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By Scott W. Hazen

In recent years many mining companies have recognized that their chance for continued economic survival depends on the adaptation of technological advances in their operations. Increased productivity through new developments in mining methods and improvements in equipment has made mining and processing of lower grade ores possible. Cost analysis has produced accurate data on the costs for development, production, and processing of ore. All of these changes and cost studies have shown the necessity for increased accuracy in determining the grade of ore. Methods of estimating grade in a mineral deposit have not kept pace with the technological advances in the other areas. The same methods are in use today as in the past. Experience and judgment are major criteria of accuracy and the results are highly subjective. In 1953, as part of its research program to develop a better understanding of fundamentals of mining technology, the Federal Bureau of Mines began a sampling method research project at its Denver Mining Research Center. The basic objective of the project is to investigate sampling methods and to study the adaptation of the techniques of statistical analysis to mine sampling.

Jan 1, 1961

By Graham Bright

The rapid increase in reliability, the low cost of operation, the ready application of safety devices, and the growing availability of central-station power have made the question of installing a hoist of the electric type no longer debatable. Where adequate electric power is available, there are few cases where it would be advisable to install a steam or air hoist. The type of electrical equipment depends largely on the nature of the power supply, its capacity, and the form of the power contract under which power is purchased. In a large majority of cases, the available electric power is alternating current, three phase, 60 cycles. There is, however, considerable 25-cycle power in use; and in a few instances constant voltage direct current is the only power available for a small or an occasional medium-size hoist. Where a new hoist is to be installed, the designer of the mechanical parts can readily take care of the maximum stresses likely to be imposed by the motor. Where the hoist is already installed and operated by steam or air and it is desired to substitute an electric motor for the engine, a careful check should be made to determine the advisability of using the old mechanical parts. In most cases it is better to install a complete new hoist than to attempt to use old mechanical parts. A steam engine has a definite maximum torque, which the hoist has been designed to withstand, while a motor may be able to deliver momentary torques beyond the strength of the mechanical parts of the hoist. The selection of the proper type of electrical equipment can only be made after complete information is obtained and certain calculations made to determine the capacities required. There are several methods used in making hoist calculations, but no matter what method is utilized a fair degree of familiarity with hoists and hoisting conditions is necessary before an intelligent analysis and proper selection can be made. Forms Used in Hoisting Calculations Some of the hoist calculation methods are long and complicated. Where such calculations are seldom made, it is better to use the

Jan 1, 1922

A major domestic aluminum producer raised its price for primary aluminum metal from 44 cents per pound to 48 cents per pound, effective August 5, 1976. Other major producers have increased their list prices by equivalent amounts COAL: The strike which began July 19 in southern West Virginia enlarged by early August to involve approximately 80,000 miners in nine States. As of August 4, the aggregated loss of production is estimated to be 5.8 million tons. Reportedly, at this time, the railroads which serve the struck areas are feeling the largest impact with coke plants and electric utilities relying on stocks which are generally high.

Jan 1, 1976

By W. J. Witte, M. K. Witte

"The purpose of this report is to present a generalized preliminary design and cost estimates for a typical heap leach operation such as might be undertaken in Northern Ontario. This report should be of value to anyone in the mining industry planning, or contemplating, a heap leaching operation in Ontario, either on a large or small scale. While more detailed costing and design work will obviously be required for each specific project being contemplated, the data provided in this report should enable parties to make preliminary estimates of the costs of proposed projects and should identify most of the planning and design parameters that will need to be considered.Although heap leaching has been used extensively as a low cost gold recovery method in other parts of the world for many years, it has only recently become of interest to the Canadian mining industry.In order to investigate and demonstrate the feasibility of using heap leaching in Ontario, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources in 1982, undertook to locate a private sector proponent willing to undertake a 10,000 ton demonstration project. This project was to have been carried out at a production scale under normal northern Ontario field conditions. The Ministry was to have provided technical management and design for the designated project."

Jan 1, 1985

By R. V. Ramani

In this report, the application of the Open Pit Materials Handling Simulator (OPMHS) to a mine located in Ohio using a large stripping dragline, and truck and front-end loader (FEL) is described. The specific objective of the study is to demonstrate the application of the simulator to mine planning and coal production. On the basis of the simulations, it was concluded that the production from the haulback operation should be increased to accommodate improvements in both the stripping dragline's availability and mean cycle time. Several alternatives were studied for the best use of equipment if the present operating parameters could not be improved upon. No economic analysis of these proposals were made.

Jan 1, 1977

By J. Locat, G. Parker, D. Turmel

ABSTRACT Since 1964, the Iron Ore Company of Canada has deposited iron ore tailings into Wabush Lake in western Labrador, Canada. From 1999 to 2008, the authors completed multibeam bathymetric and sampling surveys and an airborne LiDAR survey. These data were integrated to study the evolution of the tailings delta shoreline and lakebed elevation. Subaqueous channels evolved between surveys, influencing the tailings depositional pattern. With this analysis it is possible to evaluate the effect of disposal strategies on the delta topset and tailings accumulation. This project uniquely couples marine and terrestrial techniques to follow the fate of tailings in a dispersal system.

Jan 1, 2014

By F. H. Chen

the Rocky Mountain Region since 1950, drilled pier foundations have been widely used to combat structural movement problems in expansive soils. It is now an accepted practice for engineers to use drilled pier foundations in expansive soil areas. Piers are generally drilled into bedrock in a zone unaffected by moisture change. With some exceptions, such system has successfully prevented damage incurred in the structures as the result of soil expansion. In the last 15 years, no significant advancement has taken place in the design of the drilled pier system on expansive soils. Numerous failures continued to be reported. Causes for the failures were placed on poor drainage, inadequate void under the grade beams or mushrooms on top of the piers. Engineers realize that these are certainly not the major problems. The basic design criteria should be critically reviewed. It is the purpose of this paper to point out the actual problems confronted by designers, the failure module and remedial measures, The writer does not claim to have the solutions. In fact, it will be a long time before real solutions can be found, yet the writer believes the engineering communities, the construction industry and the general public should be aware of the true picture of the problem.

Jan 1, 2010

By Thomas Rupp, Michael Siegwart

The paper presents the vibration and sound emission measurement campaigns carried out in 2007 in preparation for the Ceneri-Basistunnel construction. We also present the vibration measurement campaign conducted during the construction of the Zimmerberg-Basistunnel. Both tunnels form an integral part of the Swiss Federal Railway Company Neue Eisenbahn Alpentransversale project (NEAT). This strategic project comprised the construction of several new tunnels. Its aim is the improvement of the existing infrastructure. The improved infrastructure will be able to accommodate a larger volume of railway traffic that is also crossing the Alps at higher speeds. The construction of the Ceneri-Basistunnel commenced in 2006. Both the Zimmerberg-Basistunnel and the Ceneri- Basistunnel are located underneath densely populated areas. Therefore, noise and vibration emissions have to be kept to a minimum and must not exceed applicable codes of practice. In order to identify the most appropriate blasting strategy for the yet to be constructed Ceneri-Basistunnel, blasting trials were conducted. The paper presents the findings of these trials and identifies ways to reduce both noise and vibration emissions from blasting. The construction of the first phase of the Zimmerberg-Basistunnel took place between 1999 and 2003. While the first phase is already in operation, the construction of the second phase has been postponed (commencement originally due in 2007). The Zimmerberg-Basistunnel connects the outskirts of Zürich with the city centre. As the tunnel site was not located close to the surface near populated grounds, no special measures were needed to reduce the noise emissions from blasting. However during the construction of the tunnel, the vibration emissions from blasting were monitored on more than 50 locations on the surface. The paper presents the analysis of some of the data. An emphasis is placed on the appropriate synopsis and presentation of data for documentation purposes.

Jan 1, 2009

The importance of timbering, not only from a financial point of view but from an actual mining point of view, is so often overlooked or slightly glossed over by the average expert and investor, that I have thought it would prove interesting to go into the matter and to invite discussion upon the subject. We will first take small veins, or reefs as they are termed in some mining countries; and by small veins it is intended to denote fissures from a few inches to three feet. The ore body is supposed to be confined within well defined walls free from gangue matter, unless the casing can be defined as such. Now, if the walls are smooth and moderately hard, no timbering is required other than the stulls, which are braced from wall to wall in order to form platforms or stages to stope from. Should the reef from wall to wall prove payable, or should the vein be of a character to prohibit cleaning or sorting; and it be determined to send the whole of the stone to the, reduction works, the stuUs should be left in place until the section or block of ground is worked out, in order that if a weak spot in the walls (especially the hanging) occur, it would be possible, without any particularly extra expense or difficulty often times accompanied by danger to brace and secure the slabs. After the block became entirely stoped, it would pay where labour was cheap to remove the majority of timbers to stull another section.

Jan 1, 1901

By K. Schwerdtfeger

Data are presented on the effect of iron oxide on the electrical conductivity of CaO-SiO2-FeO-Fe2O3melts, and on limiting current and impedance in direct current or alternating current charge transfer at iron electrodes. The strong influence of iron oxide content can be utilized for in situ determination of total iron oxide content and Fe3+/Fe2+ratio. The possible probe designs are presented and the principles and procedures of the measurements are explained. Keywords: in situ probe for iron oxide determination in steelmaking slags, electrical conductivity of CaO-SiO2-FeO-Fe2O3slags, direct current over voltage and alternating current impedance at iron/slag electrodes.

Jan 1, 2004

By Peter M. Power

A microscopic study was made of a series of simultaneous slag and metal samples taken from a low carbon basic open hearth heat. An attempt was made to identify the various micro-constituents found. As the various impurities in the bath are oxidized, the metal structure changes from that of high-phosphorus white cast iron to that of low.-carbon steel. A detailed study of phosphorus distribution is included. The acid run-off slag has an .acicular orthosilicate structure which changes on 'shape-up' to a very basic tri-calcium silicate and calciuim ferrite structure. Many unidentified minor constituents are present in the slags. Though metallography will never replace chemic.al analysis of the bath, the microsopic study of polished slags has some promise of being useful in slag control work.

Jan 1, 1956

By A. Eltringham

Operations downstream of mining and beneficiation are still being subjected to increasing scrutiny as highly capitalized projects have been either slow to achieve their targets or have actually failed to do so. Leaching and smelting projects have fundamentally high calls on capital and technology as reaction rates are increased and the capture and disposal of unwanted products are subjected to greater restrictions. Separating value from waste inherently becomes riskier as the purification of the desired product imposes greater demands on the process to produce benign wastes. When we superimpose on the chemistry of the project severe predictions of throughput rates, that bring in facets of manufacturing, we are introducing complexities that the records show are not handled well. This paper discusses some of the more common challenges that operators face and what methods are available and are likely to be successful in preventing the loss of value as projects are brought on-stream. This thinking needs to start much earlier and at greater intensity than our industry has normally chosen to employ.

Jan 1, 2011

By David Bigby

Room and pillar mining with full pillar extraction is one of the most hazardous systems of underground coal mining, a significant hazard being the potential for sudden goaf override. The Autowarning Telltale (AWTT) is a new development for pillar extraction operations, based on the well proven and simple Rockbolting Telltale safety monitoring device. It is now being applied in room and pillar coal mines in India, with significant potential for application worldwide. The Autowarning Telltale is an intrinsically safe low-cost, self-contained unit installed into the roof either during pillar development or prior to pillar extraction. It provides a highly visible warning via flashing Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) when a preset level of roof movement has been exceeded. The paper provides a full description of the instrument and two case histories of its initial application at fully-mechanized Indian sites using the split and fender technique.

Jan 1, 2011

By Sydney H. Loram

TEIS paper, which is merely an arrangement of data collected during several hurried journeys, is offered to serve as a record, until such time as a better substitute be compiled. My observations were confined, as far as possible, over the entire distance, to the actual river valley; because near the Central Cordillera the country is so mountainous as to be im; passable in any direction but that of the dominant valleys. The river is not navigable anywhere, and for the first part of its course is a mountain torrent that runs down the bottom of narrow, almost vertical-sided valleys, through which the only road requires repeated fording, and often following up the bed of the stream ; but the rock-walls, standing clean and free from debris on either side, present the different formations with remarkable distinctness. A topographical map and a cross-seetion of the Rio Huasco is given in Fig. 1. The Rio Huasco practically rises from Laguna Grande, a lake about 17 km. from the Argentine boundary, and 3,135 m. above se-level, which is fed by direct snow-water, and by a few streams varying from a considerable volume, when supplied by the melting snow, in late spring, to little or nothing during the rest of the year. It is a somewhat pear-shaped body of water, about 1.5 miles in length and half a mile in average width, with a reported maximum depth of 45 meters. It was formed by the choking up of a narrow continuation of the same valley with blocks of an agglomerate mentioned later. The present level is some 5 m. below high-water mark (to which point, according to local accounts, it has not been filled for 35 years). In the intervening margin is a calcareous deposit about 4 m. thick, formed by the rapid evaporation of the water in the exceedingly dry air, and aided by the capillary action of an aquatic plant, growing in thick masses around the edge of the lake. These masses, dying and banking up, form

Jan 1, 1905

By Felipe Calizaya

This study describes the principles involved in the design of a booster fan installation, the basic requirements, and the provisions needed to guarantee a safe operation of the unit. It also describes how a booster fan should be selected and what measures should be taken so that events such as uncontrolled recirculation of air in a mine can be avoided. A computer program called MFSELECT is presented to assist the ventilation engineer in the design process a For a given mine ventilation network, the program determines the duties of fans and regulators that will fulfill the airflow requirements of a mine and minimize the total power consumption. The application of the program is illustrated by the detailed solution of a sample problem. A Case Study based on the Jim Walter Resources' No. 7 Mine is utilized to describe the basic requirements for the design and operation of booster fans, and illustrate their potential benefits in mine ventilation. Finally, the study discusses a process control system designed to evaluate the safety conditions in the mine and report on the status of both surface fans and underground booster fans.

Jan 1, 1990

By L. C. Graton

The federal taxes on incomes and excess profits are of course heavy. In 1917, the value of the mineral production of the United States was a little in excess of $5,000,000,000. The total of federal taxes for that year, for the mineral producing companies, as computed by themselves, amounts, according to tentative compilations, to about $207,000,000, and the total for the comprehensive group of mineral and metal industries to about $766,000,000, which figures represent respectively 9.5 per cent. and 35.1 per cent. of the total tax paid by all corporations. Because of greater complexities in applying the revenue laws to mineral properties than to most other industries, opportunity is afforded for wide differences of view. The taxes indicated above, therefore, are not final and may conceivably be very materially increased. For 1918, the taxes are expected to be still greater, but no compilations are yet available. Taxes at a high rate are to continue indefinitely. The subject is clearly of gravest import to the mining industry in particular. The Commissioner of Internal Revenue, who is charged by law with the administration and collection of the taxes, is determined that these functions shall be performed in a just and businesslike way. Fairness and finality are to be the chief objectives. In view of the peculiar conditions that attach to the tax program as applied to mines and other wasting industries, like oil, gas, and timber, the Commissioner has resorted to professional advice and assistance by manning a Sub-division of Natural Resources with competent engineers, brought in from the several industries, into whose hands he has placed for solution the technical questions involved. These engineers have a two-fold duty: (1) to devote to the solution of these problems their own knowledge and experience; (2) through their acquaintance with their respective industries, and with the men engaged in those industries, to focus upon these problems, by conferences and otherwise, the best opinion of the country. The principal object of this paper is to acquaint the mining profession with the attitude of the

Jan 1, 1923

By L. C. Graton

The federal taxes on incomes and excess profits are of course heavy. In 1917, the value of the mineral production of the United States was a little in excess of $5,000,000,000. The total of federal taxes for that year, for the mineral producing companies, as computed by themselves, amounts, according to tentative compilations, to about $207,000,000, and the total for the comprehensive group of mineral and metal industries to about $766,000,000, which figures represent respectively 9.5 per cent. and 35.1 per cent. of the total tax paid by all corporations. Because of greater complexities in applying the revenue laws to mineral properties than to most other industries, opportunity is afforded for wide differences of view. The taxes indicated above, therefore, are not final and may conceivably be very materially increased. For 1918, the taxes are expected to be still greater, but no compilations are yet available. Taxes at a high rate are to continue indefinitely. The subject is clearly of gravest import to the mining industry in particular. The Commissioner of Internal Revenue, who is charged by law with the administration and collection of the taxes, is determined that these functions shall be performed in a just and businesslike way. Fairness and finality are to be the chief objectives. In view of the peculiar conditions that attach to the tax program as applied to mines and other wasting industries, like oil, gas, and timber, the Commissioner has resorted to professional advice and assistance by manning a Sub-division of Natural Resources with competent engineers, brought in from the several industries, into whose hands he has placed for solution the technical questions involved. These engineers have a two-fold duty: (1) to devote to the solution of these problems their own knowledge and experience; (2) through their acquaintance with their respective industries, and with the men engaged in those industries, to focus upon these problems, by conferences and otherwise, the best opinion of the country. The principal object of this paper is to acquaint the mining profession with the attitude of the

Jan 1, 1923

By Wesley A. Grosh

The Valzinco mine, Spotsylvania County, Va., is a lead-zinc deposit with minor quantities of copper. The property was reopened n 1942 by Panaminas, Inc. The Bureau of. Mines, in an effort to increase the reserves of the deposit to justify greater production, diamond-drilled nine holes totaling 4,213 feet during 1943. Drilling by the Bureau delimited the original ore body and discovered another ore body on the hanging-wall side, which was being developed by the company at the close of the project.

Jan 1, 1949

By M. Henneman, M. Kosma, M. Eyll-Vetter

"For a long time, the recultivation of depleted opencast mines and operating systems was aimed at restoring the original state. The focus, as desired by policy-makers and the local population alike, was on restoring high-quality agricultural land and on creating reforested areas of value that suit their location. Until the turn of the millennium, recultivation measures were only rarely the subject matter of public planning processes beyond these general objectives. They were never regarded as nucleus and origin of sustainable structural developments. The rehabilitation of inactive lignite opencast mines in central and eastern Germany brought about a change in mind-set that understood recultivation to be a unique opportunity to completely redesign a landscape and gear it towards the future in the Rhenish mining area as well. The ""Inden residual lake"" and ""terra nova"" projects, planned in the last 10 years in cooperation with policy-makers and authorities, are two undertakings that provide sustainable structural impetus for the future today."

Jan 1, 2011

By W. L. Cooley

A significantly different method of evaluating mine ground system safety is investigated. The method measures touch and step potentials around ground beds and grounded equipment resulting from a series of extremely small simulated faults. The values are then scaled for a full-scale fault. The method should be particularly useful for large ground beds and under conditions where the ground bed cannot be isolated from the rest of the ground system in order to make traditional ground bed resistance measurements. Instrumentation for making the alternative measurements is evaluated under rigorous field conditions. A step-by-step procedure is proposed for evaluating a surface mine ground system. This procedure was subject to several field tests at eastern metal/non-metal mines. The final evaluation procedure is written as a stand-alone document for use by MSHA inspectors and mine operating personnel, and is included as an appendix to the report. The authors conclude that the procedure is effective in evaluating ground system safety and recommend that it be further evaluated in the field.

Jan 1, 1985