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The New Zealand Mines Rescue Brigade was established as a result of the Dobson mine disaster on 3rd December 1926, when 9 men lost their lives. Prior to this, there had been four major disasters in New Zealand coalmines, with a total of 145 fatalities. Only large-scale events such as explosions or major fires were considered reportable. Until and including the Dobson disaster, no mine emergency response facilities or organisation was in place.   Unfortunately, over the next five decades the establishment of a Mines Rescue Service did not mean that disasters involving multiple fatalities ceased. The coal mining industry continued to suffer the consequences of poor mining practice, inadequate or inappropriate monitoring and management, and sometimes complete disregard for the regulatory requirements current at the time.   The role of Mines Rescue has been defined in statute, and regulated by Coal Mines (Mine Management and Safety) Regulations. Currently, the statutory obligations have been under the Mines Rescue Trust Act 1992.   The Mines Rescue Brigade historically, has primarily been a reactive service, with stations and facilities established to train brigadesmen in emergency response procedures, specifically to mobilise in the event of a call-out at any one of the many coalmines operating within each stationÆs area of jurisdiction.   Over the last ten years, this role has changed. The service has adopted a proactive approach to emergency response, and has established a close liaison with all mining and tunnelling operations throughout industry, both underground and surface. The objectives have become emergency prevention focussed, and the service has incorporated a range of theoretical and practical training, simulated exercises, more sophisticated equipment and techniques, and a desire to ensure that emergency response capabilities are not needed, whilst maintaining the traditional and statutory obligation to respond if they are needed.

Jan 1, 2004

By William E. Bedal, Richard S. Kunter

Artech Recovery Systems, Inc has developed a low pressure and temperature chloride leach process called the "Caslumu1 Process" to extract metals from arsenical flue dusts and residues and fix the arsenic in an environmentally stable form as ferric arsenate (scorodite). The process was pilot tested at Hazen Research in an integrated plant including continuous recycle from August 1989 to October 1989 during which several tons of flue dust were processed. Based on this pilot program, the process was deemed technically feasible and produced commercially salable products. Residues from this pilot program were subjected to a long-term stability test jointly designed by Prl environmental services and the USEPA. The process, its versatility, and the nature of the products ls discussed in some detail.

Jan 1, 1992

Two 6.17-m-diam (20.25-ft) shafts, said to be the largest ever opened with mechanical raise boring techniques, were completed in May and June 1978, at Monterey Coal Co.'s No. 1 mine near Carlinville, Ill. According to the shaft contractor for the project, Frontier-Kemper Constructors, the openings are 60% greater in cross section than the largest previous raise-bored shaft, which had a diameter of 4.85 m (16 ft). Both vertical shafts are 93 m (305 ft) in total depth, with the upper 28-30 m (90-100 ft) sunk and lined by conventional methods through unconsolidated overburden and the remainder mechanically bored through sedimentary rock. The two shafts will be used for service access as well as to augment ventilation.

Jan 12, 1978

By J. K. Mokka, P. D. Rao, H. K. Lin

Extensive exploration has resulted in delineation of a massive sulfide district on the north flank of the east-central Alaska range. The district covers approximately 400 mi2 and contains numerous stratiform, transposed and some replacement type sulfide deposits ranging in size from less than 1 million st to 20 million st. Five types of ores were sampled for the study. Mineralogical analysis revealed that the minerals are too fine grained for conventional grinding and beneficiation. Hydrometallurgical studies were conducted using ferric chloride as a lixiviant. Ore microscopic studies as well as electron microprobe analyses of minerals in the raw samples and leach residues explained the low recoveries for certain elements as well as sources of impurities that need to be eliminated from the process streams.

Jan 1, 1992

By J. Richard Kyle

Lead-zinc ore bodies in the upper part of the Pine Point carbonate barrier complex are localized in paled-solution structures that developed as the result of post-middle Givetian subaerial exposure. Detritus-filled dolines host prismatic ore bodies, and macropores and stratabound permeable zones contain tabular ore bodies. Sulfides are concentrated in these transgressive paleosolution structures that acted as natural bypasses between aquifers and loci for mixing of fluids of different character. Complex ore textures indicate rapid early sulfide precipitation followed by slower sulfide growth. Evidence for both sulfide-carbonate equilibrium and disequilibrium conditions suggest fluctuations in ore fluid composition, perhaps related to periodic supply of reduced sulfur. District and ore body metal distribution pattern may reflect the nature and movement of mineralizing fluids.

Jan 1, 1981

No. 219. Assayer for gold-silver property in Ecuador. No. 220. Two engineers to go to Russia, 22-28 years old. Not engaged or married. Knowledge of some language other than English. To study conditions in Russia two summers and intervening winter. One man must have experience in oil-well operation or oil manufacture; the other, in mining or metallurgy. Salary £300 per annum, plus traveling and living expenses. No. 221. Position in metallurgical testing department. Initial salary $1600 to $1500. Candidate who has had industrial training and experience either in the manufacture and testing of steel or in electro- metallurgy preferred, but one who has had post graduate work in these lines will be considered. No. 223. Experimental and research laboratory in Wisconsin wants ,a man who has had experience in ore dressing, iron ore preferably. Salary $3600. Also, an iron metallurgist. Salary $3600.

Jan 7, 1917

By Calvin J. Konya

Backbreak behind the last row of boreholes can be a significant problem for blasting operations. Backbreak will interfere with the proper drilling and execution of the subsequent shot and can produce well defined boulders, which will not be broken by the subsequent shot. In order to determine the effect of timing on backbreak, a full scale blast with 6 1/2 inch boreholes was used to test the effects of timing. The test site was a quarry which had suffered from severe backbreak regardless of the blasting pattern or explosive used. One half of the production blast was loaded and initiated using the current technology at the quarry, the other half of the blast was deliberately timed in such a manner as to minimize backbreak. The timing was such to allow for ground movement in one row before the subsequent row fired. The test results proved that the amount of backbreak and flyrock could definitely be controlled with the selection of the proper borehole timing.

Jan 1, 1987

Jan 1, 1922

W. M. Courtis, Detroit, Mich.: Except for free-gold ores, I have always believed in scorification. I think the crucibleassay gives silver low. We found this out at the Wyandotte works in assaying Silver Islet ore. The mine-managers made us, and also the check-assayera, run one of the duplicates by

Jan 1, 1896

By Wright S

Single pellets of mixed lead-zinc concentrate containing up to 20 % lead were roasted in the temperature range of 800-1100¦C. Variables studied included pellet size (from 9-8 to 3-2 mm diameter), gas flowrate past the pellet (from 0.05 to 5 ms t), composition of the atmosphere and the effect of additives such as zinc oxide and silica. After defined periods of time, the pellets were removed from the furnace, quenched and submitted for chemical, XRD, SEM and microprobe analysis. The oxidation of the zinc sulphide followed a shrinking core model. Temperature measurements showed that very high pellet temperatures were experienced at the start of an experiment but after 5-10 minutes these approached a constant temperature. The lead loss from the pellets was then constant with time. Thermodynamics predicted the presence of two bands of lead material in the reacted layer of the pellet. These were found in practice. The lead loss from the pellet occurred from the outer oxysulphate layer via the vaporization of lead oxide polymers. The vapour pressure of PbO, and the loss of lead, was dependent on temperature and bulk gas concentrations of SO2 and 02. At 1100¦C the addition of silica greatly reduced the loss of lead from the pellet. Physical factors such as pellet diameter and gas flowrate past the pellet affected the particle dynamics. These results were found to vary in accordance with the predictions of the Froessling equation.

Jan 1, 1989

By A. L. Engel

This publication describes further research by the Federal Bureau of Mines in beneficiating domestic manganese ores. The ores selected for treatment were typical of many manganese deposits in California and Nevada in that they have not been economical to mine because they are low grade or contaminated with siliceous minerals and are not amenable to physical concentration.3 4/ It would be desirable to develop a simple treatment method resulting in nearly complete extraction of manganese from these ores and applicable to small-scale operations. Sulfation reduction appeared to be such a method. The studies reported in this publication were directed toward sawdust or lignin-sulfonates as reducing agents. Sawdust, as waste from lumbering, and lignin-sulfonates, byproducts of woodpulp papermaking, are comparatively cheap and may be available in areas where manganese ores are found. Sugar, oils, and coal were also tried as reducing agents.

Jan 1, 1960

On June 15, Dr. E. E. Southard gave the following report to the Advisory Committee on Industrial Mental Hygiene of the. Engineering Foundation. Psychiatric social work, a new specialty in social work, was the topic of several section meetings (500-600 in attendance) at the National Conference for Social Work, held at Atlantic City, June 1-6. The new specialty was stated, by Dr. R. C. Cabot, to be the greatest single advance in medical social work since its establishment. Reports from three schools (Smith, New York, Philadelphia) indicate a good production rate of personnel, probably at least one hundred a; year, chiefly to be absorbed by hospitals, unless industrial psychiatry steps into the field. No detailed public announcements concerning industrial psychiatry were made; but private discussions elicited approval only for the program. Indications are that many non-medical social workers will decide to get additional training to go into medical social work and then to specialize in psychiatric social work and that many medical social workers will desire to specialize in psychiatric social work, with a view partly to entering reconstruction work, partly to entering industrial psychiatry. Suggestion has been made that psychiatric social workers may go into some kinds of, employment management and may look for special courses to that end. Evidence. has been brought that certain "compensated" psychopathic employees have been good (even very good) workmen: emphasis should be laid on this point to show the constructive aspect of industrial psychiatry:

Jan 8, 1919

By I. L. Nichols

Laboratory characterization studies have investigated the processing variability of carbonaceous uranium-bearing materials found in-sandstone deposits. This work was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Mines in support of its goal to maintain an adequate supply of minerals to meet national economic and strategic needs. Conventional processing produces only partial uranium recovery from these ore materials. Ore samples from New Mexico, Texas, and Wyoming were examined, and each responded differently. Using direct acid leaching techniques, some of the ores required acid additions of only 50 pounds per ton, while others required 300 pounds per ton of material. Maximum extractions ranged from 83 to 94 percent in the six ores tested. Roasting those ores prior to leaching improved extraction of the uranium to the 90 to 99 percent range. An oxidative autoclave treatment used with five of these ores resulted in extraction of 78 to 97 percent of the uranium. The experimental studies also showed that some carbonaceous materials can be concentrated by froth flotation. The flotation tailings were amenable to acid leaching, and up to 98 percent of the uranium was extracted from this type of material.

Jan 1, 1979

By P. Condori, G. Rech, J. Winnett

"Palabora Mining Copper has a unique ore body composition which unlike other copper ore bodies has three main components in significant proportions; these are copper bearing ore, magnetite and dolerite. The high content of dolerite, a hard barren material, creates a high proportion of pebbles which normally are recycled back to the mill. This action increases the mill bearing pressure and power progressively until corrective actions are taken.A logical action to solve the pebbles generation would be to incorporate a pebble crusher. This in fact was done however two fundamental issues were encountered; the high content of magnetite and existence of a cyclone classification section. Due to the high content of magnetite, metal detectors have not been able to work efficiently to separate tramp metal which causes damage to the pebble crushers. The existence of cyclones in the circuit had a detrimental effect on the final product when the pebbles crusher was online producing coarse sandy material.Due to the difficulties in treating pebbles via conventional procedures and the unique Palabora ore composition and characteristics, sorting technology was investigated at laboratory and pilot scale. It was found that a combination of optical and electromagnetic sorting could efficiently separate dolerite from the copper bearing and magnetite ores.This paper reports the findings of the laboratory and pilot scale work performed and discusses the additional benefits to the circuit."

Jan 1, 2012

The following letter has been received from the Chairman of the United States Shipping Board. August 1, 1918. American Institute of Mining Engineers, New York, N. Y. GENTLEMEN: I am going to call upon your organization for some teamwork. The time has come for Americans everywhere to put themselves solidly behind American ships. Our railroads must no longer stop at the ocean. We are building an American merchant fleet of twenty-five million tons-three thousand ships. We are backing modern ships with modern port facilities, establishing our bunkering stations all over the globe and will operate with American railroad efficiency. We will carry American cargoes at rates corresponding to our railroad rates-the cheapest in the world. Fast American passenger-and-cargo liners will run regularly to every port in Latin America, the Orient, Africa, Australia. Are you taking steps to use these ships to increase your own prosperity? Do you realize that American products of factory, farm and mine can be delivered to customers in foreign countries on terms which will build lasting trade? Do you realize the possibilities for bringing hack raw materials to extend your products and trade? We must all take off our coats and work to bring these American ships home to the people of every American interest and community. The manufacturer must think of customers in Latin America as being as accessible as those in the next state. The farmer must visualize ships carrying his wheat, cotton, breeding animals, dairy products and fruit to new world markets. The American boy must think of ships and foreign countries when he chooses a calling.

Jan 9, 1918

By Hugo Medina

Ante el grado de inflación económica en el país, se genera un incremento de precios en contratos mineros y cálculos de reintegros, donde es necesario el reajuste de precios mediante la aplicación del método usual consistente en la determinación del precio unitario reajustado como resultado del análisis del incremento en el precio de cada uno de sus elementos constitutivos. En ese sentido, el presente texto señala la teoría y el análisis comparativo entre el método actualmente utilizado y el de la fórmula de reajuste de precios para así demostrar la conveniencia del método adecuado de reajuste en los contratos mineros.

Nov 1, 1980

By A. W. Henderson

The growing importance of halide metallurgy for preparing high-purity metals has stimulated research to extend halogenation reactions to the direct extraction of metals from low-grade sources. This Bureau of Mines investigation involves a pioneering study of chlorination reactions in the presence of a fluorine donor. Tin slags containing tantalum and columbium and a zircon concentrate containing a relatively high ratio of hafnium to zirconium were studied. Direct chlorination of these materials at 500° C. yields only a 5-percent conversion of tantalum and columbium or zirconium and hafnium to anhydrous chlorides. This investigation showed that small additions of calcium fluoride to the reaction increased the recovery of tantalum and columbium to 95 percent and the recovery of zirconium and hafnium to 27 percent. These results were achieved with ratios of calcium fluoride to mineral or slag of only 0.2. Silica, the major impurity in the materials studied, was found to be converted to silicon tetrafluoride during chlorination in direct proportion to the quantity calcium fluoride added to the charge. However, large additions of calcium fluoride decreased the volatility of the resulting halides of tantalum, zirconium, and hafnium. Smaller amounts of calcium fluoride also favored recovering minor metal constituents in the zircon concentrate (uranium, thorium, and rare earths).

Jan 1, 1962

For more than 15 years after the Northparkes orebodies were first discovered in 1976, the project was delayed by the need to find an economic way of mining the low-grade E26 deposit. The decision to use a low-cost block caving method to mine the orebody was made in the early-1990s; but the project's future did not solidify until 1993 when a radical new approach was adopted which sought to integrate business imperatives with technology and organisation strategies. The approach led to the establishment of a strategic vision which tied together all the components that could have a major impact on the project, to provide a framework for guiding strategic choices. The strategic vision strived to break away from the old rules of how mines are organised and operated; and involved finding imaginative new ways to radically redesign mining processes to achieve quantum leaps in performance.

Jan 1, 1997

By Heather Lechtman

El presente texto señala una de las técnicas metalúrgicas utilizadas por los artesanos de América Precolombina (Colombia, Ecuador, Perú): el dorado. En el caso del Perú, uno de lo períodos de mayor producción metalúrgica y de fabricacíón prolífica de objetos metálicos fue durante el florecimiento de la cultura Chimú. El procedimiento utilizado fue el "dorado por eliminación" donde a través del uso de aleaciones, el oro era deliberadamente incorporado como un componente menor. Asimismo, se emplearon otros métodos del Dorado que van desde una delgada hoja de oro (mise-en-couleur) hasta el más complejo empleado por la gente de Esmeraldas y conocido como "dorado por fusión".

Sep 1, 1975

Jan 1, 1949