Search Documents

By C. J. Gilbert

The mining method at the Cannon Mine uses heading and bench stopes, which are subsequently backfilled with cemented high-strength fill prior to pillar removal. The dimensions of the pillars, 24 feet wide by G5 to 95 feet high, re-quire careful blasting in order to not damage the rock, compromising pillar strength and complicating later removal. Additionally, the proximity of dwellings makes vibration control a must for good-neighbor relations. A blast monitoring study was conducted in order to optimize bench blasting practices to maximize fragmentation, reduce costs, minimize well damage, and minimize ground vibration.

Jan 1, 1989

By B Whittaker

The paper examines the role of chain pillars in longwall mining layouts as used in several countries. The application of chain pillars in relation to their expected design role is discussed. An important feature is the specification of the pillar design to meet strata loading conditions as imposed by the mining and geological setting. The paper relates longwall width and chain pillar configurations to pillar size to satisfy anticipated loading and strength expectations. Laboratory work is referred to which examines criteria for pillar stability. Comments are made regarding the application of the findings presented in the paper, to different situations involving the use of chain pillars in longwall and shortwall mining systems.

Jan 1, 1987

By B Watson

The ConSep ACACIA Reactor is a device, which utilises a high intensity cyanidation process to achieve very high, usually near total, recovery of gold from gravity concentrates. The process utilises a fluidised bed and a chemical oxidant to enhance the gold dissolution kinetics to the point where the bulk of the dissolution occurs in a few hours. For convenience and security, most plants operate a 24-hour turn around. The product from the process is in the form of cathode gold ready for smelting by traditional means. The ConSep ACACIA Reactor performs a two-fold role. Firstly it increases gravity gold production, leading to a decreased CIP feed grade. Secondly, it removes slow leaching components from the plant leaching circuit. This two fold benefit leads to the following efficiencies: enhancement of the dissolution kinetics; enhancement of the adsorption kinetics; reduction of the gold load reporting to the carbon; a significant reduction of the ægold in circuitÆ lockup; and removal of slow leaching entities which can also result in a lowering of the required cyanide concentrations in the leaching circuit and a subsequent reduction in overall cyanide consumption. The above benefits are discussed in this paper, with a particular focus on the ConSep ACACIA ReactorÆs role in removing slow leaching components, with data generated over a 21-month period. Improvement in overall plant recovery via removal of slow leaching gold species is achieved in two ways. Firstly, some of the slow leaching entities, successfully leached under intensive cyanidation, are not always fully leached under plant conditions. This results in a lowering of the solid tailing. Secondly, the faster leaching kinetics achieved in the plant as a result of the removal of slow leaching entities results in faster and more complete adsorption of the dissolved gold onto activated carbon. This results in a lowering of the solution tailings. The construction and operation of the ConSep ACACIA Reactor is simple. Apart from the reactor body, which is a proprietary design, all components of the system are æoff the shelfÆ or specific to the siteÆs requirements. In operation of the fully automated version, a PLC controls a series of valves and pumps but except for a daily changeover process the only operating component for the bulk of the time is a relatively small solution pump. The process can be totally automated giving the security of a æhands freeÆ concentrate handling process up to the point where the product is presented as cathode gold. The ConSep ACACIA Reactor was developed by Anglogold Australia (formerly Acacia Resources) for Union ReefÆs Gold Plant and has been in production since February 1999. It has proven to be a low cost, high recovery, mechanically reliable method for the processing of gold concentrates. Such has been the success of the plant, as of June 2003 there are eighteen full installations of the processing plant installed at mines owned and/or managed by Anglogold, Newmont, Placer Dome, Independence (formerly Lonrho), Sons of Gwalia and Harmony.

Jan 1, 2003

By Nikolaus Schneider

"Abstract: The combination of failure in joints of diaphragm walls and their exposure to water pressure may have far reaching effects ranging from water leakage to the risk of catastrophic loss of stability for the retaining wall and civil structures behind it. Investigations of imperfect joints in diaphragm walls have led to the development and testing of a quality tool to monitor the joint integrity of diaphragm walls during construction. By applying independent mechanical sensors (“joint inspector”) to the steel frame of hydraulic or mechanical grabs, it is now possible to record the surface conditions of exposed primary joints during the construction of secondary panels. This allows for the implementation of corrective action during the construction process should joint quality not indicate a watertight connection to the adjacent panel. The joint inspector, used for different types of stop ends, was tested on a full scale test field at several construction sites. The implementation of this new quality tool drives a new quality standard for deep excavations in inner city areas.General introduction to diaphragm wallsDiaphragm walls are reinforced concrete elements constructed using bentonite slurry to temporarily support an open trench in the ground. They are used in two main fields of application in civil construction, as foundation elements for vertical and horizontal loads (barrettes) and as retaining walls for excavation pits.Particularly for deep excavation pits in inner city areas, diaphragm walls are used as temporary or permanent walls of retaining walls. Alternative retaining wall systems would be secant pile walls, sheet piles or soldier piles, but these have disadvantages in structural strength when compared to diaphragm walls. If the vertical load of existing buildings next to the excavation pit has to be accommodated, the most practical solution can be found using diaphragm walls supported by prestressed anchors, steel struts or slabs."

Jan 1, 2014

By K. C. Corin, Z. G. Song, J. G. Wiese

In the present study the effect of using different grinding media, viz, ceramic balls, forged steel balls, 15% Cr steel balls, stainless steel and mixture of stainless steel and 15% Cr steel balls (50:50) on the flotation performance of a Platinum Group Mineral (PGM) UG2 ore was investigated. Test work was conducted using a laboratory scale horizontal tumbling mill and a batch flotation cell. Power draw to achieve a specific P80 was determined for each media type. Changes in flotation behaviour were evaluated in terms of particle size distribution, water recovery, solid recovery and valuable mineral recovery. pH, Eh and DO levels were also measured. Grinding products of five different media produced similar solids and water recovery, which is indicative of the froth characteristics, but the grades and recoveries of PGE and chromite were different. The product obtained when using ceramic media showed the best flotation performance, producing the highest PGE recovery and the lowest Cr2O3 recovery. The products obtained when using stainless steel balls (SS) produced the lowest PGE recovery and highest Cr2O3 grade and recovery. The paper proposes possible reasons to explain these observations which may have significant importance for the operation of a PGM concentrator.

Jan 1, 2015

By C. J. Tonkin

Compressed air is widely used on South African gold mines. However, due to recent and proposed future electricity tariff increases it is quickly becoming too expensive to produce and use. Boxfront chute systems at ore passes were focused on during this study, and a number of alternative power sources were examined. After comparing primarily costs, and secondarily safety and practicality, of a number of systems based on water and hydraulic oil, a system making use of either air or water was determined to be the most cost effective. A payback time of 8 years was calculated, which will be significantly less taking into account the avoidance of failures due to electricity and water shortages, which would not affect this system due to its ability to swap between either air or water. It was recommended that this system be installed at all boxfront chutes as soon as possible so that the company can begin to benefit from the cost savings.

Jan 1, 2013

By J. L. Meijering

Oxidation hardening of cylindrical and spherical specimens first decreases with depth below the surface, but then increases again as the center is approached. This is in agreement with the view that this change in hardness is mainly determined by the change in velocity of the oxidation boundary, which affects the dispersion of the oxide. WHEN a thick slab of silver containing 0.3 pct Mg by weight is internally oxidized, the hardness measured on a cross section is found to decrease considerably with distance from the surface.&apos; This phenomenon has been attributed to the diminution of the velocity of the oxidation boundary. The smaller this velocity is, the more slowly the free-oxygen concentration rises towards the concentration in equilibrium with the oxygen gas. And a small 0 concentration favors dissociation and thus conglomeration of the oxide. For instance, the hardness decreases more rapidly during long annealings in nitrogen than in air.&apos; Measurements by Gregory and Smith3 on sections through internally oxidized Al-silver wire showed a smaller variation in hardness, probably because the wire diameter was only 0.9 mm. Wood4 found a drop in hardness with depth in internally oxidized Al-copper strip, and also—by electron microscopy—the concomitant increase in Al2O3 particle size. Under certain circumstances internal oxidation leads to formation of rather irregular inner oxide films in the midst of dispersed oxide. This special sort of conglomeration—discussed in Ref. 5—is also favored by greater depth below the surface.3,5 In this paper hardness measurements in large diameter cylindrical and spherical specimens are described. Here the oxidation velocity* goes through ness initially decreases with depth but increases again towards the center. Normally, the diffusion coefficient D1 of oxygen is very large compared to D2, that of the dissolved metal. If, furthermore, the atomic fraction c2 of the latter is much larger than the O-solubility cl- but c2D2 << c1D1- the velocities in question are easily calculated2 to be: for the cylinder and for the sphere. Here p is the radial coordinate of the oxidation boundary and R the specimen radius, which in dilute silver alloys is constant, as no external oxidation occurs. These equations have been derived for a divalent solute; for nondivalent solutes c2 has to be multiplied by half the valency. The equations are not valid near the center. For which can be considered as a standard case,2 the Eqs [I] and [2] begin to yield U-values which are appreciably too high for p/R = 0.05 and 0.15, respectively. But at the v-minima they are still very good approximations. These minima lie at p = emlR= 0.37R in the cylinder and p = 1/2 R in the sphere. Other factors besides the velocity v will also influence the hardness. The oxide concentration cox is constant in a flat strip, apart from a narrow region in the middle,2 but in cylindrical and spherical specimens cox decreases steadily with depth. When C1 << c2 and c1D1 >> c2D2 one can calculate

Jan 1, 1961

By Z. Yang, R. W. Smith, Jr. Wharton

"Microorganisms have the ability to remarkably adsorb and/or absorb heavy metal ions. Hence they are being studied widely as a means of removing metal ions from aqueous solutions both in order to clean up toxic streams and to recover valuable metals from these and other streams. It is often difficult to harvest organisms such as bacteria and unicellular algae since they are usually too small to be readily screened out. Froth flotation may prove to be a feasible method to harvest such organisms subsequent to the ad/absortion of the metal Ions. The present paper discusses the surface/electrokinetic properties of microorganisms and the modifier-collect conditions under which they should float. The zeta potential of the green alga Chlorella vulgaris was measured in the presence of AI(III) and Pb(II) ions and in the presence of dodecylammonium chloride and sodium dodecylsulfate. Present and past data suggest that the organisms should behave similarly to other finely divided, charged (polar) solids with their behavior sometimes modified by the non-polar surface regions present.IntroductionThe overall field of bioengineering is growing at a remarkably accelerating rate. Hydrometallurgy and mineral processing are included among those disciplines where there has been actual or proposed commercial use of bioorganisms. Further, the actual or proposed use includes bacterial enhancement of leaching of a number of different types of ores (1-5), modification of the flotation or oil agglomeration separation of minerals by bacteria (6,7) and microorganism (algae, bacteria or fungi) concentration of metal ions present in effluent or other mineral processing or hydrometallurgy aqueous streams (8-23)."

Jan 1, 1988

By B de Raadt

After discussing mechanisms of collapse for the explosive demolition of towers in general and cooling towers in particular, author comments upon a blasting operation in which four cooling towers were involved. The intention of this paper is to present reliable parameters, generally valid for the explosive demolition of reinforced concrete cooling towers.

Jan 1, 1978

By Alastair Torrance, George Boucher

The authors were involved in the Trial Blast work at Chek Lap Kok, the site of the new Hong Kong Airport. As part of that work a series of computer programs including 3x30, QFRAG, DESIGNER and 3DMUCK was employed to predict various aspects of the trial blast programme. These aspects included fragmentation and muckpiie shape. This provided an excellent opportunity for these programs to be calibrated, verified and compared under controlled conditions. The results indicated that computer simulation has reached a high level of sophistication and good correlation between prediction and measured results was found.

Jan 1, 1994

By Walter Amaya, Billy Beas

"Los principales depósitos de Au diseminado San Pedro Sur y Pampa Verde del Mioceno Medio se desarrollan en una roca ignimbrita riolítica del Oligoceno y en el contacto entre las ignimbritas y los domos dacíticos del Mioceno Medio. Las leyes de Au en estos depósitos varían de 0.2 a 1 g/t Au, adicionalmente ocurren brechas hidrotermales fuertemente oxidadas con tendencia estructural N80°O a E-O con concentraciones > 5 g/t Au. Además de la mineralización diseminada, anteriormente descrita, existen eventos de sobreimposición hidrotermal que han originado la precipitación de Au de alta ley (>15 g/t Au) en zonas estructuralmente favorables (zonas de apertura) que tienen una tendencia N20-50°E, las cuales se ubican a 1 km del tajo principal SPS conocidas como Alejandra."

Sep 1, 2017

By Luis Palacios Valdivieso

Ante la crisis minera desarrollada en la mina Condestable, se evaluó los factores técnicos, operativos, social y laboral que intervienieron en su decadencia. En este sentido, el objetivo del presente trabajo radica en describir los recursos de estrategia gerencial minera para superar las dificultades de productividad minera a través de cinco temas: cambios en los métodos de explotación, variación de la concepción geológica, proceso metalúrgico, optimización de rendimientos de los recursos y política sociolaboral. Asimismo, se muestra el programa de inversiones que la empresa ha logrado superar paulatinamente ante la crisis del precio del cobre.

Nov 24, 1993

By ?. V. Kabanov

n considered operation hydraulic and kinematic circuits of deep-water installation for sampling a ground from a sea-bottom are submitted. Control by setters is made remotely from a service station with the help of a system of telemechanics. Migration of apparatus along a bottom is ensured with the help of force of a response of a jet and Archimedean force. The mathematical exposition of the device composed and computer simulation is Design parameters are defined and static performances are obtained. Operation is in a stage of manufacture of working drawings. There are patents of Russia.

Jan 1, 2005

By A. B. Hooler

"A complete list of permissible mine equipment, tested and approved by the Bureau of Mines previous to January 1, 1947, was published as Information Circular 7432. 3/The present list is a supplement thereto that includes all of the equipment approved during the calendar year 1947.The items are numbered to indicate the consecutive order in which each type of machine or device was approved in its particular classification. Thus, Information Circular 7432 showed six air compressors on the active list; two additional compressors, Nos. 7 and 8 in this category, were approved during 1947.Items 2 and 7, unmounted loader and power unit, respectively, under Loading and Conveying Equipment, item 2, rubber-mounted mining machine and item 8, distribution box, appear in Information Circular 7432. They are repeated to show that approvals of these four equipments were extended to cover an additional voltage rating which requires material change in design.Equipment listed in these circulars is approved by the Bureau of Mines only when found upon inspection and test to comply with minimum standards of safety as outlined in schedules prepared on the basis of many years of experience in dealing with safety problems of the coal-mining industry. The use of such equipment in mines known to be gassy, as well as in those that may become so, is earnestly recommended in the interests of safety. This circular is published so that the industry may be kept informed as to the many types of machines, devices, and lamps that are available for reducing explosion and other hazards incidental to coal mining. The present paper, with Information Circular 7432, gives the complete list of permissible mine equipment that is available under the various classifications."

May 1, 1948

By M. S. Klima, P. T. Luckie

An evaluation of the operating performance of a recently designed pneumatic centrifugal classifier is presented. This classifier has been modified from a separate air and feed input design to an entrained solids in air feed input. The evaluation first required determining the size distributions for the three streams (feed, fine, and coarse). Using size distribution data and mass flow rates, a size selectivity curve was calculated for each operating condition tested. This curve, in turn, was characterized by appropriate selectivity parameters (i.e., the equiprobable or cut size, the sharpness index, and the apparent bypass values). The variation of these parameters with classifier operating conditions was examined. From these evaluations, the "best" operating conditions for the classifier were then determined.

Jan 1, 1985

A GREAT deal of attention has lately been given to the discussion as to the education required for engineers, and especially for mining engineers. The Institute of Civil Engineers has had a committee&apos;s report on it which has come to some interesting and valuable conclusions.The Institute of Mining and Metallurgy had a few years back a very long discussion on the subject, and the subject appears to be one of perennial interest to similar societies. Two recent addresses by Prof. Kernot, as president of the Victorian Instituteof Civil Engineers, are among the most interesting and practical of the contributions to the discussion. Engineers seem to feel either that the coming generation has not the same capacity to benefit by the training that has made themselves what they are, or that such training has turned out in themselves inefficient men, and that they must consequently struggle to obtain a better one for their successors. For not only is there a desire to extend existing instruction to cover the advances of science, but there seems to be a general desire also to make a completely radical change in the methods.It is not necessary to observe that education does not mean the imparting and acquiring of information, but rather the cultivation of the faculties so that the best use can be made of them and of any information acquired. For instance, a man is not educated who has by heart his lectures and the contents of his text-books, but that man is who remembers little of the actual wording of his text-books, but is able to find anything required in them...

Jan 1, 1909

By R. Karl Zipf

A method is presented for creating realistic numerical models for practical coal mine ground control. The method includes procedures to collect the necessary mechanical input parameters from a geologic core log, procedures to set up a model, and procedures to interpret calculation results. The input parameters come from a detailed geologic core log and extensive point load tests of estimate rock layer strength. A suite of material property input parameters is proposed that allows the user to go from core log to numerical model inputs. Rock bolt anchorage properties are also linked to the material properties of each geologic layer in the model. Following this procedure leads to very realistic calculations of the rock failure process and rock support system behavior. These calculations in turn enable realistic comparison of the effectiveness of alternative rock support systems.

Jan 5, 2007

By G. S. Littlejohn

Following study of historical South African practice and a review of recent experience gained during the design, construction and testing of the high pressure plugs at the South Deep Water Barrier Project, this paper makes recommendations to improve practice. Initially, site investigation requirements are described with reference to geological, hydrogeological and seismic considerations, including site preparation and pre-grouting of the surrounding rock mass, if permeable. Structural and hydraulic aspects of plug design address topics such as residual permeability, aggressive mine water, plug materials, mortar strength and bleed. In situ thermocouples and piezometers are recommended to optimize the timing of plug tightening and monitor plug performance during service. Plug construction covers aggregate preparation, mortar quality control, plug tightening grouts, injection pressures, records and the overriding need for a method statement specification to control all aspects of plug construction. On completion of the plug, tests to establish surrounding rock stress regime, plug strength, and residual permeability are described to enable a comparison with original design assumptions. Monitoring and maintenance procedures are proposed to ensure satisfactory long-term performance of the plugs.

Jan 1, 2006

By William A. Vogely

STRIKES in the steel and copper industries adversely affected production in the minerals industry in 1959. Because of an excellent first half of the year and rapid recovery of production after the steel settlement, most statistical indicators were higher than the recession-recovery year 1958. Domestic production of metals declined by 9 percent, but nonmetals (except fuels) increased by 8 percent. Ferrous-metal mine production was down 8 percent, and base-metal mine production was off 11 percent. Employment was high during the first half of the year, but averaged lower than in 1958. Stocks continued to decline as a whole, but crude metal ore stocks actually increased. The indexes of stocks at yearend were still high as compared with 1955. Prices were firm throughout the year. A new index of average unit mine value is presented for the first time in this review; it showed a very slight decline in average mine realization for 1959. The percentage share of supply from imports increased in some commodities, due in large part to the shutdown of domestic iron, steel, and copper industries.

Jan 1, 1960

By G. R. Guillet

"Bricks made from local Paleozoic shales, and floor and wall tiles made from imported clays, both established record production volumes in 1985 and are the strongest segments of Ontario&apos;s clay products industries. However, renewed interest in traditional materials also supports a good market for clay flower pots and flu e liners, and innovative processing studies are showing promise for possible new production of clay roofing tiles. This paper reviews the highlights of a comprehensive study of Ontario&apos;s clay products industries, completed in 1986. IntroductionFor some years now, Ontario&apos;s clay products industries have been unspectacular in their attempt to cope with the recent recession and the impact of alternative materials. But a strong demand for bricks in recent years has done much to dispel the gloom. Bricks, drainage tiles, sewer pipes, flue liners, structural and partition tiles, and flower pots have been commonly referred to as ""heavy"" clay products, and they have been based largely on local clays and shales. To this list might be added expanded aggregate and mineral wool. Clay refractories, sanitary ware, electrical porcelain, art pottery, and floor and wall tiles are not considered heavy clay products, and are commonly made from a variety of ceramic materials, many of which are imported.Production facilities for heavy clay products often began in Ontario as small family enterprises, using whatever clay was available locally to supply the local market with building bricks and other clay products needed for construction. Improved road systems increased the market range for these plant s, and new technology and industry standards resulted in gradual upgrading and consolidation of them as traced in Table I"

Jan 1, 1988