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By Jack Zhang, Yunguo Tang, Baodong Zhao

"Rare earth elements (REEs) have numerous key applications in both traditional and advanced technologies. A shortage of some critical REEs is expected due to the discrepancy between the REE abundance in REE deposits and the REE demand from the market. For example, Neodymium, Europium, Terbium, Dysprosium, Erbium and Yttrium are expected to be in short supply. REE recovery and separation from secondary resources such as uranium wastes, heavy mineral sands, and recycled materials can balance the shortfall in a cost effective way.The Saskatchewan Research Council (SRC) is engaged in the development and commercialization of complete REE recovery and separation technologies in Canada. One of SRC’s newest developments is the design and commissioning of a heavy rare earth (HREE) separation pilot plant. The pilot plant uses hundreds of stages of solvent extraction (SX) to produce high purity individual HREEs from both primary and secondary resources.This paper presents the design of an HREE recovery process for the particular case of uranium processing wastes. The separation results of a group separation are reported and discussed, as well as the issues and the challenges of the development, commissioning and operation of the continuous SX pilot plant.IntroductionSignificant amounts of strategic specialty heavy rare earth elements (HREEs) are found in uranium wastes in Saskatchewan. It estimated that about 47 tonne/a of heavy rare earth element oxides (HREO) including 27 tonne/a of Y2O3, plus 6 tonne/a of Sc2O3 are in the raffinate of every uranium mill for potential recovery. Since the HREEs are already in the raffinate, cost effective HREE production is promising in Saskatchewan.Selective precipitation including nutraulization, oxalate and double-salts precipitation, as well as sulfide precipitation, ion exchange (IX) and SX are commonly used technologies for the recovery and purification of REE solution. REE oxalate precipitation is an effective technology to remove Fe, Al, Ca, Si and other impurities by taking the advantages of the solubility difference between oxalates of REEs and impurities in acidic solution (Xu, 2005)."

Jan 1, 2017

By W. W. Adams

With greater production of coal per man-hour of work than ever before achieved, the coal-mining industry of the United States established a better safety record in 1941 than in any year since 1930, the earliest for which complete reports of nonfatal as well as fatal injuries were collected by the Bureau of Mines, United States Department of the Interior. In only one year (1933) of the 12-year period 1930-41 was the fatal-accident rate better than in 1941, whereas the rate for nonfatal accidents was better in 1941 than in any previous year. Accident and employment reports received from mine operators, together with fatal-accident reports received monthly from State mining departments and inspectors, showed that 546,692 men were employed in and about the coal mines of the United States during the calendar year 1941. This number does not include office employees or coke-oven workers. The increase of 1.3,426 over the number of employees in 1940 was accompanied by a gain in man-hours of work performed at the mines and an increase in average number of hours worked per man during the year.

Jan 1, 1944

By Hamid Butt

Information Technology ??Advanced Information Technology is dramatically changing information flow within organizations. This enables employees to have information at their fingertips to make informed and prompt decisions. ??Real-time information allows timely analysis, which dramatically reduces cycle times, making organizations faster and more flexible. Business Challenges ??Continual growth of mining and Mine mobile fleet.??Increasing maintenance costs. ??Difficult to identify and troubleshoot equipment problems while equipment is operating. ??New equipment is increasing in complexity and cost. Therefore, each failure results in a greater impact to production and cost. ??Troubleshooting practice is reactive. ??Protect and optimize the use of mining assets to realize maximum business value. ??Maintenance and Operating information is not easily accessible ?no near real-time system that provides complete information.

May 1, 2006

By C. A. Heiland, Tripp R. M., Dart Wantland

This paper serves to illustrate the application of geophysics to a virtually abandoned mine properly, an application that led to the discovery of an ore body and thus afforded an Opportunity to cOmpare subsequent geologic findings with geophysical data. The work herein described represents, however: more than mere ''case history." It demonstrates that it is possible to obtain satisfactory results by simple means and relatively inexpericnced personnel. The geophysical surveys were made by students as a part of their field assignments in the course of their regular training, and were supervised by Dart Wantland, J. E. Hawkins and R. Maurice 'Tripp. In the course of several seasons an appreciable amount of material was accumulated, which gave graduate students an opportunity for special studies. In this connection, the contributions by L. Massé, R. C. Hyslop, and J. E. Hawkins deserve special mention. The property owners cooperated wholeheartedly in the work, and special thanks are due messrs. J. F. Johnson and S. E. Zelenkov, of the American Smelting and Refining Co., for their interest and for permission to utilize the results of their development work for this publication. Location and Geology The Malachite mine is situated on the northcrn slope of Bear Creek Canyon, 4 miles northeast of Evergreen, I½ miles northwest of Idledale, and 4% miles west northwest of Morrison, in Jefferson County, Colorado. The location (Fig. I) is north of the center of set. 30, T. 45, R. 70 W., at an elevation of about 7500 ft, above sea level, Near the mine the terrain slopes rather uniformly southward at an angle of about 180 pigs. 3 and 7). The geology of the Malachite mine area has been described by J, underhill,' W, Lindgren,2 and J. Boyd.3,4 A map showing surface outcrops and mine workings appears in Fig, 2. the Malachite mine is in an amphibolite belt enclosed in gneisses and schists of the Idaho-Springs formation (probably early Algonkian age). The highly contorted beds are nearly vertical and strike slightly north of west. A series of granite-pegmatite dikes have been intruded almost at right angles into the gneisses and schists and doubtedless are postmineral. While most of the formations are exposed at the surface, a part of the 'lope is covered by slide rock and float, and in the eastern portion by alluvium and creek fill. A quartz-diorite dike cuts through the amphibolite schists at a small angle with nearly vertical dip. The copper sulphides, developed in this dike by magmatic segregation, occur in lenticular form. As far as the mine workings have revealed, the ore lenses are often discontinuous in depth and

Jan 1, 1946

By Tripp R. M., C. A. Heiland, Dart Wantland

This paper serves to illustrate the application of geophysics to a virtually abandoned mine properly, an application that led to the discovery of an ore body and thus afforded an Opportunity to cOmpare subsequent geologic findings with geophysical data. The work herein described represents, however: more than mere ''case history." It demonstrates that it is possible to obtain satisfactory results by simple means and relatively inexpericnced personnel. The geophysical surveys were made by students as a part of their field assignments in the course of their regular training, and were supervised by Dart Wantland, J. E. Hawkins and R. Maurice 'Tripp. In the course of several seasons an appreciable amount of material was accumulated, which gave graduate students an opportunity for special studies. In this connection, the contributions by L. Massé, R. C. Hyslop, and J. E. Hawkins deserve special mention. The property owners cooperated wholeheartedly in the work, and special thanks are due messrs. J. F. Johnson and S. E. Zelenkov, of the American Smelting and Refining Co., for their interest and for permission to utilize the results of their development work for this publication. Location and Geology The Malachite mine is situated on the northcrn slope of Bear Creek Canyon, 4 miles northeast of Evergreen, I½ miles northwest of Idledale, and 4% miles west northwest of Morrison, in Jefferson County, Colorado. The location (Fig. I) is north of the center of set. 30, T. 45, R. 70 W., at an elevation of about 7500 ft, above sea level, Near the mine the terrain slopes rather uniformly southward at an angle of about 180 pigs. 3 and 7). The geology of the Malachite mine area has been described by J, underhill,' W, Lindgren,2 and J. Boyd.3,4 A map showing surface outcrops and mine workings appears in Fig, 2. the Malachite mine is in an amphibolite belt enclosed in gneisses and schists of the Idaho-Springs formation (probably early Algonkian age). The highly contorted beds are nearly vertical and strike slightly north of west. A series of granite-pegmatite dikes have been intruded almost at right angles into the gneisses and schists and doubtedless are postmineral. While most of the formations are exposed at the surface, a part of the 'lope is covered by slide rock and float, and in the eastern portion by alluvium and creek fill. A quartz-diorite dike cuts through the amphibolite schists at a small angle with nearly vertical dip. The copper sulphides, developed in this dike by magmatic segregation, occur in lenticular form. As far as the mine workings have revealed, the ore lenses are often discontinuous in depth and

Jan 1, 1946

By Edmund S. Leaver

[In previous reports 5/ of ore-testing studies standard methods of conduction tests with precious-metal ores selected as representative of certain mining districts were discussed in considerable detail.]

Jan 1, 1941

By J. P. Mogan, E. D. Dainty, A. Lawson

"The toxicity reduction of emissions from two diesel engines by the emulsification of water into fuel oil was investigated to determine the applicability of such systems to underground mining machinery. . The engines studied were: 1) the Deut; F6L7J4, four-stroke, air-cooled, 6-cylinder, V-configuration, indirect-injection (IDl) engine, and 2) the Detroit Deisel Allison Division 8V7JN, two-stroke, water-cooled, 8-cylinder, V-configuration, direct-injection (Dl) engine.The application of emulsified fuel treatment to the two-stroke engine did not prove to be practicable. In the case of the Deutz engine, however, substantial benefit resulted. For a modest J5 per cent water content in the fuel and an injection timing of24° BTDC, approximate reductions of40 per cent in the concentrations of both particulate matter and nitric oxide (NO) were produced. These reductions were accompanied by insignificant changes in other toxic constituents. The net result was an approximate 30 per cent reduction in the over-all exhaust toxicity for typical LHD operation as assessed by the Health Effects Index criterion. This toxicity reduction represents a significant advance from the points of view of an improved underground environment and/or reduced ventilation costs."

Jan 1, 1981

By Peter Altounyan

The rate of decay of the energy from a hammer blow to a coal mine roof is related to the size and nature of the contacts between the rock being struck and its surroundings The use of this principle as a basis for testing roof condition in South African coal mines has been investigated under a SIMRAC funded project, with the objective of reducing the number of roof falls. ( I ) A prototype instrument having a simple numeric display related to the energy decay rate (the Acoustic Energy Meter) was constructed and used to carry out surveys at mines covering the range of coal mine roof geology and condition. The equipment was simple to use and provided excellent discrimination between visually intact roof and less stable conditions, once the normal/abnormal threshold had been established for a given site. Areas of potential roof failure were identified close to roof slips and igneous dykes, and confirmed in areas of visible deterioration. Directional stress effects on roof condition were also identified at some sites, with consistent differences in readings obtained depending on the direction of drivage. Repeat surveys also indicated areas where roof conditions were deteriorating with time. Based on the success of the prototype, a hand held version of the instrument. has been developed to a specification from Anglo Coal. This incorporates a simple 'traffic light' green / amber/ red display, making the device suitable for routine use by mine operatives This version is now undergoing trials at an Anglo Coal mine. It is concluded that the Acoustic Energy Meter shows great potential as a test instrument providing output which relates to the stability of the immediate roof.

Jan 1, 2000

A Study of Extracting Vanadium from Stone Coal Using Cyclic Oxidation

Sep 13, 2010

By Leo Horvitz

PETROLEUM and natural gas are composed principally of the saturated hydrocarbons ranging from methane, the lightest, to nonvolatile liquids and solids containing approximately thirty-five carbon atoms. A technique for locating buried accumulations of these hydrocarbons before drilling obviously requires that some of the hydrocarbons leave the deposit and migrate toward the surface of the earth where they may be detected in their original form. Earliest attempts to link near surface hydrocarbons to petroleum at depth were apparently made by Laubmeyer1 in Germany and by Sokolov2 in Russia. These investigators collected samples of soil air from boreholes one to two meters deep and analyzed them for traces of hydrocarbons. They found that soil air over producing areas is richer in these constituents than is soil air over barren areas.

Jan 12, 1954

By C. R. Summers

In response to the Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969, mandatory noise standards have been developed that specify time-noise limits of mine personnel exposure. Most affected by elevated noise levels is the pneumatic roof bolter operator, both in terms of levels near or in excess of 115 dbA and in terms of length of exposure. Therefore, the principal emphasis of this Bureau of Mines report is on pneumatic drill noise control. It is not the intent of this report to suggest any drill redesign; instead, methods are suggested to reduce the noise level by complementing existing machines. An integral muffler system and a separate muffler system were tested in an attempt to lower pneumatic drill noise levels. Pneumatic drills, when new, operate at about 115 dbA when drilling in sandstone. Using the drill muffler systems, it was possible to decrease the noise level of a 115-dbA stope drill to approximately 100 dbA.

Jan 1, 1974

By David M. Abbott

This paper is a companion to, and amplification of, the ?History? section of the 2014 version of the SME Guide for Reporting Exploration Results, Mineral Resources, and Mineral Reserves (SME Guide). The need for the careful examination and evaluation of mineral deposits has long been recognized. In the book De Re Metallica, Georgius Agricola noted, ?Moreover, a prudent owner, before he buys shares, ought to go to the mine and carefully examine the nature of the vein, for it is very important that he should be on his guard lest fraudulent sellers of shares should deceive him? (1556, p.29). Agricola further stated, ?Now a miner, before he begins to mine the veins, must consider seven things, namely: the situation, the conditions, the water, the roads, the climate, the right of ownership and the neighbors? (1556, p. 30). The elements of Agricola?s seven things, much expanded, are incorporated into the 2014 SME Guide. As reflected in this quotation, veins were the primary concern of mining until 20th century technology permitted bulk mining techniques. The need for standardization of reserve descriptions arose along with the development of western mining in the United States and the concurrent development of mining engineering and mining geology as professions. By the turn of the century, debate about terminology of various classes of reserves was in full swing. Herbert Hoover noted in 1909 (p. 16-17), ?The old terms ?ore in sight? and ?profit in sight? have been of late years subject to much malediction on the part of engineers because these expressions have been so badly abused by the charlatans of mining in attempts to cover the flights of their imaginations. A large part of Volume I of the Institution of Mining and Metallurgy has been devoted to heaping infamy on these terms, yet not only have they preserved their places in professional nomenclature, but nothing has been found to supersede them. ?Some general term is required in daily practice to cover the available field of visible ore, and if the phrase ?ore in sight? be defined, it will be easier to teach the layman its proper use than to abolish it. In fact, substitutes are becoming as badly abused as the originals ever were. All convincing expressions will be misused by somebody.? Hoover (1909) noted that the common terms at the time were: ? Positive ore or ore developed: Ore exposed on four sides in blocks of a prescribed size. ? Ore blocked out: Ore exposed on three sides within a reasonable distance of each other. ? Probable ore or ore developing: Ore exposed on two sides, ? Possible ore or ore expectant: Ore in whole or in part below or beyond the range of vision. Hoover stated that these, and similar terms, overlapped and had the difficulty of failing to account properly for geologic variation in metal distribution beyond the exposed face. Certainly assuming extension of values along a vein is reasonable, but how far? Also, these definitions are for vein deposits, not all types of deposits are in veins. Hoover (1909, p. 19), therefore, defined the following terms. ? Proved ore: Ore where there is practically no risk in failure of continuity. ? Probable ore: Ore where there is some risk, yet warrantable justification for assumption of continuity. ? Prospective ore: Ore that cannot be included in the above classes, nor definitely known or stated in any terms of tonnage.

Feb 1, 2014

By Jhon Cuya

Titanium dioxide is the well-known catalyst for the photodecomposition of water in UV region and its nanoparticles show better performance than its bulk materials. Furthermore, partially sulfurized TiO2 is expected to be chemically stable and have an enhanced photocatalytic activity compared with TiO2. For this purpose, the sulfurization behavior ofTiO2 nanopartic1es was thermogravimetrically (TG) studied by a thermo-balance with a quartz spring using CS2. From the TG curve of TiO2 nanopartic1es, first, the weight decrease appeared down to around 8 wt% and then sulfurization reaction started at around 500°C at a heating rate of 1 C°/min. The weight increase curve showed a maximum of ca 30 wt% at around 750°?C and then gradually decreased to ca 12 wt% at 1000°C. This would be caused by the formation of TiS2 followed by the decomposition ofTiS2 to lower sulfides, such as Tit.0.8S2 and Ti3S4. From the comparison of the sulfurization of TiO2 nanoparticles with that of anatase, rutile and Ti(OH)4, it was found that TiO2 nanoparticles showed a similar behavior to that of Ti(OH)4.

Jan 1, 2003

By Harold E. Marr

A simple algorithm is presented for processing digitized X-ray spectra obtained with a Si(Li) or Ge(Li) semiconductor detector coupled to a multi- channel analyzer. The simplified least-squares procedure is used to smooth out the statistical fluctuations in the spectrum by repeatedly fitting a quad- ratic equation to a predetermined number of channels and performing a traveling smooth across the spectrum. A logarithmic transform is applied to the raw data to minimize the distortion of the gaussian-shaped peak profiles. The efficacy of the technique is evaluated by observing the distortion of several gaussian-shaped peaks that have been subjected to the smoothing operation. The locations of maximums and minimums in the spectrum are predicted in the process as well as the values of the peak heights. The convolution integers from a least-squares fit of a quadratic equation are calculated as part of a FORTRAN subroutine. The building-block approach to computer programing in a small laboratory is discussed.

Jan 1, 1972

By L. H. Duschak

"This paper is based on the results of work conducted of the bureau's experiment station at Berkeley, Calif., in connection with the investigation of properties and methods of utilizing Western magnesite. The experiments described herein were made under the supervision of the writer, by W. C. Riddell and E. H. Delius, of the station's staff.In calcining magnesite for the production of magnesium oxide to be used in the preparation of oxychloride cement, the calcium carbonate present in the original rock may remain unchanged or appear in the finished product, either as CaO, or in combination with SiO2, A12O3, etc. As there is reason to believe that free CaO may have an effect on the behavior of caustic magnesia in the cement reaction, it is desirable to have a method for the determination of the relatively small amounts of free CO in the presence of a large quantity of MgO.The extraction of the free CaO with water free from CO2 at once suggests itself as a possible method. The solubilities of Ca(OH2)2 and Mg(OH)2. are given by Seidell in his book an ""Solubility of Inorganic and Organic Compounds."" (2nd Edition, 1919) as follows:"

Jun 1, 1920

By J. Kang

To obtain microbial cultures with the ability to efficiently leach copper ion from chalcopyrite, microbial samples from acid mine drainage sites were mixed and then subjected to mutation using sodium nitrite (NaNO2), diethyl sulfate (DES), ultraviolet light (UV) and their combinations. Mixed cultures with a much stronger ability to leach copper ion (identified as mixed cultures A, B, C, D and E) were obtained by screening on leaching media. Leaching tests showed that mixed culture E had the best leaching performance and increased the Cu2+ content by 120.5% in 20 days, compared to a control without mutation treatment. Mixed culture E grows well on Leathen leaching medium supplemented with Cu2+ (at a final concentration of 32 g/L), reaching 3.2 × 107 cells/L after 15 days, while the unmutated control culture cannot survive beyond 15 days, indicating that mixed culture E is more tolerant of high concentrations of Cu2+. In addition, continuous leaching by mixed culture E is very effective at a pulp density of 1%. These results suggest that it has the potential for industrial applications.

Jan 1, 2008

By R. S. Dean

"Applied Mineral Physics, by R. S. Dean.- This is an introduction to the seven papers that follow. It discusses the practical aspects of mineral physics and outlines the theo¬retical viewpoint underlying the investigations reported herein.Explosive Shattering as a Possible Economical Method of Ore Presentation By John Gross and C. E. Wood. - It is shown that explosion shattering by impact is favored by large charges and by low ratio of water to charge. For 400-gram charges of dolomite crushed through 48 mesh the steam costs are less than 5 cents per ton of dolomite obtained. This is within the range of present steam costs for ball-milling dolomite.Electrical Properties of Minersl Aggergates I. Natural and Artificial Aggregates Crystallized Lead Sulphide By R.S. Dean and John Koster - This paper deals with the electrical properties of natural and synthetic galena. It is shown that massive crystalline galena has a normal positive temperature coefficient of resistance, whereas fine-grained steel galena has a negative temperature coefficient, the curve R v. T being exponential in form. That steel galena behaves somewhat like a leaky condenser is indicated by ballistic and alternating-current bridge measurements. In determining the cause of the erratic results of alternating-current resistance measurements it was observed that the measured re¬sistance was a function of the current through the specimen. The direct-current resistance was found to be proportional to the square of a superimposed radio-frequency current and independent of the frequency.The influence of grain size or the amount of metallic interface on the voltage-current characteristics at various temperatures on synthetic galena pastilles was studied. It is proved that the volts v. amperes curves are linear for all sizes and temperatures, that they have an intercept which is apparently a linear function of the temperature, and that their slopes are exponential functions of the temperature and give rise to a negative temperature coefficient of resistance.Apparatus for determing the Magnetic Constants of Mineral Powders by V,H, Gottschalk,and C. W. Davis.- A modified isthmus permeameter having a spark-suppressed primary and a multiplier in the secondary circuit to regulate the effect of capsules functioning as a twin isthmus is used to obtain quantitative data and normal induction and hystersis curves from small amounts of powdered material at fields surpassing 3.000 oersteds. Data and curves are given to demonstrate the calibration of the apparatus and the reproducibility of its results. Applications and limitations of the apparatus are noted.Magnetization Curves for Magnetite Poeders by V. H. Gottschalk and F. S. Wartman.- This paper gives measurements on four lots of purified and analyzed magnetites in mixed fractions with especial reference to the variation of permeability with grain size and with dilution by an inert material."

Feb 1, 1935

By R. V. Lundquist, H. Leitch

The solubility characteristics of mono calcium aluminate (CaO A₁₂ 0 ) in water and in NaOH , Na₂ CO₂ , and NaOH - Na₂ CO₂ solutions were measured by determining the changes in Al2O3 concentrations in solution over a period of time at a specified temperature . The monocalcium aluminate was synthesized by sintering its starting components for 72 hours at 1,375 ° C. Distilled water and aqueous solutions of technical grades of NaOH and Na₂ CO₂ were used as solvents . The extraction of alumina from the monocalcium aluminate was dependent on the composition of the solvent and partially dependent on temperature for leaching . About 98 percent extraction of alumina from the aluminate occurred in Na₂ CO3 solutions containing 10 to 12 percent NaOH . Other solution compositions produce lesser extractions .

Jan 1, 1963

By Philip Thompson

The Bureau of Mines investigated a selective flocculation-flotation technique to remove insoluble slimes from low-grade potash ore in a continous 45-kilogram-per-hour (100-pound-per-hour) process investigation unit (PIU). This research is part of the Bureau's program to improve resource recovery from low-grade ores. Results showed that 84 percent of the insoluble slimes were removed from an ore containing 5.5 percent water-insolubles and 14 percent K20 using a Bureau-developed, cationic flocculant-glycol ester-diesel oil reagent. Subsequent potash flotation recovered 75 percent of the potash in a cleaner concentrate assaying 56 percent K20. Concentrate leaching upgraded the product to market specifications of 60 percent K2O. An economic evaluation by the Bureau suggested that the rate of return on investment, after taxes, should be about 20 percent for such an enterprise.

Jan 1, 1980

By G Capes, L Morizzi, N Mitkas, E Jones, D Grant

This paper describes the mining setting for the sub-level open stoping (SLOS) mining method used at Olympic Dam (OD), and investigates the range of stope performance conditions encountered over 30 years of production, using a qualitative description of the factors influencing performance. Utilising a continuous improvement tool, the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) process, and a forward-looking rock mechanics program, the intent is to identify the key factors driving productivity and performance to create a stable and achievable long term mine plan.

Mar 15, 2021