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By F. M. Doyle-Garner, A. J. Monhemius

Hydrolytic stripping is the process whereby metal ions in a loaded solvent extractant are hydrolyzed by water, typically at 130°C to 200°C (265°F to 392°F). Equilibrium hydrolytic stripping tests were done on Versatic 10 solutions containing various metals, singly and in mixtures. Single solutions of Fe, Ni, Cu, Mg, and Mn precipitated [a]Fe2O3 Ni(OH)2 Cu2O + CuO, Mg(OH)2 and [?]Mn203 respectively, during hydrolytic stripping. Several mixtures containing iron precipitated magnetic spinel ferrites, MFe204. No other combinations formed mixed oxides. It is proposed that the mechanisms for hydrolysis and precipitation of iron in loaded Versatic solutions are similar to those for iron hydrolysis in aqueous solutions. Magnetic interactions between mixed carboxylate complexes are thought to be responsible for the homogenous nucleation of magnetic mixed oxides in preference to single oxides.

Jan 1, 1986

In many practical situations, the samples available to estimate a block of ore are not located on a regular grid. The sample sizes and orientations are not constant, and the number and relative position of the samples used for valuation of each block change from block to block. Estimation of a block W might be very complex and time consuming if each sample in the neighbourhood of the block were considered individually. A practical solution consists of grouping the samples in blocks Wi (i = 1, 2, . . . n) in the neighbourhood of W, and estimating µw as a weighted average of the mean xi of the samples in Wi. Possible ways of grouping the samples are illustrated in Fig. 1 1.1. More complex patterns can be found in the literature (Krige, 1966) To calculate the kriging estimator of pw, we must be able to calculate the variance of xi, the covariance of xi and xj, and the covariance of xi and pµw. The purpose of this chapter is to show how these quantities can be calculated when we ignore the position of the samples in the block Wi. We consider the samples to be randomly distributed in Wi; kriging with this assumption is known as random kriging.

Jan 1, 1978

By Kazuhide Nakaniwa

In this research, we devised a measurement method using total stations (TSs) which have ?the Baum? which is a concentric circle reticle, as substitute for crosshairs. The Baum owes its name to the similarity between the concentric circles and trees (Baum in German). By setting one circle on both of edges of cylinders, operators can set their sights on points on the center line of the cylinders, and also can measure positional coordinates of the points. Also, by measuring two different points on the center line, operators can measure the position and tilt of the axes of the cylinders. Furthermore, we developed a pile driving navigation system. Foundation piles are used for various structures, and their forms are generally cylindrical. Especially, although it is difficult to drive tilted pile foundations, their usage are expected to expand due to their high earthquake resistance. Yet, a method to accurately measure the tilts of piles has not been established. However, we proved that operators can obtain adequate accuracy to control foundation piles through the measurement experiment using this system. Using this system, the information of the pile is measured using a TS, transferred to a PDA, and displayed from the operator?s view of the piling machine.

Aug 1, 2013

By D. Lascelles, J. A. Finch, E. El-Ammouri

Flotation separation is expected to be related to the degree of dispersion of the pulp. For instance, highly aggregated systems may show reduced selectivity, reduced entrainment and increased flotation rate. In an attempt to test the impact of aggregation on flotation, we have taken advantage of the effect of Mg ions. Using combinations of Mg2+ and pH gave a wide variation in aggregation of several Cu-Zn ores (measured by settling rate) and corresponding flotation response was determined by batch tests. The trials were conducted on-site at Louvicourt and Agnico-Eagle. In a majority of cases a similar trend in aggregation and flotation selectivity (grade at given recovery) was observed. At Louvicourt, improved selectivity with increasing aggregation at pH 10.5 was found. At Agnico-Eagle, an analogous association between aggregation and selectivity was observed at pH 11.5. It is suggested that aggregation influences particle entrainment, the increased effective particle size reducing gangue recovery and hence improving selectivity.

Jan 1, 2004

By Hajime Miki, Gde Pandhe Wisnu Suyantara, Ahmed Mohamed Elmahdy, Hidekazu Matsuoka, Kyushu University, Tsuyoshi Hirajima

"Selective flotation of chalcopyrite and molybdenite was studied using various surface treatment methods such as electrolysis, ozone treatment, and plasma. Oxidation via electrolysis method indicated that only chalcopyrite surface is affected by electrolysis due to conductivity difference with molybdenite. Oxidation treatments and XPS analyses indicated that chalcopyrite became hydrophilic due to deposition of oxidized iron on its surface. Various oxidizing methods also showed that chalcopyrite was selectively oxidized and this can apply selective flotation of chalcopyrite and molybdenite. The possible mechanisms are proposed in this work based on surface analyses and thermodynamic calculations.INTRODUCTIONCopper sulphide minerals often associate molybdenite (MoS2) which is one of the most important by-products (Wills, 2006). It is important to recover molybdenite perfectly not only since molybdenite is valuable mineral, but also contamination of molybdenite into copper concentrate or contamination of copper mineral into molybdenite concentrate indicates penalty for both concentrate values (Wills, 2006). Conventional separation of copper sulphide and molybdenite has been achieved with sulphide bulk flotation followed by selective molybdenite flotation with NaHS addition since NaHS works as a depressant for copper sulphide. However, this current process shows imperfect molybdenite recovery and depressant such as NaHS needs to be used under specific flotation plant since it might be environmental contaminant. Hirajima et al., (2014) have been studied selective flotation of molybdenite and chalcopyrite (CuFeS2), which is the most important copper mineral, with plasma pre-treatment. They reported that plasma pre-treatment process followed by washing treatment can improve molybdenite floatability and depress chalcopyrite. This result is attributed to surface oxidation and selective conversion of chalcopyrite and molybdenite wettability. It may be hypothesized that another surface oxidation methods could give a similar result as plasma treatment process. To test this hypothesis, in this study, as comprehensive study of oxidation effect, various oxidation methods such as electrolysis, ozone, and plasma were investigated. Electrochemical measurements, thermodynamic calculations to predict the chemical reactions happened during the process, various surface analyses, and flotation experiments were carried out."

Jan 1, 2016

The automatic control of grinding mills for optimum performance is an area of control which can benefit from new control concepts and technology. Economic pressures dictate that the mining industry undertake changes in process design, control system strategy and operations organisation that call for innovative reappraisals of the control system performance necessary to enhance the functions of the process operator. As more dependence is placed on instrumentation the chances of abrupt, total loss of process control through an entire production complex becomes a major concern of the plant manager.

Jan 1, 1978

By Kenneth Medearis

The accurate prediction of possible damage to historic structures subjected to blasting-related ground motions is not infrequently the dominant factor in whether or not a mining or quarrying operation is allowed to proceed. A recent scenario involving an 1802 Pennsylvania Historic House was resolved satisfactorily, primarily because of the use of modern structural dynamics analysis techniques rather than simplistic peak particle velocity guidelines. One of the associated dominating factors was the truly significant agreement of the analysis results and the values obtained from actual on-site test shot blast motion recordings.

Jan 1, 1993

By A. G. Gilbert

Paradoxical is the word. The coal industry, despite reach- ing a 22-year high in production (590 million tons), has been tagged as having its back to the wall vis-a-vis its valiant attempts to quench the nation's still unabated craving for coal. What must be even more reassuring to the industry, infected once with rumors of a uranium takeover, is a nation's almost insatiable appetite for electricity. Between 1967 and the summer of 1970, utility stockpiles were being gobbled up, diminishing to 79% of the January 1968 level.

Jan 1, 1971

Mt. Whaleback, the property of the Mt. Newman Joint Venturers, contains more than one thousand million long tons of high grade hema- tite averaging 64% Fe, ranging from 70%, the grade of absolutely pure hematite, to 54%. The ore occurs in the Dales Gorge and Joffre Members of the Brockman Iron Formation. The interbedded shale bands common in other orebodies occurring in these horizons are seldom more than a few inches thick and are commonly partially enriched to about-35% Fe. In the generally hard, massive hematite orebody, the gangue minerals tend to break preferentially to the fines, or -6 mm product, and for this reason it is of a somewhat lower grade than the lumpy product. The control of the chemical qualities is concentrated on the fines product for it has been found that maintaining the iron and alumina levels in this product ensures that all chemical specifications are met in both the lump and fines products. Physical qualities are monitored to ensure that the physical quali- ties of decrepitation and degradation of the lumpy product are maintained at levels accept able to the buyers.

Jan 1, 1973

By Richard Dawson

Increasing global demand for coking coal has initiated several new coal mine developments in northeast BC. These developments are able to take advantage of the currently under utilized infrastructure that was put in place during the 1970?s and 1980?s for the Quintette and Bullmoose coal mines; which includes the Town of Tumbler Ridge, a 1,000km rail line to the coal terminal at Prince Rupert and a road system providing highway access to the town site. Coal within the two foothills regions of BC (north-east and south-east) is mined by open pit truck/shovel methods. Optimized mine plans require a thorough understanding of Rocky Mountain structural geology, attention for access in steep terrain, and a related understanding of the geotechnical conditions that control the stability of pit slopes and waste dumps. Thus there is a requirement to properly integrate mine planning with geotechnical engineering considerations. Many of the technical issues are well understood from experience during the past 30 years of Western Canadian coal mining. The challenge is to ensure that the mine plans are able to take full advantage of these lessons learned. The paper will focus on mine planning and geotechnical design issues to do with high angle-of-repose waste dumps and steeply bedded footwall slopes to illustrate the advantage of properly recognizing the important stability control issues during the early stages of engineering evaluations. Case histories from the existing and planned coal mining operations will be presented.

May 1, 2006

Conservationists have launched an attack on the mining law of 1872, accusing it of permitting the min- ing industry to rob the public and despoil the environment while doing it. Michael McCloskey, executive director of the Sierra Club, and one who has made known his opposition to the law said, "environmentalists are unified in their agreement that repeal . . . is one of conservation's most urgent tasks . . . ." Charles H. Callahan, executive vice president of the National Audubon Society, paralleled McCloskey's sentiments, calling the law a "disgrace" and a "give-away." In his opening statement before the Senate Interior Committee, Chairman Henry M. Jackson (D-Wash.) said that legislation pending before the committee would put the hard rock minerals under a leasing system as is the case with oil and gas.

Jan 1, 1971

By D. G. Dixon

A novel technology for leaching copper from primary copper concentrates has been developed at UBC. This patented technology takes advantage of the galvanic couple between pyrite and chalcopyrite to ensure rapid and complete oxidation of chalcopyrite under mild conditions in acidic iron sulfate solution, without the need for microbes, ultrafine grinding, or chemical additives such as chloride, nitrate, or surfactants. Copper recoveries of 98% or greater can be achieved at 80°C under atmospheric conditions in as little as 4 hours of residence time. The process is selective for chalcopyrite over pyrite, generates near-quantitative levels of elemental sulfur, and is fully compatible with conventional solvent extraction and electrowinning of LME Grade A copper cathodes. In this paper, the fundamentals of the Galvanox ? process are reviewed, and selected results of batch leaching tests on various concentrate samples are presented and discussed.

Jan 1, 2007

By Gerardo R. F. Alvear, Alistair S. Burrows, Stanko Nikolic, James S. Edwards

"The copper ISASMELT™ process has evolved over more than a quarter of a century and can now be considered mainstream, with single furnaces producing more than 340,000 tpa of copper in matte. The next evolutionary step for the ISASMELT™ technology is to directly challenge the dominance of the Peirce-Smith converter by the implementation of a continuous copper converting process on a commercial scale. The present work describes the status of the continuous converting process – ISACONVERT™.Continuous converting has been performed successfully in pilot scale ISACONVERT™ plants, where operating results have verified the predictions of fundamental research and reinforced the underlying confidence in the design parameters. From a matte feed rate of 250 kg/hr, a calcium ferrite slag and a low-sulfur blister have been produced. Design is now complete for the first commercial application of the ISACONVERT™ process. The present paper describes the status of ISACONVERT™ by summarising results of recent pilot plant tests and describing the first commercial plant design."

Jan 1, 2009

By R. L. Weigel

As Florida phosphate mining gradually moves from the Bone Valley formation to the Hawthorn formation, a greater portion of the minable deposit contains dolomitic diluents which result in lower product grades that can be detrimental to the production of phosphoric acid for fertilizer uses. One beneficiation technique found applicable to the phosphate pebble size range (3 X 16 mesh) is heavy media separation using suspensions of magnetite and ferrosilicon. As part of an ongoing investigation of dolomite removal technology, a pilot heavy media cyclone system was constructed by IMC and used in the testing of a variety of drill core composites and hulk samples. The results of these tests were used to develop a predictive model for heavy media cyclone separation based on pebble fraction assays and heavy media operating parameters. This model is currently being used in the evaluation of specific future mining areas.

Jan 1, 1984

By C. E. Semler

A multiyear program involving online, in-vessel exposures at Barrick Goldstrike Mines Inc. (BGMI) has provided information and experience about the materials and designs for brickwork linings in pressure oxidation autoclaves. A variety of brick and mortar products was evaluated. Properties before and after exposure were used to document the performance. Some benefits include the development of a new silicate mortar, a better understanding of brick requirements and increased autoclave operating time between maintenance shutdowns. BGMI operates six pressure oxidation autoclaves at its Eureka County, NV gold operation. These autoclave process 15.8 k/ld (17,500 stpd) of gold ore. Figure 1 is a flowsheet of the six autoclave circuits. The gold ore is refractory, in which the gold particles are mineralogically encapsulated on a micro- and submicroscopic level. The autoclaves are 4.4- m- (14-ft-) diam and 26 m (85 ft) long (tip-to-tip). Inside of each is a full brickwork (brick plus mortar) lining that divides the vessel into five compartments. Each compartment has a motor-driven agitator that keeps the slurry suspended and disperses the oxygen to enhance reaction. During autoclave operation, the conditions are steady state at 210° to 232° C (410° to 450° F) and 61 to 62 kPa (420-430 psi). As shown in Fig. 1, there are other accessory vessels (splash and flash towers) in the autoclave circuits that are also brickwork-lined. The linings used to date, other than small test sections, have all been acid-resistant fireclay bricks, bonded with alkali silicate mortar, PbO- based mortar and/or vinyl ester mortar, but mainly alkali silicate mortar.

Jan 1, 1997

By Paolo Prevedini, Antonello de Risi

"The city of Naples has one of the most ancient traditions of tunneling in the world, since Roman age until today. This was due to the softness of volcanic rock covering most of the city surface, this determined in centuries the excavation of many connected cavities, today still accessible. The building of metro lines promoted industrial tunneling construction: TBM, Raise Boring Machine, Vertical Shaft Machine and freezing technologies played a decisive role facing water pressure near the sea. MNspa is an advanced constructor with two lines built in parallel, mainly underwater. The planning of this infrastructure has been upgraded with the projects of international architects from all Europe, with installation of art masterpieces in station spaces while archeological excavations revealed artifacts since Paleolithic. The city expects to give a new image of the urban landscapes within the completion of all stations and consequent rehabilitation of interiors and external city spaces. A case study of Municipio square station, is chosen to explain the relevance of archaeological research in improving and developing the projects of Line 1 stations. In these pages, it will be explained how the engineering process required to deal with Art, Architecture and Archaeology to finally realize an extended urban renovation of Naples. 1 CITYSCAPE 1.1 Introducing the geological history of Naples In the evolution of the city, capital of the Magna Graecia and of consequent kingdoms, a new layer of buildings was added over the foundations of demolished walls of the precedent domination period: from the top of the Bourbons layer (the most common scenery of the city since 1734) to the Aragonese layer found just underneath it; then below stands the Angiovin city, which in turn is built above the Swabian traces; underneath the ancient traces of the Byzantine age are found just above the extended Latin age layer. The most ancient settlement, known as Parthenope, dates back to 1500 b.C. It sits below the Greeks remains of the city of Palepolis, which had been rebuilt under the name of Neapolis by Romans."

Jan 1, 2016

By D. Dunbar

The flooding of open pits is now receiving considerable attention from the mining industry as an option that may minimize environmental impacts, particularly when anoxia in pit-lake deep waters can effectively eliminate oxidation of pit-wall sulfides. This paper describes a state-of-the-art, coupled physical-geochemical pit-lake model. The model is used to verify that a controlled, two-stage infilling of the open pit at the Kori Kollo gold mine, southeast of La Paz, Bolivia, would result in a cost-effective, environmentally responsible closure strategy. By filling the pit initially with highly saline surface waters and naturally saline deep groundwater and then capping with fresh river water, a very stable and strongly stratified pit lake will be developed. In addition, the stratification will result in the isolation of metal-rich saline bottom waters from surface waters of good quality. Results of this model provide defensible predictions of the physical stability and evolution of water quality in the Kori Kollo pit lake over time. The model results indicate that anoxic conditions will develop below the fresh-saline water boundary within one to two years, followed by the rapid onset of sulfate-reducing conditions in the bottom waters. Hydrogen sulfide produced by sulfate reduction will readily react with dissolved metals to form highly insoluble metal sulfides. The process results in the gradual removal of metals from the water column and the concomitant improvement of water quality over time. A notable benefit of this strategy is that it can be fully integrated with other mine site closure options as well as future environmental-management strategies. The proposed plan allows for the safe isolation of saline waters, the potential for passive treatment in anoxic bottom waters of ARD seepage from other mine site operations, should they arise, and a repository for future reactive wastes that could be effectively isolated in a physically and chemically stable environment.

Jan 1, 2003

By Chen Shuwen, Yao Zhihua

In the process of thickening dewatering_the motion state of two- phase flow in a thickener has a very great influence on thickening efficiency. The investigation was made using copper mill tailings. In this investigation the authors explored the formation conditions and motion range of density current in the thickening process by model experiments, and analyzed the influence of density current on thickening efficiency. The results have shown that the formation of density current has relations with the structure parameters of a thickener and thickening process. The density current and its forming location affect thickener’s working efficiency. The author measured the motion state of two- phase flow in a 53-m dial. thickener for copper mill tailings under its operation conditions and analyzed the density distribution and motion state of two-phase flow in the thickener. The results obtained by the industry tests have shown that the motion state of two- phase flow in the thickener can be greatly improved by modification of its structure, achieving a great improvement in its thickening efficiency. It is concluded that, a thickener’s working efficiency depends on the formation and motion range of density current in it, which is of great importance to designing and establishment of thickener’s working parameters.

Jan 1, 2003

By Paul A. Bailly

2.1-1. The Exploration Function in the Mineral Industry. With regard to a new mine, exploration can be technologically defined as all the activities and evaluations necessary before an intelligent decision can be made establishing size, initial flowsheet, and annual output of the new extractive operation based on a certain mineral deposit. The activities that follow such a decision are called first development, then operation (90). Thus, in the U.S.A., exploration may continue in the technological sense after a mineral property has entered the "development stage" as defined for tax purposes. Regulations under Sections 1.615.1 and 1.616.1 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code state that the "development stage" has been reached when "deposits of ore or other minerals are shown to exist in sufficient quantity and quality to reasonably justify commercial exploitation by the taxpayer" (95). There are, of course, many instances where additional later exploration discloses additional reserves which justify a plant much larger, more efficient and more profitable than the minimum feasible commercial operation. After a surface mine is put into operation, additional search generally will increase the reserves and thus warrant expansion of the rate of output and/or extend the life of the operation. The methods and techniques in such search are similar to those used in predevelopment exploration. This activity has produced a major part of new reserves for all mineral commodities but is not considered as exploration in the context of this chapter. The objective of exploration is, briefly stated, to find and acquire a maximum number of new economic mineral deposits with a minimum cost and in minimum time. The search must be so organized as to maximize the overall probability of discovering commercial mineral concentrations within a minimum time with the funds available. As shown by Celasun (27) these statements are neither adequate nor complete from a pragmatic point of view. Each actual exploration venture must define its objectives in terms of a minimum rate of return on investment for any deposit found

Jan 1, 1968

By Weyman Dunaway

This paper will present a description of the development and commissioning of the world?s most efficient process for manufacturing high purity aqueous zinc bromide. The method for making aqueous zinc bromide from metallic zinc and bromine comprises contacting zinc with bromine dissolved in a reaction solvent containing a metal halide salt. The reaction temperature is maintained at less than 60°C. The reaction solvent preferably comprises an alkali, alkaline earth, or transition metal halide; the halide salt preferably comprises a chloride or a bromide. One preferred method includes the step of recirculating the zinc bromide product stream back to the reaction vessel. The reaction vessel can be either a one stage or a multiple stage reactor. The resulting product stream is a high density aqueous zinc bromide solution. The process is so novel that Tetra Technologies, Inc. was awarded US Patent Number 6,036,937.

Jan 1, 2006