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By E. R. DeMen

In late 1965 General Mills announced the availability of a new liquid ion exchange reagent, LIX®-64, for the recovery of copper from various solutions, such as dump leach liquors. Acceptance of this material by the copper industry has been gratifying. A number of pilot plants have been operated, and at this writing there are four commercial plants either in operation or under construction. The properties and operating characteristics of this reagent have been described in previous papers.1,2 LIX-64 is quite effective and selective for copper extractions although partially limited in pH ranges, losing extraction efficiency as the acidity of the feed solution increases to below pH 1.0. Also, the LIX-64 content in the kerosine carrier was limited to about 10 volume percent (except for special cases) because of rapidly decreasing phase disengagement rates above this content. This in turn led to large plant capital costs, as the organic flow rates had to be in- creased (rather than LIX-64 content) to extract the copper from high content liquors. This was true in all circuits where the feed copper content ran above 2.0 g/l copper. A reagent was needed which would extract copper from more acidic liquors (or higher copper content liquors) and which exhibited improved phase disengagement characteristics with reagent contents up to 30 volume percent. General Mills is pleased to announce the availability in commercial quantities of a new and improved reagent, L+-64~. This reagent broadens the pH range in which copper can be extracted, and exhibits superior phase disengagement characteristics. The improvement in the reagent has been noted in laboratory circuits, as well as pilot plant runs and commercial operations.

Jan 1, 1970

By E. J. Freech

In this part of the two-part paper we discuss briefly the adaptation of the comminution model to describe the observed behavior of an industrial grinding circuit. Although reported verification of comminution models for continuous systems is limited, some interesting work has been reported 1,2 recently. The data acquisition and modeling efforts are described first, followed by discussion of some of the simulation results. Observations pertinent to steady-state operation are presented followed by a description of the application of a dynamic model of the grinding circuit for synthesis and evaluation of grinding-circuit control. The pilot-scale work indicated the comminution model should be capable of describing an industrial size-reduction process. Recognizing the broad utility of a process model based on first- principles, the Industrial Nucleonics Corporation of Columbus, Ohio, embarked on a joint program with the Duval Corporation of Tucson, Arizona, to evaluate the industrial applicability of the models described in Part I. This program was conducted in a grinding circuit, which included a rod mill 12.5 feet in diameter and 16 feet long and a ball mill 12.5 feet in diameter and 14 feet long, at Duval Corporation's Esperanza property3. The rod mill was operated in open circuit and the ball mill in closed circuit with cyclone classifiers.

Jan 1, 1970

By R. W. Culbertson

During the 1920's, approximately 11,000 small gasifiers were in operation in the United States. They converted about 15 million tons of coal per year into low Btu gas. In some cases, hot raw gas was used for applications such as firing open hearth furnaces or brick kilns. In other cases the gases produced in the gasifiers were cooled, cleaned and desulfurized for various utility and industrial purposes. The steel industry was by far the largest user. The most important fact was that the conversion of coal to a usable fuel gas was demonstrated to be commercial. During the late 1940's and early 1950's, this form of energy was largely replaced by natural gas as the pipeline net work was expanded. Producer gas was no longer economically competitive. Over the past twenty-five (25) years, government controls on the interstate price of natural gas have maintained this situation. At present only three commercial small coal gasifier plants are still in operation in the United States. These facilities are operated by the Glen-Gery Corporation which is located in eastern Pennsylvania; the National Lime and Stone Company which is located at Carey Ohio; and Holston Defense Corporation which is located at Kingsport, Tennessee. There are, however, numerous operating gasifiers in other parts of the world. Recent events indicate that this situation is changing. The quantity of domestic natural gas available to the interstate market has been declining at the same time that demand for all forms of energy has been increasing. The current potential market for gas with a heating value ranging from 100 to 500 Btu per cubic feet has been estimated at sixteen (16) quads (16 x 1015 Btu) per year. This is expected to grow to twenty (20) quads by the year 2000.

Jan 1, 1978

By Khosrow Badiozamani

Traditionally the mining industry has been lagging in application of computers in their daily or long range plan activities compared to other industries. The question then remains as to how the technology of higher computing capacity for less cost is going to affect the mining industry and how the lukewarm reception of engineers in acceptance of computerized mine planning in the past is going to change because of the new wave of high techology. These questions and the reasons for the lack of usage of computerized mine planning systems by engineers will be evaluated in this paper. In addition, alternatives available to the mining industry will be analyzed and the direction of the future "user friendly" software will be discussed.

Jan 1, 1984

By J. S. Lewis

Beneficiation and physical and chemical processing of non-terrestrial materials borrow strongly from terrestrial experience, but also involve the necessity of handling literally un-Earthly feedstocks, reagents, and environmental conditions. The present state of scientific and engineering understanding of the processing of non-terrestrial minerals, gases and hydrocarbons is reviewed with the production of rocket propellants, life-support fluids, structural metals, and refractories as the goal.

Jan 1, 1992

By David Chastka, Isidro Rivera, Shawna Von Stockhausen, Idit Zarchi

The City of Santa Cruz Water Department is replacing the existing Newell Creek Dam inlet/outlet works at Loch Lomond Reservoir in the San Lorenzo Valley. The project will improve the City’s overall operational efficiency, improve system performance, and improve the safety and reliability of storage for the City’s drinking water supply. The project comprises new inlet works* (three new inlets that control and convey flows into and out of the reservoir, and an intake control building), an inlet/outlet tunnel with a 48-inch conduit to convey flows into and out of the reservoir, and a new outlet structure at the toe of the dam. The outlet structure includes a release point for energy dissipation of emergency drawdown flows, a connection to Newell Creek Pipeline, and beneficial releases into Newell Creek. The project also includes a new dam seepage collection and monitoring system and appurtenant structures such as a culvert bridge over the spillway plunge pool to improve access to the new outlet. Notable complex project components include in-water work to connect the new intake shaft pipes to the three new inlets. The project includes one major milestone with a work window regulated by environmental permits that could only be amended/ extended with approvals from those agencies. If not met, the milestone work would have caused significant delays (potentially up to one year) to the project.

Jun 13, 2021

By W. P. Arnott, P. Nascimento, X. L. Wang, K. C. Kocsis, S. J. Taylor, H. Firouzkouhi

We report the first spectral photoacoustic measurements of silica, coal, and kaolinite dust absorption coefficients from 11 to 13 μm at 5 nm resolution made with a tunable quantum cascade laser. This is important because airborne silica dust and coal dust within mining environments continue to be a problem for mine workers and staff due to their severe health effects on the respiratory system, while other dust types are potentially interferents to their detection. Our real-time spectra compare favorably with the non-real-time filter-based Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR) spectra obtained using the sampling system developed by NIOSH for their end-of-shift method to determine silica dust concentrations using a portable FTIR. We discuss our new dust generation system and instrument testing chamber. We also show that our PM4 silica mass concentration measurements by a low-cost air quality sensor (SPS30) are in good agreement with the TSI Aerosol Particle Sizer instrument, the NIOSH end of shift method, gravimetric mass, and correlate well with photoacoustic light absorption measurements at a wavelength where silica absorbs strongly.

Aug 20, 2022

By Rob Herr, Irwan Halim, Heather Marsh

This project will expand sanitary sewer within the City of Columbus. It consists of 2.5 mile long, 72-inch finished diameter pipe grouted inside 10.8-foot diameter tunnel excavation in shale. This paper describes the multi-faceted geotechnical exploration to minimize the underground risks. The tunnel will cross below a buried valley with minimum cover of highly weathered rock. The risk mitigation to cross the valley includes contingencies and cost allowances. Provisions to prevent impact on adjacent groundwater resources will be described. Latest construction updates will be provided including contractor alternate shaft support and pre-excavation probing to mitigate tunneling risk below the valley.

Jun 23, 2024

By M. A. Alan

The Bellavista Gold Deposit lies 75 Kms north west of San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica, Central America and 3 Kms north east of Miramar, in the Province of Puntarenas. The total road distance from San Jose to the deposit is 120 Kms all paved road except for a 2.5 Km graded, gravel road on the property (Figure 1). Infrastructure services in the Miramar-Puntarenas area are well developed with electrical power distribution, a modern port facility and community services being available. The deposit lies on the south west flank of the Tilaran Mountain Range between an elevation of 550 and 800 meters above sea level. The local topography is steep, originally covered with pre-montaine, tropical wet forest vegetation which has been largely destroyed due to clearing for cattle grazing. The annual rainfall is approximately 2,950 mms, 90% of which occurs between May and October.

Jan 1, 1992

By P. A. Plunkert, D. E. Morse, L. McCartan, S. F. Sibley

Following the recession of 2001, restrained consumer spending, declines in domestic manufacturing and industrial output, and increased unemployment led to a lack-luster year in the domestic economy. In 2002, the U.S. real gross domestic product (GPD) grew only 2.4%. Significant production declines in the U.S. metals industry were registered by copper, lead and zinc producers. Steel producers, despite a slight improvement in shipments, continued to face strong foreign competition, higher energy costs and lower prices for their products. Homebuilding and other domestic construction sectors— major consumers of nonmetallic mineral products such as cement, brick, glass and stone — remained strong enough to help raise the output of industrial mineral materials slightly above 2001 levels. A strong U.S. dollar relative to other national currencies continued to weaken the competitive stance of U.S. metal and non-metal mineral materials companies alike against foreign producers in markets at home and abroad.

Jan 1, 2003

By L. M. Pero

The paper summarizes aspects of the recent literature on mineral development in the Third World. The emphasis is on publications covering agreements between host governments and mining companies.

Jan 1, 1985

By Dean Newman, Michael Behrens, Mark Trim, Justin Arifin

Road tunnels in recent infrastructure projects in Sydney, Australia, are designed to have a fire resistance level of either a 4-hour cellulosic fire or a 2-hour hydrocarbon fire. Where permanent ground support for tunnels consists of systematic rock bolts and relatively thin layer of shotcrete, it is important to ensure that during and after the fire event the ground support is designed/predicted not to pose risks to the tunnel occupant. The global behavior of the ground support can be predicted using finite element analysis, and its resistance is derived with consideration of the material strength degradation due to the elevated temperature.

Dec 1, 2022

By M. Schreiner, J. Brune, D. Theisen, C. S. -J. Tsai

This study reports that routine mining activities could produce a high number of nanometer sized particles which have not been well characterized and may represent an unacknowledged exposure present in the mining environment. A preliminary survey of the particle emission from the feed-leg drilling activity was conducted in the excavations of an experimental mine. The level of particulate exposure was monitored by real time direct reading instruments include a NanoScan scanning mobility particle sizer (measurement range 10-420 nm) and an optical particle sizer (measurement range 0.3-10 μm). Particulate morphological and structural examination was conducted through transmission and scanning electron microscopy and x-ray dispersive analysis of samples collected by a thermophoretic sampler, and a novel nanoparticle sampler. The real time instrument data revealed high concentrations (> 3.5 x 106 particles/cm3) of ultrafine/nanoparticles generated from the drilling activity. Analysis of particle sampler specimens with energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy showed a large amount of submicron silica, spherical primary particles and agglomerated soot particles rich in carbon. Exposure to particles in the nanometer size from various sources within the mining environment may be associated with the poorly understood rise in respiratory and systemic disease among miners. INTRODUCTION Exposures to mine dust have been measured and evaluated for decades. Exposures to aerosolized dust such as coal or silica particles can cause lung and other diseases (1-7). One way that The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) characterizes inhalation exposures within the mining environment is through measuring the respirable dust mass concentration within the breathing zone of workers (8). Respirable particulate matter (RPM) is of great concern due to its ability to deposit in the alveolar region of the lungs (9-10) where it can affect respiratory function. Interventions championed by MSHA have greatly reduced the prevalence of coal workers pneumoconiosis (CWP) and progressive massive fibrosis (PMF). Although great progress has been made, the prevalence of CWP and PMF appears to be trending upwards and the measured increase in prevalence is not elucidated in RPM measurements (11-12). Though the presence and risk associated with ultrafine particles such as emission from diesel engine within the mining environment has been previously established (13-14). There is suspicion within the mining industry that this resurgence of lung disease may be due to very fine particulate matter from various source that is not properly characterized by current sampling methods. Nanometer sized particles, in the range of ultrafine particles, fall within the RPM size range and have been found to deposit in all regions of the respiratory tract (15). Nanoparticles are commonly accepted as particles that are greater than 1 nm in two or three dimensions but smaller than 100 nm (16). Once in the lungs, nanoparticles can enter the blood stream (17) and selectively affect other target organs such as the heart, liver, bone marrow, lymph nodes, spleen, and brain (15,18-19). The size of nanoparticles has been shown to correlate with their translocation behavior on secondary target organs (20-21). There is strong evidence that the clearance mechanisms used to rid the lungs of particulate matter are not as effective on nanometer sized particles, leading to a greater fraction of never-cleared particles which may enhance disease development (20). Research has demonstrated that nanometer sized particles have unique properties (22) whose adverse health impact is greater than what has been found with micrometer sized particles of the same type (23-26). The large ratio of surface area to mass compared to larger particles is believed to make nanoparticles a greater hazard. Utilizing mass to measure these types of exposure will be very difficult to accurately characterize the quantity of

Jan 1, 2019

By E. Craig Simmons

Uranium is an element incompatible with respect to the major rock-forming minerals crystallizing from granitic magma, entering in- stead trace minerals such as zircon. The relationship between the saturation limit (SL) for such a mineral and the bulk distribution coefficient (Do) for U is central to understanding the distribution of U and its availability to late- stage fluids which can form ore deposits directly, or labile U which can be remobilized later. Low SL values imply early crystallization of zircon, but in very small proportions, minimizing Do and maximizing the degree of enrichment of U in late-stage fluids. Thus, granitic rocks with low Zr contents (due to a low saturation limit for zircon) are most likely to evolve U- enriched differentiates; this will be reflected in a high U content of the zircons (but not necessarily high U abundances in whole-rocks). Thus, the ratio of the U content of zircon to the Zr content of the corresponding whole-rock is potentially a very useful parameter in identifying granitic rocks which are most likely to have U-enriched solutions associated with them. The granitic rocks associated with the U deposits of the Midnite Mine area, Washington, have geochemical characteristics which fit very well the model presented here. The rocks are very low in Zr (100 ppm) and contain zircons with extremely high U contents (3,000-4,000 ppm).

Jan 1, 1981

By S. W. Mao

Hydrologic and economic criteria figure in many obvious ways in water resources development, but they are rarely linked quantitatively, and most of the applications are pertinent only to the case-in-point. In the preparation of the Regional Plan for the massive program of ground water development in the Punjab, situations have arisen where the choice among two or more alternatives was made by analyzing the economic implications of critical hydrologic parameters. Two of these situations which are of more-or-less general interest are described herein. The first involves basic development policy -- whether ground water development should be based on the demand of the economy, or the conservation concept of safe-yield. The analysis demonstrated that mining of ground water is clearly indicated for areas where alternative supplies are unavailable. The second problem involves integrating hydrologic data into an economic model to determine optimum well design, From an analysis of all pertinent factors, a simple nomograph was derived which can be used to determine well specifications on-site during construction. The nomograph can be modified for use in any alluvial terrain.

Jan 1, 1967

By Ayman A. El‑Midany, Hassan E. El‑Shall, Kerri‑Ann A. Hue

Modification of clays is necessary for the zearalenone (ZEN), as long-chain mycotoxins, removal. The organic-cations were usually used to modify the clay hydrophobicity to accommodate the large mycotoxin molecules. In this study, tri capryl methylammonium (TCMA) chloride and common corn oil were used in clay modification. Several characterization techniques such as XRD, FTIR, and TGA were used to identify the d-spacing changes after modification either by TCMA or corn oil. The results of applying the TCMA-corn oil-modified clays in ZEN removal indicated a noticeable improvement where more than 90% of ZEN could be removed in vitro at acidic and neutral pH values. The success of eliminating a high percentage of ZEN molecules is due to the expansion of intergallery spacing as a result of TCMA surfactant intercalation within the clayforming layers. The removal percentage does not depend only on pH but also on the amount of clay used. In addition, the ZEN removal in the presence of corn oil is better at acidic pH and small clay amount where the ZEN can be fully removed.

Sep 27, 2021

By L. Thompsen

High pressure grinding has been introduced into many grinding applications. The high pressure grinding roll offers capacity increases of existing plants and savings in operating costs. Also metallurgical advantages could be achieved. The first high pressure grinding roll in a copper mine was commissioned in Arizona in July 1995. This paper provides information about the operating experience gathered during the first months of operation. The current flowsheet will be described as well as further options for plant arrangements.

Jan 1, 1996

By D. R. Nagaraj

Editor&apos;s note: Minerals concentration is a disparate area, one involving many disciplines. Flotation, flocculation, reagents, microbial processes, gravity and magnetic separation, and the areas of coal and oil shale - concentration is relevant to all of these. In his article, Nagaraj reviews the latest developments and findings in concentration that have ocurred during the past year. Flotation The Monograph Series "Development in Mineral Processing," (Elsevier, 1985) was devoted to "Flotation of Sulfide Minerals." This volume has 26 articles covering the aspects of flotation chemistry, process development, plant design and equipment, and modeling and process control. The numerous articles on sulfide flotation had one recurring theme - the role of electrochemical processes and redox potentials in flotation and depression. Significant advances have been made in this area. A differential desorption-reflotation process was developed for the beneficiation of calcitic phosphate pebble (Hsieh and Lehr, Industrial Engineering and Chemistry, 1985). The carbonate and phosphate minerals were first separated from silica using fatty acid and the modifiers diphosphonic acid and HF. The collector on phosphate was then desorbed using sulfuric acid, and calcite was selectively floated without additional collector. A two-stage conditioning - initially at pH 10, followed by that at pH < 4.5 - with sodium oleate was developed to improve the separation between apatite and dolomite (Moudgil and Chanchani, Minerals and Metallurgical Processing, MMP, 1985). Separation of Mussorie rock phosphate in India from gangue calcite, dolomite, silicates, pyrite, and carbonaceous impurities was achieved with a three-stage flotation only on -75 µm (-200 mesh) fraction (Vaman Rao et al., International Journal of Mineral Processing, IJMP, 1985). The separation of fine SiC whiskers from other products of coked rice hulls by immiscible liquid and froth flotation was achieved using M1BC, pine oil, and mineral spirits (Parekh and Goldberger, MMP, 1985). Flotation was more economical. The carrier flotation separation of hematite fines from quartz fines was effected using coarse hematite as a carrier and oleic acid and ferric chloride (Cristoveanu and Meech, CIM Bulletin, 1985). Potash recovery from brines by laboratory-pan solar evaporation and amine flotation was discussed by Foot and Juiatt (Salts and Brines &apos;85, Proceedings, 1985). Flotation in a 45-kg/h (99-lb per hour) unit recovered more than 95% of the potash in schoenite and sylvite concentrates containing 28% and 62% K2O, respectively. The effects of fresh concrete into cement and aggregate by a single-step flotation process in aqueous suspension was described (Naegle, Chemical Engineering Science, 1985). The physico-chemical principles for the selective separation of proteins from mixtures using flotation were discussed by Ostermaier and Dobias (Colloids & Surfactants, 1985). Selective flocculation of hematite from silica was studied by Bagster and Mcllvenny (IJMP, 1985). Selective flocculation was more favorable with more highly charged anionic polyacrylamides and with high molecular weight. The cationic and non-ionic polymers flocculated both minerals. In minerals mixtures, there appeared to be very little selectivity unless a combination of dispersant and electrolyte was used. The effect of dissolved minerals species, such as Cu, Fe, and Ni on flocculation of chalcopyrite, pentlandite, millerite, pyrrhotite, and covellite was studied by Acar and Somasundaran (SME-AIME, 1985). Reagents There were some major advances made in reagent development for the minerals processing industry. Cyanamid introduced several classes of collectors, one of which - the diaryl monothiophosphates as acid circuit col¬lectors of sulfides and oxidesulfide ores - was commercialized in 1985. The monothiophosphates are more stable and powerful collectors than the xanthates and dithiophosphates. Hydrolyzed dithiophosphate containing 80% monothio and 20% dithiophosphate was found to give optimum recovery of copper from crude cementation precipitate and separation of Cu and Ni sulfides from matte (Akimova et al., Obogashch, Tonkov, Rud, OTR, 1985). A new class of O-alkyl-Nallyl

Jan 9, 1986

By Milos Krofta, Donald B. Aulenbach, James P. Van Dyke

INTRODUCTION An innovative Ø.1-MGD (378.5-m3/day) biological and phyicochemical wastewater treatment system at Hancock, Massachusetts, USA, has been treating the domestic sewage generated from the four-season Jiminy Peak timeshare resort since 1985. The influent raw sewage is collected and equalized in an equalization tank, then biologically treated by two rotating biological contactors (RBC). A portion of the RBC effluent is discharged to a secondary sedimentation tank to simulate conventional waste treatment by a conventional RBC system. For parallel treatment the remaining portion of the RBC effluent is discharged to an innovative Sandfloat (SASF-8) clarifier to simulate a two-stage biological and physicochemical treatment by RBC-Sandfloat. Both secondary sedimentation effluent and Saandfloat effluent are later combined together and discharged to a tertiary sand filter and two UV disinfection&apos;units for final polishing. The operation and performance data of Jiminy Peak plant in the period of May 1985 to March 1988 was fully documented in the Lenox Institute technical report No. LIR/Ø3-88/292 (391 pages, March 1988). This report presents only background information and complete plant data in the period of April 1988 to January 1989. Dr. Lawrence K. Wang and Mr. James P. Van Dyke have been the Consulting Engineer and Director of Special Projects, respectively, for the Jiminy Peak Project since 1985. (Key Words) Innovative and Alternative Technology, Rotating Biological Contactor, Sandfloat, Dissolved Air Flotation, Sedimentation, Tertiary Filtration, Ultraviolet, Disinfection. BACKGROUND INFORMATION Jimmy Peak, Inc., Hancock, Massachusetts, has designed and constructed a secondary wastewater treatment system consisting of preliminary/primary treatment facilities, two rotating biological contactors, a dissolved air flotation clarifier, a secondary sedimentation clarifier, a sand filter and two ultraviolet (UV) disinfection units. Total average wastewater flow is approximately Ø.1 ) (378.5 cubic meters per day). In accordance with the Consulting Engineer&apos;s preliminary design, the total wastewater stream is initially collected and equalized by an equalization tank, and then biologically treated by rotating biological contactors (RBC). Part of the RBC effluent is diverted to a Krofta Sandfloat (SASF-8) for physicochemical clarification in order to simulate an innovative RBC-Sandfloat two-stage waste treatment system. The remaining part of the RBC effluent is diverted to a sedimentation tank for secondary clarification in order to siumulate a conventional secondary RBC-sedimentation waste treatment system for the purpose of parallel comparison. Both Sandfloat effluent and sedimentation effluent are later combined together and discharged to the subsequent sand filter and UV disinfection unit for final polishing. Figure 1 shows the flow diagram of Jiminy Peak Plant. The Massachusetts Clean Waters Act (M.G.L.c.2l,s.26-53) was amended by Chapter 246 of the Acts of 1973 to authorize the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Quality Engineering (DEQE), Division of water Pollution Control, Boston, Massachusetts, to regulate discharges into all waters of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, including groundwaters. The DEQE regulates discharges through the issuance of discharge permits which impose limitations on the amount of pollutants which may be discharged in the effluent, together with monitoring and reporting requirements and other conditions to insure adequate treatment of all liquid wastes prior to discharge. The DEQE reviewed the application submitted on behalf of Jiminy Peak, Inc. for a permit to discharge sanitary wastes from the Jiminy Peak secondary wastewater treatment system located off Brodie Mountain Road, Hancock, Massachusetts, and subsequently developed the conditions contained in the Groundwater Discharge Permit No. Ø-188. More specifically, Jiminy Peak, Inc. (i.e. the permittee) has been authorized to discharge into the ground from the Jimmy Peak secondary wastewater treatment facilities for which the Permit No. Ø-188 was issued, a treated effluent

Jan 1, 1989

By M. G. Hester

The ore reserve modeling of stratiform uranium deposits to be mined by selective underground mining methods must be done with consideration of the erratic nature of the ore forming processes that produced the mineralization. Estimation methods that model the uranium grade as a smooth transition between high grade and low grade drillhole intercepts tend to greatly overestimate the ore tonnage. Care must be taken to first establish realistic ore pod geometries and then estimate the grade of the reserve units within the pods.

Jan 1, 1985