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By D. J. Barratt

What is meant by "Minimizing Risk"? This paper explores some of the factors encountered in plant design which can affect the success of a mineral processing plant in terms of its planned output, quality of product and recovery. Any deficiency in either one of these objectives means lost revenue at the start of a project and reduced present value for the mine life. Time is money. Related factors such as project conception, feasibility studies, capital cost and operating cost estimation and mining studies have been covered in a recent paper (1) from which material for this paper has been drawn. What follows is a discussion of the principal factors which can influence the success of a project with particular emphasis placed on processing concepts.

Jan 1, 1983

By M. Moats, J. Young

Short term laboratory cell electrorefining experiments were performed to examine the impact of electrolyte composition, current density and temperature on deposit structure, roughness, and adhesion to 2B mill finished 316L stainless steel. Copper electrodeposits were produced using synthetic electrolytes with thiourea and the continuous addition of glue. Deposit structures were evaluated using X-ray diffractometry. Surface roughness was measured using profilometry and analyzed using scaling analysis. Finally, an internally developed method was used to measure the force required to remove the electrodeposited copper from stainless steel to determine adhesion strength.

Mar 2, 2022

By Anil K. Ray

This paper discusses in situ studies conducted at an Illinois Basin room-and-pillar coal mine to evaluate the performances of three different types of bolts under similar geologic conditions. The bolt types considered were the fully grouted passive rebar (FGPR), the resin-assisted mechanical anchor (RMAB), and the fully grouted tension rebar (FGTR). During the evaluations, the three types of bolts were installed in a single entry covering a span of three contiguous pillars with almost identical geologic conditions. The performances of the three types of bolts were investigated by instrumentting the bolts prior to installation as primary supports on cycle. Additional data on roof behavior was collected with extensometers and shear meters placed near the instrumented bolts. Excluding some time lapse right after installation, the performance evaluation of the three bolt systems was based on the data collected for over a year. Based on this study, it was found that the axial loads measured in the different bolt types did not show any identifiable patterns under the prevailing geological conditions at the mine. Therefore, the assumption that active bolts must be superior to passive ones is not always valid. Even though the studied mine did not have any thinly laminated, weak rocks in the immediate roof, the passive bolts performed as well as the active systems.

Jan 1, 2012

By A Lines

This paper addresses a gap in longwall multi-seam interactions and their predictions, providing a case study for future multi-seam operations for both anticipated conditions and a method for understanding the changes in stress regime. Multiple panels were modelled with the results analysed and compared to panel experiences to validate the parameters and properties. The software chosen (LaModel) is a numerical modelling package designed to model stresses and displacements on thin deposits. It utilises a displacement-discontinuity variation of the boundary-element method and has been used extensively throughout both the United States and Australia in multi-seam operations. Analysis of the results demonstrates a clear correlation with the above workings and regions of significant strata instability. This provides the opportunity going forward to analyse new models and incorporate into mine planning and geotechnical designs. Continuous site-based assessment should be undertaken at multi-seam operations to better understand and quantify likely vertical stress levels within the workings. With a detailed analysis of models prior to extraction and a review of models post extraction. Further research is required as LaModel is limited to vertical stress and it is likely that interactions impact both the horizontal and shear stress regime. 3-dimensional modelling could further assist in this understanding, combined with a thorough stress monitoring regime. CITATION:Lines, A, 2018. Modelling multi-seam interactions for longwall mining, in Proceedings The Fourth Australasian Ground Control in Mining Conference (AusRock), pp 185–195 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Nov 30, 2018

By Lisa Shevenell

Three pits at the Getchell Mine contained water during a hiatus in mining activity (1968-1983). For this period, expected concentrations of As, C1, SO4 and TDS resulting solely 16om evaporative concentration were computed. Computed values are 1.6 to 2.3 times greater than those measured in local groundwaters. However, computed values fix As, SO4 and TDS are lower than measured values in the pit lakes. In some cases, the computed values are only 8% of the measured pit lake values, indicating a major control on water quality via water-rock interactions. In contrast, computed C1 values exceed measured pit lake concentrations.

Jan 1, 2000

By Lowell L. Patten

The Federal Bureau of Mines participated with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and Martin Marietta Aerospace in developing, building, and testing a portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometer for use as an analyzer in mineral-resource investigative work. The prototype battery-powered spectrometer, measuring I1 by 12 by 5 inches and weighing only about 15 pounds, was designed specifically for field use. The spectrometer has two gas-proportional counters and two radioactive sources, 109Cd and 55Fe. Preliminary field and laboratory tests on rock specimens and rock pulps have demonstrated the capability of the spectrometer to detect 33 elements, to date. Characteristics of the system present some limitations, however, and further improvements are recommended.

Jan 1, 1982

By A. B. Kinzel

THE year 1936 has been an eventful one in the iron and steel industry. Renewed industrial activity has brought with it many new problems. These problems have generally involved the question of increasing capacity without sacrifice of economies and quality developed in the less active previous years. The nature of the iron ore used and the effect of its porosity and other physical characteristics on the capacity of the blast furnace has been reviewed by the U. S. Bureau of Mines. The whole question of handling raw materials and methods of charging furnaces has been intensively studied, with the result that capacity has been in- creased without affecting the quality of

Jan 1, 1937

By RIINA SALMIMIES, ANTTI HAKKINEN, PAULA VEHMAANPERA

Better understanding of the mechanisms and kinetics of dissolution can benefit several industrial processes. For example, iron can be leached from clays, which can be further used as a raw material in the ceramic industry. Another important application is the regeneration of ceramic filter media, which are used in the dewatering of iron ores. Dissolution of iron oxides in mixtures of acids is fairly uncommon and a less well-understood phenomenon, but it can result in a more efficient process. This work also shows that the determination of dissolution mechanisms and kinetics is not straightforward in different acid systems.

By L. K. Weaver

The objective of this study is twofold, The first is to present the composition of the offshore petroleum industry in terms of lease bonuses and the value of hydrocarbons produced from Federal offshore tracts. The second is to present costs of producing petroleum (oil and condensate) in the Gulf of Mexico with a financial analysis of an offshore operation. To prepare a financial analysis of an offshore operation, a model was derived to show the costs necessary to explore, acquire, develop, produce, and abandon a 5,000-acre block and the estimated income from the sale of the hydrocarbons produced. To establish cost and income guidelines for the model, a group of seven oilfields in the Gulf of Mexico ranging from 7 to 75 miles from shore and in water 20 to 130 feet deep was selected for study. A net profit or loss statement was prepared for each field and a discounted cash flow rate of return was calculated. Discounted cash flow rates of return for the seven fields range from 1.1 to 19.5 percent. Under the two specified conditions set up for the model (a 20-year and a 30-year oil depletion model), the rates of return are 17.2 and 13.7 percent, respectively. To January 1, 1959, the top four operators in the Federal offshore areas had paid approximately 40 percent of the amount spent on all lease bonuses and produced about 56 percent of the total hydrocarbons.

Jan 1, 1972

By F. A. Rutledge

The W. E. Dunkle mine, sometimes called the Costello Creek coal mine, is 8 miles N. 20° W. of Colorado Station on the Alaska Railroad. The presence of coal in this area has been known since the district was extensively prospected for gold between 1911 and 1915. At that time, coal from this deposit was used by miners for blacksmithing. The increased demand for coal resulting from government defense projects in Alaska led to exploitation of this deposit in 1941. The inability of Alaska coal mines to supply the quantity of coal required by public and private consumers and by the armed forces in Alaska was responsible for establishment by the Army of the Coal Procurement Section of its Alaska Department. It proposed to investigate the deposits and to expedite production from the Alaskan coal fields. The Bureau of Mines closely cooperated in this program. The quality of the Dunkle coal and the favorable location of the deposit caused it to be one of the properties chosen for investigation under a joint Army-Bureau of Mines-Geological Survey program.

Jan 1, 1948

By R. A. Cattell

The Bureau of Mines recently observed its fortieth anniversary, and with the close of the fiscal year 1950 it completed 36 years of close cooperation with and helpfulness to the petroleum and natural-gas industries, whose technical problems it studies. Petroleum people likewise observed the ninetieth anniversary of the start of this truly American industry when "Colonel" Drake drilled the first well at Titusville, Pa., in 1859 (see fig. 1). Throughout the period, during which there have been many changes in the fuel and related economy of the country, this work has been carried on systematically by an organized entity of the Bureau first known as the Petroleum Division and in recent years as the Petroleum and Natural Gas Branch. Changes in the industries have been brought about partly by economic forces, partly by advances in technology, and in some measure by the impact of two world wars. As the needs of industry and the Nation have changed, so have the studies of the Bureau changed to meet these needs. Consistently, Bureau technologists and scientists have tried to keep in step with progressive movements; frequently, in fact, have taken the lead. Wherever possible, they have looked far ahead in their program of research, at the same time recognizing the needs of the hour.

Jan 1, 1951

BHP Hartley Platinum operates an electric smelting furnace to treat Cu-Ni-PGM concentrate at its plant in Selous, Zimbabwe. The furnace, originally built by others, has experienced problems including severe refractory erosion of the sidewall. Hatch Associates has designed several important improvements to the furnace, including: ? water-cooled copper cooling elements in the slag zone ?air-cooled copper cooling fins at the metal level ?water-cooled copper tapholes ?binding system providing vertical refractory compression ?electrode seals ?new feed pipes Novel construction techniques employed on this project to reduce shutdown duration are discussed.

Jan 1, 1999

By Sandip K. Mukherjee

This report presents the results of the economic analysis of several applicable alternatives to increase airflow in four underground coal mines. Pressure-quantity surveys were conducted underground and measurements were also made at the main mine fan(s). The existing ventilation networks were modeled using the modified Penn State ventilation simulator. The applicable alternatives were simulated. Performance data obtained from these simulation runs were utilized to conduct the cost-effectiveness analysis. The costs for each of the alternatives included capital, operating and operating costs. These costs were expressed as annual ventilation costs per active section in terms of dollars per cfm taking into account the economic life associated with each of the alternatives. The benefits were expressed as increased airflow quantity in the critical sections. A section of this report also deals with comparison of simulator predicted air quantity values against air quantity values measured under-ground. This volume constitutes Volume II of the report and contains the outputs of the computer simulation runs.

Jan 1, 1983

By Peter White

A bridge reconstruction project involved driving pipe piles for the new foundations. Disturbances within soil layers at depth caused sinkholes to open up within the construction site. After a near fatal accident, the pile driving installations were suspended. The solution involved ground im­provement through cement grouting with sleeve pipes and special grout additives to minimize migration of cement grout.

Jan 1, 1997

By C. J. Bise, M. F. Sindelar

Regulations, such as the MINER Act of 2006, require the installation of redundant and secondary communication systems to assure that contact can be established with coal miners who may become trapped underground as a result of an event such as a fire, explosion or inundation. For half a century, the orientation towards underground communications has been that more complex systems better serve the coal miner. However, if a goal is to provide for an alternative means of establishing communication between the surface and trapped miners underground, then some of the technology employed should be simple, reliable and cost-effective. Coal mines spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on exploratory drillholes to characterize reserves, sometimes decades ahead of mine development. During the pre-mine planning phases, certain exploratory drillholes could be located and then outfitted with a simple communication link that would remain compatible with the continuing evolution of communication systems. Inexpensive links, whose locations would be accurately recorded, would be exposed by continuous miners during mine entry development, thereby allowing an underground phone to be connected to a surface station in the event of an emergency. A latent network of these communication links could be installed for less than $500 each, minimally affecting drilling and grouting operations, and could be designed to be compatible with many communication devices. This research examines methods and materials for incorporating an embedded communication link during pre-mine exploration drilling, addresses significant factors affecting its implementation, and presents a recommended design. Since mine plans are known to change, the objective is to minimize cost so that, if not used, the investment is minimal for a potential secondary means of communication between the surface and underground workings.

Jan 1, 2014

By Devon A. Hannan

Thermodynamic modeling calculations were undertaken for the recovery of mercury from HgTe using a vacuum retort reactor. However, discrepancies were noted in the available thermodynamic data which introduced uncertainty in the model results. Consequently, a series of transpiration experiments were first undertaken on the thermal decomposition of HgTe into an inert carrier gas stream according to the following reaction: HgTe(s) Hg(g) + Te(s) From the measured weight loss of the HgTe samples, the Gibhs free energy change for the above volatilization reaction was determined as a function of temperature. The experimentally determined Gibbs free energy values were found to be approximately 30% larger (more posi-tive) than the values available in databases such as HSC Chemistry. By conducting a second-law analysis on the experimental data, the heat of formation of HgTe at 298.15 K and the en-tropyat 298.15 K were determined, which then formed the basis for a new database for the modeling calculations. The results of this study showed that HgTe was more stable at elevated temperatures than was generally indicated in the literature. The new database is given in a for-mat for direct insertion in HSC Chemistry. Using the new database, modeling calculations were conducted to examine the effects of the re-tort pressure and the molar ratio of purge gas to HgTe on the volatilization of mercury from HgTe. A diagram is presented that shows the minimum temperature for 100% volatilization of mercury from HgTe as a function of retort pressure for different molar ratios of purge gas (N2) to HgTe. For example, it was found that the minimum temperature for 100% volatilization could be decreased by 175 K, at a retort pressure of 0.05 bar, if the molar ratio ofN2 to HgTe is increased from 1.0: 1 to 100.0: I.

Jan 1, 2003

"Hecla Limited has been investigating the potential benefits of using a Spendrup/Compact Filter Technic (CFT) diesel filtration system to remove diesel particulate matter (DPM) from the mine atmosphere to optimize use of the available air. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has evaluated the scrubber efficiency for dust and DPM which is to be presented in another report. This paper reports on a new mining application of a carbon particulate sensor’s ability to continuously monitor long-term mine DPM levels in conjunction with the scrubber evaluation. Magee Scientific is the manufacturer of the Aethalometer®, a continuous black carbon monitor which has been used extensively in worldwide ambient air quality monitoring networks. Two Aethalometers were used at the mine to assess their potential to continuously track underground DPM levels. In this first underground mine application, the Aethalometers were used to continually monitor black carbon (BC) in the intake and exhaust of the CFT scrubber system. Results showed that an off-the-shelf Model AE33 Aethalometer could continually track underground BC levels for extended periods of time over the course of the six-week trial. Data at the scrubber intake over 14 days of testing showed that DPM filtration would be required less than half of the time to maintain BC levels below 50 µg/m3. If the Aethalometer BC data output were “smart coupled” to control a 200-HP in-mine scrubber, significant electrical cost savings would be realized. INTRODUCTION Mine ventilation airflow quantities are calculated to maintain a safe and healthy environment for miners. Dilution of diesel particulate matter (DPM) is often a key factor used to determine the required quantities of ventilation air (Bugarski et al. 2011). DPM emissions and exposure levels are highly variable depending on mine schedules and activities (Janisko & Noll 2010); however, lacking technology to continuously monitor levels, mine ventilation systems are often over-designed in order to handle worst-case scenarios to ensure that DPM levels are maintained at or below regulatory limits. As mines go deeper it becomes more difficult to supply air, and the development of new shafts for air is not economically feasible (Basu et al. 2008). Cleaning and reuse of available air then becomes an attractive option to maintain good air quality."

Jan 1, 2016

By J. D. Warne

The ferberite district of Boulder County, Colo., has been an important producer of tungsten since 1900. During World War I, high prices for tungston concontrates resulted in a brief period of intense activity, and the production in 1917 was 2,707 tons of 60 percent W03 concentrates. Production declined thereafter, and in 19.2 the tungsten produced in Boulder County represented about 4 percent of the Nation's output, being exceeded only by the scheelite production in California, Nevada, and Idaho. Boulder County has boon an important source: of tungsten in the Korean emergency; the present report does not describe this recent activity, as it will be covered by a future publication. Tungsten occurs in small ore shoots of narrow and irregular veins. Most of the ore shoots have been found outcropping on the surface. Core drilling; has been used by the larger operators to explore for new veins and to locate extensions of known veins.

Jan 1, 1953

By Albert Williams

A large proportion of the work performed in wet-crushing silver mills is devoted to the handling and re-handling of pulp between the battery and the pans. There seems to be no generally applicable substitute for the settling-tanks, and in the present system of constructing mills the tanks involve an amount of labor which may be regarded as disproportionate and unnecessary, in view of the automatic improvements which have been introduced in other directions. This diffculty has been met, however, by Boss's continuous process, in which the pulp flows directly from the mortars to the first of a series of constantly working overflow-pans. This method has been adopted at the Noonday mill, Bodie, California; the Harshaw, Arizona; the Sierra Grande, New Mexico ; and the Prietas, Sonora. The continuous process, while giving excellent results with special ores, and under peculiar local conditions (such as a deficiency in water supply), is not, I believe, claimed to be available for all raw-amalgamating mills, notwithstanding its well-merited popularity for certain work. Some trouble has been experienced from the tendency to concentration in the pans, though this can be avoided by skilful manipulation. It has also the disadvantage inherent in combinations of distinct operations ; it requires a very nice adjustment of the water supply to obtain full battery efficiency without running the pans too thin, though the latter defect is partially compensated for by the gradual thickening of the pulp as it proceeds through the series of pans. The objection is similar to that which holds in a parallel duplex process, that of combining roasting and smelting in a single furnace, where each operation is injuriously affected by the necessity of fitting it in with another and entirely different one.

Jan 1, 1883

By Dimas Pereira Coura, José Geraldo da Silva Moreira, Eder Quental de Araújo

O território brasileiro devido a sua localização na região tropical, possui um grande potencial para aproveitamento de energia solar. O objetivo deste trabalho é dimensionar um sistema que aproveite a energia solar por tecnologia fotovoltaica no setor siderúrgico, o qual é um dos maiores consumidores de energia elétrica da indústria. O estudo é voltado as usinas siderúrgicas integradas a coque, e se baseia no aproveitamento de área instalada em telhados de galpões, para o qual foi definido uma área padrão para facilitar a análise, definição de ângulo de inclinação dos painéis, quantidade utilizada, análise de interferências e posteriormente realizado viabilidade do sistema considerando as diferentes taxas de irradiação de acordo com a localização geográfica de cada usina.

Aug 1, 2019