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By Agus Sasmito, Akash Adhikari, Srivatsan Jayaraman Sridharan, Purushotham Tukkaraja

Previous studies on blast fumes(CO + NO2) clearance and workplace re-entry time have overlooked the effects of toxic gases entrapped in the muckpile. The currently available models forcalculatingthe mine re-entry times assume that all post-blast fumes are emitted upon detonation. However,recentstudies reportedthat as much as 60% to 70% of the fumes or gases produced during an underground development blasting couldremain entrapped in the adjacent rock mass or in the muckpile. Entrapped fumes are slowly released,and when disturbed, high concentrations are released, representing a possible risk during the digging and transportation of the muckpile. This study uses CFD, SC-Flow software to understandthe behaviorof the entrapped fumes and theireffect on mine re-entry time.

Feb 1, 2020

By H. J. van Antwerpen

AngloGold Ashanti operates the world`s deepest mine, Mponeng gold mine, in South Africa. A vast refrigeration and ventilation system provides acceptable working conditions 3800m below surface at 60°C rock temperature. In such a system, optimisation and assessment of modifications becomes very difficult. With that in mind, a research project was launched to determine whether recently developed system simulation technology can be applied to a mine as vast and complex as Mponeng. Using the techniques and methods as implemented in FLOWNEX software, it was indeed proven to be possible to do a mine-wide combined simulation of compressed air flow, ventilation air psychrometry and refrigeration water systems. Interactions between the various streams included heat transfer, pressure drop, evaporation and condensation. The simulation model was used in a parametric study to test various water flow and temperature operating points for the refrigeration system. It was found that, given current limitations, the mine refrigeration system is running fairly close to optimal but with some opportunities for improvement. The simulation model also provided useful insight for future changes or extensions to the system.

Feb 23, 2014

By A. Üçyildiz

Magnesium borates of varying compositions and properties are synthesized using different reagents and methods for the possible potential uses as termoluminescent material, anti-wear and anti-friction additive, fire retardant, catalyst for the conversion of hydrocarbons, whisker material and ferroelastic material. In the current work, the conditions for synthesizing MgB4O7 compound by high-temperature solid-state reactions were investigated using boric acid and magnesium oxide as the starting materials. The MgO:B2O3 mole ratios applied in the experiments were 1:1, 1:2, 1:3 and the thermal behaviours of each mixture were studied between 25~1200°C by TG/DTA analyses under static air atmosphere to find out the probable formation temperature of MgB4O7 phase. Considering TG/DTA results, freshly prepared boric acid and magnesium oxide solid mixtures were heated at predeter-mined temperatures and the phases were identified by XRD analyses. Accordingly, MgO:B2O3 mole ratio of 1:2, heating temperature of 950°C and a reaction time of 2 hours were selected as the optimum conditions for the formation of maximum amounts of MgB4O7. After obtaining solids prepared at the pre-determined optimum conditions, their chemical composition, IR spectrum, TG/DTA pattern, B.E.T. surface area value, particle size distribution and SEM images were deter-mined to point out the possible use areas. Experimental results showed that it was not possible to obtain pure product at the optimum conditions due to formation of minor amounts of t-Mg2B2O5 and the presence of some unreacted B2O3. The product synthesized has the potential for use as a corrosion inhibitor on some metal surfaces.

Jan 1, 2014

By W. Abdellah

Underground mine developments, such as haulage drifts and cross cuts, play a vital role in providing access to ore extraction areas for mine production. The stability of mine developments is thus of crucial importance during the life of a mine plan. Many Canadian mines use longhole mining methods or one of its variants. These methods require access to the orebody through mine developments such as haulage drifts and cross cuts on multiple levels. This paper examines the stability of mine development access intersections with respect to the planned mining sequence. A case study, the #1 Shear East orebody at Vale?s Garson Mine in Sudbury, Ontario, is presented. A three-dimensional, elastoplastic, finite difference model (FLAC 3D) was created for a development intersection situated 1.5 km below ground surface. The stability, or performance of the intersection, is evaluated in terms of the strength-to-stress ratio. The ratio threshold is set at 1.4 for temporary openings. Unsatisfactory performance is defined as a strength-to-stress ratio less than this threshold value. The performance of the intersection stability is evaluated at various modelled mining stages and the probabilistic method of analysis is then invoked to study the probability of unsatisfactory performance of the intersection. The results are presented and categorized with respect to probability, instability, and mining stage.

Aug 1, 2013

By Richard H. Singleton

Native asphalt was produced in 1980 by six companies in four States. Leading States were Texas and Utah. Output decreased 22% in 1980 to 1.25 million tons while value decreased 2% to $25.0 million. Bituminous limestone was produced by Whites Uvalde Mines and by Uvalde Rock Asphalt Co. in Uvalde County, Tex.; by Southern Stone Co. in Colbert, Ala.; and by Barton County Rock Asphalt Co. in Barton County, Mo. The product was used mainly in street and road repair. Gilsonite was produced by American Gilsonite Co. in Uinta County, Utah, and by Ziegler Chemical and Mineral Corp. in Weber County, Utah. This material was used for purposes other than road repair.

Jan 1, 1981

By Earl T. Hayes

This paper briefly reviews the laws enacted in the United States governing the coal miner. It discusses amendments to the Coal Mine Safety Act and describes the provisions of the Metal and Non-Metallic Mine Safety Act.

Jan 1, 1969

By S. D. Irons

With the passage of recent national and state legislation aimed at tighter regulation of air pollution and smoke control, attention has been focused on a problem which has long confronted the coal industry--the disposal of coal waste with its inadvertent ignition. Even as recent as 1935, a decision from the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas confirms the stand taken on control of burning coal refuse disposal areas. "The uncontroverted testimony is that there is no feasible method of operating a coal mine without a gob pile on the surface, as no use has ever been found for this troublesome by-product of mining; that every large coal mine has a large gob pile close to its tipple; that sooner or later these piles all ignite through spontaneous combustion; that practically every large mine in Western Pennsylvania has a burning gob pile, and that there is no known means of averting such a fire." 19* As a result of the past "no regulation policy," there are presently on the order of 500 burning refuse banks, of which 213, 142, and 49 are found in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Kentucky, respective¬ly. 18 Many of these refuse banks have burned for 40 years or more; many others may continue burning for a like period. It is estimated that the annual emission from these smoldering piles approaches 183,000 tons of pollutents which may produce many deleterious effects on the populace, property and vegetation in the proximity to the sources.16 To date, little progress has been made in alleviating the pollution from the currently burning refuse banks; however, numerous investigators who are researching the causes of ignition, as well as preventative disposal techniques (refuse compaction, layering and crushing to finer sizes) have met with some success in handling the newly discarded coal refuse.

Jan 1, 1967

A. Bement, Chicago,Ill. (communication to the Secretary*):— Formerly it was the general practice of engineers to designate coal that is free from moisture and ash as " combustible," notwithstandirig that it contains oxygen and nitrogen. The origin of this practice was more particularly due to the requirements in connection with boiler-testing, which demanded a consideration of that portion of the fuel which took part in the combuition-process because results based on a unit of either moist or dry coal were not comparable, since both moisture and ash were recognized as variable quantities. Thus, a pound of " combustible " became a standard of value, and was treated as a constant before employing measurements of heating-power and calculating therefrom the percentage of efficiency. The recognition of this term " combustible " was an advance to be credited to the engineer rather than to the chemist, because the latter, not having to do with the interpretation of analyses in practice outside the laboratory, usually saw no reason for reporting results in terms other than those of the moist-coal composition. Some years ago I needed a table of fuel-composition in terms of moist, dry, moisture-free and ash-free coal, and of the combustible components. This table required the use of the word combustible in its proper sense, for the purpose of designating carbon, hydrogen, and sulphur, instead of including these three elements with oxygen and nitrogen, to which aggregate the term combustible was formerly applied. To make such a tabulation involved either the use of the inconvenient and cumbersome term, "ash- and moisture-free coal," or of some other representative term, and for this purpose I adopted the expression pure coal, which is short, simple, convenient, and technically correct. It is also harmonious, because it agrees

Jan 1, 1909

By Deborah McCombe

"and Bill Roscoe, Consulting Geologist and Principal with Scott Wilson Roscoe Postle AssociatesMineral property valuations are carried out for a variety of reasons, such as mergers and acquisitions, non-arm’s length transactions, initial public offerings of stocks, support of audited financial statements, fairness opinions, determination of vendor considerations, litigation, expropriation, income tax matters and insurance claims.The CIMVal Committee was formed in 1999 to review and advise on approaches to the valuation of mineral properties. CIMVal is a special committee of CIM formed on the recommendation of the Mining Standards Task Force of the Toronto Stock Exchange and the Ontario Securities Commission.After solicitation of views and consultation with various interested parties, the CIMVal Draft Standards and Guidelines for Valuation of Mineral Properties were released for comment in February 2002 and were finalized in February 2003. CIMVal’s objective was for the standards to be used by the mining industry in general and to be adopted by Canadian securities regulators and Canadian stock exchanges. To that end, the standards contain many of the definitions and concepts of National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, which came into force in February 2001.The intent of the CIMVal Standards and Guidelines is that mineral property valuations be carried out by appropriately qualified individuals and that all relevant information be fully disclosed. It consists of two parts: standards, which are mandatory in the valuation of mineral properties, and guidelines, which elaborate on the standards and provide guidance and recommendations for the valuation process and for reporting."

Jan 1, 2003

By Sungdon Kim, Chuljoo Kim, Joonsoo Kim, Hosung Yoon

"This study was performed to establish the optimum leaching condition through the experiments for the oxidized roasting followed by leaching of fluorocarbonate rare earth mineral (bastnasite) using sulfuric acid, and to establish the optimum condition for the recovery of cerium by ion- sieve method from the leached solution of bastnasite. The optimum conditions for the sulfuric acid leaching by the oxidizing roasting of bastnasite concentrates are that the roasting temperature is 550 -600 °C, the roasting time is 2 hrs, the concentration of sulfuric acid is 6N, the leaching temperature is S0°C and the leaching time is 3 hrs. At this time, the leaching yield of total rare earth oxides in the leaching of bastnasite concentrates is about 91%. When cerium is recovered by ion-sieve method from the solution obtained by the sulfuric acid leaching of the roasted bastnasite, the optimum conditions are that the TREO(total rare earth oxide) of leached solution is below 70 g/l, the flow rate of leached solution is 9.6 ml/min and the ratio of height to diameter of resin packed in column is above 9. In these conditions, the recovery of cerium of yield 85% and purity 96% is possible.IntroductionThe rare earths are generally called to Lanthanides, which are totally 17 elements including Scandium of atomic number 21 and Yttrium of atomic number 39 in addition to 1 S elements from Lanthanum of atomic number 57 to Lutetium of atomic number 71. Since the separation to each element is very difficult because of their similar chemical properties, the rare earths were used as the mixed rare earths and the mischmetal without separating to each element. However, the high purity rare earths are recently produced commercially to each element so that they are used as the materials for high tech. industry such as electric and electronic materials, catalysts, optical materials, special alloy and 8Uperconductive materials, and their consumption is rapidly increasing. Therefore, the purpose of this study is firstly to prepare leached solution by using the series of process of the oxidation-roasting and leaching by sulfuric acid. Next, second purpose is the separation and recovery of cerium by ion-sieve method."

Jan 1, 1998

By R. P. King

Knowledge of the behaviour of flotation machines had developed and increased considerably over the last few years. Although much work remains to be done on the study of the fundamental processes that influence the collection of hydrophobic particles at an air-water interface, there is enough information to permit the building of realistic models of the gross flotation behaviour of various ores. These models serve as an ideal base for the development of simulation techniques for the steady-state behaviour of entire flotation plants that consist of a large number of individual flotation machines. Simulation techniques have a very real role to play in assisting with the design of new plants and in improving the operation of exisiting plants. Recently, highly efficient data-logging systems have been introduced on flotation plants. These systems are based on the on-line measurement of volumetric flowrate, pulp densities, and metal contents, and they generate enormous quantities of information regarding the operation of the plant. Unfortunately, this information is largely wasted at the present time because efficient data-reduction techniques, although available10 are not in common use. Simulation techniques play a central role in such data reduction because they form the essential link between the fundamental kinetic flotation processes on the one hand and the plant data on the other.

Jan 1, 1974

By E. P. Youngman

This paper is one of a series of digests of foreign mining legislation and court decisions that is being prepared in advance of a general report relative to the right of American citizens to explore for minerals and to can and ore rate mines in various foreign countries. This interpretation of the mining laws of the Irish Free State has been prepared from the best available material in Washington and is released subject to amplification and correction, if necessary, by American foreign-service officials. INTRODUCTION This paper is based upon the mines and minerals act, 1931, enacted by the Legislature (Oireachtas) of the Irish Free State (Saorstát Eireann), December 22, 1931, the lull title of which is "An act to establish a board to perform functions in relation to mines and minerals, to authorize the making of lenses of mines and minerals belonging to or vested in Saorstát Eireann, to name provider for facilitating the working of other mines and minerals and, for imposing restrictions on the working of minerals required for the support of buildings and works, to amend the law with respect to mines, and for other purposes incidental to the matters aforesaid.'

Jan 1, 1933

By Charles R. Keyes

A COMPLETE transformation has taken place in the boras industry during the year 1908. A most remarkable factor in this radical change in method of producing the crude borates has been its removal from the realm of industrial chemistry to the field of mining. With the development of extensive deposits of borate-minerals interstratified in thick sequences of Tertiary clays and sands, their winning becomes a strictly mining-enterprise, of the same kind and of the same certainty as the digging of coal or iron-ore. The major supply of the world's production of commercial borax now comes from the United States. While formerly all of the boric salts of commerce were laboriously extracted from the waters of saline lakes of the arid regions, or from the bottom-salts of desiccated ponds, it later was largely slowly leached from ancient desert shales and clays. During these periods the borax industry was a very hazardous and expensive vocation.

Oct 1, 1909

By J. W. Horne

The United States Bureau of Mines in cooperation with the State of Colorado at the University of Colorado has conducted experiments to determine the amount and composition of the non-condensable gases evolved when crude shale oil is distilled under pressure. Hydrogen sulphide is one of the components found in the complex mixture of Gases produced by the distillation of shale oil under pressure. This paper deals with the apparatus and method used in determining the amount of hydrogen sulphide evolved in the laboratory experimental cracking stills. The study required a complete extraction of all the hydrogen sulphide from the gas stream after it left the water-cooled distillate condensers and before the gas stream entered the charcoal absorber for removing the light naphtha. In devising the method it was necessary to take into account a constant variation of velocity, pressure, and percentage of sulphide in the total gas stream coming from the still. Ordinarily, the quantitative determination of hydrogen sulphide in gas is made by analyzing small samples taken at regular intervals. This estimation can be accomplished by use of the Bunts gas burette as modified by Tutriler, or by a similar method. In the industries where the flow of gas is constant and of uniform composition, this practice is sufficiently accurate for plant control. For experimental work where many variables have to be taken into consideration, as in the case at band; these methods are not applicable.

Jan 1, 1931

By AIME AIME

ELECTRICAL methods of geophysical exploration attracted major attention at the three sessions devoted to geophysics on Monday and Tuesday. At the opening' meeting Monday morning Hans Lundberg gave the paper by himself and Folke Kihlstedt; he described the use of the Racom, discussed last year, and the method whereby it is possible to eliminate all but subsurface, effects in electrical exploration. In the discussion Theodor Zuschlag pointed out some of the theoretical considerations behind the field procedure. Karl Sundberg's paper on the effect of impregnating waters was presented by title only, and S. F. Kelly then gave an abstract of a paper on the electrical properties of ores, by J. J. Jakosky, R. N. Anderson and Clyde H. Wilson. , This dealt with an exhaustive series of laboratory tests on the variation of -conductivity of ore specimens with the frequency of the energizing current, and of the effect of moisture content in typical clays and gouges on their conductivities at various frequencies. Considerable discussion was provoked during which the authors came in for some-criticism on their measuring circuits and for their assumption that a solid conductor could be compared with linear ones. They were praised, however, for making a start toward a compilation of resistivities for ores and rocks. Dr. Slichter disagreed with them that the conductivity of an orebody was primarily capacitive. He also called attention to the fact that it was high time geophysicists adopted the standard physical expression of ohm-,centimeters or ohm-meters to express resistivities. This same point was the burden of the next paper,. "Uniform Expression for Resistivity," by Sherwin F. Kelly, presented by title only.

Jan 1, 1932

By Earl L. Rau

Although the Sagasca deposit has been known for 76 years, the property was never put into successful operation because of various adverse factors including low market price for copper, legal entanglements, unsuccessful financial arrangements, and an inadequate metallurgical process. Late in 1963, Continental Copper & Steel Industries, Inc., obtained legal control of this property. Since that time there has been a concentrated effort to complete the necessary mine appraisal, process development, and engineering design, and to solve the legal and financial problems to bring this property into production.

Jan 1, 1970

By R. Wensel

A composite material consists of two or more dissimilar components. These dissimilar components retain their identities when mixed together and contribute to the properties of the composite. A composite usually consists of two parts, the matrix and the reinforcing material, or extender that is added to the matrix. Typical materials used as the matrix in composites are metals, polymers, and ceramics. The reinforcing material can be added for any number of reasons. For instance, if the matrix is expensive, an inexpensive filler may be added to the matrix to lower the cost of the product without sacrificing properties. An example of this is calcite (CaC03) which is added to systems such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), to lower the cost. Reinforcements may also serve as a means to enhance the properties of the matrix material. For example, carbon fibers are frequently added to plastics to increase their strength, and glass spheres may be added to plastics to improve flexural strength. Mg(OH)z is added to polymers to give the property of fire retardancy. The latter is the focus of this paper.

Jan 1, 1995

By R. R. Klimpel

The grinding of coal-water slurries has received increasing industrial attention during the last decade. In particular, there is long-term interest in the use of pulverized coal-water slurries to replace oil in combustion equipment and the development of coal gasification/liquefaction processes which require coal-water slurries as feed. More specifically, the use of coal-water slurries in gasification requires grinding a high density slurry containing the smallest amount of water consistent with slurry pumping and spraying. As part of a fundamental engineering research support program aimed at the industrial implementation of dense coal-water slurry grinding, this author has published several papers on how specific rates of breakage vary as a function of slurry rheology, Klimpel (1982, 1982/83). These papers demonstrated that there is a consistent pattern of change in specific rates of breakage of coal in dense slurries with controlled variations in slurry rheology. By matching rheological data with laboratory grinding results, it was possible to identify directly slurry conditions that correspond to: (1) slowing down of breakage rates, (2) the occasional acceleration of breakage of some sizes, and (3) conditions where chemical additives will increase rates of breakage.

Jan 1, 1990

By W. S. Hargratt

THE present era of exploitation of the Little Long Lac and Sturgeon River areas commenced in 1925, when Beardmore Gold Mines started development of what is now the property of Northern Empire Mines. A shaft was sunk in 1927-28 and a very limited amount of underground work was carried out, following which the property was shut down. It remained idle until 1932, when Empire Star Mines, a Delaware Company, optioned the property. This Company formed the Northern Empire Mines Company, Limited, to operate the mine, and immediately instigated an aggressive programme of surface and underground development. By the summer of 1933, sufficient ore was indicated to justify the installation of a small mill. The decision was also reached to bring in electric power. A power-line was built from Hydro, the Ontario Power Commission's development on the Nipigon river, to the mine, a distance of approximately 50 miles. This work was entirely financed by Northern Empire Mines. Mill construction was commenced in October, 1933, and completed by March, 1934, thus making this mine the first producer in this district.

Jan 1, 1940

By M. Waladan

The top submerged lancing Sirosmelt system has been developed through laborator.y scale testwork and pilot plant trials for recovery of zinc from ISF slag. The effects of the process variables of gas injection rate, method of coal feeding, and temperature on zinc fuming rates were studied in the laboratory. It was found that the rate of zinc elimination was dependent on all of these variabl.es. The rate of zinc removal from slag was independent of zinc content of slag down to approximately 1.5% Zn, below which the rate was proportional to zinc content in slag. Pilot plant trials were carried out to evaluate a proposed process and results followed predictions from the laboratory scale tests. A comparison of the proposed process with conventional slag fuming operations is made and it is shown that the process has a number of advantages which have a significant impact on the economics of zinc slag fuming.

Jan 1, 1990