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By R. J. Sweigard, C. T. Justice, T. Beckham, E. D. Thompson, T. C. Hopkins

Fine coal refuse is often pumped, as slurry, into surface impoundments as a means of permanent disposal. As the available volume is filled, the height of the embankments are frequently increased. Many times the additional embankment material is placed upon consolidated fine coal refuse. There has been some concern about the long-term effect of consolidation of this material at or above the liquid limit upon its shear strength. A laboratory investigation was performed using three different types of fine coal sluny taken from Central Appalachian coal preparation plants. The refuse was consolidated in 10-foot plexiglass columns under incremental amounts of surcharge loading. The incremental loads were designed to simulate the effect of increasing the height of a refuse embankment on top of the consolidating coal slurry. After the refuse in the columns had consolidated for several months, the columns were cut apart and triaxial tests were performed on both the consolidated material and unconsolidated material for comparison of their shear strength parameters.

Feb 24, 1997

By Gregory Beckstrom

"During a year of challenges in the mining industry, two groups collaborated Aug. 17- 20 for a joint conference on industrial minerals of the Upper Midwest. Hosted in Minneapolis, MN, the 4th Annual SME Twin Cities technical conference and the 51st Annual Forum on the Geology of Industrial Minerals (FGIM) drew attendees from throughout the United States and Canada.Highlights of the event included a one-day field trip on Aug. 17 to a crushed stone and gravel mining and processing operations near the Twin Cities, followed by a visit to a historic mine tunnel within the St. Peter sandstone formation. The latter was used as a speakeasy during America’s prohibition era. A two-day field trip on Aug. 19-20 made stops in central and northeastern Minnesota at a granite quarry and processing plant, a peat harvesting and packaging plant, an iron mine and taconite processing plant, and a silica sand storage and loading operation. In a nod to one of Minnesota’s celebrated luminaries, the group also stopped in Hibbing to visit the boyhood home of Robert Allen Zimmerman, better known to the rest of the world as Bob Dylan.A full-day technical program featuring talks on environmental impacts of silica sand mining, regulatory updates, mine land reclamation and methods for identifying construction material failures (alkali-silica reaction) was bookended by the two field trips.According to Minnesota state geologist Harvey Thorleifson, the keynote speaker of the technical program, “This joint SME and Forum on the Geology of Industrial Minerals conference is a reflection of the important role of the mining industry in society, of the important role that partnerships play, and of the prominence of industrial minerals on the Twin Cities region and iron ore on a national scale.” He added, “While this is a tough year for the mining industry in the region, we are confident in the strength of the profession and the industry in the medium term, as we anticipate a superb SME national conference in Minneapolis in 2018.”"

Jan 1, 2015

By P. Rambalee

A multiple coal fired boiler house provides steam for utility usage in various production plants. Maintaining stable header pressure and boiler availability is of critical importance for downstream consumers. Advanced Process Control comprising of a G2 based expert system and Model Predictive Control was implemented to improve the boiler house performance. The results yielded improvements in the main header pressure stability, reduction in boiler saturation and significant saving in coal consumption. All information used for this document is from a published whitepaper written and led by Prevlen Rambalee (Anglo Platinum) and Gustaf Gous (BluESP) titled, ?Control and Stabilization of a Multiple Boiler Plant: An APC Approach?.

Jan 1, 2012

By Larry: McAnuff Schneider, Edward Walter, Gordon Shaw, Daniel Grieco, Dennis Clark

During the 1998 Annual Conference of the International Society of Explosives Engineers (ISEE), the Seismograph Section established a subcommittee for the purpose of compiling a list of all regulations pertaining to limits imposed on ground vibration generated by blasting. The goal of this project was to determine the vibration regulatory levels being enforced, with the further intention of examining their scope, and uniformity. A secondary purpose was to evaluate the consistency of the existing regulations with the current scientific findings on structural response and damage potential.

Jan 1, 2001

By William G. Freeman

In comparison to many mineral commodities, barite has a low unit value. It is mined and sold in low volumes in high-grade (90-98% BaSO4) forms to basically one industry that uses approximately 75% of the free world production. Based upon the above criteria, all factors must be considered in determining if a barite deposit is economical; such as, the type of deposit, mining and milling methods required, transportation to the markets, tariffs, local political conditions, etc. In other words, barite mines are made--not found. The length of this paper precludes any indepth discussion of geology, mining and metallurgy of barite. Most of this information can be found in data already published, such as D. A. Brobst's bulletin1 on the Barite Resources of the United States.

Jan 1, 1971

By Thiago Rangel Bittencourt

Com a tendência de aumento da complexidade geométrica dos painéis de cobertura dos automóveis, aumento de resistência mecânica e diminuição da espessura dos materiais, a estampagem dessas peças tem tornado cada vez mais difícil. Neste contexto, dois graus de aços que exibem elevada resistência mecânica e boa conformabilidade, têm sido ofertados pela siderurgia à indústria automotiva, o Bake Hardenable (BH) e o Interstitial Free High Strength Steel (IFHSS). O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar aços BH e IFHSS, em termos de propriedades mecânicas, de conformabilidade, de ganho de resistência em função da deformação, envelhecimento e de resistência à indentação, em escala laboratorial. Desse modo, visou-se avaliar sob quais condições de estampagem deve ser decidido o uso do BH ou do IFHSS em aplicações de painéis automotivos. Os aços avaliados, de um modo geral, apresentaram desempenho similar em termos de conformabilidade. O aço BH foi superior ao IFHSS em relação à resistência à indentação. Portanto, o aço BH aparece como uma solução técnica atrativa, comparativamente ao aço IFHSS, quando aplicado em painéis externos (capôs, portas e paralamas) que requerem maior exigência quanto à resistência à indentação.

Aug 7, 2018

By August Wendel

weight, and deflection, and recommends that the Pennsylvania Railroad Company denland that rails be made on specifications, based on these six variables, so narrow, that to fill them would cause the constant rejection of enormous quantities of steel, and a consequent enhancement of the price of rails, probably ten or twenty per cent., without any certainty that such rails would be any better than those the steel-mills are now making. I earnestly hope that the investigation which Dr. Dudley has so ably carried on will be continued. I hope the Pennsylvarlia Sailroad Company, or preferably a combination of several railroads, will institute the prolonged investigation which I think will be necessary to solve this deep problem; that they will take a hundred or more rails, watching and noting down carefully every detail of their manufacture as well as their analysis; that they will be carefully weighed before, during, and after service; that their crop-ends will be tested before service, and the rails themselves after removal; that all the sources of error which Dr. Dudley admits in the present investigation may be removed, and that enough facts may be gathered and tabulated so that the conclusions which may be drawn from them may be apparent to every one without labored discussion or heated argument. But I venture to prophesy that after this investigation shall have been completed, and a formula adopted which shall be satiefactory to both manufacturers and consumcrs, that formula will not be the one now under discussion. I hope Dr. Durlley will pardon me if I have been unduly severe in my criticism, and consider that I have written my remarks hastily and at a time which should have been given to needed rest. I differ with him only as regards the conclusions which he has drawn. I appreciate the value of his labors, and only make public my own conclusions in the hope of contributing to the advancement of the science of steelmaking, in which we are ail so deeply interested. Dr. August WENDEL, Troy, K. Y.: Dr. Dudley's last paper gives, certainly, very valuable and interesting information regarding the wear of rails under different conditions. His results concernillg the composition of rails, explotle, rather startlingly, some old theories regarding the wear of rails, and 1 think after his formula is silnplified it will be one good formula to work by. As he now arrives at the same conclusions reached ill his first paper, some of my remarks will apply to both, althougl~ I would

Jan 1, 1881

By John L. Thames

The benefits of water harvesting as an alternative to conventional reclamation were demonstrated on the Peabody Coal mines in Northeast Arizona. The project produced food crops for four years, and demonstrated that a catchment/crop area ratio of about 2.5:1 was sufficient to obtain sufficient water from the 11 inch annual precipitation to produce garden and fruit varieties in quantities equal to or exceeding national production averages. The economic returns exceeded those of the conventional practice of returning the mine area to rangeland by at least ten fold. Subsidence of the regraded spoil was the only major problem in maintaining the system. Although, water harvesting systems have the potential of providing high economic returns and greater social benefits, as demonstrated by this project they are presently at variance with the strip mining regulation.

Jan 1, 1984

By H. B. Pulsifer

One of the most common basic open-hearth furnace products is a simple carbon steel with a carbon range from 0.05 to 0.15 per cent. The material is widely used for sheets, tubes, bars, wire and the innumerable special objects of secondary fabrication. The properties of the material vary over wide ranges, depending on the more exact composition and details of manufacture or treatment that affect its structure. The present paper is a review of those properties and structures that have been found by studying this steel as used in the cap screw industry. At first glance this might be thought a narrow application of the steel, but, since the industry uses the material in the cold-worked, annealed and heat-treated conditions, the title of the paper may be excused for its comprehensiveness. Yet, in studying the wide ranges of properties and structures that preclude a more specific title, there can be no suggestion of completeness or finality. Even a summary of a few years' work is no more than a preliminary survey of a field that will be fertile in scientific data and industrial products for many years to come. An outline of the structures will be given first, then a list of the previous contributions that are at hand and finally some details of the work and related problems, especially concerning this low-carbon steel in the surface-hardened condition. Wire Used in Manufacture of Cap Screws The wire that is used for making cold-upset and roll-threaded cap screws has been cold-drawn from hot-rolled rods that were pickled and limed. The common sizes used in the industry range from 0.185 to 0.750 in. dia., the exact diameters depending on the plant practice and having the usual tolerances of 0.002 in. for the smaller sizes and 0.003 in. for the larger sizes. The carbon range, by pit analysis, is usually between 0.07 and 0.12 per cent. Manganese should be within the usual 0.30 to 0.50 per cent. range. Sulfur rarely exceeds 0.045 per cent. and phosphorus seldom exceeds 0.030 per cent. Silicon is usually below 0.03 per cent. but in the silicon-killed steels may be in the customary 0.10 to 0.25 per cent. range. Rimmed steel is not considered most suitable for cap screws that are cold-headed or for parts that are to be surface-hardened.

Jan 1, 1931

By Steve Kral

Worker safety is an issue that transcends industries, whether it be mining, construction, manufacturing or even general office work. In the mining industry, safety and training are particularly important because mining is a dangerous occupation. Throughout the years, federal and state safety regulations have been written and revised to keep up with the changing technologies. And mine operators have installed their own safety and training programs. They have come to realize that a safe and healthy workforce has positive effects on productivity and profitability —not to mention avoiding the high costs of injury-related absenteeism.

Jan 1, 2003

By Paulo Sérgio Moreira, Geraldo Lúcio de Faria, Rhelman Rossano Urzêdo Queiróz, Amanda Aparecida Fátima Arruda, Ana Cecília de Carvalho

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o desempenho em desgaste de camadas espessas de óxidos formadas na superfície do aço inoxidável ferrítico 410D após a sua submissão a tratamentos isotérmicos em atmosfera oxidante. O aço em questão foi estudado no estado de entrega e tratado isotermicamente nas temperaturas de 900°C e 1000°C por diferentes intervalos de tempo. O método de avaliação empregado foi o teste de desgaste micro-abrasivo do tipo esfera presa em placa. Com o desenvolvimento do estudo, foi possível executar análises qualitativas e quantitativas a respeito do comportamento em desgaste do aço inoxidável 410D em função de sua condição superficial, como oxidada ou não. Alterações microestruturais também foram consideradas na discussão dos resultados. Concluiu-se que a camada superficial de óxidos desenvolvida após os tratamentos isotérmicos possui boa aderência e tem potencial para aplicação como camada protetora do aço em aplicações onde a sua resistência ao desgaste seja requerida.

Oct 9, 2019

By J. A. Retty

HOLLINGER CONSOLIDATED GOLD MINES LTD., through two subsidiary companies, has the exclusive right to prospect in two contiguous areas in central Labrador. This paper presents the results of the mineral exploration that has been conducted in these areas to date. One of the subsidiaries of Hollinger. the Labrador Mining and Exploration Co. Ltd., under an agreement with the Newfoundland Commission of Government, holds an area of approximately 20,000 sq.mi., which comprises the western portion of Newfoundland-Labrador and includes the upper basins of the Hamilton and Naskaupi Rivers. (The main area of the deposits so far discovered may be located on a map at about 67° west longitude and 55° north latitude.) The other subsidiary of Hollinger, Hollinger North Shore Exploration Co. Ltd., has licensed from the Province of Quebec an area of approximately 3900 sq.mi. lying directly north of the Newfoundland-controlled area at the headwaters of the George, Whale, and Swampy Bay Rivers. The M. A. Hanna Co., large iron-ore operators of the Lake Superior region, are participating in the project. With the exception of the years 1940 and 1941, field work has been conducted in the Newfoundland area since 1936, and in the Quebec area since 1939. Hollinger assumed the management in 1942. The field base is at Hollinger Lake, some 300 miles north of the tidewater base at Seven Islands, Quebec, which, in turn, is just west of the mouth of the Moisie River, on the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Air transportation is used exclusively to service the operation.

Jan 1, 1945

By V. Barranco, K. Yliniemi, A. Hubin, B. P. Wilson, D. Janas, M. Lundström, P. Hannula

Typical copper electrorefining electrolyte contains tens of grams of copper, some nickel and a wide variety of impurities. Some of these impurities comprise trace amounts of dissolved precious metals like Ag, Pd and Pt that currently are not fully exploited. This study presents an electrochemical method to recover precious metals via a combined electrodeposition-redox replacement (EDRR) process, where energy is used only to deposit copper during the ED-step, while the RR-step relies on the spontaneous replacement of copper by the precious metals (i.e. cementation). In order to conduct the recovery successfully, process parameters such as deposition potential (EDE), deposition time (tDE), redox replacement time (tRR) and the number of cycles (n) was adjusted. Investigations performed in synthetic electrolyte (40 g/L Cu, Ag = 10 ppm) proved the possibility to recover a high purity silver. Short deposition times (tDE) were found to result in small Cu particles that provided a suitably high surface area for silver cementation. In addition, experiments performed in real industrial electrolytes containing 44 g/L Cu and 54 ppb Ag (Boliden Harjavalta, Pori), demonstrated that EDRR could attain Ag recoveries of between 46–67% in an energy efficient, additive-free manner. INTRODUCTION The raw materials used in the state-of-art primary and secondary copper smelters contain mainly base metals, but also notable amounts of Ag, Pt and other precious metals. These valuable metals distribute mostly into the copper matte during the pyrometallurgical treatment (Tirronen et al., 2017) and end up into the cast anodes. During the electrorefining stage, metals more noble than copper such as gold and platinum, are not dissolved but enrich into the anode slimes. In contrast, silver may dissolve slightly and thus, minor chloride addition is used to retain silver in the slime as sparingly soluble AgCl. Moreover, other metals less noble than copper may also dissolve, such as nickel. Therefore the electrolytes used in electrorefining typically contain substantial amounts of copper, nickel and even arsenic as well as minor metals such as antimony and bismuth. In the Boliden electrorefinery these were reported to be in the magnitude of 51.2– 60.4 g/L of Cu, 10.9–15.8 g/L Ni, 7.2–15.9 As, 0.2–0.4 Sb and 0.1–0.4 Bi with an associated sulfuric acid concentration of 139–155 g/L (Lehtiniemi et al., 2018). Copper is the most noble of the dominating base metals in the electrolyte and is thus deposited on the cathode as 99.99% purity LME-A grade. Anode slimes are collected and subjected to precious metals treatment e.g. via pressure leaching—selenium recovery— Doré smelting—Ag refining—Au/Pt/Pd leaching and reduction process (Ludvigsson & Larsson, 2003). The Pori refinery, operating in Finland since 1941, not only produces 133 000 t Cu cathode and 2300 t nickel sulphate annually but also 66 t silver, 4.6 t gold and palladium and platinum (in year 2017).

Jan 1, 2019

By W. Roy Dunbar

"The Porcupine area is in northern Ontario at the intersection of N. Lat. 48° 30' and 81° W. Long. It is 125 miles due north of the Sudbury nickel range. Practically all the mineral production of this area has come from the townships of Tisdale, Deloro, Whitney, and Ogden, in order of importance. The accompanying map of the Porcupine area and its extensions to the east and west (Fig. 4) has been included to show what I consider to be an essential objective of this paper, a perspective for exploration.The discovery of gold ore in the Porcupine area at such an early date resulted from the extension of the Temiskaming and Northern Ontario railway and exploratory survey lines north into unexplored territory, for the early history of Porcupine is inextricably tied to the exploration along Niven's survey lines and the extension of the railway north from Cobalt to Nellie Lake. The following are the more significant events leading to the discovery of gold in Porcupine.1896-E. M. Burwash, employed by the Ontario Bureau of Mines, examined the country along Niven's base line and noted quartz veins that carried traces of gold. He was attached to Niven's survey party.1899-The late W. A. Parks reported on the geology of the portage route from Mattagami river to Night Hawk lake, for the Ontario Bureau of Mines. He noted the occurrence of gold in quartz veins and reported “I regard the region south of the trail to Porcupine lake as giving promise to the prospector"". He also was attached to Niven's survey party.1901-Charles Camsell, while prospecting for the Algoma Central railway, did some work on a vein occurrence carrying low gold on ground now known to be part of the Hollinger mine (3).1907- Extension of the Temiskaming and Northern Ontario railway to Nellie Lake.1909- Bannerman followed up Indian story about occurrence of coal, and found iron formation. He remained to prospect and found the gold-bearing vein of the Scottish Ontario property."

Jan 1, 1954

By Y. A. Topkaya

The placer gold occurrences at Sart Çayl, Manisa, Turkey, the legendary River Pactolus of King Croessus, were evaluated in this study to determine if this deposit contains sufficient recoverable value to justify development and exploitation. The gold occurs both in the upper Neogene conglomerates and the alluvium derived from these conglomerates. The total reserve in the whole region is estimated to be 500 million cubic metres. Samples were taken of the upper conglomerate and in the alluvium in an attempt to determine the amount and the physical nature of the gold. The gold in samples was recovered by screening out barren oversize followed by washing the sand and gravel through riffled sluices. The resulting sluice concentrate was later panned and amalgamated at site. Laboratory cyanidation testing of some samples for control purposes was also done. The average calculated free gold was found to be about 90-100mg/m3 and the size of gold flakes found was quite small. The field as well as laboratory testing of the samples of Sart Çay1 indicated that the potential reserves in this region could only be developed as a sand and gravel operation and the gold could be recovered together with the heavy minerals as a byproduct.

Jan 1, 1984

By Richard R. Klimpel

"This paper discusses the effect of water chemistry, reagent type, and other environmental factors on the performance of sulfide mineral size reduction and froth flotation processes. Two specific problems will be discussed: l.) the importance of appropriately utilizing the electrochemical window that is created in the grinding process to enhance sulfide mineral recovery by froth flotation; and 2) the impact of steel grinding media versus autogenous grinding on the efficiency of sulfide mineral flotation with varying thiol collectors and water sources.IntroductionThe mutual dependency between size reduction and mineral froth flotation is well recognized from the viewpoint of particle size and mineral liberation characteristics. The purpose of this paper is to discuss two less obvious industrial interactions between size reduction and froth flotation that have come up in the various plant optimization studies conducted by this author. These interactions are complex but appear to be important at the industrial level as plant throughput is directly affected, either positively or negatively by such interactions. Examples v.ill be given on how the method of grinding influences flotation and how different water sources influence the flotation behavior of electrochemically sensitive minerals. With each of these interactions, a number of fundamental research studies have shown previously that some effects can be measured under idealized and very small scale experiments. Such research studies will not be cataloged or exhaustingly reviewed in this paper. Whether these same types of effects can be measured in an industrial environment and are economically important is much less certain. This paper will present some rather unique experiences gained from larger scale test experiences which clearly indicate findings that plant operators should be aware of."

Jan 1, 1996

By Helvio Pessanha Guimarães Santafé Jr.

The coir fiber extracted from the husk of the coconut has been extensively used as polymer composite reinforcement in a variety of industrial applications ranging from civil construction to automobile seat cushions. The hydrophilic coir fiber does not act as an effective reinforcement owing to its low interfacial strength with hydrophobic polymers. As a consequence, coir fiber composites display relatively low mechanical strength. The objective of this work was to investigate the effect of an acetylation treatment of the coir fiber surface on the mechanical behavior of epoxy composites with amounts of fibers up to 30% in volume. Coir fibers were immersed in an acid solution of acetic anhydride for one hour, washed and dried, before mixing with DGEBA/TETA epoxy to fabricate the composites. Flexural mechanical properties were obtained by bend tests. The results showed significant differences to similar composites with alkali treated coir fibers that have been previously investigated.

Jan 1, 2010

By Dennis Arthur Fenton

The hydrodynamic bearing was first described by, Reynolds in 1886, and has since been widely applied in motors, engines, compressors, hydroelectric turbines, and other machinery. For various reasons, the hydrostatic bearing currently predominates in the large, horizontal rotating machinery field (e.g. grinding mills). However, the current industry trend towards increasing size and energy efficiency has resulted in renewed interest in the advantages of hydrodynamic bearings. These advantages include structural improvements, reduced bearing friction, improved bearing life, improved transient characteristics, and reduced lubricant pump size and power requirements. In particular, the higher energy efficiency results in substantial savings on large machines. This paper describes some aspects of the design of large hydrodynamic bearings based on thirty years, of experience in the design of such bearings on grinding mills ranging in journal size from 2.1 m to 6.4 m, see Table 1.

Jan 1, 1985

By Frank Robertson Van Horn

In June, 1911, the writer spent a few days in studying the economic geology of the vicinity of Park City. During this rather hurried visit a number of specimens of ore were collected, which have since been examind. The results of these investigations show that bournonite (PbCu-SbSa) is present in the ores in greater or less quantity. This fact has never before been reported, as far as can be learned. The failure to recognize this mineral is due to its similarity to tetrahedrite, with which it has probably been confused during a long period of years. Jamesonite (Pb2sb2s6) has been reported from the region in a rather doubtful manner, but the writer has seen it in notable amounts from several mines, and can offer the first analysis of this mineral from the district. Calamine (HzZn2SiO5) was found at one mine and has never been ecognized and reported from the district. Geogbaphy and Geology Park City, Utah, is located at an elevation of about 7,000 ft. above sea level on the eastern slope of the Wasatch mountains. It is situated approximately 25 miles southeast of Salt Lake City. ' The geology and ore deposits have been described in detail by Bout well and Woolsey.' The mines visited are situated south-southeast from the town. The Silver King Coalition mine is located in Woodside gulch about 1 mile southeast of Park City, at an altitude of about 8,100 ft. The other mines visited were the Daly West and Quincy, which are in Empire canyon about 2 miles sontheast of the town, at elevations of 8,300 to 8,500 ft. respectively. The Daly Judge tunnel goes into the mountain from Empire canyon about 1 mile south of the city, at an altitude of 7,700ft.

Jan 1, 1915

By Peter F. Weiss

INTRODUCTION Austro-American Magnesite Co. of Radenthein, Carinthia, Austria, is a wholly owned subsidiary of General Refractories Company, Bala Cynwyd, USA, and has been incorporated since 1908. The raw material basis is the magnesite mine on Millstatt Alp, located in the mountains near Radenthein at an altitude of 1500 m above sea level. The mined crude magnesite is crushed in a surface crushing plant to minus 35 mm and consequently hauled to the processing plant in the valley by means of a cable conveyor of 7.5 km length. The annual production of 350,000 mt is accomplished with 20 supervisors and 122 workers (of those 60 are in the mine). The labor requirement for block caving is 0.2 man hr/mt, corresponding to an output of 40 mt/man/ shift. GEOLOGY The rock in this area mainly consists of crystalline type schist. There are mostly coarse crystalline garnet mica schists with varying mineral concentrations, and to a lesser degree, some deposits of amphibolite and marble. This petrographically rather homogeneous rock is divided into numerous different tectonic units (covers and scales). The magnesite deposit itself is a foreign body that also has been tectonically inserted. The ore body has a length of 600 m, is 450 m deep, and has a thickness of 60 m on average, varying substantially however, The contact with the accessory rock is very precise. The deposit 1 = ore body, 2 = previous open pit, 3 = caved in area, 4 = block under excavation, 5 = land slide consists of coarse crystalline magnesite in excess of 90 per cent. The few impurities consist of dolomite and talc. The lower part of the deposit is inclined parallel with the schists at approx. 40 degrees. In profile it can be seen, however, that the upper part of the deposit has been tilted over. This is a result of a post-glacial land slide reaching from the bottom of the valley at 1400 m above sea level to the peak of the mountain at 2100 m above sea level. Due to this land slide, with horizontal movements of up to 100 meters, as well as older tectonic events, the rock was crushed to a vast extent. Through mining, the land slide was reactivated; about 40 million cubic meters of rock slowly flow downhill almost like a plasticized mass. Near the surface, the rock is completely crushed and resembles a glacier rupture zone. This renders the originally impermeable rock completely water permeable so that practically all of the annual quantity of 1000 to 1100 mm of precipitation permeates the rock and flows down into the mine. The carbonate rock turns into the preferred aquifer. From 1700 to 2600 cubic meters of water have to be pumped from the mine daily. On one hand, additional problems are caused by the water in the mine, on the other hand we have learned to make use of the down- hill pressure forces to improve the crushing process during block caving. The boundary of the downhill shearing zone moves downward as mining goes deeper.

Jan 1, 1981