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By K. H. McDaniel, D. M. Loring

The underground ventilation system at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant provides unparalleled ability to ensure safety of the workers, public and environment. Although small spatially, it can vary the airflow from 66,000 acfm to 460,000 acfm. It can automatically incorporate HEPA filtration in the event of radioactive contamination. Remote-capable regulators individually control the four main splits, and can be adjusted from the surface if necessary. A ventilation remote monitoring and control system provides real-time information. Future areas of concern include DPM compliance, system psychrometry, logic-based-real-time mine ventilation simulation and automation using PLC technology. This paper discusses the evolution of this system.

Jan 1, 2002

Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests and fellow members of The AusIMM, good morning.   Thank you for the opportunity to address you all today, Crown Minerals are very pleased to be associated with the conference again this year, and I commend the committee on their organisation and delivery of this yearÆs event.   As you can see from the topic of my discussion, I would like to broach the subject of collaboration between ourselves û Crown Minerals û and you our clients, and convince you that we are on the right track but can each do more.

Jan 1, 2007

By Gordon M. Pugh, David G. Rasmussen

INTRODUCTION This method is a variation of cut-and-fill mining where either the wall rock or the vein is too unconsolidated to permit safe mining by conventional cut-and-fill methods. Basic development consists of driving a 2.4 x 2.7-m (8 x 9-ft) haulage heading laterally in the footwall side of the vein. Crosscuts are driven over to the vein at 91-m (300-ft) intervals. Then the vein, at each inter¬section, is mined out to a distance of about 9 m (30 ft ) above the track level. After the installation of an ore chute, scrams or intermediate drifts are driven in both directions along the vein. Mining then starts imme¬diately below the level bounding the upper limit of the stope. A cut varying between 3 and 4.2 m (10 and 14 ft) in depth and mined for a distance of 45.7 m (150 ft )along the strike is taken from the orepass in each direction (Fig. 1). In this mined-out void, the floor of the cut is equipped with 203 x 203-mm (8 x 8-in.) caps hitched into the wall with steel saddle hitches installed on 1.5-m (5-ft) centers. Double wood stringers, 152.4 x 152.4 mm (6 x 6 in.), are then installed on 1.2-m (4-ft) centers longitudinally down the length of the stope. Reinforc¬ing wire mesh is also placed, overlying each mat of timber. Directly above the stringers, stulls are installed from hanging wall to footwall to hold the timber in place during the sand-filling operation. Then a cement¬sand mixture in a ratio of about 1:10 weight is poured to a depth of about 2.4 m (8 ft). The entire cycle is then repeated down to the scram drift. Another variation of timbering is illustrated in Fig. 2. There is a vein width of approximately 5.5 m (18 ft) with the same unconsolidated ground conditions. The primary difference between handling this situation and the previously described undercut-and-fill method is that standard timbered sets are installed in each excavated stoping void rather than stulls. Once again the basic method is to work down the ore block from an upper timbered drift to a lower timbered drift. Cuts are taken from a timbered raise with a chute on the stope side. Each piece of ground excavated is essentially two sets high, 5.5 m (18 ft), by two sets wide, 5.5 m (18 ft), by the length of the cut along the strike of the vein. The timbered sets are 2.4 x 2.4 x 2.4 m (8 x 8 x 8 ft). The net result is, therefore, two sets of timber on a top floor separated by doubled-up 76-mm (3-in.) lagging from

Jan 1, 1982

By S. M. Pickering, L. T. Gregg

Appraisal of industrial minerals beneath privately owned land requires a different approach and mindset from valuation of base and precious metals or energy minerals, and from valuation of government-owned mineral lands. First, is it the value of inground minerals or of mining rights that is being sought? Second, value to whom, the mining company, a potential investor, the mineral landowner, a lending institution, the property tax assessor, or a condemnor? Third, how should mineral value be apportioned between the land and mineral owner, and a mining company with limited years of lease-hold interest? These and many other questions must be addressed before a valuation method and Discount Rate are selected. For various reasons the Income Method is most often used, with Net Present Value calculations made for long term predicted mining income. Choice of an appropriate Discount Rate is critical.

Jan 1, 2000

By H. D. Brenk

"The German Federation of International Mining and Mineral Resources (FAB) is a federation of German companies that are active in international mining and mining related business. The FAB presents a platform for the exchange of information about the worldwide mining commodities in the dialogue with German and foreign institutions. The expertise of the member companies in mining and related activities is based on a long term operation and consulting experience in Germany and abroad. This forms the basis for the special international competitiveness "Made in Germany". The FAB is particularly engaged in the following topics and tasks and acts as a focal point for: • international project developments with the German mining industry, • sustainable mining, consulting and equipment services, • geological and environmental technologies, • project financing and • intermediation of contracts, project enquiries, professional symposia and events. The FAB acts as a contact- and coordination site for international business partners, organizations and governmental authorities. Together with the federal government the FAB organizes bilateral working group meetings in the commodity and mining sector. Project enquiries are being distributed from the FAB among their member companies."

Jan 1, 2011

By John V. Beall

Let's start at the beginning, Mr. Turner. Where and when were you born? In Lansing, Mich., on July 31, 1880. And what was your education? I went to the University of Michigan, where I got an A.B. degree in 1902; then to the Michigan College of Mines at Houghton, graduating from there in 1904 with a B.S. and an E.M. What was your first job in the mining industry, Mr. Turner, and what were you paid? In the summer of 1902, 1 was a field assistant for the U. S. Geological Survey in southwestern Idaho and southeastern Oregon, working under Israel C. Russell, professor of geology at the University of Michigan, who incidentally, had just returned from an expedition to study the effects of the eruption of Mt. Pelee, on Martinique. I was paid $60 a month and found; in addition to doing geologic and hydrographic work, I cooked many of the meals for a party of four, and wrangled four horses. I slept for four months under the stars, without a tent.

Jan 1, 1949

By Amilton de Sousa Lins Junior

O presente trabalho faz parte de um amplo programa de pesquisas que envolvem o desenvolvimento de procedimentos de soldagem para componentes de sistemas de ancoragem de plataformas de petróleo. Particularmente, realiza-se um estudo das propriedades mecânicas de um metal de solda de alta resistência obtido pelo processo de soldagem GMAW para atendimento dos requisitos necessários para a soldagem de aços da classe IACS W22 Grau R4. Foram soldadas juntas multipasses pelo processo GMAW, com preaquecimento de 150°C, corrente contínua, posição plana e aporte térmico médio de 1,0 kJ/mm. Após a soldagem, realizaram-se ensaios mecânicos e metalográficos em corpos-de-prova retirados integralmente do metal de solda depositado, tanto na condição de como soldado quanto após tratamento térmico pós-soldagem a 600°C por 1 hora. Os resultados mostraram que foi possível obter propriedades mecânicas que atendem os requisitos de aços da classe Grau R4 em todas as condições analisadas. Adicionalmente, verificou-se que o tratamento térmico pós-soldagem propiciou uma melhoria na tenacidade ao impacto devido ao revenimento da microestrutura do metal de solda.

Aug 8, 2018

The Annual General Meeting of the Institute was held in Kelvin House, Johannesburg, on Wednesday, August 14th, 1974. Mr P. W. J. van Rensburg (President) was in the Chair. There were present 56 Fellows, 21 Members, 2 Graduates, 5 Associates, 16 Students, and 58 Visitors, making a total of 158. The President declared the Meeting open at 4.08 p.m. OBITUARIES The President: Ladies and gentlemen, before we start the business of the meeting, it is my sad duty to announce the deaths of the following members of the Institute since our last meeting: Dr O. A. E. Jackson, Honorary Life Fellow and Past President; C. Airth, T. L. Blunt, A. E. Frazer, C. L. Lamb, and K. Richardson, Life Fellows; and J. T. Beaumont, Fellow. As you know, there were a number of other deaths during the year, which were reported at previous General Meetings of the Institute. As a mark of respect to the memory of the deceased, and in sympathy with the bereaved, I ask you to rise and observe a few moments' silence. MINUTES The President: Ladies and gentlemen, the next item on your agenda is confirmation of the minutes of the General Meeting and Special General Meeting held on May 22nd, 1974. These will be published in the August issue of the Journal, and, since you have not yet received this, I must ask that they be held over to the next General Meeting. WELCOME The President: It is a very pleasant duty for me to welcome many members of our Institute and our guests, among whom we are particularly pleased to see the President of the Chamber of Mines, Mr Dolf Schumann, who is also Honorary President of this Institute. Mr Schumann, we are extremely pleased to have you with us today. And, we welcome an old friend of ours, Mr Dillon, Minister of Mines in Rhodesia, who has come down for our Annual General Meeting. Mr Dillon, we are very, very pleased to see you here this evening, and we look forward to seeing Mrs Dillon a little later. And we have with us, too, the presidents or representatives of many of our sister and brother associations, institutes, and societies. In particular, we welcome Mr Mike Gericke, President of the South African Council of Professional Engineers, and Professor Midgley, President of A. S. and T. S. We are also pleased to welcome the Presidents of the Mechanical Engineers, Electrical Engineers, Certificated Mechanical and Electrical Engineers, the Civil Engineers, the Joint Council of Scientific Societies, the Mine Ventilation Society, the South African Association of Consulting Engineers, the Association of Mine Managers, the Institute of Foundrymen, the Institute of Welding, the Federation of Societies of Professional Engineers, Mine Surveyors, Production Engineers (London), and the Institute of Production Engineering. We are very glad, too, to have with us a visitor from England, Professor Raynor and Mrs Raynor. Professor Raynor is Professor of Metallurgy at Birmingham University, and a very well-known metallurgist in Britain. We also have with us the Chairman of the Ferro-Alloys Association. We are expecting the Chairman of our Witbank/Middelburg Branch, the Chairman of the Engineers' Liaison Committee, Pretoria, the Director of the Witwatersrand College of Technical Education, and, of course, our old friend, Mr Eric Boden, the Manager of A.S. and T.S. It is a very great pleasure to have with us a number of persons who will receive honorary Life Fellowship at this meeting, and there are some Gold Medal winners and winners of our Student Prizes. We have apologies from a number of people who are away on business, and unfortunately some are ill. But we are extremely pleased to see those of you who are here, and we are also very pleased to see so many ladies. We expect to see many more of them later this evening, at our Cocktail Party. MEMBERSHIP The President: I have pleasure in announcing that, their names having been published in accordance with By-Law 5.2.2., the following have been elected by Council to membership in the following grades Fellows: B. Collins, D. W. Dixon, J. P. Dreyer, A. T. Hudson, and W. W. Pearce. Members: A. T. Fisher and I. F. Nagy. Associate Members : P. D. de Bruyn and H. C. Iverson. Graduates: D. P. O'Shaugnessy and M. F. Sadler. Associates: R. J. Bushell and A. MacDonald. Students : I. J. Barker, P. J. Charter, J. P. de Witt, G. S. Esterhuizen, N. Green, P. M. Jenner, M. J. R. Meyer, A. P. Nicol, W. J. C. Pothas, B. J. Robbetze, N. T. Sutherland, B. A. Statham, C. R. Thomas, N. C. Webb, M. Salamon, R. G. Jurd, and M. McChesney. Transfers to other grades of membership include the following: Member to Fellow: B. W. Holtzhousen. Graduate to Member: T. S. Schultz. Associate to Associate Member: C. L. Jordaan, H. J. L. Tomlinson, J. E. Forbes, G. H. S. Bamford, T. F. Carswell, J. W. Breidenhann, J. R. Garbutt, and L. S. Gibbs. Student to Graduate: C. J. Faueonnier and B. Lund. Student to Associate : G. P. Gooding. We welcome these new members

Jan 10, 1974

By Francis Chartrand

The Kwyjibo deposit is an iron oxide Cu-REE-F-Mo-Au mineralization of Mesoproterozoic age located in the Grenville Province approximately 120 km NE of Sept-Îles, Quebec (Figure 1). Occurring along the SE margin of the Canatiche granitic complex, the deposit is composed of several polymetallic showings that are related to different textural facies of magnetite. The mineralization process at Kwyjibo is complex, and is divided into Early Granitophile, Magnetite, Main Polymetallic and Specular Hematite stages (Cayer et al., submitted for publication). The Main Polymetallic stage, comprising chalcopyrite, pyrite, fluorite, molybdenite and REE-bearing minerals, is superimposed on pre-existing magnetiterich rocks. Discovered by SOQUEM Inc. in 1993, the Kwyjibo deposit shares many characteristics with other hydrothermal polymetallic iron oxide deposits around the world. Foose and McLelland (1995) suggested that this class of mineralization could occur in the Grenville Province. However, only a few polymetallic occurrences are known to be associated with low-Ti iron oxide deposits in the Grenville. Kwyjibo is one of the most significant examples of a polymetallic iron oxide deposit to have been found in the Grenville Province to-date.

May 1, 2003

By Richard L. Sanford

This report summarizes the results of the development of a Directory of Computer Programs Applicable to U.S. Mining Practices and Problems. The Directory includes a sampling of computer usage in operating and manufacturing companies, consulting firms, computer companies, research organizations, universities, and various U.S. government agencies. References to computer applications throughout the mining industry are presented as well as comments on the availability of programs to interested organizations or individuals.

Jan 1, 1977

By G P. Bates

The rationale for the design of the Emergency Egress (escape andentrapment) strategy for one underground metal mine has beenpreviously described (Brake, 1999). Two of the key conclusionsfor this mine, which is equipped with 30 minute oxygen-generating self-contained self-rescuers (SCSR), were the need to ensure no person is ever more than 750 m from an emergency refuge station (ERS) and that it could take up to eight hours to rescue workers from undergroundå. These conclusions were based on a number of considerations including the non-availability of a credible, æpersonalÆ entrapment procedure at the workplace, the duration of self-contained self-rescuers when used for travel, the need for rapid æclearingÆ of mine personnel to effectively and safely target mine search and rescue resources and the maximum time to either put a fire out, or to rescue affected personnel. As there is no Australian standard for refuge stationsç (or for self-rescuers), this paper follows with guidelines for the location and specification of both fixed (permanent) and relocatable Emergency Refuge Stations (ERSs) that may be applicable to other underground Australian metal mines.

Jan 1, 1999

By Donald Koch

The project investigated regional impacts of mining on the ground water system of the Powder River Basin by: 1) establishment of a regional ground water monitoring network. and 2)development at a set pit digital computer models to simulate ground water flow and quality, ground water contributions to surface water flow and quality (i.e., baseflow), and watershed run-off and recharge. Over 100 wells were monitored for physical and chemical parameters. Data were used as input to the models and for the development of a comprehensive data base. The basin was modeled on a regional and subregional scale using a finite -difference model employing an alternating difference technique. Two water-shed models were evaluated fur their ability to provide runoff and recharge inputs to the basic ground water model. Application of the regional and subregional models using conservative mining scenarios showed that drawdowns may extend west from the mines as far as ten miles but that impacts would be insignificant on a regional scale. The watershed model could be effectively applied to small watersheds only.

Jan 1, 1982

By Larry G. Stolarczyk

This report deals with information regarding a new Medium Frequency (MF) Wireless Communication System for underground mines. This new telecommunication system works on low loss electromagnetic wave propagation modes which allow it to provide quality radio communications almost anywhere in a mine. Tests show the MF system can provide improved safety and managerial control, increased productivity, better organizational team-work and reduced maintenance cost; furthermore, MF's unique design allows for easy installation at a minimum cost. This paper covers the following: 1) MF design plan, 2) Overview of mine radio communications systems, 3) Preparations needed for designing an MF system, 4) MF equipment, 5) MF installation, 6) MF design considerations, 7) MF design specifica¬tions, and 8) Recommendations dealing with MF system. Experiments in four mines are illustrated to demonstrate the success and via¬bility of the MF system. The mines range from small (500 tons/day) to large (67,000 tons/day) capacity and represent several different mining methods. The MF Wireless Communication System represents an advancement in mining communication and the groundwork for other advanced mine systems.

Jan 9, 1984

By B. Swarbrick

Today’s mining occurs in a dynamic world of conflicting objectives. Mining companies have to look further than a traditional cash flow analysis to determine the potential value of developing a mine. In particular, proposals for new mine developments undergo rigorous scrutiny by a variety of stakeholders including regulators, NGO’s, and the local communities. From a business risk perspective, how mining companies address stakeholder concerns can have a dramatic impact on the success of the project. In today’s mining environment mining companies must continue to ‘walk the talk’ to stay in business, particularly during downturns in the business cycle. Falconbridge’s Raglan Mine is an example of a project that was successfully developed in a region that is sensitive from many perspectives, including environmental, socio economic, and regulatory. Close working relationships with local stakeholders along with strong environmental management systems are necessary elements of continued success for the project.

Jan 1, 2000

By Richard L. Sanford

This report summarizes the results of an update on a previous Bureau of Mines grant (G0264026), and includes 5 additional years of computer pro-gram development. The directory includes a sampling of computer usage in operating and manufacturing companies, consulting firms, computer companies, research organizations, universities, and various governmental agencies. References to computer applications throughout the industry are presented as well as comments on program availability. The work effort on the updated directory concentrated on programs that are available to the public and are well documented.

Jan 1, 1982

By L. C. Brown, S. K. Behera

The diffusion rate in Ag-Sb couples is sensitive to con~pressive load with the width of Ag3Sb, the only phase present in the diffusion zone, increasing with stress up to 800 psi and remaining constant above this. Kirkendall marker experiments show silver to diffuse much faster than antimony in Ag3Sb and incipient porosity may therefore develop at the Ag/Ag3Sb interfnce restricting the transfer of atoms from the silver into the diflusion zone. Application of compressive stress reduces the tendency for porosity to develop and so increases the growth rate. In a recent paper Brown et al.1 observed a significant increase in the thickness of Cu2Te in Cu-Te diffusion couples on application of a compressive stress as low as 20 psi. Similar stress effects have also been observed in the Fe-A1,2 Al-u,3 arid cu-sb4,5 systems. It has been suggested that the increase in growth rates of intermetallic phases in these systems is due to a decrease in the amount of Kirkendall porosity with applied stress. In the present paper, results are presented of the effect of compressive stress on diffusion in Ag-Sb, together with a detailed examination of the Kirkendall effect. The Ag-Sb phase diagram6 shows that antimony has a moderate degree of solid solubility in silver, 5.7 at. pct at 350°C, but that there is essentially no solubility of silver in antimony. There are two intermediate phases— (hcp7) from 8.8 to 15.7 at. pct Sb and Ag3Sb (orthorhombic8) from 21.8 to 25.9 at. pct Sb. EXPERIMENTAL Diffusion couples were prepared from fine silver of 99.95 pct purity and from antimony of 99.7 pct purity. Both the silver and antimony were produced in the form of discs 1/2 in. in diam by approximately $ in. thick, with surfaces ground flat to 3/0 emery paper. Diffusion anneals were carried out in the apparatus previously described.1 A compressive load was applied to the diffusion couple through a lever arm system, with a reproducibility estimated to be ±10 psi. All runs were carried out in a protective hydrogen atmosphere. Following the diffusion anneal specimens were sectioned and polished and the width of the diffusion zone was measured metallographically. Composition profiles were measured using an electrostatically focused electron probe with a spot size of 10 , counting on Sb L radiation. Corrections for matrix absorptiori and fluorescent enhancement9 were not required. S. K. BEHERA, formerly Graducate Student, Department of Metallurgy, University of British Columbia, is now Postdoctoral Fellow, Whiteshell Nuclear Laboratories, Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd., Pinawa, Manitoba. L. C. BROWN, Junior Member AIME, is Associate Professor, Department of Metallurgy, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C., Canada. Manuscript submitted June 14, 1968. IMD RESULTS Fig. 1 shows an electron probe traverse of a typical diffusion zone. In all couples examined only one intermediate phase was observed and the composition of this phase, 23 wt pct Sb, was in good agreement with the composition of Ag3Sb, 23 to 28 wt pct Sb. The presence of this phase was confirmed by X-ray diffraction of filings taken from the diffusion zone. The probe traverses showed no detectable solid solubility in either the silver or the antimony although the phase diagram indicates that some antimony, up to 6.5 wt pct pct Sb, should be in solid solution in the silver. However the width of this portion of the diffusion zone would be expected to be very small in view of the low diffusion coefficient in the silver, 4 x 10-l6 sq cm per sec at 350°C, 10 compared with that in the Ag,Sb, estimated as 3 x 10-8 sq cm per sec in the present work, and this region would therefore not be expected to be seen in the probe traverse. Application of stress resulted in a significant increase in the width of the diffusion zone, Fig. 2. At 350°C, the thickness of Ag3Sb increased from 250 at 0 psi to 400 p at the limiting stress of 800 psi, indicating an apparent 150 pct increase in the diffusion coefficient. Similar behavior was also observed at 400°C, indicating that the stress effect is not characteristic of just one temperature. The growth of Ag3Sb at 350°C and at various stresses is shown in Fig. 3. In every case the growth rate was parabolic indicating diffusion control. The kinetic curves all passed through the origin showing that delayed nucleation of Ag3Sb was not responsible for the stress effect and that it was a real growth effect. A series of tests were carried out in which diffusion was allowed to take place at a lower stress following an initial high stress diffusion anneal. Speci-

Jan 1, 1969

By E H. O Meyer, K van Dyk

Fine powders normally exhibit, to a more or lesser extent, some ability to participate in dust explosions. Zinc dust as used in the extractive metallurgy of zinc, is not known to be a reactive powder in the industry. No evidence could be found in the literature where zinc dust was involved in an explosion or explosive type event. On 3 May 2002 an explosive type incident occurred at Zincor in Springs, South Africa, which led to a fatal accident. Given the history of relative benign behaviour of zinc powders under conditions conducive to dust explosions, it was decided to share the information of this incident with industry in an effort to prevent similar incidents. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to describe the incident that occurred at Zincor, discuss the major findings, report on corrective actions, as well as publish the results of subsequent tests that were performed to determine the conditions under which zinc powder exhibits explosive characteristics.

Jan 1, 2005

By R. Strydom, J. H. Selby, J. Slabbert, W. Enslin

Zircon is a naturally occurring silicate of zirconium, which is used in large quantities (~1 million tonnes per annum) for its refractory properties and its extreme chemical inertness. All zircons contain uranium and thorium bound into the crystal lattice, generally at levels up to 500 ppm of uranium plus thorium. This paper focuses on one aspect of the zircon industry—the ability to safely transport large quantities of zircon sand. Currently zircon is not classified as a radioactive material for transport purposes. However, this is because of a factor used in the exemption clauses of the IAEA code on safe transport of radioactive materials. The objective of this study was to determine the validity of this factor, and was submitted as part of an IAEA Coordinated Research Project (CRP). The study is based primarily on measured rather than modelled data and covers the transport of large quantities of zircon from producers in South Africa to customers in Europe. Both occupational exposure of workers and exposure of members of the public have been considered. The transport routes studied cover rail, road, ocean-going ship and inland barge transport of unpackaged bulk products. The study showed that the most exposed member of the public would receive 10µSv/annum,while the most exposed worker would receive 144µSv/annum of exposure. It is concluded that these levels are well below all regulatory limits for such activities involving naturally occurring materials. The study also showed that normal operational exposures are higher than those in accident scenarios, a feature which does not occur with higher activity materials. It is further concluded that the study validates the use of the factor of 10 in TS-R-1, as applied to zircon sand. Additionally it is also concluded that the exemption currently applied to the transportation of bulk zircon sand is valid.

Jan 1, 2003

The annual reports of the supervising engineers of the nine sections comprising the Mining Division are assembled here and constitute the annual report of the division. In planning activities the aim is to adapt them to changes in conditions, in the needs of the mining industries, and in the public interest: those that contribute most to solving the present problems are emphasized, investigations of less immediate importance being recessed if necessary.

Jan 1, 1941