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By M. Hitch, M. B. Lytle

Resource development conflicts arise largely due to differences in worldview between those who support and those who oppose development. This paper illustrates how societies and civilizations with different worldviews produce different levels of creative and economic energy. A questionnaire was created to build a database of responses to test whether worldview and resource development are correlated. Factor and multivariate regression analysis determined correlations for respondent groupings. Results showed a positive correlation between the respondents\u2019 worldviews and their attitudes toward resource development. Correlations became stronger as the homogeneity of the sample subgroups increased.

Jan 1, 2017

By G. B. Langford

UOCK bursts are a phenomenon about which insufficient is known. This l.~ statement has a twofold meaning. In the first place, far too many people, both inside and outside of the mining industry, are woefully ignorant of the whole subject, and secondly, as those who are face to face with the problem in the mines realize, our knowledge of rock bursts is inadequate. The first group embraces the general public, who have never been enlightened on the subject, and a great many geologists and engineers who have never shown more than a curiosity about it. Such technical men do not realize what a vital problem it is to our mining industries. They are usually thankful that bursting ground is not their problem, and leave it to those unfortunate enough to run into it. From such men one often hears the pious opinion that if proper mining methods were used there would be no problem. It is hoped that this paper will give these people a different viewpoint. Those in the second group deserve much credit for what they have done and are doing. They are fighting a large and difficult problem. In the pages that follow, I have tried to give a bird's-eye view of that problem, and suggest new ways in which it may be attacked.

Jan 1, 1941

By L. K. Daneshmend

The mine of the year 2020 will need to be based on a new way of mining. It will employ technology in a paradigm that assumes responsibility for sustainable development: taking account not only economic but also ecological and social issues. This will require a holistic approach to mine design and planning, considering all controlling factors and impacts (technical, economic, environmental and social). A national collaborative strategy is required to address the several options that exist for the development and application of 2020 mining technology. Key issues in implementing 2020 mining technology will also relate to human resources, in terms of employment, skills and education. A need exists to proactively prepare for 2020 through development of a comprehensive education and training strategy.

Jan 1, 1998

By J. Awmack, M. A. Tomlinson, P. J. Lind

"Peñasquito is a complex polymetallic deposit containing gold, silver, lead, zinc, and copper and is one of the largest producers of gold in Mexico. Mining activity is currently transitioning to a second open pit, Chile Colorado, which will be mined concurrently with the existing open pit, Peñasco. The ore bodies are located within diatreme pipes and into the surrounding sediment formation. In the coming years, mining will be carried out in more sedimentary zones, which are significantly higher in organic carbon content. Organic carbon in the feed influences both flotation and leaching operations. Several changes are being implemented to the Peñasquito flowsheet to mitigate the effects of increased organic carbon in the plant feed. These include the use of alternate reagent schemes, construction of a carbon pre-flotation circuit, implementation of a pre-leach flotation circuit ahead of pyrite leach, and evaluation of a tertiary process for separation of carbon and precious metal minerals.INTRODUCTION Goldcorp’s Peñasquito operation is located in the Mexican state of Zacatecas, approximately 200 km from the city of Zacatecas in the Mazapil municipality (Figure 1). Peñasquito has been in operation since 2009, with mining carried out by open-pit methods. Oxide ore has been processed in a heap leach facility and sulfide ore is treated in the sulfide processing plant. The processing capacity of the sulfide plant is 130,000 tonnes of ore per day and in 2016 production amounted to 465,000 ounces of gold, 17.6 million ounces of silver, 109 million lb of contained lead in lead concentrate, and 263 million lb of contained zinc in zinc concentrate (Goldcorp Inc., 2017). To recover more of the contained gold and silver and to mitigate the impact of increasing organic carbon content in the ore, a number of significant changes are being made to the operation."

Jan 1, 2018

By H. W. Smith, N. Ichiyen

A convenient method for the calculation of metallurgical balances, based on statistical treatment of all available data, is presented. An error analysis is included. Examples show the advantages of the method, and also that such balances are less precise than might be supposed.

Jan 1, 1973

By G. S. Ospanova

The results of complex processing sulphide copper ore and advantages of recovery of copper by vat and heap leaching, sorption, cementation and electrolytic solutions processing and utilization of waste material after heap leaching of copper for production of building materials were investigated. The combined chemical solvents with the additives of oxidizing agents are developed at the KazNTU. The solvents are inorganic or organic chemical reagents, which form complexes of Cu, Au, Ag, Pt, Ni, Sr, Co etc. Recovery of non-ferrous metals from solutions and purification of industrial waste waters is carried out on the base of using new synthetic and natural sorbents (from local raw materials) which are able to bind ions in both cationic and anionic forms depending on type of ligands and external conditions. Optimum parameters of copper sorption were determined. The developed wasteless technologies of copper extraction from sulphide ores with usage of new non-toxic solvents and accessible sorbents with full recycling of water are tested in pilot scale heap leaching, and are recommended as the ecological, economical and practical alternative to traditional methods.

Jan 1, 2007

By J. Aiello

"Introduction Byron Creek Collieries Limited Corbin mine is located in southeastern British Columbia approximately 180 air kilometres southwest of Calgary (Fig. I), twenty four kilometres south of Highway No. 3 via a newly constructed provincial road (Fig. 2). The development of the area began July 30, 1905, when D.C. Corbin, a prominent businessman from the northwestern U.S., and his associate E.J. Roberts first visited the site of Coal Mountain on horseback. Coal was in great demand by railways and other industrial users, so the Corbin Coal and Coke Co., after acquiring 6,000 hectares of land in the area, began to develop a mine. Mr. Roberts was responsible for the construction of the 22-kilometre rail spur, the Eastern British Columbia Railway, which joined the mine to the CPR main line at the McGillivray Loop. Rail access to the mine and its developing community, Corbin, B.C., was completed in September 1908, the same year that the first underground mine began production. The Corbin Coal and Coke Co. operated six mines on Coal Mountain (Fig. 3) and production from 1908 to 1930 inclusive totalled 2,120,800 tonnes. This production was allocated to the mines as follows:"

Jan 1, 1985

Arsenic bearing minerals such as enargite (Cu3AsS4) and tennantite (Cu12As4S13), which may associate with major copper minerals such as chalcopyrite (CuFeS2), chalcocite (Cu2S) and bomite (Cu2FeS4), usually report to the copper concentrate in conventional flotation due to their similar flotation properties. Arsenic in a copper concentrate causes environmental problems and also problems in the subsequent pyrometallurgical process. Voltammetric studies were carried out to investigate the oxidation characteristics of enargite, tennantite, chalcopyrite, chalcocite and bomite. Contact angle measurements and micro-flotation tests were conducted to examine the flotation characteristics of enargite and chalcopyrite under controlled pulp potentials. Selective flotation of enargite from chalcopyrite under varied pulp potentials was conducted to investigate the feasibility of arsenic removal from a copper concentrate. The test results indicate that the non-arsenic bearing copper minerals ( chalcopyrite, chalcocite and bornite) were easier to oxidise than arsenic bearing minerals ( enargite and tennantite) in an alkaline solution. Enargite floated well at a potential as high as +0.45 V vs. SCE while chalcopyrite was completely depressed at a potential higher than +0.43 V vs. SCE. Selective flotation revealed that enargite can be successfully removed from chalcopyrite through controlling the pulp potential at +0.30 ~ +0.50 V vs. SCE.

Jan 1, 2007

By Y. F. Jiang, K. Fang, Q. Q. Jiang, Q. Wu

Inter formational sliding of bedding planes between two different rock types in Badong formation is an important reason that leads to the instability and fracture of rock mass in this stratum. There are no specific research achievements on bedding planes between two different rock types in Badong formation. In order to study the shear mechanical properties of bedding planes between two different rock types. This paper using the software of particle flow code (PFC) and JRC model to establish several typical structures of different roughness coefficient of surface morphology based on the laboratory tests on silty mudstone and marlite in Badong formation. A great deal of numerical shear tests were carried out by ball production, radius expansion and servo infliction. The research results are as follows: First, shear strength of Badong formation is found to vary between that of silty mudstone and marlite isotropic planes by analyzing shear strength of the homogenous bedding planes and inhomogeneous rock types, we can find that the shearing strength in Badong formation is between silty mudstone and marlite isotropic planes and which is closer to the shearing strength of silty mudstone isotropic planes. Second, the basical friction angle of bedding planes between two different rock types in Badong formation is between silty mudstone and marlite isotropic planes and which is closer to the basical friction angle of silty mudstone between isotropic planes. Third, based on the experimental results, an expression is obtained to describe the relationship of the ratio of shearing strength between bedding planes of two different rock types and isotropic planes in soft rock, the rock combination coefficient, and the roughness coefficient. This study has important significance for further research on the shear mechanical properties of bedding planes between two different rock types.

Jan 1, 2015

By Fabio Mielli

In these times of increasing costs and diminished returns, energy consumption is one source of savings that remains relatively untapped in the mining sector. Typically, 15% to 40% of operational costs can be attributed to energy in mining operations. This ?process variable? is a complex, multi-faceted variable that involves government regulations, societal pressures, cost and competitiveness. A mining company able to successfully embrace an energy efficiency program is more often than not a successful mining company. Production optimization programs, relatively common today, provide increased production, increased availability of assets and, in many cases, improved quality. They generally ignore the energy question altogether. Production Energy Optimization combines reductions in energy consumption with production improvements to reduce the cost per unit of production while improving emissions reporting. An energy strategy in mining and mineral processing operations is a critical component of Production Energy Optimization. This strategy must support the financial and operational integrity of the business. Developing a successful energy strategy requires a well structured approach such as following: ??Understanding where energy is being used and why, ??Recommending and implementing energy conservation measures, ??Driving visibility to targets and results, ??Re-evaluating continuously. The objective of this paper is to help you better understand the process, tools and technologies that enable mining organizations today to address energy and sustainability issues more tactically and proactively.

Aug 1, 2013

By C. Joulian, A. G. Guézennec, A. Chmielarz, Y. Ménard, M. Hanke, P. d’Hugues

"The copper concentrate used in this study is produced by flotation of a black shale organic rich ore. This resource is a carbonate-rich, polymineral concentrate. In the last 5-6 years, ore characteristics changed and the concentrate grades degraded. This study evaluated bioleaching of the concentrate in stirred tank reactors as an alternative to the pyrometallurgical technology that is currently applied, and which may no longer be feasible in future given the concentrate chemistry.The first part of the study focused on testing non-traditional operating conditions during continuous bioleaching experiments: high solids concentration (> 20% solids), reduced agitation and aeration rates. For the same residence time, bioleaching performance at high solids loading (25%) was the same as that reached during previous bioleaching experiments at 15% solids. No mixing or microbial issues were encountered. The bacterial consortium used in the experiments demonstrated a high copper tolerance.The second part of the study was devoted to technology development for metal recovery from copper bearing solutions obtained during bioleaching experiments. Due to the high copper concentration of the leachate, solvent extraction prior to electrowinning was not necessary. After iron removal, high quality copper cathodes (morphology and composition) were obtained from the PLS by electrowinning."

Jan 1, 2014

By Tugba Cebeci, Bahjat Khoshaba, Bern Klein, Libin Tong, Andrew Bamber

"Sensor-based sorting technologies have potential to pre-concentrate low grade subeconomic ores through discarding the barren waste particles. However, the inability of sensors to accurately discriminate ore from waste is a barrier to prevent their wide applications. The present study focuses on the development of more intelligent sensing systems by using correlation and regression analysis of X-ray fluorescence (XRF) sensor responses on the copper ore samples obtained from Chile. The responses obtained through XRF scanning were reported both in the form of counts and the grades of elements. Linear and multiple linear correlation analyses were made between the XRF counts and the copper grades obtained through chemical analysis. Both the heterogeneity of the ore particles and the matrix effect in the XRF measurement are discussed in the study.INTRODUCTIONSorting can not only discard waste rocks away from the concentrator but also recover metal bearing ore particles that would be lost to the waste dump. The benefits of ore sorting include reduced energy consumption, water and reagent usage in the downstream operations (Bamber, 2008; Gunson, Klein, Veiga, & Dunbar, 2012; Kleine & Wotruba, 2010; Knapp, Neubert, Schropp, & Wotruba, 2014; Kobzev, 2014; Lessard, de Bakker, & McHugh, 2014; Mazhary & Klein, 2015; Robben, Wotruba, Robben, von Ketelhodt, & Kowalzcyk, 2013). X-ray fluorescence belongs to sensor-based sorting technologies and Xrays are a high energy-high frequency form of electromagnetic radiation inhabiting the region between the ultraviolet radiation and gamma rays (Shackley, 2011). Recent XRF sorting studies on low grade copper ores were carried out at MineSense Technologies Ltd. aimed at increasing the capacity related to improving the understanding of ore heterogeneity as the basis for developing semi-bulk or bulk sorting systems (MineSense Technologies Ltd., 2016)."

Jan 1, 2016

By C. H. Wright

Introduction The rapidly expanding and increasingly complex Canadian industrial structure, with the mining, metallurgical, and chemical industries as a large integral part, has, in recent years, brought greatly increased importance and value to our industrial minerals. In the modern economy of our mineral industry the importance which is due the non-metallics has been somewhat overshadowed by the great value of our large metal production and, in addition, by the glamour and fascination usually associated with the mining and treatment of gold ores. The term 'Industrial Mineral' is used in this paper in its usual sense and refers to non-metallics other than fuels. Coal and petroleum products, including natural gas, are considered as industrial minerals in those applications in which they are used for strictly chemical process purposes. Certain reduction metallurgical industries are so closely allied to chemical industries that for purposes been of this discussion no attempt has made to differentiate between them. Chemical industry in Canada today is a fairly large factor in our national economy, whereas in 1898, when the Canadian Mining Institute was born, it was very small indeed. Chemical concerns are largely dependent on industrial minerals for raw materials and process supplies and, as the country has developed industrially, so have the demands for non-metallics increased, not only by chemical industry but also by other large consumers, such as the construction and metallurgical industries. At the present time there is a greater than normal incentive prevailing for new discoveries, due to the serious lack of balance that exists in our import and export trade. This fact has resulted in intensive efforts to rectify the situation by locating new deposits and re-assessing those already known in an effort to enlarge and improve our home production of raw materials and also to extend their processing in Canada for our own needs and for export. The rapid advances in science and technology that have taken place since 1900 have also resulted in many cases of beneficiation and utilization of otherwise too low grade materials in order to satisfy current demands. The purpose of this paper is to indicate the history and the trends of the utilization of industrial minerals in established industry and to indicate the important part played by non-metallics in connection with the opening up of new industries. Some consideration has been given to the continual competition between natural and 'synthetic products and to the general tendency towards more rigid specifications.

Jan 1, 1948

By Arun Verma

Thermal energy storage offers a means of effecting significant costs savings and conservation of premium fuels. Na2SO4 has been found to be a good material for storing thermal energy in the medium-temperature range, mainly because of its dimorphic nature and high heat of transition. Basic data and development of the salt to a practically usable block are discussed.

Jan 1, 1978

By A. A. de Gast, R. B. James

"The metal content of ore blocks can be calculated by the use of many different methods. These methods range in sophistication from manual calculation to computer. oriented techniques. In this case a cubic polynomial regression model is developed to depict the grade distribution of an orebody. Mine production, in stope dimensions, is then simulated on a computer to predict the output of metal content. The volume, grade and variance of the grade are estimated by triple integration and matrix algebra. A case study shows reasonable agreement between the results from the mathematical model and the mine geologists' estimate of production and ore reserve grade and tonnage."

Jan 1, 1972

By T. Donkin, B. Patterson, M. I. Guthrie, J. T. Ross

"The interest in the use of sensor-based particle ore sorting has increased significantly with the recent advances in the sorting technologies and higher capacities per unit. This technology has the potential to provide great value in processing lower grade ores from the mine whilst delivering higher grades to the mill as well as in upgrading waste rock into ore. Typically, the focus is on the amenability of the ore to ore-sorting and associated reductions in the consumption of energy, water and consumables. However, layout has a significant impact on the installed cost of a concentrator and the layout impacts from fitting an ore-sorting circuit into the concentrator plan need to be carefully considered. This paper examines layout considerations that play an important role in ore sorting projects. These include additional crushing and screening requirement, transportation of the rejected material back to the waste stockpile (mine fleet requirements) and effects on concentrator footprints.INRODUCTION Ore sorting has been practiced throughout history with an early report by Agricola in 1556. Metallic and non-metallic minerals were extracted from rocks by laboriously breaking them with hammers and picks and hand-picking selected material with higher grade off a table. The concept has not changed but the sorting technology has evolved significantly over the last 20 years. Ore sorting is usually a dry process in which a portion of the material is rejected based on mineral properties and/or grade. The methods used for sensing ore particles cover a large range of physical properties. A variety of sensors are available that differ on the discrimination technique that is used, which include: photometry, radiometry, conductivity, magnetism, microwave, X-ray transparency: X-ray transparency and luminescence and UV fluorescence (Sivamohan and Forssberg, 1991; Wotruba, 2006). There are two main ore sorting techniques: particle ore sorting and bulk ore sorting. According to Nadolski et al (2018), the potential for sorting is determined though analysis of grade heterogeneity within the orebody (greater heterogeneity represents more opportunity to add value to a project) at the scale of the intended sorting unit size."

Jan 1, 2019

By S. Vézina

"Environmental issues have evolved considerably over the last two decades. The main contributing factors, to name a few, have been the changing values of modern societies, the globalization of trade and its linkage to environment, evolution and accessibility of information/ communication technologies, better educated populations, climate change, longrange transport of toxics, and the increasing influence of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and multistakeholders.As well, environmental management of mining operations had to be realigned in order to meet these new realities and to respond to more elaborated regulations oriented towards sustainability. Environmental management systems (EMS) have been introduced not only to meet the assurance of conformance to regulations but also to prevent pollution and to apply the continuous improvement of mining processes. EMS models have been developed and certification to international standards (e.g. ISO 14 001) is a common practice.Globalization has imposed challenges and additional requirements to environmental management. Developing a mine in emerging countries implies dealing with international agencies, local communities, and a variety of government infrastructures to obtain a “license to operate.” This paper presents the structure of Cambior’s EMS and how it was adapted and implemented in the company’s operations in South America."

Jan 1, 2006

By Lawrence Nordell

A Conjugate Anvil-Hammer Mill (CAHM) has the potential to replace conventional crushers and SAG mills, with their respective conveyors and stockpiles, in a SABC circuit. It may improve comminution circuit efficiency by 100%. CAHM compresses rock in a more efficient way, similar to 19th century stamp mills, which follows the fundamental research of Schönert (1990 & 1996). CAHM efficiency is being proven through the use of ROCKY (2011) Discrete Element Method (DEM). ROCKY features allow it to simulate realistic comminution. CAHM is customizable with many geometries that are rock-property specific. ROCKY?s wear modeling compliments the structural integrity of the design.

Jan 1, 2012

By J. W. Craig

THERE are, broadly speaking, three classes of refractories: acid, basic, and neutral. Fireclay, diaspore, silica, and the sillimanite group of minerals are included in the acid class, which for the most part are not very resistant to basic slags. The neutra! class includes chrome, graphite, and silicon carbide, while most important in the basic class are magnesite and dolomite. Although chrome is a neutral refractory, it has no sharp distinction from magnesitic refractoriness. The two are mineralogically (1) and chemically related, and there is available on the market a complete range of brick from straight chrome to straight magnesite. In many indus trial applications, one. type may be replaced by another. The present paper is confined entirely to such refractories. The following types of basic and neutra! brick, each sold under sorne special trade name, are available for use in Canada: (1) Burned chrome from crude ores (2) Burned chrome from treated ores (3) Chemically bonded (unburned) chrome-magnesite ( 4) Burned chrome-magnesite (5) Chemically bonded ( unburned) magnesite-chrome (6) Chemically bonded (unburned) high-iron magnesite (7) Burned high-iron magnesite (Regular) (8) Burned low-iron magnesite (9) Burned olivine-magnesite (10) Burned magnesitic dolomite-chrome (Magnecon) (11) Chemically bonded magnesitic dolomite-chrome (Magmecom) (12) Dolomitic brick

Jan 1, 1936

By T. Bhambhani, Mukund Vasudevan, Partha Patra, D. R. Nagaraj, P. Somasundaram

Selective Ni separation from ultramafic ores rich in serpentines has been a huge challenge in the mineral processing industry, and therefore highly inefficient. Analysis of the root causes of the challenges and consequent development of robust processing solutions were the main goals of the Cytec-Columbia. University-Vale Joint Development Program. In this context, the subject of this paper is limited to one of the key findings of this research program which is the influence of fibrous serpentines on grade-recovery characteristics. Specifically, the poor flotation behavior is characterized by an atypical reverse C-shaped grade-recovery curve.

Jan 1, 2011