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By N. Prenn

"INTRODUCTION The 2014 SME Guide for Reporting Exploration Results, Mineral Resources, and Mineral Reserves (the SME Guide) has been adopted by the Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration, Inc. (SME). The SME Guide is recommended as a minimum standard and a basis for developing industry best practices in the classification of Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves for public and private purposes. The Guide is therefore strongly recommended to be used by members of this organization. The SME Guide was updated in 2014 to include CRIRSCO (Committee for Mineral Reserve International Standards) core definitions, and it is envisioned that the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) will adopt the SME Guide in 2016. However, as of the end of 2015, the SEC Industry Guide 7 remains the standard for the U.S. reporting of Mineral Reserves. This paper will cover the classification of Mineral Resources and Reserves, a discussion of Modifying Factors, and the classification definitions and guidelines. The definitions and guidelines contained in this report are from the SME Guide. FRAMEWORK FOR MINERAL RESOURCE AND MINERAL RESERVE CLASSIFICATION Figure 1 illustrates the classification of Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves using the Guide. Mineral Resources are divided into three classifications of Inferred, Indicated, or Measured while Mineral Reserves include Probable and Proven classifications. These classifications reflect improved knowledge and confidence of the deposit from the top of the figure to the bottom. In other terms, the deposit risk also decreases from top to bottom.The relationships in Figure 1 reflect different levels of geoscientific knowledge and different degrees of technical and economic evaluation. Mineral Resources can be estimated on the basis of geoscientific information with input from other disciplines to establish reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction. It was not too many years ago that the classification of a Mineral Resource was based on the evaluation of a limited set of factors that included spatial drill hole and grade distribution (kriging variance, as example), distance to the closest hole, and number of samples used to estimate a block grade. These are still important considerations, but classification following the Guide must also take into account sample integrity, sample QAQC, database integrity and completeness, geological understanding, and geological and grade or quality continuity. In addition, a general consideration of the Modifying Factors, to establish reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction, adds complexity to the classification."

Jan 1, 2016

By J. R. Dillon

Today more than ever, there is an increased demand for higher plant production capacities and efficiencies to offset the increasing costs for labor and materials. Plants involved in processing large volumes of bulk materials are particularly interested in more efficient material handling systems to (1) reduce labor and maintenance costs, (2) improve blending of non-uniform raw material feed to processing facilities, (3) improve blending of finished bulk materials from storage. DragScraper systems are being used effectively for handling a variety of bulk materials in both indoor and outdoor storage. Materials being handled include ores, chemicals, coke, clay, and stone, to name a few. Handling capacities these machines can provide vary from a few tons to over 1500 tons per hour. The basic components of a DragScraper machine consist of a bottomless Crescent scraper, a two or three-drum DragScraper hoist assembly including gas, diesel, or electric power unit, operating cables, guide blocks, and either fixed or mobile head and tail structures. They are presently available in sizes through 15 cubic yards, for operating spans up to 1000 feet.

Jan 1, 1969

By S. Hicks

This technical note describes an alternative procedure that can be used in linear programming calculations where the compliance limit of lbs SO2/million Btu for the blending coal is subject to change. Dr. Mateer in his technical note titled "Coal blending for sulfur compliance" (ME, September 1994, p. 1103) defined an "excess sulfur" parameter that provides a valid constraint equation for a linear program optimization. The coals used by Dr. Mateer in his examples are shown in Table 1. To create the parameters for the constraint equations to blend to an SO2 content of 1.2 lbs SO2/million Btu, the excess sulfur for Coal A was defined as Sulfur excess% = 0.5 - 0.6*13,000/10,000 = -0.28 This equation was used to create the constraint equation -0.28A + 0.44B + 1.36C[<] 0.0 Another way to create the parameters for the constraint equation is given below. In these equations: •W is the total weight; •A, B and C are the fractional proportions of each potential blend stocks; •Sa, Sb and Sc represent the percent sulfur content of the blend stocks; •Ha, Hb and Hc represent the calorific content of the blend stocks in Btu/lb; and •H and S represent calorific and sulfur contents of the composite blend. The weight of blend to produce one million Btu is [ ]

Jan 1, 1998

By R. Bhaskar, H. Xie

Fractal theory was horn in the mid-1970s. Since then, its application has been spreading day by day, from mathematics and geology to areas such as geophysics, physics and material sciences. In this paper, fractal models are developed to characterize particle size distribution and surface area. Theoretical formulas are derived for the computation of fractal dimensions D (size) and D[s] (surface area). The models developed are applied using experimental data of particle size distribution and surface area obtained from the Microtrac Particle Size Analyzer for dust processed by several size reduction devices. The theoretical models and the experimental data are found in good agreement. The fractal dimensions obtained are D = 1.350 to 1.770 and D[s] = 2.058 to 2.584 for fine coal dust particles (< 15 µm) produced by various size reduction mechanisms. The physical meaning of these fractal dimensions is also related to the dust generation processes.

Jan 1, 1994

By James H. Vignos

An optical instrument designed for the on-line measurement of the size distribution of coarse particles (3-500 mm) being transported on a conveyor belt is described. Included is a discussion of the measurement technique, as well as test data verifying the legitimacy of the basic sensing approach. Field data indicating the instrument&apos;s ability to make useful measurements in an industrial environment are also presented. Applications in the mining and mineral industry, for which this instrument was orginally developed, are outlined, with particular emphasis given to the areas of crushing and grinding control.

Jan 1, 1979

By David C. Slack

In recent years public concern over the environment has grown enormously. A very aware populace has exerted pressure on its legislators to enact enforcement laws dealing with pollution. Among the different types of pollution, sulfur dioxide in the air is a large and readily identifiable constituent. Air pollution, according to the EPA, costs the U, S. billions annually with SO2 a major portion of this cost. Fossil fuel and oil fired power plants release better than 50% of the SO2 in the country. Thus great attention is being focused on the methods power plants are utilizing to control emissions. With a time schedule of compliance by early 1975, decisions are being made and systems chosen that will have to perform - and perform - and perform. Therefore, a large majority of the power plants are presently considering lime in the planning and operational phases of their stack gas desulfurization programs. The reasons for this are: Lime scrubbing has more development and pilot work completed than most other methods; the removal potentials are relatively high; the stoichiometric ratios are not excessive and, the process has relatively low capital and operating costs. Many pilot plant studies have been completed recently using lime and the first operational full scale lime scrubbing unit is now in the start-up phase at this time at Duquesne Light Company&apos;s Phillips Station here in Pittsburgh. Also, because of completed development work, the problem of solid waste disposal will also be tackled at this power station at the same time. There are various methods for the use of lime in scrubbing for S02, but for our purposes I would like to describe the cyclic wet lime process. This method called "Scrubber Addition of Lime" involves contacting the flue gas with a slurry of milk of lime.

Jan 1, 1973

By Thomas C. Wilder, Firoze E. Katrak

As part of a survey on the long range supply of gallium, a comprehensive review of the chemistry of commercial gallium extraction was undertaken Owing to its very small concentration in all commercial minerals, gallium can be produced economically only as a by-product of major extraction processes for other materials. A summary is presented for the chemistry of gallium extraction from many of these process streams included are several procedures for gallium recovery from bauxite, currently the most prevalent source Other processes described are from waste streams from the production of zinc, phosphorus from phosphates, aluminum from kaolin clays, and from coal ash, the largest potential resource A brief review of development of solvent extraction as a unit process for gallium recovery is also presented

Jan 1, 1983

By R. K. Mehta, G. T. Adel

A review of the literature reveals that methods for simulating the coupled behavior of size reduction and liberation are limited to binary mineral systems containing one composite particle class. The aim of this paper is to describe the development of a mathematical model to simulate such behavior for binary and ternary systems containing multiple classes of composite particles. A modified Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm and a finite difference Jacobian are used in conjunction with the developed model and a set of constrained equations to estimate all kinetic parameters. This estimation scheme is validated far a binary ore (sphalerite-dolomite) with five composite particle classes using experimental data.

Jan 1, 1991

By W. Z. “Ben” Wu

The investigation provides a method of efficiency evaluation among several kinds of tools employed to cut different types of rocks. A ballistic test stand incorporated with a modified Hopkinson bar was used to simulate a percussive drilling tool. An Apple IIe microcomputer was employed for high speed data acquisition and numerical analysis. A newly developed method for remote monitoring the rock-tool interaction, including contact force, bit penetration and energy transmission,is presented in the paper. Theoretical predictions and experimental results appear in faily good agreement

Jan 1, 1986

By T. D. Rourke, E. J. Cording, O&apos

INTRODUCTION Detailed investigation of a 60-ft-deep excavation in a mixed profile of sands and stiff clay was performed by the University of Illinois for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (METRO). The work was coordinated through DeLeuw, Cather and Co., the General Engineering Consultant of METRO. Instrumentation was concentrated in a portion of braced excavation for the Gallery Place Station near the intersection of 7th and G Street. The early construction date, the 60 ft depth of cut, and the proximity of large buildings formed the basis for selection of this site as the focal point of observation and measurement. A history of lateral and vertical displacement is provided wherein movements which occurred during excavation to the full depth of cut and, subsequently, during station construction and the removal of braces are described in detail. Observations of preloading and the consequent brace loads and wall displacements are described. The effect of temperature change on brace loads is discussed and the measured apparent earth pressure for the 60-ft cut is provided. The paper discusses the relationship of lateral displacements of the cut wall to the construction procedure, and compares the lateral wall displacement with both lateral and vertical movement in the surrounding soil mass. Based on observed movement, the method by which displacement was predicted for a nearby 82-ft-deep excavation is described. The performance of the 82-ft-deep excavation has been summarized elsewhere (2).

Jan 1, 1974

By C. B. Manula

A method for the feasibility assessment of open-pit operations using conventional shovel/ truck systems to mine steeply pitched coal seams has been applied at The Pennsylvania State University. Three computer models were developed for the analysis: a geology and reserves model (GEOL), an open-pit materials handling simulator (OPMHS), and a cash flow model (CASH) (Manula, Albert, and Burgos, 1976). GEOL provides the basic mining data; OPMHS simulates shovel/truck performance related to pit profiles and average mining locations to provide productivity rates needed to size the system; and CASH provides either a selling price or rate of return (ROR) for the product. The general flow of information generated by these models is shown in Fig. 1. Since the ratio of overburden-extracted to coal-produced places a definite economic limit upon a mining venture, geological data must be analyzed with the least possible manual effort to minimize computational errors. This is especially true if the property contains several seams that are steeply pitched. In this situation, a computerized analysis is by far the most efficient and effective method to determine coal reserves and waste tonnage. This chapter describes the reserve model developed at Penn State and provides an example to demonstrate its application.

Jan 1, 1979

By Zhang You-di

A comprehensive model has been set up for surface mine long range planning. It is a system simulation model based on the oriented graph theory. Via this model, a series of mining results such as mineral and waste volume, mineral quality, mining intensity, material haulage distances, dumping area parameters and mining coat for different mining alternatives, can be derived and optimized. This model has been applied to 37 mining alternatives in several surface coal mines and proved mathematically correct and results reliable.

Jan 1, 1986

By A. R. Zambrano

Equations for power draft, capacity and work input for predicting the performance of industrial grinding mills are derived based on torque measurements using a laboratory instrumented mill. These derivations are based on mechanical principles and on the first-order kinetics of the grinding process. Rittinger&apos;s, Kick&apos;s and Bond&apos;s laws express work input as work index (Wi) times a particle size function. It is proposed that these laws are only particular cases of more general expressions having the particle size function raised to an exponent, i.e., the work exponent (We). Case studies illustrate the excellent prediction of the Wi - We models compared to the three mentioned laws, and, from the data, the corresponding general mill-sizing equation is derived. Key words: Grinding mills, Comminution, Work index, Mill sizing

Jan 1, 2003

By R. M. Bowen

To help solve problems associated with the optimization of complex coal preparation systems, a mathematical model has been assembled which can simplify calculations pertaining to the core of the plant, i.e. the coal cleaning section. It uses algebraic expressions, derived by fitting hyperbolic equations to Mayer curves, to calculate optimum settings for a specified array of coal cleaning units and feeds. This is done without search procedures, and with usually only minor iteration of a simple calculation to specify optima within 0.02% of specified product ash contents. The key to the calculation is a relationship derived via the analytical geometry of conic sections facilitating easy application of the incremental ash theory of separations. The model has been assembled in a generalised form to cater for N processes in parallel, each giving M separations to produce P final products. Examples are given involving assessment of some complex circuit options.

Jan 1, 1986

By Peter E. Hart

The search for mineral deposits is a difficult high-risk enterprise whose likelihood of success is influenced by a great many factors. Among the most important of these factors are the knowledge and judgment brought to bear on an exploration problem. If, for example, a panel of expert highly experienced geologists could be convened to examine every prospect, it is at least plausible that fewer deposits would be overlooked in the exploration process. Unfortunately, whether a project is undertaken by a private company or a government agency, it is not usually feasible to convene such a panel. Our purpose in this chapter is to describe an experimental system of computer programs called PROSPECTOR that is intended ultimately to provide expert consultation on problems of mineral exploration and resource evaluation. Ideally, PROSPECTOR would serve as a surrogate for a panel of expert economic geologists. However, because the cost of computation is very low and is projected to drop by a factor of about 100 over the next two decades, systems like PROSPECTOR could be made available to the exploration enterprise at large. When consulting about a prospect, the PROSPECTOR system first gives the field geologist an opportunity to tell the program about the most significant features of the site: the major rock types, minerals, and alteration products. The system then compares these observations with a number of stored models of various types of ore deposits and forms alternative hypotheses about the types of deposits that might be present. The system next engages the geologist in a dialogue in order to obtain additional data that would be useful in resolving the multiple hypotheses. The geologist can interrupt the system at any time to obtain clarifications of questions, volunteer additional data, request the reason a particular question has been asked, or obtain a general summary of the state of the consultation process.

Jan 1, 1979

By G. T. Adel, W. Z. Choi

In previous work at Virginia Tech, a population balance-model describing the simultaneous processes of size reduction and mineral liberation has been developed. Experimental verification of this model, however, has been limited to a binary mineral system containing only one composite particle class. When considering multiple classes of composite particles, estimation of model parameters becomes much more difficult. In the present work, a procedure for estimating model parameters for a multiple-composite- class model has been developed. Emphasis is placed on direct experimental determination of these parameters. The physical significance of the breakage rate function and the liberation function in characterizing the liberation process is also discussed.

Jan 1, 1987

By Val Ness, Leonard Harris

Mentoring is defined as close counseling by an experienced and objective advisor within the industry. It is one aspect of attracting the best candidates into the minerals industry, holding their interest, and encouraging stable career growth. By encouraging proper mentoring practices, we foster strong careers, we transmit important wisdom to the next generation, we fortify the industry with better talent, and we encourage the best possible advocates for the minerals industry. This paper illustrates the consequences of poor mentoring, offers an example of positive mentoring practice at the college or university level, reviews some guidelines for stable and fruitful mentoring, and proposes a plan to spread appropriate mentoring practices. Authors&apos; note: The use of masculine pronouns is for convenience and simplicity only. Our best engineers and managers come from both genders, and the authors intend no slight to either one.

Jan 1, 2001

By S. Frimpong, N. Demirel

Overburden excavation is an integral component of the surface mine production chain. The walking dragline is the most economic production equipment for overburden excavation in strip mining. Draglines are capital intensive, and thus, investments in multiple units severely impact the economic viability of projects. The use of few dragline units results in highly concentrated production focus, which must be efficiently managed to derive the potential economic benefits. Efficient use of draglines requires a thorough knowledge of the powered functions, the 3D rotational and translational motions and machine-formation interactions within the operating environment. Dragline kinematics and dynamics are required to understand and characterize machine performance and efficiency. In order to sustain the high productivity in difficult operating conditions, the dynamics of the dragline must be modeled and analyzed based on comprehensive kinematics. This paper investigates the planar kinematics of the front-end assembly and its interactions with the formation during excavation using the “Vector Loop Analysis” formulation with comprehensive simulation modeling in MATLAB Simulink. The kinematic models are used to examine the translational, rotational and angular displacement, velocity and acceleration components of the dragline front-end assembly along defined bucket trajectories during excavation. The results are the precursors for comprehensive modeling to examine the load deformation, torque requirements and dragline stress loading profiles for improving machine health and longevity.

Jan 1, 2006

By W. M. Schafer, C. F. Luckay, D. A. King

Monitoring devices have been installed at several mine sites to assess the potential for the development of acid rock drainage (ARD) in waste rock, spent ore and tailings material. In addition, instrumentation has been designed for monitoring changes in water quality in pit lakes. These devices monitor temperature, oxygen, water movement and water chemistry in the waste rock pile. This information can be used to evaluate the current and future ARD risks and the effectiveness of caps and covers. The information can also be used in the design of other reclamation strategies that limit ARD development. The instrumentation includes nested thermistors and oxygen sensing ports, neutron access tubes, heat dissipation units (HDUs) and lysimeters. Many of the monitoring devices can be linked to a data logger and telemetry systems, enabling monitoring data to be downloaded from the office.

Jan 1, 1999

By E. K. H. Goh

A reliability-based engineering design approach for the effective design of reshaped spoil dumps was developed with the aim of obtaining structurally reliable spoil dumps at optimum reshaping costs. The aim was also to satisfy environmental erosion standards and community expectations. This approach encompasses the linking up of three major components: erosion appraisal of spoil dump designs, reliability-based engineering design of spoil dumps and costing of spoil dump reshaping practices. This paper addresses the application of the reliability-based engineering- design approach to the assessment of spoil dump designs for erosion control. Included are various types of erosion prediction models and reliability-based engineering-design analytical techniques. Also included is a case study that demonstrates the application of this approach.

Jan 1, 2000