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By J. T. Liu, G. H. Han, W. C. Chai, Y. F. Huang

"In beneficiation process, metal ions could adsorb onto clay mineral surfaces or interact with flotation chemicals, and then result in the flotation behavior changing of desired minerals. Al(III) is the dominating ion existing in the bauxite flotation system. In this research, the adsorption behaviors of Al(III) on two silicate clay minerals (including bentonite and kaolin) were investigated by means of UV-Vis spectra, zeta potential testing and scanning electron micrograph analysis. The adsorption experiment results show that the adsorption capacity of clays for Al(III) ions increases with the initial Al(III) concentration, contact time and solution pH. There are some different adsorption behaviours for two clays. Increasing the clay concentration decreases the adsorption capacity of bentonite, while increases first then decreases for kaolin. Higher temperature favours the adsorption of Al(III) on bentonite but goes against for kaolin. The adsorption capacities of bentonite and kaolin for Al(III) respectively reach 12.48 and 0.875 mg/g at initial solution pH 5. Zeta potential results show that the adsorption of Al(III) on two clays is characterized by electrostatic attraction mechanism.INTRODUCTIONIn beneficiation process, there is inevitably a wide variety of metal ions generated from mineral crushing, mineral dissolution and water chemistry conditions. Metal ions adsorb on the mineral surfaces or interact with the beneficiation agents, affecting the flotation efficiency of desired minerals (DiFeo et al., 2001; Parolis et al., 2008; Shackleton et al., 2012; Shengo et al., 2014). Therefore, it is necessary to have a detailed investigation on the adsorption behaviour of metal ions on clay minerals.Having good ion exchange capacity and negative surface charge, the clay minerals could take up various metal ions from the mineral-water system. Bentonite and kaolin are very common aluminosilicate clays in the mineral processing system. These two clays both hold a permanent negative charge, =X- on the basal surfaces, and a smaller variable charge, =SiOH on the mineral edges (Gu & Evans, 2008; (Gu et al., 2010). Adsorption experiments are usually used to study the adsorption affinity of metal ions for clay minerals (Sen & Bhattacharyya, 2012). The adsorption of Zn(II), Cu(II) and Pb(II) onto natural bentonite showed that the adsorption amounts of metal ions increase with contact time, solution pH and metal ion concentration, but decreases with adsorbent concentration and system temperature (Sen & Gomez, 2011; Melichova & Hromada, 2013). Cr(III) adsorption on bentonite was significantly pH dependent. The adsorption process followed pseudo-second-order model and the equilibrium adsorption was consistent with Freundlich isotherm (Lollino et al., 2015). The adsorption behaviours of Pb(II), Cd(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) onto kaolin indicated that increasing pH favoured the adsorption of metal ions (Jiang et al., 2010). The adsorption of Cd(II), Cu(II), Pb(II) and Zn(II) onto kaolin showed that an ion-exchange reaction occurred at pH<7.0 and inner-sphere surface complexes were prone to form at higher pH (Srivastava et al., 2005)."

Jan 1, 2016

By A. Melkumyan, M. Balamurali, J. Zigman

Understanding the contribution of geophysical variables is vital for identifying ore indicator regions. Both magnetometry and gamma-rays are used to identify the geophysical signatures of the rocks. Density is another key variable for tonnage estimation in mining, and needs to be re-estimated in areas of change when a boundary update has been conducted. Modelling these geophysical variables in 3D will enable investigation of the properties of the rocks and improve our understanding of the ore. The Gaussian Process (GP) was previously used to generate 3D spatial models for grade estimation using geochemical assays. This study investigates the influence of the following two factors on the GP-based autonomously generated 3D geophysical models: the resolution of the input data, and the number of nearest samples used in the training process. A case study conducted on a typical Hammersley Ranges iron ore deposit using geophysical logs, including density, collected from the exploration holes, is examined in this paper.

Sep 1, 2021

By W. Banda

Paper written on project work carried out in partial fulfilment of Phd. (Process Engineering) degree* The recovery of cobalt and copper from waste slag was studied in a plasma DC-arc furnace in reducing conditions. Three fluxes, CaO,CaF2, and TiO2, were investigated for their influence on selective recovery of cobalt into an iron-rich alloy. A further investigation on the influence of furnace power on the reduction of slag to recover cobalt to the alloy showed that a change in power setting had an unexpected effect on the recovery of metals to the alloy, in that selectivity of base metal recovery over iron recovery decreased at an increased power level. Keywords: DC-furnace, reduction, nonferrous, slags

Jan 1, 2004

By Thomas A. Wheeler, Robert O. Keys

The choice of the flotation reagent that suits a particular coal has become more complicated with the development of new, more efficient reagents. Frothers and conditioning reagents, in particular, have experienced a dramatic reevaluation of their role in floating various types of coals. This paper offers a better understanding of how each of the following factors contributes to the reagent selection: 1. Natural Flotability 2. Degree of Oxidation 3. Size Distribution 4. Percent Solids in Feed Slurry 5. Fluctuations in Plant Feed 6. Limitations on Froth Handling 7. Clean Coal Specifications 8. Ash Content in Feed a) discrete ashable minerals b) inherent ashable minerals 9. Water Chemistry 10. Petrographic Composition of Coal 11. Free-Swelling Index 12. Convictions of Customer The application of conditioning reagents - both promoters and emulsifiers can substantially improve the coal recovery. Some low-rank, hydrophylic coal, previously considered unfloatable can be economically recovered with the use of the proper reagent.

Jan 1, 1986

By C. R. Copeland

Water sprays are a common method used to reduce particulate matter (PM) emissions. Various factors such as wettability, surface area coverage, fine particle engulfment rates, interparticle adhesion forces, suppressant penetration and suppressant longevity have all been suggested as critical factors in achieving effective PM control. However, it has not been established which of these factors are the most important. Experimental work indicated that suppressant penetration is the most critical of these factors. The length of time after application that suppressants were effective was also improved by using hygroscopic reagents that retained moisture to prevent evaporation. Maximizing suppressant penetration and improving suppressant longevity led to an average 86% reduction in PM10 concentrations in laboratory dust tower tests.

Jan 1, 2008

By C. R. Copeland

Water sprays are a common method used to reduce particulate matter (PM) emissions. Various factors such as wettability, surface area coverage, fine particle engulfment rates, interparticle adhesion forces, suppressant penetration, and suppressant longevity have all been suggested as critical factors in achieving effective PM control. However, it has not been established which of these factors are the most important. Experimental work indicated that suppressant penetration is the most critical of these factors. Suppressant effectiveness was also improved using hygroscopic reagents which retained moisture, improving longevity. Maximizing suppressant penetration and improving suppressant longevity led to an average 86% reduction in PM10 concentrations in laboratory dust tower tests.

Jan 1, 2008

By John E. Sherborne, William M. Newton

THE relation between the properties of electric logs and the fluid used in drilling a well is briefly discussed in this paper, and the fact that the resistivity of the drilling mud and its filtrate can appreciably affect such logs is shown. Apparatus was designed and a procedure established to determine the effect of various factors on the resistivity of drilling mud. Five muds commonly employed in California were tested and the following observations were made: I. The effect of raising the temperature from 80°F. to 180°F. is to decrease the resistivity of the mud or filtrate approximately 50 per cent. 2. The resistivity of the mud in most cases closely approximates that of its filtrate. 3. The change in the resistivities of muds caused by the addition of chemical is not the same function of the amount of chemical added for each mud. 4. The effect produced by increased sodium chloride content is to reduce markedly the resistivity of the mud and its filtrate. 5. Weighting materials, such as Baroid and limestone, tend to increase the resistivity of drilling mud. 6. Cement and counteracting reagents reduce mud resistivity.

Jan 1, 1942

By Deno Pappas, Gregory Molinda, Eric Bauer, Christopher Mark, Daniel Babich

Groundfalls are much more likely to occur in coal mine intersections than in entries. NIOSH is using the experience of U.S. coal mines to determine the factors which influence intersection instability and provide guidelines for the safe excavation and support of intersections. Detailed field investigations have resulted in a database of U.S. coal mines containing 12 mines and 639 roof falls so far. By using the roof fall rate as the outcome variable, correlations between roof geology (CMRR), intersection span, and roof support have been established. Case studies have indicated that replacing 3- way intersections with 4-way intersections may not reduce the total number of roof falls. Additionally, the size of intersection spans tend to decrease with lower (weaker) CMRR. Protocols have been established for the collections of roof bolt parameters. The performance of individual roof bolts can now be tracked with roof fall rate.

By Gregory Molinda

Groundfalls are much more likely to occur in coal mine intersections than in entries. NIOSH is using the experience of U.S. coal mines to determine the factors which influence intersection instability and provide guidelines for the safe excavation and support of intersections. Detailed field investigations have resulted in a database of U.S. coal mines containing 12 mines and 639 roof falls so far. By using the roof fall rate as the outcome variable, correlations between roof geology (CMRR), intersection span, and roof support have been established. Case studies have indicated that replacing 3 way intersections with 4-way intersections may not reduce the total number of roof falls. Additionally, the size of intersection spans tend to decrease with lower (weaker) CMRR. Protocols have been established for the collections of roof bolt parameters. The performance of individual roof bolts can now be tracked with roof fall rate.

Jan 1, 1998

By T. Melfi, M. James

Attaining required mechanical properties in welds made using the double submerged arc welding (DSAW) process is difficult, and it is becoming more difficult as the strength level of the base materials continues to increase. Producing weld metal with adequate mechanical properties involves factors that are often overlooked and not taken into consideration. Not least amongst these problems is simply finding information to use in selecting the appropriate flux/wire combination. Most of the available data on flux/wire combinations provided by consumables manufacturers is generated using the multiple pass welding procedures required for classification per specifications such as AWS A5.17 and A5.23. This data really gives no insight into the properties that can be expected in a DSAW application. Also, base plate composition plays a very significant role because of the fact that base plate dilution can be as high as 70% in DSAW welds. This means that if any elements are present in the base metal that are deleterious to mechanical properties, they will also be present in significant quantities in the weld deposit. Some of these elements can decrease toughness and increase hardness (increased hardness is a concern if the pipe is intended for sour service). Some of these problems can be mitigated by proper selection of welding consumables. Selection of proper welding consumables means selecting an electrode that provides the appropriate alloying elements to obtain the desired level of impact toughness while also keeping the hardness within any specified limits. In order to attain the necessary impact toughness, selection of a flux with an appropriate composition (in terms of its basicity and its ability to control the nitrogen content of the weld deposit) is required. As with all welding processes, the mechanical properties of DSAW welds are also highly dependent on the welding procedures. This work clarifies how to select appropriate consumables to meet a given set of requirements, and also how to achieve the optimum mechanical properties from those consumables.

Jan 1, 2005

By J. Espí

The mineral price assigned in mining project design is critical to determining the economic feasibility of a project. Nevertheless, although it is not difficult to find literature about market metal prices, it is much more complicated to achieve a specific methodology for calculating the value or which justifications are appropriate to include. This study presents an analysis of various methods for selecting metal prices and investigates the mechanisms and motives underlying price selections. The results describe various attitudes adopted by the designers of mining investment projects, and how the price can be determined not just by means of forecasting but also by consideration of other relevant parameters.

Aug 1, 2013

By R. Laird Auchmuty

A NUMBER of factors, of varying importance, should be considered in assessing mineral land-here specifically coal land -for tax purposes. (1) Is the coal developed or un- developed&apos;! (2) If undeveloped, is it surrounded by active development in adjoining properties? (3) Accessibility of railroad facilities to the property. Sometimes the railroad itself is of importance. (4) Cost of development of the seam under consideration, whether it can be developed by a drift from the outcrop or whether it will require deep and costly shafts or slopes. (5) Is it definitely known that the coal seam being assessed is of minable thickness and quality on the property? (6) Thickness of recoverable coal from the seam. (7) Quality of the coal. (8) Is the seam being assessed likely to be more costly to mine than other seams in the same district? (9) Is there an active market demand for coal from the seam being assessed? (10) Is the coal held only as protection to surface structures and in such location that it can never be mined? (11) Is the coal in a solid piece or is it in pillars that have been standing for some years as a result of incomplete mining in an old operation? (12) Expected percentage of recovery from the seam being assessed as determined by present mining practice in similar properties. (13) Value of the seam as indicated by sales of similar mineral rights in the immediate district. (14) Current royalty rates of leases for coal in the seam under consideration.

Jan 1, 1939

By Barnabus Bryan

THE normal statistics of supply and demand of petroleum and its products have little more than local influence on the market movements of oil securities. The two major reasons for this condition might be called the technique of production and the technique of refining. The speed of improvement in each and the complete lack of control of their, inter-relation have resulted in overproduction of both crude oil and gasoline in the face of immense in-crease in demand. The trouble with oil securities has been that of the mushroom radio companies, where too frequent changes have killed the possibility of profits. It is a case of too much efficiency. During the past ten years there has been continual talk of wasting reserves of crude oil. This has been based on "present methods of production." Yet the methods of ten years ago in the oil industry are as antiquated today as the kerosene lamp.. The fear of famine has transformed the industry. The refiner, through the cracking process, has doubled the gaso-line output from a barrel of crude oil, thus doubling reserves and changing a current undersupply into oversupply. When the automobile driver desires he can again double reserves and transform want into abundance by demanding an automobile which will deliver twice as many miles per gallon of gasoline. Entirely apart from refining and in complete dis-regard for its needs, the oil producer has forged ahead at a pace too rapid for his own good. The science of geology has developed with experience and&apos; lavish expenditure into a constant danger to profits in the production of oil. Two and one-half per ;cent of the producing wells in the United States are yielding one-half of the oil, while their flush production is used as an excuse to force down the price of crude oil until 200,000 wells must be abandoned or produce at a loss. The fabulous yield of the new high-pres-sure fields enables the fortunate owners to make a profit regardless of the price of oil. Such a condi-tion is unhealthy from the standpoint of oil itself and as a national policy. It is manifestly absurd to suppose that such a condition can endure for a gen-eration. There will come a day when the sequence of discovery will be temporarily broken, and at that time the consumer will be forced to pay heavy interest on the foolhardy policy of today.

Jan 6, 1927

By F. Shi , D. Lay, C. Antonio

High Voltage Pulse (HVP) technology has the potential to transform traditional mineral processing practice in the mining industry. HVP pre-treatment has been shown to enable ore preconcentration, achieve ore pre-weakening and improve mineral liberation. In order to improve the efficiencies of these novel HVP applications, it is essential to understand how HVP operational factors affect ore breakage in HVP pre-treatment. A two-level fractional factorial experiment using two rock samples, a gold-copper ore and a basalt sample, was performed to determine which factors have statistically significant influences on breakage probability, size reduction, and energy efficiency, and which factors have insignificant influences. Operational factors investigated include applied voltage, electrode gap, number of pulse discharges, the number of rocks being processed per batch, and rock size. In total, 1920 batch tests were conducted. For ore breakage characterised in terms of breakage probability and the degree of size reduction during HVP pre-treatment, the dominant factors were identified to be the number of pulse discharges, voltage, and the number of particles present in the processing zone. As all these three factors are related to the specific energy, it is concluded that the specific energy is the most important factor controlling ore breakage in HVP treatment. In terms of the efficiency by which spark energy is transferred from the generator energy, the factors found to have the most dominating influence were the particle size, the number of rock particles present in the processing zone and the voltage. Increasing the values of these factors reduced the loss of HVP energy during the energy transfer process. The factorial experiment using the two ore samples with vastly different mineralisation produced similar results. This proves that the dominant factors affecting HVP breakage are generally applicable to different ores types. Keywords: High voltage pulse, ore breakage, factorial experiment, specific energy

Jan 1, 2020

By Anders Carlson

NOTABLE advances have been made in the evaluation of oil-reservoir rocks from information furnished by core analysis. Among the physical data employed, per-meability is of primary importance. It may be assumed that the permeability of a core sample, considered as a property inherent to the nature of the porous medium only, is not markedly altered by the coring opera-tion, therefore some degree of accuracy is justified in the laboratory determination of permeability constants by means of homo-geneous flow media. To provide that such relatively simple determinations be sus-ceptible to duplication and consistent inter-pretation should prove advantageous in the prediction of subsurface flow conditions involving nonhomogeneous fluids. The air permeameter seems to fill most satisfactorily the need for rapid and fairly accurate determinations. Instruments that are similar in design and operation have come into general use. However, this has not resulted in an encouraging uniformity in the results obtained. Recognizing the value of reducing measured values to a common quantitative standard, the authors have sought to determine possible reasons for undue discrepancies and means for their elimination. This paper will be specifically concerned with three factors, which appear to be of some importance in the establishment of consistent permeability values: (I) design and operation of the permeameter, (2) preparation and mounting of the sample, (3) type of flow created in the sample.

Jan 1, 1940

By R. S. Schechter, T. R. Guilinger, P. Bobeck, J. G. Price, L. W. Lake

This paper presents the results of an experimental study on the rate of uranium and molybdenum extraction from a flow reactor. Specific variables tested are fluid throughput and flow rate, lixiviant cation, and injected pH and carbonate concentration. The ore tested was from the Felder mine in southern Texas. It contained substantial quantities of marcasite and molybdenum disulfide that competed with the uranium ore for oxidant. Flow studies showed the oxidation of molybdenum disulfide under field conditions is mass transfer controlled, whereas the uranium oxidation is limited by surface reaction rate. The rate of uranium oxidation decreased with decreasing pH. The total carbonate levels, on the other hand, were unimportant. Ammonium carbonate appears to greatly decrease, if not completely halt, the reaction of marcasite with the oxygen. This effect was not found using either sodium or potassium carbonate.

Jan 1, 1986

By A. D. Paananen

With the demand for higher grade feed by the American steel industry and the depletion of the direct shipping ores from the Marquette Iron Range and elsewhere, there was a need to develop the low-grade orebodies. The large reserve of fine grained oxidized iron-formation at the Tilden Mine has been the object of research and development efforts to concentrate the iron oxides as far back as 1949. Preceding the present mining-concentration-pelletizing complex, about 6,500,000 long tons of direct shipping siliceous ore were shipped from the Tilden Mine. Following development of the concentrating and pelletizing flowsheets, engineering and construction was initiated to develop the mine and construct concentrating and pelletizing facilities to produce 4,000,000 LTPY of pellets from this low grade crude ore. Operations started in late 1974 with Algoma Steel, J&L Steel Corp., The Cleveland-Cliffs Iron Company, The Steel Company of Canada, Ltd., Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel Corp., and Sharon Steel Corp. as participants. Cleveland-Cliffs operates and manages the operation. Due to the non-magnetic nature of the ore and the fine grinding required to liberate the iron oxide minerals, this crude ore was not amenable to concentration by conventional methods. The iron oxides of the Tilden orebody have a grain size of less than 25 microns and recovery of the finer, well-liberated iron oxides is essential. Conventional methods of des liming employing cyclones or thickeners were not feasible because of the excessive loss of iron oxides in the finer fractions.

Jan 1, 1978

By W. A. Turcotte, A. D. Paananen

Introduction The large reserve of fine grained oxidized iron-formation at the Tilden mine has been the object of research and development efforts to concentrate the iron oxides as far back as 1949. Due to the nonmagnetic nature of the ore and the fine grinding required to liberate the iron oxide minerals, this crude ore was not amenable to concentration by conventional methods. The iron oxides of the Tilden, ore body have a grain size of less than 25 microns and recovery of the finer, well-liberated iron oxides is essential. Conventional methods of desliming employing cyclones or thickeners were not feasible because of the excessive loss of iron oxides in the finer fractions. Development of selective flocculation-desliming was a key to commercialization of the process. Operations started in late 1974 with Algoma Steel Corp. Ltd., J & L Steel Corp., The Steel Company of Canada Ltd., Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel Corp., Sharon Steel Corp., and The Cleveland-Cliffs Iron Co. as participants. Cleveland-Cliffs operates and manages the operation. Development of the Tilden Flowsheet The geology and ore reserves of the Tilden mine have been detailed in a paper by Villar and Dawe (1975). A joint program was undertaken in 1961 with the US Bureau of Mines in Minneapolis using the flowsheet developed by the Bureau employing the selective flocculation-desliming and calcium activated anionic silica flotation method (Frommer, et al, 1966; Frommer, 1964; Frommer, Wasson, and Veith, 1973). During this time, parallel testing at Cleveland-Cliffs Research Laboratory and Pilot Plant centered on the same type of desliming but was followed by the cationic flotation of silica with amine collectors (Columbo and Jacobs. 1976). The cationic silica flotation system was eventually chosen for its overall efficiency and simplicity. Regardless of the flotation method chosen, the technique of selective flocculation-desliming prior to flotation is the key to the success of the process. The flowsheet is described in detail by Villar and Dawe (1975). [Figure 1] shows a simplified one-line flowsheet of the Tilden concentrator. A total tailings thickener has been added to the original flowsheet and was placed in operation in 1978. The total-tailings thickener overflow reports to the reuse water pond and the underflow is pumped approximately 8 km (5 miles) to a storage basin. A flowsheet of the reuse water system is shown in [Fig. 2]. Selective Flocculation-Desliming Data have been published on the mechanisms and factors affecting selective flocculation in iron oxide-silica systems. The intent of this paper is not to discuss the theoretical aspects of selective flocculation, but rather to present experience gained from the commercial Tilden operation and from bench and pilot plant testing of fine-grained oxidized iron ores. From the bench and pilot plant testing prior to plant startup, certain reagent combinations and rates for the commercial Tilden plant were established. In the experience gained from three years of plant operation at Tilden, some of these reagent dosage rates have required significant adjustments due to changes in reuse water quality and to meet the requirements of varying ore types. Reuse Water The process water quality is a major concern at the Tilden mine and is constantly being monitored for selected chemical and physical characteristics. This monitoring has continued on a regular basis in order to gain a more thorough understanding of the interactions taking place in a dynamic water system and particularly as water quality is influenced by seasonal variations. Control of the reuse water chemistry is essential to the Tilden process both in the selective flocculation-desliming and flotation stages of concentration. With roughly 75% of the reuse water used in grinding-desliming operations, it is readily apparent that the biggest "reagent" in the selective flocculation-desliming process is water. Not enough can be said about the close control that must be exercised on the overall reuse water system. Control of the chemical treatment of the feed to the total tailings thickener is of utmost importance in order to produce a reuse water for the concentrator that is compatible with all stages of the concentrating process. There are many analyses made which aid in judging the quality of the water. Some of these are shown in [Table 1]. Five are particularly important and are monitored daily so that reagent adjustments can be made as required: suspended solids, calcium hardness, pH, dissolved silica concentration and temperature.

Jan 1, 1981

By C. Flores, R. Y. Wan, M. C. Fuerstenau, T. S. Jordan

Most oxidized manganiferous silver ores contain manganese associated with silver and are not amenable to conventional silver extraction methods, including direct standard cyanidation techniques. However, it is known that dissolution of the manganese might yield a suitable material from which silver can be recovered by conventional methods. In the segregation process, which involves heating the ore with a small quantity of salt and with a source of reducing agent to 680°C - 800°C, the silver is volatilized, migrates and is reduced to metallic silver particles. Conventional cyanide leaching is applied to the resulting calcine. Laboratory investigations have been conducted on a manganiferous silver ore analyzing 0.02 % Cu, 0.09 % Pb, 0.33 % Zn, 12.55 % Mn and 187 g/ton Ag to study the influence of roasting temperature and time, quantity of salt and quantity of coke on silver extraction by the application of segregation roasting followed by cyanidation. Cyanide leaching tests were carried out at room temperature on the segregated calcines produced by using an alkaline cyanide solution containing 2.0 lb/ton of NaCN at pH 11 for 72 hours. The results indicated that 97.8 % of silver extraction can be attained at 850°C, with 2.0 % salt, 1.0 % Coke and 30 minutes of roasting time.

Jan 1, 1993

By Mary-Lee Athorn, David A. Barratt

An opportunity to compare the performance of different tunnel boring machines (TBMs) operating in similar rock conditions occurred during the construction of a major water scheme in the UK. The principal objectives of this study were: (i) To collate, analyse and present the data available for the four TBM drives of the Kielder Aquaduct Scheme in terms of the tunnelling system performance and the downtime experienced, particularly where these were influenced or controlled by geotechnical parameters. (ii) To isolate the major sources of machine downtime and highlight those aspects of the tunnelling system that critically affect tunnelling progress rates (iii) To determine, by statistical techniques, relations between TBM performance and rock properties.

Jan 1, 1986