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By J. R. Allan

Loki Gold Corporation of Vancouver, B.C. is developing the Brewery Creek Mine, an open pit heap leach gold mine, 55 km East of Dawson City in Yukon, Canada. Mineable reserves are 17.1 million tonnes of ore grading 1.45 grams/tonne, containing 24.8 tonnes (797 000 oz) of gold. Ore processing will employ a cyanide heap leach using run of mine ore. Permitting this mine has drawn significant attention because the heap leach technology, while proven in other jurisdictions, has not been used in Yukon. Engineering design of the heap leach was similar to that for heaps in more temperate climates, with the added issues of permafrost and cold weather operations. Solution balance with seasonal placement of ore and year -round leaching requires very large pond capacity for spring thaw conditions.

Jan 1, 1996

By H. C. George

IN 1901, the United States produced 69 million barrels of crude oil, which was 41.4 per cent of the world production. By 1931, these figures were 850 million barrels and 62.1 per cent respectively, showing over this period of thirty years an increase in the world production of 718 per cent. Over this same period, the increase in the demand for technically trained men in the industry was much greater than the increase in crude-oil production. This was because much of the increase in production was secured by the application of geology and physics to the finding of new oil fields and by .the development of engineering methods and equipment incident to drilling and producing from much greater .depths.

Jan 1, 1934

By K. Thirumalai

Rock response to heating depends on properties of rock material and varies widely between different rock types. By dissipating energy, surface melting limits rapid heating and fragmentation of rocks achieved by surface heating methods. This study advances a concept of rock fragmentation by rapid internal heating of a localized inner volume of rock. The working of the method to achieve fragmentation of rocks (Charcoal granite and Dresser basalt) having poor response to surface heating is analyzed. Experimental data on elevated temperature rock properties required for the study are presented. Based on the properties of test rocks, a high frequency (50 MHz) dielectric heating method of generating localized internal heating was selected for experimental study. The test rocks were fragmented without melting under localized heating below 600ºC. The heated volume required for fragmentation was observed to be less than 2 percent of the test block volume. A practical application of the method for in situ fragmentation of rocks is suggested.

Jan 1, 1971

By E. C. Wright

THIS paper describes some properties of steels in the composition range 0.10 to 0.30 per cent carbon and 1 to 7 per cent chromium. It is well known that some steels of this type develop high tensile strengths upon receiving comparatively simple heat treatments, such as ordinary air cooling from appropriate temperatures, with "or without subsequent tempering treatments. These high strengths are frequently associated with unusual toughness as measured by the Izod or Charpy impact test. The chromium content, in addition to imparting the above properties, enhances the resistance to corrosion and improves the strength and oxida-tion resistance at elevated temperatures. Moreover, these steels have good forging and fabricating properties, as evidenced by the fact that several thousand tons of seamless tubing have been made during the past five years from steels containing 0.10 to 0.25 per cent carbon and 5 per cent chromium.

Jan 1, 1933

By M. Giralico

Optimized mixer settler designs will now handle flows of over 25,000 GPM. The size and expense of the equipment hamper experimental settler optimization efforts. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is a timely and predictable tool for settler design development. In the past, CFD has been used to evaluate only the flow field in pumped and auxiliary tanks. A similar numerical analysis is used to evaluate settler flow and phase separation. Phase separation is analyzed using multiple species for the aqueous and organic phase. Experimental validation shows good agreement between the computational and experimental solutions in both flow field and phase separation. The computational model is used to show performance differences between various choices of settler geometry, liquid depth, with variable flow rates. Understanding the differences allows the development of optimized settler designs. System improvements are predicted to lower entrainment levels further and/or allow new smaller footprint designs. This paper focuses on the major design components of the settler and how future technological advances will lead to further improvements in their design. LIGHTNIN?s new designs will handle tomorrow?s production requirements, while maximizing profits.

Jan 1, 2003

By Greg Bold, Mahmood Khwaja, Yuannian (Jerry) Wan, Michael S. Schultz, William Simcoe

Beaver Creek Clean River Project will satisfy the consent decree requirements by capturing and treating combined sewage overflows. The project consists of, approximately, 2,700 feet of 30-inch trenchless pipe installation, a new screening/disinfecting facility, an expansion of an existing diversion structure, and a 72-inch internal diameter, 530-foot long mined tunnel. The tunnel portions are being progressed as early release packages. This paper presents the geotechnical exploration program and the subsurface conditions encountered; interpretation of the geotechnical conditions; and, approach to developing stand-alone packages for the tunnels to mitigate construction and schedule risks and continue to advance the project.

Jun 13, 2021

By Nigel Saunders, Zhanli Guo

"Quench sensitivity of heat-treatable aluminium alloys is closely related to the precipitation process taking place during quenching. Faster cooling results in less precipitation of coarse phases during cooling, leaving more solutes in the solution before ageing. An alloy in such state would be of greater hardening potential as larger amounts of hardening phases may precipitate out during ageing. Hence, to understand the quench sensitivity of an alloy, it is essential to understand its precipitation process. Precipitation is a diffusion-controlled process and the diffusion is made complicated by the so-called quenched-in vacancies. These vacancies form during solution treatment, become “excess” when temperature goes down, and annihilate during the following cooling and ageing treatments, making diffusion now a function of both temperature and time. This paper first investigates the formation and annihilation of quenched-in vacancies and their effect on diffusion. The diffusion affected by quenched-in vacancies is considered in the kinetic models to realise the calculation of TTT/CCT diagrams for aluminium alloys. The calculated CCT diagrams have been used to explain the observed quench sensitivity and age hardening behaviour of various commercial alloys. The transformation from GP zones to other hardening phases during ageing is also discussed.INTRODUCTION The heat treatment of aluminium alloys mainly consists of three stages: a solution treatment at an elevated temperature, quenching from this solution treatment temperature to room temperature, followed by an ageing treatment to allow the precipitation of strengthening phases(Davis, 1993).The following statements generally describes how quench sensitivity is observed in heat-treatable Al-alloys: faster cooling results in,(i) less precipitation of coarse phases formed at high temperature during cooling, (ii) more solutes kept in solution before ageing, and (iii) larger amounts of hardening phases being formed, i.e. a greater hardening potential. Thus, the quench sensitivity of an alloy is closely related to its precipitation kinetics."

Jan 1, 2018

By Pilon CG, Deakin RC

It is proposed that a waste rock dump be constructed on slopes consisting of soft colluvium and weathered Chim Formation mudstone at the Porgera Gold Mine, in Enga Province, Papua New Guinea (PNG). Geolog- ical, geomorphological and geophysical investigations were conducted in support of geotechnical studies to assess the physical character of the 6km2 site. Geomorphological studies focused on the extent and nature of colluvium cover and landslide activity. Detailed ground traverse mapping resulted in classification and delineation of eight terrains and seven material types. Seismic refraction and resistivity profiling, combined with drilling, provided subsurface data. Results were presented as standard profiles, coloured contoured sections and plans. Subsurface features, including deep colluvial channels, buried cliffs, slump blocks and buried alluvial channels, were identified. Results of the combined investigations allowed designers to model the colluvium/ bedrock surface and identify critical areas of deep, mobile colluvium and weak bedrock. A design approach was developed which accounted for the morphology of landslide systems and distribution of colluvium types.

Jan 1, 1991

By Michael S. Wieland

"Toxic fumes cause fatal andnonfatal incidents in underground mining, where the working environment tends to trap the fumes, hindering the restoration of non-harmful conditions. Workers can underestimate the residual fume toxicity and return to the work site too quickly. The toxic fumes from charge explosions depend upon a number things: formulation ingredients, mixture uniformity, water resistance, hole contaminates, rock hardness, and dust interactions. Transitory hole-to-hole waves can cause partial desensitization, ruin the reaction kinetics, and worsen the fume toxicity.Traditionally the toxic fume hazard for a candidate explosive is resolved from a requisite tally of fume components. The resolution starts with the fume spectrum, a tabulation of specie concentrations, transformed to standard reference conditions and readjusted to remove the air dilution. The resultant influence, which is referred to as relative fume toxicity RFT, is deduced by a formula rule with some chosen constants and the requisite concentrations. The RFT result is normally compared to an RFT criterion that represents the worst-case (maximum) tolerable fume toxicity, as stipulated by regulations or otherwise."

Jan 1, 1997

By M Hopkins, A Mutale, A E. Vidal da Silva

The Cliffs Nickel Mine extracts a narrow near vertical nickel vein using a mining method of underhand bench stoping with paste backfill. In 2014, at a depth of 400 m below surface, the Northern block of the mine began to experience squeezing within ore development. At first the deformation was localised, within 30 m of the stoping front, but later became pervasive extending across the Northern block and resulting in a hiatus in mine production. The global mechanism is a progressive pillar failure, where the inter-level pillars in advance of the production front could no longer withstand the induced load and progressively yielded. The local mechanism of failure was observed as crushing of the massive sulphide ore and ‘punching’ of the pillars into the ultramafic hangingwall exhibited as floor and sidewall dilation and unravelling of the mafic footwall. The cause of the global mechanism was attributed to a combination of factors, including: high overall extraction ratio, small vertical pillar heights between ore development, high stress in relation to the low rock mass strength, shallow stope front angle, and insufficient ground support capacity. Following the progressive failure, the remnant rock mass conditions across the northern block were severely degraded, with numerous falls of ground that led to a reassessment of the mine plan. Recovery of the Northern block started in 2016 as a staged process. Development of the safe recovery work methodology involved a number of considerations, such as: production sequencing, development access design, ground support, and development of specific procedural controls. The Northern block was then broken into smaller mining precincts based on tactical factors such as location, ease of access, scale of rock mass damage and nickel content. A specific ground support standard and work methodology are employed, while cycle sheets are used to ensure quality and completeness of work. Large intersections showing signs of deformation have either been bypassed or treated using Rocprops to maintain stability during stope production. This approach has been successful in safely regaining access and restarting production in areas that had previously been removed from the mining reserve.

Mar 15, 2021

By Kenneth Seaver

Discussion of the paper of KENNETH SEAVER presented at the San Francisco meeting, September, 1915, and printed in Bulletin No. 105, September, 1915, pp. 1913 .to 1927. J. W. RICHARDS, South Bethlehem, Pa.-This paper concerns a very large industry, and an important detail in that industry. Within sight of where I live in Bethlehem, Pa., are coke works in which $2,500,000 was lost by the use of improper bricks in the coke ovens. This was the fundamental reason of the failure of the plant. The old ovens have all been torn out and replaced by new ovens built of proper bricks. This may emphasize the commercial importance of this subject. When speaking about coke-oven brick, the first thing that comes to my mind is how important it would he if it were possible to. get a brick of better heat conductivity. The heat for coking coal has to go through the thickness of the brick. The silica brick used has low heat conductivity as compared with some other refractories; magnesite brick probably has four times its heat conductivity. The coke oven needs bricks of high heat conductivity. Any process which would increase the heat conductivity of silica brick would undoubtedly shorten the coking process.

Jan 12, 1915

By Samuel J. Kosa

The Monotube is a uniformly tapered high-strength steel shell pile manufactured for friction pile applications. The Monotube pile was developed in the early 1920's in Canton, Ohio. Its first commercial installation was an Ohio railroad trestle in 1926. The Monotube has been manufactured in the same Canton plant since its inception. The Monotube is produced in four diameters, 12, 14, 16 and 18 inches, with U. S. Standard Gage wall thicknesses of 9, 7, 5 and 3. The uniformly tapered Monotube section can be manufactured in one of three rates of taper.

Jan 1, 1993

By E. R. Palowitch

On February 5, 1973, Eastern Associated Coal Corp began shortwall mining in their Federal No. 1 Mine, thus marking the first attempt in the United States at modern shortwall mining, i.e., using a continuous miner to extract coal open-ended from pillars 100 to 200 feet wide, under the protection of a self¬-advancing roof support system (1)1/. Since then, four additional shortwall faces have been operated. While the number of face-years of shortwall experience in the United States is limited, this experience has been anything but uniform. Differences in operator motivation, coalbed parameters, geologic conditions, panel dimensions, and face equipment all have contributed to a wealth of knowledge which can provide guidance for the design of future shortwalls. The purpose of this paper is to review the history of shortwall mining in the United States and to assess its value to the U.S. coal industry in terms of the health and safety of the miner, the percentage of coal recovered, coal production, worker productivity, and relative cost performance.

Jan 1, 1976

By Steve Colburn

The CRITERION Survey Systems utilize both theodolite mounted and hand held reflectorless distance meters. These are eye safe, easy-to-use, and specifically designed to endure the harsh environments characteristic to the mining, quarry and explosives industries. Survey data collected by the systems is digitally stored in a ruggedized data collector and then processed with a specialized, Windows-based, interactive software program which can be run on’ any standard PC.

Jan 1, 1998

By F. W. Brackebusch

Paste is a high density mixture of water and fine solid particles with a relatively low water content (10-25%) such that the mixture has a consistency as measured by the ASTM slump cone test from slightly greater than zero up to nearly 12 inches (305mm). Particles of different size classes will not segregate or settle when the paste is not being agitated or when it is stationary in a pipeline. Cement may be a component of paste. Larger particles of aggregate can generally be added to a paste without greatly changing the pipeline transport characteristics. A paste may bleed water slightly when it is allowed to be motionless for periods of up to several hours, but the solids do not become so dense that the paste cannot be easily re-fluidized. The dividing line between the definition of a high density slurry and a paste is not sharp. It is a practical matter that must be considered when designing a pipeline transportation system. If the pipeline is very short, there is very little risk of plugging the pipeline with a high density slurry when flow is stopped for short time periods. With longer pipelines the mixture must remain stable without motion for periods as long as several hours to avoid pipeline plugging. The fine particles in a paste mixture can be composed of mine tailings or naturally-occurring clays, silts and fine sands. The mineralogy of the particles thus can have a wide variety from quartz and feldspar to clays, micas and even salts.

Jan 1, 1993

By C. R. Pearce, B. Murton, S. Howarth, P. Lusty

"With the expansion of “green” energy technologies, the demand for the critical raw materials required to sustain this growth is increasing. Many E-tech elements, including tellurium (Te) and rare earth elements (REEs), suffer from high supply shortage risk and the need for more diversified metal supply routes is driving research into alternative resources. Hydrogenetic ferromanganese crusts, seafloor deposits of Fe- and Mnoxyhydroxides that form from the direct precipitation from seawater, present a potentially important future source of E-tech elements. With growing interest in the potential wealth of these deposits and the issuing of permits for deep-sea mining and exploration, more work is underway to understand the nature of ferromanganese crust deposits, their elemental concentrations and distributions, and the potential impacts of mining activities.This research focusses on the formation of ferromanganese crust deposits and processes that control the extreme enrichment of elements such as Te, Co and REEs. The crusts were systematically sampled and mapped between ~ 1000 – 4000 m depths using ROV ISIS, from a range of environments, substrates and morphologies from Tropic Seamount (NE Atlantic) in order to determine the seamount-scale factors that control major and trace elemental concentration variations. These factors include depth, surface roughness and micro-bathymetry, location relative to long-term mean current direction and energy, influence of tidal energy dispersion across the seamount, sediment supply, substrate lithology, biological productivity and phosphatisation. The study analyses trace-element characteristics of 100 ferromanganese crust samples alongside standard reference materials NOD-A-1 and NOD-P-1 (US Geological Survey manganese nodules). At this initial stage, we report results from whole rock acid digestion and ICP-MS analyses."

Jan 1, 2017

By K. C. Viveros, R. R. Ambriz, C. García, F. De Villèle, A. Talha, D. Jaramillo

Cold hole expansion on base metal, weld metal and heat affected zone of 6061-T6 aluminum alloy welds was simulated by means of finite element method. Three dimensional compact test models with a previous fatigue crack length with a relation of ??= a/W = 0.3, were used to analyze the hole expansion process. Considering the local mechanical properties for each zone of the welded joint, the optimal expansion degree (1.64 to 2.46 %) was determined. The residual stress field, through thickness, after the expansion process in all welding zones, were correlated with the crack opening displacement obtained by finite element analysis. It was observed, that compressive residual stress fields for a post-expansion, in different crack lengths, provided a crack closure mechanism for base metal, weld metal and heat affected zone. Contrary, the crack remained open when residual stresses are positive. The results are given as tangential stresses versus distance from the edge of the cold expansion and crack opening displacement as a function of applied load.

Jan 1, 2014

By C Armstrong, B Wentzinger

Upstream embankment raises often represent the lowest cost option for increasing the capacity of tailings storage facilities (TSF), but also pose the highest stability risk due to constructing on top of previously deposited tailings.This paper presents an overview of key aspects in the geotechnical investigation and design of upstream raises and some recent lessons learnt from experience across a number of TSFs in Australia. A summary of recommended field investigation and laboratory testing methods is provided with a focus on collecting quality information for design purposes. A strong focus is given in developing an accurate assessment of pore water pressures, which, if not correctly understood can have disastrous consequences on tailings strength parameter interpretation and wall stability assessment in static and post-seismic conditions.The assessment of the contractive or dilative shearing behaviour of the tailings material and rigorous interpretation of design characteristic values are presented. Some comments on stability analysis options and proposed methodology are also provided.CITATION:Wentzinger, B and Armstrong, C, 2018. Lessons learnt in geotechnical investigation and stability analysis for upstream tailings storage facility raise design, in Proceedings Mine Waste and Tailings Stewardship Conference 2018, pp 333–348 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Jul 23, 2018

By G. L. Smit

The Buffelsfontein Gold Mining Company is situated in the Klerks-dorp district of the Province of the Transvaal in the Republic of South Africa, approximately 100 miles west of Johannesburg. Gold production commenced in January 1957 and Uranium treatment of residue slimes as a by-product started in July 1957. The mining property is 5435 mining claims in extent, the equivalent of 7,988 acres or 12.5 square miles. The mine was initially exploited by the Pioneer Twin Shaft System, consisting of a 26 feet diameter down-cast shaft and a 22 feet diameter up-cast shaft, sunk in the north-west area of the mine to cater for the hoisting and ventilation requirements for a milling rate of 150,000 tons per month.

Jan 1, 1964

By Richard B. Berg

Chlorite veins in the Silver Star district (40 km southeast of Butte) were of little interest to those who were mining gold and silver in the late 19th century. It wasn't until 1975 that unusually pure magnesian chlorite of the variety clinochlore was identified from a ?talc? claim in this district. In 1977 tests by Cyprus Industrial Minerals showed that this chlorite was suitable for use in ceramics. Mining begun in that year continues. These replacement veins of chlorite in Precambrian quartzofeldspathic gneiss differ from the metalliferous veins to the northwest in both attitude and mineralogy.

Jan 1, 1982