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By Christopher Andreae

Years before iron and steel works were established at Sydney, several thriving although short-lived iron works operated in Nova Scotia. These furnaces reflected the general nineteenth-century North American experience with iron works. At the beginning of the century, small furnaces struggled to supply local needs. Charcoal was the principal fuel and water powered most furnace equipment. By the end of the century, a few huge primary iron and steel works dominated production for Nova Scotia and the rest of Canada. Two sites achieved prominence in the nineteenthcentury Nova Scotia iron industry: Londonderry and Ferrona (Fig. 1). Londonderry, the larger and longerlasting of the two sites, is today a small village on the south flank of the Cobequid Mountains, about 30 km west of Truro. Prior to the establishment of an iron works in 1849, no community existed. At the peak of operation in the 1880s, however, over 2600 people were located there. The second site, Ferrona, today is a mere crossroads on the map, about 10 km south of New Glasgow. Following the construction of a blast furnace there in 1892, a small village grew up around the furnace. But once the furnace was blown out in 1904, the population gradually drifted away.

Jan 1, 1999

By Bujtor G. J, McMahon D. W

This guide to the understanding of ore reserve estimation is the revised version of a report with a similar title circulated within the CRA Limited (CRA) group of companies in mid-1980. It is the principal result to date of an Ore Reserve Study commissioned by CRA in late 1977.This guide to the understanding of ore reserve estimationis the revised version of a report with a similar titlecirculated within the CRA Limited (CRA) group ofcompanies in mid-1980. It is the principal result to dateof an Ore Reserve Study commissioned by CRA in late1977.The study was prompted by two ore reserve situations.The Zinc Corporation and New Broken Hill Consolidated,Broken Hill, had reached the point of havingto find a replacement 'for their traditional ore reserveprocedure and Mary Kathleen had to admit publicly thatore reserve predictions would not be realized. Thesewere not however the only problems to be looked at. Asmentioned more fully later, other ore reserve situationswere known, or were met during the study, in copper,gold and nickel as well, where poor realization: expectationratios had ranged from embarrassing to disastrous.These made it clear that ore reserve estimation had to belooked at afresh.The fresh look has resulted in a broadening of theconcept of ore reserve estimation from its traditionalpurely computational basis to an approach embracingall the many things that can affect expectation andrealization as essential factors. Hence this guiderepresents a gathering together of what has been learnedand what should be known to all those concerned withore reserves in any of its diverse aspects.The study has been marked"by a number of changesof thinking. At first the aspects that appeared to requireattention were two; recognition that an ore reserve statementwas an estimate, not a precise calculation; and asearch for im improved estimation procedure adapted tolow grade ores with narrow economic margins. Threeyears later the view was that the need was to incorporateinto ore reserve estimation all relevant aspects of theproposed mining operation from choice of a samplingmethod to sales contract specifications.This study is thought to be unique in being frankabout weaknesses in ore reserve estimation and intreating failures not as natural disasters (like drought orflood, which have to be endured) but as potentiallyavoidable. It has led to three principal conclusions.

Jan 1, 1982

By Strathmore R. B. Cooke, Thomas E. Ban

MUCH experimental work has been performed on the mechanism of agglomeration and pelletizing of moist ore and concentrates and on the process of firing agglomerates, but except for the work of Tigerschiöld and Ilmoni1 much of the published information is empirical, and the literature contains no information concerning the structure of fired pellets. Results of a preliminary study of the microstructures occurring in pellets produced both in the laboratory and on a pilot-plant scale are presented in this paper. Most of the results were obtained from pellets prepared from Mesabi magnetic taconite, but through the courtesy of the staffs of the Minnesota Mines Experiment Station and the Bethlehem Steel Co., fired pellets produced from limonite and hematite ores and from Lebanon magnetite have also been examined. The work has been restricted almost entirely to pellets produced without additives, the exceptions being those in which coal was. added to the filter cake before rolling. Schwartz has described the microstructures occurring in ore sinters produced under reducing conditions.2 Many of the structures and constituents he describes are common to fired pellets, but the constituents normally occur in markedly different proportions. His statement that "in all satisfactory sinter the amount of hematite is small, perhaps not over 2 or 3 per cent" is inapplicable to pellets produced by pilot plant operation or by any process in which air is not deliberately excluded. Pilot plant pellets contain over 90 pct by weight of hematite, and those produced in the smaller furnaces of the Minnesota Mines Experiment Station contain more than 80 pct of that constituent. Preparation of Specimens It is difficult to examine unfired pellets microscopically because of their insufficient coherency to withstand sectioning and polishing. Fired pellets sometimes lack coherency and frequently contain holes which are troublesome during polishing. Impregnation of both air-dried and fired pellets is readily accomplished by the use of methyl methacrylate monomer.3 The dry pellets are covered in a test tube with excess monomer, to which a small amount of accelerator has been added. When the test tube is placed in a cooling bath and evacuated with an aspirator, most of the entrapped air is removed, and disruption of weak pellets by boiling of the monomer is reduced to a minimum. Polymerization is then effected by immersion of the test tube in a water-bath at about 45°C, this temperature being held for 4 or 5 days. The test tube may then be broken away from the solidified mass and the pellets sectioned by a carborundum wheel or a diamond saw. Where time is important, impregnation is carried out at a higher temperature by Meyer's method.4 Air-dried pellets must be impregnated with especial care; otherwise swelling occurs and the solids are displaced. It is more important to be certain that the monomer forms a reasonably complete network throughout the specimen than that all entrained air is removed, and for this reason the vacuum technique may be omitted. Impregnated agglomerated products and pellets are extremely coherent, section well, and may be polished either by hand or by machine. Hand polishing is not satisfactory for the examination of conditions existing at the boundaries of grains, and for this machine polishing must be used. The Graton-Vanderwilt machine gives excellent results, provided that pressure on the specimen is considerably in excess of that recommended by the manufacturer. Mineralogy of Fired Pellets Only two opaque iron minerals, magnetite and hematite, have been recognized in pellets. The complete identity of these artificial minerals with their corresponding natural counterparts is shown by their mineralographic characteristics and their X-ray structures. Wüstite has not been found. Slag is the most common transparent constituent of fired pellets. Occasionally conditions have been appropriate for the crystallization of fayalite from the slag, and at other times another crystalline sil-

Jan 1, 1952

By Sheng Zhang

The compressive strength of coal in Yanlong mine area of China is less than 3 MPa. Basically, it is powdery. The roof and floor rocks are mudstone. Therefore this coal seam is a typical ?three soft? coal seam. Roof bolting cannot be used due to the very soft strata. When the conventional U-steel support was used, roadways deformation exceeded 30% of its original dimensions in some sections one half month after development. The required repair work was huge, seriously affecting the daily mine production. This paper describes how to support the soft coal roadways. The deformation characteristics of soft coal roadway were investigated. The conventional U-steel support is not subjected to uniform load, so the whole supporting structure must be strengthened. In addition, drilling holes in the coal seam can transfer high stress from near the ribs to the deeper parts of the surrounding strata, which is beneficial to the stability of the roadway. This new support method is to combine the strengthened U-steel support with pressure-relieving drill holes, providing an economic and efficient way to support the very soft coal roadways.

Jan 1, 2013

By P. N. Bradbury

The coal companies of today have to make all of their in-the-field managers MAINTENANCE PRODUCTION MANAGERS. By using a computer application to monitor all aspects of the daily production as well as the maintenance, a company can immediately effect a cost reduction by studying the down-time and delay trends on an everyday basis. This paper will outline how a company can use a program to not only put a stop to the increasing supply and maintenance costs but start trimming each of these cost centers while actually increasing the efficiency and productivity of the current work force.

Jan 1, 1991

By M. B. Kime

"Discrete-element method (DEM) modelling is a powerful tool for studying particulate systems within the mineral processing industry. DEM simulations were conducted to investigate the power draw, load behaviour, and impact energy profile of an experimental ball mill under different milling conditions. The variables considered were mill rotational speed (percent critical speed), ball size, and lifter face angle. The simulation results indicated that the grinding efficiency would be enhanced by using 80% critical speed, 30 mm ball diameter, and 45° lifter face angle. These findings can be useful in guiding actual ball milling tests involving an ore sample.RÉSUMÉ La modélisation par méthode des éléments distincts (MED) est un outil puissant qui permet d’étudier les systèmes particulaires au sein de l’industrie de traitement des minerais. Des simulations par MED ont été menées de façon à étudier le profil de la consommation énergétique, du comportement de la charge et de l’énergie de rupture d’un broyeur à boulets expérimental dans diverses conditions de broyage. Parmi les variables prises en compte figuraient la vitesse de rotation du broyeur (vitesse critique en pourcentage), la taille des boulets et l’angle de coupe de la cornière élévatrice. D’après les résultats de la simulation, on pourrait améliorer l’efficacité de broyage en utilisant une vitesse critique de 80 %, un diamètre de boulet de 30 mm et un angle de coupe de 45 ° de la cornière élévatrice. Ces résultats peuvent se révéler utiles pour les essais concrets de broyage à boulets impliquant un échantillon de minerai.INTRODUCTIONComminution is a very energy intensive process. It consumes approximately 5% of the electricity produced worldwide and more than 50% of the total energy used in mineral processing plants (Pokrajcic, 2010). Among all the comminution stages, ball milling is one of the most energy intensive processes. In ball mills, rotational movement provides the rise of the load and the media that are projected and impact on the mill shell at lower angular displacement, resulting in particle breakage. Ball mills are able to reduce particle size over a relatively wide range of particle sizes. This explains their wide applicability in research laboratories and the mineral processing industry."

Jan 1, 2017

By Rogério Felício dos Santos

Nitriding of metallic materials using electric discharges generated during electric discharge machining (EDM) is a recently developed technique. The aim of this paper was to correlate mechanical properties of a nitrided layer produced in AISI 4140 steel by EDM nitriding with the type and amount of nitrides. A conventional die-sinking EDM equipment and electrolytic copper electrodes were used to generate the electric discharges. The electrolyte was a solution of urea in deionized water. Knoop microhardness profiles assessed the variation of hardness along the nitrided layer, whereas the elastic modulus of this layer was measured using nanoindentation tests. Optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to characterize the nitrided surface. The results showed the formation of a nitrided layer containing iron nitrides with average thickness of around 25 µm. The amount of nitrides reduced from the surface towards the centre and these results correlated well with microhardness profiles obtained.

Jul 31, 2018

By Alan C. Richter

Introduction The East-West Gateway Coordinating Council is an organization of local governments formed in 1965 to identify regional problems and to formulate policies, plans and programs to resolve them. The major goal of the Gateway Council is to improve the quality of life for the citizens of the St. Louis Region. While East-West Gateway Coordinating Council is the organization I represent and it only deals with the St. Louis Metropolitan Area, you will find one or more similar organizations in each of our nation's urbanized areas. As a result, for illustrative purposes, I will use my organization to portray what is happening nationwide. For example, in order to eliminate duplication, the Council reviews local applications for approximately 100 federally funded programs in such areas as highways, mass transit, parks, water treatment, and sewers before they can be sent to the appropriate funding agency. The Council's varied functions place it in a unique position of receiving more and more responsibility for developing strategies of implementation of various environmental regulations. This is due to the fact that environmental control is a relatively new field and we, as a country, are relatively inexperienced. The resulting regulations and guidelines will depend, to a great extent, on what the general public is willing to accept in terms of controls and what price they are willing to pay in terms of taxes and increased costs. Land Use: Growth vs No Growth This is perhaps the most encompassing environmental issue. We, as a nation, are beginning to realize that land is a limited natural resource and that the way we choose to use 'this resource affects many other aspects of our lives--whether we can catch edible fish in the Mississippi, how much we pay for sewer services, if we can swim in a

Jan 1, 1977

By N Cann

In the 10 years from 1998 to 2008 the annual number of fatalities in the Australian mining industry has plateaued (MCA, 2007-08 and abc.net.au website). Despite significant efforts to eliminate fatalities, this is not a comfortable statistic in this very public performance indicator.GHD has been working with the mining and minerals processing industry to identify the key risks that lead to fatalities utilising a semi quantitative risk assessment technique (SQRA®), initially developed to assist Major Hazards Facilities prepare Safety Cases (OH&S, 2007-08) in response to the Longford Incident in 1998 (Dawson and Brooks, 1999).Workshop cross functional teams are assembled from the sites and led by the GHD facilitators to identify the incident types that can have fatal consequences, the causes of those incidents and the controls that are utilised (or could be utilised) to reduce the risk. The risks for each incident type are quantified to produce a risk profile for the facility and the critical controls – the controls that have the greatest impact at reducing the risk of fatality – are selected. These controls are assessed for their adequacy and improvement actions are identified. Prioritisation of the actions is achieved by re-estimating the incident risk profiles.A review has been undertaken using a small sample from the more than 100 individual studies that GHD has completed at mining and minerals processing sites. The five most significant risks reported by sites are:1. Fall from Heights,2. Vehicle/ Vehicle and Vehicle/Pedestrian interactions,3. Entanglement,4. Molten Metals and Materials, and5. Electricity.The most significant reductions in risk identified were found to be by implementing engineering controls. Examples include:1. Chutes to contain splashes and spills of molten materials,2. Redesigning instrument and equipment layouts to take personnel away form high risk areas,3. Designing remotely operated equipment to remove personnel away from high risk areas,4. Proper fire fighting equipment provisions such as deluges around flammable materials, and5. Adequate risk assessment to ensure equipment is designed to handle the real situations and not a design case to meet an arbitrary specification.All of these cases and many of the actions identified in the studies could have been handled through better design and construction early in the life of a project rather than retrospectively fitted after operations have begun.

Aug 8, 2011

By Albert F. J. Bordeaux

The immediate vicinity of the sea-shore, affording special facility for the exportation of ores, makes it possible to work certain mines in the Vladivostok district, which, in more remote places of Siberia., would remain unproductive. Outside of the city of Vladivostok the population is small and the country is very little prospected. Additional discoveries of valuable deposits like the large body of calamine which has recently been opened in the neighborhood of earlier worked lead-silver ores, in the Tetiuhe valley, are still in the field of possibilities. For many years gold alone was produced, in part from the coastal rivers and in part from a quartz-vein on Askold island near Vladivostok. But the production is diminishing, and prospectors are looking for other rivers in the interior, such as the tributaries of the Ussuri. These rivers are now more accessible than formerly, due to the slow but gradual development of colonization by the Russian peasants. The few natives of the country, called Orodjones, are of the Chinese race. They resemble the North American Indian and are hardy fur-hunters. They have given some attention to placers and have already shown good specimens of gold-dust from the rivers Iman, Bikin, Noto, etc. Coal-mining was begun in the Vladivostok region more than 20 years ago, but in a somewhat irregular way. The industry is not as yet important and the best coal-seams are badly prospected, or are even neglected. Copper, lead, and iron exist in several places. The amounts give some encouragement to the anticipation that the discoveries will give rise to important metallurgical works. I here present a review of the various deposits, based upon such safe information as is in hand, when I have not drawn upon my personal observations. Fig. 1 is a map of Eastern Siberia, showing the mineral deposits.

Jan 1, 1913

By Benkendorff P. N

Cement production in Australia approximates 6.5 million tonnes per year. Cement clinker is sourced from 15 plants which operate 28 kilns. Cement grinding is conducted at 14 of the clinker plants plus 7 grinding plants. Average annual capacity per kiln or plant is lower than in many overseas countries, but kilns introduced since 1970's have been of larger size more in keeping with size trends overseas, although still smaller than the large units overseas. Substantial economies in capital and labour costs can be achieved in large production units, particularly with dry process kilns using precalcination techniques in which part of the fuel is introduced in the static preheater section ahead of the kiln while the balance is added to the kiln in a conventional manner. Precalcination techniques have been introduced to the Australian cement industry but as cement transport costs form a major part of supplying diverse market areas, the size of kilns is likely to remain less than maximum owing to balance with distribution costs. The cement industry uses significant amounts of thermal and electrical energy which can be minimised by proper selection of equipment and technology. Labour costs are also significant and can be contained by automation and computer control of the process.

Jan 1, 1989

By John A. Church

In May, 1878, I had the honor of presenting to the Institute, at the Chattanooga meeting, some observations upon the heat of the Comstock Lode, and since then the subject has attracted some attention and criticism, in the course of which, L have observed errors of apprehension which I beg leave to correct now. Mr. John Arthur Phillips discussed it before the Geological Society, his paper being printed in the Quarterly Journal for August, 1879." His criticism is based upon that part of my paper in which I quote a number of analyses of the mine waters, to illustrate the fact that the heat does not come from the oxidation of pyrite. I pointed out that these waters contain only an insignificant proportion of sulphuric acid, and not enough to account for even one per cent. Of

Jan 1, 1880

By J. D. Sunderkötter, M. F. Stroosnijder, V. A. C. Haanappel

"TiAI-based intermetallic compounds have attracted considerable interest as structural materials for high-temperature applications due to their low density and substantial mechanical strength at high temperatures. However, one major drawback hindering industrial application arises from the insufficient oxidation resistance at temperatures beyond 700 °C. In the present contribution some general aspects of high temperature oxidation of TiAI-based intermetallics will be presented. This will be followed by a discussion of the influence of alloying elements, in particular niobium, and of the effect of nitrogen in the oxidizing environment on the high temperature oxidation behaviour of such materials.Extended AbstractIntroductionTiAI-based intermetallics are being considered as construction materials for high temperature components, e.g. in aircraft and car engines, due to their low density and substantial mechanical strength at high temperatures, see e.g. [1,2]. The best ductility can be attained with alloys consisting of y-TiAI with around 5-15 vol.% Q2-Ti3AI. However, one major hindrance to industrial application arises from the insufficient oxidation resistance at temperatures beyond 700 aG. In spite of their high aluminium content, TiAI-based intermetallics do not generally form long-lasting protective alumina scales. After longer exposure times the scales, which are initially rich in alumina, deteriorate and scales consisting of mixed alumina and titania predominate, with high growth rates similar to pure titania.It is not the intention of the present paper to present a general overview of the high temperature oxidation behaviour of TiAI based intermetallics, for which the reader is referred to the literature [3,4]. In the present contribution some general aspects of high temperature oxidation of TiAI-based intermetallics will be presented. This will be followed by a discussion of the influence of alloying elements, in particular niobium. The effect of nitrogen in the oxidizing environment on the high temperature oxidation behaviour of these intermetallics will also be considered."

Jan 1, 1996

By K. G. Davis, P. Fryzuk

VALUES for the equilibrium distribution coefficient, ko, are required for solidification studies. The procedure generally adopted1-3 is to progressively solidify alloy rods over a range of growth rates, under conditions where a high degree of convective mixing is present in the melt. The measured effective distribution coefficients are plotted as a function of growth rate, and the extrapolated value at zero growth rate is taken to be the equilibrium ko. The method is limited by the experimental difficulty in obtaining steady growth rates less than approximately 10-4 cm per sec. Extrapolation from rates greater than this can lead to inaccuracy. In the present investigation, an alternative method for determining ko, previously used by the authors for the Ag-Sn system,' was applied to alloy of thallium in tin. Specimens were grown under conditions where convective mixing was absent, and experimental concentration-distance curves in the region of the initial transient were compared with curves calculated for trial values of ko. The ko which gave the best fit was taken as the correct value. To obtain the calculated curves, a value for the diffusion constant in the liquid near to the melting point was needed. This was determined by the capillary-reservoir method. Diffusion Constants. Details of the experimental procedure used by the authors in the capillary-reservoir technique have been described in previous papers,5'6 the only variation being in the use of Tl204, a ß emitter, as tracer, in contrast to previous work where ? emitters were used. The activity of a ß-emitting sample, as measured in a Geiger counter, is proportional to the surface area. To measure the concentration of thallium along the capillary after diffusion had taken place, the solidified capillary (1 mm diam) was cut into 2.5-mm lengths and each length compressed between parallel steel plates to form a disc approximately 5 mm in diam. The discs were placed in a flat-bottomed dish, covered by a thin lead shield with a central aperture, and counted in a 0 counter with fixed geometry. Each disc was etched lightly in a dilute solution of nitric and hydrochloric acids a short time before counting, to eliminate sur-

Jan 1, 1968

By A. J. S. Spearing, B. Forbes, T. Kostecki, A. Hyett

Improving upon the past understanding of the interaction between installed rock bolts, the immediate roof and sidewalls is vital for the implementation of sound support system design, as this has a direct impact on rock-related safety. This is the primary goal in rock-bolt-related research. The earliest research in this field concentrated on limited laboratory and in situ measurements accompanied by theoretical analyses, based on the Kirsch equations. This represented the initial insight into understanding relative ground movements and their impact on primary support. However, these studies were far from complete. More recently, major technological advances in computing power within the mining industry has changed the scope from theoretical analysis to computer simulation. Even with these advancements our understanding of rock bolts in situ and in the laboratory has not progressed, particularly concerning bending and shear. To measure the behavior of rock bolts, the widely accepted practice is to populate the bolts with an array of strain gauges. Historically, resistive foil strain gauges or long displacement sensors have been used. Additionally, all instrumented rock bolts have used only two diametrically opposed slots. Rock bolts instrumented with these methods have significant shortcomings, one of which is the inability to capture shear and bending. The shearing and bending of rock bolts are particularly common in tabular soft rock mining, such as coal mining. This paper discusses the use of three slotted rock bolts, cut diametrically 120º apart, and two new optical fiber technologies populated along the entire rock-bolt length.

Jan 1, 2015

By Samuel Daniels

The Al-Cu-Ni-Mg alloy is much benefited by heat treatment and, in such condition, is preferable to the Al-Cu-Fe-Mg alloy either as cast or as heat-treated, when both are reheated to temperatures of from 400" to 600" F. and compared, cold, with respect to strength and to hardness. The main differences between the alloys do not arise until the reheating temperature exceeds 400" F., above which they gradually soften. This softening is characterized metallographically by the appearance of intragranular precipitate. The Al-Cu-Ni-Mg alloy is weakest and least hard after being reheated at 600" F., the Al-Cu-Fe-Mg alloy at about 700" F. The former starts to reharden at 700" F., the latter at 800' F. There is a tendency for both alloys to lose strength and hardness with prolongation of time at the reheating temperatures of 500" and of 700" F. The Al-Cu-Ni-Mg alloy is considerably stronger and harder than the Al-Cu-Fe-Mg alloy when both are heat-treated and reheated for long periods of time at 500" and 700" F. Although the latter can be made harder initially than the Al-Cu-Ni-Mg alloy by suitable quenching and aging, heat treatment, in general, favors the retention of this initial (strength and) hardness after reheating to a much greater degree in the Al-Cu-Ni-Mg alloy. The percentage of elongation of the two materials in any condition is very small. Certain aluminum alloys have been used for pistons and other parts operating at temperatures up to 650" F. because of their lightness, high thermal conductivity and specific heat, fair strength and hardness at elevated temperatures, excellent machineability, and moderate resistance to corrosion. In the piston, the inertia forces and the bearing loading, and with this the vibration, are decreased. The piston head functions at a lower temperature (about 200" F. below one of cast iron), so that, because of the lessened tendency toward carbonization and detonation, higher compression ratios may be used. On the other hand, the aluminum alloys do not have the wearing and bearing qualities of cast iron; also they have a large coefficient of expansion, allowance for which must be made in the design. The range in analyses of aluminum alloys, used for pistons in domestic and in foreign internal-combustion engines is shown in Table 1. There seem to be three general types of composition; one containing about 10

Jan 1, 1926

By L. Price, R. Hortie

Movement of ore and waste from the Hilton Mines pit is accomplished by truck haulage. With the aim of reducing costs, a study of truck fleet replacement was initiated. The study included on-site short-term tests and longer-term rental purchase agreements for haulage trucks. The operation and maintenance characteristics of different trucks, along with projected haulage conditions, were used to prepare cash flows, from which the most advantageous trucks were selected. The results of the study and implementation of the recommendations gave a cost saving greater than had been estimated. The study also indicated areas where improvements could be made, and resulted in much more attention being paid to road conditions, the training of operators and mechanics, and the development of a practical preventative maintenance scheme.

Jan 1, 1971

By John Wise

Significant movement to an existing slurry wall which serves as a retaining wall on 'O' Street in Southeast Washington, D.C. initiated the Department of Public Works for the District of Columbia to invite specialty contractors to propose a rehabilitation and stabilization for the failed slurry wall. Nicholson Construction Company proposed and was awarded a contract for the construction of an anchored precast lagging and soldier pile wall to be located approximately 4 feet in front of the existing structure with granular fill placed between the new and existing walls. Stabilization of the existing slurry wall also included drilling horizontal weep holes and demolishing the failed panels down to the existing ground surface. A new and improved drainage system was also constructed to increase the amount of water directed toward the existing storm sewer system running along 'O' Street. This paper provides a detailed account of these construction activities.

Jan 1, 2003

By F. Henríquez, V. Iriarte, L. Vinnett, J. Yianatos, F. Díaz

Metallurgical characterizations of the collective (Cu/Mo) and selective flotation plants were carried out in Minera Los Pelambres, Chile. The selective plant allows the valuable minerals of Cu and Mo to be separated. The evaluation involved two surveys consisting of metallurgical sampling as well as residence time distribution (RTD) measurements to determine load distribution. The RTD data were obtained in real-time by means of the radioactive tracer technique. In addition, metallurgical data was reconciled and supported by effective residence times. In the collective plant, a performance comparison of parallel rougher circuits was carried out, which included a bank of six mechanical cells of 250 m3 and banks of nine mechanical cells of 130 m3. In the selective plant, the Cu and Mo evolution along the plant was evaluated. The results in the selective plant allowed for performance evaluation of mechanical and pneumatic cells in primary flotation. In both plants, mineral losses were evaluated and their relationship with circuit configuration (cell types and circuit layout) was determined. The metallurgical characterization was a powerful tool to evaluate circuit performance and to detect improvement opportunities at industrial scale.

Jan 1, 2015

By Donald C. Rotherham

The Endako, British Columbia, deposit was initially discovered in 1927 by two local men, Charles H. Foote and Alf Lagdon, who were at that time on a hunting expedition. Four mineral claims were located to cover an area of quartz-molybdenite float that was centered on two small ridges. They subsequently uncovered a 0.5-m (1.6-ft) wide vein on which an inclined shaft was sunk to a depth of 8.3 m (27.2 ft) in 1934. Additionally, a short adit was driven to intersect another vein. Numerous trenches and small pits were also dug. Small test shipments of vein material from this early work were sent to G.S. Eldridge and Co. in Vancouver for metallurgical testing. A concentrate assaying 89.2% MoS, was produced with a recovery reported as 93.3%. The concentrate was essentially free of copper, arsenic, and phosphate. The property was examined by many geologists and engineers during 1934 to 1952, but the only work done was undertaken by the owners in order to maintain their claims in good standing. In 1952, Kennco Explorations (Canada) Ltd. carried out a limited program of bulldozer trenching, sampling, and geological mapping before relin- quishing their option. In 1956, American Standard Mines Ltd. acquired an option on the property, but no assessment work was apparently recorded and the property was allowed to lapse. The key claims were restaked in 1959 by C. Riley and H.T. James of Vancouver. The property was optioned from the new owners by Andrew Robertson in July 1961, and a small amount of trenching was conducted. Robertson, on behalf of his own company, R & P Metals Corp., reoptioned the property in January 1962. The initial results of this work were favorable and justified further exploration. The additional finances required to continue the program resulted in the formation of Endako Mines Ltd. (N.P.L.) on June 21, 1962. Field work by R & P Metals and the first Endako Mines exploration was directed by Bob Couts.

Jan 1, 1991