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By Clifford O. Hamilton

In both mature and young maintenance workforces, the workforce commonly lacks some of the skills required for their assigned work. We call this the "skills gap." This skills gap usually exists in a new operation because although you may hire qualified maintenance personnel, they more often than not have little if any experience with the specific equipment at the facility. Performance Associates International, Inc., has developed and proven a technique to address the maintenance skills gap that is usually found in a new operation.

Jan 1, 2001

By Om P. Garg

The purpose of this paper is: 1) To summarize the capabilities and some of the limitations of the existing mine planning software. 2) To provide some guidelines for acquiring the software. 3) To identify problems and challenges in terms of how to justify increased use of computers (particularly the 32-bit microprocessor based super micro computers), for various activities related to a mining operation No attempt has been made to review the contents of available software packages in detail. Also the scope of this paper is limited to mine planning related computer applications. Applications related to accounting, inventory control, preventive maintenance, equipment scheduling, etc. have not been covered.

Jan 1, 1983

By Balasubramani M., Ramana P. V., Bairagi K.

This paper is a case study of an earthen Cofferdam, constructed for a deep excavation at Intake location in river Aaundha, Maharashtra, India. A 12 m (39 ft) deep excavation was made to construct the Intake well. The natural soil profile at this location is clay followed by rock. An earthen Cofferdam of maximum height 7 m (23 ft) was made around the periphery of the excavation. Cofferdam embankment and excavation slopes were analyzed using the finite element software PLAXIS-2D. Clayey sand was proposed as filling material during design, but clayey soil was used for the embankment formation during execution. The embankment was built up to 5m height in July 2017 and completely submerged due to monsoon. In February 2018 embankment height raised to 7m (23 ft) by filling the soil over the existing submerged embankment. After a few days of completion of the Cofferdam construction, the inside slope of the embankment had started sliding due to continuous dewatering. The design and execution of deep excavation with earthen Cofferdam for waterfront structures are challenging. The selection of filling material for embankment formation and dewatering techniques plays a vital role in the safety and stability of the embankments. Although all the safety measures were taken during the design, execution challenges are unpredictable.

Nov 1, 2022

By Edouard Asselin, Guikuan Yue

"In the present study, electrochemical measurements, especially cathodic potentiodynamic polarization (CPC) and cyclic potentiodynamic polarization (CPP), have been employed to study the kinetics of ferric reduction on chalcopyrite in aqueous Fe( II )-Fe(III)-H2S04 solution at 25°C and 70 °C. Results from the calculation ofspeciation in the above solution reveal that, at both 25 °C and 70 °C, the real Fe3+/Fe2+ ratio is much lower than the nominal ratio, which leads to smaller values for the reversible potential of the ferric/ferrous couple based on the Nemst equation. Exchange current densities of the ferric/ferrous couple were obtained by extrapolating the cathodic linear Tafel line to the reversible potential and are on the order of 10-7·10-6 A/cm2 at 25°C and 10·6-10-5 A/cm2 at 70 °C, respectively. The transfer coefficients were about 0.35-0.38 at 25°C and 0.35-0.45 at 70 °C. Polarization plots of CPC and CPP under different nominal Fe3+/Fe2+ ratios are in good agreement at 25 ·c and at 70 °C. Based on the obtained exchange current densities, the rate constant k, was calculated and is on the order of 10-1 cm/s at 25 °C and 10 1 cm/s at 70 °C.IntroductionChalcopyrite is the most abundant copper mineral in nature, accounting for about 70% of copper reserves in the world [I]. In recent years, the metallurgical industry has been searching for a hydrometallurgical process as an alternative to pyrometallurgical treatment due to high emissions of S02 and capital costs associated with smelting. Activity in this area has increased recently due to some inherent advantages associated with hydrometallurgical processing, such as the possibility of treating low-grade ores (increasingly more abundant in the case of copper) and easier control of waste, with the attendant benefits to the environment [I]. Chalcopyrite is highly refractory under most hydrometallurgical conditions, owing to the formation of an anodic passivation layer on the chalcopyrite surface which renders the process kinetics very slow. Most of the currently proposed processes are based on sulfuric acid with ferric ions and/or dissolved oxygen as oxidants. Sulfuric acid is preferred over all other leaching reagents in terms of cost, environmental friendliness, and ease of its regeneration during electro-winning. Some of these processes have been piloted in attempts to implement these technologies on an industrial scale,"

Jan 1, 2012

By S. Bhattacharaya, S. Aich, B. K. Nandi

"At present scenario, there has been an increasing demand in the usage of blend coal in power sector; regardless of how, specific knowledge on burning and ignition characteristics and their interactive effects is stingy. In this work a detailed investigation was therefore taken up to study in detail the combustion characteristics of selected coal samples and their blends. Certain parameters were believed to have significant effects on combustion characteristics of individual coal and their blend. Major parameters identified for this purpose included proximate analysis, combustion conditions, heating rate, reaction regions, blending ratios, ignition condition, reactivity (or reaction rate) and burnout temperatures. With the help of these parameters, thermal features and reaction kinetics of the individual and blended samples were investigated through a qualitative and quantitative thermo-gravimetric analysis of two different individual coals and their blend carried out in an oxygen atmosphere from ambient to 800 0C at a constant heating rate of 10 K/min. A significant difference in terms of rate of mass loss with temperature correlated from Arrhenius expression along with coal-coal blend interactions and deviation from their expected behaviour, have been observed between the kinetics of individual and blend samples, the latter showing better ignition performance and comprehensive combustion phase. It was also found that particles having the lowest percentages of volatile matter and ash could possibly be blended with particles having high ash and volatile matter to meet the required burning condition which can be effective in terms of cost savings, improved fuel economy, reduced undesirable exhaust emissions and improved safety of coal burning equipment. Experimental results further indicated that individual samples and coal blend samples have different combustion features in terms of residue left, peak temperatures and activation energies. Thermodynamic activation parameters such as activation energy, pre-exponential factor and order of reaction were computed from the thermal data using the modified form of non-isothermal methods. INTRODUCTION Coal has been the most significant source of energy for India and would remain so at least for the next few decades. About 60-65% of the electricity produced in India is from coal fired power plants. Indian coal is of drift origin and of high ash content. Ash content of the coal burnt in power plants in India is in the range of 30-45%, most of it being Run-of-Mine coal. Most of the power plants in India source their coal from number of mines, most common being multiple sourcing. Usually coal from each source [1] is burnt separately. For various reasons mostly associated with logistics, burning of blended coal is rarely practiced. Blending of coal is practised mainly for improving the quality of available coal and meets the shortage of coal supply. Blending technique is generally practised in power industries to reduce the cost of power generation along with mitigating combustion performance or slagging problem ensuring consistency in as fired coal quality and also for environmental compliance. Blending good quality imported coal can improve coal quality and helps in preserving indigenous coal resources for longer period [2]. Use of blended coal shall reduce load on all boiler components (Mill, CHP, Boiler, AHP) & reduce O&M cost and increase the availability. The main purpose of blending is to get a blended as fired coal having ash, volatile matter and gross calorific value close to design coal and the two coals are to be blended in such ratio proportions that resultant coal blend have desired ash, volatile matter and gross calorific value [3]. For a coal to be blended certain parameters have to be considered to get compatibility with respect to combustibility ( Burn ability) of coal, grindability ( HGI), ash fusion behavior, swelling characteristics of coal, need to be checked"

Jan 1, 2017

By Walisson Silva Gomes

A injeção de carvão pulverizado pelas ventaneiras dos altos-fornos é um dos meios de redução de custos de produção do ferro gusa. Esta injeção deve ser de forma efetiva para evitar possíveis desperdícios de combustível. Esse trabalho teve como objetivo desenvolver uma metodologia de quantificação do teor de carbono na lama e no pó de coletor, gerados na limpeza de gás do alto-forno para auxiliar a avaliação da eficiência de queima do carvão injetado pelas ventaneiras e sua correlação com as variáveis de processo. Nenhuma norma especifica a quantificação de carbono na lama e no pó de coletor. Foram utilizadas duas técnicas de quantificação de carbono em carvão e coque utilizados na Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional, a Análise Imediata, baseadas na norma ASTM D 5142-09, e a Análise Elementar. Um estudo mais detalhado para investigar as possíveis interferências nesses métodos de análise, devido a diferença de resultados entre eles, foi utilizado Difração de Raio-X, associado ao método de Rietveld, e Analise Termogravimétrica de Calorimetria Exploratória Diferencial (TG-DSC). A partir dessas análises foi possível definir o melhor método para quantificação de carbono no pó de coletor e lama de alto-forno.

Aug 17, 2017

By George P. Hulst

Prior to 1914, there was little demand for antimony in this country; its use was limited almost entirely to the manufacture of type and bearing metals. Practically no antimony ore was mined here, the market being supplied principally from China, and the alloy was produced by a direct mixing of lead and antimony. The great world war, with its demand for shrapnel in hitherto undreamed of quantities, precipitated a great boom in the price of antimony. Nominally quoted at 6 c. to 7 c. in 1914, the price increased by leaps and bounds to 45 c. in March, 1916. Under the stimulus of high prices many small mines were opened, for it became profitable to work ores containing as low as 20 per cent. antimony. High-grade sulfide ores (stibnite), containing 55 per cent. to 60 per cent. antimony, were received from Bolivia, China, and Alaska. Low-grade sulfide ores, running from 20 per cent. to 45 per cent., were produced in Nevada, California, Idaho, Utah, and Mexico; much of this ore was fairly rich in silver. The principal oxide ores came from Mexico and Oregon. The following analyses are representative of various types of antimony ore: Sb Pb Cu AG AU SIO2 Be S CaO Zn As Oxide ore.......... 25.09 46.02 0.95 0.40 10.98 0.30 0.22 Sulfide ore......... 55.20 15.12 1.05 19.87 0.40 0.25 Sulfide ore......... 37.16 11.30 0.10 34.0 7.60 0.50 17.05 7.40 0.36 0.10 Sulfide ore......... 41.55 18.00 0.20 76.0 0.04 5.60 0.25 18.17 0.85 0.25 0.10 The International Lead Refining Co. fortunately was equipped to handle these ores through residue and blast furnaces. The charge consisted of a variety of sulfide ores containing Sb 20 to 60 per cent. and SiO2 6 to 45 per cent., oxide ores containing Sb 20 to 40 per cent. and SiO2 10 to 45 per cent. Secondary materials, such as battery plates, battery mud, lead oxide, paint, etc., together with refinery skims, softener skims, and other refinery byproducts, were treated along with the antimony ore to furnish the lead required. All silver-bearing antimony ores were treated in the residue furnace, the sulfur, iron, and copper forming matte that carried part of the silver, the balance going into lead bullion. The antimony slag produced was sufficiently low in silver to warrant being smelted in the blast furnace to antimonial lead.

Jan 1, 1921

By J. H. Swisher

The solubility of sulfur and rate of solution of sulfur in pure Lron were measured in H2S + H2 and H2S + H2 H2O gas mixtures. The solubility and diffusivity of sulfur at 1410°Care 0.13 pet S and 1.0 x 10-5 sq cm per sec, respectively. The solubility iS the same, but the rate of sulfurization is slower in the presence of H2O in the reacting gas. Under these conditions, the over-all rate is controlled jointly by a slow surface reaction and by solid-state diffusion; the mechanism for the surface reaction has not been identified. KNOWLEDGE of the behavior of sulfur in solid iron is desirable for the metallurgy of such products as free machining steel, where a high sulfur level is required, and inclusion-free high-strength steels, where the sulfur specifications are very low. The present investigation was undertaken to check previously reported values for sulfur solubility and diffusivity in 6 iron, and to study the poisoning effect of chemisorbed oxygen on sulfurization kinetics in H2-H2S-H2O gas mixtures. All of the experiments were performed at 1410°C. The thermodynamic behavior of sulfur in 6 iron was the subject of a paper by Rosenqvist and Dunicz.' The sulfur solubility at 1400" and 1500°C was determined by equilibrating pure iron specimens with H2-H2S gas mixtures. The maximum solubility of sulfur in 6 iron was alsc determined by Barloga, Bock, and parlee2 by reacting iron wires with sulfur in sealed capsules. In another investigation, the diffusion coefficient of sulfur in 6 iron at temperatures up to 1450°C was measured by Seibel.3 The method used was to measure sulfur concentration profiles in diffusion couples containing radioactive sulfur EXPERIMENTAL Apparatus. A vertical resistance furnace wound with molybdenum wire and containing a recrystallized alumina reaction rube was used for the experiments. The hot zone in the furnace was approximately 2 in. long with a temperature variation of ±3oC. The hot zone temperature was automatically controlled to within ±2°C, and the test temperature was measured with a pt/Pt-10 pet Rh thermocouple before and after each experiment. Flow rates of the reacting gases were obtained using capillary flow meters. Materials. The source of H2S in the gas train was a premixed cylinder containing 5 pet H2S in H2. This mixture then was diluted with additional hydrogen and argon. In some experiments, water vapor was introduced by passing hydrogen and argon through a column containing 10 pet anhydrous oxalic acid and 90 pet oxalic acid dihydrate. The vapor pressure of water above this mixture is well-known.4 Argon was used as a diluent to minimize thermal segregation of H2S in the furnace5 and to reach higher H2O:H2 ratios than could be obtained in mixtures of H2 and H2S alone. Argon was purified by passage over copper chips at 350°C and subsequently over anhydrone. Hydrogen was purified by passage over platinized asbestos at 450°C and then over anhydrone. The H2-H2S mixture was purified by passage over platinized asbestos and then over P2O5. The specimen stock was made by melting and vacuum-carbon deoxidizing electrolytic "Plastiron" in a zirconia crucible. The principal impurities are listed in Table I. In some of the equilibrium experiments, six-pass zone-refined iron was used to minimize impurity side effects. This zone-refined iron had a total impurity level of about 25 ppm. Procedure. Specimens were annealed in hydrogen for a period of at least 2 hr at the beginning of each experiment. The specimens were held in the reacting gas for times varying between 10 min and 17 hr, and cooled to room temperature in a water-cooled stainless-steel block at the bottom of the furnace. The pH2S/pH2 ratios reported are those for gas equilibrium at 1410°C. Calculations based on available thermodynamic data8 showed that the only other gaseous8 species that formed in significant amounts in the furnace were S2 and S. Even when water vapor was introduced into the gas mixture, the concentrations of SO2, SO, and so forth, were negligible. The initial partial pressure of H2S was therefore corrected for its partial dissociation to S2 and S in determining the equi-

Jan 1, 1968

By Brian J. Gorva

The key objective of forming a cartel is to increase profits to members of the cartel by taking the following action: a) control output; and b) control price. However, while attempting to obtain monopoly profits the cartel members have to contend with costs associated with cartelization and such costs include the following: political costs; the cost of coordinating output and price; organizational costs (such as cheating); and administrative costs (such as the cost of attending cartel meetings). The objective of commodity exchanges is to provide an open, free market where buyers and sellers may openly complete transactions and pricing information can be immediately disseminated. These transactions include the following: a) to provide facilities for "hedging", or transferring price risk from buyers and sellers of physical commodities to "speculators" through the medium of buying and selling futures contracts, and b) taking physical delivery of metal on due dates.

Jan 1, 1983

By F. P. A. Robinson, C. R. Thomas

Stress-corrosion studies on materials used for surgical implants * by C. R. THOMAS and F. P. A. ROBINSON Samples of Vitallium (a cobalt-chromium alloy), 316L stainless steel, and titanium T318 were subjected to the boiling magnesium chloride test so thattheir susceptibility to stress-corrosion cracking could be determined, and their behaviour under service conditions was then assessed. Stress-corrosion cracking was confined to the stainless-steel samples, while gross pitting was detected in the samples of forged Vitallium. It was concluded that the use of stainless steel should be avoided for long-term surgical implants. Surface imperfections on the stainless steel are generally the cause of pitting, from which stress-corrosion cracks are sometimes propagated.

Jan 11, 1976

By O. H. Metzger

This is the second of two papers dealing with the construction and use of aerial tramways in the metal-mining industry. The first paper3/described aerial tramways in a general way and discussed the engineering principles used in tramway design. The purpose of this paper is to give a more detailed description of equipment and material rind to discuss construction and operating costs. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The paper is based largely on data from actual operations. Metal-mine operators from many parts of the United States, Canada, Alaska, and Mexico contributed liberally.

Jan 1, 1940

By P. Martinez, A. F. Hoyte, F. E. Senftle

The possibility of applying a neutron activation technique for silver exploration is considered. A mobile positive-ion accelerator type neutron source is used to irradiate a small area of rock or soil in situ. By using a short period of irradiation and gamma ray spectral analysis, a technique is shown for silver exploration. Two different mobile units are described. Laboratory and preliminary field tests both indicate that a sensitivity of less than 1 oz of silver per ton of ore can be achieved. The increasing consumption of silver for industrial uses and also for coinage has caused a serious shortage of silver in this country. The silver shortage has been reviewed and analyzed by kiilsgaard1 who concludes that, "The best hope for meeting future demands for silver is through accelerated exploration for precious ores." As almost all the exposed "bonanza" type silver deposits evidently have been found, it is urgent that some sensitive geophysical technique be found to detect large, extended, but generally low-grade, secondary ores, as well as hidden vein deposits. Silver is easily made radioactive by exposure to slow neutrons; hence a neutron activation method appears promising for locating silver deposits. The principles of mineral beneficiation using neutron activation techniques were discussed some years ago.2-4 Using the same approach, a preliminary description5 has been published of neutron activation as a mineral exploration tool. An exploration technique is described in which silver is made radioactive in situ and detected with a gamma radiation counter. The technique is similar to the well-known method used for uranium exploration. THEORETICAL CONSIDERATIONS Elemental silver consists of two isotopes, Ag107 and Ag109, having naturally occurring isotopic abundances of 51.4% and 48.6%, respectively. For short periods of irradiation of silver by thermal neutrons, the long-lived 250 day, half-life isotope, Ag110m, is not produced in significant quantities. However, significant quantities of 2.3 min half-life Ag108 and 24.5 sec half-life Agl10 are formed by the following reactions. Ag108 and Agl10 emit a 0.44 Mev (million electron volts) and a 0.66 Mev gamma ray, respectively. Ag107 + n + Ag108 (2.3 min) Ag109 + n + Ag110 (24.5 sec). Because of the large capture cross section (110 barns) of Ag109, and short half-life of Ag110 (24.5 sec), the 0.66-Mev gamma ray is the most prominent emission from silver for neutron activation periods of about a minute's duration.* The 0.44-Mev gamma ray from Ag108 will also be present, but will be one or two orders of magnitude lower in intensity. The decay scheme of Ag110 is shown in Fig. 1. If the neutron irradiation time is limited to about 100 sec, the Ag110 activity will essentially reach saturation and can be used to detect the presence of silver. In a neutron flux of 10 8 neutrons/cm2/set, the induced 0.66-Mev activity in 1 g of silver will be about 2 x 107 disintegrations per sec. This is about 1000 times the measurable gamma activity of 1 g of uranium in equilibrium with all its decay products; hence there is ample activity for detection. Under the same conditions of activation, most of the other elements do not reach this relatively high disintegration rate. Although this is in favor of the proposed technique, other problems must be considered. For mobile operation, it is desirable to obtain the largest neutron flux to weight ratio. Hence we have used a small 150-kev accelerator-type neutron source rather than an isotopic source such as an americium-beryllium neutron source. By use of remote control system, an accelerator-type neutron source can be safely used without the massive shield required for an isotopic source. Moreover, an accelerator-type source is more versatile in that it allows one to use a flux of either 14-Mev or 3-Mev neutrons, depending on whether a tritium or a deuterium target is used. With a 14-Mev generator, one can obtain a flux of 10 9 neutrons/cm 2/sec, and with a 3-Mev generator, the flux is generally two orders of magnitude less. Although silver will become activated with either generator using proper moderation, detection may be

Jan 1, 1968

By G. L. Oldright

THE development of the reverberatory furnace for smelting copper ores up to 1912 was described by E. P. Mathewson1 with details concerning the great changes in dimensions of the furnace. Hayward2 tabulated similar data, giving developments up to about 1924, in his revision of Hofman's Metallurgy of Copper. DEVELOPMENT OF PRESENT SMELTING PRACTICE Dimensions of Furnace Very great changes were made in the dimensions of the smelting hearths of the furnaces in the period from about 1800 to 1906, the length increasing from about 11 to 116 ft., and the width from 8 to 19 ft. During this time the tonnage smelted increased from about 9 to 250 tons per 24 hr., and the tons of charge smelted per ton of coal increased from 0.77 to 4.3. Dr. Mathewson3 noted no great difference in the "fuel ratio" (i. e., the amount of charge smelted per ton of coal) as the furnace at Anaconda was increased in length by stages from 85 to 116 ft. (The percentage of copper in the slag, however, was lowered from 0.42 to 0.36 per cent. The other components of the slag were not given.) Lump coal fired on grates was the fuel used during this period. The practice in operating the furnaces over such a length of time naturally varied considerably, and there were differences in composition and nature of the charge, yet it may be considered that the improvements made were due largely to increases in the size of the furnace used. Doubt-less some credit should be given to improvements in operating technique, like changes in the methods of firing the lump coal. However, the greater part of the advance was probably due to factors influencing the

Jan 1, 1928

By H. Conrad, K. Jung

"The effect of an external electric field E=5(+) kV/cm applied during the solution heat treatment at 500°-550°C of three commercial Al-Mg-Si alloys (AA6061, AA6022 and AA61l1) on the asquenched resistivity Pw and hardness H.,NULL, w was investigated. It was found that the field gave a significant increase in Pw and in Hv,w, for AA6022 and AA6111, but had no clear effect on AA6061. Thermodynamic analysis gave that the effect of the field on AA6022 and AA6111 was to reduce both the enthalpy ?H, and entropy ?H, of solution. Considering the chemical composition of the three alloys it appears that the influence of the field may depend on the amount of Cu plus excess Si present in the alloy.IntroductionKlypin and Soloviev [1, 2] were the first to report that the application of an external electric field during solution heat treatment (SHT) of Al alloys gave an increase in the as-quenched resistivity and hardness. They attributed these effects of the field to an increase in solubility of the alloying constituents during the SHT. More recently Liu and coworkers [3, 4] also reported an increase in the as-quenched resistivity of Al-Li alloys with application of an electric field during SHT. Further, the present authors [5] found that the application of an electric field during the SHT of the commercial Al-Mg-Si alloys AA6022 and AA61i1 increased their as-quenched resistivity and hardness. Their thermodynamic analysis of the results indicated that the field decreased both the enthalpy ?H, and entropy ?S, of solution."

Jan 1, 2004

By E. J. Haas

DISCLAIMER The findings and conclusions in this paper are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Reference to specific brand names does not imply endorsement by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. ABSTRACT Leadership is a critical component to an organization’s safety culture and influences the ways that health and safety is enacted on site. Therefore, it is not surprising that improving leadership will also improve safety. Worker perceptions of management practices are shaped through unique leader-employee interactions over time. However, few details are known about the communicative support (i.e., emotional, informational, and tangible) offered by supervisors and its impact on miners’ perceptions and performance. Using pre and post-interview data with 20 supervisors and 48 workers during six-week interventions, researchers identified positive and negative instances of supervisor support and its implications on worker performance. This paper highlights the common support tactics offered by supervisors and desired by workers to help practitioners identify ways to improve their safety culture and subsequently, the proactivity and compliance of their workforce. INTRODUCTION Supervisory leadership is a critical component to the effective implementation of an organization’s health and safety management system (HSMS). Specifically, supervisors serve as representatives of an organization and their actions are indicative of the organization’s safety culture (Eisenberger et al. 1986). Senior management has been shown to serve as a frame of reference for guiding safe behaviors in the workplace (Mearns et al. 1998) and, more recently, research has related supervisory enforcement to workers’ safety compliance (Petitta et al., 2017). Therefore, it is not surprising that by improving leadership, perceptions of management and subsequent safety outcomes are likely to improve as well (Zohar, 2002). Perceptions of management are shaped through unique leader-employee interactions over a period of time (Hofmann and Morgeson, 2004, 1999). How these unique interactions impact worker performance, however, remains unexamined. As a result, understanding how supervisor-employee relationships operate in high-risk environments is unclear (Mirza and Isha, 2017; Denis et al., 2010). A starting point to better recognize the idiosyncrasies of these relationships is by way of examining the communicative support offered by front-line management and received by industry workers. To this end, this paper uses pre- and post-interview data to study the communicative aspects of supervisor-employee interactions at mine sites. The analysis uses a social support framework to identify positive and negative instances of supportive communication. From interview data with 20 managers and 48 mineworkers, data emerged that shows how supervisors’ unique types of support contribute to workers’ perceptions, motivation, and follow-through of safe work behavior.

Jan 1, 2019

By George Hulst

PRIOR to 1914, there was little demand for antimony in this country; its use was limited almost entirely to the manufacture of type and bearing metals. Practically no antimony ore was mined here, the market being supplied principally from China, and the alloy was produced by a direct mixing of lead and antimony. The great world war, with its demand for shrapnel in hitherto undreamed of quantities, precipitated a great boom in the price of antimony. Nominally quoted at 6 c. to 7 c. in 1914, the price increased by leaps and bounds to 45 c. in March, 1916. Under the stimulus of high prices many shall mines were opened, for it became profitable to work ores containing as low as 20 percent. antimony. High-grade sulfide ores (stibnite), containing 55 per cent. to 60 per cent. antimony, were received from Bolivia, China, and Alaska. Low-grade sulfide ores, running from 20 per cent. to 45 per cent., were produced in Nevada, California, Idaho, Utah, and Mexico; much of this ore was fairly rich in silver. The principal oxide ores came from Mexico and Oregon. The following analyses are representative of various types of antimony ore: Se Pn Cu Ao Au SIC), Fe S CAO ZN As Oxide Ore 25.09 46.02 0.95 0.40 10.98 0.30 0.22 Sulfide ore 5.5.20. 15.12 1.05 19.87 ? 0.40 0.25 Sulfide Ore 37.16 11.30 0.10 34.0 7.60 0.50 17.05 7.40 0.36 0.10 Sulfide Ore 41.55 15.00 0.20 76.0 0.04 5.60 0.25 18.17 0.85 0.25 0.10 The International Lead Refining Co. fortunately was equipped to handle these ores through residue and blast furnaces. The charge consisted of a variety of sulfide ores containing Sb 20 to 60 per cent. and Si02 6 to 45 per cent., oxide ores containing Sb 20 to 40 per cent. and SiO2 10 to 45 per cent. Secondary materials, such as battery plates, battery mud, lead oxide, paint, etc., together with refinery skims, softener skims, and other refinery byproducts, were treated along with the antimony ore to furnish the lead required. All silver-bearing antimony ores were treated in the residue furnace, the sulfur, iron, and copper forming matte that carried part of the silver, the balance going into lead bullion. The

Jan 9, 1919

By Rodney G. Orr, Phil Robertshaw, Roland Loewer, Klau Lehnert-Thiel

This paper documents the 1988 discovery and subsequent evaluation (to 1991) of diamond bearing kimberlites in the Fort à la Corne area, Saskatchewan, by Uranerz Exploration and Mining Limited. Cameco Corporation began participating as a joint venture partner (50%) in mid-1989. The first indications that kimberlite-type intrusions might exist in the area carne from Geological Survey of Canada aeromagnetic maps. Because of the overburden thickness (over 100 m), magnetometer surveys continue to be the main exploration tool in defining pipe locations and sizes. Magnetometer surveys in varying levels of detail have outlined one main cluster and two sub-clusters, the main group being some 10 km by 50 km in size. In excess of 70 individual targets have been interpreted from the magnetics as probably representing kimberlites. The size range of the individual magnetically-defined bodies is between 1 ha and 74 ha. Proof that the magnetic anomalies were kimberlite intrusions carne in 1989 when each of seven test holes, all drilled on different targets, intersected the potential diamond host rock. The majority of the targets tested were diamond-bearing, with the indicator mineral chemistries suggesting that both peridotitic and ecIogitic diamond parageneses could be expected. To date, 18 individual kimberlite bodies have been drill-tested. A total of 39 bulk samples, amounting to 186 t (representing 360 t of theoretical sample recoveries) were processed in 1990 and 1991. One hundred and sixty diamonds were recovered, averaging 0.04 carats in weight, the largest being 0.6 carats. Most of the bulk sample grades are less than 2 carats/loo t; only three bulk samples have higher grades, the best being approximately 10.5 carats/l00 1. The diamonds are predominantly gem-quality stones.

Jan 1, 1992

By E. W. Davis

On the eastern end of the Mesabi Range, in Northern Minnesota, is a large formation of siliceous rock which contains bands and fine grains of magnetite. The magnetite comprises about 35 per cent. of the rock, the remainder being chiefly quartzite and iron silicates. The rock has a specific gravity of 3.4, a hardness of 7, and is extremely tough. This large deposit was located early in the history of the Minnesota iron-ore industry but has not been utilized because of its low percentage of iron as compared with the other Mesabi ores, and because of the difficulty and expense of any milling treatment that would concentrate the iron. An investigation, begun about 3 years ago, shows that the magnetit,e is finely disseminated throughout the entire formation and that there are bands or lenses of higher- and of lower-grade material, in which the magnetite and silicate are intimately mixed. As a result, the scheme of milling adopted must include a fine-crushing plant. As it is necessary to crush to 200 mesh in order to produce the desired grade of product, the fine crushing is one of the largest items of expense and for this reason has been given detailed study. It is the purpose of this paper to present some of the results of the work on fine crushing, as to both theory and practice. Previous to fine crushing the part of the rock that contains little or no magnetite can be discarded by magnetic concentrators after each reduction in size in the dry-crushing plant. This-makes it possible to fine-crush a minimum of rock and also establishes the feed to the ball-mill as below % in. The fine-crushing problem, then, consists simply in crushing the rock from 1/4 in. to 200 mesh at the minimum expense. Equipment of the Testing Plant In order to determine, among other things, the operating conditions of the ball-mill when working on this rock, a test mill of about 300 T. daily capacity was erected at Duluth, Minn. The fine-crushing plant contains a Hardinge 8-ft. by 22-in. (2.4-m. by 55.8-cm.) conical mill, a 6- by 27-ft. (1.8 by 8.2-m.) Dorr duplex bowl-type classifier, a 41/2-ft. (1.37-m.) standard Akins classifier, and the auxiliary machinery necessary to handle the products. Each machine is driven by an individual motor, each of which is provided with meters for measuring the power required. Over 150 tests have been made in the ball-mill, varying in

Jan 1, 1920

By Zay Jeffries

Rearmament superimposed on buying sprees by the public, caused a general shortage of metals in 1911. and the rare metals were no exception; they also shared with the more common metals the uncertainty of future demand. In general, the apparent undersupply of metals is a favorable condition for the realization of sleeping possibilities of the rare metals, especially if the supply can he made sufficient to take care of the possible new demand. Many changes in metal usage in 1941 were forced because of shortages. When such changes are in the direction of the economic trend there is a speeding up in the tempo of the inevitable change, but when the forced changes are against the economic trend they are likely to be shortlived. In any event, the latter is not a solid foundation on which to build a future business.

Jan 1, 1942

By Kevin Schraden, Andrea Pezzi

environmental and social/political changes the world is currently experiencing. Three of major challenges facing the mining industry today are: water scarcity, unpredictable weather conditions that generate a risk of tailings dam failures as well as the correlating social pressure and government regulations that prevent the development of new or expanded tailings dam projects. It is estimated the total number of active, inactive and closed storage facilities globally is over 8,500 containing over 217 km3 of tailings (46% are from copper mining)1 which at some point will need to be addressed. Technologically, there are several solutions for tailings management, including conventional ponds, thickened tails, paste backfill and filtered dry stack tailings. The use of pressure filters, for tailings dewatering is currently being evaluated and often selected as the preferred technology where dry stacking is the chosen solution for residue disposal. This is mainly due to the pressure filters ability and flexibility to address and achieve the current challenging aspects of tailings processing including: • Extremely high capacities of >80,000 dry tons/day • Lower ore grades which require finer grinding and result in a higher amount fine fractions and clay content • Residual moisture targets required for the geotechnical specifications for dry stacking

Feb 1, 2024