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By Christopher D. Henry

Environmental geologic maps of the Wilcox and Jackson-Yegua lignite belts of the Texas Coastal Plain delineate land areas on the basis of their natural characteristics. Criteria used to define map units include substrate, soil, topography, geologic process, vegetation, and land use. The maps are useful in planning and reclamation of lignite mines and in meeting the requirements of State and Federal surface mining laws. Specific applications include identification of land capability, recharge areas and geometry of aquifers, flood-prone areas, areas that may qualify for prime farmland status, and other areas sensitive to lignite mining.

Jan 1, 1982

By Mo Wanqiang

Equivalent-pressure ventilation is a method of balancing the air pressure between a productive face and its gob to extinguish fires and prevent the infiltration of toxic gases, so that the production of the face can be maintained. The method was successfully applied in Coal Mine No. 1 of Hebi Coal Mining Administration in north-central China. In this article, a practical application of the equivalent-pressure method to prevent carbon monoxide from entering an active longwall face adjacent to a fire breeding area is described, and four steps to achieve equivalent-pressure are discussed. The reliability of using this method and measures to maintain the equivalent-pressure are analyzed. It was observed that this method could maintain high production level while no sacrificing safety at the longwall face.

Jan 1, 1984

By Lynn B. Hales, Randy Ynchausti

Expert systems are now being used effectively to streamline and improve the performance of supervisory computer control strategies. Their advantages have led to use in both batch and continuous applications. Expert systems in the context of real-time process control, will be defined and examples of their successful implementation in autogenous, semi-autogenous and ball mill grinding circuits will be discussed.

Jan 1, 1990

By B. M. Eiter

The impact of fatigue is seen not only in its effect on the job performance of haul truck operators but also on the health of the operator and the productivity at the mine site. Its impact can even extend outside of the mine site to the health and well-being of the surrounding community (Fourie et al., 2010). In this paper, a case study of a small, surface mining organization is presented. The goal is to highlight the fatigue risk management system implemented at the studied mine site. Mine safety personnel who were interviewed discuss the changes made to the infrastructure of the mine, to administrative areas such as the number of shifts and the use of vacation time, as well as the implementation of new technology into haulage vehicles. This paper reviews how these changes are supported in the research literature.

By Feridon Ghadimi, Saeed Mojeddifar, Massume Khavari

Separation of geochemical anomalies from background is an important and essential issue in the exploration of mineral deposits. Statistical methods are used to separation of anomaly from background. Fractal/multifractal and singularity methods are very suitable for the separation of weak anomalies. For interpolation, various methods could be used such as most distance-weighting methods, kriging, spline interpolation, interpolating polynomials, and finite difference methods. This paper addressed application of multifractal techniques together with finite difference procedure to detect the anomalous regions. Fractal models such as concentration–area, spectrum–area, and singularity index model were selected to identify Pb–Zn anomalies. In this research, 170 samples from 33 boreholes were taken in the Haft-Savaran area and analyzed for determination of Pb–Zn anomaly. Singularity method was a suitable method for separating Pb and Zn anomalies. Also, the results showed that the geochemical anomaly has occurred along NE–SW trend and is consistent with the sulfide mineralization process and the faults of the region.

May 18, 2020

By C. J. Im

As market conditions become more competitive, U.S. coal producers are faced with the increasing need to find methods of lowering production costs in their operations. One area worthy of investigation is the additional recovery of fine coal that is normally discarded in the preparation plant waste stream. United Coal Company is currently assessing the capability of the Deister Flotaire, a new application of a column flotation cell, to recover additional, saleable coal from preparation plant waste. This paper presents the technical data obtained to date. Work with a 0.76 m (30 inch) diameter cell installed in a plant shows considerable coal recovery is possible from a nominal 0.595 run (28 mesh) X 0 refuse stream.

Jan 1, 1986

By F. F. Peng

For a given flotation system, the rate-controlling step in fine coal flotation can be the attachment of bubble to the fine coal particles. The probability of attachment depends upon the surface characteristics and the collector adsorption on the coal particle surfaces. Thus, to further improve the flotation rate and selectivity is to alter the distribution of hydrophobicity on coal particles efficiently by applying the effective means of collector dispersion. In order to enhance the combustible recovery and selectivity of fine coal flotation, and lower the amount of collector used in the fine coal flotation processes, four modes collector dispersion/addition techniques are tested. They are direct liquid addition in pulp (mechanical agitation), ultrasonic energy dispersed collector into pulp, atomized collector into pulp and gasified collector transported by air and formation of collector-air bubbles in pulp. The effect of four collector dispersion/addition methods on the floatability of -600 µ m (-30 mesh US sieve) coal samples from four ranks of coals were studied. The ultrasonic energy dispersed collector and atomized collector flotation processes enhance flotation yield and most significantly improve the kinetics of fine coal flotation. The gasified flotation process can increase the selectivity of separation and decrease the collector consumption due to starvation flotation is achieved in this process. The flotation efficiency of gasified collector process is as high as that of conventional flotation. It is because that the effect of the decrease in the combustible recovery is offset by the increase of selectivity. In addition to flotation experiments, induction times of bubble attachment to the bed of fine coal particles for four ranks of coals are measured.

Jan 1, 1992

By C. L. Karr, E. J. Gentry

Researchers at the U. S. Bureau of Mines have developed a control algorithm to efficiently manipulate chaotic systems. The control, based on both fuzzy logic and genetic algorithms, prescribes actions that drive the chaotic system to acceptable regions of state space. The use of fuzzy logic enables a person who has limited experience with a chaotic system to establish a set of rules for manipulating the problem environment, and a set of membership functions that define terms used in the rule-set. Genetic algorithms are search algorithms based on natural genetics, and are used in the control algorithm to select membership functions that provide for a suitable level of control. The Bureau-developed algorithm controls the computer simulation of a ball bouncing on an oscillating table, a system that exhibits chaotic behavior.

Jan 1, 1993

By Y. M. Jiang

Many underground instabilities, such as excessive shield loading and roof falls, occur at longwall faces causing safety problems and production losses. Such instability problems are directly related to roof conditions which can be categorized using geological information. . However, most geologic information describing anomalies and variations of immediate and main roofs are not available before mining resulting in unexpected problems in a longwall face. It is apparent that the evaluation of these geologic anomalies provides a great benefit for longwall stability. The purpose of this study is to evaluate roof categories associated with geological anomalies employing fuzzy set theory. The evaluation is based on real-time monitoring information, such as shield leg pressure, developing load on shields, intervals of periodic weighting, and the ratio of developing loads during periodic to normal times. This paper introduces the application of fuzzy set theory for characterizing roof conditions and evaluating of roof similarities.

Jan 1, 1995

By Y. M. Jiang, D. W. Park

Longwall faces can move at high advancing rates, but many geological variations can cause unexpected instabilities and production losses. The rapid movement makes it necessary to evaluate different geologic conditions in the rock mass as fast as possible to assess their effects on the longwall face and shields. It is believed that prompt awareness of geologic conditions is the key to preventing instability at a longwall face. This paper introduces the application of fuzzy set theory for characterizing and evaluating roof conditions. Real-time monitored data coupled with fuzzy set analysis provides valuable information, such as shield leg pressure, developing load on shields, intervals of periodic weighting and the ratio of developing loads during periodic to normal times.

Jan 1, 1998

By Y. M. Jiang

Longwall faces can move at high advancing rates, but many geological variations can cause unexpected instabilities and production losses. The rapid movement makes it necessary to evaluate different geologic conditions in the rock mass as fast as possible to assess their effects on the longwall face and shields. It is believed that prompt awareness of geologic conditions is the key to preventing instability at a longwall face. This paper introduces the application of fuzzy set theory for characterizing and evaluating roof conditions. Real-time monitored data coupled with fuzzy set analysis provides valuable information, such as shield leg pressure, developing load on shields, intervals of periodic weighting and the ratio of developing loads during periodic to normal times.

Jan 1, 1997

By P. Roghanchi

The Rock Mass Rating (RMR) system is an internationally recognized classification system that can be used for preliminary ground control design. The RMR system assigns quantifiable values to predefined classified parameters of a rock mass. Assigning a single value rather than a range to each parameter is a source of uncertainty, however, assigning a single value can be useful for further studies related to RMR ratings. Fuzzy systems are being used in an increasing number of application areas where linguistic rules are used to describe the system. In past decades, fuzzy systems have been successfully used in geotechnical and mining engineering problems to cope with uncertain data as well as with vagueness. In such scenarios, linguistic rules and rating-based classification of rock masses have always been questionable. The objective of this study is to apply fuzzy set theory to the RMR classification system. The fuzzy system proposed in this study is specified for weak and very weak rock masses (RMR<50) based on data collected from Nevada gold mines where 68% of RMR data is in the ?poor? and ?very poor? classes. In this approach, a Mamdani fuzzy algorithm has been constructed to evaluate basic RMR89 rating for the ?wet condition.? Comparison between basic RMR89 and fuzzy RMR shows the fuzzy RMR system is valid to predict RMR from the discrete rating of each input parameter.

Feb 27, 2013

By E. M. Schern

The Morenci/Metcalf porphyry copper mining operation, located in southeastern Arizona, currently processes approximately 100,000 tons of ore per day and has copper ore reserves estimated to be in excess of one billion tons. Functional groups within the Geology Depart¬ment (currently staffed with six professional and two support personnel) include mine geology, project geology, and hydrogeology. The primary task of mine geologists is daily preblast bench face mapping with grade and mill amenability estimates. Auxiliary duties include detailed in-pit metal distribution evaluation, mineragraphic work and flux quarry geology. Project geologists conduct explora¬tion and preliminary development projects both within and outside the Morenci district and provide support to ore reserve block modeling and geotechnical work performed by the Morenci mine engineering group. Hydrogeologists handle exploration for and development of groundwater&apos; resources and groundwater flow modeling, mine dump leach solution penetration and recovery evaluation, and tailing dam water reclamation.

Jan 1, 1983

By F. J. Menzer, E. M. Schern

The Morenci/Metcalf porphyry copper mining operation, located in southeastern Arizona, currently processes approximately 91,000 tonnes of ore per day and has copper ore reserves estimated to be in excess of one billion tonnes. Functional groups within the Geology Department (currently staffed with six professional and two support personnel) include mine geology, project geology, and hydrogeology. The primary task of mine geologists is daily preblast bench face mapping with grade and mill amenability estimates. Auxiliary duties include detailed in-pit metal distribution evaluation, mineragraphic work and flux quarry geology. Project geologists conduct exploration and preliminary development projects both within and outside the Morenci district and provide support to ore reserve block modeling and geotechnical work performed by the Morenci mine engineering group. Hydrogeologists handle exploration for and development of groundwater resources and groundwater flow modeling, mine dump leach solution penetration and recovery evaluation, and tailing dam water reclamation.

Jan 1, 1992

By Omar Abd el Fattah Ramly, Abdallah Mohamed Sourour

FOREWORD In 1974, the Ministry of Housing and Reconstruction (The Client) which subsequently became the Ministry of Development and New Communities of the Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt assigned responsibility to the Arab Contractors (Osman Ahmed Osman and Company) for the design and construction of the tunnels under the Suez Canal. For this project the Arab Contractors of Cairo and Tarmac International of London formed a joint Venture, called Osmac. Sir William Halcrow and Partners of London are responsible for the design of the Ahmed Hamdi Tunnel as a Sub-Contractor to the Contractor. The advisory consultant of the client is a joint Venture between Tippetts-Abbett-McCarthy-Stratton (TAMS) of New York and Arab Consulting Engineers (ACE) of Cairo. INTRODUCTION A site investigation was carried out between Km 141 and Km 150 Suez Canal chainage to determine the ground conditions relevant to design and construction of a road tunnel under the Suez Canal. A feasibility study included aerial surveying, geological mapping and the drilling of 8 boreholes. Detailed investigation included the drilling of 105 boreholes, sampling, piezometer installation, pumping tests, and the digging of trial pits and trial excavations. In-situ work comprised SPT, permeability tests and dilatometer tests. Laboratory testing included soil classification tests, compaction tests, California Bearing Ratio tests, shear strength determination and oedometer consolidation tests as well as chemical analysis of both soil and ground water. The investigation revealed that the ground conditions at the first proposed El Shatt site (Km 148.5) were not favourable for bored tunnelling, whereas they were more favourable at the southern El Shatt site (Km 150.0).

Jan 1, 1979

By John S. Owens

The National Steel Pellet Project and the Butler Taconite Project are operated by The Hanna Mining Company in the vicinity of the towns of Keewatin and Nashwauk, on the western Mesabi Range. Production began in 1967, after seven years of exploratory and development diamond drilling and reconnaissance magnetic surveys, Previously, direct shipping hematitegoethite ores and gravity concentrates had been produced in the area from numerous open pits and several underground mines since the start of the century. Total shipments of these oxidized ores amounted to more than 200 million tons, but at the present time such reserves are nearly exhausted, and there are no mining operations in the Keewatin-Nashwauk area except at the two taconite projects. The locations of all of the present taconite operations on the Mesabi Range are shown in Figure 1, extending for a distance of about seventy miles from the Butler plant to the Dunka River area. The Butler and National plants have a combined rated capacity of 4.4 million tons of pellets. Their reserves cover a combined strike length of about eight miles on the Biwabik iron formation. All of the intervals between present taconite operations on the Mesabi are potential sources of additional magnetic taconite; in particular, exploration and economic studies have been carried out by Jones and Laughlin Steel Corporation in the Biwabik area between Aurora and Virginia, and by Pickands Mather and Company in the Hibbing area. However, west of the Henna and Butler holdings, it appears unlikely that magnetic taconite exists in commerical quantities at economic depths due to extensive oxidation of magnetite to hematite.

Jan 1, 1968

By R. A. Metz, Ted H. Eyde, Dan T. Eyde

Industrial minerals deposits present sampling and grade control problems not normally encountered in metal mining operations. No longer are industrial minerals simply crude ground mineral products but are in fact high purity chemical raw materials. Operators of industrial minerals mines and processing plants now must meet increasingly stringent specifications established by the consumer of the final products. Meeting these stringent specifications requires not only sophisticated processing techniques but equally important careful sampling and grade or quality control at the mine. A well-trained geological staff can assure an adequate supply of uniformily high quality feed to the processing plant. In the final analysis this results in significantly higher operating profits.

Jan 1, 1992

By D. S. Choi

This paper presents the results of geomechanics work applied to the longwall operation. The mining method was successfully adapted to US mining conditions resulting in an improvement in safety and productivity. The paper deals with various geomechanics problems associated with geologic and mining conditions.

Jan 1, 1987

By D. S. Choi

Coal is expected to become an increasingly important source of energy in the future. Coal production has already increased from about 650 million tons in 2975 to about 875 million tons in 1984 (Wilkinson, 1985). The declining trend of labor productivity in the early seventies was a source of concern for Consolidation Coal Company (Consol). To improve productivity, a gradual change from room-and-pillar mining to longwall mining has been taking place within Consol. Consol produces 45 million tons of coal annually with about 70 percent of the production coming from underground mines. Consol introduced longwall mining in the early seventies and currently operates about 20 longwall faces. The longwall faces are in mines in the Appalachian region in the States of West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. The successful operation of longwall faces has contributed to a recovery of productivity and to an improvement of mine safety.

Jan 1, 1985

By Robert J. Whiteley, Colin Parker

Two major tunnel projects with a combined value of about $US700 million have been recently completed in Sydney using both soft ground and hard rock Tunnel Boring Machines. The first of these and the main entry in Australia for the Year 2000 Olympics was the New Southern Railway. This is 10 km of mainly soft ground tunnel linking the Sydney’s International Airport with the Central Business District. The second tunnel was designed to alleviate major stormwater pollution of Sydney Harbour and involved construction of the Northside Storage Tunnel. This is19 km of hard rock tunnel at depths exceeding 90 m that connects many of the northern Sydney suburbs of Sydney with the North Head Ocean Outfall. Case studies of these projects describe the use of innovative geophysical technologies comprising gravity and seismic tomographic imaging with geotechnical testing at the feasibility and design stages. This approach minimised construction and financial risk by effectively quantifying the significant geological and hydrogeological issues along these tunnel routes that exerted major controls on these projects.

Jan 1, 2001