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By J. P. Beukes

South Africa holds approximately three-quarters of the world?s viable chromite ore resources and dominates the global production of ferrochrome. Albeit completely unintended, small amounts of Cr(VI) are formed during ferrochrome production. Certain Cr(VI)species are regarded as carcinogenic, hence making the treatment of some ferrochrome waste materials necessary. In this paper, the Cr(VI) treatment strategies currently employed by the South African ferrochrome producers are investigated by means of a literature review and a questionnaire survey. From the discussion, it is evident that various treatment strategies are available to deal with Cr(VI)-containing waste in the ferrochrome industry. However, by far the most commonly applied treatment strategy remains the aqueous reduction of Cr(VI) with ferrous iron. The advantages and the correct application of this strategy, together with the disadvantages and pitfalls, are argued. Innovative improvements on historic practices are also discussed

Jan 1, 2012

By S. E. Restrepo

To innovate and make the operation sustainable it is necessary to identify the externalities and impacts completely. This paper presents the results of a proposed methodology to make circular economy initiatives viable in mining operations using these aspects: • Economic, safety, and environmental (HSE) risk analysis • Technology observation • Mineralogical characterization • Identification of potential waste uses • Use of government economic benefits The results of the project can be summarized as follows: • Implementation of new technologies in the aggregates process, • efficient use of water, • the valorization of waste to convert it into a by-product, • and access to tax benefits for investment savings.

Mar 2, 2022

By A. W. Ambrose

"Records of individual wells form the basis for the successful operation of any company engaged in the production of petroleum. The expense attached to the compilation of records is negligible in comparison with the benefits resulting from their use. There a company has not a complete system of records, immediate attention should be given to the preparation of forms upon which to collect data, and, to the collection of data for these forms. The records needed vary with each district, but for each field a set should be adopted that will best meet the needs of each property. Practically all operators, and particularly all successful operators, agree on the necessity of good records, shopping what the wells have done, are doing, and may be expected to do in the future. Any operator realizes the value of records of sales of oil and should place almost equal emphasis on the records of well logs and histories showing the east and present performances of wells. Indeed, trustworthy records are absolutely necessary for the proper operation of any oil or gas property.Complete records should be kept on each well from the time the location and elevation are determined until the well is abandoned, and the engineer should review old records often enough to be familiar with the past performance of the various wells and with the conditions that affect production. Some of the forms that may be prepared are:--"

Mar 1, 1920

By Lívia Lopes de Oliveira Goulart

Visando garantir o nível de qualidade dos produtos e o controle do processamento do aço para atender aos requisitos dos clientes e das normas técnicas aplicáveis e manter-se competitivo no mercado de aços longos com redução contínua de custos, um dos grandes desafios das aciarias elétricas é promover o aumento do rendimento de suas ferro-ligas melhorando ao mesmo tempo os processos de desoxidação e dessulfuração, além da limpeza interna do banho. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o efeito da adição de carbureto de cálcio durante o vazamento das corridas do aço 1026-D nestas variáveis, através da análise estatística e termodinâmica de dados de corridas experimentais, com e sem adição de carbureto de cálcio. Foi demonstrado que a adição desse insumo melhora de forma significativa os parâmetros metalúrgicos de qualidade do material e reduz o custo de transformação para a fabricação desse produto através da redução do consumo de ferro-ligas.

Aug 16, 2017

By T Mizuta, D Ishiyama

The Vienna Wood hydrothermal is hosted by mid-oceanic ridge type basalt in graben morphology and is located in the Central Manus Basin. The hydrothermal field is about 300 metres in diameter and consist of a sulphide mounds and tall huge death and active chimneys. From the three distinct ore types collected from the Vienna Wood site, the dominant ore minerals recognised are pyrite, wurtzite, sphalerite, chalcopyrite, Fe-oxide and gangue minerals of anhydrite, gypsum, barite and silica. The consistencies in the paragenetic sequence and in the spatial distribution of the sulfides across the three ore types suggest that similar hydrothermal process exist across active and death chimneys. Fluid inclusion studies reveal a homogenisation temperature of 190-260¦C and an average salinity of 5.1-5.4 wt per cent NaCl equiv. The pH of the hydrothermal fluid ranges from 4.2 to 6.1. Bulk chemical analyses indicate that the mineralisation in the Vienna Wood can be classified into the Zn-(Cu-Pb) type of mineralisation. The tenors of the ore and mineral assemblage resemble those of the Mid-oceanic ridge system and ancient ophiolite hosted massive sulphide deposits of Cyprus and Oman.

Jan 1, 2002

By D. A. Stanley, B. J. Scheiner

The U.S. Bureau of Mines has thoroughly investigated the flocculation of phosphatic clay waste with polyethylene oxide (PEO). The studies included both theoretical and applied aspects of the flocculation sequence. The screen dewatering technique developed by the Bureau was field tested at four different Florida phosphate mines. The results of these field studies are presented. Also, to determine the mechanisms of the interaction of PEO with montmorillonite clays common to the phosphatic clay waste, a number of theoretical studies were conducted. An empirical equation was developed to describe the amount of PEO needed for flocculation. Infrared, ion exchange, and rheology techniques were used to study the interaction of PEO with Florida clays. The results of these studies are also presented.

Jan 1, 1993

By Pope Yeatman

In my experience, perhaps the most interesting problems came up during the testing, prospecting, developing and equipping of the Chuquicamata and Braden Copper Mines in Chile, and it is proposed in this article to give as briefly as possible what some of those problems were, their solutions, and the decisions made as to the different methods to be employed. The romance of mining is still a great lure to the young man who is making a choice of a profession to follow. The thought of travel to strange and out-of-the-way places, the glamor of pioneer life, the excitement of discovery, the constructive work of building something, entirely "from the grass roots up," or of reconstructing a played-out property and making a success of it-all of these phases have a strong appeal and often influence the young man in the choice of mining as a profession. That great engineer, Col. Seeley Wintersmith Mudd, whom we are endeavoring to honor, while having too much common sense to have been materially influenced by the romance of mining, certainly experienced all of the

Jan 1, 1932

By Arturo Mauricci

El reencauche de neumáticos es un proceso que consiste en adicionar, previa evaluación y reparación, una capa de caucho al casco original, de manera que se pueda reutilizar y evitar consumir uno nuevo. Si bien este proceso no es una práctica común, pues se tiene la creencia de que no es rentable, en Minera Las Bambas se viene implementando con éxito. En el 2017, para una flota de 44 camiones Komatsu 930, se desecharon 542 neumáticos en la medida 53/80 R 63, mientras que en el 2018, al reencauchar 130 neumáticos, se desecharon 187 neumáticos menos, equivalentes a 654.5 toneladas anuales. Esto, replicado por los 30 años de estimado de vida de la mina, resulta en 19 635 toneladas menos de desechos contaminantes, con lo que se logra una reducción considerable del impacto en el medio ambiente.

Sep 20, 2019

By Anders Nordqvist

LKAB operates an underground iron ore mine in Malmberget in the northern part of Sweden. Twelve different orebodies are mined today using both longitudinal and transversal sublevel caving as mining method. The town of Malmberget is located close to the mining area. The need for urban transformation, moving people and houses, is evident for many reasons. The mining methods used have inherent subsidence issues and there are also vibrations from blasting and mine induced seismic events.

Jan 1, 2018

By D. R. Miller

Internal friction and elastic modulus variations in electrorefined titanium, iodide refined titanium, and alloys of the latter material with oxygen, nitrogen, aluminum, and zirconium were investigated. No oxygen peak was detected with electrorefined titanium but, provided precautions were taken to prevent increases in background damping, an oxygen peak at about 410°C could be resolved with each of the other materials. An additional partially resolved peak was observed at 500°C in a Ti-N alloy. An anomaly in the variation of rigidity modulus with temperature was observed. Possible mechanisms for the formation of any oxygen peak have been discussed. PRATT, Bratina, and Chalmersl investigated the internal friction of commercial purity titanium and alloys of this material containing 1.5, 3.5, and 4.5 at. pct O. With commercial titanium the internal friction curve consisted of two components, a background which increased steadily with temperature and a peak at about 600" C which was due to grain boundary relaxation. In the Ti-O alloys, however, an additional internal friction peak was observed at 430" to 450°C and, since this peak increased in height as the oxygen content was increased, it was thought to be associated with the presence of oxygen. The diffusion of oxygen in titanium at temperatures between 300" and 500° C is believed to have marked effects in its tensile properties2'3 and the present internal friction measurements were undertaken to obtain further information on this diffusion, using material of higher purity than that of Pratt et d. and an apparatus of very much greater sensitivity. In the course of the investigation a number of important limitations on the work of Pratt et al. were revealed and results have been obtained which emphasize the need for ensuring that in this type of experiment, internal friction is independent of strain amplitude and that the values obtained are reproducible. 1) MATERIALS AND APPARATUS The basis material from which the majority of the specimens was prepared was iodide-refined titanium, the major impurities in which were oxygen and nitrogen—the metallic impurities being present at concentrations less than 0.001 at. pct. The hardness of this material after arc melting, forging, and swaging to rods 1/4 in. diameter was Dph = 110. Specimens 10 in. long and 0.020 in. (0.51 mm) diameter were prepared from these rods by further swaging and wire drawing and were finally annealed in vacuo (5 x 10-6 mmHg) for 24 hr at 800°C. The oxygen alloys were prepared from iodide-

Jan 1, 1962

By Robert E. Green, Wolfgang Sachse

Simullaneous ultrasonic attenuation measurements of both quasishear waves propagating in single cryslals of aluminum indicate that, in the undeformed annealed state, the dislocation density is generally not uniform on all slip systems. Change oof attenuation measurements made during plastic defortnation of crystals , which possessed specific orientations ideal for studying the orientation dependence of dislocation damping, indicate that, for low strain levels, dislocation motion occurs on additional slip systems besides the primary one, even for crystals oriented for plastic deformation by single slip. THE sensitivity of internal friction measurements permits such measurements to be used successfully in studying the deformation characteristics of metal crystals. On the basis of experimental observations, T. A. Read1 was the first to associate internal friction losses with various dislocation mechanisms. Since that time further work2-' has been performed and a dislocation damping theory has been formulated by Granato and Lucke.6 In the amplitude independent region, this theory predicts the attenuation a to be dependent on an orientation factor O, a dislocation density A, and an average loop length L. if is a constant, independent of crystallographic orientation. For a given crystallographic orientation, changes in dislocation density and loop length give rise to the observed attenuation changes accompanying plastic deformation. The Granato-Liicke theory suggests the investigation of the orientation dependence of attenuation measurements in hopes of obtaining information to separate dislocation motion losses from other losses.7 An experimental study of the orientation dependence of attenuation in undeformed annealed single crystals should yield an insight into the uniformity of dislocation distribution throughout the entire specimen. A similar study on crystals plastically deformed in a prescribed fashion should give information about the alterations in the dislocation distribution on the slip systems activated during plastic deformation. The possible modes of elastic waves which can be propagated in aluminum,8 copper,9 zinc,10 and other hexagonal metals" have been calculated. Associated with each mode of wave propagation are dislocation damping orientation factors, which are based on the resolution of the stress field of that particular elastic wave onto the various operative slip systems in the material. These orientation factors have also been calculated as a function of crystallographic orientation in the papers cited above. Einspruch12 obtained agreement between predicted and observed attenuation values of longitudinal and shear waves in (100) and (110) directions of two undeformed aluminum crystal cubes. He ascribed the slight deviations between predicted and observed values to a nonuniform dislocation distribution, or to other loss mechanisms. In shear deformation of zinc crystals, Alers2 found that the attenuation of shear waves having their particle displacements in the slip plane was very sensitive to the deformation, while the longitudinal wave attenuation was affected only when the wave propagation direction was not normal to the slip plane. Using aluminum single crystals oriented for single slip, Hikata3 et al. found that during tensile deformation the change of attenuation of the shear wave (actually quasishear) having particle displacements nearly perpendicular to the primary slip direction exhibited the easy-glide phenomena, while longitudinal waves did not. Similar results were reported by Swanson and Green5 during compressive deformation of aluminum crystals. These results are in qualitative agreement with the calculated orientation factors for specimens of this orientation. In well-annealed, undeformed aluminum crystals, the damping is expected to be due to dislocations vibrating on all twelve slip systems. The orientation factors associated with this initial damping will be designated by O2 and O3, where a, represents the average orientation factor for the slow shear (or quasishear) wave and O3 represents the average orientation factor for the fast shear (or quasishear) wave. The calculation of these values for aluminum crystals by Hinton and Green8 shows that they vary very little as a function of crystallographic orientation—at most, by a factor of 2.47. If the dislocation density and loop length are uniform, then in the initial undeformed state, Here the subscript zero refers to the initial value of the attenuation. Also for aluminum, the calculations8 show that the orientation factors for primary slip only, associated with each shear wave, exhibit a sharp minimum for particular crystallographic orientations. A composite plot of the two shear wave orientation factors for primary slip only is shown in Fig. 1. Since these orientation factors are associated with dislocation motion occurring on the primary slip system only, the proper condition to check these factors might be attained by slightly deforming a single crystal oriented for primary slip. For dislocation motion on the primary slip system only,

Jan 1, 1969

By Li-min Liu

The Semi-Analytical method can be used to solve a variety of problems in geomechanics and civil engineering. When it comes to layered rock strata and rock masses, it is superior to all other analytical methods. This paper presents the application of a 3-D semi- analytical method to 3-D surface subsidence and stress analysis caused by mining. In this semi-analytical method the layered elements and triangular elements ate used alternatively. Their displacement pattern, strain mahix, elastic matrix, stiffiness matrix, load matrix and stress matrix are presented. A numerical simulation program based on the semi-analytical method bas been developed using Fortran 90. This program is suitable for subsidence prediction and stress analysis of mom and pillar mining, strip longwall and mechanized longwall mining methods. It is applicable to all geological conditions and mining methods. Comparing with the finite method, this method reduces significantly the number of simultaneous equations to be solved and the amount of data preparation. It not only reduces the computer memory, but also runs faster and cost less. Key Words Semi-analytical method, surface subsidence, stress analysis, layered element, triangular prism element

Jan 1, 2002

By Gang C, Changyi S, Liangde G

Geophysical and geochemical methods and techniques for gold exploration and their applications in China are summarised in the paper. Some case histories are also presented. The effect of prospecting for gold deposits using these methods is well illustrated through these examples.

Jan 1, 1997

By X Y. Ma, X G. Tian, P F. Zhang, T B. Zhao, Z H. Li, Z Y. Fu

This study analysed the fracture characteristics and movement process of goaf roofs under the condition of gangue backfilled mining, based on the engineering conditions of Tangshan Mine F5001 gangue backfilled working face. The inclined borehole detection method is adopted to conduct long-term and fixed-point detection of the roof stability. The distribution characteristics of mining-induced cracks in the roof are described quantitatively based on the crack density, and a similar model test method is used to assist the analysis of the roof movement under the control of gangue backfilled mining using stress sensors and digital speckle deformation field monitoring. The results show that under the condition of gangue backfilled mining, structural cracks in the roof typically appear at the boundary of rock strata. The appearance of cracks is related to the rock strata where they are located. Structural cracks appear in the form of single cracks ahead of the working face and develop into structural cracks in the goaf. The roof movement of the coal seam develops in five stages: fracture incubation, crack extension in advance, dense fracture development, steady fracture expansion, and roof stability. Separation forms the primary component of the roof subsidence, accounting for more than half of the subsidence value. The separation generally extends over a long distance along the strike, and vertical crack-intensive areas appear in the roof above the cut-off and stop line. The findings of this study provide a theoretical basis to support designs of backfilled mining and upgrading of hydraulic supports in working faces.

Nov 29, 2022

By K. E. Beu

THE integrated intensity X-ray method of meas-uring retained austenite concentrations in hardened plain carbon or low alloy steels as proposed by Averbach and Cohen1,2 has the advantages of being a highly sensitive and precise quantitative method. The various phases of this method have been studied and several modifications have been developed which aid not only in reducing the time required per determination, but which also increase the possible accuracy of the method. A fundamental step in the original calculation procedure is to plot V.A(?) curves for austenite and martensite and to obtain VM/VA ratios from these curves.' In taking this ratio the absorption factor A (8) drops out since it is constant for a. given diffraction angle 8. The reason for eliminating A(?) in this manner is because it is apparently assumed

Jan 1, 1953

By S. A Weigand, J. W. Bolton

Production of sound bronze castings is a matter of great practical interest to users and manufacturers of high-grade non-ferrous engineering specialties. Although there has been much excellent research in this field, there still remains some confusion regarding the fundamental principles underlying production of really sound bronze. The literature of the past 20 years on this subject indicates that the prevailing opinion of metallurgists and foundrymen has been that unsoundness in bronze is due generally to oxidation. The following references are typical. Review of Literature Carpenter and Edwards1 state that when gun metal is melted the alloy dissolves gas, the amount increasing with rise in temperature and duration of the melting. The solubility of the gas diminishes during the fall in temperature and it escapes through the liquid metal. At the moment of incipient solidification there is an evolution of gas. Sperry2 says that by using charcoal a reducing atmosphere is supplied whereby oxidation is prevented, and this also prevents gases from coming in contact with the metal. Logan3 says that many of the troubles that occur in non-ferrous castings are the direct result of one thing—oxidized material. He mentions how readily copper absorbs oxygen when molten, but does not mention the harmful effects of reducing conditions as observed in overpoled copper. Guillemin and Delachana14 investigated the gases occluded in bronze and found that the better bronzes contained mostly hydrogen while the poorer ones had a larger proportion of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide.

Jan 1, 1929

By J. W. Bolton, S. A. Weigand

Production of sound bronze castings is a matter of great practical interest to users and manufacturers of high-grade non-ferrous engineering specialties. Although there has been much excellent research in this field, there still remains some confusion regarding the fundamental principles underlying production of really sound bronze. The literature of the past 20 years on this subject indicates that the prevailing opinion of metallurgists and foundrymen has been that unsoundness in bronze is due generally to oxidation. The following references are typical. Review of Literature Carpenter and Edwards1 state that when gun metal is melted the alloy dissolves gas, the amount increasing with rise in temperature and duration of the melting. The solubility of the gas diminishes during the fall in temperature and it escapes through the liquid metal. At the moment of incipient solidification there is an evolution of gas. Sperry2 says that by using charcoal a reducing atmosphere is supplied whereby oxidation is prevented, and this also prevents gases from coming in contact with the metal. Logan3 says that many of the troubles that occur in non-ferrous castings are the direct result of one thing—oxidized material. He mentions how readily copper absorbs oxygen when molten, but does not mention the harmful effects of reducing conditions as observed in overpoled copper. Guillemin and Delachana14 investigated the gases occluded in bronze and found that the better bronzes contained mostly hydrogen while the poorer ones had a larger proportion of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide.

Jan 1, 1929

By David Sherwood

The paper has been prepared as the basis for the 2008 John Mitchell Memorial Lecture. It reviews major developments in ground engineering over the last 20 years, not from the point of view of technical processes, but from the drivers that have driven these developments and the needs that they have met. It concludes with a glimpse into the future and suggests to where current trends will probably lead us. By its nature such a review is closely aligned with personal experience and it relies heavily on case histories largely from within the writer?s own experience over that period.

Jan 1, 2008

By S. Jeffress Williams

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), over the past three decades, has carried out a spectrum of geologic surveys and research in marine areas of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) around the U.S. and its territories as well as in the Great Lakes region. Regional and topical studies have been undertaken throughout the range of marine environments: estuarine, tidal wetlands, coastal and nearshore, shelf, slope, and the deep ocean basins. The Survey's coastal and marine research programs consist of four elements shown in Table 1. The first includes studies using interpretations of bathymetry, seismic-reflection and sidescan sonar data, and analyses of sediment grab samples and cores to develop an understanding of the geologic framework. Information on the geologic setting, including the subbottom structure and stratigraphic relationships, and the geologic history and evolution of the areas surveyed are important parts of the program objectives.

Jan 1, 1992

By Nelson R. Shaffer

Glamorous, burgeoning biotechnology and mundane industrial minerals would at first glance seem to share little in common, but in truth, modern biotechnology depends on many minerals. Biotechnical processes also can be used in industrial mineral extraction and processing. Biotechnology is broadly defined as the application of biological organisms, systems, or processes to manufacturing and service industries. Genetic engineering has reinvigorated one of mankind's oldest sciences, biotechnology, into a booming business. Many modern processes depend on microorganisms cultivated under very stringent conditions in bioreactors. Minerals from carbonate, sulfate, chloride, nitrate, phosphate, and silicate families are used to provide essential nutrients and to regulate growth conditions (such as pH) in order to assure optimal growth of organisms. Certain cells or enzymes perform better when immobilized upon or within solids, and minerals are often used to immobilize cells, especially in continuous process. Minerals are also used extensively in separating and purifying products of biotechnology. Diatomite, zeolites, and silica are especially useful in purification processes. Industrial minerals also are commonly used to clean up large volumes of process water that must be treated. Biotechnology can be employed in exploration, extraction, and processing of geologic materials and in reducing mining or other environmental problems through bioremediation. Microbes have been shown to solubilize certain elements and so promote extraction of heavy metals, phosphate, aluminum, potassium, and even rare earth elements. In a related technique, unwanted materials such as pyrite impurities can be leached microbially to produce cleaner products in sand and clay industries. Microbial actions can modify surface characteristics and so enhance certain ceramic properties. Certain organisms can accumulate useful elements from dilute sources; others can transform unusable chemical species to more useful forms. Deterioration of stone, concrete, and even glass or brick, can be accelerated by microorganisms. Control of such biodeterioration could improve long-term performance of industrial mineral products. Microbial processes have shown promise in improving several mine-related problems. Certain bacteria help remove clays from phosphate slimes and other suspensions. Others are used to degrade cyanide or other organic chemicals such as floatation aids. Cells immobilized on clays have been especially efficacious in bioremediation. Biotechnology industries, like the industrial minerals industries, encompass huge ranges of materials and processes. Costs of products from these industries range from pennies to thousands of dollars per unit, and their products are vital for maintaining modern life styles. Many biotechnical processes depend upon industrial minerals and certain biological processes can be harnessed to do useful tasks in the minerals field. The interplay of industrial minerals and biotechnology is important today, and as biotechnology advances, its interaction with the industrial minerals industry can only increase.

Jan 1, 1995