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By R. B. Elver

The level of steel consumption per capita is one of the principal indicators of a country's standard of living. It is no coincidence that the materially advanced nations possess viable iron and steel industries to provide a reliable and economic source of steal for the manufacturing industries. No other metal is as dominantly important in manufacturing as steel. The blast furnace - steel furnace complex based on coking coal, ferrous scrap and iron ore - continues to be the principal steel-producing method. Less important is the electric furnace method based on scrap, In recent years, there has been considerable interest in the many direct reduction processes that are not dependent on coking coal but usually produce a product for further refining in steel furnaces. No matter which series of processes are used, iron ore is essentially the only source of virgin iron units. Thus, to such a vital and capital-intense industry as steel, access to a relatively inexpensive, long- term supply of iron ore is essential.

Jan 1, 1964

By R. Zunich, E. Rybinski, M. Grondin, B. Flintoff

It is uncommon these days to read a business magazine or newspaper without finding a reference to Knowledge Management (KM), and its critical importance to corporate success. One definition of KM is: “getting the right knowledge to the right people at the right time and helping them to put information into action in such ways that strive to improve organizational performance.” In the minerals processing industry we could assert that we have been practicing this for years through effective operator training. In most cases we would probably be wrong. Training has certainly filled the need of addressing safety and basic operational issues, but we must collectively focus on education (learning), and the difference, as measured in outcomes, is not at all subtle. This paper briefly examines the history of training and education in the mining industry, and looks in more detail at the impact of one company’s approach to empower its workforce, while keeping the ultimate goal clearly in mind: “The great end of knowledge is not knowledge, but action.” (T.H. Huxley)

Jan 1, 2001

By Jim Rozek, Robert A. Gee

The Epping to Chatswood Rail Line project is the largest publicly funded infrastructure project in New South Wales. Construction commenced in November2002 with opening scheduled for 2008. The work includes 13 route km of twin TBM driven 7.2 m diameter lined running tunnel, three cross-overs and three new underground stations. The new stations have platform caverns of 20m span with similarly proportioned concourse caverns alongside. The ground is bedded sand stone and shale with high horizontal stresses. Predicted stress-relief induced ground movements during staged excavation led to innovative use of rock anchors for permanent support.

Jan 1, 2005

By S. C. Langvik

The presentation named 'Dewatering of fines by Rotary Vacuum Disc Filters' has an opening why the filtration process is important to the Iron Ore Industry. It goes on to describe the various types of dewatering machines which have been used in this industry in the last 30-40 years, and where the vacuum disc filters now dominates. It presents also the most important design changes which have been made during this period to enhance performance. Further are discussed the principles of filtration and the factors and parameters which influence performance and operating costs. As a closing is presented today's ideas and thoughts about what can be foreseen of design modifications and improvements in disc filter design in the coming ten years.

Jan 1, 2001

By P. H. S. W. Kulatilake

To exploit an underground mine effectively and safely, it is important to have a good understanding of the geotechnical behavior around underground excavations made in the mine. The aim of this study was to investigate the geotechnical behavior around a tunnel excavated in a metal mine in China at the three-dimensional level. Using the information available on lithology, geological structures, in-situ stress measurements, physical and mechanical properties of intact rock, discontinuities and interfaces between different rocks, a three-dimensional numerical model was built by using the 3DEC software to simulate a tunnel excavation under a high in-situ stress condition. Effect of the discontinuity network, possible intact rock and discontinuity parameter variability, representation of rock masses as discontinuum or continuum material and rock support system on the deformation, stress, failure zone and stability around the tunnel was investigated. A very good agreement was obtained between the collected field deformation monitoring results and the results of the conducted numerical stress analyses.

Jan 1, 2012

By E. B. Thorn

The production of portland cement requires that four basic elements -- calcium, silica, alumina and iron -- be ground to a fine powder, homogenized, and fed to the pyroprocessing unit, where it is burned to a cement clinker. The raw material must either be ground wet in a slurry form or dried and ground to a dry powder, with a fineness of approximately 85% passing the 200 M screen. According to the Portland Association's Plant Information Summary, approximately 38% of the U.S. capacity is ground wet and 62% ground dry. The following data is taken from the Portland Cement Association's 1981 Energy Survey: [Million BTU/Ton kW h/Ton Wet Process Plants 5.86 138 Long Dry Process Plants 4.97 123 Dry Preheater Plants 4.03 157 ]

Jan 1, 1984

By Leigh Freeman

This article provides an overview for a series of leadership development workshops offered through the SME Young Leaders Program. The first of these workshops, “Accelerated Development Plan,” will be held at the upcoming SME Annual Meeting in St. Louis, MO on Sunday, March 26. How does a foundation of technical competencies relate to the development of social competencies necessary for management and leadership roles in the resource sectors? Technical competencies provide the foundation for a successful career. Social competencies provide the framework on that foundation. Successful leaders will be those who develop competencies in all areas.

Jan 1, 2006

By Doug Harding

The Niagara Tunnel Project (NTP) is a 10.4 km (6.5 mi) long, 14.4 m (47.5 ft)bored tunnel that will run under the City of Niagara Falls from the Upper Niagara River to the Sir Adam Beck Power Station. The completed project will enhance the capacity of the Sir Adam Beck Power Station by adding 500 m3 (17,657 ft3) of water per second through the tunnel. The paper describes the project in which the world’s largest hard rock TBM at14.4 m (47.5 ft) in diameter is being used to excavate the tunnel. Features of the project include the use of a High Performance (HP) Main Beam TBM, state-of-the-art ground support and tunnel logistics systems. A continuous conveyor is used for muck transport from the TBM to the disposal area. The paper will also discuss the optimization of the TBM system as the tunnel advances through the varying geology. In June 2004 the Ontario Government announced that Ontario Power Generation(OPG) had been given approval to proceed with the third tunnel under the city of Niagara Falls—the first two tunnels were constructed in the 1950s using drill and blast techniques. The third tunnel, appropriately named The Niagara Tunnel Project (NTP), consists of a 10.4 km (6.5 mi) long TBM-bored, concrete-lined tunnel with a finished diameter of 12.5 m (41.1 ft). In August 2005, OPG announced the selection of Strabag AG of Austria, one of the largest construction companies in Europe, as the contractor to build the NTP Project at a price of CAN $600 million. In September 2005, Strabag A.G. selected The Robbins Company of Solon, Ohio to design, manufacture and deliver a new 14.4 m (47.5 ft) diameter High Performance state-of-the-art Main Beam Hard Rock TBM to be used in the excavation of the tunnel. In order to meet the aggressive construction schedule as requested by OPG/Strabag, the TBM needed to be supplied as “ready to bore” within a 12 month period after the contract was awarded to Robbins.

Jan 1, 2007

By William R. Yernberg

In October 1999, Liebherr-America, Liebherr Construction and Liebherr Mining Equipment held anopen house at its Newport News, VA, plant. The open house was held to celebrate the company’s50th anniversary and to demonstrate the new TI 272mining truck. Attending the open house members of the media, vendors and company representatives from all over the world. In his introductory comments, company president Peter Eller announced Liebherr’s dedication to expanding its presence in North America. Liebherr now has 30 dealers across the United States. As part of the open house, a brief history of Liebherr was presented, beginning with its creation in1949. Liebherr engineering and sales representatives were available to answer questions.

Jan 1, 2000

By S. D. Thompson

Several discrete-event simulation models have been developed for designing the conveying system capacities of underground coal mines. Most of these models require the use of a step-function approach to mimic the loading process at each conveyor loading point. Over the years, practitioners have generally employed one of three versions of the step-function approach. An important issue is how these three versions compare to each other in terms of simulated capacity requirements for belt conveyors. Another is-sue is how they compare to peak capacity design. This paper addresses these issues by statistically and quantitatively comparing their simulation results. The consequences and problems associated with using each version are also discussed and summarized.

Jan 1, 1997

By R. Bauer

Adaptations and redesign of the existing already very successful and proven road milling machine concept and technical innovations such as an optimized, specifically for mining application developed cutting drum, cutting housing design and cutting tools, high manoeuvrability achieved via a tight turning radius, a three disk clutch system and a cutting drum drive that allows for the acceptance of higher loads, a complete reinforcement of the chassis to withstand higher vibrations and torque, the installation of increased engine power via a modern drive unit, a specifically for mining/construction applications developed operator’s platform and finally a redesigned air intake system and the adaptation of the levelling system resulted in far more cost effective and advantageous capabilities of Wirtgen Surface Miner in soft to medium hard mining and construction applications. As the achieved results show for the first time in modern surface mining history mechanized cutting is capable to compete successfully against traditional drill, blast/ripping and other conventional mining methods.

Jan 1, 2007

By T. Owen

Not since 1917 has a foreign company developed a standalone, grass roots gold mine in Russia. With. Russia's political changes of the late 1980s, development of mineral prospects once again beckons foreign investors. In 1990, Cyprus Amax began aggressively searching for such an opportunity. Early in 1997, production will commence at the Kubaka gold project located in the Russian Far East, near the Arctic Circle. The Kubaka project is a 1,750-tonne per day open-pit operation that will produce more than 300,000 ounces of gold per year. This paper discusses the challenges of locating such a prospect, doing business in Russia, developing supply lines, identifying work force capabilities, gaining government approvals, securing financing, arranging for gold sales and ultimately building a facility in this arctic region.

Jan 1, 1997

By A. K. Snelgrove

At a time when water resource planning is proceeding on a continental scale, such as the proposed $100 billion North American Water and Power Alliance, which would redistribute water among three nations, including seven provinces of Canada, 35 of the United States, and three States of Mexico, the selection of a single river basin for study may seem to require an apologia. None is offered because of ( 1) the magnitude of the Indus , itself a part of the great Indo-Gangetic Plain drainage system, with Himalayan sources, upon which the thickly populated northern sub-continent of Indo-Pakistan depends for agriculture and hydroelectic power; (2) the extraordinary problems created by dismemberment of the world?s largest irrigation system through legal beheading of the Eastern Waters under the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960; and (3) the herculean effort to contain the twin encroachments of waterlogging and salinization in a basin which faces a shortage of fresh water. The British irrigation system of barrages and canals on the Indus was a venture admirable in conception. Unfortunately, it is now a legacy burdened with unwanted consequences, due to interference with the hydrological regimen, particularly the rise of water table occasioned by leakage.

Jan 1, 1967

By James M. Riddle

A discussion of frequently asked questions may help individuals trying to interpret subsidence regulations or prepare permit applications. The subsidence permitting process involves just one part of the mass of Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act regulations. But of the 18 main SMCRA sections, subsidence is critical to the permitting process for coal operators. It's an area in which applicants have had problems interpreting regulations and preparing permit applications. Of 22 western states, only Wyoming, Montana, Colorado, and Utah heave thus far received approval for their mining and reclamation plans. The other states are now involved in the permit application process and will be dealing with SMCRA regulations for the next year or so. Some state programs, when approved, may differ substantially from the federal SMCRA program. But, to be approved, the state programs must be deemed equal to or more stringent than the federal regulations. SMCRA regulations apply to any coal operation "that exhibits surface effects." Thus they apply to surface strip mines as well as underground coal operations. The regulations do not apply to hardrock mining operations. Since August 3, 1977, the government, industry, and the public have wrestled with SMCRA. They have struggled through an initial program with the US Geological Survey; a new agency, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM); an interim program; and a "final" permanent regulatory program. Even now, OSM is reluctant to publish formal program guidelines because: •The regulations are still in the process of judicial review. • Some approvable state programs will supersede the federal regula¬tions. • The flexible regulations are open to interpretation, which is desir¬able to maintain. •Guidelines could be misleading until regulations and interpretations are revised and finalized.

Jan 12, 1980

By Wm. Ross Wayment, Innes P. Grantmyre

INTRODUCTION It has been recognized for some time that major changes in mining methods will be required in the near future. Two types of factors contribute to this need for change. Intrinsic factors include ground control problems associated with mining at increasing depths, noise, dust, toxic fumes, and logistics problems which arise from operation in a cyclical fashion. Extrinsic factors include competition for labor from industries offering safer and less difficult work, pressure for less impact on the environment, and changing economic and political conditions. The search for new mining methods has resulted in extensive research being carried out on such novel approaches as thermal fragmentation, high-pressure water jets, sonic drilling, microwave fragmentation, and laser cutting, among others. Joy Manufacturing Co. has elected to concentrate on impact breaking in stopes as a first generation continuous hard rock miner. IMPACT BREAKING Fragmentation techniques show a drop in specific energy as efficiency improves. Specific energy is the energy consumed per unit volume of rock removed and is affected by such variables as rock material properties, fragmentation method used, operator skill, tool design, etc. Mechanical fragmentation methods generally have specific energies much lower than that of the more novel methods. Table 1 shows impact breaking to have an efficiency exceeded only by that of drill and blast methods and it is this high efficiency which led Joy to impactors as the subject for research on potential mechanisms for continuous mining in hard rock.

Jan 1, 1976

By Tim O’Neil

The search for precious metals opened up the American West. And Nevada was right in the heart of this development. In the mid-19th century, prospectors seeking gold roamed the hills of Nevada and discovered the ComstockLode. The development of this huge silver and gold deposit began in1859 and was responsible for Nevada’s early entry to statehood. Mining was Nevada’s first industry. In more recent years, the Nevada mining industry has led the nation in gold, silver and barite production. Nevada also produces many other minerals. These include aggregates, clays, copper, diatomite, dolomite, gypsum, lime and limestone, lithium and magnesium compounds, perlite, salt and silica. Even today, Nevada’s mining industry continues to be a major economic force in the state. The mining industry has made more than $10 billion in capital investments in Nevada since 1985. And the value of Nevada’s mineral production last year was about $2.7 billion.

Jan 1, 2000

By Robin J. Batterham

We still need to innovate, but it is getting harder. The real price of metals is declining, return on shareholder value is lower than other industries, and there is a shorter-term focus on staying viable in a capital-intensive industry where timeframes for implementation of new technologies can be long (+I5 years). In this environment, the levels of R&D spent by major minerals companies are remaining steady at around 0.2%-0.5% of revenue. This is not large and to remain viable in the future, we need to be smarter about the way in which we do R&D. The mining industry is a knowledge-based industry. Driving down the cost curve demands innovation, which demands knowledge. To be smarter and more effective in our approach to innovation, a new paradigm is required Generating, capturing and using knowledge has evolved from Mode 1 (discipline based and clear distinction between basic and applied research) to Mode 2 (multidisciplinary, team-based approached with flow between basic and applied activities). Mode 2 is now seen to be much more efficient and to deliver better appropriability (Tegart 2003). To survive, we need to innovate, and the best way to do this is collaboratively. Some examples and pointers for the future will be given in this paper. THE CURRENT SITUATION The Rand report and other recent studies have painted a grim outlook for the mining industry. The real price of metals continues to decline (Figure 1) and profit margins remain thin. This is reflected in shareholder returnwhich are well below other industries (Figure 2)-and current management strategies-which reflect something of a "survival mode." The current focus for most mining companies is on short-term, incremental gains

Jan 1, 2004

By Steve Kral

Despite low commodity prices and mining industry cutbacks throughout the world, Peru remains one of the industry’s bright spots. The country’s remarkable economic turnaround during the 1990s remains a model for other developing nations to follow. And the Peruvian government has not forgotten the industry that was instrumental in that turnaround. True, the country has not been spared the effects of the mining industry’s retrenchment that has occurred in other parts of the world. However, foreign mining companies remain committed to doing business in Peru. And the government remains committed to attracting foreign investment and maintaining a strong mining industry. This commitment was evident in September 1999during the 24th Convention of the Institutos de Ingenieros de Minas del Peru in Arequipa, Peru. More than 3,000 mining industry professionals from around the world attended the convention. And Extemin, the accompanying exhibit, featured more than 450 companies, many from the United States, Canada, Australia, South Africa and other countries.

Jan 1, 2000

By William R. Yernberg

The 26th Peruvian Mining Convention (Convención de Ingeneieros de Minas del Perú) was held Sept. 15 through 19, 2003, in Arequipa. The convention was sponsored by the Peruvian Institute of Mining Engineers (Instituto de Ingeneiros de Minas del Peru). The Institute has been organizing these events since 1954. They are now held every other year. The conventions spotlight Peru’s mineral resources and have contributed to the tremendous growth of the Peruvian mining industry. This year’s meeting consisted of technical sessions, forums, field trips and social activities. It was held at the Tecsup Institute of Technology of Arequipa. More than 3,000 mining professionals attended. As always, the meeting was well organized, and participants expressed gratitude to the organizing committee for another successful meeting.

Jan 1, 2004

By Miguel Reyes, Chenming Zhou, MATTHEW GIRMAN

Electromagnetic energy emitted from electronic devices has been known to interfere with other electronic systems, hindering their ability to function properly. Mines have many electronic devices critical to the health and safety of mine workers that could be negatively affected by electromagnetic interference (EMI). To ensure that devices are electromagnetically compatible, tests must first be conducted to measure emissions and check for immunity. There are many standards available across multiple industries that prescribe emission limits and test methods for electronic devices. Due to the unique environment of an underground mine, it may not be enough to simply adopt a standard from another industry to mining. A literature review has been conducted, and an overview of EMI standards in other industries will be provided in this paper. Also, an example of how a standard can be applied to mining equipment is presented. Finally, recommendations on standards which could potentially be applied to mining will also be included. This work will inform the mining industry of EMI standards in other industries so that mine workers and technology manufacturers have guidance of the steps that can be taken to investigate and reduce the impact of electromagnetic interference and potentially work toward electromagnetic compatibility. The findings and research involved in this effort can also be used to explore the need to develop mining-specific EMI recommendations and standards.

Nov 25, 2021