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By V. O. Tenorio, K. W. B. Requist

As the mining industry begins efforts to examine the feasibility of extraterrestrial resource utilization, the extraction and processing of icy regolith containing water and other volatile materials will be the initial focus for future expansion of capabilities. Pure water is essential for human consumption, and a source of oxygen and hydrogen. The latter, along with the volatile materials, lend themselves to the creation of fuels that may be used for further space exploration at distances not currently feasible. For any extraterrestrial scoping project, the transport of materials to geoscientists remains virtually impossible. Therefore, analysis must be done in-situ, possibly millions of miles away from the nearest human. To address the need for geologic resource estimation in the absence of geoscientists, an infrared framework has been developed for the analysis of water ice content in simulants of permanently shaded lunar regolith. This framework relies on a convolutional neural network model for the rapid analysis of percent water ice content in samples, at which point standard geostatistical methods may be employed.

Feb 1, 2023

By Willard C. Lacy

INTRODUCTION A program to insure adequate talent for development and management of our mineral resources entails two equally important and interrelated aspects: 1) attracting and retaining promising student talent, and 2) providing a first-rate education for those entering careers in mineral science and engineering. Manpower shortages have eased in many areas of engineering, particularly in those areas dependent directly or indirectly upon government contracts in space and war programs. However, in the minerals industry the needs still remain critical. As increasing concern over preservation of the environment has developed, the political and social reaction was to seek out major offenders, to look for "whipping boys" -- and the mineral industry was, and had been, an offender. It was there for everyone to take pictures, it couldn't be covered up, and the Department of the Interior lashed away in the beautiful and popular brochures: Quest for Quality, The Third Wave, The Population Challenge, and Surface Mining and Our Environment (Ravaged Land). The Sierra Club, the Field and Stream magazine, TV, and daily news media added their lashes. In the minds of our social-conscious youth the mineral industry took on the image of "exploiters" of natural resources; "polluters" of streams, lakes, and the atmosphere; "despoilers" of wilderness areas and scenic beauty -- a plague to combat, rather than an exciting challenge that entailed exploration of the remote, conquering of the primitive, and developing of the undeveloped. Enrollments declined and many traditional mineral engineering curricula were abolished or Integrated into other stronger engineering departments to meet student-faculty ratio requirements.

Jan 1, 1971

By Kevin Sharman, Peri Mehling

A detailed assessment of acid rock drainage (ARD) potential was conducted at the Quintette Coal Mine site in northeastern British Columbia The site is unusual in that the coal seams contain low sulphur levels as compared to eastern coals (typically less than 0.5%), and the non-coal wastes generally do not to have the potential to generate acid on the basis of static ABA tests. The presence of small iron-stained seeps on the pit walls indicate localized sulphide oxidation, while the overall mine site drainage has remained of excellent quality with extremely low levels of metals after approximately 15 years of mining. Thus the site provides an excellent comparison to more problematic coal mine sites. For the Quintette assessment, static acid-base accounting (ABA) analyses of individual samples were compared to criteria for potentially acid generating materials developed for the U.S. Appalachian coal, as well as criteria developed in British Columbia for hard rock mines. Geologic units were characterized by the percentage of samples, or weighted thickness, that was deemed potentially acid generating (PAG). Links were then made to actual seepage and water quality emanating from geologic units around the site. Seeps at the site demonstrate a large range in pH (2.32 to 8.18). The few acidic seeps (pH < 4.0) were found to contain elevated levels of sulphates, dissolved iron, manganese and aluminum, consistent with the metals typically of concern in Appalachian coal mines. Other heavy metals that were detected in acidic seeps at Quintette included copper, zinc, nickel and cadmium. The use of simple ABA tests, and comparison of individual sample results with the Appalachian and British Columbia criteria, was found to be useful in predicting the probable sources of the small localized acidic seeps.

Jan 1, 2000

By Ray Brainard, Adriana Ventimiglia, Amanda Kerr

The $2 billion Horizon Lateral includes over 30 miles of trenched and tunneled pipeline with diameters up to 120 inches.Related infrastructure includes large and small pumping stations, reservoirs, and flow control facilities. This paper will discuss the strategy and processes used to determine contract packaging and contracting delivery methods for the various project elements with an emphasis on the tunnels and trenchless crossings. Prior Authority experience and the rigorous risk-based approach to develop the preferred alignments played a large role in determining the outcomes along with schedule concerns and permitting and easement acquisition.

Jun 13, 2023

By Hans Smit

The face of mining as we know it is set to change in the very near future as mining companies all over the globe realize the implications of accessing the vast mineral wealth contained on, and under, our ocean floors. With some land based mineral deposits being fully exploited across the world, deep sea mining is set to revolutionize global approaches to the search for precious metals and other sought after minerals. [ ] Previously, the financial implications of deep sea mining outweighed the benefits of access to the mineral rich deposits identified all around the world. The process of marine diamond mining off the west coast of southern Africa started in the late 1950?s by a Texan, Sammy Collins, and subsequently continued by De Beers to the present day, has proven to be an excellent proving ground for the development of technology and mining systems that ensure a sustainable and financially viable business. [ ]

Jan 1, 2008

By David M. Kjos

Large diameter autogenous and semi-autogenous grinding mills represent the primary thrust of the expanding grinding technology. In spite of initial difficulties, large autogenous and semi-autogenous mills have reached an acceptable level of technology which provides the mineral engineer with a reliable, low cost means of ore comminution. A successful milling installation begins during the design stage of the grinding mill and the plant it is to be installed in. This is particularly true in autogenous and semi-autogenous mills. Critical mill and plant design factors should be considered while the mill and installation are still only ?paper.? Various current liner designs will be discussed ranging from lifter bar/plate to integral types. Modes of operation such as "high-low" will be considered. Liner maintenance procedures ranging from laydown area in plant design, proper mill shutdown methods, to installation and bolt tightening complete the equation to yield optimum performance possible for any particular grinding application. The objective of this paper is to discuss trends in wear materials, designs and operating practices, and provide some guidelines for good practice as we move through the 1980&apos;s. We will put together concepts that relate to the designs, materials and applications so that higher performance can be obtained by the operator for his specific application. The concepts are shown as being in series because they are dependent on each other to achieve the desired performance.

Jan 1, 1985

By C. R. Tinsley

In maybe the world&apos;s first in a mine project financing, a US $55 million Rehabilitation Indemnity was given on behalf of the banks in a US $250 million loan to develop the Ranger uranium mine, Northern Territory, Australia. The basis of the financing was an estimate of removal of the tailings and replacement into the pit. The Indemnity was amortized by a sinking fund from the mine&apos;s revenues. Such a concept could be valuable for mineral developments in sensitive areas or jurisdictions such as British Columbia or Alaska.

Jan 1, 1992

By M. A. Ouederni, G. C. Chorosz, E. P. Déliac

This paper deals with the heat flow problems in deep workings (depth greater than 1000 m in France). The approach benefitted from experience gathered in France and South Africa. Deep mines are located in the East of France (coal in Lorraine and potash in Alsace), where the geothermal gradient can reach 4 &apos;C per 100 m (Virgin Rock Temperatures, VRT, around 50 &apos;C). This paper is concerned with the following topics: method of studying the heat flow problem on a mine-wide basis, specific models for heat and moisture pick-up, interfacing of heat and ventilation calculations and a case history in the Lorraine collieries. The heat flow problem on a mine-wide basis is studied in a fashion similar to ventilation networks. Each branch is considered as a "black box" where the air picks up heat and moisture (or is cooled, in the case of an air-cooler). Each box is therefore modeled as a heat transfer unit, hence the calculation of outlet temperatures (wet- and dry-bulb) from the intake ones. The whole network can thus be computed as a sequence of boxes from the air intakes towards the outlets. The second section reviews a number of models used for the assessment of heat and moisture pick-up in the "boxes", with emphasis on stopes and development ends, which are particular to the mining method in use. Two types of stopes are considered: longwall (horizontal and inclined) and cut-and-fill (subvertical). Mechanized rock breaking and blasting can be accounted for. A particular attention is given to development ends, especially complex from the heat flow point of view (rock characteristics, wetness factors, etc.) and usually quite hot. These workings, which are critical in order to secure new production areas, are studied on an average basis as well as in extreme conditions. The calculation takes into account the history of rock temperatures. The interaction between ventilation and thermodynamic calculations is still under development. The idea consists of coupling ventilation calculations with the "box" models: the first step determines the direction of air flow, hence the sequence of the boxes; thereafter the calculations yield the effect of temperature and presssures on air flows. The final section reports on the validation of the whole approach against field data. It concerns several heat flow surveys aimed at checking the models for shafts, stopes and development ends. The accuracy of the method is found very satisfactory.

Jan 1, 1987

By R. H. Grau, C. D. Taylor, A. L. Martikainen

Utilization of belt air in underground coal mines has been discussed extensively during the last decade. The Final Report of the Technical Study Panel on the Utilization of Belt Air and the Composition and Fire Retardant Properties of Belt Materials in Underground Coal Mining formed by the Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response (MINER) Act of 2006 recommends research on leakage, use of booster fans, and escapeway safety. This paper discusses the role of ventilation modeling in evaluating primary escapeway pressurization in a three-entry development system to improve emergency escape in a coal mine using belt air. The intake entry of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Bruceton Experimental Mine was pressurized using a 1.1-m (42-in.) diameter, 37 kW (50 hp) fan. The work details air movement in the simulated three-entry system and the resulting leakage patterns. Three mine ventilation software packages were compared to analyze their performance in predicting the airflows and leakage conditions with different fan settings. NIOSH researchers found that the measurement results correlated well with the results of modeling.

Jan 1, 2010

By O. J. Tassicker

The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) initiated a program in 1976 to develop and demonstrate an instrument system for on-line continuous measurement of coal properties. The program has focused on the use of Prompt Neutron Activation Analysis (PNAA) for elemental determinations and microwave absorption for moisture determination. One of the major results of the EPRI program is the development of the CONAC (Continuous On-Line Analysis of Coal) instrument, with Science Applications, Inc. (SAI) as the prime contractor and Kennedy Van Saun Corporation as a subcontractor.

Jan 1, 1983

By S. G. Britton

Microcomputer analysis has long been a technique for engineering professionals to improve the theoretical and practical design of continuous mining systems. Such work has been typically composed of modeling observed events and then introducing a variety of known elements with predicted results to compare against the results of the model. Programs written in BASIC, Cobol, Fortran, or other language dominated such efforts. These programs have taken years to develop and prove out. This paper explores a new management tool used at TMC on a daily basis to track and improve continuous mining systems through the use of microcomputers and Lotus 1-2-3 software. By analyzing data provided by section foreman, shift foreman, and maintenance personnel against predetermined goals, new production targets are developed, weaknesses in the current mining systems are identified, and the results of changes are measured. The results of this system on the productive output of TMC systems are on the order of ten percent improvement.

Jan 1, 1991

By T. Wohlford

Due to the increases available base of scientific knowledge, increased independent review required by worldwide security exchanges, and the need for accuracy in characterizing mine water resources, it has become necessary to produce a more accurate hydrologic balance. This presentation provides a critical review of the steps and tools to compile a complete hydrologic review of a mine property. The forces of regulation, increased scientific analysis, better tools, and stakeholder expectations have created a perfect storm of accuracy demand. Ausenco has developed protocol to achieve the desired end.

Feb 23, 2014

By A. I. Kalugin, A. A. Abramov, D. E. Kozlov, D. V. Magazanik

Based on theoretical and experimental researches of phosphate and carbonate minerals flotation in the presence of soluable glass at various pH values and sodium silicate concentrations, it has been established that the presence of soluble glass in solution leads to formation of silicate compounds on the surface of phosphate and carbonate minerals causing change in their floatability for the worse. The harmful influence of soluable salts is done by tying of collector as metallic soaps, forming precipitates on the surface of minerals to be floated and causing their depression of flotation, and breaching of the froth etc. Depressing action of slimes and products of interaction with collector depends on the ratio of values and signs of potentials of the mineral surfaces. The possibility of phosphate and gangue minerals separation can be evaluated by comparing the minimum-necessary concentrations of collector required for their flotation.

Jan 1, 2002

By Patti J. Best

The Southern Powder River Basin (SPRB) now commands 30% of the US utility, coal market due to the region&apos;s low mine production costs, competitive rail rates and low sulfur content. In 1997, production exceeded 240 Mt (265 million st). This was an in¬crease of 104 Mt (115 million st) since 1989 and 4.5 Mt (5 million st) above 1996. Continued growth is expected as the second phase of the Clean Air Act Amendments (CAAA) approaches. This growth will be the greatest in the southern part of the Basin where coal quality is higher. Coal characteristics SPRB coal is classified as subbituminous due to its low heating value and high moisture content. The coal is characterized by low sulfur and ash contents, low ash fusion temperatures and high reactivities. In 1997, the average heating content was 8,593 Btu/lb, with an average sulfur and ash content of 0.79 lbs S02/million [ ] Btu and 5.13%, respectively. The distinguishing characteristic of SPRB coal is its low sulfur content. Most SPRB coal contains less than 1.2 lbs S02/million Btu. This is the approximate definition of "compliance" coal for Phase II of the CA AA. Much of the coal, particularly in the southern part of the Basin, is referred to as "super-compliance" coal due to SO2 contents of between 0.4 and 0.7 lbs SO2/million Btu. The SPRB is divided into three geographic clusters based on coal quality. Mines located in the southern part produce coal with the lowest average sulfur content and highest heating content, almost 400

Jan 1, 1998

By Viktor Tokle, C. W. Dawson

The Devico directional core drilling system and its capabilities are described, with reference to other directional drilling technologies and the advantages and disadvantages of these systems. The advantages and disadvantages of a number of borehole navigation systems are also presented. A discussion of the applications of the technology follows, illustrated by case histories. Finally, the environmental impacts and benefits of the technology, in comparison to more conventional systems, are presented.

Jan 1, 1999

The Northside Storage Tunnel Project in Sydney includes over 20 km of TBM driven tunnels, over three km of declines and major caverns and pump rooms. The paper describes methods used for design on the project. Emphasis is given to the refinement of the use of empirical rock mass classifications, and to the use of discontinuum numerical methods. The use of empirical rock mass classifications in Sydney sandstone has usually led to conservative design because the systems are based on a random orientation of joints in the rockmass. Because the joint sets are usually oriented in a way that is beneficial for tunnelling, limits must be placed on the parameters used in the classifications system. The paper discusses these limits and the derivation of the parameters. The use of numerical methods in Sydney sandstone is discussed. Continuum methods have their uses, but discontinuum methods are preferred. The use of UDEC has been validated against a previous project, the New Southern Railway. Recommendations are given for UDEC models. In Sydney&apos;s geology, so advantageous for tunnelling, the challenges of this project have been to make the best use of the good conditions, while maintaining safety for the workforce and the future operators of the project.

Jan 1, 1999

By M. J. Virnig, B. D. Boley, G. A. Wolfe, J. M. W. Mackenzie

A flowsheet for the recovery of nickel and cobalt from laterite ores was developed. The flowsheet involves acid leaching followed by hydroxide precipitation of the metal values and then releaching of the hydroxide cake with ammonia. Investigations of the chemistry of extraction of nickel by LIX® 84-I and a developmental reagent, XI-84-IT, along with the physical properties of the organic phases are described. Based on these investigations, suggestions with regard to design of a solvent-extraction plant and operating conditions were made.

Jan 1, 2002

By J. A. Holtkamp

Environmental regulation in Mexico has matured dramatically and effectively in the last decade. The gap between environmental regulation in the United States and Mexico is rapidly narrowing, so much so that it is no longer necessarily less burdensome to operate in Mexico from a regulatory perspective. This paper is intended to give a general overview of the system of environmental regulation in Mexico. The actual application of Mexican laws and regulations governing the environment to a specific operation will require a much more detailed review of the applicable environmental standards.

Jan 1, 1994

By J. R. Arnold

The problem of recovering gold from a cyanide solution has been plaguing metallurgists since the cyanidation process was discovered in Glasgow, Scotland.1 The "perfect" method has never been found and this paper will not purport to fill that gap. But we, at Gold Fields, feel that we have developed a workable, cheap and efficient method of producing a refinery - ready product that has several distinct advantages over conventional electroplating techniques. The Gold Fields replating system is presently being used at their Ortiz and Mesquite operations. In short, the system electroplates the gold out on stainless steel wool, instead of mild steel wool as is usually done, then replates the gold by reversing the current onto stainless steel plates. By doing this the steel wool can be reused many times, the gold can be scraped off the plates cleanly and quickly, the operating costs are reduced and the slag production is greatly reduced.

Jan 1, 1986

By W. Reed

During the 20th century, the increased emphasis on worker health and safety and the advent of new mining equipment and methods led to many changes in mine face ventilation practices. Efforts by government and private industry to improve and modify ventilation practices resulted in better health and safety conditions for workers. This paper examines factors that had a significant influence on mine face ventilation design during the past century. Several “milestone” events are discussed along with the impact they had on worker health and safety. Significant ventilation research efforts by government and private industry are presented. This brief ventilation history highlights innovative ventilation designs and a consistent commitment to mining health and safety.

Jan 1, 2007