Search Documents

By Abdelmalek Bouazza, Aamir Mahawish, Will P. Gates

Bio-grouting by means of microbial induced calcite (calcium carbonate) precipitation (MICP) to improve mechanical properties of granular soils has gained much attention in recent years. The biogrouting process offers an alternative and environmentally friendly approach to conventional soil improvement techniques, such as cement. Bio-grouting by urea hydrolysis has been extensively applied to tackle various geotechnical problems. However, it has yet to be applied to improve engineering properties (compressive strength) of a coarse cohesionless material with the aim using it as sand/stone columns within soft and very soft soils. This paper investigates the effect of using light, moderate and heavy biochemical treatments on the unconfined compressive strength (UCS) of coarse sand columns. In addition, the microstructure of the bio-cemented coarse material has been analysed by X-ray computed tomography (XRCT). The experimental results revealed that the UCS could reach up to 200kPa, 1000kPa and 5500kPa for light, moderate and heavy bio-cemented coarse sand columns, respectively. The microstructure investigations showed that the deposited calcium carbonate can be identified using XRCT imaging and can be associated with the gain in UCS values. Various microstructure properties, such as void ratio, dry density and porosity were also identified and compared with the laboratory data.

Jan 1, 1900

By Raju S. Sagi

This paper deals primarily with the different types of drilling methods used by the Iron. Ore Company of Canada for sampling the soft and friable hematite-limonite (secondary) iron ore deposits found in the Scheferville area. The problems associated with drilling, sampling, sample handling and sample preparation. for chemical analysis of these ores are discussed. Systematic evaluation of the various drilling methods led to the selection of an integrated drilling system. This system consists of a rotary dual- tube - reverse-circulation drill, with tricone bit, polymer mud and mechanical sample splitter, The historic al development of this drilling system is described in detail, as are the equipment , sample flow and quality control checks carried out to obtain representative samples. This integrated drilling and sampling system has been used satisfactorily on a routine basis for determining the grade and tonnage of ore for the various deposits for the last five years (1972-76) in the Schefferville area.

Jan 1, 1977

By B. J. Moore

This publication contains analyses and related source data for 352 natural gas samples from wells and pipelines in 18 States and 5 foreign countries. All of the samples were obtained and analyzed during calendar year 1974 as a part of Bureau of Mines investigations of the occurrences of helium in natural gases of countries with free market economics. This survey has been conducted in the United States by the Bureau of Mines since 1917. In late 1965, the survey was expanded to include foreign gasfields. The analyses published herein were made by mass spectrometer and a special helium analysis apparatus, which are described in Bureau of Mines Bulletins 4862 and 576.3 The results of the investigation of the occurrences of helium are published annually to make the information available as soon as possible to the gas industry and the public in general. Sixteen previous publications have presented the results of 10,479 gas analyses prior to 1974. The first three, Bulletins 486,4 576,5 and 617,6 contain analyses and related source data on

Jan 1, 1975

By Y. N. Zhang

Friction Stir Welding (F SW) is a novel "green" manufacturing technique due to its energy efficiency and environmental friendliness. This solid-state joining process involves a rotating tool consisting of a shoulder and/or a probe. The shoulder applies a downward pressure to the work-piece surface, constrains the plasticized material around the probe, generates heat through the friction and causes plastic deformation in a relatively thin layer under the bottom surface of the shoulder. The rotating probe mainly drags along, plasticizes, and mixes the adjacent material in the stir zone, creating a joint without fusion. Friction Stir Processing (FSP), a variant of FSW, has been developed to manufacture composites, locally eliminate casting defects, refine microstructure and/or improve the associated mechanical and physical properties including strength, ductility, fatigue, creep, formability and corrosion resistance. However, major challenges such as tool design and wear currently limit the use of F SW/P for manufacturing applications, particularly for high melting temperature or high strength alloys. In this review, the FSW/P tools are briefly summarized in terms of the tool types, shapes, dimensions, materials and wear behaviors.

Jan 1, 2011

By G Hancock, J Lowry, T Coulthard, W Erskine, M Saynor

An important part of planning for the rehabilitation of uranium mine sites is the ability to assess the geomorphic stability of the final landform, over time frames ranging from decades to millenia. Depending on the environmental conditions, erosion features such as gullies may incise into containment structures, potentially leading to the exposure and transport of encapsulated radioactive material. Further, erosion may lead to increased sediment loads and the transport of other mine-related contaminants off-site and into downstream waterways. While erosion may be monitored and assessed over the short term (years to decades), the longer-term behaviour (centuries to millennia) of such landscapes is not within any meaningful human management time frame. Landscape evolution models (LEMs) can provide information on soil erosion rates at decadal or centennial scales over large spatial scales, and evaluate the sensitivity of these processes to environmental changes. However, an important issue associated with the use of models is the ability to assess the reliability and accuracy of the model. In this paper, the CAESAR-Lisflood LEM is tested for its ability to predict soil erosion from a series of 30 m × 30 m experimental plots specifically constructed for this purpose on a trial rehabilitated landform at the Ranger Uranium Mine in the Northern Territory, Australia. Model predictions of bedload and suspended sediment loads from the erosion plots were compared with field measured observations collected over four wet seasons from the trial landform. Once calibrated for the specific site hydrological conditions, the predicted sediment yield – specifically, bedload – demonstrated an excellent correspondence with the field data. However, longer-term simulations of ten years identified an exhaustion effect in sediment yield from the landform. These latter results indicate that a weathering function needs to be incorporated into CAESAR-Lisflood to ensure confidence that the CAESAR-Lisflood LEM will be able to correctly predict the long-term evolution of a rehabilitated landform once it has been?constructed.CITATION:Lowry, J,?Saynor, M,?Erskine, W, Coulthard, T and Hancock, G, 2014. A multi-year assessment of landform evolution model predictions for a trial rehabilitated landform, in Proceedings Life-of-Mine 2014 , pp 67–80 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Jul 16, 2014

By David G. Dixon

Although the kinetics of leaching processes are of paramount importance in the design and analysis of nearly all hydrometallurgical flowsheets, these concepts remain poorly understood and, as a result, are only rarely applied to mass and heat balance models. In this second of two papers, we demonstrate how simple yet powerful models of leaching kinetics and other rate processes may be added to mass and heat balance models, and apply these concepts using a spreadsheet model of a simplified pyrite autoclaving flowsheet. In particular, we focus on the interpretation and scale-up of batch leaching data, and on simple means for modeling other phenomena commonly associated with leaching, such as reagent depletion, gas-liquid mixing, and the precipitation of oxides and basic salts.

Jan 1, 2002

By E. Krause

The oxidation of Fe(II) with S(IV) and oxygen can be used advantageously in leaching systems requiring both Fe(III) and sulfuric acid; e.g., heap leaching of sulfide-containing ores or concentrates. The oxidation of Fe(II) with SO2/air is several orders of magnitude faster than with air alone; rates of up to ?20 g/L'h were observed at 25°C. The reaction proceeds via an intermediate orange-red mixed-valence Fe(II)/Fe(III) sulfite complex, which is present at an essentially constant concentration throughout most of the oxidation process. The oxidation rate of Fe(II) is approximated by the formula -d[Fe(II)]/dt = k [S(IV)] [02]0'3. The concentration of the mixed-valence complex, and thus the iron oxidation rate, decreases with increasing acidity. Certain impurities, such as SCN- and thiourea, negatively affect the rate. The oxidation reaction 2Fe2 + SO2 + 02 4 2Fe3+ + S042- is accompanied by the side reaction H20 + SO2 + 1/202 4 H2SO4. The side reaction becomes particularly important at low temperatures and whenever the oxygen mass transfer is insufficient with respect to the rate of addition of S(IV). Thus, effective oxygen mass transfer is essential for achieving high oxidation rates with minimal acid formation. The activation energy was estimated as 141 kJ/mol over the temperature range 10-35°C.

Jan 1, 2006

By Norman A. Jull

"IntroductionThe scope of this paper is intended to deal mainly with cyclones in grinding circuits. However, the section on Cyclone Equipment, contains more general descriptions, to cover most of the cyclones used in mineral separation plants.Cyclones as heavy media separation vessels are discussed by Mark Freberg (this volume). Their use in tailings deslirning is discussed by P.C. Lighthall, eta/. (this volume).Cyclone EquipmentCyclone TerminologyApexObviously, the apex of a cone is the smallest end. However, with cyclones the term is usually used for the fitting which is attached there to control discharge of the underflow stream.Note that the cyclone need not be so mounted that the apex is the lowest point, although that is the most common method. Keeping the apex below the rest of the cyclone helps avoid plugging when the underflow contains very large particles and the tonnage of underflow solids can fluctuate.Various devices for adjusting apex diameter or otherwise controlling the underflow are discussed later under ""Cyclone Construction"".BypassingThe transport of a portion of feed slurry directly to underflow so that classification is bypassed by that portion of feed.This action is fundamental in any hydraulic classification, whether gravity or centrifugal, because the large particles going to underflow have some void volume between them, which remains filled with feed slurry.D50By definition, D50 is that particle size which has an equal probability of going to overflow or to underflow.It is calculated by drawing a curve of recovery vs particle size and noting the size at which 500Jo recovery occurs.This may be done equally with corrected or with gross recovery (see below) and the resulting value should therefore be identified as d50c (corrected d50) or as d500 (gross d50).Note also that it is common in industry practice to plot size analysis data on the retained size rather than on the average of passing and retained (the middle of the size band). To portray sizing alone it makes no difference, but to read a D50 value off a curve of corrected or gross recoveries, it is essential to plot those values on the average size of each band."

Jan 1, 1989

By P. Tim Johnson

Relentless increases in demand for nickel and vanadium for uses such as steelmaking, catalysts and battery materials, plus the growing financial and environmental costs of their primary extraction, have led to much interest in potential secondary sources of these metals. The presence of such metals in heavy fuel oils, bitumen and related materials offers both opportunities and challenges for potential extraction methods, especially with the growing production and importance of metal-rich fossil fuels around the world. For several decades, Tetronics’ DC plasma smelting technology has been used for the recovery of metals such as nickel and chromium from stainless steel melt dusts and other wastes in compact, environmentally-friendly and efficient plants. This paper explores the suitability of DC plasma smelting as part of a wider flowsheet with feed preparation and aluminothermic reduction techniques for smaller-scale extraction operations based on this important niche secondary source of these key metals.

By W. G. Miller

An overall study was conducted to evaluate the properties and processes influencing the rate and magnitude of consolidation for oil sands fine tailings produced using different extraction processes. As part of this overall study, consolidation tests using slurry consolidometers were carried out for caustic and non-caustic fine tailings. The influence of a change in bitumen extraction process (caustic versus non-caustic) on consolidation properties, namely compressibility and hydraulic conductivity, was determined, as was the effect of adding a coagulant (calcium sulphate [CaSO4]) to caustic fine tailings. For fine tailings originating from two different oil sands ores (Ore A and Ore B), results were presented in terms of variation in average void ratio with time (settlement), void ratio with effective stress (compressibility), hydraulic conductivity with void ratio and coefficient of compressibility and hydraulic conductivity with sodium adsorption ratio. Findings indicated that chemical characteristics of fine tailings (water chemistry, degree of dispersion) do not have a significant impact on their compressibility behaviour and have only a small influence at high void ratio (low effective stress). The biggest advantage of non-caustic fine tailings and treating caustic fine tailings with coagulant is an increased initial settlement rate and slightly increased hydraulic conductivity at higher void ratios. Thereafter, compressibility and hydraulic conductivity is governed by effective stress.

Aug 1, 2010

By W. G. Miller, J. D. Scott, D. C. Sego

An overall study was conducted to evaluate the properties and processes influencing the rate and magnitude of consolidation for oil sands fine tailings produced using different extraction processes. As part of this overall study, consolidation tests using slurry consolidometers were carried out for caustic and non-caustic fine tailings. The influence of a change in bitumen extraction process (caustic versus non-caustic) on consolidation properties, namely compressibility and hydraulic conductivity, was determined, as was the effect of adding a coagulant (calcium sulphate [CaSO4]) to caustic fine tailings. For fine tailings originating from two different oil sands ores (Ore A and Ore B), results were presented in terms of variation in average void ratio with time (settlement), void ratio with effective stress (compressibility), hydraulic conductivity with void ratio and coefficient of compressibility and hydraulic conductivity with sodium adsorption ratio. Findings indicated that chemical characteristics of fine tailings (water chemistry, degree of dispersion) do not have a significant impact on their compressibility behaviour and have only a small influence at high void ratio (low effective stress). The biggest advantage of non-caustic fine tailings and treating caustic fine tailings with coagulant is an increased initial settlement rate and slightly increased hydraulic conductivity at higher void ratios. Thereafter, compressibility and hydraulic conductivity is governed by effective stress.

Jan 1, 2010

By B. J. Vorster

AngloGold South Africa region currently consists of 12 Gold Plants. These plants use a combined total of $20 million of cyanide per annum. Of this, the .major portion (60%) is consumed at two Ergo dump retreatment plants. Historically the primary motivation for cyanide control at Ergo has been one of leachlcost optimisation. However, more recently, with the increased public awareness of cyanide in the environment, a secondary but increasingly important motivation for control has been to ensure that only the minimum amount of cyanide is added to the process whilst not compromising leach performance. Following a brief overview of the Ergo process, the methodology in detennining the amount of cyanide to be added is described. The paper then traces the developments in cyanide control from very basic? manual systems to the current automated control system. In line with the increasingly sophisticated control systems, developments also took place in regards to the method of cyanide analysis. The development of these analysers is also discussed. Whilst cyanide is one of the major drivers, if not the major driver of gold dissolution, it cannot be viewed in. isolation particularly with respect to the relationship between cyanide and oxygen as ascertained from the Elsner's well known equation. Consequently, in order to control cyanide addition, knowledge of the relative cyanide/oxygen profiles is necessary. Various means investigated at Ergo for pulp oxygenation have therefore been included for the sake of completeness. Finally a comparison is made of the control achieved from the current system compared to the? original manual system. The knowledge and experience gained at Ergo is now being used to draw up guidelines for the installation and optimisation work at the other AngloGold plants. The net effect of this will be reduced cyanide consumption for the region, which also, apart from the obvious economic benefit, translates into a reduced environmental; risk.

Jan 1, 1998

By R. L. Crosby

Microscopical and X-ray diffraction techniques were used to identify two intermediate phases in that part of the solid region of the magnesium-cerium system between and Mg3Ce. Previous literature had reported only one intermediate phase for this region, 1)12t chemical analysis determined the approximate composition of the two compounds to be Mg23Ce2 and Mg17Ce2. The range in composition of the two intermediate phases was found to be limited to less than 0.3 atomic percent cerium. The study did not determine the crystal structure of Mg17Ce2, but that of Mg23Ce2 is tetragonal with a = 10.33 A and c = 19.51 A.

Jan 1, 1966

By A. W. Storm

Vertical shaft furnace design and operation have their roots deep in antiquity. There is substantial evidence to indicate that iron was reduced from its oxides to serve mankind's needs long before recorded civilization - - actually prior to 3500 B .C. For at least 5500 years man has been matching wits with Nature to find better methods of extracting this most common, yet essential, metal from her, grasp. And, during nearly all of this period, the vertical shaft furnace has played a principle role in this dramatic struggle.

Jan 1, 1962

By Ralph M. Stricklen

The need to move large tonnages of slurry has grown as mines have become larger. As existing tailing depositories are filled up, new mines developed, or environmental requirements dictate, it becomes necessary to transport tailing particularly over longer distances. A typical slurry transport system is shown in Figure 1A. Figures 1B, 1C and 1D show sketches of the system auxilliary components: feed box, receiving sump and drop box, respectively. There are two basic types of slurry transport systems, packed flow and slack flow. Packed flow is typified by a pipe running full; slack flow by a launder or pipe running less than full. Slack flow in launders or channels is also referred to as open channel flow. Generally slack flow slurry transportation involves a flow with less than 65 per cent solids, and there is an upper limit on particle size, depending on the slope of the system.

Jan 1, 1984

By Raymond W. Hiteshue

To aid in designing a continuous system for evaluating processes for converting coal to high-Btu gas] the Bureau of Mines determined the amenability of various coals and a char to hydrogasification at 800° C and 6,000 psig using a molybdenum catalyst. A lignite from Rockdale, Tex., an hvCb coal from Rock Springs, Wyo., a char from the low-temperature carbonization of the latter, an hvAb coal from Pittsburgh, Pa., and an anthracite from Luzerne County, Pa., were selected. Highest yields of gaseous hydrocarbons, 94 pet, based on maf feed, were produced from char, and lowest yields, 67 pct, were obtained from lignite. Hydrocarbon gases contained 82 to 92 pct methane, 8 to 15 pct ethane; and 1 to 3 pct propane.

Jan 1, 1962

By D. T. Couillard

Video technology is becoming an important tool for many designers of industrial training programs. This report describes how trainers at the Minntac Mine, Mt. Iron, MN, have developed videocassettes of safe job procedures (SJP's) for training miners assigned to perform unfamiliar work tasks. All steps necessary for videocassette production, from idea to finished product, as well as the required equipment and prices, are listed and/or briefly explained. Minntac officials believe that the SJP videocassettes have contributed significantly to a reduction in mine accidents.

Jan 1, 1985

By Martin Langenderfer, Catherine Johnson, Alexander Douglas

Mine haul roads degrade rapidly due to extreme loads on sub-optimal construction materials. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) are suited to quantify large-area road-network conditions, such as surface roughness, defects, and grade to optimize remediation of poor conditions and reduce overall costs. Mine haul roads present unique challenges, such as material type and edge characteristics, to automatic road detection that often fail, requiring manual road input. This research proposes a new method for analysis using the road center determined by principal curve analysis of a haul truck’s Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) traces; analysis grids were created from this center line. A dense point cloud from UAV photogrammetry was generated, and multiple linear regression analysis was conducted on each individual grid. The root mean square error in each grid indicates the surface roughness, and the change of slope between grids indicates the road grade inconsistencies. This method was applied to 26 road sections, and the results were validated by images taken from the truck operator’s vantage point. Critical defects were identified including excessive pothole formation, corrugation, depressions retaining water, and narrowing of travel lane. The results demonstrate this is a valid method of road identification and quantification of road defects at a mine site.

Dec 19, 2023

By Henrique Lacerda Eleutério, Aldo Henrique de Almeida Barbosa, Vicente Tadeu Lopes Buono

The automotive industry’s interest in galvannealed (GA) boron steel for hot forming processes application has been steadily increasing due to its excellent surface quality, galvanic protection provided to the parts, good paint adhesion and better weldability in relation to other coatings for this application. In this study, samples of 22MnB5 galvannealed steel were heat treated and hot stamped on a water cooled die in laboratory scale. The influence of heat treatment on stability of coating and steel was assessed by using initial heating rates 11.0ºC/s and 15.0ºC/s. Microstructural evolution of galvannealed coating and structural integrity of steel during hot forming were investigated by scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy analysis (SEM/EDS/Line scan), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and optical microscopy (OM). It was possible to quantify the Fe-Zn phase evolution during hot forming, to understand the effect of these heating rates on the product properties and to establish an optimized heat treatment for hot forming of these steel. The heat treatment with the heating rate of 15.0ºC/s presented greater operational flexibility and final products free from surface defects or cracks in the substrate.

Oct 1, 2019

By Michael Vitale, Lee W. Abramson, Daniel McMaster, Andrew J. Thompson

"Performing risk analyses on tunnel projects has become common place and on many projects it is required from an owner or regulatory perspective. After the project is planned, designed and constructed, the data concerning identified risks, assumptions, costs, probabilities and mitigations is generally long forgotten and buried in some file somewhere. A study was performed comparing predicted risks versus actual events on four recently constructed rock tunnel projects in New York, Ohio, Georgia and California. Probabilities and costs for selectively common risks on tunnel projects have been studied and re-evaluated. Conclusions are presented that can guide future projects and the veracity of the tunnel risk analyses performed. INTRODUCTION Tunneling is a risky business. More than ever, attention is being paid to the risks associated with tunneled facilities and implications on project or program cost and schedule. Questions about why tunneling projects notoriously exceed budget numbers abound. Evaluations in retrospect and going forward have focused on the wide breadth of inherent risks associated with tunneling. More and more, these risks are being identified, studied and managed to a higher degree. As more and more scrutiny pervades the industry, little value is being obtained and leveraged on future projects. The industry seems to be headed in a direction of making the same mistakes over and over. The notion of risk evaluation has been around for decades and received wide notoriety with the U.S. Space Program and ambitious projects in the energy industry such as hydropower and nuclear power in the 1960s and 1970s (Stewart and Melcher, 1997). This led to the evolution of tunnel risk analyses with more rigorous identification of the unique risks in tunneling projects impacting cost and schedule. As tunneling risks became more readily identified, more attention has been paid to the frequency and impact of the occurrences unique to tunneling (ITIG, 2012). Currently, few tunnel projects are being planned, designed or constructed without a formal risk register that identifies the risks, mitigates the risks and quantifies the probable impacts of risks that cannot be mitigated. In hind sight on many recent projects, events that brought projects to “its knees” were not addressed in risk assessments or were not dealt with to adequately mitigate the risk of these events."

Jan 1, 2016