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By L. J. Blatnica

Throughout the 1980's the tem Mine-Wide Monitoring System has had various meanings for manufacturers of these systems and underground mine operators alike. System suppliers had visions of grandeur in the early 80's as they envisioned each mine, that has more than a single section, installing a computer based monitoring system to provide surveillance, control and documentation of the entire mining operation, including everything from a single heat detector to the weekly payroll. In a few cases this may have become reality but the truth is these systems have quietly become a steady but unspectacular workbase for the modern mining industry of the 1990's. As it exists today the total market for underground monitoring systems may not exceed $10 million annually. Suppliers have lowered their expectations of the dollar value of this particular market. Some were entering a new market because of experience with computer based data acquisition systems. Others had been active in the mining industry for years with more traditional equipment (communication systems, methane monitors, safety equipment, etc.) and decided to become involved with Mine-Wide Monitoring Systems.

Jan 1, 1990

By D. F. Boyd

On April 10, 1958 a new 7500 long ton/day iron ore beneficiation plant went on stream producing an average of 3000 long-tons of high quality concentrate a day. Plant operates on two, 12-hour shifts is six days per week, The new mill end crust ink plant were built adjacent to the company's open pit dining operate on at Bomi Hills, Liberia. The mall is essentially a gravity concentrator employing crushing, and grinding to liberate the mineral values, followed by concentration in Humphreys spirals. The cleaner spiral tailings are re-ground and tabled to recover additional iron values. Ire addition to. this mills the company operates a crushing and screening plant for the high grade direct shipping ores

Jan 1, 1962

By C. A. Carroll

In February of 1989 the Mission Complex of ASARCO Incorporated completed an expansion of its concentrator, raising the base mining rate from 25,900 TPO (28,500 STPD) to 37,200 TPO (41,000 STPD). The expansion was accomplished by extending the twelve existing Mission ball mills in length, by installing the grinding circuit from Asarco's idled Sacaton Concentrator along with various auxiliary equipment, and by modifications to the flotation circuit and water systems. This paper will give a brief history of the consolidation of the ore body which made the expansion possible and explain the various parts of the expansion.

Jan 1, 1990

By Charles E. Dunne

One of the most frequently asked quesitons is: "Where is copper (price and usage) going?" I will not attempt to forecast either the future price of copper or the future growth of the copper industry; rather I would like to discuss the current trends experienced in the smelting and refining terms and conditions for sales and/or purchases of copper concentrates. A brief review of contract language and terms, together with a review of the common jargon, I believe, would be helpful. To accomplish this review, I will first list what I consider the four basic parts or sections of a basic ore contract and then illustrate basic terms with calculations.

Jan 1, 1984

By A. M. Gaudin

In the first place, let me thank you for inviting me to appear before you today to speak to you on "Mineral Industry Problems - Present and Future". It is a distinguished honor for me to have this opportunity, and I am highly appreciative of this distinction. The beautiful surroundings of Gatlinburg and the pleasantness of a summer occasion are a wonderful tonic for all of us, yet they should not blind us to the seriousness of our Industry's problems No doubt, because of my past appearances before members of the Society of Mining Engineers, at which I discussed wholly scientific topics, or research in the Applied Sciences, you may be expecting me to revert to these subjects. But I intend to venture in a field that is new to me, yet old to all of us, the field of Economics.

Jan 1, 1962

By Thomas L. Mell

Continuous processing plants handling liquids have achieved a high degree of centralized automatic control. Many chemical plants are operated from one room, with automatic control of the various process flow rates. These plants know from experience that automatic control can produce higher through-put, better uniformity of product, decreased operating costs and reduction of storage capacity, Plants which process materials in the form of bulk solids have not been able to use control to as great an extent, primarily due to the lack of measuring equipment capable of providing the same types of continuous automatic control available with liquid flow meters. This paper will describe a scale for measuring flows of bulk materials on conveyor belts which is particularly adaptable to remote centralized instrumentation and automatic control, and will also describe some typical control applications. Fig. 1 illustrates the basic method of measurement of this scale. A conveyor belt idler is supported on a rigid carriage which in turn is mounted in two anti- friction bearings on the conveyor stringers. The pivoted carriage is prevented from rotating about the pivot shaft by an electric strain gauge load cell connected between the carriage and a cross support. Increasing load on the conveyor belt increases the moment of the carriage frame about the pivot shaft, and proportionally increases the tension in the load cell. The belt speed is measured by a conventional d. c. tachometer generator driven from a pulley, usually on the return belt. The speed signal from the tachometer generator and the load signal from the load cell are combined to produce a signal proportional to the flow rate of material in tons per hour, or lbs. per foot, or equivalent units, It will be important to remember, in considering various control applications, that the flow rate of material on the belt is composed of these two component signals, namely the weight of material and the speed at which it is moving. The feed rate is then indicated and recorded by a self-balancing potentiometer of the type used for measuring temperature by means of thermocouples. These instruments may also be equipped with integrating mechanisms reading the totalized tonnage over a period of time.

Jan 1, 1958

By Craig Hartley

? A helper stands beside a continuous miner as the operator is at the controls. The operator means to push the stop button but hits the drum rotation start button by mistake. The drum begins to turn and the bits catch the helper's clothing. He is thrown violently to the ground and suffers multiple contusions. ? A farmer's wife helplessly watches her husband drawn into the claws of farm machinery while she frantically and unsucessfully searches for the control to stop the machine. ? A mechanic on the night shift replaces plugs in the lubrication systems of all three engines of an airliner following routine maintenance. In doing so', he fails to notice that "0" ring seals have not been mounted on the plugs. A few hours later, as the fully loaded airliner is cruising high over the ocean, oil pressure on one engine drops precipitously. The pilots quickly shut down the engine and turn for home. Almost immediately, the two remaining engines lose their oil and fail.

Jan 1, 1983

By Ken Goering, Steve Kral, William Gleason

"Once every four years, the global mining industry gathers in Las Vegas, NV for MINExpo International. According to the show’s organizer, The National Mining Association (NMA), about 44,000 people attended the three-day show from Sept. 26-29. It was a show that featured the latest and greatest in equipment and technology. It also served as the backdrop for a snapshot of the state of the industry and while the picture of a global industry is never completely clear at any one time, one thing that is evident is technology has become a major force in the way mining is done.Had it not been for the awe-inspiring “iron” that was on the show floor in the form of haul trucks and shovels weighing hundreds of tons, one could be forgiven for thinking that they were at the Consumer Electronics Show. From training simulators designed to give a realistic experience of operating mining equipment to virtual reality technology that can take the user into the depths of an underground mine or the middle of a mapped ore deposit, an overriding theme of MINExpo 2016 was that the mining industry is connected like never before.In the north hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center was the GE Mining booth that was designed to showcase its efforts to help create a mine that will be connected from the front office to the face of the underground wall or bottom of the openpit. GE Mining called its booth a digital mine, and it included a suite of technologies that can improve performance, reliability, safety and operations. GE Mining said it views each mine as a mini-city, requiring power, water and transportation. Intelligent, real-time monitoring across the mine allows operators to make data-driven decisions that improve equipment reliability and optimize mine operations for substantial savings. And GE Mining was just one of many exhibitors showing off software that allows various types of equipment to communicate. Its booth sat in the shadow of the Komatsu booth with its new 360-t (400-st) 980E-4 haul truck that included GE’s 360-t (400-st) electric wheel motor. This is just one example of how technology is connecting machines, operations and people around the world and how mining is moving forward."

Dec 1, 2016

Ground falls (roof and rib) have historically been responsible for nearly 50% of all fatalities in bituminous underground coal mines. In recent years, the number of some annual ground fall fatalities has approached zero, indicating that significant progress has been made. On the other hand, the twin disasters at Crandall Canyon in 2007, in which nine miners perished in violent coal bumps, provided a stark reminder that complacency is premature. One important success has been a great reduction in the number of miners killed inby roof supports. Throughout the 1990s, these accounted for nearly half of all roof fall fatalities, but there have just been two inby incidents since 2005. Progress has also been made in pillar recovery, where there has been just one fatal incident since 2005. On the other hand, more than 300 miners continue to be injured each year by rock falling from between supports and 100 more are injured by rib falls. Together, these two categories also account for a large percentage of recent ground fall fatalities available technologies such as roof screen, rib bolting and inside control roof bolters could reduce injury and fatality rates if they were used more widely. Further advances in these areas will likely be the next big advance in ground control safety.

Jan 1, 2011

By R. Benemelis

The existence of resins in some coal deposits in various parts of the world has been known for many years. These resins vary considerably in chemical structure and properties. The resin that is found in Utah coal, however, is rather unique, and has properties particularly attractive for the manufacture of printing ink mastics and adhesives. This resin is a rather dark, very high melting point, low molecular weight hydrocarbon resin. Its typical properties are shown in Table I. Its largest use by far, has been in the printing ink industry. The history of Utah coal resin is interesting, but unfortunately one of disappointment and failure.

Jan 1, 1990

By George F. Swindle

This paper discusses a composite of two coal reserve studies, each of which made use of a computer-based modeling system to assist in an evaluation of multi-seam deposits. The model permitted simultaneous consideration of seam thickness, seam structure, overburden thickness, over-burden ratio, and quality parameters for sulphur content, ash content, BTU values and the EPA Compliance index. The model is designed for use by a non-programmer, geologist or mining engineer. It enables the user, from a computer terminal in his office, to specify constraints (for example maximum um sulphur and maximum- ash content, minimum seam thickness and minimum BTU rating), and produces a report showing the volume, quality and location of that part of the total in place deposit satisfying all the constraints.

Jan 1, 1983

By Fulvio V. Fonseca

The Trombetas bauxite deposits were discovered by ALLAN, as from the original work of the geologists Drs. E. E. GREIG and 3.A. STAARGAARD on the axis of the Amazon river, between Manaus and Santarem - (see fig. 1). With research licences obtained in 1965 by the SANTA RITA BAUXITA - a subsidiary of ALAN a group of Brazilian geologists, under the supervision of IGOR MOUSASTICOUSHVILLY, begins researches on the areas of Parintins, Juruti and Mathias with unsatisfactory results. In 1966, photographs obtained from the US Air Force and the Brazilian Oil Company PETROBRAS -, covering an Amazon region between Parintins, Santarem and north of Trombetas river, permitted the identification of a great number of plateaux between the Nhamunda and the Trombetas rivers. Based on this information, a research group has worked intensively from 1966 to 1967 allowing the discovery of the trihydrated bauxite in a quite large area. After five years of intense work and analysis of approximately 56.000 samples, near 500 million of tonnes of bauxite are evaluated on the several plateaux of the, area, thus insuring the commercial exploration of these deposits. Such discovery places Brazil among the detainers of the main bauxite stocks of the world and as a potential exporter.

Jan 1, 1980

By Adolph V. Mitterer

International Minerals and Chemical Corporation operates one of six potash mines in the Carlsbad potash basin. More than 90 percent of America's potash is produced at Carlsbad and IMC accounts for about one-fifth of that amount, Since the Company began operations in 1941 it has mined nearly 50 million tons of ore. Of the two types of ore mined at Carlsbad the principal tonnage is sylvinite in which sylvite-potassium chloride-is the ore mineral. It is produced by IMC as well as by all other mines in the area, In addition to sylvinite IMC is the exclusive producer of langbeinite ore--potassium-magnesium sulfate. From its two ores, International produces a spectrum of 8 high-quality agricultural and industrial chemical products.

Jan 1, 1959

By O. K. Brown

U.S. Borax has two tailings disposal requirements which are uniquely different in many respects, but with the common goal to minimize the impact on the environment, utilize dependable technology and minimize the economic impact. The existing borax mine in the grid Mojave desert of Southern California has gone through a series of changes in tailings disposal practices in the 56 years of operations, The other tailings disposal requirement is a new molybdenum mine, presently in the feasibility phase, in the high precipitation setting of Southeast Alaska. II. Introduction U.S. Borax is faced with two tailings disposals situations, at diverse locations:

Jan 1, 1984

By Douglas M. Dwosh

INLAND STEEL COAL COMPANY'S experience with a gypsum cement, with and without fiber glass filler, indicates that the concept of utilizing standard rock dust equipment to dry handle and apply gypsum cement as a mine sealant is feasible, simple and economical. Prior to 1975, Inland had casually experimented with a few sealants and had discussed the advantages and shortcomings of other sealants with various users. Hower in mid-1975, Inland foresaw the need to seriously acquire a practical sealant system. There were nearly a dozen sealant materials on the market at that time: silicate-based materials, Portland cements, vermiculite cements, gypsum cements, and magnesium-oxysulfate cements, each with their own fillers and additives. The applicating equipment ranged from simple to complex: wet mix or slurry machines operating on either a batch or continuous basis, high viscosity pumps, and pneumatic, dry conveying machines with water nozzles. Compounding the selection process, two or more products could often be used with the same machine, or a given material could be successfully applied with more than one type of machine.

Jan 1, 1976

By A. M. McKim

6, 7.3 meter diameter autogenous mills at Wabush Mines are undergoing conversion from a radial configuration of pulp discharger to a curved design. Improved discharging efficiency has effectively lowered the pulp level in the mill. The low level operation enhances the grinding efficiency netting a 12% power reduction. Significant reductions to rate of wear has been a spin off benefit. The design incorporates features for holding the assembly solidly in place thus eliminating bolt hole damage and leakers. Preliminary work in one 11 meter mill at Hibbing Taconite did not indicate that all the same advantages were available in their process.

Jan 1, 1982

By C. Arthur Lefler

The Smoky Valley Mine is jointly owned by Louisiana Land and Exploration Company, Felmont Oil Corporation and Case Pomeroy Company. Copper Range Company, a subsidiary of L.L. & E. is the operator of the mine. The mine is located about 60 miles (100 km) north of Tonopah, Nevada on Highway 376 (formerly 8A) in the Big Smoky Valley on the western flank of the Toquima Mountain Range In the shadow of Mount Jefferson. The mine is at an elevation of about 6100 ft. (1860m) and is situated on the southwestern flank of Round Mountain, the hill for which the town of Round Mountain is named. The ore is a rhyolitic iglmbrite with coarse gold occurring along fractures and with fine microscopic gold disseminated in the rock mass. Minor silver is associated nth gold. Annual mining is planned at 5.8 million tons (5.3 million tonnes) per year with 2.2 million tons (2 million tonnes) as ore (7,000 tons or 6,400 tonnes per day).

Jan 1, 1981

By Alan Rhodes

This study is initiated to investigate the efficiency of separation of mineral slimes using electroflotation as compared to that of column and conventional flotation techniques. Important parameters such as collector concentration, pH, current density, aeration rate, etc., have been studied. The results indicate that electroflotation can be used more efficiently in processing rutile slimes (10 µ) under certain operating conditions.

Jan 1, 1982

The 29th annual American Mining Hall of Fame Awards Banquet and Fundraiser sponsored by the Mining Foundation of the Southwest (MFSW) will be held at the JW Marriott Star Pass Resort, Tucson, AZ on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2011. Each year, one living inductee, two recipients of Medals of Merit, and up to five honorees from mining history are chosen by the MFSW for their outstanding contributions to the mining industry. Chilean Minister of Public Works and former Minister of Mining, Laurence Golborne Riveros will be the guest of honor, featured speaker and inductee into the American Mining Hall of Fame. Golborne Riveros was instrumental in managing the rescue of the 33 Chilean miners in October 2010 and in the coordination/management of the ?townsite? for family members, rescue support and the media. His engineering background and executive management skills made him ideally suited to assist in both a technical and managerial role in this emergency.

Jan 1, 2011

By James R. Dunn

The mineral industry" has made and will continue to make important contributions to the growth of our economy. However, the industry is presently under continuous and increasingly severe attacks by organizations and individuals interested in the preservation of our environment. Yet neither the public interest value of preservation nor the public interest value of our mineral industry is known. In the absence of such values, judgments about best land use where minerals are involved are nearly always made on emotional grounds. An example of the sort of problem that has been created is in the New York Metropolitan Area. Because of institutionally-created shortages stemming largely from zoning decisions and building over deposits, the effective cost of fine aggregate delivered at dockside at Manhattan rose from $2. 65/cubic yard in July, 1969, to $4.10/cubic yard in May, 1970, this in spite of approximately ;l0,000 years of reserves on Long Island. The cost of fine aggregate for New York City alone has "Increased over $S million annually within one year, with the cost increase for the Tri-State Metropolitan Area (coastal Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York)" exceeding $10 million annually. The ab0ve situation has created a cost increase which is clearly the result of non-conservation of a mineral resource. That is, in readily measurable values, it Is costing the public about $10 million per year because good conservation practices were ignored-a public-interest loss. Admittedly, this is not the whole story because the public is simultaneously obtaining other values from the land surface that would otherwise have had to be dedicated, temporarily to be sure, to mineral recovery-a public-interest gain. However, the point is that we do not know where the balance lies-the net public interest value; it may lie one way for deposits zoned out of existence by a growing suburb, another for areas designed as permanent greenbelts, and still another for areas under new highways

Jan 1, 1971