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By Andrew Ritter, Victor I. Montenyohl, Stephen R. Winzer

Thirty-seven open pit production blasting operations have been monitored using high-speed cameras running between 500 and 7000 frames per second. Analysis of the resulting films reveals irregularities in timing including sequencing errors and crowding (holes firing less than 8 ms apart), confirming results of laboratory testing of ms delay blasting caps (Winzer, 1978). Where blasting parameters are otherwise constant and within recommended guidelines (stemming, spacing, burden, etc.), timing problems dominate the overall performance of the blasting operation. Model tests in layered Homalite 100, designed to simulate joint or bedding planes in rock, indicate the importance of the stress waves generated by the explosive in developing the crack network which is ultimately responsible for the fragmentation seen in the resulting muckpile. These mechanisms are strongly supported by high-speed film studies at Pinesburg, Maryland. Experiments in controlling relief in deep shots (where depth approaches the lateral extent of the bench blasted) using borehole geometry and hybrid initiation systems (electronic timer and pyrotechnic delays) were carried out. The results suggest that the 1 me/ft. of burden guideline developed by Bergmann et aI., 1974 is too short, and that much longer times are necessary to optimize fragmentation and muck digability. Longer times are found to reduce noise, vibration, and flyrock.

Jan 1, 1979

By Kot F. Unrug

The shale response to moisture changes and the major finding of the appropriate research concerning this subject are briefly reported in this paper. Also described are mine ambient atmospheric conditions which are responsible for moisture changes in mines. The need for a quantitative measure of the weathering potential of roof. rock is demonstrated in relation to its influence on safety and the potential for increasing the cost of mine operations. The weatherability test presented in this paper has been developed and used in many mines. It imitates the natural process in a mine by subjecting the rock sample to alternating wet and dry cycles. The natural changes are thus accelerated, but are similar to the natural conditions to which the surrounding excavation rock will be exposed. The measure of the weatherability index is the percentage of the initial sample mass remaining after the test as the largest fragment of the sample. Thus, the index changes, from 100% for rock affected by moisture changes which disintegrates completely, to 0% for rock totally unaffected. In this paper, the apparatus and testing procedures are described. Also presented are examples of test results. with a discussion of the design implication to he considered by mine planners.

Jan 1, 1997

By C. L. Magee, H. W. Paxton

PREVIOUS workersl'% ave found that as-quenched ferrous martensites can be plastically deformed at low stresses. They have also found that the stress to obtain small strains can be significantly increased by aging at temperatures up to 150°C. This behavior has been interpreted in two ways: 1) that the deformation at low applied stress is due to internal stresses and thus the aging phenomenon is due to relaxation of the internal stresses;' 2) that the microdeformation arises through the motion of unpinned dislocations and the aging process is the diffusion of carbon to the dislocations to pin them.293 In a recent paper,4 we have shown that under certain conditions the dominant microdeformation mechanism of as-quenched Fe-31Ni marten-site-austenite aggregates is the transformation of retained austenite. Our results on resistance changes during deformation and temperature dependence of the deformation also established that, at temperatures above 300° K, the microdeformation was not due to this transformation. The purpose of this note is to report results of experiments which indicate that explanation 1 is appropriate for this deformation. All results presented here are from conditions where transformation does not make a measurable contribution to the microplastic deformation, in Fe-31Ni-0.002C, or in Fe-29Ni-0.02C-0.25Ti. The experimental techniques that were used for measurement of the plastic deformation are described4 and analyzed5 elsewhere. Fig. 1 shows the microplastic response of 100 pct austenite at 300" and 350° K. The microplastic response of an austenite-martensite aggregate is also given in Fig. 1 and it is seen that, after formation of martensite, the initial plastic deformation occurs at lower stresses. Thus, the softness is not entirely due to retained austenite—the quenched structure can be deformed at lower stresses despite the fact that the macroscopic strength is significantly higher. A result which allows a distinction to be drawn between the alternative explanations for this behavior is derived from aging experiments on the low-carbon alloy containing titanium. We have previously shown4 that the presence of titanium in this alloy reduced the free carbon to a sufficiently low level that thermal stabilization of the austenite-martensite transformation was not detected. Despite this, Fig. 2 shows that the microplastic response is decreased by aging treatments. A similar aging effect in Fe-ZONi, with some titanium, has previously been reported by . Thus, carbon is not necessary for the aging process and explanation 2 is at best incomplete. Since internal stress relief can occur independently of carbon (any temperature dependence of the flow stress can result in decreased internal

Jan 1, 1969

By P. J. D. Lloyd

The Witwatersrand reefs contain gold, uranium, and pyrite in the following average concentrations: 0,001 per cent, 0,02 per cent, and 1,7 per cent respectively. The paper discusses the flotation of pyrite to produce a s,ulphide concentrate, reviews work done on the production of gold concentrates, discusses attempts to produce maximum concentrates, and closes with a review of processes for the simultaneous flotation of these three species. It is concluded that high recoveries of all three species can be achieved only if a rougher concentrate of perhaps 20 per cent of the feed (by mass) IS produced, and it is suggested that reverse leaching (leaching before cyanidation) of this concentrate, followed by a cleaning flotation step for the recovery of the pyrite, would be more efficient than the routes employed at present.

Jan 1, 1981

CHAIRMAN (J . E. JOHNSON, J R., New York, N. Y.).-It may be n matter of some interest that sodium cyanide is now being made commercially by melting together in an electric furnace calcium cyanide with a common salt, which produces calcium chloride and sodium cyanide. It seems to me entirely possible that you have here about the same results that would be obtained by melting calcium chloride and ordinary cyanide together, only you obtain it a good deal cheaper. There is no doubt about that reaction once it is being carried on on a large industrial scale for the manufacture of cyanide for other uses. I think probably the same, thing takes place here, with the possible exception of lowering the melting point due to the presence of the calcium chloride.

Jan 5, 1919

By H. O. Olsen

MARMORA mine is located a mile southeast of Marmora village in Hastings County, Ontario, 130 miles from Toronto and 150 miles from Ottawa. Highway No. 7 passes half a mile north of the mine and Highway No. 14 half a mile west. The Canadian National Ry. branch line between Trenton and Bancroft passes through the property just east of the open pit. The iron orebody at Marmora is the result of a replacement of Pre-Cambrian limestone with zones or bands of magnetite interlaid with metamorphic rocks and cut by later intrusives. The ore and associated Pre-Cambrian rocks are overlain by 100 to 150 ft of flat-lying paleozoic limestone. It is a low grade magnetite deposit that requires concentration before it can be used economically for production of iron and steel.

Jan 1, 1957

Develop a lightweight, portable device for use in mines for non-destructive testing of resin grouted roof bolt bond integrity. Approach A unique, intrinsically safe, electronic instrument has been developed that determines the holding quality of a fully grouted roof bolt by testing the integrity of the resin bond to both the bolt and to the surrounding rock. How It Works A measured pulse of energy Is sent Into the bolt by a piezoelectric transducer, and the instrument listens for reflected energy. Where the bolt is properly bonded, the energy passes from the bolt, through the resin, and out into the rock mass. Where proper bending does not exist, a portion of the energy Is reflected back along the bolt. The Instrument measures the reflected energy and compares it to the original pulse. The amount

Jan 1, 1982

By Clark G

The latest addition to the grinding circuit at Bougainville Copper Limited is another 5.5m by 7.3m primary mill (No.13). The mill can operate in a primary or secondary mode. Its distinguishing feature is its capability for speed variation, by means of a cycloconverter-fed synchronous ring motor. The engineering and metallurgical reasons for selecting such a drive system are described together with aspects of the installation and commissioning. Results of investigations into the relationship between mill speed and grinding efficiency are presented. It is concluded that mill speed variation within the range 70 to 80% of critical speed has very little effect on grinding performance. Beyond this range, grinding performance deteriorates. The same conclusions were reached when mill speed was varied at reduced ball charge levels.

Jan 1, 1986

By Bian Xue, Wu Wenyuan

High quality, mono-dispersed, hollow CeO2 microspheres with high surface area were produced by a spray pyrolysis method at 700oC. CeCl3 was used as the raw material of the process rather than Ce(NO3)3 because the latter is relatively difficult to obtain in industrial quantities. X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy results confirm the high quality synthesis of hollow CeO2 microspheres with narrow size distribution, good mono-disperse, and good reproducibility. The process of the formation of mono-dispersive CeO2 microspheres was investigated by chemical dynamics and a possible mechanism is proposed. This simple method for synthesis of CeO2 microspheres is easily scaled up to fabricate other metal oxide nanostructured materials at industrial scale.

Jan 1, 2014

By Malcolm Clark, Robin K. H. Falconer

There are a number of likely impacts from mining operations, but a key issue is uncertainty about the environmental effects of sediment plumes created by disturbance to the seafloor and discharge of processed waters. The New Zealand National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) is undertaking a research project to improve understanding of such impacts (relevant to both mining and trawl fisheries), by examining the extent and persistence of sediment plumes, the immediate impact and subsequent recovery of seafloor exposed to these plumes, and the effect on functioning of ecologically significant species. The project will use a combination of field survey experimentation with in situ observations and controlled laboratory-based experiments. The field work begins in May 2018 when an area of up to 1km2 at depths of 400-500 m on the Chatham Rise, 450 km east the New Zealand South Island will be subjected to disturbance by an upgraded former NOAA Benthic Disturber. The suspended sediment load created by the disturbance will be tracked and monitored, with the effects on seafloor animals examined by pre-and post-disturbance sampling. A wide range of seafloor sampling, benthic landers, towed cameras, oceanographic moorings and water column monitoring will be carried out over a three week period. Monitoring surveys will be repeated in 2019 and 2020 to determine the longer-term resilience and recovery of disturbed communities. The laboratory-based side of the programme, also starting in 2018, involves holding live deep-sea corals and sponges in tanks at NIWA, and exposing them to various levels and duration of particle loads in the water in order to reveal lethal thresholds as well as sub- lethal effects of settled and suspended sediment.

Jan 1, 2018

By L. P. Meade

The need to feed an established talc mill from a crude ore source located closer to the mill prompted the 1986 drilling of a previously mapped, talc-carbonate deposit. This talc-bearing rock had never been considered a potential source of crude talc ore because of the high carbonate content and other deleterious minerals observed in outcrops. Selective mining, in-pit grade control and creative processing have allowed this deposit to be developed into an ore body. By definition, an ore body has to be a source of positive cash flow. With industrial minerals, this is determined as much by market acceptance as by ore tenor.

Jan 1, 1994

The Committee on Papers and Publications has set June 1, 1919, as the closing date for the receipt of manuscripts intended for the Chicago meeting, which is to be held in September, 1919. Manuscripts must be received by the Secretary on or before this date. If they are sent through members of the technical committees they must be sent to those committees long enough in advance to be forwarded and in the hands of the Secretary by the time specified.

Jan 4, 1919

By Dale W. Norris, John A. L. Campbell

INTRODUCTION Optimization, as measured by productivity gains, is being achieved in our nation's preparation plants principally by automation, economy of scale, and reducing maintenance. Increased tonnage per unit of investment, a1 so a measure of optimization, is being achieved by breaking with tradition and increasing plant utilization, while simultaneously improving on equipment re1iabi1ity. Improved qua1ity, another measure of optimization, is being attained through technical innovation. This review will concentrate on state-of-the- art unit operations and processes, and will not discuss emerging new technologies which are covered in detail in other presentations of this symposium. It is recognized that much of what will be discussed in this paper is not unique to the fine coal circuit, but is equally applicable to the entire preparation plant. However, the areas reviewed are the principal means being used today to optimize an existing preparation plant's fine coal circuit. Prior to designing and optimizing a fine coal cleaning circuit, the question that must first be answered is, "Do we even want a fine coal circuit? This is a much more complex question than is readily apparent, as most of you recognize. It can be argued either way. In the final analysis the "bottom line" will hold (Blackmore, 1982). If your sales contract a1 lows it, and the selling price can justify it, you most assuredly want to build a fine coal circuit into your preparation plant. In general today, most new preparation plants do have fine coal cleaning circuits. The purpose of fine coal cleaning has changed with time. Some of the early applications of fine coal cleaning were to prevent stream pollution rather than to prepare a product for market (Merrill a Pennington, 1962). During the 50's, 60's and into the 70's the principal thrust of fine coal cleaning was in metallurgical coal preparation. More recently, the emphasis of the 80's is on steam coal processing. There is no consensus on what is fine coal. Traditionally, fine coal would be anything below 1/4" in size. Because of the advances being made in intermediate coal cleaning processes, i.e. heavy media cyclones and jig cleaning, this discussion will define fine coal as -28 mesh (Aplan, 1987). Figure 1 is a plot of the size ranges of a large number of U.S. bituminous coals. In general the -28 mesh fraction of a bituminous coal will be between 7% and 18% of the ROM feed with reported ranges of 5% to 40% (Aplan, 1987). Consequently, traditional fine coal cleaning is general 1 y involved with a re1 actively mi nor portion of the coal feed. Every effort is taken both in terms of mining and preparation to keep it that way because of the high cost of cleaning fines. The move away from this posture, namely, the techniques to fine grind coal to liberate pyrite is probably the biggest challenge facing fine coal processing today.

Jan 1, 1988

By Clyde Orr

INTRODUCTION Cracks, crevices, holes, and fissures -- here collectively termed pores -- occur in all manner of substances in sizes from those evident to the unaided eye to those well below electron microscopic levels of detection. Naturally occurring materials having varying degrees of porosity are represented by wood, rock, soil, and mineral formations. Man-made materials that are porous include ceramics, sintered metals, catalysts, adsorbents, filters, and various compacted objects. The extent of their porosity greatly influences the hardness, rigidity, integrity, and general usefulness of such materials, and assessing both their pore volume and size is becoming increasingly necessary. Means by which this pore information can be obtained is the subject here. No attempt will be made to include all techniques and variations of them that have been suggested, but, hopefully, those of most general applicability will be described in sufficient detail to enable a potential user to judge their merit for a particular need. The results of pore measurements are made useful by relating them through other tests to performance criteria such as weatherability, water penetration, frost damage, oil recovery, strength, or thermal or electrical conductivity. These tests, of course, are outside the bounds for inclusion here. A pore is variously defined in dictionaries as "a minute opening", "a small interstice admitting passage of liquid", and "an interspace between particles". Clearly any object through which it is possible to find a continuous path from one side to the other either for a liquid or a gas must be regarded as porous. Passageways are not necessary for porosity to exist, however. There are so-called blind

Jan 1, 1980

By M. S. Miller, R. H. Mullennex

The growing need for development of thinner, more erratic, or less easily-mined coals in the Appalachian region requires more detailed analysis of conditions and factors controlling or influencing deposition of these seams. The value of depositional modeling in evaluation of such coals has been demonstrated in many recent studies and publications. Such modeling may be applied to allow prediction of factors varying from regional coal occurrence trends to very local areas of seam discontinuities but requires thorough we of all available types of data. Mapping of general depositional energies, as derived from basic geophysical and driller's logs, can be applied to specific prediction of coal occurrence, and projection of particular facies as representative of unique depositional features or conditions may prove more applicable to coal character delineation than mapping of the coal itself. Depositional modeling and trend projection may also serve as a guideline in reserve classification and confidence levels in reserve estimations.

Jan 1, 1983

By Songgen He, Jianchun Guo

With the development of complex, unconventional and deep reservoirs, it shows that many rocks behave plastically with the influence of clay and confining pressure. Traditional linear elastic hydraulic fracturing initiation models are not good predictors for elastic-plastic reservoirs. With the deformation theory of plasticity, a power hardening constitutive equation was developed in piecewise approximation method. Based on the nonlinear constitutive equation, a model of the stress field around the wellbore was developed considering fracturing fluid penetrating effect and in-situ stress anisotropy. At last, coupled with the maximum tensile strength criterion and Mohr-Coulomb criterion, a new elastic-plastic hydraulic fracturing initiation model was built. The following conclusions were summarized in the paper: (1)The piecewise power hardening constitutive equation based on the deformation theory of plasticity can accurately describe the nonlinearity of elastic-plastic deformation. (2)Whether the rock is yielded or not is determined by in-situ stress, yield stress, Biot coefficient and pore pressure. (3)Plastic yield has little influence on radial stress but significant impact on circumferential stress. The radius of the plastic zone is positively correlated with in-situ stress but negatively correlated with yield stress, power hardening index, pore pressure and Biot coefficient. (4)Initiation modes include tensile failure and shear failure when rock is yielded. (5) For elastic-plastic reservoir, the initiation pressure predicted by linear elastic model is much lower if the rock is yielded.

Jan 1, 2015

By A. K. Knickerbocker

Practically all underground work on the Minnesota iron ranges is done by miners working on a so-called contract wage system. This system, while it has certain advantages over the straight day's pay or company-account method of wage payment, has serious and vital defects. In view of the scarcity and demands of labor, it is important that employers of labor scrutinize their systems of wage payments carefully, not only to save losses and trouble, due to labor disturbances, but also to secure the greatest efficiency of their workmen and reduce their operating costs. It is admitted that an adequate, just, and equitable wage is the prime factor in bringing about these benefits. The wage of labor and its method of application and payment have been, and always will be, the main factors in the unrest and dissatis. faction of labor. Not only does labor want and need an adequate wage, assuming that work is adequately performed, but it wants and is entitled to a just and equitable wage. Labor must have respect for the fairness of the wage and for the fairness of the management in the application of the wage It is conceded that the Minnesota iron miners are now, and have been, in the main paid adequately, but the inherent defects of the so-called contract system prevent any just or equitable application of this wage to the various units of the labor body. The defects of the contract system, with its obvious inequalities, favoritisms, and injustices, are cancers in the brain of labor. Every thinking miner realizes these defects and knows just what they are; the unthinking do not realize the details of the subject, but each month they are forcibly reminded of these defects through the pay envelope. As practiced on the iron ranges, however, the so-called "contract " system is not a contract and the name is a misnomer. No true contractual obligation exists. As usually practised, the contract system involves the setting of a price per foot in development work, or per foot or per car, usually the latter, in slicing or stoping, by the mining captain, and assumes its acceptance, though often under protest, by the men. A price is set for each working place, in which there are usually two men per shift. This price includes labor and supplies, such as explosives, fuse and caps, shovels, carbide, etc., and the men divide the total earnings less the amount expended for supplies. The cost of the supplies charged to the men varies

Jan 1, 1920

By R. Woodward Moore

A graphical method of analyzing the data obtained from shallow earth-resistivity depth tests is presented. The method is based upon empirical results and has no theoretical basis. The usual apparent resistivity-electrode spacing curve is used together with a cumulative resistivity-electrode spacing curve plotted on the same sheet. The greatly reduced scale required for plotting the cumulative values of resistivity together with the effect of the summation of the individual resistivity values serves to minimize the effect of purely local surface anomalies and inadvertent errors of measurement. The point of intersection of tangents or straight lines drawn to intersect at zones of maximum curvature in the cumulative curve indicates the depth to the underlying material. Numerous figures are presented in which data from published reports and from recent field studies are analyzed and the results compared with actual depths established by borings or with depth values obtained by the use of theoretical methods of analysis. Smoothly rounded curves of apparent resistivity such as are often obtained in the field, and which have been a serious drawback to attempts to analyze the data empirically heretofore, appear to be susceptible to rather accurate analysis by the method described. The method is best suited to analyses involving shallow two-layer formations. It has been applied successfully, however, in analyzing the data obtained from tests made over shallow three-layer formations. As with most empirical methods, its chief advantage is its simplicity and ease of application. There have been published many papers that discuss the interpretation of data obtained from earth-resistivity tests when using the four-terminal method of electrode spacing developed by Wenner.' The majority of these have dealt with theoretical analyses for two-layer and three-layer formations. Some sets of "master curves" have been presented for use in analyzing field data to determine the depth to the first and possibly the second horizon below the earth's surface. Although practically all of these theoretical methods of analysis have appeared to have particular merit and some have been used successfully in practice, they have been found to be of little value where the local conditions surrounding the test failed to conform to those assumed in the theory. In certain fields, particularly in civil engineering, relatively shallow explorations are often involved and geophysical methods of test must compete with the direct methods of exploration ordinarily used. Only when it can be demonstrated that geophysical methods of test can materially reduce the time and cost of a given exploration project will the civil engineer abandon direct methods in favor of the interpretations of geophysical exploration data. Empirical methods of analyzing earth-resistivity data have been used in many instances in the past. Such methods have been employed for a number of years by the Public Roads Administration in research work relative to the application of

Jan 1, 1946

By R. Woodward Moore

A graphical method of analyzing the data obtained from shallow earth-resistivity depth tests is presented. The method is based upon empirical results and has no theoretical basis. The usual apparent resistivity-electrode spacing curve is used together with a cumulative resistivity-electrode spacing curve plotted on the same sheet. The greatly reduced scale required for plotting the cumulative values of resistivity together with the effect of the summation of the individual resistivity values serves to minimize the effect of purely local surface anomalies and inadvertent errors of measurement. The point of intersection of tangents or straight lines drawn to intersect at zones of maximum curvature in the cumulative curve indicates the depth to the underlying material. Numerous figures are presented in which data from published reports and from recent field studies are analyzed and the results compared with actual depths established by borings or with depth values obtained by the use of theoretical methods of analysis. Smoothly rounded curves of apparent resistivity such as are often obtained in the field, and which have been a serious drawback to attempts to analyze the data empirically heretofore, appear to be susceptible to rather accurate analysis by the method described. The method is best suited to analyses involving shallow two-layer formations. It has been applied successfully, however, in analyzing the data obtained from tests made over shallow three-layer formations. As with most empirical methods, its chief advantage is its simplicity and ease of application. There have been published many papers that discuss the interpretation of data obtained from earth-resistivity tests when using the four-terminal method of electrode spacing developed by Wenner.' The majority of these have dealt with theoretical analyses for two-layer and three-layer formations. Some sets of "master curves" have been presented for use in analyzing field data to determine the depth to the first and possibly the second horizon below the earth's surface. Although practically all of these theoretical methods of analysis have appeared to have particular merit and some have been used successfully in practice, they have been found to be of little value where the local conditions surrounding the test failed to conform to those assumed in the theory. In certain fields, particularly in civil engineering, relatively shallow explorations are often involved and geophysical methods of test must compete with the direct methods of exploration ordinarily used. Only when it can be demonstrated that geophysical methods of test can materially reduce the time and cost of a given exploration project will the civil engineer abandon direct methods in favor of the interpretations of geophysical exploration data. Empirical methods of analyzing earth-resistivity data have been used in many instances in the past. Such methods have been employed for a number of years by the Public Roads Administration in research work relative to the application of

Jan 1, 1946

By T. B. Brooks

THE iron ores of the Marquette region are mostly extracted in open excavations; hence the process is more properly quarrying. Several attempts at underground work have been made, which have not, on the whole, been successful. The Edwards mine has been almost entirely wrought by candle-light. The slate ore pit, NO. 1, of the New England mine, is now worked in the same way, as is also the Pioneer furnace pit of the Jackson mine. The Champion mine was opened systematically for underground work, with two levels, 60 feet apart, and three shafts at distances apart along the bed of 200 feet; but this idea has been practically abandoned, the greater part of the ore in that mine being now taken out in open pits. Several other mines have occasionally worked underground stopes, but only temporarily; if such stopes could not be opened out to daylight, they have usually been abandoned. In brief, it may be said that no considerable amount of ore has as yet (1870) .been extracted underground in the region, and of that so mined very little has been taken out at a profit; and I may add that it seems to be the belief of the most experienced mining men that this state of things will hold for some time to come for reasons which will appear. Nearly the same remarks may be applied to the mines of the Iron Mountain region, Missouri, the ores of which are very similar in character to those of Marquette. Some of the New York and New Jersey magnetic deposits are wrought open, but this is the exception, underground mining there being the rule. The following brief sketch of the geological structure of the Marquette deposits will indicate some advantages of the method of mining employed. The iron-bearing (Huronian) series of rocks, are stratified beds, the principal ore formation being overlaid by a quartzite, and underlaid by a diorite, or greenstone. This ore formation is made up, first, of pure ore; second, of "mixed ore" (i. e., banded