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By Braden Lusk

Vibrations as a result of blasting practices in mining engineering are a complex phenomenon controlled by many variables. Mine blast vibration modeling and prediction is becoming more important as a consequence of the general negative perception of mining activity by the public. Many communities (all over the world) close to mining activity often complain about airblast and vibrations produced from blasting activity. It is important for the mining industry to have tools and understandable methodologies to model and predict blast vibration. These tools can then be used to control vibration at neighboring structures.

Jan 1, 2013

Miners and explorers in New Zealand are expected to consult with stakeholders, keep out of core conservation areas, and operate a high standard of environmental management and rehabilitation. These requirements are not difficult to meet, but many of the industry's own actions have brought it to a low level of general public esteem in New Zealand. Reasons for this are discussed, drawing examples from the Maruia Society's experiences with the industry since the mid-1980s. The boundary between core conservation areas and other land is not easily drawn, and the Maruia Society has sought to work with the mining industry to promote legislation for net conservation benefit trade-offs. However this initiative was not successful. Today the industry, unlike most other major industry sectors in New Zealand, has no accord with the country's conservation movement.

Jan 1, 1997

PRESIDENT L E Young', Pittsburgh, Pa PAST PRESIDENTS Clyde Williams, Columbus, Ohio W. E Wrather, Washington, D C VICE-PRESIDENTS Robert W Thomas', Ray, Ariz C Harry Benedict, Lake Linden, Mich D H McLaughlin, San Francisco, Calif A B Kinzel, New York, N Y Philip Kraft, New York, N Y VICE-PRESIDENT AND TREASURER Andrew Fletcher, New York, N Y

Jan 1, 1949

By Wen Tao Liu, Tong Tian, Fu Sheng Niu, Xiu Man Liang

In order to address the difficulty of accurate segmentation of froth images of different sizes, a method of froth image segmentation based on highlight correction and parameter adaptation is proposed. First, a machine vision system on a single-cell flotation machine is built to collect froth images. Homomorphic filtering is used to improve the uneven brightness and shadow of the images. Fuzzy c-means (FCM) clustering is then utilized to classify similar highlights that belong to the same froth. After Otsu threshold segmentation, a parameter-adaptive morphological operation is used to extract the marker points and edge bands and correct the froth edges in the original image. Finally, the modified image is filtered by morphological reconstruction, and the highlight mark is used as the local minimum point for watershed segmentation. Three sizes of froth images are segmented in comparative experiments. The results show that the proposed method is suitable for the segmentation of froth images of different sizes. The position of the extracted segmentation line is close to reality, with average over-segmentation and under-segmentation rates for froth images of 2.6% and 6.8%, respectively. The froth image segmentation performance is stronger than that of the other methods examined.

POSITIONS VACANT (Under this heading will be published notes sent to the Secretary of the Institute by members or other persons.) Wanted for a mill on the Ivory Coast of Africa an experienced amalgamator and millman. Salary, $160 to $200 per month. No. 18. ENGINEERS AVAILABLE (Under this heading will be published notes sent to the Secretary of the Institute by members or other persons.) Chemist-metallurgist of broad technical training, university graduate, with experience in chemical and metallurgical research work, desires position, preferably in the East. Has successful past that stands investigation. No. 73. Member, mining and metallurgical engineer; thorough technical training, Ph.D., Columbia University, aged 39, married, with-an-extensive experience in smelting, mining, and economic geological work in U. S., Mexico, and South America, desires position as assistant to the Manager or Superintendent, or as a director of experimental and research work, with a reliable mining or metallurgical company. The West, Mexico, or South America preferred. No. 98.

Jan 6, 1914

By Bill Cain, R. John Caulfield, D. Scott Kieffer

The East Bay Municipal Utility District is undertaking seismic upgrades of the Claremont Tunnel in the San Francisco Bay area. The tunnel carries treated water across the active Hayward Fault to supply a major metropolitan area. Studies indicate the tunnel could be severed by fault offset during a major seismic event. A design approach to achieve limited operation of the tunnel following fault displacement has been established and design details are currently being evaluated. This paper describes the project, the design approach, and summarizes significant construction constraints.

Jan 1, 2001

By L. A. Cornish, R. Süss, M. Sephton, N. B. Maledi, J. H. Potgieter, L. Chown

The gas turbine industry is faced with a challenge to improve the performance of engines, while simultaneously adhering to stringent environmental legislation. One way of addressing the problem is by further increasing the recipient working temperatures. Unfortunately, the use of nickel based superalloys (NBSAs) in the gas turbine industry has reached its limitations. Although coatings can be used for small increases, and air cooling is also incorporated by design, attention is towards developing stronger metallurgical materials having higher melting points, with acceptable creep and corrosion resistance. A series of ternary and quaternary Platinum-based superalloys were developed. Platinum was selected because of its higher melting points compared to nickel, similar fcc structure and better corrosion properties. Mechanical characterisation studies of Platinum-based superalloys alloys, which included oxidation, creep and hardness, demonstrated reasonable results, outperforming an oxide dispersed strengthening (ODS) Fe-based superalloy (PM2000) and a nickel based superalloy (MAR-M200). During any materials development where high temperatures are concerned, high strength is the primary property of interest. However, during the development of gas turbines, component life and reliability, which are influenced by temperature, need to be taken into consideration, and therefore creep as well as corrosion (both temperature dependant properties), are important. These properties become significant with increasing temperatures. With increasing demand for higher temperatures, it is becoming increasingly important to include hot corrosion properties of the alloy during the material selection process. A short description on hot corrosion and its degradation mechanisms are given in this paper. Coatings are currently dominating as the best practical solution to address temperature increases. This paper looks at benefits and shortcomings of coatings over Pt-based superalloys as candidates for applications under extreme conditions. Key words: Hot corrosion, Pt-based superalloys, Ni-based superalloys, Coatings

Jan 1, 2006

By David W. James, Howard Jones, George M. Leak

Conditions are described for producing, by primary recrystallization, a matrix suitable for the growth of large grains near (110)[001] orientation in silicon iron strip by secondary recrystallizaliun in a steep temperature gradient. The orientation distribution of these large grains is expressed in terms of rotational deviations about the cross-rolling direction, the rolling direction, and the normal to the sheet, the deviational spread increasing in that order. With the aid of cowplenientary published data on the orientation dependence of growth rate, it is shown that this observation is consistent with the oriented-growth theory of recrystallization lextures. It is conclutled that growth-rate and orientation-distribution data obtained in a steep thermal gradient should be used with caution to account for isothermally Produced recrystallization textures. SEVERAL authors have reported methods of growing large grains by re crystallization of a small-grained matrix in silicon iron 1- B and pure a cr The present study was a preliminary in the growth of single crystals and bicrystals for surface relaxation," grain boundary mobility, and grain boundary diffusion studies. The method was to control the growth of a seed crystal into a suitable primary re crystallized matrix by feeding through a steep temperature gradient. The driving energy for growth derived from the grain boundary energy released as the seed crystals grew into the matrix. Thus, stability of the matrix against normal grain growth was considered to be essential for success. It was known that the manganese sulfide dispersion present in commercial silicon iron performs this function during secondary recrystallization to the (110)[001.] texture.12 Hence commercial, rather than high-purity, material was used throughout. The paper describes the growth conditions for grains large enough to be used as seed crystals for further growth into single crystals. The orientation distribution of the seed crystals is analyzed and its significance for the theory of recrystallization textures is discussed. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE Strip material was supplied by the Steel Co. of Wales, Ltd. The chemical analysis in weight percent was Si, 2.90; C, 0.015; Mn, 0.059; P, 0.011; S, 0.027; Ni, 0.032; 0, 0.009; Fe, balance. A gradient furnace of similar design to one described previously4 was loaned from B.I.S.R.A. It consisted essentially of a vertical water-cooled copper slot projecting downwards into the hot zone of a molybdenum furnace. Hydrogen was passed through the furnace to protect both heating element and specimen from oxidation. Strip specimens up to 8 cm wide and 0.2 cm thick were sealed into the furnace at the mouth of the copper slot. A coating of light oil on the strip surface maintained the seal during translation of a specimen. The maximum temperature gradient in the region just below the copper slot was 500°C per cm over 1 cm, with the hottest point controlled at 1175°C. Several large grains would usually grow by secondary recrystallization from the primary matrix when a specimen was immersed in the hot zone for about 30 min. A back-reflection X-ray camera was constructed to facilitate rapid and accurate orientation determinations of the large grains produced. It was possible to reproduce a standard geometry, with regard to strip and camera, without the tedium of careful alignment on each occasion. Specimens, typically 4 cm wide and 75 cm long, were cut with the longitudinal axis parallel to the rolling direction of the original strip. The surfaces were cleaned by immersion alternately in a hot aqueous solution containing 2 pct hydrofluoric acid plus 10 pct sulfuric acid and in cold 10 pct nitric acid. The nitric acid etch was just sufficient to reveal the grain structure. Rolling and annealing treatments to prepare the matrix (discussed below) were followed by growth of seed crystals in the gradient furnace. The matrix was transformed to a single crystal by growth of a selected seed crystal connected to the matrix by a thin neck. 4,5 Growth was promoted by controlled feeding into the gradient furnace. Several single crystals of controlled orientation were grown successfully from seed crystals by twisting the interconnecting neck in a reorien-tation jig.4 EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Growth Conditions. A suitable matrix for growth of large grains was prepared starting from primary re-crystallized strip 1.9 mm thick. This was cold-rolled in two stages each being followed by a recrystallization anneal at 800°C for a few minutes. Such treatment gave the required growth matrix only if the two cold-reduction stages were each performed in several passes and in the following ranges: the first, 30 to 70 pct; the second, 10 to 50 pct. Immersion in the temperature gradient otherwise resulted in an equiaxed

Jan 1, 1967

By Nelson M. Solow

Raise boring of mine ventilation shafts in many cases offers a lower cost and higher speed method of construction in comparison to conventional shaft sinking. Where underground access is available for raise boring the potential savings indicate that raise boring should be considered as an alternative to other methods. Raise boring machines are currently in use which have the capability for reaming shafts up to twenty feet in diameter, depending on the strata and depth. These large capacity machines make it possible to consider raise bored shafts for moving large volumes of air. Although we will consider here only ventilation shafts, raise boring should also be considered for men and material shafts. When the mine planner has determined the volume of air required through a shaft at a particular location he is faced with the problem of selecting the shaft size. The principal factors in optimizing the shaft size are the construction costs for the shaft 'and the power cost to move the air through the shaft. The larger diameter the' shaft is the more it costs to construct, but for a given volume of air the power required (cost) becomes lower as the diameter increases. The construction cost is paid only once, when the shaft is constructed. The power costs, however, are paid throughout the life of the shaft. Methods of optimizing air shaft size found in the literature (References 1 and 2) amortize the construction cost and include it in the average annual cost of operating the airshaft. These methods derive a formula for the average annual cost vs. shaft size and de-rive the formula to compute the optimum size for a given air flow rate. It is, however, desirable to take into account tax considera-

Jan 1, 1977

By J. de Villiers

Through the application of the Rietveld method, X-ray diffraction analysis has developed into a fully quantitative method for phase analysis. The Rietveld method itself has progressed from an unstable method that required constant operator intervention to a stable and robust method suited even for routine analysis. The method, however, requires a good initial calibration and periodic checks on its precision and accuracy. Several examples from minerals processing, pyrometallurgy, and materials science show the strengths and applicability of the method. The limitations and sources of error are also discussed.

Jan 1, 2007

By N. Sauret-Szczepanski, G. Patry, S. Gauthier, G. Potvin, C. Munger

Adsorption/thermal desorption with sorbent cartridges and analytical method using gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC/MS) was developed for the determination of tetrafluoromethane (CF4) and hexafluoroethane (C2F6) emitted from primary aluminum smelters. A customized cartridge was built like a packed column with a stainless steel tube filled with a specific resin. The optimization of adsorption and desorption parameters was carried out to support the PFC sampling for all aluminum production technologies. The proposed method showed good linearity for concentrations ranging from 10 to 500 ppbv for CF4 and from 5 to 500 ppbv for C2F6 with correlation coefficients above 0.999. In certain conditions, the detection limits of the analytical method reached 0.3 ppbv for CF4 and 0.15 ppbv for C2F6- Using this methodology, a field campaign was carried out using a sequential sampler allowing the simultaneous sampling of PFC with cartridges and sampling bags. The results showed no significant difference (t-test) between the two sampling technologies and no breakthrough was observed from the cartridges .

Jan 1, 2006

By U. K. Custred

In 1973, the United States production of marketable phosphate rock set a record in excess of 42 million tons. This production rate is expected to continue to increase, due to the growing international requirement for fertilizer, at a rate exceeding 5% per year well into 1977. This trend contrasts sharply with the reduced phosphate rock production levels of the 1966 - 1971 period. The natural consequence of this growing phosphate rock market is an evaluation of the variety of means whereby plant capacity can be most effectively increased. One approach toward increased plant production capacity is through large capacity flotation cells provided they can be successfully applied to the recovery of the relatively coarse product which is characteristic of the phosphate rock feed. This paper will summarize the results of a nine month evaluation test program, conducted at the Haynesworth Mine at Bradley, Florida in which the flotation circuit "specific capacity" (tons feed/ft.2 floor space) and "specific input power" (Hp/ton feed) were determined, and the feasibility of achieving economically acceptable concentrate grade and recovery levels was demonstrated, using large, high capacity, flotation cells.

Jan 1, 1974

By R. E. Barnes

An overall view of the perlite industry is concisely presented. The geology, mining, milling, processing, and applications of perlite, as well as the present status of the perlite industry are treated. Perlite, in strict petrological usage, describes a specific variety of volcanic glass in which strain, incident to cooling, yielded a concentric structure of fracturing which may be visible either to the naked eye or under a microscope. In commercial usage, the term perlite includes any naturally occurring acidic glass of volcanic origin that will expand when heated to a suitable temperature. The name perlite is a derivation of perlstein which originally defined "certain glassy rocks (hyaloliparites, hyalo-rhyolites) with numerous concentric cracks, from the fancied resemblance of broken out fragments to pearls."1 While perlite has been known to geologists for many years, it was not until 1941, while investigating perlite for use in enamel, that an assayer in Superior, Ariz., noted the unusual expansion characteristics of the ore. Further investigations were delayed until following World War II when many small plants were built and experimentation in the treatment and uses of perlite began. The Perlite Inst. was organized in 1949 to promote the development of the new industry, establish commercial standards through research, and to explore new uses and markets. The Institute, located in New York, represents some 50 producers in the U.S., Canada, Australia, England, France, Germany, Greece, Japan, Mexico, and New Zealand. In 1949, 71,l002 short tons of crude perlite were produced, sold or used by U. S. producers, and this figure increased to 325,0003 short tons by 1959. Such a rate of increase indicates the rapid and continuing growth of the perlite industry. GEOLOGY Perlite ore in its crude form has been found in seven of the mountainous western states, since un-devitrified siliceous volcanic rocks are limited to this section of the U. S. Commercially operated perlite deposits are normally of Eocene and Oli-gocene age.4 These deposits are often several hundred feet thick and may extend over hundreds of acres. In 1959, 13 companies in six states produced crude perlite, although the output in New Mexico comprised 79 pct of the total domestic crude output. Other states in order of their production were: Nevada, Arizona, California, Colorado, and Utah.5 Foreign deposits of perlite which are either producing or under exploration are Australia, Canada, Greece, Hungary,6 Iceland, Ireland, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, and Sardinia. The ore may exhibit a variety of characteristics depending partially on its water content and eruption history and may range through many shades from black to white. While these characteristics may vary slightly among deposits, perlite ore from a particular source is normally quite uniform. Available chemical analyses of perlites from a large sampling of domestic deposits were recently assembled by the Technical Committee of Perlite Institute and are presented in Table I. While the ranges given do not apply to a particular perlite, they are an indication of the chemical analysis which may be expected from any presently commercially operated deposit. The specific gravity of the perlite ore ranges between 2.2 and 2.4, and its bulk density when crushed and sized is 75 to 90 Ib per cu ft. MINING AND MILLING Perlite ore is quarried from open pits by conventional power equipment, although blasting has been occasionally employed. The rock is then stock-piled until needed. While the milling of perlite may seem a simple process compared to that required for basic metals, or even other nonmetals, the need for accurate control of particle size becomes extremely important in further processing. The first step in this operation is the primary crusher, which is normally a jaw crusher. Following crushing, the material is dried, if necessary, in a rotary dryer and conveyed to a secondary grinder which may be a rod mill, hammer-mill, or cone crusher. However, the crushing characteristics of the perlite, caused by incipient cooling fractures, requires it be removed from the grinding operation once it is reduced to the required size so as to prevent overgrinding. Following the grinding operations, various size screens are used to separate the ore according to particle sizes required for particular uses. Most plants use two or more stages of crushing with perhaps four stages of screening.

Jan 1, 1961

By Alexandre Gonçalves Andrade, Crisley Dellaqua Pacheco, Gabriel Miranda Teixeira, Aline Maria Santoro Nasaré, Tatiane Ferreira Alvarenga

Diffuse emissions are that directly related to particulate matter suspended from civil structures, materials disposed in conveyor belts carried out by wind, stack e reclaimers operations and that one where dust collectors are not able to act correctly. Vale implemented in the last years a unique system capable to measure this kind of dust, called RAMPs (Dust Monitoring Automatic Network), which creates an analytical net in Tubarao industrial site, located in Vitória, ES. In order to prevent diffuse emissions in Tubarao’s pellets stockyard, it was proposed and developed a predictive model based on operational and climate variables available on the site, using big data and advanced analytics tools. The models developed shows to be adherent to the real emissions rates measured by the RAMPs and proved to be an efficient tool to predict emissions over the internal target with 4 hours of precedence.

Oct 1, 2019

By HaiWen Luo, Bin Hu

A ultra-high strength medium Mn steel with good ductility was designed and manufactured via the combination of warm rolling and V alloying, which produced not only the extensive precipitation of fine VC particles in both ferrite and austenite but also the bimodal size distribution of retained austenite (RA) grains. A substantial increase of yield strength up to 650 MPa was achieved due to the addition of V without deteriorating ductility. The coarse RA grains firstly transformed to martensite during yielding at the much higher stress threshold, followed by a significant work hardening due to dislocations multiplication, twinning-induced-plasticity (TWIP) and transformation-induced-plasticity (TRIP) in the ultrafine RA grains. The best combination of strength and ductility included 1.5 GPa ultimate tensile strength and 28% total elongation. This was achieved due to the sustainable TRIP and TWIP effects in the later straining stage resulting from the ultrafine austenite grains, the latter were reversely transformed from the recrystallized ferrite grains.

Oct 1, 2019

By Y. Y. Emelianov

The results of the test work of four treatment options of three refractory gold-pyrite and gold-arsenic flotation concentrates are presented. These concentrates were obtained during the concentration of primary ores of large gold deposits. It was found that ultrafine grinding of refractory flotation concentrates did not increase the recovery of gold during subsequent cyanidation. The elimination of sulfur and arsenic during oxidative roasting is 99 per cent. 88-93 per cent of gold is recovered by cyanidation from calcines. After biooxidation of the flotation concentrates with a mixture of strains Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans and Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans 88-91 per cent of gold is recoverable by direct cyanidation. The recovery of gold from flotation concentrates by pressure oxidation is 88-99 per cent. These results suggest that gold recovery is important but the following strategies would have an impact on a plant performance and would be considered when developing an option to treat refractory ores: capital and operating costs, ore reserves, mine location, infrastructure and qualified staff. Keywords: gold, flotation concentrates, recovery, cyanidation, roasting, biooxidation, pressure oxidation

Sep 1, 2012

NIOSH is conducting research to reduce the silica dust exposure of workers at surface coal mines. One goal of this research is to evaluate the relationship between drilling parameters, rock strata and silica dust generation. This study involved measuring blast hole emission dust from a rotary drill rig which required sampling high concentration dust (>400 mg/m3) for silica content in a high velocity airstream. To measure dust initially, traditional sampling methods using personal sampling instruments were attempted in and around the shroud area of the drill with no success. Variations in the dust cloud concentrations under the shroud, the condition of the shroud and its orientation over the hole, and ambient air conditions prevented consistent and accurate dust measurements from being obtained. Amore consistent dust cloud is necessary for accurate measurements. An area of the drill’s dust collector system that consistently draws the emitted airborne dust from the hole is the collector tube. This tube connects the drill collector’s vacuum and dust filtration system to the shroud area. Assuming the collector system is working as designed, sampling from the collector tube would enable more consistent and accurate samples to be taken. However, current personal samplers are unable to sample in the concentrations and velocities experienced in the collector tube, so another method had to be devised. To achieve the desired results, an in-stack cascade cyclone was used. Preliminary field testing shows positive results.

Jan 1, 2003

By M. R. Geer, H. F. Yancey

Four coals were treated in the Humphreys spiral concentrator, and the products were examined by float-and-sink and screen-sizing tests to determine fundamental performance characteristics. The efficiency of the separation between coal and impurity was shown to be influenced greatly by particle size.

Jan 1, 1950

By M. Rufli

Until not so long ago most ring geared mills were operated with fix speed motors only. By using the latest generation of medium voltage frequency converters, new possibilities have arisen to improve the grinding process. Beside all the direct and indirect advantages, several dedicated functions have now been implemented for ring geared grinding mills in the minerals industry. The sophisticated operational functions ensure a smooth, safe and reliable operation with minimum stress for the mechanical equipment and therefore utmost availability of the mill. Several papers have already been presented concerning the benefits of using this state of the art technology for mill drives. Now this paper is focusing on the experiences gained with this kind of sophisticated ring geared mill drive system rather than only show and explains the operational benefit of the different functions. Several measurements of different operating conditions, starting, frozen charge remover, controlled roll back, backlash, etc., made on an installed and commissioned 2 x 5 MW dual pinion ring geared mill drive system will be shown and discussed. The accuracy of the load sharing between the two 5 MW motors during starting, normal operation and stopping will be demonstrated using real measurements from an operating system. Finally the inherent features of these drive systems are briefly discussed.

Jan 1, 2011

By Jose A. Ruiz

INTRODUCTION For heterogeneous non-catalytic solid-gas reactions carried out in fluidized bed reactors, nominal bed temperature is an average value between gas and solid. For highly exothermic reactions, actual particle temperature can be up to hundred degrees above termocouple temperature, since heat dissipate at slower rate than heat generation during some steps of transformation. These micro instabilities at particle level can displace thermodynamic equilibrium from the desired phase to others. This effect is important when relatively narrow range of phase stability exists, like in sulphation roasting of sulphides, where bed discharge contains, in addition to the desired sulphate others metastable phases such as basic sulphate and ferrite. For example, for copper-iron sulphide concentration roasted below 680°C, no cupric ferrite is formed, as shown by Jakob et al., therefore the separate Kellogg's stability phase diagrams Cu-S-O represent the roasting (Fig.l). At temperature above this one, like 760°C for example, phase stability changes from CuSO4 to the basic sulphate Cu0•CuSO4. Solid state reaction between Cu0•CuSO4 and Fe203 also occurs to form cupric ferrite, Cu0•Fe2O3, therefore the Cu-Fe-S-O Kellogg's phase diagram of Fig. 1 (continuous line) represents this condition of roasting. Although both Cu0•CuSO4 and Cu0•Fe2O3 are metastable phases under normal operating conditions of sulphation roasting(1-10% SO2, 1-10% 02 and 680°C, points A and B,Fig. 1) sulphation of these species and particularly ferrite are slow and limited due to diffusional control. This explain why reactors discharge contains several phases: CuSO4, Cu0•CuSO4, CuO•Fe203 plus small amounts of CuS and FeS due to the baclonixed conditions of fluidized bed reactors. The presence of cuprous ferrite due to reducing conditions inside individual particles also occurs, but in very limited extent at the reaction interface, as it is demonstrated by the low soluble iron levels of calcines. On the other hand, the presence of cupric ferrites can be explained only due to the higher temperature achieved by particles, since below 680°C cupric ferrite formation does not take place. [ ] This phenomena also occurs for others non-ferrous metal sulphides concentrates roasted under sulphation conditions, such as 7n, Co and Ni. Therefore the prediction of discharge composition of fluidized beds is not possible based only on kinetics and mechanistics models alone or purely thermodynamical considerations, since all factors should be integrated to describe the overall phenomena. SINGLE PARTICLE TRANSFORMATION Assuming a first order reaction with respect to the gas and zero for solid, such as

Jan 1, 1984