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By Hassell E. Hunter

The Wyoming Minerals - Conoco Crownpoint Joint Venture represents the first time that big hole drilling has been exclusively used to develop a privately financed mine. Three shafts, one ten feet in diameter and two six feet in diameter, have been successfully drilled to depths of 2243', 2188' and 2188' respectively and lined with hydrostatic designed steel casing. The largest shaft is to be used to as a development shaft to handle muck and water from enlargement and station excavation of the other two shafts. A reverse fluid air assist circulation system with potassium base mud was used during drilling. The mud was cleaned by settling in steel lined tanks with assistance from cyclone type sand separators. Deviation was monitored with wireline gyroscopic surveying instruments at 30 foot intervals. Horizontal departure did not exceed 16 inches off perpendicular. Casing was designed to withstand full hydrostatic pressures with a 1.5 safety factor for the large shaft and 1.25 safety factor for the two smaller shafts. All casing welds were x-rayed prior to lowering the casing into the hole. Cementing the annular space completed the operation. The total time to mobilize, drill and move off the three shafts was 363 days. The drilling operation was completed ahead of schedule and under budget.

Jan 1, 1982

By H. Conrad, V. V. Damiano, G. J. London

The slip mode activated during the c axis compression of single crystals of commercial-purity ingot SR beryllium, high-purity (twelve-zone-pass) beryllium, and Be-4.4 wt pct Cu and Be-5.2 wt pct Ni alloys in the temperature range of 25° to 364°C was determined using two-surface slip trace analysis, slip-step height analysis, and electron transmission microscopy. All three techniques indicated the occurrence of copious pyramidal {1 122) (1123) slip in the alloys over the entire temperature range, the amount increasing with temperature. Pyramidal slip was also indicated in the high-purity beryllium by slip trace analysis and electron transmission microscopy, but the amount was somewhat less than in the alloys. For the commercial-purity ingot crystals, only a very small number of pyramidal slip lines were observed, and these were in the immediate vicinity of the fracture surface. No pyramidal dislocations could be detected by electron transmission microscopy in this material. Dislocatransmissiontions with Burgers vectors [0001] and +(ll20) were identified by electron transmission microscopy inthe (1122) slip bands, as well as those with the j (1123) vector. This was interpreted to indicate that the edge components of the 3(1123) vector dislocations activated during c axis compression dissociate upon unloading according to the reaction i (1123) — [0001] + 3(1120) THE microstrain c axis compression of single crystals of commercial-purity ingot SR beryllium (99.6 pct), high-purity twelve-zone-pass beryllium (99.98 pct), Be-5.24 pct Ni and Be-4.37 pct Cu alloys was described in a previous paper.1 This paper covers in detail the analysis of slip traces observed on two mutually perpendicular lateral surfaces of these specimens, and a detailed description of transmission electron microscopy studies performed on foils cut from the bulk crystals after they had been deformed to fracture in the c axis compression. Observation of slip traces on single surfaces of deformed single crystals are generally insufficient to positively identify slip or twinning modes. The use of two carefully cut and oriented perpendicular surfaces can greatly aid in the positive identification and index- ing of slip traces, although even this technique may be quite inadequate if more than one type of slip system operates and if an insufficient number of traces are observed on the surfaces. The problem is greatly simplified for symmetric cases like that for c axis compression of an hep crystal such as beryllium, in which the operating slip systems are all equally inclined to the direction of the applied stress, and each slip system of a given slip mode has an equal chance of operating. For such cases, the traces of any given slip mode observed on the surfaces cut parallel to the c axis are symmetrically tilted about the c axis. It is therefore possible to quickly determine whether one or more slip modes are operating. Confirmatory evidence in support of the observations made on the external surfaces can be obtained from foils cut from the deformed crystals and examined by transmission electron microscopy. This latter technique serves to identify not only the operating slip plane but also the Burgers vector of the dislocations which participate in the slip. For this purpose, a simplified technique based upon a double tetrahedron notation is used in the present paper. The planes and directions in the hep lattice are all designated by letters rather than indices and extinction conditions are easily determined if the Burgers vector lies in the plane contributing to the diffraction. RESULTS 1) Slip Trace Analysis. The standard (0001) stereo-graphic projection of beryllium is shown in Fig. 1. The two mutually perpendicular, lateral surfaces of the compression specimen are represented by the diametrical planes AA' and BB', also referred to as surface A and surface B. For the specific case represented (a Be-5.24 pct Ni specimen deformed by c axis compression at room temperature), the A surface is tilted 5 deg to the (10i0') plane and the B surface is tilted 5 deg to the (1120) plane. Two surface trace analyses may be facilitated by examining in turn the intersection of various great circle traces of specific pyramidal planes with two surfaces and comparing the angles made with the (0001) plane with those actually observed on the two surfaces. One then identifies the slip traces by trial and error on a best-fit basis. The (1122) type planes (it was found that slip occurred on these planes) are shown plotted on the stereographic projection in Fig. 1. One obtains directly the angles between the (0001) plane and the {1122) traces by measuring the angle from the periphery to the point of intersection along the lines

Jan 1, 1969

By John R. McDonnell

The Valle Vidal Unit comprises 100,000 acres In Taos and Colfax: Counties, New Mexico. The unit was donated to the American public In 1982 by the Pennzoll Co. and is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service as an addition to the Carson National Forest. During 1990-1991, the Bureau of Mines conducted a mineral Investigation of the unit as authorized by an Interagency Agreement (1987) Intended to assist the Forest Service to incorporate mineral resource data In forest plans. The Bureau reviewed literature and records concerning mineral resources and mining activity, and performed a field examination of mines, prospects, and mineral occurrences in and near the Valle Vidal Unit. The La Belle mining district encompasses most of the western part of the Valle Vidal Unit. The district was most active between 1893 and 1902, after the land grant was opened to prospecting and gold discoveries were reported. The discoveries were low grade, and eventually were abandoned. The Bureau's appraisal of the district determined that lode gold occurs primarily in fissure veins in volcanic rocks, and placer gold occurs In weakly cemented sedimentary rocks and alluvial sediments; but at a grade that is currently considered subeconomic. If the price of gold increases in the future, prospecting and exploration in the area may be renewed, but the activity would likely be limited due to "acquired land status" restrictions, which require mineral leasing and prohibit claim location in the Valle Vidal Unit.

Jan 1, 1992

While specific definitions of the main categories of mineral reserves and mineral resources are becoming well established through the efforts of the Australasian Joint Ore Reserves Committee (JORC) and the Combined Reserves International Reporting Standards Committee (CRIRSCO), there has been perhaps less attention paid to the standardisation of language used in the definition and reporting of Mineral Exploration Results and a clear understanding of the transition to Inferred Mineral Resources. This is an area of significant importance to small and medium sized enterprises in the mineral exploration sector as it represents in many cases the only tangible information by which the reader or potential investor can evaluate the future potential of such enterprises. By its very nature information in the Mineral Exploration Results category is incomplete, and frequently complex, and it is open to a broad range of interpretation by readers of various competency levels and disciplines. Many will have a short-term speculative view rather than a long-term perspective, with others out deliberately to misrepresent the information, and as such it can have an enormous impact on investment decisions if the risks associated with this information being reported are not fully understood. Authors of reports on Mineral Exploration Results, who may be Competent Persons or company directors, have to put themselves in the shoes of the reader of the report, second-guessing if you like what the reader will understand by a report, which in many cases will be of a highly technical nature. This raises reporting dilemmas and questions that require to be understood and addressed. Looking at reports on Mineral Exploration Results from the other side, readers have a degree of responsibility as well, particularly if they engage in an advisory or communications role. The tendency of commentators, journalists, analysts, and bulletin board posters to over-exaggerate the significance of a particular exploration result is all too familiar. Questions arise here as well about whether there should be more regulatory supervision and control exercised over those who use this information, all of whom greatly influence investment decisions, and many of whom have no idea there is a Reporting Code, far less an understanding of it. Examples are given and questions raised to illustrate the dilemmas surrounding the reporting of Mineral Exploration Results. In order to retain credibility with markets it is incumbent on companies to be transparent, not to be selective and to report all material information. On the other hand, information has to be taken and read in its proper context in order to avoid fuelling dramatic and unjustified company share price escalation. Timing of course is another factor that can affect the market price of shares, which may be beyond the control of those making the reports. Emotive and imprecise language, however, when reporting Mineral Exploration Results, coupled by speculation, can trigger damaging short runs on shares and destroy credibility where formerly there was long-term promise. The paper will review how Mineral Exploration Results are dealt with in various jurisdictions, and conclude that there has to be a balance between prescription and the tempering of undue optimism on the one hand, and the entrepreneurial spirit, which the industry needs, on the other.

Jan 1, 2002

By F. W. Gray

Foreword: It is not my purpose, in this address, to write the history of the Geological Survey of Canada, which has from time to time been reviewed by the officers of the Survey itself, and by men more competent than myself to handle so large a subject, but rather to set out some of the reasons for the regard in which the Survey is held by our Institute, the body best qualified to speak for the mining men of Canada. And, a further purpose is to publish the desire of our Institute that the work of the Survey shall be maintained at the highest pitch of efficiency the resources of our country. will permit, because to scrimp expenses on the Survey is 'to save at the spigot and lose at the bunghole." A historical examination of the grounds on which it may be asserted the Geological Survey has been, and still is, of fundamental economic value to our country, discloses a prescience on the part of the forefathers of Canada, calling for our admiring gratitude, and reveals a unanimity among the real leaders of Canadian thought, on the value of geological knowledge, that is impressive in its continuance dawn to this date. There seems always to have been before our people the realisation that large stretches of Canada are unfitted for agricultural settlement, and that our glaciated areas, the barrens and tundra of the North, and our extensive mountain ranges, had promise of compensating mineral content which the geologist and the prospector, labouring together through the years, would disclose. The Geological Survey is one of Canada's oldest public services, distinguished by an unimpaired tradition of honourable and useful labour. Founded in 1843, under William Edmond Logan, not yet 'Sir William', one year after the Act of Union, it was directed by him until 1869, or into the early years of Confederation, so that the early years .of the Survey were also, politically, the formative years of Canada, as we know her today.

Jan 1, 1932

By Peter A. Witt

Highland Valley Copper is a conventional truck-shovel mining and flotation concentrator operation located some 75 kilometres southwest of Kamloops, B.C. (Figure 1). The ore is located within a porphyry copper deposit and is mined at a rate of 135,000 metric tonnes per day from two separate open pits. The nearby mill produces concentrates containing 375 million pounds of copper and 5 million pounds of molybdenum metal yearly. In the Valley pit, head grades are roughly 0.40% Cu at a 0.23% Cu equivalent cut-off. The Valley pit strip ratio currently sits at 0.55:1 with waste quantities made up of separate rock and unconsolidated overburden units. From the mill, concentrates are trucked to nearby Ashcroft and then hauled by rail to ocean port facilities in Vancouver. The mine employs 950 persons and is planned to operate until 2009. The operation is a partnership between TeckCominco with a 63.9% interest, BHP Billiton holding 33.6%, and others 2.5%. Management is shared by the two principal owners and directed by a management committee.

May 1, 2003

By V. de Macedo Torres

There are technical and commercial limitations on using high fluorine copper concentrates in industrial copper smelters. The presence of more than 1000 ppm of fluorine in copper concentrates affects the sulfuric acid units generally integrated to copper smelters, and penalties are normally applied to high fluorine concentrate prices. Several process alternatives to this issue were studied at CVRD Technology Center (SUTEC): modifications on conventional sulfuric acid plants to use high fluorine concentrates, removal of fluorine containing minerals in flotation using depressants, selective leaching of fluorine minerals and sulfuric leach of copper concentrates. Finally, a hydrometallurgical process of removing fluorine was developed by SUTEC.

Jan 1, 1997

A new $18-million hydrometallurgical ore treatment facility for the recovery of molybdenum oxide was dedicated at Climax, Colo., on November 19 by Climax Molybdenum Co., division of AMAX. The Company has been producing molybdenum from molybdenite (MoS2) ores since 1918. Now oxide values, formerly lost in the sulfide flotation plant tailing are to be processed to yield about 3 million Ib per year of metal. In 1965, Climax produced about 50% of world molybdenum from sulfide ore. This ore is mined at the rate of 42,000 tpd. The annual production of concentrate is 100 million lb containing 90% to 92% MoS2, or about 50 million lb of metal. As only a relatively small portion of the total Climax production is sufficiently enriched in oxide molybdenum to process through the new plant, 5700 tpd of selected ore containing 1.5 lb of Mo per ton is now treated by the new process.

Jan 12, 1966

By Frank A. Peters

This Bureau of Mines report is the second of a series of process evaluations planned to determine the relative processing costs of producing metallurgical-grade alumina from low-grade aluminous materials. Included in these evaluations are recommendations for additional research and development to improve the processes and to lower their costs. The design for each process is based on published work. The processes considered in this report are designed to extract alumina as aluminum chloride from calcined clay with 20 percent hydrochloric acid and to remove the silica residue by filtration. Iron is removed by one of the following processes: Isopropyl ether extraction, in which iron chloride is extracted before decomposing the aluminum chloride; gas precipitation, in which the aluminum chloride is precipitated with hydrogen chloride while leaving the iron chloride in solution; gas precipitation-isopropyl ether extraction, in which the aluminum chloride from precipitation is extracted with isopropyl ether, if necessary; caustic purification, in which a crude alumina is produced and then purified by a modified Bayer operation; or sinter purification, in which a crude alumina is produced and then purified by a lime-soda sinter operation. For plants producing 1,000 tons of alumina a day the estimated operating costs per ton of alumina are: [Isopropyl ether extraction process $ 65.09 Gas precipitation process 89.04 Gas precipitation-isopropyl ether extraction process 119.65 Caustic purification process 73.79 Sinter purification process 80.47] The estimated fixed capital costs per annual ton for these plants on a Marshall and Stevens chemical equipment basis of 240.0 are: [Isopropyl ether extraction process $229.03 Gas precipitation process 287.16 Gas precipitation-isopropyl ether extraction process 356.59 Caustic purification process 266.48 Sinter purification process 279.13]

Jan 1, 1962

By Wilmer Solano, Alberto Paz

El objetivo del presente trabajo técnico es mostrar cómo mina Toquepala ha logrado, a través de la automatización del sistema de asignación de personal, reducir los tiempos en la asignación de personal a los equipos de mina, así como transmitir a la supervisión y operadores, de manera efectiva, las tareas o actividades que realizarán en cada una de sus guardias, de manera tal que se invierta el tiempo ganado en la utilización de los equipos y, por tanto, se logre un impacto positivo en el aumento de la producción. Actualmente se ha logrado un incremento en la producción de 40% durante el turno de día y de 30% durante el turno de noche, lo que significó superar las metas de producción diaria y mensual planificadas.

Sep 20, 2019

By Julien Rivard

Au printemps 2011, la Corporation minière Osisko met en production le gisement Canadian Malartic, qui devient la plus importante mine d?or à ciel ouvert au Canada. Pour lui faire place, elle a déménagé un quartier de 205 maisons et construit 6 nouveaux bâtiments institutionnels. Les démarches ont commencé en 2006. La compagnie a d?abord établi l?emplacement du nouveau quartier résidentiel, en collaboration avec la Ville de Malartic, puis fait la conception de ce quartier de manière à refléter au mieux les caractéristiques du quartier à déménager. Elle a ensuite effectué une opération d?assignation consistant à proposer à chaque propriétaire intéressé un lot dans le nouveau quartier. Au total, 140 résidences ont été déménagées en 2008 et 2009 et 65 été rachetées par la compagnie, le tout par des ententes de gré à gré sauf pour un seul cas. La réussite d?une opération d?une telle importance sociale n?a été possible que parce que la compagnie s?est assurée d?un soutien massif de la population et des autorités pendant tout le processus. Cette expérience peut être fort utile pour les nombreux projets miniers dont l?insertion dans la communauté est un enjeu important.

May 1, 2011

By Harlan L. Kebel

Gypsum, the dihydrate form of calcium sulfate, has a history of usefulness to man dating back several thousand years, and a worldwide industry has been built on the mining and processing of this versatile industrial mineral. However, anhydrite, the other prin¬cipal calcium sulfate mineral, has very limited use, so much so that separate statistics for it are not always kept, but are usually included with those for gypsum. Although often found in close association, the two minerals have important chemical differences in that anhydrite is the anhy¬drous form of calcium sulfate (CaSO4) whereas gypsum is the dihydrate (CaSo4.2H20). These two molecules of combined water result in significant differences in hardness, density, and solubility of the two minerals. Of most importance, however, is the difference in thermal properties wherein gypsum, upon the application of a modest amount of heat, can be converted to the hemihydrate of calcium sulfate (CaSO4 '21H20) or plaster of paris, an intermediate product upon which is based over 90% of the value of all calcium sulfate end products. Anhydrite, on the other hand, is inert at these temperatures and its uses have been limited to only those few cases where calcium sulfate in the anhydrous form may have an advan¬tage. The earliest known use of gypsum plaster dates back some 5000 years to the time of the Pharaohs of Egypt who had discovered that gypsum rock, when exposed to fire, broke down into a powder which, when mixed with water, would form a putty that could be plastered on a rough mud brick or stone wall to make a smooth finish. It was used down through the centuries in a limited way for ornamental purposes, but did not achieve wide acceptance because of the quick (25 to 30 min) setting or hardening time which made it difficult to use. The first real understanding of gypsum chemistry was developed in France about 1755, and the gradual growth of its present utilization dates from that time. In the United States, the first utilization of gypsum was to grind it to a fine material for use as a soil conditioner at about the time of the Revolutionary War, and the term land plaster for ground gypsum was coined and has remained in use. Another cementitious material-lime or calcium oxide-had become the usual plastering material, but by about 1870 a method for retarding the set of gypsum plaster was discovered; today it has almost completely replaced lime as a plastering material. In recent years, gypsum products sold in the United States have reached a total valuation of approximately $2 Gpy as illustrated in [Table 1].

Jan 1, 1994

By Frank C. Appleyard

Gypsum, the dihydrate form of calcium sulfate, has a history of usefulness to man dating back several thousand years, and a worldwide industry has been built on the mining and processing of this versatile industrial mineral. However, anhydrite, the other principal calcium sulfate mineral has very limited use, so much so that separate statistics for it are not always kept, but are usually included with those for gypsum. Although often found in close association, the two minerals have important chemical differences in that anhydrite is the anhydrous form of calcium sulfate (CaSO,) whereas gypsum is the dihydrate (CAS0;2H20). These two molecules of combined water result in significant differences in hardness, density, and solubility of the two minerals. However, of most importance is the difference in thermal properties wherein gypsum, upon the application of a modest amount of heat, can be converted to the hemihydrate of calcium sulfate (CaS0;Vi H,O) or plaster of paris, an intermediate product upon which is based over 90% of the value of all calcium sulfate end products. Anhydrite, on the other hand, is inert at these temperatures and its uses have been limited to only those few cases where calcium sulfate in the anhydrous form may have an advantage. The earliest known use of gypsum plaster dates back some 5000 years to the time of the Pharaohs of Egypt who had discovered that gypsum rock, when exposed to fire, broke down into a powder which when mixed with water would form a putty that could be "plastered" on a rough mud brick or stone wall to make a smooth finish. It was used down through the centuries in a limited way for ornamental purposes, but did not achieve wide acceptance because of its quick (25 to 30 min) setting or hardening time which made it difficult to use. The first real understanding of gypsum chemistry was developed in France about 1755, and the gradual growth of its present utilization dates from that time. In the United States, the first utilization of gypsum was to grind it to a fine material for use as a soil conditioner at about the time of the Revolutionary War, and the term "land plaster" for ground gypsum has remained in use. Another cementituous material-lime or calcium oxide-had become the usual plastering material, but by about 1870 a method for retarding the set of gypsum plaster was discovered and it has today almost completely replaced lime as a plastering material. In recent years, gypsum products sold in the United States have reached a total valuation of approximately $500 million per year as illustrated in [Table 1].

Jan 1, 1975

By D. S. Bubar

This presentation will represent a diversion from the central theme of Cordilleran geology, in both time and space, as we move 2,000 miles east of Spokane to eastern Canada, specifically the province of Quebec, to discuss a major new Archean-age volcanogenic massive sulphide deposit called Louvicourt. The deposit is located in the Val d'Or camp in the prolific Abitibi Greenstone Belt some 400 miles north of Montreal. It was discovered by Aur Resources in June, 1989 on a property operated under the terms of a joint venture with Louvem Mining, a Quebec company controlled by Ste. Genevieve Resources Inc. of Montreal. As a geologist, I am proud to be able to describe Louvicourt as a geological discovery, as it was found by doing systematic deep diamond drilling based on a geological concept. The deposit is essentially blind from surface and lay undiscovered for the 10 years that the Louvem mine was in production just 2,000 feet away from its easternmost workings.

Jan 1, 1991

By David R. Beadman

The Fleming method is widely used for the analysis and prediction of single pile behaviour under maintained loading. The method does not distinguish between bored and driven piles. Driven piling avoids the need to dispose of spoil from the pile installation and is therefore becoming increasingly attractive. This paper considers the theoretical effects of the possible preload at the base of a driven pile after installation, using the hyperbolic functions as defined by Fleming. The Fleming method is reviewed and the equations and analyses are adapted, using spreadsheets, to allow for a possible preload. The simplifying assumption of the effect of the elastic compression of the pile is also reviewed and a more analytical method adopted to assess the elastic compression. Some driven pile test data is analysed to consider the possible effects of the preload on the performance of a driven pile and to test the theoretical relationships that are developed in the paper.

Jan 1, 2006

The cost benefits of controlling dilution of extracted ore have been very well understood by miners and mining professionals for many years. However, as we strive towards more mechanization, the dilution factor has been compromised in order to fit ?equipment? that is better suited to provide improved safety and productivity. Alternately, the drilling and ground support is accomplished by handheld drilling. In 2007, a short study, commissioned by CAMIRO (Canadian Mining Industry Research Organization) on the safety of hand held drilling vs. mechanized drilling, concluded that the risk of injury with handheld drills was seven times greater than with mechanized drills. Armed with this data, MEDATech Engineering proposed to the CAMIRO group to fund development of a ?MICRO Bolter?.

May 1, 2009

By Terry G. Richard, Sunder H. Advani

A sequence of 250 unconfined compression tests were completed on a common marine shale indicative of the overburden strata of east- central Ohio. The samples were of a light gray clay shale of Pennsylvanian age. The shales considered are obvious layered materials with distinct bedding planes. For this reason there is sufficient evidence to consider this material as anisotropic in nature. With a properly chosen reference coordinate system this anisotropy can be reduced to a layered orthotropic characterization. This implies that the mechanical properties can be specified with regard to principal material directions. With this nature in mind a systematic study of the combined influences of strain rate and moisture conditioning was initiated. Of particular interest is the variations in unconfined ultimate compressive strength with variations in the controlled parameters of strain rate, moisture conditioning level and direction of testing. Results of this particular phase of the program are presented.

Jan 1, 1982

By Spencee L. Willett

A sand and gravel deposit exists in the Wildrose Canyon Wilderness Study Area (WSA), Out it is limited to local use because of the distance from major markets and resulting high transportation costs. The WSA has no identified metallic minerals, oil, gas or other energy related deposits. INTRODUCTION The WSA encompasses 17,366 acres (7,028 ha) in the Panamint Range, Inyo County, California. Access to the area is by State Route 190, approximately 45 miles (72.4 km) east of Lone Pine, California and 16 miles (26 km) southwest of Stovepipe Wells, California (fig. 1).

Jan 1, 1983

By J. Faitli

The Lake Balaton is the biggest and for many reasons the most important lake in Hungary. To preserve its healthy nature it is necessary to remove the accumulated mud time to time, similarly to the many living waters, lakes and rivers everywhere. Typical existing technologies (mechanical, hydraulic) require large depositional areas, where the removed slurry and mud is dewatered through very long time. One problem is the non existence of an economical mud thickening technology. Another major problem is that current methods remove the sand fraction with the mud as well. Many times sand has to be complemented from outer sources to endanger the natural balance of the living water. By the financial support of the NKFP 3A/068/2004 Hungarian Research Project our consortium has been looking for the solution to the above mentioned problems. The original ideas of the project were: 1. Sand should be separated and returned to the water by hydrocyclon; 2. New mud thickener should be developed based on the principle that vibrating rods can force settling and packing of mud particles. The work was started by fundamental research with different samples from Lake Balaton and River Bodrog. An automated settling column (45L) has been built for the investigation of the effect of vibrating rods on the settling behavior of suspensions. An optical sensor has been developed by with the settling curve (height of settling slurry as function of time) can be automatically measured. Different vibrating methods and parameters have been tested by the application of a linear motor and mechanical eccentric drive. On the basis of the fundamental research a new thickener, called the rod ? lamella thickener has been developed and an industrial size (50m3/h) mud removing technology has been built. Main parts of the technology are the traditional dredging barge and the thickening technology. The thickening and sand separation technology is tugged by the dredging ship. Its main elements are the homogenization tank, slurry pump, hydrocyclon and the rod ? lamella thickener. In this unit lamellas carry out pre-thickening, then vibrating rods further increase the concentration. The thickened mud is transported out by a screw - of which revolution number is precisely controlled - against a spring supported valve. Paper reports about the design, building, water probe and on-site tests of this mud removing technology. Two new patents had been presented, one is about the rod ? lamella thickener and the other is about the mud removing technology with sand separation.

Jan 1, 2014

By Lon Santis, Scott Deitchman, John A. Decker

This report describes three cases of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning in a manhole, including one fatality, from CO migrating through soil after nearby use of explosives. A municipal sewer project involved installation of new pipes and manholes. Work of the general construction contractor was interrupted when a subcontractor detonated 265 pounds of nitroglycerin-based explosive 40-60 feet south of the manhole to break up underlying rock. A construction worker who descended into the manhole 45 minutes after the explosion collapsed within minutes, and two co-workers descended into the manhole to rescue him. One rescuer retrieved the unconscious worker, and the other rescuer died in the manhole. All workers had elevated carboxyhemoglobin levels. In the subsequent NIOSH investigation, air monitoring was conducted with real-time instruments, and air samples were collected in Tedlar bags. Laboratory analyses of the bag samples collected near the bottom showed 1905 parts per million (ppm) CO, 19.5% oxygen, and 3% carbon dioxide. Direct reading instruments showed progressively higher concentrations as the sensor was lowered into the manhole. Subsequent chamber tests on sample explosive yielded 27 liters CO per kilogram detonated. Based on this value, the surface blast at the construction site may have produced about 3,250 liters (114.8 cubic feet) CO. The CO in this incident most likely was released from the nearby explosion and migrated through soil and fractured rock into the manhole. The blasting and construction industries should be made aware of this previously unrecognized CO exposure hazard associated with surface blasting. The extent of CO exposure from explosives used in construction is not known, and additional information on the extent of CO exposure must be collected. In addition, confined space entry procedures (including monitoring confined space atmospheres before entry) should be observed; CO monitoring of confined spaces in the presence of blasting can prevent future incidents such as this one.

Oct 30, 1997