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By W. Dan Hausel

Archean supracrustal rocks of the South Pass greenstone belt of western Wyoming have been an important source of gold and iron ore. Actual gold production statistics are incom- plete although gold production estimates for the South Pass- Atlantic City district range from a low of 2.0 Mg (70,000 oz) (Koschmann and Bergendal, 1968) to a high of 9.8 Mg (327,000 oz) (Hausel, 1980). From 1962 to 1983 iron ore was also mined from the greenstone belt and production totaled more than 91 Mt (90 million It). The supracrustal rocks of the South Pass greenstone belt occur in a tightly folded synform bounded by Late Archean granite and granodiorite. The youngest of the Archean successions has a reported Rb-Sr isochron age of 2.8 b.y. (Stuckess, et al., 1985). Metamorphism of the supracrustals increases towards the flanks of the belt and is amphibolite-grade enclosing a small island of greenschist facies rocks. The supracrustal sequence consists of metasedimentary and metaigneous rocks that are divisible into four mappable units. The metasediments include metagraywacke, quartzite, pelitic schist, banded iron formation, metaconglomerate, and graphitic schist. Metavolcanics include metabasalt, meta-andesite, and ultramafic schist. These supracrustals have been intruded by mafic sills and dikes and tonalitic stocks and dikes. Two granite plutons and associated pegmatites intrude the supracrustals in the western portion of the belt, and the supracrustals exhibit both fault and intrusive contacts with granitic batholiths along the western and eastern margins. The northeastern flank of the Archean belt is unconformably over- lain by Paleozoic sediments, and the southern portion of the belt is onlaped by Tertiary sediments.

Jan 1, 1990

By Maynard Stenberg

Judging from the progress made in August 1989, drilling and raise boring of a 400-m (1312-ft) pilot hole at the Elura mine of Pasminco Ltd. in Southeastern Australia, an observer would never guess that the project had been delayed nearly a year. Moreover, two pilot holes had been abandoned in previous attempts. The challenge was to drill a 93-mm (3.66-in.) H size exploration hole between Elura's 400- and 800-m (1312and 2624-ft) levels. The hole needed to be kept within a 300-mm-diam (12-in.diam) target cylinder over the 400 m (1312 ft) distance. The deviation restriction of the initial core hole was necessary to precision ream a pilot hole to 330 mm (13 in.) and then raise bore a 6-m-diam (20-ft-diam) shaft, planned as the primary men and materials access between the two levels. Core was not really necessary to gain an accurate geological picture of the steeply dipping formation. Rather, the core barrel was used because it tended to drill a straighter hole. Using rock bits in the steeply dipping formation would have simply aggravated the problem of deviation. The core barrel and diamond bit optimized the probability of a straighter hole. However, on the first two attempts to drill the pilot hole, the bit was out of the 300-mm (12-in.) target cylinder within the first 50 to 60 m (164 to 197 ft), and the holes were abandoned.

Jan 1, 1990

By M. Stefanakis, M. Errington, A. Kontopoulos, J. M. Prevosteau, K. Adam

The Olympias arsenical pyrite concentrate assaying 25 g/t Au, 40% S, 40% Fe and 12% As is highly refractory in nature; an oxidation pretreatment step is required to liberate gold and render it amenable to cyanidation. In the present study mineralogical analysis techniques including Image Analysis, SEM, EPMA, SIMS, Mossbauer, ICP/MS, etc., have been employed in order to investigate the mode of gold occurrence within the Olympias pyrites. Bacterial oxidation was used as a case pretreatment route and bacterially leached products were examined under SEM. The mineralogical observations and the relevant metallurgical and cyanidation test data were combined to establish a correlation between the mineralogical characteristics of the raw and oxidised products and conditions prevailing over the oxidative pretreatment step and the gold liberation achieved.

Jan 1, 1990

By Thomas P. Meloy

As the importance of particle shape in mineral processing is increasingly recognized as an major variable in predicting the behavior of both individual particles and particle systems, whether it be in dense media, froth flotation, comminution or the flow of particles, new method of shape characterization are being developed, particularly for use on image analyzers. These shape characterization methods may be broadly classified into the analytical, empirical and physical formation methods. Discussed are approaches and the strengths and weakness of each of these methods. Moreover old and new shape measuring techniques are reviewed, particularly the new image analysis methods techniques such as Fourier, Haar, Fractal, Walsh and Delta as well as a variety of other techniques such as tabling, the Cascadograph, settling and L/D ratios. Also discussed are the problems of doing shape research, current progress and the future of the field.

Jan 1, 1990

By C. W. Armbrust

At FHC Gold Company's Paradise Peak Mine gold and silver are produced. Precious metals recovery rates are very satisfactory along with the recovery and production of a relative high volume of mercury. At Paradise Peak precious metals are recovered via the Merrill-Crowe process and delivered to the refinery area as a mercury-bearing precipitate cake. The recovery of mercury is then obtained through a vacuum retort system. The balance of the material is mixed with fluxes and then melted and cast into dore' bars for shipping. Issues of retort capacity and concerns over efficiency led to research into the retort process itself.

Jan 1, 1990

By P. G. Semple, K. W. Major, R. M. Nendick

As free milling oxide gold ore reserves are depleted, more mining companies are having to evaluate the available alternatives for treating refractory deposits. The selection of a treatment process can be very difficult; and, despite the claims of their respective proponents, there is no one process that will continuously prove superior. Selection of the optimum process for an individual deposit is contingent on the size of the deposit, the grade of the deposit and the refractory nature of the ore. Since extensive metallurgical test programs are usually required to determine the optimum extraction process, an inappropriate initial selection may prove costly and time consuming. This paper discusses the steps involved in evaluating a refractory ore in order to expedite the evaluation of the required process through the feasibility study stage.

Jan 1, 1990

By J. H. Tylczak, R. Blickensderfer

Impact and abrasion properties of various commercial US grinding halls were evaluated and compared by the Bureau of Mines, US Department of the Interior. Laboratory tests were conducted on balls obtained from eight major US manufacturers. The halls included forged steel, cast steel, and alloyed white cast iron and were subjected to repeated impacts until they broke or until 300,000 impacts were exceeded. Pin abrasion tests also were conducted. The results showed wide differences in impact lives, ranging from a few thousand to over 500,000 impacts. The life of inferior commercial halls was increased five to six times by a laboratory tempering heat treatment. For halls that did not break, the major impact wear mode was spalling and ranged from an average rate of 0.28 to 4.46 mg per impact. The softest halls (steel) had excellent impact resistance but low abrasion resistance. The abrasion resistance of the steel halls generally increased with hardness. The alloyed white cast irons had about twice the abrasion resistance of the steel halls. Users should become aware of the wide variations among commercial halls, and ball manufacturers should be aware that their product can he improved.

Jan 1, 1990

By R. J. Lutton

The suitability of large-stone materials continues to present occasional problems in US construction. Distinctive modes of rock deterioration cracking, spalling, delaminating. disaggregating, disintegrating, and dissolving help to distinguish causes of deterioration. Design requirements, costs, and environmental factors remain critical to performance. The rating of material quality from superior hypes such as granite to marginal types such as conglomerate is too simplistic but may be useful in a preliminary way. Regardless, the market is dominated by limestone/dolomite material types because of their widespread availability. Certain tests that have been standardized are widely accepted and used for evaluating stone as riprap and armor. These tests are adapted from those used extensively for concrete aggregate; they explore the resistance of the rock to destructive processes such as abrasion, freeze-thaw, and wet-dry environmental attack. The field evaluation of the rock source is often as important as testing. Important limitations imposed by natural jointing and variations of bedding are documented in this manner. The field examination also supports the testing by estimating how much of the quarry is rep¬resented by each of the samples to be tested. Finally, quarrying and processing methods and transportation are carefully considered in regard to stone quality, average size, size gradation, and cost.

Jan 1, 1990

By S. K. Kawatra

In many mining operations, particularly northern open-pit mines, large seasonal variations in grinding slurry temperature can occur. It is shown in this paper that this temperature shift can cause a winter-time loss in autogenous grinding efficiency of as much as 20Y. if it is not controlled. Laboratory experimentation indicates that much of this effect is due to increases in slurry viscosity as the temperature is decreased. An additional effect may result from changes in rock strength upon freezing, for which possible mechanisms are discussed. However, no effect clearly resulting from rock strength changes has been definitely confirmed.

Jan 1, 1990

By D. L. Shenck

The Navajo Mine is exclusively a multiple seam surface coal mine located in the northwest corner of New Mexico, and entirely on the Navajo Indian Reservation (Figure 1). It is owned and operated by the Broken Hill Propriety Co., Ltd. of Melbourne, Australia. The mine began production in January 1963 with a long term fuel supply agreement with the Four Corners Power Plant. The 2175 MW nominal generating capacity of the Four Corners Power Plant consumes 8-8.5 mm tons of coal annually. With estimated reserves totaling 1.1 billion tons of strippable coal, only one third is presently committed to the generating station. As development has continued over the years, mining operations have advanced into more complex geologic areas to satisfy the utilities demand for coal.

Jan 1, 1990

By A. Arik

Reliable ore reserve estimates for deposits with highly skewed grade disributions are difficult tasks to perform. Although some recent geostatistical techniques are available to handle problems with these estimations, ordinary kriging or conventional interpolation methods are still widely used to estimate the ore reserves for such deposits. The estimation results can be very sensitive to the search parameters used during the interpolation of grades with these methods. This paper compares the ore reserve estimates from ordinary kriging using several cases in which certain search parameters are varied. The comparisons are extended to different mineralizations to show the changing effects of these parameters.

Jan 1, 1990

By L. W. Saperstein, MJ. Carlson

With the goal of improving the strength characteristics of pneumatically emplaced material used for localized subsidence control, the binding additives fly ash, bentonite, and portland cement were examined for their effect on the support capabilities of coal refuse. It was found that, within certain concentration ranges, all three offered some increase in the ultimate strength of the backfilling mixture. However, portland cement gave the greatest percentage increases. Selection of the appropriate backfilling mixture will allow for the most economical and efficient subsidence control when pneumatic stowing is employed.

Jan 1, 1990

By W. Nahas, T. C. Watson, A. R. Maycock

The development of roasting technology for the oxidation of sulfides in refractory gold ores is discussed. Case studies covering operations dating from the mid-1930's to the present day are used to illustrate this development. The roasting of ores and concentrates is reviewed and various gas cleaning flowsheets are discussed with particular reference to environmental requirements. A sequence chart is provided to show the development path of a potential roasting project.

Jan 1, 1990

By R. Eggert

Since the discovery of high temperature superconductors has led to extensive interest and conjecture regarding their potential to change contemporary technology, discussions of the impact on the metallurgical and other industries have naturally arisen. In this paper we present data showing the possible impact of these developments on the materials related to the fabrication and proliferation of devices based on superconductor materials. We observe that the largest volume of effort with LTSC will be for the demonstration of high power devices while applied research relating to processing will remain the principal HTSC activity. We also note that in the next decade copper consumption in the US is expected to remain essentially at the current level while the need for Nb and Sn,; two major components of LTSC, will grow at a faster rate both in the US and the world. Although the use of superconductor-based magnetic separation is anticipated to increase, no major impact of these components on the metallurgical industries is expected.

Jan 1, 1990

By Egons R. Podnieks, Wallace W. Roepke

Mining technology to utilize vital lunar resources will be required for any commitment to permanent lunar basing. Lunar mining must be viewed both as a major supporting element for space resource commercialization and for creation of human settlements on lunar and planetary surfaces to support long-range space exploration. The Apollo missions to the lunar surface and results from fundamental research on analogue lunar rocks by the Bureau of Mines, and others, have provided the initial data for developing lunar mining technology. The multi-disciplinary research projected in this paper outlines the scientific and engineering needs to realize the lunar mining goals.

Jan 1, 1990

By S. B. Patton, T. Novak, R. L. Sanford

A comprehensive approach to the development and organization of an expert system designed to assist electricians in diagnosing electrical faults in mining machinery is discussed. The system includes diagnostic, reference, and tutorial programs. The diagnostic portion of the system is based on a causal-reasoning approach, which is used to establish a hierarchy of symptoms and the subsequent production rules for identifying component-level failures in the motor-control circuit of a shuttle car. With this approach, conclusions are developed directly from knowledge of the circuit and its behavior (in both working and failure modes) based on first principles, rather than the heuristics of a domain expert. The symptoms and their hierarchal structure are formulated by creating "what if' scenarios and performing a qualitative circuit analysis for each fault. Techniques for incorporating interactive graphical displays of the circuit schematic into the diagnostic portion of the system are also presented. Supportive computer programs that provide reference material and tutorials on the circuit are also described.

Jan 1, 1990

By J. B. Gwiazda

Maintenance of a constant load setting throughout longwall support units and selection of the proper initial bearing capacity depending on the type of roof strata are the basic factors that ensure good performance of roof support in a longwall. These requirements can only be met by hydraulic support. The greatest advantage of hydraulic support is achieved when uniform pressure is imposed on the roof throughout the length of the longwall. Such support, however, is provided only if each of the support units acts with the same force against the roof, i.e., has the same setting load. In such cases, the roof behaves like a uniform plate without bending and shearing stresses, thereby ensuring an undisturbed structure. Without a positive set value system, achieving an equal setting load for all units of the longwall support is impossible. Due to alterations of the feed line pressure of support units as well as some reasons related to man's psychology, operators extend the height at different setting loads. This produces nonuniform roof stress, and disturbs the structure. Consequently, the roof usually cracks. The author has developed a positive set value system, which is described in this Technical Note. Selection of the setting load Two pressure values in the feed lines are usually applied in longwall hydraulic systems. Lightweight support is fed by 25 MPa (250 bar) liquid, while heavy duty units receive a nominal pressure of 31.5 MPa (315 bar). Such pressure is required not only for the props but also to power the adjust¬ment jacks and the advancing ram. If the feed pressure is too low, there will be difficulty in shifting the unit despite the inversion system of the advancing rams. On the other hand, for many roof types, the feed pressure often appears to be too high when applied as the setting load pressure. An excessive setting load acts too strongly against the roof, crushing weak strata close to the roof. The author has recognized a case where an excessive setting load destroyed not only the nearby roof strata but also the strata above a 2-m (6.6-ft) sandstone layer. In addition, an excessive setting load relieves the side¬walls, increasing the resistance when using cutting machines. As a result, the yield of coarse coal is diminished, and increased fines dominate in the final product, lowering its economic value. As indicated, selection of the proper setting load, depend¬ing on the mining and geological conditions of the extracted seam, is extremely important. In some mines, measures applied to prevent disturbances include reduction of the feed line pressure by adjusting the feed pump valve. The disadvantage accompanying reduced feed line pressure is more difficult operation in advancing the ram. Due to the reduced feed line pressure, the force of the advancing ram is much lower than the designed value. Other designs suggest using a third feed line. However, installation of supplementary valves on the support units is required, a time-consuming and expensive procedure. The disadvantages of the powered supports are eliminated by a system designed by the author. So far, such a method of setting load control has not been used in any type of support. Setting load control unit The designed positive valve set for prop loading and the setting load control correspond to existing control systems for hydraulic powered support. The layout of the unit connected to the hydraulic prop control is presented in Fig. 1. The unit is marked LIDS. It incorporates three valves that may operate separately or connected. Valve A automatically opens and closes with liquid flow in the prop feed circuit. The valve is opened when the canopy touches the roof and closed when the support unit is withdrawn. Valve B serves as the setting load control. Valve C automatically opens and closes the flow in the line connecting the under-piston space of E to the prop F with the separator G. The valve block of each support prop is marked BZ. The UDS unit is connected by the hydraulic lines to the F prop control circuit. A valve is connected by H to pressure line J and by K to the G separator. In the UDS-3 version, line L is connected to M, linking the over-piston space of F prop with the G separator. Valve B is linked with valve A by a connector; it is also connected to the under-piston space E of prop F by line P. Valve C is fixed between lines K and P, connecting space E of prop F with the separator G. When setting the support, the liquid flows from line J through separator G, the BZ valve, and valve C to the space E of prop F. When reaching the roof with the canopy, valve A is opened and C closes. In this way it is impossible for the operator to cause the liquid pressure in space E of prop F to reach the level of line J. The prop pressure is set by valve B of the UDS unit. When withdrawing the support, valve C is automatically opened and A closed. Three UDS units have been fabricated and are designated

Jan 1, 1990

By M. Misra, I. Anazia

The effects of the enzyme, peroxidase, on the sedimentation and consolidation characteristics of Florida phosphate slimes were investigated. Results indicate that pretreatment with the enzyme was beneficial for slime dewatering and consolidation. Biological activity, resulting from slime pretreatment with the enzyme, induced higher mechanical binding between slime particles.

Jan 1, 1990

By D. J. Cook, R. H. Fan, D. R. Maneval, Y-H. Shen

In this study, two placer mine processing plant effluent waters of significantly different characteristics were tested to determine the applicability of polymers along with other techniques to achieve reduced levels of turbidity. The waters from a Gilmore Creek mine and a Crooked Creek mine were characterized both as to their chemical and physical properties. The inorganic minerals were in large measure identified, and the principal cations were identified. The fine solids were studied as m their mineral identification and the extent of their electrical charges. Test work was done using polyrthylene oxide (PEO) and a liquid cationic polymer along with adjunct additives to determine optimum amounts of these coagulants for minimum consumption and optimum settling efficiency.

Jan 1, 1990

By P. K. Davis, B. Gharib

The results of a previous basic study of the flow and design characteristics of hydrocyclones demonstrated that a recovery as high as 99% with a product rating* of 0.95 can be achieved on a batch+ basis with a single, water-only cyclone if it is configured properly. The next logical step was to demonstrate continuous processing of gob for the efficient recovery of coal by means of a laboratory-size demonstration system. A project to design and construct such a single-¬cyclone system was sponsored by the US Department of Energy, which also sponsored the initial study. A recovery of 93% with a product rating of 0.89 was demonstrated. The system design and the data taken are discussed.

Jan 1, 1990