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By J. Routh

Analysis of AI, As, Ba, Be, Ca, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, K,. Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Sr, 11, V and Zn in various types of samples collected at Van Stone mine (a Pb-Zn deposit in Washington) and surrounding areas indicates that the concentrations of several elements in water, soil and sediment are higher than their background. values. Concentrations of metals in water decrease sharply downstream and are below the maximum contaminant levels specified for drinking water. Under present physico-chemical conditions, contamination of water is insignificant but the enrichment of heavy metals is found in soil and sediment.

Jan 1, 1994

By Thomas L, Archibald N

The use of oxygen in the Mount Percy cyanidation circuit was investigated, with the aim of improving recovery. Preliminary batch and plant testwork justified a plant trial, and it was demonstrated that the use of oxygen reduced gold leachable from plant tailings by 12 per cent, and was economically viable. Oxygen is now in permanent use. Other benefits of oxygen in leaching were not proven. There were no savings on compressed air costs and no measurable reduction in cyanide consumption, although HCN levels in the atmosphere above the tanks declined. The possibility exists that more efficient use of compressed air for tank aeration could have achieved similar recovery gains.

Jan 1, 1992

By G. Demi

The biggest chromium mineral processing plant in Albania is Bulqiza plant. It has been in operation for more than 20 years, treating low-grade chromium ores grade 20 ? 26 % Cr2O3 and producing chromium concentrates grade 48 ? 50 % Cr2O3. About 2 million tons of tailings with 13 % Cr2O3 content are stocked in a dam close to the plant. Mineral processing of low-grade chromium ores with less than 16% Cr2O3 content is unprofitable because the mining expenses are high comparing with the current market prices of chromium concentrate. Recycle and enrichment of existing tailings is profitable, because there are no underground mining expenses in this case and because that this kind of raw material does not need expenses operation of crushing and grinding. The existing plant is in operation for more than 8 years treating existing tailings as raw material. Grade of concentrate in the value 40 % Cr2O3 and Cr2O3 recovery in the value 30-35% in the plant are considered low. The main reason of low concentrate grade and recovery is high content of particles under 100 microns, the slimes, in raw material. In the paper is described the study carried out to improve enrichment of the tailings, as well as analyses of existing process, raw material and products. It is concluded that majority of lost is present in the slimes which are not separated in existing spiral separators and shaking tables. Basing in the study is composed the new flow sheet of recycling and concentration of the tailings to produce chromium concentrate grade 41 ? 42 % Cr2O3 and recovery 60 %, decreasing in this way the concentrate production cost two times. In the paper are presented the tests and results of concentration of particle size fraction under 100 microns, using gravimetric, magnetic and flotation methods, as well as equipment and machines suitable for slimes treatment and concentration.

Sep 1, 2012

By Forrest T. Moyer

To keep the mineral and allied industries informed of trends in the causes of accidents and to point out the need for corrective measures, the Bureau of Mines collects, analyzes, and periodically publishes health and safety statistics. This report includes data for 1962 on injury experience, with related employment statistics, at coal mines in the United States. These data are presented in tabular form under the following: General Injury Experience Tables 1 to 6: Current data on number of injuries, degree of injury, frequency and severity rates, average severity, and related employment and production data by work location.

Jan 1, 1964

By K. Y. Haramy, B. T. Brady

A scale-invariant theory of the strength and deformability, of rock masses in static equilibrium and at incipient failure is proposed The theory provides a rationale, for designing structures in rock. This paper presents results of experiments conducted by the US Bureau of Mines and presents theoretical methods to determine and interpret the in situ strength of rock masses using the borehole shear tester.

Jan 1, 1996

By R. S. Dean

[During the past fiscal year the Metallurgical Division has made important contributions along the lines dictated by the Bureau policy of conservation of domestic mineral resources through Its investigations include determining of fundamental data of metallurgically important materials improvement of standard ore-treatment method to eliminate waste and improve the grade or recovery of the products; and development o new metallurgical processes.]

Jan 1, 1940

By R. S. Dean

[During t!~c past f isc.~l y~:-.r the Xetzllvz-gicd 3ivi oion has made im- portant contribution-, don,- tlie lines rlictnteil by the Bureau policy of con- servation of domestic rnker~l rcsoul-ces throui;h use. During t!~c past f isc.~l y~:-.r the Xetzllvz-gicd 3ivi oion has made im- portant contribution-, don,- tlie lines rlictnteil by the Bureau policy of con- servation of domestic rnker~l rcsoul-ces throui;h use.]

Jan 1, 1940

Choosing the right valve for corrosive, abrasive slurry applications requires exacting analysis and a comprehensive understanding of the complete slurry process. Within the realm of flow control in abrasive and corrosive slurry applications, there is no room for a one-size-fits-all approach. To ensure minimal maintenance, maximum uptime and the lowest overall cost of ownership, the slurry processing toolbox must contain countless alloy and elastomeric pairings ? each carefully targeted to the particular process medium and conditions. This materials selection process is best tackled by turning to expert slurry application engineers and valve product managers who work closely with customers to specify the optimal valve for the given parameters. ?When plant operators and design engineers apply conventional valves in abrasive applications or use metal seated valves or simply apply the wrong valve for a particular flow control situation, it typically leads to rapid valve failure, the potential for hazardous leakage, unexpected shutdowns and costly downtime,? said Cal Cobb, valve products manager for Weir Minerals North America, manufacturer of Isogate slurry valves for service in mining, minerals processing and metallurgical environments.

Jan 1, 2011

By David A. Milligan, William Cobb

2.1 INTRODUCTION This chapter provides the reader with a sense of how a heap leach project may make an orderly, and hopefully non-traumatic, transition from discovery or acquisition to project construction. In making this transition a project can pass through several project development phases (i.e. ore definition and delineation, conceptual engineering, detailed engineering, and ultimately on to project construction and operation). "Go" or "no go" decisions may occur at any point in each of these phases. The transition from ore definition to detailed engineering should be accomplished via a well thought out program of interdisciplinary studies and an integrated, interdisciplinary project team. This chapter also describes, in general terms, a "roadmap" approach to the project evaluation process that must occur as project planning and development progress. It is the experience of the authors, as well as a myriad of companies who have been through the heap leach project development process, that a systematic approach will save many headaches, and many dollars. In fact, it is safe to say that a project with no formalized system of "objectives setting" and "milestone charting" may well flounder along the way, even if an economic ore body exists. Many papers and technical articles have been written about various aspects of mineral resource appraisal, economic evaluation, and mine development. Most of these invoke the same general philosophy of a systematic approach to project evaluation and development, although methods cited for attaining goals are quite variable. This is undoubtedly appropriate, given the fact that there is great variation in approach to project development (e.g., climatic considerations, ore body size and physical ore characteristics, permitting constraints, etc.). For the purposes of this chapter, two primary sources of information have been used to highlight the "road map" approach previously alluded to. These sources are cited throughout the text as Mackenzie (1980) and Snow and Michel s (1986). A brief summary of each of these sources is provided below: Brian GJ. Mackenzie of Queens University (Mackenzie, 1980) has developed a wealth of information concerning project development topics. Much of this information is synthesized in his notes for a short course entitled : "Mineral Exploration Planning and Economic

Jan 1, 1988

By John G. Bartram

The oil business has been relatively quiet in Wyoming during 1934. Only 34 producing wells were completed, 54 dry holes were drilled, and at the end of the year only 30 wells are listed as drilling. Wyoming still has a large reserve of production shut in, mostly in black oil or asphaltic base fields in the northwestern part of the state. The total oil production increased from 11,171,500 bbl. in 1933 to 12,539,470 in 1934, but light oil production continued to decline, and the increase was made by black oil fields. This is partly due to natural decline of light oil fields, especially Salt Creek, Big Muddy and Lost Soldier, but largely because of increased demands for road oil. The Rocky Mountain states spent much money to build and improve roads and a greater amount of road oil was used. The refining of black oil to manufacture road oil produced gasoline as a byproduct that slightly decreased the demand for light oil. The Oregon Basin and Frannie fields, in the Big Horn Basin, moved into second and third places in the list of producing fields in Wyoming because of their increased black oil production, and Big Muddy and Lost Soldier, light oil fields, dropped back. Wyoming stayed close to its allowed production, which was based on the needs of the refiners and purchasers. This activity in black oil resulted in a few more wells in the fields of the Big Horn Basin, but the greatest amount of drilling was in the shallow Osage field in eastern Wyoming. Osage supplies many little topping plants and at the close of 1934 there was not enough oil available there to supply all of them. In the Lost Soldier field and Salt Creek, one major company was rather active in a campaign to deepen, clean out and repair old wells to increase production, and the figures of that work are not included here. Of the light oil fields, Lance Creek promises to be most active during 1935, since the two wells in the recently discovered Sundance sand pool are producing and more wells will he drilled. With wildcatting almost at a standstill, two new oil fields were discovered in Wyoming in 1934. In Albany County, a 75-bbl. oil well was completed on Quealey dome in the Muddy sand (Upper Cretaceous)

Jan 1, 1935

By S. K. Varma, Miriam Regalado, Daniel Salas, Erica Corral, Erika Esquivel

"Age hardenable 2014 aluminum alloys and composites containing 0.10 and 0.15 volume fractions of alumina particles (VFAP) have been solutionized at 540 and 550°C for up to 20 hours. The solutionized samples, heat treated for 5 and 20 hours, have been subjected to room temperature rolling until cracking develops. The work hardening curves have been compared to determine the effect of solutionizing time on the rolling characteristics from both hardness and the microstructural evolution points of view. Solutionizing at two different temperatures results in differences in the extent to which the composites can be rolled until fracture. The microstructural characterization by TEM has been performed to understand the room temperature rolling behavior.IntroductionThe effect of solutionizing on the age hardening response of 6061 and 2014 aluminum alloys and composites reinforced with 0.10, 0.15 and 0.20 volume fractions of alumina particles (VFAP) have been reported in the literature [1-4]. A comparison of the monolith and composites indicates that particles promote the aging process through differences in the microstructures in solutionized condition. The first effect of solutionizing is to produce a grain growth process which follows a grain growth law (square of grain diameter as a function of solutionizing time). It appears that it is possible for vacancies to be emitted during grain growth period as they try to minimize the total grain boundary surface area by increasing their diameter. This may be common to both the monolith and the composites. However, the second effect must be exclusively considered for the composites. The particles generate dislocations during the solutionizing process due to the differences in the values of the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) between the particles and aluminum base metal. It has been determined [1] that the dislocation density increases with increase in solutionizing time in the composites of 6061 aluminum alloys reinforced with 0.10, 0.15 and 0.20 VFAP. The improved bonding between particles and matrix can give rise to additional generation of dislocations due to curvature effects [1] with the result that the dislocation density continues to increase with increase in solutionizing time even after the CTE effect is considered to have been stabilized."

Jan 1, 1998

By Clifford McCartney

The PropsetterTM System has been designed and developed to cost effectively solve problems experienced with conventional underground supports used in tailgates, headgates, bleeder entries and as supplemental supports. The PropsetterTM System utilizes the strength and orthotropic properties of timber to achieve initial stiffness and controlled yield as the roof and floor converge. Utilizing a prestressing system developed in South Africa by our parent company, the PropsetterTM prestresses/preloads the roof and floor on installation. The PropsetterTM System consists of five integrated elements which are easily assembled to achieve the objectives of ? Improved support. ? Improved safety, ? Reduced cost, ? Reduced material handling, ? Improved installation productivity, and ? Improved ventilation.

Jan 1, 1995

By G M. Evans, C M. Phan

This paper presents an analysis on the dynamic adsorption of frothers and collectors onto air bubbles in flotation. The analysis was carried out using the theory on the surfactant transfer by diffusion and adsorption. The bubble size was considered when solving the diffusion equation for the dynamic surface excess. The adsorption kinetics was modelled employing the Langmuir adsorption isotherm and its extension with the inclusion of the lateral interaction of the adsorbed molecules (the Frumkin adsorption isotherm). The numerical computation was applied to solve the governing equations. The dynamic adsorption of the surfactants was measured in terms of the dynamic surface tension for sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate (SDBS) and Dowfroth 250, using pendant bubble tensiometry. The results show that for air bubbles with diameter of the order of 1 mm, the bubble size effect on the dynamic surface tension is small and the solution of the diffusion equation for a planar gas-liquid surface can be used to describe the dynamic adsorption onto the air bubbles. The experimental data obtained with SDBS were well described by the Frumkin adsorption isotherm and the molecular diffusion. The model description for the experimental data obtained with Dowfroth 250 required the kinetic equations. The paper is relevant for further analysis of the role of the adsorbed surfactants in the particle collection.

Jan 1, 2005

By C. E. Arnold

IN attacking the problems of mining and treating large disseminated copper orebodies such as those occurring in the Miami or the Ray district of Arizona, one of the vital questions to be decided is, "What is the value of the orebody per ton in place?", The importance of this question lies in the fact that its answer helps to reach a decision concerning the method of mining to be employed. Let it be assumed for the moment that milling and smelting practice, especially the latter, is more or less standardized; and has a cost incapable of much variation, while the cost of mining has a considerable range owing to the large number of mining methods by which a mine may be exploited. For instance, a method may be adopted whereby all the available ore can be extracted perfectly clean (i.e., unmixed with barren material) at a relatively high cost; or a method may be used involving the necessary dilution of a portion of the ore with waste, in order to recover that portion, thus giving a relatively poorer extraction but nevertheless a lower working cost than the former method. Naturally, between these two extremes there lie intermediate methods. In order to arrive at a solution of a mining method problem that is of any value, it is necessary that accurate and complete estimates of mining, milling, and smelting performances and costs shall be established. By way of illustration is given a, case of mining, by the system of undercutting and caving, a large orebody with an average content of 1.50 per cent. copper supposedly all in sulphide form, to which case has been applied those results in mining operations which one may fairly assume are to be expected when viewed in the light of G. R. Lehman's ore-drawing experiments, which form the subject of a paper to be presented at this meeting. It is assumed that the total. costs will be as shown in the following table:

Jan 9, 1916

By R. D. Williams

In spite of the increasingly polarized and politicized view of climate science and climate change in the United States, many of the principles behind the ?theory? of Anthropogenic Global Warming (AGW) or Global Climate Change (GCC) are in fact firmly established both in fundamental physics and detailed observations and are widely accepted elsewhere. The discovery of the earth?s ?greenhouse effect? dates back nearly 200 years to the work of French mathematician and physicist Joseph Fourier in 1824 and 1827. In 1872, John Tyndall an English physicist and mountaineer, described the capacity of various gasses to absorb radiant heat. He identified water vapor and carbon dioxide as the principal ?greenhouse? gasses. The work of Fourier and Tyndall was the foundation for the theory that increasing carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere might be responsible for an increase in global temperatures developed by the brilliant Swedish chemist Svante August Arrhenius in 1896. This was backed up by the additional work of Gilbert Callendar in the 1930s, and Gilbert Plass, Hans Suess and Roger Revelle in the 1950s. There is little scientific dispute about the physics by which this occurs: carbon dioxide in the atmosphere absorbs long wave radiation that would otherwise escape into space, thus warming the lower atmosphere and respective temperatures worldwide. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), approximately 2500 climate scientists from around the world, has concluded that increases in carbon dioxide resulting principally from the burning of fossil fuels are responsible for most of the continuing increases in global temperatures (IPCC, 2007). NASA?s Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS) states; ?The ten warmest years all occur within the 12-year period 1997-2008? (GISS, 2009). 2009 was the second warmest year on record and 2010 was tied with 2005 for the warmest year on record (GISS, 2010, 2011). The science is in fact settled; the earth has not cooled since 1998 as some have claimed. It continues to warm as evidenced by not only surface temperature records but also ocean temperature records as well as changes in physical and biological systems (IPCC, 2007).

Feb 27, 2013

By K. R. Vost

Variation in air temperature in a cross-section of an underground airway by K. R. VOST, B.Sc. (Glas.), M.Sc. (N.S.W.) (Visitor) Measurements of air temperatures in underground airways are normally made at only one point in a cross-section, and the air tem peratures at other points in the cross-section are assumed not to differ significantly from this. This paper discusses measurements made at a number of points in fifty crosssections in airways with different air velocities and wetness of floor. These measurements show that significant variations of air temperature can occur in a given cross-section at a given time. The effects of such variations on the accuracy of measurement of rises in air temperature as air passes along an airway are discussed. The importance of considering experimental error in the measured rises in air temperature when attempting to validate theoretical and empirical methods of predicting such rises is also discussed.

Jan 7, 1976

By C. Jackson, J. J. Harrington

The pH control system at Kennecott Copper Corporation's Nevada Mines Division concentrator consists of two independent systems, lime dilution and lime addition. Lime dilution is accomplished in a mixing tank where slaked lime and water are introduced proportionately. The desired dilution of the milk of lime is determined by the electrical inputs provided by eight pH probes, one per grinding section. The inputs are averaged and applied to a time base generator. The summation output of the time base generator determines the proportion of lime and water that are to be mixed and applies this input to a voltage sensitive switching device. The switching device provides a signal to one of two relays which will add either slaked lime or water, dependent upon the summation output. The entire cycle is based on a 2-min repetition rate to allow for sufficient mix time. Responsivity is controlled by maintaing a limited maximum solution level in the mix tank. Lime addition is controlled independently within each grinding section. The electrical input from the pH probe in a given section controls the solenoid valves which provide lime to each of the ball mills. The valves remain open within a time range capable of maintaining the pH of flotation feed at a given set point.

Jan 1, 1978

By Gordon C. Petersen, Gary A. Almeraris

This paper describes the controlled blasting techniques required to mine a rock tunnel section of a main interceptor located in the Boston Metropolitan area. The 3m (10 ft) x 2.8m (9.25 ft) horseshoe shaped tunnel was driven 490m (1600 ft) by conventional drill and blast methods. The geology varied round by round and consisted of five highly faulted and jointed igneous rock types. The tunnel intersected numerous slickenslides and open mud seams which hampered both drilling and loading operations. Smooth blasting wee critical in order to keep overbreak tc a minimum in this extremely hard but blocky ground.

Jan 1, 1991

By J. F. Blandy

IN October last, I was call upon to examine a copper deposit in the South Mountain, near the Pennsylvania and Maryland boundary. The specimens shown me contained oxides and carbonates with native copper, and were similar to some that had been described to me some years ago as existing at the Luray Gap in Virginia. An examination of Rogers's Report on the Geology of Pennsylvania, led me to expect to see his so-called "Primal Formation," such as exists throughout the southeastern district of the State. I was therefore much surprised on arriving at the summit of the Western Maryland Railroad to find myself on familiar ground. Instead of the "Primal" as I had known it in Southeastern Pennsylvania, I soon decided that the rocks were identical with the "Lake Superior Copper Formation." My visit was unfortunately a short one, part of two days, and in that time I had to pass over a good many miles, but I saw sufficient to convince me that instead of the Lake Superior Copper Formation being a local geological feature, it would have to be considered as a widely extended series of rocks. I was unable to even approximately estimate the thickness either of the trap zone or other members, schists and slates, of the series. In an article on the Copper Range of Michigan, prepared by C. P. Williams and myself in 1862, and published, in vol. xxxiv of the American Journal of Arts and Sciences, we endeavored to divide that range into zones, according to the character of the traps. The limited nature of the explorations at that time made this work very imperfect. Subsequent explorations have confirmed my notes then

Jan 1, 1879

By M Frenzel

At the last MassMin Conference in Sudbury, Caterpillar’s vision of a continuous mining concept for block caving operations was presented on the background of global raw material demand and its continuous increase. By analysing today’s structure of mining processes in block caving, the paper (Krings, Steinberg and Frenzel, 2012) highlighted the main bottlenecks in the process chain and identified conceptual solutions by help of a case study. The main focus was the paradigm shift from discontinuous batch type operation to a continuous mining process of the blocks.In 2016, the strategic vision has taken major strides forwards and remote continuous operation has become a reality. Caterpillar’s continuous operation system – the Rock Flow system – was successfully installed in Codelco’s Andina mine and start of operation is scheduled in the first half of 2016.Based on continuous product developments, this paper sets the focus on two main aspects of continuous mining. First, field experiences of the Rock Flow system will be shared, highlighting the Andina project course from system installation, to commissioning and successful system start. The second aspect concentrates on the system and mine layout as discussed in the case study scenario in MassMin 2012 (Krings, Steinberg and Frenzel, 2012).Based on Caterpillar`s continuous product development, the Rock Flow system set-up and panel design were modified for a general roadway design and drawpoint layout. The new design allows an optimised use in block preparation phase (spreading) and full production phase (reaping), operating a fleet of load-haul-dumps (LHDs) and Rock Flow systems. The combined use of the two technologies optimises the mining process in every stage of block life and significantly increases the performance of the continuous block caving operation in the production panel to pave the road for the next generation of super caves.CITATION:Frenzel, M, 2016. New continuous production system in block cave mining – the rock flow system, in Proceedings Seventh International Conference and Exhibition on Mass Mining (MassMin 2016), pp 543–548 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

May 9, 2016