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By Martin Nevens

"In 1998, the Iron Ore Company of Canada initiated an aggressive program to improve the performance of its Carol Lake Concentrator located in Labrador City, Newfoundland. This program was termed the Concentrator Upgrade Program. The Concentrator Upgrade Program was a group of initiatives developed with the common goal of improving the overall process and operations of the IOCC Carol Lake Concentrator. The main goal of the program was to increase the annual production capacity of the concentrator from 18.0 million tomes to 21.6 million tomes. This gain in capacity was to be done mainly through improvements in process iron recovery. The target iron recovery value was 80+% versus a historical value of 70%. This improvement in iron recovery would translate to a natural weight recovery improvement from 44% to 50%.The Concentrator Upgrade Program provided the first opportunity in 30 years to make fimdamental changes to the concentrator flowsheet. To accomplish this, several pilot plants were built to evaluate new circuits. AAer 2 years, a new flowsheet was selected for the primary gravity separation circuit and the magnetite circuit. The centrepiece of the new flowsheet was the introduction of Hindered Settling Separators to the metallurgical process.The Concentrator Upgrade Program has since proceeded into detailed engineering and, as of February 2001, construction. The first one of IOCC’s 3 primary AG Mills (Mill 11) has been converted to the new flowsheet at the time of writing and is in the throes of commissioning. This paper will review the flowsheet development program in the pilot plant for the gravity separation circuit and examine the overall benefits to the operation of the IOCC Carol Lake Concentrator."

Jan 1, 2002

A major problem in the continuous casting of aluminium killed strip steel is the incidence of black and grey lines in the strip surface caused by the alumina inclusions. One place for limiting the number of alumina inclusions is by providing favourable fluid flow conditions in the ladle so that the inclusions float out to the surface or adhere to the ladle wall. In laboratory equipment 20 kg of steel was melted in an alumina crucible of 14 cm diameter in an induction furnace. Deoxidation was carried out while the melt was constantly stirred by argon bubbling. Bubble frequencies were measured at the lance tip using a microphone technique. High speed cine photo- graphy was incorporated to measure melt top surface velocities. Experimental results indicate that the rate of removal of inclusions is a function of both the gas input and the power input. However due to unfavourable surface area to volume ratio, reoxidation of the melt took place. Some other experimental difficulties in working at high temperatures are also discussed such as lance design, melting arrangement and sampling techniques.

Jan 1, 1984

By R. R. Klimpel

The industrial processing of ores containing precious metals such as gold is generally very mining site specific, e. g. McQuiston and Shoemaker (1985), vanZyl et. a1. (1988), Fuerstenau and Hendrix (1990), and Hausen et. a1. (1990). The variety of various mineral processing techniques employed is extensive and includes size reduction, size classification, gravity separation, roasting, cyanidation, chemical and/or bacterial leaching, ion exchange and/or solvent extraction, and froth flotation. Gold occurs in the earth's crust on the average in very low concentration estimated by various sources to be between two and five parts per billion. For a specific ore deposit to be considered as an economic source of gold, generally a concentration of near one part-per million (one gram / Mton) or more is required. From a mineralogical viewpoint, gold often occurs in its native or free form. However, it can also occur as gold compounds of telluride, antimony, and selenium contained within either sulfide minerals such as pyrite, arsenopyrite. and pyrrhotite or, to a less extent, within silicate, oxide, and carbonate minerals. In many locations, alloying of gold with silver is found. The optimal processing method for recovering gold is determined by many factors such as the mineralogy of the gold bearing minerals as well as the associated mineralogy of the gangue minerals, the type of liberation profile of the gold bearing minerals upon' size reduction, and the particle size of the gold itself. Free or native gold particles can vary in size from the extreme of large nuggets to very finely disseminated gold associated in a complex sulfide mineral matrix. Typically free gold particles of several hundred microns or larger are efficiently recovered by one or more of a number of gravity based techniques due to the large specific gravity differential of gold (19.3 to 15) versus typical gangue minerals (5 to 2.7). When gold is associated with a sulfide (usually pyrite) matrix, historically most industrial plants involving size reduction and subsequent liberation have operated in a size range of 50 to 80 percent less than 75 microns. Grinding finer than this has been normally not economical unless the ore has a high gold content in the feed ore.

Jan 1, 1998

By Benjamin Cebrian

Rock blasting at quarries represents multiple challenges not easy to see at first sight. Aggregate industries face similar or superior prices for explosives while extracting a material that usually is of less value of metal mining operations. Therefore, learning to optimize a quarry operation can be a perfect training for a position in blasting at larger metal mining operations.

Jan 1, 2010

By Boyling A

United Collieries Pty Limited is an Australian mining company operating one underground coal mine, United Colliery at Warkworth in the Hunter Valley district of New South Wales. Centrally positioned, United Colliery is adjoined by other coal mining operations and is located 80km north - west of Newcastle and 20 kilometres south - west of Singleton. (Fig. 1) High standard road and rail links provide ready access to customers and suppliers.

Jan 1, 1998

By R. G. Jones

At its peak in the 1970s, South Africa was responsible for around 80% of global gold production and, according to the US Geological Survey, it still has the largest share of gold reserves - as well as 90% of the world's platinum. But, in January 2015, gold production reached a new monthly low, generating 87% less than it did in January 1980, and South Africa is now the world's sixth ranked gold producer. What next for African gold?

Jun 1, 2015

By Fernando Romero Lage

The purpose of this paper is to analyze detailed crushing and screening configurations and the interrelationship as they relate to mass flow balance, operating efficiency, plant availability and final production. The entropy of ore bodies limits the standardization of crushing and screening plants, however, consideration for a continuous and sensible assessment of the mass flow balance of the circuit will yield the best achievable results. Since energy costs have continuously risen in the last few years, it is imperative that these circuits offer low power requirements and low operating expenses. The paper will detail how the efficient implementation of continuous mass flow balance in the application of crushing and screening plants will generate quality improvement and process improvement, which will translate into bigger production and energy savings.

May 1, 2010

By M. D. Stephens

A new, one-step process for extracting titanium from titaniferrous materials has been demonstrated. In the process, depleted uranium tetrafluoride (DUF 4), a solid, is mixed with ilmenite (FeTi03) and heated to 900°C. Titanium is extracted in the vapor phase as titanium tetrafluoride (TiF4) and the DUF4 is converted to uranium-iron oxide. The process has been found to selectively fluorinate the titanium in ilmenite and is capable of producing high purity TiF 4 with very low iron content. TiF 4 can be collected by condensation or through reaction with a fluoride salt such as NH4F, KF, or NaF. The TiF4 produced from the process can be used to make titanium metal, titanium oxide, or fluorotitanate compounds. Since the fluorination process is highly selective for titanium, it avoids many of the separations and waste issues common to other titanium extraction processes.

Jan 1, 2001

By E. S. Machlin, C. W. Chen

THIS investigation is concerned with the origin of the intercrystalline voids and cracks formed in metals and alloys subjected to stress at elevated temperature. There have been many suggestions in the recent literature relating to this problem. Greenwood' suggested that the voids may be produced by vacancy condensation. Zener has stated that shear-stress relaxation across grain boundaries could initiate high tensile stresses at the regions blocking grain boundary slip and thereby cause the formation of cracks. Chang and Grant3 have described the formation of cracks at grain boundary triple points and have experimentally verified Zener's mechanism for the grain boundary regions in the vicinity of a triple point. Subsequent to the completion of this investigation, Gifkins4 developed a model which made use of Stroh's5 mechanism of fracturing to produce sub-microscopic fractures that subsequently grow by grain boundary slip. Chen and Machlin,6 in answer to Gifkins, described a model deduced from the present investigation, in which grain boundary slip provides both the stress to fracture at grain boundary jogs and the deformation required to separate fractured jog surfaces. The possibility of gas condensation to form intercrystalline voids and cracks is eliminated as a basic mechanism because such voids and cracks are developed in vacuum melted material containing minute amounts, if any, of gaseous impurities. In a theoretical evaluation of this problem, Machlin7 concluded that void nucleation by vacancy condensation during creep-rupture is improbable but that vacancy condensation on supercritical sized voids to produce growth is probable. This investigation was begun to evaluate the suggested mechanisms for intercrystalline fracture. In particular, in order to correlate vacancy supersaturation ratios produced in creep with those determined by Bal-luffi and Seigle8 as critical for , the nucleation of voids, specimens were obtained from the same heat of brass as used by the latter authors, through the courtesy of Dr. Seigle. The experiments conducted in this investigation fall into the following categories: 1) Brass—observation of voids produced under a variety of conditions, including creep under compression, to evaluate the mechanisms of void nucleation and growth. 2) Bicrystal experiments to check the mechanism of void nucleation deduced in this investigation. 3) Morphology of intercrystalline voids produced in a variety of metals. Each set of experiments will be described and discussed separately. Experimental Techniques A special creep-rupture test rack was constructed which made it possible to apply the stress to the specimen in a controlled atmosphere of inert gas, reducing gas, or vacuum. All the creep-rupture tests on a-brass (30 pct Zn) were conducted in nitrogen under a pressure slightly above atmospheric. Either dead weight loading or constant elongation rate loading could be applied with the load measured by means of a strain gage dynamometer. In order to obtain a coarse-grained crystal structure stable at

Jan 1, 1958

When defining a ?megaproject,? one need only to look at Seattle, WA?s State Route 99 Alaskan Way Viaduct replacement project. This $3.1-billion project is one of the largest of its kind in the world, and includes the use of the world?s largest tunnel boring machine (TBM). However, for as large as the Alaskan Way project is ? especially given the size of the TBM being used ? there are several other megaprojects underway around the world. Each has its own challenges that require innovative design techniques and financing arrangements, as well as variations on established tunneling technologies. So it was that 266 tunneling and underground construction professionals ? owners, contractors and engineers ? convened in Seattle in November for the Cutting Edge Conference on Megaprojects. This was the second joint meeting between the Underground Construction Association of SME and the North American Tunneling Journal. The first joint conference took place in April 2012 in Miami, FL and attracted 238 attendees. A third joint conference, to be held in 2014, is in the planning stage. The key reason Seattle was chosen as the site of the megaprojects conference is the Alaskan Way Viaduct project. Before the conference began, many of the attendees were able to visit the project and get a close look at Bertha, the Hitachi Zosen earth pressure balance TBM that is boring the tunnel. In addition, the conference included an exhibit that attracted 20 industry suppliers, up from 10 the previous year in Miami. The 25 presentations during the two-day conference covered all aspects of the tunneling and underground construction of megaprojects. Topics included the Alaskan Way Viaduct project; considerations for procurement and contracting; political risk, financing and insurance; international megaprojects; risk and risk sharing and project delivery. Each session concluded with panel discussions.

Dec 1, 2013

By L. W. Scott, T. H. Dubaniewicz, F. T. Duda, P. G. Kovalchik

Recent research conducted by NIOSH, Pittsburgh Research Laboratory showed that electrical current levels permitted under parent regulations may not limit cable temperatures to less than 90 °C in reeled trailing cables. Reeled cables, tightly wrapped with many turns, ell carrying current in an enclosed space, can become overheated due to poor heat transfer. This overheating can cause the cable insulation to soften and become easily damaged. The damaged insulation reduces the life of the cable and can lead to shock, electrocution, and mine foes. This paper describes a method of measuring the conductor temperature of untie trailing cables during no anal operation. The temperature is measured using a 50/175 micrometer Graded Index Multimode Optical Fiber located in the center of the metallic conductors. Distributed temperature measurements arc made using an Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR). This system is capable of measuring temperature with an accuracy of plus or minus one degree centigrade over a length of 4 km at 1-m intervals. With this unique way of measuring temperature, tests can be conducted simulating actual mine conditions and provide important data to allow MSHA's Approval and Certification Center to develop approval criteria for cyclically rated reeled machines.

By G. J. Kipouros, N. Dadvand

"In recent years coatings of alloys have been produced for a wide range of applications including many for wire bonding application. The main characteristic of the baths of electroless plating is the presence of sodium hypophosphite as a reducing agent and also as the supplier of phosphorus. In the electroplating of alloys the Watts bath is predominantly used. This presentation compares the two techniques, electroless plating and electroplating, and discusses the possibilities of cross utilization of sodium hypophosphite in an attempt to formulate baths that eliminate the waste disposal issue related to some components.INTRODUCTIONThe importance of surface characteristics and the linkage of surface coating process to surface characterization has given rise to the evolution of surface engineering. Not only the surface preparation and morphology has become very important to the coating technology but also the knowledge of surface area exposed to the process of coating or corrosion is absolutely essential in ascertaining the behaviour of coatings and their adherence to the substrate. The above concepts are not unknown to researchers involved in the protection of surfaces, particularly metallic, from corrosion and/or erosion corrosion. However, the complexity of the surface defects, roughness, porosity, interconnected porosity and other related factors have contributed to the uncertainty of the true surface area versus the nominal surface area. Therefore critical parameters such as current density and chemical surface intensity although have been studied extensively at the atomistic level by carefully prepared surfaces are very difficult to be determined at the practical scale required during the coating processes.The most pronounced case calling for an understanding the relationship between the surface area and the effective protection is the coating of surfaces of items produced by compression or consolidation of powdery materials. With the advent of nanomaterials and the additive manufacturing through 3D metal printing this issue is becoming more important. Certain experience in this field come from the accumulated knowledge resulted from the attempts to characterize the electrochemical behaviour of powder metallurgy metals and alloys. Powder metallurgy has been a well-established process for half a century on basic metals such as iron, copper and their alloys. Recently the development of powder metallurgy process for aluminum, titanium and attempts to develop powder metallurgy processes for magnesium and its alloys has brought to light another important issue that of the development of coatings on difficult to plate reactive metals such as aluminum and magnesium. Despite of many successes in the development of powder metallurgy alloys the exact characterization of the corrosion behaviour of the coatings and the substrates is difficult to determine because of the unknown morphology of the exposed area i.e. the exact morphology and area of the exposed surface (Samal, 2007)."

Jan 1, 2016

By David Baker

Our large modern blast-furnaces, equipped with ore-bins, larries and mechanical means for putting stock into storage, withdrawing it therefrom, and charging it at the tunnel-head, are indeed wonderful in capacity; yet, it is admitted that, with some notable exceptions, they have disappointed us in economy—that is, in the items of low fuel-consumption, uniformity of product, freedom from slips, and reduced cost of repairs and relining. The manager who estimated the cost of pig-iron to be made in a modern plant, by taking the costs of the hand-filled furnace and deducting the amount to be saved by the mechanical appliances, has been surprised, in many cases, to find that unfavorable results in these items of economy have greatly reduced his expected gains. Is there any reason why the fuel-consumption should be greater for a modern furnace than for an older stack using the same mixture ? Certainly the equipment is much more complete, and the trouble, therefore, must lie in the management or in the character of that equipment. Everybody knows that intelligent and vigilant management is a prime requisite: that any neglect of a detail, though it may not be felt that day or week, will surely sooner or later make its appearance as an increased item of cost. But to hold the furnace-maaager responsible for the relatively poor work of the modern blast-furnace would be, I am convinced, a great injustice. For its management has received much more study and care than was given to the older types. Many furnace-managers have lost their health through worrying over this problem, and some hare lost their positions, being held responsible for results made inevitable, as I believe, by the equipment provided for them.

Jan 1, 1905

By Loic Galisson

"Urban tunneling projects are usually extensively monitored. Most of the instruments used rely on benchmarks providing a sustainable datum throughout the life of the project. The monitoring program also is based on a predicted model of deformation induced by specific construction methods. Events can interfere with those assumptions and eventually alter the stability of these datum. In addition, the anticipated ground conditions and hence the theoretical deformation model often differ from reality. Satellite Radar Interferometry provides useful information to overcome the weakness of the hypothesis made before construction. It is also a powerful tool to ensure the continuity of the monitoring program throughout the life of the project, accurately describing the true effect of the project on the surrounding environment. This paper emphasizes the benefits and limitations of this technique for urban tunneling applications, illustrated by examples of major tunneling projects around the world. MONITORING URBAN TUNNEL PROJECTS Why Monitoring? Retrofitting existing tunnels or constructing new tunnels – including access and retrieval shafts, portals and cross passages – implies an alteration of the neighboring soil structure. Excavating, dewatering, grouting, loading tie backs, etc. artificially modifies the natural equilibrium of the pore-water pressure, of the water table level and of soil stability. In many cases, the effects are immediate: ground loss, deformation of utilities, settlements of buildings, and distortion of infrastructure are a few examples resulting from construction activity.Instrumentation and Monitoring Scope To control and mitigate the risks of damage associated with the above effects, tunnel projects usually include an instrumentation and monitoring program. Depending on the level of geotechnical, structural and environmental risk, the magnitude of this program varies. Projects with a low exposure to risk may restrain the program to conventional methods such as limited topographical surveys and intermittent manual readings of geotechnical instruments. On the other hand, iconic projects with high risk or with controversial history may implement complex and extensive instrumentation plans, involving highly technical solutions such as Automated Motorized Total Stations (AMTS – see opposite Picture 1), Multi-Point Borehole Extensometers (MPBX), In-Place Inclinometers (IPI) and a wide series of fully automated geotechnical, structural and environmental sensors. In this case, all the devices are usually connected to field data loggers collecting raw data around the clock at frequencies ranging from days to seconds, depending on the sensors."

Jan 1, 2016

By Selda Ozkan

In this study, a combination of cathodic arc physical vapor deposition (PVD) and molten salt electrolysis methods were used to obtain ZrB2 layers on AISI 304 grade stainless steel surface. Prior to boriding, steel surface was coated with metallic zirconium via cathodic arc PVD method and then the zirconium coated steel was borided by molten salt electrolysis. Well adherent, dense, ZrB2 layers are formed on the substrates. The thickness of the ZrB2 layer showed dependence on the thickness of the metallic Zr coating layer and the time of boriding. During the boriding process the alloying elements of the substrate also took part in the coating structure depending on their diffusion characteristics.

Jan 1, 2010

By Bengt L. Stillborg

INTRODUCTION This paper summarizes the result of a two and a half year research program. The objective of the research was to develop a fundamental understanding of the Rib-in-Roc method. Through the development of a new model technology, namely three-dimensional physical models which powerfully exploit the results of dimensional analysis Stillborg, Stephansson and Swan (1), it has been possible to establish the contribution to both permanent and immediate stabilization of a large underground opening pre-reinforced by the Rib-in-Roc method. Using the results from these physical models and earlier work by Stillborg and Stephansson (2) and Åkesson (3), a conceptual synthesis is given in this paper so demonstrating the Rib-in-Roc method to be a practical working system of pre-reinforcement. DESCRIPTION OF THE RIB-IN-ROC METHOD To give the reader an idea of how this method of pre-reinforcement is performed, a short description will be given, Figure 1. Before any full-scale excavation takes place an entry is made in the host rock and rib raises are driven around the proposed opening. These raises are made at a spacing that is dependent upon rock quality; an opening in poor rock needs more ribs per length of opening. As the ribs are driven they are used as a site from which very competent rock bolting can be done. As a rib is excavated it is filled with reinforced concrete. Finally after having in this way reinforced the zone around the proposed opening, (a reinforced arch is formed) the displacements are automatically controlled as the opening is being excavated. Using this method openings with a span of 50-60 meters (160-200 ft) and a height of 60-80 meters (200-260 ft) are likely to be realised.

Jan 1, 1979

By Joseph J. Wallace

1. The Pittsburgh is the most important bed in Washington County from the standpoint of present production and recoverable reserves. 2. Known measured and indicated reserves in all beds, based on a minimum thickness of 14 inches and 1,800 short tons per acre-foot of coal in place, are estimated at 4,181 million short tons as of January 1, 1954. Of this total, 4,132 million short tons is in beds 28 inches and more thick. Areas in some beds were omitted from the estimate because available data relative to the bed characteristics are too meager for making an estimate that conforms with the definitions of measured and indicated coal adopted for this study. Should future drilling or development prove reserves in these areas, such reserves should be added to the total estimated reserves.

Jan 1, 1955

By Shaik Jeelani, Esperidiana A. B. Moura, Vijaya K. Rangari, Roberta A. Lima, Rene R. Oliveira

This work present the preparation and characterization of biodegradable nanocomposites based on aliphatic-aromatic copolyester (PBAT)/polylatic acid (PLA) blend reinforced by TiO2 nanoparticle. The biodegradable polymeric nanocomposites were prepared by melting extrusion process using a twin-screw extruder machine. The influence of the TiO2 nanoparticle addition on mechanical and thermal properties of PBAT/PLA blend was investigated by tensile and impact tests, SEM, DSC and XRD analysis and the correlation between properties was discussed.

Jan 1, 2015

By B. Erdem

This article introduces a computer model, which emphasizes panel design for draglines deployed in direct side-casting mode. The study covers flat and inclined coal-seam conditions with the dragline operating along the strike-line. Two casting methods are embedded in the model: material is placed in the open set adjacent to the one on which the dragline is located (the DNS method) and material is placed in the open set adjacent to the one the dragline excavates (the DND method). While in the first method the unproductive walking time is reduced as the set is enlarged, in the second method the cycle time is lessened as the dragline swings along an acute angle. The side-casting model is shaped so as to provide several panel configurations instead of a single one to conform to the characteristics for an opencast mine. This is achieved by assigning the pit width an interval of values ranging from a minimum to a maximum. The model includes solutions to other critical design parameters such as: set length, swing angles at key cut and main cut positions, and required dragline reach at key cut and main cut positions. The model outcomes reveal the following: the stripping operation is largely affected when the coal-seam is inclined. The downhill spoiling mode should be applied wherever possible. The DNS pattern allows wider pit width intervals as well as longer sets and longer reaches.

Jan 1, 2004

By H. E. Cline, D. F. Stein

A fine lamellar structure with interlamellar spacings ranging from 0.I to 3.7 was Woduced by high-speed directional solidification and used to study the interaction of dislocations with an array of bimetallic bound-am.es. The tensile flow properties were measured at elevated temperatures and the results interpreted in terms of an image force model. As the width of the plates decreases the strength increases according to a Hall-Petch relation, suggesting pile -ups. Considerable strengthening was also observed at elevated temperatures. In recent years composites containing a strong but brittle phase and a ductile but weak phase have been studied extensively in the search for a high-strength material with adequate ductility.' However, the strength of these composites has been limited to a volumetric average of the strengths of the component phases. In this paper we will show that a composite made by directional solidification of a Cu-Ag eutectic has strength properties that substantially exceed the strength of either of the metals in the composite, and an explanation for this increased strength will be presented. The Cu-Ag eutectic is a near ideal material to study for several reasons. The eutectic structure is made up of alternate plates of silver-rich and copper-rich phases with the same crystal structure.2'3 In addition, the mechanical and elastic properties of silver4 and copper5 are known over a wide range of temperatures and the eutectic microstructure is stable to nearly the melting point.6'7 Therefore, the properties of the eu-tectic are readily comparable to various theories involving the mechanical properties of copper and silver. The experiments consisted of producing directionally solidified Ag-Cu eutectic material, determining the structure and performing tensile tests at different temperatures and strain rates. EXPERIMENTAL A) Solidification and structure. A cylindrical ingot 2.2 cm in diam and 15 cm long was prepared from 99.999 pct pure materials and cast in argon. The ingot was placed in an alumina crucible and was direc-tionally solidified at 7 x 10"4 cm per sec in a Bridg-man apparatus in argon. Metallographic examination at both ends and along the length of the ingot showed a uniform structure that consisted of fine alternate plates of silver- and copper-rich phases. The plates were aligned parallel to the growth direction, as shown in the longitudinal section, Fig. 1, and were in small randomly oriented domains of parallel plates as viewed in a transverse section, Fig. 2. Four smaller ingots 0.175 in. in diam were solidified at speeds of 2Xlo-', 4.4 xlo-', 4.4 x 10-3, and4.4x10-4 cm per sec to produce a range of lamellar spacings. Replica electron micrographs were taken to resolve the individual plates as shown in Fig. 3. The copper-and silver-rich plates in the larger ingot were about

Jan 1, 1970