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By C B. Valentin

It is acknowledged that the analysis of iron ores using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) for major and minor elements is best carried out on fusion discs. This method of sample preparation eliminates mineral and particle size effects which can lead to biased results when using pressed powder pellets. However, the fusion disc method is costly as it requires a high capital investment in platinumware, requires experienced operators and uses expensive fluxes. Also, the dilution effect complicates the analysis of trace elements. For many applications, such as exploration and mining control, the method of XRF analysis of iron ores by pressed powder pellet probably provides data of adequate quality. Kumba Iron Ore, an iron ore producer in South Africa, recognises this and carries out most analyses of iron ore by pressed powder pellet and uses the automated fusion method mainly for certification of in-house calibration standards and quality control (QC) samples that are used for validation of pressed powder pellet method purposes. Automated fusion is also used for analysing the composite export shipping samples. All the other exploration, production, despatching and plant operation samples are done by the pressed powder pellet method. Automation of sample preparation procedures should improve the quality of data for pressed powder pellets. To compare the precision of the three methods of sample preparation and XRF analysis, 20 aliquots of a QC standard were prepared and analysed by each procedure/preparation method. The results and statistical data on the most important elements, Fe, K2O and P, are as shown later in Table 2.Clearly the precision is best for the auto prepared fusion discs, as expected, and worst for the manually prepared pressed powder pellets. However, the data generated from the auto prepared pressed powder pellets compare remarkably well against those from the auto prepared fusion discs.

Jan 1, 2007

By P. H. Chang, J. E. Gould

"Solidification structures and austenite decomposition in some spot welded O.05%C - O.3%Mn steels have been studied with the aid of a numerical thermal model. The model is a one dimensional finite difference formulation, and accounts for melting, temperature dependent thermal properties, effective heat transfer in the liquid, and contact resistances. The model was used to predict solidification conditions during resolidification of the nugget. These solidification conditions were correlated with the primary dendrite spacing using available primary dendrite spacings modelling. The model was also used to predict cooling rates in the temperature regime for austenite decomposition. These cooling rates were used to interpret the underlying microstructure.INTRODUCTIONThe metallurgical transformations which occur during the spot welding of low carbon steels have traditionally been characterized only in the most general of fashions. This is most probably due to the similarity of spot welded microstructures to other welded microstructures, and that the mechanical integrity of spot welds has not been a concern. In addition, little information about the particular thermal cycles experienced during spot welding has been available. The introduction of HSLA (microalloyed) sheet steels has, however, raised new concerns about the integrity of spot welds. These steels have on occasion shown irregular weldability, as well as brittleness in the weld nugget on destructive testing l - 4 .In response to these concerns, considerable work has been done attempting to characterize thermal cycles in spot welds 5-12. This has largely taken the form of thermal modelling, with the end purpose generally to estimate the size of the nugget formed. This work uses the thermal model developed at Inland Steel 13 ,14 to try and understand, in a more fundamental way, microstructural evolution in spot welds. Two facets of this microstructural evolution are examined in detail:"

Jan 1, 1986

By Y. Luo

A PC based computer model has been developed by the authors for predicting the surface subsidence due to underground coal mining. Its reliability, comprehensiveness and user friendliness demonstrate that it is a good tool for the mine operators, government agencies and scientific researchers alike.

Jan 1, 1989

By C. C. Russelll, V. T. McLemore

The Metals Mining Sector of the Acid Drainage Technology Initiative (ADTI-MMS) addresses technical drainage-quality issues related to metal mining and related metallurgical operations, for future and active mines, as well as, for historical mines and mining districts. One of the first projects of ADTI-MMS is to develop a handbook describing the best sampling, monitoring, predicting, mitigating, and modeling of drainage from metal mines, pit lakes and related metallurgical facilities based upon current scientific and engineering practices. One of the important aspects of planning a new mine in today’s regulatory environment is the philosophy of designing a new or existing mine or expansion of operations for ultimate closure. The holistic philosophy taken in the ADTI-MMS handbook maintains that sampling and monitoring programs should be designed to take into account all aspects of the mine-life cycle. Data required for the closure of the operation are obtained throughout the mine-life cycle, from exploration through post-closure.

Jan 1, 2004

By M. E. Poad

In 1986, a cooperative effort by the Homestake Mining company, the U.S. Bureau of Mines and the University of Utah was initiated to determine shaft stability while recovering high grade ore in a nearby pillar. Premining finite element simulations indicated the shaft would remain in elastic ground. Six years have elapsed and, despite some initial concern during the first lifts, it appears that the bulk of the original reserve will be safely and profitably recovered. An integrated application of rock mechanics tools from laboratory testing through numerical modelling to mine measurements and observations contributed substantially to the operational success of the project.

Jan 1, 1994

By John Primrose

Tube stills having demonstrated their usefulness for refining operations, the later developments in their design have been in the direction of improved thermal efficiency. The earlier designs operated with low furnace temperatures and large volumes of furnace gas because the fuel was burned with much excess air. It was quite possible to provide sufficient heating surface to lower the temperature of the flue gas to within 150" of the temperature of the inlet oil, or when inlet-oil tempera-tures were high to have the flue gas escape at 300" or 350" F. by using the heat remaining in the flue gas from the still to preheat the air supplied for combustion. But even so, the thermal efficiency was low because of the large quantity of air used for combustion. The large quantity of excess air was required to burn the fuel in the furnace at a temperature low enough to prevent overheating the furnace walls and overheating of the oil. Supplying heat to the tubes of the heating surface at a rate beyond the capabilities of the oil to absorb, except with a considerable difference between the temperature of the inside of the tube and oil passing through, would result in overheating the tubes and the oil in contact with them. For these reasons it was very necessary in the older types of tube stills to burn the fuel with large quantities of excess air, resulting in low thermal efficiency despite the low flue-gas temperature. Neglecting loss by radiation, the thermal efficiency could be improved only by burning the fuel with less excess air, but it was necessary to accomplish this without upsetting the furnace temperature conditions existing when large quantities of excess air were used. There are several methods of bringing this about, such as controlling the furnace temperature by returning a proportion of the flue gas to the furnace, or by exposing direct to the fire a heat-absorbing surface so located and proportioned that sufficient heat will be absorbed by radiation to prevent excessive furnace temperatures.

Jan 1, 1928

By Prosser A. P

The conditions under which vanadium is rendered insoluble by silica in the alkali-roast process have been investigated starting with both slag and reagent-grade materials. The inert phase is a glass formed slowlyfrom soluble NaV03 produced at lower temperatures. It contains approximately 30 per cent V in a partly reduced state; iron is not a principal component. Some of the vanadium in the inert phase is slowly returned to a soluble form by heating in an oxidizing atmosphere below the temperature at which the glass is formed (750°C). As the reaction leading to the required, soluble form of vanadium is also slow between 600 and 750° optimization and control of the temperature profile and atmosphere in the furnace, and the residence time of the solids, are necessary to ensure high vanadium extraction during subsequent leaching.

Jan 1, 1976

By John Primrose

TUBE stills having demonstrated their usefulness for refining operations, the later developments in their design have been in the direction of improved thermal efficiency: The earlier designs operated with low furnace temperatures and large volumes of furnace gas because the fuel was burned with much excess air. It was quite possible to provide sufficient heating surface to lower the temperature of the flue gas to within 150° of the temperature of the inlet oil, or when inlet-oil temperatures were high to have the flue gas escape at 300° or 350° F. by using the heat remaining in the flue gas from the still to preheat the air supplied for combustion. But even so, the thermal efficiency was low because of the large quantity of air used for combustion. The large quantity of excess air was required to burn the fuel in the furnace at a temperature low enough to prevent overheating the furnace walls and overheating of the oil. Supplying heat to the tubes of the heating surface at a rate beyond the capabilities of the oil to absorb, except with a considerable difference between the temperature of the inside of the tube and oil passing through, would result in overheating the tubes and the oil in contact with them. For these reasons it was very necessary in the older types of tube stills to burn the fuel with large quantities of excess air, resulting in low thermal efficiency despite the low flue-gas temperature. Neglecting loss by radiation, the thermal efficiency could be improved only by burning the fuel with less excess air, but it was necessary to accomplish this without upsetting the furnace temperature conditions existing when large quantities of excess air were used. There are several methods of bringing this about, such as controlling the furnace temperature by returning a proportion of the flue gas to the furnace, or by exposing direct to the fire a heat-absorbing surface so located and proportioned that sufficient heat will be absorbed by radiation to prevent excessive furnace temperatures.

Jan 1, 1928

By Fred C. Bond, Walter Maxson

Since the last publication of tabulated results of grindability tests by the authors1 the total number of ball-mill tests made has more than doubled, and rod-mill tests have become increasingly important. Nearly all of the standard closed-circuit ball-mill and rod-mill tests made to date are included in the present tabulation, together with additional information not previously published. Standard Ball-mill Grindability Tests The method of conducting these closed-circuit tests has not been altered. A sample of the ore or other material is stage-crushed in rolls set at 1/16-in. opening with a 6-mesh screen until all of it has passed the screen. The combined minus 6-mesh screen undersize is mixed, sampled and screen-analyzed, and its apparent specific gravity is determined by packing and shaking in a standard container, and weighing. The apparent specific gravity ordinarily is about 60 per cent of the true specific gravity. The unit volume present in the mill .in all tests is 700 C.C. of the packed minus 6-mesh roll product, and the number of grams occupying 700 C.C. is the unit test weight. This weight is placed in the mill dry, ground for the number of revolutions estimated to be necessary, discharged, and screened mechanically in three testing sieves of the mesh size at which the test is to be conducted. The oversize, or circulating load, is weighed, sufficient fresh minus 6-mesh feed is added to bring the total weight up to that of 700 c.c., and the charge is returned to the mill for a second grinding period. All standard ball-mill tests are conducted at 250 per cent circulating load, and the number of revolutions in the mill necessary to obtain this circulating load at any grinding period is estimated from the results of the previous period. The number of net grams of screen undersize produced per revolution of the mill approaches its final equilibrium value after several grinding periods, and this is recorded as the grindability, or relative ease of grinding, of the sample. A cylindrical ball mill, 12 by 12 in. inside, with a smooth lining and rounded corners, is used with a revolution counter Under standard grinding conditions it runs at 70 r.p.m., and contains a charge of 285 iron balls weighing 20,125 grams, ranging from I½ to ¾ in. in diameter. Tests are conducted at the mesh size to which the ore is to be ground in practice, and the capacity- to be expected from a given mill is calculated by comparing the grindability with that of a similar standard ore whose performance characteristics arc known. No satisfactory general formula for convertillg standard grindabilities into corn; rnercial power-consumption values has been

Jan 1, 1943

By Walter Maxson, Fred C. Bond

Since the last publication of tabulated results of grindability tests by the authors1 the total number of ball-mill tests made has more than doubled, and rod-mill tests have become increasingly important. Nearly all of the standard closed-circuit ball-mill and rod-mill tests made to date are included in the present tabulation, together with additional information not previously published. Standard Ball-mill Grindability Tests The method of conducting these closed-circuit tests has not been altered. A sample of the ore or other material is stage-crushed in rolls set at 1/16-in. opening with a 6-mesh screen until all of it has passed the screen. The combined minus 6-mesh screen undersize is mixed, sampled and screen-analyzed, and its apparent specific gravity is determined by packing and shaking in a standard container, and weighing. The apparent specific gravity ordinarily is about 60 per cent of the true specific gravity. The unit volume present in the mill .in all tests is 700 C.C. of the packed minus 6-mesh roll product, and the number of grams occupying 700 C.C. is the unit test weight. This weight is placed in the mill dry, ground for the number of revolutions estimated to be necessary, discharged, and screened mechanically in three testing sieves of the mesh size at which the test is to be conducted. The oversize, or circulating load, is weighed, sufficient fresh minus 6-mesh feed is added to bring the total weight up to that of 700 c.c., and the charge is returned to the mill for a second grinding period. All standard ball-mill tests are conducted at 250 per cent circulating load, and the number of revolutions in the mill necessary to obtain this circulating load at any grinding period is estimated from the results of the previous period. The number of net grams of screen undersize produced per revolution of the mill approaches its final equilibrium value after several grinding periods, and this is recorded as the grindability, or relative ease of grinding, of the sample. A cylindrical ball mill, 12 by 12 in. inside, with a smooth lining and rounded corners, is used with a revolution counter Under standard grinding conditions it runs at 70 r.p.m., and contains a charge of 285 iron balls weighing 20,125 grams, ranging from I½ to ¾ in. in diameter. Tests are conducted at the mesh size to which the ore is to be ground in practice, and the capacity- to be expected from a given mill is calculated by comparing the grindability with that of a similar standard ore whose performance characteristics arc known. No satisfactory general formula for convertillg standard grindabilities into corn; rnercial power-consumption values has been

Jan 1, 1943

By T. E. Bernard

Occupying a refuge alternative (RA) is an accepted practice in mine fires and explosions when escape is not feasible. MSHA has promulgated a final rule on refuge alternatives that includes a recognition that thermal environment is an important consideration. To this end, an environmental index was specified. The question remains about how to test a refuge shelter to demonstrate that it meets the final rule. The analysis followed five activities: A. Provide an estimate of heat generated by an individual refuge alternative occupant; B. Evaluate the Steadman Apparent Temperature criterion of 95°F; C. Discuss simulations based on body temperature or skin temperature limits; D. Suggest method of simulating human heat generation during refuge occupancy; and E. Suggest alternative methodologies/criteria for evaluating heat and humidity survivability inside a refuge alternative.

Feb 27, 2013

By W. P. Heineken, A. T. Child

This paper presents the results of a series of experiments made in the metallurgical laboratory of Columbia University, New Pork City. The object of the investigation was to determine, as far as possible, the changes in micro-structure and physical properties caused by short periods of heat-treatment and the longer malleable cast-iron process. It was proposed to do this by means of micro-photographs, heating- and cooling-curves, and tensile tests after the various heat-treatments. I. Micro-Constituents of Iron and Steel. The list of the micro-constituents of iron and steel has grown till now it includes seven different substances, called ferrite, cementite, pearlite,* martensite, austenite, sorbite and troosite. Only the first five of these are mentioned in this paper, to facilitate the understanding of which, the following brief definitions are given: 1. Ferrite (named by Prof. Howe) is, chemically, iron free from carbon. It is the softest of the constituents, and is not colored by etching, except when long-continued. Under the microscope it is easily determined by its regular polygonal etructure; or, if structureless, as in malleable cast-iron, by the ease with which it is scratched. Ferrite appears in mild steel in small amount, in grey cast-iron, and in malleable cast-iron. 2. Cementite (also named by Prof. Howe) is now generally conceded to have the formula Fe3C. It is the hardest of the micro-constituents, having the hardness indicated by 7 of the mineralogical scale; and hence it is always left in relief after

Jan 1, 1901

Lonmin RoM ball mills are treating two types of feed ore produced by conventional mining and mechanised mining methods. It was reported that reduction in mill throughput was observed when treating the mechanised mining ore. Detailed grinding surveys were conducted for troubleshooting. Ore samples were collected for breakage characterisation using a JKRBT based on different particle density components. XRD analysis was conducted to investigate the association of minerals with density components. The plant surveys and the breakage characterisation tests all suggested that the two mining methods did not significantly affect either the ore breakage properties or the RoM mill performance. Instead, the mill discharge open area exerted a remarkable influence on mill throughput. The RoM ball mill operated at Lonmin K4 Concentrator has been proven to be a versatile mill that performed stably with variations in feed size distribution and feed ore changes by different mining techniques. The reasons are elucidated by the multi-component breakage characterisation and the plant surveys data.

Jan 1, 2012

By N. de Koker, Y Jooste, J. Gerber

This paper presents a novel application of the boundary element method for numerical modelling of the seismic activity and hazard that is associated with the shaft pillar extraction at Bambanani mine in South Africa. In the numerical model, the tabular mining excavations are represented by displacement discontinuity elements, and to accommodate crush, shear, and fault slip seismic events, the numerical model is populated with additional displacement discontinuity elements that represent modelled crush- and shear-type failures in the rockmass. Crush-type failures are evaluated by applying the limit equilibrium method and a Hoek-Brown strength criterion, and shear-type failures are evaluated by applying a Coulomb-friction strength criteria to Ortleppshear and geological features. In this paper, the modelling results are presented as time history analyses of modelled potency from 1 January 2010 to 30 June 2022 and normalised exceedance rates for different mining periods using an upper-truncated power law. The normalised exceedance rates of seismic events that have moment magnitude Mw ≥ 1.0 are lowest for the initial mining period (26 events per year) and highest for the final mining period (218 events per year). The relative errors of the modelled potency and normalised exceedance rates are typically less than 10% or 15%, which suggests that the modelling methodology is appropriate for medium- and longer-term forecasting of seismic activity and hazard, as presented in this paper. Shorter-term forecasting is not considered in this paper.

Nov 24, 2025

"The 35th Annual American Mining Hall of Fame Awards Banquet and Fundraiser, sponsored by the Mining Foundation of the Southwest (MFSW), will be held at the JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort & Spa on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017. This year, the Foundation will honor one living Hall of Fame inductee, two Medal of Merit recipients, four honorees from Mining’s Past and an Industry Partner for their respective contributions to the mining industry.Gary J. Goldberg will be the 2017 Hall of Fame Inductee and will serve as the keynote speaker at the awards banquet. Goldberg was appointed president and chief executive officer and joined the board of directors of Newmont Mining Corp. in March 2013. Prior to this appointment, he served numerous companies in key positions including Rio Tinto Minerals, US Borax and Coal & Allied Industries. At every appointment, he was able to improve safety concerns and reduce injury rates. While serving as chairman of the National Mining Association, Goldberg launched the CORESafety initiative and US Borax was the first mining company to receive the California Governor’s Environmental and Economic Award.The Medal of Merit will be awarded to John C. Lacy, a shareholder of DeConcini McDonald Yetwin & Lacy, P.C. and a director of the Global Law Center at the University of Arizona’s Law School. Lacy’s law practice concentrates on mining and public land law and encompasses transactional and title consideration involving acquisition of mineral rights. He played a crucial role in the revisions to the mining law of the Republic of Bolivia and the English translation of the mining laws and regulations of Mexico. Lacy’s expertise in mining law impelled the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law to approach him to head the new Global Mining Law Center in 2015. The program now partners with the Lowell Institute for Mineral Resources and offers cross-listing of courses"

Jan 10, 2017

IN presenting the medalist, Scott Turner, director of 'the Bureau of Mines, said in part: "Mr. Blaylock is a Canadian by birth, training, ex-perience and preference. He was born in the Province of Quebec, graduated from McGill University in 1899, and immediately thereafter became an employee of the company for which he is now general manager. His outstanding achievements have been the acquisition for his company of the Sullivan mine, and the organization of a metallurgical staff, which, under his leadership and personal direction, solved the difficult problems pre-sented by the extraordinarily complex lead-zinc-silver ores of the Sullivan mine. "By title only, I will suggest to you the high lights of his career: (1) Development, of the great mine at Kimberley, and a huge plant at Trail. (2) Discovery and application of a successful differential flotation process for Sullivan ore which had previously not re-sponded to any process. (3) Improvements in lead-blast-furnace and refinery practice. (4) Development of an electrolytic process for treatment of zinc concen-trates. (5) Development of an electric-furnace-smelt-ing-method for zinc-plant residues. Besides this, we recognize his great organizing ability, his gift of leader-ship, and the cooperative spirit he always displayed.

Jan 3, 1928

By S Vearncombe

SpaDiSÖ is a revolutionary approach to the spatial analysis of point data using geometry to analyse geometry! SpaDiSÖ uses each and every spatial relationship and is not dependent on mathematical models. For n points there are n2 û n spatial relationships and, because of the square function, the method yields interpretable results for both small and large data sets. SpaDiSÖ is an alternative to variography for directional studies. At the regional scale, the analysis can assess distribution patterns of mineralisation and potential controlling structures. At the deposit scale, the characteristics of zones of mineralisation such as direction, spacing, high-grade ore direction and grade distribution can all be deduced.

Jan 1, 2000

By F. A. Auld

"During the period 1958-1980 seven deep shafts were sunk from the surface in the UK. From 1977 until 1989 sixteen deep shafts were sunk in the UK, all concrete lined. Subsequently from 1989 up to the present day no deep shafts have been sunk in the UK, a period of 30 years. Developments in the design and construction of deep shaft linings in the UK therefore were predominantly carried out throughout the period 1977–1989. This knowledge is recorded in several published papers by the author over that period which will be referred to in the paper. INTRODUCTION The paper includes a review of past precedent for the design of deep shaft concrete linings in the UK and sets out the principles for future designs, including the design load to be adopted and Factors of Safety (SFs) to be used in the design. Hydrostatic pressure increases with depth from the surface and therefore the concrete lining must increase in thickness and strength throughout its depth to resist the pressure. High strength concrete mixes were developed to enable economic linings to reach greater depths and these will be detailed. The ground conditions to sink through in the UK consist of predominantly competent (self-standing when excavated) rock, which can be water bearing, and hence a hydrostatic pressure resisting lining is required. The paper describes the construction measures needed to produce a dry shaft by way of pour length, joint detail, backwall grouting and joint sealing details. PAST PRECEDENT FOR UK DEEP SHAFT SINKING AND LINING Seven deep shafts were sunk from the surface in the UK from 1957–1977 over a 20-year period (Auld, 1987). These are listed in Table 1. Three shafts were for British Coal, two were for Cleveland Potash Ltd and two were for the Central Electricity Generating Board. The British Coal shafts were 5.486 m and 7.315 m internal diameter to depths of 550 m and 780 m, respectively. At 5.5 m internal diameter and a depth of 1150 m, the two Boulby Mine shafts for Cleveland Potash Ltd are currently the deepest shafts in the UK. The two Central Electricity Generating Board shafts of 5 m and 10 m internal diameter, to depths of 255 m and 440 m, respectively, were ventilation shafts for a pumped storage scheme. Six of the shafts were sunk by Thyssen (GB) Ltd and one by Cementation Mining Ltd."

Jan 1, 2019

By Otto Ruhl

The Oronogo-Webb City-Duenweg district is in the northeastern part of the Tri-State zinc and, lead field. Its metal-mining history dates from the early 1850's. For some years prior to 1918 it ranked as the leading producing area of the entire Tri-State field, but by 1920 most of its mines had been abandoned and allowed to fill with water. Its mine operators had-been attracted, to the newly discovered and richer deposits around Picher, Okla. In 1943, the Orenogo Mutual Mining Co. was exploiting the Oronogo Circle deposit in the northern end of the district, and the Federal Mining & Smelting Co. was preparing to mine on its holdings in the southern part near Duenweg. The area between these two operating units ranked as the largest single block of ore reserves under water in the Tri-State field. In 1942, engineers of the Bureau of Mines, in collaboration with the William Stewart Engineering Co. of Joplin, collected all available mine maps, mine reports, and logs of old drill holes in the inundated area. From a careful study an appraisal of these data, the reserves in the block were calculated at 20,647,800 tons of ore containing 606,440 tons of 60-percent zinc concentrates and 46,970 tons of 80-percent lead concentrates. The ore was estimated to contain 1.76 percent recoverable zinc and 0.18 percent recoverable lead.

Jan 1, 1949

By R. E. Legg

This paper gives a brief outline of the mining and milling methods which will be used on the Stirling zinc-lead-copper ores by Stirling Mines, Limited, who have for the past two years been developing the Stirling mine in Richmond county, Nova Scotia, and who will bring the mine into production in November, 1929. No attempt has been made to give the paper a detailed technical character, for the main reason chat, since base-metal mining is something new in Nova Scotia, it is felt that a general description would be preferable before this Society, whose membership is mainly made up of chose engaged in the coal mining and associated industries. Furthermore, as both mining and milling operations will be governed to a certain degree by the experience gained after production commences, there are many points which cannot be definitely stated now. GEOLOGY Before discussing the mining methods, it is desirable to present a general picture of the geology and occurrence of the ore-bodies. The surface rocks in the vicinity of the mine consist of rhyolites of .pre-Cambrian age. These volcanic flows outcrop in very few places, usually along' the beds of creeks or on the shores of the numerous small lakes. Consequently, a detailed geological map is not available. The exploration work carried out to date has revealed a sheared zone extending through the volcanic flows for a distance of over 1,000 feet. Along this zone, there has been a replacement of the rhyolites by a carbonate rock for widths varying from 50 to 230 feet, and it is in this carbonate formation chat the mineralization at a later date took place.

Jan 1, 1929