Search Documents

By S. M. Spottiswoode

Crush pillars are widely used in mine workings on the Merensky Reef in the Bushveld Complex to prevent panel collapses. Crush pillars are expected to fail as or soon after they emerge from the face and failure should occur non-violently. Unfortunately, violent failure occurs frequently and is said to be the main cause of seismicity associated with mining of the Merensky Reef. Recent work by Napier, Malan, and du Plessis has shown that limitequilibrium quasi-static models are able to simulate pillar failure using three states of strength of rock in pillars, namely intact, residual after failure, and decayed strength after later time-dependent (viscous) weakening. We have previously introduced an additional state of strength to account for the dynamic failure that results in seismic events, and found that this approach could be used to generate synthetic seismic catalogues similar to observed seismicity for deep-level gold mines, where seismicity takes place mostly on advancing faces. The less brittle seam material of the Merensky Reef, compared to the brittle quartzites and lavas of the Witwatersrand reefs, results in little or no face bursting and is modelled with an assumed plastic strain of some 0.005 over an effective stope width of 2 m before failure. When this plastic yield is surpassed, we allow the reef to fail ?seismically?. We show that synthetic seismic catalogues modelled in this way have some of the features of observed seismicity. Analysis is greatly facilitated using our custom-built software that reads the mine?s survey data into a database and presents results in an interactive graphical form.

Jan 1, 2014

By W. S. Sanner

Pyrolysis (destructive distillation) techniques developed at the Bureau of Mines to determine the yield and quality of the products from coal were used to convert municipal (household) and industrial refuse into potentially useful solids, liquids, and gases without adding to environmental pollution. The tests demonstrated that a ton of municipal refuse can be converted into 154 to 424 pounds of solid residue, 0.5 to 6 gallons of tar, 1 to 4 gallons of light oil, 97 to 133 gallons of liquor, 16 to 32 pounds of ammonium sulfate, and 7,380 to 18,058 cubic feet of gas. A ton of industrial refuse, consisting of paper, rags, and cardboard, can be converted to 618 to 838 pounds of residue, 1.5 to 3 gallons of light oil, 68 to 75 gallons of liquor, 12 to 23 pounds of ammonium sulfate, and 9,270 to 14,065 cubic feet of gas. The energy from the gas is more than sufficient to provide the heat for the pyrolysis.

Jan 1, 1970

By F. D. Ayhan

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of various water mediums on desulfurization and deashing of a coal sample using flotation. For this purpose, experimental studies were conducted on a coal sample containing high ash and sulfur contents. The effects of pH, solid concentration, collector amount and frother amount on the flotation were investigated separately in Mediterranean Sea water, Çermik thermal spring water, snow water and tap water. Flotation results indicated that, when comparing the various water mediums, the following order for the ash content was obtained: snow water < Çermik thermal spring water < tap water < the Mediterranean Sea water. For the reduction of total sulfur, the following order was obtained: snow water > Çermik thermal spring water > Mediterranean Sea water > tap water. When snow water was used as a flotation medium, it was found that a concentrate containing 3.01% total sulfur and 27.64% ash with a total sulfur reduction of 57.06% was obtained from a feed containing 7.01% total sulfur and 41.17% ash.

Jan 1, 2009

By Goldney L. H

The authors review the literature and discuss the application of methods to the design of thickeners for ilocculated metallurgical pulps. The use and evaluation of flocculents is described. Experimental data show that design based upon laboratory settlingdata is acceptable. The economic aspect of design is also discussed.INTRODUCTIONFor many years there has been little change in the methods for the design of thickener installations. While modifications have been made in the method of applying the data all methods have been based on the observee settling rate of the solids. The development of a theoretical approach based on physical data would involve so many variables which affect the settling rate that the more practical approach of direct observation seems unlikely to be replaced as the basis of design.The advent of synthetic fiocculents has introduced a modification in operation which affects design and should be considered. The authors review the subject and attempt to bring it up to date with present day procedure. Until recently the original work of Coe and Clevenger (1916) remained the basis of thickener design. They described their observation of the different zones encountered in settling, namely clarification, feed, transition, and compression or thickening- zones. The solids pass through the transition zone in settling from feed density to some higher density where settling ceases and &#183;some compression or compaction effect controls. the density obtained. The point at which the settling zone ceases to exist is known as the critical point.

Jan 1, 1959

By R. D. Short

Environmental regulations for noise and air pollution are directly affecting the type of equipment and construction techniques being utilized for pile driving construction using diesel hammers in California and elsewhere. Consequently, the cost of construction is increasing and in some cases, the use of diesel pile hammers has been prohibited. Based on the trend in California and elsewhere in the world, environmental constraints are spreading and becoming more restrictive. The City of Tokyo, Japan, for example has banned the use of diesel hammers. Environmental restrictions on diesel hammers can be satisfied by using modern hammers, clean burning fuels, synthetic lubricants and pre-excavation techniques.

Jan 1, 1989

Professor Skeats said: I wish at the ,outset to express my appreciation of the h0!-l0ur conferred on me by my election as President of this Institute for the ensuing year. The selection of a geologist for this position by a body of mining engineers andmetallurgists may be taken as an indication of the recognition that the subject is one which may play a useful part in the great metal industry. Among the records of primitive man the finding of implements of bronze and of iron indicated one of the important, advances made in human civilization, and shows that...

Jan 1, 1924

By G. Aggistalis, N. Kazilis, C. Rawlings, N. Rachaniotis, S. Raptopoulos, M. Knights, R. Game

The Egnatia Odos (Odos meaning road) is one of Greece’s largest ever highway construction projects and one of Europe’s most important. The Highway will assist in the connection of the Greek Ionian/Adriatic Coast with Turkey and the Black Sea reviving an historic Roman alignment “Via Egnatia” connecting Rome to Constantinople (now Istanbul). There are 74 twin tunnels (60 bored and 14 cut-and-cover) with lengths ranging from 160 m (175 yd) to 4,600 m (5,031 yd) and 100 m (109 yd) to 270 m (295 yd),respectively. The complex geology and resulting physical geography have had a major influence on both the design and construction of these tunnels. This paper describes the management, design and construction challenges of these numerous tunnels.

Jan 1, 2005

horizontal-type classifier prior to charging into a blastfurnace.

Apr 1, 1995

By C Zhang, P Wang, S Yao

The Zhilingtou Au-Ag deposit is situated in the eastern part of the complexly deformed and metamorphosed South China Caledonian Fold Belt. It consists of seven orebodies that are almost exclusively hosted by biotite plagioclase gneiss of the Precambrian Chencai Group. They form an apparent en echelon pattern in both cross-section and level plan. Three different ore types, based on mineralization textures, have been recognised within the Zhilingtou lode. These are Au-Ag-rich quartz veins, Au and Ag-bearing silicified rocks and Au-Ag-containing altered rocks with quartz stockworks. The mineralisation is principally composed of electrum, argentite, pyrite and minor sphalerite, galena as well as traces of hessite and chalcopyrite plus a gangue assemblage of quartz, rhodonite, sericite and chlorite. Fluid inclusions related to Au-Ag mineralisation yield a wide range of homogenisation temperatures from 110 to 447¦C, with two distinctive peak values at 250 - 300¦C and 350 - 400¦C respectively. d30Si values of quartz veins and silicification from the three stages of mineralisation range from -0.1 to -0.4ë. The mineralisation at Zhilingtou is interpreted as forming by recirculated meteoric water extracting ore-forming elements from metamorphic rocks due to Mesozoic volcano-magmatic activity.

Jan 1, 1995

By M. Hooman, W. M. Marx, R. C. W. Webber-Youngman

This paper discusses a study that investigated different underground bulk air heat exchanger (>100 m3/s) design criteria. A literature review found that no single document exists covering all design criteria for different heat exchangers, and therefore the need was identified to generate a guideline with decision analyser steps to arrive at a technical specification. The study investigated the factors influencing heat exchanger designs (spray chambers, towers, and indirect-contact heat exchangers) and the technical requirements for each. The decision analysers can be used to generate optimized, user-friendly fit-for-purpose designs for bulk air heat exchangers (air cooler and heat rejection). The study was tested against a constructed air cooler and heat rejection unit at a copper mine1. It was concluded that the decision analysers were used successfully. This tool (decision analysers) can be used by engineers for the efficient and cost-effectively design of heat exchangers.

Jan 1, 2015

By Brad R. Blair

This paper will review impacts on longwall design and ground stability assessment due to advances in mine automation and sensing technology. Several new approaches to the prediction and monitoring of longwall panel and gateroad stability have recently become mature, and are ready for application in problematic ground control situations. These methods are revealing significant detail regarding deformation and failure mechanics of critical underground structures. Examples of how these technologies have worked successfully will be given, and applications for the use of these tools for cost-effective engineering design and monitoring will be suggested.

Jan 1, 1996

By Samuel Soares Queiroz

O presente trabalho realiza um estudo das propriedades mecânicas de metais de solda de alta resistência obtidos pelo processo de soldagem GMAW com diferentes condições de soldagem. Foram soldadas juntas multipasses pelo processo GMAW, com preaquecimento de 150°C e 250°C, corrente contínua, posição plana e aporte térmico médio de 1,4kJ/mm. Após a soldagem, realizaram-se ensaios mecânicos e metalográficos em corpos-de-prova retirados integralmente do metal de solda depositado, tanto na condição de como soldado quanto após tratamento térmico a 600°C por 1 hora. Os resultados mostraram que a tenacidade ao impacto experimentou uma redução substancial após o tratamento térmico.

Aug 17, 2017

By V. J. Sopuck, O. P. Lavin, Ian Nichol

"A major challenge of contemporary exploration geochemistry is the development of procedures that can locate blind mineralization or mineralization that sub-crops below a cover of transported overburden, the composition of which bears no relation to the underlying mineralization. Over the past few years, the possible existence of diagnostic geochemical features in the country rock associated with volcanogenic massive sulphide deposits has attracted increasing attention both on the local mine scale and on the regional scale. In the present investigation, the nature of the geochemistry of a number of Archean greenstone belts of the Canadian Shield is examined to determine the feasibility of distinguishing productive from non-productive areas of copper-zinc mineralization. The results indicate that productive areas are distinguishable from non-productive areas providing consideration is given to the effects of igneous differentiation on rock compositionIntroductionArchean massive sulphide deposits are an important source of copper and zinc, and to a lesser extent silver and gold, particularly in Canada. As in the case of most other forms of mineralization, there is a continual need to develop new techniques that will improve the chances of success in the search for these deposits. The majority of Archean areas in the northern latitudes are overlain by a variable cover of glacial overburden. Considerable progress has been made in the development of new geochemical exploration techniques for use in glaciated terrain, based on the detection of anomalous dispersion in the glacial overburden. In certain situations, however, as in the search for blind deposits or in areas covered by glaciolacustrine deposits, overburden geochemistry offers little hope for success. In the case of massive sulphide deposits, one possible solution may lie in the detection of anomalous geochemical signatures in the bedrock. Recognizing this possibility, attention has been directed to the investigation of the nature of lithogeochemical dispersion associated with massive sulphide deposits on both regional and local scales, to establish the potential of lithogeochemistry as an aid in the search for these deposits."

Jan 1, 1980

By Walter E. Vanderpool

Full scale load tests are frequently performed immediately prior to deep foundation construction to verify the design assumptions. Occasionally, load tests are performed during design development and applied to the final design for critical and non-redundant structures. We believe that full scale load tests can be very valuable and economical for projects, especially in a geologic environment where the record of full scale load testing is very limited or non-existent. The load testing for the Utah Transit Authority?s Airport Light Rail Trax project provides an example of the advantages of a load test in design development. The savings realized by the owner was in excess of $800 thousand dollars.

Jan 1, 2011

By H. S. Benson

This report documents, from concept through field testing, the pan scraper Wheel Slip Monitor. The function of this device is to instantly warn the scraper operator of wheel slip and thus enable him to take immediate corrective action. Knowledgeable pan scraper people recognize that the preponderance of scraper tire damage and wear occurs during useless wheel slip when the scraper operator attempts to increase machine draft beyond what traction will allow. The resultant shortened tire life has become very expensive. The Wheel Slip Monitor reported here provides the means for relieving the scraper operator of attempting to judge wheel slip on tires he cannot see. Direct and intuitively understandable audible and flashing light warnings tell the scraper operator which wheel is slipping and also indicate the relative magnitude of the slip. Beside the Wheel Slip Monitor&apos;s patent utility as a real time operator aid, it has unique potential for application to extended term wheel slip history acquisition under field conditions. This information has never been easily available and it promises practical value in pan scraper management.

Jan 1, 1983

By Jim Bruce

The Transformation AGO project, constructed between 2005 and 2008, featured a foundation trade contract that included design of pile caps and grade beams and construction of 138 permanent micropiles. The new foundation works were constructed within seven different settings ? each featuring a host of attributes challenging to constructability ? inside and outside the existing Art Gallery of Ontario, all while the gallery remained open for business. Transformation AGO resulted in several firsts for micropiles in the Toronto construction market: this was the first micropile trade contract with a multimillion dollar contract value; it featured the first static compressive load test performed beyond 7000 kN on a single micropile; the first static compressive load test beyond 8000 kN on an experimental pile cap supported by two test micropiles; and it was the first publicly funded project to go to tender with micropiles listed as the preferred foundation option. This paper outlines the successful application of micropiles at the landmark Transformation AGO project.

Jan 1, 2011

By Wenbo Lu

A combined method is present in this paper in analysis the dynamic stability of rock slope under the loading of blast induced seismic, in which, by combining the dynamic load calculating method of quasi-static method with the load inputting method of dynamic finite element method, such factors as the decay of seismic wave along its way of propagation, the frequency. amplitude. the phase difference of seismic wave, etc., can all be taken into account in analysis of the dynamic stability of slope.

Jan 1, 1999

By David Winter

The geotechnical design, construction, and monitoring aspects of a tied back excavation 85 feet deep in Seattle, Washington are presented. The excavation was completed in overconsolidated deposits of sand, silt, and clay. Lateral soil pressures used in shoring wall design were the lowest to date for an excavation of this size in Seattle. Instrumentation data collected from hydraulic load cells and inclinometers were analyzed and are discussed. The data suggest the actual soil pressures felt by the wall were lower than the design values. Recommendations for future study, as well as future design modifications are given.

Jan 1, 1987

By Jürgen Kretschmann

According to the model of product life cycles, the global coal mining industry is in the stagnation phase. The coal demand of the main consumer, China, has peaked in 2013 and is slowly declining. The Norwegian sovereign wealth fund, the world’s largest, has excluded coal-related companies for ethical reasons. Important players like the UN or the EU have already begun to describe pathways towards decarbonization. Increasing competition between coal mining companies and the mining regions can be expected worldwide if companies want to keep their positions on the global and national coal markets. Companies will focus on the best deposits. European countries like France, Spain, or Germany are only forerunners of this development—their centuries of coal production have been finished. The concept of sustainable development (SD) is fundamentally based on a model of progress where ecological, economic, and social dimensions should be developed equally and positively. But without the idea of competition, the concept of SD is incomplete. Questions arise, such as how can SD be realized on stagnating or declining markets without guarantees for companies “to live forever”? How can SD be a corporate goal in a phase of decline? How can declining mining regions sustainably progress into a better future? The German hard coal mining industry’s lifecycle has ended in 2018 after 60 years of stagnation and decline. As of 2019, all hard coal consumed in Germany will be imported, especially from Colombia, Russia, and South Africa. What has been done in Germany to handle the coal decline in a sustainable way and the lessons learned from this process is described in this paper. It may be useful for mining regions who will face a similar future sooner or later.

By Claude Dufresne

The technical development of the niobium-bearing products is to a great extent influenced by the striving of the respective industries to maintain or strengthen their positions in all fields of application against competing materials. South East Asia, China, Eastern Europe and CIS are slowly becoming significant consumers of ferroniobium. As a result, the world niobium market has been stable despite the slowdown in steel production in 2001. This paper will describe present producers, capacities and the current market conditions.

May 1, 2003