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By N September, R Abate

Bateman Modular (previously Van Eck and Lurie) has been building and supplying the mining industry with modular DMS plants for the last 30 years. These DMS modules range in capacity from 1 tph to 200 tph. The most popular unit produced by Bateman Modular over the years has been the 50 tph module. Development In the last 7 years a need has arisen from the industry to provide Modular DMS plants that can treat higher tonnages (150 to 200 tph). The first DMS provided to the mining industry based on the modular concept was a 150 tph DMS Module to MIBA in the DRC. Since then Bateman Modular has provided some 14 Mega DMS modules over the last 7 years with the latest two orders from Debswana (Damtshaa double up project) and Namdeb. Ever since the first Mega Module was supplied Bateman Modular has been improving the Modules. Implementation The modules can be supplied in different configurations so as to improve the overall availability of the plant. Two off 150 tph DMS modules were supplied for a Transhex operation. This allowed the client to still operate one DMS module while maintenance is being performed on the other DMS module. The client also has the option of choosing a single module. Successes The following list of projects provides the base for the success of the Mega Modules.

Jan 1, 2006

The zinc-lead lode at Rosebery, on the West coast of Tasmania, has a total length of over 4000 ft. It consists of five elongated lenses parallel to the foliation planes of the quartz sericite schist, and is situated at the junction of the quartz sericite schist and a thin belt of slate. The lenses consist of massive, fine grained sulphide ore, with small amounts of quartz, barite, sericite and chlorite, and they terminate in masses of low grade ore. The gangue minerals increase in quantity in the low grade ore which includes small quantities of the manganese garnet, spessartite. The schist walls of the lenses are in places impregnated with lode minerals to a degree sufficient to permit them to be regarded as economic ore.The ore-bodies have developed from incoming mineral solutions by the replacement of the quartz sericite schist and are localised where the ore solutions have been confined by a relatively impervious slate band. The early stages of replacement of the schists are signified by the development of pyritic bands which are succeeded by a strong development of zinc blende. With ptogressive crystallisation, the character of the mineral solutions gradually changed and the development of galena, and its associated bournonite, became more important in the later stages.Remnants of the replaced schist, in the form of isolated wisps and schlieren of sericite and chlorite, are present in the ore body, more noticeably in the pyritic specimens. An important feature of the ore is the association of small ogllantities of gold with trahedrite.

Jan 1, 1934

By GRANT COLLIGAN, BROCK O’KELLEY, Corby Anderson

With the world’s ever-growing push to expand technological capabilities, the need for specialized materials including rare earth elements has exploded. One source of rare earths found in the United States is bastnaesite, a rare-earth-bearing fluorocarbonate, mined at the Mountain Pass Mine in California. To increase production, it has been essential to optimize existing processes and create new ones to capture current reserves. This paper presents the results of a research program conducted to expand the understanding of the bastnaesite leaching system. With the help of prior knowledge and thermodynamic calculations, a novel single-stage hydrochloric acid leach system was created to optimize the extraction of rare earths from bastnaesite. Historically, this extraction has entailed the use of a two-stage leach system involving a high-temperature hydrochloric acid leach followed by a caustic crack. We ran a series of single-stage leach experiments by reacting locked-cycle flotation concentrate with hydrochloric acid to test common leaching parameters. The results of these single-stage tests showed significantly higher rare-earth recoveries than the reported recoveries of the historic two-stage caustic crack processes, all while decreasing the number and amount of reagents needed.

Feb 1, 2023

By L. Robles-Stefoni

"Multiple-point simulation (MPS) methods have been developed over the last decade as a means of reproducing complex geological patterns while generating stochastic simulations. Some geological spatial configurations are complex, such as the spatial geometries and patterns of diamondbearing kimberlite pipes and their internal facies controlling diamond quality and distribution.Two MPS methods were tested for modelling the geology of a diamond pipe located at the Ekati mine, NT, Canada. These are the single normal equation simulation algorithm SNESIM, which captures different patterns from a training image (TI), and the filter simulation algorithm FILTERSIM, which classifies the patterns founded on the TI. Both methods were tested in the stochastic simulation of a four-category geology model: crater, diatreme, xenoliths, and host rock. Soft information about the location of host rock was also used. The validation of the simulation results shows a reasonable reproduction of the geometry and data proportions for all geological units considered; the validation of spatial statistics, however, shows that although simulated realizations from both methods reasonably reproduce the fourth-order spatial statistics of the TI, they do not reproduce well the same spatial statistics of the available data (when this differs from the TI). An interesting observation is that SNESIM better imitated the shape of the pipe, while FILTERSIM yielded a better reproduction of the xenolith bodies. IntroductionThe simulation of geological units poses several technical problems that challenge the capabilities of available geostatistical simulation approaches and their ability to deal with spatial complexity of categorical variables. The spatial geometry of diamondbearing pipes and their internal facies controlling diamond distributions are a specific and well-known difficult modelling problem. The geometry of a kimberlite pipe is typically like an inverted cone (Figure 1); the wider part is known as the crater and is located near the surface, and the narrower, deeper part is known as the diatreme. Xenolith bodies can also be found inside the pipe. A very important contribution to the geological modelling of the contours of the pipe is the measure of uncertainty about the location of the contact between the kimberlite pipe and the host rock."

Jan 1, 2016

By Charles S. Barrett

NUMEROUS determinations1-7 of the tex-ture of cold-rolled polycrystalline iron, steel, and ferritic alloys have been made with good agreement among the various observers as to the principal features of the texture common to all, but there has been no adequate explanation of the texture in terms of the behavior of individual grains. This study presents an explanation of the texture based on the observed rotation of single crystals when deformed in a manner similar to a grain in the aggregate, a method we have found useful in leading to a better understanding of compression and tension textures;8,9,10 in particular, the aim has been to determine experimentally the end orientations of rolled single crystals of iron. These are discussed in connection with the point of view of Wever1 and of Boas and Schmid2 that the rolling texture is a simple compression texture (compression normal to the rolling plane) superimposed on a simple tension texture (tension in the roll-ing direction), and the point of view of Kurdjumow and Sachs3 that three ideal end orientations exist.

Jan 1, 1940

By Stephen C. Tadolini, Thomas M. Barczak, Paul McKelvey

A new generation of hydraulic mine support prestressing devices has been developed. These thin-walled steel shells are machine-welded and can be inflated with water or any liquid to provide prestressing for a wide variety of roof support products ranging from Can supports to props and cable bolts. With an expansion capability of several inches, depending on the geometry and size of the unit, they can also establish roof contact eliminating the need for wooden wedges or crib blocks that are commonly employed with several standing roof support products. Capable of withstanding pressures from 1,000 to 6,000 psi, these cells are able to transfer roof loading into the support structure without rupturing. A recent development has been the addition of an inexpensive yield valve that provides control of the maximum pressure and load development on the support. This paper examines the performance capabilities of these inflatable prestressing units and the impact they have on the performance of various support systems, including an evaluation of the overall stiffness of the support system and the load control during yielding of the prestressing unit. Recommendations are made regarding the design requirements of the prestressing unit to optimize the support performance. A summary of mine applications using this technology is provided with general comments regarding their impact on ground control.

By Orhan Gokce Goksu

It has been shown that metallic tungsten powder can be obtained by electrochemical reduction of solid CaWO4 in molten CaCl2-NaCl eutectic mixture at 600oC. In this study, constant and pulse voltage electrolysis experiments were performed to optimize reduction kinetics and obtain information about the mechanism of above process. It was found that pulse voltage applications yield faster reduction rates when average voltage of pulse voltage application was the same as constant voltage application. In addition, analysis of the current vs. time graphs of constant and pulse voltage electrolysis studies showed that reduction occurs at potential differences higher than about 2.2 V between CaWO4 cathode and graphite rod anode.

Jan 1, 2010

By Michael Hood

An overview is given of some of the major mining research activities in Australia. Automation of mining equipment is not an objective in its own right. The objective is to improve the safety and the economic performance of mining operations. Automation can be a useful method for achieving this objective. There is a strong focus on mining equipment automation and related issues and specific examples of ongoing and recently completed automation projects are described.

May 1, 2002

By Arthur D. FitzGerald

EDC established an Environmental Review Framework in 1999. Throughout the early fall of 2001, the Corporation held public consultations across Canada to strengthen that framework, leading to a public release on November 15, 2001 of a report summarising the results of these consultations. Following this, the Corporation implemented strengthened environmental review requirements in the form of its Environmental Review Directive, in compliance with legislated amendments to Canada?s Export Development Act that went into effect on December 21, 2001. Over the past few years, there has been a global trend towards an increase in the social and environmental requirements of multilateral/bilateral financial institutions and export credit agencies. More recently, this activity has focussed on capturing institutions that have not yet adopted similar requirements and, more specifically, on developing a convergence of the requirements from institution to institution. This paper describes EDC?s new ERD and some of the initiatives that have taken place or are in process that are moving international financial institutions toward converging their environmental and social requirements for projects in the private sector.

May 1, 2002

By Michael Mancuso

This report summarizes the problems of topsail handling as related to present requirements of law and current equipment availability. The most prevalent topsoiling systems are reviewed along with a listing of advantages/disadvantages and best features of each system. Seven mining regions are included, along with an analysis of prevailing land use, types of soils and attendant physical, chemical am biological characteristics. There are several probable areas of future research "lined which can benefit mining, minimize the social impact of mined lands and speed the return of mined lands to more productive long-term use.

Jan 1, 1981

By Joseph P. Gildner, Michael S. Kucker, Robert A. Robinson

Considerable controversy seems to exist over the extent and nature of information that should be provided in design-build type contracts. Much of this controversy may relate to the types of owners, ranging from private industry to state and federal agencies that are implementing design-build. Philosophies for the development of geotechnical information ranges from no information to a thorough investigation approaching that needed for final design. Several recent projects, such as the Channel Tunnel in Europe, Whittier Tunnel in Alaska, Tren Urbano in Puerto Rico, and Sound Transit in Seattle have taken varying approaches to providing and interpreting geotechnical information for bidders. The pros and cons of these various methods are discussed and assessed.

Jan 1, 2001

By N. Dhawan

With ever-increasing demand, low-grade complex ores and strict environmental regulations, metallurgical processing options have become limited. Heap leach technology provides several benefits to combat these issues including low cost, flexibility and diversified process conditions. This paper provides an overview of heap leaching technology with specific emphasis on chemical aspects. Hence, influencing factors, advantages and disadvantages, testing approaches and some fundamentals will be discussed. Finally, heap leach technology for different ore types (copper, nickel, uranium and gold) will be briefly compared.

Jan 1, 2012

By P. Sklenicka

Remediation of the environmental (and social) disturbances caused by opencast brown coal mining in the past in north-west Bohemia isa priority for state environmental policy. In order to provide a concept for full restoration of land following disturbance by opencast mining, a special interdisciplinary project supported by a grant from the Czech Ministry of Environment was started in 2000. The initial stage of the project was intended to summarize and evaluate the findings and the works carried out in connection with various reclamation activities in the afflicted area over a period of more than 50 years. The main aims of the three-year project are to make use of the best available landscape environmental management knowledge in order to harmonize the ecological, aesthetic, productive and social functions of new valuable landscape, including the recovery of historical continuity and an understanding of ?landscape memory?. The basic landscape functions were assessed on two different scale levels. On a large scale, the relevant attributes were investigated over the whole area of the Sokolov brown coal basin (220 km2). The data and experience acquired were used to define large-scale guiding principles for the rehabilitation of a post-mining landscape. On a small scale, the basic characteristics and functions of the landscape were analysed in the Litov-Chlum model area (2 km2). The information derived from this analysis was used to formulate a small-scale approach for the rehabilitation of the model area and also to define general methodological principles. Keywords: rehabilitation, post-mining landscape, degraded landscape, non-productive priorities

Jan 1, 2004

By Mike Muchard

STATNAMIC load testing augmented with embedded instrumentation has been successfully used to obtain structural and geotechnical design information on large diameter spun cast concrete cylinder piles on many large marine construction projects. The paper focuses on one particularly interesting large marine project involving a new bridge to St. George Island, Florida where instrumentation and STATNAMIC load testing was used in conjunction with static load testing on high capacity piles. The information presented includes embedded instrumentation measurements taken during pile fabrication (post-tensioning), during pile driving, during static load testing, and STATNAMIC load testing. As much of this data is the first of its kind on concrete cylinder piles, it is exciting to present the foundation industry with this additional insight as to the behavior of this pile type and the accuracy of the methods used to test them.

Jan 1, 2005

By S. M. Bradshaw

The principles of microwave heating are discussed with reference to dielectric properties, heating phenomena and microwave equipment. Microwave regeneration of granular activated carbon for the carbon-in-pulp process is examined on a laboratory scale, with special attention being given to highlight the problem areas and specific considerations related to microwave heating. Results indicate that microwave regeneration of carbon with 40% moisture on a wet basis by heating to 650°C with steam addition regenerates the carbon to virgin carbon activity levels but with a higher abrasion resistance. A preliminary economic assessment showed that the capital cost for 120 kg/h microwave unit would be R540 000 with an annual operating cost of R 320/t carbon. These figures yield a return on investment of 12%. The aim of this paper is to provide an introduction to microwave heating and to illustrate its application to the microwave regeneration of granular activated carbon for the carbon-in-pulp (CIP) process.

Jan 1, 1998

Comparison of Industrial Cyanide Destruction Processes

Sep 13, 2010

By J. Spotts McDowell

Ackowledgments........................... 5 Introduction............................. 5 The Silica Minerals. Stability Relations......................... 6 Optical Properties........................ 9 Density.............................. 10 Melting Points....;..................... 10 Thermal Expansion..................,..... 10 Solubilities............................ 12 Identification of Cristobalite and Tridymite.............. 12. The Silica Refractories. Raw Materia1........................... 13 American Deposits....................... 13 Properties Determining Usability................ 15 Expansion on Heating..................... 16 Texture........................... 17 Silica Brick............................ 17 Manufacture........................... 18 Properties of Silica Brick .................... 19 Analysis ......................... 19 Density......................... 19 Porosity......................... 20 Strength....................... 21 Melting Point....................... 22 Specific Heat....................... 22 Thermal Conductivity................... 23 Expansion........................ 24 Effect of Rapid Temperature Change.........:... 26 Constitution......................... 26

Jan 1, 1918

By K J. Thompson

This paper describes the work which has been undertaken at the Ohai coalfields in Southland to restore overburden heaps during past opencast mining operations, and procedures which have been adopted to ensure that restoration is achieved concurrent with present opencast mining activities. The system implemented for the treatment of wastewater from opencast mining operati6ns is also described.

Jan 1, 1981

By R Berry, N Bonnici, K Nguyen, S G. Walters, M Kamenetsky, C L. Evans

Mineral maps produced via optical and scanning electron microscope û mineral liberation analyser (SEM-MLA) automated mineral identification systems are being used to examine the relationships between mineral phases in spatially well-constrained samples of intact and crushed rock. The use of sophisticated image analysis software allows data pertaining to individual or groups of mineral phases to be extracted from the mineral maps. Analyses of the extracted data can be used to identify populations of phases. Data extracted from the images can be compared with mineral processing data, eg hardness, grindability, degree of liberation, from the same sampling intervals, enabling ore characterisation to be linked to processing behaviours in a spatially constrained, quantified manner that can potentially assist with mine planning and optimisation.

Jan 1, 2008

By K. Fleck

Energy West Mining Company (EWMC) has implemented a geologic program for improving stability and support requirements along deep two-entry longwall gateroads at its Deer Creek Mine operations located near Huntington, Utah. Together with geotechnical monitoring and concurrent review of mine seismicity in cooperation with MTI staff, it has become possible to improve longwall layout designs for two seam extraction of the Hiawatha and Blind Canyon seams. The geologic program consists of surface and in-mine exploration drilling, surface and in-mine geologic mapping, rock mechanics testing and detailed measurements of changes in depositional and structural conditions during development of every longwall gateroad. The geotechnical program consists of underground measurements at seven locations in two neighboring mining districts located in the Hiawatha and Blind Canyon coal seams under moderate to deep cover. Within the last five years, additional measurements, including data on seismicity and face conditions, have been incorporated into the data collection program for verifying the insitu coal strength and load transfer mechanisms for improving two-seam designs and support systems. Geologic mapping results are also used to predict local stability of headgate and tailgate entries, combining mine roof mapping, stratigraphic profiles of the coal and roof, and depth-of-cover information and dual-seam mine overlays, for use by operations personnel in planning roof and rib support for the retreating longwall sections.

Jan 1, 2012