Search Documents

By D. Morgan Warren, David Hanson, Alice Alex, Tom Meuzelaar, Heather Lawson, Sam J. S. Wright

Dynamic coal failure events remain a safety concern in underground coal mining due to their sudden nature and high fatality rate. Previous research utilized Principal Component Analysis on field samples revealing strong empirical correlations between positive failure history and low sulfur content (S) and high volatile matter (VM). Further studies indicated that bumping coals tend to be less mature and less well-cleated than non-failure coals. However, these in situ studies faced the challenge of distinguishing intrinsic coal properties from external geological and stress-related influences. This study augments previous findings through laboratory experimental testing of coal samples that included unconfined compressive strength, chemical composition analysis, and qualitative observations on cleating, combined with compositional data analysis and machine learning techniques, to isolate and understand coal’s inherent bursting capacity. These results further confirmed the relationship between coal chemistry and failure classification.

Feb 22, 2026

By J. C. Agarwal

Do large-scale projects in mining and smelting start up and achieve expected capacity on schedule? In most cases not. Regardless of worldwide location, company know-how, or financial backing, unforeseen delays occur. A comprehensive CRA study for the World Bank shows that delays are the rule, not the exception, in most mining and smelting projects. When delays are not factored into analysis and planning, financial projections are, literally, not to be believed. Returns on investment will seldom achieve their targeted level because of startup delays. This paper reviews the results of our analysis of startup of new mines, mills, and smelters; provides a detailed discussion of why delays occur in the smelters and refineries; presents the cash flow implications of startup delays; and discusses preventive measures that should be taken to avoid financial shortfalls,

Jan 1, 1983

By J. P. Downey, T. Salisbury, M. Berlin, E. Rosenberg, G. Pinson, R. Christianson, K. Gleason, W. Gleason, S. Davis

"The Center for Advanced Mineral and Metallurgical Processing is developing membrane production technology based on autocatalytic reduction of palladium from solution onto a unique, porous substrate. Surface membranes and catalytic structures are critically important to applications that range from hydrogen purification membranes to petroleum refining. Autocatalytic reduction processes represent a cost effective method of producing stable surface layered structures that have good working lives. These attributes are particularly important in the production of palladium alloy purification membranes used in hydrogen production. Although considerable research has investigated the interaction of hydrogen and palladium alloys, the mechanisms in play while the membranes form are not well understood. Preliminary research has identified three distinct deposition mechanisms and it appears that substantial control over the resulting membrane is possible.IntroductionPalladium-based membranes separate hydrogen from other gases because hydrogen is uniquely soluble in and readily passes through bulk palladium. As currently produced, palladium-based membranes are expensive and have short service lives. These circumstances are due in part to the lack of a complete understanding of palladium or palladium alloy deposition. The Center for Advanced Mineral and Metallurgical Processes (CAMP), in collaboration with the Metallurgical and Materials Engineering Department at Montana Tech and the Chemistry Department at the University of Montana, is engaged in the development of new methods and materials for hydrogen purification membrane production.In membrane production, the palladium requirement depends on substrate surface properties such as surface chemistry, porosity, and roughness. Thin, defect-free membranes have been successfully produced on substrates of porous glass, alumina, and stainless steel. However, the differences in the thermal expansion coefficients of palladium membranes and porous glass or alumina substrates cause problems at operating temperatures. The use of stainless steel substrates is advantageous because stainless steels have thermal expansion coefficients similar to that of palladium and they are stable at the required operating temperatures (Wicke, E., Brodowsky, H. and Ziichner, H. ). Stainless steel is also readily available and relatively inexpensive."

Jan 1, 2012

By Peter Hall

The need for large volume covered storage has increased drastically in the last ten years. Increased world demand for such products as thermal coal, potash, metallic concentrates, etc., availability of land for large open storage and environmental issues have brought about this need. This paper discusses briefly demand, environment, types of covered storage and the Alternative Storage System "Eurosilo", a proven system for storage of dry bulk mateials in units up to 100,000 m3.

Jan 1, 1982

By Peter F. Howard

The lower Middle Cambrian phosphorite deposits of the Georgina Basin shown in Figure 1 were found in the period 1966-1968 by three companies, namely, International Minerals and Chemical Corporation, Continental Oil Corporation and Broken Hill South Limited. Of these deposits the significant ones are Duchess, Sherrin Creek, D Tree, Lady Annie, Lady Jane, and Wonarah which together aggregate several billion tons reserves of phosphate. Due to the economic factors of freight costs to the coast and softening of the world market price for rock phosphate, none of them is in production, nor is any in the development stage. This paper reviews the historical background to the discovery of these deposits and then deals principally with the discovery of non-outcropping phosphorites in the Barkly Tablelands of Northern Territory by the interpretation of gamma radiation logs of abandoned water bores.

Jan 1, 1971

Metso Minerals Process Technology Asia-Pacific (MMPT-AP) has been working with many mining companies worldwide performing `Mine to Mill' or Process Integration and Optimisation (PIO) studies. MMPT-AP has developed a proven methodology to improve the efficiency of the mine-mill interface and gain maximum benefit. The PIO methodology involves rock characterisation, mathematical modelling and simulation to generate a list of operational and control changes for both the mine and concentrator. Following the methodology, the list of recommendations is developed relatively easily; the more challenging part depends on the company. Success of a PIO project relies on the ability of an organisation to implement change - both operationally and culturally: the human element. When a PIO project is started, there is initial interest and commitment from the company. But how can this be maintained? How does an operation know if the benefit continues? MMPT AP is now developing long-term relationships with clients to ensure that the increased production and improved efficiency continues. Direct and indirect measurements are used to determine the key factors involved and to understand the cause/effect relationships. Simulation tools also can be used to compare current with recommended practices - so when material properties vary over time, the benefits can still be quantified. PIO is about empowerment: by measuring and understanding what parameters affect concentrator performance, the site personnel now have the knowledge to make a difference. Rather than simply reporting variable or poor concentrator performance, operations can predict when production will be affected and put controls in place to prevent it from happening. This requires support and commitment from the company or `buy in'. Ensuring this buy in continues is the challenge facing every company involved in PIO work - but the benefits are well worth it. This paper will review MMPT-AP's experiences in implementing PIO projects in the long term: from both the consulting and operational viewpoints. MMPT-AP's involvement with a number of companies will be discussed as examples of what works and what does not.

Jan 1, 2007

By M. Cai

"It is well known that Peak Particle Velocity (PPV) plays a critical role in triggering rockburst damage in burst-prone underground mines. To estimate the PPV distribution around excavations, advanced numerical modeling can be used. In wave propagation numerical modeling, velocity field is often assumed to be uniform around an excavation. However, it is observed that wave velocities near mine openings are not constant, but rather non-uniform. Wave velocity in a rock mass depends on many factors such as rock quality and confinement. In particular, confinement has a large influence on wave velocity. The confinement around an excavation is low at the wall boundary and increases gradually and reaches a constant value far away from the excavation boundary. Hence, stress redistribution due to excavation will have a profound influence on wave propagation in underground mines. A better understanding of the influence of excavation effect on wave propagation helps to interpret the field observation of rockburst damage and improve mine safety. For this purpose, a non-uniform velocity model need to be constructed and the influence excavation effect should be taken into account in numerical wave propagation modeling.In the present study, a non-linear velocity model is developed firstly by considering the influence of confinement on wave velocity. This model links wave velocity to confinement explicitly. A coupled numerical method is then developed and used to study the seismic wave pattern around excavations in underground mines. Two codes, FLAC and SPECFEM2D, are coupled in the analysis. The motivation of developing the FLAC/SPECFEM2D coupled approach is to take merit of each code, such as the stress analysis capability in FLAC and the powerful wave propagation analysis capability in SPECFEM2D. The coupling process is realized through three steps: (1) static stress redistribution around an excavation is analyzed in FLAC; (2) data for coupling analysis, such as non-uniform velocity field (based on the new developed velocity model), mesh, absorbing boundaries, etc., are generated by FISH functions in FLAC and passed to SPECFEM2D; and (3) wave propagation modeling is performed in the SPECFEM2D considering a fault-slip seismic source. Because stress redistribution around the excavation is considered, non-uniform velocity field for the SPECFEM2D model can be obtained and this is a notable feature of this study. Very large difference in the S-wave response in these two modeling approaches with uniform and non-uniform velocity fields can be seen from the modeling results.Using the FLAC/SPECFEM2D coupled modeling approach, accurate velocity models can be constructed and this in turn will help to produce accurate PPV distribution around the excavations. Accurate PPV contours can be used to identify high rockburst risk zones for improved dynamic ground support strategy."

Jan 1, 2015

By B. P. Bellport

This paper summarizes the Bureau of Reclamation's experience in the use of boring machines to excavate six major tunnels on the Bureau's water resources development projects in the western United States. The summary of experience is presented as a compilation of brief case studies for each of the six tunnels. Each compilation presents data on the tunnel dimensions, geological characteristics of the excavated rock, the tunneling machine used, machine operation, muck handling, method of tunnel support, ventilation system, and related information. The listing of the six tunnels in Table 1 reflects a diversity of tunnel lengths and diameters. However, despite this diversity of dimensions as well as the variety of rock encountered during excavation, the six tunnels have one major characteristic in common: their excavation was significantly expedited by the use of boring machines. Beginning with the 10,079-foot-long Tunnel No. 1 on the Navajo Indian Irrigation Project in New Mexico - the Bureau's first tunnel to be excavated by a boring machine - the boring machines, or "moles," have demonstrated their effectiveness in rapid and economical tunnel excavation. Tunnel No. 1, virtually 2 miles long, was bored through in 9 months, an unprecedented achievement in Bureau engineering experience, as compared with tunnels previously excavated by conventional means. Boring of the 45,630-foot-long Blanco Tunnel and the 26,610-foot-long Oso Tunnel, both on the San Juan-Chama Project in Colorado, set world records in rates of excavation,l/* Two days of exceptional progress highlighted the

Jan 1, 1970

By Karl Berger

As the hot rolling of steel moves into new more compact and effective processes, and as steel producers look for new ways to reduce their costs and increase their margins in ever tightening markets and tolerances, the evolution in Steckel mill technology, layouts, and new innovations may well keep the Steckel mill as a viable option, especially in areas of the world where minimized capital investments are required. In this paper we examine the evolution of the Steckel mills over the last two decades, with emphasis on new innovations and practical results, and provide a summary of hands on experience with some of these innovations. Also a focus on the South American Installations is given (from Siderperu to Gerdau’s newest Combination- Plate-Steckel-Mill). In addition, we aim to show the viability of the Steckel mill as an option for many existing or prospective steel producers, as the quality of the products rolled with Steckel mills reaches new quality parameters and as new innovations permit the rolling of thinner and wider materials, reaching new applications and wider share in markets, while maintaining a strong foothold in the traditional uses of Steckel mill products such as stainless steel, structural, and line pipe materials. As the ability to handle heavier, thicker, and wider coiled plate products increases, the coiled plate Steckel mills option is as strong an option as ever.

Aug 17, 2017

By J. R. Long, E. T. Hayes, D. C. Root, R. S. Dean

The U. S. Bureau of Mines has recently reported on the development of a process for preparing pure ductile titanium in substantial quantities1 and on the physical properties that may be attained in the metal, when consolidated by powder metallurgy methods and fabricated by certain hot and cold-working procedures.2 The high physical properties (Table I), combined with excellent corrosion resistance and light weight, will lead no doubt to appropriatc applications of the metal. In any application, methods of joining will be of considerable importance. The relatively high activity of the metal toward the common gases raises the question of weldability and conditions that might be required for successful welding. Since hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen embrittle the metal, it should be protected from these gases at elevated temperatures. This was demonstrated by a few preliminary trials of arc, gas, and resistance welding. In these trials only the resistance method proved to be immediately- applicable. While atomic: hydrogen welding of titanium may be successful in some instances, a considerable amount of development work will be required to prove its worth. In addition, it would be suited only to small assemblies that could be heated subsequently in a high vacuum to remove embrittling hydrogen. Heli-are methods likewise would be limited to small assemblies, which could be completely protected by a helium atmosphere. It was quite apparent that titanium required more protection than was afforded by the normal flow of helium gas used for welding magnesium and aluminum. The hot metal is attacked by oxygen and nitrogen, and the rapid diffusion of the oxide into the metal prevents the formation of a protective coating and requires the helium atmosphere to be maintained until the weld has cooled nearly to room temperature. The preliminary work indicated that titanium could be successfully spot-welded without deterioration of the metal and that the microstructures of the welds were normal, exhibiting good bonding, and no oxidation. The high resistivity of titanium (53 microhms per cu. cm.) suggested that it would behave somewhat like stainless steel and allow considerable latitude in the several welding variables. The results reported here are intended to give a general picture of the effects of varying welding current, welding time, and tip pressure on single spot welds made on several different thicknesses of titanium sheet. The work was undertaken to demonstrate the feasibility of welding titanium rather than as an exhaustive study of spot welding. There are, therefore, a number of factors that will require further investigation to establish the specific controls required for actual applications.

Jan 1, 1947

By J. R. Long, R. S. Dean, D. C. Root, E. T. Hayes

The U. S. Bureau of Mines has recently reported on the development of a process for preparing pure ductile titanium in substantial quantities1 and on the physical properties that may be attained in the metal, when consolidated by powder metallurgy methods and fabricated by certain hot and cold-working procedures.2 The high physical properties (Table I), combined with excellent corrosion resistance and light weight, will lead no doubt to appropriatc applications of the metal. In any application, methods of joining will be of considerable importance. The relatively high activity of the metal toward the common gases raises the question of weldability and conditions that might be required for successful welding. Since hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen embrittle the metal, it should be protected from these gases at elevated temperatures. This was demonstrated by a few preliminary trials of arc, gas, and resistance welding. In these trials only the resistance method proved to be immediately- applicable. While atomic: hydrogen welding of titanium may be successful in some instances, a considerable amount of development work will be required to prove its worth. In addition, it would be suited only to small assemblies that could be heated subsequently in a high vacuum to remove embrittling hydrogen. Heli-are methods likewise would be limited to small assemblies, which could be completely protected by a helium atmosphere. It was quite apparent that titanium required more protection than was afforded by the normal flow of helium gas used for welding magnesium and aluminum. The hot metal is attacked by oxygen and nitrogen, and the rapid diffusion of the oxide into the metal prevents the formation of a protective coating and requires the helium atmosphere to be maintained until the weld has cooled nearly to room temperature. The preliminary work indicated that titanium could be successfully spot-welded without deterioration of the metal and that the microstructures of the welds were normal, exhibiting good bonding, and no oxidation. The high resistivity of titanium (53 microhms per cu. cm.) suggested that it would behave somewhat like stainless steel and allow considerable latitude in the several welding variables. The results reported here are intended to give a general picture of the effects of varying welding current, welding time, and tip pressure on single spot welds made on several different thicknesses of titanium sheet. The work was undertaken to demonstrate the feasibility of welding titanium rather than as an exhaustive study of spot welding. There are, therefore, a number of factors that will require further investigation to establish the specific controls required for actual applications.

Jan 1, 1947

By Charles Catlett

(Chattanooga Meeting, October, 1M.) THE terms " developed " and " undeveloped " are necessarily relative and cover a wide range; but the latter is here applied to cases in which the information at hand falls short of a clear demonstration of values, and conclusions must be reached from a study of the geological conditions of the particular deposit, interpreted in the light of similar and closely related deposits. Such an inquiry might be characterized as an effort to reach reliable conclusions from insufficient data. But the engineer engaged in commercial work finds himself often face to face with apparently such problems; and while he may realize with regret that a small amount of intelligent development would add enormously to the value of his conclusions, he is compelled to recognize the demand of a business situation for a prompt decision as the basis of immediate action. In a case within my knowledge, the question involved was the purchase of 50,000 acres of coal-land, and 10 days was the limit within which this question must be decided. Of course, it was impossible to make a satisfactory examination within that time; but the 'instructions were "to make the most complete examination and the most positive recommendation possible." Such instructions are often given; for, no matter how much time an investor may have, he is likely to put of his decision until the last moment, and then discover that he needs more light and advice. It does not follow that engineers, after full explanation and mutual understanding of the situation, should decline to undertake examinations thus limited. In the case just mentioned, while only the broadest view was possible, half the time available was sufficient to show that the property was a good purchase. The timber alone was subsequently resold for more than the entire purchase-price of the

Mar 1, 1909

By Ronald G. Schmidt

AND SOME RIN UP HILL AND DOWN DALE, KNAPPING THE CHUCKY STANES TO PIECES WI' HAMMERS, LIKE SAE MANY ROAD MAKERS RUN DAFT. THEY SAY IT IS TO SEE HOW THE WARLD WAS MADE. Sir Walter Scott St. Ronan's Well - 1824 In the minds of many, geologic exploration has advanced little since the early nineteenth century. In truth, despite the development and refinement of new and potentially valuable technological tools, the approach or philosophy of the explorationist has received meager attention in professional literature. In many areas, the explorationist relies upon experience, subjective judgement and general intangible inspiration, often traveling together under the misleading pseudonym of "art," in achieving both an exploration plan and in making the myriad day to day decisions necessary to the execution of that plan. Without a solid, objective basis for decisions, exploration under this concept is little more than guesswork largely by intuition, and it is small wonder that many exploration programs flounder in a sea of over-expenditure inefficiency or fail to fulfill their expected goals within the funding which has been provided. From a rational management point of view, such a state of affairs is frustrating and inconsistent with the application of the same scientific principles which are presumed to be the basis for the exploration methods which are used. This somewhat presumptuous point of view cannot be extended as a general condemnation of the many exploration programs which are both technically and economically successful. On the other hand, the

Jan 1, 1968

Escalating energy and electricity costs have become one of the largest drivers of expenditure in mining operations. Over the last eight years, energy costs have tripled when expressed as a percentage of total expenses in South African mines. In an effort to manage and reduce electricity costs, energy management strategies can be developed, inefficient operating units replaced, and the operation of energy-consuming components of ventilation systems optimized. Power consumption on mines is controlled mainly by three strategies, namely load clipping, by which energy use is reduced for certain parts of the day; load shifting, by which energy use is shifted to other parts of the day; and energy efficiency, by which energy use is reduced permanently. In this paper several projects that were implemented using the first two strategies of load clipping and load shifting are investigated. The actual and potential savings that can be achieved by implementing such energysaving interventions are presented. To reduce the operating costs of ventilating and cooling underground mines permanently, system optimization studies must be completed. Methods that can be used to reduce energy usage by optimizing cooling and ventilation systems are described, and network simulation models that accurately reflect the current and planned ventilation conditions are discussed. These models are then used to examine various options for improving the overall ventilation and cooling strategy. Different optimization scenarios can be simulated, and this assists the design engineer in obtaining the most energy-efficient system that will satisfy design workplace conditions. The final outcome is a reduction in operating costs, which can result in better operating margins and an extension of the life of mine.

Jan 1, 2014

By K. I. Savage, S. C. Sun

This paper describes a process developed to recover coal, clays and pyrite from coal wastes. The process consists of fine grinding followed by coal and pyrite flotation which leaves the clays in the flotation pulp. A bituminous coal refuse containing 10% sulfur and 30% carbonaceous material was treated by this method to yield a coal product containing 4% sulfur, 10% ash; a pyrite product containing 45% sulfur (84% FeS2), 1% carbonaceous material; and a clay product containing 2% sulfur (3.5% FeS2). The coal yield was about 89%. The pyrite yield was about 77%. The process steps may be entirely flotation, or gravity separation (hydrocycloning) may be used to increase the pyrite : coal ratio in the flotation feed. Cost estimates for the process show a profit of $2.28 per ton of low pyrite grade refuse, but these do not include labor, maintenance, overhead and plant depreciation. The development of this process consisted of three parts: (1) exploratory tests, (2) op-timazation tests and (3) confirmatory tests. The objectionable qualities that sulfur imparts to coal have been commented upon from early times, and they have become more objectionable as the uses of coal have grown. In whatever form coal takes — raw, carbonized or gasified —the sulfur content remains objectionable, and therefore its compounds are removed as completely as possible. It has long been known that sulfur occurs in coal in different forms. In 1861, sulfur was said to exist in the state of sulfuric acid in combination with a base; in combination with iron as iron pyrites; as bisulfides of iron; and in combination with the organic elements of coal.' Pyritic sulfur is a term loosely used to cover the sulfur associated with iron in its various forms. The mineralogically recognized forms are pyrite (FeS2), pyrrhotite (Fe 1-x S) and marcasite (FeS2). The particle sizes of pyrites vary widely. Isolated grains of marcasite smaller than 15 microns have been found disseminated through coal.2 Hair-like "veins" of pyrite filling cracks in vitrain have been found. At the other extreme, lumps or nodules of pyrites large enough for removal by hand picking have been encountered. Organic sulfur, unlike pyritic sulfur, does not exist as discrete particles, but is instead intimately associated with the coal structure and thus it is impossible to remove it or reduce its concentration by physical or mechanical means.2 In the preparation of coal for its various markets, the pyrite minerals (pyrites) are separated from the raw coal feed. This separation process concentrates the pyrites in the tailings or other waste products. It would be desirable to recover these pyrites for three reasons: (1) Pyrites are potential sources of sulfur and iron. In 1967, for the fifth consecutive year, Free World consumption of sulfur exceeded production.3 Propelled by the shortage, the domestic price of sulfur has risen from $24 to $38 per long ton (bright). (2) The refuse, when placed in piles, becomes ignited. The pyrites (FeS2) bum, giving off SO,. Thus, the pyrites are a cause of air pollution. (3) Also, the pyrites undergo chemical reaction when exposed to air. The refuse is leached by waters which result in stream pollution due to the water-soluble iron and acidic reaction products. Coal refuse also contains coal minerals and clay minerals. Therefore, any process for recovering the pyrites must successfully separate them from the coal and clay minerals. In the study discussed here, ten different bituminous coal refuse samples were successfully upgraded in pyrite content. These samples represented a wide variety of coal waste materials from Pennsylvania and other states. The variabilities of the sulfur and coal contents are shown in Table I. The extremes are Sample J, a high sulfur-low coal, and Sample B, a low sulfur-high coal. Definitions of some of the symbols or terms used in this report are given below: Mesh size—Tyler standard mesh screen sieves with an opening based on the square root of two. Fe —Indicates iron, as determined by a stannous reduction-dichromatic oxidation method. S—Indicates sulfur, as determined by the ASTM "Eschka" method for sulfur in coal.

Jan 1, 1969

By F. Peer

In most coal preparation processes, water is a necessary medium, but the presence of water in coal after it has been cleaned has a negative impact on transportation costs, handling and specific energy values. The utilization of super absorbent polymers (SAP) in the nappy application is well known. The concept of utilizing these polymers was investigated for the purposes of dewatering coal and other fines, generated by preparation processes such as flotation. SAPs are granular highly cross-linked synthetic copolymers with excellent water-absorbing properties. The dewatering process is characterized by three main stages: (a) contact of super absorbent polymer with high-moisture fine coal; (b) separation of dewatered fine coal from super absorbent polymer; and (c) regeneration of used super absorbent polymer, by exploiting its response to changes in conditions such as pH or temperature. Preliminary tests showed the separation step to be very difficult. The novel idea of encasing a given amount of polymer in a water permeable cloth solved this problem (of separating the swollen polymer from the dewatered coal). Preliminary tests investigating the effectiveness of the sachets of polymer showed a drastic decrease in the moisture contents of slurries. Furthermore, it was shown that it was possible to regenerate the polymer (still within the sachets) through thermal drying. A full-scale experimental programme was then followed to accurately determine the feasibility of using sachets of SAP. The experimental variables were initial slurry moisture content and polymer dosage. It was observed that the sachets seemed to work fastest and most effectively at high moistures and also at higher dosages of SAP. Regeneration of the polymer was also investigated, using two methods: thermal regeneration and pH-induced regeneration. The experimental variables, for investigating the regeneration process, were method of regeneration and grade of water used. Thermal regeneration at 70°C seemed to work successfully. Although the cost of using thermal energy is still a problem, the safety aspect (fire hazards) has been addressed since the polymer does not ignite when heated, unlike fine coal particles that may do so. The alternative method of regeneration, which exploits the pH-sensitivity of the polymer, was less successful, and further work needs to be conducted.

Jan 1, 2003

By James L. Oleson, Hunter R. Propsom, Kevan J. R. Ford, Robert D. Henderson, Bob Musgrove

"Kinross’ Fort Knox Gold mine, near Fairbanks, Alaska has successfully implemented two major metallurgical continuous improvement projects resulting in growth of gold production and an extension of mine life. In 2009, Fort Knox produced 263,153 oz of gold at a cash operating cost of $543/oz. In 2010, approximately 63% of the gold will be produced from the CIP circuit, 15% of the gold from the gravity circuit and 22% of the gold from the heap leach.In 2009, a 44,000 ton per day run-of-mine valley fill heap leach facility was constructed and commissioned as a cost effective treatment option for low grade ores to supplement the higher grade mill. The heap leach facility will produce approximately 100,000 ounces of gold per year under severe winter conditions. Heap leach gold recovery, based on test work shows 30% after a 55-day leach cycle, with long term ultimate gold recovery targeted at 65%. The paper presents the heap leach design concepts and production data.Additionally in 2009, installation of a Knelson gravity concentrator unit (XD70) was completed. This together with an Acacia intense leach reactor (AILR) has increased overall mill gold recovery from 79.3% to 80.7%. A manual shaking table gold recovery operation has been replaced by batch intensive cyanidation of the high grade Knelson concentrates. Increased removal of coarse gold and difficult-to-leach gold species from the grinding circuit, via the gravity circuit, has improved gold leach recovery in the conventional whole-ore tank leach CIP circuit. The paper presents plant operating data, showing the improvements over the old flowsheet.Focus on the metallurgical properties of the high grade and low grade end components of the Fort Knox ore has resulted in significant improvement to gold recovery."

Jan 1, 2011

By Paul A. Farrar, Harold Margolin

The Ti-Al-V system has been delineated from 50 to 100 wt pct Ti and front 600 to 1400°C by X-ray and ntetallographic techniques. Isothermal sections were delineated at 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300, and 1400°C. X-ray and metallographic evidence indicated the presence of two phases and in addition to those reported by previous investigators of the ternary system'-3. T HE titanium-rich region of the Ti-Al-V system as originally proposed by Rausch et UZ, and Jordan and Duwez3 was based on the binary Ti-Al diagram as proposed by Bumps et uZ. As additional phases have been shown to exist5-' in the region previously thought to be all a, the titanium-rich region of the Ti-Al-V system is open to serious question. Therefore, in order to determine the effect of the indicated changes in the Binary Ti-Al system on the ternary Ti-Al-V system the present investigation was initiated. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE The experimental procedures in this investigation are the standard techniques used in the study of titanium-alloy systems which have been described in detail previously.1° Consequently, only details pertinent to the present work are discussed. The alloys employed for the delineation of this system were prepared from titanium obtained from the Bureau of Mines (73 BHN) 99.99 pct Al and 99.7 pct V, by the consumable arc-melting technique. The titanium was premelted into buttons of 25 g because spattering during the first melt caused uncontrollable loss of alloying constituents. Typical analyses of the material used have been reported elsewhere Attempts to hot roll the alloys prior to heat treatment were made on the first series of alloys prepared, but as the area of extensive hot workability was fairly restricted, see Table I, this practice was discontinued. The times of isothermal annealing are given in Table 11. A preliminary heat treatment of 96 hr at 1000°C was used prior to heat treatment at lower temperatures. The standard techniques used for polishing specimens involved belt-grinding, grinding on emery paper, polishing electrolytically, and etching with Remington "A" etch. In the low-alloy region it was found that the oRo etch, developed by Ence and Margolin,o gave better contrast between phases. Where this procedure did not differentiate between phases clearly, the method of stain etching developed by Ence and was used. It has been previously reported15 that filing of titanium alloys is not desirable for producing X-ray powders, since the powder becomes contaminated by the file material. Therefore, for those samples not brittle enough to Crush, the procedure described below was used. The specimen was wrapped in molybdenum sheet and placed in a vacuum system and evacuated to 0.03 p. Palladium-pur if ied hydrogen was then admitted to the system until a partial pressure of 5o Cm of H was reached. The specimen was heated in the system to the temperature of original heat treatment and was slowly cooled over a period of 3 hr to 400°C while the partial pressure of hydrogen was maintained. The sample was removed from the system after it had completely cooled and was crushed to a powder of 230 to 270 mesh. The powder, wrapped in molybdenum sheet, was dehydrogenated at the temperature of original heat treatment until a partial pressure of 0.03 p was maintained in the system for at least 1/2 hr. The tube containing the powders was quenched in iced brine while still connected to the vacuum system. After dehydrogenation, the powder, except for the

Jan 1, 1962

By A. J. Hyett

Due to the ongoing revolution in electronics and communications more cost-effective geotechnical instruments can be manufactured using digital technology. This new generation of digital instruments have embedded microcontrollers that provide highly accurate and reliable measurement of geotechnical behaviour in real world units that can be immediately interpreted. Digital measurements can be transmitted across existing mine-wide wireless communication networks, interfaced directly with infra-red enabled PDA?s or PC?s, and parsed to memory by low-cost data-loggers.

Oct 1, 2004

By Theodore Nagel

Fuel-oil, natural gas and coke oven gas, producing the higher temperatures of open-hearth current practice, have been gradually displacing producer gas the lowest cost fuel for open hearth operations. The lower temperatures of combustion products from producer gas is caused by nitrogen dilution. Practical Application of Combustion Thermochemistry One pound of carbon burned to CO produces 3,960 B.T.U. and one pound of carbon burned to C02 produces 14,140 B.T.U. The second unit of oxygen uniting-with gasified car-bon (-CO) produces (14,140 - 3,960) 10,180 B.T.U. which is;(10,180 - 3,960) 6,220 B.T.U. more heat than produced by the first, unit of oxygen forming CO by uniting with solid carbon. A review of the relative combustion heating values of commercial gaseous fuels reveals CO requires a minimum of air for combustion, and because of minimum nitrogen dilution and the high thermal release from CO higher temperature combustion products are produced from CO than from natural gas or from coke-oven gas under similar combustion conditions. Inert nitrogen diluent lowers the calorific value of fuel gas and its diluting effect is cumulative in lowering the temperature of the products of total, combustion. It is not only logical but, practical in partial combustion, converting bituminous coal to gas, to generate the gas, with reduced nitrogen dilution.

Jan 1, 1936