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By Bert C. Morrison

In 1961. American Smelting and Refining Company was conducting exploration for lead in southeastern Missouri using several geophysical methods. Electrical methods were used in almost every hole drilled during this period. These methods met with only limited success, with one exception. This paper deals with that exception: An Electrical Potential Method used at a single hole to indicate direction to better mineralization. This method was notably successful in the program.

Jan 1, 1970

By S. M. Flaherty, R. E. Scheffel, A. Guzman

Geochemical conditions within a leaching operation are heterogeneous. This variability arises mainly from hydrological controls imparted by physical characteristics of the ore and by heterogeneous metallurgical properties at the rock-fragment and industrial heap scale. The resulting chemical conditions are responsible for stratified mineral recovery, non-uniform extraction and prolonged leach cycles. This paper presents field data from a sulfide-leaching operation which clearly demonstrate the impact of chemical heterogeneity on metal recovery and the potential use of modern measuring techniques to facilitate operational monitoring and decision making for optimization of leaching operations.

Jan 1, 2006

Review on Some Research Methods of Mineral Crystal Chemistry and Computer Simulation on Flotation

Sep 13, 2010

By Kimberley MacHardy, Ann Maest, Greg Lawson, James Kuipers

Although water quality predictions are often made in Environmental Impact Statements (EIS's) as part of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), comparisons between predicted and actual water quality conditions are rarely reviewed. A comprehensive review of predicted and actual water quality conditions was conducted for a number of large U.S. hardrock mines with EIS’s. For mines with large differences between predicted and actual conditions, factors responsible for the deviations, such as characterization and modeling errors or engineering failures, were identified. Recommendations are made for how the NEPA process could be modified to better predict water quality at hardrock mine sites.

Jan 1, 2005

Les Mines Inmet ? La Division Troilus exploite une mine d?or à ciel ouvert depuis 1996 et produit un concentré de cuivre. La Division Troilus est localisée à 175 KM au nord de la ville de Chibougamau? au 51 parallèle.

Feb 1, 2008

By K Jupp, T J. Howard

Cliffs Natural Resources Pty Ltd (CNR) operates iron ore mines in the Koolyanobbing region of Western Australia, about 50 km north of the town of Southern Cross. Ore is trucked from three geographically isolated sources to the crusher at Koolyanobbing, where it is blended before and during crushing. Lump and fines products are produced and railed to Esperance for ship loading and export to Asian customers. CNR is examining alternative processing paths, from mining to ship loading, with the aim of improving efficiency and reducing costs. Modifications to the system must be consistent with potential future expansions and maintain the low inter-shipment grade variability on which CNR prides itself and has built a strong relationship with its customers. In searching for the optimum process design, many options from mine face to ship loading must be evaluated and compared. Pilot plant studies are infeasible, while complex mineralogical interactions, competing goals and numerous possible system configurations limit the applicability of theoretical analysis. It was therefore concluded that simulation modeling would provide the confidence to take the next step into production trials. This paper describes techniques applied at CNR to simulate grade variability resulting from potential process design changes. The simulation models are easily run Excel-based modules, with each module representing a different part of the process. The modules use extensive Visual Basic macros driven by Excel's user-friendly interfaces. Presentation of the results is enhanced by Excel's excellent graphical capabilities. The simulation software stores and graphically presents time-stamped data from a run, enabling detailed analysis of different process configurations. Final success of a simulation run is measured by inter-shipment variability (standard deviation and process capability) and in-process ore tonnages. Meaningful results from the simulations require the initial input data contain the same correlations present in the real production environment, between the mineral components, production linkages and across time. The data also have to allow simulation of potential changes to mining method and introduction of new pits into the blend. Mining data from the real operations under study are therefore used, with average grades and variability adjusted to match potential future development proposals. It is also necessary to filter out medium and long-term variations from the production data as this variability is best controlled through the conventional medium to long-term mine planning process, not by the process design being studied. The filtering was carried out using a Fourier transform technique, which is described.

Jan 1, 2009

By E. Ghali, W. Zhang, G. Gabra, N. Sorour, G. Houlachi

The additives polyacrylamide, 1-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride, Tetra-butylammonium bromide, Benzalkonium chloride and chitin are evaluated during zinc electrolysis from synthetic acidic sulphate electrolyte containing Mn2+ ions, in absence and in presence of 0.0055 mg dm-3 of Sb3+ ions. Galvanostatic polarization tests for 2 hours at 50 mA cm-2 and 38oC were carried out to determine the cathodic and anodic potentials, and current efficiency of the deposited zinc. Potentiodynamic polarization and cyclic voltammetry tests have also been employed to study the electrochemical behavior of each additive on the zinc deposit on aluminum electrode. Results showed that, in presence of Sb3+, adding 1 to 3 mg of 1-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride increases the cell voltage by ˜0-7 mV. Current efficiency is increased by ˜4.90-6.40%; power consumption is reduced by ˜147-173 kWh t-1 by adding 1-3 mg, respectively. However, in absence of Sb3+, cell voltage is decreased by ˜7-28 mV, current efficiency is increased by ˜0.70-1.50%; power consumption is reduced by ˜41-47 kWh t-1 by adding 1-3 mg. The effect of the other additives on cell voltage, current efficiency, lead content and morphology of zinc deposit has also been examined. Surface morphology and crystallographic orientation of the deposit was studied using scanning electron microscopic (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), respectively. The content of lead in the deposit has also been measured using inductively coupled plasma spectroscopy (ICP).

Jan 1, 2015

By Taegong Ryu

A thermal plasma process was used to synthesize nanosized tungsten carbide -cobalt composite powder, in which ammonium paratungstate and cobalt oxide were reacted with a gas mixture containing CH4, H2 and Ar. The reduction and carburization of vaporized precursors produced nanosized tungsten carbide (WC1-x) - cobalt composite powder, which sometimes contained small amounts of W2C and/or W phase. The effects of gas composition, plasma torch power, and the flow rate of plasma gas on the product composition and grain size were investigated. The grain size of synthesized tungsten carbide powder was less than 20 nm. The synthesized composite powders were also subjected to a hydrogen heat treatment to fully carburize WC1-x, W2C, and W phases to the WC phase as well as to remove excess carbon in the product. Finally nanosized WC-Co composite powder of grain size less than 50 nm was obtained.

Jan 1, 2009

By Matthew Wallin

A part of the East Bay Municipal Utility District?s Folsom South Canal Connection Project, 430 feet of raw water pipe was installed using micro tunneling beneath the Mokelumne River. The access shafts for this crossing were constructed 50 and 35 feet deep through very dense sands and soft sandstone and siltstone. High groundwater and the immediate source of recharge from the river required watertight shaft construction methods. The shaft contractor, Drill Tech of Antioch, CA, used a brand new Bauer cutter-soil mixing (CSM) rig to construct the large shafts. The structural concept is similar to secant piles, but instead of creating cylinders of soilcrete, the CSM rig creates interlocking rectangular panels. This technology has been used previously in Europe, Asia, and Canada, but this was the first project to use CSM technology in the United States. Cutter-soil mixing technology has other applications beyond shaft construction, including retaining wall construction and levee reinforcement.

By Hans Lundberg

Magnetic methods have been used for more than three hundred years in prospecting for magnetic ores. More recently magnetic methods have been used for finding salt domes and studying certain geological formations. A number of instruments have been developed and substantial improvements made as to their sensitiveness and accuracy. Papers and articles written on magnetic methods are generally elaborate and technical, and the average prospector finds it difficult to obtain the necessary information as to how to operate the simple magnetic instruments to the best advantage. The miner's compass, dip needle, and inclinator are, indeed, very useful instruments and are easy to handle, and a great deal of valuable information can be gained if the instrument is properly operated and the results correctly interpreted. The lack of knowledge of the fundamental principles, however, has caused a great deal of disappointment. Other and more elaborate geophysical methods have recently come into the limelight, and the prospectors seem to have lost a great deal of interest in the dip needle. This is much to be regretted, because magnetic methods have a particular field of use. The present article is an attempt to help the prospector regain interest in the magnetic instruments and to show the use and application of a simple magnetic survey. If the prospector expects some useful help in his work, he must, of course, know the instrument, know how to take the readings, and know how to plot and interpret the observations.

Jan 1, 1929

My bets are on you, every time! But who is right? In the "cobalt issue" of our favorite magazine, January 1951, you stated: "By far the best immediate United States prospect for, large amounts of cobalt is the Blackbird mine of the Calera Mining Co., which is operating for Howe Sound Co., in Leinhi County, Idaho." In the March 1 issue of Saturday Evening Post, Ernest F. Mechlin, Jr., chief cobalt section, National Production Authority, states: "The Bethlehem Steel Co.'s Cornwall, Pa. ore bed is the principal domestic source." Maybe he should have said: "was the principal domestic source", or perhaps Howe Sound's Idaho cobalt is still in the prospect stage in Mr. Mechlin's opinion, perhaps in yours too. KATHARINE W. CARMAN GEOLOGIST 933 MICHIGAN AVE. EVANSTON, ILLINOIS Mr. Mechlin is correct in his statement that Cornwall is the principal domestic source of cobalt, but within the year, Blackbird production should greatly exceed that from Cornwall. Calera is expected to ultimately produce 3 million lb per year, whereas Cornwall averages 520,000 lb per year. -Editor.

Jan 1, 1952

Succession of Minerals and Temperatures of Formation in Ore Deposits of Magmatic Affiliations BY WALDEMAR LINDGREN (Tech Pub 713 10,000 words ) The paper presents data accepted by many geochemists and geologists regarding the succession of minerals and the temperatures of formation in ore deposits affiliated with igneous rocks It also presents the individual views of the author on the composition of the solutions that were active and on the mode of deposition He does not regard these views as speculations or hypotheses but as forming a well motivated and con¬sistent theory It is not certain, however, that all investigators will subscribe to them The mining engineer may not always be interested in the field of stability and tempera¬ture of origin in the mineralogy of ore deposits, but he certainly is interested in the succession of minerals because this has a definite bearing on the understanding of the ores and on the best processes of extraction The author, therefore, summarizes in plain language the principal features of succession as shown in metallic ores

Jan 1, 1937

ALEXANDER BURRELL Alexander Burrell, general manager of the Furnace Creek Oxide Copper Mining Co., and' a member of the Institute for 20 years, died suddenly at the Argo mine on Feb. 13, 1917. Mr. Burrell was one of the best known mining men in Montana. He was horn at Edinburgh, Scotland, Jan. 14, 1851, and came to Chicago with his parents in 1856. His father, who was a coppersmith, died soon after their arrival, and the ,son had few opportunities to gain an education in school, but was a natural student and was possessed of a liberal education acquired through self-teaching and through his constant reading and studying, particularly along scientific lines. It was this technical knowledge both of mining, and business, as well as his experience in the practical side of mining and his ability as an executive that won for him a high place in mining circles in Montana. As a very young man he worked as a miner in Illinois and later became an operator of a coal property. Subsequently he engaged

Jan 4, 1917

By Rosaire Emond

Le concept du forage horizontal a été développé voilà de nombreuses années. Différents types de plate-formes permettant le forage horizontal depuis une cheminée ont été conçus par divers manufacturiers ou opérateurs miniers. Entre autres, on connaît bien la griffe de montage Alimak à laquelle peut être fixée une plat-forme sur laquelle est montée une foreuse. En 1992, Ross-Finlay a développé sa propre plate-forme de forage qui à notre opinion améliore la flexibilité du concept du forage horizontal, en augmente la productivité et en diminue le coût d?ensemble tout en assurant une sécurité accrue des travailleurs. Tel que montré à la figure 1, la plate-forme employée à la Mine Kiena est composée d?un toit de protection contre les chutes d?objets et de deux passerelles de forage de forme carrée. Le toit et les passerelles sont fixées à une structure de 6.5 m de longueur équipée de deux assemblages de rouleaux (non montrés à la figure) permettant de faire glisser l?ensemble sur des rails Alimak. L?angle du toit et des passerelles peut être ajusté pour des cheminées dont le pendage varie de 65 degrés à 85 degrés.

Oct 1, 2001

By D. E. Wolfson, D. A. Reynolds, F. W. Smith

IN 1948 the U. S. Bureau of Mines began a three- phase program to evaluate the extent and quality of U. S. coking coal: 1) a factual appraisal of known recoverable reserves in beds of mineable thickness, 2) a study of preparation characteristics, and 3) a study of carbonization properties. A previous paper presented the methods used in assessing reserves.' Although this investigation is only partly completed, data on coking properties of the Pittsburgh district coals are now available. The results are presented in this article. When coals are selected for manufacture of metallurgical coke more factors must be considered than for any other major use, as no basic industry requires coal of such high quality and uniformity. This is particularly true in the Pittsburgh district, where blast furnace practice is based on use of cokes from high quality coals. Although it is true that inferior coals are carbonized in other industrial areas, both here and abroad, the Pittsburgh coals are the best economically obtainable in the required tonnages, even though they are not the most desirable for metallurgical use.

Jan 3, 1957

Jan 1, 1967

By S. K. Kawatra, R. A. Seitz

There is considerable variation in the types of coal flotation circuits in use in various parts of the world. For example, Russian plants frequently use scavenger flotation, while this is almost unheard of in the United States. The numerous circuit designs are intended to address specific problems in coal flotation, or to take advantage of the peculiarities of certain coal deposits. As a result, it can be difficult to decide which circuit is best for a given application. For this paper, coal flotation circuits were collected worldwide from many operating plants. These circuits include varying degrees of conditioning, and complexity ranging from simple rougher flotation to multi-stage split- stream processing. The design goals of each circuit are described, and the advantages and disadvantages of each are discussed. Extensive sampling campaigns were carried out in two plants with the most common types of coal flotation circuit (simple rougher, and rougher with deslimed feed). The performance of each plant was evaluated, and the benefits of more sophisticated processing in each case are described.

Jan 1, 1993

By J. D. Steenkamp

In 2002 the commissioning of an ilmenite smelter on the North Coast of South Africa was extended by three months due to the failure and subsequent replacement of the magnesia-based refractory lining. The lining failed due to the hydration of magnesia caused by an unexpected source of water. The incident resulted in significant financial losses and a prolonged insurance claim which was settled in 2009. As magnesia-based refractories are used extensively in both ferrous and non-ferrous applications, the authors of the paper want to share the experience gained from this incident with others. The paper reviews the literature available on furnace start-up practices and explains the hydration of magnesia using available sources. The incident is studied in more detail, both technically and economically, and the costs incurred are quantified in terms of the cost of the original lining. The paper concludes with lessons learned and recommendations made for future work. The intention of the paper is to stimulate open debate regarding best practices in preheating of furnaces lined primarily with magnesia. Keywords Commissioning, hydration, start-up, magnesia.

Jan 1, 2011

By Claudio Flores Martinez

The prospect of accomplishing economically and scientifically profitable deep-sea mineral mining within this decade or the next one is of particular interest to the emerging discipline of astrobiology which is concerned with the origin, distribution and future of life in the Universe. Several planetary bodies within our own Solar System such as Jupiter’s moon Europa and Saturn’s Enceladus now appear to be potentially habitable, or life-friendly, in terms of the three prerequisites for life as we know it: a sustained body of liquid water, biogenic elements (C, H, N, O, P, S) and energy sources to fuel metabolic reactions. Europa, for instance, possesses a global subsurface ocean, believed to be up to 100 km in depth, hidden beneath a kilometer-wide ice-sheet. A silicate mantle is directly interacting with a cold, aphotic ocean in which tidal forces might drive geological seafloor activity that results in the creation of hydrothermal systems. These locales are commonly hypothesized to be the cradles for an alternate origin of life on Europa. Especially alkaline hydrothermal springs, as found at Lost City, have been at the center of modeling the prebiological evolutionary dynamics preceding cellular life. Serpentinization-like reactions are also possibly fueling metabolic networks in putative microbial communities found in the oceans of the icy moos. Major space agencies around the globe are planning future space missions aimed at exploring and eventually characterizing potential life forms in these habitats. The technology needed for this exploration effort resembles the requirements for a successful deep-sea mineral mining industry: highly efficient AUVs (also equipped with biologically-oriented instrumentation), swarm robotics, landers, seafloor rovers and general high-pressure, cold temperature extreme environment engineering. Interestingly, science questions of deep-sea mineral mining and astrobiology converge too: the hypothesis of life originating at hydrothermal systems, the biogeographical distribution of species among these environments, adaptations of extremophilic organisms across the three domains of life and adequate autonomous robotic systems to assess the complexity of deep-sea biological communities. This presentation attempts to present a two-fold view of advanced planetary exploration that relates to a sustainable vision of deep-sea mineral mining: charting our oceans and developing technologies least harmful to endemic biology can propel the design and prototyping of future robotic planetary probes bound for aquatic missions on alien moons. Space industry, government and public interest towards a broadened planetary perspective on deep-sea mineral mining is promoted by addressing an astrobiological rationale of this endeavor.

Sep 1, 2014

By Yunnen Chen

In the present study, waste materials like pine sawdust and spent grains were investigated to assess their potential for removal of cobalt ion from water by the process of biosorption. The effects of solution pH, reaction time and initial concentration were studied in batch experiments. The removal efficiency of Co(? ) by spent grains was higher than that of pine sawdust. The initial removal was rapid and equilibrium was established in less than 90 min. Equilibrium data all agreed well with both Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models for the two metal-biomass sorption processes. Good correlation coefficients were obtained for the pseudo second-order kinetic model. Pine sawdust and spent grains were shown to be promising biosorbents for Co(? ) removal from aqueous solutions.

Jan 1, 2010