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By J. E. Rourke, O&apos

A wide variety of techniques and equipment are available for coring soft or poorly consolidated geological material. This report presents a comprehensive literature review and evaluation of these techniques and equipment. A potential user will find guidelines in this report to assist him in selecting sampling equipment. A bar chart shows what samplers have been used under what geological conditions, and gives the specific literature references. Two matrices rate the present techniques and equipment with respect to reported success for sampling specific materials, and with respect to several performance characteristics including complexity of use and core quality. These matrices are supplemented with tables of typical sampling equipment. and program costs. Near-term future developments are seen primarily in improved training of drillers, and in instrumenting the drilling operation to provide objective data on drilling characteristics. An extensive annotated bibliography, a catalogue of equipment suppliers including specifications and cost ranges, and a list of manufacturers and distributors are appended to the report.

Jan 1, 1978

By L. R. Verney

A number of interrelated factors influence the economics of the sulphide smelting of copper, lead, zinc and nickel. This paper discusses these factors, mainly from a US point of view, and shows how they affect the cost of construction and operation of new and existing plants. The paper shows how metallurgical plant construction costs and the consumer price index have increased at a much faster rate than metal prices thereby making some metal mining and production operations within the USA, Canada and the EEC less profitable than operations elsewhere. This in turn inhibits new "grass roots" metallurgical developments. It is explained how retrofit of existing pyrometallurgical plants can be a more viable development than the construction of "green field" plants, especially if such retrofit improves, energy efficiencies, overall operating costs and reduces emissions of sulphur and other toxic wastes. Some aspects of metallurgical plant operation are examined, especially for copper and nickel, to show how changes in operating practices may develop in order to improve overall smelting economies, especially when developed in conjunction with objective retrofit. The paper also examines some financial aspects, especially insofar as the disparity between terms for loans offered to third world countries and the USA and the EEC are concerned and also comments upon the need, especially within the USA, for legislation to permit rapid depreciation of capital. Specific comments are made about environmental aspects, including the lack of uniformity of pollution control legislation and how environmental considerations may have some bearing of the location of future smelting operations.

Jan 1, 1983

By Edwin F. Shorey, Richard F. Coon, Steven B. Fradkin

Crosstown Interceptor Phase IA is the first deep tunnel element of the Milwaukee Inline Project. The tunnel contract includes 6,492 meters (m) of 9.1-m-diameter tunnel, two access shafts, and partial lining for structural purposes. The work also includes grouting to be performed as directed by the engineer to provide groundwater infiltration control in lined and unlined reaches of the tunnel. This paper summarizes infiltration observations, progress of the grouting work, and its potential application to the remainder of the Milwaukee project.

Jan 1, 1987

By Henry P. Chandler

[Diamond, because of its extreme hardness and abrasion resistance, has an important function in precision engineering and automation. With the increasing; requirements of modern production for fine tolerances, interchange-ability, and speed, it has become even more important. In spite of the supply of other abrasive and hard materials and of ultrasonic, electrospark rued other substitute grinding, methods, world industry seams likely to absorb large quantities of diamond for industrial purposes. An increasing part of the world's needs will be supplied by manufactured diamond, which was introduced commercially by General Electric Co. in 1957. Use of diamond for glass cutting roes bark several centuries, mid diamond drilling of rock became important to the mining industry M the 1870's. Today, diamond drilling is the most extensively used method of exploring the world's ore reserves; diamond drills two also used to determined the nature of bedrock below the foundations of buildings, dams, and bridges. Diamond drill bits are now used extensively in the petroleum industry, and replacement or steel rock bits with diamond drill bits in hard rock formations has affected substantial savings.]

Jan 1, 1964

By Henry P. Chandler

[Diamond, because of its extreme hardness and abrasion resistance, has an important function in precision engineering and automation. With the increasing; requirements of modern production for fine tolerances, interchangeability, and speed, it has become even hors, important in spite of the supply of other abrasive and hard materials and of ultrasonic, electrospspark rued other substitute grinding methods world industry seems likely to absorb large quantities of diamond for industrial purposes. An increasing part of the world's needs will be supplied by manufactured diamond, which was introduced commercially by General Electric Co. in 1957. Use of diamond for glass cutting goes bark several centuries, mid diamond drilling of rock became important to the mining industry M the 1870's. Today, diamond drilling is the most extensively used method of exploring the world's ore reserves; diamond drills two also used to determine the nature of bedrock below the foundations of buildings, dams, and bridges. Diamond drill bits are now used extensively in the petroleum industry, and replacement or steel rock bits with diamond drill bits in hard rock formations has effected substantial savings.]

Jan 1, 1964

Copper, zinc, lead, and silver in the discordant magmatic-hydrothermal orebody of the Conrad Mine, N.S.W., all have a relatively high mean abundance. Any single concordant sulphide orebody containing the same metals has a similar order of mean abundance of only one or two of these, particularly copper, copper and zinc, or zinc and lead.The relative abundances of the metals in the Conrad orebody vary more widely than in concordant orebodies, and the lead-zinc-silver and copper-zinc-lead relationships are significantly different.INTRODUCTIONIn previous investigations of metal abundances in sulphide ores, the basis of selection of the orebodies was their form, and to some extent their geological setting, rather than hypotheses concerning their origin. In all cases they were generally concordant with the bedding of the sedimentary or meta-sedimentary rocks enclosing them, and most occurred in volcanic-sedimentary sequences. Their mineralogies were simple, and they were copper, copper-zinc, zinc or lead-zinc rich in composition. Most were of the type ascribed by several authors to exhalative-sedimentary processes.In one of these investigations (Stanton, 1958), it was pointed out that since the metals in ores of this type showed similar abundance patterns and behaviour, it would clearly be of interest to examine, and to compare with them, orthomagmatic and vein types, unquestionably derived from their igneous rock associates.The present investigation is concerned with a single orebody, of clearly discordant type, and of indisputable hydrothermal origin. The abundance and behaviour of copper, zinc, lead, and silver have been determined and compared to similar data fOl!' the concordant type. Such a comparison tests the possibility that metal abundance patterns of base metal ores may be indicative of the mode of ore deposition.

Jan 1, 1963

More than 410,000 visitors from 171 countries helped bauma ’04 set new attendance records at the world’s largest construction machinery and mining technology show. The show, held in Munich, Germany March 29-April 4, marked bauma’s 50th anniversary. At the last bauma show in 2001, attendance was about 406,000 people from 157 countries. At bauma ’04, international attendance increased to 31 percent from 27 percent in 2001. In addition to record-setting attendance, bauma ’04also attracted 2,801 exhibitors, up from 2,341 in 2001. Exhibitors came from the United States, Europe, China, Japan and the Middle East. Exhibitor space topped 500,000m2 (5.4 million sq ft), another record. And, for the first time, there were more foreign exhibitors than German exhibitors, show organizers said.

Jan 1, 2004

By A C. Carter

The increasing need for alternative energy sources as well as the less clearly perceived but equally increasing demand for non-fuel minerals has resulted in extensive exploitation of near surface deposits. Many such deposits have depleted reserves and mining corporations are increasingly turning their attention to deposits, with thicker overburden, less competent materials, steeper dips and more complex structure. These deposits pose mine layout, geotechnical and equipment problems as well as the need for large outputs to achieve economies of scale. The paper describes the major problems and operational solutions for such deposits using continuous excavation and transport equipment.

Jan 1, 1980

A Good Product Range - So What! While in terms of water, waste management and environment protectrion, the Gippsland Basin may appear to have a good product range, what does this really mean? What it means is that, like any product range, the virtues of the product range must be sold and accepted by a majority of the public. The social, economic and environmental benefits of any enterprise using these products must be sold and accepted by the regional population. Many a budding entrepreneur has failed because he assumed that the public would accept his product, so good did it appear to be! However, we know that such an assumption must be avoided and that a great deal of time and effort needs to be invested in promoting and gaining acceptance of a product to ensure a long term and viable market.

Jan 1, 1992

By R. W. Van Dolah

A premature detonation of an explosive charge occurred on January 30, 1961, at a face being prepared for blasting in the underground Jefferson Island Salt Mine, Diamond Crystal Salt Co., Jefferson Island, Iberia Parish, La. The accidental blast injured the powderman fatally; his helper was injured also, but recovered. The accident represents the first fatality reported to the Bureau of Mines in connection with the use of ammonium nitrate-fuel oil (AN-FO) blasting agents in underground mining in the United States. Representatives of the Bureau of Mines Explosives Research Laboratory, Pittsburgh, Pa., and field representatives of the Bureau's Health and Safety Activity conducted the investigation, upon request of the manufacturer of the ammonium nitrate being used and with concurrence by the mine management.

Jan 1, 1962

By John Babcock, Bryan C. Smith

In a partnership between Luck Stone Corporation and Loudoun Water, a 42” (1.067m) steel pipeline was constructed along the perimeter of an extensive permitted reserve of diabase rock Luck Stone was about to begin mining. Loudoun Water provides drinking water and wastewater services to over 75,000 households in Loudoun County, Virginia. In discussions to establish the 30-foot (9.1 meter) easement for Loudoun Water within the permitted reserve of diabase rock, Luck Stone and Loudoun Water agreed on the following basic conditions: • Luck Stone could execute production blasting as close to the easement as physical conditions of overburden depth permits. We estimated the minimum distance to be about 75-feet (22.86 meters) from the centerline of the pipe. • Loudoun Water would install strain gauges on the pipe every 500-feet (152.4 m) along the entire length of the future reserve area. This resulted in the installation of 18 strain gauges. • Luck Stone would contract a third-party vibration monitoring company, agreed to by Loudoun Water, to monitor the strain gauges and provide seismograph reading at appropriate locations along the pipe as mining progresses. All information would be provided to Loudoun Water. • Luck Stone’s blasting will be conducted in a manner that ensures the recommended strains are not exceeded.

Jan 1, 2019

By Shirleny Fontes Santos

Muscovite mica crystals lower than 15 mm diameter are discarded as waste in the mining area of Borborema-Seridó (BRAZIL). The objective of this work was the ore dressing and purification of this waste to be used in the preparation of pearlescent pigment. Muscovite was dry ground using knife mills and an ultrasound treatment. It was possible to achieve 67% of mica with particle size lower than 100 µm. This product was used in the preparation of brilliant pigments based on muscovite flakes covered with rare earth oxides (CeO2, PrO2, Ce0,95Pr0,05O2). The pigments were characterized by X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis and scanning electronic microscopy. The color of the resulting pigments was analyzed using the CIELAB method and it showed the following colors: muscovite-CeO2 ? yellow, muscovite-PrO2? black and muscovite-Ce0,95Pr0,05O2 ? orange. Those results have shown that ?trash mica? is suitable for use in pigment preparation.

Jan 1, 2010

By G. R. Fitterer, E. A. Krockenberger, B. E. Sockman, R. B. Meneilly, J. F. Eckel, E. W. Marshall

"Steel manufacturers have noticed a decided tendency on the part of many of their customers to become more exacting in their steel specifications. Under these conditions, the steel must not only meet the specifications of physical properties (tensile strength, reduction of area, elongation, impact strength, grain size, normality, etc.) and the chemical analyses, but must also pass the inspection test of ""cleanliness.""By cleanliness is commonly meant the absence of oxide and sulphide inclusions. Other foreign particles such as furnace or ladle slag, ladle and runner brick, etc., must also be absent. The determination of cleanliness at present is usually made by microscopic inspection or macroetching.The rejection of steel for lack of cleanliness is increasing, out cleanliness is one of the most difficult requirements for the manufacturer to fill. The reason for this is that every steel inspector has a different conception of a. clean steel. A material which does not pass the examination of one inspector way be regarded as entirely satisfactory by the metallurgist of an¬other company. The cause of this confusion and disagreement concerning the definition of a clean or a dirty steel is simply that as yet no standardized procedure for the determination of impurities has been proposed and generally accepted, since many variables are encountered which interfere with the development of a satisfactory method. An idea of the complexity of this situation will be obtained from the following pages.A Survey of Proposed Analytical MethodsAlthough no analytical method has been accepted, many procedures have been proposed, as may be seen in Table 1. Therein are listed 16 of the better-known processes, pith references to the work of their originators, their mechanisms of determination, and their applicabilities. Among these is included the electrolytic method developed by one of the present authors, and some comparison between this and previously proposed procedures may be obtained by a study of the table. It appears that this new method Las many advantages over the others, and this paper presents a critical Study of its value."

May 1, 1933

This paper briefly reviews the demise of professional mining education and training in NZ over the past ten years; compares it with the Australian experience; and discusses the immense success experienced by EXITO and the upsurge of competency based education and training we are currently experiencing in the mineral extraction and associated industries. It also looks to the development of a Bachelor in Mining Technology.

Jan 1, 2001

By G. J. Hasenfus

This paper presents the results of an extensive hydrological and geomechanical monitoring program which Gas conducted at a longwall coal mine in W. Va. The field program included monitoring of groundwater levels. overburden hydraulic conductivity, overburden movement, and surface subsidence relative to the passage of the longwall. Overburden geology and rock strength characteristics were evaluated prior to mining. A postmining corehole was drilled to evaluate main roof fracturing. An overburden response model is proposed based on the correlations between hydrological and geomechanical data.

Jan 1, 1988

By Nelson Severinghaus

Mineral fillers have been defined as inert materials that are included in a composition for some useful purpose. Because this definition and the scope of this review are not specific- indeed, exceptions abound-accurate total statistics are unavailable. One source estimates the total production in the United States in 1971 at 5 million tons valued at $200 million, averaging $40.00 per ton. Included are a broad group of minerals-asbestos, barite, bentonite, calcium carbonate, clays, diatomite, feldspar, micas, silica, talc. Additional references will be made to synthetic mineral-derived fillers such as aluminum hydrate, precipitated calcium carbonate, and pyrogenic and precipitated silicas and silicates. A section on related uses at the end of this chapter covers absorbents and filters. Mineral fillers can be included in compounds to accomplish a variety of final results. Hardness, brittleness, impact strength, compressive strength, softening point, fire resistance, surface smoothness, electrical conductivity, and a host of other physical characteristics may be modified by the inclusion of fillers. These effects are the result of properties of the fillers, including chemical activity, hardness, particle size, shape and distribution, surface structure, color, density, and refractive index. To facilitate an overview of the mineral filler industry, this chapter will review the general usage of fillers, the inherent characteristics that intensify their utilization, and similarly their manufactured characteristics. Major using industries will then be examined in detail. Specific information on deposits and processing for industrial minerals will be found in the appropriate commodity chapter. The chart in Table 1, updated from the 3rd edition of Industrial Rocks and Minerals, illustrates the major mineral fillers (both natural and manufactured) and their more important end uses.

Jan 1, 1975

By G. C. Smith

Process control applications in the minerals processing industry have grown extensively over the years due to the many benefits derived, both financially and operation-wise. Although control theory is widely known, conventional control does not address many of the problems posed by minerals processing circuits. Some of these problems include interactions between process units, large dead times, few and sometimes unreliable measurements of process variables, non-linear systems, disturbances entering the process, processes with varying dynamics, and many more. For the past 26 years Mintek has been active in the field of providing specific, customized solutions for the minerals processing industry. This paper focuses specifically on applications in milling and flotation control. The underlying control principles have been applied to a wide range of other processes including submerged arc furnaces. Advanced control application is implemented on a common advanced control platform, called the PlantStar. Much innovation has been brought to the fore in terms of adapting theoretical techniques and developing new methods to resolve specific milling and flotation circuit issues by using process control. The general approach adopted by Mintek when implementing advanced control is to enforce stabilization of the process as a solid foundation for optimization strategies to be built upon. In doing this, a robust control solution is presented, and the end result is flow and level stability, better product quality regulation, increase in throughput and a stable feed to downstream processes. The MillStar advanced milling control system ensures that the milling circuit is at all times easy to operate while achieving optimum product quality and throughput. Stabilization should include product size regulation and sump level control. Another important aspect of stabilization control is the handling of milling circuit constraints without introducing cyclical behaviour and with minimal disturbance to the final product quality. Process constraints may include factors such as process water limitations, cyclone feed density, and cyclone underflow angle. An optimization strategy should be developed to increase the mill throughput without affecting product quality or introducing mill overloads. The relationship between solids feed and power draw is examined and manipulated for optimization. The interactive nature of flotation circuits and the presence of recirculating streams tend to make satisfactory control almost impossible with conventional techniques such as PI (Proportional plus Integral) or PID (Proportional, Integral and Derivative) control. The FloatStar Level Stabilizer simultaneously considers all the flotation levels in a circuit by use of a multivariable algorithm, and takes compensating action in anticipation of disturbances. The FloatStar Flow Optimizer is an optimization strategy that controls the concentrate flow rate between various sections of a flotation circuit (e.g. Rougher ?Cleaner; Cleaner ?Recleaner). By controlling the concentrate flow between the sections, the mass pull, circulating loads and residence times of the circuit can be stabilized, thereby enhancing the performance of the flotation process. Optimizing grade and recovery are coupled with the dynamic optimization of circulating flows. The FloatStar Grade-Recovery Optimizer will maximize the grade in a section, whilst ensuring that recovery or any other process specific limits remain within predefined limits. With successful applications on several milling and flotation plants worldwide processing amongst others PGMs, gold, copper and nickel, Mintek has shown that it is a leader in milling and flotation control innovation

Jan 1, 2004

Iron Ore - Mineral Processing Overview Several years of iron ore price increases, coupled with a period of strong global demand for raw materials, presented iron and steel producers with unprecedented costs and difficulty procuring the demanded high quantities of iron ore. These conditions spurred many companies to investigate new ore bodies and also reassess past decisions (such as divestment of captive iron ore mines that ensured dedicated supply or a move to reliance on the 'spot market' instead of long term contracts with suppliers) and revisit alternative sources of iron units, including low grade deposits, tailings reprocessing, Ti-rich ores, and iron sands. To properly upgrade these iron sources requires a complete battery of mineral processing techniques. Within different regions around the world, operations and technology have developed to specifically beneficiate the local ore bodies. This paper attempts to bring these different general processing techniques together to allow insight into various common and proven methods of iron ore beneficiation. This paper further explores the current trend to develop global iron ore reserves, and discusses the methods to beneficiate and successfully reduce and smelt iron ore using Outotec's physical separation, direct reduction and smelting technologies for final production of pig iron and slag. Use of these various technologies may allow treatment of what was typically considered a tailings stream into a profitable product.

Sep 13, 2010

Northern Iron Ltd (NIL) is an Australian listed company that recently brought the historic Sydvaranger open pit Magnetite Mine (the Project) in Northern Norway successfully back into production. NIL made the decision to operate the Project on an owner mining basis, due to limited large scale mining expertise amongst Norwegian mining contractors, a long mine life, a limited range in planned mining rate and to minimise costs. As a new mine operator in a country where labour practices are strictly regulated, there was the desire to reduce the risk associated employing and managing skilled personnel. This was achieved by coupling the purchase of the required mining equipment from the original equipment manufacturer's (OEM) regional dealers with OEM supported Maintenance and Repair Contracts (MARC). This paper examines the process that was followed to implement an owner mining operation in a short time frame; approximately 12 months from the initial requests for quotation to actual delivery of mining equipment to site, and some of the challenges faced. By following a formal and well-tested process, not only was the implementation achieved in the set time frame, but significant value was added through the cost savings achieved in the equipment purchase price and MARC rates that were negotiated through this process.

May 1, 2010

By P. D?Elia

Following a study by NIOSH on the availability of teams in the U.S. as well as existing training sites and their capabilities, the Penn State University, leaders of the Pittsburgh Section of SME, providers of mine rescue equipment, and industry sponsors united to establish and make fully functional a student mine rescue team at Penn State University. With the growth of MERD and mine rescue competitive events at Missouri S&T, the Mine Training and Technology Center in PA, and at Colorado School of Mines Edgar Mine, a critical mass of effective training venues were made available to help student teams progress and develop mine rescue skills. The challenges to be met in creating and developing a student mine rescue team will be discussed. The rewards from this type of effort will be the quick capability of graduates from mining engineering programs to be involved in not only mining operations, but industry mine rescue teams and other leadership roles as well.

Jan 1, 2012