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By Andy Mille

The paper highlights development of tunneling methodology in the UK during the years 1990-2000 using the example of two major tunneling contracts where there solution of difficult tunneling problems during construction has benefited the industry as a whole. The paper deals with specific difficulties on two Contracts. The London Water Ring Main 80 kms (50 miles) long tunnel average internal diameter 2.54 m (9 ft4 in) and the Brighton Stormwater Tunnel 5.2 km (3.2 miles) long tunnel with an internal diameter of 6 m (19 ft 8 in). The results of human endeavour and technological innovations will demonstrate the giant strides made in tunneling methodology in the last decade of the 20th Century.

Jan 1, 2001

By Adil Aledresse, N. Emre Altun, Bern Klein, Nuri Hmidi, Brent Hilscher

A study was conducted to investigate high gold grades in water lines and carbon fines collected from the Musselwhite gold recovery circuit. It was discovered that fine magnetic particles in the overflow from the carbon fines settling tank launder had high gold grades ranging from 2,000 to7,000 g/t. The -37 micron fraction had up to 17,000 g/t gold. Scanning electron microscopy revealed the gold was attached to the surface of iron particles. The objective of the study was to identify possible mechanisms that result in the attachment of the gold to the magnetic iron particle surface and to recommend process modifications that would reduce these types of gold losses around the carbon circuits. Solid and solution samples were collected from the gold recovery circuit and analysed. Two possible mechanisms were identified including gold cementation onto iron and heterocoagulation of colloidal gold onto iron oxides in the elution column. Possible sources of the colloidal gold include reduction of gold cyanide complex to metallic gold in the carbon regeneration kiln and gold detached from cathode in EW cell. Based on SEM+EDX, the sources of iron were natural magnetite and roasted iron sulphides. Thermal reduction of gold is believed to be the cause of dendritic gold from the carbon regeneration kiln.

Jan 1, 2014

By R. E. Barbosa

Seepage forces generated during tunnel excavation affect the ground response and may cause severe instability problems, including total ground collapse and flooding into the tunnel. This paper presents a new closed-form analytical solution, for stresses and displacements around a cylindrical tunnel excavated in a porous water-bearing elasto-plastic material, which includes the effects of seepage forces. The analysis is carried out in terms of effective stresses and pore water pressures. The solution shows that seepage forces may have a major effect on the effective stresses around the tunnel, on the extent of the plastic zone, on the radial displacements, and on the tunnel support requirements. The conditions for development of a ?flowing ground? condition at the tunnel face have been identified. The paper presents a procedure for the hydromechanical ground-support interaction analysis, to determine the excavation induced inflow and the pressures acting on the lining, throughout the progressive driving of the tunnel, including the effective pressures exerted by the ground and the pressures generated by the water.

May 1, 2009

By Paul C. McWilliams

The U.S. Bureau of Mines has, primarily through its contract program, used large-scale centrifuges to determine design criteria for tailing embankments. The centrifuge runs were made at two installations, the University of Cambridge, Cambridge, England and Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM. The major problems considered were as follows: slope stability of embankments, modeling erosion and seepage, use of the phreatic surface level to ascertain the validity of centrifuge modeling, and the effects of compaction and weathering on a tailings embankment. This report summarizes the results of the four test series conducted at University of Cambridge and Sandia National Laboratories. A review of prior centrifuge applications to mining problems is included. Consideration is given to future centrifuge application to mining problems in both soil and rock mechanics.

Jan 1, 1989

By N. B. Devi

The extraction of copper(II) from sulphate solution was investigated using LIX®984N in kerosene. The parameters that could affect the extraction, such as equilibrium pH, extractant concentration, salt concentration, various diluents, and temperature, were separately investigated. On the basis of slope analysis, the complex formed in the organic phase is proposed to be CuR2, where R is the anionic part of LIX®984N. The extraction equilibrium constant and Gibbs free energy ( G) of the extraction process were determined. The positive value of H obtained from temperature variation studies showed that the extraction process is endothermic. The extraction of copper was lowest when chloroform was used as the diluent. Separation and recovery of copper from a synthetic copper-nickel solution containing 6.35 g/L Cu(II) and 0.58 g/L Ni(II) was carried out using 20%(v/v) LIX® 984N. The separation factor ( = DCu/DNi) was found to be pH-dependent. A two-stage batch countercurrent extraction was carried out at an O:A ratio of 3:4 at equilibrium pH 1.05 for extraction of copper from copper-nickel solution, followed by copper stripping from the loaded organic phase with 15% H2SO4 at an O:A ratio of 3:1.

Jan 1, 2014

By Norbert T. Rogers

An accepted statement of fact is that, next to agriculture, transportation is the second most important industry in the world. The transportation networks of the United States have greatly contributed to our nation's growth and prosperity. The objective here is to make the reader aware of the need for communication between geologists, mining engineers, purchasing agents, and transportation managers. Only through a cooperative effort is it possible to reap the benefits of transportation in the industrial minerals field. Transportation is often thought of in terms of trucks, rail cars, barges, and covered wagons. There is much more. Corning Inc. Corning Glass Works is a worldwide organization with more than $2 billion in annual sales. It supplies more than 60,000 different products a year to some 47,000 customer firms and millions of individual consumers. Corning operates 32 of its own plants worldwide and is also an investor with a 50-50 or minority position in 24 affiliated companies in 11 countries. Corning competes in four broad business categories: • specialty glass and ceramics; • consumer housewares; • laboratory sciences; and • telecommunications Binding these four sectors together is the glue of technology. Coming's research laboratory, established in 1908, was one of the first in American industry. That early commitment to research has never wavered. Today, Corning spends annually on research and devel¬opment, as a percentage of sales, at double the average rate for all manufacturing industry in the US. Some 1500 scientists, engineers, and support personnel are now employed at the company's research and development centers in the US, Japan, and France. Petalite background A family of materials melted conventionally as a glass, then converted by special processing to a ceramic was invented in 1957. One of the basic minerals in this glass ceramic product is petalite. Petalite is a monoclinic mineral with a framework silicate structure and a low iron content, about 0.06% Fe2O3. Petalite is found in very few places throughout the world and no commercial petalite deposit has been found in the United States. Sizable deposits occur in Zimbabwe, Southwest Africa, Brazil, Australia, the Soviet Union, and Sweden. Coming's purchasing and geology departments located a source of petalite with proven reserves in what was then known as Rhodesia. The supplier was Bikita Minerals. The relationship with Bikita was one in which Bikita supplied bulk ore that Corning processed into a finished material at its US facility. This bulk ore method of shipment resulted in high losses through contamination and processing. It also caused tank upsets at the Corning plant because of iron contamination picked up through the numerous handlings of this product in bulk. The relationship with Bikita continued until 1965 when the white political leadership of Rhodesia declared its independence from Great Britain. This led to the imposition of international sanctions. The sanctions were lifted in 1980 and the relationship with Bikita was reestablished in 1983.

Jan 1, 1989

By S. T. Camagu, J. Dutta Majumdar, S. L. Pityana

Laser surface alloying was used to develop copper and molybdenum aluminides by injecting premixed copper and molybdenum powder particles into a laser-generated melt pool on an aluminium substrate. Different laser processing parameters were used to produce the composite thin layers on the substrate material. The microstructure and phase constituents of the composite layer were studied by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. Experimental results show that the matrix structure of the metal matrix composite layer consists of ?-CuAl2and MoAl5. Surface hardness was increased by a factor of 3.

Jan 1, 2015

This paper aims to collate the metallurgical test work undertaken on the Barrytown mineral sands deposit. It is intended to serve as a summary of mineral dressing work undertaken by all interested parties up to the time of writing. Areas requiring further investigation are: in situ grades and recoveries of accessory minerals,the question of 'rank' of ilmenite within the deposit,flow sheet development for the recovery of gold and monazite, andcost analysis to investigate the relative worth of other minerals; notably rutile. Flow sheet development with respect to the Accessory Minerals cannot be accurately defined until the importance of each mineral in terms of grade, recovery and expected revenue is determined. To date, ilmenite and zircon flows are well documented. Further work is needed to quantify recovery's and flows of the other minerals; notably monazite, gold and rutile.

Jan 1, 1989

By Nikhil Dhawan, Veeranjaneyulu Rayapudi

This study investigates upgrading of low-grade banded hematite quartzite iron ore (Fe ~31%). Conventional beneficiation was found to be futile. The susceptibility of iron phases to microwave exposure and their selective absorption assists in the liberation of iron values. Microwave exposure of coarse particles at 540 W for 10 min yielded a concentrate with Fe 56.30% and recovery of 50.68%. Conventional carbothermic reduction at 500 °C, 60 min and 9% charcoal yielded a concentrate with Fe 57.6% and iron recovery of 68%. The presence of sufficiently bonded silica leads to an easy formation of a fayalite phase. The microwave reduction design yielded FeG of 57.6%, FeR of 47% and a yield of 24% at an optimal condition of 540 W, 8 min and 6% charcoal. It was found that a small fraction of microwave-irradiated ore-charcoal mixture melted rapidly, and pure ferrite balls were observed within 8 min. An optical micrograph of a ferrite ball reveals the retained austenite and martensite phase.

By Richard E. Danell

"There are a variety of approaches for wall control blasting in open pit mining operations. Safety forworking in the pit is the principal benefit. There are also a number of economic and productivitybenefits when appropriate techniques are used. The purpose and requirements of wall control blasting can vary quite significantly for different operations. When considering blast design, geology, geotechnical factors, drilling, explosives, economics and blasting history are all part of the engineering design process. In many operations, there is a high reliance on blasting history and economics for determining wall control blasting measures. This presentation outlines approaches that broaden the design process and discusses their advantages."

Jan 1, 1997

By David V. Lewin

Heavy structures in central Cleveland, Ohio, are supported on raft foundations, driven piles, or caissons. Settlements can be predicted and structures are designed to accommodate such settlements. On one project the settlements were not provided for in the design of the structure. Soils are sands, silts, and varved clays to shale. A rift in a central area is 600 feet deep. Solutions to problems, and results, are detailed.

Jan 1, 1985

By Francisco Camus

El proceso de exploración en las campañas mineras es la primera fase del negocio y constituye una de los principales herramientas para su supervivencia, desarrollo y valorización de la industria. En este sentido, el presente texto señala la experiencia de Codelco en la exploración en Chile y su aplicación en Perú. Así, el conocimiento obtenido por Codelco realizado en el norte y centro de Chile, ha generado la formulación de modelos de exploración predictiva durantes los últimos diez años. Dichos modelos incorporaron el conocimiento logrado en el nivel de cada yacimiento individual, los entornos distritales y las franjas metalogénicas donde estos ocurren. En consecuencia, esta experiencia obtenida por Codelco y el reconocimiento de la continuidad en Chile, se extiende en el Perú y se presenta como una oportunidad de interés para el desarrollo de programas de exploración a futuro.

Sep 13, 2001

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

By David Schlain

The Bureau of Mines investigated methods for electrodepositing platinum-group metals from molten cyanide baths. The preparation of thick, protective coatings on molybdenum, Inconel, graphite, stainless steel, copper, and other structural metals were studied, as well as the electroforming of platinum and iridium crucibles. Iridium, rhodium, and ruthenium can be electrodeposited under an inert atmosphere, while platinum and palladium require the presence of air. Electrolytes may be prepared by direct-current electrolysis in NaCN or mixtures of NaCN and KCN using anodes of the particular platinum-group metal. When the concentration of metal increases to about 0.3 or 0.4 percent, the deposits become bright, adherent, and coherent. Current densities may be 10 to 25 ma/cm2, and plating rates are often 0.5 mil/hr. Platinum and palladium baths deteriorate because of the oxidation of cyanide to cyanate and carbonate, and the precipitation of metal. Changes in the platinum cyanide bath are relatively slow. The protection against oxidation afforded by the platinum-group metal coatings is evaluated by testing encapsulated specimens in a thermogravimetric balance. Surface pretreatment and the use of undercoats are discussed.

Jan 1, 1977

By Kristen Dunlap

There are several thousand remote stream crossing structures in the Tongass National Forest in need of removal. In 2007 thirty-three collapsing log bridges, log culverts, and metal culverts no longer in use were removed with explosives. Species of salmon, trout, char, and sculpin are present in the project area. Blasting overpressures may injure or kill fish in streams and ground vibrations can damage salmonid embryos in streambeds. Regulatory agencies offer guidelines with limits for blasting induced overpressures and vibrations. However, there has been no quantification of blast overpressures in shallow streams. Methods used to predict lethal levels for various blasting applications have not been completely validated. This research provides guidance for analyzing ground vibrations and water overpressures during blasting activities in or around fish streams.

Jan 1, 2009

This paper presents the results of a unique study conducted by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) from 2016 to 2019 to evaluate the effects of longwall-induced subsurface deformations on shale gas well casing integrity and underground miner safety and health. At both deep and shallow cover instrumentation sites, surface subsidence measurements, subsurface in-place inclinometer measurements, and underground pillar pressure measurements were conducted as longwall panels were mined. Comparisons of the deep and shallow cover test site results with those from a similar study under medium cover reveal an interesting longwall-induced response scenario. Under shallow and medium covers, measured horizontal displacements within the abutment pillar are one order of magnitude higher than those measured under deep cover. Conversely, measured vertical compressions under deep cover are one order of magnitude higher than those under shallow and medium covers. However, FLAC3D simulations of the casings indicate that, in all three cases, the P-110 production casings remain intact under longwall-induced deformations and compressions, which has serious implications for future mine design in areas where shale gas wells have been drilled ahead of mining.

Jan 7, 2020

By F. Terblanche, M. Holton, A. Kruger

The paper presents an optimal mine planning system designed to simultaneously optimize all the underground mines of large South African gold and platinum mining corporations. The system, code named PlanIT-OPTIM, is a multi-stage solution involving the use of adetailed 3D CAD-based mine planning system (CADSmine™V4). The mine design and scheduling rules defined in CADSmine™ are responsible for simulating mining sequencing, rock mechanics, and ventilation, etcetera. Feasible production ranges generated by CADSmine™ and various high-level mathematical models are used as inputs to a mathematical optimization engine. The optimization engine produces optimal production profiles (i.e. key business indicators such as tonnages, mineral and areas extracted per time period) by maximizing net present value. Other objectives such as profit continuity, production continuity and maintaining available reserves can also be specified as optimization criteria. The final step in the PlanIT-OPTIM process is to convert the optimal production profiles into practical and attainable business plans. This is achieved through the CADSmine™ Detail Optimization Engine that modifies the original CADSmine™ schedule to match the optimal production profiles. With current methods it is an impossible task to find the best business plan for a mining corporation in any reasonable period of time should conditions change (e.g. gold prices, exchangerates, grade estimates, etcetera). The fast turn around time achieved through PlanIT-OPTIM makes it possible to do several ‘what-if’ scenarios in a reasonably short time. PlanIT-OPTIM has already been used in the gold mining industry to find optimal business plans for a mine.

Jan 1, 2003

By S. C. Borah

Graphite, a mineral form of pure carbon, is one of the most versatile minerals in industry, because of its varying physical properties and characteristics. The mineral occurs naturally in the form of tubular crystals or microcrystalline earthy lumps, or it is disseminated in rocks, which have undergone intense metamorphism. India has a large deposition of graphite minerals out of which about 43% are found in Arunachal Pradesh. However, compared to the rest of the country, the North-East Region and particularly Arunachal Pradesh has not attracted attention till date for detail investigation for characterization, beneficiation, prospecting and/or exploitation of the mineral resources including graphite. Bulk graphite sample were collected from upper Subanshiri district of Arunachal Pradesh. Chemical analysis of the representative samples were carried out and found that 7.29%, 19.60% and 6.07% of fixed carbon (FC) is present in graphite sample collected from La-Lamdak, Bopi and Taliha, Arunachal Pradesh, respectively. Chemical analysis of the ash of the graphite sample shows presence of impurities such as silica, Al2O3, Fe2O3, Ca, Mg etc in the graphite sample which are also supported by XRD and SEM-EDX investigation. The graphite samples of Arunachal Pradesh are low grade and do not fulfill the market requirement for the industrial applications. Therefore, low-grade graphite is subjected to beneficiation for the upgradation of the graphite for industrial applications. We have adopted the dispersion?cum-settling technique for the beneficiation of the graphite sample collected from Arunachal Pradesh. The FC of 40.21% with 41.17% raw graphite recovery which is equivalent to 71.02% carbon recovery have been obtained by gravity separation technique using only distilled water without any chemical reagent in case of graphite sample collected from Bopi, Arunachal Pradesh. The graphite sample is upgraded up to 47.75% FC with 41.91% raw graphite recovery, which is equivalent to 85.85% carbon recovery with the pH adjustment at 9 with NaOH. Keywords: graphite, beneficiation, gravity separation, arunachal Pradesh

Sep 1, 2012

By W. E. Lee

Penetration and dissolution mechanisms are reviewed for predominantly single-phase oxide, two phase oxide and oxide-carbon composite refractories by liquid silicate slags. Theoretical models of these processes, as well as static (sessile drop, dipping and crucible) and dynamic (rotating finger and rotary slag) experimental tests, along with their practical limitations are considered. Direct (congruent or homogeneous) attack is controlled by the reaction rate at the slag-refractory interface or the rate of diffusive transport of species to it through the slag leading to active corrosion. Indirect (incongruent or heterogeneous) attack is controlled by diffusive transport through the slag or through a new solid phase, which forms at the original slag-refractory interface. This may lead to passive corrosion. Examples of direct and indirect attack in a range of refractory/slag systems are described highlighting the critical influence of the composition and hence viscosity of the local liquid slag adjacent the solid refractory. Penetration and corrosion can be controlled either through the local slag composition via the refractory or the bulk slag or by microstructural control of the refractory by e.g. internal generation of dense layers or external deposition/generation of passive coatings, so-called in situ refractories.

Jan 1, 2004

By Jack A. McQuiston, Thomas A. Cross

Corrosion of equipment and machinery in the coal industry is usually the result of three main agents: acids, chlorides, and abrasion. Acids and chlorides are especially troublesome in coal preparation plants where soluble salts and sulfur in the coal produce a highly corrosive wash solution. Abrasion is common in all operations where coal is handled or conveyed. Together, the acid-chloride-abrasion combination results in some of the worst corrosive conditions found in any industry. The variety of equipment and structures in the coal industry calls for different corrosion control techniques. Table 1 lists the areas of concern for a number of items. Just as there is a wide variety of corrosion problems, there is a wide array of coating materials available. Tables 2 and 3 are selection charts to provide guidance in narrowing down the choices. Experience has shown that a limited number of coating systems work best on coal equipment and structures. These systems are described in Table 4. The good-better-best designation in the table refers to coating system longevity. Good indicates the least costly and shortest service life. In nearly all cases the lowest annualized cost can be achieved by using the coating system rated best, due to the avoidance of costly repaints and unnecessary downtime. The most expensive coating system, though, is worthless unless the coating system is properly applied. Field inspection to insure compliance with specifications is an important aspect, and is a service available from many coating suppliers. Even the best coating systems require periodic maintenance to achieve satisfactory results. Spot rusting from mechanical damage should be repaired annually to maximize the coatingsystem's results.

Jan 2, 1980