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By N. Sloan Dworian, Alyssa Smith, Ian Kellogg

Many studies have utilized magnetic susceptibility data to fingerprint porphyry copper centers; however, usage of magnetic susceptibility data to identify trends in a Climaxtype molybdenum porphyry deposit is limited. To better understand potential petrophysical signatures in a Climaxtype Mo porphyry deposit, magnetic susceptibility data was gathered at regular intervals from core holes across the Climax Mine, targeting major lithologies and styles of alteration. Preliminary analysis suggests that there are quantifiable patterns which may correspond with the mineralizing intrusions. This data can complement current mapping and exploration techniques to identify Climax-type molybdenum porphyry centers and likewise further the exploration potential for this deposit type.

Feb 22, 2026

By G. A. Vissac

MOISTURE in coal must be considered as an impurity, just the same as ash, from the standpoint of utilization of the coal. Being incombustible, it reduces directly the heating value of the coal, and in addition absorbs heat for its evaporation. Its presence means useless expenditures in handling and transportation. In coke plants, extra moisture reduces capacity and may cause damage to brick work and equipment. Accordingly, the removal of extra moisture can be considered just as important as the removal of other impurities, such as ashes, in the modern coal preparation plant. Moisture, which can be removed by heating the coal up to a temperature of 100°C, may be retained in various forms: 1. As a film, on the surface of each coal particle, and in the interstices between particles, retained by capillary forces. 2. Or "occluded" inside the coal particles. This occluded moisture may be either free moisture (as in a sponge), or hygroscopic moisture which varies with atmospheric conditions, (also called "regain").

Jan 1, 1949

By Frank F. Rahne

Butler Taconite, operated by the Hanna Mining Company, is an Iron ore pelletizing operation that is located on the Western end of the Mesabi Iron Range in Northeastern Minnesota. The operation mines low-grade taconite ore and through primary crushing, two stage grinding, magnetic separation, agglomerating and indurating, produces 2.6 million annual tons of high quality, 66% iron pellets. Mining and stripping is done with 13 - M100 trucks and 5 - 12 cu. yd. shovels. The operating processes in the concentrator and pellet plant are primarily con¬trolled through a centralized control room and monitored by a PDP l140 computer. During 1969 and 1970, a re-organization of the Company took place. Through this re-organization, each mine unit was analyzed and studied to determine the proper staffing of the internal departments. At this time, it was decided to continue with further detailed studies of the Maintenance Department with the intent to reduce maintenance costs. Maintenance costs at the time of the re-organization were 38.6% of the total mine operating cost. The preliminary study indicated that the Maintenance Department had a system of maintenance, as a matter of fact, it had a separate system in each sub-maintenance division and in some of the sub-divisions each foreman had a system of his own. Therefore, from the data collected, it was decided to develop one system of maintenance that could be utilized throughout the entire operation. To determine the type of system suitable to all phases of the operation, detailed time and method studies were conducted. All types of maintenance tasks performed at the operation were studied. The data collected was analyzed and the recommended improved methods were reviewed with the Maintenance Superintendent and his staff. The new improved methods that were accepted as feasible, were introduced into the system immediately.

Jan 1, 1975

By C. Matthews, A. Vo

"Australia is one of the world’s leading exporters of bulk commodities and the extensive use of sampling equipment is key to the successful management of each mining operation. At the process plant, without a full understanding of the feed, product and tails, it is impossible to fully optimise the performance of the plant, such that the metallurgical balance is often open to error. At the port, a statistically correct, bias free and compliant sampling system is crucial to ensuring exported minerals are reflective of their true value and to avoid penalties. Over the last decade, as a result of the iron ore boom, there has been high demand for reliable, representative and standard compliant solids sample systems in Australia. This paper reviews several solids sampling applications at Australian mine sites, the challenges and experience gained and how the implementation of reliable representative sampling systems has provided better understanding of plant process performance, improved plant control and overall benefits to the operations.INTRODUCTION Mining is the primary contributor to the Australian economy with Australia ranking in the top 4 in economic resources for 21 primary industrial minerals in 2016 (Britt, et al., 2017). Australia is one of the world leaders in the export of the majority of its commodities including gold, copper and iron ore (Britt, et al., 2017). Therefore, a suitable and standard compliant sampling system is essential for evaluating plant performance and content verification. At the mine and at the port, the larger iron ore miners in Australia have developed stockpile models to predict the grade of their ore down to individual blocks of the stockpile. This allows the miner to create the right blend of material for sale to their customers and ensures they are not underselling their product or at risk of penalties for impurities or low grade. As an example, the average difference between the benchmark 62% Fe and low grade 58% Fe fines at the time of this report averaged US $30/tonne according to the Metal Bulletin Iron Ore Index. At a shipload of 180kt this would be a variation of US $5.4M. Whilst this is an extreme example, it highlights the economic importance of producing the correct grade product and a recognised representative sample of said product."

Jan 1, 2019

By Gordon D. Jarvinen

Polymer Filtration (PF) Is an innovative, selecthle metal removal technology. Chelating, water-soluble polymers are used to selectively bind the desired metal ions and ultrafiltration is used to concentrate the polymer-metal complex producing a permeate with low levels of the targeted metal ion. When applied to the treatment of, Industrial metal-bearing aqueous process streams, the permeate water can often be reused within the process and the metal ions reclaimed. This technology is applicable to many types of industrial aqueous streams with widely varying chemistries. Application of PF to 'aqueous streams from nuclear materials processing and electroplating operations will be described.

Jan 1, 1999

By Y. Chen, D. He, J. H. Potgieter

The demand for rare earth elements (REE) is increasing rapidly owing to the emergence of new cleanenergy and defense-related technologies. China’s dominates the world production of REE. In this paper, we review the ore characteristics of four typical REE deposits in China and discuss the conventional beneficiation techniques, including gravity and magnetic separation, flotation, and hydrometallurgical processing of these ores. Some of the latest laboratory findings and industrial applications, as well as the development of novel reagents for REE processing in China are presented. The REE beneficiation technologies developed and employed in China could constitute a good case study for many other emerging projects being explored around the world.

Mar 2, 2022

By C. H. Herty, J. K. Gaines

"Nearly every piece of electrical equipment used in mines ""breathes."" In other words, motors, controllers, rheostats, switches, and other similar equipment, even though encased in seemingly tight compartments, breathe in the atmosphere that surrounds them.As the apparatus is used, the temperature of metallic parts is changed generally in positive direction through the heat by friction and the heat due to the electric current. When the apparatus is idle it gradually cools down to the temperature of the surrounding atmosphere.This increase of temperature during operation and return to normal temperature when operation stops alternately raises and lowers the temperature of the atmosphere within the compartments which, in strict accordance with Charles' law -T = VT1 V'will expand or contract in proportion to any given temperature change.As compartments are not gas-tight, such expansion and contraction will force the atmosphere out of the compartment =on expansion and suck the surround¬ing atmosphere into the compartment during contraction, hence the term ""breathing.""Investigators of explosion-proof equipment have recognized that such an interchange would take place and have designed their equipment to safeguard possible explosions within the compartments."

Jul 1, 1927

By Donald M. Ulbrich

Any of you who served in the military remember the admoniton to "get the lead out," In the military environment, where cost wasn't always a factor, "get the lead out" was more often a call for activity of any sort than activity of a particularly productive nature. As a result, when the top sergeant yelled "get the lead out," lots of people started moving.. . usually to get out of his way. Now there's a new cry, ..one that comes not only from the military but from an entire nation threatened with dependence on foreign sources for its energy needs. That cry ...get the coal out, Like the earlier order, it's a call to activity. A signal that the coal reserves of the United States must be tapped so that Project Independence can succeed by 1985, But it's more than a mere call to activity; it's also a call to achieve productivity. ,a call to produce coal both efficiently and acceptably. And that leads us to the key questions of where the coal is going to come from to meet that 1985 goal, and how can it best be mined. Where will the coal come from? There's no doubt much of it must come from surface mining in the West. How can this coal be mined? There are several options available but there is an excellent case to be made for using mining shovels and haul trucks due to their versatility in stripping, loading and reclamation, We'll explore this approach in this talk today.

Jan 1, 1976

By R. E. Vivas, J. A. Villa

"Located in the state of Colima, Peña Colorada is one of the largest iron ore operations in Mexico. The project is owned in equal parts by ArcelorMittal and Ternium. Though boasting a production capacity of 4.1 Mt/a (4.5 million stpy) of concentrate per year, Peña Colorada is faced with declining ore grades. In order to respond to this situation, Peña Colorada had to expand production even further. This expansion created various challenges that were overcome by the adoption and application of new technology. Examples of these technological innovations are discussed in detail in this article and include improvements in geo-modeling, mine planning, and mine operations. The successful implementation of these technologies paid for itself many times over, and has led to significant improvements in production and performance, while lowering the operating costs and reducing the variance between planning and execution.Project overviewPeña Colorada is a mining company that produces about 30 percent of the iron ore in Mexico. This project generates about 1,200 direct jobs and 3,000 indirect jobs, making a significant contribution to the local economy. Similarly, Peña Colorada invests in its local communities through numerous educational programs, scholarships, university agreements, social development, environmental agreements, etc. Peña Colorada’s operations consist of an open pit mine located in Minatitlán and a pellet plant located in the port city of Manzanillo, as shown in Fig. 1. Technological innovationsMost mining projects around the world typically follow the logic of “mining the next best ore.” Consequently, head grades tend to decline over the life of the mine. In the case of Peña Colorada, a decline in head grade combined with a decline in iron ore prices forced the operation to adapt to a new business environment and adopt new technologies to face these challenges. However, the first step along this process was to increase the confidence and reliability of the resource model. This task involved additional drillhole campaigns coupled with more detailed modeling techniques. Once the block model was completed, new optimization studies and production schedules were evaluated with new optimization tools that improved many aspects of the mine plan. The Peña Colorada block model has undergone 3 expansions to reflect additional information not available in the past. The model has expanded to the East and Southwest. The latest model expansion increased the total number of benches to 98 as a result of positive exploration results. Similarly, new geotechnical studies were prepared, which provided new guidelines for pit slope design, and new technology was implemented to monitor ground movement and slope stability. Two sectional block model views in Hexagon Mining’s MineSight 3D, along with the pit designs and geologic solids are shown in Fig. 2."

Feb 1, 2017

By E. Lentilucci, A. Dey, X. Liu, A. Datta, S. Ghosh

The segmentation of quarry blast smoke plumes is a crucial research area that has the potential to enhance safety, environmental monitoring, object detection, and regulatory compliance in the mining industry. Smoke plume segmentation can be used to identify the spatial extent and temporal evolution of smoke plumes generated by the blast. This information can be used to improve the understanding of blast dynamics and optimize blast designs. Furthermore, smoke plume segmentation can assist in identifying potential environmental and health hazards associated with the release of smoke and dust particles into the atmosphere during quarry blasts. However, many current smoke plume segmentation algorithms are designed for segmentation of smoke plumes from fires and are not suitable for segmentation of plumes from quarry blasts. The proposed method in this paper leverages the video frame captured before the blast as a stationary background image, which helps to reduce other confuser objects present in the image along with a selfadaptive clustering method. The color channels of the image are utilized based on the different contrast properties of the smoke, with a self-adaptive gradient compensation applied for edge detection of the smoke plume. This approach offers a novel and effective way to segment smoke in quarry blast analysis, with potential applications in the calculation of noxious gas volume and concentration within the plume. Compared to other algorithms, our method improves accuracy, decreases the false alarm rates, and reduces the overall miss rate. Overall, this paper contributes to the research on smoke plume image segmentation, particularly for quarry blast smoke plumes, which possess unique characteristics that require specialized algorithms for accurate segmentation.

Jan 1, 2024

By C. E. Capes

The continuous balling? operation whereby a moist particulate mass is tumbled in a horizontal revolving drum with recirculation of the undersize product can be extremely unstable. Product and recycle rates are subject to wide fluctuations. Although the problem seems to be well-recognized, there is little published information or quantitative data readily available, especially in relation to industrial-scale circuits. Probably the best available published results are in the Russian literature, an illustration of which is given in Figure 1. These data, taken from a study') of some of the factors which influence the stabilization of the pelletizing process, illustrate the wide variations in circulating load and circuit productivity which may be encountered over a period of operation. The problems of balling circuit stability may be traced to random seed or nuclei generation and uncontrolled agglomerate growth. The situation is analogous to that in crystallization processes where (4 considerable attention is given to nucleation control. Traditionally attempts have been made to optimize system and operating variables to stabilize the balling process. A supplemental approach which is taken here is to build on the considerable

Jan 1, 1975

By Bryon Cerklefskie, Michael Schulte

"This case study explores the usage of polymer ducting as a replacement to curtains and FRP for face ventilation in two coal mines. There are two mines looked at, one is the highest elevation underground coal mine in North America, the other is the gassiest mine in North America. The paper details the trials of both mines switching from FRP and curtain respectively to polymer ducting. The results discuss the ability for the mines to not only achieve consistent airflows and keep them in compliance but the unexpected positives. Mine A was allowed to do longer cross cuts due to increased air volume at the face. This drastically cut their costs of mining down due solely to modification of the ventilation cycle. Mine B saw economic benefits due to longer cuts between place changes. Both mines have documented lower dust, methane, noise, and improved wear and tear on their equipment as a result.INTRODUCTIONThe emergence of longwall mining in underground coal operations has resulted in new ventilation challenges. Numerous production crews strive to complete their development sections with enough time to adequately prepare for the upcoming longwall panel. Continuous miners will cut out two or three entry development sections per their ventilation plan, that is approved and controlled by MSHA (Mine Safety and Health Administration), which will drive amount of footage that can be mined at a time prior to installing roof support. At this moment the continuous miner, hereafter referred to as the CM, will back out of the entry and moves to the second entry to complete a similar cut. Typically, a roof bolter crew will pull in to the finished cut section and install ground support. This is called a place change style of production coal mining. There is an alternate method that includes a miner/bolter combination as well but that was not featured at either test site in this case study. Ventilation has to be provided to sweep the working face of each entry to control dust and gasses. Each task will have an MSHA prescribed ventilation requirement dependent on the dust levels and methane emissions of the rock for that particular mine. The CM, roof bolting and unused headings will each require constant ventilation but at different volumes. Since each working face is changing throughout the mining cycle the ventilation requirement in a working heading is never static and is changing with the working task.Traditional Ventilation ControlsTraditionally face ventilation for coal mining operations has been completed thru the usage of a curtain system and\or using auxiliary fans and ventilation tubing. Room and pillar mining systems typically utilize curtain systems, which use curtain walls that are installed by the miners by erecting wood framing and covering it with brattice curtain. This splits the drift width to allow fresh air to sweep the face and take the contaminated air and dust behind the curtain to the ventilation exhaust\return area of the mine. This method is difficult to adjust the airflow from entry to entry during changing cycles and requires that a wider drift is mined out in order to have enough room for the brattice wall. In operations that require roof bolting, this method limits the length of the cuts from the CM prior to advancing and can lead to not providing enough ventilation to keep dust and methane levels below compliance requirements."

Jan 1, 2019

By W. H. Ode, W. A. Selvig

In 1938 , the Bureau of Mines cooperated with Subcommittee XV on Plasticity and Swelling of Coal ( C. C. Russell , chairman ) , of Committee D-5 on Coal and Coke , A.S.T.M. , by testing various methods for determining expansion and plastic properties of a series of coals of widely different coking properties . One of the tests made by the Bureau was the British Standard Method for the Crucible Swelling Test for Coal.5/ Briefly , this swelling test consists in heating 1 gram of pulverized coal in a silica crucible over a gas flame under prescribed conditions to form a coke button which is compared in size and shape with a series of standard profiles numbered 1 to 9. These profiles are intended to cover the size and shape of buttons obtained from coals covering a wide range in plastic properties .. The number of the standard profile with which the maximum cross -sectional area of the button most nearly corresponds is recorded as the swelling index . Although the swelling test showed poor relationships with the various tests that were used for measuring expansion or contraction of coal during carbonization , it gave indications of having value in measuring free - swelling and caking properties of coals when burned on fuel beds . An opportunity to investigate this occurred when an engineer of an eastern public utility 'company reported pronounced differences in burning characteristics on grates of various shipments of Pocahontas coal . Some of these coals gave trouble by swelling 'excessively and clogging the grates . Samples were ob- · tained , and it was found that the troublesome coals gave decidedly higher free -swelling numbers than did the coals that performed satisfactorily . Also , it was found that the free - swelling index test gave better differentiation between coals than could be obtained from the coke buttons from the · ´`standard volatile -matter test or from agglutinating - value results . The results of the free - swelling tests were considered by the Subcommittee on Plasticity and Swelling , and a special group of the subcommittee , under the chairmanship of R. A. Sherman , was delegated to study the test method . Ostborg , Limbacher , and Sherman , ofthe Battelle Memorial Institute , ' investigated the various factors affecting the test and found that the swelling index was a good indication of the suitability of coal for performance on residential -type stokers from the standpoint of the coking characteristics of the coal . Data were presented also showing that the indexes wer helpful in the selection of coal for industrial underfeed stokers .

Oct 1, 1946

By P Trout, B Macaulay

Ridgeway Gold Mine (RGM) is an underground sublevel caving (SLC) operation that is owned and managed by Newcrest Mining Limited (NML). Production drill and blast practices are critical to the success of the SLC method at RGM. SLC production ring precharging was introduced in November 2001 to enhance these practices and deliver safety, productivity and cost improvements. Current precharging practices require up to two rings to be loaded ahead of the ring to be blasted in each drawpoint. The explosive may be required to remain in the up-holes for periods of four weeks or more prior to blasting. During this æsleepÆ time it is subjected to repeated shock from the blasting ofadjacent rings and from rings in adjacent drawpoints. The project described in this paper was designed to gain an understanding of the factors affecting explosive performance in the precharging environment and to develop explosive products and operating practices that would meet RGMÆs requirements in terms ofsaf ety, reliability and blast outcomes. Several months oflaboratory and field testing were required to characterise the explosive and quantify the effect of post-loading blasting shock. These results were used to determine the most appropriate loading and sleep time criteria for RGMÆs precharging practices. In addition, the information is being used to guide the development of the next generation of emulsion explosives for use in underground precharging operations.

Jan 1, 2005

By Gary J. Fletcher

Mining and processing activities which are proposed on private land, state leases, or unpatented mining claims are governed by numerous local, state, and federal laws which identify the procedures and conditions which must be met before resources can be developed. The respective government agencies responsible for the administration and enforcement of these laws have promulgated supporting regulations and guidelines, and have implemented certain permit and approval processes to ensure compliance. Each exploration project has a unique environ- mental setting and location which further dictates the types of air, water, hazardous waste, and wildlife laws and regulations which must be complied with before development commences. The environmental planning process should be the first step in the evaluation of existing company properties and the potential acquisition of other mineral properties. However. many company don't consider the environmental requirements for a project until the decision is made to develop the property for mining and processing. If a mining company wants to expedite the environmental planning process, it must first develop an in-house process for evaluating the project and determining the environmental approval procedures in the state where the project is located. The first stage of environmental planning involves general information which can set the overall company philosophy for development of projects.

Jan 1, 1987

By Rossiter W. Raymond

(Read at the Amenia Meeting, October, 1877.) THE term "pipe-vein" has recently been applied in this country to certain deposits of lead ore in magnesian limestone. The use of the term has been twofold. It has been revived as a term found in textbooks on mineral veins, with the implied or declared assertion that the ore-deposits thus named in this country are similar to those which have borne the title abroad. It has also been advanced as an appropriate name for a new class of deposits, even if such a class had not previously been recognized. In either case, the assumption is that pipe-veins form a group or class by themselves, and are not merely interior and subordinate features in larger deposits. The peculiar mining law of the United States, which regards " the vein," whatever that may be, as the basis of title, lends a special interest to these claims. But the object of this paper is rather to discuss the subject from the standpoint of geology and technical literature. I shall briefly answer two questions : (1) What are pipe-veins as described in technical literature? and (2) Is the name appropriate or necessary for a new class of deposits ? The term "pipe-ore," as applied, for instance, to irregular, cylin-

Jan 1, 1878

By Virginia T. McLemore

The Black Hawk district in New Mexico hosts an unusual type of deposit: arsenide five-element veins. These deposits are Ag-Co-Ni-Bi-As-bearing carbonate veins with local concentrations of U, Pb, Zn, Sb, and other elements. They are high-grade silver deposits (1000s g/t Ag), but low tonnage (<1 Mt) and difficult to find. By 1881, claims were staked and a town developed. It is estimated that >$1,500,000 was produced in 1883–1893, when Ag prices dropped due to the 1893 Ag panic. Solid Silver Mining Co. produced $600,000 from the Black Hawk mine; one car load contained $28,000 worth of silver! The town of Black Hawk grew to 125 population by November 1883. By the end of 1893, the town was vacant; nothing remains. The district was idle until 1916, and the mines operated sporadically since because of lack of available capital, water issues, and difficulty in finding ore shoots. The area is a favorite for mineral collectors. Tungsten was found in the district in 1935 in quartz veins associated with pegmatites. Metal production from 1881–1960 is estimated as 3,000 lbs Cu, 1,000 oz Au, 1,286,000 oz Ag, and 4,000 lbs Pb. In addition, 10,542 short tons of 2.7–71% WO ore and 615 short tons of fluorspar ore have been produced from the district.

Feb 1, 2025

Taknar polymetal (Cu-Zn-Au-Ag-Pb) deposit and concentration flotation plant are located in the northeast of Iran. The flotation feed contains Chalcopyrite, sphalerite and pyrite with 4, 4 and 8 percent respectively. Cu and Zn contents are 1.26 and 3.5 present. Pyrite decreases the quality of base metal concentrates and increases the amount of sulfur compounds produced in the base metal extraction processes. Therefore, depression of pyrite is essential in the concentration of base metal sulfides by flotation. For flotation tests, 4 mixed collector systems, MIBC (20g/t), lime and tow depression systems (sodium cyanide (60g/t)-zinc sulphate and dextrin (300g/t)-zinc sulphate) were used as collector, frother, pH regulator and pyrite-sphalerite depressants in the chalcopyrite flotation stage, respectively, and SIPX, MIBC, lime and copper sulphate (as activator) were used in sphalerite flotation from first stage tailings. The results have shown that, sodium cyanide is a suitable depressant for pyrite and sphalerite in the first stage of flotation. Compared to dextrin as depressant, chalcopyrite recovery was decreased approximately 1.83%. In addition, when sodium cyanide was used as pyrite depressant, copper sulphate consumption raised approximately 90 g/t for activation of sphalerite. From Environment and HSE points of view, dextrin is natural, biodegradable, and non-toxic while cyanide is very high toxic. Keywords: sequential flotation, Cu-Zn massive sulphide, pyrite depressant, dextrin, cyanide

Sep 1, 2012

By William Crowe Kellogg

By now the term AFMAG has been fairly well introduced to the mining industry. Several papers have been presented and published concerning AFMAG (references 1 and 2). However, the term AFMAG remains rather new to the industry, and the exact place which AFMAG occupies in the minerals exploration field is still somewhat uncertain in the minds of many who may have use for this new and interesting method of electromagnetic exploration for conductive minerals. It is the purpose of this paper to again review the basic theory of the AFMAG system, to describe and - illustrate the equipment and data presentation as used in aerial surveying, and to provide some idea of the cost and nature of airborne AFMAG surveys. This paper is primarily of a general descriptive nature and presents AFMAG theory in a schematic rather than mathematical form; emphasis is placed on the equipment, the present method of data presentation and survey operations, since it is believed that such, information will now generally best serve to inform the mining industry of the characteristics of the AFMAG system.

Jan 1, 1960

By Jianguo Yin, Wenqiang Yang, Xiaoli Yuan, Juan An, Wentang Xia

Low grade iron ore with phosphorus (LGIOWP), a raw and wasted industrial solid material was used as an adsorbent to remove Pb(II) from wastewater. The effects of initial pH value, adsorptive time, initial Pb(II) concentration, adsorptive temperature and LGIOWP dosage on the Pb(II) removal efficiency were studied. The results show that the Pb(II) removal efficiencies exceed 99.4% and Pb(II) concentrations are less than 0.30 mg/L under the conditions of pH value 7.0, adsorptive temperature 50 oC, adsorptive time 30 min, initial Pb(II) concentration 100 mg/L, particle size <0.25 mm, adsorbent dosage 5 g/L and stirring speed 260 r/min. After Pb(II) removal reaction, the Pb(II) concentrations of wastewater completely accord with the requirement of national discharge standards of pollutants from lead and zinc industries (GB 25466-2010) (TPb= 0.5 mg/L) in China. Therefore, it can be concluded that LGIOWP is a new low-cost adsorbent which is suitable for the adsorption of Pb(II) from wastewater.

Jan 1, 2015