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By S. L. Karunakaran

Selection of an appropriate foundation system requires great skill and ingenuity on the part of the designer. Certain guidelines for choosing between a pile and raft foundation are presented. A number of methods are available for estimating the capacity of piles, giving a wide range of values for the theoretical load carrying capacity. A few aspects to be taken into account while arriving at an appropriate theoretical capacity are discussed. The effect of fluctuation of water table level on the pile capacity and method of accounting for this factor on the pile capacity obtained through initial load test are also discussed. A case study presents a comparison between the estimated values of capacity of piles and the values obtained through the initial load test.

Jan 1, 1996

By J. N. Van der Merwe, D. P. Roberts

The two components of pillar design formula being used in South Africa are pillar strength and pillar load. While considerable effort has been directed to the determination of pillar strength, the other half of the safety factor equation, the load, has not received the same amount of attention. The load acting on pillars has always been calculated using the Tributary Area Theory (TAT). This paper summarises the recent studies on coal pillar loading using various numerical models. It concludes that although there are meaningful differences under certain circumstances, there is still a compelling argument to use the TAT in coal pillar design. Les deux parties composantes de la formule de conception de pilier généralement utilisée en Afrique du Sud sont la résistance de pilier et la charge de pilier. Tandis que des efforts considérables on été dirigés vers la détermination de la résistance de pilier, l’autre moitié du facteur de sécurité n’a pas reçu la même attention. La charge agissant sur les piliers a toujours été calculée avec la Théorie d’Aire Tributaire (TAT). L’étude présente résume les études récentes sur la charge de pilier de charbon utilisant des modèles numériques variés. La conclusion est que bien qu’il y ait des différences significatives selon les circonstances, il y a toujours un argument puissant pour utiliser le TAT dans la conception de pilier de charbon. Die in Südafrika für die Auslegung von Pfeilern verwendeten zwei Formelkomponenten sind Pfeilerstärke und Pfeilerbelastung. Während beträchtlicher Aufwand zur Bestimmung der Pfeilerstärke gemacht wurde, wurde der anderen Hälfte der Sicherheitsfaktorsgleichung nicht die gleiche Aufmerksamkeit gewidmet. Die auf die Pfeiler wirkende Last wurde immer unter Verwendung der Tributary Area Theory (TAT) berechnet. Diese Arbeit fast neuere Studien betreffend der Belastung von Kohlepfeilern unter Verwendung verschiedener numerischer Modelle zusammen. Die Schlussfolderung ist, daß obwohl unter bestimmten Vorraussetzungen bedeutende Unterschiede existieren, nach wie vor ein bezwingendes Argument besteht TAT in der Kohlepfeilerauslegung zu verwenden.

Jan 1, 2003

By Wenkai Wan, Charlie C. Li

Strain burst can occur in underground hard rock excavation when the in-situ stresses are high enough. The prerequisite for rock burst is that the total energy released from the rock mass is higher than the energy needed for rock fracture. The total released energy is contributed by both the burst rock and the surrounding rock. The part of the energy from the burst rock is constant per unit volume of the rock, but the part from the surrounding rock is associated with the burst volume. A greater amount of energy will be released from the surrounding rock in the case of a larger volume of burst rock. The postulation for the energy conversion in strain burst is verified through a FLAC3D model in the paper. It is assumed that the strain burst occurs in a circular tunnel that is located in the hydrostatically loaded rock mass in the model. Six pairs of notches with different depths are created in the opposite walls of the tunnel to simulate the bursts. The energies released from the notch rocks and from the surrounding rock are calculated during the burst. The simulation results show that the percentage of the energy released from the surrounding rock in the total released energy increases with the notch depth. The numerical modelling confirms the postulation that the surrounding rock contributes more energy than the burst rock itself in large-scale strain bursts

Apr 26, 2022

SELWYN G. BLAYLOCK, who has been awarded the Douglas medal for 1927 for his achievements in the production of electrolytic zinc and the treating of complex lead, zinc and silver ore at the Sullivan mine, British Columbia, is a Canadian and one of the notable men who have come from McGill Uni-versity, where he graduated in 1899. As the medal was founded in 1922 by a group of James Douglas' friends to honor the memory of that distinguished Canadian metallurgist, who was an honorary LL.D. of McGill, it is extremely appropriate that it should be awarded to another Canadian metallurgist and McGill graduate, who has been notably successful in practice. Immediately after gradua- tion Mr. Blaylock obtained a position as chemist at the Trail smelter and two years later was made chief chemist and metallurgist. In 1907 he became superintendent of the Hall mines smelter and after a year became superintendent of the St. Eugene mine at Moyie. While there he was responsible for the purchase of the Sullivan mine and the use of methods of mining, especially sorting, which so improved the relative per- - centages of zinc and lead in the ore as to make it better material for blast-furnace smelting. The losses in zinc, both from sorting out and in the lead blast-furnace slag made a deep impression on him, and various methods of water concentration and the use of air-jigs and flotation to increase the recovery were tried under Mr. Blaylock's supervision as early as 1910. These were followed by experiments with direct fusion, volatilization in kilns, sulfite processes, and one similar to the Ashcroft proc-ess. In 1914 experiments were made with roasting, leaching, and electrolyzing the resultant zinc sulfate solution; the following year a plant was built at Tadanac which has been in successful operation since 1916, its capacity having been increased by successive steps to 275 tons of zinc per day. Experimental work continued on the feed for the zinc plant and a 150-ton mill to use the Horwood process was constructed, but as the results were not encouraging it was altered to wet magnetic concentration, which was successful and the plant was later increased in capacity to 600 tons per day. Meanwhile experiments with differential flota-tion showed promise and magnetic concentration was continued while flotation was developed to where it could be put into operation parallel to the magnetic plant. This flotation plant, started in 1920, was so successful that eventually the magnetic separation plant was abandoned. Lead smelting conditions at Trail were difficult on account of the necessity of mak-ing slags containing as much as 20 per cent zinc and because of the high percentage of fine flotation con-centrate. The improvements in sintering and smelt-ing made under Mr. Blaylock's direction have been notable. The Betts electrolytic refining process for lead was first used at Trail, and the plant has been brought to its present highly developed and efficient state under Mr. Blaylock's direction. The first com-mercial Cottrell plant in connection with lead smelt-ing was also built there. The capacity of the Tada-nac plant is now approximately 750 tons per day of refined metal, including lead, zinc, copper, antimony, cad- mium, gold and silver. All the work necessary for this nota- ble development has neces- sarily been the work of many hands, directed by Mr. Blay- lock. In 1924 he was awarded the McCharles Medal by the University of Toronto for his achievements in con- nection with the production of electrolytic zinc and the solving of the difficulty of treating the complex lead- zinc-silver ore of the Sullivan mine, and developing it from a small producer to one of the most important mines of the world, now producing 150,000 tons of lead and 90,000 tons of zinc annually. Having spent all his professional life in one remote place, Mr. Blaylock is relatively little known per-sonally to others of his pro-fession, and the award indi-cates the truth in Emerson's well known epigram about the mouse-trap.

Jan 2, 1928

By J. Herbst, C. C. Harris, G. Poling

The modern flotation machine is the result of decades of adaptation to a changing environment. In response to falling ore grades, and rising demands, tonnages, and costs, attempts are now underway to expand machine capacity by about an order of magnitude, while at the same time maintaining metallurgical performance and if possible reducing power requirements per unit throughput. Empiricism and rule-of-thumb have guided flotation machine design and scale-up, and a current need is for the development of a fundamental understanding of the subject. Design features of current and some obsolete machines are discussed in an attempt to outline those principles of flotation machine design which are known, and to delineate topics needing investigation. Attempts are made to distinguish between essential machine features required by the physics of the process, those features resulting from speculative theories on the flotation mechanisms, and features which are essentially styling variations. Topics discussed include: flotation mechanisms; tank and impeller/ stator design and dimensions; impeller speed; aeration; power consumption; particle suspension and dispersion; capacity; correlation of design parameters and operating variables; scale-up and scale- down; materials flow; problems in machine design. Design details and operating data for several current machine families are provided in Appendices.

Jan 1, 1976

By W. E. Straszheim

Computerized microscopic techniques were used to determine the size and identity of the ash-forming mineral components, as well as their association with the organic coal matrix, in order to aid in the development of physical methods of beneficiation which require such characterization for the most effective cleaning. Examples of particle size measurements, mineral phase identification, and especially coal-mineral association results are given for selected samples of raw and physically cleaned coals. These measurements can reveal certain characteristics of coals which can be be of significant value in predicting coal recovery and mineral matter rejection for coals undergoing beneficiation.

Jan 1, 1989

By Gordon F. Scott

This paper considers a recently completed hoist project for IAMGOLD. Called the Westwood project, this mine utilises some of the largest drum hoists supplied to the North American Market in recent times. This project is an example of where many of the design features discussed the associated paper, (Robotham, 2011) were incorporated. Director of sales and marketing, Gordon Scott has worked at DavyMarkham for over 30 years in a variety of roles starting as a mechanical design engineer, moving to project management before joining the sales department. Gordon has an honours degree in mechanical engineering from Leeds University.

May 1, 2011

ENGINEERS AVAILABLE (Under this heading will be published notes sent to the Secretary of the Institute by members or other persons introduced by members.) Member, technical graduate, aged 40, member Institute of Mining and Metallurgy 16 years, with varied experience. Actual underground work,. foreman, surveying, milling, mine examination, superintendent, manager, and other positions of trust. Several years' European practice. Familiar with flotation process. Desires responsible position. References furnished. No. 172. Member, aged 40, graduate Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Twenty years' successful experience as blast-furnace superintendent (merchant and steel works), covering operating, remodeling and? building. General superintendent and general manager of proposition comprising blast furnaces, coal and coke, and iron-ore operation, etc. Good organizer and handler of men. Desires position in above line anywhere. No. 173. Member, technical graduate, aged 43, with 20 years' experience in management of gold, silver, and copper properties and also coal and smelting properties in United States, Canada and Mexico. Owing to illness compelled to resign. Now open for engagement. No. 174. Member, technical graduate, with many years' experience with large smelting and refining companies as chemist, metallurgist, and superintendent desires position. No. 175.

Jan 1, 1915

By M. L. Bowser

Pulse-forming circuitry is described for use in explosives research that requires precise synchronization and control of events in order to investigate detonation parameters. Included are pulse generators for oscilloscope sweep control, counterchronograph actuators, and a raster-type oscillographic method for the determination of velocities of detonation that are applicable to studies on solid, liquid, and gaseous detonations. INTRODUCTION Prom time to time, requests have been received for information on electronic circuitry used in explosives work at the Explosives Research Laboratory, Bruceton, Pa. The methods used are not entirely original;4 5 6 however, modifications of earlier techniques and some novel design aspects have resulted in time-tested methods that warrant a more detailed description.

Jan 1, 1962

By S. H. Lorain

"INTRODUCTION The veins of the Clark Fork district have been mined on a small scale since 1913. In May 1943, the district was examined by an engineer 3/ of the Bureau of Mines with a view to possible exploration for larger ore deposits that might be of value to the war effort. The area adjacent to the Hope, Whitedelf, and Lawrence mines was re-examined 4/ December 27, 1943. As a result, the Bureau of Mines started exploratory operations in the district during the summer of 1944 which was continued until the late spring of 1946. This report presents the data obtained from the investigation.ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSIn its program of exploration of mineral deposits, the Bureau of Mines has as its primary objective the more effective utilization of our mineral resources to the end that they make the greatest possible contribution to national security and economy. It is the policy of the Bureau to publish the facts developed by each exploratory project' as soon as practicable after its conclusion. The Mining Branch, Lowell B. Moon, chief, conducts the preliminary examinations, performs the actual exploratory work, and prepares the final report. The Metallurgical Branch, R. G. Knickerbocker, chief, analyzes samples and performs beneficiation tests."

Aug 1, 1946

Although most N.S.W. coal mines contain large amounts of combustible materials such as coal and timber, the introduction of mechanisation has extended the range of combustible materials now found underground. The role of combustible material in a fire is not clearly understood and as a result the assessment of these materials for flammability by small and large scale tests is doubtful. Extensive research has been carried out on the toxic and irritating gases evolved during the combustion of plastics. However, most autopsies report death due to carbon monoxide inhalation because the combined toxicity of smoke and fire gases is unknown.

Jan 1, 1981

By R. E. Evans

This paper contains an analysis of the geography and geology of the Black Lake area, Eastern Townships of Quebec, an outline of the work to be performed, an explanation of the design concept and how it was developed, and a discussion of the actual stripping operation, including details of the machinery being used, etc.

Jan 1, 1967

By J. T. McLendon

As part of its research project in developing improved refractory materials for metallurgical applications, the Federal Bureau of Mines obtained hot modulus of rupture data at 1,500°,1,550°, and 1,600° C on samples of 13 refractory periclase materials produced from seawater, lake brines, and natural magnesite. The periclase samples also were characterized to establish chemical and mineralogical composition and microstructure. The results indicated that a high MgO content does not necessarily assure good hot strength and that an optimum and varying CaO-Si02 ratio exists for each individual periclase sample.

Jan 1, 1979

By K. Ilankoon, I. M. Saman, S. J. Neethling

In heap leaching the transport of the acid from the drippers to the surface of the ore particles is a major factor in the overall performance of a heap. This flow behaviour is complex as the flow is unsaturated and occurs along a tortuous set of inter-particle channels and connections. The particle properties such as size, shape and porosity are very important when modelling the liquid holdup and flow within heaps, since the dominant mechanisms at work are quite different. This paper investigates the effect of these particle properties experimentally on heap flow behaviour using a 1-D column leaching system consisting of non-porous glass beads with a system of actual ore particles. The similarities and differences between the two systems on flow behaviour are described using an inter-particle flow model. In addition, the applicability of positron emission particle tracking (PEPT) for laboratory column leaching will be detailed to calculate hydrodynamic dispersion in packed beds compared to more conventional residence time distribution (RTD) tests and also to obtain the time averaged rivulet flow paths through the particles of the bed for the better understanding of heap hydrodynamics.

Jan 1, 2014

By S. Jeon, T. H. Kim

"Understanding the frictional properties of discontinuities is crucial to ensure the stability of underground structures. In particular, the frictional behavior at depth depends on the complex interaction among mechanical, hydrological, thermal and chemical characteristics and their coupled effects. In this study, a series of triaxial compression tests were carried out to investigate the behavior of rough shear surface of synthetic rocks. The frictional behavior showed little variation at different confining and water pressures. The test results were analyzed using Coulomb’s failure criterion. In addition, numerical analysis was carried out using PFC2D to simulate the test.INTRODUCTIONUnderstanding coupled behavior of rock at depth is of great importance in design, construction and operation of underground structures such as a disposal facility of radioactive waste, hot dry rock geothermal system and oil reservoir. In particular, many uncertainties are involved in characterizing deep rock mass deformation in the designing process and interactions among fluid flow of groundwater, high temperature and stress disturbance should be considered. Many independent studies have been carried out to investigate the thermal, hydro, mechanical and chemical coupled effects in numerical and experimental methods. They include the researches by Lockner, Summers, Moore and Byerlee (1982), Jafari, Amini Hosseini, Pellet, Boulon and Buzzi (2003), Tembe, Lockner and Wong (2010), Lee, Lee and Jeon (2012), Indraratna, Premadasa, Brown, Gens and Heitor (2014)."

Jan 1, 2015

By R. W. Raymond

The death of John Frederic Blandy, which occurred September 17, 1903, at Prescott, Arizona, terminated the earthly activity of one of the most active and able of the American mining engineers of the last generation. Mr. Blandy was born, April 24, 1833, at Newark, Delaware. His father was an Englishman, who had been in business in the island of Madeira, and had come thence to settle in the United States. At the age of eighteen, he was attached to the engineering field-corps of the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad; but, after a year of this service, he went to Germany, where he spent three years, entering in 1852 the Mining Academy at Freiberg, Saxony. Graduates of that institution need not be told that, at the period referred to, it held unique prominence in its special field, not only by reason of the great investigators and instructors, such as Cotta, Breithaupt, Weisbach, Plattner and Gaetschmann, who belonged to its faculty and brilliantly blended theory and practice in its work, but also because rival institutions were few. It cannot be fairly said that Freiberg has fallen below its ancient standard of excellence. Its chairs of instruction are still occupied by eminent men, worthy successors of the illustrious teachers who preceded them. But a host of technical academies, especially in this country, munificently equipped and efficiently conducted, have come into existence during the last half-century; and no one institution can ever hereafter claim the pre-eminence which the Freiberg Mining Academy once enjoyed. In those days, American mining engineers returning with satisfactory credentials from that school were sure of immediate employment.

Jan 1, 1904

By M. H. Thomas

El presente trabajo describe tres ejemplos de empresas en Australia que utilizaron carbones provenientes de fuentes locales para el encendido de sus hornos. Así también se muestra los principios generales de la operación de los hornos rotatorios, la quema de combustible pulverizado, el encendido directo e indirecto, la contaminación de cenizas y los problemas derivados de la eliminación de azufre.

Nov 1, 1984

By MEHMET KIZIL, PETER KNIGHTS, ROYAL REA

A 1/20 scale experimental dozer push test rig was designed and constructed to quantify the expected production rates (loose cubic meters per hour) for dozers operating in hard-rock bulk push applications. The particle size distribution of the material employed in the test rig was modeled on a fragmented muckpile representative of that for a typical surface copper/gold mine overburden. Buckingham Pi theory was applied to mathematically develop factors for scaling up dozer productivity parameters, including blade loads and push times. Dozer production rates were investigated for various dozing distances and slope angles. A series of instantaneous productivity curves were produced which are applicable for use in hard-rock dozer push operations. The productivity curves produced demonstrate that dozer productivity declines rapidly over the range of 10 to 40 m.

By R Wilson, S Luke, R Williams, B Freeburn

"In 2010, two McLanahan RSS14×50 scrubber screens were installed at Fortescue Metals Group’s (Fortescue) Christmas Creek site. By 2015, the trommel (screen) section had effectively reached the end of their serviceable life. This was determined by regular measurement of structural components over the previous 18 months that tracked wear life. At the same time, numerous trials and optimisations had taken place on screen panel design and material composition. During 2015, a new set of trommels were designed, manufactured and installed that incorporated many new features: increased open area to facilitate high throughput, improved wear protection for structural members, simplified trommel panels and realigned discharge ports to reduce wear on exit. Numerous other upgrades have taken place on the drive system, feed chutes, liner and weir configurations and park brake, to name a few. This paper will highlight how regular measurement drove design changes and how the site and the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) managed a replacement program that has delivered improved performance.Citation:Wilson, R, Luke, S, Freeburn, B and Williams, R, 2016. Regular Measurement Defines Upgrades on Scrubber Screens, in Proceedings 13th AusIMM Mill Operators’ Conference 2016, pp 285–290 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne)."

Oct 10, 2016

By Lawrence W. Teufel

A method to determine in situ stress directions and magnitudes from anelastic strain recovery measurements of oriented core has been used to determine the principal horizontal in situ stresses in the Rollins Sandstone in a deep well near Rifle, Colorado. The principal horizontal stress directions were determined directly from the principal horizontal strain recovery directions. The principal horizontal stress magnitudes were calculated from the principal strain recovery magnitudes, overburden stress, and Poison's ratio of the rock using a viscoelastic model. The accuracy of the in situ stress directions and magnitudes determined from anelastic strain recovery measurements was substantiated by a direct comparison with open-hole hydraulic fracture stress measurements. The anelastic strain recovery method predicted the magnitudes of the maximum and minimum horizontal principal stresses to be 54.5 MPa and 51.9 MPa, respectively; with an azimuth of N63ºW ± 8º for the maximum horizontal stress. The hydraulic fracture stress measurements yielded maximum and minimum horizontal principal stress magnitudes of 49.6 MPa and 46.8 MPa, respectively. The azimuth of the maximum horizontal stress ranged from N50ºW to N70°W.

Jan 1, 1984