Search Documents

By Ronald S. Conti

A new U.S. Bureau of Mines 6.8-L ignitability furnace was used to study the thermal autoignitability of dust clouds. This furnace has a quartz window to allow observation of the early stages of the ignition process and to allow measurement of the dust explosion temperature. Thermal ignitability data were obtained for various carbonaceous and metal dust clouds, with particular emphasis on various ranks of coal dusts. One of the reasons for the construction of the new 6.8-L furnace was to evaluate the effect of chamber volume on the measured autoignition temperatures. Therefore, data from the 6.8-L furnace were compared with data measured earlier in a 1.2-L furnace. The conclusion is that the autoignition temperatures measured in the 6.8-L furnace were only slightly lower on average than those from the 1.2-L furnace. These data on the minimum autoignition temperatures of various materials will be useful in analyzing the thermal ignition hazards of dust clouds in the mining industry and other industries that manufacture, process, or use combustible dusts.

Jan 1, 2010

By D. H. Mullen, S. M. Runke, J. B. Cunningham

"SUMMARYThe coarse-grained granitic pegmatities of the United States have long been a source of many important industrial minerals, because of this, they have been studied intensively by geologists, mining engineers, and metallurgists. These studies have amassed a rather astounding array of published and unpublished information.Correlation of geological studies between individual pegmatites, as well as between major districts, has brought forth some semblance of order to the knowledge of the structure and Mineralogical composition of those highly complex and irregular deposits, making it possible to classify certain prgmatitites and pegmatitec zones into several groups of associated minerals; based upon the presence or absence of the minor minerals of beryllium and lithium. This classification or grouping of minerals, with the methods that have been developed for recovering certain of these minerals, makes possible a systematic approach to the winning of many of the industrially important minerals from pegmatite rock by a single integrated process.As the coarse-grained granitic pegmatites are composed primarily of,feldspar, quartz, and muscovite, the methods developed for separating and recovering them, as well as those methods developed for separating and recovering such minor minerals as spodumene and lepidolite, are important contributions to the over-all problem of pegmatite treatment. Some of these methods have been demonstrated in the laboratory only, whereas others have progressed beyond the laboratory stage arid are being employed in commercial operations.Recent laboratory investigations at Rapid City, employing both these early developments and the mineral groupings, have demonstrated that a single integrated process can recover muscovite, feldspar; and. quartz from the rejects of hand-sorting a typical muscovite-feldspar-quartz material. Employing a newly developed procedure for the flotation of beryl, the investigations have also demonstrated the possibility of recovering the beryl, in addition to muscovite, feldspar, and quartz, by an integrated process from a typical berylliferous pegmatitic material in which all of these minerals are present."

Dec 1, 1952

By Edgardo Orderique

Southern Perú Copper Corporation ha desarrollado un programa de reevaluación de las reservas para optimizar cada etapa del proceso y así llegar a las reservas mencionadas. En este sentido, el presente texto desarrolla el esquema de optimización de una secuencia anual de minado. El proyecto comprende la realización de de perforaciones en zonas llamadas geometalúrgicas, con el fin de realizar pruebas metalúrgicas y definir el comportamiento del mineral en la concentradora y lixiviación. También se incorpora el concepto de índice de solubilidad, parámetro que sirve para diferenciar adecuadamente un mineral económico para flotación del de lixiviación y finalmente, se optimiza la secuencia anual de minado y disposición de material en botadero. En consecuencia, es importante determinar el uso de software y hardware adecuado para planeamiento de minado, ya que depende de la magnitud de la mina como en el caso deCuajone.

Sep 13, 2001

By H. Copur

Experimental studies for quantification of force and brittleness indices relevant to rock cutting performance are presented. A simple interpretation method is developed, which quantifies the force-penetration response obtained from indentation tests. Basic parameters of the quantification are force increment and decrementrates, force increment and decrement periods, and number of increment and decrement data points. Blocks of eleven different rock samples were collected from different operating mines in Turkey and subjected to indentation tests to calculate the indices. The samples included harzburgite, serpentinite, trona, limestone, claystone, two different sandstone samples, siltstone and three different chromite ore samples. The concept was validated by a set of full-scale linear cutting tests using a conical cutter for measuring the cutting performance in relieved and unrelieved conditions, i.e. cutter forces, specific energy, size distribution of rock cuttings. The rock cuttings were sieved to determine coarseness index, indicates coarse chip generation characteristics, and size distribution. The force index is moderately correlated with the cutting performance and mechanical properties of the rocks, and poorly correlated with the coarseness index and size distribution of cuttings. A general and moderate trend is observed between the brittleness index and the coarseness index, cutting performance for unrelieved cutting conditions and mechanical properties of the rocks. However, additional data is required to fill the data gaps and to potentially establish relationship between the brittleness index and all other parameters.

Jan 1, 2003

By Vicente Gutiérrez

La actual capacidad de proceso y almacenamiento de los ordenadores personales en la empresa, genera el marco adecuado para el desarrollo de la implantación de medidas de seguridad y productividad, así como el diseño de procesos de manera óptima. Por ello, el presente trabajo señala la aplicación de técnicas de simulación y realidad virtual en la empresa HUNOSA para dar solución a dos problemas diferentes. El primero refiere al desarrollo de una herramienta, donde se busca introducir al usuario en un ambiente que represente el escenario de trabajo, mientras que el segundo, pretende ayudar a la planificación del transporte de interior. Para ello, se desarrolla una aplicación software que permite la configuración de los parámetros de la red de forma sencilla y su posterior simulación en el ordenador.

Jul 17, 2000

U.S. Gold Commission Established. - The President, with the authorization of Congress, has named a gold commission made up of 17 individuals, most of them Government officials, to study U.S. policies related to the role of gold in domestic and international monetary systems and report its findings and recommendations to Congress. U.S. Lead Exposure Ruling. - On June 29, the Supreme Court upheld the Government's right to set lead exposure levels for employees at the workplace. The Court ruled in favor of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in a challenge by a group that alleged that OSHA had failed to conduct a cost-benefit analysis prior to issuance of the lead standards. It was the Court's contention that Congress did not require such an analysis when it empowered OSHA to establish workplace standards. The petition to the Court was made by the Lead Industries Association Inc., Battery Council International Inc" American Iron and Steel Institute, St. Joe Minerals Corp., and other lead mining and consuming firms.

Jan 1, 1981

The Particulate Mineralogy Unit has been established at the College Park, Maryland, Metallurgy Research Center. The Particulate Mineralogy Unit will have the responsibility within the Bureau of Mines for the characterization of particulate minerals which have potential for adverse environmental effects. The Unit will provide a focal point for identifying particulates in connection with environmental problems related to the activities of agencies such as OSHA, HEW, EPA, and MESA. The Particulate Mineralogy Unit is seeking to clarify the ambiguities surrounding the mineralogy of and terminology used for asbestiform minerals and other mineral particles. The Unit?s investigations of the morphology, composition, and structure of asbestiform minerals and their nonasbestos analogs have made its members recognized experts in this field. The information which it develops on the characterization of asbestos and other particulate mineral forms such as silica should provide a technically rational basis for decisions by regulatory agencies. Those desiring further information, contact Dr. W. J. Campbell, Program Coordinator, College Park Metallurgy Research Center, College Park, MD 20740, telephone: 301-344-4014. ALUMINUM: For over a month, domestic producers have priced 99.5 percent grade primary aluminum ingot at 48¢ per pound. In the same period, merchants raised ingot quotes by 1.5¢-2.5¢ to a range approaching 44¢-47¢ per pound.

Jan 1, 1976

By Leandro Moosher

A crescente geração e disposição de resíduos sólidos tornou-se preocupante, para tanto busca-se um fim adequado aos mesmos. Este trabalho objetivou avaliar a viabilidade técnica, ambiental e financeira do uso das areias fenólica e verde usadas de fundição como co-produto em substituição parcial ao agregado miúdo areia natural de rio na fabricação de blocos de concreto para pavimentação. Produziu-se 3 traços com 25% e 50% de substituição da areia natural por uma composição de areia de fundição com os mesmos equipamentos e parâmetros comerciais e obteve-se resultados satisfatórios, como a resistência à compressão através do traço rico em consumo de cimento e com 25% de substituição da areia natural pelo co-produto atingindo 37,2 MPa, cerca de 6% acima do mínimo requerido pela NBR 9780. Já na avaliação ambiental esses blocos foram classificados como Resíduo Classe II-A Não Inerte e a análise de viabilidade financeira mostrou custo 1% menor que o bloco convencional.

Aug 8, 2018

By Deicy Sánchez

"Las estrategias más frecuentes para la remediación de suelos contaminados por actividades mineras son: el uso de coberturas sintéticas o naturales para aislar contaminantes ($ 0,5 millones / acre) o la revegetación directa (menos costosa pero difícil de sostener) ($ 5000 / acre). En busca de métodos más efectivos y menos costosos, realizamos una serie de estudios para determinar que combinaciones de enmiendas y bacterias podrían dar mejores resultados en el crecimiento de vegetación y disminución de drenaje ácido de mina en relaves mineros con alto contenido de arsénico."

Sep 1, 2017

By Franco Oboni, Iain G. Bruce

The design of tailings containment structures relies on well-understood engineering methods being applied consistently. Unfortunately, not all facilities are designed or managed to the same level of competency. To standardize procedures, the Mining Association of Canada (MAC, 1998) prepared a “Guide to Tailings Management.” It recommended review of designs and an assessment of the risks associated with tailings impoundments be implemented during all phases of amine life. This paper describes how the quantitative risk assessment (QRA) process can be used to define risks associated with the design, construction and operation of a tailings management facility. And it discusses how, once the risk tolerability curves (RTC) are defined for a project, they can assist the risk management (RM) process.

Jan 1, 2002

By Henry S. Washington

I. INTRODUCTION. DURING the last twenty years or so the chemical investigation of rocks has made great advances, and it is now generally recognized that a knowledge of the chemical composition is as essential as that of the texture or mineral composition-if not more so-for the proper classification of rocks and study of their origin and relationships. Rock-analyses have vastly increased in numbers and, what is of greater importance, in quality. New and improved methods permit of greater accuracy than was possible in the early days, and the list of chemical constituents frequently determined has risen from the seven or eight of the greater part of the nineteenth century to twenty or more. Indeed, rock-analyses with determinations of so many constituents are now commonly made by the chemists of the United States and Australia, while in Germany, Great Britain, France, and Italy the rarer constituents are determined more frequently than formerly. As a consequence of this modern, accurate work, it has been discovered that some elements which were formerly supposed to be rare are of wide-spread occurrence and are often present in considerable amount. The fact is further being developed that the elements tend to show certain relations of occurrence or abundance in connection with each other. This is a fact which is applicable to the rarer elements, and which also finds a broad geological and petrological expression in the recognition of petrographic provinces. We are beginning to obtain some definite, though as yet rudimentary, knowledge of the distribution of the elements among igneous rocks. Some of the results along these lines obtained by study of the vast accumulation of analytical data now available are well known to petrologists, while others do not seem to be so gener-

Sep 1, 1908

By G. L. Oldright

The first Report of Investigations of the present series (No. 4562) was on the fundamental properties of lead compounds, and the manner in which they set limits to the richness of lead products treated in the usual sintering-blast furnace units. These properties of the compounds were emphasized, as' it was desired, also, to learn the limitations of smelting the same compounds in present ore hearth practice; the hearth has a competitor in these "usual" units, even with the rich lead feeds best adapted for the hearths. Operating conditions that were followed in older metallurgical processes, when rich products, were treated, were outlined. The second report of the series (R. I. 4563) was on the development of the ore hearths of the types now used in the Tri-State from the viewpoint of the features, functions, and dimensions of the earlier hearths that had been most changed. Experimental data, for both well and poorly desulfurized charges being considered, were given to show the relative changes in the sizes and compositions of the charges after they were added to the ore (Scotch) hearths. A general picture was given of the charge column and of the conditions prevailing there when the operation was satisfactory. In this third paper, the composition of the gases prevailing in the charge column at various elevations will be correlated with what has been learned of the nature of the charge column in order to trace the steps of operation by which lead sulfide is converted into metallic lead. The metallurgical factors that govern operation and the lines along which improvements may be made will be noted.

Jan 1, 1949

A new mine has begun production of antimony ore and concentrates in Serbia, Yugoslavia. The mine is operated by the mining and metallurgical enterprise "Aajaca." Initial production is running at approximately 45 thousand tons of ore per year, yielding about 1,500 tons of concentrate. The mine is located on the mountain Kopaonik-Raiceyoj Gori. It is planned to expand production eventually to approach the level of 300,000 tons of ore per year. This level will be a significant addition to the world supply of antimony and will place Yugoslavia among the world's major producers. Currently the United States produces only about 6 percent of its primary requirement for antimony. COBALT -Anglo American Corporation, Ltd. reportedly is considering restarting the Tenke-Fungurume copper-cobalt project in Zaire. Construction on the project was suspended in January because of inadequate financing and political uncertainties. Technical feasibility and financing on a smaller scale than previously envisioned are now being considered. However, an increased copper price may be necessary before any decision to proceed is made.

Jan 1, 1976

By Guy Ervin, Delwin D. Blue, John E. Conley

"INTRODUCTION Extraction of alumina from various materials, such as low-grade bauxite and clay, by means of a lime-soda sinter has been the subject of a number ofinvestigations (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 16, 17). 5/ in recent years, Although many of the details of these investigations are lacking, it is believed that there is one difficultly that frequently develops under certain conditions, namely, that of thickening or gelation of the slurry formed during extraction of the sinter. If gelation occurs even to a slight extent* Serious mechanical difficulties result, very low liquor recoveries are obtained, and the extraction step becomes virlually inoperable. Under 'favorable conditions, a solid gel is formed which can only be removed from the equipment with great difficulty. At the Eastern Experiment. Station of the Bureau of Mines in College Park, Md., a study of lime-soda processes was begun in November 1941. This work has included studies on low-grade bauxites, kaolin clay, and nodular diasporic clay. Gelation was most serous with kaolin clay and least with diasporic clay. As a part of the Bureau's investigation, a study was made of the effect of the pertinent variables on gelation. The results permit the selection of various sets of conditions at which gelation will not occur. These data are essential to the final selection of optimum conditions for the over-all process."

Aug 1, 1946

By Graham Davey

High-speed stirred milling is a relatively new method of grinding in the metalliferous process industries. However, it has been widely used in the industrial mineral field for more than 30 years. Many existing metallurgical operations are looking to maximize economic return from existing deposits this requires new thinking and technologies. The operating experience of two copper operations is discussed here to show the effect of the introduction of the Metso Stirred Media Detritor (SMD), a new type of high speed stirred mill. Both operations have derived significant metallurgical benefits from this new technology. The benefits and process difficulties are explained. The initial drive in high speed stirred milling technology was toward ultra fine grinding where the mill product has an 80 percent passing size of 15 µm (937mesh) or less. More recently, a number of installations have occurred in a more conventional regrind setting. Few conventional copper concentrators require such fine grinding to attain satisfactory copper grades and recoveries. So other advantages must be considered here rather than just the ability to grind fine with good power efficiency.

Jan 1, 2004

By E. F. Schnitzer, D. R. Haight, G. T. Krogman

The 1997 New Year’s Day Rogue River flood near Medford, Oregon, USA, entered historic channels, eroded a 150-foot-wide buffer, and captured an inactive gravel pond located within the channel migration zone. Channel redirection caused by pit captures threatened adjacent inactive gravel ponds. In response to this capture, a stakeholders group of concerned individuals and organizations was formed. This group ultimately developed a rehabilitation plan, which conformed to the Rogue River’s geomorphic trends. A two-dimensional model, FLO-2D, was used to evaluate channel splits, flood storage, backwater, and future conditions. Modeling results coupled with trend analysis were used to create a stable design where stream barbs, gravel redistribution, a channel outfall spillway, bendway weirs, bank reshaping, and revegetation were integrated into a single plan for a three-mile reach. The quick action by the stakeholders group averted further damage to the Rogue River system and surrounding environment. The project has preserved three miles of mainstem habitat, one mile of side channel habitat, and protected ten gravel ponds from pit capture.

Jan 1, 2006

By D. Earley

High metal prices and new world trade standards and accounting for environmental liability in financial disclosures are creating markets for metals commodities that are produced using ?green technologies?. A promising "green" gold leaching system uses a polysulfide based lixiviant which is non-toxic and non-polluting. Laboratory testing has demonstrated selective gold extraction rates comparable to those of cyanide. The polysulfide lixiviant is a dilute aqueous solution which can be inexpensively produced from readily available chemical reagents and even mining wastes. The reagent system is self-buffering and maintains the optimal chemical environment for leaching. Treatment of residual leach solutions is not necessary because the lixiviant itself is not toxic, and breaks down as the system equilibrates. Simple closed system boiling is used to recover gold from process solutions. The polysulfide lixiviant can then be readily renewed and recycled back into the system, forming a closed loop system that conserves reagents and energy which minimizes operating costs. Economic projections have shown that the system can be used profitably for standard ore types and grades.

Jan 1, 2009

By R. E. Scheffel

Most supergene copper heap leach operations today employ forced-aeration, irrespective of ore grade. Unfortunately, there is little published quantification of its benefit. There is a natural desire to strive for the ideal chemical kinetics. The reality, however, is that physical mechanisms control the commercial extraction rate. This paper presents the performance of a number of operations, their operating conditions and physical ore characteristics, which contribute to non-ideal solution distribution and variable extraction rate. Regardless whether one uses forced-aeration, commercial experience to date suggests it is prudent to design for longer leach cycle times to ensure the production target is met.

Jan 1, 2006

By J. -F. Lessard

Most underground mines rely on ore pass systems to ensure the transport of ore and waste. The design and operation of ore pass systems often rely on past experience, which is often anecdotal and at times contradictory in nature. This paper summarizes the current practice in Quebec underground metaliferous mines. The information was collected during a series of site visits in ten underground mines. The database includes information on ore pass configuration, support, materials transited, and overall ore pass performance.

Jan 1, 2006

By R L. Brathwaite, S E. Belliss

Linear and semi-circular features were mapped in the volcanic terrain of the southernCoromandel Peninsula, North Island, using JERS-1 synthetic aperture radar (SAR), Landsat-4 Thematic Mapper, and SPOT-2 multispectral satellite data, digital elevation models, and aeromagnetic data. The mapped features typically correspond to recognised physiographic features and are thus a useful aid to mapping the structural trends in the region. Major linear features exhibit a strong N-S to NNE-SSW alignment, and lesser NW-SE and NE-SW trends. All these are superimposed on pervasive, closely spaced, NNE-SSW and NNW-SSE lineaments present over most of the hilly parts of the map area. There are few major E-W aligned features. Some alignment trends correspond to strike directions of veins in the epithermal gold-silver deposits of the region, but none of the known mineralised structures were visible on the remote sensing data.   The volcanic rocks are Late Cenozoic in age and include a variety of rock types: andesite and dacite flows, domes and tuff breccias, rhyolite domes, tuffs and tephra, lacustrine siltstones, and ignimbrites. Mapping of different textures in the SAR image failed to provide additional information on rock types to that derived from the Landsat and SPOT images. A simple discrimination of rock units based on radar texture is apparently prevented by the complex volcanic geology, superimposed hydrothermal alteration, and long period of erosion.

Jan 1, 1994