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By C. M. Diaz, S. W. Marcuson

In the late 19th century, the discovery of rich nickel-copper sulfide ore bodies in Sudbury and the need for tonnage quantities of the metal to be used in nickel steel armor provided the foundation for establishing the Canadian nickel industry. For almost 50 years, International Nickel was the key player. In 1930, Falconbridge Nickel entered the field. These two companies remain the key Canadian nickel producers. This paper discusses the factors that have influenced the evolution of nickel smelting processes. The initial Sudbury ore smelting and nickel copper separation technologies were imported from abroad. It was only in 1937 that International Nickel established a process research laboratory in Copper Cliff The explosive post WW II industrial development created a strong demand for a broader variety of nickel products. For both International Nickel and Falconbridge, R&D became an essential business tool to succeed in the new market scenery. In the last few decades, new technologies were developed and commercialized to respond to the raising cost of energy, society pressing environmental concerns, the advent of nickel laterites as an important source of new metal, the incorporation of new nickel producers to the market, and, therefore, the need to increase productivity. Canada thus became an important exporter of technology. In this paper, the authors review this history with the objective of highlighting the forces that have triggered the most important changes in Canadian nickel smelting.

Jan 1, 2005

By G. Richards

Research shows that having more women in the top mining jobs can bring bottom-line benefits. Mining companies are starting to embrace the need for greater gender diversity at board and senior management levels, figures and examples are given.

Jul 1, 2015

By G. S. Scott

Mine fires have occurred since the mining of coal was begun, and they are still occurring. The resulting economic waste may become considerable (219),3 especially if a fire is allowed to assume major proportions or to get beyond control temporarily. It is important, therefore, to act promptly whenever a fire is suspected and to have every action count. To do this effectively, it is necessary to know at the earliest possible moment and thereafter what is happening in a remote or inaccessible area. It is equally important to know before¬hand what may be expected as a result of any proposed combative measure. The logical method of combatting a fire demands the cooperation of both mining engineer and chemist. They should decide the course of action to be taken, drawing upon the mining engineer's intimate knowledge of the physical structure of the fire area, the cost and time required for proposed operations, and the probable efficiency with which they could be carried out, and upon the chemist's knowledge of the results to be expected therefrom.

Jan 1, 1944

By L. Zhou, A. Martikainen, G. Goodman

Continuous airflow monitoring can improve the safety of the underground work force by ensuring the uninterrupted and controlled distribution of mine ventilation to all working areas. Air velocity measurements vary significantly and can change rapidly depending on the exact measurement location and, in particular, due to the presence of obstructions in the air stream. Air velocity must be measured at locations away from obstructions to avoid the vortices and eddies that can produce inaccurate readings. Further, an uninterrupted measurement path cannot always be guaranteed when using continuous airflow monitors due to the presence of nearby equipment, personnel, roof falls and rib rolls. Effective use of these devices requires selection of a minimum distance from an obstacle, such that an air velocity measurement can be made but not affected by the presence of that obstacle. This paper investigates the impacts of an obstruction on the behavior of downstream airflow using a numerical CFD model calibrated with experimental test results from underground testing. Factors including entry size, obstruction size and the inlet or incident velocity are examined for their effects on the distributions of airflow around an obstruction. A relationship is developed between the minimum measurement distance and the hydraulic diameters of the entry and the obstruction. A final analysis considers the impacts of continuous monitor location on the accuracy of velocity measurements and on the application of minimum measurement distance guidelines.

Jan 1, 2012

By BUREAU OF MINES

In July, 1918, the attention of the Secretary of the Interior WItS called to the rapidly increasing cost of producing gold and the declining output of that metal in the United States. Realizing the importance of the gold-mining industry, the Secretary appointed a. committee, consisting of Hennen .Iennings, chairman, J. H. Mackenzie, and Charles Janin, of the Bureau of Mines, and H. D. Me- Caskey and F. L. Ransome, of the United States Geological Survey, to,make a thorough study of the gold-mining situation in the United States. The study was to cover the increased cost of recovery and the decreased output of gold, and to consider the different measures that had been proposed to relieve the industry and stimulate production. This report embodies the results of the investigation and study made by the committee. The report presents statistical data compiled from various sources, showing the production of gold in the United States and other countries, with comparative figures for coal, iron, and other mineral products, and describes the sources and distribution of gold output in the United States. It discusses the relation of gold' production to finance and credit, the causes for the decline in gold output, and measures for the relief of the industry. The Interior Department publishes this report in the belief that the widest publicity possible should be given the findings of the committee in order that attention may be directed to the serious conditions revealed therein, and in the hope that wide discussion of the subject may result in some action being taken that will aid in upholding the gold standard ,and the gold industry.

Oct 30, 1919

By E. R. Bauer

In response to the mandates in the MINER Act of 2006, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) conducted refuge alternatives research that included characterizing the utility, practicality and survivability of refuge chambers and outby safe havens. NIOSH also prepared and delivered a report to Congress in late December 2007 that summarized the findings of the re-search, included recommendations concerning the design and performance specifications for refuge alternatives, and focused on specific information that could inform the regulatory process on refuge alternatives. This paper highlights NIOSH?s research and recommendations concerning refuge alternatives, survivability evaluations of refuge chambers and presents a brief review of the current deployment of refuge chambers in underground coal mines in the U.S. The research has lead to the conclusion that refuge alternatives have the potential for saving the lives of mine workers if they are part of a comprehensive escape and rescue plan and if appropriate training is provided.

Jan 1, 2009

By J. Pelders, F. Magweregwede, S. M. Rupprecht

Increased depths of conventional gold and platinum mines, longer travelling times as working places move further from the shaft, and ancillary activities taking place in the mining cycle reduce the useable time spent at them workface. Current shift lengths of 8 hours 20 minutes may no longer be adequate ton complete required mining activities.The impact of mineworker commuting times on shift work is also not well understood. The aim of this research was to draft a framework to optimize shift cycles in order to maximize productivity, health, safety, and wellness in the South African mining sector. The framework was informed by a review of the literature, case studies at a local gold mine and platinum mine, and a workshop with industry experts. The findings indicate potential advantages of extended shift lengths and continuous operations, such as improved productivity, asset utilization, and employee morale. However, concerns included fatigue and the associated safety hazards, particularly when working longer shifts, night shifts, and numerous consecutive shifts. Job demands, personal factors, and commuting times are further considerations when scheduling shifts. The ideal shift system for the mining sector should holistically consider and balance operational requirements, health and safety, and employees’ and their families’ requirements, and suit the unique needs of each operation. Changes in shift cycles will require a structured change management process, which involves all stakeholders, and could help to enhance the viability of the South African mining sector.

Aug 1, 2021

The past decade has seen remarkable progress by the railroads both in equipment and concepts in the handling of dry bulk. materials. While such shipments have always been an important part of the traffic handled by the railroads I little was done to improve the efficiency of handling or toward attempted optimization of equipment design before 1960. Several developments at about that time turned attention to this important segment of railroad traffic. One was the construction of a successful coal slurry pipe-line. Another was the promise of substantial economy in electric power transmission by ultrahigh voltage systems and finally, came the growing technological and economic feasibility of nuclear fuel electric generating plants. Each of these developments was a threat to the coal traffic of the railroads --the most important single commodity they handled in terms of revenue and tonnage. By the mid-1950's I Southern Railway management had become most concerned with its growing investment in freight car equipment and the declining revenue productivity of the capital employed. Additionally I there was substantial concern with the loss of business and potential losses in the area of the railroad's greatest economic advantage --bulk commodity movements. In 1958 a small team was established to study this problem. They arrived at two conclusions. The first conclusion was that within limits of maximum gross allowable weight on rail the lowest unit net capacity cost of investment came at maximum allowable gross weight per car unit. The second conclusion was that with a high degree of utilization costs per weight unit transported could be reduced to the pOint where

Jan 1, 1971

By WILLETT G. MILLERS

GENERAL RECEPTION COMMITTEE.-Willett G. Miller, Chairman; F. G. B. Alan, Hon. Frank Cochrane, Eugene Coste, Thomas W. Gibson, Cyril W. Knight, J. C. Murray, 0. N. Scott, Alan Sullivan, J. B. Tyrrell, J. W. Wells, A. B. Willis. COBALT RECEPTION COMMITTEE.-Arthur A. Cole, Chairman; Will. Ask with, R. W. Brigstocke, Robt. Bryce, Fred Coombs, M. I. Culbert, I. R. Drummond, J. W. Evans, A. Ferland, F. N. Flynn, E. L. Fraleck, S. R. Heakes, Joseph Houston, D. L. Jemmett, I. R. Jones, Major Leckie, Capt. Jack Leckie, R. W. Leonard, W. H. Linney, Alexander Longwell, Frank Loring, Murdock McLeod, John Martin, D. B. Rochester, W. E. Running. COBALT RECEPTION COMMITTEE (Ladies).-Mrs. A. A. Cole, Mrs. A. Edwards, Mrs. R. Jennings, Mrs. S. H. Logan, Mrs. A. Longwell, Mrs. H. F. Marsh, Mrs. J. Smith. SUDBURY LOCAL COMMITTEE.-Mayor L. O'Connor, Chairman; S. Fournier, Secretary; A. H. Beath, W. J. Bell, F. B. Bennett, D. M. Brodie, J. S. Buchanan, F. C. Busby, Wm. Chalmers, R. Dorsett, W. A. Evans, John Frawley, J. S. Gill, A. B. Gordon, J. G. Henry, T. N. Kilpatrick, Major Leckie, Chas. McCrea, John McLeod, Wm. McVittie, R. Martin, R. S. Mitchell, J. H. Morin, J. A. Orr, James Purvis (President Board of Trade), C. R. Reid, Major Smith, W. W. Stull, J. F. Templeton, S. E. Wright. The first session, held in the Banquet Hall of the King Edward Hotel, was called to order Tuesday, July 23, 1907, at 2.30 p.m., President John Hays Hammond presiding. Prof. Willett G. Miller, chairman of the General Committee, introduced Alderman J. J. Graham, who, in behalf of the City of Toronto, extended a hearty welcome to the members and guests of the Institute. To this welcome, President Hammond replied in a few well-chosen and hearty remarks. In the hall in which the session was held there was exhibited a fine, full-length, life-size portrait of Dr. Rossiter W. Raymond, in 1871 Vice-President and acting President, in 1872, 1873 and 1874 the elected President, in 1876 and 1877 Vice-President, in 1883, by appointment of the Council, and for the last 24 years by annual election, Secretary, of the Institute. Dr. James Douglas, of New York, N. Y., on behalf of numer-

Sep 1, 1907

By A. R. T. Denues

This investigation was made under a cooperative agreement between the United States Department of the Interior, Bureau of Mines, and the Pittsburgh Testing Laboratory. Funds were supplied by the Chile Exploration Co., whose executive offices are in New York City. The support, cooperation, and services of these agencies made the work possible and are acknowledged gratefully. The writer wishes to express his particular indebtedness to the staff of the Explosives Division of the Bureau of Mines for services and assistance, particularly Dr. Wilbert J. Huff, consulting explosives chemist, J. C. Holtz, J. E. Tiffany, and A. B. Coates; to F. O. Gardner, treasurer of the Pittsburgh Testing Laboratory; to G. B. Holderer, consulting engineer in connection with liquid-oxygen explosives for the Chile Exploration Co.; to the Enos Coal Mining Co. of Oakland City, Ind., particularly to G. H. Utterback of the staff of the mine for providing facilities that made field tests possible; and to full-time assistants J. W. Rothhaar and J. G. P. Weinheimer and to W. S. Hiller, part-time assistant, who were employed under the cooperative agreement.

Jan 1, 1940

By F. E. Diebold

The methodology for describing the geochemistry of elements in a coal seam have been developed. This has been applied to the Rosebud Coal Seam, which is an economically important member of the subbituminous coals of the Fort Union Formation in Eastern Montana. The method development has involved a detailed study of two popular techniques for determining the metal geochemistry of coal, namely, whole coal analyses and coal physical fractionation. The mathematically contrived element associations (whole coal analyses technique) and the element concentration trends in the float and sink fractions (physical fractionation technique) are considered to lead to only qualitative conclusions concerning the chemical associations of the elements in coals. Additionally, the processes taking place with the coal during low temperature ashing in an oxygen plasma are experimentally investigated and shown to be of sufficeint extent that the use of such low temperature ash for deciphering element geochemistry is questionable. The method developed in this study is a chemical fractionation that involves the sequential leaching of coal with water, 0.5 N HC1, 3 N HC1, 2 N HNO3, and 48% HF. These leach solutions are shown to selectively dissolve the predominate inorganic phases, sulfates, Ca and Mg carbonates, Fe sulfides and K alumino-silicates and quartz, respectively. These phases were identified with the use of XRD, SEM, EM and leaches (water and 0.3 N HC1) of whole coal and low temperature ash. The incorporation of the anion-exchange step in the leaching scheme was investigated and was observed to warrant further study of such intensity to be, at the time, unuseable. The use of this sequential leaching technique on several coal samples from the same seam generates element concentration trends that can be quantitatively interpreted with respect to the chemical associations of the minor and trace metals in the coal seam. The properties of the various seams of economic importance in the Fort Union Formation in Eastern Montana are compiled and presented. The subsequent conclusion is that there is not a large variation in the properties of these coal seams and that the variations within the Rosebud are within one order of magnitude. The chemical fractionation technique, investigated in this study, was applied to composite tipple samples of the Rosebud seam. Each composite sample represented 76,800 tons of coal. A minimum of 32% of the Ca and Mg are present as separate water soluble sulfates. An excess of the sulfate ion in the water extracts shows the predominating influence of the ion exchange capacity of the organic compounds in the coal. Based upon the CO content of the coal and the HC1 leachate data, 25 to 30% of the alkaline earth elements exist as separate carbonates and the remainder are associated with the organic compounds. The small fraction of the illite that dissolves in the HC1 and HNO3 leachates accounts for the K and Al. Slight dissolution of the pyrite in the HCl solvent occurs, the small amounts of Li and As do not relate to any known phase and Mn is present as a separate carbonate phase. Fe and a significant amount of the As exist in the pyrite that is dissolved in the HNO. Se is equally partitioned between the pyrite and the organic compound~. Most of the trace elements are found in the HF solutions. Li, V, and Cr were interpreted to be associated with the clay minerals (kaolinite and illite). Ni and Pb appear to be present as separate phases and 50% of the Hg is HF soluble but is not chemically related to any known inorganic phase.

Jan 1, 1983

By David C. Cook

The milling complex, situated just east of the Cassiar townsite, receives raw ore from the tramline and processes it into 105,000 tons per year of milled asbestos fibre. The ore is passed through a concentrator, where a barren rock fraction is removed. The concentrated ore, representing 70% of the feed, is dried, stored and then milled into nine separate fibre classifications. The finished product is packaged into 100-lb bags and loaded into trucks in one-ton units. New air-handling facilities were added in 1977to provide additional air for environmental control.

Jan 1, 1978

By E. Ghali, B. Arsenault

Aluminum alloys play an important role in the manufacturing of air and ground vehicles. However, with such alloys, corrosion damage is often found on structural components subjected to fatigue loading. The alloying provides large benefit in terms of the high specific tensile strength (ultimate strength/density ratio) to the aluminum alloy but causes the aluminum alloy to be more sensitive to localized corrosion due to complex microscopic heterogeneities such as secondary phases. This paper investigates thermal spray coating namely arc spraying to evaluate the protection against environmentally assisted cracking (EAC) and localized corrosion on Aircraft structural 7075 T651 aluminum alloys. In particular, EAC and pitting corrosion at the interface coating-substrate are a challenge for thermal spray protective coatings on aluminum alloys under cyclic load and immersion. To address these issues, different surface preparation techniques prior to arc spraying were considered such as chemical de-oxidation, laser ablation, shot peening and grit blasting. Results indicate that surface preparation and improved coating process parameters play an important role to provide a coating conferring a protection against both localized corrosion and EAC.

Jan 1, 2006

By Robert W. Geehan

A preliminary examination of the Dayton iron deposit was made in 1941 and 1942 by Paul E. Pesonen and O. H. Metzger, engineers of the Bureau of Nines. Trenching and sampling were recommended, to be followed by core drilling if favorable results were obtained. The Bureau of Mines conducted a project at the property from June to December 1942. The deposit is in sec. 6, T. 17 N., R. 23 E.; sec. 31, T. 18 N., R. 23 E.; sec. 36, T. 18 N., R. 22 E.; and sec. 1, T. 17 N., R. 22 E., M. D. B. & M., about 15 miles west of Lahontan Reservoir in Lyon and Storey Counties, Nev. It lies at an altitude of about 4,500 feet north of the Carson Plains, in the foothill section of mountains that rise to about 7,000 feet to the north of the property. The deposit may be reached by driving 12.5 miles northeast of Dayton over U. S. Highway 50, thence northerly 2.7 miles over a dirt road to the property. The climate is hot and dry in summer, with occasional thunderstorms some of cloudburst variety, and frequent high winds. Winters are usually moderate, with light snowfall and some subfreezing temperature.

Jan 1, 1949

By A. J. Forney

The hot-gas-recycle process, for the hydrogenation of carbon monoxide, was investigated in a 12-inch-diameter reactor. Initially because the distribution of gas was poor, hotspots developed in the catalyst bed. After the velocity profile of the gas flowing through the bed was studied, the method of packing the catalyst was altered. Because this change improved the distribution of gas, temperature control was excellent. The l2-inch-diameter reactor was operated successfully in the synthesis of gaseous and liquid fuels. When high-Btu gas was synthesized in two stages, parallel-plate assemblies of Raney nickel were almost as active as granular Raney nickel in the second reactor. The pressure drop through the second reactor, however, was reduced 90 percent by the use of these assemblies.

Jan 1, 1962

Hazardous waste has often very complicated chemical compositions in a variety of physical forms and is normally processed in rotary kiln incinerators. Due to large variations in waste types and difficulties in feed characterization, the complex transport processes within the incinerator are not well understood, and the incineration process meets challenges in a smooth operation, and expects various uncertainties in the process chemistry and emission control. For better understanding of the incineration process, simulation was carried out by using Computational Fluid-dynamics (CFD) to characterize temperature and species distribution in the incinerator. In order to catch certain aspects of thermal and chemical behavior, a novel approach is proposed to represent approximately the waste streams and the subsequent combustion process. Hazardous waste in various forms from an industrial-rotary-kiln waste incinerator is firstly converted to a hydrocarbon-based virtual fuel mixture with approximately the same HIC molar ratio and calorific value. The simulation of the combustion process of the simplified hazardous waste was proceeded with a combustion model. The distribution of temperature and chemical species especially the remaining CO in the system is preliminarily investigated. Distribution of CO concentration, as a good indicator of emission level for the incineration process, could be used to evaluate the emission control. The predicted temperature distribution has been compared with available measurement data from an operating rotary kiln waste incinerator at A VR-Chieme, in the Netherlands. Reasonable agreement has been reached between the measured and predicted temperature data. [n the next step, measurement of species distribution in the system is planned to further validate the combustion model.

Jan 1, 2003

By Partridge AC

In order to provide a'valid description of the performance of size classifying equipment it is necessary that a standard procedure be established for testing and for the subsequent expression of results. Such a standard would permit the valid comparison of alternative equipment and may provide a basis for the prediction of performance. An Australian Standard (AS 1634-1974) has been used as the starting point for an International Standards Organisation-(ISO) working group (of which the authors are members) charged with the preparation of an ISO Standard for the expression and presentation of the results of tests on coal size classifying equipment. The approach taken is applicable to all types of sizing equipment (cyclones, screens, dedusters, etc.) and should be suitable for adoption in the minerals industry as well as by coal preparation engineers. The background to the proposed Standard, is given,including a critical review of other frequently quoted performance measures, the procedures described in the draft are discussed, and an example given.

Jan 1, 1984

By William N. Hale

This Bureau of Mines report gives a detailed study of water usage in the Montana mineral industries, along with projections for the future. The mineral industry of Montana in 1963 used 36.5 billion gallons of new water, and reused or recirculated an additional 53.5 billion gallons for a total water requirement or usage of 90 billion gallons. The petroleum industry was the major water user, followed by the copper and zinc industries. Many mineral industry operators provide their own water, and new water is withdrawn largely from surface sources. At present, sufficient water is available in rivers, streams, and reservoirs in Montana; however, shortages do exist locally near mineral industry operations using large quantities of water. Some is supplied from sources up to 44 miles distant. New water withdrawn by the State of Montana mineral industry is expected to increase from 36.5 billion gallons in 1963 to 51.1 billion gallons by the year 2000. The total-water requirement is expected to more than double, or reach 182 billion gallons by the year 2000.

Jan 1, 1966

By Brian G. Thomas

Quality problems in continuous casting of steel can be identified as they occur by monitoring mold signals (level sensor, thermocouples in the mold walls, friction etc.) and taking appropriate action (such as slowing casting speed, changing taper, changing a clogged nozzle, or later visual inspection of the surface for possible downgrading. Surface depressions and groups of deep oscillation marks form at meniscus and reduce local heat transfer as they move down the mold at the casting speed. This slows shell growth, increases shell surface temperature, and causes characteristic dips in mold thermocouple signals. More importantly, they are also associated with longitudinal cracks. Characteristic thermocouple signatures have been identified for many defects, including sticker breakouts, transverse depressions and deep oscillation marks, narrow-face bleeds, transverse comer cracks, longitudinal cracks, mold level fluctuation defects, and other problems. With the help of computational models, these mold signals should be used to troubleshoot defects, and to take appropriate corrective action. Keywords: Continuous casting, defect detection, thermocouple signals, on-line control

Jan 1, 2003

By K. R. Robilliard

The Peru based tin mining company, Minsur S.A., commissioned Ausmelt Limited to design, supervise construction and commission a tin smelter and refinery for production of refined tin metal. The plant is located 240km south of Lima, near Pisco, Peru and is operated by Funsur S.A., the wholly owned subsidiary of Minsur S.A.. Selection of the Ausmelt Technology followed a series of crucible scale test work and pilot plant trials conducted at Ausmelt's facility in Dandenong, Australia and two feasibility studies undertaken by Ausmelt in 1991 and 1993. Ausrnelt began the plant design in 1994 with the construction phase following in 1995. Commissioning of the plant commenced early in 1996 with a target throughput of 30,000 tonnes per annum of concentrates. In mid 1998 oxygen enrichment of the Ausmelt lance air was introduced to expand the capacity to the throughput of 40,000 tonnes per annum of concentrates. The process route involves the use of an Ausmelt furnace for primary concentrate smelting, followed by a conventional tin pyro-refining circuit to produce high grade tin suitable for sale. Further work continues between Ausmelt and Funsur to investigate the use of an alternative, more economical, fuel source and the installation of a second Ausmelt furnace. The paper reviews the project to date with details of ongoing operations and developments at the Minsur Tin Smelter.

Jan 1, 2000