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By M. R. Yalamanchili, C. A. Young, J. J. Kellar, W. M. Cross, J. D. Miller

Introduction Researchers have long speculated regarding the adsorption state of collectors on mineral surfaces. Only recently have analytical techniques become available that allow direct in situ analysis of adsorbed layers. With reactive internal reflection elements (IREs), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy coupled with internal reflection spectroscopy (FT-IR/IRS) allows for unobtrusive investigation of the adsorbed layer (Harrick, 1979). This technique has been used both for the in situ identification of adsorbed species and for the direct calculation of collector adsorption density in real time from infrared spectral data (Miller and Kellar. 1988). The reactive mineral IRE serves both to internally reflect the infrared light and to act as a substrate at which collector adsorption can be monitored. Shown in Fig. I is a schematic of light being internally reflected in an IRE. As the light is totally reflected at the interface, an evanescent wave propagates a short distance (typically a few microns) away from the IRE, and sampling of the interfacial region occurs. Because of multiple internal reflections, great sensitivity can be obtained. Flotation systems for which this method has been demonstrated include CaF2/oleate, Al2O3/dodecylsulfate, CaCO3/oleate, ZnS/xanthate and KCI/octylamine (Miller and Kellar, 1988; Kellar et al., 1989, 1990; Miller et al., 1990). Of particular interest to flotation chemists is the conformational behavior of the alkyl chain of adsorbed collector molecules. In the simplest sense, conformation can bethought of as the relative flexibility of the hydrocarbon chain caused by rotations about carbon-carbon single bonds. The flexibility is described by the amount of gauche/trans conformations in the alkyl chain. Figure 2 shows examples of gauche and trans conformations (rotational isomers or rotamers) in a hydrocarbon chain. These two conformations are observed when the terminal methylene groups in any four-carbon subchain are on the same side (gauche) or opposites sides (trans) of the plane of the middle carbon-carbon bond. A gauche conformer (rotamer) is thus a state of maximum potential energy, whereas a trans conformer is a state with minimum potential energy. The difference between these states has been found to be approximately 0.5 to 0.8 kcal/mole (Mead et al., 1986). The relative number of butane molecules present as gauche conformers with respect to trans conformers can be calculated from the Boltzmann equation (Mead et al., 1986). At 25° C approximately 66% of the butane molecules are trans rotamers. [ ] However at 100° C, only 33% of butane molecules are trans rotamers. Exposing the hydrocarbon chain to a polar, rather than an a polar, medium should also cause an increase in the number of gauche butylene groups in a hydrocarbon chain, although this effect has been difficult to observe experimentally (Mead et al., 1986). Forming a crystalline hydrocarbon is equivalent to decreasing the temperature, which greatly increases the amount of trans butylene groups present in the chain. From the preceding discussion, a picture of the solution species of concern can be developed. The collector monomer should exhibit the greatest number of gauche rotamers and most likely will look crumpled or balled-up to reduce the surface area in contact with water. The micellar form is expected to be aggregated, with the hydrocarbon chain existing in a less polar environment. These characteristic conformational features have been examined by FT-IR spectroscopy for various liquid phases of alkanoic acids (Umemura et al., 1981; Cameron et al., 1982a; Yang et al., 1986; Wong, 1987; Wong and Mantsch, 1983; Cross et al., 1992), phospholipid membranes (Fringe Ii, 1980; Casal and Mantsch, 1985: Wong et al.. 1988;

Jan 1, 1994

By Dennis P. Bryan

The southwestern United States has an abundance of natural lightweight aggregate (NLA) deposits of volcanic origin that are being used in the construction industry within the region. New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada and California utilize NLA in portland cement concrete and concrete masonry units for weight reduction and related economic reasons. The geological environment of the western United States is amenable to the occurrence of natural lightweight rocks because it contains Tertiary and Quaternary volcanic products that include low-density glass and vesicular material. There are two major classical types of natural lightweight materials of igneous origin; pumice and cinder. These account for the vast majority of volcanic rocks that are presently utilized as NLA. Pumice is an ejecta product generally found as part of tuffaceous units associated with nearby siliceous volcanic centers. Cinder, also an ejecta product, is associated with mafic volcanics and is most often found as a cinder cone. Both are highly vesicular. A third type of natural lightweight material, though also associated with siliceous volcanics, is less vesicular than pumice. It is best described as being a slightly pumiceous rhyolite or rhyolite-tuff breccia that occurs as a siliceous dome or tuft unit that is most likely to be glassy. Uses of these natural lightweight rocks center on the construction industry where they are utilized in lightweight portland cement concrete and lightweight concrete masonry units. The major reason for usage in portland cement concrete is cost saving effected by weight reduction in high-rise construction. The major usage in concrete masonry units, or "block", is for weight reduction that enables a mason to lay more lock.

Jan 1, 1987

By Shail J. Butani

This paper analyzes the 1982 coal mine accident data collected by the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) for key equipment types, by mine type, and by geographic region. The differences in hazards associated with the various equipment types are studied both in absolute (i.e., total number of incidences) and relative (i.e., incidence rate or the number of incidences per 200,000 employee or exposure hours) terms. The paper compares and contrasts the total number of incidents as well as incidence rates classified by several types of severity measures such as lost workdays cases, mean number of lost workdays per lost workdays case, fatal cases, non- fatal cases without lost workdays, total number of cases, and total number of lost workdays This statistical analysis shows that significant differences in hazards exist not only due to equipment type but also due to mine type and geographic region.

Jan 1, 1986

By Philip K. Chan

Batu Hijau is a new copper and gold mine located on the island of Sumbawa in the Republic of Indonesia. This paper details the design and construction of the Batu Hijau overland conveyor, one of the most challenging efforts of the project. The 1.8 m wide, 5.6 km long conveyor has a design capacity of over 10,000 mtph and carries primary crushed ore through the steep mountains of Sumbawa, which necessitated a 160 m vertical downhill section, a 75 m vertical uphill section, ten vertical curves and one horizontal curve.

Jan 1, 2000

By M. J. Virnig, Peihao Qi, J. Brent Hiskey

The mechanism of gold uptake from iodide solutions by carbon has been investigated. Adsorption isotherms for gold and iodine were established. For activated carbon, approximately 300 mg of gold and 1000 mg of iodine were extracted per gram of carbon at maximum loading. Examination of loaded activated carbon particles by scanning electron microscopy reveals isolated patches of gold deposited on the carbon surface. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy shows that fine gold particles (1-4 nm diameter) are uniformly distributed within the carbon. Iodine was also observed throughout the matrix. The uptake of gold by carbon from iodide solution involves a combined reduction and adsorption process, where the gold iodide species is reduced to the metallic state superficially and adsorbed in the porous structure of carbon. A few experiments for the gold-chloride and gold-bromide systems were carried out for comparison.

Jan 1, 1993

By Bruce R. Sutherland, Jim B. Ramsden, Gerry L. Bolton

Conductive metal powders are important building blocks for today's micro-electronic circuitry. Formulated into inks, they provide the interconnects needed to complete a complex integrated circuit and the means to enter the world of miniaturization. Traditionally, the inks have been based upon expensive metals such as silver, palladium, platinum and gold because of their excellent electrical conductivity and resistance to corrosion and oxidation. The use of a copper based ink, as an alternative to precious metal inks, recently has received considerable attention. Instability in the prices and limited supply of certain precious metal systems have driven up production costs, making the development of a lower cost copper system more attractive to manufacturers. However, lower production costs are on1 y real ized if performance and reliability can be maintained. While the development has been driven by cost, copper does offer some significant performance advantages over noble metal systems: conductivity as good as silver and 4W better than gold; leach resistance better than silver and equal to gold; stability at high frequencies better than gold or silver; strong film bonding characteristics; and compatibility with most solders. These benefits, however, do not come without cost. The inherently reactive nature of pure copper, while providing unique performance properties, makes it difficult to process. Unl i ke precious metals which can be fired in air, copper would oxidize and so requires special furnaces and atmospheres. Despite these difficulties, the transition from precious metal thick film systems to copper is gaining momentum. Manufacturers of high density, high performance circuitry are exploring the performance advantages of copper over gold and silver and the manufacturers of consumer products are considering the potential cost savings of copper over silver-palladium. Sherritt has developed a fine copper powder for this industry. Through association with the ink manufacturers, it has been found that performance properties of the ink vary with the physical and chemical characteristics of the powder. Production Process The production of very fine copper powders at Sherritt is based upon the disproportionation of cuprous ions as outlined in Equation [1] (1).

Jan 1, 1990

By I. Kapageridis

The mining industry worldwide has recognized in the past the need to apply specific rules and guidelines in the reporting of mineral resources and reserves. The high financial investment and risk associated with any mining project and the ever stricter environmental and social controls were the forces behind this recognition. For years the industry experienced the development and enforcement of several codes for reporting accepted by different countries. The implementation of any code can be a confusing task as the guidelines are sometimes general and open to different interpretation. The use of computers in the estimation and reporting of mineral resources and reserves is necessary, particularly when trying to implement particular code guidelines. This paper discusses ways to implement a reporting code in a computerised resource/re-serve estimation study. The implementation is demonstrated using a gold deposit project as an example. The effects of mining, metallurgical, economic, marketing, legal, environmental, social and governmental factors are taken into consideration. This paper also discusses well established reporting codes and the possibility of reaching a single, universally applied code that could be used by Greek mining companies.

Jan 1, 2007

By S. Dubnewych, S. Kieffer, M. T. McRae, R. R. Redd

The seismic vulnerability of the existing outlet tower at Lake Mathews reservoir, located in Riverside County, California, necessitated the design of a new outlet facility to assure serviceability of the facility following a major earthquake. The components of the proposed facility include: a new outlet tower; a shaft; a new outlet tunnel; an approach channel that will be excavated underwater; and two short tunnels that will connect the new outlet tunnel to the existing outlet tunnel via the shaft. As the new facilities will be constructed while the reservoir is in operation, a cofferdam will be constructed around the site of the new outlet tower. The design for the underground facilities used a combination of empirical methods; limit equilibrium analyses, including displacement-based pseudo-static analyses for dynamic loading conditions; and numerical analyses. This paper outlines the design methodology used to develop an innovative design for the facilities which can be constructed within the time frame required by the operational schedule of the reservoir and existing outlet facility.

Jan 1, 1999

By Robert J. Henning

The term olivine was first used in 1790 by J. Werner, and the corresponding mineral was so named because of its olive-green color (Hunter, 1941). Olivine is the principal component of the rock known as dunite. While by classic definition dunite is composed of 90% or more olivine, commercial use of these terms has resulted in more specific definitions. Commercially, the term olivine is used to designate a material that consists of 85% or more forsterite and contains 45 to 50% MgO, 39 to 42% SiO2, 5 to 8% Fe2O3, and has an ignition loss (LOI) of 1 to 2%. The term dunite designates a rock that contains 36 to 45% MgO, 36 to 39% SiO2, and has an ignition loss of as much as 10% (Teague, 1983). GEOLOGY Olivine is found in basic igneous and basic metamorphic rocks whose age varies from pre-Ordovician to Tertiary. Economic deposits are of magmatic origin and are restricted to the dunite variety of the peridotite group of ultrabasic igneous rocks. Olivine also occurs in basic igneous rocks such as gabbro, basalt, and diabase and more rarely as an accessory mineral in granite and metamorphosed crystalline limestones. Mineralogy The term olivine refers to a group of orthosilicate minerals in isomorphous series with magnesium-rich forsterite (Mg2Si04) as one end member and iron-rich fayalite (Fe,SiO,) as the other. In most olivines the ratio of magnesium to iron varies from 16: 1 to 2: 1. Commercial olivine deposits contain a mixture of forsterite and fayalite with the fayalite content restricted to less than 15% (Reed, 1959; Teague, 1983). Accessory constituents may include primary minerals such as ilmenite, magnetite, diopside, chromite, and garnet and secondary minerals such as chlorite, serpentine, talc, and vermiculite as alteration products. Chemical and Physical Properties The chemical composition of olivine can be expressed as either (Mg, Fe), SiO, or 2(Mg, Fe)O.SiO,. Table 1 presents chemical analyses for some commercial olivines. The physical properties of olivine are shown in Table 2. Distribution of Major Deposits Commercial olivine and dunite deposits are found in Norway, Japan, Spain, India, Italy, the United States, Sweden, Austria, Pakistan, and Mexico. Noncommercial deposits have been reported in New Zealand, Zimbabwe, South Africa, New Caledonia, Greece, Brazil, and Canada (Teague, 1983). The present markets for olivine are characterized by low unit value, high volume, and high sensitivity to freight costs, so few deposits are commercially viable. Literature from the USSR indicates that considerable research on olivine refractories is being done. (Afansa'ev, 1988), lending credibility to the conjecture that commercial deposits are being mined there. In eastern Canada synthetic olivine is being produced by calcining chrysotile asbestos mine tailings. In the United States numerous lenses of olivine extend in a belt from northeast Georgia northeastward across western North Carolina. Total reserves in North Carolina and Georgia are estimated at between 125 and 200 Mt. The largest US deposit is Twin Sisters Mountain, located in Whatcom and Skagit Counties in the state of Washington. This deposit, which has an outcrop area of 93 km2 and a relief of about 1 525 m. is estimated to contain 1 800 Mt of fresh, unaltered olivine (Teague, 1983). In addition, the US Bureau of Mines reports reserves of 50 Mt on Cypress Island in the state of Washington, and the literature reports eight complexes in southeastern Alaska, some containing cores of olivine as large as 1.6 km in diameter (Taylor, Jr., 1967). The world's largest deposit of olivine occurs in the Aaheim area of Norway, where reserves are estimated at a 2 000 Mt. Several other Norwegian deposits contain as much as 5 Mt each. In Japan the production of ultrabasic rocks is currently about 6 Mtpy, but the bulk of this output is serpentinite. Olivineldunite accounts for only 17% of this production. The major olivine deposit in Japan is located at Horoman Hill on the northern island of Hokkaido. Reserves at this deposit are estimated at 100 Mt (Anon., 1990). Spain is one of the largest producers of dunite. Reserves in the La Coruna District in northwestern Spain are estimated at 100 Mt. India, also a major dunite producer, has a large deposit at Salem in Tamil Nadu. In Italy olivine/dunite is mined from a deposit near Turin. In Sweden the largest deposit is at Arutats and is reported to be comparable in size to the Twin Sisters deposit in the United States. At present the only production in Sweden is from a deposit 30 km south of the town of Gallivare. Reserves at this deposit are reported to be between 1 and 2 Mt. Other significant deposits are: 1) in Austria at St. Stefan near Leoben, 2) in the Swat District of the North West Frontier Province in Pakistan, and 3) in Mexico at Cuidad Victoria in Tamaulipas (Anon., 1990).

Jan 1, 1994

By J. K. Wolski

This paper addresses the effects of using jet fans as booster fans in mine ventilation networks. A method was developed to determine the pressure generated by jet fans using the momentum theory. The influence of a reduction cone and other ventilation parameters on the jet fan pressure was analyzed. Verification experiments conducted in the Waldo Mine are described. Examples are given to demonstrate the conditions for the effective use of jet fans.

Jan 1, 1998

By D. M. Larsen

Since start-up in 1985, the Cannon Mine has produced and shipped a 170-g/ton (5 oz/ton) gold flotation concentrate to various smelters for gold and silver recovery. Several processes have been investigated to economically produce done' at the mine site from the refractory concentrate. This paper describes laboratory and pilot scale test work used in the process design and engineering. feasibility study of a 73-t/d (80 stpd) pressure oxidation and carbon-in-leach (CIL) facility. The designed pressure oxidation circuit utilizes a series of verti¬cal autoclave units operating at 170°C (338F) and 1.4 MPa (200 psig). Projected operating costs are discussed.

Jan 1, 1993

By W. A. Lawruk, L. J. Wilson, D. E. Stief

The Tower mill is a vertical stirred mill using steel balls or pebble grinding media. This device is designed for fine grinding at significant power savings when compared to conventional tumbling mills. This paper describes the machine and its operation, application, and performance for wet grinding.

Jan 1, 1988

By M. S. Duffy

To exploit the mineral resources of fine grained ore bodies the minerals processing industry is turning to fine grinding technology, of which tower milling has become an established part. However, compared to other mills relatively little is known about the operating mechanisms in tower mills. In all milling processes one of the keys to understanding how they work is in knowing how their grinding media move. To investigate the ball motion in tower mills a glass unit was therefore constructed and measurements taken of the movement of the grinding media. This paper describes the results from this study.

Jan 1, 1998

By R. K. Komarek, F. E. Jr. Briber, G. M. Hanson, Fred D. DeVaney, J. H. Blake, C. L. Matson, T. E. Ban, N. E. Shields, R. D. Frans, R. B. Greenwalt

Metallurgically, the term agglomeration is used to describe processes whose goal is to form balls, briquettes, nodules, flakes, or other sized shaped particles from loose, usually fine, incoherent particles. In practice it includes such varying processes as the briquetting of coal dust and other substances, the balling and induration (heating) of such nonmetallics as cement, fluorspar, lightweight aggregates, etc. It includes such widely used processes as the sintering of nonferrous concentrates, such as those copper, lead, zinc, etc. The agglomeration of specific nonferrous metal concentrates is discussed in detail in the section of this handbook devoted to that particular metal. Agglomeration processes are of particular value to the iron and steel industry where the nature of the primary reduction process, the blast furnace, requires for best results a burden essentially free of fines. This is a change that has taken place since about 1960. Prior to that time many fine unsized ores were fed to the furnace. The development of the pelletizing process gave to the industry a chemically controlled closely sized product that increased the produc¬tion rate and reduced the costs so much that unsized fines are seldom used in modem furnaces. Steel plants produce many fine sized waste products such as fine dust (fine ore coke and gangue) and mill scale. These products, which have a valuable iron content, are usually sin¬tered directly at the plant for reuse. Fine sized ore concentrates are usually pelletized at the mine and shipped as pellets to the steel plant. Common practice in some areas producing natural high grade ores is to screen the ore at the mine to about 3/8 in. The oversize is shipped "as is" and constitutes blast furnace feed. The / in. may be shipped to the steel plant where it may be sintered or otherwise agglomerated. At some mines the fines may be pelletizied prior to shipment. With the development of large ocean ore carriers, and with the transportation of slurried concentrates or fines, a trend has developed of constructing large pelletizing plants or other types of agglomeration plants near large consumption centers (i.e., in the Netherlands or Japan) where ores of many types are brought together, ground if necessary, blended, and agglomerated. As an indication of tonnages of agglomerated materials produced, for iron materials alone (the largest share of the total) production in 1970 in the U.S. was Million gross ton Sinter 40.7 Pellets 43.1 Briquettes, nodules, & others 0.1 Total 83.9 During the 1960s, U.S. production of sinter rose from 40.3 million gross tons in 1961 to a high of 48.7 million in 1964, then settled back to almost the 1961 figure in 1970. Pellet production rose steadily from 14.4 million gross tons in 1961 to the 59.9 figure for 1975. Worldwide, sinter production in 1966 was estimated at 340 million mt (mainly in Europe, Russia, Japan, and the U.S.) and pellet produc¬tion the same year at 64 mt (primarily Canada and the U.S.). World pellet production capacity rose to 200 million tons in 1976.

Jan 1, 1985

When I reached Warren after the "de luxe" South American expedition I had little idea what was in store for me. From the large check Thayer had handed me just before I left New York I was pretty sure the future would be good, and that before long it would involve Anaconda. Evidently, Mr. Thayer had left it to Dr. Ricketts and John Greenway to work out the details The next morning Greenway asked me to come to his office and told me that he and Dr. Ricketts had discussed the question and that Anaconda would make me an offer I could not refuse. They proposed to pay me almost $1000 a month, more than twice my current salary. They had agreed that I should stay with Calumet and Arizona for the rest of the year to help with Bisbee development and anything I could to assist with the New Cornelia plans and construction Of course I could not turn down such a flattering offer, as I had about reached the limit of advancement with a much smaller company in anything save a high executive job, and it would be a long time before I could be ready to change from exploration and geology to operating. Greenway and I agreed that I would stay with him for the remaining eight months of 1916 without any particular title but helping in any way I thought would be most useful. Bisbee and Ajo Study It turned out to be a busy half year, in addition to many good times with my Bisbee friends. The Uplift Club did not meet as regularly as in earlier years, but Mason Ross, Jim Lewis, Bill Gohring, Roy Mitchell, Hubert d'Autremont, Arthur Notman, and I did have many "bull sessions" and poker games. I saw much more of Greenway than before and made many trips with him to Ajo and later to the new

Jan 1, 1976

By A. S. Ericson, J. H. Corrigan, E. J. Jahnsen

Calcine is transported from the Reduction Plant at 850°C in insulated hopper cars and charged into three rectangular electric melting furnaces each equipped with three - 18.5 MVA transformers. The electrical energy is applied through six in line prebaked carbon electrodes, and slag and metal are tapped at opposite ends of the furnaces on an intermittent basis. The slag, 5000 tonnes per day, is disposed of by a pot train directly to the dump. The ferronickel, 250 tonnes per day, is tapped into 40 tonne capacity ladles in which it is refined in two ASEA-SKF ladle furnace stations. Casting is done over lip at 1520°C in a pig casting machine with stepless speed control at up to 55 tonnes per hour. The ingots are stacked into self palletizing bundles weighing about 1500 kilograms and are strapped and tagged and transported to the seaport, from which the final shipment is made to the world market. The paper describes constructional details and gives information of both normal operation and start-up and shut-down procedures. Consumption figures for refractory, electrodes, electric energy and refining additions are given and metal chemistry is given before and after refining.

Jan 1, 1979

By Paul B. Queneau, Barry J. Hansen, D. Erik Spiller

Most lead and zinc secondaries are recycled pyrometallurgically. However, many problems encountered in secondary smelters have been solved by addition of physical concentration and/or hydrometallurgical processing steps, with resulting important environmental benefits. U.S. secondary lead and zinc operations are described, covering conventional smelters, EAF-dust treaters, and zinc sulfate/fertilizer producers, including plant capacities, technologies, and outputs. During the past two decades, remarkable advances have been achieved by recycling spent lead-acid battery components. Interaction between primary and secondary zinc producers, the fertilizer industry, and the zinc chemical industry has substantially decreased waste generation.

Jan 1, 1993

By Mark C. Holton

The mining industry has recently been. - experiencing a difficult period. Escalating costs, lower grades and deeper level mining, are a few of .the reasons' why interactive graphics or CADD (computer aided design and draughting) systems are increasingly being used. CADD systems which support powerful and flexible mining applications have great potential for making all forms of mining more efficient and effective. There are many application programs which address almost every aspect of mining. Most of these programs originated to satisfy a particular need. Graphics and other features were added until they, reached a point where they were commercially viable as a mining package. Because of their evolution these packages, lack many CADD-type features. Today there are powerful personal computers (PC's) and engineering workstations running the best CADD systems available. These systems, support hundreds of applications in almost every discipline. Mining was until recently not well supported by interactive graphics vendors because of the highly variable nature of mining and the lack of common standards. Users of CADD systems have experienced the benefits of CADD and come to expect similar features from graphic mining packages. Several developers of mining packagers have either attempted to include some CADD features or make their packages compatible with one or other CADD system. Mining can benefit greatly From a combination of interactive graphics (or CADD) and the right mining application software.

Jan 1, 1989

By Robert F. Droullard

The U. S. Bureau of Mines (USBM) has investigated instrumentation and methods for measuring exposure to radon daughters in underground mine atmospheres. Both personal and area monitors have been studied through in-house and contract research. A field study in uranium mines identified some reliability problems that required additional work for the personal dosimeter systems. Improved versions of continuous working level detectors have been developed and tested for use as area monitors in underground mines. Test results for the personal and area monitors were satisfactory for underground mine applications.

Jan 1, 1981

By Andy Ingriselli, Andrew Famiglietti, John Westland, Greg Landry

Atlas Dewatering was contracted to install and maintain a groundwater control system for the new Bessarion Subway Station and the Tail Track Structure on the Toronto Transit Commission’s new Sheppard Subway Line. Atlas met the challenges presented by the project by closely reviewing the contract documentation provided by the Program Geotechnical Consultant, Golder Associates and by working with the general contractors, Bondfield Construction Company and PCL Constructors Eastern, inc., throughout the duration of both projects. In addition to concerns about soil loss, excessive settlement and seepage, the consultant was concerned about spreading hydrocarbon-contaminated groundwater between the two aquifers present at the Bessarion Station site. By installing a system of multi-level vacuum eductor wells around the perimeter of the excavation, Atlas was not only able to provide a dry excavation for construction, but, due to a unique well design was also able to prevent cross-contamination of the aquifers.

Jan 1, 2001