Search Documents

By A. Kiziltas, D. J. Gardner, C. W. Mcllwraith, J. W. Bridge, M. L. Peterson

"Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) tests were conducted on high-oil content, paraffin-based wax used in wax-coated granular composites. These composites make up the surface of synthetic Thoroughbred horse racetracks used in North America. The modulus and damping response from the DMTA tests were correlated with the dynamic triaxial shear strength response of the bulk track material taken at two different operational temperatures and at four strain rates. The purpose of these tests is to understand the mechanisms of shear strengthening of the bulk track material as the wax is heated through the first crystalline solid to liquid nominal transition temperature. Previous work using differential scanning calorimetry confirmed that under common operational surface temperatures, the wax coatings undergo distinct thermal transitions. The resulting increase in triaxial shear strength values affects the consistency of the racetrack which, in turn, can potentially affect Thoroughbred racing performance and safety of the track surface.IntroductionSynthetic granular composite materials are being used in nine Thoroughbred horse racetracks in the United States as well as in other tracks around the world. In one case, their use was mandated by the state of California in 2007 due to testimony that these tracks were significantly safer than traditional dirt tracks [1]. Several synthetic tracks have shown substantial reductions in injuries since switching to synthetics; one California track showed a 75% reduction in catastrophic horse injuries during the first year as compared to the previous year racing on a dirt track [2]. The composition of the tracks in the U.S. generally consist of silica sand (>70%), polymer fibers (<5%), and rubber particles (0-15%) all coated with a paraffin-based, high oil content wax [3, 4]. In a recent study of several synthetic racetracks, to include the track location in this study, the oil content ranged from 34 to over 44% by mass [5]."

Jan 1, 2011

By S. Kok, D. Delport, J. Calitz

Altering the microstructure in order to improve the tensile properties of bow shackles resulted in inconsistency in the fatigue performance. This raises the question whether the inconsistency in fatigue life can be attributed to microstructural changes along the profile of the shackle or to decarburization at the surface. Bow shackles forged from 080M40 (EN8) material were subjected to different heat treatments in order to alter the microstructure. The shackles were subjected to five different fatigue load cases, which represented typical loads experienced at termination points for an overhead power line with a span length of 400 m, with changes in conductor type, configuration, wind, and ice loading. Although the change in microstructure does improve both the tensile and fatigue performance, we found that the depth of the decarburization layer has a greater effect on the high cycle fatigue life of bow shackles than the non-homogeneous microstructure.

Oct 1, 2021

By Robert K. Koch

The reactions of alumina and alumina monohydrate with wet hydrogen fluoride gas were studied by the Federal Bureau of Mines to determine the feasibility of producing commercial-grade aluminum fluoride from offgases generated by pyrohydrolysis of siliceous fluorspars. The test results showed than an aluminum fluoride reactor operating at maximum efficiency could retain 96 percent of the fluorine contained in off-gases generated by pyrohydrolysis of siliceous fluorspar. The requirements are a reactor temperature of 200° C. and a reactor entrance gas containing 5 mole-percent hydrogen fluoride. Partial pressure equilibrium constants were determined for the reaction of alumina monohydrate and wet hydrogen fluoride gas from 200° to 350° C. and for the reaction of alumina and wet hydrogen fluoride gas from 350° to 700° C. Both reactions are reversible, and they proceed in directions that are dependent upon the temperature and the relative HF:H2O concentration. Logarithms of the equilibrium constants were used to plot the reaction isobars; these can be used to calculate the theoretical maximum efficiency of a reactor processing wet hydrogen fluoride gas between 200° and 700° C. The theoretical maximum efficiency decreases with increasing temperature.

Jan 1, 1961

By A. L. Hornbaker

Management of mineral resources through land-use planning procedures is not a new concept, particularly at the local level of government. Colorado may well be one of the first states, however, to vigorously attempt to evaluate on both the state-wide and regional basis, mineral resource potential and to make certain that potential for mineral resources is included as one of the primary factors considered in the local land-use decision-making process. Less than a decade ago the only consideration given to mineral resource extraction, particularly aggregate resources, was whether or not they could be produced at the particular time they were needed. This attitude has now shifted to the other extreme, not only in Colorado, but other states as well, so that other interests, especially housing projects, mountain subdivisions, recreational and wilderness areas are gaining prime consideration in land-use decisions. Ideally, in a more acceptable median position, mineral resource potential would receive definite consideration at the local level.

Jan 1, 1977

By J. B. Cocanour

Pioneering work at the U.S. Bureau of Mines (USBM) has produced a personal computer (PC)-based, software-driven video photometric color sensor for real time process control of metallurgical streams. The video photometer is an inexpensive optical sensor which operates in the visual area of the electromagnetic spectrum and collects color information through plastic optical fiber. The red, green, and blue (R/G/B) voltage components of the color video signal are digitized and characterized through software and then presented as the control variable for software-based proportional-integral-differential (PID) control. This sensor has been successfully employed in the control of a laboratory copper electrolytic circuit. With this sensor, copper solutions were analyzed on-line without the need for sample removal, dilution, mixing or reagent addition, thereby allowing for the real time control of the circuit.

Jan 1, 1994

By Y, Li Jianxiong, Hu Hua, Gu Desheng

After having briefed the technical and economical advantages of continuous mass mining in underground metal mines, the authors discuss the four stages of research and development of continuous mass mining in China. The four stages are: vibrating ore drawing in a stope, continuous mass mining in a stope continuous mass mining without rib pillars in an area and continuous mass mining in whole mine. The authors briefly review the research achievements of the first and the second stage; Combining the key national research project of the æNinth Five Year PlanÆ ù æThe experiment and research of continuous mass mining without rib pillarÆ, the authors introduce in detail the technological condition of mining, the design ideas of continuous mass mining, the design scheme of mining, the technology of mining. the equipment of mass mining, the chief research achievements and so on. The success of research of continuous mass mining without rib pillar indicates the arrival of the third stage of research. The introduction of continuous mass mining will promote the technology revolution of mining in China remarkably. The authors also point out that the development direction of continuous mass mining of the 21 century is continuous mass mining in whole mine, which is the fourth stage of research.

Jan 1, 2000

By F F. Pitard

Observation from attending many conferences around the world reveals that many people are constantly shifting from the word ‘error’ to the word ‘uncertainty’ without a clear vision of what the subtle difference is. The same applies to a large swath of the scientific literature, in which these two concepts are unfortunately often used synonymously, which is a scientific flaw of the first order. In practice, as demonstrated in the Theory of Sampling (TOS), there are both sampling errors and sampling uncertainties. Sampling errors can easily be preventively minimised, while sampling uncertainty for a preselected sampling protocol is inevitable. P M Gy’s work, supported by G Matheron’s critical reviews, demonstrates beyond any possible doubt that sampling uncertainty cannot be achieved if sampling errors are not preventively minimised by applying very stringent rules that are too often ignored by sampling practitioners. A clarification, in line with the TOS, is presented to mitigate the confusion created by circles favouring the use of uncertainty versus the use of the word error. Both words are very different in nature and scope and they are both necessary in their due place and time.CITATION:Pitard, F F, 2017. From errors to uncertainty – a clarification for proper use by the Theory of Sampling, in Proceedings Eighth World Conference on Sampling and Blending , pp 355–358 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

May 9, 2017

By Francis Martino

Just as coal producing mines are faced with various handicaps which control the quantity of coal produced and sold, the subsequent user of that product is faced with parameters that impact the optimum utilization of coal. Traditionally, the industry focused on the quantity of mineable coal in a reserve. The mine planning development was primarily concerned with two important criteria: (1) safety and (2) the productive efficiency in a quest to produce the lowest cost coal.

Jan 1, 1982

By John Steele

The goal of this project is to detect the presence of objects behind haul trucks and to provide an alarm to the driver if such objects are detected. Objects of interest include people, pickups, other equipment, and large rocks. Another goal is to see if the system can identify the existence of a berm and determine the distance from the truck to that berm, so a safe backup distance can be computed and used as a reference. This paper presents results that demonstrate that such a system is feasible and includes results from work at a local quarry. Architecture of the system is provided and the various subsystems are discussed. Details of the algorthims are included and discussion of the issues involved in developing a fieldable system are also included.

May 1, 2003

By Dick T. Atkinson

Due to improvements in the safety of other aspects of mining (primarily in roof control), haulage related accidents, particularly rail haulage accidents, are about to become the most common category of hazards causing death and injuries to underground coal miners. The major causes of these accidents are collisions between vehicles, men caught between rib and trip or between cars, derailments, and runaway cars. Such hazards can be greatly reduced if the motorman has the capability to selectively couple and uncouple cars from the cab of the locomotive, to transmit braking intelligence to the coupled cars, to determine if the trip is intact, and if brakes are automatically applied in any uncoupled car. These capabilities can be provided through an improved coupler system, designed and built by Foster-Miller Associates under a Bureau of Mines contract. Early in the program, a survey of rail haulage patents and literature was conducted. Manufacturers of couplers, mine cars and braking systems were contacted and information relevant to the remote control mine haulage application was collected. From this information evolved a working specification and a design concept. The key elements of the specification, shown in Table I, are the result of a detailed tradeoff study and considerable thought given to the specific problems encountered in the mining environment. A brief explanation of each element is as follows: Automatic Coupling - The couplers operate similarly with most already in underground use - they latch together when a trip is backed into a car intended for coupling. Remote Uncoupling - From the locomotive, the motorman can decide how many cars are to be uncoupled, operate the appropriate controls, and the desired coupler is opened.

Jan 1, 1977

By Graham Bright

T HE chairman of the Mines Committee of the A. 1: E. E. for 1920-21 has had the honor of being also the chairman of a similar committee, the Mine Equipment Committee, of the A. I. M. E. It has been the endeavor during the past year to have the two committees work together since the object of these committees is very much the same. A meeting of the committees was held in Chicago in November of 1920, at which time it was decided that one of the best ways to work together would be to foster joint meetings of the local sections of the A. I. E. E. and A. I. M. E. By these meetings, it was hoped that various engineers in the local sections interested in mining subjects could be brought together and not only become better acquainted but be greatly benefited by the interchange of ideas and by the discussion of papers presented on mining subjects.

Jan 1, 1921

By Anderson Meireles, Vladimir Carrasco, Carlos Feliciano

Adopting new technology in drill and blast requires a structured implementation process, as it represents a significant change in a traditionally conservative industry. It involves addressing initially unknown implications. As the problem is not yet acutely felt, developing a market strategy must be approached from the customer’s perspective, considering how the product can optimize their activities or enhance flexibility. To achieve this, it is essential to have a comprehensive understanding of the context of the customers identified in the deployment process pipeline. This paper discusses aspects of introducing wireless initiation technology - the initiation of primers through a magnetic field without physical connections - in Brazil. Additionally, it presents a case study of the application of a structured process of sales with purpose in an underground mine. By identifying key opportunities that were highly profitable for the client, the necessary awareness was created, leading them to recognize the technology as an enabler for exploring their mineral deposits in a new way which allowed a successful change management process. Based on the applicable technique, a preloading project was developed to maintain inaccessible areas with high-grade precharged with the area loaded with wireless primers acting as a temporary pillar and controlling dilution throughout the orebody. Once the excavation of the stope was completed, the pillar was successfully blasted and the material - once considered lost in the original plan as a rib pillar - was recovered after serving its structural function. Through this method, the metallic recovery of the stope increased without dilution losses. Demonstrating economic viability and stablishing the previously unknown technology as a strategic tool for optimizing stope recovery.

Jan 21, 2025

By Chanhwi Shin, Hyeongmin Kang

Mine optimization is a key strategy in the mining industry that focuses on improving the efficiency, productivity, and sustainability of mining operations. To achieve mine optimization, digitalization is essential for modernizing mining operations and attaining optimal performance. Due to the importance of mine digitalization, various software and platforms have been released to support this effort. Furthermore, by integrating these advanced technologies, mines can enhance processes, leading to significant economic and operational benefits. However, integrating data from various sources and collaborating across different platforms remains a significant challenge in the mining industry. Generally, data for mine optimization, such as mapping, smart drilling, FMS (Fleet Management Systems), fragmentation analysis, or vibration analysis, are collected and analyzed separately on different platforms. This separation makes it difficult to aggregate and utilize data comprehensively for overall mining process optimization. During the digitalization process, obstacles arise due to these complexity, variability, and sharing issues of data across different maker, sources, and methods. These challenges highlight the need for seamless integration to achieve optimal mining operations. Thus, this study applied a total solution that can cover the entire Drilling and Blasting (D&B) processes. The blast design was performed using actual terrain mapping data, and drilling and charging were conducted following a guide based on the blast design plan. After blasting, loading and hauling distances and fuel consumption were measured, and fragmentation for each blast was evaluated. All measurement tasks were automated to minimize human error. By collecting all data in one server, it became possible to perform an overall evaluation for each blast, allowing the identification of optimal values. In conclusion, to evaluate the optimization effects for each mining process, one month of integrated data collected on a single server was used. Compared to the period before the Total solution was implemented, there were notable improvements: a 25% enhancement in hole spacing, a 60% improvement in floor flatness, a 23% reduction in average fragment size, and a 19% improvement in fragment uniformity. Regarding cost savings per blasting volume, the improvements were 11.7% in drilling, 9.3% in explosives, 7.6% in loading, and 17.5% in hauling.

Jan 21, 2025

By A. M. Ozbayoglu

Gross calorific value (GCV) of coals was estimated using artificial neural networks, linear and non-linear regression techniques. Proximate and ultimate analysis results were collected for 187 different coal samples. Different input data sets were compared, such as both proximate and ultimate analysis data, and only proximate analysis data and only ultimate analysis data. It was observed that the best results were obtained when both proximate analysis and ultimate analysis results were used for estimating the gross calorific value. When the performance of artificial neural networks and regression analysis techniques were compared, it was observed that both artificial neural networks and regression techniques were promisingly accurate in estimating gross calorific values. In general, most of the models estimated the gross calorific value within ±3% of the expected value.

Sep 1, 2012

By Jack I. Paige

The Bureau of Mines conducted studies to provide data on the room temperature mechanical properties of Ti-6Al-4V alloy cast in waterglass-bonded zircon sand and to determine the effect of hot iso-static pressing (HIP) on these properties. Data on the cast and annealed Ti-6Al-4V alloy were compared with published data for forged and investment-cast Ti-6Al-4V alloy. The average Charpy V-notch impact strength compared favorably with the typical values of 17 ft?lbf for wrought material and 19.2 ft?lbf for investment-cast material. The room temperature mechanical proper-ties of cast and annealed material compared favorably with published values for investment-cast Ti-6Al-4V alloy and exceeded the specifications for (1) titanium and titanium alloy castings, grade C-5 according to ASTM B367-69, and (2) titanium alloy bars and forgings as specified in AMS4928H, except for the AMS4928H minimum requirement for reduction in area (25 pct). The minimum requirements are: tensile strength, 130 ksi; yield strength, 120 ksi (0.2 pct); and elongation, 6 pct. None of the specimens tested met the AMS4928H minimum requirement for reduction in area. The HIP process healed the internal casting porosity in the test specimens, but the fatigue strength was not significantly improved. The fatigue properties of both the cast and cast plus hot isostatically pressed castings were significantly lower than those of wrought products.

Jan 1, 1984

By Robert J. McKay, F. P. Huston, WILLIAM G. HUMPTON

THE manufacture of nickel-clad steel plate and the fabrication of articles from it has progressed far enough to permit a general description of the working methods used. The manufacture of sheets made up of layers of nickel and steel is not new as a sheet of this character was patented in Germany in 1893. Present development differs mainly in the size and finish of the product. The earlier light-gage highly finished products have been limited in their application due to their similarity, in certain respects, to electro-plated and highly finished alloy sheets. The new product is a relatively heavy plate 1/4 or 3/s in. thick and heavier, with one side coated with nickel, the weight of nickel being of the order of 10 per cent of the whole. The finish is that of hot-rolled steel plate.

Jan 1, 1931

By Frank A. Howard

WHAT are the reasons for the present public interest in the synthetic fuel industry, an interest which has culminated in the recommendation of the Secretary of the Interior that we start at once on a nine billion dollar program of construction? Three separate factors seem to have combined to create this pressure. First are recurrent seasonal and spot shortages of gasoline, fuel oil, and natural gas. Second is the international outlook, which forces us to face the possibility of war, with all that means in the way of increased call on our domestic resources and interference with our foreign commerce. The shortages we have experienced are superficially the result of lack of transportation, but basically they reflect a rapidly rising demand which has outstripped the expansion of productive facilities of all kinds. Not only oil and gas, but steel, coal, automobiles, and meat are temporarily in short supply for much the same reasons. The military problem has both long-range and short-range aspects, but the immediate necessity is to create reserve capacity in the United States to supply perhaps 2,000,000 barrels daily additional liquid fuel in time of war.

Jan 1, 1948

By S. M. Dar

The U.S. Bureau of Mines constructed a full-scale model of a 15-ft-wide coal mine entry to use in combination with finite-element analyses to investigate roof support systems and various types of roof bolts. The objective was to enhance understanding of the fundamental mechanics of the interaction between rock and supports and the relative integrity of bolted mine roof as a function of roof bolt type, length, spacing, and tension, and the basic characteristics of the roof strata. The laboratory test results, when correlated with computer simulations using fmite-element analysis and underground verification tests, should provide a basis for desigillng safer, more cost-effective roof control systems and help to establish guidelines for employing fully grouted resin and mechanically anchored bolting systems. The background for this research, the research approach, the methods and equipment employed, and the results are described in this report.

Jan 1, 1989

By J Caron, M Athayde, F Lavoie, R Joyce

Decarbonisation has become a major challenge for the global steelmaking industry, turning towards new technologies aimed at carbon footprint reduction, which on its own accounts for approximately 9 per cent global emissions. The iron and steel industry represents a ‘hard to abate’ sector, where much of efforts are currently being deployed into initiatives aiming to decarbonise the ironmaking through the use of green hydrogen, carbon capture utilisation and storage and state-of-the-art operation of current technologies, while little efforts being deployed to find carbon-efficient solution to iron ore burden preparation, where high-grade iron concentrate will increase in importance to ironmaking regardless of the chosen reduction route. Quebec Iron Ore (QIO), a subsidiary of Champion Iron Limited (Champion), produces high-grade hematite concentrate with one of the lowest carbon global footprints. Still, QIO is partnering with its clients to the development of burden solutions to minimise CO2 emission, in the seek for a decarbonised steel. In a strong technological partnership, Binding Solutions Limited (BSL) has developed a novel, coldbinding technology to provide a cleaner, more cost-effective alternative to induration. The technology allows miners and steel producers to reduce Capex significantly and reduce energy consumption and CO2 emissions by 90 per cent. QIO and BSL have partnered to adapt the disruptive cold binding technology developed by BSL to QIO’s concentrate to produce a high-quality low emissions iron ore agglomerate. This paper describes the efforts taken to further develop BSL’s cold binding technology and its application to QIO’s high-grade iron ore concentrate to produce a hematite cold bonded briquette (hCBB) showing comparable performances with high quality seaborne fired pellets.

Nov 8, 2021

By Philip Thompson

"Carefully planned laboratory test programs provide valuable data regarding the amenability of low grade gold ores to heap leaching. The most common laboratory test is the column leach test. The overwhelming problem associated with this type of test is the limit on the test column height. Most laboratories use a three (3) meter (10 foot) high column as a standard test due to building ceiling limitations, sample size limitations, etc. This paper presents a case study in which an ore sample was tested in a 1.5 meter, a three meter, and a six meter high column to determine the effect of column height on the test results. Other important factors such as sample preparation protocol, preliminary bottle roll testing to determine appropriate crush size, column diameter requirements, and leach solution analyses, are also discussed.IntroductionColumn leach testing has been used for years by many laboratories to determine the amenability of low grade precious metals bearing ores to heap leaching. However, the test work can be compromised by poor planning, misinterpretation of results, and extrapolation of data beyond the reasonable boundaries of the experiment. Preliminary test work should be performed prior to column testing. This preliminary work provides valuable information regarding the response of the ore to cyanidation and aids in the design of the column tests.The sample should be screened into various size fractions prior to testing. The fractions are assayed to determine the gold content of each size fraction and of the overall sample. The most valuable preliminary test is the bottle roll cyanidation test which is usually performed on five kilograms of coarse sample in a large rolling bottle which can accept material up to 50 millimeters top size. The residue from this test is screened at different sizes to determine the distribution of unleached gold in the residue. Comparison of the gold distribution in the leach residue with the distribution of gold in the feed at the same size intervals provides an indication of the appropriate crush size for the sample. The overall gold extraction from the sample at the crush size tested is also determined from these data. Lime and cyanide requirements can also be estimated from this test. The viscosity of the bottle roll pulp and the size distribution of the feed and leach residue can also suggest whether agglomeration of the ore will be required prior to column testing. Ores which contain significant amounts of clays (greater than 5 percent) will generally require agglomeration to prevent plugging of the test column."

Jan 1, 1997