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By E. Giama, A. Macridis, A. M. Papadopoulos

ISO 14031 is an international standard that describes a process for measuring environmental performance evaluation by setting quantitative indicators and providing a structured approach for organizations to follow, independent of location, size, complexity and type of activity. It is not a standard for certification as ISO 14001 is, but it fits into the ISO 14000 series of standards and is intended to assist organizations to apply environmental management systems and obtain environmental evaluation. This case study’s main objective is to identify the interaction between ISO 14031 and ISO 14040-42. ISO 14040-42 is referring to Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) methodology. More specific, LCA is applied (based on the ISO 14040-42 standard) to stone wool’s production, the market dominating thermal insulation material, produced by bauxite and amphibolite. LCA is used as a decision making tool for the development of environmental indicators (based on ISO 14031 guidelines) and for environmental performance evaluation.

Jan 1, 2005

By R. A. Friedel

THE UTILIZATION by the Bureau of Mines of infrared and ultraviolet-visible spectrometry in connection with coal research has led to some basic improvements in methods, including a calibration method, a quantitative assessment of infrared spectral energy sources, and the development and perfection of infrared filters and cells. The adoption of a micropipet method to flush organic samples into absorption cells permits the investigation of vapors from organic liquids and the identification of volatile organic compounds. The spectral method has been used to investigate the infrared spectra of metal chelates, the charge-transfer complexing properties of aniline and nitrobenzene, an infrared method for determining the presence of methane in coal-mine air that has been adopted for use in enforcing the regulations of the National Coal Mine Safety Act, and atmospheric pollution including smog and odor-causing oxidation and decomposition of organic materials. Correlation of spectra and structure of organic compounds, particularly aromatics, was studied.

Jan 1, 1966

By W. E. Anable

The Bureau of Mines studied the purification of commercially available yttrium by melting it in a 100-kw electron-beam furnace. Button-scale melts were made to determine the ultimate purification that could be attained by melting yttrium at 1,733° to 1,770° C at low pressure (0.05 to 0.1 micron) for 1 to 120 minutes. In addition, numerous melts were made to study the effect of doping yttrium with carbon, 17 selected metallic additions, and 3 compounds. Except for nickel and zirconium, the metallic impurities in yttrium were lowered significantly on extended treatment; silicon was lowered only slightly. The nonmetallic impurities} oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon, were not lowered except on short exposures. In isolated instances, the oxygen content was lowered from 5,860 ppm to about 5,000 ppm. In most instances the carbon con-tent was lowered from 545 to about 220 ppm in 20 minutes and then increased again. It was concluded that yttrium cannot be purified by direct heating or by the doping technique employed.

Jan 1, 1965

By J. Andres, M. Cross

"Freeport-McMoRan’s Sierrita operations has two natural gas-fired molybdenum roasters for converting molybdenum disulfide into molybdenum trioxide. When these roasters were compared to other similar units within the company during a benchmarking exercise, it showed that increased throughput from the roaster units at Sierrita was possible. A team of site metallurgists, technical experts from other sites, and engineers from the Climax Technology Center was formed to study the potential in more detail. The team investigated many parameters in the roaster, including temperature profiles, roaster chemistry profiles, rabble and drop hole patterns, and operational strategies. The results of these studies and the associated throughput improvements are described in this paper. INTRODUCTION Molybdenum, a vital component for the steel industry, is typically found in nature as molybdenum disulfide (MoS2). MoS2 is typically recovered via flotation processes and is purified through leaching processes. While molybdenum disulfide is a commercial product, it is not the form of molybdenum that the steel industry requires. They require molybdenum in the form of molybdenum trioxide, MoO3. There are multiple ways to refine molybdenum disulfide into molybdenum trioxide. The primary method is the oxidation of molybdenum disulfide in a multiple hearth roaster. The chemistry of converting molybdenum disulfide to molybdenum trioxide is very favorable at increased temperatures, oxidizing the molybdenum through a range of exothermic reactions to ultimately produce MoO3. The chemical reactions that occur in molydenum roasting occur in three zones. These three zones correspond with four different reactions."

Jan 1, 2015

By Jamal Rostami

With the recent technological advances; Tunnel Boring Machines (TBM) have become a viable economic alternative to drill and blast in hard rock excavation. These machines are finding increasing use in underground mine development due to the potential benefits they offer. The successful application of TBM technology to mining depends on the selection of the most suitable equipment and cutting tools for the rock and ground conditions to be encountered. In addition to required testing and geotechnical investigations, cutterhead design optimization is an integral part of the machine selection to assure a successful application of the machines in a specific project. This paper presents and discusses the back-ground of TBM application in a mining environment and the lessons learned, the process of conducting site investigation and the necessary laboratory testing together with machine selection and performance estimation for TBM use III mine development.

Jan 1, 1997

By K. B. Chaudhuri, I. D. Webb, F. E. Rachor, F. A. Sauert

"A characteristic of all methods of copper concentrate smelting is that slags with a high copper content are produced at some phase of the operation. Recirculation to the smelting unit, electric furnace reduction or flotation are at present used on an industrial scale to recover the copper from these slags. This paper describes the application of the top-blowing technique, originally developed by KHD Humboldt- Wedag AG for refining of metallic copper, for the treatment of copper-containing slags. By this method, a mixture of a reducing gas and commercial oxygen is blown onto the melt at velocities which can be supersonic from the tip of a water cooled lance. The impingement of the reaction gas mixture on the surface of the slag forms a depression in the molten phase and a deflection of the jet which brings the slag into a rotating motion. This causes high rates of heat and mass transfer. Results of pilot-plant tests for batch and continuous treatment of slags are presented, and the potential applications of top blowing for industrial-scale operation are indicated. In combination with the cyclone as a smelting unit, this process appears to be economic for smelters of very low capacity."

Jan 1, 1980

By E. C. W. Perryman

BEFORE describing the methods used for fabricating uranium into various shapes and sizes it is necessary to illustrate briefly the unusual conditions under which uranium has to operate when used as a fuel element in a reactor. During reactor operation, for every fission that occurs two atoms of intensely radioactive fission products are produced together with two or three neutrons. The neutrons that are ejected possess several m.e.v. of energy and when one of them strikes an atomic nucleus, that atom acquires up to 105 e.v. of kinetic energy. This is large enough to displace the atom from its lattice position and send it shooting through the crystal, displacing other atoms out of their lattice positions. The net result is that a large number of vacancies and interstitial atoms are formed within the crystal lattice which sometimes have profound effects on the physical and mechanical properties of the material in question.

Jan 1, 1957

By Kimio Itagaki

"As a contribution to understand the smelting of copper or nickel matte by blowing oxygen or oxygen-enriched air, the phase equilibrium and the distribution of minor elements between the iron-silicate based slag and the Cu2S-FeS or Ni3S2-FeS matte at 1573K were investigated in a magnesia crucible under controlled partial pressures of SO2 at 0.1, 0.5 and 1.atm. At a given matte grade, the solubility of copper in the slag was found to be independent of p5O2 while that of nickel was dependent on pSO2 and these behaviors were analysed thermodynainically based on a concept of oxidic and sulfidic dissolution of the components in the slag. When the matte grade was specified, the distribution ratios of X, defined as (wt pct X in slag)/(wt pct X in matte}, for As, Sb and Bi increased with increasing p5O2 while that for Ag was constant against p5O2.IntroductionA combination of intensive reactors with the use of oxygen or oxygen-.enriched air as the blowing gas has provided a number of improved copper and nickel smelting processes such as INCO-Flash, Outokumpu-Flash, Mitsubishi-Continuous and IBRC (top blown rotary converter) processes. Phase equilibrium and thermodynamic studies for the slag and the copper matte or the nickel matte under high partial pressure of SO2 are of practical importance for evaluating the behaviours of the related components in the oxygen-smelting.A series of experimental studies have been already conducted in a limited range of conditions for Pso2 around 0.1 atm, which corresponds to the smelting with air-Stowing [1-5]. However, there remain very few data on the phase equilibrium in the matteslag systems under higher partial pressures of SO2. Tavera and Davenport studied the phase equilibrium between the copper matte and fayalite slag phases under the partial pressure of SO2 controlled at 0.1 - 1 atrn but without controlling the partial pressures of sulfur and oxygen [6]. A potential diagram for the Cu-Fe-S-O-SiO2 system at 1523 - 1573K suggests that the partial pressure of S2 equilibrated with the matte and the fayalite slag with saturated SiO2 under the high SO2 pressure is considerably high at 10-4 - 10-2 atrn [7]. This condition must require controlling of p52 as well as Pso2, in the equilibrium experiments, otherwise, the equilibrium condition may be hardly attained due to the continuous flushing of sulfur from the system."

Jan 1, 2000

By C. Edward Chamberlain

A Bureau of Mines procedure was developed for the analysis of volatile matter in airborne coal dust-rock dust mixtures prior to, and resulting from, coal mine fires and explosions. Dust in the 10-to 20-mg weight range can be analyzed. Volatile matter is determined by a greatly scaled-down version of the empirical macro-scale method used by the Bureau. The alkaline earth carbonates in the rock dust are dissolved in acid prior to the volatile matter determination of the residue, and the rock dust content is calculated from the analysis of calcium and magnesium by atomic absorption.

Jan 1, 1974

By D. E. Parson, W. A. Morgan

This paper offers a brief review of current literature pertaining to vacuum degassing or vacuum casting of steel as practiced in the U.S.A., Germany and the U.S.S.R. The advantages of vacuum degassing of large forging ingots, heavy section casting, for the conversion of rimming bessemer steels to killed steel and for the production of transformer steels are discussed. Operating pressures, reduction in gas contents and improvements in hydrogen segregation, steel cleanliness and mechanical properties, obtained with the various techniques, are described. The paper includes a description of an experimental vacuum stream-droplet degassing unit and some preliminary results obtained at the Physical Metallurgy Division Research Laboratories Department of Mines and Technical Surveys, Ottawa on laboratory steel melts. Experimental 500 lb direct arc, basic melts have been spray cast into either ingot moulds or dry sand moulds, held inside a vacuum tank. Also 500 lb melts have been

Jan 1, 1961

By P. Kordi, L. Egorova, R. J. Bowell, D. Gurevich, V. Sedov, A. Mikhailov, D. A. Holwell

ABSTRACT Reconnaissance exploration in the Kuene region Namibia has included geological mapping, soil and stream sediment geochemistry, and ground geophysical methods. Copper mineralization occurs within a well-defined belt with north-northwest to south-southeast trend, parallel to the regional strike of the sedimentary rocks. The occurrences vary in size but are generally stratabound. The mineralization is centred on the transition from calcareous shale and interbedded limestone, through carbonate rocks, to quartzite. Geochemical anomalies have been identified correlating to induced polarization (IP) and magnetic anomalies. The anomalies identify one potential metallogenic zone more than 17 km in strike length.

Jan 1, 2012

By R. R. Montigny

A brief description is given of the history, location and geology of the Granisle Copper Limited operation on Copper I land in Babine Lake. Detailed information is given with regard to pit design, planning, drilling, blasting, excavation and haulage. Equipment maintenance and mining costs are also presented.

Jan 1, 1971

By R. R. Faddick

A mineral slurry data hank has been compiled, containing slurry pipelining data on sixteen ores, concentrates, and tailings. The data bank it in the form of a computer print-out all they necessary system constants and headloss data for each mineral commodity. The purpose of the data bank was to assist in the development of a universal head loss correlation for mineral slurries, if such a thing exists. Present headloss correlations were tested and found to be inconsistent for the various mineral slurries. Consequently, a different approach was taken, that of compiling a library or Stanton diagrams relating friction factor and Reynolds numbers for a given slurry in a given pipe diameter. The advantages of the diagrams arc demonstrated and discussed. While this correlation shows excellent potential, it is necessary that additional work, both theoretical and experimental, be performed. In addition, two equations are given from which a design velocity may be obtained to minimize deposition or formation of bedload. The equations are based on data taken from the mineral slurry data bank.

Jan 1, 1972

By Robert D. Deister

The Buick Concentrator represents state-of- the-art technology in automated digital process control operation utilizing a centralized computer. The process control strategies implemented at Buick are no longer new to the industry but the successful application of these developments is still rather unique in North America. Productivity improvements, determined to be a direct result of the process control developments, are the primary topics of this paper. Emphasis is placed on metallurgical benefits including both lead and zinc recoveries, lead concentrate grade and reductions realized in reagent consumptions, operating costs and personnel. The productivity improvement discussion is preceded by a concentrator description and a brief history of the process control development at Buick. Current control strategies and future applications are presented afterward.

Jan 1, 1985

By John Gross

The modern practice of grinding ores so that often 80 per cent or more of the product is finer than 200 mesh makes it desirable to supplement sieve sizing so as to extend considerably the range of sizing. Moreover, the fact that the material finer than sieve size represents the major part of the work done in grinding emphasizes thick need in can investigation of crushing efficiency. A method based on the settling rate of particles in grater appeared to be most practical for sizing; finely ground ores. There are two possible methods of utilizing this principle: one based on free settling or sedimentation; and the other on separation by means of a rising; current of water, or elutriation. In sedimentation, mechanical entanglement causes material at the start to settle in a mass, and this persists throughout. As this feature is largely eliminated by elutriation, which permits a comparatively clean separation of the various sizes, the elutriation method was adopted.

Jan 1, 1929

By B N. Noller, J C. Ng, S L. Bruce

Mining activities can result in the transfer of harmful elements, including arsenic and lead, into the environment. In Australia, one of the potential future uses of rehabilitated mine land is to stock grazing animals. Elemental uptake is dependent on bioavailable fraction for adsorption upon exposure. Bioavailability data are generally lacking in order to provide realistic health risk assessments relating to harmful elements from mine tailings in Australian conditions. Another key component of risk assessment is the ability to estimate a realistic exposure, or dose rate, of the tailings to the grazing cattle over a set period of time. Hence, we aimed to conduct grazing trials directly on rehabilitated tailings facilities in order to provide valuable in situ information on heavy metal dose rates and associated accumulation. For the laboratory-based evaluation of comparative bioavailability, groups of cattle were fed five days a week on a normal diet spiked with mine tailings or soluble pure salts of target elements (eg sodium arsenate, sodium arsenite and lead acetate) for about eight months. For the field validation, cattle were allowed to graze directly on rehabilitated tailings facilities over a similar length of time. Blood and a biopsy of the muscle and liver were periodically collected to monitor arsenic accumulation. At necropsy, blood, muscle, liver, kidney and other saleable tissues were measured for arsenic concentrations. Although this study was focused on arsenic, lead and other metals were also measured. Predictive models for arsenic and other metals have been established to calculate the maximum grazing duration without the risk of exceeding specific food safety guidelines. The outcome of this study is a predictive model for maximum beneficial use of certain rehabilitated tailings for cattle grazing where grazing activities do not impact on the integrity of the tailings dams.CITATION:Ng, J C, Noller, B N and Bruce, S L, 2014. A predictive model for beneficial use of rehabilitated mine tailings for grazing cattle after mine closure, in Proceedings Life-of-Mine 2014 , pp 563–572 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Jul 16, 2014

By X. Chen, F. An, H. Chen, Z. Wang

The bottom drainage roadway plays a crucial role in preventing coal and gas outbursts by using underground gas drainage methods. Therefore, it is essential to select the ideal position of the bottom drainage roadway. In this paper use a combination of geological data and numerical simulation to study the ideal position of the bottom drainage roadway, we taking the gas drainage of the first workface of No. 3 coal seam in the Yuxi coal mine in China as an example. The geological study showed a limestone marker layer at an average vertical distance of 14 m from the first mining face. Using this marker layer, the bottom drainage roadway could be excavated without the risk of accidentally exposing the coal seam, and less crosscutting borehole drilling from the bottom drainage roadway would be required. Based on the needs of gas control, the layout of the bottom drainage roadway was selected as an external stagger type. Combined with the numerical simulation results, when located 20 m outside of the mining workface ‘footprint’ on the horizontal projection, the bottom drainage roadway was a sufficient distance from the stress concentration area during mining of workface 1301, which facilitated roadway maintenance. Furthermore, the length of the crosscutting boreholes is also relatively short, which reduces the amount and cost of drilling. The results of this study are expected to provide a reference for the selection of an ideal position of the bottom drainage roadway in field engineering.

May 2, 2022

By J. L. Fitch, B. G. Hurd

The presence of gypsum in samples subjected to standard core analysis introduces serious errors in the measurement of water saturation and porosity. The magnitude of these errors, depending upon the type of analysis procedure used, has been evaluated experimentally and theoretically. Water-saturated pore volumes determined by vacuum distillation or retort procedures may be too high by as much as 48 per cent of the volume of gypsum present. The maximum error in this value determined by Dean-Stark extraction with toluene is 36 per cent of the gypsum volume. If pore space is measured by a Boyle's law type porosimeter the maximum erorr due to gypsum is 38 per cent of the original gypsum volume present. The conscientious core analyst may eliminate the errors caused by gypsum by either of two methods. He may apply suitable corrections for the water of crystallization removed from gypsum, or take special precautions to prevent dehydration of gypsum during core cleaning and alzalysis procedures. These alternatives are discussed and methods for obtaining reliable core analysis data are proposed. Gypsum (CaSO4 . 2H2O) occurs as a common mineral in many of the world's sedimentary basins. In addition to its presence as primary bedded evaporitic deposits, it is often found as secondary replacement zones and pore-fillings in host rocks. That it may cause false indications in porosity, both on neutron logs and in standard core analysis, has been generally recognized. False porosity interpretations from neutron logs result because the chemically bound water in gypsum attenuates neutrons as effectively as free water. Errors in core analysis result when gypsum is dehydrated prior to or during the analysis. Vacuum retort procedures used by many laboratories to determine fluid saturation and porosity effect a complete removal of water of crystallization from gypsum. The crystal water, distilled and collected with free water from the sample, is counted as water-sat11rated pore space. Dehydration of gypsum results in a decrease in volume occupied by calcium sulfate and a corresponding increase in pore volume. Thus, if gypsum is dehydrated by sample cleaning and drying procedures, subsequent porosity measurements with gas expansion or compression instruments will be high. The qualitative effect of gypsum on porosity determinations by retort procedures was discussed in a recent article by Bynum and Koepl3. They concluded that since false porosity was interpreted as being water saturated, determinations of oil content were not affected. Others in the industry, however, have pointed out that porosity values are often used with values of water saturation determined independently, e.g., from electric resistivity logs in making reserve estimates. Values of water saturation calculated from the formation resistivity using the Archie equation, S4= are actually low if values of are high due to gypsum. In this case, false porosity values due to gypsum could cause serious errors in calculations of oil-in-place. This investigation was made to determine quantitatively the effect of gypsum on porosity values determined by different core analysis procedures. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES Dehydration of Gypsum The extent and rate of removal of water of crystallization from gypsum under conditions encountered in core analysis procedures were studied. Taken for the experiments were three types of relatively pure, naturally occurring gypsum, viz. selenite, satin spar and massive gypsum. Although all samples probably contained trace chemical impurities, each type lost the theoretical amount of water upon complete dehydration. An automatic recording thermobalance, similar to one described by Mauer2, was used to obtain dehydration rate data for samples heated in dry air. Water

By S. L. Windes

This report presents a tabulation of the physical and petrographic properties of Over 100 rock types from operating mines or mineral-investigation projects. The physical properties include the following: Apparent specific gravity Apparent porosity Compressive strength Flexural strength, (modulus of, rupture) Impact toughness Abrasive hardness Scleroscope hardness Modulus of elasticity (Young's modulus) Modulus of rigidity Specific damping capacity Longitudinal bar velocity

Jan 1, 1949

By Fred Delabbio, Sverker Hartwig

As openpit copper operations transition from surface mines to underground, the speed of underground infrastructure construction prior to production is critical for maximizing the value of the project. Typically, the preferred underground bulk mining method is block caving. In preparation for future underground projects, Rio Tinto made the strategic decision to invest in a step-change program that would develop system solutions to reduce the construction time of block caves. The program focused on improving safety and doubling or more the construction speed of both vertical shafts and horizontal infrastructure compared to existing drill-and-blast rates. After an extensive selection process, Rio Tinto selected the Atlas Copco mobile miner machine as one of the concepts to proceed with for construction of horizontal infrastructure for access and footprint. In addition to un-derground drilling and hauling equipment, Atlas Copco?s Robbins mobile miner concept (a previous attempt at horizontal mechanical excavation) completed trials at Mount Isa, Pasminco and Taisei. Rio Tinto selected the new Atlas Copco mobile miner machine concept for a number of reasons including the use of proven technology from the three previous mobile miner machines and other commercial products, as well as the ability to install complete ground support typical with high rock stress conditions at approximately 1,500 to 2,000 m (4,900 to 6,500 ft) depth. Atlas Copco, with support from Rowa, the Swiss company that specializes in back up systems for tunnel boring machines (TBM), is advancing the detail design of the access version of a tunneling system on behalf of Rio Tinto. Because of the different requirements between an excavation system for access tunnels and that for tunnels on the footprint, two different versions of the mobile miner machine technology were envisioned. The access and the footprint versions of the Atlas Copco mobile miner machine share a majority of key technologies and systems. Therefore, it was possible to conduct a performance conformation test using a full-scale version of the access machine that would also mitigate the technical risks for the footprint version. To alleviate confusion, this article focuses on the access version of the Atlas

Jul 1, 2010