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By Leland H. Johnson, D. O. Kennedy, John Hyvarenen

"SUMMARYA chronological list of accidents at metal and nonmetal mines and quarries (excluding coal mines) in the United States in which five or more lives were lost has been compiled. Many accidents were described in more detail because of their unusual features. Tables have been included to indicate the number of major disasters and fatalities by the principal product mined, by State, and by 10-year intervals prior to 1945. The number of men employed to indicate man-hours exposed is unavailable; therefore, a true picture of disaster data by principal product mined, by State, and by 10-year intervals is not possible. However, the data are presented to indicate the causes of major accidents and bring to the attention of those affiliated with metal and nonmetal mines and quarries the hazards involved and lessons that can be practiced to keep such accidents at a minimum.INTRODUCTIONThe Bureau of Mines was requested to compile a chronological list of accidents at metal and nonmetal mines and quarries (excluding coal mines) in the United States in which five or more lives were lost. Data have been assembled on accidents from all causes in these mines and quarries from the earliest available information (describ¬ing an underground mine fire in Nevada in 1869) to the last reported major accident (a fire at a company-owned bunkhouse in Arizona in 1945).The accounts of the accidents were taken from articles in the technical press and from published and unpublished reports of the Bureau of Mines. Many of the accidents have been selected for more detailed descriptions because of the unique circumstances and to show the variety of dangers involved.Tables are included to indicate the number of major accidents, with resultant fatalities, by the principal metal and nonmetal producing groups, by State, and by 10-year intervals previous to 1945. The interval 1869-1875 does not cover a 10-year span because of incomplete records previous to 1869.ACKNOWLEDGMENTSThe information contained in this report was obtained from the Engineering and Mining Journal from 1874 to 1947, the Mining and Scientific Press from 1908 through 1922, from various published and unpublished reports of the Bureau of Mines and from reports by State departments of mines. Daniel Harrington, retired chief of the Health and Safety Division; E. H. Denny, supervising engineer, District H; R. M. Loucks, mining engineer; and other engineers of the Division contributed much valuable information and assisted materially in the study."

Apr 1, 1949

By E. Jong, E. Watkins

"The application of passive tracer gas sources in underground mines is particularly useful for long-term tracer gas studies, as well as for studies in permissible areas of underground coal mines. The use of passive perfluoromethylcyclohexane (PMCH) sources have previously been demonstrated in mines, but this new work details the development and testing of multiple, distinct tracer compounds that can be used in passive sources. A description of their potential application in mine ventilation systems is also provided. Three tracer compounds are detailed, which are PMCH, PECH and PMCP. The release rates of these tracers were examined over a 180 day period at multiple temperatures. The advantages and disadvantages of these sources are presented, along with potential applications in understanding complicated ventilation circuits, flow through gob, and leakage. INTRODUCTION The use tracer gases for ventilation applications is an established practice, with various research projects being perform with Sulfur Hexafluoride (????6) in the past. Perfluorocarbon tracers (PFTs) however are relatively new compared to ????6, which is proven to be useful in ventilation and air modeling experiments along with other PFTs (Watson, Wilke, Dietz, Heiser, & Kalb, 2007). These liquid tracers are characterized by low background presence in air, inert behavior with other gases, high detectability with a gas chromatograph and low toxicity. A design was proposed called a permeation plug release vessel (PPRV), which initially introduced by Brookhaven National Laboratory to meet those requirements. The PPRV works by allowing the gaseous form of the tracer to diffuse through the permeable silicone stopper and evaporate into the open air on the other side. The PFTs inside the vessels are injected as a liquid but instantly begin to convert to their gaseous phases at room temperature due to high vapor pressures (Zhang, H., Cloud, A.,2006). Previous studies have detailed how release rates change based on plug thickness across various temperatures (Jong et al., 2015), but not on the release rate stability based on temperature across multiple tracers. For use in underground mines passive release sources need to be durable, be simple to manufacture, have customizable and reliable release rates as well as a long operating life. The PPRV vessel provides a steady release of tracer gas that is essential for long term passive release experiments, making it a viable vessel for the PFTs being tested. The PPRV design also allows for vessels to be bundled together to achieve release rates at detectable levels and allows for the capability to run ventilation surveys with multiple tracers simultaneously. The ability to conduct ventilation surveys with multiple tracers using the PPRV bundling design and detection of the PFTs makes testing the tracers and design together a promising potential for complex and long term mine ventilations studies."

Jan 1, 2017

By Mohammed Sakr

The empirical relationship between torque measured during installation and pile capacity has gained a wide acceptance in the helical pile industry in the last few decades. This paper presents a theoretical model developed to estimate torsional resistance of cohesive soils to helical pile installation. The proposed torsional resistance model was then used to establish torque factor, Kt, a factor that is widely used in the industry. The results of the study indicated that the Kt factor is a function of the load path (i.e. tension or compression), pile geometry and soil properties. The assessed Kt factors in tension and compression were validated by the results of 74 installation records and full-scale helical pile load tests. A parametric study was also performed to qualitatively assess the relative importance of different parameters that affect the Kt factors.

Aug 1, 2013

As the title indicates the central themes discussed in this contribution are sustainable development, information systems, and extractive industry. More specifically, the objective is to present a prototype for the systematic generation of extractive industry (henceforth: EI) û specific sustainability information. The paper begins with the authorÆs viewpoints on the core notions of sustainability, and development, as well as their relationship to information. These set the stage for the introduction of the information system (IS), as well as the follow-up sustainability information system (SIS) extractive industry sustainability information system (EISIS) concepts and related discussions. The paper continues with a second part, in which, efforts to research and develop an EISIS prototype are described. First, the team is presented. Second, the systemÆs aim and target groups are briefly discussed. After, an articulated overarching EISIS conceptual model emphasising capital accumulation, and service flow concepts û is presented. This is followed by a detailed description of the assembled prototype with a focus on data and information generation. The formulation of data generation, storage and transmission processes, as well as its use in sustainability interpretation rules and their embedment in the conceptual model is made with respect to monetised stock and flow parameters, measured in the appropriate dimensions. In the third part, the author presents and discusses the results of a first round of prototype experimental development in three major EI firms. First, the system observation, and data analysis protocols are described. Second, a review of protocol implementation, and respective results, is made. Finally, the overall performance of the proposed prototype, and development process issues are discussed, before suggesting areas for improvement and future research. The paper ends with a conclusion in which the author provides a retrospective balance of the æknowledge creation projectÆ, as well as a prospective outlook for research in this field; before acknowledgements are made and references provided.

Jan 1, 2009

By L. J. E. Hofer

THIS BULLETIN analyzes and summarizes research at the Bureau of Mines dealing with the preparation, properties, and reactions of iron carbides in the period 1948-60, part of which was sponsored by Wright Air Development Laboratories. The objective was to develop better catalysts for the synthesis of methane and higher hydrocarbons from hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The investigations resulted in the first adequate characterization of epsilon iron carbide, which later proved to be an important intermediate in the tempering of martensite in steel. At temperatures near 170° C, the carbon in carbon monoxide reacts nearly quantitatively with finely divided alpha iron to form an iron carbide in which the metal atoms occupy the positions of the close packed hexagonal arrangement with lattice parameters of ao=2.754 A and co=4.349 A. The carbide has a composition within 2 atomic percent of that required for the formula Fe2C, a Curie point of about 370° C, a specific magnetization of 160.4 ergs per gauss-gram Fe at 50° C, and a ferromagnetic moment of 1.70 Bohr magnetons. Epsilon iron carbide can be converted to chi iron carbide by thermal treatment at 343° C for about 70 hours. The chi iron carbide so formed has a Curie point of 247° C, a specific magnetization of 142.5 ergs per gauss-gram Fe at 50° C, a ferromagnetic moment of 1.72 Bohr magnetons per iron atom, and a paramagnetic moment of 5.5 Bohr rnagnetons per iron atom. Direct synthesis of this carbide from carbon monoxide at 240° C indicates a composition within 7 atomic percent of that required for Fe2C. Chi iron carbide can be converted to cementite at 550° C in about 315 minutes. The theta iron carbide so prepared has a Curie point of 210° C, a specific magnetization of 147.3 ergs per gauss gram Fe at 50° C, a ferromagnetic moment of 1.72 Bohr magnetons per iron atom, and a paramagnetic moment of 3.9 Bohr magnetons per iron atom. Pure chi iron carbide reacts to form theta iron carbide by the elimination of free carbon. In the presence of an excess of free iron in intimate contact with the carbide, chi iron carbide reacts with the free iron to form theta iron carbide. The second reaction proceeds at an appreciable rate at 320° C and can be used to snythesize finely divided theta iron carbide with no free-carbon impurity at low temperatures. The ease of the reaction in the presence of free iron suggests that chi iron carbide is an intermediate in the tempering of epsilon iron carbide to theta iron carbide as it proceeds in steels. Experiments on carbon steel show that the magnetic moment of the iron atoms in martensite is about 2.2 Bohr magnetons per atom, a value approximately the same as that of the iron atoms in alpha iron. The Curie points of epsilon iron carbide, chi iron carbide, and theta iron carbide were found -in various specimens of tempered steel to be 10° to 20° C lower than normal values. This shift is probably the result of manganese in solid solution. Preparations of various compositions of epsilon iron carbonitrides show many effects of extensive isomorphism between epsilon iron carbide and epsilon iron nitride. The action of carbon monoxide on finely divided alpha iron at 400° C results in free carbon deposits containing filaments about 0.1 micron in diameter and several times as long. The filaments are characterized by nuclei of dense material located midway from each end of the filament. Although carbiding to near completion at 240° C over periods of about 300 hours produces a preparation containing no appreciable percentage of epsilon iron carbide, very brief periods of carbiding of the order of a minute result in the formation of detectable epsilon iron carbide even at temperatures as high as 325° C. The data indicate that epsilon iron carbide is an intermediate in the formation of chi iron carbide during its formation from carbon monoxide in the gas phase. Attempts to convert cementite to chi iron carbide by cold work increased the Curie point but did not change the X-ray powder diffraction pattern.

Jan 1, 1966

By Peter F. Pullen

The need to apply the latest available technology to develop better tools and methods to meet problems in the mining industry was recognized by six of Canada's leading mining companies. As a result, MIROC (Mining Industry Research Organization of Canada) was chartered to identify problem areas in Canadian mining and to have research carried out to develop the tools and equipment to meet these perceived needs. The initial activity of MIROC has been in the environmental field, with improved clothing and protective devices being developed by contractors. Work clothing for miners is now being field tested. Respiratory protection and a new personal light source combined in a new "space-age" helmet are about to be issued for testing. Further developmental work is being carried on to offer these units and probably other personal protective devices on an individual basis as well as in a combined package.

Jan 1, 1979

By E. H. Mulligan

THE ERRINGTON B-I mine is located on the Errington orebody of Steep Rock Iron Mines, Limited, at Steep Rock Lake, Ontario. In 1946, this orebody entered the shipping lists of the Lake Superior iron ranges as an open-pit operation. During the period 1946 through 1953, the mine produced a total of 9,000,000 tons of iron ?ore. In 1950, as the mine approached the economic limits for open-pit operations, ground was broken for an underground development to exploit the deposit at depth. The mine is designed for an ultimate production of 1,500,000 tons per year by the block-caving system of mining. The initial shaft is 1,200 feet deep and will produce or-e from the 700 and the 900 levels. The 1,100 level will be used as a drainage level and as a haulageway for waste rock, which is hoisted to surface by skip. Ore from the two production levels moves by a system of ?ore passes to a crushing plant located below the 900 horizon and is hoisted from this point to surface by conveyor belt. At the present time, all material handling on the levels is by tramming, but as tram distances increase conveyor haulage will probably be installed. The initial stage of the Errington B-1 development is expected to produce 6,000,000 tons of ore over a period of four years. The second stage will require deepening of the shaft and development of lowe1? production levels. The conveyor hoisting plant will be extended to serve these new levels. We visualize the mining of this orebcdy down to 2,500 feet by these methods.

Jan 1, 1956

By N. Dave

"IntroductionIn the mineral processing industry, certain minerals such as uranium, thorium and vanadium, etc., are selectively extracted with high degree of purity from solutions containing variety of other impurities by solvent extraction process. This separation process consists of bringing two immiscible or partially soluble liquid phases in contact, where mass transfer of one or more components takes place by ion exchange under certain controlling parameters such as pH, salt concentration and temperature. The processes taking place are primarily physical because the solutes being transferred are ordinarily recovered without chemical change. For efficient extraction more than one stage is required and the solutions are recycled counter currently through other stages. A multi-stage counter current solvent extraction plants essentially consist of four circuits namely: extraction, water wash, stripping, and solvent scrubbing. In extraction circuit the desired mineral is extracted at a certain pH from an aqueous solution onto an organic solvent by bringing them in contact with mixing in large mixer-settler units. The mixed solutions are allowed to settle and separate into component organic and aqueous phases in horizontal settlers by providing sufficient residence time. The solutions are then moved counter currently to other units- the aqueous from the underflow and the solvent organics from the overflow of the settler. The solution streams coming out of extraction circuit are loaded organics and barren aqueous or raffinate solution. The loaded organics are washed with water in a water wash circuit to remove transported impurities from extraction circuit. In the stripping circuit, the desired mineral is stripped selectively from the solvent phase back into an aqueous phase with a stripping agent at a selected pH. The solution stream leaving, stripping circuit are stripped organics and pregnant strip (aqueous) solution. The stripped organics are scrubbed off other loaded impurities with a conditioning solution in, scrubbing circuit and the cleaned solvent is re-used in the extraction circuit.A typical solvent extraction plant for uranium extraction and purification at Agnew Lake Mine is described in this chapter."

Jan 1, 1989

By Javier Illanes, Felipe Moroni

In recent years, implementation of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning model technology has gained ground in almost every aspect of human activities. The mining industry has not been foreign to these applications, with advantages including the creation of new optimization methods and the elimination of repetitive tasks. Those applications have been implemented in multiple operative areas, from preventive conveyor belt maintenance to energy optimization for minimizing environmental impact. The blasting process aims to use the energy liberated by the detonation of explosives to break the rock mass according to specifications that facilitate the comminution process. To optimize this process, the energy delivered must correspond to the necessary amount to exceed the tensional and compressional resistance of the rock mass. If the energy applied is insufficient, the rock will not reach the desired fragmentation level and the processing plant may incur additional costs. On the other hand, if the energy level required is exceeded, we incur increased blasting costs that correspond to excess explosive used. Optimization of this aspect of the mining process has major impact in the processing chain reflected in lower costs, efficient resources consumption and environmental impact. The Design for Outcome technology (DfO), developed by Orica, is used to characterize the rock mass in detail to classify, borehole by borehole, the rock mass relative hardness to deliver the adequate energy level to achieve optimal fragmentation. This technology uses information collected by drill sensors, producing data typically referred to as Measure While Drilling (MWD) data to classify the rock mass into domains that can later be used to apply optimal blast designs. In DfO, the data flow is fully automated, starting with the data produced by the drilling system and uploaded to the cloud, which is then domained using Machine Learning (ML) techniques, and then published for consumption using a web interface. Automated explosives loading rules are then generated for each rock mass domain, ensuring that for each borehole, the adequate explosive energy is delivered to achieve the desired fragmentation results with unprecedented accuracy. The application of machine learning techniques allows us to optimize the blasting process results by leveraging a deeper understanding of the rock mass. Applying these optimization techniques, we obtain considerable economic benefits, decrease resources consumption, and achieve a more sustainable mining operation. The application of DfO in a Chilean mining operation allowed the characterization of their rock mass into four domains and established specific explosive loading rules for each one. A 60kUSD reduction in explosives cost was achieved during the test period, while maintaining the desired fragmentation results and expected dig rate. These outcomes were the result of a comparison between the blasting costs used applying the technology mentioned above and a “traditional” classification of the rock mass with the corresponding blasting practices.

Jan 21, 2025

By P. R. Jones

The Bureau of Mines has written a computer program for the design and cost of a shell and tube type heat exchanger, in which a change in phase occurs on the shell side. The total cost, which was minimized, includes the annual fixed charges and annual operating costs. The program was written to meet the following requirements: (1) Triangular pitch, (2) single or multiple pass, and (3) heating or cooling. Price optimum design was obtained for four standard tube diameters and pitch. Standard heat exchangers whose area equaled or exceeded the required area are also listed. The program was made adaptable to various fluids and to various tube dimensions by including many of the required data such as physical properties of the fluids, tube data, and standard shell data as input data.

Jan 1, 1969

By S J. Schafrik, C Keles, C Schlosser, E S. Gilliland, A K. Louk, N S. Ripepi, S Keim, J Amante, E Diminick

Three legacy coalbed methane production wells have been converted to injection wells for a one-year carbon dioxide (CO2) injection test to evaluate the potential for CO2 storage in the coal reservoir and the potential for enhanced gas production at offset wells. The injection reservoir is composed of 15–20 individual coal seams with an average thickness of 30 cm (1.0 ft), spanning a depth range of approximately 240 (800 ft) to 670 m (2200 ft).The monitoring program for this test includes gas and water sampling of the three injection wells, three dedicated monitoring wells and approximately 20 offset production wells. Key technologies used for monitoring the study area include time-lapse GPS and interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) acquisitions for surface deformation measurement, a 28-station buried passive microseismic monitoring array, real-time downhole pressure and temperature sensing and perfluorocarbon tracer fluids, which will be injected with the CO2 stream. The schedule for the monitoring program includes pre- (baseline), during- and post-injection data collection. This schedule will allow data to be analysed for time-lapse changes and trends, which are important for understanding the migration of gas and fluid phases in the reservoir – including CO2, methane, other hydrocarbons and water – and for observing the changing distributions of reservoir pressures and stresses.The results of the monitoring efforts for this study have implications for monitoring mining operations. The combined use of GPS and InSAR geospatial data to evaluate elevation changes across and beyond the study area may prove to be an accurate option for measuring surface deformation, including mining-induced subsidence, in unstable terrain. Long-term microseismic monitoring using high-sensitivity instruments has several applications in mining operations, including rock stability monitoring, production monitoring and miner location detection during emergencies. Tracer studies and short-term microseismic monitoring used to assess methane extraction can also be used to develop and optimise degasification systems for underground coalmines.CITATION:Gilliland, E S, Ripepi, N S, Schafrik, S J, Schlosser, C, Amante, J, Louk, A K, Diminick, E, Keim, S, Keles, C and Karmis, M, 2015. Monitoring design and data management for a multiwell CO2 storage/enhanced coalbed methane test in a stacked coal reservoir, Buchanan County, Virginia, USA, in Proceedings Third International Future Mining Conference, pp 47–56 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Nov 4, 2015

By C. M. Campbell

The Inconceivable Wealth propaganda goes on apace. Premier King, at Vancouver, has stated that we still have, untouched, natural resources, "beyond the wildest dreams." Principal Currie, in an address before the Canadian Society in New York said that Canada's resources, "are as yet merely scratched and it is not possible to compute her almost fabulous natural wealth." Mr. Meighen, in the last election campaign announced that, "under the providence of God, Canada is more richly endowed, perhaps, than any other country in the world." Four years ago a despatch was sent to Premier King "on behalf of" this Institute advising him that "Inconceivable Wealth" in minerals in this country was assured. This was made as a statement ~f "incontrovertible fact." Specifically, this despatch stated that this wealth was on such a scale that the mining industry would in the future lead all others in this country. This inventory is still in effect as far as this Institute is concerned.

Jan 1, 1926

By Kenneth Savidge

With the recent demand for increased coal production there has been a corresponding increase in the horsepower of the shearing machines. The resultant increase in the machine haulage pull has heightened the incident of haulage chain breakage resulting in machine downtime, but more seriously the danger to face personnel. This paper discusses the application of chainless haulage to longwall mining and describes the systems currently available.

Jan 1, 1978

By Helmut Attlfellner

The selection of the best process for the oxygen generator for a metallurgical process requires the determination of all aspects which impact the economics of this facility. Concepts and features of modern air separation plants will be presented based on installed facilities for various metallurgical processes. The special features of advanced automation' of oxygen generators with load following and optimization of power consumption, automatic restart and unattended remote controlled operation will be investigated.

Jan 1, 1992

By F. G. Schwartz

This circular presents the results of a survey of research on jet fuel thermal stability jointly sponsored by the National Petroleum Refiners Association (NPRA), Tulsa, Okla., and the Bureau of Mines. The development of supersonic planes has led to many problems that did not exist in the operation of subsonic aircraft. One of the most important of these is rapid deterioration of the fuel at the high temperatures to which it is subjected. At higher speeds, aerodynamic heating of the airframe imposes severe thermal problems, and conventional techniques of rejecting the heat to the atmosphere become impractical. The fuel is the only material present in sufficient bulk to be used as a heat sink. Thus, the fuel is subjected to aerodynamic heating and also is used to dissipate heat from lubricating oil, hydraulic fluid, electronic equipment, wheel wells, and cabin air. Consequently, the fuels may have to withstand both moderate temperatures for sustained periods in the fuel tanks and higher temperatures for brief periods during transfer from the tanks to the combustion chamber. Because of high temperatures, insoluble residue or gum may form in the fuel and contribute to heat exchanger fouling and to clogging of the fuel manifolds, nozzles, control systems, and other components of the fuel system.

Jan 1, 1962

By S. F. Mauser

This report describes the study of factors which affect medium voltage (661 - 1000 volts) trailing cable splices used in underground coal mines. Improvements in quality, dependability, and design of splice kits and shop splices are presented in the study results and recommended guidelines and regulations. Recommended research programs are included which describe approaches for development of the recommended guidelines and regulations for medium voltage trailing cable splices. The basis for the conclusions and recommendations presented in this report is included in three appendices which describe a survey, splice examination, and general requirements development prepared during the progress of this study.

Jan 1, 1977

By A. Della Rocca, P. Jonker, B. Henning

Successful prediction of the collection efficiency of cyclone separators is a necessary step in cyclone design and verification. Aside from standard empirical relations, CFD modelling is widely adopted to supplement the design of cyclone units in relation to the desired separation performance. Nevertheless, effective adoption of numerical modelling is sometimes prevented by large modelling errors, especially for small size particles which are more subject to turbulence effects than larger particle classes. In the past, this motivated the adoption of more refined turbulence modelling approaches, such as large-eddy simulations. These approaches provide greater insight into time dependent behaviour, while leading to larger computational cost with respect to more standard approaches. In this paper, an effective Eulerian-Lagrangian Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) approach is investigated, which is able to predict the complete separation efficiency curve with satisfactory accuracy, without requiring prohibitively long computational times. An assessment of the proposed approach is carried out against experimental data from large laboratory scale cyclones, in the form of mean and fluctuating velocity profiles from LDA measurements (Hoekstra, 2000), as well as with respect to the experimental separation curve (Zhao, 2005). The final application to a full-scale industrial cyclone unit is then carried out with the aim of tuning the cyclone design to the separation efficiency curve as required by downstream processes. Keywords: Cyclones, separation, CFD, RANS, RSM, Lagrangian

Jan 1, 2020

This report presents a Bureau of Mines study comparing the construction costs, leakage measurements, and predicted performance of different types of large stoppings built and tested in a room-and-pillar oil-shale mine. The six full-sized structures (30 ft high by 55 ft wide) included both permanent and temporary stoppings and were fabricated using materials ranging from structural steel to coated brattice cloth. Leakage across each stopping was measured at differential pressures ranging up to 1.0 in w.g., using both the brattice window method and sulfur hexa-fluoride (SF6) tracer gas. Blast air pressures resulting from a full-scale face blast of approximately 1,800 lb of ammonium nitrate-fuel oil (ANFO) explosives were measured across two of the stoppings and the pre-and post-leakage rates were compared for all the stoppings. Overall performance of the stoppings for production applications was evaluated using an operational model of a two-panel oil-shale mine. Different combinations of temporary and permanent stoppings were evaluated based upon ventilation performance and construction and operating costs.

Jan 1, 1988

By M. Mustafa Kahraman, Sean Dessureault, W. Pratt Rogers

Most contemporary mines have considerable amounts of data. Structured and unstructured large data sets are colloquially named big data. Much of the data in mining operations come from a variety of systems, each with different databases and reporting environments. Standard technology deployments create a Bsilo-ification^ of data leading to poor system benefit. Through modern server monitoring and systematic approach, data utilization and value can quantifiably be measured. The Data Utilization and Value Index (DUVI) can quantify business intelligence best practices and user interaction. This study seeks to provide a data management tool to measure data utilization across the process of converting data into action.

By V. Quezada, Á. Astudillo, L. Valásquez, M. Garcia

Seawater has become a viable alternative for different uses in copper hydrometallurgy. In this paper we review the main physical and chemical characteristics of seawater and how these influence copper production. Reliable data on the use of continental water are reported, and the current use and consumption of seawater in the Chilean mining industry is analysed, indicating the main areas of use and the main problems encountered. Additionally, the influence of the elements in seawaterthat have the most influence on the extractive metallurgy of copper are considered. The Chilean copper mining industry currently consumes approximately 4.1 m3/s of seawater, which corresponds to 25% of the total water used. The use of seawater for the leaching of copper sulphide minerals, such as chalcopyrite, is beneficial because it provides 20 g/L of chloride, thereby improving copper dissolution kinetics.

Jul 5, 2023