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By Robert F. Chaiken

Burnout Control is a process developed by the U.S. Bureau of Mines for accelerating the burning of wasted coal fires in situ, while at the same time controlling the heat and fumes produced. The Albright fIre project is a fIrst fIeld trial of Burnout Control as applied to a coal waste bank. An exhaust ventilation system was designed and constructed and then operated over a 1-year period at the site of an existing abandoned mine land fire near the town of Albright, WV. While predicted exhaust gas temperatures of 900° C and thermal power levels of 5 MW were achieved at 20-to 3O-in H20 vacuum levels, problems were encountered with engineering designs, equipment breakdown, and fuel-rich combustion that curtailed the time period of satisfactory operation. Effective afterburning of the exhaust gases (as they were drawn from the bank) corrected the problems associated with combustion stoichiometry and led to high thermal outputs. It is believed that with (1) improvements in engineering design and construction, (2) better control of the afterburning process, and (3) the use of conventional stack gas air-pollution controls, Burnout Control can be applied successfully to a coal waste bank fire.

Jan 1, 1991

By Milton Blander

"A review of concepts and theories for predicting thermodynamic solution properties of multicomponent high temperature liquid solutions is reviewed. During the last 50 years the ability to predict such properties for molten salts, silicates and metals based on the generally known properties of the lower order (often binary) systems has been developed and shown to provide predictions which are quite useful in science and technology. There are many gaps in our understanding of these high temperature solutions, especially for metals, and considerably more work is needed.INTRODUCTIONA number of solution theories and concepts have been developed which reliably predict the properties of multicomponent solutions from those of the lower order systems (often only the binaries). Because there is available data for a large fraction of the important binaries, the capability for making predictions for many multicomponent systems used in metallurgical separation processes is broad and potentially very useful. At the very least, the theories greatly minimize the data necessary for predicting properties of complex multicomponent solutions of molten salts, silicates and metals. It is the purpose of this paper to discuss the concepts which are demonstrably useful. We will discuss simple forms of the theories to make the concepts clear but we will refer to the publications which contain the more complex equations needed to treat the large majority of systems.A simple framework for understanding what we need to know in order to make technologically useful predictions is based on well known thermodynamic principles. In technologies and sciences where molten salts, slags magmas or molten metals are used or studied, one must often calculate the extent of a chemical reaction (or separation) or of phase changes. To do this, one must first write an equilibrium constant, K, for the reaction in terms of the standard free energy change of the reaction, ?G°."

Jan 1, 1996

By P Standish

Qualitative risk assessment methods are not well suited to considering complex systems and potential interactions of new technology. As part of supporting tier one mining organisations and international industry groups, the author and colleagues have innovated processes to help provide better solutions to sites/companies considering a move to implementing proximity detection and collision avoidance systems. The process identifies required operating states for the system. By applying a combination of research and team-based analyses, a rigorous identification of credible failure modes which could cause these states to be lost, is identified. Finally, required business inputs, expressed in practical terms are distilled from regulator, industry, organisation and site in a way which clearly addresses the failure modes and so retain the required operating states. These business inputs identify improvements for site arrangements (EMESRT levels 1 to 7) before identifying functional requirements for technological collision avoidance solutions (levels 8 for advisory and 9 for autonomous). The paper presents a case study synthesised from multiple sites analyses and will provide guidance on where to find additional resources to assist in making the best possible transition to better equipment and road network solutions.

Jun 22, 2022

By Andrew Trusiak

Brunswick Mining, employing approximately 1600 employees, is located 40 km south of the city of Bathurst in north eastern New Brunswick. The mine has operated as two lead-zinc operations - the underground mine(No.12) and the open pit mine (No.6). The open pit orebody is presently being' mined by underground methods. It is expected that the No.12 mine will furnish the entire ore supply by the end of 1981. The flotation practice prior to 1971 has been described by Neumann and Schnarr(1) and by Erskine (2). More recently, the current flotation practice has been described by McTavish(3) and deals with some major circuit modifications between 1972 and 1978. The period 1978 to 1980 has seen the completion of. a major flotation cell replacement and expansion program for the No.6 concentrator, and the implementation of computer control in the No. 12 CuPb and Zn flotation circuits.

Jan 1, 1981

By Samuel Filgueiras Rodrigues

An austenitic stainless steel ISO 5832-9 was deformed in a torsion test machine over the temperature range of 1,000°C – 1,200°C and strain rates of 0.05, 0.1, 1.0 and 5.0s-1. The Steel plastic behavior was studied by analyzing the flow curves shapes and using the constitutive equations under the conditions of thermomechanical treatment. The curves initially presented an increase in stress characterized by hardening work, followed by a drop in stress to an intermediate level that reached or not, for certain conditions, the steady state softening. The plastic flow curves of ISO 5832-9 steel displayed in three different ways: (i) Curves with continuous softening presenting plastic instability for low temperatures and high strain rates; (ii) curves type flat, here after the peak there is little variation of stress with strain presenting softening mechanism by higher contribution of dynamic recovery at low temperatures and low and intermediate strain rates; (iii) curves with softening after the critical deformation favored by high temperatures and low strain rates. These behaviors indicate the influence of the stacking fault energy (SFE) and precipitated particles on the softening kinetics of this steel.

Aug 8, 2018

By Kenneth J. Miller

A novel two-stage froth flotation process to remove pyritic sulfur from fine- size coal is described. The process consists of a first-stage, standard coal flotation step in which high-ash refuse and some of the pyrite are removed as tailings. The first-stage clean coal froth concentrate is then repulped in fresh water, and a coal depressant, a pyrite collector, and a frother are added to float the remaining pyritic material. Laboratory and pilot plant flotation results with coals from the Lower Freeport and Pittsburgh beds are given. The pilot plant test results show that up to 80 percent pyritic sulfur reduction was achieved with the Lower Freeport bed coal and up to 50 percent with the Pittsburgh bed coal. Laboratory and pilot plant results were in excellent agreement, indicating that the process is a viable means of removing much of the sulfur from some coals.

Jan 1, 1974

By I. Zh. Bunin, M. V. Ryazantseva, V. A. Chanturiya

The paper proposes a new method for selective calciferous separation. The effect was achieved through the application of the combination of high-power electromagnetic pulses (HPEMP) and a specific reagent regime of the flotation. The combined application of HPEMP with the special reagent regime allowed for the improvement of the scheelite floatability: the recovery of CaWO4 rises from 41.2 % (untreated sample) to 58.5 (sample treated at 103 pulses). In contrast, the floatability of calcite decreases significantly: the recovery of calcite drops from 74.7% (untreated sample) to 41.1 % (sample treated at 103 pulses). The conditions were found for the selective separation of the minerals with very close flotation properties. Keywords: Calcite, scheelite, flotation, high-power electromagnetic pulses, DRIFT, XPS

Jan 1, 2020

By Gibbs R

The objective of this paper is to provide a broad qualitative perspective of the needs and costs of infrastructure associated with typical mining projects. Infrastructure may be defined as anything necessary for the development and operation of a project, which is peripheral to the basic extraction, handling and processing of material. As depicted in Figure 1, infrastructure acts as the link between the technological heart of a project and the outside world.

Jan 1, 1990

By Gilbert A. Bonforte, Hugh P. Caspe, Tracy K. Lundin

The Narragansett Bay Commission (NBC) Combined Sewer Overflow Abatement Program is a major effort to address and mitigate discharges from combined sewer overflows in the Providence, Rhode Island area. The proposed system consists of three deep rock tunnel segments totaling 17.8 km (11.1 miles) in length that will provide 860,000 cu m (227 million gal) of storage at depths up to 99m (325 ft). This paper discusses 13.5 km (8.4 miles) of 6.64m (21.8 ft) finished diameter tunnel, four construction shafts, 19 dropshafts and one large diameter pump station shaft tapered from 1 5.2m (50 ft) at the surface to 27.4m (90 ft) at depth. All facilities are in preliminary design.

Jan 1, 1995

Since this paper was written, some changes have taken place, materially reducing the cost of iron-making as estimated in the text. These are chiefly reductions in the prices of ore and fuel. The charcoal used is now made in bee-hive ovens, and the price is con-

Jan 1, 1895

By Xuejing Xie, Tianxiang Ren

Paper presented at the 28th International Geological Congress held in Washington DC, July 1989 (International geochemical mapping sessions). Standardised stream-sediment sampling procedures have been used in mountainous and hilly terrains. Special sampling procedures were developed for application in remote environments, such as high mountains, desert, semi-desert, karst and loess-covered regions. The diversified analytical methods used in more than 20 analytical laboratories participating in the project have been unified into two multi-element, multi-method analytical systems. A unified data monitoring procedure was developed based on primary and secondary standard samples. To date the project has covered about 4 000 000 km2 and the aim is to complete the coverage within the present decade

May 1, 1991

Pilot-Plant Testing of Ammoniacal-Cyanidation for Gold Recovery from Copper Gold-Bearing Ore The results of pilot-plant tested ammoniacal-cyanidation of gold recovery from copper gold-bearing ore are presented in this paper. This ore is from a deposit of Russian Federation with gold and copper grade 9.5 g/t and 0.4 per cent, respectively. Copper is largely present as malachite and azurite. The presence of chalcopyrite and bornite is also observed. In order to recover gold, gravity is recommended. Two options of ammoniacal-cyanidation using leaching of gravity tails, CIP and filtration, were tested. It was found that ammoniacal-cyanidation using filtration of leaching tailings and recycled solutions is the most optimal option. The proposed flow sheet provides for 89.7 per cent gold recovery from gravity tailings at the consumption of NaCN 0.9 kg/t and (NH4)2CO3 7.5 - 9 kg/t. Compared to conventional cyanidation, this technology decreases the consumption of sodium cyanide from 4 up to 0.9 kg/t at the same gold recovery. It can be recommended for the treatment of copper gold-bearing ores with the similar composition.

Sep 13, 2010

By WALTER S.

(New York Meeting, February, 1912,) THE earliest example of attempting to form finely-divided materials into larger masses for better adaptation to commercial use was probably the briquetting of peat and lignite-waste at Paris by the use of a clay binder. It was from this attempt that our word briquette has arisen (Fr. la brique), the formed masses being shaped similar to ordinary bricks. This term does not, however, lend itself to the many shapes of such formed material as are now being produced, as few of them aside from some of the European brown-coal products bear any resemblance to the shape of that well-known article. The term "agglomeration " has therefore been chosen as more accurately descriptive of the products now being manufactured, this term including the molding as well as the sintering. With the increasing prices of fuel and ores and the greater demand for economy in the operation of industrial plants, more ,attention has been paid in recent years to the utilization of waste products and low-grade ores and fuels. Much of the waste has been occasioned by the inability to utilize finely ,divided ores and fuels in the furnaces because they could not be kept there, or else because they clogged up the furnace-shaft so that gases could not be forced through under ordinary conditions of operation. As a result, all such fines were thrown on the dump. Again, with the exhaustion of the richer deposits of ores, concentration of lower-grade ores becomes a necessity, and most concentrates are produced in a finely-divided condition. Aside from these considerations, there is also the economy in the cost of operating the plant; a furnace running on agglomerated material will have a much greater output than one working on fines. In one instance the charge of an iron blast-furnace was changed from fine concentrates to briquettes and the output was increased four-fold; better results could have been obtained had facilities been at hand for taking care of the increased output.

May 1, 1912

By Brahm Prakash, R. Schuhmann

Chemical conditions for flotation and nonflotation of cassiterite and fluorite with oleic acid as collector and with alizarin dyes as modifying agents were studied by means of small-scale, vacuum-flotation tests. Artificial cassiterite was prepared for these tests by high-temperature methods, especially by crystallization from borax melts.

Jan 1, 1950

By V. K. Paruchuri, J. D. Miller, J. Nalaskowski

The phenomenon of surfactant adsorption at mineral surfaces is of significant importance in many particulate processes ranging from mineral flotation and enhanced oil recovery to pharmaceutics, paint technology and the casting of high quality ceramics. Stability of the dispersions is related not only to the amount of adsorbed surfactant but also to the structure of the adsorbed surfactant molecules at the interface. This structure greatly depends on the type of surfactant and the hydrophobicity or hydrophilicity of the surface. On hydrophobic surfaces surfactants adsorb regardless of surface charge by van der Waals/hydrophobic inter-actions with hydrocarbon chains accommodated at the surface. On the other hand, on hydrophilic surfaces the surfactants adsorb through electrostatic interactions with their polar moiety fixed at the surface. In the latter case, the electric charge of the surface and surfactant plays a crucial role in the surfactant adsorption process. The recently developed soft-contact Atomic Force Microscopy technique has revealed images of adsorbed surfactant structures at various interfaces. The adsorbed structures of a cationic surfactant (CTAB) and an anionic surfactant (SDS) are presented in this work for different concentrations at hydrophobic graphite and hydrophilic mica surfaces. Different types of micellar arrangements have been observed at these surfaces for surfactant concentrations around the critical micelle concentration. The structures are more ordered and well defined at the graphite surface than at the mica surface. These results have been correlated with the hydrophobicity of the surfaces as revealed by contact angle measurements.

Jan 1, 2001

By Thomas F. Donnelly

The Province of San Cristobal is situated on the south side of the island of Santo Domingo about 25 miles west of Santo Domingo city, the capital of the republic. The copper mineraliza,tion is found about 8 miles north of the town of San Cristobal,. in the section known as Bucaro Hill; in San Francisco Hill; on the Nigua River; and on the Jaina River. The district is reached by automobile from Santo Domingo city over an excellent road for 25 miles to San Cristobal, and then, by horseback 6 or 8 miles up the Nigua River to what is locally known as "Camp

Jan 1, 1916

By L. Bergkvist

"History can provide many answers with regard to what today’s mining industry looks like and how we got to where we are today. It has always been self-evident that safety has to be given the highest priority and, throughout history, many mine workers have been injured, become ill and have even sacrificed their lives due to the way in which attempts have been made to extract the ore, often due to ignorance of the dangers being faced. In more recent stages of history we have seen certain dangers being compensated by means of higher wages and bonus systems in order to have the work carried out: one example of this is when the rock heating method was employed and the men who first went underground to put out the fires that were burning, were paid extra. The working conditions, to which these people were exposed, with smoke-filled closed spaces, shortened their life expectancy considerably and today we can ask ourselves whether it is really possible to value these efforts just by higher wages. In all mines worldwide the working environment has been improved and many mining companies have a zero vision where work-related injuries and accidents are concerned. Despite this, incidents of varying severity still occur and a continuous improvement process and ongoing training is necessary in order to constantly minimise risks and improve the working environment. Atlas Copco takes this into account in all its development and we not only review our own production units but also the needs of our customers, with regard to the machinery that is produced in order to cater for customers’ safety and production objectives. Underground mining probably started at the beginning of the 11th century when people with modest tools tried to extract ores that were present in the bedrock. Methodology has developed enormously over the years with a strong focus on increased efficiency and higher production. In different parts of the world the development is driven forwards at different rates depending on which controlling factors are regarded as necessary. Political decisions, profit goals and productivity have partly controlled the development, but the greatest factor where improvement is concerned still remains with increased understanding of the totality. During more than 1000 years since underground mining has been conducted, all individuals at all levels have constantly improved their expertise and the human element has been of great importance with regard to the development that has been made, even though technology often occupies a leading role when we describe the improvements made."

Jan 1, 2011

In recent years, coal beneficiation has gotten considerable attention. Selective oil agglomeration has been accepted as the best method to produce clean coal with a high removal of pyrite sulphur. In this study, spherical oil agglomeration of Datong coal fines was carried out using diesel oil as a bridging liquid. The oil agglomeration has a surface properties based on coal cleaning technique. The effects of fundamental parameters have been investigated including the concentration of bridging liquid, the size of coal particle, the solid content of slurry, the agitation time and rate, pH, surfactants on the agglomeration performance and various salts on the ash rejection and removal of pyrite of the agglomerated products. The optimum conditions of particle size, diesel concentration, solid content, agitation speed and time, pH and the dosage of active agent have been determined as less than 8µm, 20wt%, 1200r/min and 10 minutes, 7.5g/t and 100g/t, respectively. Under these conditions the ash content in the products can be achieved 1.5% below, the ash rejection was up to 92%. It has been observed that ionic strength of the aqueous medium affects the agglomeration performance. The precombustion coal cleaning process based on improved selective agglomeration results in high ash and pyrite sulphur removals. Over 80% removal of pyrite sulphur can be achieved from run-of-mine coals by offering a more cost-effective sulphur reduction solution rather than any other SO2 removal technology. In addition, the removal of pyrite sulphur is very necessary for not only the prevention of environmental pollution but also economical reasons.

Jan 1, 2014

By E Rubio, N Morales

Currently, mine plans are optimised by using several criteria as objective functions, like profit, life-of-mine, concentration of some pollutants, mining costs, confidence level or ore resources, with consideration of constraints related to production rates, plant capacities and grades. Whilst this approach is successful in terms of producing high value production schedules, it uses a static opening sequence of the drawpoints and therefore the optimisation is made within the level of freedom left by the original opening schedule, and as a result it is far from the true optimal value of the project. This paper presents a model to optimise the sequence of drawpoint opening over a given time horizon. The emphasis is in the precedence constraints that are required to produce meaningful operational sequences considering the exploitation method (panel or block caving), physics considerations and logical rules. Further on, while it applies the standard approach of maximising net present value (NPV), it considers other targets for optimisation, like the robustness and constructability of the plans. Finally, it applies the model to real data to obtain feasible plans by means of this model. The first tests were done varying the production capacity of the mine.

Sep 26, 2011

By D. McFadgen

"THE Dominion Steel & Coal Corporation, through its subsidiaries, the Old Sydney Collieries and the Dominion Coal Company Limited, produces 4% million tons of coal annually from eight submarine collieries situated on the eastern coast of Cape Breton Island. The present workings have a frontage of 20 miles and extend 31/2 miles under the Atlantic ocean on gradients varying from 4 deg. to 24 deg. To date, some of the workings have reached .a depth of cover up to 2,800 feet.The pitching seams, the annual seaward advance, the resulting depth of cover and the rdatively soft roof and floor have necessitated the adoption of extensive longwall mining, with room-and-pillar mining con-fined to areas above the 1,000 foot cover line, where 60 per cent of the -coal is left standing in pillars to support the ocean floor. Longwall mining accounts for 87 per cent of the total production with the remaining outputs obtained from room-and-pillar work and the narrow work development. Seventy-four per cent of the longwall production and 41 per -cent of the room and development production is completely mechanized.Although 2 tons of water is pumped from the collieries for each ton of coal mined, the working sections are relatively dry as the heavy make of water is essentially surface drain-age from the land crop areas. The dry workings and the long haulage distances, which in many cases exceed 4 miles, have resulted in a continuing programme to combat the dust hazard, both at the working face and along the mine roadways."

Jan 1, 1960