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By M Kozikowski

The primary purpose of these investigations is to determine dewatering requirements and likely impacts associated with mining operations. Standard aquifer testing techniques were carried out at multiple locations within the Ord Range near Pardoo, Western Australia. Aquifer properties of an oxidised haematite orebody were calculated from test pumping data conducted in five fully penetrating test bores. Hydraulic properties of the Ridley magnetite orebody were calculated based on short term constant rate pumping tests, and packer tests. Packer tests were conducted in undeveloped and uncased exploration holes and diamond core holes. The new data sheds light on the hydrogeological properties of this previously unexplored region of Western Australia.Aquifer testing procedures for each bore included a preliminary step test followed by a constant rate test. Recovery data were collected in each bore over a period of four to six hours. Prior to testing, background water levels and water samples were collected in a network of monitoring and exploration bores to establish baseline water levels, gradients and water quality. Water quality within the bedrock of the Ord Range varies from 2000 to 5500 mg/L TDS whereas water quality within the alluvial sequence of the De Grey River is highly variable (400 to 2500 mg/L TDS), but is predominantly brackish with some water of potable quality which is used to supply Port Hedland. Test pumping supports the conceptual hydrogeological model that consists of a pod like orebody (aquifer) surrounded by low permeability waste rock (BIF), with very weak hydraulic connection to the adjacent alluvial systems. Calculated hydraulic conductivity from test pumping data across Pardoo ranged from 0.01 to 59 m/d, depending on deposit tested.A groundwater model was used to simulate dewatering required in proposed pits and to estimate the impact of dewatering on the surrounding shallow alluvial aquifers. Test pumping and numerical groundwater flow modelling indicate the proposed below water table pits can be successfully dewatered utilising in pit dewatering production bores. Yields from individual dewatering bores will reduce with time due to the reduction in saturated aquifer thickness.Based on the numerical groundwater modelling and field investigations the likely impacts to the adjacent De Grey River alluvial aquifer system (within the Priority 1 De Grey River Water Reserve) resulting from mining and dewatering activities is considered minimal. Recalibration of the groundwater model will be undertaken once several months of dewatering data are available.The aim of this paper is to present a range of aquifer parameters derived through standard aquifer testing techniques for an area previously unexplored in terms of hydrogeological characteristics. It is the goal of the authors to provide this comparison data set for future work in similar geologic media.

Jan 1, 2009

By Florian Kongoli

"Lime ferrite" slag with limited silica content has proven to be a valuable choice in the modem processes of copper smelting and converting due to several advantages that this slag offers compared to classical silicate slags. Nevertheless the liquidus surface of this slag has been experimentally measured only at low oxygen potentials such as in equilibrium with iron or near it and in air. Although most of the smelting and converting processes that use this slag occur at intermediate oxygen potentials, the liquidus surface of this slag is not known at these conditions and the effect of oxygen potential and silica has not been correctly understood. This has brought some confusion in literature as well as in the industrial practice. In this work the liquidus surface of the calcium ferrite slags has been quantified by the means of a new thermophysicochemical model and a new type of liquidus surface diagrams which are very convenient for any industrial process that uses calcium ferrite slags. These diagrams can be easily used to select the lowest liquidus temperature of calcium ferrite slags at a minimum cost and can help design several fluxing strategies in copper smelting and converting processes. The effect of the oxygen potential and silica is also quantified and important industrially related conclusions are drawn.

Jan 1, 2003

By M Ali, E Satriawan, M Napitupulu, A Munandar

The Deep Mill Level Zone (DMLZ) panel cave mine is one of three active caving mines at PT Freeport Indonesia’s Grasberg Underground Mining Complex. The DMLZ mine is located at a depth of approximately 1,500-1800 m below the surface, making it one of the world’s deepest panel cave mining operations. This depth results in both high in-situ and induced stress that acts on the hard and massive rock mass, triggering rockburst conditions. As a result of the bursting conditions, ground support and maintaining the support capacity are an essential part of operating the DMLZ mine in an efficient and safe manner.

Apr 26, 2022

By Jian Liu

The dissolubility of a natural sphalerite (ZnS) in the entire pH range was theoretically calculated, and its practical dissolution in an aqueous solution at different pH values in an inert environment, together with its surface properties after dissolution, was fully investigated. The results of the investigation indicate that the total concentration of Zn (CZnT) decreases significantly with the increase of pH value, while the pH value is set below 8; however, it reverses when the pH value reaches 8. Such a tendency is similar to that of the theoretical calculations, although the experimental CZnT were much higher than those of the theoretical calculations. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) of the sphalerite surface after its dissolution under alkaline solution shows that a polysulfide (Sn 2-) surface layer with a binding energy (BE) value of 162.96-163.25 eV is present on the surface, and the percentage of Sn 2- increases significantly with an increase in pH value; the undissolved and dissolved sphalerites under the acidic solution have a negligible difference in S2p peaks. The surface S/Zn ratio of all dissolved sphalerites shows a marked Zn enrichment and S deficiency. An atomic force microscope (AFM) view of the sphalerite surface, after its dissolution under the alkaline solution at a pH of 12, shows that the surface is significantly different in morphology from that of the undissolved one.

May 1, 2012

By D. G. Kuehn

Positive ion sampling studies have been conducted on do discharges containing 0.33 percent sulfur dioxide in helium. Measurements were made for normalized gas pressures from 0.45 to 6.8 torr and discharge currents from 5 to 40 ma. Ion species observed included SO+, S+, SO2+, SO3+; O+, and 0+, 02+. Studies were conducted on the functional dependence of the various ion species with respect to axial distance, pressure, current, and gas flow rate. Interpretation of these results is consistent with the assumption of SO2 dissociation. Deposition of sulfur compounds was observed in the plasma container during these studies. The present results are compared with previous studies which have been conducted in SO2.

Jan 1, 1971

By J. W. Wolfe

The Benedict-Webb-Rmbin equation of state was used in digital computer programs to make rapid determinations of natural gas equilibrium phase compositions. Mixture components were the nine hydrocarbons, methane through heptane. Comparative tests were made with data from field separators, plant exchangers and literature sources. For most tests made, the B-W-R equations predrcted component K-vallles, mixture enthalpies and phase aensities within tile accuracy of available correlations for rune-component mixtures: significant deviations were noted when mixtures contained components heavier than heptune. INTRODUCTION Rapid, accurate methods for calculating the properties of hydrocarbon mixtures are needed for predicting the behavior of natural gas processes. For example, because of the common use of two-phase separation methods in gas proccssing, calculations must be made for the density and composition of equilibrium vapor and liquid phases. In addition, predictions must often be made for the temperature and pressure changes associated with the flow of single- and two-phase natural gas fluids through heat exchangers, chokes and turbines. The complex nature of non-ideal mixtures makes rigorous calculations for these natural gas properties difficult and time-consuming. Natural gas properties have conventionally been determined with generalized data correlations. These correlations, such as the K-values presented in the NGAA Equilibrium Ratio Data Book, are usually based on some average property of the mixture and have proven to give satisfactory estimates for the properties of most oil and gas systems. Digital computers, however, have not only increased the utility of these correlations, but also have made practical the use of equations of state for calculating the properties of natural gases. Potentially, if basic pure component data are available, all the desired thermodynamic properties of mixtures can be derived from a single equation of state describing the mixture. Currently. the best equation of state for describing the behavior of pure, light hydrocarbons over single-and two-phase regions, both below and above critical pressure, is that of Benedict. Webb and Rubin.' The equation contains eight constants which are determined by empirically fitting the equation to pure-component PVT data. Benedict and his co-workers presented the clevelopment of their equation as early as 1940.2 The B-W-R equation is a modification of the Beattie-Bridgeman equation of state and gives better PVT predictions than the Beattie equation at densities above the critical density. Benedict et al. made the equation applicable to mixtures by relating the mixture constants to composition and the constants for pure compounds. These authors, in a serics of articles in 1951,' showed the accuracy of the B-W-R equation when applied to light hydrocarbons and their simple mixtures, and demonstrated the equation's utility for making vapor-liquid equilibria calculations. Since its inception, the B-W-R equation has been the subject of many papers. Numerous additions and modifications have been proposed,'-',"'-':' the purpose of most being to improve the equation's ability to predict PVT properties of specific mixture systems. In 1959, Opfell, Pings and Sage summarized much of the work on the B-W-R equation in their book on equations of state." Since natural gases are primarily mixtures of light hydrocarbons, the B-W-R equation is a natural choice for an equation of state to compute both phase equilibria and thermodynamic properties of natural gases. Consequent-

Jan 1, 1967

By B. Catalano, D. Ifrim

The Annacis Island Outfall Project includes two TBM bored tunnels with face pressures above 3.5 bar, with an internal diameter of 4.2 metres. This paper discusses the innovative approach to TBM tunnelling and TBM design at the Annacis Outfall Project. The TBM custom design includes a 3.6 m OD core machine manufactured by Herrenknecht and a 5.0 m add-on by the Contractor (Bessac), acting as an extension kit, with optimized gantry design to accommodate for short tunnel drives and quicker launches. This novel design approach produced safety improvement, cost and schedule savings while streamlining logistics of TBM retrieval.

Dec 1, 2022

By E. L. Vickers

Over the years, the pure theorist in economic analysis has accumulated a formidable array of facts in bringing his subject matter under control. Business managers and mining engineers are aware of the theorist's weapons, but the question of applying them to the mastery of practical problems seems hardly feasible, especially in view of the almost innumerable variables plaguing the everyday scene in the mining enterprise. One such sophisticated tool of long-standing in the theorist's arsenal is marginal analysis. Equally long-standing for the operating company and valuation engineer is the problem of defining the cut-off grade the point below which a mineral re- source ceases to be economically amenable to extraction. In other words, what part of a mineralized body of rock is ore and what is waste?

Jan 6, 1961

By Matthew E. Meyer

Renovation, rehabilitation, restoration and expansion of existing residential, retail, commercial, hospital facilities and historic structures requires assessment and evaluation of foundation systems of various ages. The concept of demolition and reconstruction in urban areas is often more challenging, costly, and even prohibitive in some cases due to historic regulations. The authors have been involved with numerous projects related to existing foundation assessment and retrofit, including: hotel and hospital expansions, historic Art-Deco hotel renovations and expansions, garage structure expansions, additions to prominent auction houses, casinos, printing facilities; high-rise structure foundation retrofitting; forensic evaluations of existing building and highway structure foundation systems, and marine bulkhead sheeting systems. The use of non-destructive testing techniques, high-strain dynamic load testing, full scale pile cap load testing and 3-D laser scanning technology has proved to be vital in the assessment and evaluation process, as well as design of foundation retrofit alternatives. This paper presents various methods and techniques to facilitate a phased approach for optimization of existing foundations and subsequent re-use of foundation systems. These methods and techniques are illustrated through the author?s experience and selected case histories from projects with varied foundation and geologic conditions.

Jan 1, 2011

By A. Bergmann

Location The Meggen Mine and the concentrator plant of the "Sachtleben Bergbau G.m.b.H." are located in the southern part of the Ruhr-district of the Federal Republic of Germany. The mine has been in operation for more than 100 years, but the concentrator described in this paper was built in 1962 and started up in January 1963. Goelogy and Mining The Meggen ore-body is of sedimentary origin and occurs in a zone of limestones, graywacke and shales of Devonion age. The average thickness of the deposit is 3 meters and, due to an intense folding of the area, the mineralized zone dips very steeply at 800 toward the north. The ore consists of 85 percent of sulfides and 15 percent gangue that mainly contains silicates from the host rocks. The principal ore minerals are pyrite (67 percent), sphalerite (16 percent) and galena (2 percent) with minor amounts of marcasite and only traces of chalcopyrite. As shown in Fig. 1, the sphalerite and galena are very finely disseminated in the massive pyrite of the Meggen ore, and a very fine grinding combined with a special flotation technique are required to liberate the valuable sulfides and to produce separate concentrates of lead, zinc and pyrite. Mining is performed by the sub-level stoping method and employs trackless equipment. Present operations provide ore from the 600 meter level. Annual ore production is 870,000 metric tons.

Jan 1, 1972

By J. A. Delgadillo, C. A. Pérez-Alonso

"Tumbling mills using balls as grinding media are used extensively in the mining and cement industries to produce fine powders; however, it is well known that the process of size reduction is highly energy-intensive. For this reason, much of today’s comminution research is aimed at understanding grinding mechanisms, by estimating power draft and modeling milling circuits using the discrete element method (DEM). DEM predicts individual particle trajectories, the distribution of energy and contact forces at each collision, lifter wear and power draw. This paper presents a prediction of the discharge particle size distribution using three components, mass balance model (sometimes referred to as a population balance model, PBM), impact energy distribution of the mill obtained from the simulation of the charge motion using DEM and breakage characteristics of particles determined from drop-ball tests. DEM simulation of the charge of a tumbling mill was done using the code MinProSim 1.0 to obtain impact spectra at different operative conditions. Then, the population balance model (PBM), based on impact energy distribution, was used to predict the final particle size distribution in a batch mill and compared with experimental data. It is demonstrated that the DEM-PBM approach allows a reliable solution to predict particle size distribution for tumbling mills. Ideally, the model has to predict size distribution for any operational condition and feed characteristic; however, it has been shown that predictions include some degree of error.IntroductionThe discrete element method (DEM) has recently become a powerful numerical tool that can be used to investigate internal mill charge in ball mills. The early work of Cundall and Strack (1979) used DEM to analyze soil as a discrete medium. Later, the method was improved to simulate the operation of tumbling mills and optimize the design in order to increase the efficiency of energy utilization. Also, it is of great interest to relate ore breakage based on impact energy spectra obtained by DEM simulations and the breakage distribution function used in the PBM to predict particle size distribution in tumbling mills.King and Borgeous (1993) broke single particles in an ultra fast impact load cell to compute the phenomenological parameters in a microscopically more detailed population balance model. Kapur et al. (1997) simulated the size spectra of progeny particles produced by impact grinding as a function of the impact energy. Narayanan (1987), Narayanan and Whiten (1988) and Lira and Kavetsky (1990) estimated the energy-dependent breakage distribution function for scaleup and modeling of industrial ball mills."

Jan 1, 2015

By A. R. Marder

Fe-C alloys have been investigated at temperatures below the eutectoid transformation to determine whether the superplasticity phenomenon exists for these materials. As a result of void formation at the carbide-ferrite interfaces that led to void coalescence and premature failure, the large elongations characteristic of superplustic matem'als did not develop. It had generally been assumed that the conditions for obtaining superplasticity include: a) T/Tm =0.5, b) a strain rate sensitivity of the flow stress that results in m s 0.3, and c) fine-grain structure. Although superphsticity was not observed in the alloys studied, stress-strain rate measurements indicated that an additional condition for the existence of superplasticitv in Fe-C allovs is that the fine-wain structure be equiaxed in agveement with previous results on Zn-Al al1oys. MANY investigations have been made on the hot deformation of iron-base alloys in order to obtain an understanding of the variables that may affect high-temperature strength and ductility.'-6 However, only a few papers have studied the effect of carbon content on the high-temperature properties of iron-base alloys. Peretayat'ko and Zaikov and Wallquist and carlen4 studied the effect of carbon on strength in the y temperature range, and recently Robbins, Shepard, and sherby6 studied the influence of carbon on the torsional behavior of iron in the a and cu-plus-cemen-tite temperature ranges. In addition to studying hot deformation behavior, current investigations have also been concerned with the phenomenon of superplasticity in nonferrous materials, and, in particular, ferrous alloys. Superplasticity is identified by the increased resistance to necking that results from a high strain rate sensitivity of the flow tress. ackofenr proposed the strain rate hardening coefficient m = d log a/d log e as a measure of strain rate sensitivity and showed that m must be "-0.3 for superplasticity to exist. In addition, a fine-grained microstrcture,- a eutectic or eutectoid ornosition,- and a test temperature in the creep range (TITm > 0.5)" have also been advanced as necessary conditions for superplasticity. Although many workers""23 investigated superplasticity associated with the allotropic transformation in iron and the eutectoid transformation in steel, and recently chadler " and orrison have studied superplasticity in the a - y phase region, no one has measured the superplastic effect in the a + cementite temperature region. Therefore, the purpose of this investiga- tion was to determine the effect of carbon content, microstructure, and test temperature on the strain rate sensitivity of Fe-C alloys at temperatures below the eulectoid transformation. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE Fe-C alloys with carbon contents of 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, and 1.0 wt pct were prepared as 100 lb 54 in. ingots by vacuum-induction melting. The compositions are listed in Table I. All the ingots were soaked at 2100°F for 2 hr prior to rolling to 4 in. plate. The minimum finishing temperature for rolling was 1800°F. The plate was sheared in 10-in. lengths and tensile bars were rough-machined prior to heat treatment. The samples were heat-treated according to the schedule in Table I1 in order to obtain a fine-grained microstructure consisting of finely dispersed carbides in a matrix of small ferrite grains. All the tensile specimens were heat-treated prior to finish machining, and tensile testing was accomplished on an Instron machine in conjunction with a clamshell furnace. The buttonhead specimen configuration is shown in Fig. 1. An inert atmosphere, helium, was maintained during testing with a steel tube shroud in a bell jar arrangement. Predried helium was continually purged over the buttonhead specimens and exhausted through ceramic fiber at the bottom of the tube to keep oxidation at a minimum and to prevent

Jan 1, 1970

By J Charbucinski

Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Exploration and Mining, has developed nuclear spectrometric techniques for borehole logging. The paper reviews the latest developments of this technology for the metalliferous mining industries. The SIROLOG logging system developed by CSIRO Exploration and Mining has been commercialised and is available to the mining industry.

Jan 1, 2000

By Falbo A, Quarestima S, Cozza C, Barbaro M

A new synthetic reagent of the mercaptobenzoxazole class, 5- methyl-2-mercaptobenzoxazole, has been studied. This reagent exhibits powerful selective collecting action towards copper sulphides present in several complex ores, as demonstrated both by laboratory and pilot plant tests. Industrial production is expected to start in the near future. The way this reagent reacts with pure chalcocite has been studied utilising in situ FTIR techniques, adsorption tests, electrokinetic potential measurements and Hallimond cell flotation tests. The FTIR studies have indicated the nature of the surface phase. Adsorption isotherms obtained by the rest method have revealed the quantitative evolution of surface products, permitting the determination of surface coverage at various reagent concentrations. The electrokinetic potential has been utilised to verify the stability of individual species in diverse concentration ranges. Correlation of the results obtained has provided indications on the chemical interaction of this reagent with the surface and on the surface Arrangement.

Jan 1, 1993

By C. W. Crispell

THE four nomograms presented in this article were designed to simplify and make more, rapid the calculations connected with the compression and transmission of air. The formulae involved are rather complicated, but the graphic solutions are simple; their use requires an ability to follow explicit directions and to interpolate values on a logarithmic scale. ? For the sake of convenience, the nomograms will be divided into two classes, and the purpose and accuracy of each will be discussed. Compression It is frequently desirable to determine the horsepower necessary to compress a given amount of free air from atmospheric pressure to a certain final pressure. The nomograms in Figs. 1 and 2 present a rapid method of calculating the horsepower required to compress 1 cu. ft. of free air per minute by single or two-stage compression. The general formula for the horsepower required to compress air adiabatically is: HP = S X 144/33,000 PVn/(n-1) [(P'/P) n-1/Sn -1] (1) where: P = absolute atmospheric pressure at compressor, in pounds per square inch. P' = final absolute pressure of compressed air, in pounds per square inch. V = volume of free air compressed per minute, in cubic feet. S = number of stages. n = exponent of the compression curve.

Jan 6, 1917

By Sherwin F. Kelly

NEW trend in geophysics has been uncovered in these depression years, made evident through the thinning cloak of commercial activity, which, in better times, would have completely obscured it. I refer to the increasing use of these methods for geological investigations by federal and state geological surveys. This is a trend that has been gathering momentum not alone in the United States, but abroad as well. Thus, in Poland, the Geological Survey has been playing an increasing role in geophysical work since 1927, and now has- its own geophysical department. The government petroleum producing organization of Argentina has its Geophysical Commission; Brasil boasts a completely equipped geophysical department in its Mineral Production Service; the government of Chile has contracted with commercial companies for geophysical surveys; Peru is planning an intensive program of geophysical prospecting in its petroliferous regions; and Canada has, for several years, cooperated with

Jan 1, 1935

By Gram Curtis

The apparatus described below for the handling of plates upon their delivery from the rolls, embodies features believed to be of interest to those contemplating the building of new plate-mills, and also to such owners of existing mills as may be considering the improvement of their works. The points to which attention is called are the small space required for the finishing-end of the mill, and consequently the very moderate size of the building for the amount of plates handled; the directness and ease of manipulation, and therefore the mall amount of labor required; the distribution of plates; the facilities and time allowed for their cooling. These, together with other features of detail and general arrangement scarcely less important, will become apparent when the descriptions and illustrations herewith given are understood. As these devices deal with the finishing of the plates only, they may be added to any plate-train when the floor-space and the building are large enough to permit their introduction; and it will be obvious that the features of this method, more or less modified, are applicable to any existing mill. Figs. 1 and 2 show a three-high 32-and 19- by 120-inch Lauth mill, with hydraulic lifting-tables, served by four heating-furnaces, with hydraulic cranes for charging and drawing. Upon leaving the rolls, the plate is allowed to rest with its forward edge projecting somewhat beyond the end of the catcher's table. Here it is seized by the automatic tongs, A, suspended from a buggy travelling in the overhead trough, B, and actuated by the hydraulic cylinder, C. These tongs are operated by a boy, who stands several feet from the heated plate, and controls the long light handle, D, shown in the plan, Fig. I. His duty is merely to advance the tongs by means of .the hydrulic cylinder, C, to raise or

Jan 1, 1892

This article presents a proposal for the rehabilitation of the mined area of the Mogiana quarry. The Mogiana quarry produces material used in civil construction and is situated in the Brazilian State of Spo Paulo in the kilometre six of the Mogf Mirim - Itapira highway. The mineral exploitation in the Mogiana quarry provokes modifications in the environment such as alterations in the relief, vegetation, quality of the air, water and landscape. Through previous study of the area it was verified that after the closure of the exploitation the mine should be occupied mainly by pasturage. At the closing of the mine the exploitation benches, berms and slopes in general as well as the surrounding areas should be covered with a layer of soil and vegetated with native species in order to mitigate the negative impacts caused by the mine. The rehabilitation project of the area is based on the probable future use of the area, located between agricultural cultivations and cattle creation. The great alteration of the relief and soil would make future use of the area for agriculture difficult. It is more suitable t0 animal creation, mainly cattle. The high and thick rock slopes originated by the mining should be covered by vegetation, where possible, to reduce the negative visual impact. Obviously several measures will be necessary to reduce the impacts on the environment during mining. The final and definitive reclamation will only be possible after abandonment of the area. The main aspects of this reclamation process will be discussed in this paper.

Dec 6, 2010

By Mark S. Stagg, David E. Siskind

The mining industry occasionally blasts near pressurized transmission pipelines and has requested guidance of safe vibration levels and setback distances. the Bureau of Mines and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources cooperated with AMAX Coal Company on a study of coal mine overburden blasting. Five buried and pressurized 250-ft pipeline sections were specifically installed on the Minnehaha Mine highwall near Sullivan, IN for testing to failure. Four welded steel pipes ranging from 6- to 20- in diameter and one 8- PVC water supply pipe were monitored for vibration, strain, and internal pressure for a period of 6 months while production blasting advanced up to the pipeline field. In contrast to previous studies of small-scale blasting representing construction activities, these tests involved overburden blasts of up to 2100 lb per delay in 12-l/4-in diameter holes.

Jan 1, 1996

By J. C. Cawley

Improvements in today's maintenance practices are mandatory as more complex and productive machines evolve in the mining industry. By keeping machine reliability high through improved maintenance procedures, overall mining costs can be reduced. The Bureau of Mines is investigating diagnostic maintenance systems for underground mining machinery. A hydraulic expert diagnostic system and an electric motor predictive diagnostic system have been designed and installed on a Joy 16CM continuous miner. An electrical diagnostic system has been designed and installed on a Joy 14CM continuous miner. Each system is functionally described and the relative merits of expert diagnostic systems versus algorithmic diagnostic systems are discussed.

Jan 1, 1992