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By Lawrence Adler

The properties of a geologic mass may be considered from a resource or an engineering viewpoint. The primary engineering applications include ground control, excavation, bulk handling, and hydrology. This study will focus upon these areas in descending order. For an adequate geologic description, data is necessary on the following components: (1) the intact rock, (2) geologic structures, (3) contained fluids, and (4) existing pressures and temperatures, see Table 1. This information, combined with the engineering specifications, provides the basis for a formal geotechnical analysis as illustrated in Figure 1. For a structural analysis it is essential to establish the mechanical properties of the material composing the structure. This material, termed the "rock mass," consists mainly of the first two geologic components, the intact rock and geologic structures (Figure 1) Consideration of fluids will be subordinated to their role as chemical agents affecting the mechanical properties. The existence of pressures and temperatures generally lies beyond the scope of this study.

Jan 1, 1973

By P. Mousset-Jones, G. Danko

Rock thermophysical properties, i.e. heat conductivity and thermal diffusivity, were obtained for reference values at the Waldo Test Mine for mine fire simulation purposes. An in situ measurement method was chosen since it could include the effect of rock fractures. The REKA method (Rapid Evaluation of k and alpha) was used because it can measure conductivity (k) and diffusivity (alpha) simultaneously within an eight-hour measurement period. A total of six measurements were taken in three different holes, and at two different depths from the collar of the hole. Each measurement provided an averaged conductivity and diffusivity for a volume of rock of approximately one cubic meter. The boreholes were driven into the upper and lower limestone, two at right angles to and one parallel to, the stratification of the rock. Significant representative conductivity and diffusivity values were obtained for the whole mine by averaging the six measurement results. The thermal properties for the band of shale in between the two limestones were not measured in situ, but only in the laboratory. Problems were encountered in the evaluation because of unexpected heat conduction on one side of the symmetrically built probe. A modification was made to the previously developed evaluation method together with further testing and correction, before the final results were obtained. As expected, the in situ and lab- oratory measured values of k and alpha compared favorably, since the in situ rock was dry and relatively unstressed.

Jan 1, 1989

Joseph Esrey Johnson, Jr., had already achieved rare distinction as an able metallurgist, clear thinker, brilliant author, and wise consulting engineer to bankers and operators; he had achieved the essentials of a great career when death cut short his activities on Apr. 4, 1919, in the forty-ninth year of his age. He belonged to a family of iron blast-furnace men and mine managers. His father, Major J. E. Johnson, after serving with distinction in the Army of the North, identified himself with the iron mines and blast furnace at Longdale, Va., with which he was connected during almost his entire business life. It is significant that, during those troublous times of reconstruction in the South, he enjoyed always the affection and respect of his neighbors and associates alike. From him his son obtained not only a thorough training in blast-furnace practice and iron mining, but great personal courage and force of character. His mother, who survives both her husband and sons, possesses rare intellectuality, humor and a tenderness and human sympathy which those who were privileged to know well J. E. Johnson, Jr., recognized beneath his exterior of aggressiveness and will power. In a recently published analysis of the qualities which characterize the world's great men, three traits stand out preeminently; viz., independence, courage, and intellectuality. Each of these characteristics J. E. Johnson, Jr., possessed in extraordinary degree. His early education was obtained under a private tutor at Longdale, and this circumstance probably enhanced , a natural tendency to independence of character and individuality which, however, under the control of his

Jan 5, 1919

By Z. Pilecki

This work concerns the identification of weak zones in the structure of a rock mass endangered by outburst of gases and rocks in the Rudna copper ore mine at greater depths (approximately 1200 m). A special methodology has been undertaken for the recognition of that threat in the wake of an outburst in the mine in 2009. No similar phenomena have been previously recorded in KGHM Polska Miedz copper ore mines. The research described in this paper was carried out in the new part of the deposit prepared for mining. Geophysical methods were used: seismic tomography and borehole ground penetrating radar (BGPR), along with particular identifications using geological engineering methods. In the researched area, Permian layers of sandstone and shale clay (Weissliegendes formation) and of Zechstein dolomite (top of Rotliegend formation) and anhydrite occur in the copper ore deposit. The rock layers are characterized by variable thickness and intensity of mineralization, varying internal structure, and local fracturing containing different gases and water. It is assumed that accumulation of gases occurs in the tectonically fractured dolomite. The study was focused on the recognition of the structure and properties of the dolomite layer lying directly within the roof of excavations. The first tests were performed with seismic tomography for the recognition of anomalous changes in the elastic properties of the rock mass. The results of these studies were used to design a control borehole for a detailed geological engineering assessment and BGPR surveys with 100MHz antennas. Seismic tomography enabled the identification of changes in Pwave and S-wave velocity, the Vp/Vs ratio, dynamic Poisson's ratio and dynamic Young's modulus. It was clear that seismic anomalies required verification by other methods. The BGPR survey was performed in a specially designed borehole, passing through the selected seismic anomalies. While the borehole was being drilled, the outflow of gases was identified, with varying amounts of CH4, CO2, and H2S detected, as well as water outflow. The results of BGPR confirmed the location of a reservoir of water and gases, about 30 m in length, found in layer of dolomite. The direct cause of the BGPR anomaly was assumed to be intensive fracturing, a greater content of clay material in the dolomite, and the presence of water in the fractured zone. The BGPR image was correlated with information on lithology, fracturing based on the RQD index and additional information acquired during drilling about water and gases surveys and other symptoms. The achieved results also showed a very strong correlation between the location of the zone containing gases and water and the anomalous S-wave velocity and field of dynamic Poisson?s ratio, and to a lesser extent other seismic parameters. It was found that the other measured seismic anomalies may be of the same nature as those identified in the control borehole and accordingly will require the implementation of detailed identification. The performed tests have also shown the usefulness of geophysical methods to identify geodynamic hazards under the geological and mining conditions of the copper ore deposit in the Rudna mine.

Aug 1, 2013

By David J. Raden

INTRODUCTION Economic deposits of phosphate are found at shallow depths (80 ft.) in central and northern Florida (Figure 1) where they have been mined since the late19th century(l).The present (1978) mining rate is approximately 40 million short tons per year of product (called “phosphate rock1”), which represents approximately 80% of the total U.S. production and 30% of the world production. The principal use of Florida phosphate is for the manufacture of fertilizer. There are 10 major mining companies and 20 active mines in Florida at the present time, strip mining approximately 5000 acres per year. The ore, known as "matrix," consists of gravelly clayey sands containing phosphate minerals (principally carbonate fluorapatite), quartz, and clay minerals. The clay to phosphate ratio is generally about 1:1 by weight and the sand to phosphate ratio ranges from, 1:1 to about 3:1. Mining is done by large electric draglines, which strip and cast the sandy overburden soils, generally 10 to 40 feet deep, and remove the matrix, generally 10 to 25 feet deep. Dragline bucket capacities are generally 20 to 45 cubic yards, but range up to 65 cubic yards. Mining cuts are usually 300 to 500 feet wide and up to several thousand feet long. The ore is cast into an earthen sump where high pressure water guns are used to slurrify it. Centrifugal pumps move the slurry through a pipeline to a beneficiation plant where the phosphate rock is separated from the waste sand and clays.

Jan 1, 1979

By Hamid-Reza Manouchehri

Coarse particles flotation is controlled by detachment (particle hydrophobicity and flotation cell turbulence) For composite particles (the bubble may attach to good hydrophobic region, but the expansion of the three phase line of contact is limited. Hence, the equilibrium contact angle, characteristic of the hydrophobic region, may never be attained, and the force of attachment is decreased relative to that possible for homogenous hydrophobic surfaces.

May 1, 2013

By R. A. Pond

Two 6.17 m (20 ft 3 in.) diameter raises, concrete-lined to 5.49 m (18 ft) inside diameter, were completed in 1978 at the Monterey Coal Company Number One Mine near Carlinville, Illinois, by Frontier-Kemper Constructors. These two raises are the largest in cross-section yet completed by full-face upreaming, and the success of this project is expected to increase the application of raise-boring to coal mine shaft construction. WHY 6.17 M (20 FT) DIAMETER ? Raise boring is well accepted in the metal mining industry for a variety of applications, and is gaining in acceptance in the civil works construction industry. The use of raise boring to construct vertical openings for coal mines has not been as widely accepted, even though coal mining requires, per mine, the greatest number of openings to the surface of any underground activity. Several factors have influenced the low utilization of raise boring in coal mining: 1. Coal mine shafts must often be of large diameter to pass the required high volumes of ventilation air at acceptably low water gage pressures. Cross-sectional areas of finished shafts exceeding 23.23 sq m (250 sq ft) are common. 2. The life of ventilation shafts is comparatively long, and the typical sedimentary strata overlying coal seams normally require that the shafts be lined. Shafts on the intake ventilation circuit must have permanent water-tight linings. 3. Unconsolidated overburden at the surface is often thick, and as reaming cannot be safely utilized in unconsolidated material,

Jan 1, 1979

By J. M. Johns

INTRODUCTION The Climax Mine is located on the continen¬tal divide, on Fremont Pass, about 145 Km south west of Denver, Colorado. Molybdenum, along with the by products, tungsten, tin, and pyrite are produced from both the open pit and under¬ground operations. The underground operation utilizes a panel caving mining system, and produces in excess of 27,000 mt per day. In the mid 1930's, the Climax mine began changing from a grizzly level layout to the slusher drift system which is still in use to¬ day. Over the years, the slusher drift layout has been refined to correct, improve, and sim¬plify minor operational problems. In common with most older hardrock mines, the development equipment used at Climax was the standard rail mounted, pneumatic mining machinery. This type of equipment remained in use, at least to some degree, until about four years ago. For production, 112 Kw electric slushers were used, while mine traffic was rail with trolley locomotives. Beginning about ten years ago, Climax began

Jan 1, 1981

By B. A. Rogers

IN addition to the usual methods of manufacturing steel, a number of special processes have been the subject of considerable experimentation-and use in manufacturing practice. A number of these methods have been of a type in which a rapid refining action has been secured through the intimate mixture of fluid slag with fluid metal. The persistence with which more rapid methods are sought is indicated by the current interest in the Aston' method for producing wrought iron and in the Perrin2 process for dephosphorizing and deoxidizing steel. In the Perrin process, in particular, the mixing action is extremely vigorous and the reactions proceed with surprising speed.

Jan 1, 1936

Jan 1, 1922

By John A. Church

In May, 1878, I had the honor of presenting to the Institute, at the Chattanooga meeting, some observations upon the heat of the Comstock Lode, and since then the subject has attracted some attention and criticism, in the course of which, L have observed errors of apprehension which I beg leave to correct now. Mr. John Arthur Phillips discussed it before the Geological Society, his paper being printed in the Quarterly Journal for August, 1879." His criticism is based upon that part of my paper in which I quote a number of analyses of the mine waters, to illustrate the fact that the heat does not come from the oxidation of pyrite. I pointed out that these waters contain only an insignificant proportion of sulphuric acid, and not enough to account for even one per cent. Of

Jan 1, 1880

By Charles A. III Cravotta

Streamflow and water-quality data for the northern part of Swatara Creek, which drains a 112-km2 area in the Southern Anthracite Field of east-central Pennsylvania, indicate iron, copper, and lead, and to a lesser extent manganese and zinc, are transported with suspended particles during stormflow conditions. During stormflow conditions, concentrations of these constituents typically peak prior to peak stream stage as a result of scour and transport of streambed deposits. In contrast, sulfate is transported mostly as a dissolved ion. Concentrations of sulfate, specific conductance, and pH are inversely related to streamflow, indicating dilution and acidification during stormflow. This effect is attributed to the mixing of poorly buffered stream water having pH 6.0-6.5 with weakly acidic storm runoff having pH 4.0-4.5 and low dissolved solids.

Jan 1, 2000

By J. B. Zachwieja, P. E. Richardson, G. W. Walker

The electrochemical nature of mineral-collector interactions and their relationship to flotation have been investigated to develop a better understanding of the factors controlling sulfide mineral beneficiation. Spectrophotometric and electrochemical techniques have been used to examine the reactions occurring on electrodes composed of a bed of bornite particles in the presence and absence of potassium ethylxanthate (KEtX) at a pH of 9.2. The combined techniques showed that KEtX sequentially reacts with bornite by (1) a chemisorption reaction forming ca hydrophobic species between --0.4 and -0.2 V (SCE), (2) an electrochemical oxidation reaction forming cuprous xanthate between -- 0.2 V and the xanthate/ dixanthogen redox potential, and (3) oxidation to dixanthogen when the potential exceeds the reversible value for the xanthate/dixanthogen couple. The flotation response of bornite closely parallels spectrophotometric and electrochemical evidence for adsorption of KEtX by the reactions listed above. The degree of surface oxidation resulting from the formation of iron oxides on the surface dictates the flotation response as evidenced by the fact that oxidized bornite floats at more anodic potentials than unoxidized bornite. The strong correlations between the flotation response, degree of oxidation, and potential indicate that chemisorbed xanthate produces a hydrophobic layer sufficient to float unoxidized bornite, but cuprous xanthate and dixanthogen arc required to float oxidized bornite.

Jan 1, 1988

By H. R., Collins

THE purpose of pulverizing coal before burning it is to make available every heat unit it contains. Machinery has been developed which will pulverize coal in one operation, delivering it to bins in front of the furnaces at an expenditure of about 17 hp.-hr. per ton, in a medium-sized plant. The cost of the operation depends upon the amount of moisture that must be expelled before pulverizing, the cost of labor, and the cost of coal delivered at the plant. At a small plant, requiring a pulverizer with a capacity of only ½ ton per hour, the cost per ton pulverized will naturally be greater than at a plant requiring the largest pulverizer, with a capacity of 7 tons per hour. The first step is to reduce large lumps to a size suitable for drying uniformly, before passing to the pulverizing mills; this is done in rolls, at a single pass. The second -step is the elimination of moisture, in order to facilitate pulverizing to great fineness, while also increasing the heating effect and the temperature attainable when the coal is burned. There are other mechanical advantages in the handling of, dried coal. Driers are now manufactured which are able to eliminate moisture without distilling any of the volatile combustible matter in the coal; they are fired by hand or with pulverized fuel. The heat first surrounds the shell of the drier, being confined within a chamber where complete combustion takes place; the heated gases are then led through a duct to the discharge end of the drier and enter the inside of the shell at a temperature not exceeding 300° F. This temperature is maintained by the operator and is indicated by a pyrometer. Volatile combustible matter is not likely to be distilled until the temperature rises above 400° F. On discharging from the drier, the coal is usually passed over a magnetic separator in order to prevent pieces of iron from going to the pulverizer. Two types are used: a magnetic pulley which automatically discharges its collection of iron, and a lifting type, from which the iron is removed by hand when convenient.

Jan 4, 1918

By H. Cheng

The Bohai Oil Company has applied all together 11 jack-up oil drilling rigs (movable platforms) (1) which can be classified in terms of their forms of foundations into two types: the integ­ral mat and the column legged, as demonstrated in figure 1. Figure 1 a) indicates the entire structure of the sunk cushion type, i.e. the one with a box-like sunk cushion serving as its foundation by directly sitting on the sea bed. The length, width and height of the outer sides for the sunk cushion stand at 45.8 x 38.0 x 3.3m ( for Rig Bohai No.2 ) and 50.6 x 33.2 x 4.88m ( for Rig Bohai No.6 ), the relative areas of theirs being 1475m2 and 2008m2 respectively and both bigger than the plane areas of the rigs. With a view to realize a convenient drainage of mud while sinking, two holes of 14 x 14m and 32 x 18m in size are constructed in the center part of the sunk cushion. When work sets off, the underside of the sunk cushion operates as a foundation, the sunk cushion being connected to the platform by hull columns which transmit the load of the platform down­wards to the sunk cushion that passes it further onto the subgrade. [ ] Column legs for rigs may also be grouped into two categories considering their features: columns with and without boots. The bodies of boot columns are made up of trusses, whose bottoms, are boot-shaped with a big diameter. The diameter of boot columns of the rigs applied by the Bohai Oil Company shows bigger and it may reach 12 or 18m. In the boot columns, the transmission of the platform's weight into soil is done by the underside areas of boots. While in the case of the vertical columns, which are of cylinder columns of steel with sealed bottom ends shaped inverted arch, the entire drilling platform is supported by the carrying force delivered by the bottoms of these steel cylinders and the frictional force rendered by their outside walls. Such a type of columns is featured by a small diameter, 3m in general. Figure 2 exhibits the schematic diagram of sections regarding the two types of column legs.

Jan 1, 2010

By Fred T. Agthe, Fred C. Bond

When some materials are ground dry in a ball mill, a stage of comminution is reached at which the finely divided particles begin to adhere to the balls and to the mill lining. As grinding progresses, a coating accumulates upon the grinding media, which tends to cushion the impacts and thus retard reduction of the material. and finally becomes so thick that all grinding ceases. At this stage, the characteristic noise produced by the grinding media during normal mill operation changes to a dull, muffled sound. In most instances, the formation of the coating marks the practical limit of size reduction. Industrial requirements for fine grinding frequently meet with this obstacle, and the tendency in many commercial operations to grind materials to a higher degree of fineness than formerly makes the solution of this problem an important one. The phenomenon is of far greater importance, therefore, than the limited amount of research and technical discussion devoted to it implies. In order to learn more about the coating of different materials when ground dry to a high degree of fineness, certain laboratory tests were made from which it was found that different materials form coatings at widely different size distributions. It is probable that most materials will coat if they are ground fine enough; the exceptions have inherent lubricating qualities, like coal and graphite. In general, the softer materials tend to coat at coarser sizes than the harder or more brittle materials. Limestone, as an example, will coat more readily than quartz, even though limestones of different- texture and composition exhibit great differences in coating potentialities. Various materials were tested in the laboratory to show the variation in coating qualities. It was found that in most tests quartz must be ground to a fineness that would permit it to pass through 325 mesh before coating became markedly detrimental to the grinding operation. Siliceous rocks, however, tend to coat more readily than quartz. Granite, which is composed essentially of feldspar, quartz and mica, has been found to start coating at about 92 per cent through 200 mesh, and feld-spathic minerals alone usually show a tendency to coat at the same fineness. Barite has been ground in the laboratory to a fineness of 99 per cent through 325 mesh without showing serious coating of the grinding media. Gypsum coats readily. Apatite and phosphate rock usually tend to coat. Hematite usually coats, although when mixed with charcoal it does not do so. In testing the carbonate rocks and minerals, it has been found that burned magnesite, dolomite, and dolomitic limestone coat, whereas calcite and calcined calcite do not coat so readily. It has been found that commercial glass, slate, talc, steatite and coke have little tendency to coat. The relative tendencies toward coating during grinding operations, exemplified by

Jan 1, 1943

By Fred C. Bond, Fred T. Agthe

When some materials are ground dry in a ball mill, a stage of comminution is reached at which the finely divided particles begin to adhere to the balls and to the mill lining. As grinding progresses, a coating accumulates upon the grinding media, which tends to cushion the impacts and thus retard reduction of the material. and finally becomes so thick that all grinding ceases. At this stage, the characteristic noise produced by the grinding media during normal mill operation changes to a dull, muffled sound. In most instances, the formation of the coating marks the practical limit of size reduction. Industrial requirements for fine grinding frequently meet with this obstacle, and the tendency in many commercial operations to grind materials to a higher degree of fineness than formerly makes the solution of this problem an important one. The phenomenon is of far greater importance, therefore, than the limited amount of research and technical discussion devoted to it implies. In order to learn more about the coating of different materials when ground dry to a high degree of fineness, certain laboratory tests were made from which it was found that different materials form coatings at widely different size distributions. It is probable that most materials will coat if they are ground fine enough; the exceptions have inherent lubricating qualities, like coal and graphite. In general, the softer materials tend to coat at coarser sizes than the harder or more brittle materials. Limestone, as an example, will coat more readily than quartz, even though limestones of different- texture and composition exhibit great differences in coating potentialities. Various materials were tested in the laboratory to show the variation in coating qualities. It was found that in most tests quartz must be ground to a fineness that would permit it to pass through 325 mesh before coating became markedly detrimental to the grinding operation. Siliceous rocks, however, tend to coat more readily than quartz. Granite, which is composed essentially of feldspar, quartz and mica, has been found to start coating at about 92 per cent through 200 mesh, and feld-spathic minerals alone usually show a tendency to coat at the same fineness. Barite has been ground in the laboratory to a fineness of 99 per cent through 325 mesh without showing serious coating of the grinding media. Gypsum coats readily. Apatite and phosphate rock usually tend to coat. Hematite usually coats, although when mixed with charcoal it does not do so. In testing the carbonate rocks and minerals, it has been found that burned magnesite, dolomite, and dolomitic limestone coat, whereas calcite and calcined calcite do not coat so readily. It has been found that commercial glass, slate, talc, steatite and coke have little tendency to coat. The relative tendencies toward coating during grinding operations, exemplified by

Jan 1, 1943

By Jaril B. Lavrencic

The unique and irregulator distribution of working places in a mine always poses the two questions: - which and how much production equipment is to be used, - what production can be expected. Since the development of analytical methods would be impractical for such cases, a lot of computer programs has emerged in recent years trying to simulate the productiom process and thus find the best answer. The usege of a simulator has its dark side well felt by the author(s) of such a program: the credibility and the confidence of the customer. Using the simulator means to respect and to incorporate all the restrictions imposed by the narow underground space, methods of production, safety regulations etc., which can turn out to become a major programming effort. If the program is not properly structured, it will be used for a single special' case only, and never again. In this paper the structure and internal mechanism of the simulator is described for which the author believes that can easily be adapted to conditions of various underground and open pit mines. MINSIM tries to reach the following rather ambitious goals: 1) Estimation of the production before opening the mine, or a part of the mine. 2) Training the personnel to make decisions. 3) Making the daily time schedules for the entire fleet of the equipment units.

Jan 1, 1989

By B. J. Harlan

The trying times experienced by the steel industry during the past four years have emphasized the necessity of producing pig iron at the lowest possible cost. The trend in both design and operation of blast furnaces has been toward this end rather than toward securing maximum production from a unit or group of units. In the following discussion the trend in design of stacks and auxiliary equipment will be taken up before operation is considered. Although few furnaces have been constructed in the past few years, the trend is definitely toward larger furnaces with a hearth diameter of 24 or 25 ft. Such a furnace is very flexible, being able to produce efficiently any desired daily tonnage between 500 and-1000 or more. The detail of the design of furnace stacks, with the exception of the top, has changed little in recent years. To decrease the velocity of gas through the throat of the furnaces, thereby reducing flue-dust losses, the stock-line areas are constantly being made larger. The top dimensions of the larger furnaces are usually as follows: Stock-line diameter, 19 to 20 ft.; large bell diameter, 14 to 15 ft.; straight section of throat, 5 to 10 ft. high; inwall batter, 1 to 11/4 in. Pe ft. The ratio between the area of the stock line and the area of the large. bell is usually about 1.85 to 1. The stock-line diameter of some smaller furnaces has been increased to that of the hearth diameter of the stack at the expense of the stack batter. Remarkable decreases in flue-dust production are claimed for the so-called " Venturi top," which is achieved by flaring the stock line, in the form of an inverted cone, from a diameter of 17 ft. at 10 ft. below the large bell closed to a diameter of 19 ft. 6 in. at 3 ft. below the large bell closed. Time alone will tell which of the two designs is the better. Because of differences in raw materials, one top may be better for some plants and the other top for other plants. In the search for lower costs and higher efficiencies all operators are, adopting stoves that will maintain maximum hot-blast temperatures with a minimum gas consumption. To meet these requirements, stove capacity of approximately 7 sq. ft. of heating surface and 1.8 cu. ft. of brick volume is required per cubic foot of wind blown per minute.

Jan 1, 1934

By A. J. Jeffery

Heat transfer to a fluid flowing through a rough duct has been shown by many researchers to be a function of surface roughness. The effect of roughness asperities on the duct surface is to turbulate the fluid as it flows through the duct, increasing frictional pressure losses and convective heat transfer rates, and also increasing the surface area per unit length available for heat transfer. These factors combine to increase the total costs to the mine in terms of refrigeration and fan power requirements. A measurement system designed to automate the collection of tunnel roughness information and based on an infra-red timed pulse laser has been developed at the Royal School of Mines in London. The system allows accurate, high resolution digital recordings of tunnel surfaces to be made in two or three dimensions. Software for analysing the data has been written, and the description of a complex surface via single numerical term has been explored. A relationship between the numerically measured surface roughness and the pressure loss of the ventilating air is being investigated with a view to establishing an alternative method of describing tunnel roughness. The paper describes the roughness measuring technique developed and the analytical techniques explored so far.

Jan 1, 1993