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By James Aston

INDICATIVE of the practical importance of the achievement of James Aston , recipient of the Robert W. Hunt Medal for 1930, is the following prosaic item from the financial columns of a recent issue of a New York newspaper. "According to private advices from Pittsburgh, production costs of the A. M. Byers Co. for 1929 were reduced about $5 a ton by the use of the Aston process for making wrought iron pipe. A greater saving is anticipated for 1930, when more of the company?s requirements will be produced by the new method."

Jan 1, 1930

By R. W. Wein, L C. Bliss

Northern ecosystems are dominated by a harsh physical environment which dictates a need for biological adaptation. As yet, it is unknown just how these adapted plants and animals will tolerate industrial development. Our work, sponsored by university, government and industry, is part of an effort to evaluate this developmental impact. Our present studies and the results to date will be discussed. Other problems to which the environmental student may address himself in the future to ensure against environ-mental degradation will be suggested.

Jan 1, 1971

By Jonathan K. Hrica, CASSANDRA L. HOEBBEL, Jennica L. Bellanca

Accidents involving powered haulage and mobile equipment like haul trucks are a major safety concern in the U.S. mining industry. They account for more than 50 percent of surface mine fatalities each year [1]. A recent National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) analysis of 91 fatal incidents identified loss of vehicle control and situational awareness as key contributors [2]. However, the first-hand perspectives of operators are often missing, emphasizing the need for deeper insights into operators’ decisionmaking, lessons learned, sensory cues and mental strategies used during near-miss events. The findings in this analysis will help inform the development of training and safety solutions to prevent or reduce haul truck accidents.

May 1, 2025

By T. G. Joseph

ABSTRACT: The Canadian oil sands provide some of the harshest mining conditions in the world. Asoperations demand ever bigger tools, the toll on large mobile mining equipment is high, with structural life often half of that expected. Soft ground conditions predominantly lead to fatigue failure scenarios, poor stability, and inconsistent payload evaluations. These challenges are not solely a concern for Canadian oil sands mines; there are far-reaching implications for surface mining equipment in any poor ground-operating environment. This paper focuses on the basics of payload evaluation, motion response, and a simple estimate of structural life for haulers.

Jan 1, 2011

By Rodolfo V. de la Cruz

The stresses in the materials surrounding an underground opening are dependent upon the virgin stress field, the geometry of the opening and changes in boundary conditions as mining progresses. For most underground openings especially in coal mines, roof bolts are installed to help stabilize the opening. While most parameters in roof bolt design and installation have been thoroughly investigated, the effects of the initial stress field on the effectiveness of roof bolts have not been recognized. This paper summarizes the results of investigation of the effect of the initial stress field on the performance of mine roof bolts. Roof bolt installations are duplicated in the laboratory utilizing conventional roof bolt frame, commercial roof bolts and shells, mine torque wrench and encapsulated rock specimens for anchorage. A special and primary feature of the laboratory set-up is the addition of a loading system for generating stresses at the anchorage specimens. For this preliminary study, different levels of hydrostatic stress fields were induced at the anchorage specimen, instrumented roof bolts were installed in the usual manner, and the bolt load loss-with-time observed. Statistical analysis of data showed that the stress field at the anchorage horizon has a considerable influence on the performance of mine roof bolts, i.e. the higher the stress field, the higher the anchorage efficiency. From this observation, methods of improving the performance of mine roof bolts utilizing new shell designs and methods of installing them are suggested.

Jan 1, 1978

By A M. Lechner, S Arnold, M J. Gillespie, P D. Erskine, D R. Mulligan, A T. Fletcher, A Gordon

Mine ecological monitoring schemes are often conducted only to address compliance and in some cases do not have the sufficient statistical power or understanding of ecological systems to assess, quantitatively, the meeting of rehabilitation targets or mine impacts. Monitoring schemes for rehabilitation commonly rely on analogue sites or premining baselines (reference sites) to assess whether rehabilitation sites are ecologically similar and thus successfully rehabilitated. In the case of monitoring for mine impacts, if the impacted sites diverge from reference data, the site is considered to be impacted. Fundamental to any monitoring scheme is testing the sampling design to ensure that it can detect these differences if they are present through adequate sample sizes (ie statistical power). However, a good understanding of the ecological system is required to ensure that differences detected are ecologically significant. Modelling ecosystem properties can provide a quantitative understanding of how ecosystems change over time and space, in response to natural environmental variations and thus aid in determining significant ecological differences. Furthermore, modelling methods can be used to predict future ecosystem states. Within the ecological literature, guidelines for robust statistical monitoring designs and modelling methods exist but are not routinely being used in the mining industry. This paper uses simple examples to discuss: problems with current compliance monitoring methods; importance of robust statistical techniques; and how modelling can assist rehabilitation assessment and guide monitoring schemes. The aim of this paper is to describe general monitoring and modelling methods that could be potentially used for mine site monitoring and closure assessment. These methods are often considered by mining companies as an extra expense that provide little practical benefit, and the domain of academia; however, engaging these methods may be more cost-effective in the long-run than conducting untargeted monitoring schemes that give no confidence to regulators on whether rehabilitation criteria have been met. Furthermore, monitoring programs in mining contexts provide a good opportunity to better understand long-term ecological patterns and test the application of more rigorous modelling approaches as the life of many mines tends to be greater than ten years.CITATION:Lechner, A M, Arnold, S, Fletcher, A T, Gordon, A, Erskine, P D, Gillespie, M J and Mulligan, D R, 2012. Embracing modern ecological methods - Monitoring and modelling for mine closure, not compliance, in Proceedings Life-of-Mine 2012 , pp 25-32 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Jul 10, 2012

By Charles Will Wright

THE economy as well as the living standards of a country depends largely upon adequate supplies of raw materials at reasonable prices. Geological and climatic conditions responsible for the occurrence of commercial minerals and the growth of raw agricultural and forest products are so varied in different parts of the world that no country can be self-sufficient. The world is rapidly shrinking because of improvement in transportation facilities, but populations are steadily increasing and so are the needs for a greater production of raw materials and for their more equitable distribution. Too many barriers between nations prevent free access to the main sources of supply of the raw materials vital to neighboring nations and it is just such barriers that are often the cause of friction and even war. The International Trade Organization is doing a commendable job in helping to. break down barriers and to reduce friction, and we should now find ways to facilitate access to these sources of supply and encourage more efficient and greater production of the raw materials so urgently needed throughout the world. This cannot be done by individual selfish governmental agencies, influenced as they are by politics, nor by socialistic governments attempting to nationalize industries. It can be done efficiently only by the free individual through private enterprise properly protected against adverse governmental action. This protection can be supplied by the World Bank.

Jan 1, 1948

By A Kite

Frontline leaders play a critical role in the safe and productive operations of Australia’s mining, resources and heavy industries. These leaders set the workplace culture, especially during night shifts and weekends, by providing team direction and encouragement, providing access to resources, fulfilling statutory requirements, enacting and reinforcing risk management systems, setting the standards on shift and acting as the primary conduit of communications between senior leaders and team members.

May 5, 2022

By C. Eddine

"Can we use data to make communication effective? How does one successfully tackle the challenge of solving cultural differences and harmonizing the needs of diverse stakeholders while developing and maintaining a strong and reliable corporate image? Is it possible to achieve better engagement and minimizing risks with data? This paper aims to explore human rights and business procedures, the promotion of shared prosperity in a sustainable manner and the use of metrics to guide decision-making process. Among the topics examined are: • the significance of stakeholder engagement in community development projects; • the use of grievance mechanisms to give a voice to First Nations and communities / populations in vulnerable positions (including children and elders); • the benefits of configuring and implementing a feedback system in partnership with the communities. This research is a preliminary initiative and has limitations on the extent of the material used. The author acknowledges there is a vast amount of work and publications available on this subject, as well, as a variety of examples that have not been included. The intention is to keep developing this research to assess and expand how data can be used to minimize risks and improve engagement, in addition to inspire others to continue advancing this topic. Natural resources consumption is a reality that will not disappear in a foreseeable future. Several developments and operations are located in remote areas where communities in vulnerable situation and Indigenous Peoples live. Feedback systems are being ratified as a tool to help tackling the challenges of harmonizing cultural differences and fulfilling the needs of diverse stakeholders. Integrating social, environmental, and economic values plays an imperative purpose in preserving a productive and trustworthy relationship with stakeholders. Positioning social standards next to environmental and economic principles shows inclusiveness and firm intention of integration. We add value to a positive image of our industry by embracing responsibility for corporate actions and promoting their beneficial impact on the environment. The social context within communities, groups and organizations is dynamic and presents new challenges as connections evolve. There are wildly diverse expectations which one may need to address during exploration, construction and operating phases. Disagreements are an inevitable consequence of interactions due to the different needs and requirements of the parts involved. Nevertheless, balancing differences and solving conflicts can offer remarkable opportunities for improvement."

Jan 1, 2016

By J Jones

A common problem in the mining industry is that company exploration groups operate in relative isolation to the rest of the company; resulting in poor knowledge transfer (Qureshi and Briggs, 2006) and often priority conflicts with mine geology, operations and project departments. In recognition of this problem, Newcrest created a Minerals Division responsible for stewardship and governance of mineral assets across the value chain from reconnaissance to rehabilitation. It was recognised at an early stage that effective collaboration both internally and externally would be required to improve decision making, deliver faster cycle times and improve governance.Collaboration in companies is generally associated with the introduction of new IT functions. However, modern IT-based collaboration systems and practices are relatively simplistic compared to the long-standing practices associated with collaboration and knowledge management in science and engineering disciplines such as geology and mining.The authors of this paper have started a trial of a 12-point plan for effective collaboration, which recognises that significant efficiencies can be gained and barriers to future success removed if more effective collaboration can be achieved between science and engineering divisions in a company along with external professionals and with the collective intelligence (Tapscott and Williams, 2006) of the outside world. To meet growth aspirations some companies, like Newcrest Mining Ltd, are adopting this comprehensive, step change approach by moving from a closed model the isolates mine geologists to an open and collaborative model that uses IT visualisation systems strategically. The paper describes how an open model provides people with the right work environment and the right information at the right time, which will help individuals and workgroups to work more collaboratively day-to-day. The aim is to achieve speed, focus and mitigate risk through an environment where everyone and anyone can contribute effectively (Cisco, 2008).

Aug 22, 2011

By R. A. Jankowski

The U.S. Bureau of Mines has conducted a study to identify the sources of respirable dust and appropriate dust controls applicable to today's high tonnage longwall faces. The primary source of respirable dust identified is the cutting action of the shearer; however, the pct contribution of dust from coal transport through the stageloader/crusher was significant. This was primarily due to the high rate of mining, requiring rapid and constant coal transport. Techniques implemented for the control of shearer-generated dust included high drum water flow rates, deep cutting, shearer-clearer-type external water spray systems, and radio-remote control. The high water flow rates, and an enclosed stageloader with scrubber, were used to control dust during coal transport. No novel or effective control technology exists to control dust during support advance. Administrative controls for dust avoidance, and manual and batch-activated electro-hydraulic control systems were used to keep support movers out of the dust generated during support advance.

Jan 1, 1990

Just 104 km (65 miles) from Phoenix, AZ, Rio Tinto hopes its new Resolution Copper Mine will be a showcase for the Rio Tinto management philosophy. Its goal is to have a net positive impact. In every place that Rio Tinto mines, it wants to be able to have an overall beneficial effect on the local community, environment and economy. ?We?re constantly working to understand our impacts, to understand how to minimize our impacts and understand how to mitigate those impacts,? said Resolution Copper Mining chief executive officer David Salisbury, from the global headquarters of Rio Tinto Minerals in Green-wood Village, CO.

Jan 1, 2010

By T. Stack, C. Roos, M. Drake, P. Conrad

"This paper presents the evaluation Montana Tech completed for the Western Energy Company Rosebud Mine relating to the benefits of survey data collected using novel technologies over traditional methods for topographic surveys. These technologies include Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), photogrammetry, and laser scanning/LIDAR. Utilizing these technologies, large areas such as reclamation areas and cast blasts can be surveyed in a timely manner for use by the mining operation. The areas that were evaluated were the improvements in the safety of employees and the time required to collect data. In addition, there is also a potential cost savings for the operation, all while not affecting the accuracy of the data that is collected. PROJECT BACKGROUND Accurate topographic survey data is critical to successful surface mining operations. It is used for mine planning and design as well as permit compliance. Currently, employees typically collect survey data using GPS equipment or total stations. These methods can be dangerous, as they require employees to work near large operating mobile equipment, edge of high walls, and on piles of stacked steep-sloped loose material. Aerial and satellite photographs, performed by a contractor, can be used to obtain some of this information, but it is expensive and may not be attainable during overcast conditions. Montana Tech, along with the Rosebud Mine, conducted research on the accuracy, cost, and other benefits of survey data collected using novel technologies. Some of the methods studied include, but are not limited to, Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) or Vehicles (UAV), photogrammetry, and laser scanning. These methods were evaluated to determine if these technologies provide mining companies with a safer, cost effective, and accurate method to collect data for surface mining operations. The project scope was to evaluate various surveying techniques to determine which techniques would be applicable for the Rosebud Mine and complete a trade-off study comparing the new techniques with currently used methods. The trade-off study included an analysis of the technological differences between the methods, safety and legal considerations for the new techniques, operational limits, and the costs associated with each technique. Working with the Rosebud Mine team, techniques were selected for field trial and accuracy comparison. This paper presents a literature review of applicable technical papers and a summary of the Federal Aviation Administration regulations for UAS, followed by a study comparing conventional GPS topographic surveys with UAS based systems and laser scanning systems. The comparison of the various methods was broken into the following four categories: operator safety analysis, time comparison, survey accuracy, and cost analysis. After all of these portions of comparison were completed a recommendation was provided based on the evaluation that was performed."

Jan 1, 2017

By M. Peters, P. Schmäh

The development of renewable energies and a sustainable power grid are the challenges for future energy supply. Underground cables will replace the vulnerable overhead lines, because of their safety benefits. Due to the public environmental awareness, smart tunnelling and trenchless solutions are required for inner-city and cross-country installations of underground cables, as well as for crossings and the landfall sections to connect offshore wind farms to the transmission grid. Methods from the tunnelling and pipeline industry provide a high flexibility in the planning of alignments, including versatile tunnel concepts and the installation of protective pipes with E-Power Pipe and Direct Pipe.

Jun 13, 2023

By Jean-Pierre Birat, Ana-Maria Iosif, Denis Ablitzer, Olivier Mirgaux

"Integrating environmental considerations into the product traditional process design is now the major challenge for steel industry. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is nowadays considered as an appropriate method for assessing environmental impact and selecting new technologies to reduce CO2 emissions for steel industry.In this paper we propose a new methodological concept which combines LCA thinking with process simulation software in order to carry out the life cycle inventory of classical steelmaking process.Using Aspen PlusTM software, a physicochemical model has been developed for the integrated steelmaking route. This model gives the possibility to carry out life cycle inventories for different operational practices in order to optimise the use of energy, to calculate CO2 and other emissions and to control the mass and the heat balances of processes.It is also shown that such approach can be used to design and assess new technologies for steelmaking without large industrial application.IntroductionDuring recent years, it was recognised that CO2 emissions are the major factor of the global warming effect. In order to meet Kyoto requirements, the steel industry is embracing the challenge of sustainable development by improving its competitiveness and economic success while reducing its environmental impacts. Integrating environmental considerations into the traditional product design process, for powerful eco-efficiency, is now one of the major priorities for steelmakers.The European Steel Industry has measured up to this challenge by creating ULCOS (Ultra Low CO2 Steelmaking) consortium that has taken up the mission to develop breakthrough steelmaking process with the potential to reduce CO2 emissions (Eurofer, 2005). In order to develop technologies to reduce emissions, it is necessary to assess the environmental impact of the classical steelmaking route (coke plant, sinter plant, blast furnace, basic oxygen furnace, continuous casting and hot rolling)."

Jan 1, 2009

The contribution of minerals to the growth and development of the United States is best demonstrated by the uses which have evolved during the past two centures. During pre-Revolutionary days the colonies were essentially agricultural in character, producing cotton, tobacco, rice, indigo, grains and flour, fish, livestock, dairy products, and timber. Shipbuilding was the major manufacturing industry. In 1763, the total value of exports for Virginia, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts was £2,722,000, of which £55,000, or 2 percent, was for "copper ore, and iron in pigs" (3)1 and £49,000 was for 21,000 barrels or hogsheads of "pot-ash." The value of 75 ships built for sale in 1763 by the colonies was £61,500.

Jan 1, 1976

By Alice M. Chieruzzi

This Country Documentation Report presents the development of economic indices for the Philippines for the period from 1970 through 1981. The work was done through the Bureau of Mines, Minerals Availability Program, under Contract number J01225001. This contract calls for the development of twelve index time series describing factor input costs in the mining sector of 95 countries. The twelve index time series describe the costs of: 1) mining wages, 2) construction wages, 3) equipment and repair parts, 4) bits and related steel, 5) eimber and lumber, 6) fuel, 7) powder and balsting agents, 8) tires, 9) construction materials, 10) industrial materials, 11) transportation, and 12) electrical power. These indices combined with weight factors being developed by the personnel of the Minerals Availability Field Office (MAFO) of the Bureau of Mines in Denver, Colorado, will be used to perform instantaneous updates of all costs relating to the mining industry. The indices were developed primarily for use in the Bureau's Minerals Availability Program in assessing the worldwide availability of nonfuel minerals.

Jan 1, 1983

By J Morton

The Resource Management Act 1991 represented an innovative and unique piece of planning and environmental legislation when it was introduced. Since the Act was passed into law in 1991 it has been subject to nine amendments, many of which were of the ætinkerÆ variety. These amendments recognise that the Act has not been as successful in providing the æone-stop shopÆ for resource users that the Act was hoped to be. The latest and most significant attempt at changing the Act was the Resource Management Amendment Act 2003. The amendments made by the Amendment Act have proved to be largely unsuccessful in achieving any significant changes to the way resources are managed in New Zealand, and have failed to address many of the concerns which drove the original Resource Management Amendment Bill in 1999. The recent decision to discontinue further investment in Project Aqua has once again placed the Act in the spotlight as a significant hand-brake on major projects. This particular event has led to yet another review to be undertaken this year. The review will focus on five key areas:   1.   achieving the right balance of national and local interests; 2.   improving the design and process for local policy formulation; 3.   improving the consent decision making process; 4.   allocation of natural resources (water, air and geothermal); and 5.   supporting measures for building capacity and promoting best practice and implementation at the local authority level.  It is important for the business community and the mining industry in particular to seize the opportunity that this review provides to make sure that any amendments undertaken as a result of the review achieve the aims listed above. The review needs to be considered in light of the current regime for the management of natural resources in New Zealand. In addition to the Resource Management Act 1991, the Crown Minerals Act 1991 and the Building Act 1991, which form the core resource statutes in New Zealand, there have been other developments affecting the regime. Special legislation over and above the Resource Management Act 1991 has been enacted to protect the Hauraki Gulf and special legislation is currently being considered to protect the Waitakere Ranges in Auckland. In the Hauraki District mining is prohibited in some areas and a plan change mechanism is specified as the appropriate tool to use in the event a mineral resource is to be developed in those areas. The current review is a further opportunity to remedy the inadequacies of the Act.

Jan 1, 2004

By A. Zrimsek, G. Vingas, R. Wolke

IN 1952, prompted by the great demand of the Canadian drilling and foundry industries for sodium bentonite, the Geological Department of Magnet Cove Barium Corporation, Limited began an extensive search for bentonite deposits throughout western Canada. Their efforts were rewarded in 1958, when substantial deposits of high quality material were found approximately 100 miles southeast of Edmonton, Alberta. The bentonite material, a part of the Edmonton formation in the Upper Cretaceous, is located approximately nine miles south of the town of Rosalind. The land where the bentonite lies has in places .been eroded by stream and glacial action to form a wide gully, convenient for strip mining methods (see Figure 1). The bentonite bed is almost flat-lying, dipping to the southwest at approximately 12 feet per mile. The main bed is 8 to. 10 feet thick and is covered with 15 to 25 feet of overburden. Before stripping, the area is drilled and sampled to evaluate the quantity and quality of the bentonite.

Jan 1, 1962

By J Tibbett, F T. Suorineni, B Hebblewhite

Block caving is an important mining method for the future economic exploitation of large, low-grade, steeply dipping orebodies. While block caving is not a new method, there are still many unknowns surrounding the mechanics driving the process, particularly as we are forced into deeper, higher-stressed and stronger ore deposits. The caving industry is desperate to provide some explanation behind the myths of caving geomechanics to better predict and manage current caves and caves of the future. Large amounts of data are collected to help understand caving, but it is not fully utilised and current approaches for analysing the data are capacity limited. The application of virtual reality and scientific visualisation (VRSV) technology to visualise and analyse block caving is a critical future component in the assessment toolbox. VRSV enables large, complex, multidimensional data sets to be analysed and the power of human visual problem solving processes to be utilised. Block caving is a complex system and needs to be analysed as a system, rather than looking at individual factors one at a time. A software module has been developed at UNSW Australia for use in the advanced visualisation interactive environment for analysis of the block cave mining system (BCMS). This fully immersive, 3D virtual assessment tool shows exciting potential and is used to analyse the BCMS with a close linkage to time (ie the chronological occurrence of data). This tool will enable a true investigation into the cause and effect relations within the BCMS. Current research is investigating Newcrest Mining Limited’s Ridgeway Deeps operation and is aiming to turn some of the cause/effect relationships into increased geomechanics understanding to provide improvements to ground control management. This paper outlines the methods of assessment used to analyse BCMS geomechanics with VRSV and shows the potential of the software module for BCMS analysis.CITATION:Tibbett, J, Suorineni, F T and Hebblewhite, B, 2014. The application of virtual reality technology and scientific visualisation to the understanding of block cave mining systems, in Proceedings AusRock 2014: Third Australasian Ground Control in Mining Conference , pp 195–200 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Nov 5, 2014