Search Documents

By Tim B. Vander Wood

Standard methods of determining clay mineral powder aspect ratios involve manual scanning electron microscopy analyses of shadowed particles in order to measure both platelet thickness and diameter. We present a method whereby the diameters of platelets are quickly determined by automated scanning electron microscopy and their images are recorded and digitally transferred to a transmission electron microscope equipped for parallel electron energy loss spectroscopy. Thickness' of platelets whose diameters are known from the previous analyses are determined by measurement of the ratio of scattered and unscattered electrons in the beam after it has been transmitted through the platelet.

Jan 1, 1995

By Glenn S. Wyman

CHUQUICAMATA, located in northern Chile in the Province of Antofagasta, is on the western slope of the Andes at an elevation of 9500 ft. Because of its position on the eastern edge of the Atacama Desert, the climate is extremely arid with practically no precipitation, either rain or snow. All primary blasting in the open-pit mine at Chuquicamata is done by the churn drill, blasthole method. Since 1915; when the first tonnages of importance were removed from the open pit, there have been many changes in the blasting practice, but no clear-cut rules of method and procedure have been devised for application to the mine as a whole. One general fact stands out: both the ore and waste rock at Chuquicamata are difficult to break satisfactorily for the most efficient operation of power shovels. Numerous experiments have been made in an effort to improve the breakage and thereby increase the shovel efficiency. Holes of different diameter have been drilled, the length of toe and spacing of holes have been varied, and several types of explosives have been used. Early blasting was done by the tunnel method. The banks were high, generally 30 m, requiring the use of large charges of black powder, detonated by electric blasting caps: Large tonnages were broken at comparatively low cost, but the method left such a large proportion of oversize material for secondary blasting that satisfactory shovel operation was practically impossible: Railroad-type steam and electric shovels then in service proved unequal to the task of efficiently handling the large proportion of oversize material produced. The clean-up of high banks proved to be dangerous and expensive as large quantities of explosive were consumed in dressing these banks, and from time to time the shovels were damaged by rock slides. As early as 1923 the high benches were divided, and a standard height of 12 m was selected for the development of new benches. The recently acquired Bucyrus-Erie 550-B shovel, with its greater radius of operation compared to the Bucyrus-Erie 320-B formerly used for bench development, allowed the bench height to be increased to 16 m. Churn drill, blasthole shooting proved to be successful, and tunnel blasts were limited to certain locations where development existed or natural ground conditions made the method more attractive than the use of churn-drill holes. Liquid oxygen explosive and black powder were used along with dynamite of various grades in blasthole loading up to early 1937. Liquid oxygen and black powder were discontinued because they were more difficult to handle due to their sensitivity to fire or sparks in the extremely dry climate. At present ammonium nitrate dynamite is favored because of its superior handling qualities and its adaptability to the dry condition found in 90 pct of the mine. In wet holes, which are found only in the lowest bench of the pit and account for the remaining 10 pct of the ground to be broken, Nitramon in 8x24-in. cans, or ammonium nitrate dynamite packed in 8x24-in. paper cartridges, is being used. This latter explosive, which is protected by a special antiwetting agent that makes the cartridges resistant to water for about 24 hr, currently is considered the best available for the work and is preferred over Nitramon. Early churn drill hole shots detonated' by electric blasting caps, one in each hole, gave trouble because of misfires caused by the improper balance of resistance in the electrical circuits. Primarily, it was of vital importance to effect an absolute balance of resistance in these circuits, the undertaking and completion of which invariably caused delays in the shooting schedule. Misfires resulting from the improper balance of electrical circuits, or from any other cause, were extremely hazardous, since holes had to be unloaded or fired by the insertion of another detonator. The advent of cordeau, later followed by primacord, corrected this particular difficulty and therefore reduced the possibility of missed holes. After much experimentation, the blasting practice evolved into single row, multihole shots, with the holes spaced 4.5 to 5 m center to center in a row 7.5 to 8 m back from the toe. Such shots were fired from either end .by electric blasting caps attached to the main trunk lines of cordeau or primacord. The detonating speed of cordeau or primacord gave the practical effect of firing all holes instantaneously. Double row and multirow blasts, fired instantaneously with cordeau or primacord, proved to be unsatisfactory in the type of rock found at Chuquica-

Jan 1, 1952

By Leonard Sugin

The requirements of today's and tomorrow's markets led to a new generation of facilities which handles large tonnages annually, loading them into larger vessels, at higher rates, efficiently and reliably, with minimum labor input, and significantly greater attention to the environment. A great variety of products are handled, including various grades of metallurgical and steaming coal, coke, iron ore in its many forms, shapes and moisture content, phosphates and fertilizer products, bauxite and alumina ores, limestone, sugar and grains, cement and many other products. When we examine the annual tonnages involved in these movements the economic value of handling these products on a bulk basis can be readily seen. Although nearly all these products have been handled by continuous bulk conveyors for many years, recent governmental response to environmental concerns require a re-evaluation of previous procedures. Most air pollution and emission control regulations and ordinances have recognized several specific sources of pollution. Detailed regulations and requirements have been developed concerning smoke emissions, emissions of visible air contaminants and particulate matter from power plants, heating plants, refuse burning equipment, coke ovens, steel furnaces, kilns, and other industrial installations. Although fugitive dust is also an environmental pollutant it is governed by regulations that are more general and therefore, more difficult to apply. A general definition of a "fugitive particle" is any matter which escapes or becomes airborne from an operation or which is emitted into the atmosphere without passing or being conducted through a flue, pipe, stack or other structure designed for the purpose of emitting air pollutants into the atmosphere. This paper deals with the aspects of fugitive dust emissions as they apply to shiploading. Fugitive dust emissions control is important not only because of environmental regulations but also to prevent the loss of valuable product, reduce housekeeping, and reduce breakdown and maintenance problems to land and vessel equipment. The environmental controls for a belt conveyor system are those which will restrict the emission of fugitive dust particles and can be considered as follows:

Jan 1, 1977

By D. Van Winkle, C. Zener, H. Nielsen

THe internal friction of metals has been studied frequently at elevated temperatures.1-4 In most cases it rises rapidly with increasing temperature. The notable exceptions are ferromagnetic materials, and lead.2 This paper describes an investigation of the general features of the high-temperature internal friction of 70-30 alpha brass. Experimental Method The internal friction of a metal is a measure of the rate at which it dissipates energy of vibration. The measure adopted here, I/Q, is (I/2p) times the specific damping capacity, a measure commonly used by engineers. In the measurements of this investigation, the stress level was kept so low that the observations were independent of the stress, The general method of making such measurements, and of observing temperature of a specimen during a measurement, has been described.5.6 The driver and detector coils were wound with wire insulated with glass thread, in order to withstand the high temperatures used. In previous work electrical eddy currents in the specimen served as the coupling between the mechanical vibration of the specimen and the electrical circuits of the driver and detector. The high values of the internal friction in the present investigation rendered this coupling insufficient. In order to increase this coupling, pole pieces cut from ordinary telephone diaphragms were attached to the specimen. A mixture of French chalk and water glass proved a satisfactory cement. All measurements were made at the fundamental frequency for transverse vibration, which lay between 600 and goo cycles per second. Specimens The measurements described herein were made upon a single cylindrical rod of brass, kindly furnished by Dr. Cyril Stanley Smith, of the American Brass Co. This rod was the specimen E of the set of alpha-brass rods described in an earlier paper.6 Successively larger grain sizes were obtained by annealing at .successively higher temperatures. A slice was cut off one end after each set of measurements. Grain counts were made on each slice by W. E. Lindlief, of the American Brass Co. Nine fields were viewed on each piece, located as shown in Fig. I. Results are given in Table I. The grain size is defined in the usual way; namely, Grain size = I/n1/2 where n is the mean number of grains per square millimeter. Experimental Results This paper is concerned exclusively with the part of the internal friction that be. comes dominant at high temperatures. It is thus desirable to separate this part of the internal friction from the part that is

Jan 1, 1942

By C. Zener, H. Nielsen, D. Van Winkle

THe internal friction of metals has been studied frequently at elevated temperatures.1-4 In most cases it rises rapidly with increasing temperature. The notable exceptions are ferromagnetic materials, and lead.2 This paper describes an investigation of the general features of the high-temperature internal friction of 70-30 alpha brass. Experimental Method The internal friction of a metal is a measure of the rate at which it dissipates energy of vibration. The measure adopted here, I/Q, is (I/2p) times the specific damping capacity, a measure commonly used by engineers. In the measurements of this investigation, the stress level was kept so low that the observations were independent of the stress, The general method of making such measurements, and of observing temperature of a specimen during a measurement, has been described.5.6 The driver and detector coils were wound with wire insulated with glass thread, in order to withstand the high temperatures used. In previous work electrical eddy currents in the specimen served as the coupling between the mechanical vibration of the specimen and the electrical circuits of the driver and detector. The high values of the internal friction in the present investigation rendered this coupling insufficient. In order to increase this coupling, pole pieces cut from ordinary telephone diaphragms were attached to the specimen. A mixture of French chalk and water glass proved a satisfactory cement. All measurements were made at the fundamental frequency for transverse vibration, which lay between 600 and goo cycles per second. Specimens The measurements described herein were made upon a single cylindrical rod of brass, kindly furnished by Dr. Cyril Stanley Smith, of the American Brass Co. This rod was the specimen E of the set of alpha-brass rods described in an earlier paper.6 Successively larger grain sizes were obtained by annealing at .successively higher temperatures. A slice was cut off one end after each set of measurements. Grain counts were made on each slice by W. E. Lindlief, of the American Brass Co. Nine fields were viewed on each piece, located as shown in Fig. I. Results are given in Table I. The grain size is defined in the usual way; namely, Grain size = I/n1/2 where n is the mean number of grains per square millimeter. Experimental Results This paper is concerned exclusively with the part of the internal friction that be. comes dominant at high temperatures. It is thus desirable to separate this part of the internal friction from the part that is

Jan 1, 1942

By D. W. Mitchell

J. H. Schlobohm (Joy Manufacturing Co., New York) —This paper has been read with a good deal of interest; however, there are several salient features which Mr. Mitchell has overlooked. The initial emphasis on selection should be placed on type of material to be loaded and method of mining involved. There is no possible connection in the comparison of scraper or Joy Lohite loaders with loaders of any other type. Neither can an operating comparison be made between "Rocker type" loaders and those equipped with loading head and gathering arms. Each unit has its application, but the application depends on material and the mining system involved. Mr. Mitchell's compilation of data on various loaders, while it represents a great many facts, does not represent true operational data, i.e. Table I, column heading "Max. Rated Capacity for 7 hr;" these figures are meaningless inasmuch as little or no time at all is allowed for tramming or switching or moving the loader from place to place. Table I, column heading, "Best Reported Field Shift," would be a better source of operational data, assuming of course that conditions, applicable to each class of loaders, were average to avoid enthusiastic performance figures. Table I, column heading, "Repair Parts Cost per Ton," is still another item which will not stand up under comparison unless the loaders involved are put into type classes, i.e., there are simply no means possible to show the repair costs of scraper loading versus a caterpillar mounted loader in abrasive material. The source of information here is also important. Actual field tests have proved that these costs are of a constant nature. Manufacturers are striving to hold them to a minimum and many interesting studies have been made. A fairly recent example of this in a large United States gold producer has proved that Joy HL-3 loaders can be consistently average, less than $0.025 per ton mucked. This cost represents repair labor and parts over a two year

Jan 1, 1952

By A. E. Jenkins, L. A. Baker, N. A. Warner

The electromagnetic levitation technique has been successfully applied to rate studies of the de-carburization of liquid Fe-C alloys from 5.5 to zero pct C at 1660°C using gas mixtures containing 1 to 100 pct CO2 with CO or helium as diluents. The rate was shown to be independent of carbon concen -tration in the melt and only slightly affected by total pressure. The results were shown to be consistent with control either wholly or predominantly by gaseous diffusion. As well as avoiding side reactions with the crucible, levitation allowed precise calculation of reaction rates since the geometry of the system was accurately known. It also enabled interpretation using the established mass-transfer correlations for a gas flowing past a single sphere, The existence of gaseous-diffusion control and the extremely high rates of reaction reported for gas flowing past small spheres are of great practical significance in relation to current investigations into the use of spray-refining techniques in continzcous steelmaking. PREVIOUS work on the kinetics of carbon removal from liquid iron has generally involved the use of oxygen as the gaseous oxidant. Investigations have been made on commercial steelmaking furnaces and in addition laboratory-scale experiments have been attempted with a slag phase present. The general lack of agreement and the obvious difficulty in interpreting the results is at least partly due to the complexity of the systems used. This work has been reviewed by carter1 and more recently by Bods-worth2 and ward.3 The gas-liquid metal reactions have also been studied with slag-free melts by the conventional technique of blowing oxygen onto the melt contained in a crucible. The reaction between the oxidant and carbon could be followed by sampling either the melt or the gas phase. Side reactions with the crucible material have precluded direct interpretation of the results. Fujii, 5-7 using O-A mixtures, attempted to correct for the crucible reaction and reported that the reaction between carban and oxygen occurred at the melt surface and was controlled by gaseous diffusion for carbon contents greater than a critical value and by carbon-diffusion control in the metal for carbon contents less than the critical. The critical value was given as approximately 0.15 pct C. However, whereas this was the case for oxygen contents in the gas stream up to 10 pct, between 10 and 20 pct the rate was found to be approximately independent of oxygen content, and Fujii attempted to explain this observation by postulating the presence of an oxide "film".7 Turkdogan et a1.' have studied iron fuming during decarburizing and suggested gaseous-diffusion control of the reaction above a critical carbon concentration, given as approximately 2 pct C. Filippov9-12 reports in a similar manner to Fujii but makes no mention of the crucible reaction with the carbon in the melt, even though this would be expected with the temperature, crucible material (MgO), and carbon contents used. Both CO2 and O2 were used as oxidant gases. In the present work the decarburization of liquid Fe-C alloys was studied using an adaptation of the electromagnetic levitation technique, and thus the complexities introduced by crucible side reactions were eliminated. In this technique a single sphere of the Fe-C alloy is freely suspended and heated by electromagnetic induction in a flowing stream containing the oxidant gas. The full range of carbon levels up to saturation was studied, the temperature of the melts in this instance being held constant at 1660°C. The oxidant was CO2 which was used either pure or in association with a diluent gas, the total gas pressure being maintained either at 1 atm or at a reduced pressure. Thus the reaction under study was:

Jan 1, 1964

By Clinton Birch

The multiple-criteria decision analysis is a technique that helps to find an optimal solution by evaluating conflicting criteria. In this study, an approach to perform multiple-criteria decision analysis for cut-off grade optimization, which considers the diverse stakeholder groups prevalent in the mining industry, is presented. The optimization model developed in this approach links the resource block model to the financial model, enabling the process to either maximize profit, net present value, revenue to the State, or extend the mine's life. To identify the optimal cut-off grade in each case, the Excel Solver function is utilized. Although it has limitations, the Solver function can still be modified to handle models with thousands of block values for determining input variables based on the target value. Following stakeholder engagement and dialogue, a single weighted average cut-off grade can then be determined. This approach is demonstrated for nine South African Witwatersrand gold mines.

Jun 25, 2023

By P. T. Brooks

The selective recovery of nickel and cobalt from impure raw materials is being investigated by the Bureau of Mines as part of a program to develop improved procedures for preparation of pure metals. A combination solvent extraction-electrolytic process has been developed in the laboratory that enables preparation of high-quality nickel and cobalt from nickel oxide containing, in percent, 76 nickel, 0.8 cobalt, 0.5 magnesium, 0.2 iron, and lesser quantities of copper, zinc, and other metals. The oxide was smelted, using carbon as reductant, and cast into anodes. These anodes subsequently were dissolved in diaphragm-type electrolytic cells. Nickel and cobalt were deposited separately from appropriate electrolytes, concurrent with dissolution of the impure anodes. Anolyte containing nickel and cobalt in the form of chlorides and sulfates was treated for removal of impurities and separation of nickel and cobalt. First, iron and aluminum were removed as hydroxides by adding nickel hydroxide to raise the pH of the anolyte from 2.3 to 4.5. Next, the pH was adjusted to 2 by adding hydrochloric acid, and the solution was treated by solvent extraction to separate nickel and cobalt.

Jan 1, 1963

By E. Miller, N. Chou, K. Komarek

The solid solubilities of the compounds PbS, PbSe, and PbTe have been determined by equilibrating single crystals with two phase alloys. The solubilities were determined by measuring the Hall coefficient of the equilibrated samples. The observed maximum deviations from stoichiometry on the lead rich and the chalcogen-rich side of the phase fields were: at. pct excess Pb at pct excess S at 850°C; PbSe--4 x 10'" at. pct excess Pb at at. pct excess at 800°C; and PbTe-2.8 x 10 4 at. pct excess Pb at 780°C, 10"1 at. pct excess Te at 720°C. The previously developed theory of retrograde solubility has been expanded to include intrinsic disorder in the compounds, and the experimental results are in agreement with the theory. THE solid solubility limits of intermetallic semiconducting compounds are of considerable interest, since many of these compounds have potential use as thermoelements in thermoelectric devices, as infrared detectors, or in semiconductor devices. The solidus curves of a significant number of these compounds have been reported to be retrograde with the maximum solid solubility occurring between the eu-tectic and the maximum melting temperatures. In a previous paper,' equations were derived which permit calculation of the maximum solid solubility of an AB compound exhibiting retrograde solubility. Derivation of these equations was based on the assumption that the compound is a nondegenerate semiconductor at the temperature under consideration, that the defects were unassociated, and that the vibrational contribution to the entropy of the compound could be evaluated by the Einstein approximation. It was shown that at the temperature of the maximum solid solubility The entropy term ASS is composed of the entropy of formation of the solid stoichiometric compound (AS$)*, and the entropy due to deviations from stoichiometric composition which is the sum of a con-figurational term (aS*), a vibrational term (AS,), and an electronic term (AS,). In the previous paper the positional entropy was evaluated considering the con- N. CHOU, Member AIME, formerly Graduate Student, New York University, N. Y., is with IBM, Yorktown Heights, N. Y. K. L. KOMAREK, Member AIME, formerly with New York University, is Professor, Department of Inorganic Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. E. MI LLER, Member AIME, formerly with New York University, is Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering, California State College at Long Beach, Calif. The paper is based on a thesis submitted by N. CHOU to the Graduate Division, School of Engineering and Science, New York University, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Materials Science. tributions from defects arising from deviations from stoichiometric composition. The derivation is generalized in the appendix to include intrinsic disorder. The electronic entropy term is also recalculated in the appendix. Of the various semiconducting compounds, the solidus curves of Pbs,' and ~b~e,~ have been most extensively studied. The solidus of PbSe has also been determined, but the temperature of maximum solubility has not been accurately established.5129 The present investigation was undertaken to compare the experimental solid solubility data for these systems with the values predicted theoretically. Since the temperature and composition of the maximum solubility of PbSe has not been accurately determined, experimental emphasis was placed on determining the solidus curves for PbSe in the region of maximum solubility, although experiments were also performed on PbS and PbTe at several temperatures. X-ray diffraction studies were also made on carefully prepared powder samples of PbSe to determine the variation of lattice parameter with composition. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE The procedure of Brebrick and Allgaier was employed for determining the solidus data. Monocrystal-

Jan 1, 1970

Jan 1, 1913

By Frank G. Horino

The Bureau of Mines studied the uniaxial compressive strength of model rock pillars as a function of the angle and spacing of noncohesive planes of weakness. The model pillars were prepared from NX 2-l/8-inch diameter drill core of limestone, sandstone, and granite, and the planes of weakness were diamond saw cuts ground flat and smooth. The angle of the planes of weakness, measured from the horizontal, varied from zero to 57° in approximately 15° increments. When two planes of weakness were used, the thickness-to-diameter ratio of the wafer was 1/4, 1/2, and 1, Approximately 400 model pillars were tested in uniaxial compression. The results indicate that the uniaxial compressive strength of model pillars decreases rapidly as the angle of the plane of weakness increases from 30° to 57°, and that the spacing of these planes of weakness has only a minor effect on the strength. The effect of the number of horizontal planes of weakness, with a spacing of 1/4 and 1/2 of the diameter, upon the compressive strength of model pillars was also investigated. These results indicate that as the number of planes of weakness increases the compressive strength of the pillar decreases. Normalizing the data provides useful estimates of model pillar strengths for any rock type.

Jan 1, 1968

By R. L. Grayson

In 1995, the United States Congress abolished the Bureau of Mines in the US Department of Interior. But Congress preserved the safety and health research functions being performed at the Pittsburgh and Spokane Research Centers. These functions were transitionally housed in the US Department of Energy before permanently merging with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Department of Health and Human Services, in October 1996. Since the rnerger of the former Bureau of Mines with NIOSH, there has been an active evaluation of ongoing research activities, significant interaction with stakeholders, and the development of a process leading to "data-informed" priority setting. This paper reviews the current surveillance information concerning the level of injury and disease from mining work and discusses how research priorities are evolving to improve the contribution of research to the prevention of injury and disease.

Jan 1, 2000

By O. D. Sherby, J. E. Dorn, C. D. Wiseman

MCLEAN' has shown that the total strain obtained during creep of aluminum polycrystals arises exclusively from the mechanisms of 1) microscopically observable slip, 2) subgrain tilting, and 3) grain boundary shearing. Extensive analyses, however, suggest that the high temperature creep of metal polycrystals is controlled by a single thermal activation process."" These somewhat contradictory observations might be reconciled if it could be shown that the activation energies are identical for each of the mechanisms isolated by McLean. Such identity of the activation energies, of course, would demand that the same unit process controls the functioning of each individual mechanism. Under these conditions the activation energies for creep of single metal crystals and polycrystalline aggregates and for grain boundary shearing should be identical. This paper is primarily concerned with the possible identity between the activation energies for high temperature creep of single crystal and polycrystalline metals. In addition, comparisons will also be made between the activation energies for creep of single crystals and polycrystals with previously reported activation energies for grain boundary shearing.0"8 Materials and Techniques The same high purity aluminum, lead, and tin were used in the creep tests for single crystals and polycrystalline aggregates. Single crystals of aluminum and tin were prepared by the strain-anneal technique, whereas lead single crystals were prepared by growth from the melt. The tensile creep stress was maintained constant by Chalmers-Andrade parabolic-type lever arms. Strains were measured to &0.0002 in. per in. with rack and pinion type extensometers, and temperatures were maintained to within & 0.2"C of the reported values by mercury-thermoregulated resistance-heated silicone oil baths. The previously reported unambiguous technique for determination of the activation energy for creep was employed throughout this investigation.' ." It involves periodic abrupt small changes in temperature during the course of creep, accomplished by rapidly replacing one creep bath at temperature TI by a second bath at T,. The abrupt change in creep rate from i, to & attending the abrupt change in temperature is due exclusively to the change in temperature, since both the stress and the substructure are identical the instant before and the instant after a change of temperature. Therefore, all other factors being identical where AH is the activation energy for creep and R is the gas constant. Results Typical examples of the creep rate vs creep strain data during temperature cycled creep tests of single

Jan 1, 1958

By R. V. Whetsel, V. R. Garfias

THE present study is intended as a preliminary statistical survey of the world's production of petroleum substitutes. The information presented is admittedly deficient. It is believed, however, that the increasing importance of these substitutes, particularly with Europe at war, justifies its presentation at this time, if for no other [ ] reason than to encourage enlightened pertinent discussion. The world's production in 1939 of petroleum substitutes-of which approximately 97 per cent are direct substitutes for motor fuels-is tentatively estimated at 108,000,000 bbl., or equivalent to the combined output of crude oil in 1939 of Rumania, Mexico and Colombia. With few exceptions, these figures of production represent also actual figures of consumption. The United States, owing mainly to its output of natural gasoline, leads all countries in the production of these products, with about 53 per cent of the total. In European countries, particularly Germany, the imminence of war in 1939 forced an increase in production and improvement of methods of manufacturing motor fuels, largely from coal, with the result that this country produced in that year over 20,000,000 bbl. of substitutes. Since the beginning of hostilities, substitutes have offered more and more the means of meeting the unfavorable balance between supply and demand in European [ ] countries; the increase in production of these products being at least in part offset by the systematic bombing of synthetic plants and oil storage. The source materials and the resulting substitutes are listed in Table I. The following are the approximate gross heat equivalents of some substitutes to barrels of gasoline:

Jan 1, 1941

Mining and metallurgy are more capital intensive than all other industry in Australia. Capital demands are met by domestic and foreign sources of finance for whom the major constraints are the supply of funds and factors of risk and uncertainty. in both mineral development and institutional financing policies, specific options are available to administrators which would allow mining to benefit from a more reliable supply of capital. The strength of major partners involved and overseas participation are important aspects of financing mineral developments. Future changes in financing for the mineral industry are considered most likely in variable interest rate funding, in the leasing of major plant items, and in the development of flexible techniques to ease the burden of infrastructure costs. In a consultancy sense, financiers are available to mining to assist with and to advise on optimal develop- ment of mineral industry projects.

Jan 1, 1975

By Radmuller H

The proposed underground mine at Porgera forms an integral part of the Porgera Joint Venture project in Enga Province in the remote Highlands of Papua New Guinea. The total in-situ reserves are approaching 400 tonnes of gold making the Porgera deposit one of the largest in the world. The remote, rugged and inhospitable terrain, recent unstable geological environment and primitive yet socially complex nature of the densely populated local community, combine to make the Porgera project very different to developing mines in Australia. The Porgera project is a challenging and exciting mining exploration venture in the final stages of feasibility study submission and negotiations with the National Government of Papua New Guinea. A 1476 m exploration adit was driven in the footwall of the high grade mineralisation for diamond drilling purposes as part of the evaluations necessary for the feasibility study. Ground conditions encountered have ranged from weak mudstones with high water content, requiring immediate steel set support, to competent intrusives.

Jan 1, 1988

By Wenbin Liu

A novel route for rapid synthesis of ultrafine WC-Co cemented carbides with homogeneous binder phase distribution is reported. The composite powder is produced by in situ reduction-carbonization reactions by using WO2.9, Co3O4 and carbon black as raw powders. The reaction equilibrium and phase stability are studied by thermodynamic calculations. The WC-Co composite powder is condensed by spark plasma sintering (SPS) to obtain the cemented carbides bulk. The sintering temperature is lower than that in the conventional sintering methods by 1500C, while the sintering time is remarkably reduced by 3-5 times. The high performances of the hardness and the fracture toughness are obtained. The experimental results confirm that the present processing scheme of in situ reduction-carbonization reactions and subsequent SPS sintering is an efficient way to prepare WC-Co cemented carbides, and is apparently superior to the conventional long-period techniques of preparing composite powder and cemented carbides bulk.

Jan 1, 2008

By A. Baydusa, K. Barron

A theory for cutter roof failure in coal mines has been developed. It is shown that the key parameters influencing the likelihood of cutter roof failure are the rock strength, the vertical stress (depth) and the horizontal to vertical stress ratio. The support force necessary to prevent the development of this mode of failure is, in most cases, so high as to make it impractical to apply a force of such magnitude. It is, therefore, better to allow the failure to occur and to design a bolting system to support the dead weight load of the failed block. This is probably best achieved by using a yielding bolt system (such as split set bolts) which is anchored well beyond the top of the potential failure block. The maximum potential caving height determined from this theoretical approach compares favourably with field observations reported in the literature.

Jan 1, 1999

By G. J. Joy

Although rates of pneumoconiosis in coal miners have declined substantially in the United States since the passage of the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969, new cases continue to occur, including cases of rapidly progressive disease. In contrast, Australia's underground coal mining industry has reported few new cases of pneumoconiosis for more than 20 years. Mortality from coal workers' pneumoconiosis in official health statistics and the prevalence of pneumoconiosis among miners screened in X-ray surveillance programs are also lower in Australia. The U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) was requested by both industry and labor stakeholders to examine this issue, with the ultimate aim of reducing the rate of pneumoconiosis among U.S. coal miners. A number of factors, including coal dust exposure, silica exposure and coal rank were examined as potential contributors to the above noted differences. Comparison of coal rank data from each country did not illuminate the issue. Air sample data from the coal mining industries in both countries show that coal dust levels in Australian mines are somewhat higher than those reported in similar U.S. mines; however, quartz exposure for Australian miners is lower than for many U.S. miners. If quartz is contributing to the greater number of cases of pneumoconiosis in the United States, more effective dust control measures, as well as an independent exposure standard for respirable quartz in coal mining, should be implemented to reduce this potentially disabling condition.

Jan 1, 2012