Search Documents

By Janet Torma-Krajewski, Pauline Lewis, Paul Gust, Lisa Steiner, Kean Johnson

Since 1990 and the publication of the Ergonomics Program Management Guidelines for Meatpacking Plants by the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration, numerous reports of companies implementing ergonomics program have been published. However, despite these numerous reports, no examples of implementing an ergonomics program in the mining industry have been reported. In 2000, NIOSH initiated a long-term project to demonstrate the implementation of an ergonomics process designed to identify and reduce exposures to ergonomic risk factors found in mining. The mine selected for this project was the Jim Bridger Mine, a surface coal mine located 35 miles northeast of Rock Springs, Sweetwater County, WY. This paper discusses how a large, surface coal mine implemented an ergonomics program and the lessons learned while doing so.

By Eric J. Foell

Recognizing that the planned commercial exploitation of polymetallic nodules in the deep sea should be accompanied by environmental studies in order to protect this largest and least understood ecosystem of our planet, the German Ministry for Research and Technology has since 1989 funded a longterm and large-scale disturbance-recolonization (DISCOL) experiment in the abyssal Peru Basin of the equatorial South Pacific Ocean. The circular study site is located at 4150m depths and encompasses about 10km2 of relatively flat, heavily sedimented sea floor with low (< 15%) nodule coverage near an existing German nodule mining exploration license area. The RV SONNE, a large and well-equipped multi-purpose research vessel, served as platform for all environmental cruises conducted to date. The initial DISCOL expedition (SO-61, Feb.-March 1989) was carried out in two legs. During DISCOL 1/1, a study site was selected, a pre-disturbance baseline assessment was undertaken, and sea floor disruption was begun using the "plow-harrow", a uniquely designed disturber device towed repeatedly across the circular study area. During DISCOL 1/2, disturber deployments continued until the device had created 78 criss-crossing and partially overlapping tracks along which nodules were essentially plowed under while sediment from up to 15cm below the seabed had been turned over and exposed at the surface. In addition to the obvious within disturber track impacts, sediment mobilized by plowing drifted off with the prevailing near-bottom current and redeposited downstream, blanketing nearby areas not directly disturbed. Immediately after the disturbance phase, an initial post-impact sampling series was performed. The DISCOL Experimental Area (DEA) was revisited about six months (DISCOL 2, SO-64, Sept. 1989), three years (DISCOL 3, SO-77, Feb. 1992), and seven years (ATESEPP SO-106, Jan.-March 1996) after disturbance to collect further post-impact samples, monitor changes in the benthic community and follow the recolonization process. In addition to benthic community studies, plankton investigations were initiated during the third DISCOL cruise (SO-77) and continued during three further cruises (SO-78, SO-79 and SO-80/2) in 1992.

Jan 1, 1996

By B Andrew, L Krois

Ground control systems, including ground control management, play an integral role in the effective and efficient extraction of copper ore at the Xstrata Copper û Mount Isa Copper Operations (MICO). Rock mechanics engineers and support technicians at Xstrata Copper have undertaken a wide range of investigations and actions over the past few years. Outcomes from this work have resulted in the evolution of ground control management practices on the site. Specific areas of improvement include the installation of efficient one pass ground control systems, greater application of sprayed concrete for areas requiring rehabilitation and the addition of new improved products, the removal of obsolete and less efficient products used in standard ground control practice. In some areas underground, the most effective methods to manage ground control hazards continue to be a variation on proven methods that have been in use for many years in the MICO. Ground control systems for developing through the basement contact zone are very similar to that developed in the late 1980s. Similarly, ground control systems have gone through repetitive evolution, whereby some systems fall in and out of favour subject to perceived costs. For example the pouring of concrete shuttering around drawpoints in poor ground conditions has recently been re-accepted as an effective means to manage this poor environment û despite having been previously cast aside as too expensive. Ground control management systems continue to evolve towards the goal of creating a workplace that is free of rockfall-related injuries and provide for higher levels of efficient and effective techniques by which ore is extracted from the ground.

Jan 1, 2005

By Jean-Marie Deschamps

In an approach to the complicated study of bauxite from Les Baux de Provence it is necessary to consider the paleogeographical context of all the bauxites in southern France. These bauxites are of Karstic type, belonging to a metallogenic area extending from the Pyrenees Mountains to the Alpine Massif. Within this area each deposit does not always correspond to the same geological period. There are differing opinions regarding the origin of Karstic-type bauxite and a discussion of these various theories is beyond the scope of this paper. Bauxite of Les Baux, in Provence, was discovered in 1821 by the chemist, Berthier, near this picturesque village located in the region of Arles. It is Les Baux from which the name of bauxite originates. For a long time this bauxite was of no interest because of high silica &apos;and mediocre alumina content. Besides, the calcium carbonate content is somewhat high and is one of the main characteristics of Les Baux bauxite. The problem of exploration of the Les Baux deposit has been to prospect minable zones according to traditional norms where silica and carbonate are low.

Jan 1, 1977

By P. D. Merica, H. Scott, R. G. Waltenberg

The remarkable phenomena exhibited by the aluminum alloy known as duralumin were discovered during the years 1903—1911 by A. Wilm1,2 and have been described by him and by others. 3, 4,5.6 The unusual feature of this alloy is the fact, as was shown by Wilm, that it can be hardened quite appreciably by quenching from tempera-

Jan 1, 1921

By Tuan Nguyen, Dirk Hummel, Ruilin Yang

In a tunnelling site in Japan, it was found that detonators failed to initiate with their shells and primary explosive intact. Their capacitors, however, were discharged due to some damage on the application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs). These detonators are distinctly different from other commonly observed failures, where the shells are rather crashed due to excessive dynamic pressure received from neighbouring blastholes which fired earlier. Such incident has not been reported elsewhere. Detonator failures during a blast are deemed not safe and can cause disruption on the project productivity. It is therefore desirable to understand the origin of such event. Various measurements were conducted to diagnose the problem, but the root cause had yet to be identified. This paper applies a discovery from a 60-year-prior-laboratory experiment and formulates a theory that could explain the observed detonator failure and predicts the measurements and observations.

Feb 6, 2023

By Dever C. Ashmead

Coal companies in the anthracite region are studying various methods of mining, seeking one that will shorten considerably the life of the gangway and thus decrease the maintenance charges. In steep pitching measures, the maintenance charges of the gangways are high because of the cost of replacing timbers and cleaning up falls. Therefore, if the length of the gangways can be decreased and the mining made more concentrated, the life of the coal gangways will be decreased and the maintenance charges per ton of coal produced will be smaller. The practice in the anthracite region is to drive long coal gangways and to work the breasts as the gangway from which they were driven is advanced. In many cases these gangways are from 4000 to 6000 ft. in length; and some are even longer. As these must be maintained not only until they have reached their limit but until second mining begins (which may be some years later), the maintenance charges are high. If the gangway is allowed to close, when the time comes to remove the pillars the cost of re-opening it may be as expensive as the original driving cost. The Lehigh and Wilkes-Barre Coal Co., at its Wanamie Colliery at Wanamie, Pa., has been using a system of mining that, as far as the writer knows, is not used in any other place in the anthracite fields. The

Jan 1, 1925

By A. Ochieng

Solids suspension influences the quality of mixing and energy requirement in a solid-liquid system, both of which determine the efficiency of industrial processes such as nickel precipitation. Nickel solids concentration distribution in a stirred tank was investigated using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and experimental methods. The concentration distribution of the nickel solids was compared with that of sand and glass. The laser Doppler velocimetry (LDV) method was used to measure the velocity field for the liquid-only system and an optical technique was employed to determine the axial solids concentration distribution. Regions of in homogeneity in the tank were identified. It was found that, for a given solids loading, the solids concentration distribution depended on both particle size and particle size distribution. High solids loadings were investigated and a difference in the concentration distribution pattern was obtained with nickel, flint glass and sand particles. The CFD simulation results highlighted problems that could be associated with some conventional experimental methods of determining solids concentration distribution in a stirred tank. Keywords: nickel; CFD; simulation; mixing; solids suspension.

Jan 1, 2010

By W. J. Boone

Experimental determinations were made of vapor-liquid equilibria data for a helium-nitrogen-methane system. A mixture composition was chosen to approximate the crude helium to be produced Or conservation that will eventually be further refined to obtain pure helium. Although there are publications of studies of the vapor-liquid equilibria of helium-nitrogen, helium-methane, and nitrogen-methane binary systems, there is little indication of work done on the ternary system of helium-nitrogen-methane. The experimental data presented in this report supplement the information available for the binary systems. The equilibrium vapor-liquid data and equilibrium vaporization coefficients are presented in tabular form. Graphs are employed to show an extensive amount of the data.

Jan 1, 1963

By Bruno C. Boik

INTRODUCTION Cost Management is the evaluation and control of project scope, budgets, and costs with the objective to minimize costs and maximize the benefits to be derived from the use of project resources in conformance with Criteria stipulated or approved by the Owner. In order of importance, Cost Management is one of the most prominent Project Management functions because of its impact on the financial success of the venture. Cost Control and Cost Accounting are essential parts of Cost Management. The principal objectives of Cost Control are to monitor project commitments and expenditures, and measure performance for the detection of variances from acceptable standards and from control budgets so that timely action can be initiated to minimize costs. Cost Control is evaluation of current costs and projection of future costs, rather than the reporting of actual costs. Cost Control is not Cost Accounting. The primary objectives of Cost Accounting are the determination, classification, analysis and reporting in useful detail of actual costs. Following are some considerations on Cost Management and Cost Control as practiced by Owners and Contractors of industrial projects, Mining and Metallurgical projects in particular. COST MANAGEMENT Functions Conforming with the requirements of Owner&apos;s Criteria, the principal Cost Management functions are to • evaluate estimates of project costs and establish budgets for a scope of work and schedule; conversely, evaluate the scope of work that can be executed most effectively within a budget and schedule. • promote investigations and comparative evaluations of alternate designs and plans to find the most cost effective way to execute a project and minimize its operating costs. • based on Cost Control and Cost Accounting input, evaluate and initiate appropriate actions to correct deviations from approved budgets. assess project economics, the effect of changes on project economics and, if necessary, revise Project Criteria to modify their impact on costs.

Jan 1, 1986

By Arturo Ressi di Cervia

Construction of the drilled shafts for the Brightman Street Bridge Replacement Project were not only challenging due to working over the water but were also challenged by changed soil conditions, concurrent work being performed by an adjacent contractor on the same project, environmental restrictions and severe winter conditions. A total of 36 x 8 feet diameter drilled shafts with 7.5 feet rock sockets were installed for the East and West bascule piers. This project also included Osterberg Cell load testing on two production drilled shafts at each the East and West bascule piers. The results from the load test program were used to fine tune the design of the drilled shaft rock sockets. From a constructability standpoint the reverse circulation drilling method with a pile top drill rig proved to be an excellent choice for drilling the overburden and rock sockets of the large diameter deep drilled shafts.

Jan 1, 2003

By A. A. Afshari, D. G. Frazer, C. F. Stanley

"INTRODUCTIONThe primary function of the lung, i.e. gas exchange, occurs in peripheral units termed alveoli• Diagnosis of lung dysfunction ls therefore dependent on techniques to evaluate the status of the peripheral airways. Since these airways and alveoli are very small, it is difficult to determine directly how they function or how the function is changing due to disease. Yet this unde1·standing is critical to the design of instrumentation to detect early changes in lung function due to disease.An interesting hypothesis describing one aspect of small airway function has been proposed by Frazer (1) as gas trapping due to the formation of menisci in the airways. An additional study (2) proposes that the breaking and possibly the formation of these menisci could generate lung sounds, i.e. crackles. These lung sounds were recorded by placing a microphone at the trachea of an excised rat lung. The lung was degassed and then inflated and deflated. At points along the path of inflation, lung sounds were recorded. However, determination of the origin of the sounds was not attempted due to the difficulties induced by contacting the lung st1rface with a microphone.The purpose of this paper is to describe a non-contacting, whole field technique to monitor and describe the movements of the lung surface during inflation - deflation cycles.HOLOGRAPHIC INTERFEROMETRYHolographic interferometry is a full field, non-contacting and non-destructive technique that measures deformations of an object with a sensitivity in the order of the wavelength of light. A laser beam is split, with one beam reflected from an object and the other used as a reference beam. Both beams combine to produce a hologram of the object on a photographic plate. The process utilizes the concepts of interference, i.e. the two wave amplitudes will add at the points where the difference in optical path lengths over the exposure period is zero or a whole number of wavelengths and will subtract at other points."

Jan 1, 1989

By D. Tsweleng

In the Evraz Highveld production process, iron ore is prereduced in rotary kilns prior to charging into submerged arc furnaces (SAFs). Owing to the highly aggressive slags that are formed within the combustion zones of these kilns, chrome-oxide-containing lowcement castables have been used for some years in the kiln lining. Due to concerns around the potentially harmful effects should Cr(V1) be present in the spent linings, Highveld and its suppliers of kiln castables devoted time to developing alternative chrome-free lining materials. Such materials needed to be cost-effective and ensure good performance and improved kiln availability. This paper discusses all the parameters surrounding this development. Keywords Low-cement castable, chrome-oxide free, chrome (VI), titaniferous magnetite ore, rotary kiln, submerged arc furnace, open slag bath furnace, Evraz Highveld Steel & Vanadium Limited.

Aug 1, 2013

By Deborah A. Kramer

Although beryllium was initially discovered in 1797, it was not until 1916 that the first significant quantity of beryllium metal ingot was produced in the United States. Before 1940, most of the small quantity of beryllium metal used in the United States was supplied by Germany. Beryllium was not used in its metallic form; it was used as an alloying addition to other metals, mainly copper and nickel. World consumption of beryllium at that time was estimated to be a few hundred kilograms annually. Because of increased tensions in Europe before World War II, imports of metal from Germany ceased in 1940, and domestic production was required to meet the needs of the military. As a result, by 1946, the United States became the principal supplier of beryllium products for the world, a condition that prevails today. Because of beryllium&apos;s high strength, light weight, and high thermal conductivity, it has been used in a large number of industrial and defense applications as a metal, alloy, and oxide. The United States is the only country other than China and the former USSR currently producing beryllium products from beryllium ores and concentrates. Bertrandite, mined in Utah, is the principal ore source of domestically produced products. Imported ore, mainly from Brazil, supplements domestic ore supplies. Production and consumption data for the United States is shown in [Figs. 1 and 2]. Production data for 1969-1979 is withheld to avoid disclosing company proprietary data.

Jan 1, 1994

By Charles Mitke

THE United Verde Extension mine is located in the Jerome mining district, on the eastern slope of the Black Hills, approximately northeast of the town &apos;of Jerome, Yavapai County, Arizona. The ore deposit may be termed a replacement in Yavapai schist. This schist is one of the oldest formations in the district, being probably of volcanic origin, and has been folded and faulted and contains intrusions of diorite and quartz porphyry. It is believed that the mineralization followed the porphyry intrusions and replaced the country rock; this was followed by erosion and a period of secondary enrichment, all completed in pre-Cambrian time. Later sediments of sandstones and limestones, to the depth of approximately 600 ft. (182 m.), were laid down, followed by volcanic flows. Faulting and erosion again took place, resulting in the present complicated arrangement of the strata. Prospecting, therefore, is very difficult, because the sediments practically cover the mineralized areas. This necessitates the sinking of deep shafts, cross-cutting, and, in some instances, diamond drilling to learn something of the various relations of the different formations and the occurrences of intrusions associated with ore deposition. The locating of new orebodies, therefore, is beset with innumerable difficulties. EARLY MINING METHODS The two orebodies constituting the principal resources of the company are known as the- small orebody and the Bonanza, or large orebody. These are about 150 ft. (45 m.) apart, and while they appear to be distinct orebodies may later prove to be connected. The character of the ore, the general associations of the porphyries adjoining the orebodies, and other characteristics, both in the ore-and general environment, are very similar. The small orebody was the first to be discovered and was mined for some time before the Bonanza was found.

Jan 1, 1919

By Corale L. Brierley

Bacteria, algae and fungi react to heavy metals in their environment by immobilizing, mobilizing and/or transforming metals. Microorganisms carry out these changes by (1) precipitating metals outside of the microbial cell, (2) binding and complexing metals to the outside of the microbial cell&apos;s protective coating, (3) accumulating metals inside of the microbial cell, or (4) transforming metals by oxidation, reduction, methylation or demethylation. Most of these mechanisms are operative in constructed aerobic and anaerobic wetlands for metal&apos;s remediation. Several more advanced biotechnologies for metal&apos;s removal from aqueous streams have been introduced, but have not been widely accepted commercially.

Jan 1, 1995

By Paul Clark

Generation - Profile l 9,726 megawatts (MW) of capacity l 46,877 gigawatt hours (GWh) produced at an average plant availability of 88.4% l 47 facilities in four geographies: Canada; the U.S.; Mexico; and Australia l Fuel mix of coal (62%), gas (26%), hydro and renewables (12%) l 23.2 million tonnes of coal mined l 47.0 million gigajoules (GJ) of gas consumed

May 1, 2004

By Gordon M. Pugh, David G. Rasmussen

INTRODUCTION This method is a variation of cut-and-fill mining where either the wall rock or the vein is too unconsolidated to permit safe mining by conventional cut-and-fill methods. Basic development consists of driving a 2.4 x 2.7-m (8 x 9-ft) haulage heading laterally in the footwall side of the vein. Crosscuts are driven over to the vein at 91-m (300-ft) intervals. Then the vein, at each inter¬section, is mined out to a distance of about 9 m (30 ft ) above the track level. After the installation of an ore chute, scrams or intermediate drifts are driven in both directions along the vein. Mining then starts imme¬diately below the level bounding the upper limit of the stope. A cut varying between 3 and 4.2 m (10 and 14 ft) in depth and mined for a distance of 45.7 m (150 ft )along the strike is taken from the orepass in each direction (Fig. 1). In this mined-out void, the floor of the cut is equipped with 203 x 203-mm (8 x 8-in.) caps hitched into the wall with steel saddle hitches installed on 1.5-m (5-ft) centers. Double wood stringers, 152.4 x 152.4 mm (6 x 6 in.), are then installed on 1.2-m (4-ft) centers longitudinally down the length of the stope. Reinforc¬ing wire mesh is also placed, overlying each mat of timber. Directly above the stringers, stulls are installed from hanging wall to footwall to hold the timber in place during the sand-filling operation. Then a cement¬sand mixture in a ratio of about 1:10 weight is poured to a depth of about 2.4 m (8 ft). The entire cycle is then repeated down to the scram drift. Another variation of timbering is illustrated in Fig. 2. There is a vein width of approximately 5.5 m (18 ft) with the same unconsolidated ground conditions. The primary difference between handling this situation and the previously described undercut-and-fill method is that standard timbered sets are installed in each excavated stoping void rather than stulls. Once again the basic method is to work down the ore block from an upper timbered drift to a lower timbered drift. Cuts are taken from a timbered raise with a chute on the stope side. Each piece of ground excavated is essentially two sets high, 5.5 m (18 ft), by two sets wide, 5.5 m (18 ft), by the length of the cut along the strike of the vein. The timbered sets are 2.4 x 2.4 x 2.4 m (8 x 8 x 8 ft). The net result is, therefore, two sets of timber on a top floor separated by doubled-up 76-mm (3-in.) lagging from

Jan 1, 1982

By James S. Browning

The purpose of this investigation was to develop a dependable and economic method for recovering spodumene and mica from pegmatites of the type found in Gaston County, N. C. Laboratory batch tests and continuous flotation tests were made by the Federal Bureau of Mines to determine the feasibility of treating the ore by flotation to recover high-grade spodumene and mica concentrates. The spodumene flotation circuit yielded concentrates containing 6.50 percent lithia (Li20), with an overall recovery of 81.8 percent of the lithia in the ore, The mica circuit yielded concentrates containing 97.5 percent mica, with a recovery of 82.5 percent of the mica in the spodumene tailing.

Jan 1, 1961

By T. Uysal

The increasing demand for rare earth elements (REE) in highly strategic sectors such as hybrid electric vehicles, renewable energy, communication technologies, and the defense industry has made REE production methods important. In recent years, studies on REE have increased rapidly; however there are many studies on REE, there are not enough studies in the literature on the economics of the beneficiation process. RE ores are generally leached after beneficiation by gravity, magnetic and flotation methods. In this study, direct leaching, attrition scrubbing and leaching, and flotation and leaching methods are evaluated economically based on the data for the Mountain Pass (MP) facility. According to the sensitivity analysis performed as a function of capital cost (CAPEX), operating cost (OPEX), and rare earths oxides (REO) recovery, REO recovery has the biggest effect on the process economies. Although the flotation method entails additional investment and operating costs, transportation and operating costs are significantly reduced result of the higher grade and recovery. The flotation method is more profitable, with larger NPV and IRR values and a shorter payback period.

Jul 2, 2022