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By L. Adler

Longwall caving, one of the most economical and attractive mining methods, is yet one of the most difficult and hazardous.1 This dualism is inherent in a method which manipulates the mine supports themselves to aid in excavation. The difficulty is further compounded by the lack of an analytical method to predict and control results. This paper is intended to meet this need by providing a first approximation to the mechanics involved. The analysis will be limited to materials which are linear-elastic, homogeneous and isotropic. The rock structure is assumed to consist of beds of uniform thickness with no interbed bonding.2 Consequently, the mine roof can be likened to a beam, in which the action characteristic of longwall caving is the controlled deflection of the barrier supports. This deflection causes load to be intentionally transferred from these barrier props to the working face.3 Two of the requirements of this method, shared in common with other mining methods, are the provision of (1) adequate and (2) safe working space. The third requirement is the one characteristic of longwall caving and is somewhat in conflict with the second; (3) the development of near-failure static loads at the face. Requirement (1) is handled by spacing the barrier props sufficiently far from the working face for efficient operation. Requirement (2) limits the static stresses in the structure to predetermined allowable values. This means that it is not desirable to induce a maximum load on the working face as requirement (3) may imply. Such a condition could produce collapse in the whole structure. It is the purpose of the undercut to limit the depth, and thereby control the failure of the face. Therefore, requirement (3) really means the development of an optimum, not maximum, load which, in conjunction with undercutting, produces failure at the working face, with minimum powder consumption. Stress analysis requires an exact delineation of the structure and loads. The structure will be defined as the immediate roof and its supports. Since the roof is severed at the caving line, the supports reduce to the barrier props and the working face, as shown in Fig. 1. The mechanics of failure within the working face itself are complex and beyond the scope of this study, since the face represents a typical mine invert structure.4 However, this lack can be made good by the judicious collection of field data. The primary load on the structure is its own weight or body load which can be considered uniformly distributed over its upper surface. Additional loading occurs due to interference of overbeds with the structure. Wherever this occurs, the effect can be approximated by a load uniformly distributed on the upper surface of the structure.5 When this interference is intermittent, as with a much thicker overbed, the elastic curve for the overbed is superimposed on that for the structure and the extent of interference noted, as Fig. 2 shows. However, for simplicity, this study will ignore such intermittent loads without impairing the generality of approach. Consequently, the free-body diagram is that of a uniformly loaded cantilever beam with an inter-mediate support, as shown in Fig. 3. For convenience of analysis, the diagram will be divided just to the

Jan 1, 1961

By M. R. Paterson, M. K. Suddaby

Operational and economic factors tend to favor the application of continuous processes in preference to batch processes in the majority of mineral processing applications. In this paper, the requirement for a continuous elution process is established and the development of a large-scale pilot plant is described. It is based on a continuous elution apparatus that has a number of special features. These are the subject of various patent applications. The apparatus is suitable for adaptation to the AARL, Zadra, and other methods of elution. The performance of the atmospheric continuous elution system (ACE) is concluded to have significant advantages over the batch process.

Jan 1, 1988

Much has been written about leadership over the years. It is probably one of the most written about but least understood and defined concepts in business. Leadership and management are often confused and blurred, and inspirational words such as mentor, coach, motivator and the like, are often interspersed when describing a leader. There are a few things we do know about leadership:The only thing common to all leaders is that they are different.Leadership is not the sole domain of business; it applies to every aspect of human endeavour. We are all required to lead at times, and we all have it in our ability to lead. There is no set of predetermined competencies, which a leader must possess to be effective. Hence there is no course in the world that can teach you to become a leader. There is no such thing as the perfect leader. Leadership is a verb, not a title; you actually have to do it to be judged a leader. All leaders no matter how you define the term, must leave a legacy. Thus in the busy world we all live in, what are the lessons in leadership that we can all learn from, that will assist us all in our pursuit of leadership. The purpose of today is to put forward a framework for leadership that I have been researching and working on for many years. It is not the definitive framework, merely a framework. Out of today you will take your own collective thoughts, learnings, observations, experiences, education and training, and collective wisdom, and apply it to yourself.

Jan 1, 2004

By Wilfred Walker

With the advent of the New Global Tectonics a coherent pattern of geology is emerging. To the economic geologist this is of vital concern because the type of mineralization in particular environments is predictable. Developments in geological reasoning now take their place beside developments in geochemistry and geophysics. Much is known of the worldwide geography of the Alpine orogenic period because it is now ending its 200 million years of existence, starting with the Jurassic, and we can see the mid-ocean rises and the down flow zones, and between them the stable oceanic and continental platforms. The concepts of mantle cells, the spreading sea floor, and continental drift have gained general acceptance. The oceanographers have demonstrated the uprises like that in the mid-Atlantic. In this paper it is suggested that down flows in the oceans are marked by island arcs, like the West Indies; and down flows in the continents are marked by orogens like the American Cordillera. The number and position of mantle cells is controversial: a total of about 16 cells is suggested in this paper. Certain cells expand, and as they carry continents with them give rise to concepts of plate tectonics. Specific types of mineral deposits are associated with the uprises, oceanic and continental platforms, and down flows. The uprises are accompanied by the currently described Red Sea and Salton Sea deposits, the oceanic parts of the platform have the nodular deposits, and the continental platforms have the post-tectonic deposits. However, most economic metal deposits are associated with the down flow zones in which the stage of geosynclinal development controls the type of deposit: (1) In the initial development stage the simatic upper mantle may be tapped and give rise to the volcanogenic massive base metal sulfide deposits and to the ophiolite suite which characteristically carries nickel, chrome, and cupreous pyrite. (2) In the early geosynclinal stage sialic crust is driven down into the simatic magma of the upper mantle and basic to acidic differentiates give rise to stocks accompanied by skarn and hydrothermal deposits. (3) The intermediate stage of geosynclinal development gives rise to tin-tungsten, lithium, and beryllium deposits as the magma chamber rises above the level of the upper mantle and there is no simatic component. (4) The late stage is one of regenerated deposits. The porphyry deposits are not restricted to stages but only by the time of generation of acid magma. As the geosynclinal system dies, the mantle is again the source of magma, giving rise to gabbro and diabase dykes and sills: in this last, post-tectonic, continental platform environment are found the Mississippi Valley type lead-zinc deposits, the Blind River and Witwatersrand type of sedimentary uranium and gold deposits, and also Sudbury's nickel. The key relationship of major ore deposits generated by downflows is depicted herein on a framework of uprises, platforms, and downflows in the Alpine orogenic period. There is evidence for nine orogenic periods, of which the Alpine period is the latest, having taken place from 3500 million years ago to the present. Each period was characterized by its own worldwide mantle cell system and associated uprises, platforms, and down flows. The cycle of geosynclinal development, including corresponding cycles of mineralization, can be precisely defined in relation to each of these orogenic periods. The development of the Alpine orogenic period therefore can be used as a guide to the study of the earlier orogenic periods which comprise well known periods: Kenoran, Hudsonian, Grenville, and Paleozoic; and less well known: Konkian, Aulian, Belomorian, and Elsonian [(Table 1)]. Each name is used for the period as a whole, and not for the main orogenic event.

Jan 1, 1973

By J. J. Taber, W. K. Meyer

Experiments on consolidated sandstones have shown that a variety of conditions are responsible for the wide range of behavior observed when oil and water are displaced simultaneously by a solvent which is miscible with both. The type of displacement is influenced most strongly by the relation between the plait point of the ternary phase diagram and the composition path followed by the system as it achieves mis-cibility. Neglecting viscosity, the displacement becomes less efficient as the distance between the composition path and plait point is increased in either direction so that a very wide spectrum of displacements is possible with different alcohol, oil and brine systems. It is possible by choosing various composition paths as miscibility is achieved to exercise some control over the actual displacement mechanism. Control over the composition path is exercised by adding oil or water in specific amounts to the alcohol prior to its injection into the porous medium. This technique apparently makes it possible to obtain piston-like displacements with systems which are usually characterized by the efficient displacement of only one of the two phases i.e., either oil or water, while the other phase lags behind. However, the simultaneous displacement of oil and water is not as efficient as other miscible displacements at a similar mobility ratio. The evidence indicates that both oil and water "leak" into the alcohol "piston" in compensating amounts. With oils of low viscosities the displacement is inefficient because the low oil saturation in the stabilized bank causes oil to be trapped by water before miscibility is attained. INTRODUCTION The simultaneous displacement of oil and water by solvents such as alcohol has been investigated in the laboratory and in the field. The laboratorv workers investigating all-liquid miscible systems have recognized the great importance that the nature of the traingular phase diagram exerts on the efficiency of the miscible displacement. Gatlin and Slobod pointed out that displacement efficiency will be improved if miscibility can be retained for long periods and that this behavior tends to be followed if the applicable phase diagrams have very low binodal curves. In their unconsolidated sand tests the alcohol was considered an ideal miscible piston displacing both oil and water phases. Later workers have pointed out that an important feature of the phase diagram as far as oil recovery is concerned is the location of the plait point. This is particularly true in the case of consolidated Sandstone.3 Since the original discussion of this effect, the importance of plait-point location has been confirmed and discussed by other author The early workers394 recognized that the position of the plait point could be altered by changing the oil or the alcohol used in an experiment. In addition, recent work has demonstrated that the plait point can be shifted by altering the nature and concentration of dissolved salts in the aqueous phase. However, the entire scope of the relationship between displacement and plait point has not been discussed previously and a technique for changing the composition path as miscibility is achieved in a particular ternary system, i.e., oil, water and solvent, has not been demonstrated. * The importance of oil viscosity on the efficiency of oil displacement by alcohol has not previously been observed, probably because the range of viscosities used in earlier experiments was too restricted. It is the object of this paper to describe the relationships between the ternary phase diagram, fluid properties and the displacement achieved. A technique for controlling the nature of the displacement is also presented. THEORY AND DEFINITIONS PISTON-LIKE THEORY The theory of alcohol flooding has been discussed in some detail.2-4 The concept was advanced that

Jan 1, 1965

By William A. Gibson, Kenneth P. Neumann

In 1967, development of the Cyprus Thompson Creek molybdenum deposit began near Challis, ID. The first mining claims were staked on an intrusive rock out-crop. Exploration continued for 14 years. In 1978, the decision was made to develop the deposit. In Dec. 1980, approval was received for the environmental impact statement and facilities construction and waste rock removal began. By the middle of 1983, 126 Mt (139 million st) of rock had been removed and all facilities completed. Location The Thompson Creek project is located about 58 km (36 miles) southwest of Challis in Custer County, in south central Idaho. The mine and mill are situated between 2.2 and 2.6 km (7,217 and 8,530 ft) in elevation. The project is located in an isolated area. Surrounded by mountains, it is adjacent to the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. The Salmon river is 8 km (5 miles) south of the project. The project claim block is lo-

Jan 1, 1984

By Marsh S. Watson, Robert A. Howard

The effect of depth of formation penetration by casing perforations has been studied by means of an electrolytic model. It is found that the relative productivity of perforated casing is profoundly affected by the depth to which the formation is penetrated. The first in. of penetration i: of especial importance. A scaling equation which was shown to agree with experimental results at zero penetration is used to calculate the relative productivity of a waled down casing with scaled down perforations. INTRODUCTION In an earlier piper' the authors showed that the point sink representation of casing perforations is inade- quate. It was Pointed out at that time that while the electrolytic model results were a marked improvement over point-sink calculations, they still left a great deal to be desired in that the electrolytic model represented a case not realizable in practice, namely, a clean hole through the casing but undisturbed formation on the other side of the casing. Obviously, to be effective, the perforation must penetrate a finite distance into the producing formation. It was the purpose of the present investigation to find how the relative productivity of perforated casing varies with depth of penetration. The term "depth of penetration" as used in this paper refers to the distance which the perforation penetrates the producing formation. The amount of casing and cement penetrated is not taken into account, a fact which is discussed more fully later. The "casing radius," therefore, is to be interpreted as the radius of the boundary between cement and formation wall. in cases where the casing is not in contact with the formation wall. APPARATUS The electrolytic model experimental setup was identical with that described in the previous paper' except that the platinum electrodes were now allowed to project from the lucite cylinder by varying amounts. When fewer than eight electrodes were used, the unused ones were covered with a coat of insulating material to minimize disturbances to the current flow-lines. Comparison runs made with the unused electrodes uninsulated, however, showed that the values of Q/Q0 so obtained did not vary by more than the experimental error from the values obtained with the unused electrodes insulated RESULTS The variation of relative productivity* with perforation density is shown for various penetration depths from 0 to 4.03 in. in Fig. 1. It will be seen that even one in. of penetration into the formation results in a huge increase in the relative productivity. Moreover, as-the depth of penetration increases, it becomes less and less advantageous to use large perforation densities, 80 pel. cent of open hole productivity being obtained with only three 0.5-in. diameter holes per foot when the penetration is 4.03 in.

Jan 1, 1950

By Kenneth J. Miller

Froth flotation is one of the most actively pursued research and development areas in the coal preparation industry today. Many new types of flotation machines and processes are being developed and compared in an effort to handle the increased quantity of coal fines produced by finer grinding for greater liberation of ash- forming and sulfur-bearing mineral matter. Of the many new machines and processes under development for deep cleaning ultrafine coals, it is quite likely that many will not reach industrial use in the near future; in fact, it is quite likely that some never will. Therefore, it is the objective of this paper to select and describe a few of the new flotation machines and processes that appear to have reached a level of development that would suggest their eventual use on an industrial scale. It is probable, and doubtless will be argued, that some of the selections given in this paper should not have been included, while others should have, but the reader must understand that the author is restricted by the information available. And because most of the information available comes from those who are developing the equipment and/ or processes, it is often confusing and conflicting. Thus with a somewhat moderated plan, the author proposes to point out some in- congruities in the literature in the hope that such information might promote more independent study and perhaps explain the abundant promise versus the scant use of the new equipment and processes described.

Jan 1, 1988

By Eugene E. Ayres

The centrifuge has come into general use in the oil fields and in the establishments where lubricating and fuel oils are used. Probably centrifugal machinery will be found more useful in the refinery when the operators are more familiar with'the principles of modern centrifuga-tion and when centrifugal engineers better understand the refinery emulsion problems. It is not generally realized that centrifugal force and gravity have two distinct functions: First, subsidence wherein the suspended globules are brought into contact; second, coalescence (when this is possible) by rupturing the films around the globules. In the case of a water-in-oil emulsion, an exercise of the former function alone would yield: (1) oil, free, or as free as desired, from water; and (2) a concentrated water-in-oil emulsion—concentrated in the sense that it contains a relatively large percentage of the internal phase. An exercise of both functions will yield: (1) water-free oil and (2) oil-free water. Centrifugal force is much better than gravity for subsidence because, in the case of industrial emulsions where the suspended globules are visible under a microscope, subsidence is directly proportional to the force applied. Centrifugal force is only slightly better than gravity for coalescence. A minute trace of a proper reagent will immediately do more to nullify the interfacial surface tension opposing coalescence than an indefinite application of the highest attainable centrifugal force. No mathematical analysis has been made to explain the failure of high centrifugal force to induce a decidedly more rapid and more complete coalescence than is obtained by gravity. The adjustment of the centrifuge rotor depends more on the extent of coalescence that is desired or is possible than on any other factor. One reason for this dependence is to be found in the curious relation between the specific gravity and the hydrostatic pressure of emulsions. The continuous centrifuge works on the U-tube or Florentine flask prin-

Jan 1, 1924

By M. A. T. Cocquerel, J. G. Eacott

"Simulation techniques may be used to optimize existing processes and plant operations, and in plant design at the engineering study stage of a project . This paper describes the latter application, using a computer, to optimize the concentrate stockpile requirements of a modern copper smelter.A large open-pit mining operation is envisaged and it is assumed that copper concentrate is smelted in two flash furnaces. The proposed mining plan gives rise to metaffurgical considerations in smelting which dictate that concentrate blending is carried out in the early years of operation in order to eliminate wide variations in the grade of concentrate charged to the furnaces . Stockpiling facilities are therefore necessary for blending purposes and also to provide a strategic reserve of concentrate to ensure continuity of concentrator and smelting operations.The objective of the study is to determine the optimum size of concentrate stockpile required to take account of both metaffurgical and strategic considerations. Two separate simulation models are developed to achieve this objective. The first model is used to determine the minimum size of stockpile necessary for blending purposes to smooth out variations in concentrate grade between 15 - 60% Cu, with associated 34 6% Fe, respectively, and ensure that the concentrate fed to the furnaces does not faff below 12% Fe, which is considered a minimum for good smeltability.The second simulation model covers a projected three-year operating period and indicates the maximum size of stockpile which is likely to develop during scheduled and unscheduled shutdown periods in the concentrator and smelter.Covered storage volume and conveying facilities for the optimum size of concentrate stockpile can be designed based on the results generated by the simulation models."

Jan 1, 1980

By Francis Lucas

A microscope objective of given numerical aperture, whew used with light of given wave length, has some fixed limit of resolution. This may be expressed as potential resolving ability-the ability to resolve is inherent in the lens but whether this limit is achieved in practice is quite another matter. Nearly 50 years ago Abbe evolved theoretical considerations which indicated that the ability of a lens to resolve detail is directly proportional to twice the numerical aperture of the objective and inversely proportional to the wave length of the light used. It is true, unquestionably, that as the numerical aperture of the objective is increased the potential resolving ability of the lens is increased and likewise whew the wave length of the light used is decreased, the degree of resolution is increased. Whether Abbe's formula expresses the exact relationship is not a matter of great concern. It suffices to know that to improve resolution, other things being equal, two avenues of approach are available. Either the numerical aperture of the objective may be increased or the wave length of the light decreased. With the apochromatic system it is possible to employ successfully wave lengths from 400 to 500, µµ and still secure reasonably short exposures. The present limit for numerical aperture is 1.40 N. A. although objectives of 1.65 N. A. are wow an experimental possibility for metallurgical work. Thus certain well defined limits are set for those who work within the range of the visible spectrum. In order to take advantage of the increase in resolving power which accompanies a decrease in the wave length of light employed, Dr. A. Köhler and Dr. M. Vow Rohr of the Zeiss Scientific Staff developed the "monochromats." These are quartz objectives corrected for the single wave length 275 µµ which lies in the ultra-violet region of the spectrum. They also developed a series of quartz oculars and a complete photo-micrographic equipment with which to use the quartz optics. Quartz must be used for the optical parts because glass absorbs ultra-violet light almost completely. Thus there was made available about 20 years

Jan 6, 1926

By Francis F. Lucas

A microscope objective of given numerical aperture, when used with light of given wave length, has some fixed limit of resolution. This may be expressed as potential resolving ability—the ability to resolve is inherent in the lens but whether this limit is achieved in practice is quite another matter. Nearly 50 years ago Abbe evolved theoretical considerations which indicated that the ability of a lens to resolve detail is directly proportional to twice the numerical aperture of the objective and inversely proportional to the wave length of the light used. It is true, unquestionably, that as the numerical aperture of the objective is increased the potential resolving ability of the lens is increased and likewise when the wave length of the light used is decreased, the degree of resolution is increased. Whether Abbe's formula expresses the exact relationship is not a matter of great concern. It suffices to know that to improve resolution, other things being equal, two avenues of approach are available. Either the numerical aperture of the objective may be increased or the wave length of the light decreased. With the apochromatic system it is possible to employ successfully wave lengths from 400 to 500 uu and still secure reasonably short exposures. The present limit for numerical aperture is 1.40 N. A. although objectives of 1.60 N. A. are now an experimental possibility for metallurgical work. Thus certain well defined limits are set for those who work within the range of the visible spectrum. In order to take advantage of the increase in resolving power which accompanies a decrease in the wave length of light employed, Dr. A. Kohler and Dr. M. Von Rohr of the Zeiss Scientific Staff developed the "monochromats." These are quartz objectives corrected for the single wave length 275 uu which lies in the ultra-violet region of the spectrum. They also developed a series of quartz oculars and a complete photo-micrographic equipment with which to use the quartz optics. Quartz must be used for the optical parts because glass absorbs ultra-violet light almost completely. Thus there was made available about 20 years

Jan 1, 1926

By W. G. Spencer, E. Sulis, P. M. Tiley

"Dome Mine's No.8 shaft is located about 1 km northeast of Dome's No.3 shaft and mill complex in South Porcupine, Ontario.No.8 shaft was brought into production in 1984 to hoist ore and waste for the complete mine as well as to service the mine from the 1600 level and below. Access above 1600 level is provided by No. 3 shaft.The rectangular shaft has six compartments consisting of two skips, a cage, counterweight, manway, and a service compartment. The over-all size of the shaft is 14 ft 7 in. by 20 ft by 7 in. (Fig. 1). A 7th compartment for shaft deepening is incorporated in the bottom 500 ft of shaft. The shaft is 5470 ft deep. The loading pocket is located at 5300 ft and the dump 61 ft below the collar.Surface facilities consist of a concrete headframe and a structural steel hoistroom which houses the cage and production hoists . The service hoist is a 12-ft diameter double drum, with one 1750 HP DC motor, and the production hoist is a 15-ft diameter double drum with twin 1750 HP DC motors.Both hoists have a single clutch and a single reduction gear train built by Orenstein & Koppel, and equipped with Canadian General Electric drives. The cage hoist is equipped with a disc pinion brake.The skips were originally aluminum 14-ton capacity, Rolla-chute design with steel liners on three sides and 4 in. of rubber on the back, to absorb the loading impact. The original guide rollers consisted of fixed 10 in. pneumatic tires. The face-to-face units were eventually replaced with larger airplane-type tires mounted on a spring loaded pivot arm."

Jan 1, 1993

Conventional treatment of oxide and oxidised sulphide minerals by flotation involves the use of sodium sulphide for sulphidisation. Sodium sulphide is generally applied in a "slug" dosing fashion with manual regulation. However, it is recognised that "over addition" or "under addition" of sulphidising reagent can result in poor flotation recoveries. Thus, control of sodium sulphide additions is an important aspect of a sulphidisation circuit, both commercially and metallurgically. In any plant where the flotation feed is "constant" it is possible to operate at a constant rate of addition of sodium sulphide. In actual plant practice, however, it is difficult to maintain a truly constant feed for any reasonable duration because this implies not only a constant feed-rate, but also constant mineral composition and particle size range. These factors can vary significantly and ideally require corresponding variations in the additions of sodium sulphide to maintain optimum recoveries. To cope with variations in the feed, it is essential to have automatic rather than manual regulation of the sulphide reagent addition. The CPS process achieves this control by utilising a sulphide ion-selective electrode as a control instrument in sulphidisation. The CPS process which uses a selective electrode, enables the sulphide ion concentration in the flotation pulp to be monitored and controlled continuously throughout the stage of sulphidisation.

Jan 1, 1989

Develop improved blasting practices that can help to curb overbreak in highwalls at surface mines, thereby reducing the hazards of rock-falls to workers and equipment, The Problem The serious hazard in surface mining is the falling of rock from highwalls. Poor highwall stability is caused in part by geologic conditions, but often is aggravated by faulty blasting practices, where the explosive energy not only fractures the rock to be excavated, but also damages the rock that borders the excavation. This reduces the general stability of the hlghwall and increases the rockfall potential. The probability of injury to mine workers or damage to equipment associated with exposure to the highwall increases with the height of the highwall and the extent of its overbreakage. Most rockfalls occur in the first 15 days after a new highwall is exposed. This statistic is significant since most of the work below a highwall is done during this period. The area of greatest hazard is within 25 ft of the toe for rocks that fall vertically, and up to 90 ft from the toe for falling rocks that are deflected by the highwall during their descent, The workers most frequently involved in such accidents are dozer operators, ground laborers, and shovel operators or oilers.

Jan 1, 1985

By G. Newman, C. D. Sellars, E. A. Portfors

Power for mine operation in remote locations is usually provided by diesel generators. For gold mines where processing is normally desirable on-site, power requirements can be significant and the operating cost for diesel generation then becomes an important factor in mine feasibility. If a suitable site is available, a small hydroelectric power facility near the minesite can provide a significant portion of the mine power requirements. The hydrological, engineering and economic factors involved in small hydroelectric power development are described in this paper. Capital costs are minimized by run-of-river hydro development which does not require a dam and reservoir and has less environmental impact. During periods of low flow, diesel generators are used to make up the power demand. The hydrologic analysis required to determine unit energy costs is described and technical requirements for linking the hydroelectric power facility with diesel generation are outlined. Case studies are presented demonstrating the economic advantages of a small hydro installation. One case study is for a proposed gold mine in British Columbia and the second is a large operating gold mine overseas, for which the hydroelectric power scheme is presently under construction .

Jan 1, 1987

By H. F. Nash

Coal is the basic necessity of our present-day civilization, and those engaged in the industry, whether miner, day-man, pit boss, tipple boss, superintendent, salesman or operator, have a direct responsibility to the public at large. Our country is blessed with a great supply of Bituminous coal, upon which it must largely depend for its industrial prosperity. Anthracite coal, in its relation to our economic situation, is a small factor, as its ratio of production to Bituminous coal is only about one-sixth. However, within the last ten years, electricity and oil have largely displaced the use of coal in industry, so that the use of Bituminous coal is decreasing, relatively, and the potential production of Bituminous coal has largely increased since the war. High wage scales and high freight rates make the delivered price of coal to the consumer so out of proportion to the cost of electricity and oil -and strikes make the supply of coal so uncertain-that industry is rapidly turning to electricity and oil. The energy in a ton of coal can be transported, by electric current, a distance of 250 miles for 78% of what it costs to ship the coal in bulk, by rail, in the East-and, for about 60% of what it costs in our section of the country. The use of fuel oil, distillate and gasoline, in industry, has increased by leaps and bounds. Especially was this noticeable during the strike this year, as the large packing plants in Kansas City, Omaha and Sioux City (that formerly used nothing but coal) are now practically all using oil. This also supplies to other industrial plants throughout our territory in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. Many railroads are using oil, as are also the smelters, cement plants, etc., etc. Ten years ago, 100% of the threshing in the state of Kansas was done with coal-today not over 25% of it is done through that means-and so it goes all along the line. The use of our coal is being yearly more restricted in industry. In the case of domestic consumption, the circle is also ever decreasing.' In small towns and on farms, kerosene, gasoline and wood are largely utilized for cooking. For the past four years, along any country road, it is a common occurrence to hear a buzz-saw cutting old fence posts or timbers taken from creek bottoms. Many thousands of tons of coal are displaced each year through the use of corn and cobs. In larger towns, gas plants have been installed, and many housewives use gas-in communities contiguous to natural gas, that is used for industrial and domestic purposes. The time has gone when industrial and domestic consumers or dealers are satisfied to buy anything that is black-competition among the coal-producing states is keen, and will become more so. Eastern and southern fields are turning out splendidly prepared coals of high quality, and with their lower freight rates to competitive territory, will entirely nullify the use. of our Western coal unless-

Jan 1, 1922

By Takeshi Tanaka, Yasuhiro Komamura, Yuusaku Tominaga, Takayoshi Iwamoto

In order to assist better countermeasures for ventilation control in normal/abnormal condition of mine ventilation network in real time, branch relation table derived from a macroscopic characteristic of ventilation network is introduced in this study. The main results in this study are as follows; 1) One of macro characteristics of a ventilation network, as a relation between airflow rates in two branches chosen arbitrarily, is specified under the change of aerodynamic resistances in a branch. Airflow rate in a branch can be estimated by airflow rate in other branch changing aerodynamic resistance by using empirical formula. The empirical formula by computer simulation of the Horonai coal mine, Japan is considered to be a one-valued function with monotone or extremums. 2) A branch relation table shows the macro characteristics, mentioned above, of all the set of two-branch combinations in a network. Elements in the table give both information of control possibility range of airflow rate and total number of extremums in an empirical formula. 3) It is important that when aerodynamic resistance change in a branch is estimated by measuring airflow rates in two typical branches, the two branches should be chosen from branch combinations with monotonous relation in the branch relation table. 4) A flexible expert system to assist ventilation control in the specified branch in real time has been developed by using a branch relation table for a ventilation transfer diagram of the specified branch, such a coal face and an advancing face. A fuzzy reasoning is utilized in the recognition of the safety factor, methane concentration, in the system. And when conviction degree in recognition for methane concentration at the specified branch is too low, the system searches for other branch combinations in the branch relation table stored in the system, to use other ventilation transfer diagram of the specified branch. When a needed ventilation transfer diagram is not stored in the system, the expert system asks automatically the ventilation simulation from other computers linked to the main computer automatically. The system repeats consultation until conviction value of safety in the specified branch approached

Jan 1, 1993

By G. A. Swanquist

INTRODUCTION This article describes the yellow cake drying, packaging and dust collection circuit of the United Nuclear Church Rock Mill. It also describes the layout and floor plan of this section as well as the operation and performance of the various equipment. In order to place the yellow cake section in perspective of the mill as a whole, the mill circuit is described briefly. CHURCH ROCK MILL GENERAL DESCRIPTION The Church Rock Mill contains six operating sections shown in Figure 1 in block diagram form. The grinding section consists of a semi-autogenous mill in closed circuit with a hydrocyclone. The slurry is then routed to the leaching tanks. Sulfuric acid and sodium chlorate is added to dissolve the uranium. The pulp is transferred from the leach tanks to the thickeners where the uranium bearing liquid is separated from the barren solids. The uranium bearing solution is then filtered and pumped to the solvent extraction section. [ ] In the solvent extraction section, the uranium bearing aqueous solution is brought into contact with an organic solution composed of kerosene, amine and isodecanol. The amine extracts the uranium from the aqueous solution. This organic solution is then routed to the stripping section, where the uranium is removed from the organic solution with an ammonium sulfate aqueous solution. The pregnant stripping solution now concentrated to 30 gpl U308 is routed to the precipitation tanks where ammonia is added to precipitate the uranium. The yellow cake is then washed in a counter current circuit of two thickeners and one centrifuge to remove impurities, mainly sulfates in order to meet specifications. The centrifuge centrate is routed to the second wash thickener for forward wash. The centrifuge cake at approximately 50% solids consistency is transferred to the yellow cake dryer via a screw conveyor. YELLOW CAKE DRYING, PACKAGING AND DUST COLLECTION Figure 2 shows the flowsheet of the integrated circuit of drying, packaging and dust collection. This section of course centers around the yellow cake dryer as the main equipment. The other main units are the dust collectors for the dryer and packaging respectively, a yellow cake storage bin and the yellow cake packaging facilities. Physically, all of this equipment occupies four floors, beginning at the top floor: 1. Both dust collector fans, the centrifuge and the screw conveyor to transport the yellow cake to the dryer. 2. The dryer, fire box and both dust collectors occupy the third floor. Figure 3 shows the floor plan of the third and fourth floors. 3. The yellow cake storage bin and dryer dust collector sump are located on the second floor. 4. The ground floor houses the loading facilities consisting of two load out ports from the bin to barrels, a roller conveyor loop, drum weighing scale, and change room facilities. Figure 4 shows the ground floor plan. Figure 5 is an elevation view of this section showing the overall equipment arrangement.

Jan 1, 1981

By Bruce A. Brown

Construction aggregate is the most important nonmetallic-mineral commodity in quantity and value that is produced in Wisconsin. Crushed stone is produced from the Precambrian crystalline rocks and the Ordovician and Silurian carbonates, and sand and gravel is extracted from Quaternary glacial deposits. Dimension stone is quarried from both the Precambrian crystalline rocks and Paleozoic carbonate rocks. Other nonmetallic minerals include industrial sand, lime, roofing granules, terrazzo aggregate, and peat.

Jan 1, 1999