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By Sterling J. Anderson

To define the technical competence and capabilities of a nonexplosive excavation concept, the Bureau of Mines conducted reduced-scale laboratory tests of a mechanical excavation tool called a rock splitter. Hydraulically actuated splitters, capable of generating both radial and axial loads on a predrilled hole, were designed and fabricated. Through paired variable testing and drifting simulation, reduced-scale splitter performance was evaluated in concrete. Testing proved that the rock splitter is capable of excavating within the highly confined drift set-ting and that it offers a distinct advantage over splitters that can generate radial loads only.

Jan 1, 1982

By J. J. Wallace

This report describes the initial phase of Bureau of Mines research in the hydraulic mining of bituminous coal. The mining site and equipment are described, and the test procedures and results obtained with a bar-mounted monitor are given. Tests showed that hard Pittsburgh-bed coal can be mined hydraulically from a solid face at water pressures of 4,000 pounds per square inch.4 Coal was penetrated to a depth of 4 feet in 20 seconds with 225 gallons of water per minute coming from a 3/8-inch nozzle at 4,000 pounds per square inch pressure. Some difficulty was encountered in cutting the binders occurring in the coal; it was not possible Lu penetrate directly the overlying draw slate.

Jan 1, 1961

Alluvial gold grades are typically highly erratic. It is very often difficult to establish with confidence the in situ grades of reserve blocks due to the small number of pit or drill hole samples available, and their erratic values. Trends in grade are often obscure. Geostatical methods are inappropriate due to the extreme nugget effect found in alluvial gold field data. Classical statistics appear more suited to such data but require assumptions to be made regarding the nature of the population sampled. Recent developments in computer intensive non-parametric statistical methods provide a new approach to dealing with some of the above problems. These methods avoid making assumptions about the type of population distribution, usually through some kind of re-sampling scheme. The bootstrap procedure involves taking the estimate of interest and synthesising its population of by re-sampling the original data a large number of times (1000+), at random and with replacement. The synthetic population is then used to draw conclusions about the likely behaviour of the true population.

Jan 1, 1985

By John E. Tilton

The ability of companies and countries to mine copper and other mineral commodities competitively and in the process to generate new wealth depends on their mineral endowment. Chile, for example, produces and exports copper because it is well endowed with high-quality, low-cost deposits. This production creates wealth that benefits mining companies and their stockholders, the government, local communities, as well as copper consumers around the world. The widespread perception that mineral endowment must largely determine competitiveness, or what economists call comparative advantage, must be true at any particularly moment. Countries with abundant reserves must be competitive. This follows from the definition of reserves — the quantity of a mineral commodity found in discovered deposits that are profitable to exploit under current conditions. As a result, it is a tautology and not particularly interesting. The important question is what causes reserves to change over time, producing in the process new wealth and shifts in competitiveness?

Jan 1, 2003

By R. M. Tyler

The importance of the heavy mineral sands to southern African economic well-being cannot be over emphasized. The value of the worldwide titanium dioxide industry is estimated at $7 billion. Six out of eight of the world?s proposed new project areas are in southern and eastern Africa, and a seventh at Tamil Nadu in India is partly owned by a South African company, Kumba Resources. The HMS industry can be highly lucrative; its return on capital is the best in the mining industry. There are, however, problems, particularly in the smelting technology. The often considerable affect of mining on environmentally sensitive coastal dunes is also becoming increasingly important. The medium-to long-term demand for Ti-dioxide pigment and ceramic grade zircon appears very healthy. If, as predicted, the costs of producing titanium metal can be reduced, then there is huge potential for the metal. In summary, the HMS industry is an attractive one to be in, with good returns and generally manageable risks. New business opportunities and their economic implications for Africa are discussed.

Jan 1, 2004

By A. Anani

The goal of hot mix asphalt (HMA) design is optimal material blending to meet Superpave specifications. HMA cost minimization has being modeled as linear programing (LP) (Awuah-Offei et al 2011) and mixed integer LP problems (Brown et al, 2012) and solved with commercial software such as LINDO and CPLEX. Often these software, which are designed to solve general optimization problems, have licenses that cost thousands of dollars. The objective of this study is to develop a novel solution algorithm to the HMA optimization problem presented by Brown et al. (2012), which will negate the need for expensive commercial packages and is specific to this problem. This novel algorithm is based on the branch and bound algorithm for solving mixed integer problems. The algorithm is incorporated into a software package with an easy-to-use graphical user interface. The developed algorithm is validated using a real-life HMA problem. Using this solution algorithm will save companies thousands of dollars, otherwise used to purchase software licenses.

Feb 23, 2014

By Tim O’Neil

The US Bureau of Mines and the Santa Cruz Joint Venture (SCJV) are working on a production-scale, in situ copper recovery project in Arizona. The research is being conducted at the Santa Cruz site, located 11.2 km (7 miles) west of Casa Grande, AZ (Fig. 1). Santa Cruz is a 1.36-Gt (1.5 billion st) porphyry deposit averaging 0.6% Cu, of which 65% is oxidized, concealed beneath post-mineral alluvium at depths of 365-914 m (1500-3000 ft). The Bureau and the SCJV will evaluate in situ mining as a method for extracting copper from this previously unmined deposit. Research objectives of the Santa Cruz project are: - to demonstrate that an in situ research test can be operated in an environmentally acceptable manner ; and * to operate an in situ well pattern long enough to develop information on copper recovery and economic feasibility data. In situ mining of copper from undisturbed deposits has not been attempted commercially. There are several potential advantages with in situ mining: less exposure of miners to hazards, lower pital costs for the mine and plant and lower operating costs. In addition, there are no pits, dumps or tailings, which means less environmental impact.

Jan 1, 1991

By Hebi Yin

A coupled cellular automaton (CA) - finite element (FE) model was developed to calculate the growth of dendrites during the solidification of cubic and hexagonal metals. The model solves the conservation equations of mass, energy and solutes in order to calculate the temperature field, solute concentration and the growth morphology of dendrites, including the grain structure and the dendritic microstructure. Validation of the model was performed by comparing the simulation results with calculation results from previously published works, showing qualitatively good agreement in the dendritic morphology. Application to magnesium alloy AZ91 illustrates the difficulty of modeling dendrite growth in hexagonal systems, observed as deviations in growth direction caused by mesh-induced anisotropy. The model was applied to the simulation of small specimens with single- and multiple- equiaxed grain growths and columnar grain growth in directional solidification. The influence of cooling rate and some kinetics parameters on the grain morphology are also discussed.

Jan 1, 2009

By Arkady Senchenko, Yevgeny Zhagun, Yury Kulikov, John Starkey

"The paper contains description of a new project in Russia - gold-processing plant at Aleksandrovskoye deposit (start up in September, 2013). The paper includes a brief description of plant flowsheet, data for material composition and technological properties of ore, as well as information about the achieved parameters of ore processing over the first months of plant operation. The project is interesting because a new semiautogenous mill and a ball mill were purchased on the basis of SAGDesign Consulting Group recommendations after the testing of ore samples characterizing the deposit according to specific years of operation. The plant has relatively small design capacity - 750 000 tpa, but nevertheless is the biggest gold-processing plant in the territory of Zabaikalsky region. Major valuable component in the ore is gold, silver is recovered as a by-product. The ores are very hard to grind. The design grinding flowsheet includes a semiautogenous mill operating in closed circuit with a screen, and a ball mill operating in a closed circuit with hydrocyclones (SAB). Process technology includes gravity processing and flotation with subsequent cyanide leaching of concentrates. Mill operation analysis and conclusions about the compliance of the achieved values to target ones are shown, as well as the accuracy of SAGDesign method when applied to very hard ores of Aleksandrovkoye deposit are presented in this paper. Basic directions of technological flowsheet optimization are also given."

Jan 1, 2014

By R. N. Powell

The Pipeline ore body was discovered in March 1991. The construction of the new mine and mill did not start until early March of 1996. Upon completion of permitting and corporate project approval, the 289 million USD project was “fast tracked”. The commissioning began 11 months after start of construction and the project ended 40 million USD under the budget figure. The objective of this paper is to review and highlight the Pipeline Project history from discovery, design, lawsuits, permitting, and re-design through to current - 1998operating practices. Particular emphasis will review the process design, design mistakes, and design successes. The paper will review project history, feasibility, design concepts, operator training, construction, financial and the current operation. Additional discussion will review what design features worked and which did not work within the process plant.

Jan 1, 1999

By Michael D. Justason

...a global perspective... In March of 2000, the Japanese Geotechnical Society added "Rapid Load Testing" to their national standard for pile testing. In the year 2000. it is estimated that there will be more than 500 "Rapid Load Tests" on foundations around the world. ...so what is a "Rapid Load Test", and why is it gaining acceptance and popularity?

Jan 1, 2001

By D Semini, B Newcombe

Base-metal sulfide refractory gold ores often contain a portion of ‘free’ gold that is amenable to recovery using gravity concentration methods, whilst the refractory portion of the gold is better recovered using flotation. The decision as to whether a plant treating a refractory gold ore should utilise gravity concentration or a flash flotation circuit (or a combination of both) within the grinding circuit is usually made at the design stage of flow sheet development. Very limited data is available in the published literature which provides an industrial scale comparison on which to base such a decision and conventional laboratory testing methods are often the only way of obtaining such data. The optimum processing route will also be mineralogy dependent.This paper presents the findings of operating a refractory gold plant with either flash flotation (normal operation) or a combination of flash and gravity recovery methods treating the cyclone underflow stream and will demonstrate the regions of the recovery profile that each contributes to. Size-by-assay analysis has been performed on a number of streams around the operating plant to gain an insight into the changes that occur when the gravity circuit is in operation in addition to the flash flotation circuit. A discussion around the implications to overall plant operation in combining the use of a batch process (gravity concentration) with a continuous process (flotation) is presented.CITATION:Newcombe, B and Semini, D, 2014. Interactions between flash flotation and gravity concentration – an industrial case study of a refractory gold concentrator, in Proceedings 12th AusIMM Mill Operators’ Conference 2014 , pp 427–436 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Sep 1, 2014

By A. G. Starliper

The Bureau of Mines made laboratory investigations to determine the feasibility of utilizing fine tungsten wires to reinforce a number of nonferrous metals and alloys and a superalloy, S-8l6. The composites of tungsten filament and metals were chosen to attain elevated temperature strength and corrosion resistance. Oriented clean or precoated tungsten wires were incorporated with the other metals by extrusion, swaging, and infiltration casting. Although widely varying characteristics were found in the composites, none were considered satisfactory for high-temperature use, chiefly because of reactions between the matrix metal-tungsten surface. Diffusion, solution, and chemical reactions between matrix and tungsten wires were sufficiently slow for some combinations, such as 15 v/o 8-816, to exhibit increased high-temperature strength for a limited time. A few metals failed to wet or bond to the tungsten surfaces, while a few responded after precoating with a third metal.

Jan 1, 1968

By Robert B. Parsons

"It is generally felt that flow-through shares face a bleak future under the set of tax rules proposed in the federal government's tax reform white paper. Industry and government circles are beginning to give thought to alternatives to flow through as a mechanism for facilitating equity financing in the exploration industry. Despite suggestions that grants and tax credits may someday be on the table, industry is sticking to its position that there is no substitute for flow-through. Alternatives toFlow-throughProposals in the federal government's tax reform white paper have cast significant doubt on the ability of the mining industry to raise risk capital after 1989by way of flow-through shares. There is serious concern that introduction of the ""cumulative net investment loss"" (CNIL) rules, the phase-out of the mining explorati0! 1 depletion allowance (MEDA), and the Increased capital gains inclusion (750/0 versus 50%, at present) will make the economics of flow-through so unattractive after 1989 that these shares will hold little appeal to most investors. The question might be raised, then, as to what alternatives exist by way of tax or other government assistance that could help the exploration sector.The purpose of this paper is to survey the types of government incentives that could be of some value to explorationists and to the mining industry in general. For the past several years, flow-through has been in the spotlight insofar as incentives to the exploration industry are concerned. Other potentially useful and attractive incentives have been partially hidden in the shadow of flow-through. These incentives, in certain circumstances, can be of considerable benefit, and should not be ignored."

Jan 1, 1988

By S. C. Tadolini, J. M. Goris, J. L. Gallagher

Cable supports offer several advantages over traditional secondary support methods by enhancing stress redistribution to pillars and gob areas, minimizing or eliminating timbers and cribs that reduce ventilation, eradicating material-handling injuries related to placement of crib supports, and providing a cost-effective alternative to secondary support. The U.S. Bureau of Mines (USBM), researching alternatives to traditional roof support methods, designed and installed high-strength cable supports to improve the stability of longwall gate road entries in a western U.S. coal mine. With the cooperation of industry, methods were developed to install and evaluate cable supports in a tailgate area using traditional resin cartridges. The cable-bolted areas successfully maintained roof support throughout the developed entries. Cable supports have replaced wood cribbing as secondary support in the bleeder entry system and have minimized or eliminated the use of cribbing in the longwall tailgate entries. This paper describes the theory, application, and advantages of cable supports and presents some mine measurements made to assess the cable performance during the retreat process of longwall mining.

Jan 1, 1999

By Don Phelps, Dean Brox, Peter Procter, Andy Saltis, Tom Morrison, Jeff Pringle

The Greater Vancouver Water District is currently constructing the Seymour-Capilano Water Filtration Project to enhance the quality of drinking water in the Vancouver metropolitan area. The Seymour-Capilano Water Filtration Project comprises the 1,800 million litres per day Seymour-Capilano Filtration Plant, the 1,080million litres per day Capilano Pumping Station, twin tunnels with associated shafts, and the Capilano Energy Recovery Facility. The twin tunnels will convey raw water under pressure from the Capilano Reservoir to the Seymour Filtration Plant and return treated (filtered) water for distribution. The Twin Tunnels component of the project comprises twin, 3.7 m diameter, 7.2 km TBM bored tunnels, the 180 m deep Seymour Shaft as the main launch shaft, and two 4 m diameter, 268 m deep raise bore exit shafts at Capilano. The Twin Tunnels have been planned as predominantly unlined tunnels sited at depth entirely within granitic bedrock and cross under two major buried glacial valleys of breadths in excess of 1500 metres that are filled with glacial sediments to depths up to 200 metres. The maximum overburden along the tunnel alignment is approximately 400 metres. Comprehensive site investigations and studies were completed during the detailed design stage of the project. The construction of the twin tunnels started in the fall of 2004 and is planned to be completed by mid-2008.

Jan 1, 2005

By J. B. Rosenbaum

Prolonged laboratory and limited pilot plant tests have shown that the Bureau of Mines buffered S02 -H2S process is capable of removing 95 to 99 percent of the S02 from industrial waste gases. Most of the S02 is converted to elemental sulfur; only about I percent converted to sulfate The process comprises (1) washing the flue gas to remove particulates and S03, (2) absorption of the S02 in citric acid or other carboxylate solution, (3) reaction of the loaded solution with H2S in a closed vessel to precipitate the absorbed S02 as elemental sulfur, and (4) separation of the sulfur from the regenerated solution by oil flotation and melting. Two-thirds of the molten sulfur is converted to H2S for use in the sulfur precipitation step by reacting sulfur vapor with natural gas and steam in the presence of an alumina catalyst. The chemistry and mechanism of the process are described, initial laboratory and pilot plant data are summarized, and second-generation laboratory operation and pilot plant design are reviewed. Preliminary cost estimates are presented for recovering sulfur from copper smelter gas, powerplant flue gas, and Claus plant tail gas.

Jan 1, 1973

By AIME AIME

AT Williams College, in the quaint old New England town where people still go to the post office for their mail, an interesting institution has come into being as one of the aftermaths of the peace conference at Paris in 1919. The war taught the world many things about economics although much remains to be learned and more to be appreciated. B. M. Baruch, H. A. Garfield, president of Williams, and others who took part in the conference at Paris or in preparation for it, feeling that benefits would accrue from informal friendly discussion of the problems that lead to political differences between peoples, called together a summer conference in 1920. This has now become an annual affair and is coming to be looked upon as an important center for developing and stimulating public opinion. Membership in the Institute is by invitation and the lists change to correspond with the particular subjects taken up. Each year a number of distinguished foreign public men are invited to be the guests of the Institute and to meet men and women from various parts of the United States interested in their special subjects. Round tables, general conferences, and public lectures are the means employed to bring out discussion. The first are organized by groups, each including usually 25 to 40 people interested in a special subject and meeting three times a week for informal discussion. Teachers, writers, economists, engineers, business men, indeed men of all vocations and many shades of opinion, are brought together. Once a week each round table presents in general conference with the members of all other groups the more general conclusions reached in its own decisions. Afternoon and evening lectures are given by the foreign guests and these are open to the public. The lectures and the general conferences are reported widely in the press but the proceedings as a whole are not printed, no resolutions are passed, and no action is taken or contemplated. The whole plan is to furnish a forum for free discussion in hopes that the difficulties of various groups and peoples may be taken up sympathetically and good understanding promoted. There is no creed, doctrine or dogma to which the Institute is committed and widely different views are currently presented. The constant effort is to bring out points of view and the reasons for them rather than to build up convincing arguments favourable to a specific action

Jan 1, 1926

By D Kotzen

Online cyanide analysers have been successfully used to control free cyanide in the gold/silver leach process for over 15 years. Use of such analysers leads to cyanide savings and improvement in recoveries. Plants with leach cyanide analysers show both lower and more consistent cyanide levels in tailings. Cyanide code compliance requires meeting residual cyanide targets in tailings. Monitoring and logging of the residual cyanide in plant tailings and effluent is required. Meeting targets may require cyanide recovery/destruction processes to be implemented. The operating cost of destroying cyanide is often the same order of magnitude as the cyanidation cost. Various cyanide destruction and/or recovery processes are reviewed. Choice of a process consistent with the environmental and operational requirements is illustrated. Online weak acid dissociable cyanide (CNWAD) analysers have recently been developed and introduced on gold plants. The application of a WAD 1000 online CNWAD analyser at a large gold plant is presented. The analyser ensures code compliance, reduces cyanide destruction process operating costs and forms a historical record of CNWAD values in tailings.

Jan 1, 2007

By W. C. Goldberg

This paper presents pit slope monitoring and back-analysis case studies con-ducted to evaluate and, if possible, stabilize slopes at the Berkeley Pit in Butte, MT. Two specific slopes were studied in detail. The first slope was determined to be near limiting equilibrium, as evidenced by its response to the initiation and cessation of mining, while the second failed on three occasions. Back-analysis of the failed slope verified the laboratory-derived geomechanical properties of the earth materials. Early detection of slope movement can show a need to take action, including modifying slope geometry, dewatering if the slope were wet, and/or investigating and implementing artificial supports. Monitoring slope displacements in open-pit mines can supply data for predicting collapses and preventing serious damage, injuries, and/or loss of life.

Jan 1, 1989