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By L. D. Tracy

"This paper represents work conducted by the Bureau of Mines in cooperation with the Illinois Geological Survey and the Engineering Experiment Station of the University of Illinois.IntroductionThe present report covers conditions and mining royalties in District VIII of the coal fields of Illinois, as designated by the Illinois Geological Survey. The various districts have been described in the reports on the Illinois coal-mining investigations, carried on cooperatively by the Illinois Geological Survey, the engineering experiment station of the University of Illinois, and the U. S. Bureau of Mines. This district includes Vermilion and Edgar Counties, but as the coal-mining operations in Edgar County amounted to only 827 tons in 1923, the data here given have been confined to Vermilion County.A similar report on District VI (Williamson and Franklin Counties) has been issued as Serial 2722 of the Bureau of Minos.A description of geological and mining conditions, and a discussion of market and transportation facilities, have been included because these have an important bearing on the royalties specified and the general conditions of the lease.Mining ConditionsDistrict VIII is better known as the Danville district and in 1923 produced 4,177,000 tons of coal, or approximately L per cent of the total output for the entire State for that year, which was 79,300,000 tons."

Apr 1, 1926

By M Pepper, C R. Roche, G M. Mudd

"The Australian mining industries approach to life-of-mine planning has improved considerably in recent decades. It now needs to be matched by, and embedded in, mining governance systems that utilise a comprehensive whole-of-mine-life approach within a jurisdictional, industry and regional regime rather than just focusing on specific impacts in isolation. The need for a more comprehensive approach is supported by the many mining legacies, from historic, recent and some operating mine sites around Australia. There are sites that are leaving enduring environmental, community and public health impacts that are yet to be accurately assessed. While a number of these sites in Australia are estimated to be more than 50 000, this is probably an underestimation, with a lack of data and different state-based approaches complicating attempts to quantify mining legacies as a national issue. Qualitative assessments about the extent and nature of mining legacy impacts on nature and communities across Australia are also required if we are to understand and avoid ongoing and future mining legacies.This paper commences with an exploration of mining legacies as an umbrella term for previously mined, abandoned, orphan, derelict or neglected sites. This is followed by a discussion of the current status of mining legacies as an Australia-wide issue, contrasting the Australian response with overseas examples. Common themes from past workshops are explored recognising that mining legacies are a growing public policy issue and identifying key ingredients for a successful response. Supporting this, and based on national data which re-enforces the need for action, is the changing scale and intensity of mining in Australia that, while lowering costs for mine operators, increases the liability that may eventually fall to the state if mine sites are not rehabilitated effectively. Though a national issue, mining is a state and territory responsibility, so the current approach to mining legacies is then examined state-by-state. Given the widespread application and recent changes to bonds and levies in Western Australia (WA) and the Northern Territory (NT) the merits of both are examined with reference to specific case studies. Despite the current division of responsibility and diversity of approaches, however, mining legacies remain a significant and growing problem with a recognised need and repeated call for cooperation and coordination at a national and international level. Future action is addressed in the final section with reference to liability, responsibility, industry reputation, regulation and leadership.CITATION:Pepper, M, Roche, C R and Mudd, G M, 2014. Mining legacies – understanding life-of-mine across time and space, in Proceedings Life-of-Mine 2014 , pp 449–466 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne)."

Jul 16, 2014

By G. E. Murray

Introduction The development of the method for recovering zinc from lead blast-furnace slags at Trail is interesting and important in the history of both lead and zinc metallurgy. Many efforts have been made in the past, particularly in Germany, to make economic recovery of zinc from slag. The Pape process on Oker slags was successful and is being worked at the present time. More recently the Waelz process has come to the fore. One effort at Cockle Creek, Australia is of special interest in view of subsequent developments. This was re-ported in detail by Guy Courtney in 1920(1). It deserves mention as it shows how, as in many other instances in the metallurgy of lead and zinc, important pioneering work has been done in Australia. These experiments, started over 25 years ago, comprised reduction with coke, powdered coal, and eletrothermically in carbon-lined furnaces. The so-called slag eye furnace, which volatilised the metals from a blast furnace running with a hot top, was also investigated.

Jan 1, 1933

By K. Webb, M. Hohn

"This paper reviews the evolving Ontario mining regime for mining industry-Aboriginal engagement and its apparent alignment with court decisions, domestic law, emerging international norms, mining industry rules, and mining firm-Aboriginal agreements, drawing on publicly available commentary from government officials, the private sector, and Indigenous communities. This paper provides a preliminary analysis of the potential implications of the new regime, especially for the mining industry and Aboriginal communities and, on that basis, discusses possible future developments.RÉSUMÉ Le présent article analyse le régime minier de l’Ontario pour l’engagement entre l’industrie minière et les Autochtones et son harmonisation avec les décisions des tribunaux, le droit interne, les nouvelles normes internationales, les règles de l’industrie minière et les ententes compagnies minières- Autochtones en se basant sur des commentaires, disponibles publiquement, d’officiels gouvernementaux, du secteur privé et des communautés autochtones. Cet article fournit une analyse préliminaire des implications potentielles du nouveau régime, surtout pour l’industrie minière et les communautés autochtones et, en s’appuyant sur ces données, il traite des futurs développements possibles."

Jan 1, 2016

By J. Budac, R. Kofluk, D. Belton, M. Sjogren

A series of tests were performed to determine the flammability limits of mixtures of oxygen, ammonia, steam and nitrogen, over a solution, in a sealed autoclave. The partial pressures of ammonia and oxygen in the vapour space were varied by adjusting the character of the solution and by adjusting the oxygen concentration in the oxidant gas respectively. The data shows that flammable conditions can be minimized by controlling the operating temperature, reducing the ammonia content in the solution, increasing the concentrations of Ni, Cu and Zn in solution and keeping the % oxygen in the gas phase less than 15.5. Observations were also made that suggest that the presence of an aerosol in the vapour space may hinder ignition.

Jan 1, 2004

By George W. Bain

Summary During the last three years the discovery of gold in the belt of volcanic and sedimentary rocks extending eastward from the Porcupine and Kirkland Lake gold-fields has caused a great deal of excitement in mining circles. The area is heavily drift covered, and every aid to the location of veins is eagerly grasped. A knowledge of the physiographic history of the area is of the utmost importance in the application of many of these aids. Evidence is presented to show that glacial erosion has lowered the general elevation very little below the pre-glacial level, and that many glacial erratics have been carried less than three miles southward. Probably a knowledge of the general geology of a: region was never more necessary to the understanding of the distribution and continuation in depth of the mineral veins than in this area. Four distinct granites occur in the region, and gold-bearing veins are genetically associated with only one of these. Two types of quartz-feldspar porphyries have been found, only one of which has any bearing on the locus of the mineral veins. Many other examples of this complexity of associations might be cited, but everyone goes to show that in most cases the economic importance of the deposits can be realized only after the regional geology is understood. A series of sandstone, limestone and shale intruded by granite lies unconformably below the Keewatin lavas. The latter are intruded by a gneissoid granite and are overlain unconformably by the thick series of Timiskaming greywackes and silts. These are intruded by carbonated syenites and syenite porphyries which have since been rendered somewhat schistose.

Jan 1, 1927

By J. F. Childs

"INTRODUCTION Comprehensive overviews of the world-class talc deposits and related prospects in Montana were published by Olson (1976) and by Berg (1979). Both of these compilations include detailed descriptions and maps of the talc deposits and occurrences and were followed by a regional map and summary descriptions of the talc deposits published by Van Gosen et al. (1998). More recent publications, descriptions and field guides for some of the deposits include Underwood et al. (2014), Cerino et al. (2007), and Cerino (2002). The present paper focuses on some of the more recent ideas regarding talc formation that have developed since the publication of the earlier overviews. Olson (1976) reported that talc production from the deposits in southwestern Montana was over 200,000 tons in 1974 and that talc production had doubled between 1969 and 1974. The last year for which the U.S. Geological Survey published production records for talc by state was 1993. Production in Montana in 1993 was 350,000 tonnes (Virta, 1994). Remaining reserves are substantial at all three of the producing mines in the district. Minerals Technologies Inc., the parent company of Barretts Minerals Inc., stated in its 2014 annual report that it has reserves of 2,791,000 tons of talc. Imerys stated in its financial report for 2014 that it had 19,638,000 tons of proven and probable talc reserves at its North American mines. Although the Imerys reserves were not reported by individual mines or states, a large proportion of the total reserves would likely consist of the reserves at the Yellowstone mine, located south of Ennis, Montana. Talc mined in southwestern Montana is of high purity and is the quality used in a wide variety of applications including paints, ceramics, plastics, rubber, coatings, agriculture, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. GEOLOGIC SYNOPSES FOR MAJOR MINES AND COMMENTS ON REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION OF TALC OCCURRENCES The general geology of southwestern Montana is shown in Figure 1along with the locations of the three producing talc deposits in the area and the extent of pre-Belt marbles that host all of the talc mines and prospects. The term “pre-Belt” is used in the present paper because zircon and other radiometric data developed in recent years indicates that the metamorphic rocks that form the crystalline basement for the middle Proterozoic Belt basin in the Dillon Tectonic Block of southwestern Montana includes both Archean and Paleoproterozoic rocks (O’Neill et al., 1996; Foster et al., 2006; McDonald et al., 2012). An envelope or “corridor” has been superimposed on the geology in Figure 1 which encompasses all of the talc deposits that have a significant resource. This “talc corridor” will be discussed in later sections of this report. The more important talc deposits are discussed in this report section."

Jan 1, 2016

By A. C. Barlow

The use of deep wells for waste disposal is not a new technique. The production phase of the oil industry has been using this method to dispose of unwanted oil field brine since the 1930's The adoption of this method by other branches of industry, however, to dispose of manufactured wastes is a relatively new development, but one which is finding increased use (2). Deep well waste disposal is not an ordinary technique even though it is finding relatively wide application. In fact, just the opposite is true; it is still a rather extraordinary measure. It is not now, nor is it ever likely to be a disposal method which can be assured of success before it is tried.

Jan 1, 1964

By Dr. David R. Hargis

Finite-difference digital computer models can be used to evaluate the effects of proposed mine dewatering and depressuring operations on ground-water aquifer systems. The effects of proposed dewatering and depressuring operations can be simulated for both underground and open-pit mining in confined and unconfined aquifer systems. Design of dewatering and depressuring well arrays to accommodate proposed mining operations in a variety of hydrogeologic settings can be accomplished through judicious application of well-documented and tested computer programs that are widely available from government agencies and universities. The speed and flexibility of the computer models can provide an economical means for comparison of alternative mining plans, and can be used to determine the optimum mine plan with respect to dewatering requirements.

Jan 1, 1980

By A. H. A. Robinson

Until quite recently-practically up to the present time-all but an insignificant amount of the copper produced in Canada was shipped abroad in the form of ore, matte, blister, etc., there to undergo the further treatment necessary to bring it to the refined state in which it is required by fabricators of copper. Consequently, Canadian manufacturers were forced to import nearly all the copper required in their business; and a considerable portion of the ultimate value to be derived from a Canadian raw material was lost to the country of its origin. In the early days of Canadian copper mining, when both the production and consumption of copper in Canada were much smaller than now, such a condition of affairs was perhaps economically unavoidable, and, in any case, was not a matte~ of sufficient importance to attract general attention. Later on, however, when there had been large and rapid increases both in the production and consumption of copper in Canada, it formed the basis of much adverse criticism, deserved or not, of producers of Canadian copper-criticism that became intensified during the war and subsequent years. Happily, the chief grounds of complaint have now been removed, and there are today copper refineries in Canada, either operating or under construction, that are capable, in the aggregate, of turning out amounts of refined copper greatly in excess of any indicated Canadian consumption.

Jan 1, 1931

By Thomas H. Heine

"The Rabbit Lake uranium deposit is located at 58° 11’00”N.. 103°42'36""W., close to the west side of Wollaston Lake, and approximately 800 km north of Saskatoon. The orebody is hosted by Aphebian Wollaston Group rocks, initially deposited as a series of shallow-water marine sediments consisting, in part, of carbonates and possible saliferous petites. Metamorphism during the Hudsonian Orogeny, peaking at about 1850 Ma, recrystallized the sediments to upper amphibolite grade paragneisses. This was accompanied by partial anatexis. The waning stages of Hudsonian orogenesis appear to be marked by minor granitic intrusive activity.The post-Hudsonian period was marked by a long interval of physical and chemical erosion, resulting in the unroofing of the Wollaston metamorphic complex. The entire region underwent extensive lateritic weathering under tropical to subtropical conditions. Carbonates were especially vulnerable and, in the Rabbit Lake area, suffered extensive solutioning with accompanying formation of collapse breccias. Old zones of weakness also underwent periodic reactivation.It was during this period that uranium was leached from the surrounding meta-sediments by oxidizing meteoric waters, and transported into the karsted and fractured rocks of the Rabbit Lake doline.Athabasca Group sediments eventually covered the deposit, their diagenesis taking place at about 200 °C and 900 bars. This allowed the partial to complete recrystallization of the initial mineralization, resulting in a minimum age of 1281 ± 11 Major ""first""-generation pitchblende. Periodic fault/fracture reactivation modified the hydrologic regime within the deposit, resulting in episodic mobilization and recrystallization of pitchblende and other uraniferous species. This is clearly shown in the open pit at the present time: uranium is being mobilized and recrystallized on damp pit walls as bayleyite and liebigite due to the modification of the hydrologic system by mining activities.The uranium mineralization occurs mainly as fracture fillings, coatings, and impregnations within breccia zones and intensely altered metasediments. Lesser mineralization is intimately associated with phyllosilicates which form the matrix of a carbonate-col/apse mega-breccia. The primary ore mineral is pitchblende, consisting of five generations, and from which a large suite of secondary uraniferous minerals have formed. On a gross scale the metal content of this deposit appears to be simple, consisting almost exclusively of U, but minor Ni, As, Cu, Se, Fe and Co are also present. The eastern limit of the mineralization is defined by a vertically-dipping microgranite dyke - breccia complex, containing high-grade uranium values. The orebody is truncated to the west and at depth by the Rabbit Lake reverse fault. Minor mineralization occurs as fracture fillings in unaltered plagioclasite in the footwall of the ore body. Precipitation of uranium from solution could have taken place by a number of processes. A mobile reductant (methane, carbon dioxide, etc.) may have been generated from graphite present in some of the host rocks of the orebody. Sulphides are also a common accessory and may have aided in the formation of a reducing environment. Phyllosilicates may have acted as adsorbants for uranium, allowing for its fixation. This metal has also been incorporated into the phyllosilicates themselves."

Jan 1, 1986

By D. J. Parker, D. Harrington, L. H. Harrison

"INTRODUCTION The necessity for protection against the hazards of lightning manifests itself from time to time in the mining industry by reason of loss of life, damage to electrical equipment, fires in surface structures at mines, and accidents in the handling and use of explosives. This paper is intended to assemble, correlate, and present some of the salient points embodied in the available literature on the subject and at the same time give some factual data concerning instances of such loss of life and damage to property, with special application to the mining industry.The annual loss of life and destruction of property by lightning is considerable; the former may be prevented to a limited extent, though use of common sense as to exposure is required and not always followed; the latter can be prevented to a considerable degree. The manufacturers of electrical equipment, through improved types of lightning arresters, have done much toward the protection of electrical equipment, with consequent safeguarding of life and of property. Education based on unfortunate experiences has gone far to discourage the handling of explosives and blasting accessories during thunder storms, especially in open pits and quarries, and to a much smaller extent in underground workings. The lowly lightning rod plays an important role in the protection of certain types of buildings (especially isolated buildings), stacks, monuments, and other structures.LIGHTNING PHENOMENAIn 1751, Franklin proved that, lightning was simply a visible display of electricity - an extended spark; and until a generation ago little had been added to his exposition to define the various phases of the phenomenon. Matters pertaining to lightning are discussed in the following references:"

Apr 1, 1948

By Jon C. Yingling

Lean manufacturing, pioneered by Toyota, has been credited with the most significant improvements in production efficiency and product quality since the transformation from craft manufacturing to mass production in the early 20th century. It represents a comprehensive philosophy for structuring, operation, control, and management of production systems that is believed to have wide applicability. This paper outlines major lean manufacturing principles and discusses their potential for application in the mining industry.

Jan 1, 1999

By Clarence Hardy Long

In January of 1969 the United States Department of Health, Education and Welfare, through the National Air Pollution Control Administration, published a series of Air Quality Criteria (4'S) and Control Techniques (6,7) for air pollutants in compliance with the 1967 Clean Air Act which will affect the operation of all fuel burning equipment in the very near future. The design of equipment for the future which will use fossil fuels will also be affected. The purpose of this paper is to discuss some of the modifications which might be anticipated in the future for fuel burning equipment. One class of the several air pollutants looked at first by the USDHEW was the sulfur oxides. Other pollutants, such as nitrogen oxides, will be studied and controls for these will supposedly be written in due time. The obvious use of low-sulfur fuels, coal, oil and natural gas is suggested by the Control Technique(6). Conversion to other sources of power, such as nuclear energy and hydropower, is also suggested. The statement is made that since possible hydroelectric sources are limited and nuclear plants are not yet available on a large scale, the changeover to these sources of power will not be overnight. The bulletin (6) suggests that one possible solution in some areas may be the use of low sulfur coals for short periods of time during periods of severe air pollution. A curve showing the effect of this was given in the 1969 April issue of the Power magazine, where A. E. Boyer and F. B. Kaylor of Stone and Webster also described a computer program called DOSAGE which might be used to check weather, temperature, humidity, wind direction and velocity, and sound an alarm when that 0.1% of the time per season is here that requires the use of low-sulfur fuel. Inversion is eminent! Once this has passed operation on regular fuel may be resumed. This would mean a separate storage

Jan 1, 1970

By Michael J. Castner

"INTRODUCTIONMultiple-seam mining is an ever growing concern for engineers and mine management in every portion of the mining industry and is especially true for coal mining operations. The goal of this report is to identify the location and severity of multiple-seam interactions, provide AMSS calculations performed on the worst of these locations, and follow up with a visual examination of the underground physical effects on the roof and ribs in the locations identified for analysis. Multiple-seam mining is increasingly being studied because:1. Multiple-seam mining can create a multitude of problems such as roof falls, pillar crushing, pillar failing, rib spalling, floor heave, and inundation of water, gas, or oxygen-deficient air that can disrupt mining operations and threaten the safety of the miners.2. Multiple-seam mining is becoming more prevalent due to the depletion of virgin coal reserves.Currently, coal mining in the United States has progressed to the point that a growing number of mining companies are operating in coal seams located above, below, and/or adjacent to previously mined out coal seams. As a result, the state and federal governments are enacting higher safety standards on mining operations. For example, in years past, pillars may have been properly designed to handle single seam interactions for a particular mine or mines; however, today, where mining is now being considered above or below a previously mined area, these loading conditions may not be adequate to handle the removal of additional seams above or below the previously mined reserve. Studies from 1981 estimated that two-thirds of the mineable coal reserves in the United States would be impacted by multiple-seam implications. Today, over three decades later, it is obvious that most of the remaining mineable coal reserve will be influenced by previously extracted seams. Thus, thefocus on multiple-seam mining interactions on current and future mining operations. In 2012, underground mining in the United States produced 342,287 thousand short tons of coal. Northern Appalachia accounted for over 30% (103,301 thousand short tons) of this total (U.S. Energy Information Administration, 2013). Rosebud Mining Company and Western Allegheny Energy (RMC and WAE) have a combined total of 23 actively producing underground mining operations and at least four new mines under or ready for development. All of these mines are located in coal seams (Upper and Lower Freeport; Upper, Middle, and Lower Kittanning) of northern Appalachia (Pennsylvania and Ohio). Currently, more than half of the RMC and WAE mines are dealing with multiple-seam interactions. Seven mines are undermining previously mined out coal seams, and five mines are overmining previously mined out coal seams. Also, between these companies, five mines have inner-seam sloping possibilities (2 completed, 3 planned), most of which will result in mining over or under previously mined areas."

Jan 1, 2015

By C J. Moran

Given that the mining industry is committed to sustainable development principles and that Australia is experiencing changes to the regulatory environment that aim to modernise the water sector and encourage adoption of consistent approaches, there is a well defined need for the Australian minerals industry to develop a water accounting framework. This requires: key terms and definitions for water metrics for use in the Australian minerals industry that is consistent with the wider water sector, a suite of metrics representing key components of an operationÆs water balance, a calculation method for some of the metrics, and a reporting protocol. This paper presents the methodology that was used to derive these four components. Existing accounting frameworks were reviewed and key terms and definitions that were consistent with current requirements were proposed. A calculation methodology was developed to obtain some of the key indicators and variables that cannot be easily measured directly (water loss through evaporation is an example). The adopted terms and definitions dictated model development, with the conclusion that a systems approach was the most effective calculation process. To test the proposed definitions and calculation methodology, values for water metrics were derived for eight sites. The proposed framework and definitions could deal with the specific situations selected as case studies. The associated calculation methodology produced complete accounts at various levels. Some elements of the accounts could be directly checked against available data and simulations. The framework captured well variations in the reuse efficiencies; reuse efficiency could even vary for similar processes. It is concluded that this preliminary accounting framework provides a consistent language and metrics for quantifying and communicating water management, both at the intersection of the site with the surrounding landscape (through detailed reporting of site inputs and outputs) and within operational activities. Using this consistent framework for quantifying and documenting water use within an operation will provide a platform for compiling and comparing minerals industry water use with other sectors. This may support benchmarking activities within regions or companies and help demonstrate leadership amongst water users in water resource stewardship. The approach presented here is applicable to a wide variety of mining and processing activities, and biophysical environments, and can be adopted as the first step towards developing national water accounts for the Australian Minerals Industry.

Jan 1, 2009

By R Goater, P Kirsch, S Goater, I Goater

With staff productivity and retention a crucial factor in the longevity of AustraliaÆs mining industry, some mining companies are increasing their focus on the health and well-being of their people, to minimise the risks of deteriorating health in an ageing workforce. Many of AustraliaÆs mining operations rely heavily on long distance commuter (LDC) rosters, which are argued to have a significant impact upon worker health, wellbeing and lifestyle choices. The potential impact of workforce health on mine safety performance, efficiency and operating practice is an interesting additional line of enquiry. Food choice, exercise and recreation initiatives offer living and working conditions that æempower healthy choicesÆ in the shift worker community, but do not guarantee improved worker wellbeing. This paper explores first-hand the experiences of one individual over two and a half years of employment at different mine sites, under different shift conditions and across different operating crews. Novel insights and recommendations concerning the LDC lifestyle are offered through integrating reflections on one individualÆs fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) experiences in open pit mining operations from personal, family, professional and academic perspectives.CITATION:Goater, S, Goater, R, Goater, I and Kirsch, P, 2012. This life of mine - Personal reflections on the well-being of the contracted fly-in, fly-out workforce, in Proceedings Eighth Open Pit OperatorsÆ Conference , pp 31-40 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Sep 18, 2012

By B. M. Larsen, K. Heindlhofer

Jan 1, 1945

By CLAYTON C. BALL

In the year 1948, more than ever before, the coal industry established itself on the threshold of a new and exciting future expansion. While production did not equal the wartime and peacetime peaks of 1944 and 1947, it was, in review, a good coal year. During the latter part of the year a combination of mild weather, record stock piling, and general business slackening reduced coal demand to the extent that marginal mines suspended operations, while mines remaining active found it necessary to renew their attention to producing better products at lower operating costs.

Jan 1, 1949

By M. Onifade, B. Genc, P. O. Akinseye, M. Fourie, K. O. Said

Coal is mined by both surface and underground methods and its extraction is normally characterized by numerous hazards that can lead to catastrophic accidents, which result in devastating effects such as injuries or fatalities, damage to mining assets, and destruction of mineral resources. These hazards exist due to the ability of coal to support combustion and its association with toxic, flammable, and explosive gases. Underground coal mining entails higher safety risks than opencast coal mining, chiefly because of issues relating to mine ventilation and mine collapse. Furthermore, coal mine collapses mostly occur due to crumbling of mining supports, especially in room and pillar mining systems. To avoid such adverse occurrences, safety management systems need to be in place. This study reviews the various technological safety systems and principles that are used for safe-rescue and self-escape of miners in underground coal fires, particularly in South Africa, using data obtained from Mines Rescue Services in Carltonville, South Africa. The outcome of the review shows that practising safety culture has been given priority across many South African underground coal mines through setting up safety management systems and encouraging workers to stay committed to safety principles.

May 2, 2022