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By M. O?Driscoll

The tide has turned. Developments in China that have continued to unfold over the last four years or so have now reached a point where the supply market dynamics of certain industrial minerals have changed significantly. No more is this sea change better exemplified than by the supply market for magnesite, and in particular, its processed derivative grades of dead burned magnesia (DBM), caustic calcined magnesia (CCM), and fused magnesia (FM). But what has compounded the barrage of influencing factors impacting this sector, which include the widespread effects of energy and freight cost increases, has been rising demand from certain end use markets. Clearly, the magnesia market is experiencing bittersweet conditions. But those western producers which have monitored and responded to this market transformation, stand to taste success in the near and medium future. REVOLUTION IN WORLD SUPPLY STATUS In essence, while China, as host to a wealth of magnesite resources in Liaoning province, remains a huge producer of magnesia, its supply dominance on the global magnesia market has been considerably weakened. In future, it will mainly aim to supply domestic, and to some extent east Asian markets. Magnesia consumers outside China are now scrabbling for alternative, ?western? sources of supply. At the same time, magnesia producers outside China that weathered the storm of low cost Chinese DBM and FM imports flooding their regional markets for the last 20 years (and many did not), are busy investing in production capacity increases to meet not just demand from falling Chinese supply, but also demand from end use markets which is picking up. And it is not just a matter of expanding capacity of existing magnesia product lines. In the face of plentiful lower cost DBM and FM substitutes from China over the last couple of decades, many western magnesia producers started to switch their focus to the non-refractory markets (eg. environmental, specialities) which promised lucrative opportunities (and still do) and crucially, a lessening of sales revenue dependence on the DBM refractories market. Now we have the likes of Baymag (Canada), Bommag (Serbia/Turkey), and Kumas (Turkey) not only expanding capacities but seriously considering diversifying into DBM and FM production. Perhaps DSP (Israel), having ceased its famous high purity DBM activity as recently as 2005, might even reconsider a return to the ?other side?. But it?s not all DBM and FM. The CCM and specialities markets are also demanding a response, and so Baymag, DSP, Martin Marietta (USA), Premier Chemicals (USA), Qmag (Australia), MGR (Spain), and Magnifin (Austria) are also stepping up to the market on the non-refractory side. From most accounts, the situation with regard to Chinese supply has been described as one of turmoil, with prices rising, leading to improving opportunities for western producers. The majors are conducting huge expansion programmes, such as Qmag, Magnezit (Russia), and the new look Magnesita (Brazil). Even smaller players such as Causmag (Australia) and Dalmia (India) are looking to increase production. In short, the western magnesia supply sector is witnessing a landmark event in capacity investment and market share penetration as China?s previously dominant role begins to weaken (for a review of western capacity expansions see Industrial Minerals, September 2008, p.28). MERGER & ACQUISITION ACTIVITY Another response of course has been a raft of mergers and acquisitions in order to secure resources and supply outside China. These have included private equity groups taking over Magnesita and Qmag; Imerys entering the FM business through UCM; Peñoles further consolidating the electrical grade FM market by acquiring Minco; Martin Marietta acquiring Morton Salt?s Specialty Magnesia Group; Bomex entering the market through Calmag (now Bommag); LWB acquiring Magnesita; and Magnezit?s pursuit of Slovakian magnesia, with Slovmag aboard while currently wooing SMZ. Interestingly, RHI has gone ?the other way?, and has invested in a state of the art joint venture operation at Dashiqiao, Liaoning, with which it aims to secure high quality feedstock for its Chinese refractory plants. Tata Refractories Ltd has announced intentions to follow suit, and other majors, such as Qmag are known to be interested in seeking options. Naturally, there is now renewed interest from several parties in the idled 50,000 tpa DBM/10,000 CCM Jormag facility, Jordan, and the commercially undeveloped Zhargat project, Saudi Arabia. Elsewhere, there will no doubt be suitors for stakes in SMZ, in Slovakia, and Magnohrom, in Serbia, whose respective ownerships are on the block. THE ?CHINA FACTOR? The ?China factor? has been key to magnesia?s market change, and has significantly influenced prices and availability of material to global markets. Resources & production China hosts the largest share of the world?s magnesite deposits, accounting for 26% or 3,319m. tonnes of predominantly sparry magnesite (followed by North Korea, 24%, and Russia, 22%; Wilson 2008). China accounts for 44% of total world magnesite mined (19m. tonnes in 2007) and 50% of the total world magnesia produced (8.2m. tonnes CCM, DBM, FM; Wilson 2008). Russia follows China at 13% of magnesia supply, illustrating China?s dominance of magnesia production. Apart from one producer in Shandong province, central eastern China, the country?s magnesite resources and production are concentrated around the cities of Haicheng and Dashiqiao in Liaoning province, north-east China. Although there are also producers in the Xiuyan district of south-east Liaoning, the Haicheng-Dashiqiao Magnesite Belt hosts the majority of producers. In total these may number 200-300 of large,

Jan 1, 2009

By T. Fernandez, V. Juchen, C. Petter, F. Cantini, V. Lenz, V. I. Araújo, R. Petter, R. Darrigo, A. Young, I. G. da Costa, J. Oppermann

There are many methods to estimate costs quickly. One of these is the Parametric Method, where costs are estimated from general algorithms (or curves). Derived from an original tool based on the O’Hara model, a software called MAFMINE was developed. MAFMINE is based on parametric models to estimate investment and operational costs in mining. The software itself is based on the use of a computer model known as client-server. However, the model needs new inputs from advances made by the mining industry, mainly in terms of electrification, automation, digital transformation and preconcentration to face Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) concerns. Thus, this work was to prepare a new core module ready to incorporate the new technologies aiming to deliver operation and capital costs associated with environmental impact mitigation. The tool generates an order of magnitude estimate for CAPEX and OPEX to establish a very first Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) in a mining venture. For quick evaluations, at a preliminary level, the results are very promising.

Mar 2, 2022

By I. Cameron-Clarke

This paper describes the design of a wellfield to provide a water supply for a new mine in southern Africa. A hydrogeological investigation was conducted that included the drilling and test pumping of eight wells located within a highly jointed pyroxenite aquifer. The wellfield was designed using a simple probabilistic analysis. This approach allowed the variability of the aquifer parameters to be taken into account. A risk assessment analysis was then carried out to evaluate the level of assurance that a reliable water supply could be provided by the wellfield. The analysis was also used to assess the effects of supplementing the water supply by pumping from nearby flooded workings.

Jan 1, 1992

By William Watson

Coal production in the United States in 2010 increased to a level of 960 Mt (1,085.3 million st), according to preliminary data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), an increase of 1 percent, or 9.43 Mt (10.4 million st) above the 2009 level of 975 Mt (1,074.9 million st) (Table 1). In 2010, U.S. coal consumption increased in all sectors except commercial and institutional, while total coal stocks fell slightly for the year. Coal consumption in the electric power sector in 2010 was higher by 4.5 percent, while coking coal consumption increased by 37.9 percent and the other industrial sector increased by 7.1 percent. The commercial and institutional sector, which prior to 2008 had been called the ?residential and commercial? sector and is the smallest of all the coal-consuming sectors, declined by 3.1 percent in 2010. (Note: All percentage change calculations are done at the short tons level.) U.S. coal exports increased from the 2009 levels due mostly to higher demand for metallurgical coal, while coal imports decreased for a third year in a row. The increase in coal consumption for electric generation during the year was the consequence of improving domestic economic conditions further bolstered by a cold winter and warm summer in important coal-consuming regions. Preliminary data show that total generation in the electric power sector (electric utilities and independent power producers, including useful thermal output) in the U.S. increased in 2010 by 4.2 percent. Coal-based generation also increased, resulting in a 38-Mt (42-million st) increase in coal consumed in the electric power sector. Coal use in all the sectors other than the electric power sector increased by 13.9 percent to a level of 65.9 Mt (72.7 million st).

Jan 1, 2011

By Robert Giglio

Looking back over the last 150 years or so, it is not hard to see that electricity has been a primary force in shaping human development. It has been a basic ingredient in our industrial revolutions that simultaneously improved the productivity, working and living conditions within our farms, factories, hospitals, offices and homes. Today, it has become an essential part of our daily life and our future. Amazingly, we keep finding new ways to use electricity to make our lives more safe, comfortable and productive. It is a great success story of human ingenuity, achievement and development. Demand for electricity The convenience and value of electricity has not gone unnoticed by consumers. According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) (Energy Information Administration, 2009), electricity is the fastest growing form of energy in the world and during the next 20 years the world will likely consume twice as much of it as it does today. In 2008, almost 20,000 terawatt hours of electricity globally were consumed (Energy Information Administration, 2009). That is enough electricity to light up more than two million baseball stadiums or power more than 11 billion computers continuously for an entire year. The United States has the dubious distinction of be-ing the largest consumer of electricity in the world with enough power to provide each American with more than 3 kW of electricity ? that is about twice the power currently available to Europeans, eight times the power available to the Chinese and more than 25 times the power available to the citizens of India (American Coal Foundation, 2009).

Jan 1, 2009

Invensys’ recently introduced Field Device Manager for Foxboro I/A Series distributed control systems provides the industry’s first solution that takes advantage of both the latest Enhanced Electronic Device Description Language (Enhanced EDDL) and FDT technologies. This combination provides comprehensive lifecycle support to configure, calibrate, commission, diagnose and optimize the performance of any vendors’ foundation fieldbus device. The I/A Series Field Device Manager enables users to take advantage of any EDDL, Enhanced EDDL and/or FDT host deliverables supplied by the device vendor.

Jan 1, 2007

By Steven W. Hunt, Isabelle Lamb, Steven B. Fradkin

Groundwater control is generally an important consideration and significant source of risk during most tunneling projects. Proper baselining of groundwater conditions requires: 1) a thorough understanding of the geological environment; 2) a focused site investigation; 3) identification of construction and adjacent property damage risks associated with inflows and short and long term piezometric level changes; and 4) consideration of contractual issues including restrictions on means and methods and pay items for associated work. This paper provides an overview of groundwater baselining issues and risks based on selected design studies and construction case histories.

Jan 1, 2005

By John W. Shield

Oxide gold reserves are being rapidly depleted, especially in regions with long histories of gold mining, such as the Black Hills of South Dakota. However, these districts often have substantial additional deposits, where gold is refractory. It is not amenable to traditional cyanide extraction due to the presence of sulfide minerals that encapsulate or otherwise preclude the economic extraction of the gold. Several technologies have been developed to render refractory sulfide deposits amenable to traditional cyanide processing. These include roasting and pressure autoclaving. Unfortunately, these oxidation processes require substantial capital investment and incur significant operating costs. Microorganisms that obtain energy for their life processes by the oxidation of iron sulfides can be used to treat gold-bearing refractory sulfide minerals. As the bacteria convert the sulfide to sulfate, they expose any gold associated with the sulfide matrix. This makes the gold amenable to cyanide extraction.

Jan 1, 1996

By D. M. Jepsen

One of the first things we tell a potential new client is that they have only one chance to make a first impression with an Aboriginal community; all future communications and engagement will be predicated on that first impression. The key components of this most critical meeting are not your power point, your maps, or your draft plan for development ? they are instead a genuine, evident and clear demonstration of a sincere desire to develop a positive relationship that is based upon respect, and consideration and understanding of local communities and their interests, needs and desires. Relationship building is the foundation of proactive and positive consultation and accommodation with Aboriginal communities and the tone is set with the first meeting. C3 has refused more clients than we have accepted due most often to the fact that relationships between the company and the Aboriginal community have already devolved into a tense and toxic scenario. Land access and tenure certainty for exploration and mine development is critical to the foundation of a healthy, sustainable and environmentally and economically sound mineral exploration and mining sector. Without certainty confidence to invest in mineral exploration will be severely eroded. We all understand that substantive investments in exploration are required to increase the possibility of discovering, defining and developing new mines. The development of positive relationships based on a shared commitment of understanding, mutual respect and trust by Aboriginal Peoples and the mineral sector can provide the required business certainty and deliver social and economic benefits for local Aboriginal communities.

Jan 1, 2012

By J. Weng

The equations of heat conduction are numerically solved for two kinds of artificial freezing- mechanical freezing and liquid nitrogen freezing. A two dimensional finite difference model simulating the freezing field is developed. The procedure introduces a way to simulate the effect of latent heat released when water transforms from liquid to solid. The procedure also produces a way to calculate the harmonic mean of heat conductivity used when dealing with heterogeneous material. The theoretically derived temperature distributions in frozen soil are given and compared with measured data. An analysis is made on the thermal design in shaft freezing. The average temperature of frozen soil is calculated by using numerical integration. The regularity of development of frozen soil radius is revealed and given in an appropriate mathematical model.

Jan 2, 1984

By D. L. Watson

In spite of the deflationary state of the minerals business today, there will be opportunities for those who can fulfill future needs. Since there are abundant supplies of ores and fuels to keep prices down, at least in peacetime scenarios, future needs may be as much political and social as technical and economic. Engineers and economists will develop new and innovative ways to find, mine, process and pay for mineral deposits. Pressure from governments and non-governmental organizations and the public will combine with market forces to provide opportunities for highly competitive, risk-taking enterprises who can leverage the qualities of their orebodies and employees by being good neighbors and partners.

Jan 1, 2000

By G. T. Lineberry, L. Adler

Due to safety-imposed constraints on clearances for mobile bulk handling equipment, it is necessary to optimally select a unit based on speed and size. The unit cannot be both large and fast. Since output is proportional to both size (or capacity) and speed, the combination must be carefully examined to maximize output. A simple graphical procedure and a calculus-based solution are presented to accomplish this. While the procedure applies to all mobile bulk handlers, as an example of the solution technique, attention is focused on shuttle cars. Background Major variables To fully define a bulk handling problem, the conditions, equipment, and activities must be characterized. The conditions and activities, when lumped together, are termed "encumbered space," since they "act to impede motion, as with a burden" (Lineberry, 1979). The insertion of mobile bulk handling equipment into what is already a difficult set of conditions and activities compounds the state of encumbrance, as limited space is competed for by many normal and life support systems. Long (1972) recognized the effects of design criteria, including road width, on haulage vehicle speed and, therefore, on production. Velocity -clearance curves Velocity-clearance curves are either available or can be constructed in the field. A preliminary set of curves for average conditions and activities is shown in Fig. 1, where clearances are only for the side of the vehicle (Lineberry and Adler, 1984). These curves set the safe speed limits for a vehicle operating at given clearances, under given conditions and activities. When feasible, velocity-clearance curves should be constructed through field measurement and observation. Curve construction should also consider haulway roughness, distances, and operator skill, as well as loading and dumping characteristics. It should be noted that haulage capacity determination is a total systems problem, not one just dependent on velocity and clearances. Production requirements and company capabilities also influence capacity determination.

Jan 10, 1985

By M. S. Fraley

As we compete for close margins in wholesale sales, the effects of both quality and price have a major impact on the cost of producing electricity.SO2 emission allowances have traded as low as$60/ton to as high as $215/ton over the last three years. This price spread in emission allowances clearly demonstrates the correlation between the quality of fuels versus the price utilities will be willing to pay for them. This paper provides an overview of the effects of the qualities of fuel, coupled with transportation as well as environmental concerns on the price of fuel and the ability to compete in a deregulated electric market.

Jan 1, 2000

By L. Mead

Dimension stone is a natural stone (granite, marble, limestone, sandstone and slate) that can be quarried, cut and shaped to conform to acceptable industry standards for size, consistency and durability. There are numerous outlets for the finished product in exterior and interior architectural and design applications. A continued growth market is with residential usage— particularly in new, upscale construction. This has become a competitive market between domestic producers and lower cost imported products. These imported products have become available at many of the building supply retail outlets and have increased the use of stone in residential construction and renovation. The traditional architectural application of dimension stone is tied to commercial and institutional building construction trends and market. There has been a noticeable increased usage of stone in the Sun Belt. This stone is usually supplied by local fabricating shops. It is used in the exterior and interior of shopping malls. This market generally uses local stone sources. It has increased the demand for sandstone, limestone and quartzite in this region of the country.

Jan 1, 2005

By P. Mills

The four top barite-producing countries in the world are China, India, Morocco and the United States. China is currently the largest exporter of barite followed by India. More than 95 percent of the barite mined today is used by the petroleum industry as driller’s mud. The rest is used in the industrial market and the medical field. Most of the barite mined in the United States is in Nevada. This year, mining activity has increased due to an increase in oil exploration/development. This was caused by an increase in the crude oil prices.

Jan 1, 2005

Editor?s note: Each year, Mining Engineering features an industrial minerals review. Several people put in a fair amount of time in developing the material for this issue, all the while doing their own jobs. Thank you to the industrial minerals annual review editor, to the Industrial Minerals and Aggregates Division technical committee chair and vice-chairs, and to the authors of the individual commodity profiles. Jim Norman, member SME, of Tetra Tech, is the industrial minerals annual review editor. Rajesh Raitani, member SME, of Cytec Industries Inc., is chair of the Industrial Minerals and Aggregates Division?s Technical Committee. The technical Committee vice chairs include: ? Vishal Gupta, member SME, of FlSmidth, Agricultural Materials. ? Candace Trimble, member SME, of Oil- Dri Corporation of America, and Bradley Van Gosen, of the U.S. Geological Survey, ceramics and refractory materials. ? Stanley Krukowski, member SME, of the Oklahoma Geological Survey, chemical raw materials. ? Russell Winn, member SME, of R.E. James Gravel Co., chemical raw materials. ? Justin Zdunczyk, member SME, of Plum Creek, construction materials. ? Jerry Gauntt, member SME, of Golder Associates, fillers and pigments. ? Michael Cheshire, member SME, of Los Alamos National Laboratory, sorbents, filters and process aids. ? Rajesh Raitani, member SME, of Cytec, Industries Inc., specialty minerals. Their help makes possible this June industrial minerals issue. On behalf of ME readers, the editors thank them.

Jul 1, 2013

By Daniel M. Flanagan

"Editor’s note: Each year, Mining Engineering features an industrial minerals review. Several people put in a fair amount of time in developing the material for this issue, all the while doing their own jobs. Thank you to the industrial minerals annual review editor, to the Industrial Minerals & Aggregates Division technical committee chair and vice chairs, and to the authors of the individual commodity profiles. Jim Norman, member SME, of Tetra Tech, is the industrial minerals annual review editor.Joe Garska, member SME, of Imerys, is chair of the Industrial Minerals &Aggregates Division’s Technical Committee.The technical committee vice chairs include:• Hyunjung Kim, member SME, of Chonbuk National University, agricultural materials.• Xihui Lin, member SME, of Kemira, ceramics and refractory materials.• Nikhil Gupta, member SME, of Virginia Tech, chemical raw materials.• Adam Rodriquez, member SME, of Penn State, construction aggregates.• LeDeana Roberts, member SME, of Imerys, fillers and pigments.• Harsha Kolla, member SME, of ChemEOR, sorbents, filters and process aids.• Edgar Blanco, member SME, of FLSmidth, specialty minerals.Their help makes possible this July industrial minerals issue. On behalf of ME readers, the editors thank them.During the past 25 years, U.S. ball clay production (the quantity sold or used by domestic producers) increased from 788 kt (869,000 st) in 1990 to an alltime high of 1.31 Mt (1.44 million st) in 2003 (Fig. 1). Housing construction within the United States, a leading market for ball clay-based ceramics and sanitaryware, began to decline in 2005, which resulted in a considerable decrease in sales of ball clay that continued through the 2008-2009 economic recession. After bottoming out at 831 kt (916,000 st) in 2009, ball clay production steadily increased through 2015 (Fig. 1). Estimated sales in 2015 were 36 percent higher than those in 1990 and 18 percent lower than those in 2003.Four companies (H.C. Spinks Clay Co., Imerys S.A., Old Hickory Clay Co., and Unimin Corp.), mined ball clay in five states during 2015. An estimated 1.7 Mt (1.18 million st) of ball clay valued at an estimated $47.5 million was sold or used by U.S. producers, a 4-percent increase from 1.03 Mt (1.14 million st) valued at $45.2 million in 2014. Approximately 65 percent of total ball clay production was air-float, 25 percent was crude or shredded and 10 percent was water-slurried"

Jul 1, 2016

The Xinglongzhuang Coal preparation plant project was a joint effort by American and Chinese engineers and for the most part designed to American standards. The plant owner and operator is the Yanzhou Coal Mine Administration, a division of the Shandong Coal Corporation. These are state owned companies which ultimately fall under the Ministry of Coal in Beijing. The new 3.0 million ton per year Xinglongzhuang mine is located in southern Shandong province in east-central China about mid-way between Beijing and Shanghai. This is an agriculture area, flat terrain, relatively dry climate with temperatures similar to Western Kentucky. During Confucius time (551-479 B.C.) this area was known as the state of Lu. Confucius home town of Qufu is about 20 kilometers to the north-east of the mine site.

Jan 1, 1989

By R. P. Proulx

The Meikle Mine is a high grade, underground goldmine utilizing primary-secondary longhole open stoping with delayed backfill to produce 2700 tpd(3000 stpd) of ore. Hot and reactive ground conditions were encountered early on in the mine life. Ground temperatures up to 166°C (330°F) were measured. In the early stages of mining, the mine experienced premature detonations using different explosive products. The learning curve to safely mine this high-grade gold deposit in hot and severely reactive ground was indeed very steep. Currently, the Meikle Mine uses a special buffered bulk emulsion in all blasts to address hot and reactive ground concerns. In addition, exacting procedures are also followed to ensure safe work with explosives. The combination of new explosives technology and strict loading procedures permits high mine productivity with the highest degree of safety.

Jan 1, 2000

By T. Pool

Introduction After two decades of contraction and consolidation, the uranium industry has seen a recent major expansion. Rapidly increasing uranium prices and the ability to raise speculative capital in share markets worldwide have brought over 300 new participant companies into the uranium industry: “juniors” as they are known. These companies participated in a global land rush for known deposits as well as for prospective land positions in order to secure a “piece of the action” for their respective portfolios. Mostly publicly-traded companies, these “juniors” have captured the attention of world’s investing public with spectacular gains; as much as 1,000s of percent in less than four years. The initial phase is over, however, and these companies must now prove that they can be successful in exploration or production.

Jan 1, 2007