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"Pilot plants for pressure hydrometallurgy represent special design and project execution challenges. Over the past twenty years, Zeton has designed and fabricated a variety of world-class pressure hydrometallurgical pilot-plant facilities for the nickel industry, and this paper discusses design considerations and strategies related to such projects. Project execution methods are also discussed, and guidance is given for the selection of materials of construction and for the selection of appropriate pressure and temperature design points for pressure hydrometallurgical pilot equipment. The paper concludes with a discussion of the need for process similarity with future commercial operations and the realities of pilot-scale equipment.INTRODUCTION The process technology developer or owner and the designer/fabricator of a new pilot-plant facility are faced with some difficult technical choices even after the decision to build a dedicated plant has been taken. A pilot-plant project is usually on the critical path of a large commercial project involving investments many multiples greater than the capital cost of the pilot plant. Schedule savings in the design, manufacture, and commissioning of the pilot plant or in a rapid completion of the experimental program can be disproportionately beneficial to the overall development project. However, inappropriate shortcuts resulting in major oversights can be disproportionately problematic. A number of considerations and suggestions for both the project execution approach and the process engineering design of pressure hydrometallurgical pilot-plant facilities are presented as a guide for potential owners and operators of new pilot-plant equipment and facilities. These suggestions are particularly applicable to the nickel industry, where the majority of our firm’s prior hydrometallurgical experience was obtained. This paper is an update to an earlier publication (Martin, 2004), offering an opportunity for a new generation of metallurgists and engineers to learn the specialist requirements of pilot- and demonstration-scale plant design, which are key functions in the development and commercialization of new processes."

Jan 1, 2017

By Eric Best

"In the past two to three years, all continuous mining machines at the Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan Mining Limited, Lanigan Division, have been changed over to a new cutting pattern using 1 -inch- and 1-3/l6-inch-diameter self-sharpening pencil bits. The bits are arranged in a cone-type pattern across the face on 2 1/2 -inch and 3-inch spacing. The result is that the ore is removed by chipping and flaking. Previously, rap-lock bits were used, with the pattern being several bits in single rows at wide spacings. The cutting action was grinding and breaking.Besides improved penetration rates and lower bit costs, there are many other advantages. The ore size is much smaller, resulting in less wear and tear on conveyors and other associated equipment. Feeder-breakers are no longer routinely set up at the head end of every extensible belt, as the banana-shaped chunks of ore that used to require breaking are no longer produced. Also, less dust is generated by the cutting heads and fewer stops are required for bit changes. Even the mill operation has been improved, as fewer fines are produced.Further improvements are still sought after, but, all in all, the new cutting pattern is considered to be a giant step forward from the old method."

Jan 1, 1981

By Stuart McTavish

"The Brunswick Mining concentrator processes 10,000 D.S. T. per day of a complex sulphide ore. Four separate concentrates- zinc, lead, copper and bulk-are produced by selective flotation. Several major changes have been made to the Brunswick flotation circuit to improve the process and control. This paper will describe the present flotation practices at the Brunswick Concentrator. Special emphasis is given to the conversion of two of the primary circuits to an SO2-aeration flowsheet, and to the addition of a new secondary zinc flotation circuit that produces a zinc concentrate from the plant tailings. IntroductionBrunswick Mining and Smelting Corporation operates a zinclead- copper and silver mine and concentrator near Bathurst, New Brunswick. Since the start-up of operations in 1964, the flotation flowsheet has undergone major modifications to process the increased tonnages and to produce a greater number of concentrates. The flowsheet for the concentrator as it was in 1971 has been described by Neumann and Schnarru) and by Ersklneco. Since then, in 1971, the No.6 concentrator was converted from bulk flotation to selective flotation to produce a copper, lead and zinc concentrate. A separate zinc upgrading circuit was installed in 1972 and a bulk flotation or dezincing circuit, which reduced the zinc in the lead concentrate, was started in 1973. In 1976, the secondary zinc circuit was initiated.In addition to these new circuits, changes have been made to the existing circuits to simplify their operation."

Jan 1, 1980

By Alessandro Navarra, Amir Arash Rafiei, Kristian Waters

Mathematical programming (MP) is fundamental to systems engineering and operations management, but has not been widely adopted by mineral processors. The current paper presents an interdisciplinary approach, using MP to incorporate basic notions of mass balancing into an optimization framework. The optimization is typically related to economic profitability. Two- and three-product formulas are extended to give formal descriptions of alternate modes of operation, and a global representation of the concentrator. At this global level, the framework may assist plant managers to make tactical decisions based on incoming feed data. The MP framework is demonstrated through sample calculations describing a lead-zinc concentrator.

Jan 1, 2015

By D. C. Fraser

"Geophysical Engineering and Surveys Limited of the Keevil Mining Group have routinely conducted ground surveys with VLF-EM receivers for the past two years. Both Crone's Radem and Ronka's EM16 have been used.VLF-EM dip-angle data often yield complex patterns which require considerable study for a proper interpretation. A method was developed which allows field operators to transform the noncontourable dip angles into contourable data, producing conductor patterns which are immediately apparent to exploration personnel untrained in VLF-EM interpretation.VLF-EM contoured data generally peak very close to the top of a conductor, thereby allowing drill holes to be spotted accurately. However, the data generally should not be used alone to select drill targets because structures may be sufficiently conductive to yield strong anomalies. Thus, magnetic and/or vertical-loop EM correlations may be considered as necessary criteria for drilling.VLF-EM surveys can replace IP surveys in certain environments. For example, the Restigouche orebody in the Bathurst camp of New Brunswick yielded a VLF-EM anomaly as distinct as that obtained by IP, although the body did not respond to vertical-or horizontal-loop EM. However, the cupriferous breccia pipes of the Triba mine near Batchawana, Ontario yield strong IP anomalies but not VLF-EM anomalies, illustrating that disseminated ore targets should be sought with IP rather than with VLF-EM."

Jan 1, 1971

By Bahri Öteyaka, Ali Uçar, Oktay Sahbaz

"A Jet Diffuser Flotation Column (JDFC) is a newcomer flotation device whose operation principles similar with Jameson cell but it has an essential change in downcomer. By taking into account the hydrodynamic and fluid mechanic principles (Sahbaz et al. 2013) downcomer was changed as a diffuser, therefore turbulence at the end of the downcomer was reduced to provide better aggregate stability and homogenous dissipation of the bubbles in the separation tank. Thus the performance increase has been aimed for the coarse particles.According to theoretical results, obtained by the formula of Oteyaka (1993) showing the relationship between velocity gradient and maximum floatable size for the various contact angles, the d50 of quartz flotation of JFDC is about 240 µm and 310 µm for the contact angle of 50° and 60°, respectively. This result was verified by the experiments. According to the experimental results; d50 which was accepted the maximum floatable particle size of quartz flotation of JFDC was about 256 µm and 300 µm for the contact angle of 50° and 60°, respectively.INTRODUCTIONFlotation is a kinetic process used for separation of hydrophobic particles from hydrophilic particles. There are many different parameters affects the success of the flotation and particle size is one of them. While the flotation is very efficient for intermediate size, the efficiency of the process starts to decrease for both fine and coarse sizes (Trahar, 1981; Muganda et al., 2011). Therefore; researchers have tried to find a solution for the efficiency decrease in fine and coarse sizes by modifying the chemical condition and designing the new devices. For example, Jameson cell is a unique device for the fine particle flotation due to the suitable design and fine bubble producing (Jameson, 1988; Evans et al., 1995; Sahbaz, 2010). Because of this success operation the Jameson cell is applied more than 200 flotation plants in worldwide. On the contrary, the efficiency of the cell decreases for coarse particle flotation due to the turbulence occurred in the separation tank (Sahbaz, 2010; Cowburn et al., 2007). That’s why, new flotation device was designed in loboratory scale by Sahbaz, Oteyaka and Ucar in 2010s and it has been called as Jet Diffuser Flotation Column (JDFC) recently."

Jan 1, 2016

By K. S. Coley, G. A. Irons, T. Kaneyasu

"It is very important to reveal the lime dissolution mechanism in steelmaking slag, to promote its dissolution without calcium fluoride, which is now almost forbidden for use in most industrialized countries. In this research, the purpose was focused on the development of an experimental method to measure the mutual diffusivity of Ca2+ under the condition of lime dissolution into slag. By forming diffusion couples using a ""vacuum slag aspirating technique"", the method was established. The following mutual diffusivities of Ca2+, in CaO-SiO2-FeO slag systems, imitating oxygen steelmaking slag, were determined using this method:4.1*10-10 m2/s at 1400°C for 27wt.%CaO-53wt.%SiO2-20wt.%FeO slag,4.3* 10-10 m2/s and at 1400°C for 20wt.%CaO-40wt.%SiO2-40wt.%FeO slag, and 1.3*10-10 m2/s at 1250°C for 20wt.%CaO-40wt.%SiO2-40wt.%FeO slag.It was also verified that, if the basicity and ferrite content of the bulk slag are low, then a calcium silicate film forms on the lime surface, and drastically deters the lime dissolution."

Jan 1, 2004

By C. McLachlan, J. R. Donald

"Positioned at the forefront of the seafloor minerals industry, DeepGreen Resources is on track to becoming a leading producer of base and strategic metals obtained from vast high-grade seafloor polymetallic nodule deposits. DeepGreen believes the seafloor minerals industry is an opportunity for developing a more environmentally and societally attractive way to produce cleaner base and strategic metals. Polymetallic nodules contain nickel, manganese, copper, cobalt and other base and strategic metals. Polymetallic nodules represent an exceptional multi-metal-bearing resource, and no current metallurgical operation or flowsheet exists that can recover the primary metallic values while managing the distinct mineralogy. DeepGreen Resources is developing a new process to maximize the business outcomes consistent with the highest environmental standards, including targeting a near zero waste facility. The present paper discusses the history, context and driving forces of polymetallic nodule project development. An overview of DeepGreen?s Nauru Ocean Resources Inc. (NORI) project is presented along with a literature review of polymetallic nodule processing and the on-shore project development scope and plan at DeepGreen Resources is outlined.INTRODUCTION AND CONTEXT Polymetallic Nodules in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone Containing nickel, cobalt, copper and manganese, polymetallic nodules occur in most oceans of the world. The nodules lie on the seafloor sediment. The largest deposit in terms of nodule abundance and metal concentration occurs in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ) on vast abyssal plains at a depth of 4,000 to 6,000 metres. The CCZ is located almost entirely in international waters as presented in Figure 1. It has been estimated that the CCZ contains (International Seabed Authority, 2010): •,>21 billion tonnes of nodules; •,>270 million tonnes of nickel; •,>6 billion tonnes of manganese; •,>234 million tonnes of copper; •,>46 million tonnes of cobalt. There are several active hypotheses for the mechanism of formation of the nodules including precipitation, hydrothermal decomposition of basaltic debris, and involvement of microorganisms. Nodules require a nucleus to start forming, which could be a piece of pumice, a shark tooth, old nodule piece, basalt debris or even microfossils like radiolaria and foraminifera. Nodules form concentrically with layers of iron and manganese hydroxides around a core. Although composed mainly of Mn, Fe, silicates and hydroxides, it is the significant content of Ni, Cu, Co, Zn and Rare Earth Elements (REE) that is generating the economic interest in harvesting these deposits. Nodules vary in size from micro-nodules to about 20 cm, the common size being two to eight centimeters. A typical polymetallic nodule and polished cross-section is presented in Figure 2."

Jan 1, 2017

By Chen Bang, Xia Xiao’ou, Zhang Feng

"Ores with compressive strength lower than 150 MPa are usually easy to be crushed by conventional jaw crushers and cone crushers. However, for hard ores with compressive strength exceeding 150 MPa and 200 MPa and even up to 250 MPa, such as andesite, hard basalt and olivine, it is difficult to reach satisfactory crushing size and yield or difficult to meet service life and stability use requirements of quick-wear parts by using conventional crushers. As continued increase in ore mining depth and constant generation of new type materials, equipment demand for crushing hard ores becomes increasing high. A new type inertia vibrating crusher is designed. It is powered by a high-speed rotating vibration exciter and can obtain required crushing force by adjusting eccentric mass, eccentricity and rotating speed so as to crush various ores with high hardness. This paper introduces the design process of its structure and working principle, discusses the design calculation methods of vibration excitation system, vibration damping and energy storage system and other key mechanism and provides technical references for this type of vibrating crusher.DESIGN PHILOSOPHYThe conventional jaw crusher mainly acquires extrusion force from crank motion to realize crushing. The motor drives the eccentric shaft via the transmission device to bring the moving jaw to swing relative to the stationary jaw. When the moving jaw moves close to the stationary jaw, ores between them are crushed by extrusion; when the moving jaw moves away from the stationary jaw, crushed ores are discharged from the discharge gate at the lower end between the moving jaw and the stationary jaw.The conventional spring cone crusher and the hydraulic cone crusher mainly acquire extrusion force from cranking motion to realize crushing. The motor drives the eccentric sleeve via the transmission device, the moving cone shaft generates an eccentric distance to make cranking motion under the action of the eccentric sleeve. When the moving cone moves close to the stationary cone, ores between them are crushed by extrusion. When the moving cone moves away from the stationary jaw, crushed ores are discharged from the discharge gate at the lower end between the moving cone and the stationary cone under the action of dead weight."

Jan 1, 2016

By J. W. Senn

A magnesium alloy modeled after commercial alloy WE54 was thermomechanically processed and characterized to understand the mechanisms by which its texture can be randomized, as reported by Ball and Prangnell [1]. Samples were deformed in plane strain compression to prescribed strain levels at temperatures high enough to prevent cracking and then recrystallized. The deformation texture is very similar to that observed after plane strain compression (e.g., rolling) of other Mg alloys, such as common AZ31. However, the texture can radically evolve during recrystallization. Annealing above the precipitate solvus temperature results in a nearly random recrystallization texture where the initially strong basal texture is completely eliminated. Annealing below the solvus temperature produces a recrystallized texture similar to conventional Mg alloys, i.e., a weakened basal texture. If this same material is then annealed above the solvus to promote grain growth, a randomized texture evolves, which is similar that of samples simply recrystallized above the solvus. It is hypothesized that a sort of preferred growth mechanism, whereby grains with random orientation grow faster than those with the original basal texture, contributes significantly to the texture randomization observed in wrought magnesium alloys containing rare earth elements.

Jan 1, 2006

By Francisco Tamargo

"This paper refers to a new process for the full recovery (above 98%) of zinc and other valuable metals (Pb, Ag, Au) accompanying zinc in its concentrates while iron is separated as a marketable product free of any harmful impurities and suitable for sale to the cement industry. The process has been especially designed to achieve the following goals: maximizing the recovery of zinc and those valuable metals that are present in most zinc concentrates (lead, silver, gold); allowing the recovery of other valuable metals such as indium or germanium that could be present in some zinc concentrates; avoiding or minimizing the need for residue disposal in safe areas as it is the common practice nowadays in the zinc industry. Finally, the process achieves the previously related goals at a competitive cost, in line with the existing more efficient operations while using conventional equipment working under atmospheric conditions. The new process can be easily implemented in those smelters using the jarosite or goethite processes as well as in those smelters using direct leaching as a part of the processing facilities. A study has already been conducted on the use of jarosite in the cement manufacturing process, in the raw mix preparation as well as for a set controller. It shows that use of clean jarosite in the manufacture of ordinary Portland cement can result in improved quality of the clinker. Jarosite showed compatibility to influence the burning characteristics of the cement raw mixes. The presence of SO3 bearing mineral phases such as natrojarosite showed the suitability of clean jarosite for use as a set controller in cement production.INTRODUCTION Iron is by far the most abundant impurity accompanying zinc in its concentrates, and consequently, iron residue disposal is a major environmental concern for many zinc smelters in the world. This is especially true during the last 30 years when environmental restrictions became more and more strict. Much research work has been carried out during the last 30 years to try to find a solution for this important issue, but with little success. Only the jarofix process represents a partial solution to this problem as jarofix is stored nearby the smelters with certain limitations as a non-contaminant residue. However, it does not avoid the need to dispose of an important amount of residues every year, representing an environmental liability. Meanwhile, the number of countries limiting or banning the disposal of iron residues generated by the zinc smelters is growing, so that the solution to this problem is becoming an urgent matter right now. At the same time, the lack of appropriate available land for iron disposal is also a major concern in many cases."

Jan 1, 2016

By W. Abdellah

Underground mine developments, such as haulage drifts and cross cuts, play a vital role in providing access to ore extraction areas for mine production. The stability of mine developments is thus of crucial importance during the life of a mine plan. Many Canadian mines use longhole mining methods or one of its variants. These methods require access to the orebody through mine developments such as haulage drifts and cross cuts on multiple levels. This paper examines the stability of mine development access intersections with respect to the planned mining sequence. A case study, the #1 Shear East orebody at Vale?s Garson Mine in Sudbury, Ontario, is presented. A three-dimensional, elastoplastic, finite difference model (FLAC 3D) was created for a development intersection situated 1.5 km below ground surface. The stability, or performance of the intersection, is evaluated in terms of the strength-to-stress ratio. The ratio threshold is set at 1.4 for temporary openings. Unsatisfactory performance is defined as a strength-to-stress ratio less than this threshold value. The performance of the intersection stability is evaluated at various modelled mining stages and the probabilistic method of analysis is then invoked to study the probability of unsatisfactory performance of the intersection. The results are presented and categorized with respect to probability, instability, and mining stage.

Aug 1, 2013

By A. Makinen

There is an increasing trend between increasing consumption of water and the production of metal concentrate. Along with this trend we see that ore grades are declining and getting more complex to concentrate around the world. This will not only complicate processing but also generate new requirements for the management of water and waste streams on mining sites. The mining industry is a large user of water and its water consumption is growing rapidly. The processing of lower quality ores requires greater volumes of water. For these reasons, the need for efficient use of water and water management at mine sites is becoming more urgent. The perception of water in the mining industry has changed from thinking about it only in terms of "water treatment" to actually seeing it as a valuable resource, a resource that needs proper management. This resource management needs to involve various aspects, such as optimizing water usage of the entire mine or concentrator site, minimizing fresh water usage, minimizing or eliminating waste generated in water treatment and implementing practices for water reuse and water recycling. This paper presents trends and new developments relating to waste and water management in the mining industry.

Jan 1, 2015

By K. Webb

At both the international and country level, the issue of how the mining sector and indigenous populations should engage on issues of mutual interest or concern has emerged as one of central importance and controversy; involving the mining industry, Aboriginal communities, governments, the courts, and other stakeholders. At its heart, stakeholder engagement is an ethical issue, although it manifests itself in international instruments, domestic laws, industry guidance and agreements. At the international level, the concept of ?free, prior and informed consent? (FPIC), while not subject to widespread agreement on the finer details of evolving definitions, seems to be emerging as an increasingly recognized engagement norm. Within Canada, through a series of decisions, the Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) has articulated a fiduciary obligation of the Crown to consult with and accommodate impacted Aboriginal groups on resource management issues. Provincial governments have been variously attempting to adjust their resource management regimes to stay in alignment with SCC and lower court decisions. Mining sector organizations, working with First Nations partners, have developed agreements to work together for mutual benefit. At the individual mine and community level, there have been instances of constructive engagement, as well situations of physical resistance and legal challenges. The purpose of this paper is to examine the potential impact of new rules under the Ontario Mining Act introduced in 2012 and taking full effect in 2013, which amongst other procedural specifications, addresses the issue of mining industry-Aboriginal consultation in exploration and development activities. Leading up to the passage of the regulations, representatives from some junior mineral exploration companies have been highly critical of the new rules. Similarly, there have been a range of responses to the new rules from some in the First Nations community. The paper will review the regulation in terms of its apparent alignment with SCC decisions and the international norm, compare the regulations with existing mining sector organization guidance documents, and it will draw on the stated perspectives and commentaries of First Nations communities, mining firms, governments, nongovernmental organizations, and others. Building on the foregoing, the paper will provide a preliminary analysis of the perspectives and potential impacts of the new regulation on various stakeholders, and on that basis, possible avenues for further consideration will be suggested.

Aug 1, 2013

By Christiaan Zeilstra, Jan van der Stel, Koen Meijer, Gerard Louwerse, Tim Peeters

The steel industry is producing about 5% of the world wide CO2 emission. Therefore the European steel industry has defined a research program to reduce the CO2 emission by 50% per ton: ULCOS. Since its start in 2004 ULCOS has identified four technologies for further development. Two of these technologies which produce liquid hot metal are discussed. The ULCOS blast furnace is based on recycling of decarbonated topgas and the capture and storage of CO2. The concept has been demonstrated during three campaigns at LKAB EBF in Luleå, Sweden. The smelting reduction process HIsarna is a combination of the cyclone-technology and Hismelt. The process has been demonstrated successfully in four campaigns at a pilot installation on the IJmuiden steelmaking site.

Jan 1, 2015

By E. Gervais

"In today's marketplace, heavy competition between materials is the norm. This is particularly true f or the base metals, which are being increasingly challenged by new or improved materials in all traditional applications. Current usage of base metals results from a combination of a metal's intrinsic properties, and technology. The future of the base metal industry rests with innovative, high-quality product development, its ability to take advantage of the results of worldwide, massive material R&D investments, and with the dynamism and effectiveness of its market development programs.The ZA casting alloys program is an illustration of the zinc industry’s efforts to protect and expand its market position in the casting field through state-of -the-art technological developments. The market potential f or these advanced engineering alloys is substantial, and their impact on traditional zinc die casting alloy consumption is particuarly important. The ZA alloys, in offering increased performance through zinc castings produced at low cost and by a wide range of moulding processes, have unlocked a multitude of new end-use applications.Following a review of the development of ZA alloys, of their key properties and of their performance characteristics, the numerous challenges that the alloys present to the zinc industry and to the R&D community are discussed.IntroductionZinc is anodic to steel and has a low, uniform rat e of corrosion; it has a low melting point, can be cast with precision , and is readily finished. In addition to its use in protecting steel and in the production of a wide range of castings, zinc is employed : (1) to produce brass, high-strength aluminum alloys and magnesium die casting alloys, (2) in the wrought state for coinage and in building products, particularly as roofing materials , and (3) as an oxide, in the rubber industry, in ceramics, glass, cosmetics, pharmaceutical products and as the starting materials for many chemicals.Zinc die castings are produced with accuracy at high speed, at low cost, are easily finished and have excel1ent mechnical properties . Car fuel economy, changes in automobile styling, competition from other materials, increased sophistication of design and miniaturization have all led to a dramatic change in the volume of zinc consumed for die-casting applications. This has been particularly notable in the United States. Throughout the 19505 and the I960s, casting was the fastest growing major use of zinc; it was firmly established, accounting for 35% of the total zinc consumption(1), By 1983, the volume of zinc being purchased for casting applications had dropped to less than 20% of all zinc consumed in the United States. In the western world(2), consumption for zinc casting application s is currently at about 15%; being nearly equal to the zinc consumed by the brass industry. Coating applications dominate with a consumption of more than 40% of the total market."

Jan 1, 1987

By A. Atrafi, L. Barroilhet

The top size of particles in the flotation of potash ores, which can be as large as 4 mm, exceeds by far the top size in other flotation plants. It is then understandable that while long chain amines are used in the flotation of fine fractions (below 0.8 mm) of potash ores the coarse particle flotation also requires an extender oil. While new and very promising fluidized-bed flotation machines (e.g. HydroFloat) constitute a significant development in the flotation of coarse particles, in the area of extender oils, as reviewed in 2007 by Strathdee, Gotts and McEachern, there have been no new developments to replace the industry standard asphaltene-based carcinogenic extenders. This situation first of all results from the experimental problems that arise when water-soluble minerals like sylvite are to be tested in saturated brine. Both oils and longchain amines are water/brine insoluble. The oil with the amine dissolved in it can however be emulsified and then used as an extender oil. Such oil droplets must wet KCl particles and the emulsion must be stable to avoid handling problems. In this paper we test the use of the phase inversion technique as a method of studying wettability of KCl particles by the oil in saturated brine, and the effect of amine dissolved in this oil on the wettability. The results show that this relatively simple technique can be used to characterize the wettability of fine KCl particles by the tested oil and to determine the effect of added amine on it, and so it can be useful in selecting proper extender oils.

Jan 1, 2016

By Jaime V. Ongpin

"The author will give a capsule history of Benguet Corporation and attempt to identify its operating environment and underlying ""strategy"" until 1974, when the company's management assumed office. The company's operating environment and ""interim strategy"" from 1975 to 1980 will be described. The discussion will cover an environmental forecast and define the company's"" strategy for survival"" for the balance of this century.IntroductionIn December last year, I was asked to deliver a pa per for the management lecture series a t the Asian Institute of Management in Manila. The paper was entitled "" The 1970's: A Decade of Disaster For New Mining Projects"" . In that paper, it was my task to review the results of new mining projects in the Philippines during the previous decade. The task was not a happy one, for the results themselves were not only unhappy, but disastrous on a scale unprecedented in Philippine history. Out of a total of 17 major mining project s involving an aggregate capital investment in excess o f US $2 billion during the 1970s, only three project s have been profitable, and all the rest have either gone "" belly up"" or are teetering on the very edge of financial disaster.It is in the context of this shocking record of widespread financial dislocation in the Philippine mining industry, (which in varying degrees appears to have been paralleled in virtually every other country in the world where mining is an important sector of the economy) that I address myself tonight to the theme of this symposium. My paper is entitled ""Risk Management Strategy in Mining"" and it is sub titled ""Can Benguet Corporation Survive to Celebrate its Centennial in 2003?"". I have inserted the word ""Strategy"" and added the subtitle, because I wish to make it clear first, that my presentation to you tonight will be focused exclusively on the strategic aspect s of risk management, and second that I will limit myself to Benguet's own ""in-house"" experience and perspectives on this subject. I would caution you therefore, to consider my views within this restricted framework, and in light of the particular and sometimes peculiar circumstances within which Benguet Corporation operates."

Jan 1, 1983

By P. Fellner, A. Sýkorová, J. Thonstad, J. Jurišová, V. Khandl

Adsorption of S02 on alumina used in the aluminium industry, so-called smelter grade alumina, was studied in the temperature range 15 C-120 C. The specific surface area of the smelter grade alumina was 88 m2/g. It was found that at temperatures lower than 40 C, sulphur dioxide is bonded to alumina reversibly by physical forces, and the adsorption can be described satisfactorily by the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. The heat of adsorption was estimated to be -33 kJ.mor1. At temperatures in the range 80 C- 120 C, which prevail in dry scrubbers in the aluminium industry, the heat of adsorption was determined to be -56 kJ.mor1. When S02 was adsorbed at temperatures higher than 80 C, about 30 % of the S02 could not be desorbed when heating the samples up to 250 C. In the presence of S02 and oxygen, the formation of sulphate was determined at temperatures above 90 C.

Jan 1, 2006

M INE production requires the coordination of the talents of men and the use of equipment. Mine operators maintain a continual surveillance of equipment, looking for improvements and modifications that will benefit them. Few give similar attention to the advances made in the education of mining engineers since they themselves graduated. That is not surprising. Education lacks the advertising budget available to manufacturers. A modification to improve a mechanical contrivance is advertised, and an advertiser's press releases get attention by publishers. The whole program for mining engineering education could be revolutionized and no one, except a few professors, would know about it. The Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy's newly established General Commit-tee on Education can improve that situation. Nine groups of engineers in Canadian universities are trying to give undergraduates an education that will make them useful to the mineral industry as mining engineers. The tabulation offered here (Table I) is an analysis of the distribution of the undergraduate-teacher contact time.

Jan 1, 1963