Search Documents

By R. Debkowski

Mining methods used to protect the workings in underground salt mines against the destructive activity of natural factors are presented in this paper. Major hazards and methods of elimination of their impact on the stability of workings, were determined. Old and modern technical means and technologies used for protection and preservation of the selected most interesting sites were characterized. The results of surveys and studies allowed proposing the change of mine structure i.e. dividing it into monumental and not-monumental part, which should improve execution of necessary protective works.

Jan 1, 2006

By B. E. Davis, D. A. Stanley, C. E. Jordan

A prototype expert advisor was developed by the U.S. Bureau of Mines to systematically offer advice on the control of a Florida phosphate operation. The PC based system receives input from remote sensors for circuit parameters such as feed rate, reagent addition, and pH and from operator entered information such as the quality of the concentrate and tailings in each of the coarse, fine, and amine flotation circuits. The computer evaluates the information using rules obtained from industry representatives and Bureau flotation experts. Recommended actions and questions are displayed to quickly guide the operator to a problem within the flotation circuit and suggest a solution. This process control system could provide more uniformity among the flotation operators and also serve as a trainer for new operators. In addition, it represents a step toward fully automated systems for phosphate flotation.

Jan 1, 1990

By G. Karahalios

Industrial minerals always play an important part in the technological growth of a country. The extraction and trading of industrial minerals continues to expand, but the industry is now subject to stricter environmental guidelines. This paper presents the current status and growth potential of industrial mineral exploitation in the southeastern European region, i.e. Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Greece, Italy, Serbia and Montenegro, Slovenia and Turkey. Annual production figures per country are presented for 1992-1998. These figures are compared to each other, and, where applicable, they are compared to world production figures. The marketing of industrial minerals to Europe and other regions of the world and the effects of such trade on the local economies are also evaluated when such data are available.

Jan 1, 2000

By C. Maltesh, P. Somasundaran, G. A. Gruber

Anionic conditioning of phosphate ores prior to fatty acid flotation is a critical step that determines the selectivity, recovers and, hence, the economics of the process. However, the chemical mechanisms operating during this conditioning step are not very well established. In this work, a comprehensive surrey of plant practice was conducted. Then, adsorption on flotation feed and francolite were studied under simulated plant conditions. Different adsorption mechanisms were found to be dominant under laboratory and plant conditions. In plant water, there was sonic physisorption of oleic acid on phosphate flotation feed and francolite, in addition to chemisorption. However, in distilled water under laboratory conditions, only chemisorption was detected. Fuel oil reduces the residual oleic acid in solution after adsorption, which explains the beneficial role of extender in phosphate flotation. The dissolved species in solution arising from the flotation feed or plant processing water are shown to clearly play a major role in determining the adsorption of oleic- acid on the substrates. The study also specifically demonstrates that, for the results to be used commercially, it is important to conduct the tests under plant mixing conditions and with the same plant water chemistry.

Jan 1, 1997

By Andrzej Wala, Tom Altman, Tom Hughes

The University of Kentucky Mine Ventilation Manager (UKMVM) is a system that contains Level Five knowledge bases and comprises an expert mine ventilation management system. The package uses production rule language (PRL) to interpret data monitored from sensors, e.g., for airflow, temperature, and concentration of gases, in an underground mining environment. Activated from the PRL knowledge bases are Pascal subprograms which (1) organize the monitored data to set up emergency consultations, (2) display graphic representations of a mine's ventilation network with the latest sensor readings, (3) provide interactive updating of mine ventilation parameters, e.g., resistance changes, revised flow requirements, and new regulator and fan settings. Also activated from these knowledge bases are programs which (1) monitor airflow, temperature and gas concentrations from a physical mine ventilation model and (2) adjust regulator openings and fan rpm's. Thus, as an expert system the UKMVM not only presents advisory consultations for underground environmental emergencies, but also serves as an interface between the monitoring and responsive control aspects in the continuous maintenance of normal mine ventilation.

Jan 1, 1989

By G. Mbuyi Kamba

Literature is rather abundant on the topic of steady-state network analysis programs. Many versions exist, some of them have real extended facilities such as full graphical manipulation, fire simulation in motion, etc. These programs are certainly of great help to any ventilation planning and often assist the ventilation engineer in his operational decision making. However, what ever the efficiency of the calculation algorithms might be, their weak point still is the overall validity of the model. This numerical model, apart from maybe the questionable application of some physical laws, depends directly on the quality of the data used to identify its most influencing parameters such as the passive (resistance) or active (fan) characteristic of each of the branches in the network. Considering the non-linear character of the problem and the great number of variables involved, finding the closest numerical model of a real mine ventilation network is without any doubt a very difficult problem. This problem, often referred to as the parameter adjustment problem, is in almost every practical case solved on an experimental and "feeling" basis. Only a few papers put forward a mathematical solution based on a least square approach as the best fit criterion. The aim of this paper is to examine the possibility to apply the well-known simplex method to this problem. The performance of this method and its capability to reach the global optimum which corresponds to the best fit is discussed and compared to that of other methods.

Jan 1, 1995

By T. L. Heidrick

Late Cretaceous-early Tertiary Cordilleran porphyry Cu-Mo districts and their consanguineous Zn-Pb-Ag-Au-W vein and replacement deposits of the Rocky Mountain region comprise one of the largest, best studied, diverse, complex, puzzling, and richest compound metallogenic provinces on earth. A concise space-time definition of intermineral plate, regional and local structure-tectonic frameworks is crucial to deciphering their diachronous metallogeny and enhancing the explorationist's odds of future discovery.

Jan 1, 2013

By Graeme Lyall, Oy Leuangthong, Clayton V. Deutsch

There are many variables to consider in the evaluation of nickel laterite deposits including the concentrations of nickel, iron, silica, and magnesia. These variables show complex relationships with each other such as mineralogical constraints, non-linear correlation, and heteroscedasticity. The complex multivariate relationship between the variables cannot be reproduced by conventional Gaussian or indicator geostatistical techniques. We introduce the stepwise conditional transformation method as a pre- and post-processing multivariate transform for the stochastic simulation of a nickel laterite deposit. Transformed data are multiGaussian and independent at h = 0; thus, cosimulation can be avoided after verification that variables are independent at all lag distances. Back transformation restores the features of the input multivariate distribution to the simulated realizations. The complex multivariate correlations are reproduced and sensitivity issues are addressed.

Jan 1, 2002

By R. Gerling

A computer program has been developed for finding a near-optimum schedule of the mining sequence for flat lying, tabular orebodies. The deposit is divided in blocks with equal areas and definite grades, thicknesses and ore contents. Mining is done by room and pillar method and trackless haulage to surface. Access from surface is by adits or ramps with additional vent raises. In total eight different general concepts for access and development can be realized. The optimum mining sequence is found by a heuristic method. Criterion is the maximization of the net present value over the lifetime of the mine. Specific stoping costs per t of ore are taken for con¬stant, whereas development and haulage costs for individual blocks and also sequences will be different. Correct ventilation and a technically sensible sequence are guaranteed. Beginning with a single block, neighbouring blocks are tested and an optimum stoping sequence is generated. The net present value of the total mining operation for the planning period is calculated, taking into account ore, which is mined during development. The program can also be used to investigate given mining sequences.

Jan 1, 1986

By L. W. Stanger, Erich U. Petersen, William J. Tafuri, Donald M. Hausen, Douglas N. Halbe

Gold mineralization at the Mercur Mine was controlled primarily by structure and secondarily by lithology in Mississippian-age sedimentary rocks. Gold was localized where Sevier-age high angle northeast-striking faults are intersected by younger northwest-striking fault zones. The Lulu Graben is a northeast- striking fault zone composed of a south-dipping master fault coupled with subsidiary or antithetic faults. The Twist Fault zone, a sinuous, low-displacement , north-striking zone of fracturing, bisects the graben. Large- tonnage disseminated ore bodies formed east of the Twist Fault zone within silty, thin-bedded, bioclastic carbonates. West of the Twist Fault zone, gold was restricted to rock near peripheral faults surrounding a subvertical collapsed pipe developed within the graben. An overlying thick carbonaceous shale capped the ore zone. Presence of abundant limited- displacement faulting and of hydrothermal jasperoid is associated with cartonate-hosted disseminated gold. Conversely, increased fault displacement and widespread brecciation are associated with reduced dissemination of gold into normally receptive carbonates.

Jan 1, 1990

By K. M. Belingheri, M. E. Smith

Pinson Mining Co. operates a conventional mill and two heap leach operations in north-central Nevada. The latest of these heap leach operations, the Preble project, is a low-grade, low-tonnage property made profitable through several innovative capital reduction techniques. Rapid return on investment was a prime factor in design. To facilitate this, fast-track design and construction techniques were employed. The project is a seasonal 1.5 kt/d (1 700 stpd) crush/agglomerate heap leach plant using both clay and plastic leach pads. Construction and startup were achieved through cooperative arrangements between local contractors and in-house construction personnel, with few items put out to bid. An interactive approach to design minimized lost time and construction costs.

Jan 1, 1987

By F. K. Letowski

Leaching of zinc sulphide concentrate by nitric acid which is simultaneously regenerated by oxygen in the reactive froth has been investigated. The reactive froth was formed by a recycled zinc sulphate electrolyte containing nitric acid, a mixture of gaseous 02 and NOx, entrapped in the foam and particles of the zinc concentrate suspended in the foam. In the reactive froth the multiple regeneration of nitric acid proceeded owing to the encapsulated oxygen and amount of nitric acid used can be considerably lower than in the continuous liquid phase. 93 to 97% of zinc was extracted to a solution containing 30 to 409/1 HNO, during 40 to 60 min of leaching in a batch reactor without regeneration of nitric acid. 50 to 100% of the consumed nitric acid was regenerated during continuous leaching in froth carried out in the ‘flotation column’-type reactor at 80 to 90°C and under pressure of 100 to 200kPa. The rate of HNO, regeneration in the froth was proportional to oxygen pressure and inversely proportional to nitric acid concentration in the froth. A two-stage process flowsheet is proposed. In the first, the reduction stage, removal of nitric acid from the leach solution directed to standard purification and electrolysis is carried out by its reduction to nitric oxide using fresh concentrate in the froth. In the second, the oxidation stage, nitric acid is continuously regenerated by oxygen in the froth.

Jan 1, 1995

By Drupad B. Desai, C. C. Ku

INTRODUCTION The Laurens Street section of the Northwest Line of the Baltimore Region Rapid Transit System, located along Pennsylvania Avenue between Pitcher Street and North Avenue is situated in material which cannot be definitely categorized as soil or rock. However, in the area of residual soils in which these tunnels were constructed, considerable attention was required to determine the character of the ground so that the designers and the constructors could properly evaluate the behavior of the ground and plan their respective efforts accordingly. The Laurens Street sections structures consist of twin rock tunnels, station structure, traction power substation, vent shafts at both ends of the station, the midline vent shaft, and the twin mixed-face tunnels. This paper concentrates on the mixed-face tunnels which extend from Station 99+67.03 (O.B.) to Station 102+49.00 (O.B.) at the southern end of the section. Since the completion of the design of this project, the Laurens Street section has been renamed the Upton Station. (See Figures 1 and 2). SUBSURFACE INVESTIGATIONS At early stages, three preliminary studies were performed by the General Soils Consultant (Ref. 1, 2, & 3). The purpose of the first study was to ascertain the generalized geological and subsurface conditions which might be encountered in the region. No borings were performed for this study. A limited number of test borings were performed for the second study, which included subsurface data for the Northwest and South Lines of the Transit System. Three borings were

Jan 1, 1981

This paper discusses how the link between design software tools and recycling models can be established in order to predict the recyclability of the car during the design phase, as well as to be able to apply design for recycling on a solid technological basis. Due to the complexity of the design of the car, optimisation of recycling can only be realised based on a sound technological basis, in which the dynamic and statistically distributed parameters affecting the recycling rate are described and understood. This paper gives a brief overview of the dynamic and recycling models, which are developed for optimisation of the recycling of the car and the calculation of recycling rates of the car in the design phase in view of EU legislation. Moreover the possibilities for modelling of shredding and liberation within the recycling system are discussed. The performance of experiments on a fundamental basis in order to collect statistically correct industrial data, supported by a closing mass balance, is referred to on the basis of a large scale industrial recycling experiment. It will be shown how design for recycling and environment can be supported by the sophisticated models as developed by the authors.

Jan 1, 2005

By J. Alton Burks, Roy C. Bartholomae

The chain conveyor is utilized extensively in underground mining to convey raw ore, especially coal. It is estimated that several thousand loading and continuous mining machines rely on this type of conveyance. Although the chain conveyor is both efficient and highly reliable, its use is generally associated with the production of noise levels that often exceed 105 dBA at the operator's position. Thus, it is one of the most significant contributors to the occupational noise problem experienced by miners in the underground coal mining environment. Conventional engineering noise controls that result in an average reduction of 4 dBA have been previously designed and implemented. However, a novel solution involving a change in conveyor operation has been proposed that takes advantage of two aspects of conveyor noise: 1) conveyor noise has an approximately cubic dependence on conveyor chain speed and 2) due to the damping provided by coal, a full conveyor is 5 dBA quieter than an empty one. An engineering analysis has shown that a significant reduction in the operating noise level of a typical continuous miner can be achieved through the use of an adjustable speed drive automatically controlled by a coal loading sensor that maintains a full conveyor at all times. The potential reduction depends primarily on the mining conditions (coal seam thickness and the presence of either rock or water) and varies from 7-18 dBA. Other benefits to be derived from the use of a variable speed drive include reductions in power consumption, dust, and maintenance costs.

Jan 1, 1992

By G. A. Campbell

Mining companies have been very interested in the presence of a number of small but high-grade ore bodies of base metals in northern Wisconsin and the west/central section of the Upper Peninsula (UP) of Michigan. The region is rural with outdoor recreation/tourism and lumbering being the key industries. The economy of the region is based on the use of its natural resources, and mining is not a new activity to the region, especially the UP. The western UP was historically a key mining district for copper and iron, and today the central UP has a significant iron-mining district. However, all efforts to develop the base metal ore bodies have been met with a storm of controversy involving the local community, regional activists, Native Americans, and the state government, and only one mine has gone into operation. There is concern by some stakeholders about the sustainability of mining in communities that depend on the environment for tourism, recreation, and other commercial activities. There have been four attempts to get the necessary approvals to mine in this region: the successful Flambeau Mine effort (Wisconsin), the failed Crandon project (Wisconsin) and Lynne project (Wisconsin) efforts, and the continuing effort to get the Eagle Project (UP of Michigan) approved. The cases are presented to illustrate the project situation, the history of the permitting effort, and the opposing parties and their concerns. The case of the Eagle Project is looked at in detail by using the method of discourse communities and discourse analysis. Results of the analysis provide insight into the communication efforts to address community concerns about sustainability and what more can be done to improve this dialogue.

Jan 1, 2008

By F. Aurelian

The development of the uranium mining industry in Romania started in 1950. The exploitation of Bihor region, one of the most important metallogenic zones of the country, began in 1962. Uranium exploitation activities were ceased in 1995 due to the exhaustion of the ore deposits. Between 2001 and 2002, due to the entire mining zone closure, ecological rehabilitation and decommissioning was initiated. The proposed solutions, concerning terrain, equipment and buildings utilization were elaborated according to the guidelines of the Romanian Environmental and Nuclear Authority.

Jan 1, 2006

By Murray D. Lester

The relationship between bauxite and energy has two distinct aspects. On the one hand, since virtually all of the bauxite that is mined winds up as aluminum metal, the economic health and future of the bauxite industry and of the bauxite-producing countries depend on the continuing vigour and competitiveness of aluminum against alternative metals and materials. The price of aluminum is, in turn, particularly dependent on the price of energy. Hence, the need for bauxite is ultimately affected by the price of energy. The second aspect relates to location of the bauxite industry. There is no shortage of bauxite resources in the world. For various reasons, as we shall see, there is a growing tendency toward the integration of bauxite mining, bauxite refining and aluminum smelting in those countries that have the resources both of bauxite and of energy necessary to support the entire production chain. Thus, the availability of attractive energy supplies will increasingly favour development of bauxite mining: the traditional export of bauxite as a simple raw material is likely to diminish in relative terms. In short, both the amount of bauxite mined and where this mining will take place are related to energy considerations. Let us first have a brief look at the four basic activities that are involved in our integrated operations: A. The bauxite is mined and moved to an ore plant. This step does not require more than relatively modest amounts of energy normally associated with excavation, loading and shipping of any bulk material. We need about four or five tonnes of bauxite for every tonne of metal produced.

Jan 1, 1984

By Greg T. Saretzky, Wilson G. Ward

A comprehensive hydrologic study was completed far the waste rock dump at Equity Silver Mine, BC. Characterization of the hydrologic system included geologic structure. topography, surface hydrology and groundwater systems. The results of the study conclude that the cover system is restricting net infiltration to approximately 5%. However, significant discharge continues to occur from the perimeter of the dump. A three dimensional seepage analysis was carried out to illustrate the influence of groundwater discharge associated with the regional topography and geologic structures. The results of the modelling program show that groundwater discharge occurs from the waste rock dumps when high recharge rates are specified for the surrounding topography- This groundwater discharge strongly influenced by the high hydraulic conductivity assumed far the fractured bedrock. The modelling results are considered preliminary and field drilling and piezometer installation is being conducted to determine the groundwater regime in the vicinity of the waste rock dump.

Jan 1, 2000

By Mark C. Holton

The mining industry has recently been. - experiencing a difficult period. Escalating costs, lower grades and deeper level mining, are a few of .the reasons' why interactive graphics or CADD (computer aided design and draughting) systems are increasingly being used. CADD systems which support powerful and flexible mining applications have great potential for making all forms of mining more efficient and effective. There are many application programs which address almost every aspect of mining. Most of these programs originated to satisfy a particular need. Graphics and other features were added until they, reached a point where they were commercially viable as a mining package. Because of their evolution these packages, lack many CADD-type features. Today there are powerful personal computers (PC's) and engineering workstations running the best CADD systems available. These systems, support hundreds of applications in almost every discipline. Mining was until recently not well supported by interactive graphics vendors because of the highly variable nature of mining and the lack of common standards. Users of CADD systems have experienced the benefits of CADD and come to expect similar features from graphic mining packages. Several developers of mining packagers have either attempted to include some CADD features or make their packages compatible with one or other CADD system. Mining can benefit greatly From a combination of interactive graphics (or CADD) and the right mining application software.

Jan 1, 1989