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Coal is of tremendous importance for the Czechoslovak econ- omy. The current annual primary energy demand being about 109 million tons of standard fuel (1 ton of standard fuel - 7,000 coal = 29,308 GJ), coal satisfies almost two thirds of our fuel consumption. If compared with the distribution of resources in the world's fuel and energy pattern, the situation in Czechos- lovakia is significantly different, as shown in Fig. I. One of the causes behind the difference is that the Czechoslo- vak oil and natural gas reserves and, hence, their production are insignificant, so that it is necessary to import them. Brown coal will continue to play an important role as a prin- cipal domestic source of primary energy even in the future. While the share of nuclear power is increasing, brown coal represents strategic reserves in the fuel and energy balance.

Jan 1, 1989

By J. E. Nelson, R. J. Bonnis

Recent completion of Cyprus Bagdad's $240-million modernization and expansion program has registered a 700% increase in ore production with only a 50% increase in labor. Elements of this remarkable achievement include the application of large-scale mining equipment as well as the selection of the latest in processing hardware. Most important, however, was the early recognition that Bagdad's labor personnel is its most important asset.

Jan 4, 1978

By Richard D. Lang

The paper provides an overview of the activities which culminated in the decision to construct a major diamond mine in the north west of Australia. It presents a broad summary of the geological, mining, processing and marketing work which has been required to bring the project to the construction phase. The implications of the development for the world industrial diamond market are also discussed.

Jan 1, 1985

By B Mennie, R Poedjono, G Coad

PT Freeport Indonesia operates a large copper and gold mining operation near Tembagapura, Papua (formerly, Irian Jaya), Indonesia. This is a remote location with its own set of unique operational characteristics. The mining and concentrating operations typically produce a concentrate containing 2500 tpd of copper and 6000 oz of gold per day from the combined mining of a 45 000 tpd (ore) block cave operation (DOZ Mine) and a 190 000 tpd (ore) open pit mining operation (Grasberg Open Pit). The Grasberg Open Pit mine will be exhausted in 2015 at which time FreeportÆs operations will entirely underground mining methods. The Common Infrastructure Project (CIP) incorporates the elements required for the shift to underground mining at a production rate approaching 200 000 tpd. The AB Adit portion of the CIP will provide deep level access to the Grasberg Block Cave (below the Open Pit), Kucing Liar, Big Gossan, and the Mill Level Zone orebodies. Commencement of the project was September 2003. The Grasberg Block Cave is planned to start production in 2014. This paper provides details on the project scope, innovative contractual framework, advancement of mining methods throughout the life of the operation, equipment selection, manpower selection, training, geological, and socio-political conditions related to the project.

Jan 1, 2005

The purpose and current practice of cable trusses in underground coal mines is briefly outlined and details of various cable truss designs are presented. The main part of the paper describes the in-situ performance of cable trusses installed as secondary supports in gateroads and recovery roads of longwall coalfaces. The performance analysis is based on the results of in-situ monitoring carried out at a number of sites at two underground coal mines within Australia. Truss performance has been assessed as load developed in relation to roof convergence, face position and time. Additionally, the influence of strata conditions, installation pattern/density, roadway layout and geometry have been taken into account. An analytical model has been developed to predict truss loads. The principal variables are listed and the basis of the model is described. Based upon behaviour observed in the field the model has been progressively upgraded and validated against measured performance. Guidelines on truss performance and factors which influence it are presented and the implications of these to the use of cable trusses is discussed. Possible methods for improving truss performance in certain strata conditions are outlined and some comments are made on the value of cable trussing compared to cable bolting in these situations,

Jan 1, 1992

By D. L. Langhans

Platinum-group metal (PGM) converter matte from the Stillwater Complex, MT, was subjected to chemical and biological leaching in an effort to upgrade the matte by decreasing the Cu and Ni content. Copper and NL extractions were optimized in a two-stage chemical leach. Atmospheric pressure sulfuric acid leaching removed over 90 pct of the Ni and Fe in the first stage, while 95 to 98 pct of the Cu was removed is the second stage using an acidified cupric chloride leach. This two-stage leach, followed by an elemental sulfur removal step, decreased the weight of the matte by 90 pct. The combined Cu and Ni content was reduced from 65 pct to less than 20 pct, while the PGM content was increased from less than 2 pct to 26 pct. Biological oxidation using Thiobacillus ferrooxidans also proved to be an effective method for removing Cu and Ni. Over 90 pct of the sulfide was oxidized and 99 pct of the Cu and Ni were solubilized, leading to a 60 pct reduction of sample mass during the 17 week bio-oxidation of the Stillwater converter matte. The final residue, after removal of jarosite that accumulated during bio-oxidation, contained less than 3 pct combined Cu and Ni and 6 pct MM.

Jan 1, 1993

By Othoniel Galarza A

El presente trabajo analiza la productividad actual en la minería, a partir del bajo rendimiento personal encontrado en la mayoría de minas subterráneas. Es decir, no se logra superar la tonelada por persona, mientras que en otros países, se alcanza una eficiencia de varias toneladas. En este sentido, las empresas nacionales no pueden mantener una posición económica competitiva en período de bajas cotizaciones de metales, delimitándolas a explotar minerales de alta ley. Así, se deja sin explotar cantidades de mineral valioso que difícilmente pueden recuperarse. Para ello, se evalúa los factores que determinar la reducción de productividad y se plantean soluciones a partir de la actividad presente a través de la elaboración de un programa piloto de capacitación permanente que mejore e incremente la productividad de la industria minera.

Nov 20, 1978

By Albert E. Long

This paper presents a description of the operational mechanics involved in block-caving a granodiorite-capped, limestone deposit. This method was used for 24 years at the Crestmore mine, near Riverside, Calif., which was operated by the Riverside Cement Co. as a source of raw material used to manufacture a portland cement. The Crestmore mine is the only place where a block-cave method has been used to mine a limestone deposit. Structurally, limestone is relatively strong, and it is not usually considered to be a substance amenable to mining by block caving. It is therefore a credit to the engineering department of the Crestmore mine that it developed a satisfactory, relatively efficient method of block-caving a structurally stable rock. In the discussion, covering the methods applied to produce about 7.9 million tons of limestone and granitic rock materials by block caving, particular emphasis has been placed on an assessment of (1) physical properties of the deposit, (2) ground pressure and support, (3) methods used to induce fragmentation and maintain cave action, (4) surface and subsurface subsidence, (5) secondary blasting of oversize, (6) production rate, (7) safety, and (8) the advantages and disadvantages of the cave method as applied to this specific limestone deposit.

Jan 1, 1958

By Félix Lewandowsky

El presente texto describe las actividades para corregir los pasivos ambientales heredados y asumidos bajo responsabilidad de la Compañía Minera Colquirrumi S.A. Para ello, se elaboró un plan de cierre de los cuatro depósitos de los relaves de Hualgayoc donde se busca mostrar los criterios utilizados, los estudios de ingeniería y la forma cómo se ejecutaron las obras de cierre definitivas de los depósitos de relaves.

Jan 1, 2015

By Frieda Saicla Barros

Argamassas feitas com cimento são comumente usadas para revestimentos de paredes, pisos e tetos. Para proteção radiológica, estas argamassas são acrescidas de pó de bário, elemento atenuante contra radiações ionizantes. Este trabalho tem como objetivo principal comparar argamassas usuais utilizadas como revestimento de paredes com a argamassa baritada, cuja finalidade é proteção radiológica em ambientes sujeitos a radiação ionizante. Com base no objetivo proposto, estabeleceu-se a metodologia do trabalho constituída das seguintes etapas: caracterização dos materiais constituintes das argamassas por meio dos ensaios de análise química por fluorescência de raios-X, análise granulométrica, determinação das densidades experimental pelo método de pesagem e medição volumétrica manual dos corpos de prova, moldagem dos corpos de prova das argamassas normais e argamassa baritada (material comumente utilizado para proteção radiológica), avaliação das propriedades mecânicas e avaliação da atenuação da radiação X utilizando o programa Xcom. Por meio deste programa, foram simulados os coeficientes de atenuação em massa das composições, gerando curvas de atenuação, no intervalo de energia estimado a cada 0,01 keV. Em função destas curvas de atenuação em massa, verificou-se o desempenho das argamassas comparando-as com outros materiais desenvolvidos e com materiais de referência (chumbo).

Aug 8, 2018

By Clay Haynes, Tim Pearia, Robert Robinson, Judy Cochran

A 1.89 km-long, 4.5 m-I.D. tunnel was successfully constructed through saturated hard clay, and highly abrasive dense sand and gravel, with groundwater heads ranging from 10 to 20 m. In order to address these conditions, a Lovat earth pressure balance TBM was used, with soil conditioning by foam, water and various polymers. Support was provided by a single-pass segmented concrete lining. Groundwater inflows of 400to 1,600 lpm at times created challenges for changing cutting tools. Surface settlements were generally less than measurement thresholds, except under very low cover at startup. This project provides a pivotal case study of the successful application of EPBM technology in saturated, abrasive glacial soils and the successful application of soil conditioners.

Jan 1, 2003

By G. P. O’Malley, A. N. Nikoloski

One of the most promising options for extraction of copper from low-grade chalcopyrite ores by heap leaching, however, chalcopyrite is refractory and suffers slow leaching kinetics and poor overall extraction due to formation of a passivation layer on the particles. The solution composition is believed to strongly affect the formation of this layer. This paper examines the effects of the major cationic species of Fe3+/2+, Mg2+, Cu2+, and Al3+ and the anionic SO42− species in acidic ferric sulfate media with a composition simulating recycle heap leach conditions. It was found that altering the sulfate, iron or aluminium concentration had significant effect on the copper extraction, the concentration of copper slightly influenced the extraction, and the amount of magnesium had no appreciable effect. Also, iron and aluminium caused a change in the sulfate concentration, and the sulfate ions had the greatest influence on the extraction of copper under recycle leach conditions

Jan 1, 2023

By R. Y. Williams

In the United States, fully 98 per cent. of the anthracite and bituminous coal tonnage obtained from underground operations is mined by the room-and-pillar system. Under this system, the total cost of the coal f. o. b. railroad cars contains as its greatest single item the money paid for "labor." Each labor dollar in an average bituminous mine may be subdivided into 85 c. paid for work done inby the gathering turnouts (including all work at the face), and 15 c. outby that point (including all work in and under the tipple). In an average anthracite mine, the corresponding figures are 70 c. and 30 c., the larger breaker force accounting mainly for the difference between these and the bituminous figures. The next largest single item after "labor" is usually "supplies and power;" and a division of this item inby and outby the gathering turnouts shows somewhat the same relative proportions as has been noted under the case of "labor". During the past 10 years, the chief advances made in the coal industry have been to obtain economies through complete mechanization covering that portion of the work which lies outby the gathering turnouts. These results have been accomplished by applying scientific principles to railroad yard layout, to cleaning and sizing machinery, to dumping facilities, to roller-bearing haulage equipment, and to heavy-rail, well-ballasted trackage. But these improvements, while gratifying in their resulting economies, apply only to 15 to 30 per cent. of the important cost items. Obviously, then, the big problem before the engineers of the coal industry today has to do with the methods of mining and the layout inby the gathering turnouts. Four years ago, Weston Dodson & Co., Inc., determined to have an exhaustive study made of the conditions which must be met in order to gain complete face mechanization, and in order that such a mining layout would be based on correct underlying principles. The result of that study, which was made by the writer, led to the adoption of a method of longwall mining wherein the roof is worked on the caving system and is supported as an overhang along the face by steel jacks.

Jan 1, 1928

By J. T. Sims, C. E. Karayannopoulos

Today's rare earth industry is undergoing significant and rapid evolutionary change toward greater reliability and diversity of supply, increased security of supply chains, and better price forecasting. Technology innovation is reducing rare earth production costs while decreasing the impact of producers on the environment. Advances in rare earth material science are reducing the need for relatively scarce heavy rare earths (HREEs) in high-performance neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB) permanent rare earth magnets and opening the NdFeB magnetic market space for a broader range of downstream applications. Rare earth producers such as Molycorp are increasingly able to offer long-term supply agreements with forward price predictability, something that has not been the case for many years. All of these trends are helping to restore the confidence of customers and other stakeholders in the rare earth space. That increased confidence is likely to bolster global demand for rare earth materials and expand innovative utilization of these remarkable materials.

Jan 1, 2014

By Florian Kongoli

New operating conditions and process parameters are often necessary in today's industrial practice of non-ferrous smelting and converting in order to accommodate various new chemical compositions of mineral charges and environmental requirements or to conceive new and more efficient industrial technologies. An important parameter in non-ferrous smelting and converting is the liquidus surface of multicomponent slags. This surface is affected by multiple factors such as temperature, gaseous potentials, the content of each component in the slag, etc., and cannot be quantified by the existing ternary liquidus diagrams. In this work a new type of representation of the liquidus surface of multi component systems has been presented by means of a thermodynamic model. This representation waives the need of the multidimensional representation of multi component systems and yields practical two-dimensional diagrams, which can be easily used in the industrial practice.

Jan 1, 2000

By Napier-Munn T. J, Morrison R. D, Moloney M. J, Corrans I. J

A dynamic simulator for CIP / CIL gold recovery plants has been developed at the Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre within a collaborative, industrially - funded AMIRA project and with the participation of the Western Australian School of Mines. The simulator incorporates kinetic models for the leaching of gold from ore and its adsorption onto activated carbon, and the residence time distributions of the leach liquor, pulp solids and carbon in the circuit. Features of the simulator include the effects of gold loading distributions on both the ore and carbon on reaction rates, and the difference in residence time distribution between the leach liquor and pulp solids. The simulator allows for the estimation of kinetic model parameters from full scale applications, as well as some scale - up of parameters from laboratory batch tests. The laboratory tests were conducted at the WASM as part of the collaborative research project. The simulator can operate in both steady - state and dynamic modes, and has potential applications in design, optimisation and control of CIP / CIL plants.

Jan 1, 1991

By J. C. Stankus

How to quantitatively identify the loads on a square/arch set is a complicated issue in designing the square/arch set in an intersection/entry. From an engineering perspective, understanding the nature and support mechanism of standing support such as a square/arch set can not only help design the support structure to maintain the roof stability, but save the steel materials and costs of manufacturing, labor, and delivery. Based on the design practices in recent years and successful applications in slope bottom intersections, the authors are confident that the concept of interaction and confinement effect between the steel square/arch set and surrounding rocks is critical in designing a proper steel structure to support an intersection/entry. This paper will detail the design concept and its applications in several underground slope bottom intersection designs, reaching the goals of improving roof stability and reducing costs.

Feb 23, 2014

By M. D. Lawton

Anglo-Rouyn Mines Limited, managed by Rio Algom Mines Limited is a subsidiary of the British-based Rio Tinto-Zinc Corporation Limited. This mining operation is situated in Northern Saskatchewan, 250 miles north of Saskatoon and represents the first base-metal mine of any importance served by this relatively new mining province. The outcrop of Copper-bearing Chalcopyrite was first discovered by prospectors in 1915, but was not mined until 1965 due to the absence of any form of road into the area prior to this latter date. The mine, mill and concentrator were designed to handle 900 tons per day of comparatively hard, abrasive ore containing chalcopyrite with traces of gold and silver. The flow sheet, Figure 1, is, we believe, elementary, designed with low cost in mind and utilises much old equipment from closed¬-down mines. Due to some difficulty in attaining the designed grinding capacity, changes were made in the crusher circuit. This, unfortunately, lowered the crushing rate too much. A series of changes have taken place to re-establish the original crusher capacity of better than 100 tons per hour. In the quest for a better recovery certain modifications have been tested in the concentrator circuit. These steps are discussed in minor detail.

Jan 1, 1970

C. P. SANDBERG, LONDON, ENG : † I think we should all be grateful to the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, and to their chemist, Dr., Dudley, for spending so much time and money in order to solve an important question ; nor are we less indebted to the public spirit which leads them to impart the experience thus gained. In Europe nothing similar has hitherto been done, either by a company or by any private individual. In England the great railway companies employ their engineers in other ways, and do not keep a chemist or specialist to study rails; but even if they did they would probably not publish the results. The chief professional engineers are so occupied with their private practice of railroad construction generally, that they cannot be expected to devote their time and energies to so special a question. The German Railway Union has, in my opinion, missed the real object of its elaborate researches by falling into the error of specifying costly, impracticable tests for rails-tests at the same time which do not infallibly expose the impurities that may be in the rails under examination. There has, therefore, been nothing done on this side of the Atlantic in the way of exhaustive study to determine the best composition for steel rails. America should consequently have full credit for the enlightened example which she has set. I wish, however, to make a few remarks on Dr. Dudley's second paper, a paper which follows very much upon the same lines of argument as the first read three years ago, upon which I have previously touched in my paper on the same subject read at the meeting in August last. If Dr. Dudley had discovered a new metal he could hardly, I think, have taken more pains to prove that he was correct in his first formula for the best chemical composition of steel rails. But I have seen so much done in the way of proof by experiment that I am inclined to think that almost anything can be proved by experiments and by samples. If Dr. Dudley would only give up his formula, which would not suit any country-not even America- * For the convenience of members it has bees thought best to insert the continuation of this discussion at the Virginia meeting in tide place, rather than to delay its permanent publication until the issue of Volume X, Transactions, where it would properly belong. T. M. D., Sec'y, † Sent to the secretary in manuscript.

Jan 1, 1881

By A. Azizi, P. Blatter, A. Bouajila

ABSTRACT In-situ monitoring of gold dissolution by means of a rotating electrochemical quartzcrystal microbalance unveiled dramatic decreases in gold leaching from sulphide-rich ore after 360 minutes in an actual cyanidation circuit. Pre-oxidation was effective in enhancing gold extraction by preventing a passive film from forming on gold surfaces. This work aims to highlight efforts undertaken to determine (1) how gold cyanidation is limited by passivation, (2) what reactions and mechanisms are involved during sulphide-rich ore cyanidation, and (3) how peroxidation efficiency of an industrial sulphide ore is controlled by galvanic associations between its sulphide constituents.

Jan 1, 2013