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By Mike O'Shea

Industrial minerals are extremely important to downstream industries and in our everyday lives. Their ontribution to the UK economy and to society as a whole is greatly underestimated. The industrial minerals sector is lacing increased pressures - environmental and competitive - both at home and abroad. These pressures are likely to increase. The Government, working in conjunction with the industry, can help the industry to meet these challenges. The role of Government is to establish a dialogue w ith the industry, to find out what its concerns are.and to ensure that these are taken into account in the draw ing up of policies that affect it. There is also a role for it in exploring, with industry, the linkages between environmental improvement and competitive advantage, and giving, w herever possible, early warning about regulatory developments. In order to maximise the effectiveness of links, industry needs to be coherently organised and represented both in the UK and in the European Union (EU).

Jan 12, 1997

By B. Sonmez, B. Aksanl, S. Ersaym, I. F. Erkal, S. L. Ergun

The comminution circuit at the plant has experienced severe problems arising from a feed containing much larger amounts of clay and having a higher moisture content than expected. Three solutions were proposed: replacement of the crushing circuit by tooth roll-type crushers; using washing drums; and introducing primary autogenous/semi-autogenous millling instead of crushing. Computer simulations studied the effects of the first two solutions on the circuit capacity. Laboratory and industrial scale ball mill batch grinding tests were carried out. The parameters of a kinetic model were determined. The ball mill circuit was sampled and operating model parameters were calculated. The ability of batch grinding parameters to represent the operating conditions was studied. Tests failed to find acceptable model parameters, but parameters from an industrial size batch mill were found to be suitable for simulation studies. The simulations indicated that a continuous feed of -12 mm provided by tooth roll crushers would maintain the desired capacity. Increasing the feed size to -25 mm would reduce the capacity by 8-15%. The use of washing drums could also solve the capacity problem, but small fluctuations in water flow rates might result in problems of excess water in the grinding circuit.

Jan 4, 1993

By Black J.

Further discussion at the Mining Institute of Scotland's general meeting held in Edinburgh, 12 February 1916, with D.W. Mowat, president, in the chair, of a paper published in Trans. Inst. Min. Engrs., 1915, vol. L, p.449 included written contributions by Dron R.W., Riddell W., Hamilton J. and Mowat D.W.

Dec 1, 1916

By T. A. A. Quarm

The concept of a continuous zinc smelting process which employs submerged combustion of coal char for both heating and reduction is described. An estimate of the results of smelting a marmatitic zinc concentrate indicates that both the operating and construction costs would be lower than those incurred in processes now in commercial operation. The results of smelting a complex zinc-copper concentrate are also estimated, but no simple commercial process exists with which they can be compared

Dec 1, 1971

By R. Phillips

The low concentration of diamond in workable deposits requires very large samples for grade estimation, and results, even then, may be erratic and difficult to interpret. Although the Poisson probability distribution cannot accurately describe the occurrence of diamond, it is suggested that it gives a better estimate of grade than conventional methods, even from single samples. Examples illustrate the simple calculation required.

Dec 1, 1971

By G. J. Lyman

Mayer curves are used for process calculation in coal preparation. They can also be used to smooth washability data by fitting a hyperbola of particular properties to ash and yield, but to introduce the density variable an independent relationship with ash content must be adopted. When this ash-density relationship has a realistic form at low density, the implied form of the mass distribution function is unrealistic, suggesting that Mayer curves represented by a hyperbolic functional form are unsuited to coal washery calculations for low-density separations. Their use at higher densities is also uncertain. A similar conclusion can be anticipated when Mayer curves are used for other mineral systems.

Jan 8, 1992

By P A. Collier

The general view of the author is that all the good intentions of manufacturers can fail completely if the variations in circumstances in underground mining are not considered at all times. With a belief that it is the customer that has the experience and know ledge of problems which occur on long installations. Reilloc talk with customers in coal mines around the world, and have done so from their inception. With considerable experience in their home market, their technical approach was received with enthusiasm by coal companies in both Australia and South Africa, and whilst experience was obtained in other countries, it is the particularly close working relationship in these two areas that is covered in this paper. The refinement of manufacturing techniques and the fine tuning of the specification to which the chain is made was developed in conjunction with factual underground experience obtained by customers as they sought to improve their productivity and a reduction in working costs. With a reliable product the mines are able to concentrate on improved operational techniques to extend the useful working life and plan for multi-panel usage of the chain.

Jan 5, 1996

By T. T. Chen, J. E. Dutrizac, C. Canoo

The calcine consists principally of ZnO and ZnFe2O4, which occur as banded and porous grains, together with lesser amounts of Zn2SiO4, Zn-Fe-Pb silicate, sphalerite, quartz, PbSO4 and Fe2O3. Al is present in solid solution in most of the Fe-bearing phases and also as residual aluminosilicate minerals from the original concentrate. Si occurs mostly as Zn2SiO4, Zn-Fe-Pb silicate and as residual silicate minerals. As is commonly found in the ZnFe2O4, Fe2O3 and Zn-Fe-Pb silicate phases. The major As carrier may be calcium arsenate particles less than 1 micrometre in size which are dispersed throughout the calcine. The neutral leach residue consists mainly of ZnFe2O4 and precipitated masses of iron gel-silica gel. Lesser amounts of ZnO, Zn2SiO4, Zn-Fe-Pb silicate, PbSO4, sphalerite, Pb-K-jarosite and basic zinc sulphate are also present. Al occurs in minor concentrations in most of the Fe-bearing phases and in the Zn-Fe-Pb silicate. The residual aluminosilicates are also an important Al carrier. The major As carrier is the precipitated iron gel-silica gel phase, but some As is also present in the Zn-Fe-Pb silicate, ZnFe2O4 and Fe2O3 phases. Silicon is divided about equally between the iron gel-silica gel, Zn2SiO4, Zn-Fe-Pb silicate and residual silicate minerals. The weak acid leach residue is generally similar to the neutral leach residue except for its reduced content of ZnO and basic zinc sulphate.

Jan 4, 1993

By M. Dobias, N. Mayor, J. Lillo, A. Gonzalez, R. Lunar, R. Oyarzun

The central domain of the Spanish Central System contains a series of Ba-(F)-(base metal sulphide) hydrothermal vein deposits that are hosted by adamellitic granitoids. Fluid inclusion and sulphur isotope data suggest that the mineralisation was formed by low-salinity hydrothermal solutions that incorporated fluids, metals and sulphur from a magmatic source. Mineralisation occurred in two main stages; a first stage of open-space filling with quartz-Ba-(F)-(base metals) ; and a second stage of brecciation and deposition of quartz-barite. The two mineralising events can be clearly related to two tectonic episodes of late Variscan age that involved extension along east-west trends followed by ductile transcurrent movements along northeast-southwest trends.

Jan 4, 1992

By P. R. Ineson, D. W. James

For a criterion to be useful it must either demonstrate directly the role of exhalative processes in the formation of a deposit or describe a unique attribute of exhalative deposits. Few of those employed in previous investigations entirely satisfy either condition. The limitations of three of the most frequently employed criteria are illustrated by studies of the geology of the King Island Scheelite deposit in Tasmania.

Jan 12, 1993

By I. R. Stevenson, J. G. Dunn, T. N. Smith, L. C. Mackey

An experimental flash reactor has been developed to simulate the operation of an industrial flash-smelter reaction shaft. Four concentrate materials of differing mineralogical compositions were characterised and then oxidised in the reaction shaft. The products were examined by chemical analysis to determine the extent of oxidation and by electron-probe microanalysis to determine the fate of individual particles. This programme of work enabled the influence of mineralogical composition and particle size on the extent of oxidation to be assessed

Jul 1, 1991

By D. C. Cooper, P. M. Green, J. A. Plant, P. R. Simpson, A. J. Reedman

Paper presented at the 28th International Geological Congress held in Washington DC, July 1989 (International geochemical mapping sessions). The Grampian Highlands and English Lake District evolved as part of the American and European continental plates, respectively, and were separated by the Iapetus Ocean until they were tectonically juxtaposed during the late stages of the Caledonian orogeny. The similarity in the controls of the distribution of gold pathfinder elements and gold mineralisation in the two regions thus provides important information for understanding the genesis of gold deposits in comparable tectonic settings elsewhere. The data presented are inconsistent with models that invoke a juvenile source of gold or its pathfinder elements. Instead, they support a model whereby gold and its pathfinders were initially concentrated in volcano-sedimentary sequences in rapidly subsiding, tectonically controlled basins and in associated volcanic rocks. Remobilisation and mineralisation occurred subsequently, probably as a result of an increase in oxygen fugacity associated with the influx of granite magmas into the crust and the establishment of hydrothermal convective circulation systems

Jul 1, 1991

By R. Winand, P. Harlet

he cathodes produced are of electrorefined grade; metallographic structure and surface roughness are controlled to a depth of 1.3 cm (single-side deposits); silver levels in the cathode are regulated by the presence in solution of Cl- and Br- ions; organics must be used at very low concentrations (around 0.1 mg/l with a consumption of about 0.01 mg/l/hr). The required concentrations of additives were established according to a well-defined strategy based on the consumption of organics at the cathode by a mass transfer limited-process.

Jan 4, 1992

By R. J. Gochin, P. Bevilacqua, G. D. Schena

This class of flowsheet-dependent simulators does not replace modular simulators, such as Modsim and Microsim, which are necessary for the assessment of different flowsheets before selection of the most desirable technical option and for investigation of the fine details of unit processes. The system presented here is regarded as complementary, serving in the early stages of feasibility studies as an aid to assessing the convenience and economics of preconcentration; the example used is of dense-medium preconcentration of a barytes-fluorite ore

Jun 13, 1905

By S. G. Tsimas, A. K. Moutsatsou, S. G. Tsivilis, G. K. Parissakis

(NH4)2SO4 can be used with success as a leachant to remove gypsum contained in celestite ores. The process, which is applied before flotation, provides an upgraded feed and problems related to the simultaneous flotation of CaCO3 and SrSO4 are reduced. The process is independent of the gypsum content of the feed so that each leaching stage decreases the gypsum content by almost 50%. The use of (NH4)2SO4 has an insignificant effect on the co-leaching of SrSO4 (0.45 wt.%) at each stage

Jun 13, 1905

By Ruddle R. W.

The slags produced in copper smelting are largely composed of silica and ferrous oxide and may therefore be regarded as essentially ferrous silicates. A fair amount of information is available on the constitutions of the liquid slags used in copper smelting and, in this connection, the large volume of work being carried out on steelmaking slags should be helpful. Constitutional diagrams are available for most of the principal systems involved (SiO2-FeO; SiO2-FeO-Al2O 3; SiO2-FeO-CaO; SiO2-FeO- MgO; and SiO2-FeO-CaO-Al2O3) and these show that additions of Al2O3 and CaO reduce the freezing points of SiO2-FeO slags but that additions of MgO increase the freezing point. A certain amount of information is available on the thermodynamics of slags, but much further work on this subject is required. Modern theories of the constitution of liquid slags deny the existence of molecular compounds but consider that liquid slags are mixtures of various ions such as, Fe2+. O2- and SiO4(4-). Little appears to be known of the reactions between matte and minor constituents dissolved in the slag

Jan 1, 1953

By D. J. Allan, W. R. Wilson

For conventional aerospace aluminium alloys of the 2000 (copper) and 7000 (zinc, magnesium) series the recycling of process scrap from both metal suppliers and aircraft manufacturers is a well-established, worldwide industry. The recent introduction of a new family of alloys that incorporates lithium has posed a new challenge to the recycling industry owing to the high cost of lithium, its high reactivity to the atmosphere and to refractories and its absence from the specifications of all other registered alloys. Various process options for recycling have been identified, but vacuum distillation has been selected as the most cost-effective and technically feasible solution. Experimental work established that the separation of Li from AI-Li scrap is feasible and an industrial process has been designed. The economics of Li recovery are very sensitive to the AI-Li content of the feed material. Owing to the design of aerospace vehicle manufacturing plants it is expected that the swarf will be mixed with other alloys. A method of enriching this feed has been developed that is based on the control of swarf morphology by thermal and mechanical treatments as a precursor to eddy-current separation. After eddy-current separation and vacuum distillation small proportions of Li are retained in the AI residue. The effects of this on the properties of conventional AI-Si shape-casting alloys were investigated and safe threshold levels have been established.

Jan 4, 1993

By D. J. Fray, F. Tailoka

Microporous ceramic tubes (15 micrometre pore diameter) and PVC membranes (10 micrometre diameter) have been used as spargers in the electrowinning of copper from concentrated and dilute chloride electrolytes. At a current density of 600 A/m2 and a nitrogen gas sparging flow rate (at NTP) of 1.53 cm3/s per unit electrode length, it was possible to electrowin planar rather than powdery deposits with copper concentrations as low as 0.157 M. To obtain a planar deposit at higher concentrations of cupric chloride the most realistic optimum current density appears to be between 1 000 and 1 500 A/m2.

Jan 4, 1993

By P. Beauvais

Philip Beauvais, from the Met Office's International Mining and Agriculture Department, explains the need to understand the impact of the weather and climate when developing future mine sites.

Mar 1, 2015

By Z. Sawlowicz

Finely dispersed, primary sulphide mineralisation in the Cu-Fe sulphide zones of copper-bearing shale of the Polish part of the Permian Kupferschiefer is mainly present in the form of framboids and spherules. This type of mineralisation is especially well preserved in organic-rich shale, where it often dominates over a later diagenetic mineralisation that consists of large grains and veins. In microscopic observations special attention was paid to composite grains of copper and iron sulphides. The results suggest that the Cu-Fe and Cu sulphides precipitated in the Kupferschiefer sediment before pyritisation of the framboids had ceased and that they replaced metastable precursors of pyrite. The precipitation of copper sulphides could have been delayed owing to the formation of Cu-organic complexes.

Jan 4, 1992