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By F. S. Knoll

Magnetic separation employing superconducting technology is now accepted within the Kaolin processing industry, proving the value of this technology and its ability to operate reliably even at the most remote site. Developments in superconducting magnet engineering, including cryogen free operation, combined with experience in mineral processing enables new forms of Wet and Dry superconducting magnetic separation to be developed. Applying the high magnetic force advantages at 5 T else available from such magnets to other materials is now a reality. High magnetic force mineral separating system developments are reviewed allowing the mineral processor to take advantage of a technology that is no longer confined to the laboratory.

Jan 1, 1997

By G. M. Dowo

The widespread environmental damage caused by slimes dam construction requires rehabilitation as one of the key management strategies towards land restoration. From the time when Mhangura Copper Mine in Zimbabwe was shut down in 2000 due to viability problems, no follow-up studies were carried out on the slimes dams to assess their development with respect to ecosystem function and longterm recovery. The ecosystem function analysis (EFA) method was thus employed to achieve this end. EFA is a monitoring procedure that establishes how well an ecosystem functions as a biophysical system through the use of rapidly assessed field indicators. The field procedure makes use of simple visual indicators that are related to various soil surface processes. Conventional sampling methods are used to collect the vegetation data. The data was first analysed using landscape function analysis (LFA) software packages and then with various multivariate statistical techniques. In total 27 species were recorded from 14 families; 21 of them occurring in the acacia woodland and only 8 on the slimes dams. Hyparrhenia sp. was the dominant grass on Dam 5 and Imperata cylindrica dominated Dam 6. Acacia saligna was the most abundant tree species on the dams. The tree layer on the slimes dams was not as developed as the grass layer. The rehabilitated slimes dams converged with the natural woodland for the LFA indices of stability, nutrient cycling, and infiltration, which suggested a high level of functionality. The main factors affecting the sustainability of the rehabilitation are postulated to be fire, grazing, and tree harvesting. The study contributed to the importance of, and methods used for, assessing ecosystem function on rehabilitated slimes dams in Zimbabwe, which are often ignored as most efforts focus on the establishment of vegetation on the dams. Keywords ecosystem function analysis, EFA, mine tailings, rehabilitation, monitoring, Mhangura Copper Mine, ecosystem function.

Dec 1, 2013

By Stanley C. Rhoads

The Bureau of Mines investigated the complete ternary system K2 HfF6¬K2ZrF6-l.25 weight-percent HF at 40° C. In addition, solubility curves have been established at 25°, 30°, 500, 60°, and 70° C. These solubility data implemented a study of hafnium enrichment in feed solutions for liquid-liquid extraction processes.. Selected K2HfF6-K2 ZrF6-1.25 weight-percent HF mixtures were equilibrated in a constant temperature bath. Compositions of the equilibrated solutions and wet residues were established from combined hafnium and zirconium oxide and total fluorine analyses. All solubility curves were essentially parallel on triangular coordinates. At 40° C, the solid phase of the K2HfF6-K2ZrF6-1.25 percent HF system is a series of solid solution hydrates with K2HfF6-H20 and K2ZrF6.3H2O segments existing at the respective extremes. Since this system contains K2HfF6-H20 and K2ZrF6.3H20 segments, it is not ideal for simple separation of high-purity K2HfF6 from K2HfF6-K2ZrF6 mixtures by recrystallization. However, it would be useful for producing hafnium-enriched feed solutions from zircon concentrates for liquid-liquid extraction of hafnium from zirconium.

Jan 1, 1973

By Juan L. Yarmuch, Gonzalo Sepulveda

This article presents a novel approach to address the mining width-constrained open pit mine production scheduling problem in the context of medium-term planning. A mathematical formulation is proposed to incorporate mining width constraints into the production scheduling process, aiming to maximize the NPV of the schedule while ensuring enough room for the operation of mining equipment. To tackle the computational challenges posed by large-scale instances of the problem, we propose a method based on variable fixing and horizontal precedence generation. In this study, we apply the developed model to real-world scenarios from Radomiro Tomic short-term mine planning problems such as optimizing the timing of major truck maintenance and the impact of external factors, like the delay in the production of the Chuquicamata underground project. Remarkable improvements are observed with the mining width-constrained model. Specifically, the mining width satisfiability is enhanced from 2 to 60% compared to the traditional open pit mine production scheduling model, underscoring the significance of incorporating these constraints. The proposed method showed good results reaching optimality gaps within 5%.

Mar 28, 2024

By Harry Schnabel

A 6200 m² cement deep soil mixed (CDSM) wall was constructed for an addition to the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, Massachusetts. The addition was located along the east side of the existing museum within an existing courtyard and in the area of a recently demolished structure. The basement for the new addition extended up to 9.1 m below the floor slabs of the adjacent buildings. The adjacent buildings are supported on a variety of foundations including; shallow spread footings on alluvial sand deposits, low capacity piles bearing in the alluvial sands and Boston blue clay, and caissons bearing on the alluvial sands and clay. Groundwater was less than one meter below the top of the CDSM wall. The new addition was founded on shallow foundations in the desiccated crust of the Boston Blue Clay. The CDSM wall was selected as the most economical means to control deep seated ground movements, limit movements of adjacent structures, and inhibit groundwater flow into the excavation. Braces and a continuous wale were used to support the CDSM wall where it was located adjacent to structures. Tiebacks were used where there were no structures. Other geotechnical construction at the site included: ? Jet grouting (JG) to improve the ground and provide an impervious subgrade layer at the west end of the addition, ? Concrete pier underpinning was used to support an existing structure on the west end of the site, and ? A secant pile wall using alternating drilled shafts and jet grout columns was used for earth support and a barrier to groundwater flow to allow for the installation of a storage tank at the south end of the site. Inclinometers, total station surveying, vibrating wire strain gauges on the braces and wales and load cells on the tiebacks were used to monitor performance of the excavation support system. The excavation support system performed better than required limiting lateral movements of the adjacent structures to less than 13 mm and vertical settlement to less than 8 mm. No settlements or movement were detected during the construction of the wall. Lateral movement of the CDSM wall was typically below 15 mm with the maximum movement occurring near subgrade.

Jan 1, 2011

By Pablo Altoé Amorim, Bruno Sellitti Borges, Otávio Lube dos Santos, Arthur Pizetta David, Matheus Diogo Penido da Silva

Automation is in everywhere nowadays, including within companies and industries, and is therefore fundamental and essential for production, quality and process control of them. There are many ways to automate a production line or a machine can be through relay logic, Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), and even more modern microcontrollers with native Internet of Things (IoT) support can be used. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each approach? A PCB was created using more modern microcontrollers programmed in C, C ++ and Whiting language to simulate a replacement of a PLC in an actual machine. Having a very positive result, being able to handle the machine manually via Wi fi besides being able to also perform a real-time monitoring of the machine's motors through the mobile phone, thus entering the IoT and fitting into the Industry 4.0.

Oct 1, 2019

By John F. Slonaker

This report is a review of current research being conducted in the United States which is intended to increase the utilization of coal ash. In order that this report be as timely as possible, the majority of information was obtained by direct comunication with the people listed in the references. Due to the magnitude of the flyash research program, some projects may be inadvertently omitted. Field research on flyash for use as an agricultural fertilizer is being monitored at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.1 This research is directed at determining the plant nutrients that are available in flyash as well as the quantities of flyash that can be applied to agricultural soil without adversely affecting plant growth, Coal mine spoil and refuse bank reclamation with power plant flyash is being demonstrated by United States Bureau of Mines, Morgantown, West Virginia.2 Numerous highly visible coal refuse piles and strip mine spoil banks contribute to air, water, and land environmental problems. Revegetation of several experimental sites with flyash from bituminous coal-fired power plants was undertaken in West Virginia and Pennsylvania. Conventional farm equipment was used at some of the sites while large earthmovers were required at others. The flyash served as a neutralizing agent, dilutent, and soil amendment to provide some nutrients which enhanced vegetation of the barren areas, Estimated cost of reclamation by this method is $300.00 per acre of previously leveled area. This figure can vary considerably depending upon the topography of the site, haul distance, quality of the soil and quality of flyash.

Jan 1, 1974

By F. N. Rhines

DESPITE the large amount of study which has been devoted to the subject our present knowledge of the copper-oxygen system remains incomplete and unsatisfactory in many respects. This applies particu-larly to those regions in which solid metallic copper exists. The primary object of the present paper is the contribution of new information relative to the solid solubility of oxygen (or cuprous oxide) in copper at atmospheric pressure, together with certain observations in the low-pressure regions of the system. It seems appropriate also to present a brief summary of the outstanding previous work on the constitution of mixtures of copper with its lowest oxide in order to show the relation between the new facts and the system as a whole. The earliest recorded investigations of the copper-oxygen system are those of M. S. Lucas (1) § and of M. Chevillot(2) in 1819 and 1820. Lucas believed that liquid copper is capable of dissolving its oxide, but neither he nor Chevillot was able to furnish convincing proof of this property. It was not until 1866 that T. Graham° definitely established the existence of such a solubility. Nine years later W. Hampe(4) measured its extent and roughly outlined the copper-rich portion of the system. The first really precise examination of the constitutional relationship between copper and cuprous oxide, however, was that of E. Heyn(5) who in 1900 published a temperature-concentration diagram covering the range from 0 to 10 per cent of cuprous oxide at atmospheric pressure. Within these limits of composition cuprous oxide was found to dissolve in liquid copper, forming at 3.4 to 3.5 per cent a eutectic which melted at 1065° C. R. E. Slade and F. D. Farrow(6) extended these studies to mixtures of higher

Jan 1, 1934

By Mathieu Dubé

Good mechanical strength of green iron ore pellets is required to avoid breakage and excessive deformation during their handling and further processing. However, green balls with good resistance to handling are often too plastic, which impacts the bed permeability in induration furnaces. Measurements of plasticity, bed void fraction and green ball sphericity as well as bed permeability were carried out on various samples of green iron ore pellets having different mechanical strength. Results show that bed void fraction, sphericity and permeability all depend, to some extent, upon green ball mechanical strength (plasticity). Understanding and controlling the mechanical strength of green iron ore pellets would then help to maximize both the productivity of the induration process as well as the quality of fired pellets through a more stable firing process. Results of research work carried out at COREM, with the objective of improving green ball characterization methods, are presented in this paper.

May 1, 2007

By Armando Diaz

Vedanta Resources plc is a London listed diversified metals and mining group. The group produces aluminium, copper, zinc, lead and iron; also commercial energy. In this sense, the paper show all the steps on how this expansion is going on, because is the beginning of the plan.

Sep 12, 2011

What has happened to the basic coal industry during the past year? Has it been a better year for coal than 1961? What striking new developments have occurred in mining, preparation and utilization? Are there positive signs that production will go up? What has happened in the utility market, the metallurgical market and the export market? Is the controversial question of coal transportation nearer to a solution? What progress has research made for coal during the year? The answer to these and many other important questions are offered in the following review of the Coal Industry-1962.

Jan 2, 1963

By H. W. Camp

Although the situation in the oil industry during the past year has not been conducive to large expenditures for development and research, there is little indication that such expenditures have been curtailed. While few outstanding achievements have been reported, considerable progress has been made in the development of new product,s and the adaptation of petroleum derivatives to new uses. The most important question facing the refiner today is the antiknock quality of his gasoline. This year has seen the widespread adoption of the term "octane number" as a measure for anti-knock values, and in the latter months of the year the public has been made acutely aware of this condition through competitive advertising. Gasoline is no longer priced on volatility and gravity alone, but on octane number as well; and premiums are being paid for material of relatively high octane rating. The situation has grown more and more competitive and has forced refiners continually to raise the octane rating of their regular and competitive grades, and at this writing the same situation exists for premium grades which have possessed relatively high anti-knock properties for some time. Straight-run gasoline produced from paraffin-base or semiparaffin-base crudes has an inherently low anti-knock value, and in order to convert this material to a higher quality it has been found necessary to crack an increasing percentage of the crude oil charge. By completely cracking the heavier portions of the crude and blending back with the straight-run gasoline, it has been possible to produce an average of 63 to 65 octane number gasoline on average Mid-Continent crude. This operation carried to the fullest extent does not suffice, however, and the recent and rapid development of the so-called '(reforming unit," has resulted. The straight-run gasoline fraction is cut into two parts: a light, low boiling point gasoline; and a heavy gasoline or naphtha. The latter containing the low anti-knock portions of the gasoline, is sent through a re-forming unit and subjected either to high temperature or pressure, or both, which materially increases its octane number. On average Mid-Continent the blend of low boiling point straight-run,

Jan 1, 1932

By T. M. Plouf, G. A. Lang

INTRODUCTION The finding or acquisition of ore bodies containing 200,000 opt gold and greater is becoming more difficult. There are more investors and small heap leach operators who have or can raise the capital to make the investments in the large ore bodies. Echo Bay Mines' approach has been to regionally develop small ore bodies, two or three in the same geographic location, which when considered together contain over 200,000 opt gold. CONCEPT The "world class" ore body syndrome, which many large gold producing companies maintain, can restrict company growth if the finding or acquisition of these large ore bodies is not forthcoming. Another approach has been taken by Echo Bay Mines. The concept is to regionally develop two or three small ore bodies suitable for processing with portable equipment. The systematic scheduling of mining, processing with a single flexible processing plant using the same management/ operator team can reduce your overall investment. The initial selection of mining and crushing equipment suitable for sun11 open pit operations is essential. A very viable option in the mining sequence is to use contract mining/crushing/screening/agglomerating and stacking. This option also lowers your initial capital investment and increases the flexibility in mining as you move from one mining operation to another. LOCATION AND SEQUENCING One single small ore body of itself is not attractive enough for the large producer. The recovery of the initial capital investment, although very rapid, does not make a viable project. The only alternative is to find two or more small ore bodies close enough geographically to each other so that the same management/operator team can be used to run the operations as each is put into operation. Echo Bay Mines has regionally located several ore bodies ranging in recoverable ounces up to 100,000 oz. These small separate ore bodies, located within a 30-mile radius of each other, for planning purposes have been considered as one single ore body. The first small ore body has the initial burden to recover the capital invested in the office, laboratory, power plant and processing plant. Other capital investments such as water supply, access and haul road, fencing, septic system, pads and ponds are reoccurring at each mine site. The first small ore body must recover the initial capital investment in the movable structures as well as the reoccurring capital investment in the fixed structures very rapidly. A total capital recovery time of 6 to 9 months should be used as an economic decision point for both choosing which small ore body should be processed first, and what the plant design capability should be. The sequencing of the small mines is very critical. All the fixed structures mentioned above must be installed at the second mine site before the first mine has been mined out. The ideal sequencing will allow for only one month between shutdown of the first small mine and production from the second. SPECIFIC OPERATION Echo Bay Mines has completed the construction of the Illipah Mine located in White Pine County, Nevada, with this small mine sequence approach. The Illipah Mine is a 40,000 ounce recoverable gold ore body. This ore body met all the necessary requirements. The Illipah project could support the capital investment in the movable structures which will

Jan 1, 1987

By Helênio Resende Silva Junior

Em coquerias, o período compreendido entre o início de operação até a desativação devido final de vida útil é relativamente longo. Torna-se tarefa muito difícil determinar-se o tempo exato de desativação por degradação uma vez que as coquerias possuem muitos fornos tipo batelada e o grau individual de degradação varia de acordo com as condições operacionais e método de preservação aplicados. Apesar dos cuidados adotados na operação e manutenção das coquerias, torna-se inevitável um desgaste inexorável em suas estruturas com o passar dos anos, com progressivo decréscimo na capacidade eficaz de produção até a sua paralisação. Tendo em vista o elevado custo envolvido na construção de novas coquerias, torna-se prioridade para as siderúrgicas prolongarem ao máximo a vida útil das baterias existentes, adotando o tipo de reparo adequado a cada fase da vida da bateria. O presente trabalho tem o objetivo de descrever os tipos de reparo em baterias de coque disponíveis, visando restaurar as estruturas e recuperar a capacidade produtiva das coquerias, respeitando as normas ambientais vigentes.

Aug 16, 2017

By J. A. Procarione

Introduction Ventilation engineers have always felt somewhat uneasy when, in the normal course of their work, they are forced to consider the flow in any mine entry as "wholly rough." Under such conditions in pipes, friction factor is no longer a function of Reynolds' number. This assumption serves to simplify the problem and overcome an evident lack of information concerning the variability of K-factors. During the summer of 1985, a unique opportunity to investigate the reaction of friction factor to changing flow rates presented itself. A Utah coal mine was temporarily directing a substantial airflow through a single entry. By regulating the quantity, it would be possible to obtain a wide range of Reynolds' numbers in an entry composed of two distinct coal thicknesses. This paper describes the conducted study. The theory covering basic fluid flows in pipes that led to the questioning of constant K-factor is presented first. Experimental procedures are then described, including the use of a view camera in determining entry area and perimeter. Finally, a discussion of the observed variations in friction factor versus Reynolds' number is given. Changes of 34% and 45% in K-factor were seen in this study for the two entry heights. The implications of ignoring the relationship in this case and a call for an expanded research effort are also presented. Theory Since a gas is a fluid, the general principles of fluid mechanics are equally applicable to airflow in a mine entry as they are to the flow of water in a pipe. The Darcy equation is, therefore, equally applicable to pressure drop calculations in both situations. This famous formula was originally derived for use in circular cross sections and may be modified for any other shape by the use of hydraulic radius (defined as the area divided by the "wetted" perimeter). The Darcy equation relates the physical parameters of the pipe (diameter, length, and resistance to flow) and fluid velocity to the energy needed to create the flow. A study by Nikuradse (1933) brought to light the suspected dependency of the friction factor term in the Darcy equation upon Reynolds' number. By performing a large number of laboratory experiments, he established some basic concepts upon which other researchers built. Chief among these contributors was Colebrook (1939). Using commercial-grade pipe, he established an empirical relationship between Darcy's friction factor and Reynolds' number that is still in use today. If Colebrook's system of equations is plotted on log-log paper (as was done by Moody, 1944), the curves have some very distinct features. Of importance to the subject at hand is the relative response of friction factor to Reynolds' number at a given relative roughness. Simply stated, a pipe can appear to be either smooth or rough, depending on the flow conditions. As the Reynolds' number increases, the friction factor decreases at a decreasing rate until it becomes nearly a constant value. At this point, the flow is said to be "wholly rough." It is upon this condition that many traditional ventilation solution methods depend. For calculating pressure drops in a mine entry, Atkinson's equation is much more popular than the Darcy equation. Both of these formulas describe the same phenomenon and so have similar forms and functions. The K-factor in the Atkinson equation is equivalent to the Darcy friction factor and can be related by simply changing units, equating the pressure drops, and canceling like terms. A generalized form of this relationship is presented below as equation 1. K = yf/28,800g = [q]f/28,800 (1) where K is Atkinson's friction factor in kg/m3 (lb - min2/ft4), Y is the specific volume in Nt/m3 (lb per cu ft), p is the fluid density in kg/m3 (slugs per cu ft), g is the acceleration due to gravity (9.8 m/s2 or 32.2 fpsz), and f is Darcy's friction factor, which is unitless. The objective behind Eq. 1 is to show the strong correlation between K and f. Since these two quantities differ only by a constant (q]/28,000), the assumed independence of K-factor and Reynolds' number is suspect in light of the known response of f. Unfortunately, the formulation does not provide information concerning the actual relationship, as entry geometry likely plays a major role in the response curve. Only an indirect indication that such a relationship might exist is provided. Previous work on this subject was performed by Thomas Falkie (1958). The study involved a laboratory model composed of sections of straight, steel duct and a range of Reynolds' numbers from 15,610 to 137,200. Results from this work show a variation in friction factor with Reynolds' number in much the same way as it was found to vary in pipes. Over the range of velocities examined, a decrease of approximately 38% in K-factor was observed. This previous experience provides additional incentives to investigate the phenomenon under field conditions. Past model studies done at the University of Utah by Ozukurt (1945), Biron (1944), and Greenhalgh (1942) present similar evidence of this variability. More recently, Kharkar's (1974) study of coal mine friction factors contains similar indications that K-factor is not constant in all situations. Taken together, the data

Jan 1, 1988

By Brandon H. Grove

In Austria's only producing field, at Zistersdorf, Erdoel Produktions-gesellschaft completed a single new producer, its well Gosting 6 coming in early in October for an average production of about 15 tons daily. For further testing within the proved part of the field this company's Gosting 7 was at the close of the year drilling in Pannonian strata at 760 m., and its Gosting 8 was rigging up. Outside of the proved area of the Zistersdorf field two further tests located on the Steinberg dome failed to find production in the known oil-bearing strata of the Sarmatian, and were deepened as wildcats into the Cretaceous Flysch. The first of these, Neusiedel 1, about one kilometer north of the known producing area, found oil in the Flysch beds at a depth of 1290 m. for an initial production of about 10 tons per day. The second test, Windisch Baumgarten la, is an old well previously considered a failure, which when deepened achieved a production of about 5 tons per day in the Flysch Inoceramus beds at 985 m. Neither of the foregoing wells is producing from a stratigraphically definable horizon, oil accumulation in the Flysch of this area being apparently controlled by tectonic breccias or related crevices.

Jan 1, 1937

By Pedro Jorge Walburga Keglevich de Buzin

The steel production in mini mills generates several process residues, among them the electric arc furnace dust (EAFD). This residue has as main elements Fe, O, and Zn, being classified as hazardous by the presence of Pb and Cd. In recent years, a rise in the chlorine content of this residue was observed, motivated by the increased use of scrap with impurities bearing this element. In this work, a qualitative assessment of the presence of chlorine in the electric steelmaking process is made. Complementing it, theoretical considerations based on the computational thermodynamics tool FactSage show the effects of the chlorine on the mineral species in EAFD and on gaseous species in the gas phase (HCl and Cl2). For this study, PVC polymer was used as the chlorine carrier substance which contaminates the EAF charge; presence of other minor elements in the system such as K, Na and Pb were also considered.

Aug 7, 2018

Dado el incremento de producción nacional del zinc, a base de los minerales y concentrados disponibles, es necesario señalar los factores técnicos y económicos que controlen este metal. Por ello, el objetivo del texto describe algunos aspectos de productividad del mineral para instalar nuevas refinerías que extiendan la venta de los minerales a expensa de los concentrados exportados. El proceso depurativo comprende la mezcla de minerales, tostación, lixiviación de calcina y filtración, purificación, celdas electrolíticas, fusión de cátodos de zinc y tratamiento de los residuos de zinc. De acuerdo a esta primera etapa, es factible la proyección de nuevas refinerías donde se requiere del manejo de un proceso electrolítico, ya que ofrece mayores ventajas respecto de la pureza del producto. Empero, si se utliza en el suministro de otros minerales, requiere de cierto control y regulación para evitar cualquier tipo de fluctuación. Es decir, una planta electrolítica de zinc no puede operar de igual modo que una de fundición de plomo, dado que compra diferentes lotes de minerales de esta mina, según sea las necesidades de producción. Respecto de los factores económicos, es necesario considerar que la capacidad de refinación en el mundo es mayor con relación al total producido por las minas, siendo el capital necesario para una refinería de zinc de 150 toneladas diarias, incluyendo la planta hidroeléctrica.

Jul 20, 1959

Hidden under picturesque Bemic Lake, in Canada's eastern Manitoba, lies a highly fractionated pegmatite orebody, hosting a unique assemblage of minerals. Accidentally discovered in 1929, the orebody had a brief history as a tin producer, but it is now mined by Tantalum Mining Corporation of Canada, Ltd. (TANCO), for its cesium, lithium, rubidium and tantalum bearing minerals. The mine also has potential for mbidium-feldspar, amblygonite, gallium rich mica, and quartz production. This paper describes the geology of the orebody, and its mining and processing. Selective, concurrent, mining and milling of the various products necessitates a high degree of planning and control, and these aspects are also discussed. The introduction of Quality Control and SPC are discussed, for such are the keys to excellence.

Jan 1, 1989

By Dara L. Hrytzak-Lieffers

Canada has long since been a place that has led the world in mining development, in a safe, clean, and sustainable manner. This has led to the integration of corporate social responsibility (CSR) philosophy in corporate governance, policy, and programming. The paper will identify the basis of CSR practise in Canada?s mining industry and provide a Canadian example of CSR implementation. Biography Dara Hrytzak-Lieffers is the manager, corporate social responsibility at Cameco Corporation. She oversees corporate CSR initiatives including the Sustainable Development report and public engagement programs. Dara received her BA in International Studies from the University of Saskatchewan and an MA in International Conflict Analysis from the Brussels School of International Studies. She is a recent graduate of the World Nuclear University summer institute.

May 1, 2011