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By Thomas V. Falkie

The use of operation research and computer techniques in the mineral industries continued to gain acceptance during 1966. There are generally at least five sources of information for researchers and practitioners in the field: (1) Technical periodicals like MINING ENGINEER- ING, Mining Congress Journal, etc. (2) Proceedings of the Symposium and Short Course on Computers and Operations Re- search in Mineral Industries, held last year at Penn. State University and jointly sponsored by the University of Arizona, Stanford University, Colorado School of Mines, Penn. State University and the Society of Mining Engineers of AIME. (3) Various local conferences, such as the 1966 Rocky Mountain Minerals Conference held in Denver. (4) United States Bureau of Mines publications. (5) The AIME annual meeting in New York and the SME Fall Meeting in Tampa.

Jan 2, 1967

By Kichizo Niwa, Toshio Yokokawa, Mitsuo Shimoji, Yoshihiko Watanabe, Satoshi Kado

A LTHOUGH a systematic research on diffusion in liquid metals has not been carried out, partial studies have been developed by various workers in several systems. A few recent papers among them have shown that this line of approach is quite useful for understanding the structure of the liquid state. Furthermore, it has been found in kinetic

Jan 1, 1958

By Maynard O. Serbousek, James R. McVey

IS there a quick way of assessing the conditions of a newly exposed roof in a coal mine? This has always been a nagging question. The problem is that unless effective controls are established as soon as possible, it becomes extremely difficult to extract coal safely and economically from conventional underground milling operations. Until recently, little has been done to provide a means of measuring the structural behavior of a coal mine roof while the face advances during actual production. (In fact, most measurements have always been made after the fact or during a roof pull-down where the roof is actually caused to fail with no support.)

Jan 9, 1976

By Richard E. Lounsbury

Coal mine refuse handling traditionally has been the redheaded stepchild of the industry-a problem to be ignored as much as possible. During the past few years, however, mining companies have become more aware of the potential water pollution problem associated with refuse handling and storage. Planning for refuse disposal involves environmental protection and the economics of refuse handling. For over two years, Monterey Coal Co. has operated a non-polluting refuse disposal system at its No. 1 Mine located in Brushy Mound Township of Macoupin County 6 miles south of Carlinville, Illinois. Drainage goes to Spanish Needle Creek and eventually to the Illinois River. The mine produced 3.5 million tons of clean coal during its first two and one-half years of operation and is designed to produce 3 million tpy of clean coal at capacity.

Jan 6, 1973

By G. M. Schwartz, J. N. Gundersen

John W. Gruner (Professor Emeritus, College of Science, Literature, and the Arts, Dept. of Geology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis) — It is surprising that two men as well acquainted with the taconite rocks of the Mesabi District as Drs. J. N. Gundersen and G. M. Schwartz should have concluded that the taconite of the Eastern Mesabi before the intrusion of the Duluth gabbro consisted largely of quartz and magnetite. These minerals were "locally reconstituted" into "a wide variety of silicate mineral assemblages" by the gabbro. It is well known, of course, that the silicate mineralogy of the Eastern Mesabi ('about 14 miles in length) is quite different from that of the Main Mesabi which is over 60 miles long. The change from one to the other is abrupt and cannot be attributed to any other cause than the thermal effects of the gabbro. Are we to assume or believe that the taconite of the Eastern Mesabi was radically different from that of the Main range before the gabbro metamorphosed it?

Jan 1, 1962

By Thomas M. Drown

The process for determining phosphorus in iron now in most general use in the laboratories of iron and steel works, is, I think, the one proposed bv Mr. Emmerton." In this process the solution of the iron for precipitation by ammonium molybdate is effected by treating the iron with nitric acid, evaporating to hard dryness in a dish, taking up with hydrochloric acid and driving off the greater portion of the hydrochloric by nitric acid. This procedure accomplishes, first, the destruction of all the carbonaceous matters; and, second; it renders all the silica insoluble. Experience has proved the former—the complete oxidation of the carbon—to be absolutely essential; but the explanation usually given, namely, that unless the carbon compounds are destroyed they will have a solvent action on the yellow precipitate, I am inclined to

Jan 1, 1890

By D. C. Bard

THESE notes are based on the megascopic study of a suite of 2,400 specimens of minerals and ores from the Butte mines, combined with field observations at intervals over a period of several years. The estimate of average vein composition is based on field acquaintance with the veins. It is probably correct in its broader proportions, and should be of use for comparison. Chemical and Mineral Composition of Butte Sulphide Vein. Matter. Per Cent. Oxygen 43.00-Quartz, rhodonite, rhodochrosite, barite, calcite, and hübnerite. Silicon 36.00-Quartz, rhodonite, and willemite (very rare). Sulphur 5.00-Sulphides of. iron, zinc, copper, lead,. and sulphates of barium and rarely calcium. Iron 5.00-Ferric sulphides (pyrite, bornite, chalcopyrite), also in sphalerite, tetrahedrite, and rarely hematite and siderite. Manganese, . . . . 2.00-Rhodonite, rhodochrosite, and hübnerite. Zinc, . . . . 1.00-Spha erite, very rare wurtzite and willemite, and tetrahedrite and tennantite.

Jan 8, 1913

By Charles E. Wait

The old laboratory at the School of Mines was among the notoriously bad ones, being situated in apartments of the main collegebuildings not originally intended, and conspicuously unfit, for the use to which they were put; while, as in many of our schools and colleges, the assaying was done in the basement of the college. Prominent among the disadvantages of such an arrangement are insufficient light, poor ventilation, and little or no provision to carry off offensive gases. It is not my intention now to present a complete description of this building. I wish merely to call attention to a few points in its construction and equipment, which may prove of interest to those who contemplate erecting buildings for snch work, and who may be, as we were in this instance, limited as to funds. In this laboratory every room is well lighted; all rooms used by students are well ventilated, and are provided with closed hoods for

Jan 1, 1887

By S. R. Gilbert, B. W. Burdett, L. B. Hales

A brief review of grinding control systems is given with a review of the most popularly reported control loops. The trend toward more sophisticated control systems in terms of control strategies and control equipment is discussed, and the reasons for the popularity of distributed control equipment are outlined. The evolution of the interface between the operator and the process and its importance in plant control is described. Finally, the authors' view is given as to the future of grinding control.

Jan 1, 1984

By M. S. Klima, P. T. Luckie

Interfacing new or improved unit operations SUBMODULES with the EXECUTIVE of a macro analysis simulator usually requires modification of the input data. For example, particle processing SUBMODULES that are sufficiently general in nature to provide useful predictions require input data for rather narrow size fractions. Such data is not always available for the EXECUTIVE and must therefore be generated by the SUBMODULE. A successful interface to allow incorporation of a new SUBMODULE for comminution and one for classification in a general stream state flowsheet simulator is presented. The general nature of the SUBMODULES, as well as the logic of expanding and contracting the required data input is discussed.

Jan 1, 1983

By Yasushi Ishikawa

The fact that the degree of granulation and the state of granulated particles of sinter raw mixtures are the influential factors in ensuring coke combustibility and permeability during sintering has been clarified. Based on this knowledge, Nippon Steel developed the divided coke-addition process and the technology to utilize binder, and applied them on a commercial scale. Productivity and sinter quality are thereby greatly improved with a significant reduction in fuel consumption.

Jan 1, 1977

By M. J. Humenick, K. Garwacka

A laboratory experimental research project was conducted to evaluate the use of chlorine for the oxidative destruction of residual ammonia that may remain in ground water after in-situ uranium solution mining operations. The work tested the idea of injecting high strength calcium hypochlorite solution into the mining zone to convert ammonia to nitrogen gas as a final cleanup process for ammonia removal from the ground water system. This paper details ammonia removal efficiency as a function of chlorine dose, reactant, and product material balances, and how the concept may be used as a final ground water restoration process.

Jan 1, 1985

By Maurus Seet

Mainland China, with one-fourth of the world's population and one-tenth of its coal production, can no longer be ignored as a considerable force on the world energy scene. In terms of annual productivity, China's 300 million tons of coal rank third behind the Soviet Union with 655 million and the United States 557 million (1968 Minerals Yearbook. USBM). When viewed from another angle, 1967 figures show that increased productivity from all coal-producing continents, with the exception of North America, was led by Chinese-dominated Asia with a 19% gain. Not unpredictably though, China, on a per capita basis, is closer to the bottom of the list among members of the industrial community. Despite its misspent youth, and despite the set- backs caused by the Big Leap Forward of the late 50's and the Cultural Revolution of the late 60'S, the People's Republic has managed to make some impressive strides in developing its coal industry over the past twenty years.

Jan 1, 1971

Jan 1, 1909

By J. E. House, J. L. Drobnick, R. R. Swanson, D. W. Agers

Since the commercial acceptance of the liquid ion exchange process in the mineral processing industry, it has been predicted that eventually the hydrometallurgist would have a wide selection of commercially available chemical reagents to make separations efficiently and economically of virtually all metals in solution under a wide range of conditions. Several years ago, General Mills began a research and development program to determine if it were possible to develop a reagent to extract a specific metallic ion from solution at a cost that would allow large scale commercial application. A giant step toward reaching this objective was announced in late 1963, when development quantities of LIX®-63 reagent, a highly selective reagent for the extraction of copper, were first offered to industry. The properties of this reagent were de- scribed in a previous paper.1

Jan 12, 1965

By F. W. Jessen

The Mechanism of solution of salt and mixed halites of sodium and potassium is reviewed. The variation in the rate of salt removal under both laminar and turbulent flow conditions is discussed. Many changes are possible in the development of solution cavities whether used for production of salts or for storage of hydrocarbons. The parameters influencing the type and shape of cavity formed with single well or multiple well systems are examined and information presented regarding field application of techniques developed and the means of controlling overall configuration of solution cavities.

Jan 1, 1972

By R. P. E. Hermsdorf

THE electrolytic refining of metals for the removal of undesirable impurities has become a recognized necessity in the nonferrous field. Copper, lead, zinc, nickel, silver and gold have been produced in this manner for years. The United States Metals Refining Co., realizing that considerable quantities of lead and tin could be made available to the trade if a satisfactory method of purification of these metals could be established, decided to investigate the possibilities of electrolytic solder. In cooperation with Dr. Edward F. Kern, of the School of Mines at Columbia University, the company developed a process of electrolytic refining of lead-tin alloys using a tin-lead fluosilicate electrolyte. A pilot plant was installed in November, 1927, and the commercial unit was put in October, 1929. Since that time thousands of tons of electrolytic solder have been produced in this plant and consumed by all branches of industry that use solder.

Jan 1, 1936

By Paul Wilkinson

From the earliest times, the principal component of mallplaster has been ordinary lime. Plaster-of-Paris has also been known from early times, but never used to any extent in the actual base-work of plastering-materials; it is generally used for finishing over the brown coat and for ornamental work. As an illustration of the antiquity of the use of gypsum-plaster for mortar, I find that the analysis of the exterior covering of the pyramid of Cheops, as made by Dr. Wallace, is almost identical

Jan 1, 1898

By Marius R. Campbell

VArIoUs classes of coals are recognized in this country at the present time. These classes depend largely upon physical characteristics rather than upon chemical composition, and consequently they cannot be accurately defined. The divisions into anthracite, semi-anthracite and semi-bituminons are fairly satisfactory; but the term bituminous embraces so large a variety of coal that it is of little value, and the term lignite is so loosely applied that it has little or no place in a scientific classification.

Jan 1, 1906

By Harry A. Roe

The power drag scrapers and the slackline cableway excavator have been called "long-range excavators." Broadly, their field of usefulness is restricted to work in which their long range of action permits them to operate economically, and which other, possibly more conventional, excavating units cannot do. Both of these machines dig or lift material and transport it to a remote dumping point. They combine these two functions in a single machine, nearly always in a single straight-line motion. The purpose of this paper is to examine the important features that distinguish the machines in this group from each other, as well as from other groups. The Machines The "power drag scraper" is a long-range excavating machine that employs a bottomless drag scraper operated back and forth between digging and dumping points by two haulage cables. The typical arrangement is that of Fig. 1. This is the "slusher" of the underground mine, as well as the "dragline scraper" of the sand and gravel industry, and other open-pit mining operations.

Jan 1, 1938