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During a programme to determine the suitability of the UK site for deep disposal of radioactive wastes, geostatistical methods were used to characterise rock heterogeneity on the basis of seismic and wireline acoustic-impedance data. The data were analysed to yield semi-variogram models that quantified the three-dimensional spatial heterogeneity of acoustic impedance. These models were reconciled with geological interpretations of the area and used to generate simulations of acoustic impedance, with wireline acoustic impedance as conditioning data. The three-dimensional simulated images were compared with actual seismic acoustic impedance. The variography confirmed a vertical zoning effect in the Borrowdale Volcanics, showing that it is caused by preferential clusters of high acoustic impedance values corresponding to regions of relatively low porosity. The method provided realistic three-dimensional models from sparse, one-dimensional wireline data

Jun 19, 1905

By Jinsheng Chen, S. S. Peng

The relationship between support performance parameters and parameters representative of mining and roof conditions is characterised by uncertainty, non-linearity and dependence, so the theory of artificial neural networks was selected as a basis for shield design. A computer program based on a back-propagation training algorithm was written to derive the weighting factors between inputs and outputs from field data; once these had been established two mathematical models were developed to describe the relationship. Back-calculation of field data indicates that the results generated from the neural network models are much more accurate than those derived by traditional methods and can be used with a higher level of confidence. The support density, possible yield frequency of face supports and interval of periodic roof weighting under specific mining and roof conditions can be determined by application of the models

Jun 21, 1905

By A. Berckmans

The key variables in the financial analysis of a mining project include the metal price and the quantities of ore and metal. In general, if the metal price drops, the cutoff grade is increased so as to increase the average grade. This causes recovered tonnages of ore and metal to drop. Discussion is presented of the development of a new method to evaluate the relationship between the cutoff grade, z, the ore tonnage above cutoff, T, and the metal quantity above cutoff, Q. Detailed information is provided on the QTz curves for lognormal and inverse gaussian (Sichel's) distributions. Both these distributions are used as models for the grades in different types of ore bodies, and they are both T-symmetric. The geometry of the QTz curves is simplified, making it easier to work out the impact of minor variation in the parameter values for each distribution

Dec 1, 1996

By G. G. Barbante

An understanding of the thermodynamics of smelting copper anode slimes is a prerequisite for improvements to the process. During slimes smelting, a silver-copper selenide matte is formed and subsequently oxidised to silver metal. As part of a series of investigations, molten silver selenide matte was oxidised at 1 100 degrees C with pure oxygen. The chemical potential diagram for the system was developed and used for qualitative prediction of the results of the experiments. A simple, computational thermodynamic model of converting is presented, the adjustable parameters of which were determined by matching the model with the experimental results. The practical usefulness of the model was demonstrated by predicting the effect on silver recovery of smelting temperature and of using either oxygen or air as the smelting gas

Jun 21, 1905

By M. M. Cole

An assessment of the combined application of remotely sensed satellite imagery, geobotany and biogeochemistry reveals the complementary value of these techniques in the Thalanga area. The SPOT imagery yields useful information on features of the terrain and discriminates the gossan over the ore zone. Geobotany differentiates geological units and the anomalous vegetation provides visual expression of the surface presence of the ore zone, while biogeochemistry effectively locates its concealed extension below Tertiary sediments and ferricrete

Jan 1, 1991

By I. W. Farmer

High horizontal stresses and high horizontal to vertical in-situ principal stress ratios in the plane of underground drifts and entries can damage weakly laminated roof rocks quite severely. Such stresses are difficult to measure accurately, as illustrated by case histories of in-situ stress measurement at Wistow and Lea Hall mines, in the UK. Their direction and relative magnitude can, however, be estimated from the absolute velocity vectors of continental plates. With the preliminary results from the World Stress Map project now available it is possible to indicate mining areas where regional horizontal stresses are low, such as Europe, and high, such as Australia and Asia

Jun 19, 1905

By I. Marklund, W. Hustrulid

Sublevel caving is likely to remain the dominant system at both Malmberget and Kiruna for the foreseeable future. The sub-level interval has increased from 12 m in 1983 to 30 m, requiring more effective drifting and the development of a contour blasting technique to reduce requirements for rock reinforcement. Production drilling is mainly by hydraulic hammers or water-powered in-the-hole machines drilling 115 m diameter holes. Loading operations are undertaken 7 days/week with 15-25 tonne capacity electric shovels. Production has increased by nearly 70% since 1983 and productivity has risen threefold

Dec 1, 1995

By A. D. Mukherjee, H. N. Bhattacharya

Middle Proterozoic sulphide ore mineralisation occurs in isolated blocks of the NE-SW trending Delhi fold belt composed of Delhi Supergroup rocks. The Ajari-Basantgarh-Pipela belt forms part of the longest, widest and westernmost tectonic unit of the Delhi fold belt and consists of amphibolites, metapelites, quartzites and carbonates. The metapelite lenses and associated amphibolites host pyritic copper mineralisation. Mineralisation takes the form of sheet-like bodies consisting of ore lenses of various sizes interlayered with host or associated rocks. Massive, banded and disseminated varieties of ore are found. Pyrite is dominant with subordinate chalcopyrite and sphalerite. Pyrrhotite, galena, cubanite, mackinawite, marcasite and freibergite constitute the minor minerals. The characteristic features of the ores suggest a possible correlation with Besshi-type deposits, and the closely associated amphibolites are interpreted as low-K tholeiites of a fore-arc setting

Jun 19, 1905

By S. G. Ozkan

An investigation was carried out into the effect of physical parameters, such as particle size of the sample, residence time, solid/liquid ratio and impeller speed in the flotation cell, on the solubility in soft tap-water of colemanite (calcium-bearing borate) from Emet, in Turkey. Solubility increased steadily with residence time from 5 to 20 min but only minimally thereafter. There was a similar increase with impeller speed from 500 to 1 500 rev/min, beyond which a solubility of around 1.05 g/l was again established. There was a slight decline in solubility as the solid/liquid ratio was increased from 1 to 30%, with stable values around 1.05 g/l at a 20% ratio, while a sharp decrease was observed with decrease in size down to the -20 micrometre fraction. The effect of solubility should be taken into account if the application of a wet-processing method is being considered for the ore, while it can also result in losses of material during handling and storage

Jun 21, 1905

By T Grenne, R. B. Larsen

Paper presented at the conference on Economic geology in Europe and beyond II, models for mineral deposits in sedimentary basins, held in Keyworth, UK, 13-14 April 1994. Paper originally entitled: Processes in a newly discovered sulphide-PGE mineralisation in Norway. The Stormyrplutten mineralisation is hosted by a minor tholeiitic metagabbro of low-Ti composition intruded at a high level in the volcanic lithology. It is thought to be the subvolcanic counterpart of submarine basalts generated during an extensional episode of ensimatic arc evolution. The sulphide-PGE mineralisation occurs as stratabound pyrite, pyrrhotite and chalcopyrite disseminations with average grades of 376 ppb Pd, 313 ppb Pt, 40 ppb Au, 0.5% Cu and 0.08% Ni in a deposit 15-25 m thick. Locally the PGE content peaks at 2 ppm over 1 m. Microprobe analysis isolated 14 different platinum-group minerals, dominated by sperrylite, temagamite and borovskite and occurring as 1-20 micron compounds embedded in the main sulphide minerals or along the sulphide/silicate grain boundaries. Mantle-normalised plots reveal strong depletion in Os, Ir and Ru and enrichment in Pt, Pd, Cu and Au. The general decrease in Pd and Pt and increase in S up through the stratigraphy is similar to PGE distribution in the Darwendale subchamber of the Great Dyke in Zimbabwe, and may reflect strong fractionation of Pd and Pt in favour of the first droplets of sulphide melt; two reversals of the trend at the 4 and 12 metre levels represent replenishment with fresh magma and repetition of the cycle. In contrast to the Darwendale system, Cu and Ni also show peak concentrations in the first-formed liquids and Pt appears to have fractionated more strongly into the sulphide melt than Pd

Aug 1, 1995

By R. G. Kidel, S. C. Doming

The project has shown that it is feasible for a junior company to reopen a narrow vein-style gold mine and successfully take it into production. An intimate understanding of the mineralisation and a flexible approach to mining are crucial, as are stringent cost control and efforts to keep overheads low. The project has confirmed the geological complexity of the Main Lodes, which consist of highly sheared quartz-sulphide infill in strongly sericitised granodiorite. The existence of discrete high-grade zones within the Hangingwall Lodes has also been confirmed. Broad low-grade zones continue to be recognised and require the local application of bulk longhole mining methods. The initial mine plan called for predominantly longhole stoping, but adverse ground conditions have meant that a switch to air-leg mining has produced higher run-of-mine grades. The excess capacity at the processing plant can best be used by batch processing, with its reduced maintenance requirements

Jun 21, 1905

By D. C. Kaliampakos, A. K. Moutsatsou, J. K. Skotaras

The wastes from marble extraction in the Thasos- Kavalla-Drama region of northeastern Greece could be utilised as a new source of high-quality white carbonate fillers for the European market. Large deposits, satisfactory properties, acceptable processing costs and environmental benefits are among the factors that would have a positive bearing on a proposal for their use in this way. DTH, the waste arising from dolomitic marble quarrying operations on the island of Thasos, appears to be the more suitable material than DA waste from Nikissiani on the mainland because of the lower cost of primary grinding and the higher production rate of ultrafines with a mean particle size of 5 micrometres (the optimum size for filler properties in the case of both DTH and DA), its superior whiteness, the benefits that such use would bring to a very severe and complex environmental problem and the lower transport cost

Jun 18, 1905

By A. T. Iannacchione

Underground mining of stone in the US is increasing, as is the depth of overburden above the mines. Data gathered from mine visits, maps, discussion with operators and numerical simulation have been used to investigate pillar design and recommend safe practice. Many pillars have slender shapes with relatively large adjacent mine openings: width-to-height ratios range from 0.54 to 3.13 and extraction ratios from 0.56 to 0.91. The pillar material is often very strong and average overburden only 80 m, but occasional failure due to excessive local stress has occurred where pillar size had been unintentionally reduced, overburdens were greater than 200 m, width-to-height ratios were less than 1.25 or extraction ratios were greater than 0.83. Pillars with width-to-height ratios of less than 1.5 appear more likely to fail under excessive stress. When width-to-height ratios fall below 1.0, defects such as through-running discontinuities can have a significant influence on stability. Dip, orientation and material properties are also important

Jun 21, 1905

By R. K. Zipf

The sudden, violent collapse of large areas of room-and-pillar mines poses a special hazard for miners and mine operators. This type of failure, termed a cascading pillar failure, occurs when one pillar in the mine layout fails, transferring its load to neighbouring pillars and causing them to fail in succession. Recent examples of this kind of failure in coal, metal and non-metal mines in the USA are documented. Mining engineers can limit the danger presented by these failures through improved design practice. Whether failure occurs in a slow, non-violent manner or in a rapid, violent manner is governed by the local mine stiffness stability criterion. This is used as a basis for three design approaches to control cascading pillar failure: containment with barrier pillars during pillar splitting; prevention with panel pillars of high width-to-height ratio and small-centre mining; and full extraction by retreat mining

Jun 19, 1905

By G. Kill

Although other energy commodities have developed successful futures contracts, long-term contracts still dominate the coal market. To establish whether coal markets will develop in the same way, coal price and volume data are tested against a set of criteria considered to represent some of the factors contributing to the development of a successful futures contract. Coal meets only some of the criteria: market players are subject to little risk in quite a stable market, have strong preferences for the specific nature of long-term contracts and profit from product uniqueness, each trade being individually negotiated. Potential structural changes in the western European market are not felt to be sufficient to create demand for a coal futures contract, but an empirical model has been developed that could form the basis of a further study to predict the potential for success

Aug 1, 1994

By L. J. Barnes

The process for bio-remediation of sulphidic slag (BROSS) operates at 45 degrees C in a neutral (pH 7), aerobic aqueous environment in which sulphide in the slag is converted to sulphate. A two-stage version has been developed that involves quantitative chemical pre-oxidation of total sulphide to thiosulphate, followed by complete biooxidation of thiosulphate to sulphate. Ferric hydroxide, also produced, acts as a flocculant in the bioreactor effluent, concentrating heavy metal precipitates in the thickener as a sludge which can be returned to the smelter. The process has a high sulphate production rate and low acid and nutrient consumptions. Microorganism growth is the rate-limiting stage, requiring a minimum liquid residence time in the bioreactor of about 7 h. Although large quantities of oxygen are needed, sufficient gas mass transfer can be attained in an air-lift reactor. Products are an aqueous stream containing sodium sulphate with only trace levels of toxic heavy metals and a benign, toxic metal-containing sludge

Jun 18, 1905

By D. R. Wardrop, G. Walton

Paper presented at the UK minerals industry conference held in Leeds, UK, 3-5 April 1995. A description is given of the approach that has been taken to the design of the 550 000 000 t superquarry with a planned life of 60 years that is proposed for development. The quarry has been designed to replicate a corrie and a sea loch and will include excavated slopes more than 570 m high. The main geological and physical controls on the layout and the choice of development method are outlined. The operation phasing is presented and the geotechnical constraints on slope design and the feasibility of alternative quarry limits are discussed. Environmental considerations have been dominant in planning and the quarry has been specifically designed for closure

Jul 1, 1996

By G. M. Steed, A. O. Oyinloye

The deposit lies in amphibolite-facies biotite granite-gneisses of Proterozoic age, 4 km east of a major crustal break known as the Ifewara-Zungeru fault. Gold mineralisation is contained in a zone of quartz-carbonate (mainly calcite) veins and hydrothermally altered gneisses with associated small-scale intrusions along a steeply dipping second-order fault zone that roughly parallels the main fault. Gold is present mainly at grain boundaries between quartz and carbonate as discrete particles up to 100 micrometres in size, in general association with sparse, scattered pyrite, pyrrhotite and some base metal sulphides. Adjacent to the gold-bearing zone the granite-gneisses have been hydrothermally altered with minor volume increase, most notable enrichment being in K2O, S, Pb and Cu (and Au). High concentrations of Th, Y, Ce and Zr in the granite-gneisses imply derivation from S-type granites. It is likely that their high heat production capacity maintained the high temperatures needed to transport gold in the hydrothermal systems. It is most probable that the mineralisation dates from the Pan-African orogeny (650-450 Ma)

Apr 1, 1996

By M. Gallego, R. Oyarzun, L. Ortega

Evidence of metallogenic activity in an area dominated by Upper Precambrian and Palaeozoic metasediments was partially explained in the 1980s when drilling and a geophysical survey detected hidden intrusions, but questions remained to be answered about the nature of the fluids. Sb mineralisation at El Juncalon vein-type deposit was selected for geological, geochemical and fluid inclusion studies as a model with a relatively simple quartz-stibnite-pyrite paragenesis. Many of the characteristics were those of Chinese-type vein Sb deposits, which can be regarded as atypical of the epithermal type as they are hosted by clastic rocks

Aug 1, 1995

By A. M. R. Neiva

The WNW-ESE-trending hydrothermal veins cut alternating mica schists and quartzites of mainly Ordovician age and, to the west, a Hercynian muscovite-biotite granite. They have been prospected and developed to a depth of 300 m and reserves of 20 t Au estimated. The paragenetic sequence and chemical compositions of the ore minerals are generally similar to those at Jales to the south. Gold, electrum and aurian silver form inclusions in arsenopyrite, pyrite, galena, sphalerite, pyrrhotite and quartz and also occur in veinlets that cut these minerals. Silver has been found in gold, electrum, aurian silver, tetrahedrite, freibergite and the Ag-Pb-Sb sulphide owyheeite. Early arsenopyrite crystallised at an estimated 480 degrees C and the more common, later arsenopyrite in which Au and Ag are generally included at 430-300 degrees C. Sphalerite crystallised at 307-100 degrees C. Monoclinic pyrrhotite may have been formed by the inversion of hexagonal pyrrhotite at 248 degrees C

Jun 16, 1905