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By Michel Épiney, COREM, Mario Drapeau, Caroline Olsen, Claude Bolduc, Benoit Levasseur

"Several metal sulfide minerals (such as copper, zinc and iron), generally abundant in precious metal-containing ores, are known to dissolve during the cyanidation process. These unwanted reactions consume a significant amount of cyanide and oxygen, which is required for the extraction of gold and silver. Leaching kinetics of sulfide minerals are very fast in contact with oxygenated cyanide solutions. Therefore, the solution quickly becomes charged with oxidation products that are mostly metal ions, metallo-cyanide complexes, metal oxides and other sulfur species including thiocyanate, sulfides, polysulfides, thiosulfate, sulfites, sulfates, etc. COREM’s Extractive Metallurgy team has been conducting a research program on the improvement of the gold cyanidation process. As a part of this program, the current study aims to investigate the effect of certain operating parameters on the reactions involved during pre-oxidation and cyanidation. The effect of pre-treatment under ozone was investigated using an industrial pulp recreated from process water (charged with thiocyanates) and homogenized flotation tailings material from Agnico Eagle's LaRonde mine. In terms of mechanisms, the ozone treatment provides a complete deactivation of the material surface (characterized by EDTA extraction) and the solution (characterized by Ionic chromatography). This resulted in a lower reactivity of sulfide minerals that led to substantial gains in terms of consumption of cyanide and thiocyanate formation during the cyanidation process. The ozone-pre-treatment edges the classical pre-oxidation treatment (such as oxygen, hydrogen peroxides, etc) providing a quicker deactivation of the sulfide matrix and higher reagent savings in subsequent cyanidation process.INTRODUCTIONThe presence of sulfur in the process of gold leaching by cyanidation is a major drawback to optimizing the reagents consumption with suitable operating conditions. The coexistence of sulfide mineral species, such as pyrite, chalcopyrite, pyrrhotite or sphalerite along with the gold-bearing ore have, indeed, a negative impact on the extraction of precious metals by cyanidation (Bayat et al., 2003), (Azizi et al., 2010). These minerals are known to dissolve with cyanide under alkaline conditions and release in the slurry different kinds of sulfide by-products like polysulfides, thiosel, sulfite and sulfate (Seal II & Hammarstrom, 2003) (Breuer et al., 2008a), (Marsden & House, 2006) (Ghasemian Langeroudi et al., 2013). Once these sulfide by-products are released in solution they react with cyanide to form thiocyanate (Marsden & House, 2006) (Breuer et al., 2008b). The consequence of the dissolution of these cyanicides, is a significant increase in cyanide consumtpion as well as a slow-down of gold extraction."

Jan 1, 2016

By M. W. Price, Joseph V. Mather, E. H. McCleary

"INTRODUCTION The asphyxiation or poisoning of workmen in underground mines by noxious gases from blasting in adjacent strip mines can be prevented.Considerable progress has been made in eliminating or reducing hazards to the health and safety of underground workmen in anthracite mines, but seldom does a year pass without reported cases of underground workmen being poisoned by the fumes from blasts of explosives in strip-mining operations. In the early days of the anthracite industry, the coal near the surface was only partly mined, and many small stumps of pillars and barrier pillars were left standing; these pillars are now being recovered by stripping. It has become necessary to give more consideration to the effects of blasting at strip mines upon the quality of the air in underground mines adjacent to stripping operations.Special precautions are taken by the .personnel of the Jeddo-Highland Coal Co., whose mines are near Jeddo, Luzerne County, and near Centralia in Columbia and Schuylkill Counties in the anthracite region of Pennsylvania, to prevent asphyxiation of workmen by carbon monoxide or other toxic gases resulting from blasting in strip mines. The procedures established by the Jeddo-Highland Coal Co., are given in this circular so that others may benefit thereby and thus avoid hazards to underground workmen where mining is carried on under similar circumstances."

May 1, 1949

By S. Gupta

Froth flotation is a process commonly employed for the selective separation of phosphate from unwanted mineral. Column flotation has become widely accepted in the mineral processing industry, including phosphate industries, due to its ability to improve selectivity, lower operating cost, lower capital cost, and superior control. In this work, a hybrid model is developed that combines a physicochemical model with artificial neural networks. The physicochemical model is based on axial dispersion with first order collection rates. A new approach, in which both frankolite (the desired mineral containing phosphate) and gangue (undesired product) are modeled, enables prediction of grade of the recovered product. Thus, two basic parameters are required in this model: flotation rate constants for frankolite and gangue. Artificial neural networks are used to predict flotation rate constants. The model also takes into account the particle size distribution and predicts grade and recovery for each particle size range. The model then combines grade and recovery for each particle size range to determine the overall grade and recovery of the column. The model is validated against laboratory column data.

Jan 1, 1998

By Pengcheng Li, Wei-Tong Du, Yu Wang, Gang Wen

Carbon dioxide could be utilized as a weak oxidant and a kind of coolant to oxidize elements, meanwhile, helping control the temperature during the converter vanadium extraction process. However, the optimum content of CO2 and the cooling effect of CO2 at low content have not been reported. In this study, experimental research based on the influence of different CO2 contents from 0% to 25% injected to the vanadium-containing hot metal was carried out, as well as contrast experiments of O2-N2 mixed blowing. The results indicated that the optimum content of CO2 was 15%. Under the optimum condition, the oxidation of [C] was the lowest and the oxidation rate of [V] was 96.9%, while the temperature was also lower than the O2-N2 mixed blowing. This paper provide a potential property for utilizing CO2 during the converter vanadium extraction process.

Jan 1, 2016

By T. G. Sitharam, P. B. Choudhury

Prediction of ground vibration (peak particle velocity, PPV) and frequency is an important task in geoscience. Till date, many empirical equations are derived from conducting trial blasts in the mines, to arrive at attenuation predictors. These predictors are usually site dependant and hold good for one particular type of rock/strata. These predictors cannot be used for geologically different rocks/strata. This paper presents the application of support vector machine (SVM) model, for predicting blast induced ground vibration and frequency, using a one comprehensive model for three different types of rock. Inputs to the SVM model formulation involve twenty one parameters consisting of geotechnical properties of the rock mass, blast design geometry and explosive properties, and the output of the formulated model is peak particle velocity and its associated frequency. The data has been acquired from eight limestone mine, five coal mine and two manganese mines. The comprehensive SVM model is formulated using 400 datasets and tested with 143 datasets. The performance indicators to the model not only justify its formulation but also the advantages it has over site specific predictor models. The SVM model not only predicts PPV, with higher correlation coefficients as compared to predictor equations, but also the associated frequency.

Jan 1, 2010

By G. X. Wang, R. E. Siemens, M. C. Fuerstenau, D. Chandra

Soda roasting of concentrates from Mouat, Montana, was performed in a temperature range of 450 to 650 degrees C and chromium was solubilised by water leaching at room temperature. It was found that high extraction yields of chromium were primarily dependent on the conversion of Cr3+ to Cr6+ during the roasting step, and this was enhanced significantly by simple attrition of chromite particles during this step. Gangue impurities (mainly Si) were more detrimental to Cr extraction than lattice impurities such as Al or Mg. It appears that oxidation proceeds into grains along a preferred crystallographic plane in the cubic lattice of the chromite. The effects of roasting time, temperature, soda to chromite ratio and particle size on the extraction of chromium are presented

Jun 18, 1905

By Qingguo Xue, Jingsong Wang, Guang Wang, Yuanyuan Zhang

Due to complicated structure and composition of high-phosphorus iron ore, pure substances were used to simulate the chemical composition of high-phosphorus iron ore to study the reaction of fluorapatite at different temperatures and effect of additives. The gasification process of P during carbothermic reduction process was investigated using a quadrupole mass spectrometer gas analysis. It is found fluorapatite was reduced to phosphorus which diffused into iron and gas phase. From the gas analysis, it was observed that PO and P gas species were vaporized around 800 °C. As the reduction temperature increased, the diffusion of phosphorus into iron was enhanced. The presence of Ca(OH)2 as additives not only promoted the reduction of iron oxide, but also decreased the degree of fluorapatite reaction to inhibit P into iron.

Mar 1, 2018

By B. M. Larsen, J. W. Campbell

Several articles have recently been published discussing the conditions necessary for accurate measurements of temperatures in the open-hearth steel furnace. In the course of a study of refractories service conditions in steel furnaces, the present writers have taken temperatures in several open-hearth shops in the Pittsburgh district. The conclusions, as to conditions necessary for accurate measurements of temperature, are somewhat at variance with those of other investigators. The subject is closely connected both with the close control of steel-making and the prevention of overheating of the silica refractories used in roofs and walls. It is becoming more and more important to obtain furnace temperatures of fairly definitely known accuracy. At present, the most useful instrument for such measurements is the disappearing-filament type of optical pyrometer. This method of measurement has formed the basis of most other discussions on the subject and was also used by the writers. Previous Investigations In 1916, Burgess' made perhaps the first systematic series of measurements in steel furnaces. The emissivity figures of 0.40 for liquid steel and of 0.53 to 0.65 for liquid slags had been determined by the Bureau of Standards and were used by Burgess in this work. These correction factors are still being used and are regarded as fairly accurate, so that the tapping and teeming temperatures on metal streams given by Burgess should be very nearly correct. Most of his temperatures of furnace roofs and slag surfaces were taken while flames were present in the furnaces and include a few roof temperatures above 1700' C. (3100' F.).

Jan 1, 1927

By V. Gaudreault

Rio Tinto Alcan (RTA) has three smelters that use the Alcoa P155 technology: two in Canada (Grande-Baie and Laterrière, Saguenay, QC) and one in the United States (Sebree, Kentucky). The oldest RTA P155 smelter was built in the 1970s (Sebree) and had an initial current intensity of 155 kA. In the 1990s, RTA installed an amperage booster in Grande-Baie smelter to increase cell productivity. Since then, RTA has continuously pushed the limit of this technology and the target amperage that was 195 kA in 2005 has been increased to 210 kA in 2010.This article describes the successful plant-scale trials to increase current intensity from 195 kA to 210 kA, and the key performance indicator results. It demonstrates RTA's technology leadership to undertake such a development with its Brownfield smelters.

Jan 1, 2011

By N. E. Rogen, N. J. Grant

WHILE direct measurements of the growth of precipitate particles during aging is of fundamental value, few such measurements have been made. Direct measurements by means of optical or electron-microscopy and X-ray techniques are preferred, however, many of the aging studies have been based on indirect methods such as electrical resistivity and hardness. Because of the minute size of most precipitate particles (less than 1000A) the light microscope is of limited use while electron microscopy is subject to slowness, etching problems and consequent resolution problems. It is fortunate that alloys of the Nimonic type, based on Ni-Cr-Ti-Al, lend themselves to accurate and relatively easy particle size measurements. With proper balance of titanium and aluminum, the only aging precipitate is the gamma prime (r') Ni3,(Al, Ti)2 phase and this phase is the basis of the high-temperature strength of these allos.3-6 The Ni3(Al, Ti) phase is a face-centered-cubic, ordered structure with nickel atoms occupying the cube faces. Titanium atoms can replace three out of every five aluminum atoms and when substituting do so preferentially.2 Electron microscopy has shown that during aging of most of the commercial alloys of this type, precipitate particles are unusually uniform in size and distribution, and that the volume of (r') phase is large (20 pct).4,7 The aim of this investigation was to measure the growth of (y') phase during aging. In so doing, it was hoped that a clearer understanding of the aging process would be attained. X-ray line broadening was used as the measure of precipitate particle size. This technique was selected because it can measure and average the diameter of thousands of particles in one operation. The variations in hardness and matrix lattice parameter with aging were also studied and related to the particle size. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE An alloy of the following composition was studied: Cr Ti A1 C Ni Wt pct 20.71 2.98 1.43 0.04 bal. At. pct 22.06 3.47 2.95 0.18 bal. The alloy, a 15- lb vacuum melt, was forged to 1/2-in. diam at a temperature of 1900" to 2200°F; was solution heat treated for 4 hr at 2000°F and water quenched; and was then aged in various ways. The ASTM grain size was 4 to 5. No (7') phase could be detected by X-ray analysis after solution treatment and electrolytic extraction. Aging was performed on 2-in. long specimens at 1400°, 1500°, and 1600°F for increasing times. One-half inch sections were removed after each time increment and were then electropolished in a solution of H3P04 saturated with chromium trioxide at a potential of 30 v and rectified with a tantalum electrode. Rockwell hardness measurements were taken using one side of the polished specimen. Matrix lattice parameter determinations were made on the other side using filtered chromium radiation references with the position of the (220) line of a silicon standard. To enable the precipitate particles of the (y') phase to be measured using X-ray line broadening techniques, it is first necessary to separate and concentrate this phase by electrolytic extraction. Extraction is necessary because the difference between matrix and precipitate lattice parameters is only approximately 0.5 pct and intensities of.the (y') phase lines are very weak relative to those of the matrix. The extraction techniques employed have been described before and found to produce a reasonably quantitative separation.398 A water solution of 15 pct H3Po4 is used at a current density of 0.5 amp per sq in. at 6 v. The precipitate particles are separated from the liquor by centrifuging and decanting and are then washed, dried and repowdered. A plot of the X-ray intensity vs diffraction angle for the (111) line of the precipitate particles was used as a measure of particle size. The intensity curve approximated the shape of Gaussian distribution function and its breadth was measured at the half height. The (220) line of a silicon standard was used to correct the measured line breadth for instrumental and other broadening errors. The Scherrer formula was used to calculate particle

Jan 1, 1961

By B. S. Pierce

The National Coal Resource Assessment – 2000 project was a multi-year effort by the U.S. Geological Survey to identify, characterize, and assess the coal resources that will supply a major part of the Nation’s energy needs during the 21st century. The purpose of the USGS National Coal Resource Assessment (NCRA) was to (1) digitally assess selected coal beds and zones that will be the most important in the next few decades, (2) create publically available stratigraphic, geochemical, and geographic information system (GIS) databases to answer a variety of questions of importance to government, industry and public decision makers, and (3) provide interpretive geologic and geochemical information for the primary coal resources of the Nation. Five priority regions were assessed: the Appalachian Basin, Illinois Basin, Gulf Coast, Illinois Basin, and Northern Rocky Mountains and Great Plains. The NCRA was a cooperative effort between the USGS and a number of State geological surveys in these coal-bearing regions. A study of coal resources on Federal lands was also conducted. Adequate energy supplies and the efficient use of those supplies are critical to the economic well being of a country. Affordable and reliable coal supplies are essential to the interests of our national and local policymakers. Policy makers require a range of information on the energy supply, as well as the economic and environmental issues associated with that energy source and its use. Formulation of an effective national energy policy and development of energy resources requires that we understand the geology, distribution, quality, and size of the national energy endowment.

Jan 1, 2001

By Shi Guan-Yong, Niu Li-Ping, Dou Zhi-He

"In the preset work, the viscosity model (named modified KTH model) proposed by Sichen Du and S. Seetharaman et al and extended by Shu Qi-feng was applied to the ESR slag systems. A correlation to predict the viscosities of CaF 2-(CaO)-Al203 slags using interaction coefficients of different cations in the presence of oz-and viscosity interaction coefficients between oz-and F in the presence of different cations has been developed. The interaction coefficient between oz- and F- in the presence of Al3+ was determined from the experimental data as shown in known literatures. The good agreement between the calculated viscosities and the experimental data in the CaF2-(CaO)-Al203 systems has indicated that this approach can be successfully employed to predict the viscosities of ESR slags.IntroductionReliable viscosities data of high-temperature slag melts are important for the modeling and design of high temperature metallurgical processes. Although a number of experimental measurements have been carried out, the available viscosities data is still scarce compared to the needs of today's technology, especially in the case of complex melts. In process simulations, the needs of viscosity descriptions for complex systems which could enable the extrapolation of the data as functions of temperature and composition is strongly felt today."

Jan 1, 2013

By C. W. Whitten

Solis from an abandoned Pb battery processing facility were characterized prior to the selection of the extraction technique. Reflected light microscopy and electron beam methods were used to locate Pb-bearing phases and to quantify the compositions of the phases. It was found that the soils are composed primarily of quartz and feldspars with minor amounts of iron and titanium oxides. Lead is primarily present as an oxide or sulfate that is associated with the silicate minerals. Specific phases identified were PbO; Pb02; cerrusite, PbCO3; angleslte, PbSO4; galena, PbS; and magnetoplumbite, 2PbO3Fe2O3; or plumboferrite PbO2Fe2O3?

Jan 1, 1989

By P Holtham, K Duffy, L Pyle, W Valery

The mining industry is becoming increasingly focused on pre-concentration due to its potential economic and environmental benefits, particularly for the more complex, low-grade, high throughput operations now being developed. Advances in technology have seen bulk ore sorting (BOS) trialled at several operations. However, BOS should not be seen as a ‘silver bullet’, it can offer significant benefits, but only under the right conditions. Deposits with interspersed mineralogy or disseminated, fine-grained minerals can be difficult for BOS. Large batches of barren or low-grade material are required for BOS to be effective. Hatch has recently completed several studies for clients who believed that bulk sorting was the most suitable pre-concentration technique for their operation, based only on an assumed sorter recovery or on laboratory trials of the chosen sensor. However, minimal consideration had been given to the heterogeneity of the deposit, the achievable separation batch size or sensor repeatability. Evaluation of BOS needs to consider both heterogeneity and sensor suitability. The valuable or gangue mineral must be present in such a way that it can be separated effectively in the large bulk sorting batch sizes, without competing minerals or changing ore characteristics affecting the metal upgrade or recovery. Also, the sensor chosen must be able to detect either the valuable mineral, a proxy for the valuable mineral, or a gangue mineral for rejection with sufficient accuracy and precision (repeatability). This paper presents three recent case studies, emphasizing markers which indicated that bulk sorting was unsuitable for the project whilst highlighting the pre-concentration technologies which were applicable (including particle sorting, and coarse particle gravity separation). The modelling methodology, equipment sizing and forward work plans developed to verify these alternative solutions are also presented, demonstrating the key factors contributing to a thorough scoping assessment.

Aug 24, 2022

By A. Duerksen

Surface coal mining in West Virginia has supplied energy to the eastern coast of the United States for over a century. The coal mining industry has been forced to adapt as societal demands regarding health, safety, and environmental impacts have changed with time. More recent pressure has called for another iteration of change: long-term post-mining sustainability. The research presented in this paper investigates one potential solution?or component of a solution?to improve mining sustainability in Appalachia: post-mining wind power. This paper intends to demonstrate and explain the feasibility of synergistic mine closure and wind development. Wind conditions at three reclaimed mine sites in West Virginia were monitored in order to develop representative case studies for post-mining wind power. This paper contains a summary of the literature consulted to plan the site assessments, the methodology employed to execute them, the analysis steps undertaken to derive conclusions, and a discussion of all findings. This research has found that significant cost savings can be yielded from synergistic mine closure and wind development, as compared to greenfield wind development. Though wind conditions themselves remain the primary driver for site feasibility, post-mining wind power is a practice with significant promise for improving project economics, contributing to renewable energy development, enhancing company-community relations, providing local employment opportunities, and exemplifying sustainable business practices in Appalachia.

Jan 1, 2012

By Gabriella Tranell

In the manganese ferroalloys industry, there is increasing focus on the performance of different carbonaceous materials within the smelting processes. With a developing scarcity of traditional raw materials, new carbon sources are being identified for potential use in the processes. For this purpose, it is important to be able to predict the suitability of different materials in the process. Hence, the effects of both the physical and chemical properties of the carbon material on the reduction kinetics of manganese and silicon from slag to metal, have been investigated using an advanced sessile drop technique. Using this technique, the reaction patterns of SiO2-MnO containing slag droplets in contact with various solid carbon materials (graphites with different properties as well as cokes and charcoals) at 1400 to 1600\\176;C were studied in-situ. In addition, slag and metal reaction products from kinetic experimental series were analysed. From these results, differences in reactivity between various carbon materials and slags were demonstrated and explained. Mechanisms for both manganese and silicon reduction were proposed.

Jan 1, 2006

By Charles Austin

IN a recent paper the authors1 discussed the reactions to tempering of hypereutectoid steels quenched from 1000° C., as revealed by studies on changes in hardness, electrical resistivity, coercive force and metallo-graphic characteristics. The data, which related specifically to temper-ing temperatures of 550°, 650° and 710° C., for varying periods up to 125 hr., permitted the following important conclusions: 1. The rate of softening of the steels at the temperatures examined differed markedly although the steels were of "similar" general chemi-cal composition. 2. The temperature of maximum softening spread over a range from about 650° C. to the eutectoid inversion. 3. The divergence in behavior was ascribed, at least in part, to a profound difference in tendency to graphitization on annealing at sub-eutectoid temperatures. 4. The mode of spheroidization of the cementite, as revealed by metallographic studies, also varied considerably in the different steels. The purpose of the present investigation is to pursue further the study of the difference in behavior of the steels on tempering over a wider range of temperature. To this end the following features have received particular attention: 1. Comparison of temperatures of maximum softening of the various steels when the quenched samples were tempered for 5 hr. and for 75 hr. followed by furnace cooling and by quenching in water. 2. Determination of the effect of quenching temperature, prior to tempering, on the rate of softening. Quenching temperatures of 1000° and 850° C. were used in the investigations. 3. Examination of the microstructures obtained with the various heat-treatments employed.

Jan 1, 1938

By Stephen W. Lambert

One of the primary interests of the United States Department of Energy's Mine Planning Division is to fully develop avenues of technical research which potentially offer positive effects on coal mine productivity. One such area of research involves the removal of methane gas from unmined portions of coalbeds through vertical wells drilled from surface locations. As coalbed methane content is reduced, less gas is available for flow into the mine, and consequently ventilation requirements are decreased and/or coal extraction rates increase. Another attractive aspect of the vertical borehole drainage method is that it presents an opportunity to recover and utilize significant quantities of methane gas, which would otherwise be wasted to the atmosphere. The viability of removing gas from the Mary Lee coalbed using stimulated vertical boreholes was first suggested by Elder and Deul as a result of a United States Bureau of Mines' drilling project conducted from 1971 to 1974 (4). Other United States Bureau of Mines' studies forecasted that degasification would eventually be necessary in the Mary Lee coalbed because most new or expanding mine development would take place at depths exceeding 1 000 feet (305 meters), where the methane problem would be severe (3) (13). In 1975 a large-scaled drilling program was designed in order to supply industry's anticipated need for a degasification technology in the Warrior coal basin, Alabama. The results of this government/industry sponsored effort were to be specifically applicable to the Mary Lee coalbed, the most extensive and economically important deep minable coal present in the area. Major technical objectives of this program are twofold: (1) to measure the effects of various well completion designs, particularly hydraulic stimulation, on mining and (2) to determine the effects of well spacing on gas drainage rates. A cooperative agreement was established with United States Steel Corporation in late 1975 and field work began shortly thereafter in the proximity of a newly developing mine near Oak Grove, Alabama. Government responsibility for this program was transferred from the United States Bureau of Mines to the United States Department of Energy in October 1977. To date, as a result of this program, twenty-one wells have been completed into the Mary Lee coalbed at the Oak Grove site. Seventeen of these wells were drilled on an experimental grid pattern located two miles from the active mine. These grid wells are primarily being used to generate data necessary to determine the effects of well spacing on gas drainage rates and will also provide a large amount of information regarding the long-term effects of degasification on mining. The four remaining wells (designated Ton through TW4) were placed near the mine so that the full effects of completion could be studied within the short time required for underground interception. Results gathered from the first two test wells (TW1 and TW2) have been reported in detail (10) and indicated that several improvements were necessary to increase gas drainage rates. Hydraulic stimulation was one of the most important aspects of well design that required improvement. Nitrogen-charged foam stimulation treatment was used at TW3 and TW4 instead of the gelled-fluid type stimulation used at the first two near-mine test wells.

Jan 1, 1980

By C. J. N. Buisman

THIOPAQ technology developed and marketed by PAQUES Bio Systems in Balk, Netherlands, has been successfully used at commercial scale at the Budelco zinc refinery in the Netherlands for the treatment of contaminated groundwater since 1992. In essence, THIOPAQ technology consists of two biological process steps in series: sulfate reduction to hydrogen sulfide (anaerobic) and sulfide oxidation to elemental sulfur (aerobic). The biogenic sulfide produced can be employed for the chemical precipitation of metals in solution either inside the anaerobic reactor or in a separate vessel. Since the solubilities of most metal sulfides are much lower than of their respective hydroxides, considerably lower effluent metal concentrations can be achieved with THIOPAQ systems than in neutralization processes which immobilize metals predominantly by hydrolytic precipitation. In recent years, PAQUES has made significant advances in the design and operation of aerobic and anaerobic bioreactors for metal-sulfur systems. Moreover, the company has increased its technology portfolio to allow the development of more process oriented applications of THIOPAQ technology. A new PAQUES designed plant at Budelco treating sulfatecontaining proceswaters will be started up in 1999. The sulfate reduction is accomplished in a 500 m3 reactor in which hydrogen is used as electron donor. The endproduct, ZnS, is used for Zn and H2S04 production.

Jan 1, 1999

By J Zeni

In 2001, the Springvale Coal Mine determined a requirement for a 360 m deep vertical airway to ventilate ongoing underground longwall mining operations. The project, referred to as the Springvale No 3 Ventilation Shaft, was completed in 2003 - 2004 by blind boring a 4.25 m diameter hole from the surface to the coal seam at 360 m depth. The shaft was completed with a 3.5 m inside diameter lining made from a continuous watertight steel and concrete composite pipe. Presented from both the clientÆs and the contractorÆs perspective, the following paper describes the process of constructing a blind bored ventilation shaft for this application. Beginning with the clientÆs definition of the requirements and specifications for the shaft, the paper describes the steps followed by Springvale Coal prior to awarding the contract. Springv aleÆs process involved a thorough site investigation including procurement of geotechnical data for prospective contractors and the management of issues relating to safety, quality and the environment. The clientÆs view is followed by a description of the planning and works performed by their nominated shaft drilling contractor, Ardent Underground Pty Ltd.The contractorÆs description of the works includes the details of the blind shaft drilling and lining construction process used for this application. The design of the shaft lining installed at Springvale Coal was the first of its type to be used in Australia. The successful installation of a watertight composite shaft lining and the safety of the method, which did not require any personnel to enter the shaft or the mine, were among the positive outcomes from the project.

Jan 1, 2005