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By D. Scott Scovira, Karl Dufresne

Blasting in geothermally high temperature ground and/or extremely reactive ground is an increasing common challenge for surface and underground mines. Many current PETN based non-electric and electronic detonators have manufacturer published in-hole temperature limits ranging from 55°C to 65°C (131°F to 150°F). When confronting blasthole temperatures above the manufacturer published limits, operations may request site-specific guidance and qualification for use. The advised safe loading window for in-hole PETN based detonators is often too short to be practicable for production blasting. To overcome limitations of PETN based initiation systems, surface mines with high temperature ground and/or reactive ground are known to load blastholes with a qualified high temperature bulk emulsion that are top primed with a cartridge of temperature qualified detonator sensitive emulsion plus an RDX detonating cord downline. As there is no in-hole delay detonator in this system, blasthole timing is accomplished with surface delays. Although this system is safe, top priming and surface delaying does influence floor quality and top size fragmentation, and safe loading windows times reduce blast block size and increase blasting frequency. A mining company with a site characterized by geothermally high temperature ground plus highly reactive ground employed a blasting system like the one described above. The site desires to improve blasting performance by moving to an in-hole delay initiation system that can withstand the site ground conditions. At the request of the mining house, DynaEnergetics developed an electronic initiation system for application in geothermally high temperature ground and/or extremely reactive ground conditions. The DynaEnergetics IGNEO high temperature electronic initiation system is rated for in-hole use in ground up to 150°C (302°F) for 48 hours. The detonator consists of a high strength detonator with an HMX base charge and thermally resistant downline. To make up a primer, the detonator is inserted into a booster charge assembly that is fitted with a small HMX shape charge. This high energy primer is designed to be compatible and reliable for firing bulk emulsions, including those with high percentages of urea inhibition to combat reactive ground. Up to 1000 detonators may be programmed in 1 ms increments up to 1500 ms. The system is controlled by a digital firing panel that can be used with either a wired or wireless trigger. The system enables high temperature and/or reactive ground sites to utilize in-hole delay initiation and realize the associated performance benefits.

Feb 1, 2024

By K. A. Natarajan

Platinum electrodes are not inert as originally thought to be. The reactivity of platinum electrodes can explain their erratic behavior in many electrochemical measurements of metallurgical interest, e.g., in flotation systems, streaming potential measurements, contact-angle measurements, and in leaching systems. The anomalous behavior of platinum electrodes in redox potential measurements in aqueous systems was studied through Eh and pH measurements in water-oxygen, iron-water-oxygen and manganese-water-oxygen systems. Stability relations between Fe++ and Fe(OH)3 and between Fe(OH)2 and Fe(OH)3 were studied to judge the correspondence between experimental and theoretical equilibrium lines. The practicality of redox potential measurements in estimating ferric-ferrous ratios in aqueous systems was investigated along with their suitability as indicators in leaching operations, e.g., the removal of iron by aeration from manganese leach solutions.

Jan 1, 1970

By Wen Tao Liu, Tong Tian, Fu Sheng Niu, Xiu Man Liang

The level of automation employed in flotation production is relatively low. In an actual concentrator, operators use their judgment to adjust the production state based on the visual characteristics of the flotation froth surface. There are shortcomings, such as strong subjectivity and lagging process operation, that easily cause the waste of manpower and material resources. Machine vision technology is introduced to replace human visualization, achieving a quantitative description of the visual characteristics of the froth surface. The state variable parameters are provided for the identification of the flotation conditions.

By M. Sears, K. Mohamed, J. Addis, J. Wickline, G. Rashed

To better understand the load shedding and the stress transfer on coal pillars due to room-and- pillar retreat mining in deep cover panels, researchers from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) conducted a monitoring field study. Two sites, at overburden depths of 1,000 ft (304.8 m) and 1,500 ft (457.3 m), were selected in a room-and-pillar mine operating in Southern West Virginia. The deformation and stress changes in the roof and two adjacent pillars at each site were monitored during the retreat mining process. The monitoring results and field observations were used to calibrate large-scale FLAC3D models for each site. The calibrated models were used to assess different sizes of roof bolts installed in deep cover areas. INTRODUCTION Deep cover room-and-pillar retreat mining is an important emerging issue that will intensify in the future as shallower reserves are depleted (Mark, 2009; Chase et al., 2002). During pillar retreat mining, the likelihood of local and/or global instabilities increases due to elevated stress levels near the pillar line because of the abutment loading. In the last decade, approximately 31% of the room-and-pillar mining groundfall fatalities in the United States occurred during pillar retreat mining. Between 2013 and 2017, this proportion increased to 55%, of which 50% of these fatalities were due to falls of roof and rib that occurred during pillar recovery (MSHA, 2018). One interesting piece of information about pillar recovery fatalities was that the victim was nearly always under bolted roof. Sheared and broken #5 (5/8-in), fully grouted rebar bolt failure contributed to three of four fatal roof fall incidents that have occurred in deep cover retreat mines (NIOSH, 2010). This claim raised the following question at the study mine: Is it safe to use a 4-ft long #5 (5/8-in) rebar bolt grade 60 at a depth of cover more than 1,000 ft (304.8 m)? There was some concern about shear failure of the #5 (5/8-in) rebar bolt at a depth of cover over 1,000 ft (304.8 m). To answer the question and to reduce accidents and fatalities caused by ground falls due to room-and-pillar retreat mining in deep cover panels, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) monitored the roof and rib deformation and the change in vertical pressure within two adjacent pillars during pillar recovery. The study was conducted at two deep cover sites in a room-and-pillar mine located in Southern West Virginia that operates in the Lower War Eagle (LWE) seam. The monitored sites were selected at 1,000 ft (304.8 m) and 1,500 ft (457.3 m) depths of cover. In this paper, site-1 represents the monitored site at 1,000 ft (304.8 m) of cover, while site-2 represents the monitored site at 1,500 ft (457.3 m) of cover. For this study, large-scale FLAC3D numerical models were calibrated based on both field observations and instrumentation results. The calibrated models were then used to compare the ground response and the induced stresses of two pillars at instrumented sites 1 and 2. The maximum lateral displacement (roof shift) obtained from the calibrated large-scale FLAC3D models was applied to a small-scale FLAC3D bolted models, the safety factor for axial stresses of the simulated roof bolts was calculated at the deep cover sites.

Jan 1, 2019

By J. M. Wempen

As development in underground coal mines progresses away from the critical components of the ventilation system, including the main fans and ventilation shafts, resistance within the system is markedly increased. This results in higher pressure and flow requirements from the main fan(s) to maintain adequate face ventilation. Upgrades to the primary ventilation system are often required. The use of booster fans underground is a potentially practical alternative to the addition of shafts and surface fans. This study presents simulations of the use of booster fans in two underground ventilation scenarios, one longwall and one room-and-pillar. The booster fan effects on the power requirements of the ventilation systems are evaluated.

Jan 1, 2011

By P. D. Rao, D. E. Walsh, W. W. McClintock

A column flotation system was designed to conduct release analyses on a very finely disseminated, stratiform copper ore from the Denali Copper Prospect in Alaska. Chalcopyrite is finely disseminated in a carbonate matrix, and pyrite is disseminated in both the chalcopyrite and the gangue. Grinding to -20 µm is required for adequate liberation. A 25-mm x 2.4-m glass flotation column was designed. The ore and its flotation tailings were repeatedly floated to obtain a rougher concentrate. The rougher concentrate was then repeatedly floated to produce release fractions. These fractions were analyzed for copper, iron, calcium and magnesium, and release curves were plotted. The procedure was replicated at each of two grinds, i.e., 99% and 88% passing 37 µm (400 mesh). The procedure should find application for flotation characterization and process selection. Bond grindability testing was also conducted.

Jan 1, 1996

By Karin Bäppler

A new polyhalite fertilizer mine is currently being developed in the UK by Anglo American Crop Nutrients. The project includes the construction of a Mineral Transport Tunnel almost 37 kms long to house a conveyor belt that will move polyhalite from the production shaft at the mine to a materials handling facility at the port. The project sets a new standard in terms of an ultra-long tunnel drive and sustainable, environmentally friendly and efcient material transport. The paper highlights in particular the . m diameter TBM in use for the construction of the ultra-long tunnelling section.

Jun 23, 2024

By M. Werner

Mining in the Coeur d'Alene Mining District has been going on for over 100 years with a long- term continuation very likely. Mining is presently carried out at depths below the -5000' horizon. As mining continues at ever increasing depths, higher in-situ rock stresses and subsequent rock deformation is encountered making mining costly and hazardous. To provide access for men and materials in such areas, a wooden raise preparation structure is typically built. Although these structures provide adequate support and access, they have proved to be very costly to construct and maintain.

Jan 1, 1986

By Roland W. Rammler

In recent years, the crude oil reserves of the world have increased at the same rate as the consumption. A Consideration of the global figures suggests that adequate supplies of petroleum will be available during the next decades. On the other hand, it in a fast of economic and political significance that the reserves in the industrialized countries increase much more slowly than in the developing countries. In Western Europe the reserves have even decreased. At the present time, about 70 % of the petroleum reserves of the world are in the Middle East and in Africa in regions in which political arises are prevalent or impending. For the industrialized countries, the discrepancies between the consumption and reserves in various regions of the world are a strong urge to investigate whether oil can be recovered from other sources. The situation will probably not be changed to a large extent by the discovery of oil in the north of Alaska. The main starting materials for the production of synthetic crude oil are coal, oil shale and tar sand. In North America, where the consumption of petroleum increases more rapidly than the reserves, there are enormous deposits of each of the three materials. This fact is another incentive toward the utilization of these unconventional oil reserves, which provide a reliable basis for a supple of energy for a long time to come.

Jan 1, 1970

By Mike Lewis

"Descending several stories down a metal staircase into a shaft spanning a quarter city block -- soon to become Roosevelt Light Rail Station in Seattle, WA -- visitors are greeted with four perfectly round, precast concrete-lined horizontal holes leading deep into the earth. The sound of water trickling out from a small drainage trough can be heard over the faint echoes of construction within. Upon entering, the light is dim, but the air is clear with barely a dust particle flowing through the sunbeams. This type of air quality is only accomplished with diligent controls, and JCM Northlink, the company in charge of building the Northgate Link Extension Project, is taking those measures seriously.Commissioned by Sound Transit, JCM is a joint venture of three companies: Jay Dee Contractors, Frank Coluccio Construction Co. and Michels Corp. The tunnels JCM constructed are intended to provide fast, reliable underground rail service, as well as relieve one of the region’s most congested traffic areas. The $440 million project will connect the Northgate, Roosevelt and University District neighborhoods north of Seattle to the downtown corridor and SeaTac airport further south.The scope of this project includes excavation for two light rail stations, boring of two parallel 5 km- (3.3-mile) long light rail tunnels in six runs and the construction of 23 cross passages. Begun in 2014, Sound Transit estimates that crews excavated more than 382,000 m3 (500,000 cu yds) of soil and installed 7,352 precast concrete tunnel liner rings during the shaft construction and boring phase. Now that tunnel boring is complete, JCM is in the process of constructing the cross passages, which act as maintenance areas and escape routes for passengers. Throughout the entire process, the company has utilized atomized mist to control particle emissions.“Our dust control needs change at every phase of the project and don’t go away until the project is fully complete,” said a JCM safety representative. “We found that different dust suppression technologies were needed at different intervals, but atomized mist seemed to fulfill our needs at every step.”"

Jan 9, 2017

"Caterpillar has developed the Cat GH800B longwall plow system, designed for mining very low coal seams at high rates. Building on the attributes of the proven GH1600 plow system, the Caterpillar longwall team in Lünen, Germany, worked with the German Ibbenbüren Mine to design and construct a system for mining an anthracite seam averaging only 0.85 m (33.5 in.) thick. The result is the GH800B plow and associated longwall system, which is now operating in the Ibbenbüren Mine - where the seam does not exceed 1 m (39 in.) in height.The Cat GH800 plow, with an installed power of 2 x 400 kW, has been the plow of choice for seam heights from 0.9 to 2 m (35 to 78 in.), regardless of seam inclination or coal hardness. But the lower the coal seam, the more difficult the extraction process. Flexibility, reliability, efficiency and serviceability of the whole system had to be refined for maximum productivity in such a minimal height, but several key modifications led to success.The armored face conveyor (AFC) modifications for the GH800B plow system include PF4 plow line pans with a replaceable top trough and a new plow guide made of a one-piece casting to provide extra strength and durability while being lower in height than the previous welded version. External dogbone connectors between the line pans and a strong and flexible relay bar between the AFC and the roof supports (shields) further adapt the conveyor for very low seam operation. To increase coal throughput, the engineering team widened the conveyor crosssection with extended side plates."

Jan 1, 2014

By Brett P. Spigarelli

"To meet the growing need for CO2 capture and storage technology, Michigan Technological University is studying CO2 capture using alkali-based solvents. The objective of the present study was to find a way to increase the absorption rate of CO2 into an alkali solution without reducing the absorption capacity of the solution. One approach to increasing absorption rate is to use a surfactant to chemically alter the gas bubble size. The surfactant chosen for the study was a neutral-charge polypropylene glycol methyl ether (PPGME) with a molecular weight of 200. Experiments were conducted to study the absorption rate of CO2 at varying surfactant concentrations. Results showed that as the concentration of PPGME increased in solution, the absorption rate also increased. The CO2 absorption rate increased from 3.45 x 10-3 mol/min CO2 at 0g/L PPGME to 3.92 x 10-3 mol/min CO2 at 0.48 g/L PPGME. This amounted to a 14% increase in the CO2 absorption rate with no decrease in the absorption capacity of the solution. IntroductionChemical absorption using an amine solvent is currently the most mature carbon capture and storage technology available. Amines are advantageous in that they have a fast CO2 absorption rate, which leads to a high CO2 removal efficiency. However, amine absorption has some considerable drawbacks, such as high energy requirements, high equipment corrosion rates, amine degradation in the presence of oxygen, high waste generation and a large increase in plant footprint if new equipment is constructed (Herzog and Golomb, 2004; D’Alessandro et al., 2010). Due to these drawbacks, Michigan Technological University (MTU) is studying CO2 absorption using alkali-based solvents, which address the above disadvantages of amine solvents."

Jan 1, 2015

By August V. Castelli

Drilling fluids have changed over the years from water and/or water frequently mixed with local clays to scientifically com- pounded materials (mud). This change has occurred due to changes in drilling methods from percussion to rotary: depth maximum from 21 m in the first oil well to more than 9 000 m; and variety in types of well or hole to gas, oil, water, and mineral exploration. Environmental concerns about the composition of the fluid as to heavy metals and oil on the cuttings has recently caused changes in the materials used in the mud. The drilling fluid should perform the following functions (Darley et al., 1980): 1) Carry cuttings from beneath the bit, transport them up the annulus, and permit their separation at the surface. 2) Cool and clean the bit. 3) Reduce friction between the drilling string and the sides of the hole. 4) Maintain the stability of uncased sections of the borehole. 5) Prevent the inflow of fluids-oil, gas, or water-from permeable rocks penetrated. 6) Form a thin, low-permeability filter cake which seals pores and other openings in formations penetrated by the bit. In addition to these, the fluid should: 1) Not injure drilling personnel nor be damaging or offensive to the environment. 2) Not require unusual or expensive methods of completion of the drilled hole. 3) Not interfere with the normal productivity of the fluid- bearing formation. 4) Not corrode or cause excessive wear of drilling equipment. A number of industrial minerals, chemicals, and other materials are used as additives in the drilling fluid to accomplish these functions. Industrial minerals make up the highest percentage of the additives in a drilling fluid. Drilling fluids are classified according to their principal components: water, oil, and gas. If the major component is either water or oil, the component along with the suspension of solids, cuttings and additives is referred to in the trade as a mud. The largest use of some industrial minerals, such as barite and bentonite, is in drilling muds. For other materials, such as gypsum and limestone, drilling usage is only a small percentage of total demand. RAW MATERIALS [Table 1] lists the industrial minerals used in drilling fluids, their form, specifications, and uses. Each raw material will be discussed as to its mineralogy, physical and chemical properties, and the location of major deposits with respect to drilling fluids. Attapulgite Attapulgite is a crystalline hydrated magnesium silicate clay mineral, prized for its viscosity in saline waters. The particles are needle-like rather than the platelets common to most clay minerals. The specific gravity is 2.5 and the Mohs hardness is 1 to 1.5. Attapulgite is one of the materials sometimes referred to as fuller's earth. The major producing areas in the United States are southern Georgia and northwestern Florida. It also is mined in Spain, Senegal, the Republic of South Africa, Turkey, India, and Australia. Barite Barite is crystalline barium sulfate. It has a high specific gravity for a non-metallic mineral, 4.5 when pure, and is used as a weighting agent. Generally, the specific gravity ranges from 4.20 to 4.35. It is relatively soft with a Mohs hardness of 3 to 3.5 and is not very abrasive. Barite is inert, non-toxic, and clean to handle. Common contaminants are quartz, iron minerals, gypsum, and calcium carbonate. If there is considerable gypsum in the barite, it will thicken the mud. The major deposits in the United States are in north central Nevada, near Battle Mountain. The major producing countries, other than the United States, are China, India, Mexico, the former USSR, Turkey, and Morocco. The major deposits in India and Nevada, and some in China, are stratiform, commonly quite pure bodies in bedded sedimentary rocks.

Jan 1, 1994

By Richard DePew, Robert J. Auber

The Westerly Storage Tunnel is a 25-foot diameter segmentally lined storage tunnel that is a major component of the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District's Project Clean Lake that is designed to capture 39 million gallons of untreated CSO overflows from entering Lake Erie. During the final stages of the project completion, a large-scale rock fallout incident occurred during the final lining installation operations at the down-stream end of the tunnel that extended beyond the designed primary support system. This paper outlines the level of coordination and collaboration between the Owner, Designer and Contractor to remediate the situation safely, quickly and effectively.

Jun 23, 2024

By William Gleason

"There are few people more qualified to speak of the tumultuous times in the global mining industry during the past four years than Newmont Mining Corp. president and chief executive officer Gary Goldberg.Goldberg stepped into his current position in 2012, just before MINExpo 2012. Gold prices had hit record highs not long before that ($54.15/g or $1,856.40/oz on Sept. 8, 2011), expansions were happening around the world and the gold mining sector was still living in the glow of one of its longest upswings in history.That all changed between April 8 and April 15, 2013 when the price of gold dropped by nearly $200/oz ($46.27/g or $1,586.20/oz on April 8 to $40.45/g or $1,386.80/oz on April 15), putting an end to the decade-long mining boom and forcing mining companies like Newmont to re-evaluateeverything.Three years later, with the gold sector recovering, Newmont Mining is not only surviving but is thriving with a pair of mines coming online, Long Canyon in Nevada and Merian in Suriname. On Oct. 1, the Merian Mine went into production on time and more than $150 million under the initial development capital budget.Goldberg, who was one of the featured speakers at the opening session of MINExpo International 2016 on Sept. 26, also spoke with Mining Engineering about the previous four years and the future of the industry.“Mining goes through cycles all the time and gold is no different,” Goldberg told Mining Engineering when asked about surviving the downturn since 2012. “I thought it was important that we take a good methodical and steady approach across the business to determine what was the right thing to do and to set the business up to improve performance. Anyone can cut costs for the short term, but we set out to do it in a sustainable and reliable way. We created a program we call Full Potential to look for sustainable ways to reduce costs and improve productivity. That program has taken more than a billion dollars out of our costs since we implemented it 2013 and that shows up in our results. Our all in sustaining costs are down 28 percent and our productivity is up 39 percent.”During the downturn, Newmont restructured its business model, sold off some assets and created a leaner, more nimble operation. It has paid off with the addition of two new mines and the acquisition of another, the Cripple Creek & Victor Mine in Cripple Creek, CO.“The gold industry had not seen a downturn in 12 years. We had half a generation that had not experienced a downturn, so helping them through that in an organized way and keeping a view toward the long term throughout the downturn was important. We were one of the few companies that continued to invest in assets,” he said."

Nov 1, 2016

By Gerald G. Griswold, James O. Greenslade, Cherie Tilley, Richard Reseigh

INTRODUCTION The Harrison Western Corporation, a leading Denver based mine contracting and engineering concern, is presently engaged in sinking two 1,006 m (3,300 ft) shafts for the Phillips Uranium Corporation at their Nose Rock Project, approximately 13 miles northeast of the small community of Crownpoint in McKinley County, New Mexico. The Nose Rock Project is the first attempt by the Phillips Uranium Corporation to tap the deep uranium reserves in what has become known as the Grants Mineral Belt. (See Figure 1) Project Description Phillips Uranium Corporation's plan for the large 2700 metric ton per day (2950 tons/day) mining facility calls for a series of deep access and ventilation shafts ranging from 4.27 m (14 ft) to 5.49 m (18 ft) in diameter to approximate depths of 1,006 m (3,300 ft). The initial pair of shafts consists of one production shaft and one ventilation shaft separated by a distance of 91 m (300 ft). The interbedded layers of sedimentary sandstones and shales to be penetrated by the shafts contain several major water producing aquifers, the deepest being the mineralized zone called the Westwater Canyon Member of the Morrison Formation.

Jan 1, 1981

By W. M. Aubrey

The use of solid fuel in shaft furnaces to indurate iron ore pellets was originally considered a necessary evil, which the industry worked long and hard to eliminate. Since then changes have taken place in furnace design and operating practices that have led us to our suggestion that solid fuel additions could again be used. In essence, what has happened is that the developments which made it possible to operate without solid fuel have also created new operating conditions favorable to the effective use of solid fuel. Because these new conditions* were brought about in part by the desire to eliminate solid fuel and because the development was a gradual one, the industry failed to reassess its position and for years neglected the possibility of returning to solid fuel.

Jan 1, 1967

By Rick Frechette, Greg Nelson

"The 2018 Elko Roundtable was held at the Red Lion in Elko, NV on March 15, 2018. The gracious host was once again Knight Piésold. Attendance was robust with representatives from more than 14 mining properties across Nevada representing nine corporations. Total attendance was at its highest in almost a decade. A high level of interest was also gauged by the number of companies with multiple attendees.The topic of water in mining was clearly a factor in creating the large show of interest. In terms of industry trends that are tracked annually, this topic had been absent from the list for more than 10 years (Deloitte, 2018) but was squarely planted there this year. And deservedly so. Three attending companies are signatories of the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) which espouses a firm stance on water stewardship (ICMM, 2017).How’s the water?It is reported that water scarcity affects more than 40 percent of the world’s population (Deloitte, 2018). Consumption of water in the United States, based on the last detailed census, entails only 1.5 percent usage by the mining industry. The largest users are reportedly thermoelectric power and irrigation, combining for more than 75 percent of the U.S. consumption. During the prior census period, water usage at mines was up dramatically (USGS, 2014).Mine water source usage is primarily a mix of ground water and saline or fresh surface water resources. Over the previous period, saline sources experienced the greatest percentage in growth as a mine water source, nearly doubling in use. Nevada ranks second as a state nationally in mine water consumption. California is the leader, and Nevada is immediately followed by Utah and Alaska (USGS, 2014).Water rights in Nevada and the ongoing litigation at the state level, particularly over the Humboldt River basin, have elevated the concern over the supply of water and have raised the interest regarding the topic of water across the mining industry as well as within other industries.The Elko Roundtable meeting began with a safety share and introductions, and included each attendee mentioned a water problem or solution that he or she would like to discuss during the day. An interesting list of subtopics was developed from this round robin and yielded the following most common themes:• Mine pit dewatering during operation and pit wall stability.• Draindown from tailings dams and heap leach pads and dealing with this at closure.• Post closure pit lakes, pit lake water quality and associated water rights."

Dec 1, 2018

By J. F. T. Agapito

The load carrying capacity of oil shale pillars excavated by conventional blasting, presplit blasting, and mechanical mining is evaluated. The study was based on a comparison of in-situ vertical stresses and fractures obtained from overcoring horizontal holes in the Colony Mine, Piceance Creek Basin, Colorado. Results indicate that conventional blasting causes a zone of damage approximately 3 m (10 ft) thick with low stress distributions. Presplit blasting reduces damage significantly, and increases the load carrying capacity in the 3 m (10 ft) thick zone by 5.93 MPa (860 psi). Mechanical mining causes little or no rock damage, and an increase of 9.83 MPa (1425 psi) in strength in the same 3 m (10 ft) thick zone. An example of pillar design is given showing that the use of presplit blasting and mechanical mining techniques can increase the extraction ratio by at least three and five percent, respectively, as compared to conventional blasting. It is speculated that comparable increases in extraction should also occur due to increases in span dimensions.

Jan 1, 1984

By Bill S. Taylor

Dutch State Mines [D.S.M] introduced the Heavy Medium Cyclone into the United States for cleaning fine coal about three decades ago. Since that time the general industry practice has been to deslime the raw coal at 28 Mesh (0. 59mm) size. The plus 28M material is fed to the Heavy Medium Cyclone for cleaning, and the 28M x 0 fraction is processed by other means (e. g. flotation or hydrocyclones). This approach recognized that 28M was the smallest size particle that could be easily rinsed on vibratory screens without excessive loss of magnetite, and without blinding of sieve bend and vibratory screen decks. Another reason for the 28M de-sliming was to avoid excessive contamination of the media with non-magnetic coal, shale, or clay fines. The most undesirable of these contaminants is the sub-micron size clay particles (2) that greatly increase the viscosity of the media and reduce the numerical maximum level that the media specific gravity can obtain due to the lower specific gravity of clay with respect to magnetite. The higher the fugitive clay content, the more severe the preceding problems become. During the last 30 years, many conventional Heavy Medium Cyclone Plants have been built throughout the world. In the United States, the initial cyclone plants were confined to the production of high quality metallurgical coal where lower gravities of separation were required than could be obtained from the conventional hydraulic or air separation processes. In recent years a large and ever-increasing number of preparation plants producing steam coal have started utilizing Heavy Medium Cyclone technology due to the environmental pressures being encountered to produce low sulphur coal. Due to the inherent characteristic of many coals of having a lower pyritic sulphur content at lower specific gravity fractions, many applications and markets are appearing for separating steam coals at much lower specific gravities than have been historically normal in the United States. Therefore. Heavy Medium Cyclones are being utilized to a much greater degree in this field, due to the flexibility of low separating gravity ability coupled with high efficiency when high percentage of near gravity material is present.

Jan 1, 1978