Search Documents

By W. D. Gould, F. Goodazi, W. F. A. Duncan, A. G. Mattes

A biological treatment system designed to passively remove high concentrations of metals from leachate collected from a landfill near a large integrated zinc lead smelter has been in operation intermittently for the past five years including winter time operations. High metal removal efficiencies in the system were achieved. After 729 days of operation and treating over 8 million L of water the original anaerobic bioreactor constructed in 1997 was taken apart and rebuilt. The deconstruction of the bioreactor allowed systematic sampling at all depths of the biological matrix. Samples were analyzed for metal, S and TOC concentrations; as well bacterial populations were determined. Results of this sampling procedure are examined and compared at various depths within layers and between layers using one-way ANOVA and linear regressions. Metal concentrations were positively correlated with sulphur and negatively with total organic carbon. This is in concurrence with a model of biogenic precipitation of metal sulphides.

Jan 1, 2004

By E. O. Magnusson

THE orebodies of the Preston East Dome mine show a considerable variation in size,? shape, dip, and ground condition. They vary from small and large irregular masses being mined by shrinkage, cut-and-fill, and square set-and-fill mining methods to narrow veins being mined by open stoping. Standardization of mining operations has necessarily been difficult. This considerable variation in mining condition prompted the development of a bonus system which would give more equitable bonus payments through-out the mine than those obtained by the usually accepted methods of calculating mine bonus. PRINCIPLES ON WHICH THE SYSTEM IS BASED Under an incentive bonus system, performance (efficiency) and a price per unit of work done are inter-related. It is in the application of this? principle to working conditions .in the Preston East Dome mine that the system to be described differs from the standard methods of calculating mine bonus. It was found that the method of paying a fixed price per unit of work done, under the 'contract' system, gave satisfactory results in development, less satisfactory results in timbering, and results which were not satisfactory in stoping. Under the fixed price system, bonus payments, in timbering and stoping particularly, were very erratic and did not necessarily represent fair payment for the work done. A fixed price in development is satisfactory because the work done, and the conditions under which the work is done, are uniform. The drilling and blasting cycle is completed in one shift, the size of heading is con-trolled, and a minimum number of holes are required in order to obtain a satisfactory break. The performance possible under these conditions has been found to be confined to a fairly narrow range. By performance in development is meant the efficiency of the working crew as expressed in terms of the two variables of feet of advance per round and pounds of ex-plosives consumed per foot of advance. A change in rock formation, how-ever, may alter to a marked degree the performance possible, quite independent of the skill and energy of the working crew. The changes in working conditions that affect development performance from the standpoint of bonus calculation are usually easily apparent and are satisfactorily met by establishing several fixed prices.

Jan 1, 1944

By M. Noaparast, N. Nickoletopoulos, André R. Laplante

"This paper presents an application of the use of synthetic ores to study gold recovery by gravity. Three case studies are presented: the first focuses on the use of tungsten to study applications of Knelson Concentrators for upgrading gravity concentrates; the second on tungsten again, in this case to study the performance of a 86 Falcon Concentrator; and the third on lead to mimic gold's grinding behaviour.It is shown that the use of synthetic ores with metallic substitute for gold is not only expedient, but it can also lead to an increased understanding of separation and grinding mechanisms, because of the more accurate results and controlled particle shapes. The case studies highlight the problems associated with gold particle flakiness and gangue density. The grinding behaviour of malleable materials is shown to be complex, as particles can migrate to coarser size classes by flattening and cold welding, and to finer size classes by folding and actual breakage.IntroductionThe title of this contribution is not entirely misleading. Mineral processing has much to do with philosophy, rather Philosophy, as described by Georgius Agricola:""Furthermore, there are many arts and sciences of which the miner should not be ignorant. First there is Philosophy, that he may discern the origin, cause, and nature of subterranean things; for then he will be able to dig out the veins easily and advantageously, and to obtain more abundant results from his mining. ""1"

Jan 1, 1995

By J. A. C. Fortescue

"Reconnaissance geochemical mapping, based on the chemical analysis of waters, stream, and / or lake sediments had its origin in geochemical prospecting surveys carried out in New Brunswick during the 1950s. More recently, reconnaissance geochemical surveys carried out by government agencies for mineral resource appraisal purposes have been seen as a special case of regional geochemical mapping which is carried out with the aim of describing geochemical patterns f or elements which may he interpreted for mineral resource appraisal, environmental or geological purposes. The interpretation of pal/ ems on regional geochemical maps is based on the concepts of landscape geochemistry, in this paper, the regional approach 10 geochemical mapping is described with reference to an experimental regional geochemical survey which was completed in southwest Ontario during 1981-82. II is concluded, on the basis of data pal/ems for one element only (i.e. arsenic), that the new approach has much potential for solving modern problems in geoscience.""If things don 'I alter they will stay as they are... An old adage.IntroductionDuring the past hundred years topographic, geological, and geophysical maps have been made for all, or nearly all, of Ontario. During the past thirty years these maps have become related as components of what is now called geoscience. Geoscience maps at the regional (i .e. 1 :250,000) scale are often used together to solve general problems in earth science especially in relation to prospecting, or mineral re source appraisal."

Jan 1, 1986

By Daniel Torres Espinoza, Jose Pinedo

"Ventilation is a vital service in underground mines, required to provide fresh air to the work force and dilute diesel equipment gases (CO, NOx) and diesel particulate matters (DPM). At a Mexican precious metal mine in the state of Chihuahua there is a VOD system implemented using Howden’s control and monitoring system and a state of the art tagging and tracking technology. The JM zone of the mine is ventilated using a push and pull system, using automated regulators on each level to control the air going in and out of the levels. The implementation of advanced control strategies using Howden’s VentSim™CONTROL allows the mine to generate significant savings and increase health and safety of the workers.INTRODUCTIONIn underground mines, ventilation is a requirement in order to maintain the fresh air needed for personnel and equipment. Ventilation regulations dictate the amount of air required underground to carry out day to day operations by limiting the exposure that workers have to toxic gases and other pollutants. Regulations for required airflow in underground operations for diesel pollutants are generally provided on vehicle rated brake horsepower, in Mexico the requirement is 75 cfm/bhp. In underground mines, ventilation services can account to up to 75% of the mine’s energy consumption, and it is very common for fans to operate all the time because of a lack of control infrastructure for the ventilation system. By the implementation of a Ventilation On Demand (VOD) system a mine can reduce this consumption with different control strategies. The main infrastructure required to implement this system consists of remote control of ventilation infrastructure (fans and regulators), a communication network between throughout the mine with the surface and a tracking system for personnel and diesel equipment. Software is required to determine fresh air requirements based on the tracking system data and then send the control commands to the different ventilation infrastructure. In 2015, San Julian Mine acquired Howden’s VentSim™CONTROL (formally SmartEXEC) and the hardware solution to deploy a VOD system at their operation. The VOD system and Fresnillo plc’s San Julian Mine in Chihuahua, Mexico, consists of control of 10 surface exhaust fans, 2 surface intake fans, and 12 underground automated regulators. It also includes the monitoring of 46 flow sensors, 28 CO sensors, 28 NO?? sensors and 42 temperature and humidity sensors, approximately 500 personnel tags, approximately 220 vehicle tracking tags with diesel status (ON or OFF) and approximately 250 tracking zones. This paper discusses the control strategies that have been implemented at San Julian Mine since the system was commissioned and the next steps that will be taken at the mine with the system as they test different level on VOD."

Jan 1, 2019

By W. N. Roman

This paper will examine the challenges involved in ventilating and cooling South African mines, with particular emphasis on solutions to the issues of heat (generally associated with depth), mechanization and energy efficiency. Comparisons will be made with other international mining areas. Some of the deepest mines in the world are to be found in the South African goldfields. The Mponeng mine is approaching 4,000 m below surface, with virgin rock temperatures (VRT) of between 60°C and 70°C. Mining at these depths has only been possible with the use of large refrigeration plants supplying cold air, water and ice to the workings. In the Bushveld Igneous Complex, where most of South Africa?s platinum mines are located, similar VRTs are being experienced at significantly shallower depths. This is due to the different geothermal properties of the host rock between the two areas. Existing mines are being forced to go deeper and new underground mines are being planned and constructed in other areas with widely differing thermal conditions. South African metal mining has traditionally been labour intensive for historical reasons as well as for the narrow tabular nature of many ore bodies. Due to cost pressures and labour problems, some mines have been investigating the possibility of using mechanized equipment, both diesel and electric, to increase production and to improve efficiency. Studies have been carried out to determine the effect of the additional equipment on the overall ventilation system and some of the conclusions are discussed. The use of diesel equipment adds heat and pollutants to the ventilation air but, although electrical equipment has a lesser effect on the ventilation systems, it is generally less favoured due to claims of lower flexibility/manoeuvrability. Mechanization holds the promise of more concentrated mining activities but, with higher localized ventilation and cooling needs. Systems which will control the provision of air and cooling more effectively are required and are being implemented. In the 1990s and early 2000s, the South African economy experienced significant growth which was not matched by the growth in infrastructure. Consequently, at present there is a shortage of electricity generation capacity which affects large industrial consumers, including mines. Increasing levels of heat and mechanization will require more electrical energy for ventilation and cooling. There are many initiatives underway to save power or to shift consumption to periods of national low demand and these will be described.

Aug 1, 2013

By Ivan Malinsky, Gérard Castonguay

"On a développé un procédé qui donne une fonte (2,3% C, 0,07% V) du V2O5 (99%) et un rutile synthétique (94% TiO2) à partir d'un minerai, dont les réserves au Québec sont importantes. Le procédé comprend les opérations suivantes: 1) la concentration magnétique du minerai (30% Fe, 9% TiO2 et 0,65% V2O5) pour produire un concentré (65% Fe, 7% TiO2 et 1,6% V2O5); 2) le smeltage du concentré aggloméré dans un four à arc, sans fondant, pour produire une fonte et une scorie (30% FeO, 40% TiO2 et 8,0% V2O5) qui contient plus de 95% du vanadium et du titane présents dans le concentré; 3) le grillage alcalin (37% Na2CO3) de la scorie suivi d'une lixiviation à l'eau et de la précipitation de l'hexavanadate d'ammonium à partir du filtrat; 4) la lixiviation du résidu par l'acide sulfurique pur ou usagé pour produire un rutile synthétique. Un estimé préliminaire de la valeur économique du projet laisse croire à sa rentabilité à la condition que l'investissement pour le smeltage soit inférieur à environ 400$/tonne de fer.IntroductionLes gisements de magnétites titanifères sont nombreux dans le monde. Ils consistent en une magnétite étroitement liée a l'ilménite, La teneur trop élevée en TiO2 empêche l'exploitation de ces gisements pour la production de fer. Cependant, dans certains cas, la magnétite a une teneur intéressante en vanadium qui peut rendre l'exploitation de ces gisements rentable. Aujourd'hui, les magnétites titanifères constituent la plus importante source de production de vanadium. On estime qu'environ 70% du vanadium produit provient de ces sources."

Jan 1, 1983

By O. A. Ojo, E. Anisimov, A. K. Khan

Electro-spark deposition (ESD) has recently generated a great deal of interest in processing aerospace materials. This is due to its potential for joining and repairing difficult-to-weld precipitation strengthened nickel-based superalloys without having problems of welding cracking that often plaque these materials. The short duration of current pulses involved in the process combined with the intermittent contact results in extremely rapid thermal cycle that produces nearly no heat affected zone in the substrate material. The microstructure of electro-spark deposited superalloy was meticulously studied in this work by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and analytical transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results show that in contrast to general assumption, the extreme rapid cooling rates involved in the ESD process did not produce partition-less solidification that is devoid of second phase microconstituents in the material. The secondary microconstituents were found formed along the intercellular regions of the solidification microstructure. The nature of these particles and the possible implication of their formation on mechanical properties of ESD processed material are reported and discussed.

Jan 1, 2015

By Z. Tang

A collaborative project was performed between NRC Institute for Fuel Cell Innovation and MagPower Systems Inc, to develop a cost effective fabrication process to manufacture the anode for magnesium-air fuel cell with improved performance. A novel fabrication process was developed, which resulted in a porous microstructure with increased surface area, instead of the traditional solid structure. This porous anode greatly increased power density in the magnesium-air power source. This fabrication process is very simple and cost effective. Especially, this process makes it convenient to incorporate different alloying additions, as well as hydrogen inhibitor and electrolyte management additive into the anode. The anode composition was designed so that micro galvanic cells were formed as current is drawn out of the fuel cell, and resulting increased dissolution rate of Mg. It is feasible to incorporate hydrogen inhibitor and electrolyte management additive into the porous anode, and the anode with some kinds of inhibitors exhibited improved electrochemical performance. This paper describes the microstructure and electrochemical performance of anodes with designated porous structure and alloying additions. Furthermore, quantitative kinetics analysis of the obtained I-V curves and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were carried out to clarify the mechanism.

Jan 1, 2005

By F. Rivard, M. G. Drouet, W. S. Ruff, P. Carabin

"In both the hot rotary-salt-furnace (RSF) treatment of aluminum dross and the cold ball-millsieving (BMS) treatment of zinc dross, enormous amounts of energy and recoverable metal are wasted and large amounts of greenhouse gas are produced. Such wastes and the environment pollution could be avoided by using the DROSRITE PLUS™ technology. Economic and GHG production comparisons between the presently used industrial treatment processes and DROSRITE PLUS™, supported by over one hundred tests conducted in Canada, the US and Europe, are presented. The savings, with DROSRITE PLUS™, would be about $191 and $418 per MT of aluminum and zinc dross, respectively.INTRODUCTIONDross is a material, which forms on the surface of molten non-ferrous metal, such as aluminum or zinc, during melting, metal holding and handling operations when the molten metal is in contact with a reactive atmosphere. Dross normally consists of metal oxides entraining a considerable quantity of molten free (unreacted) metal, and for economic reasons it is desirable to extract the free metal before discarding the residue. In the case of aluminum dross, recovery of the metal is usually carried out by treating the dross in a furnace at a high temperature (Peterson et al., 2002). By contrast, cold zinc dross is crushed in a ball mill followed by sieving to separate the coarse metal portion from the fine oxide residue.The conventional aluminum dross treatment process, using gas or oil-heated rotary salt furnaces (RSF), is thermally inefficient and environmentally unacceptable because of the salt slag and CO2 produced from the combustion of fossil fuels. In the past several years, a number of salt-free processes have been developed and some of these have found limited commercial use (Gripenberg et al., 1994; Lavoie et al., 1990). In all these dross treatment processes, heating of the cold dross in a rotary furnace requires an external energy input that varies between 375 and 2,500 kWh per (metric) tonne of dross. Molten metal separated during processing of the heated dross is tapped, and the remaining solid residue is discharged from the furnace."

Jan 1, 2012

By P. R. A. Andrews

"A sample of flotation feed from Bakertalc Inc., High water, Quebec was subjected to flotation evaluation to improve the recovery of talc. A number of alternative frother/collectors and depressants as well as flotation parameters including pH, conditioning time, frother/collector concentration and pulp density were assessed. In addition, the possibility of using a size coarser than that currently employed for flotation (95% minus 50 um) was investigated.As far as possible, a laboratory duplication of the present circuit arrangement was folio wed so as to minimize the cost of any changes. The best results obtained were a concentrate analyzing 95.96% acid insol for a recovery of 65.98% after four stages of cleaning. With recirculation of cleaner tailings, the recovery would be higher.The possibility of using an alternative method, based on the natural ability of talc to float unaided by a frother/collector, was briefly explored with encouraging results.IntroductionBakertalc lnc ., located in the eastern townships at Highwater, Quebec, Is approximately 140 km east of Montreal near the Vermont, U.S. border. Originally called Baker Mining and Milling Co. Ltd., it has produced pulverized talc products since 1938(1 ), although records show that talc was mined in the area as early as 1871(2). Feed to the mill originally was obtained from local deposits, but since 1952 the van Reet mine near south Bolton, approximately 25 km from Highwater, has been the source of ore .In 1957 a Raymond high -side roller mill was installed which enabled production of a greater range of talc products and, in 1960, new crushing equipment and a dryer were added. Other additions to the mill were the introduction of wet magnetic separation, although this was later discontinued, and flotation to produce high-grade talc concentrates."

Jan 1, 1985

By J. Zollinger, J. R. Kennedy, J. H. Park, D. Daloz

"In order to improve the properties of cast Ti-Al alloys to replace Ni-based superalloys past the low pressure stages of aircraft engines investigations into inoculation for grain refinement were carried out. Previous work showed isomorphic self-inoculation using Ti-Al-Nb particles was effective for grain refinement, however the relatively fast diffusion of Nb in Ti-Al make it difficult to observe the mechanism of nucleation. An alternative alloy was developed in the Ti-Ta system for isomorphic self-inoculation, maximizing the Ta content to improve the particles survivability in the melt. The powder processing produced comparatively small inoculant particles which dissolved, however larger particles were seen to survive solidification. The density difference between the inoculant particles and melt resulted in an inhomogeneous mixing of the particles and the melt with larger particles found near the outer edges of the ingots. Variations on particle size and interaction time between the inoculants and the melt resulted in the Ti-Ta inoculant reducing the as-cast equiaxed grain size by a factor of two compared to non-inoculated samples as well as increasing the equiaxed fraction in the ingot.INTRODUCTION Lightweight metals are of particular interest in aerospace applications. The hot sections of turbines are dominated by blades made of nickel based superalloys. Recently the GEnx turbine introduced TiAl blades in the last low pressure stage of the turbine to reduce weight and improve fuel efficiency (Kim & Dimiduk, 1991). In order to carry these benefits deeper into the turbine the high temperature (>800oC) properties of the alloys must be improved. Current grain refinement methods to improve properties rely on boron additions which may not be applicable for all blades as brittle precipitates may be formed during processing (McCullough, Levi, Mehrabian, & Hyman, 1991). A novel grain refinement process was previously introduced called “isomorphic self-inoculation” using Ti-Al-Nb particles to successfully grain refine TiAl (Kennedy, Zollinger, Bouzy, & Daloz, 2016). In order to better understand the mechanism of this process an investigation was carried out using the same process but with a Ti-Ta alloy which is more stable in the TiAl melt than the Ti-Al-Nb."

Jan 1, 2017

By Curtin University Western Australian School Mines

"Curtin University’s Gold Technology Group has developed an online CIP/CIL simulation model called SIMCIL which has been used since 1999 to model and simulate industrial leach-adsorption circuits. Recently the model has been upgraded to include an integrated liberation-leach modelling (ILLM) approach which can be used to evaluate the impact of various process parameters (such as grind size, bleed to gravity etc.) and circuit configurations on leach-adsorption circuit behaviour and overall plant gold recovery. A new time-efficient ore characterisation methodology has been researched and developed to provide the required liberation-leach data used in the ILLM approach, which is implemented online for the modelling of gold operations. The model structure, modelling approach, and some scenarios are discussed.INTRODUCTIONCurtin University’s Gold Technology Group has developed an online CIP/CIL simulation model called SIMCIL which has been used since 1999 to model and simulate industrial leach-adsorption circuits. The model has recently been upgraded to include an integrated liberation-leach modelling (ILLM) approach. The ILLM approach provides the means to evaluate the impact of the gravity recoverable gold (GRG) characteristics of the ore (GRG content and liberation behaviour), various process parameters (such as grind size, bleed to gravity, etc.) and circuit configurations on the gravity gold recovery, leachadsorption circuit behaviour and overall plant gold recovery.A new time-efficient ore characterisation methodology has been researched and developed to provide the required liberation-leach data used in the ILLM approach. The data required for the ILLM calibration can be obtained directly from the 3 stage GRG test, leach tests and size-by-assay analysis of the 3 stage GRG test products, and leach test products.This paper describes the ore characterisation methodology, model structure, modelling approach, and the application of the ILLM."

Jan 1, 2016

By Jean-Jacques Bouillon, Michel Jébrak, Stephane Faure

"Le gisement polymétallique (Cu-Zn-Au-Ag) des Mines Selbaie est forme par un réseau de filons encaisses dans une séquence de pyroclastites felsiques du sill on Harricana-Turgeon. Les minéralisations sont encaissées dans le tuf de Selbaie, situe sous une épaisse séquence d'ignimbrites Iitées. Ce gisement se distingue des autres gites archéens par une chronologie atypique des minéralisations: les veines de chalcopyrite, de sphalérite et de galène recoupent un amas exhalatifpyriteux stérile. Un vaste halo d'altération hydrothermale a chlorite et mica blanc est associe à cette minéralisation.La mise en place des veines minéralisées est associée à une phase d'extension NNW-SSE. Le complexe volcanique subit, par la suite, trois phases de déformation. Une compression, orienté N-S, développe une schistosité à peine pénétrative et un réseau de fentes de tension. Une réorientation des contraintes locales selon une direction WNW-ESE conduit au chevauchement de I' écaille d'andésite et de tonalite de Brouillan. Un réseau conjugue de failles normales cassantes est associe au relâchement des contraintes."

Jan 1, 1990

By V. E. Dawson

Brake testing of large mining trucks was initiated in British. Columbia in 1969 following an accident involving the failure of the service brakes of a l00-ton electric-drive truck. Some selected results of the 1976 brake test program are presented and discussed ?in this paper . The tests were conducted on end- dump trucks having load capacities ranging from 85 to 235 tons. All tests were made with the vehicles fully loaded operating on downhill grades varying from 8 to 10 %. Stopping distances were measured from initial speeds varying between 10 and 39 mph. The results are adequate, in most cases, to determine the "ultimate" capabilities of the service brakes of varying models and sizes of haulage trucks operating in British Columbia mines.

Jan 1, 1977

By Reinis Sipols

AGENDA ? Introduction ? Definitions and Key features ? PEA - Preliminary Economic Assessments ? PFS ? Preliminary Fesibility Studies ? FS ? Feasibility Studies ? Costs and Risks ? Cash Flow, Economic Analysis and Reporting ? Recommendations for Improved FS accuracy INTRODUCTION ? The reporting of material information on mineral deposits has been governed by NI 43-101 legislation for almost a decade. ? The investment sector depends on the independent, professional QP to provide objective observations, comments and recommendations through all levels of geological, engineering and financial evaluation until a mine construction decision has been made.

May 1, 2013

By D. A. Trotter

"Low-pressure sodium light sources have been available for several years, but have not received wide acceptance in underground mining. This is because they are difficult to operate using DC power, they are not an intrinsically safe light where explosive gases may be encountered and they give poor colour rendition.With the need for energy conservation, several Canadian hard-rock metal mines are now changing their lighting to low pressure sodium, as it has the highest efficacy of any light source in terms of lumens per watt. Studies have pointed out several other advantages as well. Glare can be controlled, they penetrate fog well, they are easily maintained, they have a long life and they give the highest visual acuity when compared to other types of lighting. As well, in an underground mine, contrast is much more important than colour for task identification. For close work, the colour problem is alleviated with the use of cap lamps.Case studies are presented from Canadian practice. These show how the lights are modified for underground use, calculations preceding light installation, and how and where the lights are installed in the underground environment. Mention is made of worker reaction to the lights and possible physiological effects.IntroductionThe importance of good underground lighting to the total environment of mining cannot be overemphasized. In addition to the obvious benefits of improved worker morale, available studies show that good lighting practices reduce accident severity and frequency as well as increase production."

Jan 1, 1982

By Réal Tanguay, Mathieu Piché, Jacques Carignan, Charles Beaudry, André Bonenfant

"Le gisement Isle-Dieu est situé sur le flanc sud de l'anticlinal de Galinée. La stratigraphie locale comprend, de bas en haut, la rhyolite du Groupe du Lac Watson surmontée par le basalte du Groupe de Wabassee. Un horizon repère, siliceux et sulfure, d'origine sédimentaire, appelé ""Tuffite Clef', est présent au sommet du Groupe du Lac Watson et pend à 45° vers le sud.Le gisement Isle-Dieu est constitué par une lentille qui recoupe, en partie, la ""Tuffite Clef"". Elle est séparée en deux trorçons par un dyke de tonalite. Les données obtenues à partir des forages effectues à travers la rhyolite sous-jacente permettent de définir les zonations chimiques et pétrographiques de la cheminée d’altération.Ces transformation minéralogiques et chimiques sont caractérisées par un enrichissement en MgO, Fe2O3, MnO et un appauvrissement en CaO, SiO2 et Na2O. La zonation spatiale de ces altérations permet de mettre en évidence la géométrie et l'extension des conduits hydrothermaux. L'épaisseur maximale des sulfures massifs au sein de la lentille est en étroite relation avec l’importance des zones d'altération. Les patrons de variations chimiques dénotent une orientation préférentielle WNW des conduits hydrothermaux. Les parties les plus altérées et les plus déformées présentent localement de fortes variations positives en Zr, Nb, et terres-rares; ces concentrations sont vraisemblablement imputables a /' enrichissement résultant de la diminution du volume lors de l'altération.L'étude pétrographique montre que la porosité et la perméabilité du milieu ont joué un rôle important dans la circulation des fluides car les roches de la cheminée présentent des phénomènes de dévitrification, de bréchification et de microfracturation très prononces. La nature magnésienne de certaines chlorites et la perméabilité accrue du milieu semblent en accord avec le modelé propose par Roberts et Reardon, ( 1978 )"

Jan 1, 1990

By J. P. Piguet, A. Hosni, J. P. Josien, H. Baroudi, R. Hadadou

"The iron ore mines in the Lorraine region of north-eastern France cover a surface area of approximately 3,900 km2 and involve more than 150 cities. A total extraction method was usually used during exploitation, but this technique was sometimes replaced by the room and abandoned pillar technique when it was necessary to protect surface buildings and infrastructure. Rooms and abandoned pillars were initially designed to ensure long-term mine stability. However, this aim was not always reached and numerous collapses occurred in the Lorraine iron basin, either during production or several years after closure. Several subsidence events were identified during a period of one century; the most recent event occurred in 2012. Two groups of events were identified. The first group represents events characterized by sudden surface movement, and the second group includes event characterized by progressive subsidence.Numerous studies conducted during the last decade helped improve our understanding the origin mechanism of spontaneous or progressive (slow) events. These studies led to identifying long-term potentially unstable underground zones (hazard zones), particularly deep zones located under buildings and infrastructure. The latest are currently monitored by microseismic networks. A similar high requirement level is needed for unstable zones without taking into account the kinetics of the subsidence, which is very important for safety. Thus, GEODERIS initiated this study, primarily to acquire a better understanding of the kinetics of the progressive events group and identify the main parameters that could explain why some pillars zones developed a maximum amplitude subsidence on surface within a few hours or days, while it took several weeks to months for others. In practice, the results of this study will facilitate adapting the requirement level of microseismic monitoring system to the kinetics of pillar collapse.To retrieve the real kinetics for each event, historical and sparse documentation was used. Firstly, archives research was conducted, especially testimonies and newspaper articles published during the events. This work helped to gather useful information that sometimes contained a precise description of subsidence duration. The archives research helped to classify some progressive events according to the subsidence kinetics. Secondly, a diagnostic of geotechnical and geomechanical parameters of historic events was realized, combined with a cross analysis of the data. The analysis took into account dimensions of underground workings (e.g., pillar lengths, widths, heights, introduction of a “pillar shape factor”, and stress amount). An original expression was highlighted to connect the pillar geometry to the stress state. The kinetics expression was calibrated to classify the historic events taken into account according to the kinetics of movements. The kinetic criterion was applied to predict subsidence kinetics for the potential unstable zones currently monitored by a microseismic system."

Jan 1, 2015

By M. K. Kim

This study presents a framework for quality inspection of precast concrete components using the 3D laser scanning technique. As precast concrete-based rapid bridge construction is getting standardized, quality assessment of the precast concrete becomes critical for preventing any failures during the construction process. Moreover, as Building Information Modeling (BIM) gains popularity in the construction industry, autonomous and intelligent inspection systems are needed. Current method for quality control of precast concrete components, however, heavily relies on visual inspection and contacttype measurements, which are time and labor demanding. Also, storage and delivery systems of inspection information such as the procedures and results of quality inspection are lacking. To overcome these limitations of the current quality assessment technique for precast concrete, this study aims to develop a BIM-based framework for efficient quality inspection of precast concrete with the use of a 3D laser scanner. First, we formulate practical guidelines including detailed inspection procedure, selection of optimized scanner and scan location, inspection criteria, and data storage and delivery system. Second, to investigate the applicability of 3D laser scanning to precast concrete quality inspection based on the proposed framework, a case study inspecting quality of a lab-scale object assumed as precast concrete component is presented for detecting defects.

Aug 1, 2013