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By F. Z. Dong

The paper is mainly about a study on the techniques of separating iron from pyrite cinder of a certain sulfuric acid plant in Shandong province. The main components of the cinder are Fe2O3 and SiO2, and the degree of liberation of iron mineral and gangue is very high. So the iron concentrate with higher degree of iron and lower grade of silicon and sulfur can be achieved by reverse flotation. The iron grade of the concentrate reaches 63% and the recovery of iron is no less than 63%. And the most important influencing factor of the flotation is the temperature of the pulp. A better guideline can be achieved by magnetic separation. The cinder is magnetizing roasted for 15 minutes with temperature of 800?, and the concentrate with the iron grade 64%, sulfur grade 0.2% and iron recovery 85% can be obtained by two stage magnetic separation. A rotary kiln has been built to deal with the pyrite cinder, and the result of the industrial magnetizing experiment and magnetic separation is satisfying.

Jan 1, 2014

By A Roudnev, P Loderer

Mineral froth pumping utilising centrifugal slurry pumps is a major engineering challenge for both the end users and pump manufacturers. The traditional approach has been to oversize the pump for pumping mineral froth. New horizontal slurry froth pump designs offer opportunities to improve froth pumping capability of mineral froth with challenging (high) Froth Volume Factor while maintaining high efficiency, long wear life and stable pumping performance.CITATION:Loderer, P and Roudnev, A, 2018. A reliable solution for pumping mineral froth with challenging froth volume, in Proceedings 14th AusIMM Mill Operators' Conference 2018, pp 291–296 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Aug 29, 2018

"Chairman: Dr R. E. ROBINSON Rapporteur: Dr R. P. COLBORNPapers:The simulation of crushing plants by W. J. WhitenSimulation of multi-component flotation plants by B. K. Loveday and G. R. MarchantComputer control of flotation at the Ecstall concentrator by M. P. Amsden C. Chapman and M. G. ReadingModel for the design and control of flotation plants by R. P. KingIn presenting his paper Dr W. J. Whiten outlined the basic concepts on which the control model was based and emphasized the fact that empirical models based as much as possible on theory were used to simulate each unit of the crushing plant. The final parameters of each model were computed using data collected from the plant. Unfortunately, the system did not permit accurate extrapolation but was successful when operating in the region from which the parameters were calculated.He concluded from the results of the test work that the crusher amperage was a critical parameter and that the utilization of the model gave a 15 per cent increase in the plant output. This was because the model predicted that a marginally fine grind would provide a significant increase in throughput. Dr Whiten elaborated on what constituted the multiple spline regression, explaining that it was a least-squares curve-fitting technique in one or more dimensions, where the calculation of coefficients in analytic expressions was replaced by the calculation of typical points on a very smooth curve called a spline function. The emphasis was placed on the shape and value of the curve or curves instead of on the coefficients as in analytic regression. A spline function was the line drawn between all points constituting the data set.Dr B. K. Loveday commented that the simulation was unusual in that the optimum throughput was considered to be the maximum throughput, which, surely, was limited by the crusher size. He also emphasized the importance of the interaction between both crushing and grinding circuits and added that in practice the optimum operating conditions were inter-dependent. Dr Whiten replied that in the case of the plant under consideration, the crushing process was not, in fact, the limiting operation.Mr C. E. Clifford indicated that the model was being used to simulate a number of crushing and grinding circuits at Mount Isa Mines. He reported that the model simulated the circuit satisfactorily for primary and secondary gap settings of 0,625 in. to 0,375 in., but that adjustment had to be made to the model parameters for gap settings of 0,250 in. to 0,125 in.In reply to a question from Dr D. M. Hawkins, Dr Whiten said that he preferred to use low-order splines with smaller segments rather than high-order spline functions with large segments."

Jan 1, 2014

By A. B. C. Stothart

"IntroductionIn the past four years Ontario Mines have made great progress in the development of reliable mine conveyance safety dogs. History shows that, prior to 1945, a rope failure on a descending conveyance was usually followed by unsatisfactory safety dog operation.It is proposed in this paper to discuss briefly;The history of this development. Progressive .development of one type (E. Long).Free fall testing of safety dogs. Anti-trailing rope device.HistoryOn February 2nd., 1945, a hoisting rope broke at the Paymaster mine. The safety dogs proved ineffective and permitted the cage to crash through to the bottom of the shaft, with disastrous results.Following this accident, the Ontario Government appointed a Technical Committee to investigate The Safety of Hoisting Equipment and Hoisting Practice in Ontario Mines. This Committee consisted of Dr. C. R. Young (Chairman) and Professors T. R. Loudon, E. A. Allcut, V. G. Smith, and Lloyd M. Pidgeon. The Ontario Mining Association (at the request of the Ontario Government) also appointed a Committee consisting of Messrs. R. E. Dye, R. D. Parker, and R. L. Healy."

Jan 1, 1950

By Guanghui Li

Nickel pig iron (NPI), used as a substitute for electrolytic nickel, is able to reduce the production cost of stainless steel greatly. Aiming for preparing NPI from nickeliferous laterite ore, a pilot-plant scale test of coal-based rotary kiln direct reduction of laterite ore was performed and reported in this study. In this process, the ground laterite sample (18.85% TFe and 1.52% Ni) mixed with additives, pulverized coal and binder was briquetted into briquettes with the size of 40mm×40mm×31mm, laterite ore briquettes and reducing coal were charged into a rotary kiln with the diameter of 1.6 m and the length of 16 m, for a retention period of 6~7 hours, in which reduction section temperature was ranging from 950~1050 oC. The reduced briquettes were water quenched, ball mill ground and beneficated via low intensity magnetic separation. A magnetic concentrate, Ferronickel powder, with 86.9% TFe and 8.0% Ni was obtained, and the corresponding magnetic recovery of iron and nickel are 75% and 96.3%, respectively.

Jan 1, 2014

By M. Kadiyski, V. Stoyanova, E. Visariev, V. Stoilov

"The present study deals with copper losses in slag from copper smelting. Copper slag cooling at Aurubis Bulgaria is traditionally done in pits. A new type of slag-cooling is introduced in the site, involving cooling ladles. In a previous study, the ladle cooling process was studied in detail, showing an improvement in the recovery of copper in the slag after flotation. The main reason for better recovery of copper is the increased cooling time, which allows for the accumulation and aggregation of copper droplets. The effects of the newly introduced slag cooling process are studied using optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Cooling in pits and in ladles is compared, based on copper droplet size, distribution and content. Specialized image processing software is employed on images taken with an optical microscope. The results are then compared with a similar technique, available in SEM software. The availability of phase-analysing image software in combination with electron dispersive X-ray spectroscopy makes it possible to study the morphological properties, distribution and chemical composition of the copper droplets. The obtained results confirm the initial conclusions about size, distribution and composition of the copper-bearing particles. A large amount of copper particles is examined showing an obvious increase in their size from pit- to ladle cooling. The results show an increase in the average size of the droplets, which doubles from pit-cooling to ladle-cooling. There is a well-pronounced tendency of decrease of the percentage of droplets in the smallest fraction (<5 µm) in the ladle-cooled slag. In addition, the number of droplets in the larger fractions increases, compared to the ones in the pit-cooled slags. It is believed, that the developed methodology for analysis provides a relatively quick and reliable solution for comparison of the cooling rates in the slag. INTRODUCTION In the process of copper smelting and converting, iron-silicate slags are produced that contain various amounts of dissolved and entrained copper. Different physical and chemical techniques are employed for the valorisation of the remaining metals in the slag – magnetic separation, leaching, roasting, flotation, etc. According to Gorai et al (2003), about 2.2 tons of slag is produced per ton of metal. In 2016, about 20 million tons of copper have been produced globally (www.icsg.org). At an average of 0.5 percent copper content after treatment, these slags contain more than two hundred thousand tons of copper which is lost due to inefficient processing."

Jan 1, 2018

By G. K. Wilson

This paper will discuss some of the more important aspects to be considered when selecting pumps for mill discharge, cyclone feed or other severe-duty applications Included will be the selection of the pump based on such factors as particle size, particle distribution, head, flow, temperature and pH Other specifics to be covered: The relationship of impeller speed, head and wear factors as they affect pump performance and wear life; the importance of selecting a pump whose performance curve best suits the application; and how the addition of service factors applied to the actual operating conditions can lead to severe operational problems such as premature wear, pump running out on curve, and exceeding horse power limitations.

Jan 1, 1996

By Seher Ata

"Virtual reality, a three-dimensional computer generated environment, has become recognized delivery system for many forms of education. This article describes the application of virtual reality to mineral processing education. An interactive mineral processing visualisation module has been developed at University of New South Wales (UNSW), Australia. The module provides students with an overview of a base metal concentrator, details about each stage of the process, as well as revealing how the mined ore progresses from stage to stage. The module also involves developing a number of instructional based plant layouts and flowsheets in the virtual environment that are intended to assist the user in understanding the essential components of the base metal concentrator.INTRODUCTIONVirtual Reality (VR) is the creation of an artificial environment that is experienced through sights and sounds provided by a computer (Squelch, 2001). The simulated environment is achieved through a host of technologies such as three-dimensional graphics, audio feedback and special peripheral devices to produce interactive environments.VR has been used in diverse fields including medicine (Riener & Harders, 2012), entertainment (Hsu, 2011), military (Manojlovich, Prasithsangaree, Hughes, Chen, & Lewis, 2003), manufacturing (Zimmermann, 2008; Jiang, 2011), and chemical processing (Schofield, Lester, & Wilson 2005; Squires, Andersen, Reklaitis, Jayakumar, & Carmichael, 2014). VR is also becoming recognized delivery system for many forms of education, including engineering education (Bell & Fogler, 1996; Bell & Scott, 1998; Shin, 2002). For example, virtual laboratories have been designed and developed to teach students fundemental features of the heterogeneous catalytic mechanisms and absorption columns (Bell & Fogler, 1995), the multi-phase and multi-component blast furnace iron making process (Babich & Senk, 2009) and to guide students to identify various safety measures while working in real laboratory (Bell & Fogler, 1996)."

Jan 1, 2016

By K. V. Fedotov, E. V. Zelinskaya, O. V. Ulanova

"Mining enterprises, in particular, those on the territory of the Siberian platform, produce large amounts of pumped water, which cannot be recycled because of its high mineralization and, thus, is discharged as liquid waste either back into the ground or onto the surface. However, groundwater is often a valuable raw material and a source of useful chemical substances. Brines are unique groundwaters. In the current environmental and economic situation, the huge loss of natural raw materials and their deliberate conversion into wastes is unaffordable. The exploration of non-traditional sources of minerals such as the hydromineral resources (including pit water) is a matter of rational nature management. The industrial value of brines of the Siberian platform is due to the high contents of rare alkali and earth alkaline elements (lithium, rubidium, cesium, strontium, bromine, etc.). The absolute concentrations of these elements in brines are tens of times higher than the lower limits of the mining cut-off. The long-term data analysis was performed to estimate the environmental impact of liquid waste from two mining enterprises, namely, Korshunovskii (Irkutsk region) and Udachnaya (Southern Yakutia). The study was focused on the prospects of hydromineral resources as non-traditional sources of valuable elements and the exploration of technological processes for the selective extraction of rare alkali and earth alkaline metals from natural multi-component brines aimed at decreasing their negative environmental impact. The environmental and economic efficiency was proved for the processing of complex brines and the integrated selective extraction of rare earth metals from sodium chloride brines of the Korshunovskii plant and calcium chloride brines of the Udachnaya plant based on the ion exchange sorption, eluent chromatography, flotation, crystallization, and freezing techniques. The basic technological schemes were developed for the metal extraction from pit water and brines.INTRODUCTION In the Irkutsk region (the Angara–Lena artesian basin) and in Yakutia (the Olenek and Tunguska artesian basins), several mineral deposits are developed and, incidentally, aquifers bearing brines of different types are opened, which are eventually converted into liquid production waste (Rusetskaya et al., 1994) This raises the issue of the burial or utilization of brines since their use within the water circulation is impracticable under the existing technological conditions while their discharge into the surface watercourse is unacceptable because of the harmful environmental impact."

Jan 1, 2018

By D. Donison

The practice of blasthole mining is typically applied in competent ground conditions, primarily because of the open stope dimensions. At Magma Copper -Superior Mine, a field pilot project was completed examining a variation of blasthole mining in poor ground conditions. The results were very encouraging not only from a technical viewpoint, but also productivity viewpoints. This paper describes the pilot project and the resulting implications.

Jan 1, 1994

By A. W. Fahrenwald

As an aid to studies of grinding, a batch laboratory classifier and elutriator has been developed at the U. S. Bureau of Mines Metallurgical Field Office at Moscow, Idaho, in cooperation with the University of Idaho. It is designed for use in conjunction with other batch laboratory apparatus, such as ball mills and flotation machines. It is shown in Figure 1. Description and Operation of Batch Laboratory Classifier The classifying column is a cylinder 4 feet 2 inches long, of 5 3/4-inch inside diameter, and terminates at its top in a cone or funnel 18 inches in diameter at the overflow elevation. The pressure chamber is of the same diameter as the classifying column, and has a conical bottom; it is provided with two openings, one in the cylindrical portion through which water is admitted, and the other, a small drain hole, in the apex of the conical bottom. The two compartments are bolted together and communicate with each other through the medium of a constriction plate provided with 3/16-inch holes spaced 1/2 inch apart. Constriction plates having any other percentage of opening may be substituted as the needs demand water is admitted to the compartment below the constriction plate at constant pressure. The volume of eater admitted is controlled with a valve. It should be mentioned that the classifying column at the bottom, just above the constriction plate, is glass.

Jan 1, 1929

By H. Ankara

Determining the identicalness levels of the same model trucks working in open pit mine transportation system by means of statistical analysis methods is very significant in terms of availability analysis. In this study, the identicalness levels of two trucks picked randomly from the 170-short-tonne truck fleet working in open pit coal mine over one-year period were examined through a non-parametric test, Mann-Whitney U test for two samples. Time to failures (TTFs) and Time to Repairs (TTRs) of the trucks were analyzed with this test technique and then whether they were identical or not was determined. In order to determine whether the trucks identified to be identical at the end of this test displayed the same mining performances within the same open pit transportation system, the availability analysis of the identical trucks was carried out. As a result of the availability analysis, it was observed that the trucks had availability values that were very close to each other. It was also determined that Mann-Whitney U test could be employed together with availability analysis. Finally, it was observed that Mann-Whitney U test for two samples could yield rapid results in the performance analysis of complex systems like open pit mines.

Jan 1, 2010

By A. Sutherland Brown

"The Red Rose Mine is in the Rocher Deboule Range, 8 miles south of Hazelton. The mill camp (elevation 4,000 feet) is on Red Rose Creek, 11 miles by road from Skeena Crossing. The mine camp is one mile northeast and 1,600 feet above the mill camp on a spur of Red Rose Peak.The Red Rose mine was described in the Jubilee Volume, Structural Geology of Canadian Ore Deposits (Davis, pp. 129-131), but regional geology and mine development have progressed to a stage at which a more complete description is possible.The property was first located in 1912, and for the next 7 years was prospected actively for gold and copper on the southern extension of the Red Rose shear. Scheelite was first discovered in the vein in the northern part of the shear in 1923. The Consolidated Mining and Smelting Company of Canada, Limited optioned the property in 1939, and after a drilling program in 1940 the present mine development was initiated in the vein in the northern part of the shear. A 75-ton-per-day mill started operating early in 1942 and continued until 1943. The property was inactive until 195 l, when Western Tungsten Copper Mines Limited leased the property from The Consolidated Mining and Smelting Company of Canada, Limited. A mill, which later was enlarged to 140 tons per day, started operations at the end of 1951. The mine and mill were closed in December, 1954.The mine has twelve levels and sub1evels, and most of the workings are in the plane of the vein (see Figure 2a). The level interval is not constant, but between the lower four levels is 87 feet (100 feet in the plane of the vein). Access is provided by four adits; the 800 (elevation 5,659 feet), 600 (5,920 feet), 300 (6, 133 feet) and 200 levels (6,237 feet). The 600 level is the main haulage, and from it the ore is transported to the mill by aerial tram. From this level an inclined shaft extends in the vein to the lowest level (I, 100)."

Jan 1, 1949

By C. H. Knight

"THE OBSERVATIONS that follow are confined to simple wet cyclones such as the cylindro-conical unit developed by the Dutch States Mines and marketed in America under the trademark 'Dorr-Clone'. Energy to do the work comes from the inlet velocity of the feed slurry, which is usually pumped' to the unit by a centrifugal pump.Such cyclones are simply classifiers of enormous capacity and depend for their separating effect on differences in rates of particle settlement. These particle settling rates, of course, vary with particle size, particle density, particle shape, pulp viscosity, and pulp density.The dilution of the overflow product affects both pulp viscosity and pulp density. In most operations, the temperature and the composition of the liquid -hence its viscosity --are fixed, but both pulp viscosity and pulp density can be changed by changing pulp dilution.Since the separating effect depends on differences in rates of particle setting, a perfect split with 100 per cent of the particles coarser than a given size in the underflow and 100 per cent of the finer sizes in the overflow is not possible. Just how far the separation departs from this perfection can be calculated rather exactly from the following principles, which also apply to mechanical classifiers. In removing or settling out of the overflow product all particles up to a specified size, some of the finer particles must settle out simultaneously."

Jan 1, 1955

By S. S. Ibrahim

The left behind material after the combusion of fossel fuel in some power stations in Cairo; weighing tens of tons every years, was investigated. The material called "Fly Ashes" containing 7.5% Ni, 10.0% V and 9.50% Cr; could be considered as a promising source of such valiable elements. As well as the small grain size (050 70 "m) of the material, and besides the complexity of their formation history, hydrometallurgical methods appeared to be the effective technique to deal with. Yet, preconcentration is possible by means of magnetic and gravity separation methods. The end product is assaying 16.60% Ni and 20.2S!; V with weight recovery of about 60.15%.

Jan 1, 1995

By E. D. Gardner

"The Bureau of Mines has studied blasting practices in metal mines of the Southwest. The investigation of blasting drift rounds showed among other results, that cut-holes in ground difficult to break could be chambered to advantage under some conditions.In open--cut mines, chambering nearly all holes before blasting is the common practice. Two or more free faces are generally maintained in this type of work, and the amount of explosive necessary to break any bench or bank can usually be estimated from the yardage to be moved. However, in blasting drift or tunnel rounds only one free face is available before the cut-holes are shot, and the quantity of explosive required is generally ascertained best by trial.In addition to being the most difficult to break, the cut-holes are the most important of a drift round. When the cut-holes ""break bottom"" less work is required of the other holes, and a full break of the round is generally obtained. In ground difficult to blast, extra care and expense are justified to insure that the cut-holes ""break bottom.""At many mines the work is so organized that all blasting is done at the end of the shift, and a decided advantage would have to be gained to make chambering of the cut-holes economical. Also, in many mines blasting during the shift would not be practical. One or two holes could probably be drilled during the time necessary to do the chambering. However, under certain special conditions, such as in small operations or those where ""leasers"" or contractors are working, drill holes could be chambered should there be an advantage in doing so. Moreover, in some mines it might be practical to chamber the cut-holes at the lunch hour. In ordinary rounds the cut-holes are generally drilled by noon. It would not be necessary to tear down the drill or remove tools from the face to do this work of chambering."

Feb 1, 1928

By G. F. Warning

"THE H. B. Mine is situated on the north side of Sheep Creek valley, about six miles southeast of Salmo, B.C. It is the most northerly producer along a belt containing a number of zinc-lead deposits, including the Jersey mine of Canadian Exploration Limited, 3 miles to the south, and the Reeves MacDonald mine, 12 miles to the southwest. The important zinc-lead producing area around Metaline Falls, Washington, lies 23 miles to the south. Two prospectors, Horton and Benson, located and staked the oxidized outcrops in 1.907. The property was named the H.B. after the two discoverers. Exploration by a number of operators failed to locate any sulphide orebodies until 1946, when Cominco began a geological study followed by surface drilling which was successful in locating extensive sulphide mineralization. A program of underground exploration revealed sufficient ore to war-rant mill construction. A 1 ,000-ton mill was completed by 1953, but due to low metal prices production was deferred until May, 1955. To September 1, 1959, 1,900,000 tons of zinc-lead ore have been milled; present milling rate is about 1,250 tons per day. Concentrates are trucked to the Trail Smelter, a distance of 35 miles."

Jan 1, 1960

By M. Jahazi, J. Gholipour

Design and manufacturing of parts using hydroforming process require knowledge about material behaviour and tribological effects during hydroforming. Lubrication is one of the key issues in successfully hydroform the tubes. A Ni-based super alloy tube with 50.8 mm (2 inches) outer diameter and 0.9 mm (0.035 inches) thickness is considered for this research to study the effect of lubricants on the formability of the tubes. Hydroforming of a hollow compressor blade is considered for this project. A combination of press forming and hydroforming is employed to produce the part. LS-DYNA, an explicit dynamic finite element code, is used to model the experiments. Different lubricants are modeled using different coefficient of friction in the model. Predicted results for strain distribution at a critical section of the tube are extracted for each case to evaluate the effect of different lubricants on the process.

Jan 1, 2006

To extract the gold from refractory gold concentrate with high sulfur and arsenic, the gold concentrate was catalytically oxidized to expose the gold for cyanide leaching. The effects of reaction temperature, initial nitric acid concentration, reaction time and initial gold concentrate concentration on the conversion rate were studied. The results show that the appropriate conditions for the catalytical oxidation of this gold concentrate are: reaction temperature of 65 oC; initial nitric acid concentration of 25% (wt.); reaction time of 1.5 hours; initial gold concentrate concentration of 10% (wt.). Under such conditions, the conversion rate of gold concentrate is 92%. The solution can be used to prepare nano-iron oxide red pigment. Gases released in the process can be recycled and reused by oxidation absorption. A chemical background of catalytic oxidation is proposed.

Jan 1, 2014

By C. L. Schneider

The calculation of the liberation spectrum in the product from continuous milling operations is a problem of considerable importance and is difficult to solve because the population balance equation must be integrated in two-dimensional space. Complete solutions require the estimation of a large number of parameters unless a structural model of the ore texture can be used. A very simplified textural model based on the use of the modified Andrews-Mika diagram and the PARGEN simulation of multi-phase particles has been formulated and is used to simulate the behavior of a continuously operating laboratory ball mill. A sensitivity analysis for this mill has been done to show the likely effect of model approximations on the predicted liberation spectrum which will be measured.

Jan 1, 1992