Search Documents

By Y. C. Kim

This paper describes the implementation aspect of a blast hole kriging system which has been developed for the purpose of daily ore-waste control in an open pit mine. The primary goal of blast hole kriging is to improve the ore-waste delineation procedure. A complete computer program package called Blast Hole Kriging (BHK) System was developed for IBM/PC AT or XT computer, using Fortran language and supplemented by a few Assembly language routines for bit-map manipulation. The emphasis of this paper is on the implementation aspect of the developed system. For this reason, the requirements for practical implementation and the system design considerations are discussed in the paper, as well as the main features of the University of Arizona's BHK System.

Jan 1, 1990

By Sebastian Avalos, Julian M. Ortiz

The long-term mine scheduling is the optimal decision on how to extract and process the mining reserves. The resulting plan is mainly driven by economic, metallurgical, and geological factors. Accounting for their uncertainties leads to a robust solution and the feasibility for economic-risk quantification. In this work, we model the spatial uncertainty of grade distributions of multiple correlated elements, by using a multivariate morphing transformation. The result is a set of multivariate geostatistical realizations of the grades, which honor the conditioning data, the direct and cross variograms, and the multivariate statistical distribution, inferred from a set of samples. These models are the input in a reinforcement learning framework, adopted to train a deep neural network that considers the grade uncertainty and leads to an optimum mine plan after training using deep Q-Learning. Mining and processing capacities, as well as economic parameters and metallurgical constraints, are incorporated as the reinforcement learning environment rules. The method is validated on a real deposit, providing insights for future applications.

Jun 25, 2023

By Lumena Glória de Souza Nunes

Objetivo deste trabalho foi simular o processo de deformação plástica severa, mais especificadamente o processo de colaminação acumulativa (Accumulative Roll-Bonding-ARB) em aço baixo carbono, por ensaio de torção a morno. Os corpos de prova foram inicialmente recozidos à 900ºC por 5 min e resfriados dentro do forno com potência desligada. Realizou-se o ensaio de torção à 500ºC aplicando cinco passes de deformação de 0,8, totalizando uma deformação verdadeira de 4, à uma taxa de deformação de 0,1s-1, bem como deformações intermediárias de 0,8; 1,6; 2,4 e 3,2. Para verificar a influencia da temperatura no processo, realizou-se o ensaio também nas temperaturas de 600 e 700ºC. As micrografias mostraram que ocorreu refino do grão, típico do processo estudado. Ensaios de nanodureza Vickers mostraram um aumento considerável na dureza, mostrando que o teste de torção é uma ferramenta eficiente para simulação do processo ARB.

Oct 30, 2017

By C. Zhou, B. Whisner, J. Carr

Proximity Detection Systems (PDSs) are used in the mining industry for protecting mine workers from striking, pinning, and crushing injuries when they work in close proximity to heavy machines such as continuous mining machines (CMMs). Currently all Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) approved PDSs are magnetic field based systems which can be influenced by the presence of wire mesh that is commonly used for supporting roof and ribs in underground coal m ines. In this paper, researchers at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) characterize the influence of the mesh on the performance of magnetic PDSs by measuring the magnetic field difference around a CMM caused by the presence of the mesh. The results show that the magnetic fields are generally enhanced by the mesh which causes the PDS detection zones to be increased correspondingly. It was discovered that the fields around the joints of two mesh sections have the greatest enhancement and thus deserve more attention. In addition, it is found that the presence of mesh can also cause a variation in the generator current. The influence of mesh is characterized by the change in the generator current with respect to the distance between the generator and the mesh. It was found that the generator current change caused by the mesh can be significant (on the order of ten) when the mesh is extremely close to the generator (e.g, less than 1 cm) and is negligible when mesh is relatively far (greater than 0.15 m). The findings in this paper can be used to develop guidelines and best practices to mitigate the influence of mesh on PDSs. INTRODUCTION The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) requires operators of underground coal mines to equip place-changing continuous mining machines (CMMs) with proximity detection systems (PDSs) to protect mine workers from striking, pinning and crushing injuries when they work around these heavy machines. Although a variety of technologies can be implemented for proximity detection, the magnetic-field-based PDS that was originally developed at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has shown great effectiveness in challenging mining environments and currently all MSHA-approved PDSs are magnetic-field-based systems. As shown in Figure 1, a magnetic PDS typically includes two major components----the magnetic field generator and the Miner Wearable Component (MWC). Magnetic fields are generated by injecting a high electric current into a ferrite-rod antenna sealed in the generator. The magnetic field strength detected by an MWC varies with the distance between the MWC and the generator. In a typical PDS, multiple generators are mounted on different locations of the machine. The relative location/zone of an MWC is determined based on the field strengths from different generators picked by the MWC. Ideally, for a PDS to work properly in the underground, the magnetic fields generated by the different generators should be stable and not vary with the environment, as the system would interpret any variation of the magnetic field as a result of the distance change between the machine and the miner wearing the MWC. In reality, however, this is not always the case since magnetic fields can be altered by a number of environmental factors such as the presence of steel wire mesh that has been widely used in underground coal mines for supporting roof and ribs In this paper, the influence of mesh on the PDS performance is investigated and the magnetic field change caused by the mesh is measured.

Jan 1, 2019

By Harold V. Pearce

THE plant of the Boston and Colorado Smelting Company, at Argo, Colo., has not received special notice in technical or scientific publications for some time past. Dr. Peters' described the development of the reverberatory furnace used at Argo, but he dealt almost exclusively with the increase in size and the corresponding gain in capacity. Since the time of his description the changed conditions have led to a modification of the former smelting practice, and this modification forms the basis of the present paper. No claim is made for personal originality in connection with these improvements, in fact, I expressly disclaim any such intention, since nearly every successful step in the development of the process now used at Argo has been suggested by Dr. Richard Pearce at various times during the past 12 years, though perhaps in a different manner of exe¬cution. These changes would undoubtedly have been made before, were it not that many problems of greater metallurgical importance and momentarily of more urgent need thus had to be solved. At the time to which I refer, economic conditions demanded mainly an increase of capacity. Moreover, the determination and placing of exact losses in smelting were not so imperative as they now are. About three years ago, the time of my appointment to the - management of. the works of the Boston and Colorado Smelting Co., the great decline in the price of copper occurred; the Argo plant, in common with all others engaged in the copper-industry, lost heavily in the market-value of the stocks on hand of ore and furnace-products. Added to this was the unfortunate circumstance that the copper-supply of the Argo plant from general sources began to dwindle; in fact, it almost entirely ceased. About this time the smelting-plants in the west-

Mar 1, 1905

By R. W. Amstutz

Abstract. The shaft was drilled on U.S. Government land in the Piceance Creek Basin and was funded by the U.S. Bureau of Mines. It was drilled to 723 meters (2 371') to provide access to rich deposits of oil shale, nahcolite and dawsonite for geotechnical test work and environmental mining research. Rotary drilling and dual string, reverse-air, jet-assist circulation methods were used. Drilling required 8 months. Site preparation, running and cementing the casing required another 4 months. A 2.44-meter (96-inch) ID steel welded casing, 5.1 cm (2 inches) thick was installed and 2 700 tonnes (63 000 sacks) of cement were slurried and pumped into the annulus.

Jan 1, 1980

By K. W. Harris, K. A. Perry

Reserve depletion in Central Appalachia is continuously creating unique ground conditions for underground coal mines with many of these difficult environments directly attributable to multiple seam mining and/or deeper overburdens. While many empirical studies have been performed in an effort to improve understanding of these problems along with potentially improving safety and extraction, many of the difficulties encountered lie outside of the normal realm of expected behavior. This is often the case when mining in bump prone ground, where additional concerns are introduced and design buffers are warranted. The boundary element software LaModel was used to study three bump events in a deep-cover, multiple-seam reserve located in Harlan county in the Kentucky region of Central Appalachia. This region is notoriously bump prone due to significant areas of deep cover, the presence of strong to massive lithology (such as sandstone), and an extensive history of underground mining that increases the probability of multiple seam interactions. Multiple seam interactions are best understood with respect to site-specific parameters, including both the geological and geometrical components of interburden, overburden and mine workings. Initially, empirical-based approaches (ARMPS/AMSS) were used when attempting to back-analyze the bump events. However, it was recognized that a more detailed investigation was necessary to understand the fundamental causes/conditions associated with the bump events. Consequently, the LaModel study resulted in a mine-specific calibration method for the reserve. With this method in place, enhanced bump prediction throughout the reserve is expected, such that the stability, recovery and safety of future mining may be improved.

Jan 1, 2014

CrusherMapperTM - A New Tool for Crusher Condition Monitoring The efficiency of mineral processing plants is entirely dependent on the availability of the plant equipment critical path. This typically concerns comminution circuits consisting of primary crushers and primary grinding mills. Crusher and mill availability are determined by the frequency and duration of maintenance shutdowns, which are primarily driven by the need for replacement of sacrificial liners. The change of crusher and mill liner shape over respective life cycles also strongly affects plant efficiency. It is therefore highly desirable to accurately monitor the condition of mills and crushers in order to optimise plant efficiency through maximised availability and targeted liner shape. Traditional comminution liner and other production parameter condition monitoring has been attempted through ineffective methods which prevent satisfactory management of crusher and mill maintenance and reduce operational control. This situation has recently dramatically improved for grinding mills through the development and commercial deployment of MillMapperÖ, a technology based on three-dimensional laser scanning data and dedicated software (Franke, Lichti and Stewart, 2006; Franke and Lichti, 2007; 2008; Franke, 2008; Franke, Redman, Johnson and Michalek, 2009). At the time of writing in late 2009, MillMapperÖ is in successful use at a rate of approximately 170 surveys and associated reports per annum at processing plants in Australasia, South America, North America and Africa. This paper presents the introduction of CrusherMapperÖ, the MillMapperÖ equivalent for crushers. CrusherMapperÖ also utilises high density, high accuracy laser scanning data, and features dedicated algorithms for three-dimensional monitoring of wear on crusher concaves and mantles. This facilitates the detection of wear hot spots or zones or localised liner failures, and accurate forecasting of reline tonnages and dates. It also for the first time provides the means to establish optimised concave and mantle shapes in order to achieve production targets. In contrast to any other currently utilised condition monitoring method, CrusherMapperÖ data collection can occur remotely and does not require any shutdown or crusher isolation. This method therefore does not interrupt crusher production while at the same time eliminating any confined space risk normally associated with taking measurements inside the crusher cavity.

Sep 13, 2010

By Vanessa Moura de Souza

Os avanços tecnológicos e a busca por peças cada vez mais leves tem levado as empresas a fabricarem peças mais complexas e com menor custo. Porém, para conciliar a alta produtividade com peças complexas é necessário ter um ferramental de qualidade. Sendo assim, a tecnologia de construção de matrizes é um fator fundamental para determinação da eficiência de um processo de forjamento, por exemplo. Tanto variáveis relacionadas ao desempenho financeiro como requisitos de qualidade são influenciados pelo desempenho das matrizes. Em função disto, o foco deste estudo é investigar formas de aumentar a durabilidade das matrizes, com o objetivo de diminuir o desgaste das ferramentas, utilizadas no processo de forjamento a quente, através da deposição de um filme sobre as matrizes. Este trabalho apresenta uma avaliação de desempenho de matrizes de forjamento a quente revestidas por aspersão térmica realizado junto a uma linha de produção. O processo utilizado foi o High Velocity Oxy-Fuel com a deposição de um revestimento de Carboneto de Tungstênio. Previamente foi realizada uma caracterização metalúrgica da camada, com o objetivo de obter informações de referência que auxiliem na interpretação dos resultados dos testes práticos. A ferramenta com o revestimento obteve um aumento de produtividade de aproximadamente 37,5% além de melhores resultados de estabilidade dimensional ao longo do processo e no acabamento das gravações de identificação nas peças forjadas.

Aug 17, 2017

By Daniel Antonio Kapper Fabricio

O módulo de tenacidade é um parâmetro que representa a energia absorvida por um material até a ruptura, e é uma variável importante para avaliar se o material sofrerá fratura quando em serviço. A tenacidade é determinada através da área sob a curva tensão-deformação de engenharia, a qual é difícil de ser calculada analiticamente. Assim, o presente trabalho propõe a utilização de métodos numéricos para o cálculo do módulo de tenacidade através de planilhas eletrônicas. Como resultados são apresentados o procedimento desenvolvido e os valores obtidos na estimativa da tenacidade de uma amostra, assim como a comparação do resultado com o valor calculado analiticamente e com o valor calculado através de um método simplificado. Conclui-se que o valor numérico calculado é tão próximo do verdadeiro quanto maior o número de pontos obtidos na curva tensão-deformação de engenharia, viabilizando a utilização desse método na estimativa da tenacidade de uma ampla gama de materiais. Além disso, o método numérico pode ser usado na determinação de outras propriedades calculadas através da área sob curvas.

Aug 7, 2018

By Paulo Roberto Gomes de Sousa

O trabalho mostra a analise de energia e exergia de uma unidade termoelétrica, esta planta consiste em um ciclo regenerativo. Serão comparados os nivéis de irreversibilidade dos componentes que compõem a unidade. A escolha do ciclo regenerativo com a referência em análise, é devido sua eficiência global. Isso é proporcionado através do aquecimento da água de alimentação da caldeira, com isso, consequentemente ocorre uma diminuição da necessidade de energia imposta na caldeira. A análise realizada também mostra as irreversibilidades da planta através da análise de exergia.

Aug 17, 2017

By Flávio Altoé Franco

Foi identificada uma trinca no convertedor 2 da ArcelorMittal Tubarão em junho de 2013 durante início de carregamento de gusa, esta se localizava na solda entre o cone inferior e o flange do fundo. A análise abrangeu a avaliação dos danos no vaso, à análise da fratura, análise de material, onde foi verificado que a trinca não foi decorrente de trinca preexistente, nem de degradação do material ou imperfeição de solda. Foi construído um modelo 3D do convertedor considerando-se todos os detalhamentos pertinentes à uma análise termo estrutural. Foram analisadas as seguintes situações: Refratamento conforme projeto do fornecedor – junta de papelão; Projeto de refratamento incluindo influência da junta de dilatação natural 0,2 mm existente no refratário; Carregamento térmico; e situação corrente do projeto considerando proteção de soleira. De acordo com os resultados, verificou-se que a causa da falha do convertedor esta relacionada a esforços oriundos da expansão térmica do refratário.

Aug 16, 2017

Understanding multiphase particulate systems is essential for the further advancement of mineral processing technology. Characterisation, analysis, and simulation of these complex systems provide a fundamental basis for the development of improved mineral processing technology. One of the more recent tools that can be used to help provide a foundation for improved mineral processing technology is high resolution cone beam X-ray micro computed tomography (CT). During the past ten years point-projection X-ray micro CT systems have been used for 3D visualisation and quantitative analysis of multiphase particulate systems. Analysis of packed particle beds containing as many as 30 000 particles can be accomplished in less than three hours with special software to establish the 3D characteristics of each particle in the population and the spatial organisation of the packed particle bed. Now, due to advances in X-ray optics, the resolution afforded with point-projection micro CT systems has been improved by at least an order of magnitude using a lens-based X-ray micro CT system. The development of software tools for the 3D characterisation, analysis, and simulation of packed particle beds using high resolution X-ray micro tomography (HRXMT) is discussed including examples of application in the areas of comminution (particle damage and preferential grain boundary fracture), exposure/liberation analysis (liberation-limited separation efficiency, including coal washability), and filtration/heap leaching (pore network structure of packed particle beds and simulated flow using the LB method of computational fluid dynamics).

Sep 13, 2010

Institute of Metals Division Iron and Steel Division Extractive Metallurgy Division Council J H Scaff (IMD) Chairman, Robert W Shearman, Secretary, J S Smart, (IMD), P T Stroup, (EMD), A W Schlechten, (EMD), J S Marsh, (ISD), A W Thornton, (ISD), M E Violin, (MED), D S Eppelsheimer, (MIED) Journal of Metals Editorial Advisory Committee J S Smart, Jr, Chairman, W A Dean, J C Kinnear, Jr, T D Jones, Evan Just, John Marsh, M Tenenbaum Pacific Northwest Regional Conference A Y Bethune, General Chairman, Frank N Marr, Chairman, General Arrangements, R J Lapee, Chairman, C P Love, (EMD Program), W M Armstrong, Chairman, Physical Metallurgy Program, L W Heinzinger, Chairman (ISD Program), J P Spielman, Chairman, (MIED Program) New England Regional Conference K H Mairs, Chairman, W A Backofen, Vice-Chair¬man, Delmar E Trout, Secretary, G W Coleman, Treasurer, F H Wilson, Past Chairman, Members at Large Sidney Siegel, Boston, G F Donahue, Connecti¬cut Representatives from Connecticut Frank Chudy, J E Chafey Representa¬tives from Boston N L Reed, E Gordon

Jan 1, 1955

By Jorge Amaya, Nelson Morales Varela, Francisco Saavedra, Gonzalo Nelis, René Gómez

Precedence constraints are broadly used in mathematical models and algorithms for mine planning to model, for example, slope angles in open pit operations or connectivity in underground mines. Unfortunately, these constraints do not capture relevant geometrical aspects for the design of the mine like minimum bottom space of pits or smoothness of the economic envelope in block caves. In this work, we present different approaches that utilize precedence constraints generating economic envelops that are more suitable for design purposes. The numerical experiences show that the proposed techniques produce high value envelops with better geometrical properties and that the methods proposed can be computed efficiently.

Jun 25, 2023

By S. T. Murray

The European industrial minerals industry and its markets are largely self-sufficient. The companies who are members of the Industrial Minerals Association (IMA-Europe) number around 150 contributing 5 billion Euros to the EU?s GDP and range in size from global publicly quoted corporations to small family owned private companies. Their means and capability to implement sustainable development vary considerably. However the leading companies provide an excellent set of best practices, which IMA as a trade association with recognised core competencies in the field of sustainable development is ideally placed to promulgate throughout its membership. As an active participant in the EU Voluntary Scheme for SDI reporting IMA is not only working to increase the level of response to the SDI questionnaire but is also developing with its members a new sustainable development charter which its members will voluntarily adopt as a guiding principle for their implementation of sustainable development This work will be a consultative process involving all IMA?s section members as well as other trade associations, NGOs and MEPs. Public awareness of the benefits of minerals and their contribution to sustainable development has been raised by IMA?s awareness campaign now being followed by a more targeted programme aimed at MEPs. Further work in the future will consider product stewardship and life-cycle analysis. IMA is already positioning itself with the help of its members to assimilate the minerals industry of the accession territories in the sustainable development process.

Jan 1, 2003

By B Taylor, S Evans

Bulk explosive technology for underground mining has not seen any significant technological advances since the widespread transition from ammonium nitrate fuel oil (ANFO) to ammonium nitrate emulsions (ANE) commencing in the 1980s. The in-hole energy profile that conventional ANE systems deliver is limited by the physics of chemical gassing and simple control systems. This compromises the range, precision, and accuracy of energy delivery into the blasthole, and in some cases limits the length of charge that can be delivered. Orica’s 4D™ bulk system removes many of these constraints, enabling better blasting performance across all underground mining methods. This paper reviews work completed at three mining operations across Australia, the United States, and Chile with a focus on how this system can improve mining operations and deliver sustained commercial and productivity benefits into the future. These benefits include improved ore recovery, reduced dilution from waste rock, and reduced overall explosives consumption. This paper also reviews how this new technology can be applied for planning future mining operations.

Sep 1, 2024

By A Harris, L Balzan

Accurate measurements of the moisture content of iron ore have increasing importance in modern mining operations. Knowledge of the moisture content allows process control actions to be carried out to ensure that the moisture is within prescribed limits, whether this is ensuring sufficient moisture to be above the dust extinction limit or that the moisture level is below the transportable moisture limit for sea shipments. Additionally, controlling moisture within desired limits can allow for greater throughput of iron ore by limiting the amount of water transported. There are a range of options available for operators wishing to obtain moisture data, though there are few demonstrated and proven devices that are able to provide real-time analysis of the full bed-depth of material. Scantech’s through-belt moisture systems are able to accurately analyse the full bed-depth of conveyed iron ore in real time using its unique microwave transmission technology, providing valuable data for operators. Recent advances in these systems have overcome errors associated with the highly attenuating nature of iron ore, particularly for large conveyor belts and deep ore. Furthermore, analysis of different ore mineralogy and its effect on the accuracy of moisture analysis has been examined and quantified. This paper discusses some of these recent results, demonstrating achievable accuracies in spite of changing ore mineralogy. Scope for future work is also briefly discussed, concluding the paper.CITATION:Balzan, L and Harris, A, 2015. Real-time through-belt moisture analysis for iron ore, in Proceedings Iron Ore 2015, pp 539–542 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Jul 13, 2015

By W. A. Green

To those who may not be familiar with the history and organization of the Flin Flon mining property from the rime of its examination and option by the Harry Payne Whitney interests until the present start of operations by the Hudson Bay Mining and Smelting Company, Limited, this paper may give a better understanding of the property. More technical discussions are being presented to you by the men most closely connected with the various operations of the property. Location The Flin Flon mine is situated along the boundary line between the Provinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan at approximately. 54° 45? north latitude, but largely in Manitoba. Prior to the advent of the railway, the property was quite isolated. The summer route was over a course of some 175 miles, consisting of a 125-mile boat trip from The Pas, first up the Saskatchewan river, then across Cumberland and Sturgeon lakes to Sturgeon? Landing. From Sturgeon Landing, a .16-mile portage was necessary to Camp 2 on lake Athapapaskow. From Camp 2 the route consisted of a canoe trip of 32 miles across lake Athapapaskow, up the northwest arm of Schist lake, then up Ross creek to the Company's docks, and finally a 2-mile walk to the property. The winter route was just under 100 miles in length, the difference being due to the fact that a more direct route could be followed over the frozen lakes. It went up the Saskatchewan river for a short distance above The Pas and then, leaving the river, the road followed Reeder, Rocky, and Sturgeon lakes to Sturgeon Landing, and from there over the same route as the summer one, only across the frozen lakes.

Jan 1, 1930

By D. Tetsuka, H. Okamoto

The amount of impurities to be processed in a copper smelting process has increased for recent years because of an increase in the electronic scrap amount. It has been found that Sb and Ni effect on the operation of our copper electrorefining process. It is found that the current efficiency of the copper electrorefining tended to be decreased as the Ni concentration in the electrolyte increased. The passivation of the process seemed to be more related to SO4 concentration in the electrolyte rather than the Ni concentration in it. The current efficiency decreased when the Sb content in the anode was high. A high Sb content in the anode caused easy passivation by forming a gel-like film in the slime layer. We have developed a method to for see the anode passivation in a short time while generating a slime layer. We confirmed the tendency of passivation through the experiment of changing Pb content in anode. Passivation was easily occur with an increase in Pb content in the anode. The amount of slime increased as the Pb content in the anode increased. This suggests that passivation was facilitated because liquid diffusion near the anode was inhibited. INTRODUCTION The amount of impurities to be processed in copper smelting has been growing in recent years because the amount of electronic scrap has increased. Figure 1 shows that the contents of Sb and Ni in copper anodes have increased since 2007.High Sb and Ni contents in the copper anode decreased the current efficiency of the process and made the quality of copper cathode poor because of the anode passivation and the formation of floating slime in the electrolyte during electrorefining. If these influences of impurities are suppressed, it would be possible to make copper electro-refining current density higher and to process much amount of electronic scrap. We examined the components of our copper electro-refining process like anode composition, slime properties and electrolyte composition, and investigated the mechanism by which Sb and Ni affect passivation and current efficiency. When examining the influence of Ni, we noticed that the SO4 important. The effect of SO42 – was also discussed

Jan 1, 2019