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By W. F. McDermott

The transportation of solids by pipeline is not new. In 1891 a United States patent broadly covering a method of pumping coal with water was granted to W. C. Andrews. His pilot plant was constructed on what is now the site of the New York Public Library in Manhattan. His process was applied to pumping coal mine waste back into the worked out portion of coal mines. On October 26, 1967, the world's first long distance iron ore slurry line was put into service by Savage River Mines. The commissioning of this 5.0 million dollar installation climaxed three years of development, testing, and construction and proved the Company's faith in pioneering this unique transportation method for iron ore. This paper will discuss some of the more pertinent items in connection with that three- year period. Also to be discussed will be the operation of this line during the past eleven months.

Jan 1, 1968

"The Antamina orebody is a geologically complex, polymetallic skarn located in the Peruvian Andes. A range of copper and copperzinc ores are campaigned separately through the concentrator producing copper and zinc concentrates as well as lead and molybdenum by-products.Ore type classification at Antamina is based on chemical assays; geological or lithological variations are not considered. Consequently, each ore type demonstrates a wide range of concentrator performance.Antamina is currently implementing a system to track ore movements from the shovel face to the concentrator. Relatively sophisticated models of run-of-mine and coarse ore stockpiles ahead of the mill will be used to account for the variable delay between mining and milling.One of the numerous benefits of ore tracking is the ability to directly associate the measured concentrator performance with a physical location in the orebody. Using existing mine planning software, three-dimensional models can be created of such performance measures as metal recovery, concentrate quality, operating cost, and reagent consumption.Such a database of information allows the true value of different ore sources to be determined. The value of an ore source is conventionally measured as metal content (individual or combined ‘equivalent’) with a cut-off grade applied to indicate some base level operating cost. However, the true value of an ore source should include dynamic factors like haulage cost, reagent use, smelter penalties, and even prevailing metal prices. If an ore source is considered from all perspectives rather than simply its potential to deliver value, the concept of ore becomes more flexible. Any ore source that reveals itself to be unprofitable can be eliminated from the mine plan or possibly blended with others to improve its value. The ability to predict mill performance, and thereby profitability, is a powerful tool.In an operation such as Antamina, where managing ore sources, campaigns, and the delivery of a variety of concentrates in a narrow timeline to customers is a daily challenge, prediction is the key to success and improved efficiency."

Jan 1, 2005

By Lyman G. J

Magnetic separator operation in the recovery of magnetite in heavy medium circuits was studied by conducting a series of tests on a full size wet drum magnetic separator.The significant operational variables were found to be feed pan clearance, squeeze pan clearance, dry magnetite feed rate and separator drum speed. With feed and squeeze pan clearances optimized for typical primary separator operation, magnetite loss and concentrate specific gravity were found to be related in a regular manner to dry magnetite feed rate at any drum speed.A two component model of magnetite loss is proposed, relating total magnetite loss to losses in the feed pan and squeeze pan zones. The experimental curves relating magnetite loss to dry magnetite feed rate at the various drum speeds are interpreted in terms of the two component model.The magnetite particle size distribution in the separator was also examined. The tailings magnetite was found to be finer than the feed magnetite only when the dry magnetite feed rate was low, or immediately following the introduction of a new charge of magnetite when the separator was fed at an intermediate dry magnetite feed rate.

Jan 1, 1983

By L. Bloomquist

This paper describes how Automated Mining Systems (AMS) is evolving the state-of-the-art in guidance systems for autonomous underground vehicles. The techniques, trade-offs, and lessons learned from these systems are described, including the safety regime that has been implemented. First generation autonomous guidance systems for underground vehicles relied on infrastructure for the vehicle to follow. However, there are additional costs associated with that approach. The current generation uses a pair of laser range finders as its only guidance sensors. This system uses a minimum of infrastructure, in the form of a redundant system of location referencing. Advanced steering and drive control algorithms are incorporated into this generation of system. The next generation of infrastructureless guidance systems will be based on a 3D vision sensor, which was originally developed for autonomous Mars rovers and is being adapted for underground mining use. Results of early underground field trials are presented, along with a description of this emerging technology.

Jan 1, 2004

By L. Bloomquist, C. Arnoldi

"This paper describes how Automated Mining Systems (AMS) is evolving the state-of the- art in guidance systems for autonomous underground vehicles. The techniques, tradeoffs, and lessons learned from these systems are described, including the safety regime that has been implemented.First generation autonomous guidance systems for underground vehicles relied on infrastructure for the vehicle to follow. However, there are additional costs associated with that approach.The current generation uses a pair of laser range finders as its only guidance sensors. This system uses a minimum of infrastructure, in the form of a redundant system of location referencing. Advanced steering and drive control algorithms are incorporated into this generation of system.The next generation of infrastructureless guidance systems will be based on a 3D vision sensor, which was originally developed for autonomous Mars rovers and is being adapted for underground mining use. Results of early underground field trials are presented, along with a description of this emerging technology."

Jan 1, 2004

A large-diameter road tunnel will cross beneath the strait in Istanbul and expand the infrastructure bottleneck between Europe and Asia. The technical planning of the tunneling operations poses complex challenges. Therefore, the construction consortium ordered a specially adapted tunnel boring machine (TBM) from Herrenknecht. The 13.6-m (44.6-ft) machine, a Mixshield, was completed in early July 2013 in Schwanau, Germany. To get from the European to the Asian side of Istanbul, people and goods have to cross the Bosporus Straits. So far, two road bridges as well as ferries provide the only transport link between the two parts of the city and the two continents. The tense traffic situation for the nearly 14 million residents of the city and for international transit traffic should be improved considerably thanks to the construction of a new road tunnel under the Bosporus. ?The project is certainly one of the most challenging tunneling operations currently being addressed in the world,? said Herrenknecht project manager Georg Schleer. The route of the ?Istanbul Strait Road Tube Crossing Project? runs around 100 m (330 ft) below sea level at its deepest point. The interior diameter of the tunnel will be 12 m (40 ft) so that two lanes in each direction can be accommodated. They will extend one above the other on two levels. 3.34 km (2.1 miles) of the tunnel with a total length of 5.4 km (3.3 miles) are being created by a 13.6-m- (44.6-ft-) diameter Herrenknecht TBM that will begin its underground mission from a launch shaft on the Asian side.

Sep 1, 2013

By Y Miyoshi, J Ishibashi

"An EXTENDED ABSTRACT is available for download. A full-length paper was not prepared for this presentation. Sea floor hydrothermal activity in the Okinawa Trough is considered a modern analog to ancient Kuroko-type volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposits. Recent scientific drilling projects at active hydrothermal fields have enabled us to conduct comparative studies on hydrothermal clay minerals between ancient and modern systems. Zonal distributions of clay minerals below the sea floor of an active hydrothermal field have been revealed, which is represented by the distinctive assemblage of clay minerals. Zone 1 consists mainly of montmorillonite and sometimes of kaolinite; Zone 2 consists of chlorite and chlorite-smectite mixed-layer mineral; and Zone 3 is represented by the co-occurrence of illite and chlorite, from shallow to deep. This zonal distribution is likely to be in accordance with that reported previously for the Kuroko-type ore deposit. Similarities are also recognised in chemical compositions of illite and chlorite, which are both abundant clay minerals in the vicinity of the ore deposit. While illite would be formed by interaction with the hydrothermal ore fluid, the formation of Mg-rich chlorite is attributed to Mg metasomatism caused by the involvement of sea water. Further studies, especially focusing on interactions between fluid and solid phases, would significantly promote our understanding of dynamic processes for the formation of VMS depositsCITATION:Ishibashi, J and Miyoshi, Y, 2015. Hydrothermal alteration process in active sea floor hydrothermal systems in the Okinawa trough, from a viewpoint of a modern analogue for the Kuroko-type volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits , in Proceedings PACRIM 2015 Congress, pp 481–486 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne)."

Mar 18, 2015

By J. E. Kogel

Industrial minerals play a central and dual role in the sustainable development (SD) of natural resources. Over the past decade the mining industry has increasingly focused on sustainably extracting and processing industrial minerals. This trend has been driven by higher energy costs, diminishing water resources and sensitivity towards environmental stewardship. Industrial minerals have been used throughout human history as low cost, naturally occurring, materials. Today they are critical components of recycled packaging, energy efficient building materials, light weight paper coatings, and other products critical to the responsible utilization of global resources. As industrial minerals become more widely used in ?green? products, mining companies have established best practices for the sustainable management of industrial minerals mining and processing. These management practices include reducing energy consumption, minimizing water usage, increasing waste recovery through recycling and process optimization, and maximizing the amount of ore extracted per acre of disturbed land. With the commitment to SD principles, quantitative methods for objectively measuring SD performance have become increasingly important. Measuring sustainability impact is a valuable tool for effectively applying SD principles and for making choices that balance sustainable development against other business objectives. SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND MINING Sustainable development is a term that has become a common part of our lexicon; however, it has multiple meanings and interpretations leading to a sometimes confusing and contradictory array of definitions. The absence of a single, precise definition reflects the fact that SD is a broad concept or paradigm that offers guiding principles as opposed to a specific set of criteria or regulations enforceable by government or other oversight agencies. While a principle based conceptual approach allows businesses to broadly apply SD practices that are tailored to their specific situation, it has also led the public to sometimes view voluntary corporate SD programs with a degree of skepticism (Walker and Howard 2002). This is particularly true in the mining industry. One reason for this skepticism is that the relationship between SD and mining is misunderstood and to many, sustainably developing non-renewable mineral resources is a contradiction (Rajaram et al. 2005). However, this view takes a very narrow interpretation of the tenets of SD. The second is that mining carries a legacy of poor environmental stewardship that does not accurately reflect current corporate environmental practices Many minerals companies have adopted the Brundtland Comission?s definition of SD (United Nations 1987): ?? development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs?. This definition is very broad and can be interpreted in a number of ways. It provides a general context for sustainable development and is not intended to provide detailed guidelines addressing specific aspects of sustainable development. To fill this gap the following SD principles were drafted by the international minerals community in 2003 (ICMM 2003): 1. Implement and maintain ethical business practices and sound systems of corporate governance. 2. Integrate sustainable development considerations within the corporate decision-making process. 3. Uphold fundamental human rights and respect cultures, customs and values in dealings with employees and others who are affected by our activities. 4. Implement risk management strategies based on valid data and sound science. 5. Seek continual improvement of our health and safety performance. 6. Seek continual improvement of our environmental performance. 7. Contribute to conservation of biodiversity and integrated approaches to land use planning. 8. Facilitate and encourage responsible product design, use, re-use, recycling and disposal of our products. 9. Contribute to the social, economic and institutional development of the communities in which we operate. 10. Implement effective and transparent engagement, communication and independently verified reporting arrangements with our stakeholders. These guidelines insure that SD concepts are applied equally across the industry while setting a clear performance standard and benchmark against which to evaluate success. By adopting these principles and issuing the Milos Statement (http://www.sdimi.org/milos_decl_October%206_2003.pdf), which provides a more detailed vision for integrating SD into everyday business operations, the minerals industry has embraced SD as a core corporate value. The unifying and holistic approach embodied in SD principles impacts the entire mine to market life cycle and addresses the economic, environmental and social consequences of mining. INDUSTRIAL MINERALS The world economy relies heavily on minerals; they are essential to economic prosperity and the quality of life. Industrial minerals are non-metallic, non-fuel minerals that provide the raw materials for a vast range of products used in most every aspect of daily life. They are mined and processed worldwide and they span the spectrum from relatively low value, high volume commodities (e.g. common clay, crushed stone) that are usually mined locally to high value, low volume specialty materials that are sourced from unique one of a kind deposits (e.g. barite, talc, mica). High volume commodity mining operations are often located near the end use market which, in most cases, means areas of high population density where construction and other urban activities drive demand. In these situations the strict adherence to SD principles is particularly critical as these are highly visible operations that must meet the public?s demand for good corporate citizenship. These operations are similar to chemical or other manufacturing facilities that operate near population centers. In contrast, some mining operations are located in remote but environmentally sensitive regions of the globe where the pressure to mine sustainably is driven by the need to preserve habitats and other

Jan 1, 2009

By Edward L. McHugh

The appraisal of mineral resources of the Challis National Forest, Idaho, by the U.S. Bureau of Mines, was made so that the mineral resources of the forest could be appropiately considered in land use planning. Information from this study is intended to tip the U.S. Forest Service to incorporate mineral resource data into forest plans The study was done in conjunction with the U.S. Geological Survey, which released a companion report on the geology and mineral potential of the Challis National Forest in 1989. This summary report is derived from a more detailed USBM Open-File Report (MLA 6-91) that includes descriptions of mines and prospects, commodity profiles, and development cost models. Since the 1860's mines within the Challis National Forest have produced mineral commodities worth more than $590 million at current (1989) commodity prices. Identified mineral resources have a gross value of about $2 billion at current prices, including 8 strategic or critical minerals. The U.S. Bureau of Mines study identified and described 723 active and inactive mineral properties within the forest. Mineral properties with identified resources were evaluate to determine their economic significance, and an assessment was made of the feasibility of mineral development. Of the 2,516,191 acres in the Challis National Forest, about 390,000 acres were classified as having mining development interest. Commercially important mineral production, mainly of molybdenum, gold, and silver from the Challis National Forest is likely for the foreseeable future.

Jan 1, 1991

By M. Maldonado, J. A. Finch

"A flotation bank consists of a serial arrangement of cells. How to optimally operate a bank remains a challenge. This article reviews three strategies for optimizing bank performance: air profiling, mass-pull (froth velocity) profiling and Peak Air Recovery (PAR) profiling. These are all ways of manipulating the recovery profile down a bank, which may be the property being exploited. Mathematical analysis has shown that a flat cell-by-cell recovery profile maximizes the separation of two floatable minerals for a given target bank recovery when the relative floatability is constant down the bank. Available bank survey data is analyzed in respect to recovery profiling. Possible variations on recovery profile to minimize entrainment are discussed.INTRODUCTION Flotation is used to separate valuable minerals from each other and from gangue. To reach a target metallurgical performance, usually assessed in terms of concentrate grade and recovery, feed is passed through stages such as roughing, cleaning and scavenging. All these stages comprise serial arrangements of flotation cells known as banks, lines or rows. Although a bank is the simplest interconnection of cells in a circuit, i.e. the tails of one cell is the feed to the next cell down the bank, how to operate each flotation cell in a way that the whole bank performance is optimized remains a challenge. Significant efforts have been made towards understanding the effect of operating variables on the flotation performance of an isolated cell (Lynch et al., 1981; Finch and Dobby, 1990; Gorain et al., 1998). However in the case of banks the variables that can be manipulated increase with the number of cells in the bank and the problem of how to manipulate them to achieve optimum performance is difficult even disregarding variation in ore characteristics (Lynch et al., 1981, p. 16). In general, the more manipulated variables available the better for optimization purposes, however without clear guidance how to effectively use them it becomes an “embarrassment of riches”."

Jan 1, 2012

By Daniel Hauer

In considering the cost of rock excavation, but little attention has been given to the economical handling and breaking up of boulders. Very few records seem to have been kept as to the cost of such work, and although it is difficult for this reason, to set a fair price for breaking up and handling boulders of various sizes, yet the cost of this detail work enters very materially into the cost of solid rock excavation. The subject is worthy of close and prolonged study.

Jan 1, 2006

By Edward A. Barrett, Kathleen M. Kowalski-Trakofler

This paper discusses the application of a training intervention that uses degraded images for improving the hazard recognition skills of miners. Method: NIOSH researchers, in an extensive literature review, identified fundamental psychological principles on perception that may be employed to enhance the ability of miners to recognize and respond to hazards in their dangerous work environment. Three studies were conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the degraded image training intervention. A model of hazard recognition was developed to guide the study. Results: In the first study, miners from Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Alabama, who were taught with the aid of degraded images, scored significantly better on follow—up hazard recognition performance measures than those trained using traditional instructional methodologies. The second and third studies investigated the effectiveness of the training intervention at two mining companies. Data collected over a3—year period showed that lost—time injuries at mines in Alabama and Illinois declined soon after the training intervention was instituted. Impact on Industry: Further exploration of the hazard recognition model and the development of other interventions based on the model could support the validity of the steps in the hazard recognition model.

By H. J. Bickel

This paper is concerned with general concepts and statistical devices used in projecting overall energy requirements. Particular emphasis is given to the use of individual end- use markets as an approach to developing future overall energy requirements, and translating these requirements into fuel consumption.

Jan 1, 1962

By Guy E. Dent, Hugo E. Kuehn

"SUMMARYFor making a comparison of magnetic surveys measured from the ground and from the air, Worcester County, Maryland, was chosen as a proving ground. Vertical magnetic intensities were observed on the ground, and total magnetic intensities were observed from the air. A comparison of the two magnetic maps reveals similar large magnetic features, but these are displaced in some instances by distances greater than a mile. Magnetic terrane in the two charts is of the same type but often differs greatly in respective characteristic features.The sacrifices in accuracy that may be expected from the use of different systems of diurnal magnetic corrections on ground observations constitute a part of this report.INTRODUCTIONThe value of magnetic surveys for gaining information concerning the crystalline basement is recognized increasingly. That this topography is often reflected to a major degree in the overlying sediments with certain offsetting is well understood. Even where such sediments are deep, the surface topography of upper formations often reflects this bedrock topography to a certain degree."

May 1, 1947

By Michelle Lostra, Red Blanchette, Jan Babendererde, Greg Colzani

The City of Portland’s Westside CSO Project is constructing a deep tunnel system to reduce combined sewer overflows (CSO) from entering the Willamette River. Several kilometers of microtunneled pipelines connect the existing system to the new tunnel. The alignments encountered a variety of ground conditions, including fill, manmade obstructions (wood, steel piles, debris), fine-grained to dense coarse-grained materials, cobbles and boulders, all below groundwater. A slurry MTBM convertible to varying diameters, equipped with mix shield capabilities, was selected to cope with the conditions. This paper will discuss access shaft construction,

Jan 1, 2005

By Richard K. Sandaas

Start Date: April 4, 1988 Completion Date: Dec. 29, 1989 Contractor: SCI Contractors Past and present transportation centers will come together at International District Station, located at the south entrance to the tunnel next to the turn-of-the-century Union Station train depot. The area will bustle once again with activity as commuters and visitors converge on the modern transit station at the edge of Seattle's International District. Buses coming from south Interstate 5 and Interstate 90 will enter the tunnel through this station. [ ] International District Station is an open-air station, 1,060 feet long and 82 feet wide (about 15,400 cubic yards of concrete were used to build the station). A concrete lid over the southern portion of the station staging area is held in place by 131 support piles. The station will include entrances on Jackson Street and King Street. Union Pacific Realty is planning to build an office and retail complex upon the lid. The station also has an international flair. Symbols of the Chinese zodiac will be etched into the station plaza floor. The station platform walls will be lined with large steel panels embellished with designs in origami?a Japanese folded paper art form. [ ]

Jan 1, 1990

GENTLEMEN, lt is with much pleasure I meet you tonight at this the second meeting of the Australasian Institute of Mining Engineers, held in Western Australia, and I sincerely thank you for the honour you have conferred upon me in electing me as your President. I greatly appreciate the distinction, and will endeavour to fulfil the duties of the office to the best of my ability, and hope to prove a worthy successor to those gentlemen who have held the position before me. On behalf of the local members of the Institute, I extend a hearty welcome to the members from the other States of the Commonwealth, who have come so far to attend this meeting, and also to the non-members whom we have invited this evening. We are especially pleased to have Mr. Gregory, our Minister of Mines and Railways, and the Government and School of Mines officials with us; and I take this opportunity to thank the Premier, Mr. Gregory, and the Government officials for the assistance given us, and for doing so much to make the visit of our members from the other States so pleasant and instructive. I have also to thank the Mayor and Councillors of Kalgoorlie for the courtesy and hospitality given to our members, which is much appreciated.I assume you want me to follow the time-honoured custom of giving a Presidential address...

Jan 1, 1909

By F. Dahl, P. Raleigh, J. Holzhauser, B. Nilsen

Tunnel excavation using tunnel boring machines (TBMs), has become increasingly common in recent years, despite the fact that precise evaluation of certain risks have not kept pace with the use of these machines. One of the risks easily overlooked by Engineer and Contractor alike are the effects of abrasive ground on the costs and schedule of a given project. The impacts of worn and damaged TBM cutter heads have been observed on hundreds of tunnel projects around the world. It would appear that a reliable prognosis of the abrasiveness of soils on a project would be of great importance for designers, clients and contractors alike. Several well acknowledged test and prognosis methods already exist for rock, however there is only very limited knowledge available to describe the abrasiveness of soil and its impact on soft ground TBMs. This paper will examine approaches to this problem and suggest a new approach based on a current project undergoing design.

Jan 1, 2007

By H. Dong

This paper presents a heat conduction model to determine the erosion profile of freeze linings in a ferronickel submerged arc furnace. Kirchhoff transformation was adopted to simplify the nonlinear equation governing heat conduction. The boundary element method (BEM) and Nelder-Mead simplex optimization method were employed to solve an inverse heat conduction problem. Erosion profiles could be obtained when calculated temperatures at sensor locations agreed well with measured temperatures. The model was validated by comparing the heat loss through the linings, which was calculated by BEM and integral operation after erosion profiles were obtained, with the value calculated from industrial data such as actual power consumption, tap-to-tap time, and ferronickel output. The optimal solution for the erosion profile could be acquired when the difference in heat losses calculated by these two methods is at a minimum.

Jan 1, 2014

By D. Lawrence, H. Lawrence, G. Saevil

Plant operators in the mineral processing industry have been implementing expert systems for several years now, with the intent to increase production and reduce costs. Most systems have been installed on grinding circuits of some type and have proven that the technology is viable in that application. However, few applications on other processes have been attempted for various reasons, such as lack of reference sites, complexity of the process, lack of suitable measurements and lack of confidence in the technology. The successful application of an expert system on an Alumina Calcining kiln is the first such application in the West Indies Alumina Company (Windalco), and demonstrates how this technology can be successfully applied to other processes. The key objective of an expert system is to optimize the process. To achieve this the process must first be stabilized, followed by optimization of the operating parameters. The steps taken by this expert system to optimize the process are: • Check for abnormal conditions and deal with them using a prioritized set of special actions. • Use a selection of rule blocks to stabilize the process. • Once the process is stable, achieve additional benefits through further optimization of the process. The potential benefits that a user can expect to achieve through installing an expert system can be assessed on the basis that performance will improve from that of an "average operator" to that of the "best operator" performing at his optimum for 24 hours a day, every day. The quantifiable process benefits include: • Increased production • More consistent product quality • Reduced operating costs • Reduced standard deviation of key variables • Consistent plant operation The success of this project was measured in several ways: project implementation, realised economic benefits, and realised non-economic benefits. With a commitment to maintain the system over the long term, the longevity of the system is assured and will become an important part of the Alumina Calcining control strategy at Windalco. This paper discusses the various phases of implementing the ABB Expert Optimizer expert system, what the benefits were and the procedure that is in place to maintain the system to ensure continued long term success.

Jan 1, 2002