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By Gail Moulton

Searles Valley is located approximately 125 miles northeast of Los Angeles in the Basin and Range Province. Occupying the lowest part of the valley is Searles Dry Lake Playa, which is about 9 miles long and 7 miles wide. Three major subsurface evaporite horizons have been identified and are termed from bottom to top, the Mixed Layer, Lower Salt and Upper Salt. The evaporite beds were formed by desiccation of runoff from the eastern Sierra Nevada during Quaternary time. The saline beds are generally brine saturated with the important ions being sodium, potassium, carbonate, bicarbonate, sulfate, chloride and borate. These ions are present in the brines in various concentrations and have combined to form the minerals halite, hanksite, trona, nahcolite, burkeite, borax, thenardite, sulfohalite, glaserite and others. North American Chemical Company selectively pumps the interstitial brines to feed their chemical plants located on the western edge of Searles Lake. Minerals have been mined since 1873, beginning with borax and trona scraped from the surface. Brine processing began in 1914 with potassium chloride and borax recovery. Expansions have added sodium sulfate and soda ash to the product mix. Currently, dredging of trona ore is also taking place.

Jan 1, 1995

By A. J. Hendron, B. Mohraz, R. B. Peck

INTRODUCTION The state of the art of soft-ground tunneling was discussed in detail by the senior author at the 7th International Conference on Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering held in Mexico City in 1969. Little can be gained by repeating the information assembled at that time. Hence, in this report, only the briefest summary will be given of the overall state of the art and attention will be concentrated on trends and developments since 1969. A characteristic of recent developments is the continued trend toward use of shields and excavating machines. The implications of this trend with respect to design and construction, and particularly with respect to the treatment of unfavorable ground conditions, will be examined. Settlement associated with lost ground, a subject as old as tunneling itself, will be reviewed and methods will be considered for its reduction. Design of tunnel supports was discussed in detail in 1969 with respect to essentially rigid or essentially flexible types of linings. In this report, a definition of flexibility will be considered and design procedures suggested for linings of flexibility intermediate between the two extremes.

Jan 1, 1997

By J. G. Groppo, A. E. Bland, B. K. Parekh, W. F. Stotts

Many coal preparation plants discard fine coal (generally minus 100 mesh) because it is difficult to beneficiate economically. At the Kentucky Energy Cabinet Laboratory (KECL), the waste streams from several Kentucky preparation plants were evaluated for cleaning with counter-current column flotation. A series of performance evaluations were conducted using a 0.05 m (2 in.) internal diameter (I.D.) 7.9 m (26 ft.) high laboratory column. The objectives of these tests were to assess the performance in terms of recovery and percent ash in clean coal and to optimize the operating parameters relative to combustible recovery and grade. Refuse streams containing 30-50 percent ash were upgraded to 2-8 percent ash with Btu recoveries of nearly 90 percent. A pilot scale column flotation cell was installed at the Bell County Coal preparation plant. This pilot plant utilized a 5.79 m (19 ft.) high and 0.15 m (6 in.) I.D. column to verify the performance data of the 0.05 m (2 in.) I.D. column for two different waste streams. Performance evaluation and pilot plant testing results related to scale-up are discussed.

Jan 1, 1988

By Milan Lipensky

This paper discusses the longwalling practices used at the San. Francisco Mine of Compania Minera Autlan in Mexico, in. the mining of a sedimentary, manganese deposit. Bethlehem. Steel Company is a part owner of this property. The San. Francisco Mine is located approximately 580 miles west of Mexico City, on the outskirts of the town of Autlan, in the State of Jalisco. The ore is shipped from the port of Manzanillo 120 miles southwest of Autlan. The mining method is a variation of the longwall retreat system, using friction. props that, until recently, had been used only in coal mining operations of Europe and the United States. However, due to the structure of the ore body and the modified longwall system that is practiced, there exists some unusual variations, such as: .1) friction props set by a mechanical two-step lifting device, 2) drilling and blasting, against the friction props, 3) a highly fractured and undulating, volcanic tuff roof; 4) displacement faults-up to 5 meters, and 5) a relatively stable, irregular floor.

Jan 1, 1964

By R. W. Lake

The decision to develop an ore body can lead to multi-million dollar profits, or equally substantial losses. Accordingly, the effort required to adapt a valuation model to the specific proposal at hand, or even the development of a new model from basic principles, is clearly warranted. In the formulation of a model of this nature, one is faced with some major questions. For example, with the long term obligations that it implies, on what basis should a decision to initiate mining operations be made? Furthermore, how can the vagaries of inflation and the uncertainties that shroud the future be accommodated? Beyond the general principles by which mineral deposits are evaluated, specific cost behaviour is a function of the geology of the deposit, and of the mine design. Moreover, mine design, during the life of the mine, must be a continuing process somewhat akin to dynamic programming. An initial, apparently optimal, design is selected and mining commences. With production, a continual process of information updating leads to revisions. Thus if the maximum value is to be obtained, the mine design must be adjusted to conform to the changed conditions.

Jan 1, 1977

By M. Wiber, P. Nicoll

Rio Algom has embarked on a major programme of expansion with the goal of becoming one of the world’s top-performing base-metal mining and metals distribution companies. To assist the company and its operations in achieving its business objectives, we are implementing an environment, health and safety (EHS) management system, built to be compatible with the 14001 model. We recognize that a sustainable development approach for Rio Algom includes outstanding performance in EHS and community responsibility and is essential to earn acceptance within the communities where we operate or wish to locate; raise capital; obtain permits, and operate efficiently. We are committed to triple bottom line accountability, i.e. full consideration of environmental, social and economic concerns in our business decision making.

Jan 1, 2000

By R. Mensah-Biney

The aqueous biphase separation process (ABS) has been used to separate ultrafine industrial minerals. The partition behavior of TiO2, Al2O3, Fe2O3 and kaolin was not pH dependent. The partition behavior of SiO2 was, however, pH dependent. The partition coefficient of kaolin in PEG 3400/ Na2CO3 biphase system was = 150 and that of the silica in the same system was = 0.02, resulting in a separation factor of = 8500 between kaolin and silica. The aqueous biphase separation system was used to separate free silica from kaolin in a raw clay sample from Mexico. The partition behavior of mica, feldspar and clay from North Carolina was also evaluated.

Jan 1, 1999

By J. Hupka

The limited effectiveness of the original hot water process for recovery of bitumen from certain Utah tar sands containing bitumen of higher viscosity (e.g. Sunnyside, Tar Sand Triangle)1,2 indicated that bitumen viscosity strongly' influences the separation efficiency. In this regard, there should exist a critical value of bitumen viscosity above which the effectiveness of the hot water process decreases significantly. Apparently certain tar sands contain bitumen of such high viscosity that even a digestion temperature of nearly 100°C is insufficient to lower the viscosity below the critical value. In addition it seems that differences in physico-chemical forces which act between sand and bitumen are negligible in comparison to the difference in visco-mechanical forces. Predominantly mechanical forces hold viscous bitumen on the rough surface and in the pores of sand particles, resulting in strong adhesion. This phenomenon is a critical feature in the phase disengagment of oil-wetted domestic tar sands with viscosity control by temperature. Besides increasing the temperature for viscosity control the effectiveness of the original hot water process could be enhanced by control of bitumen viscosity with diluent additions. Strictly speaking this appraoch is the only possibility for heavy bitumen for which the high temperature of digestion does not lower the viscosity sufficiently. As a result of viscosity control by diluent addition the digestion temperature can be lowered which is important from an industrial standpoint. Another important consideration is that effective phase disengagement occurs only when the entire bitumen phase has the same viscosity. This means that some time (penetration time) is necessary for complete and uniform dilution of the bitumen. If the viscosity of bitumen, which is a function of temperature, diluent addition and penetration time, controls the separation efficiency, hot water processing of many different kinds of tar sands should be possible, assuming that the sand phase consists primarily of quartz-type minerals.

Jan 1, 1982

By Adrian J. Mathias

For many years excavations were made in rock exclusively by conventional blasting methods, and without concern for damage to the rock surfaces which remained after the excavation was completed. Recently, however, there is an increasing awareness for the importance of making rock excavations with as little damage as possible to the remaining rock surfaces; consequently, several revolutionary new precision blasting techniques have been developed during the past few years. These techniques, variously known as cushion, smooth- wall, perimeter, pre-shear, and pre-split blasting, basically involve the creation of a fracture plane in the rock between a series of blasted holes. The variations in each of these techniques are largely due to the differences in hole diameters, hole spacings, methods of charging, and sequence of blasting used to achieve certain specific results. The development of these precision blasting techniques was initiated by Canadian Industries Limited in 1953 at the time the Sir Adam Beck No. 2 Hydro-electric Project was under construction by the Hydro-Electric Power Commission of Ontario. Since then, these techniques have been somewhat advanced, and they have been applied with varying degrees of success to a number of projects. These projects include railroad and high- way cuts, dam spillway channel excavations, canal excavations, tunnel driving, shaft sinking, and other underground applications.

Jan 1, 1965

By Lewis. Clifford J.

The purpose of this article is to present design information and operating data on a pilot gas scrubber which is believed to be a new approach for removing noxious gases and particulate matter from the off gases of coal burning power plants and smelters. This principle of scrubbing gases, particularly, scrubbing with an aqueous slurry of lime, was conceived by the author early in 1972. The National Lime Association financed the design, fabrication and initial operation of the unit. The unit was fabricated by Hazen Research Inc. of Golden, Colorado. It has been tested on the off gases of two coal burning power plants and one smelter. The current environmental program has stimulated research and development activity directed toward the removal of sulfur oxides, oxides of nitrogen, particulate matter and other undesirable substances from gases discharged into the atmosphere. At present, most of this effort is focused on the removal of sulfur dioxide and particulate matter by aqueous scrubbing of the gases. This presentation deals particularly with the removal of sulfur dioxide using an aqueous slurry of lime as the scrubbing medium. In recent papers, the author has called attention to-the sludge problems resulting from aqueous scrubbing and to some earlier data on the pilot scrubber about to be discussed.1/

Jan 1, 1973

By J. A. Mielczarski

An infrared external reflection spectroscopy (ERS) technique has been developed to study the structure of the adsorbed layer of ethyl xanthate formed on copper and natural chalcocite (Cu2S) electrodes. The infrared technique provides information concerning the identity and the orientation of the adsorbed species at monolayer and submonolayer coverages. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) studies have also been conducted to monitor changes at the surface. The results show that the first oxidation peak on the voltammograms for copper and the first and second oxidation peaks on the voltammograms for chalcocite electrodes are not characteristic of a chemisorbed xanthate species, which is contrary to what has been reported by other investigators previously. As evidenced by the XPS spectra, there was an increase in sulfur relative to copper on the copper and chalcocite surfaces over the potential region where these oxidation processes occur. The spectroscopic results (ERS, XPS) indicate that the second and third (on copper) and the third and fourth (on chalcocite) oxidation processes recorded on the voltammograms are due to cuprous ethyl xanthate adsorption. The orientation of the adsorbed molecules of xanthate was observed to change with increasing surface coverage. Therefore, it has been concluded that xanthate can modify the copper and chalcocite surface in two different ways. At lower potentials, xanthate is a source of sulfur for the formation of a sulfur-rich surface. At higher potentials, an adsorption layer of cuprous ethyl xanthate is formed. Contact angle measurements show that both of these processes of xanthate surface modification lead to an increase in the hydrophobicity of the substrates.

Jan 1, 1990

By D. Antonov

The physical and mechanical properties of coal play a important role in the planing and design of coal mines. However, due to the complexity conditions in situ and the influence of unknown factors, it is hard for people to evaluate the physical and mechanical properties of coal directly. In this research, uniaxial compressive stress was used to change the attribute of coal samples, and the ultrasonic measure technique was used to evaluate the physical and mechanical properties of coal. The results of laboratory test showed that there was a strong relation between uniaxial stress and velocity of ultrasonic wave. Sensitivity analysis with numerical simulation was used to define the relation between the physical-mechanical parameters of coal and ultrasonoc wave. With the dynamic analysis module of FLAC, three elastic and plastic models were built to model the coal samples. The modeling parameters were changed pro rata, and the correlation of coal and ultrasonic wave properties were summarized and presented. The result from this research will be base for further analysis of caving behavior of coal.

Jan 1, 2010

By J. B. Gwiazda

In regard to the paper by J.B. Gwiazda, it makes a highly technical approach to show that the .u factor used by designers of lemniscate-guided roof supports has never really been confirmed as a maximum and assumes that convergence is vertical. Also, the paper does not appear to take into account deflection of structures, which occurs when the lemniscate and base members are fully loaded to their maximum stress level, nor the front to back line of the support in relation to differential roof to floor movements caused by strata movements under pressure. It is not unusual for differential movements to be slightly diagonal to the line of the support, particularly in faulted areas and on gradient faces. The paper also does not take into account consolidation of fines immediately above and below the support. Generally speaking, any differential movement is from face to waste and under these conditions the .u of 0.3, which appears to be an international standard, has worked in practice. However, if the face end of the support is lower than the waste end, then the µ of 0.3 can be considerably increased, giving rise to the damage mentioned in the paper. The ideal design should aim for a slightly forward bias in the lemniscate guide so that the last increment of setting is toward the face, tending to close any fissures that may have developed during the support advance cycle. The support should also be fitted with positive set valves to ensure that a high setting load density is attained to minimize bed separation. As far as powered supports are concerned, convergence is irresistible and all powered supports converge at their rated yield load. A similar principle can be applied to the differential roof to floor movements to drastically reduce the very high forces that would otherwise be applied to the lemniscate structures and pins and that, in turn, are transferred to the base arrangement and floor loading. Any differential movements are usually catered for by the 0.3 µ factor or deflection of structures in the lemniscate guide arrangement and consolidation of the floor. The floor loading, due to differential movement, is in addition to the support convergence load and requires additional bearing area to avoid possible floor penetration. Some seven years ago, Fletcher Sutcliffe Wild Ltd. (FSW) introduced a lemniscate-guided shield support where the lemniscate linkage is connected to the roof bar through two horizontally converging rams to allow differential movement to take place above a given rated figure. This is a known force and can be guarded against, whereas with rigid connections the forces, as yet, are unconfirmed. By careful design, a horizontal force in excess of 6 MN (60 tons) opposes differential movements for a total ram loading of only 2.5 MN (25 tons), or 1.25 MN (12% tons) each. This principle can considerably reduce the length and weight of the support in comparison with a rigid pin-type structure; also, the yield load rating can be increased without affecting the lemniscate forces. The graph shows the tensile and compressive forces in a lemniscate linkage of a support with and without hydrostore. These forces react into both the roof beam and base members and, as can be seen from the support height to linkage load graph, a considerable reduction in these reactions is gained by the use of the FSW patented hydrostore system. Floor loading is considerably reduced under maximum µ conditions, and by allowing the roof bar to move with the strata, some degree of improvement to strata control is achieved in line with the assumptions in the paper. In practice, these movements have only been in the region of a few millimeters, which, in turn, reflects on the improvements to strata control by the addition of positive set valves.

Jan 1, 1987

By Michael J. Miller

The demand and supply of wollastonite has gone through a dynamic period in the 1990's. A 10% -15% growth rate of demand stimulated interest in evaluating new projects. However, the mid-1990's brought declining prices for commodity applications and natural barriers to entry for technical applications, making many of these potential projects uneconomic. Successful projects that were brought to market were done so by incumbent producers. This work examines the competitive structure of the wollastonite market by evaluating the strategic decisions of the industry leader, NYCO Minerals Inc., and a new market entrant, Orleans Resources, in an attempt to identify the environmental threats and opportunities of this industry. Results suggest new entrants like Orleans Resources face significant entry barriers for technical applications, while NYCO Minerals could improve its profitability by having less exposure to commodity applications.

Jan 1, 1999

By Charles E. Michener

This paper deals with the occurrence of basic and ultrabasic rocks and their relationship in space and time to major structures of the earth. In order to introduce the paper properly, I must go back a little and try to put the subject in perspective. In the brief time that geology has been a scientific occupation, ore deposits have been grouped and classified in various ways depending on the theories that happened to be popular at the time. Some of the early scientists said that ore came from fire, other schools argued that ore originated from water. Then came the lateral secretionists and in later years the hydrothermalists led by the Lindgren school and the latter has largely been accepted as the modern concept of ore deposits. It now seems apparent that the hydrothermal school is being seriously challenged by other schools of thought. It also seems that we have reached the point where we should be willing to admit that we do not really know in most cases how the ore got to its present position. However, for practical purposes, we can classify ore deposits as to the environment in which they do occur. This is not difficult and gives the field geologist and the mining engineer something to work with and to believe in, and it gives them a basis for carrying out their field work. On the screen, Figure 1, there is a classification of ore deposits based on the environment. Under each classification is listed the more prominent metals which are characteristic of that

Jan 1, 1971

By J. J. Bean

The development drilling program of the Copper Cities mine indicated that the molybdenum content of the ore would be about 0.011% MoS2' The molybdenum content of the Miami mine at the same time was about 0.025% MOS2' The Miami mill had a very successful molybdenum operation which used bleeder turbine steam from the Miami power plant for the steaming operation. The much lower grade of the Copper Cities ore, the absence of a source of low cost steam and the use of sodium aerofloat as the copper collector which Miami experience indicated did not respono readily to the steaming technique made very doubtful the success of a similar operation at Copper Cities. However, the relatively few pounds of copper that could be recovered from the low grade Copper Cities heads made very desirable the recovery of the molybdenwa,as a source of additional revenue. Accordingly, shortly after the Copper Cities mill began operation, a research program was instituted to develop a suitable method of molybdenum recovery. This program explored first, the successful steaming process then in use at Miami and as expected, found it unable to decompose the sodium aerofloat copper collector. The known chemical depressants were then tried without much encouragement. Finally the copper concentrate was dried, not roasted, to 2-3% mOisture and this along with sodium ferro-cyanide and cyanide resulted in sufficient copper depression that a final molybdenum concentrate containing 1.0% CU could be made. The bench scale testing was followed by pilot plant testing. Sixteen

Jan 1, 1972

By J. E. Jennings

The problems of slope stability in open-cast mines are examined. A criterion, the instantaneous stripping ratio, is suggested for use in the design of pit slopes and as an index of control at all stages of the exploitation of the ore body, This criterion may also be related to safety and to the maximizing of profits. Two approaches to safe design of slopes, one from the point of view of soil mechanics and the other from the point of view of rock mechanics, are described and critically compared. The effect on slope stability of the regional tectonic stress field is discussed. Explanation is given of the application of the Terzaghi effective stress concept to problems in both soil and rock environments, including possible effects when borehole deformation techniques are used to measure stresses in rock in situ.

Jan 1, 1963

By Donald Towse

Portland cement is a basic building material in every country in the world, and, fortunately, the raw materials required in its manufacture are widely distributed. It is a low-priced bulk commodity (price one cent a pound or less, with a density of 100 pounds per cubic foot.) Table 1. Approximate price per pound of selected mineral products. Copper 48 cents per pound Aluminum 27 Lead and zinc 15 Asbestos 3 to 18 Pumice 6 Sulfur 2 Bauxite (abrasive) 1.8 Barite 1 to 1.6 Cement 1 Primitive regions may get along without any Portland cement, but most countries use some, and it is one of the most widespread building materials, even if used in small quantities. Use of cement begins early in a country's development, and, because of local availability of raw materials, cement manufacture is one of the first heavy industries many countries desire. Use and manufacture of cement usually precedes other industrial materials such as steel and heavy chemicals, and consumption levels off for a long period during development of infrastructure and an economic base. With a mature economy comes a very high consumption. Per capita consumption varies ten times or more between nations (Figure 1).

Jan 1, 1970

By A. Balint

The Photometric Optical Separation process is introduced and examples of sorting machines are given. Applications of the process are outlined in general terms with reference to specific types of industrial installations. Brief description is given of the capabilities and limitations of available equipment, including cost estimates.

Jan 1, 1967

By H. M. Ray

The discovery of the New Lead Belt in the mid-'50s began a search for mill design criteria that is continuously updated. The opportunity to design, construct, and operate four new mills in the span of 20 years provided fertile areas for new concepts. The central theme for design parameters encompassed simplicity, functional, and economic consideration. Ore characteristics for each plant remained relatively constant, providing stable criteria for grinding circuits. Bond index nominally 10-12. Flotation circuit parameters were based upon power application with 10-20% excess capacity built-in to protect recovery. Newer equipment exhibits greater power application efficiency lowering horsepower requirements per ton. Instrumentation was installed to stabilize circuits, protect equipment, and improve products. With ever increasing requirements of higher quality products, environmental considerations, and operating cost pressures, the upgrading of operating procedures is in a constant state of flux. Installation of more efficient equipment, chemical processing, or any other technique would be considered as feasible. Current practice is for St. Joe to design and engineer in-house its own plant design. The exception being detailing of structural steel. It is felt that familiarity with past design criteria serves as a valuable foundation to incorporate changes. Also, direct contact with operator provides specific data, and feedback for constructive criticism that is utilized for defining and correcting problems. The results are in reality an operator's plant with the benefit of advancing technology that meets the demands for improved products without sacrificing the economies of throughput or recovery.

Jan 1, 1977