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By M Ireland

Extensive use of diesel-powered mobile equipment in modern mines for materials handling, such as load-haul-dump machines, constitute a significant source of heat, exhaust gases and diesel particulate matter. Provision of sufficient quantities of fresh, cool air are required to remove such atmospheric contaminants from the environment for miners, particularly at depths where ventilation constraints and associated operating costs have an increasingly adverse impact. An alternative solution to diesel equipment to combat economic, environmental, social and health challenges, are battery electric vehicles (BEV), with the potential to expand production and substantially reduce ventilation and cooling demand, subsequently reducing operating costs. In this context, this paper focuses on the introduction of a battery electric loader to a diesel fleet at one of the deepest underground mines in Australia, the CSA Mine, a high-grade copper operation in Cobar, New South Wales. Analysis of a trial battery electric loader compared to existing diesel machines is performed with regards to infrastructure, technical and operational issues. Key benefits of battery electric vehicles over conventional diesel-powered vehicles are discussed, including lower energy consumption and greater efficiency, reduction of emissions and heat, reduced need for ventilation and lower operating costs. Challenges of introducing BEVs into an operation, along with the results from the comparative study are addressed under impacts to energy consumption, equipment selection, effects on ventilation and cooling, mine design and economic viability for future fleet implementation scenarios whilst meeting production targets.

Mar 29, 2023

By Barton K. Cross

The objectives of this effort were to: 1) Develop and validate start-of-shift operational inspection procedures to be used by operators of mobile, self-propelled equipment used in surface mining operations; 2) Evaluate user acceptance of the developed procedures; and 3) Recommend methods and media for presentation of the developed procedures to the user population. Mobile, self-propelled surface mine equipment requiring start-of-shift inspection was identified. Subsystems amenable to operational inspection were identified. The procedures addressing all safety critical subsystems on each equipment type were then developed and validated. The inspection procedures developed were those that could be performed largely from the operator's station. User acceptance was evaluated during on-site data collection visits to surface mines. Representatives of the user population reviewed the procedures and were then interviewed. Recommendations for the methods and media of presentation to the user population were developed from information obtained in: 1) Review and analysis of instructional technology literature applicable to this area; 2) On-site data collection; and 3) Analysis of the working environment and characteristics of the user population.

Jan 1, 1977

In 1967 the United States consumed 58.8 quadrillion Btu of energy. Both the Atomic Energy Commission and the Resources for the Future, Inc., a private economic forecasting group, predict that the United States energy requirements will reach 135 quadrillion Btu by the year 2000. In 1967 bituminous coal produced 21.4 percent of the energy used in the United States and anthracite coal another 0. 5 percent. Coal Reserves Coal reserves make up about four-fifths of the United States storehouse of fuel in proven reserves. Seventy-five percent of all fuel, likely to be found and recovered is coal. Electric utilities consume more than half of the bituminous coal mined in the United States in generating 53 percent of the nation's electricity. Atomic Energy Commission analysts have proposed the development of a vast "national energy system" based upon long-distance electrical transmission from abundant untapped coal reserves in the western United States. The study predicts that even if uranium supplies are available and economic breeder reactors developed, coal requirements for electricity generation will more than double by 1980 and increase another 50 percent before the year 2000.

Jan 1, 1970

By Genaro Rodríguez C.

Los residuos radioactivos son materiales que contienen varios radioisótopos que se encuentran en concentraciones de actividad (velocidad de desintegración) superior a las que son consideradas exentas por la Autoridad Nacional (OTAN). En ese sentido, el presente texto describe la gestión de los residuos radioactivos a través de los equipos radioactivos. Dichos equipos se dividen en fijos y móviles. Los primeros, son medidores de nivel, flujo de masa, composición física y química del mineral. Los segundos, determinan la humedad y densidad del suelo.

Sep 1, 2012

By Y. Yhang, D. C. Sego

ABSTRACT This paper evaluates the potential of freeze-thaw dewatering using Albian mature fine tailings (MFT). Freezing tests were first performed to study the effect of freezing rate on dewatering efficiency. Lower freezing rate resulted in higher thawed solids content and shear strength. Subsequently, large strain consolidation tests were conducted to investigate consolidation behaviour and how it is affected by freeze-thaw. The consolidation behaviour was presented in terms of effective stress versus void ratio and permeability versus void ratio. The results can be used to predict the field behaviour of Albian MFT and optimize the application of freeze-thaw for MFT dewatering.

Jan 1, 2014

By M J. Thomson, P T. Burgin

The economic growth of Hong Kong and adjacent territories in Southern China is, to a considerable extent, dependant on air transportation, but the present Kai Tak Airport is incapable of expansion to meet future needs. After years of study, agreement was reached to build a new airport on the island of Chek Lap Kok, some 34 km remote from Hong Kong, with an ultimate capacity of 87M passengers and 8.9 Ml of cargo per annum. Apart from the building of the airport and its associated infrastructure (including a new town), other similar massive construction works have been necessary in the form of land reclamation from the sea and existing outer lying islands. The construction of bridges, tunnels, railways and highways are also an integral part of the project. The paper provides a broad overview of the concepts of the scheme (called The Airport Core Programme) and highlights some of the major operations and equipment being used in the projects, whose cost at 1992 prices was reckoned to he Hong Kong (HR)$l63hn.

Jan 7, 1997

By Raúl Gomero Cuadra

El presente texto revisa el Plan de acción sobre la Salud de los trabajadores realizado entre el período de 2015- 2025 de la Organización Mundial de la Salud. El plan elaborado contiene los ejes de acción estratégicos, objetivos específicos e indicadores dirigidos a la protección de los trabajadores, la promoción de la salud y el bienestar de los mismos, con énfasis en las poblaciones laborales en condiciones de empleo inequitativas y los que están expuestos a condiciones de trabajo peligrosas. Así también se difunde las acciones que buscan disminuir los riesgos del trabajo y las enfermedades no transmisibles en los sectores económicos críticos, el acceso a la salud y la cobertura universal de salud y los determinantes sociales de la salud de los trabajadores.

Apr 1, 2017

By Justo Germán Ramón Rojas

El presente texto describe la importancia de la gestión de seguridad en valor y ventaja competitiva de la empresa para así disminuir las pérdidas económicas causadas por los siniestros, accidentes y daños a la salud del trabajador. La forma de evaluación de la cultura de seguridad es mediante los indicadores de clima y cultura de seguridad y el trabajo responsable y comprometido del equipo de SSO.

Mar 1, 2013

By William R. Yernberg

Caterpillar introduced 21 new products during Caterpillar Press Days ‘96, held in June at the company’s proving grounds near Tucson, AZ. The event, billed as the largest product introduction ever held by Caterpillar, was attended by press from around the world. Most of the new products were demonstrated at Caterpillar’s Tinaja Hills Training Center in the Sierrita Mountains south of Tucson. Under the scorching Sonora Desert sun, the press was treated to demonstrations of the new equipment. After a display of the equipment’s power and capabilities, the press was given an opportunity to operate the new models and, in some cases, compare them with the old.

Jan 1, 1996

The Pittsburgh (Pa.) and Spokane (Wash.) Research Laboratories are among the world?s foremost mining research establishments. Once a part of the former U.S. Bureau of Mines (USBM), which was abolished by the U.S. Congress in fiscal year 96, health and safety research at these laboratories was transferred to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). NIOSH is the Federal agency responsible for conducting research and making recommendations for the prevention of work-related illness and injury. The Institute is part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Over the past two decades, the Pittsburgh and Spokane Research Laboratories have produced sustained technological achievements in mining health and safety, including? ? Development of novel respirable coal dust control technologies and more effective monitoring techniques to reduce worker exposure to hazardous mine dusts. ? Improved ground control technologies to warn and protect miners from the dangers of coal mine roof collapses and other hazardous strata conditions. ? Improved ergonomic design criteria and training methods to protect mine workers from injuries and fatalities associated with equipment and manual tasks. ? Development of enabling technologies that allow miners to control their mining equipment from a physically safe, protected work area away from respirable dust, harmful noise levels, and roof collapses. ? Improved mine fire detection and extinguishment techniques. ? Development of smaller, lighter, and safer emergency breathing devices.

Jan 1, 2007

By Charles T. Harper

The uranium deposits discovered by Amok (Canada) Ltd. in the Cluff Lake area of north western Saskatchewan occur at or near the southern edge of the uplifted basement core of the Carswell circular structure. Two types of mineralization, distinguishable, by their geological and structural setting and mineral paragenesis, have been recognized. The N-Claude type is characterized by a relatively simple mineral assemblage, consisting of uraninite or pitchblende with coffinite, and is accompanied by variable amounts of graphite and organic matter, and Fe, Cu, Pb and Mo sulphides. Both N and Claude orebodies occur within quartzofeldspathic gneisses of the basement core. On the other hand, the D-type ore has a complex mineral assemblage consisting of: uraninite, pitchblende, thucholite and coffinite, along with native gold and selenium; gold tellurides, and selenides of Pb, Bi, Ni and Co; sulphides of Fe, Cu and Pb; and organic matter. The D orebody occurs within carbonaceous shales at the base of the Athabasca Formation as well as in fault zones in regolithic quartzo feldspathic gneisses above the inverted unconformity. An age of 1050 m.y., which is consistent with a period (circa 1200-1000 m.y.) of widespread hydrothermal activity and uranium mineralization or reworking within and adjacent to the Athabasca Basin, has been obtained from uranium mineralization from the D orebody. Later reworking (circa470 m.y.) of the mineralization occurred at the intersection of older mineralized shear zones with radial faults produced during meteorite impact.

Jan 1, 1978

This list is part of the long-range conservation program of the Bureau of Mines and is intended for use by those interested in the Bureau's publications dealing with oil shale and shale oil. The items included represent 51 years of research by Bureau of Mines employees on oil shale and shale oil and are available at any U.S. depository library. DISTRIBUTION U.S. Bureau of Mines report series contain both free and sales publications. An asterisk (*) designates publications for sale. Such publications can be obtained from Superintendent of Documents U.S. Government Printing Office Washington, D.C. 20402

Jan 1, 1969

By A. Kiziltas, D. J. Gardner, C. W. Mcllwraith, J. W. Bridge, M. L. Peterson

"Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) tests were conducted on high-oil content, paraffin-based wax used in wax-coated granular composites. These composites make up the surface of synthetic Thoroughbred horse racetracks used in North America. The modulus and damping response from the DMTA tests were correlated with the dynamic triaxial shear strength response of the bulk track material taken at two different operational temperatures and at four strain rates. The purpose of these tests is to understand the mechanisms of shear strengthening of the bulk track material as the wax is heated through the first crystalline solid to liquid nominal transition temperature. Previous work using differential scanning calorimetry confirmed that under common operational surface temperatures, the wax coatings undergo distinct thermal transitions. The resulting increase in triaxial shear strength values affects the consistency of the racetrack which, in turn, can potentially affect Thoroughbred racing performance and safety of the track surface.IntroductionSynthetic granular composite materials are being used in nine Thoroughbred horse racetracks in the United States as well as in other tracks around the world. In one case, their use was mandated by the state of California in 2007 due to testimony that these tracks were significantly safer than traditional dirt tracks [1]. Several synthetic tracks have shown substantial reductions in injuries since switching to synthetics; one California track showed a 75% reduction in catastrophic horse injuries during the first year as compared to the previous year racing on a dirt track [2]. The composition of the tracks in the U.S. generally consist of silica sand (>70%), polymer fibers (<5%), and rubber particles (0-15%) all coated with a paraffin-based, high oil content wax [3, 4]. In a recent study of several synthetic racetracks, to include the track location in this study, the oil content ranged from 34 to over 44% by mass [5]."

Jan 1, 2011

By Tomek Ulatowski

INTRODUCTION In 1974, Industrial Miners Mexico, S.A. (IMMSA), agent for the borrowers, was the largest privately-held mining, smelting, and refining company in Mexico (accounting for 32% of Mexico&apos;s nonferrous metal and coal production in 1974), the fourth largest company in terms of sales, and the second most profitable company in Mexico, excluding government wholly-owned and operated industries. The company was engaged in the mining, smelting and refining of coal, copper, fluorite, gold, lead, silver, zinc and related by-products for domestic consumption and export. A combination of favorable factors led IMMSA to propose an investment plan amounting to US$286 million for 1974 through 1978, of which US$150 million was to be financed. These factors included: Substantial profits in 1973 and 1974 Positive near-term outlook for metal prices Success of the reinvestment program in increasing productivity Substantial additions to proved reserves during 1973-1974 and Fiscal incentives provided by the Mexican government to stimulate investment in the mining industry. The primary purpose of the investment program was to construct a new electrolytic zinc refinery and to expand and modernize many of the company&apos;s existing mining and refining facilities. THE BORROWER Company History Compania Miners Mexico, S.A. was incorporated in the city of Monterrey in 1918 as a wholly-owned subsidery of ASARCO Inc. (formerly American Smelting and Refining Company, New York) for the purpose of mining and processing non-ferrous metals and related products. In compliance with the Government&apos;s Mexicanization program, ASARCO Inc. divested itself of 51% of its equity in Compania Miners Asarco, S.A. on June 30, 1965. Subsequently, ownership in the divested share was apportioned as follows: 15% ownership in Compania Miners Asarco, S.A. to a group of private investors, and 36% in trust for subsequent public sale. The company&apos;s name was changed to Asarco Mexicana, S.A. in 1965. Mexican ownership in Asarco Mexicans, S.A. was increased to 51% in 1967, following the purchase of the 36% share ownership held in trust, and then to 66% in 1974 when ASARCO Inc. divested itself of an additional 15% of its holdings in Asarco Mexicans, S.A. Following its 1974 divestiture of 15% of Asarco Mexicans, S.A., ASARCO Inc&apos;s ownership in Asarco Mexicana, S.A. was reduced to 34%. In 1974, the company changed its name for the second time to Industrial Miners Mexico, S.A. (IMMSA). Fiscal Agreement IMMSA entered into a fiscal agreement with the Mexican government in 1969. The agreement, which was renewed in 1974, provided for 100% of the production and export tax corresponding to the federal government with a minimum of 50% of the amount refunded to be reinvested in fixed assets. Further, the agreement permitted the company to

Jan 1, 1985

By Dennis R. Dolinar

In general, the direction of the maximum horizontal stress in the eastern United States is fairly well defined. However, the variation of the magnitudes of the horizontal stresses is not very well understood. Because the horizontal stresses cause severe ground control problems in underground coal and limestone mines throughout the eastern United States a more complete understanding of how the magnitudes vary would be useful for developing mine design strategies to combat horizontal stress related ground control problems. Therefore, in this National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) study, the variation of the magnitude of the horizon stresses in sedimentary deposits in the eastern and Midwestern United States are examined with respect to two factors, the elastic modulus of the rock and the site depth. Stress measurements from thirty-seven sites are used in the evaluation. Examining the applied excess strains indicates that the eastern United States can be, separated into high and low strain zones. For most of the eastern United States the maximum applied excess or tectonic strain ranges from only 300 to 550 micro strains. However, there is one area, a portion of the Beckley seam in the central Appalachian region where the strains are significantly higher than the other regions. In this higher strain zone, the maximum applied tectonic strains range from 700 to 1,000 micro strains. Regression models for each zone based on the elastic modulus can explain between 83 to 85% of the variation of the maximum horizontal stress. Because one region, the northern Appalachian district, has strains that are about 20% higher than the other regions in the low strain zone, multiple strain models based on geographic regions were developed for the low strain zone that can explain 87 to 91% of the maximum horizontal stress variation with the elastic modulus. Depth was found not to be a significant causal factor in any increase in the horizontal stress even though the site depths ranged from 275 to 2,500 ft. Beyond a theoretical increase, based on Poisson’s effect and gravity, no other increase in the horizontal stress with depth can be justified with this data. The most significant factor controlling the variation of the maximum horizontal stress is the elastic modulus of the rock, not the overburden depth.

By John F. Wiss

A series of controlled experiments was conducted at four surface coal mines to study the effects of certain blast parameters upon the ground and air vibration. Preliminary scale-model blasts were conducted at a quarry to provide basic data. It was found that the amplitudes of the ground and air vibration were controlled by the maximum explosive weight per delay. Either cube root or square root scaling could be used for the seismic amplitudes, and cube root scaling could be used for the overpressure amplitudes. Both amplitudes were not significantly affected by the total charge weight per blast, the attitude of the boreholes, or the charge length or diameter. The overpressure amplitudes were affected by the charge depth, the use of cover over surface detonating cord, and the use of adequate stemming. The length of the delay intervals and the spacing of holes were important in determining&apos; the potential fur reinforcement of the amplitudes in certain directions from the blasts. In downwind directions from the blast, the attenuation of the overpressure with distance decreases. Surface terrain did not significantly affect the overpressure amplitudes within the range investigated. The type of overburden affects the generation of both amplitudes and the propagation of the seismic amplitudes. Spectral analysis of the ground and air vibration is reported. A bibliography of pertinent literature is included as an appendix. A scaled distance of 300 ft/lb1/3 should produce a peak particle velocity of less than 1 ips and an overpressure of less than 128 dB linear peak. For square root scaling, a scaled distance of 75 ft/lbl/2 should limit the ground vibration to less than 1 ips.

Jan 1, 1978

By H. B. Hill

Virtually from the date of its discovery in December 1928 the Oklahoma City oil and gas field, Oklahoma County, Okla., has attracted national and international attention. The history of the field has been associated closely with rules and regulations pertaining to production control and proration practices. Early development was rapid, and Oklahoma City soon attained the distinction of being the first major field in which the producing wells were over a mile in depth. Before the structural features of the reservoir had been disclosed every outpost well was considered a "wildcat", so complex appeared the underground geology, The wells not only were deep and the reservoir pressures high, but the production from the early wells was a high A.P.I. gravity oil, accompanied by large volumes of gas. Several "blow-outs" and fired occurred during the early development, and the close proximity of these now unusual events to a large city gave the field much publicity, both local and national. Later, when its production threatened to demoralize the market for oil and its products, the Oklahoma City field again attracted wide publicity. The then little understood geology of the underground reservoir and the diversity of ownership of the land overlying the producing structure made orderly development and production difficult to enforce. Proration was enforced with difficulty., and the, rate of production from the field continued to increase until, on August 4, 1931, martial law was declared in all prorated fields of the State, and most of the wells in the Oklahoma City field wore shut n. On October 9, 1931, permission was granted t o reopen and prod e the wells in the Oklahoma City field. The order permitting production of the wells provided that during the period beginning October 10 and extending to October 20, 1931, all wells in the field that hid not produced more oil than specified under the earlier proration orders and that had been shut in for the required 55-day period were permitted to produce 5 percent of their last potential during that 10-day period. On November 7, 1931, the Corporation Commission of Oklahoma issued an order which divided the Oklahoma City field into the Wilcox, Arbuckle, and Lower Simpson zones for proration purposes. Wells producing from the Wilcox zone were allowed to produce 4 1/2 percent of their potential5/ from November 1, 1931, to January 1, 1932; Arbuckle limestone wells were allowed to produce 250 barrels of oil daily; and Simpson sandstone wells which had a potential of over 2,000 barrels per day or which made 3 percent or more water were allowed to produce 200 barrels of oil per day.

Jan 1, 1937

By Dianne M. Lapierre

Mining firms in Canada are increasingly incorporating the social and environmental interests of their stakeholders into their projects in an effort to become more sustainable. Such initiatives have included negotiating Impact and Benefit Agreements (IBAs) directly with would-be impacted, often aboriginal, communities near resource developments in the Canadian north. Why does a mining firm take on this extra time-and cost-intensive initiative when governments and regulatory measures are in place to address social and environmental issues? Past research has paid little attention to the corporate rationales for IBAs. Based on document review and interviews with mining executives, this study investigates the rationales of mining firms that ?over-comply? with legislative requirements by negotiating IBAs or similar types of agreements with communities. The results indicate that mining firms increasingly recognize IBAs as an intrinsic part of the permitting process. When queried, executives regularly identified the negotiation of agreements as ?the right thing to do?. While this response could be read in ethical terms, a commercial rationale is also clearly present. By building strong relationships with nearby communities, addressing community concerns, and directing benefits to local people, all of which are explicitly achieved with an IBA, mining firms are maintaining their long-term financial viability, thus their sustainability, within an evolving industry.

May 1, 2008

This report summarizes the work performed and results achieved on the above contract from October 18, 1971 through July 14, 1972 under Phase II, Task 1: Detailed Design of Prototype and Task 3: Supporting Experimental Investigation. Operation and Service Manuals resulting from Task 3 are submitted under separate cover as are detailed design drawings and specifications, prepared under Task 1. Both items accompany this report. This report also includes (A) an estimate of the cost of construction, (B) a description covering the use of the equipment, and (C) a proposed test plan to demonstrate performance of the equipment in both the laboratory and a mine.

Jan 1, 1972

By Jos. R. Guiteras

This paper describes the pumping operations at the Ajax, Cresson, and Vindicator dines in the Cripple Creek mining district of Colorado during the summer of 1936. At that time the three mines wore pumping 6,500 gallons of water per minute into the Roosevelt drainage tunnel. Cripple Creek is the most important gold district in the State; it has yielded gold valued at over $365,000,000. The mines engaged in pumping are among the largest producing properties in the district. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The author wishes to acknowledge the friendly cooperation of mine officials at the properties visited. At the. Ajax mine information was courteously given by Clayton Kissel, mine superintendent, and his staff; R. Y. Roby contributed the drawings. For information on the Cresson mine, thanks are expressed to Al H. Bebee, mine superintendent, and his staff, especially to Guy Rorabaugh, master mechanic, and to engineer Carlton. At the Vindicator mine, J. S. Anderson; mine superintendent, and Robert Welch, master mechanic, assisted; the latter furnished most of the information about that mine. Acknowledgment is also made of the cooperation of M. H. Salsbury, engineer at the Portland mine, who supplied technical data on the Roosevelt drainage tunnel.

Jan 1, 1937