the chalcopyrite leach residues. In addition, S K-edge XANES indicated the formation of trace amount of elemental sulfur and covellite on the mineral surfaces.

By C. Birch, M. Katuruza

"The purpose of this study was to demonstrate unmanned aircraft system (UAS) technology in opencast highwall mapping using the experience at Isibonelo Colliery in Mpumalanga Province of South Africa. In opencast mines, geological mapping has evolved over time and there have been challenges in extracting valuable information from exposed highwalls due to restricted access for safety reasons. A UAS was used at Isibonelo Colliery to conduct highwall mapping, using drone-based digital photogrammetry techniques. A demonstration survey was undertaken during February 2018. The highwall flyover demonstration was planned for two areas (North and South pits) where field control points were placed by the mine survey department. A contractor used a DJI Phantom 4 (Pro) for the highwall mapping. Raw data was processed within 48 hours and a 3D model of the mapped pit area was produced. Further data extraction included obtaining updated weathering and lithological contact elevations and thicknesses for use in short-term planning. The results showed a good correlation between the resource model and the UAS data model. The project was considered a success and highwall flyover mapping and is now standard practice at Isibonelo Colliery.IntroductionDetailed geological mapping is crucial to the understanding of the structure of any mineral deposit. Several mapping methods may be applied depending on the available exposure/outcrop and nature of the orebody; for example, coal deposits typically suboutcrop only, therefore an opencut highwall provides the best exposure for mapping the geology. Mapped information, when incorporated into a resource model (generated from exploration borehole data), improves the understanding of the orebody or coal seam. This research paper focused on the use of unmanned aircraft system (UAS) technology for pit highwall mapping to generate data for updating geological models and avail the latest information to mine planning to improve the short-term plans."

Mar 1, 2019

By T. Mills, M. Evatz

Newmont’s Lone Tree Mine, located in northern Nevada, is an open pit gold operation supported by a standard truck and shovel mine production fleet (Caterpillar 785Bs and Hitachi EXs). Newmont continues to search for ways to decrease capital expenditure and lower operating cost, hence the implementation of the Ultra Light Body (ULW) concept. The fundamental idea associated with the ULWs is the increased payload potential. Economic justification comes from successful achievement of additional payload, within the truck’s rated GVW, without changing its loading and hauling characteristics. The increase in payload capacity allows equivalent tonnage movement using fewer trucks.

Jan 1, 2001

By Dean G. Heitt

"The Rain and SMZ mines from 1987 to 1994 produced a total of22.0 t of gold from a pre-mine reserve of 14.24 Mt of ore grading 2.13 g/t Au.Gold at Rain is hosted within the basal portion of the Mississippian Webb Formation. ·Mineralization is closely tied to the Rain Fault which is interpreted to be the main feeder for the deposit. Multiple collapse and hydrothermal breccia events provided permeability for the mineralizing fluids in the otherwise unreactive siltstones. Major alteration events include: decalcification and dolomitization of the Devils Gate Limestone; and silicification, baritization, argillization and oxidation of the Webb Fm. Six ore types based on XRD and visual rock chip Jogging have been identified: siliceous ore containing >40% quartz and <30% barite; siliceous-baritic ore containing mostly silica but >30% barite; baritic ore containing >40% barite; argillaceous ore containing >40% total clays (including alunite); calcareous ore containing mostly calcite and dolomite; and carbonaceous ore which has significant pyrite and organic carbon. Metallurgical testing of the oxide leach grade ores found that recoveries, on -1.3 cm crushed material, were greater than 70%. Results also found that Rain ore has strong grind dependency due to silica encapsulation.The Rain leach pad was commissioned in 1988, and to date 9.3·Mt at an average grade of0.65 g/t Au have been placed. Life to date recovery, through December 1995, is approximately 51 %, for a total of3.87 t of gold produced. Two major factors have contributed to the low leach recoveries at Rain when compared with the metallurgical testing: 1) More argillaceous ore than expected was placed on the pad especially late in the mine life and 2) approximately 50% of the tons placed were run-of-mine with no agglomeration."

Jan 1, 1997

THE Institute met on Wednesday evening, May 22d, in the parlor of the Stanton House, Dr. T. Sterry Hunt, President, in the chair. The President delivered an introductory address on the Brown Hematite Deposits of the Great Valley, after which the following papers were read and discussed : Note on the Result of an Experiment with the Wheeler Process of Combining Iron and Steel in the Head of a Rail, by W. E. C. Coxe, of Reading, Pa. On the Jenks Corundum Mine, Macon County, N. C., by Dr. R. W. Raymond, of New York City. On Wednesday afternoon, previous to the opening session, the members who had already arrived in Chattanooga, were taken by the Local Committee to the works of the Roane Iron Company, and Chattanooga Iron Company, and then to the top of Lookout Mountain, where, at the request of the members present, Dr. Hunt described the geological and geographical features of the Chattanooga region, with the magnificent panorama spread out before them as a map. On Thursday morning an excursion was made by steamboat down the Tennessee River as far as Shellmound. Here cars were taken to the coal mines of the Dade Coal Company, where the members were courteously received by Mr. E. B. Wells, the Superintendent. After a trip through the mines the party partook of a collation provided by the company. South Pittsburgh, on the Tennessee River, was next visited, where the Southern States Coal, Iron and Land Company have a large blast-furnace plant in the course of erection. After conducting the party through the works, shops, etc., Mr. James Bowron, the manager, entertained the members with graceful hospitality at dinner. The second session was held on Thursday evening for the transaction of business. The President, Dr. T. Sterry Hunt, appointed Messrs. W. E. C. Coxe, R. H. Richards, and F. J. Slade, scrutineers, to examine the ballots for officers for the ensuing year.

Jan 1, 1879

By H. DeWitt Smith, W. H. Sirdevan

The mine operated by the United Verde Copper Co. is situated near Jerome, Ariz., on the eastern flank of the Black Hills, at an elevation of approximately 5500 ft. (1676 m.) above sea level. The mine and the town of Jerome are located on a steep hillside, which slopes rapidly to the valley of the Verde River. The smelter town of Clarkdale is situated in the Verde valley 4.1 mi. (6.5 km.) distant in an air line from Jerome, and at an elevation of 3560 ft. The two towns are connected by the standard-gage railroad of the Verde Tunnel & Smelter R. R., a subsidiary of the United Verde Copper Co. This road is 11 mi. long and has a compensated 4 per cent. grade. At Clarkdale, it connects with the Verde Valley branch of the Santa Fe R. R. The narrow-gage (36-in.) line of the United Verde & Pacific Ry. was, until 1919, Jerome&apos;s only rail connection with a main trunk line. This road connects with a branch line of the Santa Fe system at Jerome Junction, after traversing 26 mi. of mountainous country. From the time of its location, in 1876, until its purchase by Senator W. A. Clark, of Montana, in 1889, the United Verde mine was worked on a small scale and shipments of high-grade gold-silver ore were made from the surface workings. Until 1894, when the narrow-gage railroad to Jerome Junction was completed, all supplies for the mine and smelter

Jan 1, 1922

By T. L. Joseph

The size and accessibility of the Minnesota manganiferous iron ore deposits make them attractive as a potential source of erromanganese, which is essential in the production of steel. For several years the Bureau of Mines has been conducting experiments to determine the feasibility of producing ferromanganese from these ores by a three-step process which involves (1) the smelting of the ores in the blast furnaoe to produce a high-phosphorus spiegel; (2) the treatment of the spiegel produced from step 1 in an electric or open-hearth furnace to separate the manganese from the phosphorus and the iron; and 3) the smelting of the high-manganese slag from step 2 to produce forromanganese. The details of the first two steps of the process and the results of tests with the experimental furnaces Lave been given in previous reports.5 The m$ or part of the experimental work on the second step has been conducted in a half-ton open-hearth furnace. Some preliminary tests showed, however, that the electric furnace has some distinct advantages over the open hearth for producing, from high-phosphorus spiegel, a slag containing from 45 to 55 per cent manganese and phosphorus and iron in amounts required for ferro-grade ore. The electric furnace tests described in this paper were made to get more information as to the possibilities of the electric furnace in connection with this problem and to study the fluxing effect of alumina on high-manganese slags. Herty, Conley, and Royer have reported&apos; results of laboratory tests which showed that slags containing from 60 to 75 per cent MnO, from 8 to 10 per cent S102, and small amounts of CaO MgO, and FeO, were sufficiently fluid at 1,450° to 1,550° C. to pour readily if 12 to 14 per cent alumina was present. With a normal A1203 content resulting from the A1203 in the

Jan 1, 1931

By A E. Annels, M D. Raine, I M. Platten

Lode-gold systems are often characterised by a high to extreme nugget effect (>50 per cent), and the presence of coarse gold particles (>100 ¦m in size). They rank amongst the most difficult of ore deposits types, in terms of producing an accurate and precise resource estimate. Their effective sampling is generally difficult because of the relatively low concentrations involved and erratic nature of the gold particles. Grade continuity is usually less consistent than gross geological continuity, and is typified by the localisation of grades within discrete oreshoots. In most cases drilling, particularly diamond drilling is an effective measure of global geological continuity, whereas grade can only be reliably resolved from underground development. Depending upon drill density and geology, it is unlikely that anything above an Inferred Mineral Resource can be estimated from surface drilling alone. Underground development, in-fill drilling and, potentially, bulk sampling or trial mining will be required to delineate Indicated and Measured Mineral Resources and subsequent Ore Reserves. Grade estimation will have to account for highly skewed and often multi-modal populations, extreme values, a high nugget effect and low geostatistical ranges. A clear geological model that honours both geological and grade continuity must drive the resource estimation process.

Jan 1, 2003

By Langtry E. Lynd

Ilmenite concentrates prepared from beach and dune sands of Florida, India, Australia, and other localities deviate to varying degrees from the theoretical composition of pure ilmenite, and generally contain more Ti02 than the formula FeTiO3 would indicate, and some Fe203. This variation in composition is due to different amounts of altered ilmenite in the concentrates.(l) The alteration has been shown to take place by oxidation and leaching of the iron in ilmenite, to yield residual products consisting of amorphous or very finely crystalline titanium dioxide and ferric oxide, Other studies (2) have stressed that ilmenite may alter first to an amorphous titanium-iron oxide, or to an amorphous mixture of titanium and iron oxides, with later alteration to crystalline titanium dioxide. There has been some speculation as to whether alteration of ilmenite is usually caused by weathering or by hydrothermal processes,(3, 4, 5) Three main methods of approach were used to study the mechanism and rate of ilmenite weathering, (1) Etch tests were used to learn the relationship between crystallographic orientation and the rate of chemical attack on ilmenite. (2) Altered ilmenites in New Jersey sands were compared with ilmenite in rocks of the area from which the sands were probably derived, (3) Experiments were carried out to determine at what rate, and by what agents, originally fresh ilmenite could be altered in the laboratory under simulated weathering conditions.

Jan 1, 1959

By Albert E. Long

Preliminary experiments conducted in 1949 with a few diamond bits in which the diamonds in the bit crowns were set in hard-vector directions indicated that a substantial saving could be effected when a high percentage of the diamonds were oriented in this-manner. It was realized, however, that many additional tests would have to be performed before a positive trend could be established and the possibility of coincidence eliminated. Therefore, a long-range series of experiments was planned to investigate various phases of the problems related to the orienting of diamonds in diamond bits. This report (the third in a series) 2/3 presents the information obtained from tests conducted to investigate more fully the effects of orienting high-grade drill bort in diamond bit crowns. In these tests, the drill bort were oriented in both hard-vector and soft-vector directions in the crowns of AX-size bits. Test drilling was done in a dike of saussuritized dacite porphyry similar to a fine-grained granite in hardness e drillability.

Jan 1, 1954

By G. Akdogan, I. Mwandawande, S. M. Bradshaw, M. Karimi

The mixing characteristics of industrial flotation columns were investigated using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Particular emphasis was placed on the clarification of the relationship between the liquid and solids mixing parameters such as the mean residence time and axial dispersion coefficients. The effects of particle size and bubble size on liquid dispersion in the column were also studied. An Eulerian-Eulerian method was applied to simulate the multiphase flow, while additional scalar transport equations were introduced to predict the liquid residence time distribution (RTD) and particle age distribution inside the column. The results obtained show that particle residence time decreases with increasing particle size. The residence time of the coarser particles (112.5 μm) was found to be at least 60% of the liquid residence time, while the finer particles (19 μm) had a residence time similar to the liquid. The results also show that an increase in the particle size of the solids results in a decrease in the liquid vessel dispersion number, while a decrease in the bubble size increases liquid axial mixing. Finally, the simulated axial velocity profiles confirm the similarity between the liquid and solids axial dispersion coefficients in column flotation.

May 2, 2022

By ERIK C. WESTMAN, JESSICA M. WEMPEN, DALLAN J. COONS, WILLIAM G. PARISEAU, MICHAEL K. MCCARTER

Safe, efficient underground mining is dependent upon proper pillar sizing. Pillar sizing is typically based on a combination of observation of prior behavior, point measurements, theory and numerical modeling. The actual stress redistribution within a pillar, while assumed for many years, has rarely been imaged. Such imaging can help confirm whether or not theoretical and numerical modeling methods agree with actual conditions within a pillar. This research presents a case study from a longwall mine in the western United States. A two-entry, gate-road yield pillar in the headgate of the mine was instrumented with seismometers and convergence monitoring stations, and was monitored over a period of about six months as the longwall face approached the pillar. In this paper, the stress distribution imaged using seismic tomography is compared to the stress distribution expected from theoretical models, geotechnical measurements and numerical models. The tomography results generally agree with those proposed by theory, convergence measurements and numerical modeling results. The agreement of the methods provides validation for the theorized stress redistribution, and this study provides further evidence that tomography can indicate the redistribution of induced stress within a mined rockmass and is another tool available to ensure that mining is conducted safely and efficiently.

Aug 1, 2022

By J Sibbel, K Goh

A key issue facing mine managers in remote locations in Australia and overseas is that of managing a fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) workforce. Current Australian research (Sibbel, in prep) indicates that FIFO employees and their families do not differ from the general population in terms of their overall mental health and the well-being of their family relationships. However, they do face unique issues/pressures associated with the lifestyle, the impacts of which are dependent on the policies and practices of the company as well as individual coping and support mechanisms. Successful management of a FIFO site and its employees therefore requires specialist knowledge and skills beyond those of a solely residential operation. The well-being of the FIFO workforce depends on both site and individual employee characteristics, and has implications for productivity and turnover, as well as safety and health. In addition, although FIFO separates individuals and their families in time and space, the interaction between work and home must be acknowledged and taken into account. Drawing on findings from recent Australian and international FIFO research (eg Annear, Poot and Kingston, 2006; Beach, Brereton and Cliff, 2003; Brereton et al, 2006; Gallegos, 2006; Keown, 2005; Parkes, Carnell and Farmer, 2005; Sibbel, 2001, 2004, in prep; Shrimpton and Storey, 1996; Storey, 2001; Watts, 2004) this paper discusses key understandings of both the positive and negative impacts of FIFO employment on employees and their families, and provides practical management strategies as an aid to the development of best practice. Individual impacts including fatigue and loneliness, as well as family issues such as communication, continually changing roles and responsibilities and the impacts of regular parent absence are key areas which can be ameliorated by appropriate management understanding and action. A flexible framework approach is presented that is suitable for a diversity of operations, including principal and contractor workforces of different sized operations.

Jan 1, 2006

The processes by which particles and bubbles interact capture many of the central concepts of colloid science and hydrodynamics. This area of research embraces hydrodynamics, interfacial(including capillary) forces, particle and bubble behaviour and solution chemistry. In this review, we discuss collision, attachment and stability efficiencies. We deal with the identification of a flotation ?domain?, the deformation of a bubble surface upon interaction with a solid surface, the kinetics of three phase contact line expansion and the determination of attachment efficiencies through to the direct measurement of bubble-particle interaction forces. We have recently carried out a test of collision theory where the latter embraces both inertial and centrifugal forces. The real challenge is now to quantitatively describe the behaviour of real systems and to incorporate a reliable description of the behaviour of particles in flotation froths. The approach described is very robust when applied to flotation, both from qualitative and quantitative points of view, providing an intellectual foundation for understanding this complex process in separation science and technology.

Jan 1, 1999

By J. M. Stuve

Calorimetric determinations of the low-temperature heat capacities, standard enthalpy of formation, and high-temperature enthalpies were made of (Na20)4 ?Fe20,(c). The resulting values of entropy (S°), enthalpy of formation (?Hf°), and free energy of formation (?Gf°) at 298.15° K are 104.676 cal/deg mole, -656.2 ±.kcal/mole, and -603.4 A kcal/mole, respectively. Tabulations of Cp°, S°, - (G°-H°298)/T, H°-H°298, ?Hf°, ?Gf°, and log Kf are given to 1,200° K.

Jan 1, 1971

By Duport. P. J.

INTRODUCTION In February 1981, the Canadian Institute for Radiation Safety (CAIRS) initiated a routine Personal Alpha Dosimetry service for personnel of the Canadian uranium mining industry. This service is based on the use of the [Personal Alpha Dosimeter] developed by the French Atomic Energy Commission (CEA). The origins of personal alpha dosimetry and its rational are briefly described. Technical and organizational aspects of a routine personal alpha dosimetry service are outlined in this paper. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND International recommendations (1) and Canadian regulations have established Maximum Permissible Exposures (MPE) for each source of radiation exposure. Uranium workers in mines and mills are exposed to external radiation ( [y] rays) and to internal radiations ( [B] and [a] particles) which are delivered to the respiratory track by airborne alpha emitters (Rn and Th daughters and Long Lived Dust). To date, dosimetry for uranium workers has been performed by area monitoring/collective dosimetry. In North America the concentration of radon daughters is routinely measured by grab samples taken at the work place and by on-site gross alpha counting. The concentration of potential alpha energy is then calculated (usually by Kusnetz method) and expressed in Working Levels (WL). The time spent by each worker at a given work place is determined from his time sheets and used to calculate the individual monthly exposures to airborne alpha emitters, which is then expressed in Working Level Months (WLM). The uncertainties attached to such a procedure are obvious even in the case of frequent grab samplings and can be expected to lead to an underestimation of individual doses. Among fifteen possible sources identified in a mine situation, (2) four may stretch the standard deviation of the measurements&apos; distribution, nine may lead to an underestimation and two may lead to either an underestimation or to an overestimation. To improve this situation, in 1971 the Atomic Energy Commission began studying the use of personal alpha dosimeters to determine individual exposures from the airborne alpha emitters encountered in the uranium industry environments. Criteria for a Personal Alpha Dosimeter In order to minimize the difficulties encountered in determining exposures received by uranium workers, the CEA in co-operation with the Atomic Energy Control Board of Canada (AECB), has developed a set of criteria for personal alpha dosimeters. Exposures may be determined easily and accurately using this criteria. Autonomy The dosimeter must operate for at least 10 to 12 hours. Excess time spent in the mine or in the facility may possibly be related to an accidental situation causing unusual levels of radioactivity. Since the dosimeter may be needed in non-underground settings where a cap lamp is not used, full autonomy is desirable. Maintenance, Periodicity of Reading In order to complement other dosimetry systems, the personal alpha dosimeter should be read monthly when the filter should also be changed. Routine air flow checks can be made according to local conditions (e.g. diesel loading). Radioisotopes Identification Since the exposure unit (WLM) is based on the concentration of potential alpha energy in the air, the personal alpha dosimeter should be capable of identifying each short lived alpha emitter included in the calculation of the WI, and WLM. Permanent Exposure Record Three points may be considered here: 1. In many countries, lung cancer in uranium workers is a compensable occupational disease. In some instances, compensation is awarded when it can be proven that the worker has received an exposure above a certain limit. The present uncertainty of the individual exposure makes the compensation procedure difficult. 2. By design, a personal alpha dosimeter must representatively sample all airborne particles, ranging in size from the unattached fraction to the upper limit of respirable aerosols (0.001 to 5 µm). The dosimeter must offer minimal resistance to the penetration of these aerosols. While the mining/ milling environment presents harsh conditions which may accidentally contaminate the dosimeter, it is important to be able to distinguish these cases of contamination and still obtain accurate readings. 3. A dependable dose register is most valuable for further epidimiological studies. The dependability of such a data base increases with the possibility of a second assessment of the dosimeters&apos; reading (filter, film).

Jan 1, 1981

By Cadwallader Evans

THE American Institute of Mining Engineers was organized in the anthracite region of Pennsylvania by men who were primarily interested in anthracite. Its first meeting, at Wilkes-Barre, Pa., in the Northern Anthracite field, on May 16, 1871, resulted from a call sent out by three outstanding men of the anthracite .industry: Eckley B. Coxe, R. P. Rothwell, and Martin Coryell. The best known of these was Eckley B. Coxe, who was the manager of large hold¬ings operated by him and his family,. and who is remembered as the inventor of a special grate for burning very fine anthracite, known as the Coxe traveling grate, which is still very widely used. R. P. Rothwell was a well-known consulting engineer of the region, as was Martin Coryell, who was associated with another well-known anthracite family, the Pardees. There is no record of the discussions that resulted in this initial meeting, but it is safe to assume that the formation of the Institute was largely influenced, through appreciation by the founders, of the necessity for a free exchange of information covering the whole of the mining industry. One of the rules adopted at the first meeting was:

Jan 1, 1947