Search Documents

By S. E. Stallibrass, A. M. McNamara, J. P. Panchal, Leonardo M. LaLicata

Urban development in congested cities requires a better exploitation of the available surface, leading to taller structures. These buildings are usually founded on piles that have to be increased in dimension to accommodate the larger loads. Consequently, both the cost and the carbon footprint of the pile foundations rises. An alternative option is to improve pile performance by enhancing shaft capacity, which is commonly the most important factor in determining the ultimate capacity of a pile constructed in a clay soil subjected to axial load. For piles in stiff clays, such as London Clay, the soil/pile friction may be increased by profiling the side walls of a bored cast in situ pile with small discrete “impressions” such that the latter form nodules on the shaft of the concreted pile. The results from centrifuge and full scale field tests showed that the impression pile represents a viable technology to enhance the shaft capacity as they provide an increase in capacity of 40%. Alternatively, reduced length impression pile can be used. This paper explores the implications of the impression pile technology on the potential carbon saving.

May 1, 2022

By H. Ahrens

El presente estudio refiere la importancia de los explosivos y detonaciones en el campo de la minería a través de una breve revisión historiográfica, legislación, problemas relacionados con la voladura y métodos empleados. Cabe sa señalar que la evaluación de estos explosivos, así como las pruebas características de estos conllevan una aplicación práctica, de forma que se pueda conocer la composición del explosivo y determinar una posible falla en los disparos.

Nov 20, 1972

By Jean-Michel Rendu

Electronic data processing' is becoming a necessary part of all large mining operations. Accountants, geologists, mining engineers, samplers, and truck drivers are needed to operate a mine. So appear to be systems analysts, computer operators, and software engineers. Trucks, loaders, and drills must be used to extract useful material from the ground. So must be mainframe and microcomputers, plotters, digitizers, and computer terminals. The papers presented in this section describe experience gained in Europe, Australia, and North and South America. The mining and data processing environments and the size of the companies vary significantly, but the conclusions drawn are often strikingly similar. Common answers to often-asked questions can be summarized as follows: - Why invest in data processing? The main reason is that information systems can supply accurate and timely information for better decision-making. Other reasons are mentioned including, to speed-up the processing of large volumes of information, to perform operations which cannot be performed manually, or to reduce costs. But all of these reasons appear ancillary to that of supplying accurate and timely information.

Jan 1, 1989

By Robert A. Siokler

Approximately 75 percentage of the earth's land surface is comprised of shale or shale-like materials. Shale itself is composed of the residue from an almost infinite variety of weathered parent materials which have undergone deformations ranging from intense to negligible. Under standard test procedures, shales exhibit a very wide range of physical properties particularly if the test specimen is subjected to a change in moisture content, when the original test values may vary from 0 to 100 percentage. It is this wide variation in physical property values compounded by its ubiquitous presence that makes shale such a problem material to engineers. In reviewing the literature relating to shale, it is evident that the "problem" has been approached from many directions. In order to understand why shales behave as they do, investigators have sought mineralogical, geological, chemical, electrical, and physical answers. Each study yields valuable academic information, but few contribute much of value to the engineer in the field. Many valid relationships between shale strength or competency and clay type, clay content, organic content, water content, grain size, cementation, density, porosity, etc, have been established. Yet it is very difficult to extend these understandings to the in situ condition with results that can be used by the field engineer. One major reason earlier work has not produced better information lies in the ambiguity of the definition of shale. It is apparent that no one laboratory parameter can be successfully used to provide sufficient engineering information to properly describe in situ conditions. For example; shale with swelling clays will produce low strength values provided: the swelling clay is in sufficient quantity, the clay is dispersed throughout the medium involved, and there is a low value of cementation. Shales with high unconfined compressive strengths have been found with very low shear strengths. Sandy shales often provide as many ground control problems as clay shales. Shales of similar nature may provide good roof conditions in one part of a mine yet in another part of the same mine the apparently identical shale may cause substantial problems. A clear need exists to classify shale in a manner which will enable the engineer to better predict the strength and durability of shale-like materials. Studies at the University of Missouri-Rolla (UMR) have focused on finding parameters which influence durability and competency, while being discretely discernible through uncomplicated testing. Initial research concentrated on distinguishing shale8 on the basis of standard physical tests such as: unconfirmed compression, triaxial shear, and slake durability. As results accumulated, however, it became evident that moisture content played a much greater role in determining competency than had been recognized previously. As a result the focus of the research turned to developing tests which would evaluate the influence of moisture on shale behavior. The above work then became a foundation for a second phase of investigation in which a suite of standardized tests were developed to provide a classification procedure. From this study five tests were identified as being critical: Moisture Activity, Atterberg Limits, Submersion, Unconfined Compression, and Shore Hardness.

Jan 1, 1986

By Chunyang Guan, Jilai Xue, Zengjie Wang, Qiaochu Liu

Molten salts electrolysis method to prepare Al-RE alloys has attracted increasing attention recently. CaCl2 and Na3AlF6 were the most often used melts for this purpose. In this work, Al-Sc alloys prepared by electrolytic deposition process in both CaCl2 and Na3AlF6 melts were investigated, respectively. It was found that Sc distributes almost uniformly and Sc contents increase with increasing current intensity in both melts. Current efficiency was measured for comparison among various current densities applied. The alloy products were analyzed using XRD and SEM, where the formation behaviors of Al-Sc intermetallics were investigated in details. The experimental and theoretical results demonstrate that Al3Sc and Al0.968Sc0.032 are the major precipitates in the Al-Sc alloys prepared by molten electrolysis. The results are useful for selection and optimization of the molten salts compositions and the parameters of electrolysis operation.

Jan 1, 2015

By J. H. Archibald

"This paper describes the use of vector analysis for determining the intersection of mineral deposit veins. The mathematical evolution of the analysis is outlined.IntroductionMany mineral deposits can be characterized by sets of intersecting veins. Often a vein will have a steep dip and may intersect with another similar vein. Finding the intersections of these veins is usually done by graphical means. Structural geologists, by the methods of descriptive geometry, can usual ly predict where intersections of veins will occur. This method normally requires accurate drafting and layout of the problem and does not always lend itself to solution in the field.Another method for solving this problem involves the use of vector analysis, which is easily adapted to hand-held programmable calculators. It is assumed at the outset that the reader is familiar with the dot and cross products used in vector analysis. Two excellent references are cited at the end of this note for convenience.A plane, in general, is defined by three points. The points of interest here are the points where three vertical drillholes penetrate the vein, or plane, in question. The elevations of these three points are best referred to sea level. This requires knowing the elevation of the collar of the drillhole above sea level and the drillhole depth from the collar to the vein. The elevation of the intersection point is then found by subtracting the hole depth from the collar elevation. These three points now define the plane of the vein. A similar set of three points will define a second vein, and it is our object to show analytically their intersection if it exists."

Jan 1, 1983

By D. Donison

The practice of blasthole mining is typically applied in competent ground conditions, primarily because of the open stope dimensions. At Magma Copper -Superior Mine, a field pilot project was completed examining a variation of blasthole mining in poor ground conditions. The results were very encouraging not only from a technical viewpoint, but also productivity viewpoints. This paper describes the pilot project and the resulting implications.

Jan 1, 1994

By C. A. C. Sequeira, G. N. Anastassakis

Electrochemical processes occur on nano-, micro- and macro- scale in numerous applications such as fuel cells, batteries, hydrogen production, mineral extraction, water treatment, electrotherapy, sensors and many others. In most of these applications, gases evolve either at one or both electrodes due to electrolysis. These gases form bubbles play a crucial role in electrochemical systems. For example, in electrowinning (EW) that is used to extract and refine metals such as Cu, Zn, Ni, Mn, and Cd from their solutions, in most cases the solution is acidic and oxidation of water molecules at the anode is the common counter reaction, which results in the liberation of oxygen bubbles. This generally requires a high overpotential and accounts for a considerable percentage of the energy consumed in metal EW electrolytic cells, apart from producing acid mist that is very corrosive for other cell equipment and building structures. The behaviour of bubbles in electrochemical systems is still a complex challenging topic which requires a better understanding of gas bubbles hydrodynamics and their interactions with electrode surface and bulk liquid, as well as between the bubbles themselves. The objective of the current paper is to briefly review the fundamental hydrodynamics of both gas bubbles on the electrode surface and gas bubbles interaction with the liquid bulk solution. The current work also investigates the impact of gas bubbling and some operating parameters in copper EW, such as current density (100-500 A/m2), temperature (25-75ºC), acidity (50-300 g/L) and a typical chemical mist suppressant (<50 ppm). The results clearly show that both suppressant and temperature reduced the overall surface tension of the solution. Also, chloride concentration and applied current improved electrolyte flow and copper quality at higher current densities. The current paper contributes to the development of mineral processing (specifically to copper hydrometallurgy), as it deals with fundamental hydrodynamics and interactions of gas bubbles that formed during copper EW and play a crucial role in copper electrochemical systems.

Jan 1, 2018

By Christopher Sammon, Nicholas Turus

"The demand for underground parking in South Florida has increased as a result of changes to the local building code, coupled with developers’ desire to improve building aesthetics and provide much needed walk in retail space for high-end structures. Historically, underground construction was uncommon in South Florida due to the high groundwater level and porous soil/rock. Conventional dewatering methods become ineffective only a short depth below the ground surface and deeper excavations have required a tremie seal solution consisting of wet excavation and the pouring a temporary unreinforced slab under a water head. However, as excavation area and depth increase, the cost and schedule of the tremie seal method become problematic. For these reasons developers and construction teams alike have looked to contractors in South Florida for alternative means of construction.This paper details the construction of two sites in South Florida where Deep Soil Mixing (DSM) technology offered an efficient alternative to tremie seal construction. The Brickell City Centre required excavation of 8 acres to depths of 30 feet, and augercast piles up to 36” diameter and 110 feet in depth. The second site, Jade Signature, required an excavation of up to 41 feet directly adjacent to the Atlantic beachfront. Due to the concerns over differential settlement, the project featured a soil mixed gravity wall that was designed and installed to allow for completion of the tower prior to excavating the adjacent garage.Both projects involved improving every square inch of ground beneath the planned project excavation. The developed DSM seal slab solution creates a nearly impervious excavation at excavation invert with the strength to resist hydrostatic uplift forces. Low permeability site perimeter walls are constructed to complete the sealed excavation and reinforced with either beams or sheet piles for structural support. Augercast piles required for the permanent hydrostatic concrete slab supplement the uplift capacity of the DSM. After DSM and augercast piles are installed from grade, the site is excavated in dry conditions."

Jan 1, 2017

By L. L. Handy

The development of a theory for miscible liquid displacement requires evaluation of the variables which affect growth of the mixing zone between solvent and displaced oil. Factors which appear to be important are individual fluid viscosities, viscosity ratios, flood rate, fluid densities, flow characteristics of the porous medium and molecular diffusion coefficients of the fluid components. The primary purpose of this paper is to evaluate diffusion effects. Theoretical treatments to date have been limited to floods for which the viscosity ratio is one. Two principal theories have been proposed. Von Rosenberg adapted for porous media a theory derived for capillary tubes by G. Taylor.&apos; ,&apos; In this theory molecular diffusion perpendicular to the direction of flow is a primary factor in sharpening the flood front. Slow floods give sharper fronts for a given distance traveled than fast floods. An alternative theory considers miscible liquid displacement as a statistical problem.3,4,5 Diffusion is not an important factor in this theory, but it leads to the same general type of equation as von Rosenberg&apos;s. Both theories predict S-shaped concentration profiles with the same dependence on distance traveled. The statistical or "dispersion" theory predicts rate independence, however. To supplement rate studies a direct measurement of a diffusion effect would be helpful in evaluating which of the two proposed mechanisms best describes miscible liquid displacement for one-to-one viscosity ratio systems. No quantitative theory has been proposed for floods in which a low-viscosity fluid displaces a high-viscosity fluid. It might be anticipated, however, that the extensive fingering observed in floods with adverse viscosity ratios would increase opportunities for an exchange of components between displaced and displacing liquids by a diffusional process. Even if molecular diffusion were not an important mixing mechanism for one-to-one viscosity ratio systems, it could be significant in systems with adverse viscosity ratios. METHOD FOR EVALUATING DIFFUSIONAL MIXING In solvent flooding the displacing liquid can become mixed with the displaced liquid by a number of processes; in general, either mechanical or diffusional in character. To evaluate the contribution of diffusion, a method was sought that would distinguish diffusional mixing from mechanical mixing. Suppose two soluble tracers are added to the displacing liquid and that one tracer has a diffusion coefficient much greater than the other. Then, if diffusion is important during miscible liquid displacement and if diffusional transport is primarily transverse to the direction of flow, substances with high diffusion coefficients will have sharper concentration profiles than those with comparatively low molecular diffusion coefficients. In order to have material balance the profiles for the two tracers must intersect. For one-to-one viscosity ratios the intersection would occur at the 50 per cent concentration point. It is generally assumed that diffusion in the direction of flow is negligible. This assumption appears reasonable because flow velocities are ordinarily orders of magnitude greater than diffusional velocities. If this is not a valid assumption, however, the shapes of the fronts will be further degraded by longitudinal diffusion. The effects of rate and molecular diffusion coefficients are the opposite for longitudinal diffusion to those for lateral diffusion. Higher rates or lower diffusion coefficients would tend to give sharper fronts. The double tracer method offers several unique advantages in evaluating effect of molecular diffusion. First, the method gives a direct measure of the effect of diffusion on mixing zone size. Second, the effect of a difference in diffusion coefficients is determined from a single experiment. Comparison of several experiments at different rates is not required. Third, the method is applicable for any viscosity ratio. Fourth, the method is unaffected by density differences between the two fluids which might result in rate dependent gravity effects. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE Suitable tracers are substances whose diffusion coefficients differ as widely as possible, but whose adsorptions on rock surfaces is negligible. The two tracers selected were methanol and sucrose in water solutions. The approximate diffusion coefficients for methanol and sucrose, as given in the International Critical Tables, are 1.3 X 10-5 and 0.3 X 10-5 m2/sec, respectively. Concentrations in the water solutions were 200 gm/liter of solution for both methanol and sucrose. These high

By C A. Foss, K Blay, K Leslie, D Hillan

Magnetic field studies provide remote sensing of magnetisation distributions and a means to investigate moderately- to strongly-magnetised ore deposits that may be partially or totally buried. However, above-surface magnetic field surveys have limited capability to resolve the detail of magnetisation distributions because of the large separation between the magnetisation and the magnetic sensor. While some of this detail is available from magnetic susceptibility logging within boreholes or from magnetisation studies on recovered core, these measurements are limited to the exact trace of the boreholes. The large disconnect between ground or aeromagnetic surveys and highly-localised borehole sampling can cause problems in developing robust source models from magnetic survey data. The measurement of magnetic field in boreholes has the capacity to at least partially bridge that gap by measuring the magnetic field due to magnetisations proximal to, but not intersected by, the boreholes.CSIRO has developed the world’s first downhole magnetic tensor gradiometer. This instrument measures magnetic field gradients in all directions within a borehole. A prototype instrument has been built and tested as part of phase 1 of the Deep Exploration Technologies Cooperative Research Centre (DET CRC). The prototype performed well with magnetic pyrrhotite at the DET CRC test site in the Adelaide Hills and at Carpentaria’s Hawsons magnetite deposit south of Broken Hill. Further work is required to reduce the diameter of the probe so that it can operate in NQ holes (it is currently limited to HQ or wider) and to transform it to a continuous logging tool. The borehole tensor gradiometer can be used to investigate the continuity of magnetisation over a distance of several metres to tens of metres away from a borehole intersection and the structural dip of the magnetic body. It can be used to either replace or augment downhole magnetic susceptibility logging. This instrument is one component of an integrated CSIRO suite of new magnetic field utilities and methodologies for iron ore exploration and development.CITATION:Leslie, K, Foss, C A, Hillan, D and Blay, K, 2015. A downhole magnetic tensor gradiometer for developing robust magnetisation models from magnetic anomalies, in Proceedings Iron Ore 2015, pp 299–304 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Jul 13, 2015

By Edward Saibel

The object of this study is to investigate the effect of prior tensile strain on the fracture stress of a metal. This is done in a theoretical manner starting from the point of view developed by the author in his thermodynamic theory of the fracture of metals. The results are compared with experimental findings and a rational interpretation is given to work that shows the variation of fracture stress with prior tensile strain. Theory op Fracture In the thermodynamic theory of the fracture of metals developed earlier,&apos; it was shown that a critical strain energy per unit volume exists. This is characteristic of the material and may be calculated from basic thermodynamic data. When the area under the flow curve reaches this characteristic value, fracture occurs. The general criterion for fracture is expressed in the form « ± u. = JLJW/V [r] where L, is the latent heat of melting of the unit volume, AV/V is the ratio of the change in volume of the unit volume to the original unit volume on passing from the solid to the liquid state, uo is an initial energy density, and J is a conversion factor, which changes energy from heat to mechanical units. As a first approximation, it will he assumed that the stress-strain curve is the straight line that extends from the point of maximum load onward, extrapolated back to the axis of zero strain, for example, line AC of Fig. I. If the point of intersection of the straight line with the axis of zero strain is represented by v., and the slope of the straight line is p, the analytic form of the flow curve is a = (To + pd [2] and the strain energy per unit volume evaluated from Jud6 becomes (u,6 + pa2/2). When this latter term reaches the critical value JLbVIV (designated hereafter by M), it is assumed that fracture occurs. This leads to the following expression for the fracture stress: a; = V«r.2 + iMp [3] The strain at fracture may be calculated from Eqs 2 and 3. It is assumed in this paper that the initial energy density is either zero or that it may be neglected. Furthermore, the complicated states of stress and of strain existing in the necked region of the tensile specimen after "necking" has occurred will also be neglected for the present, so that average conditions will be assumed to prevail. Flow and Fracture Curves LudwigZ attributed to materials two fundamental properties: (I) a resistance to flow and (2) a resistance to fracture. He reasoned that at each instant the

Jan 1, 1948

By Edward Saibel

The object of this study is to investigate the effect of prior tensile strain on the fracture stress of a metal. This is done in a theoretical manner starting from the point of view developed by the author in his thermodynamic theory of the fracture of metals. The results are compared with experimental findings and a rational interpretation is given to work that shows the variation of fracture stress with prior tensile strain. Theory op Fracture In the thermodynamic theory of the fracture of metals developed earlier,&apos; it was shown that a critical strain energy per unit volume exists. This is characteristic of the material and may be calculated from basic thermodynamic data. When the area under the flow curve reaches this characteristic value, fracture occurs. The general criterion for fracture is expressed in the form « ± u. = JLJW/V [r] where L, is the latent heat of melting of the unit volume, AV/V is the ratio of the change in volume of the unit volume to the original unit volume on passing from the solid to the liquid state, uo is an initial energy density, and J is a conversion factor, which changes energy from heat to mechanical units. As a first approximation, it will he assumed that the stress-strain curve is the straight line that extends from the point of maximum load onward, extrapolated back to the axis of zero strain, for example, line AC of Fig. I. If the point of intersection of the straight line with the axis of zero strain is represented by v., and the slope of the straight line is p, the analytic form of the flow curve is a = (To + pd [2] and the strain energy per unit volume evaluated from Jud6 becomes (u,6 + pa2/2). When this latter term reaches the critical value JLbVIV (designated hereafter by M), it is assumed that fracture occurs. This leads to the following expression for the fracture stress: a; = V«r.2 + iMp [3] The strain at fracture may be calculated from Eqs 2 and 3. It is assumed in this paper that the initial energy density is either zero or that it may be neglected. Furthermore, the complicated states of stress and of strain existing in the necked region of the tensile specimen after "necking" has occurred will also be neglected for the present, so that average conditions will be assumed to prevail. Flow and Fracture Curves LudwigZ attributed to materials two fundamental properties: (I) a resistance to flow and (2) a resistance to fracture. He reasoned that at each instant the

Jan 1, 1948

By RALPH R. STEA, John H. Fowler

Clay, quartz sand and lignite deposits overlie Carboniferous rocks in central mainland Nova Scotia. Recent evidence indicates that these deposits are fairly extensive. Sands consist of almost pure angular quartz grains. Clays are highly plastic and range in colour from black through grey and blue to mottled red and white. Palynologica/ information dates the sediments as Ear{y Cretaceous, and mineralogical studies show them to consist primarily of quartz, kaolinite and mica. There is not yet enough evidence for detailed stratigraphic description, but sequence and thickness of sediments are known to vary greatly over short distances. Drill logs from Musquodoboit Valley recorded Cretaceous sediments at 168 m thick. Of the three active pits in Cretaceous sediments of central Nova Scotia, two are for silica sand production and are located at Elmsvale and Brazil Lake while a third pit at Shubenacadie produces clay for manufacture of structural clay products.

Jan 1, 1984

By David C. Oyler, Paul W. Jeran, William P. Diamond

The Bureau of Mines is cooperating with the U.S. Department of Energy in a directional degasification project at the Emerald mine near Waynesburg, Pa. This project is designed to combine the highly successful underground horizontal degasification technology with surface drilling methods. The objective of this program is to demonstrate that directional drilling can be used as a technique for degasifying coalbeds ahead of mining to reduce the hazards of methane-air explosions in coal mines. The directional hole at the Emerald mine is designed to start vertically and enter the Pittsburgh coalbed horizontally. A 3-inch-pilot hole entered the Pittsburgh coalbecl at a vertical depth of 999 feet, The hole will be reamed to 8-3/4 inches in diameter, and 5-1/2-inch casing will be cemented in place. Three individual 3-inch-diameter, 3,000-foot horizontal gas collection holes will be drilled into the coalbed in a “bird foot” pattern. A corehole and vertical dewatering hole have been completed at the anticipated coalbed intercept. The dewatering hole was drilled to130 feet below the Pittsburgh coalbed, a depth of 900 feet, and 880 feet of 7-inch-OD casing was cemented in place. Seven vertical holes for monitoring the extent and progress of degasification have been drilled within the horizontal drilling area.

Jan 1, 1979

By Brad R. Blair

This paper will review impacts on longwall design and ground stability assessment due to advances in mine automation and sensing technology. Several new approaches to the prediction and monitoring of longwall panel and gateroad stability have recently become mature, and are ready for application in problematic ground control situations. These methods are revealing significant detail regarding deformation and failure mechanics of critical underground structures. Examples of how these technologies have worked successfully will be given, and applications for the use of these tools for cost-effective engineering design and monitoring will be suggested.

Jan 1, 1996

By M. K. Gangal, E. D. Dainty

The paper describes the capabilities of a micro-computer-based real time data acquisition system for monitoring and control of mine environments. Applications of such a system for monitoring the ventilation and air quality of a mine is outlined. The paper discusses the results of running a monitoring system with various environmental sensors in a simulated mine environment. The sensors used in this study are: carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (C02), nitric oxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulphur dioxide (SO2 ), methane (CH4 ), air flow, absolute pressure, temperature and relative humidity. A performance evaluation of the monitoring system and sensors is presented.

Jan 1, 1987

By M. R. P. Snow

"This paper outlines geotechnical conditions that commonly exist in underground, hardrock mines and the challenges posed for ground-support steel, specifically rockbolts, used in these environments. A model is proposed whereby the in-situ stress and rock-mass classifications (based on Bieniawski’s rock mass rating) form the basis of determining the desired steel properties of the rockbolts used. Based on the ASTM F432 bolting specification, recommended minimum steel properties are defined for three ranges of in-situ stress levels, each with their own six ranges of RMR values. Heat treatment for the steel can be specified once these minimum steel properties are known.RÉSUMÉ Le présent article décrit les conditions géotechniques qui existent fréquemment dans les mines souterraines de roches dures et les défis que cela pose pour le soutien de terrain en acier, plus spécifiquement les boulons d’ancrage utilisés dans ces environnements. Un modèle est proposé dans lequel les contraintes in situ et les classifications de la masse rocheuse (selon la classification de la masse rocheuse de Bieniawski) servent de base pour la détermination des propriétés désirées pour l’acier des boulons d’ancrage utilisés. En se basant sur les spécifications de boulonnage de l’ASTM F432, les propriétés minimales recommandées pour l’acier sont définies pour trois plages de niveaux de contraintes in situ, chacune avec sa propre plage de six valeurs de classification de la masse rocheuse (RMR). Un traitement thermique pour l’acier peut être spécifié une fois que ces propriétés minimales pour l’acier sont connues."

Jan 1, 2016

By Lon Santis

In 1923, Ralph Assheton compiled a report for the Institute of Makers of Explosives (IME) on accidental explosions in manufacturing plants. The report chronicles the type and amount of explosive involved in the event and the effects and distances to nearby buildings and workers for over 100 events from 1880 to 1916. Apparently, this report was never published but served as the origin of the IME’s first intra-plant distance table published in Pamphlet No. 3 in 1926. The effort was a parallel effort to the IME’s development of the American Table of Distances. The intra-plant distance table has never been changed by the IME and follows the US Department of Defense (DoD) standard very closely. This paper freshly compiles the data from the 1923 report and analyzes it with modern methods not generally available in 1923. Interestingly, the analysis indicates that the original intra-plant distance tables were established primarily to protect workers from serious injury and that preventing propagation was a side benefit. The data shows that a strong relationship exists between the probability of injury and the traditional K-factor. The data indicate that people in the open are better protected than those inside structures and that barricades reduce risk close to an event. Individuals at the intra-plant distance had a 95 percent chance of receiving no worse than a minor injury. A comparison of the data to explosive event consequence models indicate the models are overly conservative in regards to risk inside inhabited building distances.

Jan 1, 2010

By Regina Rocha, Miguel Humpire

One of the challenges within unitary mining operations is blasting, which has a significant downstream impact on the following processes, which is why mining companies ensure the results of the blasting process through joint work with explosives specialists’ companies.

Feb 6, 2023