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By David Court, Rab Brown

The paper discusses the work in progress on the construction of the extension of the High Speed Rail line from the Channel Tunnel into the centre of London UK known as the “Channel Tunnel Rail Link” (CTRL), and particularly on contract 250 which involves the construction of two 5.3Km tunnels 7.15m diameter constructed with two EPB convertible tunnelling machines underneath the densely populated area of East London. In addition the paper will look at an innovative Alliance that has been formed between the Contractors and the Client’s Engineer involved in the construction of the London Tunnel Contracts

Jan 1, 2003

By M. T. Ityokumbul

Concentrate flowrates have been measured for the flotation of -100 mesh Lower Kittaning coal in a computer controlled 0.076 m x 3.5 m pilot flotation column. The variables studied were recovery zone height), air flow rate, and solid feed concentration. The size distribution of concentrate and tailings samples were determined. The results obtained show that the concentrate flow rate was independent of collection zone height, but dependent on the gas flow rate, solid loading and particle size. New correlations for column carrying capacity and yield are provided as a function of these fundamental operational parameters.

Jan 1, 1997

By S. Rezaei

Moving ground in the mining industry is almost inevitable; however comprehensive awareness of these movements is necessary to mitigate risk. Monitoring of displacements caused by mining is a key tool for geomechanical risk management. Good monitoring may prevent unexpected failures and protect personnel and equipment. Many displacement monitoring techniques are available, however not all are reliable, accurate, and cost effective. Close range photogrammetry (CRP) is a monitoring method with high accuracy, reliability, and cost effectiveness; and has the ability to measure places that are inaccessible. In CRP, some series of photos are taken in different positions with different angles at different time intervals depending on the displacement rates. These photos are processed using PhotoModeler software and 3D models are made. By comparing 3D models, displacements can be measured. This method has been demonstrated at the Freeport-McMoRan Safford Mine in Arizona. A fault related instability in part of the pit is reactive to mining, and provided an opportunity to compare results between traditional monitoring methods and CRP. In this project, multiple series of photos were taken at different times using a Canon 5D Mark III digital camera, then PhotoModeler software used to make 3D models for each specific measurement event. Movement rates were determined by comparing different 3D models. These results are then compared to results of other monitoring methods to validate the CRP displacement method.

Feb 27, 2013

By S. A. Elmquist

Research activities performed by Cleveland-Cliffs Research and Hibbing Taconite plant personnel during the last decade have resulted in the development of an improved autogenous mill grinding circuit. Minus one (1) inch autogenous mill trommel oversize material, con-sidered to be a critical size, is magnetically cobbed and then crushed to 100% minus 3/8" prior to reentry into the feed end of the mill. Autogenous mill capacity increases, up to 25%, have been measured in pilot plant tests using this approach and are also anticipated for the Hibbing Taconite concentrator which presently has reached a 15.5% improvement.

Jan 1, 1994

By W. C. Meyer

Surface tension and its control are important in the concentration of ores by froth flotation, both in terms of producing the proper bubble size distribution and to render the ore surface of interest hydrophobic such that adhesion to a bubble will take place. The influence a substance has on surface tension has traditionally been measured using static, equilibrium techniques. Yet many applications such as flotation involve rate-related effects of surface tension where equilibrium values are not reached. In the time frame of 1 - 300 seconds, aging effects have been noted for bubbles formed in dodecylamine acetate solutions; a slow decrease in surface tension occurs until an equilibrium value is reached, as studied by Finch and Smith (1972). Since stationary bubbles do not exist in flotation cells because of the turbulence generated by agitation and aeration, it is more likely that the chemical composition of the bubble is determined during its formation, under dynamic conditions. The chemical composition is extremely important because the induction time required for a particle-bubble entity to collide and adhere to each other is augmented by favorable surface tension (wetting) proper- ties between the surface of the particle and the bubble air-water interface or envelope, as considered by Mackenzie and Matheson (1963). Finch and Lyman (1976) have established that the probability of a "permanent" attachment taking place during this contact time is aided by the ability of an oil droplet (viz. bubble) to relieve non- equilibrium surface tension effects which are involved in the water-thinning process. This Maragoni effect, or surface elasticity, can be considered in the context of particle agglomeration addressed by Kao and coworkers (1975). Water drainage leads to the formation of a collector-frother meniscus appearing between the colliding entities, arising from their combined partial immiscibility in the water phase and promoted by hydrophobic bonding within the interface. Together they constitute a liquid bridge whose force of attraction drawing the particles together is proportional to the interfacial tension existing between the water phase and liquid bridge. This adhesive force shows an approximate linear decrease with separation distance until rupture occurs, that is, FX = Fmax (1 ? X/Xr) (1) for a distance of separation X and rupture distance G. The greater the surface elasticity of the bubble, the greater will be the rupture distance and the better will be the force of adhesion. Since van den Tempel (1965) has related surface dilational properties of bubbles to the elasticity, E, of the film as

Jan 1, 1983

By Warren D. MacEvoy

INTRODUCTION Good ventilation bulkheads (stoppings) can be obtained only by conscientiously adhering to four basic principles: carefully selecting the site for the bulkhead, adequately preparing the site, properly constructing and sealing the bulkhead, and checking the results with a smoke tube before leaving the area. If all these guidelines are followed during each ventilation project, a poor job will result only from the use of improper materials and cannot be blamed on carelessness or oversight. SITE SELECTION A perfectly constructed bulkhead in the wrong location can be completely worthless. Conceivably, a bulk-head in the wrong location could cause dangerous ventilation conditions that are difficult to identify and isolate. If the suggestions herein are followed, a considerable amount of work, time, and material may be saved. Perhaps the single most important step is always to select the exact site for a bulkhead before starting construction. Although the latitude in selecting a site may be limited by instructions or operating conditions, it is common to find poor bulkheads built within a few meters (feet) of a site that would have been far superior but was overlooked during the planning process. The ideal site for a bulkhead should have as many of the following features and conditions as possible: 1) To provide a solid bulkhead, the selected site should be in firm and unbroken ground. 2) To minimize the amount of work and material required and to minimize the danger of later damage to the bulkhead, the site should have as small a cross section as possible. 3) The bulkhead site should not be encumbered by interferences such as pipes, wires, ditches, wire roof supports, trash, muck piles, etc. 4) The walls and timbers of the site should be free from oil, grease, or tar that would inhibit adhesion of the sealant used on the bulkhead. 5) Unless special precautions are taken, the site should not have water seepage, standing water on the floor, or water-carrying ditches. 6) To expedite construction of the bulkhead, the site should have reasonable access to transportation, supplies, communication facilities, and compressed-air lines. 7) The site should have a reasonably level floor, allowing direction of the bulkhead door swing to be reversed at a later time if so desired. In a steeply sloping location, it may be possible to open the door in one direction only. SITE PREPARATION Once a suitable site has been selected for the bulk¬head, it must be prepared properly. All site preparation work should be completed before starting any construction work on the stopping itself. Unfavorable site conditions can be identified during the course of thepreliminary site preparation, saving time, effort, and materials that otherwise might be wasted. The follow¬ing preparation steps help assure the construction of a good stopping: 1) If wire mesh has been used at the site, a strip 457 mm (18 in.) wide should be cut and removed from the walls and roof at the selected location. 2) The exposed strip of rock should be barred down thoroughly to provide a smooth surface. 3) All obstructing materials should be removed, including old timbers, pipes, rockbolts, wires, etc. If a conduit must cross the bulkhead area, it should be located or relocated away from the floor, walls, and roof to allow a 6.28-rad (360°) seal around the juncture between the conduit and the bulkhead structure. 4) All loose muck should be cleaned from the site and a trench about 152 mm (6 in.) deep should be dug from wall to wall in the floor. The trench must be wide enough to accommodate the entire bulkhead, including the posts. 5) The rock surfaces of the walls and roof should be cleaned with a wire brush to remove as much loose surface material as possible. Thorough cleaning promotes adhesion of the bulkhead sealant to the surfaces of the walls and roof, thus promoting an airtight seal. 6) It is quite difficult to seal landing mats that cross a bulkhead. If such a crossing cannot be avoided, the bulkhead should be placed between the end and the first hole in the steel so at least one side of the bulk-head can be sealed easily and completely. That may have to be done prior to actual construction if the end is located on the opposite face from the seal coating of the bulkhead. BULKHEAD CONSTRUCTION The three principal considerations in bulkhead con¬struction are the type of bulkhead, materials to be used, and construction method to be employed. For many projects, the bulkheads are specified by the requesting agency, with no latitude for independent choice of the type, materials, or construction method. In such cases, any deviations from the specifications, for any reason, must be approved in advance by the proper department or by the project senior ventilation engineer. Types and Materials When a choice of type, materials, or method is allowed, consideration should be given to factors such as cost, required useful life, proximity to blasting concus¬sions, availability of materials, direction of permissible air leakage, and degree of airtightness required. Other factors to be considered include the amount of time available, accessibility of transportation, potential for interference with operations or production, ambient water conditions, availability of connections to com¬pressed-air lines, etc. Despite the multitude of factors to be considered, most stoppings can be analyzed easily and the proper choices can be made without much difficulty. The four common classes of bulkheads utilized in

Jan 1, 1982

By Donald E. Ralston, William B. Seward, Washington Bernard, William J. Halvorsen, Richard P. Killmeyer, Kelvin K. Wu, Peter Phillips, John N. Murphy, W. H. Mullins

Despite a recession that's crippling many US industries, and a UMW strike that wasn't supposed to happen, 1981 was a fairly good year for the coal industry. The big news was record-high exports. Queues of colliers waited for weeks at Hampton Roads, VA, and Baltimore, MD, to load coal destined for Europe and the Far East. Private industry and city governments began scrambling for a share of the export boom, and port developments were planned in nearly every coastal state. Coal exports jumped from about 82 Mt (90 million st) in 1980 to a record 83 Mt (92 million st) in 1981, according to the National Coal Association. NCA projects exports to remain at this level 1982. The following statistics illustrate industry performance in other areas: • Demand by domestic utilities and overseas customers was so strong that total US consumption reached 760 Mt (838 million st) in 1981. DOE predicts another record year in 1982, with consumption forecast at 804 Mt (886 million st). • 1981 production of 730 Mt (805 million st) was just slightly below the record high of 748 Mt (824 million st) in 1980, "a remarkable figure considering that UMW production was shut off for 72 days during 1981," says NCA President Carl Bagge. Production in 1982 should set a new record, 800 Mt (880 million st). • Eastern coal production fell 7.4%, while western production-largely unaffected by the UMW strike-rose almost 10%. NCA says eastern output will rise almost 12% to 538 Mt (593 million st) in 1982, and western production will increase by 6.6% to 266 Mt (293 million st). • Production per manhour is improving. After the strike, weekly production hit the 16 Mt (18 million st) mark and has approached the 18 Mt (20 million st) per week level. •Coal's share of the US electric generation market increased from 51% in 1980 to 53% in 1981. Electric utilities are coal's biggest customer, and their financial situation is precarious. Inflation has thwarted necessary expansion plans, while shifting environmental regulations have played havoc with construction costs. Utilities increased power sales by only 2.5% in 1981; NCA predicts that utility coal use will increase 4% in 1982. The Association's long-range forecast indicates that growth in electricity demand in the immediate future will be much lower than in the 1960s and 70s. Administration Impact Industry optimism following the election of Ronald Reagan and a Republican-dominated Senate didn't survive the year. One bright spot was the appointment of James Watt as Interior Secretary, and his promises to review surface mining regulations and resume leasing. The administration, however, has declined to support federal eminent domain for slurry pipelines and expects port users to foot most of the bill for expansions and improvements. It has also drastically reduced government financial support for synthetic fuels. The outlook for synfuels-one of three major markets for coal-has

Jan 5, 1982

By E. Maré

Some of the members will probably ask themselves what close relationship exists between hydro-metallurgy and a wet scrubber, but we are sure that as soon as deeper thought is given to the matter it will be realised how vital scrubbing, operations are in metallurgical plants. In ordinary metallurgical installations or pyro-metallurgical processes ore concentrates are first of all shifted from place to place and dust is created. In other cases the ores or concentrates are crushed or dried or roasted, and in each one of these operations dust and fumes, are created. All suspended particles and fumes originating from the abovementioned conditions not only, in many instances, provide health hazards which disrupt production and endanger the personnel in the plant, but also are the source of economic losses through extra maintenance and wear to moving machinery due to abrasion and corrosion. Further losses are incurred by the waste of fine, very often valuable, components. The Party who once said that in several metallurgical plants the bulk of the profits was discharged into the atmosphere by the stack wasn't stretching the truth. There is a place in Africa where a gold producing concern used to lose over 5 oz. of fine gold per day out of a total production of 3000 oz. per month. In another instance, copper concentrate going as high as 80% Cu was discharged into the atmosphere at the rate of 4 tons per day. Realising the value of removing and collecting solids and fumes created in metallurgical plants, a thorough study was made of the available plant and equipment offered on the market. Some units were found very efficient, but very expensive; some others also very efficient but with temperature and maintenance limitations. Some others were also efficient but prohibitive from the point of running costs.

Jan 1, 1963

By R. L. Grayson, S. S. Peng

Sampling of respirable dust and analyses of samples have been partially completed for a longwall panel. Physical and compositional properties which have been characterized include: 1. Respirable mass concentration, 2. Mineral composition, 3. Particle size distribution by mineral, 4. Particle shape distribution by mineral, 5. Particle angularity distribution by mineral, and 6. Respirable size distribution. Analytical techniques used in the characterization of samples are described, and results are reported with emphasis placed on relationships between the various characteristics and worker locations. Details of existing mining conditions, equipment arrangements, dust control methods and operating system parameters are presented.

Jan 1, 1986

By R. A. Metz, M. A. Bryant, J. C. Goodwin, T. B. Faddies, L. D. Kornze

The Mercur Gold Mine is located 56 km (35 air miles) southwest of Salt Lake City in north central Utah. In July 1981 Getty Mining Company made the decision to put Mercur into production. The first gold bar was poured in April 1983. This paper provides details on: 1) the history of the camp, 2) past production, 3) geology of the deposit, 4) the exploration and development program, 5) ore reserve estimates, 6) detailed geologic pit mapping, 7) production blasthole sampling techniques and 8) the use of geostatistics (kriging) in handling assays and gold extractions to produce the required mill feed.

Jan 1, 1992

By L. Xia, B. Hart, V. Sidorkiewicz

Sodium silicate(s), also known as “water glass”, are one of the oldest and most widely used industrial chemicals. Its first use in North American mining operations can be traced back to around 1925, which coincided with early use of xanthates in mineral flotation. Silicate functions as a sulphide and non-sulphide gangue mineral dispersant, depressant and modifying reagent in grinding and flotation operations. It is believed that soluble sodium silicate promotes selectivity of value added sulphides against gangue minerals, resulting in both grade and recovery improvement. This paper seeks to link improved grade/recovery to the interaction characteristics of minerals and the sodium silicate. A systematic study was performed with individual mineral species, an artificially designed model ore and the feed ore from a copper metallurgical operation. The function of sodium silicate was evaluated in the context of colloidal chemistry and linked to mineral surface chemistry. Measurement of pulp rheology and mineral zeta potential identified that sodium silicate works as a dispersant. The dispersion is accomplished by increasing a mineral’s net surface charge, resulting in a mineral variable change in viscosity. Bench scale laboratory flotation tests suggest that better dispersion leads to a diminished interaction of chalcopyrite with gangue. The improved Cu grade and recovery then are likely in response to an increased accessibility to collector along with a linked increase in particle bubble attachment resulting in better separation efficiency. ToF-SIMS surface chemical analysis of the flotation samples found a higher proportion of sodium silicate on minerals from the flotation tailings relative to the concentrates. Moreover, attachment of sodium silicate appears to be mineral specific; the data indicates that sodium silicate favours the surface of gangue phases over the value sulphides. INTRODUCTION Mineral processing involves enrichment of valuable minerals from an ore, where the separation process utilizes differences between the properties of the value-added and gangue minerals. The properties of minerals, for example composition, specific gravity, particle size, magnetic properties etc., in any flotation feed ore, can vary significantly between the various minerals present. In flotation seperation surface chemistry and wettability is a significant component promoting selective separation of the various mineral phases [1,2] Mineral surface wettability can be changed, advantageously or deleteriously, by many factors including: surface layer alteration through oxidation; galvanic interactions; attachment of secondary precipitates; the adsorption of various reagents [3] In the flotation context the wettability of a minerals surface can be manipulated by various reagents. Collector reagents may selectively attach to specific minerals in the mineral/water slurry enhancing their surface hydrophobicity, increasing bubble-attachment efficiency and improve flotation kinetics and mineral recovery [4]. In contrast, depressant reagents may selectively reduce a minerals surface hydrophobicity resulting in poor particle-bubble attachment and non flotation. In essence, a mineral flotation flow sheet is designed to induce/promote a hydrophobic surface to the value mineral and a hydrophilic surface to all others. Therefore, the versatility of the froth flotation process lies in the selection of different flotation reagents.

Jan 1, 2019

By D. Van Orden, Y. Kamiya, R. Lee, E. Ilgren

Crocidolite is a well-known causative agent for mesothelioma. However, studies have shown that the pathogenicity of the fiber from different mines varies considerably and it has been postulated the parameter that appears most likely to account for this variation is fiber width although this has never been formally confirmed. To date, crocidolite appears to be the only asbestos mineral for which an epidemiological study comparing the risk of mesothelioma in a population exposed to ‘thin’ fibers with another exposed to ‘thick’ fibers of the same species may be carried out. Finnish anthophyllite, South African amosite, and African Transvaal crocidolite can also be classified as thick fibers, and there is a paucity of mesotheliomas in populations exposed to them compared to those exposed to thin Cape crocidolite. No thin occurrences of these minerals are known. Our previous study looked at crocidolite from several sources. The present study considers the amphibole anthophyllite found in many places in the world. This mineral, regardless of source, does not show the same variation in fiber width found with crocidolite from different areas. All anthophyllite fibers that have been mined may be classified as thick and populations exposed show very low levels of mesothelioma. We suggest the most likely explanation is related to the fiber width distribution and a concomitant reduction in the ‘Stanton fiber size’ fraction.

Jan 1, 2012

By R. J. Piniazkiewicz

Talc orebodies are mined in Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, and South America. Operators in North America must be efficient quality suppliers to thrive in a talc market in which many overseas suppliers have advantages such as lower hourly wages, shorter distances to ports, and less government regulation and intervention. Continuous improvement through teamwork and innovation is needed in the following areas to thrive amidst worldwide competition: 1) Maximization of the in-place value of ore. 2) Research and development to yield new processes and products. 3) Safe productivity. 4) Involvement in legislative processes. 5) Wellness programs to lower health care costs.

Jan 1, 1993

By Donald S. Clarke

The Umuna epithermal precious metal deposit has provided the target for a simulated rock geochemistry exploration program, directed at bedrock exposed in the drainage system of eastern Misima Island. A geochemical halo to the deposit is readily recognised in the mafic meta-volcanic country rock. This halo is defined by anomalous results for both major (K, Na, Ca, Mg) and minor (Au, As, Sb, Cu, Pb, Zn, Ba, Rb, Sr, Cs, Bi, Ga, S) element geochemistry, extending further than 1km from the deposit. Such halos are sufficiently extensive to provide adequate exploration targets in the search for epithermal mineralisation, complementing mineralogic and secondary media geochemical investigations.

Jan 1, 1989

By G. A. Hazen, S. M. Sargand

This study monitored longwall mining subsidence profiles over three panels that were mined beneath state highways in southeastern Ohio. The average maximum subsidence was 1.07 m (3.5 ft). The average maximum compressive strain recorded was 0.008 mm/mm. Three predictive methods for the determination of displacements and strains were compared: the National Coal Board (NCB) graphical method, the profile method with empirical constants determined for southeastern Ohio, and a finite element excavation program. Excellent subsidence agreement was found with the profile method, and reasonable strain agreement was determined with the finite element program.

Jan 1, 1987

By J. Kallioinen

The paper describes industrial size experiments with a 100 m3 flotation cell validating the Size Specific Flotation concept and the Tank Cell design. It discusses some variables affecting the flotation of coarse particles. The results were good. The flotation recovery of coarse particles increased up to 50%. In finer sizes the flotation improvement was 5-15% The enhanced flotation of especially the coarsest particles increased the total recovery close to 10%-units compared to conventional cells in a porphyry copper flotation. The related power draw was only 50-80% of the power of conventional cells.

Jan 1, 1995

By YONGQIONG YANG, Ning Wang, CHONGGUANG LUO, LI ZHU, Hanjie Wen, SHENGJIANG DU, Hannian Gu

Niobium in kaolin clay from the Late Permian sequences was reported in the range of several hundreds of micrograms per gram and was considered as a potential resource for its high concentrations and large areal distribution. Ti-bearing minerals associated with kaolin clay were identified as the main host phase for niobium in some case studies. However, the correlation between the concentration of niobium and titanium is poor, and the types of Ti-bearing minerals and modes of occurrence of niobium are not clear. Typical kaolin clay samples from the Late Permian sequences from southwest China were characterized, and the final products derived from kaolin clay sample were investigated using XRF, ICP-MS, XRD, SEM, and TEM (EDS). The results reveal that there were three types of TiO2 mineral phases in the clay samples: (a) massive TiO2 minerals and (b) aggregates of nano TiO2 minerals did not contain niobium while (c) granular TiO2 minerals were the source of niobium from the EDS analysis. The granular TiO2 minerals included anatase and rutile, both of which were the sources of niobium in kaolin clay in the current study. The findings are of great theoretical implication for source and origin study of Ti-bearing minerals and guidance for separation and recovery of niobium from kaolin clay.

Nov 30, 2020

By H. E. M. N. Moursy, Hassan El-Shall, M. N. Ahmad, Ponisseril Somasundaran, C. R. Holland, D. Chandler, G. Walker, Regis Stana, Patrick Zhang

The reaction kinetics of the acidulation of Moroccan phosphate rock (32% P?05) using 45% nitric acid were investigated using the Shrinking Core Model (SCM) , a newly developed Diffusion Model (DM) and a newly developed Combined Reaction and Diffusion Model (CRDM). This was achieved buy conducting a number of experiments in a controlled batch reactor system at different temperatures. The conversion and the reaction rate were calculated at different time intervals. The SCM based on reaction time and the CRDM characterize the acidulation process of phosphate rock. Diffusion of nitric acid and the products of acidulation at the early stages of reaction through the phosphate rock were found to be the rate-controlling step, resulting in a dif- fusion coefficient, which controls the mass transfer process. The reaction kinetics were found to fit first-order kinetics especially during early stages of reaction time. The deviation of the kinetics from first-order at later stages was due to the fact that the overall reaction was mass transfer controlled with respect to nitric acid and products diffusion.

Jan 1, 2002

By Samuel Frimpong

In this paper, the authors present a typical mine profitability model. The method of generating system moments is used to examine the sensitivity of the profitability function to changes in the dependent variables, and to express the expected risk associated with undertaking the project in a predicted economic and technical environment. Profitability of a mining venture is a function of many variables ore grade, capital and operating costs, milling efficiency, ore reserve tonnage and annual tonnage, equity - loan structure, tax regime, etc. Estimates of the expected value and the variance of the profitability function are obtained by calculating the partial derivatives of the function with respect to the dependent variables, using the Taylor series expansion method to the second order. Sensitivity analysis is carried out by examining the effects of each variable on the profitability function, which is determined by the magnitude of the product of its partial derivative and variance. An appropriate probability density function, based on the expected value and the variance of the profitability function, is assumed to estimate the expected risk associated with the project. This expected risk is a measure of the area under the profitability density function below the appropriate, selected discount rate or the cut-off net present value (NPV). The results are compared with those obtained by using the Monte Carlo simulation technique, and they show that either of the two methods could be used to evaluate the probability of project failure or success with no significant difference.

Jan 1, 1992

By H. Sevim

Placement of coal combustion byproducts into abandoned sections of underground coal mines for the purpose of subsidence mitigation has been investigated in Illinois. Several handling and transportation systems have been examined. Prototype pneumatic and hydraulic placement systems have been developed and demonstrated. The demonstration site, Peabody No. 10 mine in Pawnee Illinois, is selected as a case study. It is found that, for a project of 5 years, transporting 150,000 tons of byproduct annually from a power plant located 32 km (20 miles) to the mine would cost $1.80 per ton and placement into underground would cost $3.07 per ton.

Jan 1, 1998