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By Harry Thompson

In using explosives to blast stumps from the ground in order to prepare it for farming, it is comparatively easy to place the charge under a stump having a semitaproot or a lateral system of rooting by boring or digging a hole in the earth to a point under the center of resistance and deep enough to give the desired effect.1

Jan 1, 2015

By H. E. Heide

"Before the war, the United States was the world’s leading consumer of tin, the industrial applications of which had become widespread. Domestic production was negligible, and requirements were met almost entirely by imports, principally from British Malaya, United Kingdom and China. Average annual imports for the years 1925-1929 amounted to 78,009 long tons.With the advent of war in Europe and signing of the Japanese-German pact, it was realized that foreign sources of supplies were threatened, and steps were taken by Congress to forestall critical shortages of tin and other minerals. These steps in regard to tin included stock-piling, improving reclamation and conservation, increasing South American production, constructing a smelter in the United States for treatment of tin, ores, and intensifying the search for domestic tin deposits. Annual imports were raised to 140,873 long tons by 1941. On 1945, annual imports had shrunk to 37,675 long tons and consumption had been reduced to 52,100 tons of primary and secondary tin but not tin content of scrap alloy.The Strategic Minerals Act, passed by the Congress in 1939, authorized the investigation of domestic tin deposits.As Alaska had supplied virtually all of the domestic output of tin, an investigation of Alaska deposits was undertaken in 1940 and 1941 by J. B. Mertie, Jr., and Robert R. Coats of the Geological Survey.The Lost River lode tin mine on the Seward Peninsula was examined by H. E. Heide of the Bureau of Mines in 1942. Possibilities for developing a significant amount of tin appeared favorable, and exploration of the ore bodies was started in August 1942."

Jul 1, 1946

By Y. Lizotte

The purpose of this paper is to describe a stochastic simulation program used to assess several dispatching rules applicable to small scale computerized systems for optimizing truck/shovel productivity. The system studied is semi-automated with a dispatcher communicating instructions by two-way radio. The simulation program is structured on an advance clock approach which enables the insertion of dispatching rules at various points in the haulage net- work. The rules tested include minimize shovel idle time, maximizing immediate truck use and assigning trucks to shovels to meet specific production objectives. A variation of the traditional "Match Factor" is implemented to maintain fleet balance throughout the shift. A mine case study demonstrates how the dispatching rules increase productivity of such semi-automated dispatching systems. Practical problems involved in the implementation of small computerized dispatching systems are also discussed.

Jan 1, 1986

By R R. Wainwright

Friction-type hoists have been in operation at Geco Mines Limited since Septtember, 1957. At the end of the year 1963, the skip hoist had handled nearly ~ million tons of ore and waste. In March, 1962, with the deepening of the shaft, the hoisting de11th was increased from 1,450 to 2,450 feet. Operating experience with the hoists, hoist and balance ropes, rope treads and other related equipment is presented. The paper is intended to supplement an earlier one -"Heavy-Duty Friction Hoisting at Geco Mines," by W. M. Harvey (C.I.M. Transactions, Volume LXIII, 1960, pp. 193 -197). General G ECO Mine Limited is located at Manitouwadge, Ontario, approximately 160 miles east of Port Arthur and 190 mile northwest of Sault Ste. Marie. The Company was formed to exploit a copper-zinc-silver orebody, with current ore reserve (1963) of approximately 21 million tons. The production plant was designed to mine and treat 1.25 million tons per annum. The production and service hoists are mounted at-the top of a reinforced concrete tower above the shaft.

Jan 1, 1965

By David Porter, Nathan Rouse

The implementation of presplit blasting has been widely utilized in open pit and underground tunneling. This case study works through the iterative process of developing a heading drill and blast design to control overbreak and limit backbreak in cut and fill headings. The initial design was based on rule of thumb parameters, and the design was then modified for the field conditions based on results. Throughout the design process the drill profile, explosive charge, and timing were modified to yield the best profile compared to design. Data collection during the design process was extensive to best understand the effect of modifying parameters, and gauge performance of design changes. Input from the miners as well as engineers was considered to allow for the best possible adaptation of the design change from existing practices. During the process resistance to change was realized and accounted for to understand the issues that the miners were facing and how to best address them while ensuring high quality blasting. Workforce buy- in was addressed by illustrating the long term benefits of higher quality blasting and the tradeoff of with a slightly more in depth drill and loading cycle.

Feb 6, 2023

By Fred Pena

The VERTIMILL has proven itself to be a reliable performer in heavy duty industrial applications. Applications have been extensively used in the mining industry, flue gas desulfurization applications, and industrial minerals field. The machine is a vertically stirred machine that utilizes a screw operating in a grinding media. Grinding media types have ranged from several sizes of steel balls as the most common to pebbles or ceramic media. Mesh-of-grind and final product size are the determining criterion for the selection of the media size used. Product size consists have ranged from very coarse to super-fine grinds of less than 25 microns. Savings in consumption of power, grinding media, and liners when compared to a conventional ball mills, have been realized. Savings in consumption of reagents have also been demonstrated.

Jan 1, 1992

The importance of proper planning, preparation, and execution of a steady state sampling campaign for metallurgical plant assessment must not be underestimated. Careful planning can increase the amount and reliability of information from an optimum number of samples and fully utilize available plant data. It requires specification of the data required, determination of run duration sampling frequency, the selection, modification and testing of sample points and cutters, as well as organisation and briefing of plant and sampling personnel. Preparation immediately prior to sampling, the conduct of the sampling campaign itself and procedures to handle the collected samples and information are discussed. Cutter design, fabrication and use are described in detail, and typical sampling situations, for ball mills, classifiers, pipes, launders, flotation cells and thickeners are considered individually. Measurement of pulp flow rate can often resolve difficult mass balance problems, and discussion of convenient techniques is included.

Jan 1, 1976

By P. Wearden, K. Bryner, K. Vrana, V. Castranova, R. Dey, R. Reist, J. Blackford

INTRODUCTION Proliferation and enhanced synthesis of collagen by pulmonary fibroblasts have been shown to be key steps in the development of chronic silicosis (Goldstein and Fine, 1986). The regulation of lung fibroblast proliferation by cytokines released from alveolar macrophages may be an important pathogenetic mechanism in the development of the fibrotic process (Kelley, 1990). One cytokine, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), promotes fibroblast proliferation by inducing the movement of quiescent (Go) cells into the C1 phase of the cell cycle (Chen and Rabinovitch, 1989). Others regulate the rate of transition of fibroblasts from Gl into the S phase (Leof et al., 1982). These two classes of cytokines have been termed, respectively, competence and progression factors. One approach used to examine the release of cytokines from macrophages is the fibroblast proliferation assay in which fibroblasts are exposed to culture supernatants from macrophages exposed to various stimuli. In most of these assays, the supernatant contains fetal calf serum which provides the competence factor(s) necessary to facilitate the proliferation of fibroblasts (Bitterman et al., 1982; Bitterman et al., 1983; Elias et al., 1988). Recently, a fibroblast proliferation assay using plateletpoor plasma (lacking competence factor(s)) as a substitute for fetal calf serum has been described (Kuman et al., 1988; Bauman et al., 1990). In this assay, the release of a competence-inducing PDGF-like growth factor from rat and human macrophages can be distinguished from other cytokines that act as progression factors. In order to obtain more consistent results and with the ultimate goal to be able to discriminate between the effects of competence factors as opposed to progression factors, we have conducted experiments to determine the appropriate concentrations of plasma and PDGF required for imparting competence in the fibroblast proliferation assay. We tested lung fibroblast cells obtained from explants of rat lung tissue and also a fetal human lung fibroblast cell line obtained from American Tissue Culture Collection (ATCC153). MATERIALS AND METHODS Fibroblasts Specific pathogen-free, male Sprague-Dawley rats were use in some studies. Animals were given a lethal intraperitoneal dose of sodium pentobarbital. Fibroblasts were isolated by chopping the lung in enzymes that digest the connective tissue but liberate lung cells for further study (Rabovsky et al., 1989). After digestion, the remaining lung tissue suspension was filtered through two layers of sterile gauze and centrifuged to recover lung fibroblasts. These were resuspended in culture medium that contained 10% fetal calf serum and distributed to culture plates for growth. In other experiments, a human fetal lung fibroblast cell line, obtained from American Type Culture Collection, Rockville, MD, 20852, was used instead of rat lung fibroblasts. In these cases, a 1 ml ampule containing human fetal fibroblasts was plated into a tissue culture flask containing medium plus 10% fetal calf serum. For both types of fibroblasts, culture medium was changed 3 times per week and cultures were incubated at 37°C until confluent. Harvested rat and human lung fibroblasts were quantified using an electronic cell counter equipped with a cell sizing attachment (Coulter Electronics, Inc., Hialeah, Florida). Tritiated Thymidine Incorporation The basic procedural outline of Kumar et al. (1988) was used with modifications to evaluate tritiated thymidine incorporation into fibroblast DNA following exposure to PDGF and plasma. Both rat and human lung fibroblasts were plated at 50,000 cells/ml at a density of 250,000 cells/25cm2 culture plate. Cells were quiesced for 4 days with 2% rat plasma. As the assay was refined, fibroblasts were quiesced in plasma-free media for 48 hrs, since the mitogenic activity of 2% plasma was variable. Test medium was applied for a period of 6 hrs, followed by a 24 hr tritiated thymidine (lµCi/ml) labelling period in plasma-free media. Medium alone was used as a negative control and media with 10 or 20% fetal calf serum was used as the positive control for rat and human fibroblasts, respectively. Cell Quantification and Measurement of Mitogenesis Twenty-four hours after the addition of tritiated thymidine, the fibroblasts were washed with 5ml of fresh serum-free media, centrifuged and resuspended in phosphate-buffered saline. The cells were dissolved in 0.5m1 of O.1N NaOH and radioactivity determined in a beta counter. Incorporation of trititaed thymidine as an index of DNA synthesis was expressed as DPM/fibroblast. RESULTS In the present study, we quantified mitogenic potential by monitoring the incorporation of tritiated thymidine as

Jan 1, 1991

By Peter Broad

"Extracting any metal, especially specialty metals and rare earth elements, requires an in-depth analysis of the costs and potential revenue as well as a due diligence study of other stakeholder interests. Rare earth projects are generally in the billion dollar US range or above, and thus failure to accurately predict any loss of revenue caused by impurities within the product or additional effluent treatment costs can destroy an otherwise viable study. Two prime sources of input impurity are considered: impurities in the material feed and from reagents. The effect of these impurities factor on both the product (in reduced revenue) and on residual “tailings” that may incur additional unforeseen costs.INTRODUCTION“Truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident” – Arthur SchopenhauerThe era of unscoped, unbudgeted construction ended about 150 years ago. Today’s engineer must design with confidence; but do so amidst proprietary secrets and unfamiliar pollutants, which present a myriad of interesting challenges. Is it possible to build a viable rare earth plant to a realistic budget, without destroying that which we cherish? Some see this as contradictory but in reality it is the only viable option.WHEN GOOD PROJECTS FAILWithout rare earths the Copenhagen agreement might be null and void. Running a wind turbine with a 30 tonne conventional magnet requires some hefty engineering and prohibitive investment. Despite their ‘Green metal’ applications, production of rare earths have created environmental nightmares, as Folger stated in 2011 when visiting Baotou, or has Jaing Mainheng who has been quoted by Ambrose Evans-Pritchard 6 Jan 2013. This comment is not a criticism of China; the details are from a 2012 white paper published by the Chinese Government that initiated a $6 billion environmental clean-up. Nor is China unique; other plants have had problems as well. There were toxic leaks in the 1990s from Mountain Pass, and the Mitsubishi Bukit Merah Plant (built in Malaysia in 1958) required a $100 million clean-up."

Jan 1, 2016

By R. Burrell, N .. L. Lapp

"Except for asthma and pulmonary infections, the types of lung disease that have been of immunologic interest the longest are the various mineral pneumoconioses. Because of their chronicity, type of pathology produced, and well-known immunotoxic properties associated with the dusts inciting them, the pneumoconioses have long drawn attention to the possibility that the immune system has not only been modulated but that its effectors have possibly contributed to their pathogenesis. All of the mineral dusts reviewed here have definite immunomodulating properties and act on various cellular and molecular components of the immune system. Further, each has an immunotoxic potential to induce either hypersensitivity (as in the case of beryllium) or other types of immune injury. This article reviews the immunologic aspects of the four major occupational minerals that have an immunologic impact on the lung: asbestos (particularly chrysotile), silica or quartz, beryllium, and coal mine dust.These agents have many things in common, yet each is distinctive. Although the possibility still exists that these mineral particles can adsorb intrinsic tissue antigens or extrinsic organic antigens to their surfaces and initiate immune responses to the adsorbed antigens, only one, beryllium, can act as an antigen itself. Silica is a profound macrophage toxin and thereby exerts many effects on those factors controlled by macrophages. Asbestos has undergone the most immunologic studies resulting in a much dearer picture of how it may contribute to immunopathology. Coal mine dust is the agent about which least is known immunologically, partly because there is no such thing as purified coal mine dust or a standard by which coal mine dust can be defined. Indeed, there are studies that use only the dust from the ground coal itself, whereas other studies use the total dust collected from air samples of a working mine in the belief that other types of dusts (e.g., silica from roof bolt drilling, from sand ground on the rails by cars, and from surface drilling) contribute to the disease (Figs. 1 to 5). This properly is coal mine dust and is poorly characterized. Yet, workers exposed to these dusts share similar reactive characteristics and they may be considered collectively as well as individually."

Mar 1, 1992

By G. V. Fernandez

Sociedad Minera Cerro Verde S.A.A leaches secondary copper sulfides. In recent years, the mine has introduced innovations that have improved the management of mineral crushing, agglomeration, curing, and leaching. The crushing plant, for example, uses the concepts of degree of balance and percentage of time in an operationally balanced state which, displayed in real time, facilitate more intensive and uniform utilization of the crushers. High agglomerate quality is ensured with the correct dose of moisture, which is adjusted to the changing characteristics of the mineral through the use of electrical conductivity measurements. The amount of acid used for curing the agglomerate is also adjusted by using quality control information. Finally, the stockpile irrigation regime is managed using the criteria established by the "Lixiviant Request Rate", which optimizes the addition of leaching solution, creating such benefits as faster recovery, and reduced acid and energy consumption.

Jan 1, 2007

By A. E. Fiorato

A test program was conducted to evaluate use of high-strength concrete in drilled shafts (caissons). The objective of the program was to determine if internal temperatures developed during cement hydration, or other characteristics of high-strength mixes, affect in-situ strength and stiffness. This paper covers strength results. Two 10-ft (3.0-m) diameter by 40-ft (12.2-m) deep caissons were constructed using two different commercially available high-strength concretes, a "low-heat" and a "high-strength" mix. Measured 6x12-in. (150x300mm) moist cured cylinder strengths at 56 days were 13,690 psi (94 MPa) for the "low-heat" mix and 17,130 psi (118 MPa) for the "high-strength" mix. Compressive strengths and moduli of elasticity of cores taken from the caissons were compared to those of companion cylinders made during casting of the caissons and stored in a moist room. Strengths of 4x8-in. (100x200 mm) cores taken at four ages and tested between 34 and 398 days averaged 81% of strengths of 6x12-in. (150x300 mm) moist cured cylinders at corresponding ages. In-situ (core) strengths of the caissons did not appear to be measurably affected by temperature. However, the data indicate that core strengths were sensitive to level of consolidation, as reflected in entrapped air voids. Overall, the results indicate that high-strength concretes can be used in drilled shaft (caisson) foundations.

Jan 1, 1991

By Carlton E. Brown

This report contains information on the relation between and precision or reproducibility of counts (light-and dark-field) of the dust in liquid from simultaneous impinger, midget-impinger, electric-precipitator, and filter-paper samples. The impinger was the main sampler used from about 1922 to 1939 by industrial hygienists in the United States for collecting samples of unhygienic dust from the atmospheric environment of workers. The midget-impinger, a small modification of the preceding impinger described in 1937, has been the sampler used most since about 1939. Electric precipitators5/6/ have been used to a limited extent, mainly by the Bureau of Mines in the laboratory, for obtaining results comparable to impinger results. A filter-paper sampler for obtaining results comparable to impinger results has been described by Brown. All these samplers have a high collecting efficiency for particles larger than 1 micron in diameter revealed by the usual light-field counting procedure. However, their collecting efficiencies are quite variable for the smaller particles revealed by the dark-field counting procedure used in this study. Published information on the relation between the results of these samplers is limited and scattered. Summaries of some of this information are given in this report along with some previously unpublished information.

Jan 1, 1949

By M. Fan, A. Hobert, W. van Dyk

Low flotation recovery and selectivity have been long-standing problems in the treatment of most ultra-fine phosphate ores. This paper investigates the improved flotation of two ultra-fine Brazilian phosphate ores from Itafos’ Arraias project. These ores are predominantly composed of quartz, muscovite, apatite and a Ca-Al phosphate. As a result of fine phosphate dissemination and associated grinding requirements, column flotation was selected for the metallurgical test program to address the inherent limitations of fine particle flotation using conventional flotation cells. Accordingly, both benchtop Denver cell and laboratory column flotation tests were conducted to optimize their respective flotation responses. Improved flotation performance was achieved using column flotation as compared to benchtop mechanical flotation. In column flotation, a P2O5 concentrate grade of 30.5-31.0% was yielded at a flotation recovery of 83.7-85.1% for the 38x0µm generated ultrafines. The benefits of Eriez’ column flotation technology realized from this study include a higher degree of selectivity, increased recovery, and reduced collector dosage as compared to bench-scale mechanical flotation.

Mar 2, 2022

By Garforth W.

The chairman announced the new government duties of the out-going President, Sir Thomas Holland, and the formation of a new standing committee on mining to advise the Advisory Council for Scientific and Industrial Research on suitable projects for grants. Some of the potential lines for investigation into the best methods of winning and presenting coal in the best commercial condition include wasteful practices in operating steam boilers, national loss due to neglecting recovery of coal by-products, and the leaving of large areas of coal for fear of spontaneous combustion or as boundary pillars and support

Dec 1, 1916

By P. J. Dunlop

THE object of this paper is to present a brief survey of the work done and the results obtained in controlling dust at the Hollinger Consolidated Gold Mines milling plant. The plant includes all primary and secondary crushing, grinding, and treatment operations. The major items of equipment are: (1) Underground Crusher Plant 1 48 in. by 60 in. jaw crusher, crushing run-of-mine ore to minus-6-in. Rate: 420 tons per hour (2) Surface Crusher Plant 3 No. 772 gyratory crushers 3 4 ft. by 16 ft. trommel screens 4 No. S gyratory crushers Reducing ore to rninus-172-in. Rate: 420 tons per hour (3) Roll Plant 5 sets of 62 in. bJ: 24 in. rolls 7 5 ft. by 10 ft. v1bratrng screens Delivering a minus-3/16-in. finished product Rate: 420 tons per hour (4) Grinding Plant 4 7 ft. by 15 ft. low discharge grate ball-mills 4 12 ft. reciprocating rake classifiers Rate: 4,800 tons per 24 hours Maximum capacity: S,800 tons per 24 hours

Jan 1, 1939

By Walter W. Bradley

AT ONE TIME OR ANOTHER and in greater or less amounts, gold has been mined in at least 40 of California's 58 counties. It may not be inappropriate, by way of introduction, to give a brief historical statement relative to her production of the yellow metal. The presence of gold in the gravels of San Gabriel, San Francisquito, and other streams near Los Angeles, was known and they were worked in a small way by the Indians, at least as early as. 1841' and possibly 1820. -On March 2, 1844, Don Manuel Castanares, deputy for California to the Congress of Mexico, reported' to his government that placers near Los Angeles had yielded up to December, 1.843, a total of 2000 oz. of gold dust, most of which had been sent (via Mexico) to tile United States Mint at Philadelphia.

Jan 1, 1932

By C. J. B. Dreyer

In terms of resources of amphibole asbestos only South Africa can be considered. There are only two asbestos producing fields, one in the Northern Cape Province producing only crocidolite and one in the Eastern Transvaal producing only amosite. The banded ironstone sequence in which amphibole asbestos occurs is discussed, and the genesis of the fibre is briefly reviewed. The properties and characteristics of amphibole asbestos are discussed and compared to those of chrysotile. Approximately 300,000 tonnes of amosite and crocidolite are produced annually. Crocidolite has a potential for a fivefold increase of production, which could be sustained beyond the year 2000. An estimate of the resources of the various producing fields in South Africa is made. Mining methods are reviewed and evaluation techniques discussed.

Jan 1, 1978

By G. S. Jenkins

The statistics set forth by Professor Mitchell in a proceding paper very carefully brought out the points that indicate that a marked amount of consideration must be given to" the haulage problem to adapt it to local conditions as encountered. Professor Mitchell's paper showed a spread of from 10 tons per man to 50 tons per man on the production crews, which spread can be recognized as entirely too large when one considers that the product is being sold at a price within very close limits. While a portion of this spread may be explained by different methods in cost accounting as to what employees are applicable to the production crew, it cannot all be blamed on an accounting method. A good portion must be explained by the improper application of equipment to the needs incurred by the local conditions. It is in an endeavor to go into this phase that this paper is given. It will be necessary to qualify the points covered in order to keep the subject from becoming too wide in scope. Along this line, conditions will be only those involved in bituminous coal mine practices and only the haulage of coal that is loaded with mobile loading machines in seams 4 ft thick and better. Haulage Methods Employed The Consolidated Coal Co. (Illinois) has been operating on a modernized basis for about 20 yr. By modernized we mean the loading of coal with mobile loading equipment. In review of haulage methods, it must be remembered that the main line electric haulage locomotive has been in service for some 40 or jo years. To augment this main line haulage, the mule did a quite satisfactory job during hand-loading days, but was later replaced by the gathering locomotive, either battery or cable-reel operated. This type of haulage was the method in common use at the time the mechanical loading of coal became of major importance and the success or failure of loading machine installations may be largely accredited to haulage facilities in the early days; that is, in the period around 1930. The Consolidated Coal Co. had its struggle with this problem beginning in about 1927 or 1928. We were somewhat fortunate in that we were already using gathering locomotives powered by storage batteries at the time we introduced mechanical loading. This meant that we did not have to spend as much time training motormen and trip riders as many mines did that utilized only mules for their secondary haulage. This was all advantage, and our efforts could be focused on ways and means of providing adequate car service to the loading machine. Like most operations, we endeavored to gear the car service to the capacity of the machine, with a large crew endeavoring to load the maximum tonnage that the machine would handle. Toward that end our first move was to install switches

Jan 1, 1949

By Satyajit Vaidya, Rudolph Frizzi, Sandy Larimer

"This paper presents a case history in design and construction of a deep foundation system that included high-capacity open-ended driven piles constructed to support a high-rise building in Manhattan, New York. The project site is bordered by existing buildings, active streets, and critical public transportation infrastructure, which were considered in the new building’s deep foundation and seismic design. This paper focuses on driven pile foundation design and installation through relatively loose soil deposits. Unique design aspects included seismic design considerations, and pile splice design for open-ended steel pipe piles subject to significant uplift and lateral loading. Unique construction aspects included quality assurance of open-ended steel pipe pile splices, and uplift and lateral load testing of driven piles installed in close proximity to other foundation elements installed for the project.SITE CONDITIONS AND SUBSURFACE CONDITIONSThe project site is located in Manhattan, New York, and is bordered by existing buildings, active streets, and critical public transportation infrastructure that is located about 60 feet from the site. The existing sidewalk grades around the site are between about el 4 and about el 13; elevations are referenced to the North American Vertical Datum 1988 (NAVD88).Subsurface conditions at the site generally consist of successive strata of historic fill, former river bottom deposits consisting of compressible clayey soils, and medium dense to dense sand, overlying mica schist bedrock. A generalized subsurface profile is shown in Fig. 1. The historic fill stratum is about 10 to 45 feet thick, and generally consists of loose to medium dense sandy soils with varying proportions of silt, gravel, and miscellaneous debris such as brick, concrete, and glass fragments. The underlying former river bottom deposit stratum is up to about 15 to 20 feet thick, and generally consists of very soft to very stiff clay and lenses of very loose to loose sand. Medium dense to dense sand was generally observed below the historic fill and former river bottom deposit strata and overlying bedrock. Top of bedrock was generally observed at about 80 to 105 feet (i.e. at about el -75 to el -100), except in the southeastern portion of the site where the top of rock was observed as deep as about 140 feet (i.e., at about el -135). Groundwater levels typically ranged between about el 1.5 and el -0.5."

Jan 1, 2016