Search Documents

By Robert B. Parsons

Since 1978, new tax measures affecting the mining sector have been relatively favourable, evidencing a moderately enhanced government awareness and sensitivity towards the industry's concerns. Today, although the industry continues to face a complex and sometimes capricious tax system, a wide range of tax provisions offer some excellent opportunities to the industry. This paper examines the basic features of the present tax environment, discusses some of the more important changes of recent years, and comments on the outlook for mining taxation in Canada.

Jan 1, 1985

By White PJ, Worrad C

The Hunter Valley Coal Preparation Plant and associated materials handling facilities commenced operation in mid 1982. The new plant and coal handling system were designed to integrate with existing mining and preparation plant operations, but also to be flexible to future mining and marketing developments. The system includes: raw coal stockpiles, a 900 tph dense medium/water washing cyclone preparation plant, clean coal stockpiles, a 7.8 km overland conveyor, large finished product stockpiles and a high capacity train loading plant.The plant's development is described with reference to the original planning objectives. Features aimed at providing operational flexibility and performance are emphasised, including the use of; automated stackers and reclaimers, modular plant, distributed PLC control, a single flight overland conveyor, a network of automatic samplers and blending options to assist quality control.Details are also provided of an innovative technique for control of reclaimer rail track forces, stacker and reclaimer anti-collision systems and the use of DC injection braking.

Jan 1, 1985

By R. L. White

Classification of Mills Mills may be classified under four categories that relate to the type of action utilized to grind the material: Tumbling. The most important of these to the minerals processing industry are tumbling mills. Grinding media is actuated in a free¬form pattern in a rotating drum causing it to tumble, material being ground passing through the tumbling media. Work is done by a combi¬nation of attrition and impact. Impact. Grinding media is actuated in a distinctive pattern so that it impacts the material being ground. Work is done by impact. Roller. Grinding media is actuated in a distinctive pattern, mate¬rial being ground passing under or between the media. Work is done by compression. Fluid Energy. There is no grinding media as such. Energy is imparted to the material by transfer of kinetic energy from the fluid to the material. Grinding is accomplished by interparticle impact and attrition. Tumbling Mitts The main physical arrangement consists of a lined cylindrical drum mounted on trunnion bearings driven by a ring gear and pinion, in turn connected directly or through a reducer to the electric motor. Variations to this general arrangement include: (1) Drum mounted on rollers instead of trunnions. (2) Bearings on the drum directly, not on trunnions. (3) Utilization of multiple pinions on the gear. (4) Trunnion-type drive arrangement through a gear reducer with¬out the use of a ring gear. (5) Motor rotor mounted directly on the drum with stator around the drum, thus eliminating the gearing. The drum consists of a shell and heads lined with replaceable liners of various types and configurations. Various types of tumbling mills are tabulated; illustrations of some are shown. The types are so designed for specific purposes. Media utilized include steel rods, balls, or rock of the same material as being ground or of special material in the instance where iron contami¬nation is detrimental (see Figs. 9 and 10 and Table 2). Impact Mills Although there may be some overlapping of interpretation of terms, impact mills are considered those in which the media is actuated in a distinctive manner, at relatively high speed, impacting the material to be ground. There is an overlapping also in what may be considered to be crushing equipment rather than grinding equipment. Hammer Mill or Impactor. Material is fed into the equipment; inside hammers of impactors revolve at a high speed, breaking the material on impact with the hammers (see Fig. 11). Material is also thrown against the periphery of the mill, causing impact grinding to occur. Equipment is normally lined with replaceable abrasive resis¬tant metal; hammers are also

Jan 1, 1985

By Weber W

Methods of calculation of the reliability of process computers are getting more and more important. The paper presents long period observations of 21 process computers with online applications in the iron and steel industry. About 5000 failure events during 10 years have been systematically recorded and evaluated. On the basis of these long time observations it is possible to develop a probability model of the failure behaviour of process computers.This failure model is constructed with four different states of the process computer:Working phase, working phase with undetected reasons, repair phase, failure phase resulting from external influences.The model is defined by differential equations for the probability of one of these four phases. Long time observations show, that all of these four phases are closely correlated with the capa-city of a process computer, restarting without detection of failure reason, changes of programs and software, costs and time of repair. So the result of this analysis is a model of failure for process computers, which allows to predict breakdowns of process computers on the basis of external parameters.

Jan 1, 1985

By Douglas A. Karvonen

INTRODUCTION Although the economy in the Province of Saskatchewan has historically been agriculturally oriented, a major source of wealth has been realized through natural resources such as petroleum and natural gas, coal and uranium and since the 1960's - potash. Potash or potassium chloride, in the form in which it is presently produced in Saskatchewan, is used primarily as fertilizer, a source of potassium, one of three essential elements required for healthy plant growth, with about 5% of production sold to the chemical industry for use in such products as soap and liquid detergent, glass and ceramics, textiles and some pharmaceuticals. Saskatchewan is estimated to have approximately 40% of known world potash reserves and its ten active mines account for some 25% of annual world production. POTASH CORPORATION OF SASKATCHEWAN In an effort to guarantee a fair and lasting economic benefit to the Province of Saskatchewan, the Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan (PCS) was created on February 4, 1975 through an Order-in-Council under the Crown Corporation's Act and later on April 1, 1976, the Potash Corporation Act provided for its continuation. PCS was given the mandate to acquire ownership of a significant portion of the potash mining capacity in Saskatchewan and to establish an organization capable of operating the facilities, marketing the product, and conducting all of the other activities necessary for a successful corporation competing in the world potash industry. The corporation is the largest potash producing and selling organization in the Western World - or third largest in the world. (See also Figure 1). PCS through its wholly-owned subsidiary, PCS Mining, has acquired a whole or partial interest in five geographically distinct producing properties or divisions, representing today more than 40% of Saskatchewan's potash producing capacity. The acquisition of each division was followed by a program designed to exploit and maximize the particular opportunities at each minesite for increased production. To that end, PCS Mining has taken an active lead in expanding to meet future demand and has implemented expansion programs at all properties except for its Esterhazy Division where it has a long-term processing agreement with International Minerals & Chemical Corporation (Canada) Limited. Through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, PCS Mining, PCS Sales and PCS Transport, this provincial crown corporation has the ability to operate as a producer and marketer of Saskatchewan's potash. In certain instances PCS, the parent company, assists in the financing of various projects undertaken by the subsidiaries and in other cases the subsidiary involved arranges its own financing. POTASH RESERVES As a background to the specific issue of financing, it is helpful to describe briefly the nature of the deposit which supports the industry - our collateral, if you like. The potash beds underlying Saskatchewan are sedimentary rock deposits formed by the gradual evaporation of an inland sea during the Middle Devonian period roughly 400 million years ago. Now known as the Prairie Evaporite, this formation stretches from North Dakota and Northeast Montana through Southern Saskatchewan into North-Central Alberta. These beds lie at mining depths ranging from 950 - 1000m (3,000 ft) below the surface, where conventional mining methods can be used, and to 1,650m (5,000 ft), where solution mining must be

Jan 1, 1985

By Perry L. Christian

"Mana/ta Coal Ltd. 's Costello Mine, located seven kilometres east of Estevan, Saskatchewan, has been operating at the present location since 1960. During the past twenty-three years, annual production of lignite coal has averaged 590 000 tonnes. The coal is used for power generation and for industrial and domestic use. Markets, operating techniques, facilities in place and reclamation are discussed. Introduction The Costello Mine (formerly the Klimax Mine) is located in southeastern Saskatchewan, approximately 210 kilometres southeast of Regina and 5 kilometres from the United States' border, as shown in Figure 1. The present mine, 7 kilometres east of the city of Estevan, has been operating since 1960. The history, however, of the Costello Mine and of the Estevan Coalfield dates from the initial settling of the area in the 1880s. Mining initially consisted of burrowing into the side of the Souris River Valley or other hillsides where the coal seam was exposed. Eventually, slopes were put down in the Estevan/Bienfait area and vigorous underground activity existed. In the late 1920s surface strip mining was introduced. The use of strip mining progressed to the point where it completely replaced underground mining in the 1950s and it is the only method in use today. During the past 23 years annual production has averaged 590 000 tonnes. The lowest production was in 1960 when the mine was starting up at 167 000 tonnes and the highest production was in 1977 when production was 1 509 000 tonnes. The Costello Mine controls approximately 11 400 hectares of mineral rights in the Estevan area. This is made up of 4 900 hectares of freehold coal and 6 500 hectares of leases. The area forms a large, irregular shaped configuration. Most holdings are contiguous and adjacent. The mine also owns some 8 400 hectares of surface rights. The lands under the Costello Mine's surface rights control, which are not being used in the mining operation, are leased to local farmers and ranchers. This ensures that the land is used to its full potential, both before and after mining."

Jan 1, 1985

By M. C. Rockwell

There are approximately 1,800,000 t of discarded dolomitic-limestone tailings from the Gays River lead/zinc mining operation in Nova Scotia. Neutralization effectiveness similar to an agricultural grade limestone and low contents of residual metals make the tailings a suitable source' of soil conditioner material for the local market. However, the fine particle size, 98% passing 147µm, and a high moisture content make their handling and application difficult. Agglomeration of the tailings into relatively small hard pellets was investigated and difficul¬ties were overcome. Pellets with a range of pH values and various amounts of soil nutrients and moisture content less than 10% were obtained, from tailings containing 20% initial moisture, through the addition of less than 15% selected materials.

Jan 1, 1985

By A. R. Rule

Research was done by the Bureau of Mines to determine the effect of a low-molecular-weight polymer on wet grinding of quartz, dolomite, and a copper ore. A 5-in ball mill equipped with a torque sensor for precise measurement of input energy was used for batch grinding tests. Grinding parameters were determined from size distribution data on the feed material and ground product. Zeta potential measurements were made to determine the effect of the polymer on the surface properties of the three materials, and a viscometer was used to measure the effect of the polymer on slurry viscosity. The addition of the polymer caused a sharp increase in the negative value of the zeta potential for all three materials, indicating that pronounced adsorption was taking place. At a constant slurry percent solids, addition of the polymer caused a similar reduction in slurry viscosity for each material. For quartz, dolomite, and the copper ore, grinding efficiency, as measured by kilogram of product per kilowatt hour passing a given screen size, was not affected by the addition of the polymer. However, the lowering in slurry viscosity caused by addi-tion of the polymer permits grinding at a higher slurry percent solids.

Jan 1, 1985

By Peter A. Allen

INTRODUCTION Lac Minerals Ltd., a significant North American producer of gold and other metals for over three decades, recently completed the financing for its third discovery in an eight year period. From 1975 to 1982, three important gold deposits in Quebec and Ontario: namely Bousquet, Doyon and Hemlo, were located and tested by company geologists. When current development plans are complete, Lac will have injected $400 million into these deposits. A discussion of these projects and their financing reveals some extraordinary challenges faced by top mining management. Responses to these challenges developed by Lac management may interest executives planning to proceed with new North American gold or base metal mines. MINE DE BOUSQUET In 1976, we explored a property containing a large low grade surface gold deposit. The geologial setting was exciting and we tested recent rethinking about the volcanigenic genesis of gold and base metal occurrences. These ideas helped pus to persist in drilling a nearby conductor and 600,000 ton, 0.22 ounce/ton orebody was outlined. With gold at $Cdn.150 per ounce the feasibility was approved and work started February 1978. Availability of a company custom mill 35 miles away reduced our immediate capital needs to $8.5 million. First of all, understanding the geological significance of results at Bousquet was critical. Mine and surface exploration geologists at Lac are continually and closely working together to better understand the nature of gold deposits in the Shield. This management emphasis on both pure and mine geology meant that a much larger ore reserve could confidently be predicted. (A proposal to quickly develop and ship the ore to a nearby company mine was discarded.) Instead of designing just for the initial plan of 500 tons per day we therefore included headframe, shaft and hoisting capacity for 1,700 tons and provided a compartment for future shaft deepening. These prebuilt additions were welcomed within two years. The type of collaboration whereby surface and mine geologists make study and field projects of each other's problems sets the foundation for this predictive ability. At Lac, the traditional responsibility for and supervision of the mine geologist by the mine manager is modified by this collaboration. This adds interest and scope to the geologist's work and lets him think beyond production requirements. Besides such management considerations, dedicated, professional geologists with integrity and lots of practical experience are needed to plan successful developments like Bousquet. Second, projecting future bullion revenue was critical and our experience selling production for future delivery gave us a way to ensure that loan repayment at term would not be jeopardized by falling metal prices. Output from a single mine is often reduced or curtailed for numerous reasons, so "selling forward" is done best and with least risk by companies like Lac with more than one or two producing locations for that metal. At first, a forward marketing program was considered unwise, speculative and unorthodox by analysts and other producers. Declining markets in the early 1980s prolonged gold project capital recoveries however, and critics were better able to appreciate the usefulness of such a tool. The notion that gold miners shouldn't sell forward is rooted in the belief that long-run gold prices will rise as modern social theory implementation in democracies inevitably erodes currency values. Selling against this trend goes against this industry belief or "ethic" and is at odds with the company shareholder who expects the gold price to rise not fall. Nonetheless, an efficient tool is available to the gold producer (not to most other metal producers) to quickly disengage from adverse price trends or to lock in spot prices instantaneously for two years or more of profits. Gold had recently retreated from U.S.$200 to $104 and now had reversed to $150. Lac had been forced to close several of its producers during the late 1960s because central bank-controlled

Jan 1, 1985

Contents

Jan 1, 1985

By H. Kandemir

An experimental study of the bacterial oxidation of naturally occurring high-purity sulphide minerals (FeS2, Fe1-xS, Cu5FeS4, ZnS) is presented using a mesophilic strain of T. ferrooxidans. As well as metal analyses and solution pH, partitioning of sulphide sulphur into elemental sulphur and sulphate has been monitored as a function of leach time. Partially oxidized sulphide substrates have been characterized, at regular time intervals, by X-ray diffraction methods and extracellular organic compounds reporting into leach solution .have been identified by thin layer -chromatography.

Jan 1, 1985

By F. J. Perzak

The Bureau of Mines conducted a study to develop a standard fire test for 5-gal containers used for storing combustible fluids in underground coal mines. A standard test method was developed which evaluates the performance of the container in a 4-min tray fire. Bureau investigators used the standard test method to evaluate several types of closed 5-gal plastic and metal cans in outdoor tests. Each can tested contained 1 gal of nonfire-resistant (NFR) hydraulic oil. A container failed the test if it lost its contents in any of seven trials. Contents spilled either as a result of thermal rupture or melting. Fewer than 10 pct of the metal containers failed this criterion, but all the plastic containers failed. The metal container failures were usual-ly due to tipping over during pressure relief, which spilled the NFR oil. Replacing the NFR oil in the container with kerosene resulted in failure of more than 30 pct of the metal containers. The standard tests and preliminary tests showed that plastic containers are not equivalent to metal containers in their ability to contain combustibles such as lubricants and greases in a fire. For solvents and lubricants more volatile than NFR hydraulic oil, approved metal safety containers are recommended.

Jan 1, 1985

By V. J. Hucka, J. H. Tu

"A computer model has been developed for evaluating the performance of truck and shovel operations in an open-pit mine. The data required for describing the haulage network are simplified and shift startup and ending procedures specific to any given mine can be incorporated into the model readily . The model uses a FORTRAN-based simulation language SLAM and can be tailored to the conditions and practices of a particular mine.The model is used to analyze truck and shovel operations, evaluate different haulage layouts in the planning stage, or compare the expected performance of alternative truck dispatching systems.Stochastic simulation is used to model the random variation in time required f or the individual activities. This gives a more realistic representation of the processes under study. Simulation runs show good agreement with actual performance. The model is especially useful for examining alternatives in equipment acquisition , haulroad design, truck-shovel allocation and dispatching methods. The results of such simulations provide a sound basis f or making major management decisions.IntroductionTruck haul age is widely used in open-pit mining operations. It is also the largest cost item in the operating costs of an openpit mine, in some cases accounting for an estimated 50% of operating costs(1) , Truck replacements, which are necessary from time to time, involve large amounts of cap ital. Increasing depth of mining and consequent increase in stripping ratios require additional capital investment in the truck-shovel fleet. The sharp rise in energy costs over the last decade has also contibuted significantly to an increase in truck fleet operating costs . All these factors have led mine operators to search for ways to improve the effectiveness of the truck-shovel fleet, in order to lower costs and maintain a profitable operation in the face of declining markets and increasing world wide competition.Control of truck haulage in an open-pit mine is usually done in one of two ways."

Jan 1, 1985

By J. T. Kline

This paper will present a review of the underground leaching of remnant copper mineralization left as a result of the block cave mining operation at the Lakeshore Mine in Casa Grande, Arizona.

Jan 1, 1985

By E. F. Klein, R. L. Eacret

Introduction In contrast to the general type of crushing mechanism in which the crushing surfaces alternately approach and withdraw from each other, described earlier in this section, and continuous-pressure break¬ers such as rolls and roller mills that will be described in a later chapter, impact crushers load by striking pieces of rock while in free fall and hurling them at high speed against stationary surfaces. Because the impact crusher depends for its effectiveness upon high velocity, wear is greater than in the slower-moving jaw and cone¬type wear parts, and for this reason its use is strictly limited to rela¬tively soft, friable, and sticky rocks that are characteristic of many nonmetallic mineral deposits. A few of these are phosphates, lime¬stone, barite, clay, asbestos rock, and coal. However, several examples of their use on soft lead-zinc and precious metal ores have been known. Although the use of impact crushers is expanding today into the range of ores containing as much as 15-18% silica, Taggart16 set the practical limit at 5%, and in the 1940s and 1950s several installa¬tions in the US and western Europe exceeded the limits of economical maintenance and were quickly superseded by the slower-moving, con¬ventional crushers. A rock that tends to be plastic or bouncy in a jaw or gyratory crusher when the force is applied slowly to reach ultimate strength, may become brittle with rapid loading and thus increase the effective¬ness of the applied forces. For this reason it is to be expected that as the quality of hammers, grates, plates, and cages improves with advances in steel technology, the use of high-speed crushers of this kind will increase. Terminology Modern usage differentiates between the impactor and the hammer mill, the former relying primarily on the impact of hammers (fixed or free-swinging) and secondarily upon pieces striking one another or steel surfaces; the hammer mill relies on both the centrifugal impact force of free-swinging hammers and the attrition and shear action between these hammers and well-placed grates suspended at the bot¬tom just below the hammer circle. The hammer mill, because of its grate discharge, restricts discharge of oversize rock to the grate open¬ing, while at the same time providing a trap for removal of tramp iron or other uncrushables. The impactor discharges free, so generally works with a screen to control product sizes. The question of terminology, impactor vs, hammer mill, creates difficulties because the similarities appear to outweigh the differences by far; if one were to list the similarities in order of importance and then the differences, he would be forced to conclude that they would best be dealt with as a single kind of crusher. Taggart16 gave it four names and added "as it is variously known," but it must be remembered that in 1945 the machine was nearly exclusively of the flailing-hammer type, while today the fixed-hammer rotor is also com¬mon. In this chapter the terms impactor and hammer mill will be used where they seem to apply. It is perhaps unfortunate that this terminology is being confused with rock breaking at the mine, usually with hand-held tools, e.g., the article "High-Energy Impact Rockbreaking" by Grantmyre and Hawkes, CIM Bulletin, August 1975. General Description Impact breakers, impact crushers, and hammer mills accomplish material breaking and reduction primarily through impact action of the material with fixed or free-swinging hammers revolving about a central rotor. The material to be crushed enters through an opening at the top or top side known as the "feed opening" or "hopper opening" and falls into the path of rotation (hammer circle) of the hammers. Initial breakage is accomplished in midair by collision of the dropping feed material with high-speed hammers. The second stage of breakage occurs when the pieces hit plates or breaker bars which line the crusher boxlike frame. Hammer mills rely further on a shearing and attrition action between free-swinging hammers and grid bars or grates at the crusher bottom which restrict discharge of oversize material until it is broken sufficiently to pass through the grid opening. The term hammer is used in reference to the piece which strikes the material, whether it is fixed on the rotor or free-swinging. It

Jan 1, 1985

By M. D. Flavel, J. C. Motz, G. V. Jergensen

Introduction Compared to the gyratory crusher, the cone crusher is character¬ized by its higher speed and a flat crushing chamber design which is intended to give a high capacity and reduction ratio for materials suitable to this type of processing. The aim is to retain material longer in the crushing chamber to do more work on material as it is being processed. A concept of how a piece of stone might flow through a secondary crushing chamber is shown in Fig. 45. The number of times material will be nipped during crushing will depend on material size, friability, and the geometry of the crushing chamber as well as its speed and eccentric throw. Cone crushers are usually specified in terms of closed-side setting (CSS) and a given quantity of material passing a particular square-mesh screen size. A criterion of product passing closed-side setting is often available. This value will vary according to the particular crusher design and the details of its applica¬tion. Essentially, cone crushers can be classified into distinct types, depending on their duty. Crusher sizes for all duties are described by terms arising out of common industry usage, such as 3-ft, 7-ft, etc., which refer to the crushing-head (mantle) diameter. At present the range of sizes available varies from approximately 2 to 10 ft diam. Weights vary in the range of 5 to 200 tons, and connected horsepowers range from 10 through 700. There are so many variations that specifics should be obtained from machine manufacturers. The crushing chambers that are fitted to various machines are also often referred to by terms arising out of common usage, such as standard for secondary crushers, and short head for tertiary crush¬ers, which refer specifically to the Symons design. Also used are more specific but equally vague descriptions, such as coarse, intermedi¬ate, and fine chambers. Some manufacturers such as Allis-Chalmers with their Hydrocone crushers refer to the model number of the machine by the feed opening and the diameter of the mantle. For example, a Model 10-84 Hydrocone crusher has an 84-in. diam man¬tle, and is capable of accepting a 10-in. diam sphere at the feed point to the crushing chamber. Rexnord and Telsmith define crushing cavi¬ties in their capacity tables as feed openings at minimum recommended discharge settings (closed-side settings). Each practice offers guidelines which should be carefully defined for the specific crushing problem. The utilization of a cone crusher depends on how well it is controlled and the features of the circuit in which it operates. Normally, it will operate in the range of 75 to 85% of the peak capacity. It is likely that industry pressures will call for a standarized de¬ applied crushing power. Experience has shown that the crushing process is more controllable if certain reduction ratios are adhered to for each stage. Technically, this is defined as that size of feed (in. or mm) of which 80% will pass, divided by the size of the product (in. or mm) which 80% will pass. Secondary Crushers These are the cone crushers which accept suitable feed size material either prepared by a primary crusher or occurring naturally, and reduce it to a size suitable for marketing in one stage, or make feed for subsequent crushing or grinding stages. Secondary crushers have feed openings of 4 to 25 in. in the larger (7-ft) models down to a 2'/a to 4 in. in the smallest 24-in. models. Reduction ratios normally range between 3:1 and seldom more than 5:1. In the 7-ft models, the cone crusher typically makes a product all passing 2 in., but this is dependent on the machine design and properties of the material being treated. Secondary crushers most commonly operate in open circuit. They also are operated in closed circuit with a vibrating screen, depending upon product requirements and conditions where the reduction ratio does not cause excessive power draw and build-up of circulating load. Screening ahead of secondary crushers is generally recommended, especially where the feed contains more than 25% material smaller than the desired closed-side setting. Tertiary Crushers These are cone crushers that normally take secondary crusher product and reduce it to a marketable product or make it suitable for subsequent comminution steps. The reduction achieved is a func¬tion of the crusher design and the properties of the material to be treated. The reduction ratio is normally in the range between 1.5 and 2 to 1, and seldom more than 3 to 1. The tertiary crusher normally operates in closed circuit with a vibrating screen and makes a product smaller than all passing 'h or 5/8 in. Fine Crushers Sometimes these machines are called sand crushers and are called by various manufacturer brand names, such as Gyradisc, Hydrofine, V.F.C., and others. A cross section of a Symons Gyradisc crusher is shown in Fig. 46. Essentially, these crushers would be used in a fourth-stage crushing operation, but could be called on to reduce a screened feed size fraction from a secondary or primary crushing operation. This type of crusher normally receives feed no coarser than 1'h in. that is scalped of all over-sized material and operates in closed circuit with a vibrating screen. For average materials, typical product is '/e in. top size, although a -10 mesh product can be produced on those materials having suitable characteristics. The crusher is nor¬mally operated in a separate circuit from the main crushing plant because of the variations in output rates that are caused by varying physical properties in the feed. The reduction ratio is generally less than 2:1, and circulating loads are generally high. More interparticle crushing takes place in these machines than with conventional cone crushers and capacities can be more sensitive to changes in moisture content, feed size graduation, and other physical properties. Design Features For the various applications, crusher manufacturers normally have a range of crushers of different sizes and power ratings to select from.

Jan 1, 1985

By George H. Popper

The Bureau of Mines has evaluated the extent of phosphate resources available for recovery by the experimental borehole mining method in the Southeastern Coastal Plain of the United States- Phosphate re- sources at overburden depths greater than 30 m are as a rule currently unsuitable for recovery through conventional mining methods because of economic, environmental, or technical considerations. In the identified deposit areas, borehole mining operations are projected to yield a more favorable rate of return and to be environmentally more desirable than conventional surface mining. Borehole mining resource estimates presented in this study are preliminary and designed to serve as a basis for future resource evaluations, as the current data base is relatively sparse and incomplete. The resulting resources have, therefore, been classified as hypothetical and speculative and are subject to up- dating as additional exploratory data become available. Hypothetical and speculative resources amenable to borehole mining are estimated to total about 385 billion metric tons (rat) of phosphate matrix with a minimum in situ grade of 5 pct P205. With projected borehole mining capabilities and current conventional beneficiation procedures, this resource would make available approximately 64 billion mt of phosphate rock product at an estimated grade of 30 pct P205.

Jan 1, 1985

By Robert E. Moore

Investigators have attempted to develop lime refractories on a scale for broad applications in the metal and ceramic industries for several decades. There was a flurry of activity in the early to mid-fifties but no commercial developments were forthcoming. The literature of that period yields little information on plant trials. A major factor suppressing past interest in lime has to have been the high success with the application of magnesic and dolomitic materials. These materials, usually tar-bonded or impregnated, have become the refractories success story of the past two decades, especially in BOF applications. It is safe to say that their development and application has essentially plateaued, and that work today is focussed on finding cheaper paths to produce MgO-based refractories. For example there are efforts underway to extract MgO from mineral magnesite and to combine natural dolomite with MgO1. Beginning in the late sixties, rather intensive research began on the development of CaO brick, especially in East and West Germany, in Poland, and other communist bloc satellites, 'and also in Italy and Spain. One speculates that the motivation was a regional shortage of good magnesia and dolomitic material. Of course, There has always existed the prospect of cost savings should it be possible to use raw limestone as the starting material. Quite a large literature has appeared treating of these developments which in the early seventies had already reached full plant scale trials and uses. Some of the directions followed in the research have led to novel methods of brick manufacture.

Jan 1, 1985

By D. J. DeLeo

In recent years the hue and cry of American industry concerning the pressure of foreign competition on the domestic marketplace has become all too familiar to most of us, as we are all well aware, the steel industry has not been exempted from this pressure, reduced production levels, work force cutbacks, and in some extreme cases, plant closings and company liquidations have resulted, new regulations governing imports and quotas have been enacted, foreign trade agreements reached, and more strict regulation enforcement practices undertaken, despite these, and other measures, the impact of aggressive foreign competition has not lessened, the concensus of numerous management consultants is that in order to successfully cope with these problems we must draw on all available technology to provide the tools which will enable us to enhance our management effectiveness, one area requiring particularly close attention in any mining operation is that of managing critical resources - namely time, energy and equipment in a fast and efficient manner, In mining, with critical resources deployed over a large geographical area, any degree of success involved with resource management is dependent upon knowing the current status of all work related activities, if we, as mine operators, are to be more successful in this area, additional tools are a necessity and modern technology has provided a multitude of new options from which to choose.

Jan 1, 1985

By B. J. Scheiner, A. G. Smelley

The Bureau of Mines, US Department of the Interior, is conducting research on a dewatering technique for fine particles generated during the mineral beneficiation process that will recover a portion of the water now being lost using conventional waste disposal methods and significantly reduce the time required for land reclamation. The technique utilizes a flocculant, polyethylene oxide (PEO), that forms strong stable flocs that can be dewatered rapidly on static and/or rotary screens. Infield tests, phosphate clay waste has been dewatered from a nominal 2.5% solids to greater than 20% solids. In other field tests, coal-clay waste has been dewatered from a nominal 3% solids to greater than 55% solids. In addition, small-scale continuous tests have shown that bentonitic clays can be dewatered from 12% solids to 40% solids.

Jan 1, 1985