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By J. D. Patsey, G. T. Lineberry

Introduction A computer program was developed for analyzing drum-type hoists before modifying an existing system or designing a new one. Its use permits the preliminary evaluation of a system before seeking technical assistance from mine hoist designers and manufacturers. The user-friendly program accepts a variety of data and analyzes hoisting systems for any balance state. The program can be used to calculate skip capacity to yield a desired production rate, solve for drum face width, select a permissible wire rope, estimate total horsepower of the hoist plant, and estimate annual power cost. Whether required for a large mining complex or for a relatively small operation, a hoisting system must be carefully designed to ensure the efficient, reliable, and safe flow of material. Because shaft sinking and hoist installation can total between 2.5% and 3% of the cost of opening a deep mine, proper hoist selection is critical. Today's mining engineer has at his disposal the most powerful design and analytical aid ever, the microcomputer. There is, unfortunately, limited software for the study of hoisting systems, unlike that for other materials handling equipment (Manula and Albert, 1980; Prelaz et al., 1964; Bucklen, 1969; Thompson, 1985). HOIST reduces a time-consuming set of calculations to a concise package of interrelated subprograms. A literature review revealed no common-user programs to analyze hoisting systems, although at least four major hoist designers/manufacturers/installers have their own in-house programs. To provide a tool with which the mining engineer could preliminarily analyze a materials hoisting system or could check the calculations of a hoist contractor, a computer program was developed. HOIST was written in BASIC for the IBM-PC for ease of program adaptation and to encourage field use on compatible systems. Details of program development are omitted, since the basic principles of hoisting analyses are relatively straightforward, simple, and readily accepted (Harmon, 1973; Nordberg, n.d.; Adler, 1957). Program features, intended usage, and benefits of the computerized solution are emphasized over theory development and mathematical rigor. Background The mine hoist system that is selected and installed at a mine is the "lifeline" of that mine, with installations lasting 20 years or more. Thorough study is warranted to ensure that productivity demands are met at a minimum cost per ton. The increased cost of a large, powerful, high-speed hoist must be offset by increased production to justify its selection. To optimize this tradeoff, an extensive hoisting analysis should be performed. The analyses to properly size the skip (or cage), the drum, and the hoist drive are conducive to computerization, permitting rapid evaluation of changeable operating and design parameters, such as velocity, acceleration, state of balance, and productivity demand. The program is particularly useful in conducting sensitivity trials, such as investigation into the effect of change of productivity on skip capacity and on horsepower of the hoist drive. HOIST is currently limited to the study of drum-type hoists with cylindrical drum(s). However, only minor changes to the program would permit analysis of friction hoists and conical drum configurations. Model development and testing The program is based on accepted equations and physical relationships. Examples of manual calculations formed the basis for decision points and program branching. Data is input in the order that it would be needed if the problems were solved manually. The choices are arranged likewise. HOIST was developed in sections, with manual solutions performed to check program logic. The testing became more rigorous as sections were completed. Output from one section becomes input for following sections, as appropriate. The simplified flow diagram of HOIST is given in Fig. 1.

Jan 2, 1987

By Yongsik Jeong, Kwangmin Kim

Most tailings storage facility (TSF) failures occur in active, upstream-type TSFs, often due to extreme and unexpected weather conditions—specifically, heavy rainfall and strong winds. This case study of a TSF in southern Arizona examines the use of the optimum safe beach distance (Doptimal, the optimum distance between the crest and decant pond) as a tool for monitoring geotechnical stability and reducing catastrophic failures. A digital model of the TSF was used to determine the critical beach distance (Dcritical) under normal weather conditions, and Doptimal was then determined by adding incremental distances to account for the effects of heavy rainfall (Drainfall) and strong winds (Dwind). To overcome accessibility issues, a drone was used to map the TSF geometry and create a digital model. This model served as the basis for conducting a coupled stress-seepage, finite-element (FEM) analysis with a safety factor of 2.0 to assess geotechnical stability (Dcritical). The safe beach distance increments were determined using the PMP (probable maximum precipitation) and possible maximum wind speed. Based on this analysis, the optimal safe beach distance at the study site was identified as 202.2 m. Since the current beach distance (371 m) exceeds this value, the TSF was considered to be stable and satisfied the design safety factor of 2.0. However, this distance should be reassessed periodically to account for changes in the TSF geometry and other conditions. Furthermore, it applies only TSFs that are well-managed and feature a smooth, non-undulating beach surface with a consistent slope.

By A. Yazadni-Chamzini

Maintenance strategy selection plays a significant role in mining design. The nature of maintenance strategy selection is a complex multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) problem including both tangible and intangible parameters which are often in conflicting with each other. Moreover, when decision makers are uncertain in determining and defining the ratings and the weights of alternatives and criteria respectively, fuzzy theory provides an appropriate tool to handle the existing uncertainties. In this paper, a new fuzzy MCDM method based on the concepts of TOPSIS and AHP was proposed to evaluate the feasible maintenance strategy. The linguistic terms are employed to assess the ratings and weights. Fuzzy AHP is utilized to calculate the weights of the evaluation criteria; then, the rankings of alternatives are computed based on fuzzy sets theory and TOPSIS. A real world case study is presented to illustrate a potential application of the proposed model.

Jan 1, 2012

By Birger Schmidt

INTRODUCTION Conceptual design of the first Exploratory Shaft (ES-I) for the Nuclear Waste Repository in Basalt (NWRB) began in July 1981; detailed design began in February 1982, and was largely completed by December (RKE/PB, 1983). The intent was to begin shaft construction by January 1983. The site had been prepared at that time, a construction manager selected and on board, the starter hole excavated and lined, and steel casings were under procurement. Government policy changed, however, and construction was halted before the drill rig started turning. Construction is now planned to begin in 1988. ES-I is a part of the site characterization program for the NWRB. The shaft will be used to develop production data and related information relative to drilling shafts at the site near Richland, WA, and to provide access to the repository horizon for site characterization and testing. The early program called for one shaft and some 330 m (1000 ft) of drifting. The program has since expanded to include a second shaft (ES-II) and more extensive drifting and testing. Currently, both shafts are planned to be 1.8 m (6 ft) in finished diameter, but studies are underway to determine if the second shaft should be larger. The drilling method was selected for shaft construction primarily because it offered a significantly shorter construction period than conventional shaft sinking using freezing and grouting. The finished drilled shaft will be lined with a continuous steel lining. Personnel are safer during construction with a drilled shaft than with a conventionally sunk shaft. The drilling method

Jan 1, 1987

"The National Mining Hall of Fame and Museum (NMHF&M) announced the 2015 National Mining Hall of Fame inductees and the 2015 Prazen Award winner. This year’s inductees, selected by the National Mining Hall of Fame’s Board of Governors, represent the technology, management, mineral policy, education and health and safety aspects of the mining industry. They envelope a diverse cross section of the mining industry and were selected for being visionaries, leaders, educators and ambassadors.In 2015, Frank F. Aplan, T S Ary, Ralph E. Bailey, John Campbell Greenway and Edward Steidle will join 227 other mining industry honorees when formally inducted into the National Mining Hall of Fame. The Prazen Living Legend of Mining Award will go to the Powell River Project Research and Education Center, a partnership of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) and the Appalachian coal mining industry.The 2015 annual induction banquet and ceremony will be the 28th such event and will be held this year in Pittsburgh, PA, on Oct. 23, 2015, in the Omni William Penn Hotel ballroom.2015 National Mining Hall of Fame inductees:Frank F. Aplan is among the most influential mineral processing leaders in both industry and academia. His studies of the processes involved in the preparation of coal and mineral ores are acknowledged worldwide for their broad applicability. An authority on flotation, Aplan is especially known for his studies of the wetting of solids and their control through the adsorption of surfactant films, and for his work on atomic defects on properties and behavior of solid-liquid interfaces."

Jan 1, 2015

By D. Denton, L. Buckingham

The dry grinding and leaching circuits of the Barrick Gold’s new Roasting Facility at Goldstrike Mine in Nevada, USA incorporate well proven technologies in a unique combination. During the design of the plant, every effort was made to utilize the best available technologies from the perspective of capital, environment and operating costs. Crushing is a two stage process using gyratory and cone crusher. Ore is stockpiled and then reclaimed to two parallel dry grinding mills. The double rotator dry grinding mills include a drying chamber, coarse and fine compartments and utilize a gearless motor drive (GMD) or “wrap-around”. In-circuit product transfer is accomplished with air slides and bucket elevators. Finished product separation is performed by both static and dynamic classifiers with the final product captured in baghouses. Recycle of unfinished product utilizes cascade chutes. The final ground product reports to two 2000 ton roaster feed silos. The two-stage oxygen flu-solids roasters with their associated gas train are the subject of a separate paper. The cyanide leach circuit is a standard carbon in leach system with circular swept screens for interstage carbon retention. The loaded carbon is sent to the existing Goldstrike autoclave plant for stripping and regeneration. Tails, after cyanide destruction, are deposited in the existing tailings dam with tails from the autoclave facility. Throughout the circuit, Clean Plant Design criteria were used to assure environmental compliance, ambiental acceptability and ensure worker health and safety. The commissioning and operation of the double rotator grinding technology has been very successful at Barrick Goldstrike.

Jan 1, 2001

By M. J. Farrell

Mining is a significant emitter of greenhouse gases and is the focus of increasing attention from green groups and regulators. Miners need to know their own carbon emissions and how they compare with the rest of the industry. Miners and mining companies need to know where they fit in the emissions curve. Who is in the bottom quartile? This article is based on research report data from minecost.com and Metalytics Pty Ltd which detail the specific carbon dioxide emissions for 208mines producing 90% or more of western world copper, zinc, lead and nickel in 2007. The copper and nickel mines also include Norilsk in Russia, KGHM in Poland and Kazakhmys in Kazakhstan. This is the first time that such information has become available.

Jan 1, 2009

By Samer Sadek, David I. Smith, Wai-shing Lee, Jeffrey L. Rice, Avelino Alonso

INTRODUCTION East Side Access (ESA) Contract CQ028 is located in the New York City Borough of Queens. The contract involves construction of a 230-meter (760-foot) long open-cut excavation with a permanent deck supporting Amtrak yard tracks over a semi-circular TBM launch wall on the east end, and the 36.5-meter (120-foot) long Northern Blvd. Crossing on the west end. The Northern Boulevard Crossing will be mined under an existing New York City Transit (NYCT) five-track subway tunnel; Northern Boulevard, a heavily traveled five-lane truck route; and an existing NYCT three-track elevated line; connecting to an existing open-cut shaft adjacent to the existing 63rd Street Tunnel bellmouth. When completed, Contract CQ028 will provide access for future Manhattan and Queens tunnel contracts. The footprint of the open-cut was determined by the geometric requirements of the future Plaza Interlocking facility to be constructed within in another future ESA contract. See Figure 1. This paper discusses design risk mitigations for the key elements of the contract, namely the Northern Blvd. Crossing and the semi-circular TBM Launch Wall. PROJECT OVERVIEW The Metropolitan Transportation Authority Capital Construction Company—East Side Access Project for the Long Island Rail Road will provide Long Island commuters with direct access to Manhattan’s East Side via a new rail line between the Harold Interlocking in Queens and Grand Central Terminal in Manhattan. The project connects the unused lower level of the existing tunnel under the East River at 63rd Street to new connecting tunnels in Queens and Manhattan. Contract CQ028 Scope and Construction Schedule This contract consists of the excavation of an open-cut from the east side of Northern Boulevard, through an existing MTA-owned rail yard and into the western limits of Amtrak’s Sunnyside Yard. The contract will connect to a completed open-cut

Jan 1, 2007

By T. J. Batchler

Deformable materials are sometimes added to ventilation stopping constructions to prevent damage caused by convergence in coal mines. However, adding deformable materials can significantly reduce the capacity of a stopping to resist transverse loading. As part of its mining health and safety program, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has conducted research on the effect of various materials with different deformation properties on the transverse loading capability of a stopping wall. Based on a three-point hinge method of failure, a half-wall method of testing in the NIOSH Mine Roof Simulator was used to simulate full-scale wall behavior. This simulated the fracture initiation and eventual failure of the stoppings from transverse loading. The impact of the modulus of elasticity of various deformable materials was examined in this study. A polystyrene foam block with a low modulus of elasticity, which is commonly used as a deformable material, was shown to degrade the transverse load capacity of the stopping by as much 95%. Other materials with higher modulus of elasticity preserved more of the transverse load capacity of the stopping, but were not able to absorb as much convergence. This paper presents the results of a parametric study that quantifies the impact of various deformable materials in block stopping construction under transverse load conditions. Disclaimer: The findings and conclusions in this report have not been formally disseminated by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and should not be construed to represent any agency determination or policy.

Jan 1, 2009

By Jamal Rostami, Richard Kastner, Ahmad Ramezanzadeh

Improving the accuracy of the performance prediction models for hard rock Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) is important in estimation of the schedule and cost of tunnelling in related projects. The effects of rock mass on performance of TBMs has been studied extensively, yet due to the complex nature of the process, impact of many parameters influencing machine advance rate are not very clear and there is still room for improvements. More accurate estimates can be obtained by better understanding of operating parameters in various geological conditions and can lead to matching machine specifications with job conditions, optimizing machine performance, and avoiding long delays and downtime for increased productivity. This paper will offer review of two case histories including Queens Water tunnel in New York and KCRC project in Hong Kong. The analysis of the available field data, including the geological back mapping and results of laboratory testing of rock mechanical properties, machine operational parameters and achieved rate of penetration will be presented. This includes statistical analysis of available field data to provide a better understanding of the influence of rock mass properties on performance of hard rock TBMs as well as related formulas to improve performance estimates.

Jan 1, 2005

By F. G. Heivilin

We are no longer short of viable Rare Earth deposits. As little as 2 years ago China mined and produced 97% ofthe world?s rare earths. Only a few deposits were in an advanced stage of exploration and development. Now Technical Metals Research (TMR) Gareth Hatch *5 reports that 347 deposits are being developed by 265 companies down from 440 on July 6th. Their Index of Advanced projects lists 45 projects in 14 countries. They will sustain the world for centuries to come and many good deposits are yet to be found. The problem is mining 14 elements in balance. Each of the deposits listing production in the chart has a unique set of minerals which they think will give them a cost advantage. Which of these will make it to production is a question. Most of the Advanced won?t be mined soon, but which ones? China is still in the driver?s seat in Light Rare Earth production (LREO) with one deposit with 35 million ton Baiyunebo deposit in Inner Mongolia which is part of a working iron ore deposit. The number of HREE deposits have been reduced and they attempting to eliminate unpermitted mines. This report will tell you what a Rare Earth is, how rare they are, why they are important, and where they are being developed which includes Australia, the United States, Africa, Greenland, Brazil and Canada.

Feb 27, 2013

By Wern-ping Chen

Technical and non-technical challenges exist in each mega infrastructure project. It?s no exception to the first US underground PPP Port of Miami Tunnel (POMT) project in Miami, FL. The POMT will connect two man-made islands, the Dodge and the Watson Islands, under the Biscayne Bay within highly porous limestone formation. Permeability as high as 0.1 cm/sec has been identified. Its 41-ft outside diameter, if constructed, is the largest precast segment lining in the US. Besides its geological and hydro geological challenges and risks, local community influence and impacts have controlled the fate of this project. This paper describes its tender design enhancements and the evolving of its slow advancement in resolving local community issues.

By B. K. Blashich

In responding to mine fires and explosions, accurate and timely analysis of the mine atmosphere is critical in making decisions regarding firefighting, mine rescue and mine recovery operations. For many years instantaneous analyses were available to rescue workers using handheld or portable gas detection equipment, including infrared, electrochemical, or catalytic measuring devices for a limited number of specific gases such as oxygen, methane, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. Instantaneous sensing technology is not available for all gases, such as nitrogen and hydrocarbons, found in a mine fire atmosphere and cross-sensitivity can be a problem with this technology. For these reasons, air samples are collected for injection into a gas chromatograph for a complete and accurate analysis for all gases including oxygen, nitrogen, methane, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, as well as ?fire gases? such as hydrogen, ethylene, ethane, and acetylene. This method requires additional time for transporting the samples to the laboratory near the mine, as well as an instrument operator to inject the samples for analysis. The use of a portable micro gas chromatograph with a continuous and automatic injection system has been implemented by the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) during mine recovery operations. The device directly samples the mine atmosphere from an underground location every twelve minutes and automatically analyzes the samples for all of the mine fire gases. The portable unit utilizes micro technology and the operating software has been modified to perform the calculation of sample results in and Excel® spreadsheet without user interaction. This paper describes the micro gas chromatograph system and its use at a recent mine recovery operation. The automated remote operation of the micro gas chromatograph has been shown to be a good alternative to infrared and electrochemical sensors used for mine atmosphere analysis.

Jan 1, 2009

By M. Newton

Optimization and sensitivity analysis of mineable economic volumes have been standard practise for open pits for many years now, and more recently software has become available to apply techniques for delineating mineable reserves for underground mines. In general these techniques have been applied to a single resource model to quantify mineable tonnes and grade for underground mining. However by using multiple conditionally simulated models both the risk associated with the mining parameters and the risk associated with variations in grade, tonnes and profit can be quantified. Using suitable software the mine planner can then easily and quickly define and compare alternative designs to assess and improve the robustness of and the confidence in the final design.

Jan 1, 2007

By Marco D. Boscardin, Paul A. Roy, Kevin J. DiRocco, Andy J. Miller

The North Shore Connector Project for the Port Authority of Allegheny County involves TBM mining a pair of subway tunnels through soil and rock under the Allegheny River and a narrow city street. Along the tunnel alignment are a historic building on shallow foundations and modern buildings on deep foundations, one constructed directly over the alignment during the latter phases of design. This paper provides an overview of the general site conditions, and technical basis for excavation support and tunneling decisions. Deformation limits, ground improvement, monitoring and mitigation plans, geotechnical baseline report development, and risk management will also be discussed.

Jan 1, 2007

By J. Olsson

Introduction Stainless steel has by tradition been a common construction material for hydrometallurgy processes and the most common grades can be found amongst the ASTM 300-series, i.e. austenitic grades of type 304L, 316L and 317L. However, there are a number of new grades available today, which imply more cost effective solutions for those designing plants where good resistance to acids, containing the desired metal ions, often contaminated with chlorides and other halides, is the key issue. There are austenitic-ferritic or duplex grades having the same or even better corrosion resistance than the austenitic grades and approximately twice the strength, which enables design in thinner gauges, which in turn implies less weight and less cost. They have also excellent engineering properties, enabling fabrication of process equipment, machinery and different types of tanks. On top of that, they contain less nickel and molybdenum than their austenitic counterparts, which implies not only lower cost for alloying elements, but also a more stable price when considering the price fluctuations for these alloying elements during the last years. This paper describes briefly the family of duplex stainless steel and it presents a number of relevant corrosion tests where duplex grades have been compared with austenitic grades. The results have in several cases been verified by in-plant exposures in zinc and copper production plants. It also describes applications and experience of duplex grades within a variety of hydrometallurgy plants. Installations of highly alloyed austenitic grades will be described as well. The corrosion tests and service experience reported cover hydrometallurgical processes based on sulphuric acid.

Jan 1, 2007

This paper was developed as part of an effort by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to identify risk factors associated with bumps in the prevention of fatalities and accidents in highly stressed, bump-prone ground conditions. Changes of failure mechanism with increasing confinement, from extensional- to shear-dominated failure, are widely observed in the rupture of intact specimens at the laboratory scale and in rock masses. In the previous analysis conducted in 2018, both unconfined and triaxial compressive tests were conducted to investigate the strength characteristics of some specimens of a Utah coal, including the spalling limits, the ratio of apparent unconfined compressive strength (AUCS) to unconfined compressive strength (UCS), the damage characteristics, and the post-yield dilatancy. These mechanical characteristics were found to be strongly anisotropic as a function of the orientation of the cleats relative to the loading direction.

Jan 7, 2020

By Yiming Sun

The 5-mile long Bay Tunnel is a major water supply facility to be constructed under the San Francisco Bay and adjacent marshlands between the San Andreas Fault to the west and the Hayward Fault to the east. The tunnel will have a two-pass lining system consisting of a watertight precast concrete segmental initial lining and a welded steel pipe final lining. Considering the Bay Tunnel?s location between two major active faults, the design earthquake produces a significant peak ground acceleration estimated at approximately 0.6g. To develop a design that can achieve the seismic performance objectives, full dynamic seismic analyses were performed using site-specific earthquake time histories. The analyses considered soil-structure interaction and an evaluation of the transverse and longitudinal effects of the design earthquake. This paper describes the seismic analyses and the design measures recommended to minimize potential adverse effects of the design earthquake on the tunnel final lining.

Jan 1, 2008

By Galyn Rippentropp, Finn Erik Overlie

INTRODUCTION The wet shotcreting system utilizing steelfiber microsilica shotcrete with remote controlled equipment (The Robocon System) was developed in Norway 7-8 years ago. Norway was the natural origin for this system due to several factors. Almost 30% of all underground hydro-power stations in the world are located here. These projects created a need for high productivity shotcreting rigs for the rock support work in the caverns and in the connecting tunnels. During the period of 1976-1980, more than 1000 miles of tunnels were completed in Norway. Secondly, the utilization of microsilica in concrete was also developed in Norway due to a concentration of the world's ferroalloy p ants there. Robocon has presently placed approximately 110,000 m (150,000 cu. yds.) of this superior shotcrete, and has consequently an extensive experience in the shotcreting method. During a relatively short period of time (1975-1980), Robocon had a change from hand-operated, dry-process shotcrete to remote-controlled, wet-process shotcreting, because of improved productivity, reduced rebound, safer and cleaner working conditions. The introduction of microsilica and water-reducing admixture made it possible to produce wet-process shotcrete of high strength.

Jan 1, 1987

By Jai-Woon Moon, Wonnyon Kim

Deep-sea hydrothermal vents (hereafter chimneys) are commonly found on the new crust forming along divergent plate boundaries. Related to the chimney cycle from birth to death, it is hard to define the growth stage of the chimney due to a brief life span of the venting hydrothermal plume. Here we try to categorize the mineral magnetic properties of the chimneys according to their venting fluid-temperatures. Hydrothermal sulfide deposits in the Southwest Pacific were explored in 2012 and chimneys were collected using remotely operated vehicle (ROV) and Grab with AV camera (GTV). In the present study, mineral magnetic properties of three Cu-rich chimneys were measured: a high-temperature chimney showing a venting fluid-temperature of about 200°C (ROV01); a lowtemperature chimney of about 80°C (GTV01); and an inactive chimney (ROV02). The chimneys were sliced to ~1 cm intervals from core to outer margin. Magnetic properties of ROV01 are dominated by pyrrhotite, except for the most outer part that experienced severe oxidation. Concentration and grain-size of pyrrhotite are relatively low and fine respectively. In the GTV01, pyrrhotite, dominant in the core, is gradually mixed with hematite toward the outer margin of the chimney due to secondary oxidation. Both the concentration and grain-size of the magnetic minerals are greater compared to the GTV01. High concentration and large grain-size of magnetic minerals characterize ROV02. Dominant magnetic phases are pyrrhotite, hematite, and goethite. In particular, the most outer margin shows the presence of magnetite produced possibly by magnetotactic bacterial activity. Such distinctive contrast in magnetic concentration, grain-size, and mineralogy among three different types of chimneys enables the life stage of the Cu-rich chimneys to be determined through a mineral magnetic study.

Sep 1, 2014