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By J. L. Jernegan

In a former paper laid before the Institute, entitled Lead and Silver Smelting in Chicago, I endeavored to give a description of the manner in which argentiferous lead ores from the far West were treated in that city, and also described the method employed in the desilverization of the silver-lead produced from the ores. It will perhaps be remembered, that very siliceous ores, principally from the Emma mine, Utah, containing over 40 per cent. of silicic acid, were then being treated at the works of the Chicago Silver Smelting and Refining Company in the reverberatory furnace, with the use of metallic iron, in the form of borings, as a precipitating medium for the lead ; and that the extraction of the silver from the resulting bullion was effected by the Balbach process. The Swansea Works, also the works at Brighton, just outside of this city, and those of S. P. Lunt, were at that time treating ore of a similar character by the same method. The inadequacy of the process for the ores then under treatment was, in a manner, pointed out by me in the paper above referred to. Since the time of its writing, many and important improvements have been made in the metallurgical treatment of western ores in Chicago. Most ores are now roasted previous to reduction, and the latter operation is conducted in the shaftfurnace instead of the reverberatory. Such is the fact at least at the Swansea Works, the largest in the city, and here it was where the first steps were taken in this direction. In selecting these works as the subject of this paper, I am in hopes that the description given of the varions metallurgical operations, as they are there now conducted, will serve to give an idea of the improvements introduced

By G. L. Gomes-Sebastiao, W. W. de Graaf

"Gomes Sand is a quarry operation that produces sand and aggregate for the construction industry. The quarry is experiencing inconsistencies in the fragmentation and poor pit conditions as a result of poor drilling and blasting practices. This results in excessive downtime in the load and haul and crushing processes.A benchmarking exercise of the blasting practices was conducted to evaluate the effect of the inconsistency on the mining cycle. After changes in the blasting practices the downtime was reduced, which improved the crushing plant utilization by 4.9%. The improved blasting practices and more consistent fragmentation decreased the average number of loads lost each month due to jaw crusher blockages from 9.2% to 3.9% of plant throughput. The change in blasting practices also improved pit conditions. IntroductionGomes Sand is a quarry operation that has been in operation since 2009, producing sand and stone for the construction industry. The quarry was experiencing unacceptable blasting results. The repercussions included uneven pit floors, large amounts of oversize rock (>500 mm), and inconsistent fragmentation.The blast results affected the load and haul operations as well as the efficiency of the crusher. This resulted in downtime in the daily operations, and consequent production and revenue losses.The crusher product should have a top size of 50 mm. A blast fragmentation of <50 mm would improve the downstream operations and the crusher throughput.An investigation into the blasting practices was carried out to assess whether the downstream delays can be eliminated by improving the blast results. The exercise included:* Assessing if the designed blast layout is adhered to on the bench* Observing the quality and control of drilling* Observing the charging procedure of the blast-holes* Benchmarking the fragmentation consistency of the blasted rock using current blast design and practices* Analysing the throughput of the crushing plant* Investigating the power consumption of the crushing plant and determine if a change in blasting practices will affect this* Evaluating the hours spent by the hydraulic hammer on secondary breaking."

Jan 1, 2017

By Y, Li Jianxiong, Hu Hua, Gu Desheng

After having briefed the technical and economical advantages of continuous mass mining in underground metal mines, the authors discuss the four stages of research and development of continuous mass mining in China. The four stages are: vibrating ore drawing in a stope, continuous mass mining in a stope continuous mass mining without rib pillars in an area and continuous mass mining in whole mine. The authors briefly review the research achievements of the first and the second stage; Combining the key national research project of the æNinth Five Year PlanÆ ù æThe experiment and research of continuous mass mining without rib pillarÆ, the authors introduce in detail the technological condition of mining, the design ideas of continuous mass mining, the design scheme of mining, the technology of mining. the equipment of mass mining, the chief research achievements and so on. The success of research of continuous mass mining without rib pillar indicates the arrival of the third stage of research. The introduction of continuous mass mining will promote the technology revolution of mining in China remarkably. The authors also point out that the development direction of continuous mass mining of the 21 century is continuous mass mining in whole mine, which is the fourth stage of research.

Jan 1, 2000

By H. F. McCullough

THE success of a coal-mining venture as relates to operations at the gob or break-line, such as the drawing of pillars or the working of long-faces, depends upon the control of face conditions. The measures required to control the latter are dependent upon the action of the coal seam, roof and floor at and in the vicinity of the faces, but the manner in which these will act is dependent upon the rate of face movement as well as upon the face characteristics and upon the forces exerted. Yet the merits of a method of working-the practicability of controlling face conditions and the means required for such control when applied to any particular case-are usually judged only upon a consideration of the characteristics of coal seam, roof and floor, and the manner in which they have been observed to act. Practically every coal-mining man knows that face conditions are influenced by the rate of face movement, but few have appreciated that this is as much of a factor in the control of face conditions as are the face characteristics and the forces exerted. Fewer yet have recognized or taken advantage of faster rates of face movement as one of the principal means of establishing control of face conditions or of securing more favorable face conditions. Seemingly inherent difficulties, particularly in the control of roof conditions, but also in the control of conditions of the coal seam and floor, are frequently mitigated or disappear when the rate of movement of the faces is sufficiently increased. The characteristics of the coal seam, roof and floor and the forces exerted upon them do determine the general trend or tendency of face action, but the manner in which the coal seam, roof and floor will act and be acted upon and the magnitude of the action during the time the site of mining operations remains at any particular point is very largely determined by the rate of movement of the faces.

Jan 10, 1926

By Arthur H. Redfield

The West Indies are the summits of a submerged mountain chain, the continuation of which must be sought in the mountains of central Honduras. In Haiti, the chain divides, one branch passing through Jamaica and the other through Cuba, the Cayman Islands, and the Misteriosa bank. Suess divides the West Indies into three zones: The first zone is entirely of volcanic origin and includes many recent volcanic cones. It includes the arcuate string of islands, which extends from Saba and St. Kitts to the Grenadines and Grenada. The western half of Guadeloupe belongs to this group. The second zone consists of a geanticline, of which the sedimentary rocks range from the Jurassic to the Quaternary, but consist chiefly of Lower Tertiary sediments. In the west it is broad, including the whole of the Greater Antilles; but in the east it is restricted to a narrow belt, which includes the Virgin Islands (except Anegada), Anguilla, St. Bartholomew, Antigua, the eastern part of Guadeloupe and part of Barbados. The islands that compose the third zone are flat and low. Like the second, this zone is broad in the west and narrow in the east; it includes the Bahamas, Anegada, Sombrero, Barbuda, and part of Barbados. Geologically, Florida and the plain of Yucatan may be regarded as belonging to it. Trinidad and Tobago, though geographically adjacent to the Lesser Antilles, are geologically a detached part of the South American continent. The crystalline complexes of northern Trinidad and of Barbados are a continuation, en echelon, of the crystalline axis of the promontory of Paria. The folded Cretaceous and Tertiary of the central and southern parts of Trinidad represent a continuation of the folded sedinlents of the Paria district of Venezuela. Possible Oil-bearing Areas The volcanic islands of the inner arc of the Lesser Antilles may be excluded from consideration; these include Saba, St. Kitts, Nevis,

Jan 1, 1923

DAVID WHITE,* Washington, D. C.-This paper is very timely since the Philippine Islands are presumably open to the enterprise of the American driller, whereas much of the territory in that part of the world is closed to us. The United States has ambitious plans for the operation of a great merchant marine, which is to be oil burning in the main, and it takes but a glance at the world map to see the strategic advantage of oil supplies in the Philippines for such marine operations. It is a little difficult to understand why more attention has not been given to the Philippines, in spite of the difficulties attending development in these islands. A number of American oil companies are, I believe, at the present moment taking an interest in the possibilities of the Philippines. Important factors in the formulation of opinion regarding the importance of the oil deposits of the Philippines, as brought out by Mr. Pratt,1 are the point of view and the breadth of experience of the examining geologist. The average oil geologist, whose experience has been mainly in the Appalachian region, the Mid-continent, or Louisiana, or possibly even in California, on seeing the narrowness of the basins, the closeness of the folding, and the presence of igneous rocks here and there, would be likely to draw unfavorable conclusions as to the possibilities of the Philippine Islands. Geologists visiting that region should be familiar with the geological conditions of oil occurrence in Japan, Formosa, the East Indies, or in the Baku district, and their conclusions should be formulated with the knowledge and understanding of the occurrence of oil in those regions rather than in the United States.

Jan 8, 1920

By I. Havenaar

Various methods have been proposed in the literature to calculate the pressure losses in drill-pipe and bit-nozzles, i.e., those parts of the mud-circuit where the largest pressure-losses occur. Very few data, however, are available to check the validity of these proposals. Presented in this paper are the results of pumping experiments with clay-water drilling fluids of different specific gravities and different laminar flow-properties (differential viscosity and Bingham yield value), using pipes of different diameters. In addition, a series of measurements on bit-nozzles is discussed. Two main conclusions may be drawn from this work for the flow through pipes. 1. In the laminar flow region pressure losses can be calculated from the differential viscosity and Bingham yield value of the mud. 2. In the turbulent flow region pressure losses can be calculated with good approximation from a viscosity term which is determined by the volume fraction of the dispersed phase. Calculations making use of laminar flow properties may lead to erroneous results. The effect of temperature on the pressure losses in the case of turbulent flow can be calculated from the change in viscosity of the dispersing medium, i.e., water. The main conclusions determined for the flow through bit-nozzles are that for flow conditions prevailing in the field, the pressure-drops in bit-nozzles are independent of the laminar flow properties of the mud. They are solely determined by the density of the mud and the geometry of the nozzle. INTRODUCTION The last decades have witnessed a steady increase in the depth of oil wells. This is illustrated by the increase in the drilling depth record in the USA from 8,046 ft in 1927 to 21,482 ft in 1953. This increasing depth, together with the experience that high rates of mud circulation and high fluid velocities in the bit-nozzles enhance the rate of drilling, has emphasized the importance of selecting suitable mud-pumps when starting the drilling of a deep borehole. For such a selection it is necessary to be able to calculate the pumping pressures necessary to obtain the required circulation rates. The main part of the pressure-losses in the mud circuit occur in the drill pipe and the bit-nozzles. Various methods have been proposed in the literature to calculate the pressure-losses in the drill pipe1,2,3,4. These methods do not all lead to the same results, and at the time this investigation was started insufficient basic data were available to check their validity. Moreover, to our knowledge, no data are available at all on the effect, if any, of the flow-properties of the mud on the pressure-losses in bit-nozzles.

Jan 1, 1955

By E. R. Lea

The B. M. & S. orebodies, consisting of the No. 6 (Brunswick) and the No. 12 (Anacn Leadridgz, have the distinction of being the first major 1base metal ore deposits to be found in the Province of New Brunswick. They are massive sulphide de-posits consisting of pyrite (pre-dominantly) and base metal sulphides, and they carry values in lead, zinc, copper, and silver. These orebodies are localized within favourable drag fold structures believed to be related in their origin to external forces set up in the area subsequent to the primary regional folding. Both orebodies are characterized by the presence of magnetite &apos;iron formation&apos; which, in certain &apos;Portions of each orebody, may be found as relics within the massive sulphides. Studies show the magnetite to be the first metallic mineral within the ore ?zones, followed by pyrite, Sphalerite, galena, and finally chakopyrite. The shape of these massive pyritk orebod:es as well as the distribution of values within them is controlled to a large degree by the ore-ore drag fold structures. A possible relationship is discussed between the basic intrusives in the area ?and the magnetite deposits. It is suggested that a large portion of ?the iron content of the massive suplhedes has been derived from the earlier magnetite. Intermittent movements in the area during the sulphide mineralization are believed to belong to the last stages of deformation in the area. These late movements may have been caused by the intrusion of the granite into the area. The granite may have a genetic relationship to the B. M. & S. orebodies.

Jan 1, 1958

The purpose of this paper is to present validation studies of the mine-fire simulator using data gathered from an actual mine fire which occurred in November 1991 at the Pattiki Mine. To develop the model of the ventilation system with the fire in this validation study, the following adjustments were made: (1) flow and gas distribution in the entire ventilation network, and (2) fire parameters matching the data recorded by the monitoring system. After close correlations between simulation and real data were achieved, additional analysis of the ventilation system with the mine fire was performed. Presented and discussed in this paper are the following stages of the fire at the Pattiki Mine: (1) early fire (before the fire was detected), (2) preparation for and fire fighting with water, (3) fire sealing, and (4) fire extinguishing. This study evaluates the suitability of the computer software package for modeling underground fires. The paper also discusses the importance of the on-line monitoring system for the validation process.

Jan 1, 1995

By R. A. L. Black, J. E. Jennings

The problems of slope stability in open cast mines are examined. A criterion, the instantaneous stripping ratio, is suggested for use in the design of pit slopes and as an index of control at all stages of the exploitation of the orebody. This criterion may also be related to safety and to the maximizing of profits. Two approaches to safe design of slopes, one from the point of view of soil mechanics and the other from the point of view of rock mechanics, are described and critically compared. The effect on slope stability of the regional tectonic stress field is discussed. Explanation is given of the application of the Terzaghi effective stress concept to problems in both soil and rock environments, including possible effects when borehole deformation techniques are used to measure stresses in rock in situ. A company embarking on open cast mining is faced with two basic questions: 1) will the venture be profitable and 2) can it be carried out with safety? The two questions are obviously interrelated because both depend upon the slope angles adopted for the pit. The cost of open cast mining depends largely upon the stripping ratio, defined as the volume of overburden that must be removed to the volume of ore recovered. The steeper the slope angles, the more favorable the stripping ratio, but the stability of the slopes, and therefore the safety of men and materials in the pit, require that the angles be made relatively flat. Consequently, the design depends upon a compromise: the slopes must be steep enough to result in economical mining and flat enough to ensure safety. Today there is a world trend towards deeper mining by open cast methods. This is mainly due to the higher cost of underground mining and the lower cost of open excavation resulting from the introduction of large modern earth and rock-moving machinery. Deeper open cast mining has led to a very great increase in the volumes of wasted overburden, and much thought is being given to the considerable economic benefits which would result if pit slopes could be made steeper by even one or two degrees. The result has been an increasing interest in research into slope stability problems in the expectation that the application of scientific principles will provide solutions leading both to economies and to more predictable operation of the mines. In at least four places, the U.S., Australia, Western Germany and Southern Africa, comprehensive investigations are at present in progress, and it is the object of this paper to review some of the more important aspects of these programs. RELATION BETWEEN ECONOMY OF OPERATION AND SLOPE ANGLES The main object of any industrial enterprise in a free economy is to make a profit. In mining, where profits must be made from a wasting capital asset, a further definition of the profit motive is imposed, namely that the economic aim should be to maximize the total possible profit. But since profits deferred for a number of years are not as valuable as profits that are immediately available, it is usual to discount deferred profits at some rate of interest which reflects their current or present value in the hands of the investor. Thus, in mining the logical aim can be defined more closely still: to maximize the present value of the total future profits. In commercial terms the present value represents the market value of the operation as a going concern. Many factors enter into the forecast of current and future profits. They include the volume of production, the price of the salable product and the cost of production. Current profits can be estimated with reasonable accuracy by the operating engineers; but it is the task of economists and management to assess future trends in the mineral markets and in the economy as a whole, and together with the engineers, they can then estimate the future cost and profitability of the mining operations. In open cast mining, the rate of ore production once decided on remains a virtually constant factor unless a major change in the capital structure of the mine is made. But one factor over which the operator has a considerable measure of control is the ratio of the volume of ore mined to the volume of waste over-

Jan 1, 1963

The sampling of a run-of-mine (ROM) ore with the objective of controlling the fundamental variance associated with the sampling step is a poorly understood subject. Finding the effective sampling constant by repetitive sampling to establish the variance between nominally identical subsamples of a given mass of the ore is a laborious, time-consuming and very expensive exercise. In this paper, the run-of-mine ore is modelled using three components: ore, waste, and relatively fine material which shows significant liberation of the mineral phase(s) carrying the target analyte. The expression for the sampling constant of the mixture is developed from first principles. The form of the equation provides insight into the factors that are important in controlling the magnitude of the sampling constant and hence the fundamental uncertainty associated with a given mass of sample. The controlling factors are shown to be the size distribution of the ore/waste mixture, the proportion of waste mixed with the ore and the extent of liberation and the size distribution of the liberated material in the finer fractions.

Jan 1, 2008

By P Hanna

Following the Busang fiasco, more detailed guidelines were appended to the latest revision of the JORC Code released in September 1999 (JORC, 1999). Although the definitions and terminology essentially remained unchanged, the additional information in the guidelines has highlighted a number of issues for consideration by geologists undertaking computer-based resource estimations. The three main issues are:Data Integrity û details such as drilling and logging techniques, sampling procedures, assay tests, site visits, data recording and aggregation methods need to be considered. Geological Interpretation û is the Competent Person applying the appropriate software interpretation to the deposit in accordance with the regional setting. Are the correct computer-based tools being applied and are they producing the desired result (without compromise) to the satisfaction of the Competent Person? Modelling Technique û the importance of the relevant experience of the Competent Person not only in regard to the geology, but also with respect to the modelling algorithms and resource calculation methods of the computer software system involved. At the end of the day, it is essential that the Competent Person undertake a reality check on the resource estimation itself. They should also check that the borehole spacing is in accordance with the level of continuity for each critical parameter (such as structure, grade, impurities, etc) for which the resources are categorised.

Jan 1, 2000

By Nathaniel Arbiter, Arthur F. Taggart

THE chemical reaction occurring in collection of nonmetallic minerals with amine-type collectors was early postulated by students of flotation phenomena to be metathesis between the mineral and the collector, involving exchange between the amine-bearing (aminium) ion and the cation of the mineral, and formation at the mineral surface of an oriented film of the amine salt of the mineral anion. Qualitative evidence of exchange has been obtained on several occasions at Columbia. Thus 1000 c.c. of a solution containing 495 mg. of laurylamine hydrochloride was shaken 17 min. with 100 grams of barite and ground in a porcelain mill to pass a 200-mesh screen; the mixture was then set aside for 48 hr. Filtrate therefrom analyzed 476 mg. per liter of laurylamine hydrochloride. There was no substantial loss of chloride ion (78.4 mg. per liter in the original; 74 in the filtrate). No successful analyses were concluded for barium ion. Earlier, confessedly rough work with scheelite indicated a solution gain in Ca++ equivalent to about one-half the aminium ion lost. Real quantitative proof of the exchange, in the form of an established stoichiometric balance, is unknown to the authors. The data of the present paper, however, obtained from experiments designed on the basis of the exchange hypothesis, constitute strong evidence of its truth, and at the same time point the way to economic utilization of the expensive nitrogen-bearing collectors in concentration of the low-priced nonmetallic minerals. The basic postulate underlying the experiments performed was that, if the collecting reaction is of the type [R+ + Y- + MX =± RX + M+ + Y¬] where R = aminium ion, Y = the anion of the amine salt, and M and X are, respectively, the cation and anion of the mineral, the reaction should obey qualitatively the implications of the massaction and solubility-product laws. This is to say that coating and collection should be aided by the addition to the solution of either ion (R+ or X-) of the collector-coating compound, and hindered by the addition of either of the ions M+ or Y-. Experimental work comprised determination of (1) the relative solubilities of the laurylammonium salts of a variety of nonmetallic-mineral anions; and (2) the contact angles1 of various minerals in solutions containing different concentrations of the postulated controlling ions. Semiquantitative flotation tests were run with barite as checks on the diagnostic character of the contact angles. The amine

Jan 1, 1944

By Charles Allen

THE Athens mine is in the city of Negaunee, Mich. It is one of the larger producers of soft hematite ore on the Marquette iron range. The property is held under lease by the Athens Iron Mining Co., and is operated by the Cleveland-Cliffs Iron Co., which is a partner with Pickands, Mather & Co. in the Athens company. The mine was opened in 1913, and shipments of ore commenced in 1918, the total reaching 3,063,711 tons up to Jan. 1, 1932. Diamond-drilling from surface, together with a knowledge of geological conditions in neighboring properties, gave a comprehensive picture of the location, size and shape of the orebody before shaft-sinking started. Striking east and west, the orebody entered the east boundary of the property at a depth of about 1500 ft. below surface. A pitch of 15° to the west carried it down to about 2500 ft. on the west boundary, about double the depth of that of any soft-ore property heretofore worked on the Marquette Range. The width of ore averaged close to 500 ft., and the thickness 300 feet. The depth of the deposit and its size, together with an overburden of quicksand, which in places reached a thickness of 150 ft., presented unusual mining problems. The use of a caving system made surface drainage into the orebody inevitable, because the north boundary of the deposit was a vertical diorite dike 200 ft. wide, and the south boundary a northward-dipping impervious slate. S. R. Elliott, manager of the mining department of the Cleveland-Cliffs Iron Co., who was super-intendent of the mine at that time, conceived the idea of starting at the bottom of the orebody and working upward, reversing the usual mining procedure. This innovation divided the Athens orebody into a series of steps, or blocks, the first of which was adjacent to the western boundary, and therefore in the lowest portion of the deposit. Top-slicing was to start under the capping in this first block by raising from the bottom level, and development and mining were to progress upward in successive blocks to the east. A complete description of the Athens system of mining was

Jan 1, 1933

By John B. Squyres

The purpose of this paper is to describe certain features of the uranium deposits of the South San Juan Basin, and to suggest a mode of origin for the deposits which is consistent with the data. A series of photographs is included at the end of the paper to illustrate the nature of the ore bodies. Since the general geology of the Grants Region is well described in the literature, it will be only briefly reviewed, and the time will be spent instead on the morphology, spatial relations, and geochemistry of the ore deposits. Part of this material is original, but data and ideas have been taken from a variety of sources, including the literature and the personnel of the USGS, the AEC, and many of the operating companies of the South San Juan Basin. I gratefully acknowledge these sources. The accuracy of the data and the conclusions presented here are my own responsibility, however.

Jan 1, 1974

By H. B. Pulsifer

The unprecedented high price of zinc ore prevailing through the early months of 1915 caused great activity in the Joplin district of Missouri. The Media mill is conspicuous as one of the first of the new "big mills" of the district. The mill was built over a mine previously worked but abandoned in 1912 because of the leanness of the ore and the large quantity of water encountered. The ore prices prevailing—$100 a ton in June, 1915, as against $50 in 1912-—favored the new undertaking. The mill was designed for good recovery so that it might operate in times of depression. In design and equipment, the mill is exclusively local in conception and construction. Former Exploitation The tract of land is a part of the large Guinn holdings; 70 acres are comprised in this particular lot, which is situated just a mile north of the center of Webb City on the Alba line of the Southwest Missouri Electric Railway. The ore lies 242 ft. below the surface at the top of the knoll which is surrounded by the well known properties: Black Cat, Ground Floor, Florence, Hurry-Up, Electrical, and Mercantile. Since the abandonment, in 1913, of the Yellow Dog a bit farther to the north, the Black Cat, Ground Floor, and Florence workings had been flooded. However, as there was no cut through from this side into the area it was proposed to exploit, it was thought that moderate pumping facilities would take care of the water. Three shafts had already been sunk to the ore horizon during the previous operations; the ground was connected by wide drifts and possibly 10 acres mined out, principally about the two southerly shafts which at surface are 8 and 13 ft. lower, respectively, than the collar of the shaft at which the new mill was built. The former mill on the lease was known as the Bohemian Girl. This mill, built in 1910, was removed after some 3 years&apos; work. A head frame and hopper still existed at the middle shaft, sometimes known as the lower Hold Out shaft, but at the most northerly

Jan 1, 1918

By Chee Theng

"Getting minerals out of ores is messy, but mineral processors learn to have fun with it. Celebrating the innate joys of the industry was the theme of this year’s Colorado MPD Conference. At the same time, attendees dug deeper for insights into problems that continue to dog the community, including tailings dam crises, water resource challenges, and a dwindling number of academics to teach and train the workforce (see box).Tailings dam crisesMatt Fuller of Tierra Group International Ltd. brought some of the audience to tears with his impassioned talk on “The Infamous Legacy of Upstream Tailings Dams,” which won the conference’s Lou Cope award for best paper. The talk was especially poignant coming on the heels of the January tailings dam failure in Vale S.A.’s Córrego do Feijão iron ore mine in Brazil, the latest in a series of catastrophic dam failures over the past decade that includes the Fundão dam failure in 2015.Noting that the two dams share a common characteristic — both are upstream tailing dams — Fuller explained the three basic dam construction methods and why certain upstream tailing dams are susceptible to failure (Fig. 1). The downstream, centerline and upstream methods denote the direction the centerline of the dam crest moves with each successive raise in elevation of the dam. With the downstream dam, the foundation for future raises is essentially the same as that of the starter dam, he explained. With the centerline dam, half of the dam is constructed on the same foundation as the starter dam, and with the upstream dam, each successive raise is built out over the top of the tailings.“Downstream dams are expensive to build because each successive raise is bigger, so the sustaining capex to build them keeps growing,” Fuller said. Many decades ago, mine owners realized they could construct a starter dam, put their tailings through a hydrocyclone, generate a coarse sand fraction and stack the sand over the top of the tailings to build the next raise. “Then, there is no sustaining capex, it all comes out of operations,” Fuller added. The footprint is smaller, and it is a favorable means of retaining the tailings."

Jul 1, 2019

By S. Skowronski

The melting of cathode copper, ususally containing 95.98+ per cent. • Cu, would appear to be a simple matter. Owing to the well known affinity of copper for sulfur, however, so much sulfur is absorbed by the copper during the operation that a long and expensive refining process is required to remove it, and the final product is inferior in purity and lower in electrical conductivity than the original cathode copper. The furnace operation, as now conducted, includes the following stages: 1. Charging the cathodes into the furnace. 2. Melting the cathodes. 3. Oxidizing period—saturating the copper with cuprous sub-oxide and bringing the metal to the condition known as "set copper;&apos;&apos; this is now done by blowing air into the molten bath of metal. 4. Reduction period, otherwise known as "poling," whereby the oxygen previously added is removed by covering the molten bath completely with coke or charcoal and introducing large poles of green wood; this reduces the cuprous sub-oxide, bringing the copper to the "tough pitch" stage ready for casting. 5. Casting Period. Many experiments have been made to obviate the long periods of oxidation and subsequent reduction, with no success. While the copper first cast will be good, as indicated by the set surface of the bars, it is impossible to hold it to the "tough pitch" condition, and long before the whole charge has been poured the copper will become "overpoled," entailing numerous difficulties. Sulfur has always been blamed by the furnace men as the reason why this refining process is necessary, yet the literature on the subject does not sufficiently emphasize how small a proportion of sulfur will ruin copper for practical purposes. The sulfur absorbed by copper during the melting period comes from two sources: (1) the sulfate left on the cathode sheets in the tank houses; (2) the fuel. The percentage of sulfates on the cathodes is variable, and depends on the care taken in washing the cathodes after removing

Jan 1, 1919

By Robert Lewis

THE Utah coal field to which the name Book Cliffs is applied runs in a northeast direction from Mt. Hilgarde, in Sevier county, along the escarpment of the Wasatch Plateau to the vicinity of Castle Gate, thence southeast along the Book cliffs, which lie to the north of and generally within sight of the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad,. to the Colorado line. The Book cliffs form the southern escarpment of the West and East Travaputs Plateaus, and vary in height from 2,000 to 6,000 ft. At the base of the Wasatch and Book Cliffs escarpments is a broad plain known as Castle valley. The coal beds outcropping in the escarpments along this valley are worked on the largest scale of any in the State, and this particular area is known locally as the Castle Valley coal field. Geology The Book cliffs are capped by the Tertiary-Eocene-formation, consisting of varicolored shales; buff sandstone, conglomerate, and subordinate thin beds of limestone. Different sections show diverse stratigraphy. This is mainly the Wasatch formation, and lies unconformably upon the rocks of the Upper Cretaceous. Fig. 1 is a generalized section of the rocks of the. Book Cliffs field. The Mesaverde formation contains the cliff-making rocks of the Book cliffs, and is composed of massive sandstone interbedded with sandy shales and beds of coal and carbonaceous shale. The sandstone has greater resistance to erosion and the formation is characterized by escarpment ledges and cliffs. The shale is commonly sandy and is drab in color, but where it is associated with the coal it is usually carbonaceous. The sandstone is generally buff, though occasionally it is white, and in places red. The bedding ranges from thin to massive. In the lower part. of the formation the sandstone is red in

Jan 7, 1914

By Yaroshenko YuG, Bokovikov BA, Gordon YaM

Problems of the effect of the number of tuyeres and their parameters on the uni- formity of gas distribution are invest- igated with the use of the authors&apos; devel- oped mathematical model of the movement of gases and materials in the blast furnace. It is shown that the improvement of uni- formity of gas distribution with an increase in the number of tuyeres has a damping character. An analysis of the errors of the specified assumptions of the hypothesis concerning the potentiality of the gas movement in the bed is carried out. It is established that the potential approach model gives good results with the determination of the discharge of gas and its stress field, but is not useful for the calculation of local velocities of gas in the raceway. The results of trials of calculation investigations of the dynamics of form- ation of the raceway and the voidageòfield in beds of burden materials are presented in the concluding part of the paper.

Jan 1, 1981