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By Wolfgang Pietsch

DR iron') is a generic term for metallized product that results from the direct or solid state reduction of iron ore. In direct reduction, iron oxides are reduced to metallic iron in the solid state without an intermediate melting step. MIDREX ® Iron is the DR iron material produced in the MIDREX ® Direct Reduction Process. Except for some thermal and mechanical degradation, the external physical form of as-reduced DR iron is the same as the feed material. Chemically, oxygen associated with iron is removed leaving a very porous structure. Figure 1 is the scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the internal surface of a MIDREX Iron pellet obtained from a Swedish oxide pellet during reduction at 760 °C. Figure 2 is the SEM of a polished and etched cross-section through the same pellet showing the amount of intraparticle porosity. As a result of this high porosity, apparent density of DR iron is relatively low, typically a¬round 2 g/cm3, and specific surface is extremely high, typically around 1.0 m2/g or more. Both density and specific surface depend on the raw materi¬al and the operating conditions of the direct reduction plant. Normally, more than 97% of the available iron is reduced into metallic iron with the rest mainly in the form of wustite (FeO). During direct reduction, the gangue in the iron remains essentially unchanged. Removal of oxygen and the corre¬sponding reduction in weight result in a slightly higher percentage gangue in the product than in the raw material.

Jan 1, 1976

By Susan M. White

Increased coal production, wider use of indiscriminate mining techniques, improved cleaning methods, and greater emphasis on clean fuels is increasing the rate at which wastes accumulate Over the next several years, Colorado Plateau underground coal production is predicted to increase. Currently, mine refuse is deposited in canyons or lowland areas near mines. This study presents information on the nature of coal refuse and disposal practices on the Colorado Plateau. Samples were collected and analyzed to provide information to help formulate alternative methods for reclaiming refuse piles. The analyses were based on determining the capability of unmodified refuse to provide a suitable medium for plant growth. Local topsoils which would be used in reclamation were used as standards. Potential environmental hazards were assessed also. A general cost analysis was done for both surface and underground disposal and the advantages and disadvantages of each were assessed. Several problems were identified which, if solved, would increase the effectiveness of state regulatory programs.

Jan 1, 1982

By Samuel S. Adams

Economic concentrations of potassium are essentially limited to thick, stratigraphic sections of marine evaporites. These deposits were precipitated through the evaporation of sea water in restricted epicontinental seas or in grabens related to continental margin rift systems. Following deposition the deposits were subjected to diagenesis and varying degrees of metasomatism and structural deformation. The origin and characteristics of potash deposits are easier to study and interpret than those of most ore deposits because the phase chemistry of the salt systems is known and the approximate composition of the ore-forming fluid (sea water) can be inferred with confidence. It is particularly helpful that the temperature and pressure of deposition approximated that of present earth surface conditions and the pertinent mineral assemblages can readily be duplicated in the laboratory. The study of these comparatively simple salt deposits provides examples of the practical advantages of understanding the genesis of an ore deposit. These observations, in turn, illustrate the importance of pursuing research on the more complicated magmatic, hydrothermal, and ground-water systems as a means to the more successful exploration for and exploitation of the deposits they have produced. It is the purpose of this paper, therefore, to discuss certain aspects of salt deposit geology as they contribute to exploration and mining through some understanding of ore formation. References to field examples and chemical relations in the salt systems are brief. All examples are more fully discussed, however, in the references cited.

Jan 1, 1970

By E. J. Ostrowski

The Bureau of Mines experimental blast furnace, Bruceton, Pa., was operated to determine the feasibility of replacing part of the burden coke requirements with solid fuels injected directly into the smelting zone. This report describes preliminary experiments and information resulting from such an interchange. These experiments were made on an all-sinter burden, using two parts sinter to one part fuel. Anthracite fines were injected intermittently into the smelting zone of the furnace by compressed air through auxiliary tuyeres. The interval between injection periods ranged from 5 to 15 minutes. A maximum of 28 percent of the stock column coke bur-den was replaced. This percentage replacement caused furnace malfunction, but the overall percentage of these experiments indicated that 20 to 24 percent of the coke requirements could be replaced in this way. The metallurgical coke consumption was decreased by as much as 377 pounds (25.3 percent) per ton of pig metal produced. Buckwheat anthracite No.4 was used in this experiment; however, such solids as bituminous coal or coke fines also could be used. The frequency as well as the quantity of solid fuel injected has a direct bearing on furnace performance.

Jan 1, 1960

By J. J. Beeson

Page I. PrimaRy MineRalization............................................ 356 1. Introduction..................................................... 356 a. Scope of Work............................................... 356 6. Acknowledgments............................................ 357 c. The Bingham Mining District.................................. 357 d. General Geology.............................................. 357 e. The Utah Copper Mine....................................... 376 f. Field and Laboratory work.................................... 376 2. The Quartz-Monzonite.............................................. 377 3. The Pegmatite Veins.....:.•..............................:........ 378 4. The High-Temperiture Veins.........................-.............:379 5. The Early Hydrotherma! Period.:......................'............ 380 6. The Late Hydrothermal Period................................:.... 385 II. Seconuabx EnricuMENT............................................. 386 . 1. Author's Note;..... ;............................................ 386 2. Factors Governing Enrichment.....................................: 387 3. The Enrichment.................................................... 387 4. The Covellite Enrichment.; .:; ; : .:. :..:.............:................ 388 a. The Capping above the Covellite Ores:....:....................... 388 b. Conclusions Drawn. from a Study of the Capping and the Covellite ; Ores....,.............................................:.....,.' 392 c. Covellite Enrichment at Depth......:......................... : : 392 5. The Chalcocite Enrichment...................................... ; 394 a. The Carbonates in the Capping above .the Chalcocite Ores...:..: .. 394 ' b. The Formation of Chalcocite..:.:. :......:..'...........,......' 394 . 6. Secondary Chalcopyrite and Bornite.............................i ..., . 395 111.- Conclusions as to the Formation.oF the ImpoRtant Sulphides in the Disseminated ORes........................................,.......... 400 I. Primary MiNeRalization 1. Intrdtiction a. Scop. e .of Work.. first part bf, this paper deals with the country rock, its pegihatitic, pneumatolytic', and hydrothermal altektions; also, the effect of magnetite on the deposition of the primary chalcopyrite and pyrite.

Jan 1, 1916

By L. N. Cosner, C. F. Austin, J. K. Pringle

Shock wave attenuation studies with three igneous rocks are reported: a spessartite elastic to low intensity stress waves, a diorite which is anelastic, and a porous scoria. The level of shock passing through a given thickness of rock has been determined by donor-receptor methods using high speed streak cameras. Test results include shock propagation velocities adjacent to the explosive, the dependence of test results upon test geometry, and the variation in shock wave attenuation in these three common igneous rock fabrics. The utilization of explosives in rock mediums involves a series of interrelated phenomena. These are the detonation process within the explosive, the transfer of energy from the explosion products to the surrounding rock medium in the form of sound or shock waves, and the transmission of the resulting waves through the rock medium to create damage in the rock mass. The subject of this paper is the investigation of the close-in phenomena that occur in the intensely shocked rock immediately adjacent to a detonating explosive charge. The specific aspects studied include propagation velocities, free surface velocities, pulse attenuations and the determination of the equations of state for the test rocks employed. In addition, a series of tests was conducted to indicate the dependence of the test results on the charge diameter utilized. The equations of state for rock materials have been investigated by a number of authors. Lombard, ',' Grine and Fowles,3,4 Zharkov, 5 Hughes and McQueen,6 Chabai,7,8 and Bass9 have published equation of state data on rock materials similar in structure or composition to those investigated in the study. Rinehart10 has prepared a voluminous tabulation of the available equation of state data from these publications and in addition has included data on many other rock and earth materials in his compilation. The reader is referred to the extensive tabulations and bibliography of Rinehart for classical studies involving the equations of state of metals and other solids and liquids. The problems of sympathetic detonation between drill holes in hard rock environments has received the attention of various authors as have the problems of explosive rock coupling close-in stress wave attenuation and explosive diameter effects. 11 to 18 In particular, the don or-receptor geometry of this report is very similar to the geometry of adjacent drill holes in rock. Most published pulse velocity and attenuation work in rock has been devoted to velocities at much lower amplitudes than those associated with close-in explosives phenomena and most attenuation studies involve transmission and attenuation across large spans of material. Excellent work in these areas has been published by the U. S. Bureau of Mines and by many individuals and groups engaged in geophysical research. SELECTION OF TEST MATERIALS A series of rock materials was desired for this test program that would be meaningful industrially, and that would also yield comparative results from a research viewpoint. Based on the availability of a series of related petro-fabrics, for which there is an abundance of physical and shock response data, three igneous rocks were selected as the test series. The applicability of shock wave studies in igneous rocks to industrial problems is readily demonstrated. Hardrock tunneling, quarrying and mining take place in igneous rocks throughout the world. From a research point of view, igneous rocks exhibit a wide variety of grain sizes and considerable diversity in composition, yet the common igneous rocks have a general similarity in their constituent mineral structures and in their grain-to-grain bonding mechanisms. The latter is based on the concept of rock formation through magma cooling and crystallization, though the degree of liquefaction in granitic plutonic masses is indeed a moot question. Three specific types of igneous rock were chosen for study. A coarse-grained granitic textured rock was desired that would serve as a representative of the widely abundant intrusive rocks of the world and

Jan 1, 1967

By E. P. Klier, Taylor Lyman

THE structures formed when austenite is quenched to subcritical temperatures and allowed to transform isothermally have been the subject of intensive study since the work of Davenport and Bain.1 Isothermal transformation diagrams summarizing the results of many of these studies have become widely familiar to metallurgists. Of particular interest to metallographers are the dark-etching, acicular products of transformation formed by isothermal reaction below the temperature of maximum velocity of the austenite to pearlite reaction. These products, the bainite structures, can be formed in a wide variety of steels. However, the constitution of bainite is not well understood and divergent views have been expressed as to its mode of formation. In this investigation a combination of dilatometric, microscopic and X-ray methods has been brought to bear upon the problem in the hope of some elucidation of the bainite reaction as it occurs in hypoeutectoid steels. MECHANISM OF BAINITE FORMATION Davenport and Bain1 considered the mechanism of bainite formation to consist of two steps-an allotropic transformation followed by precipitation of carbide. The separation in time of the two processes was considered to be very slight in the upper temperature range and very marked at temperatures just above the martensite range. This concept has been restated by Vilella, Guellich and Bain2 in the form of a definition of the acicular mode of transformation as: The successive, abrupt formation of flat plates of supersaturated ferrite along certain crystallographic planes of the austenite grains; this supersaturated ferrite begins at once to reject carbide particles, (not lamellae), at a rate depending upon temperature. In effect, this is the acicular mode of transformation, even though the temperature be such as to limit the actual life of the quasi-martensite to millionths of a second. The investigation of isothermal decomposition of austenite in certain alloy steels (notably those containing chromium or molybdenum) has revealed that there may be a range of temperatures between the pearlite and bainite reactions in which the austenite decomposes at a relatively low rate.3-6 Further, it is characteristic that in the second region of fast reaction the decomposition of the austenite is incomplete by one reaction but goes to completion by a second reaction. These observations led Wever7 to a description of the bainite reaction as follows: I. The reaction takes place by initial precipitation of a martensitic intermediate structure. 2. In the upper temperature range this structure readily decomposes into ferrite and cementite. In the lower range carbon separates in an unknown form. 3. In the upper temperature range the precipitated carbide nucleates the precipitation

Jan 1, 1944

By R. Mariano

"The ability to optimise a concentrator from mill feed to final products requires a process simulator that integrates comminution, classification and separation stages. A key part of any such integrated process simulator is the inclusion of a model of mineral liberation in comminution to predict the particle composition distribution of the comminution products. This need was recognised by Gaudin (1939) who proposed a model of liberation based on the cubic fracture of a mineral texture composed of cubic grains of two minerals.This paper describes the development of a texture-based model of mineral liberation that builds on the method proposed by Gaudin. The approach described here, termed the JK-Gaudin Random Liberation model (JK-GRLM) uses as its basis the measured, volumetric mineral texture data that can be quantified for a given ore using X-ray micro-tomography. The textural data required as inputs for the JK-GRLM include the mineral grain size distribution. While the Gaudin model (in common with other existing liberation models) is a two-mineral (or two-phase) system, the JK-GRLM extends the approach to multimineral systems of up to 15 individual minerals, making it more widely applicable.An example of the application of the JK-GRLM to a base metal sulphide ore is provided. In the example the JK-GRLM is used to simulate the breakage of the measured ore texture and the particle composition distributions of the simulated progeny particles are compared to the measured particle composition distributions of ore that has been physically broken.The ability to calibrate this mineral liberation model with measured ore texture will allow it to be applied in greenfield situations where geometallurgical programs measure texture and in brownfield applications as a key part of integrated process simulations. The development of this model enhances our ability to simulate mineral processing operations as an integrated system."

Jan 1, 2016

By Raymond P. Maloney

The Rhyolite mercury prospect is on the south flank of Juninggulra Mountain--a large rhyolite intrusive in the Kuskokwim River region about 36 airline miles northwest of Red Devil, Alaska. Bulldozer trenching by the Bureau of Mines exposed bedrock at intervals in a 2,000-by 3,000-foot area where previous prospecting by the owners had disclosed abundant float and several in-place stringers containing cinnabar in widely varying amounts. The additional trenching indicated that the mercury mineralization in the limited area investigated was confined to erratically distributed short stringers and to small lenses, occurring in discontinuous zones in numerous silica-carbonate dikes and sills or along their altered contacts with sedimentary rocks. The geologic relationship of the mercury-bearing silica-carbonate dikes and the nearby rhyolite intrusive is similar to that existing at several other mercury mines and prospects in the. Kuskokwim region. The depth of over-burden and the presence of permafrost were serious obstacles to bulldozer trenching, and only a comparatively small part of the mineralized area was thus investigated.

Jan 1, 1962

By S. Pearson, L. Rotherham

Measurements have been made of the variation of internal friction with temperature for OFHC copper, and for a series of binary solid solutions of high purity copper with zinc, gallium, germanium, arsenic, and silicon, to investigate the effect of alloying elements in substitutional solid solution on grain boundary viscosity. The apparatus used was of the torsional pendulum type developed by KeI1 modified so that the specimen and vibrating system could be maintained in a high vacuum. The activation energy for grain boundary relaxation in copper is 33,000 cal per mol. This is considerably less than the activation energy for self-diffusion, in disagreement with Ke's theory2 that the two activation energies should be the same. All the alloying elements increase the activation energy for grain boundary relaxation to approximately 44,000 cal per mol, increasing the grain boundary viscosity at a given temperature. The results are discussed in terms of theories of grain boundary slip put forward by MottQ and by Ke.+ Experiments have also been made to investigate the effect of small amounts of oxygen on the variation of internal friction with temperature for copper. EXPERIMENTS described in this paper were designed to investigate the effect of alloying elements in substitutional solid solution on grain boundary viscosity, using the internal friction method developed by Kel for measuring grain boundary viscosity. It was considered desirable to make the system under investigation as simple as possible by making experiments on a comprehensive series of binary alloys of copper with the elements immediately following it in the periodic table, i.e., zinc, gallium, germanium, and arsenic. These elements are within the range of favorable size factor for solution in copper, and the systems have been extensively investigated by Hume-Rothery and his co-workers." Later, in order to study the effect of the relative size of the solvent and solute atoms, experiments were made on a series of Cu-Si alloys, since the apparent atomic diameter of silicon when in solution in copper—the diameter necessary to assign to the solute atoms to account for the lattice constant of the solid solutiona—is almost the same as that of the solvent atoms. Preliminary experiments were made to measure the variation of internal friction with temperature for pure copper. Ke made some experiments on copper," but found that the curves obtained were not reproducible in consecutive experiments. The copper was maintained in an argon atmosphere during the experiments but, although he took precautions to exclude oxygen, Ke came to the conclusion that the precautions were not entirely satisfactory, and that the lack of reproducibility must be due to absorption of oxygen by the copper. Experiments have therefore been made to investigate the effect of small amounts of oxygen on the variation of internal friction with temperature for copper. Previous Work Ke made extensive experiments on high purity aluminum and was able to show that the grain boundaries behave viscously at high temperatures. He found that the relative rate of movement of the grains could be expressed as Where v is the velocity of slip, A is the constant, u is the shear stress, H is the activation energy, R is the gas constant, and T is the absolute temperature. By assuming that the boundary layer was one atom thick, he obtained a value for the viscosity which, when extrapolated to the melting point, gave good agreement with the viscosity of the liquid metal at the melting point. Ke also made experiments on other high purity and commercial purity metals:, and on some alloys." " He came to the conclusion2 that the activation energy for grain boundary slip was the same as for self or volume diffusion and for steady state creep in single crystals. Rotherham, Smith, and Greenough" have shown recently that the activation energy for grain boundary slip is not the same as for self-diffusion in tin,

Jan 1, 1957

By R. M. Goldhoff, H. J. Beattie

The high-temperature properties of a 1 Cr-Mo-V forging steel are described. A series of controlled heat treatments was designed to delineate the effects of austenitizing and tempering treatments, temile strength, and grain size on such properties. Studies indicate that the mechanical properties and their varlations under creep can be described by the initial metallurgical structures and their changes droPirzg exposure, particulavly the carbide reactions. Such structures are described and correlated with the mechanical properties. FOR many years the large steam turbine industry has relied on the 1 Cr-Mo-V type forging steel for critical applications. Because of its adequate heat resistance and relative economy, it is currently in use in the temperature range up to about 1050" to 1075°F. Attempts to understand the large property variations attainable in this steel involve the structural modifications due to the wide latitude in its heat treatment. The heat treatment essentially involves a two-step process which includes solution-ing of carbides in the austenite range followed by a suitable tempering treatment below the critical to adjust the level of properties. The latter step is referred to as "secondary hardening" and is basically an ordinary aging reaction involving carbides. In the commercial heat treatment of large components of such steel, homogenizing and stress-relief anneals may be included and have some importance in determining subsequent properties. Several studies of the engineering properties of this steel as a function of transformation micro-structure have been reported.1 3 However, in this steel the carbide reactions, which are a function of composition and heat treatment, appear to be the property-controlling factor rather than the micro-structure defined as a transformation product. Thus, the tempering resistance of this type of alloy steel is mainly a function of the size and distribution of alloy carbides.4 However, it is also necessary to consider the stability of the microstructure and the effect of dynamic carbide reactions on subsequent properties. It is the purpose of this paper to show the interdependence of properties and corresponding structures, particularly carbide reactions, developed for a limited set of controlled heat-treatment conditions applied to 1 Cr-Mo-V steel. MATERIALS AND PROCEDURE The material for this work came from a large production forging whose chemical composition is shown in Table I. The property data accumulated on this steel as a function of heat treatment were room-temperature tensile and smooth- and notch-bar creep rupture at 1050°F (notch geometry: shank diameter = 0.357 in., depth = 50 pct, radius = 0.005 in.). To achieve controlled structural variations the temperature and time of both austenitizing and tempering were varied in a manner to produce a series of eight steels each at one of two grain sizes and one of two hardness levels in proper combination for valid comparisons. This will be clear upon examination of Table I. Structural studies involved the use of optical and electron microscopy as well as X-ray and selected-area electron diffraction. To reveal the nature of carbide precipitations, electrolytic extraction techniques were used with subsequent analysis of the residue by X-ray diffraction. Weight losses of the steel specimens during electrolysis were measured and successive chemical fractionations of the residues were applied and checked by X-ray examination. The details of fine structural distributions, morphologies, and crystallography of the precipitates as well as dislocation distributions were investigated by examining in the electron microscope three common types of preparation. a) Relief Replicas. Mechanically polished sections were etched in 2 pct nital, replicated with a nitrocellulose film, which was shadowed by chromium vapor deposited at a glancing angle of 20 deg. b) Extraction Replicas. A thin film of carbon was vapor-deposited on the polished and etched surface. The carbon films were then etched off and gathered on electron-microscope supporting grids. The carbides left imbedded in the carbon replica in their original distribution were then examined crystallo-graphically by selected-area electron diffraction. c) Thin Films. Specimens were mechanically ground and polished down to a thickness of 0.001 to 0.003 in. Final thinning was done electrolytically in a "chrome-acetic" electrolyte. When holes began to appear in the foil, the voltage was interrupted and applied in several 1-sec bursts. Sections of the foil between holes were thin enough to pass a 100-kv electron beam that carries an image.

Jan 1, 1965

By Dempsey S. Thieman

The Kuparuk River Central Channel Bridge on the North Slope of Alaska provides critical access for oilfield service vehicles in the largest oilfield in the United States. The original sloped spill-through bridge abutments were protected by articulated concrete revetment. After 27 years of heavy service, ice impact, deep river scour, and high floods, the revetment required replacement. An OPEN CELL SHEET PILE® abutment was selected to replace the existing erosion protection and provide increased performance and structure life. Project engineers and contractors successfully addressed the challenges of low overhead sheet pile installation under the bridge, extremely heavy vehicle loads, and arctic winter construction conditions through innovative design and construction techniques. The project was successfully completed on schedule with minimal disruptions to critical bridge traffic. This paper provides a detailed discussion of the design and construction techniques utilized to address the challenges of the project, many of which could be adapted to other projects.

Jan 1, 2008

By A. P. Watts

FOREWORD THE problem of concentrating the disseminated lead ore of southeast Missouri is extremely simple. The economic mineral is galena and the gangue is dolomite. The ore assays from 4 to .6 per cent. lead, 80 per cent. of which is recovered in a 70 per cent. concentrate.. The ore is crushed through 10 mm. and sized on 2 mm.; the oversize is jigged, while the undersize is tabled, and the slime treated by flotation. The district is the largest lead producer in the world, the output of metallic lead for the year 1915 being 183,906 tons. Over 20,000 tons of ore a day is being treated. The management of the different properties is progressive and always open to suggestion. The fact; however, must not be lost sight of, that the problem in the district is peculiar, as the average ore contains but 80 to 120 lb. of a metal normally selling at about 4c. per lb. The low price of the metal limits the treatment system to one of low cost. An elaborate treatment is neither logical nor advisable. An engineer first visiting the district may consider that the method of treatment could be improved

Jan 10, 1917

By J P. Sykes, A Trench

Mineral commodity prices are subject to volatility over both the short and longer run – driving fluctuating operating margins for mining companies over time. Such market dynamics influence mine operating decisions depending on the interplay of company-specific and mineral market factors. The company factors include corporate financial strength and price-risk management strategy, as well as mining practices and methods at the operation level. The critical mineral market factor is the price of the ex-mine product. This results from underlying microeconomic and macroeconomic root-causes pertaining to mineral supply and demand, in addition to the activities of financial participants within commodity markets.Significant changes in commodity prices of an extended duration, either up or down, remain the principal influence upon mine economics – and therefore on mining practices too. Accurate and precise forecasting of commodity prices (and of relevant exchange rates) continues to prove elusive both to mineral economists and market analysts. Thus, at any given point in time, there are often widely differing price forecasts available for both the relevant commodity and currency. Companies as a result are unclear how to respond in practical operating terms to such price-side uncertainty – other than to manage incremental capital and operating expenditure. Typical company – and industry financier – responses to the difficulty in predicting future mineral commodity prices are to take measures to manage uncertainties in mining project revenues and costs. These operating practices are prudent – yet come at an economic cost: that is, lost revenue and margin opportunity is inevitable in any such system not easily capable of responding to price volatility in the market. The mine of the future will seek to capture this lost economic opportunity. This paper presents a three-stage framework for analysing commodity price forecasts to aide understanding of the commodity price cycle and the periods of high-margin opportunity.CITATION:Trench, A and Sykes, J P, 2014. Perspectives on mineral commodity price cycles and their relevance to underground mining, in Proceedings 12th AusIMM Underground Operators’ Conference 2014 , pp 19–32 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Mar 24, 2014

By Hajime Miki, Gde Pandhe Wisnu Suyantara, Ahmed Mohamed Elmahdy, Hidekazu Matsuoka, Kyushu University, Tsuyoshi Hirajima

"Selective flotation of chalcopyrite and molybdenite was studied using various surface treatment methods such as electrolysis, ozone treatment, and plasma. Oxidation via electrolysis method indicated that only chalcopyrite surface is affected by electrolysis due to conductivity difference with molybdenite. Oxidation treatments and XPS analyses indicated that chalcopyrite became hydrophilic due to deposition of oxidized iron on its surface. Various oxidizing methods also showed that chalcopyrite was selectively oxidized and this can apply selective flotation of chalcopyrite and molybdenite. The possible mechanisms are proposed in this work based on surface analyses and thermodynamic calculations.INTRODUCTIONCopper sulphide minerals often associate molybdenite (MoS2) which is one of the most important by-products (Wills, 2006). It is important to recover molybdenite perfectly not only since molybdenite is valuable mineral, but also contamination of molybdenite into copper concentrate or contamination of copper mineral into molybdenite concentrate indicates penalty for both concentrate values (Wills, 2006). Conventional separation of copper sulphide and molybdenite has been achieved with sulphide bulk flotation followed by selective molybdenite flotation with NaHS addition since NaHS works as a depressant for copper sulphide. However, this current process shows imperfect molybdenite recovery and depressant such as NaHS needs to be used under specific flotation plant since it might be environmental contaminant. Hirajima et al., (2014) have been studied selective flotation of molybdenite and chalcopyrite (CuFeS2), which is the most important copper mineral, with plasma pre-treatment. They reported that plasma pre-treatment process followed by washing treatment can improve molybdenite floatability and depress chalcopyrite. This result is attributed to surface oxidation and selective conversion of chalcopyrite and molybdenite wettability. It may be hypothesized that another surface oxidation methods could give a similar result as plasma treatment process. To test this hypothesis, in this study, as comprehensive study of oxidation effect, various oxidation methods such as electrolysis, ozone, and plasma were investigated. Electrochemical measurements, thermodynamic calculations to predict the chemical reactions happened during the process, various surface analyses, and flotation experiments were carried out."

Jan 1, 2016

By Perry N. Halstead

The primary objective of the structural geology portion of the Kennecott Copper Corporation-U. S. Bureau of Mines Pit Slope Stability Study was to determine the attitude, geometry, and spatial distribution of geologic structures of the west wall of the Kimbley Pit for use in designing a maximum stable slope for the pit. A corollary objective was to develop and refine techniques for collecting and analyzing geologic structural data with emphasis on numerical methods that could be integrated with other aspects of pit design. Surface mapping techniques used were a modification of conventional joint set mapping and a detailed linear sampling method. For subsurface investigations both oriented core and a borehole camera were used. It was determined that the major faults in the area were favorably oriented for mining a steep stable slope. The jointing or natural fracturing, although complex, was not random in attitude and consisted of several persistent fracture sets and a number of secondary sets. The attitude of the persistent fracture sets was favorable for steeper slope angles, and these attitudes were used in the design considerations. There was no significant difference between the attitude of the fracture sets determined from the former and new slope face.

Jan 1, 1968

By A. Lashgari

Surface coal mining in the Appalachian region consumes a significant amount of energy in the form of diesel fuel and blasting agents. emission of oxides of nitrogen (Nox) from these sources represents an environmental challenge to the mining industry. this paper presents the results of research work related to determination of Nox emission of mining equipment and blasting agents, which is part of a broader industrial project conducted by the Appalachian research Initiative for environmental research (ArIeS). Data for this project are collected from an operating surface coal mine in West Virginia. the research work presented here may be used by mining professionals to aid in quantifying Nox emission and determine strategies for reducing its overall environmental impact.

Oct 1, 2013

By Ashu Garg, Anirban Bhattacharya

"Friction stir spot welding of aluminum alloy AA6061-T6 sheets was performed with circular (plunge depths 0.4 and 0.6 mm), square and triangular tool pin (plunge depth 0.4 mm) with constant 0.2 mm shoulder penetration to characterize various zones of weld nugget. It was observed that the depth of the stir zone formed below the tool pin is comparatively similar for different tool pins but wider for circular tool pin. The size of another stir zone formed at the interface of tool pin and a tool shoulder is observed to be larger for triangular and square tool pin due to the higher swept rate. Predicted strain from finite element analysis, calculated strain rate using Zener-Hollomon relationship and experimentally measured grain size distribution indicates severe amount of plastic deformation in-and-around the nugget/spot region. Finer grains in various stir zones were observed than thermo-mechanically and heat affected zones. Grain size (at distribution peaks) in stir zones varied around 2.54 µm to 3.69 µm for different tool pin profiles as compared to base metal grain size of 20 µm. Microhardness results indicate that the welded region is quite softened than base metal and maximum hardness is mostly observed around the thermo-mechanically affected zone.INTRODUCTION Friction stir spot welding (FSSW) is widely used for joining the sheets of materials like aluminum, copper, magnesium, etc. The process begins by plunging a rotating tool (generally having a pin and a shoulder) into the sheets to be welded. Continuous stirring of the tool and downward plunging force generates localized heat due to friction at the tool-sheet interface and plastic deformation of the sheet metal. The material gets softened and the plasticized material adjacent to the tool pin starts flowing due to the action of tool rotation and tool plunge thereby causing intermixing and bonding between the overlapped sheets. The tool stirring also promotes grain refinement in the weld nugget associated with high strain, strain rate and thermal cycle. The formation of new microstructure also affects the mechanical properties and efficiency of FSSW joints. Studies also showed that the tool pin design and tool shoulder feature exerts a noteworthy influence on the material flow and intermixing during the FSSW process (Reilly et al., 2015; Hirasawa et al., 2010). Sarkar et al. (2016) studied the material flow and intermixing during FSSW using tracer material method and reported that the size and width of flow zone increases with tool penetration depth. The influence of tool rotational speed on microstructure and stir zone temperature was investigated during FSSW of dissimilar AA6061-AA5754 alloys (Gerlich et al., 2007). They reported that the average grain size in stir zone of AA6061 weld increases with increase in tool rotational speed. In another work, Gerlich et al. (2008) studied the local melting and tool slippage during FSSW of Al alloys. Tool slippage was investigated by calculating the strain rate using Zener-Hollomon relation. Garg and Bhattacharya (2017a) studied the effect of dwell time, tool pin profiles and tool rotational speed on shear strength, microstructure, temperature and strain distribution during FSSW of AA6061. In another work, Garg and Bhattacharya (2017b) analyzed the effect of different tool pins and pinless tools on the shear strength and microstructure during similar and dissimilar FSSW of AA6061-T6 and pure Cu. Chang et al. (2004) proposed mathematical relationship between the average grain size and Zener-Hollomon parameter during friction stir processing of Mg alloy. Solhjoo (2010) presented a mathematical approach to determine the critical strain as a function of peak strain required for initiation of dynamic recrystallization in austenitic stainless steel. Fratini and Buffa (2005) also proposed the numerical model to determine the grain size during continuous dynamic recrystallization phenomenon."

Jan 1, 2018

By K. Perry, B. Lusk, Q. Huang, R. Honaker

"Rock dust is applied in underground coal mines to prevent the propagation of coal dust explosions. The application is conducted either dry or wet. Both methods have advantages and disadvantages however the formation of caked rock dust particles is cited as a significant concern for wet applications. A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of modifying the rock dust particle surfaces to repel water and each other by the addition of oleic acid (OA) and sodium oleate (NaOL). At a NaOL dosage of 2 lbs/ton, a contact angle of 112o was measured indicating strong surface hydrophobicity and ability to repel water. FTIR studies indicated a chemisorption mechanism which is necessary for long term stability of the surface modification. The dispersion rate of the modified rock dust samples was elevated by the application of both OA and NaOL thereby indicating a significant reduction or elimination of the detrimental effect of caking. Tests in an explosion chamber showed a 79% reduction in the dust explosion potential relative to untreated rock test applied by the wet technique. INTRODUCTION Mine explosions have been a long-time threat to underground coal miners attracting significant attention to the accumulations of combustible dusts and gasses. In the presence of sufficient oxygen and heat, the accumulations of combustible dust and gass can lead to large-scale underground coal mine explosions [Harris et al., 2010]. To alleviate the problem, rock dust such as limestone can serve both as a thermal inhibitor and a heat sink to inert the coal dust explosibility thereby prohibiting the occurrence of dust explosions [Richmond et al., 1975; Amyotte et al., 1995; Dastidar et al., 1997; Man et al., 2009]. The dispersibility of the rock dust is an important characteristic that determines the degree of explosion prevention [Greenwald et al., 1938; Mozumdar et al., 1974; Amyotte et al., 1995]. Unfortunately, the environmental conditions of an underground mine has the potential to cause caking of the rock dust which reduces the dispersive characteristics needed. The dispersive property of rock dust can be enhanced by modification of the particle surface properties by the application of chemical additives [Greenwald et al., 1938; Mozumdar et al., 1974; Spence, 2004; Vogt, 2011; Doidge et al. 2014]. The major mechanism for rock dust caking is the adsorption of water which forms liquid bridges at the particle-particle contact points where saturated solutions of soluble powder ingredients are present. Changes in temperature or relative humidity result in solvent (water) evaporation and the formation of dry bridges [Rumpf, 1958; Specht, 2006]. One method to prevent caking is creating hydrophobic rock dust to repel water from the solid surface thereby preventing the formation of liquid and solid bridges."

Jan 1, 2015

By Robert J. Mitchell

A general approach to mine backfill design, including laboratory testing procedures, is outlined in this paper. Relationships between certain design parameters are developed and the effect of other factors is discussed. It is concluded that the inclusion of backfill design calculations at an early stage of mine design can often produce over-all design economies. Not only are the data needed for backfill plant and tailings disposal area design, but also the pillar recovery method and over-all mine stability are dependent on the attainable fill properties.

Jan 1, 1979