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By John Gann

THE following investigation constitutes a brief resume of the more important binary magnesium alloys from the standpoint of metallographic technique, and the effect of heat treatment on structure and properties. The comparative newness of the subject justifies this procedure as a preface to a more detailed study of each individual series of alloys. The work was started with the idea of practical application in the industry rather than as a theoretical investigation. The alloy compositions studied were selected as those most likely to show whether heat treatment would produce beneficial results. Furthermore, it was considered satisfactory to use commercial 99.9 per cent. magnesium, the best commercial grade of alloying ingredients, and to limit the time of heat treatment at the expense of incomplete equilibrium. These facts must be kept in mind when examining the results obtained, and the conclusions drawn.

Jan 1, 1928

By Michael D. Balen

The plate-glass windows in the bus were cracked and mud-coated. Nevertheless, they afforded an excellent view of the many head-on collisions we narrowly avoided along the route from the Magadan airport to town. Apparently the driver thought the left side of the road was smoother than the right side, for he drove in the wrong lane at all possible times, even in the face of oncoming traffic. As far as we could tell, neither side of the road was any better than the other. Either way, we had to hang on just to stay in our seats. We careened past trucks and pedestrians, nearly always in the face of impending disaster. When the bus finally pulled into the parking lot of the Okean Hotel in Magadan, we had to thank the driver, not only for safely delivering his passengers, but also for the lasting first impression he gave us of the Russian Far East.

Jan 1, 1995

By S Coward, J Vann, R Wolff, S Jackson, S Moayer, A Bye

Uncertainty about the future and orebody should significantly impact evaluation of mining projects. Scenario planning, widely used in other industries, for example in the petroleum industry, can provide organisations with an opportunity to explore the consequences of uncertainty on their future plans. By developing plausible scenarios, scenario planning assists decision makers by allowing them to make systematic and possibly effective decisions for the future. This paper reviews existing mine project evaluation in the context of a new framework called scenario-based project evaluation (SBPE) (Vann et al , 2012) that addresses many shortcomings of existing approaches. SBPE uses conditional simulations (CS) models as inputs which are evaluated against future alternative project pathways (æalternativesÆ). These alternatives are evaluated using multiple plausible images of the deposit (CS realisations) which capture realistic variability and as an ensemble, map uncertainty of various orebody attributes at fine scale. The alternatives can involve different mining, stockpiling, blending and processing strategies. The ultimate output is a (stochastic) set of cash flows for each alternative from which financial measures, such as NPV, can be derived. Alternatives can then be explored in the presence of against external scenarios such as changes in prices, costs, and taxation. The obvious problem with such data rich results is knowing which scenarios or group of scenarios are optimal.An innovative approach to robust stochastic optimisation (RSO) suited to the SBPE framework is presented here for the first time. This approach to RSO aims to deal with the large number of alternatives generated from SPBE. The goal of applying the RSO approach to SBPE is to identify robust strategic alternatives (project configurations) which have the flexibility to deal with variability and uncertainty of geological and processing inputs such as density, grade and process performance. By applying the proposed RSO method, it is possible to deal with uncertainty and identify the best project configuration in the face of a large number of envisaged scenarios. A case study is provided, in which we have tested the application of the proposed method and compared the result with conventional methods. An important conclusion from this research is that selecting the value of the penalty coefficients in the RSO approach proposed is (as is all optimisation) an exercise of trade-offs; a higher net present value (NPV) is generally associated with a higher risk and a lower risk is associated with a lower NPV. Indeed, this is a strong argument for considering the RSO approach outlined here over more conventional approaches.CITATION:Moayer, S, Vann, J, Coward, S, Jackson, S, Bye, A and Wolff, R, 2012. An innovative approach to robust optimisation for scenario-based mineral project evaluation, in Proceedings Project Evaluation 2012 , pp 141-148 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

May 24, 2012

By J. P. Nielsen

When two grains in a polycrystalline specimen meet at a point in the course of grain-boundary movements, and the new boundary created at the point is one of relatively low specific free energy, a nonequilibrium boundary condition occurs. The nonequilibrium is enhanced if the other grain boundaries involved at the point of meeting are relatively high in specific free energy. The nonequilibrium results in a correction by growth of the complex grain (two subgrains) to a large size, sufficient in many cases for it to become a self-propagating unit, i.e., a recrystallization grain. This mechanism, herein called "geometrical coalescence," is proposed as a logical origin for recrystallization nuclei, particularly for secondary recrystallization. RECENT publications1-' indicate that considerable progress has been made toward a complete understanding of the three microstructural processes in metals: recovery, recrystallization, and grain growth. However, a major problem persists, namely, the origin of recrystallization nuclei. It is generally accepted that once a recrystallization nucleus, a secondary recrystallization nucleus particularly, has reached a certain size, it will continue to grow at the expense of its neighbors, simply as a consequence of grain-boundary free-energy considerations. What has remained obscure, however, is the mechanism whereby such a nucleus comes into being and grows to the self-propagating size. Recrystallization Nucleation in a Two-Dimensional Grain-Boundary System In the left portion of Fig. 1 is shown schematically the meeting of grains 1 and 4 on disappearance of boundary 2-3, i.e., the boundary that existed between grains 2 and 3, as might happen in the course of normal grain-boundary migration. If, by chance —and the probability is not necessarily small— grains 1 and 4 are close together in their mutual orientations, or in some other special way mutually oriented so that the new common boundary has relatively a very low specific free energy (hereinafter referred to by s), then the grain boundary arrangement as depicted in the figure is highly unstable. This is particularly so if boundaries 1-3, 3-4, 4-2, and 2-1 are high in their s values. Assuming, for the sake of argument, that boundary 1-4 has a s equal to zero, and the s's of all the other boundaries present are equal to each other and constant, then the boundary arrangement on the right in Fig. 1 will be

Jan 1, 1955

HAVING shown you before how moulds of statues and also those of guns are constructed, I wish to tell you at present how, if you wish to cast them in bronze, you are further to prepare and arrange these moulds so that they may receive the melted mass of the metals in a friendly manner and without disturbance. I know that you understand that a real and intense heat has been intro-

Jan 1, 1942

By L. Bloom

"Man-Made Parameters" refers to the importance of selecting appropriate analytical procedures to acquire useful chemical data. The correct procedures are particularly critical at the sample preparation stage where decisions concerning pulverizing equipment, sample size, contamination and dissolution will impact on the final results independent of the instrumental method of analysis. Several experiments were designed to quantify the impact of these approaches.

Jan 1, 1993

By A. B. T. Werner, J. J. Schanz

A survey of the world's sources and markets for natural graphite and some predictions of future trends are presented here. The authors feel that there is no indication of major changes in sources of graphite over the next few years, but it is possible that the importance of domestic graphites as opposed to foreign carbons may increase in the more distant future. U.S. consumption of natural graphite, which has been in general decline for the past six years, and will probably continue downhill with the virtual disappearance of some markets. However, other markets such as bearings, brake linings and crucibles will probably grow. Natural graphite is the name given to all the naturally occurring mineral forms of carbon that crystallize in the hexagonal system. Natural graphite~ are generally divided into three broad classifications that are based on physical rather than chemical differences — crystalline flake, Ceylon amorphous and other amorphous. Crystalline flake graphites occur as thousands of small individual flakes disseminated throughout the ore and closely resemble shiny black fish scales. Ceylon amorphous graphite is mined from narrow veins of almost pure mineral. It is produced in lump form and often has a coarse platy or needlelike structure. Other amorphous graphites include all those that are extremely fine-grained and have a crystalline structure that is not visible under normal circumstances. In the primary raw material markets, the graphite's country of origin is also important. Crystalline flake graphites may, for example, be of the Alabaman, Bavarian or Madagascan types; Ceylon amorphous graphite may have originated in Montana or Ceylon; and other amorphous graphites may come from Mexico, Hong Kong or Korea. The distinctions between the graphites from each particular locality are small yet important, for the country of origin will signify certain inherent physical characteristics and will often give an idea of the amount of graphitic carbon contained in the shipment in question. .In certain instances, however, even this is not enough, since the actual mine at which the graphite is produced may have to be known before its true commercial value can be ascertained. Thus, the Madagascar flake graphite shipped from the Sahalambo mines of the Societe des Graphites de la Sahanavo is a thick flake which is known to be especially suited for use in crucibles, while the dull black earthy amorphous material formerly mined at Cranston, R.I., was ideal for stove polish. Synthetic, artificial, electric furnace and manufactured are terms used to describe graphites made from coke. These graphites will be considered in this paper only to the extent that they enter competition with natural graphite. DOMESTIC SOURCES OF NATURAL GRAPHITES Natural graphites have been produced from mines in Alabama, Alaska, California, Georgia, Montana, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas and other states. The exception is the crystalline minerals resembling Ceylon graphite that have come from Montana and the amorphous meta-anthracites from Rhode Island. All the products mined have been flake graphite. In 1960, production was reported only in Texas and Pennsylvania. The Alabama graphite deposits of flake in quartz-mica schists are found southeast of Birmingham in a narrow belt that extends for about 60 miles southwest from Delta in Randolph County to Verbena in Chilton County. Since the long-run prospects for Alabama graphites appear to be fairly bright, especially if regular production of high quality output becomes possible, regional ore reserves of all kinds, including indicated and inferred, are estimated to be of the order of 25 million tons. Of this amount, 14 million tons are of the weathered variety. Alabama graphites are favored by their relative ease of mining, and by the fact that special methods of milling have been developed at the larger properties. In addition, the steady rise in ocean freight rates for Madagascar graphites, the tendency among crucible manufacturers to use flakes of a smaller size, and the possibility of producing other salable byproducts in addition to the graphite are favorable to Alabama producers. Against

Jan 1, 1962

By Tong Gao, Jingyu Qin, Xiangfa Liu, Zengqiang Li, Yaoxian Zhang

"The recycling of aluminum materials is a green industry while Al–Si–Fe is a typical scrap aluminum alloy. The key point of recycling Al–Si–Fe alloys is to separate Al and Fe. A method by introducing Al–Si–Fe alloy into Mg melt has been investigated in this work. A separation layer with gathered Fe–rich and Al–poor Fe3Al0.7Si0.3particleswereobtained at the bottom of the cooled ingot, indicating that ß–Al5FeSi phase evolves to Fe3Al0.7Si0.3,and quantities of Al are released to the upper Mg matrix simultaneously. However, the evolution of Al3Fe by adding binary Al–Fe alloy into Mg melt is different. It is supposed that element Si plays an important role in the phase evolution procedure, thus affects the performance of this method.INTRODUCTIONThe rapid development of aeronautic, automotive and aerospace technologies strongly depends on the consumption of materials while sustainable development is the future direction. Aluminum is a recyclable material and Fe is one of the most common impurities. Fe can be introduced into Al alloys by adding low–purity alloying materials and by using unprotected ferrous crucible, tools, or equipment (Belov, Eskin, & Avxentieva, 2005; Lu& Dahle, 2005).For instance, wear–resistant rings are usually inserted into piston head when producing Al–Si pistons and an infiltration procedure by putting the cast iron rings into Al melt before casting is always essential. As a result, both the re–melting of pistons and the reuse of Al melt for infiltrating rings lead to the enrichment of Fe element, which can be even high to5 wt.%(Viala, Peronnet, Barbeau, Bosselet, & Bouix, 2002).It is widely known that coarse ß–Al5FeSi particles will form in high Fe–contained Al–Si–Fe alloys which is harmful for the mechanical properties. In the past decades, several methods to eliminate the harmful effect of ß–Al5FeSi have been investigated which can be widely referred (Munson, 1967; Lee, Kawamura, Inoue, Cho, & Masumoto, 1997; Suárez–Peña& Asensio–Lozano, 2006; Eidhed, 2008).These methods can be divided into two kinds. One is to aggregate and remove the Fe–rich phase through the methods of centrifugation, gravity filtration or magnetic separation. The other way is modifing the morphology of flake–like ß–Al5FeSi by overheating the melt or adding neutralized elements. However, these traditional methods are rarely used due to respective disadvantages, while the commonly used method in industries is using primary aluminum for dilution. However, only less than 30wt.% of scrap Al can be added into primary Al melt for each melting work while it also results in the decrease of product quality simultaneously(Zhang, Liu, & Liu, 2016)."

Jan 1, 2018

ENGINEERING department problems of unravel- ling filing systems of reference data, detail drawings, magazine tear sheets, technical records, manufacturers' catalogs-and coordinating them with the information classification systems employed by the company library and other information services -are being solved in many cases by adopting a basic classification system such as that used by Sweet's Catalog Service and applying its classification and indexing methods to file or bookshelf. By this procedure the engineering department does away with the confusion, duplication, and conflict that exist between personal, department, and company library files. It establishes a pattern for regulating and distributing the potential information that piles up daily in the engineering department basket marked "Incoming."

Jan 5, 1954

By Wallace W. Roepke, Richard C. Olson

To adequately attack the longwall dust problem, the US Bureau of Mines funded a contract to define dust sources on a longwall mine face area. The study examined the shearer during sumping, cutting, and tramming, the conveyor, and the roof supports. Tests showed the shearer to be the major dust source. Introduction Long-term illnesses place a heavy burden on miners, the mining industry, and taxpayers. Black lung payments to more than 400,000 miners and their survivors exceeded $9 billion between 1970 and 1980. They are continuing at a rate of $1 billion per year. Recent MSHA data indicate more than 50% of the longwall faces are still out of compliance with the 2 mg/m3 (0.00007 oz per cu ft) respirable dust regulation. Allowable dust limits are often further reduced owing to the presence of silica dust. This substantially increases the problem's severity. Research in the 1970s showed that by modifying the mining method through changing drum-type mining machines from high rpm shallow cutting to slow rpm deep cutting, both specific dust and energy could be reduced (Black et al., 1978; Ludlow and Wilson, 1982; Roepke, Lindroth, and Myren, 1976). The coal mining industry is using more longwall equipment to economically obtain high productivity. This high production rate, however, makes it difficult for longwalls to meet the legal dust standard. Research is showing how both these concerns may be addressed at the mining face. Results reported here explain the relationship of various major elements of the longwall system to dust generation on the longwall face. This paper is based on work completed by Foster-Miller Associates Inc. Objectives were to differentiate dust sources on the longwall face and to quantify dust levels for various elements of the shearer drum. The work was accomplished in two phases. Jonathon Ludlow, project engineer for FMA, developed and performed the necessary testing (Ludlow and Marshall, 1983). Bradley, Hadden, and Weston (1983) have done evaluations on British coal mines that produced similar results to those reported here. They found causative rela¬tionships between haulage speed, production, depth cut, drum speed, and dust generation. They also found that roof support movement increased the dustiness, whereas this work indicated that support movement had only a minor effect on total dust exposure. Both of these results are valid when the variation of mining conditions is analyzed. British mines are deeper than US mines. Therefore, roof rocks and coal are more fragmented than in the shallower US mines. Other reasons for the dust differences include the weaker shales found in Britain and the variation of roof support equipment designs between the UK and the US. Four mines in this report had rock roofs and, thus, would be less dusty. The fifth longwall mine had a coal roof, but the large cross-sectional area and high air velocity minimized dust exposure. Mines and Equipment Five underground longwall mine sites were tested (Fig. 1). All were using double-ended ranging-drum shearers (derds) with some variations in equipment. The mines and equipment details are shown in Table 1. No modification of mining equipment or operating cycles was made during the first phase of testing. The mining process observed followed the normal mine operating procedures. Three GCA RAM-1 respirable dust monitors and two vortex anemometers with cycle notations on portable tape recorders were used in each face area. The start and end of each cycle segment were recorded. Dust monitors record the dust levels once every 10 seconds, thus providing a relatively continuous real time indication of change in

Jan 8, 1984

By William E. Ford, Edward Salisbury Dana

THIS Appendix contains a series of tables, more or leas complete, of minerals arranged according to chemical composition or to certain prominent crystallograhic or physical characters. These, it is believed, will be of service not only to the student, but ago to the skilled mineralogist. The type used in the printing of the mineral names indicates their relative importance. Table I is a complete list of the species named in this book arranged fist according to the prominent basic elements which they contain and secondly according to their acid radicals. Table II is of Minerals arranged according to their System of Crystallization The other tablets make no claim to completeness, being limited often to common ah important species. For an exhaustive system of Determinative Tables based particularly upon blowpipe and chemical characters, the student is referred to the work of Professors Brush and Pen- field, mentioned on p. 330.

Jan 1, 1922

By Nick Barton

A recent analysis of 145 TBM tunnels of more than 1000km total length has helped to quantify the time dependence of utilization (U). In fact U = Tm, where T is time in hours and m is a negative gradient of deceleration. In poor quality ground, gradient m has a strong dependence on rock mass quality Q, for example m ˜ -0.5when Q = 0.1. Good investigation is critical for ensuring faster TBM tunneling then drill-and-blasting, which tends not to slow down (in m/hr) as the tunnel length increases. Anew design model called QTBM allows more reliable prognoses be made, and occasionally will disqualify the TBM solution.

Jan 1, 2001

By Manish Kumar

One of the recent advances in the field of testing of concrete piles is the Non-Destructive testing (NDT) of piles. This paper deals with a specific project where this technique was employed along with an extensive program of conventional testing methods to cross check the results. Conventional testing of the Bored, cast-in-situ piles involved taking full length concrete cores from piles to check physical properties such as core recovery, RQD, crushing strength and density of concrete. Additionally, a number of questionable piles were exposed and inspected and actual load tests were performed on selected piles. Concrete pour cards were used to compare actual Vs theoretical consumption of concrete. A direct comparison of the conclusions drawn from both these testing methods provided an excellent opportunity to better understand the intricacies of NDT technique. The study undertaken clearly indicated a need for developing clear guidelines and specifications for the use of this method of non-destructive testing of piles before the .method can be accepted as a useful quality control tool at the construction sites.

Jan 1, 1996

By F. Boylu

In this study, Ca-bentonite was subjected to a series of systematic hydrocyclone tests with the aim of developing separation procedures and in turn achieving optimum recoveries. In hydrocyclone tests, vortex and apex diameters and also feed pressures were investigated. In each hydrocyclone set, vortex diameter was kept constant while the other two parameters varied to produce bentonites con-centrates of various smectite contents. The separation efficiencies were evaluated based on the cation exchange capacity (CEC), particle size and swelling index. The detailed hydrocyclone tests showed that, upgrading of Ca-bentonites require procedures different from the bentonites reported in the literature. Sodium and mixed bentonites are easy- to-disperse and easy-to-separate whereas calcium types need to be scrubbed rigorously for disintegration. Scrubbing properties of ca-bentonite were investigated as a function of scrubbing time and percent solids by weight (PS). The scrubbing conditions at 700 rpm for 1.5 hours and percent solids of 30 % were found more effective for achieving a better quality bentonite. In addition to the parameters mentioned above, the effect of percent solids on hydrocyclone separation was also studied. Although Ca-bentonites permit studying at higher percent solids, increasing solids content of the pulp deteriorated the quality of the clean products. Application of an appropriate separation scheme enabled the development of a unique separation procedure involving stage wise scrubbing followed by hydrocycloning which yielded calcium bentonite concentrates with CEC of 90 meq/100 g and high swelling indexes of 12 mL from the original bentonite of 65 meq/100 g and 7.0 mL, respectively. These results indicate that upgraded bentonite products can be conveniently used in various diverse industrial applications including bleaching earth, desiccant, cat litter, paper etc.

Jan 1, 2014

By Schoeman L., K. C. Sole

Evaluation and measurement of the influence of changes in conditions and electrolyte composition during early stages of a growing metal electrodeposit are crucial to predict changes in developing morphology. A galvanodynamic polarization technique was developed to reliably measure overpotentials for nickel electrodeposition from sulfate electrolyte. The validity of these polarization parameters as indicators of the relationships between changes in the electrolyte and resulting deposit morphology was evaluated for electrolytes of varying composition. Findings indicate that nucleation and plating overpotentials measured by the described technique can be used as indicative tools for monitoring, evaluating and ultimately improving control of the electrodeposition of nickel from sulfate electrolytes. The results predict that nickel deposits of desirable quality and morphology are obtained when plating overpotentials are higher than 700 mV vs. Ag/AgCl and nucleation overpotential is less negative than plating overpotential.

Jan 1, 2017

Atlas Copco Construction and Mining Australia identified a number of issues in regard to the skill levels, labour turnover and productivity of our service technicians. In 1994 we were experiencing a labour turnover rate of 42 per cent per annum amongst our technicians. Exit interviews were held with each individual and one of the major areas of dissatisfaction was the degree of product training provided on our equipment, compared to what is required to be competent across the range of our products. These tradespersons were prepared to accept the reduced remuneration that an OEM offers, for the benefit of comprehensive, professional training that, in theory, could be provided. The truth is that we were achieving approximately 40 per cent of our target for training hours because of the demands of field service, pre-deliveries, etc. So, the summary was the same as the industry was experiencing at that time because of skilled labour shortages, production demands, etc people were employed and thrown in at the deep end. A recipe for failure that will be successful every time.

Jan 1, 1998

By S. M. Moore

Technological advances in underground coal mining have reduced fatalities but may not have reduced worker exposure to cumulative injury risk factors. The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of cumulative injuries before and after the implementation of technological advances in underground coal mining and to make a general cost estimate for these injuries. A previously published algorithm was utilized to identify cumulative injuries within the Mine Safety Health Administration (MSHA) database for two data sets: 1983-1984 and 2003-2004. For both, the following were determined: the number and percentage of cumulative injuries, the average days lost, the average age at the time of injury, the average years of experience and the general cost estimate by body part. The percentage of cumulative injuries remained largely unchanged (37 percent in the 1983-1984 period and 33 percent in the 2003-2004 period). The average number of lost days due to cumulative injuries increased (36±55 days and 62±82 days, respectively), which may have been due to the increased worker age (seven years older in the 2003-2004 period), increased length of employment (seven years longer in the 2003-2004 period) or other factors such as changes in medical practices. Cumulative injuries to the back decreased by 10 percent, while cumulative injuries to the knee increased by 8 percent. The reduction in back injuries may be due to the implementation of assist devices, while the increase in knee injuries may be related to kneeling/crawling in low-seam mines. Cumulative injuries were found to remain a major financial burden on the industry. Recently, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) developed tools to assist mining companies with incorporating an ergonomics process into their existing health and safety programs. The participating companies have reported tremendous success. Therefore, it is recommended that ergonomics processes be implemented as a means to systematically identify and address the root causes to cumulative injuries and ultimately reduce costs.

Jan 1, 2008

By Paul E. Bennett, James S. Browning, Thomas L. McVay

Continuous 1.0- to 1.5 - ton - per - hour pilot plant flotation tests were made to determine the technical and economic feasibility of recovering beryl from flotation tailing being produced at the spodumene concentrator of the Foote Mineral Company , Kings Mountain , N.C. Best results were obtained when using an acid circuit and amine - type cationic reagents to float a bulk beryl - feldspar concentrate and then selectively floating the beryl away from the feldspar , using a petroleum sulfonate collector . About 77 percent of the beryllium in the pilot plant feed was recovered in a concentrate containing 6.42 percent BeO . The capital cost of an integrated flotation plant capable of treating 500 dry tons of spodumene mill tailing per day for recovery of beryl and feldspar is estimated at $ 210,000 . Indicated direct operating costs for the plant were $ 1.52 per ton of dry spodumene flotation tailing treated . This approximated the value of beryl recovered , but potential profits of about the same magnitude lie in concurrent recovery of marketable spodumene and feldspar byproducts .

Jan 1, 1964

By N. Krauland, A. Nystrom, M. Board, S. Sandstrom

Several deep Swedish cut-and-fill mines experience severe ground control problems, including roof collapse and wall sloughing, as a result of variable rock quality and high in situ stresses. A project to examine the problem included two main areas. The first was prediction of mining conditions at depth and the adaptation of cut-and-fill mining to such conditions; the second was the assessment and improvement of support methods at present and future depths. Simple, elastic, mine-scale numerical models were used to optimise stope sequencing and more detailed, stope-scale models to simulate the failure processes around a stope and the interaction of rock mass and support. Kristineberg was chosen for testing and calibration of the predictive methods because of its long history of severe ground conditions and the large base of observational and monitoring data available for comparison. Horizontal cut and fill was found technically suitable to depths beyond 1 000 m and economically viable if ore value covers support costs. Stability can be achieved with the present support technology down to 1 000 m but the 7-strand 15.2 mm cables have poor deformation properties (5% failure strain) compared with rebar rock bolts (17%). Reducing the intervals between levels from 100 m to 50 m will cut support costs and improve production reliability and capacity. Simulation of sill-pillar mining indicated that conditions would be most severe when pillar height was reduced to 15-20 m; mining of a sill pillar has been carried out successfully to the last 3 m, whose extraction is planned for the near future

Dec 1, 1995

By J. D. Bliss

The discovery that triggered the current gold rush in southeastern Peru was made in about 1975 along the Rio Madre de Dios in Madre de Dios Department (Fig. 1). About 5000 to 10,000 miners (called chichiqueros) were working in the area as of 1990. Placer mining is the principal source of revenue for people living along the Rio Inambari and west of Puerto Maldonado. As in past gold rushes, working and living condition are harsh. Supplies are expensive, and the area has poor access compared with other areas in Peru. Food, fuel and all mining supplies are trucked over dirt roads from Cuzco, a three-to-five-day trip (Fig. 1). Some material also comes from Brazil. Many placers have a similar life cycle, beginning with small-volume mining (surface or underground). At the end of this small-scale mining, the placer is exhausted or it has a sufficient volume of gravel high enough in gold grade to be worked by large-volume methods, which lead to exhaustion of the resource. The level of maturity of a placer can be determined from its gold grade. The amount of gold production from large-volume mining can be predicted, given detailed, cumulative gold-production data on placer deposits during small-scale mining (Bliss et al., 1987). Using this general model, the authors analyzed the placers in the Rio Madre de Dios area. Small-volume mining Most placer mining in the Rio Madre de Dios area is in alluvial deposits either in or bordering the major rivers. Locally, some placer mining is in terrace deposits above the rivers. All minerals (including the subsoil) in Peru belong to the state. However, a mining claim (denuncia) is easily obtained for mineral exploitation. It is separate from property ownership.

Jan 1, 1992