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By V. Brabie, S. Jansson, L. Bohlin

The rate of dissolution of solid MgO-C and doloma into liquid in CaO-Al2O3-SiO2-MgO slag at different temperatures was studied under conditions of forced convection by rotating cylindrical refractory specimens in a stationary crucible containing the molten slag. The corrosion rate was calculated from the change in diameter of the cylindrical specimens. Refractory specimens were 13 mm in diameter and 70 mm long. The specimens were rotated for15 to 120 minutes at speeds of 100 to 400 rpm in the molten slag. The rate of corrosion increased with temperature and with the rotating speed of the rod, and decreased when the slag was nearly saturated with MgO. The experimental results confirm the assumption that the diffusion of magnesium oxide through the slag phase boundary layer controls the corrosion process. The corrosion mechanism seems to be the dissolution of the refractory materials into the slag, followed by penetration of pores and grain boundaries and dispersion of the grains in the slag. Keywords: MgO-C refractory, doloma refractory, molten slag, corrosion rate, corrosion mechanism

Jan 1, 2004

By I. A. Goddard

INTRODUCTION This paper deals with the development of the sublevel open stoping (SLOS) method in lead orebodies at the Isa Mine of Mount Isa Mines Limited, during the last ten years. Open stoping in different forms has been used at the Isa Mine for many years. Prior to the period under review, stopes were small, pillars were not always recovered, and scrapers extracted the ore. By the end of the sixties, the use of load-haul-dump units was becoming more widespread. Wagner ST5's were the mucking units for the lead cut and fill stopes. Some of the open stopes in 5 orebody above 13 level had 100 kW slushers, but the more southerly stopes were the sites for the introduction of diesel front-end loaders for extraction. In the early seventies, new methods were used in the block of six stopes in 2 and 5 orebodies between 8 level and 13 level and a trial stoping project was undertaken in 7 orebody between 11 level and 13 level to determine possible stope dimensions for the extraction of the Racecourse orebodies below 13 level. By the mid-19701s, stoping was well underway in 5, 7 and 8 orebodies between 13 level and 15 level, using the 'triplet' system, incorporating cemented hydraulic fill to allow greater pillar recovery. As the eighties were entered, development of the Racecourse orebodies below 15 level commenced, as did preparations for 1 orebody in the upper levels of the north end of the mine. In both cases, the pillar recovery method has been changed to reduce the amount of cemented fill required for pillar recovery. GEOLOGY Most of the lead orebodies at Isa Mine lie chiefly to the north of the central shaft complex. They are bedded sulphide deposits in a host rock called Urquhart Shale, which dips at roughly 650 to the west. The main minerals are galena and sphalerite, with the silver mineral, freibergite, being contained in the galena. To the hangingwall of the sequence are the Black Star orebodies (1, 2 and 5) which are relatively wide, pyritic and with low to above average grade lead. The Racecourse orebodies (6 to 16) lie to the footwall, and have a large variation in width, low to high grade lead, and gradation in the lead to zinc ratio from north to south. Stope outlines are often determined by economic or engineering considerations rather than geological. The published extraction reserves are 56 million tonnes of primary ore, containing 150 grams of silver per tonne, 6.4% lead and 6.5% zinc. Traditionally, it has been regarded as lead ore, although the dominant revenue earner varies from time to time. In the Black Star orebodies, the ore and hangingwalls are more competent and open stoping has long been used. The major Racecourse orebodies which have been open stoped are 7 and 8 orebodies. This has been where the orebodies are wider (to the south) and where hangingwall conditions allow. This latter aspect has been greatly influenced by the presence of 'silica dolomite1. This tough, relatively homogeneous, non-bedded rock is, in fact, the host rock for the copper mineralisation at Mount Isa, and provides a competent hangingwall for some of the lead stopes. While the shale's bedding and jointing has a major influence on the ground conditions, there is a major fault system which causes local problems. The principal virgin stress direction is perpendicular to the bedding, but the local stress situation is complicated because of shielding by filled stopes in the hangingwall copper orebodies and because of the interaction between orebodies being extracted to the footwall. Most development on strike is mined with a 'shanty-back’, with the back being as close to normal to the bedding as possible. This is near parallel to most jointing and the principal stress direction. Figure 1 is a plan view of 14 level north, which provides a representative horizontal section through the orebodies. A typical cross section is shown in Figure 2. The narrow, parallel footwall orebodies can be seen to differ from the wider hangingwall orebodies.

Jan 1, 1981

By Richard J. Mainiero, Harry C. Verakis, John J. Mulhern

There are application in coal mines where it would be advantageous from a safety stand point to fire unconfined shots. However, the firing of mud caps (adobes) or other unconfined explosive charges in underground coal mines is not permitted because of the explosion hazards associated with methane gas and coal dust. Present safety regulations in Title 30, Code of Federal Regulations prohibit such Practices. Recently, MSHA proposed revised coal mine regulations for the approval and use of sheathed explosives for Public comment.

Jan 1, 1987

With the advent of COAG reforms in the late 1990s requiring full commercial return from æpublic infrastructureÆ, and the tightening regulatory compliance for any project that involves the development or modification of any natural resource, it has become increasingly difficult for the private sector to contemplate development and/or ownership of new large-scale water supply infrastructure. The hurdles that must be overcome often seem insurmountable even before a detailed understanding of the project challenges can be developed. Australia has prospered over the last 50 years in an environment where regional development, including mining, has been encouraged by high commodity prices, a well-trained and available labour force and abundant spare capacity in the necessary infrastructure, in particular rail, power and water. Unless future infrastructure is created in advance of, or closely following, demand, this prosperity may be in jeopardy. This paper presents a snapshot of todayÆs project development challenges, and with reference to some recent case histories, argues that owing to their unique background, culture and status, water utility government owned corporations (GOCs) are well-suited to fulfilling the demand for new water infrastructure.

Jan 1, 2006

An Ore Reserves and Exploration System has been under continuous development at Mount Isa Mines Limited since 1970. The task of re-engineering the system has now begun, and the first stage is operational. This paper describes how the application of data base concepts, and table driving techniques has resulted in a design in which the input documents, validation procedures and file data content are redefinable by parameters, thus allowing the system to be tailored to suit varying geological Environments.

Jan 1, 1977

The results of iron ore exploration in Western Australia between '1961 and 1964 are outlined, with particular.reference to the Hamersley Iron Province. Exploration during: these three years has increased the known resources of the-,Statle from 275 million tons to almost 9,000 million tons of high- grade hematite ore. In addition, reserves of lower-grade .pisolitic limonite ore are-estimated to amount to 6,000 million tons. The origin and characteristics of the different types of ore is discussed,

Jan 1, 1964

By Maria de Campos

The pre-reduction behaviour of chromite particles in methane-argon and methane-hydrogen gas mixtures was investigated between 1050°C and 1250°C. Loose bed of chromite particles were reacted in a vertical tube furnace under a pre-set gas mixture predetermined time intervals. Metallization results were obtained for the Cr and Fe components by chemically analyzing the reaction products. SEM-EDAX techniques and X-ray diffraction were employed to elucidate the reduction mechanism. It was found that higher reduction kinetics and higher Cr:Fe ratios in the metal phase would be achieved when hydrocarbon gas was used in comparison to classical carbothermic reduction at a given temperature. The reduction rate was generally bulk gas mass transfer controlled to the reaction site for initial stages which then was followed by ionic diffusion rate control. It is proposed that methane did not partake directly in the reduction but cracked, presenting the reaction site with hydrogen gas and atomic carbon, which was able to immediately react at the immediate area of reduction regeneration CO and H2 and thus maintaining a low partial pressure of oxygen at the reaction site.

Jan 1, 2006

By Marco Quirion

The Daniel-Johnson dam, formerly named Manicouagan-5 (Manic-5), is located 800 km northeast of Montreal (Quebec) in Canada. This is the largest multiple-arch concrete dam in the world consisting in 13 arches and 14 buttresses. Since its construction in 1969, various type of cracks have appeared on both downstream and upstream faces of almost all the arches of this concrete dam. As a part of the Daniel- Johnson’s dam safety assessment program, Hydro-Québec is currently performing structural analysis of the dam with advanced numerical models to better understand and predict the dam behaviour. Because the buttresses transmit all the arch loads to the rock mass, determination of the properties of the dam foundation should not be neglected in dam global safety analysis and also to insure that reliable input parameters are used in the dam numerical simulations. This paper summarizes the past and the more recent investigations of this foundation used to assess its safety and stability. Moreover, the use of rock mass classification to estimate the deformation modulus, based on empirical equations, gives values in the range of 30 to 40 GPa that are higher than expected values. Using those values in the numerical simulations for dam structural analysis gives an excellent correlation with displacements monitoring of the buttresses.

Jan 1, 2015

In the Texas Panhandle 277 oil wells and 60 gas wells were completed during 1942, as compared with 647 oil and 52 gas wells completed in 1941. Fourteen dry holes were drilled in the Texas Panhandle in 1942, of which five were wildcats, resulting in four failures and one gas-field discovery in Sherman County; the latter being Hazy-Herrington-Marsh No. I Bivins completed for 5,600,000 cu. it. ol gas from 2989 to 3226 feet. During the year 1942 the Texas Panhandle produced, by counties, the following quantities of oil:

Jan 1, 1943

In the Texas Panhandle 277 oil wells and 60 gas wells were completed during 1942, as compared with 647 oil and 52 gas wells completed in 1941. Fourteen dry holes were drilled in the Texas Panhandle in 1942, of which five were wildcats, resulting in four failures and one gas-field discovery in Sherman County; the latter being Hazy-Herrington-Marsh No. I Bivins completed for 5,600,000 cu. it. ol gas from 2989 to 3226 feet. During the year 1942 the Texas Panhandle produced, by counties, the following quantities of oil:

Jan 1, 1943

The introduction of new technology into thegold-mining industry has been encouraged in recent years by increases in the price of gold andthe necessity for costs to be contained.At most new gold mines, run-of-mine millingis preferred over crushing and multistage milling, and this change at the head of the circuit leaves no place for the manual sorting of ore and for gravity concentration in the mill circuit.Flotation continues to hold its place in goldrecovery. However, a decline in the demand forsulphuric acid may limit the amount of pyrite thatcan be roasted before cyanidation.

Jan 1, 1984

By Andreas Nolte

In 1999 HÜTTENWERKE KAYSER AG (HK) in Germany will produce more than 180,000 t/y of electrolytic refined copper. To achieve this production from materials with copper grades from two to seventy percent and diverse copper alloys, HK operates three blast furnaces, one holding furnace two Peirce Smith converters and two anode furnaces. Technical, metallurgical and economic factors for the ongoing process optimization are outlined. The fluctuating quality and quantity of raw materials renders complex this optimization. The principal variables are the quality and quantity of process consumables: coke, copper-iron, limestone, oxygen, as well as the blending of feedstock and a new organization of the operating crews. The search for new metallurgical process parameters is ongoing. HK started with an intensive research programm in November 1997. As a result it will be possible to cut processing costs by about ten per cent, to increase the blast furnace capacity by ten per cent and to lower the metallurgical losses of copper and tin in the slag by more than ten percent. The presentation concludes with information on future steps to continue the optimization process.

Jan 1, 1999

By Z. G. Song, C. Y. Sun, X. R. Zhang, Y. Yu

In skarn type scheelite deposit, there are calcium minerals with floatability similar to scheelite, such as calcite, fluorite, etc., which are difficult to separate. Heating cleaning method developed by Petrov has been widely applied in processing rough concentrate of scheelite for nearly half a century, but there exists a general lack of full understanding of the interaction between floatation reagent and mineral particles surfaces. The mechanism on separation of scheelite and calcium minerals in heating cleaning process was investigated by mineral flotation experiments, XPS analysis, as well as solution chemistry and crystal chemistry calculations. The results showed that the sequence of minerals floatability using sodium oleate as collector and a large amount of sodium silicate as modifier in heating flotation test was scheelite > calcite > fluorite, which was the same as solution chemistry calculations based on Gibbs free energy vs. pH and also the same as Ca-X intensity order by crystal chemistry analysis. There are two sides about the mechanism of heating cleaning method: one is that the adsorbed collector on calcium minerals surface is desorbed more easily than scheelite, and the other is selective dissolution of calcium ions from the mineral surface because of Ca-X intensity difference in heating and stirring process.

Jan 1, 2014

By Harlowe Hardinge

[Crushing Tests by Pressure and Impact (T.P. 1895, by F. C. BOND,, Min. Tech. Jan. 1946). Discussion by H. HARDINGE and the author 1 Pumping Sands, Slurries and Slimes and Installation and Performance of Sand Pumps (T.P. 2013, by W. B. STEPHENSON, Min. Tech., May 1946 and T.P. 1978, by C. G. SOUTHMAYD, Min. Tech., March 1946). Discussion by OSCAR LEE, G. J. HOLT, L. D. ANDERSON, and the author 2 Rapid Polarographic Method for Determination of Copper, Zinc and Lead in Flotation Tailings (T.P. 2010, by G. A. CROWE and W. T. BISHOP, Min. Tech., March 1946). Discussion by E. H. ROSE and the authors 4 Ball Wear and Functioning of the Ball Load in a Fine-grinding Ball Mill (T.P. 1984, by W. I. GARMS and J. L. STEVENS, Min. Tech., March 1946). Discussion by J. F. MYERS, E. W. DAVIS, F. M. JARDINE, H. HARDINGE, F. C. BOND and the authors 5 Correlation between Mineral Behavior in Cataphoresis and Flotation (T.P. 2005, by A. M. GAUDIN and S. C. SuN, Min. Tech., May 1946). Discussion by 0. C. RALSTON, G. L. SIMARD and D. J. SALLEY 7 Accident Experience in Milling (T.P. 1981, by J. F. MYERS and S. E. SHARP, Min. Tech., May 1946). Discussion by C. E. MCKNIGHT, C. H. BENEDICT, T. S. WILSON and S. POWER WARREN9 Mill Design for Labor Economy (T.P. 1997, by NORMAN WEISS, Min. Tech., May 1946). Discussion by R. S. HANDY and the author13] Crushing Tests by Pressure and Impact (0.C. Ralston presiding) HARLOWE HARDINGE.*-Has the impact method described in the paper been used to compare the resistance to reduction in size of various materials with actual operation results of mills in the field? Is this impact method a better index of the true resistance to grinding under actual field conditions than other methods the author has reported in the TRANSACTIONS? F. C. BOND (author's reply).-The impact crushing device was designed to measure relative resistance to crushing, or what may be called the crushability, and is not used for comparing the resistance to grinding, or grindability. The correlation between crushability and grindability of different materials is not at all close, since fractures, zones of weakness, and structural features of rock have a much greater effect upon the crushability than upon the grindability. We still depend upon our standard grindability tests for measuring resistance to grinding, and use the impact crushing tests only in relation to crusher installations. The impact crushing device has several advantages over the measurement of crushing strength in pounds per square inch as an index of crushing resistance.

Jan 1, 1946

By T. Hackett

Western underground coal reserves are tremendous, but recovery in western seams can be poor because of mining problems caused by deep cover, geologic anomalies, and thick seams. For instance, many seams contain a rock parting too thick to be extracted economically with the coal. This forces the operator to mine the coal above or below the parting. Subsequently, the rock pressures induced by mining make the part left difficult or impossible to extract by standard mining methods. Because upper and lower parts of the seam are frequently of minable thickness, the presence of rock partings can result in a significant loss of coal. Given a longwall recovery of 60 pct and equal thickness for the two parts of the seam, overall recovery is reduced to less than 30 pct if one part only is mined. The coal left in place is unavailable to meet the nation's energy needs, or to produce revenues for coal companies or government. [ ] Multi-slice longwall mining has the potential to recover the portion of split seams that are now left in the mine. Using superimposed standard longwalls with chain pillars, overall recovery could be doubled, depending on panel and pillar widths. Using a combination of advancing and retreating longwalls in descending slices, overall recovery could be improved to more than 80 pct. Because of the potential for improved recovery, the Bureau of Mines is analyzing the ground control factors affecting multi-slice longwall under western mining conditions and is conducting field trials at a planned multi-slice operation.

Jan 1, 1987

By S. N. Zhow

China has at least 200 collieries suffering from the problem of instantaneous outbursts of coal and gas. The strong outbursts often occurred in active tectonic lanes and areas of high stress concentration. In this paper, the author describes some characteristics of the strong outbursts and analyses the effects of ground stress, gas pressure and the properties of coal in outbursts.

Jan 1, 1987

By Roger C. Ilsley

The $2.1 billion Milwaukee Water Pollution Abatement Program (MWAP) requires the construction of several miles of underground openings at depths up to 350 feet for the conveyance and storage of sewage and storm water overflows. The system will include approximately 27km (17 miles) of deep tunnels ranging from 3m (10 f t.) to 9m (30 f t.) in diameter, 26 shafts and a pumping station cavern. The facilities will be located primarily in Silurian Age dolomites of the Niagara Group. The rock is characterized as competent with vertical to sub-vertical orthogonal jointing and predominantly thin shale bedding planes. The site investigation was carried out incrementally, commencing on an area wide basis, becoming site specific as facility plans were developed. To achieve cost savings through uniformity and continuity, a computerized data bank was established. Software was developed during the initial stages of the program for the production of borehole logs, structure contour maps, geologic profiles and summaries of data for statistical evaluations. This paper discusses in general terms the collection, compilation and presentation of data necessary for the characterization of the rock mass.

Jan 1, 1984

By D. G. C. Robertson

Counter-current staged reactors offer several advantages over batch reactors for mass transfer between two phases. Several metallurgical reactor designs have utilized the counter-current principle, e.g. the WORCA and QSL processes. But before the principle can be widely adopted, it will be necessary to overcome several significant problems. These include the need to minimize longitudinal mixing in a single reactor or to use several separate staged reactors and to carry out different reactions in sequence, e.g. phosphorus oxidation and sulfur reduction. Theoretical and experimental approaches to these problems will be discussed in the paper.

Jan 1, 1988

By H. W. Wainwright

One phase of the research and development work on synthetic liquid fuels conducted by the Bureau of Mines at Morgantown, W. Va. in cooperation with West Virginia University deals with the purification of synthesis gas.2/ Most of the experimental studies on gas purification have been directed toward the removal of organic sulfur from gas, either catalytically or by adsorption with activated carbon. An important part of the purification program has been the development of suitable analytical methods for determining organic sulfur compounds. As the total sulfur content, organic and inorganic, of purified synthesis gas should not exceed 0.1 grain per 100 cubic feet, the need for accurate analytical methods is apparent. It is also apparent that such methods must be rapid if one wishes to evaluate various processes for removing sulfur from gas. The organic sulfur found in most gas produced from coal is usually present as carbon disulfide, carbon oxysulfide, methyl and ethyl mercaptans, and thiophene, with the exception of thiophene, the remaining organic sulfur compounds respond similarly to catalytic treatment and can be removed effectively. Not only does thiophene resist most catalytic treatment, but it poisons some catalysts, rendering them ineffective in removing the other forms of organic sulfur.

Jan 1, 1950

The mining rock-mass rating (MAMA) classification system was introduced in 1974 as a development of the CSIA geomechanics classification system to cater for diverse mining situations. The fundamental difference was the recognition that in situ rock-mass ratings (AMA) had to be adjusted according to the mining environment so that the final ratings (MAMA) could be used for mine design. The adjustment parameters are weathering, mining-induced stresses, joint orientation, and blasting effects. It is also possible to use the ratings (AMA) in the determination of empirical rock-mass strength (AMS) and then in the application of the adjustments to arrive at a design rock-mass strength (DAMS). This classification system is versatile, and the rock-mass rating (AMA), the mining rock-mass rating (MAMA), and the design rock-mass strength (DAMS) provide good guidelines for the purposes of mine design. However, in some cases a more detailed investigation may be required, in which case greater attention is paid to specific parameters of the system. Narrow and weak geological features that are continuous within and beyond the stope or pillar must be identified and rated separately. The paper describes the procedure required to arrive at the ratings, and presents practical examples of the application of the system to mine design.

Jan 1, 1990