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By Nur Hossain

Analysis of Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics (LEFM) parameters via the Virtual Crack Closure Technique (VCCT) has been obtained for SENT specimens of AM6OB magnesium alloy. It is found that the ratio of initial crack length to initial monotonic plastic zone size is one of the critical factors in establishing the limit of using LEFM concepts. If this ratio is below a certain limit (i.e. when crack lengths are small in comparison to the plastic zone size), loss of similitude stress intensity factor range would occur. This ratio, therefore describes the limit below which the use of LEFM would no longer be admissible. In this study, the above limit was established for AM6OB magnesium alloy. In addition, fatigue crack propagation tests were conducted to ascertain the fatigue response of the alloy and determination of the coefficients of Paris model.

Jan 1, 2010

By O. G. Olvera, E. Asselin, D. Rival

Particle concentration distributions in a leaching tank have been estimated using a novel experimental approach that takes advantage of the galvanic interactions that occur between pyrite (FeS2) particles and a Pt electrode. The collision of FeS2 particles with Pt changes the open circuit potential measured with the electrode due to galvanic interactions. To discern particle collisions with the Pt electrode from experimental noise a simple analytical procedure was first adopted although the use of techniques involving frequency domain analysis is also briefly presented and discussed. Although this method is still under development, it is simple to implement and can yield valuable information regarding the hydrodynamic behavior of solid particles in stirred tanks in very short times. Finally, the advantages and drawbacks of the technique are discussed.

Jan 1, 2014

By G. I. Mathieu

"An experimental study was carried out to evaluate the performance of column flotation versus conventional flotation for the recovery of molybdenite from a Newfoundland ore. The objective was to verify the claims made by the inventors of the flotation column, Messrs. Pierre Boutin and Remi Tremblay, that their apparatus reduces the entrainment of fine gangue and other mineral impurities in the froth product. The research included a factorially designed series of tests to determine satisfactory operating conditions of the column. These provided a basis for comparative flotation tests with column and Denver cells. In the course of the work, the action of a few depressants was studied. Results indicated greater selectivity in the column and reduced reagent consumption."

Jan 1, 1972

By J. Fournier, D. Fortin, F. Robichaud

Since milling began in 1988, the Laronde mill has been expanded several times, the most recent, increasing the milling rate from 5 000 to 7 000 mtpd. Laronde uses SAG/ball mill grinding followed by copper and zinc flotation circuits. A cyanidation/Merrill-Crowe process recovers the remaining gold and silver in the flotation tails in order to cope with high silver/gold ratio associated with the discovery of the Penna shaft. Since the commissioning of the Merrill-Crowe refinery in 2000, several modification and expansion projects were performed to reduce health and safety hazards. Remarkably, several of these improvements have contributed at increasing productivity and Net Smelter Return of the refinery while reducing worker's injuries. In 2004, the refinery was audited to evaluate and quantify the circuit performance. Metallurgical and mechanical operating conditions of the refinery are now understood and areas for further improvements are well defined. This paper describes some of the factors that have contributed to this improvement and describes how ergonomics and recovery can further be improved.

Jan 1, 2005

By Mehmet F. Taner

"Abstract - The East Sullivan Stock (ESS) is a small, composite felsic alkaline pluton of presumed late Archean age in the Val d’Or mining district. Three main facies have been distinguished: monzonite sensu stricto, porphyritic monzonite, and green trachytic porphyry. This monzonitic group of rocks is of relatively homogeneous composition with high abundances of Na2O, K2O, Ba, Sr, Rb, Zr, Mo and LREE. The alkaline ESS is distinguished from other igneous units in the Val d’Or mining district, such as the Bourlamaque Batholith, by relatively high concentrations of Ba, Sr, Rb, Mo, Cu and Au. The ESS hosts many base (Cu, Mo) and precious (Au) metal occurrences, including: (1) porphyry style Cu-Au-Mo disseminated sulfide deposits, (2) Cu-Au deposits in volcanic rocks near the ESS contact, and (3) pyritic gold mineralization in east-west trending shear zones. The ESS is well defined by concentrical zoning on the aeromagnetic vertical gradient color map, and displays four linear trends, which are assumed to be structural lineaments, at 035°-055°, 320°-300°, eastwest, and north-south. The main mineral occurrences related to the stock display a preferred spatial association with the east-west linear magnetic trends.The ESS is preferentially located along a major structure and was emplaced late in the evolution of the Abitibi subprovince like other felsic alkaline plutons. This stock is similar to late-tectonic mineralized felsic alkaline intrusions of the Kirkland Lake and Larder Lake mining districts in Ontario, and to the Allard stock in the U.S.A. which is associated with gold and base metal mineralization. Similarities also exist with younger alkaline plutons associated with Cu-Mo-Au porphyry deposits in the Canadian Cordillera, which formed in tensional tectonic environments. The felsic alkaline magma may have formed by partial melting of deeply buried supracrustal rocks, concomitant with the development of deep fractures such as the Cadillac Fault. In such an environment, hydrothermal solutions carrying remobilized metals from deep supracrustal rocks may have deposited gold and base metals in structural traps. Plutons similar to the ESS should be good targets for mineral exploration. Résumé - Le Stock de East Sullivan (SES) est une intrusion composite alcaline d’âge tardiarchéen, situé dans le camp minier de Val d’Or. Trois principaux faciès ont été identifiés: une monzonite sensu stricto, une monzonite porphyrique et un porphyre trachytique vert. Les données chimiques montrent que ce groupe des roches monzonitiques est relativement homogène en composition avec des concentrations élevées de Na2O, K2O, Ba, Sr, Rb, Zr, Mo et ETRL, définissant une suite alcaline typique. Cet alkalin stock peut être facilement distingué des autres unités géologiques de la région de Val d’Or, tel le batholite de Bourlamaque, par une concentration élevée de Ba, Sr, Rb, Mo, Cu et d’Au. Le SES contient plusieurs importants prospects de métal précieux (Au) et de métaux de base (Cu, Mo), incluant: (1) une minéralisation disséminée de type porphyre Cu-Mo-Au, (2) une minéralisation de Cu-Au dans les roches volcaniques encaissantes hôtesses près du contact et (3) une minéralisation d’or pyritique dans une zone de cisaillement de direction est-nordest. Le SES est bien défini sur la carte aéromagnétique en couleurs du gradient vertical par des zonages concentriques, où quatre linéaments structuraux ont été reconnus: 035°-55°, 320°-300°, est-ouest, et nord-sud. Les principales zones minéralisées spatialement associées au stock sont généralement situées soit près des linéaments magnétiques est-ouest, soit le long de ceux-ci.Le SES semble s’être mis en place le long d’une structure majeure, développée tardivement dans l’évolution de la Sous-province abitibienne, comme les autres plutons alcalins felsiques. Ce stock est similaire à la suite tardi-tectonique d’intrusions alcalines minéralisées des camps miniers de Kirkland Lake et de Larder Lake en Ontario, ou"

Jan 1, 1996

By L. G. Morrell

Introduction A Self-Dumping cage which combines the features of a small skip and a cage has been used in a vertical winze between the 2,000 and 2,500 levels at the Coniaurum mine for the past three years, during which time its success has been demonstrated by uninterrupted service and low maintenance charges. lt was designed by John Reddington, mine manager, and was built under his supervision in the Coniaurum mine shops. Being new in many of its operating features, a small-scale model was made and tried before the final construction was undertaken. The mechanical performance of the model suggested a few minor changes that were incorporated in the final drawings. During its three years of use, the automatic dumping device has saved the expense of deck-handling of the cars. This actually represents a gross economy of something over four times the cost of construction and installation, which totalled $1,325. The cage, empty, weighs 2,200 pounds, of which 500 pounds represents the weight of the dumping accessory and necessarily heavier construction. Besides a considerable financial saving, the time saved in unloading increases the daily hoisting capacity of the winze. In raising ore from the 2,500 level, five minutes are required for a complete trip. Allowing one minute for the alternative of decking, we believe that the automatic dumping has increased the capacity of the winze hoist nearly 20 percent.

Jan 1, 1933

By Hongpu Kang

The fully mechanized top coal caving mining method has been the main mining approach for thick coal seams with high output and efficiency in Chinese coal mines. The gateroads for the top coal caving mining faces should be driven along the floor of the thick coal seam with a part of the seam as roof. The support of the gateroads is commonly difficult because of the low strength and broken structures of the coal seams, and the increasingly large section of gateroads meeting the need of greater and greater face coal output. Based on the analyses on the geomechanics properties and production conditions of the top coal caving mining, the influences of the top coal caving mining parameters on the stability of gateroads, including mining thickness and face length, are studied. The deformation and damage features of the rock mass surrounding the gateroads with the top coal seam as roof are investigated, the interaction of the support with the surrounding rock mass, the support theory are studied. The bolting design method and criteria, bolting forms and parameters for the gateroads with the top coal as roof are put forward. The rock bolting components, including bolt bars, face plates, cable tendons, meshes, and steel straps, are introduced. Finally, the gateroad bolting effects are evaluated through a typical case study on the basis of field monitoring data, such as the displacement of surrounding rock mass and the forces along bolts and cables.

Aug 1, 2013

By Lawrence Devon Smith

The Business Case for Sustainable Development ?What are SD & TBL? ?Investment Funds & Fund Managers ?Banks and Risk Aversion ?The Dilemma of Juniors ?Meet Your New Partners ?The Cost of Problems ?The Cost of Delays Sustainable Development ?Humanity has the ability to make development sustainable -to ensure that it meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.? Our Common Future BrundtlandCommission, 1987

May 1, 2003

Operationalizing the Ruggie Framework in a Mining Context Ruggie?s 3 Pillars: The State?s duty to Protect Policies, regulation, adjudication The Corporation?s responsibility to respect Acting with due diligence to avoid infringing Addressing adverse impacts when involved in abuses Access to Remedy ??even the most concerted efforts cannot prevent all abuse.?

May 1, 2013

By A. Himsley, E. Byleveld

"With reference to the chemical constraints underlying the ion exchange process for uranium recovery, a generalized view is presented on the actual and the achievable efficiency of the process. The area considered is restricted to acid leach circuits in combination with nitrate, chloride or sulphuric acid elution.A comparison between actual plant results and the chemical requirements shows that:(a) Unless new and better ion exchange resins are developed, no dramatic change in equipment size and resin inventory is""anticipated. (b) Elution efficiency, especially for sulphuric acid, may be improved considerably. More concentrated eluates may beproduced at lower chemical consumption. A possibility of achieving additional purification solely by ion exchange is discussed.IntroductionThis paper presents a generalized view of the actual and the achievable efficiency of the ion exchange processes for urannium recovery. The study is restricted to acid leach circuits in combination with nitrate, chloride or sulphuric acid elution. The ultimate efficiency attainable with ion exchange is dietacted by the chemical reactions underlying the process. The most sophisticated technology cannot change the diffusion rates in the ion exchange resin nor make the uranium loading exceed its equilibrium valueThe design of an ion exchange plant for uranium recovery involves a considerable number of parameters as a result of the wide variety of pregnant solutions produced from different orebodies. Therefore, a generalized approach of the ion exchange process inevitably neglects some parameters which maylead to significant variations in apparently identical situations.The uranium concentration in the pregnant solution, together with its pH, are the principal variables which determine resin loading and residence rime in the ion exchange system. On the elution side, the type of eluant and its concentration will determine the contact time required and the amount of eluant needed to strip the resin. The temperature, the properties of the ion exchange resin, the total dissolved solids in the feed solution and the competing ions are other variables that affect the chemical performance; these, however, may be considered as a correction of the principal parameters if one is interested only in general trends."

Jan 1, 1980

By Joseph J. Poveromo

The blast furnace today continues as the primary production method of hot metal in large-scale steel production. The blast furnace process has been the target of repeated attempts to replace it with various process options, including direct reduction and coke-free smelting reduction. While these new technologies are being adopted in appropriate niches, the blast furnace has responded to the challenge by being amenable to continuous improvement. I will review the role of the blast furnace, major developmental and improvement trends, and then list the current important issues in ironmaking. I will outline the challenges to be faced by the blast furnace to maintain its position as the primary hot metal production process. The material presented here is an update of earlier presentations made in Stockholm, Sweden, 1996, Duluth, 1998 and Chicago, 2000.

May 1, 2003

By J. D. Bateman

DURING the summer of 1942 several chromite deposits were discovered in the Lac du Bonnet district about eighty miles northeast of Winnipeg. The deposits are confined to the Bird River complex, a folded composite sill of basic and ultrabasic igneous rocks of early Precambrian age that lies to the north of Bird river (1). The outcrop of the sill represents the trace of an easterly plunging anticline, the south limb extending from the northeast bay of Lac du Bonnet eastward to Bird lake, and the other limb, 6 to 12 miles north, lying between Maskwa river and Euclid lake. The south limb of the sill is 20 miles long, and the northern counterpart 15 miles; but its continuity is interrupted by faulting and by the intrusion of younger granite, so that the total length of outcrop of both limbs does not likely exceed 25 miles. The sill is intrusive into early Precambrian greenstones and associated sedimentary rocks. The chromite discoveries have been made at several localities on both limbs of the sill, and in each case at the same geological horizon. The sill comprises an upper layer of hornblende gabbro and a lower layer of serpentinized peridotite, and altogether is from 500 to 3,500 feet thick. The chromite zone is within and near the top of the peridotite layer, and thus about midway of the sill, both of the limbs of which stand nearly vertical. This geological relationship was established early in the exploration of the initial discoveries and served as the basis for successful predictions of later discoveries. The chromite zone probably persists throughout the length of the sill, but its width and chromite content are not everywhere the same. The initial exploration along both limbs of the sill has shown a combined total length of about 12,000 feet of chromite ore varying in width from 6 to 12 feet. In many places the overburden is thick and obscures the continuity of the chromite zone; but as investigation proceeds the known deposits will be extended and new ones will be found. Thus, although a total length of 12,000 feet of ore has been investigated up to the present time, there is an indicated length of approximately 31,000 feet along which the ore is more than 4 to 5 feet wide. This estimate is based on geological considerations and represents a total tonnage in the order of 15,000 tons per vertical foot of depth.

Jan 1, 1943

By V. F. Kozyrev, L. B. Tsymbulov, L. Sh. Tsemekhman, A. N. Golov

Gipronickel Institute, JS has developed a new process and equipment for melting copper raw material in a two-zone Vaniukov furnace resulting in the production of white matte and low-grade slag in terms of copper content. Tests on processing copper nickelcontaining ore from Norilsk (Cu - 17 %), Ni - 3 %) were conducted in Vaniukov pilot furnace (total area 11.4m2) of Severonickel Combine. The amount of the processed material was about 11 thousand tons. Principal results of pilot testing are presented.

Jan 1, 2007

By Roger Lafrance

"This paper discusses various aspects affected by the use of large-diameter boreholes in underground mines. Topics covered consist of noxious fumes, vibrations, post-blast effects, various types of explosives, the cordine system in production blasts, the slider primer system and wall-control methods. In general, the paper is an overview of this important fact of underground mining.IntroductionWith economical factors leading the way, many reasons motivated drilling equipment companies to develop equipment that can drill holes up to eight inches in diameter and even larger for underground applications. One of these other reasons is the fact that many orebodies were considered marginal, given the high costs of conventional mining methods utilizing small diameter boreholes. With these criteria in mind, accelerated programs were put in motion to develop equipment that would reduce both-development and production costs in underground mines. Change s in any basic program often affect other areas down the line. This is particularly true with the ad vent of large-diameter boreholes underground.C-I-L Inc. is certainly no stranger to this phenomena. Whether production headings increase in size and tonnage or whether production increases due to lower costs, one fact remains unchanged and that is the fact that all development and production holes are loaded and blasted whether they be of small or large diameter. Due to this fact, C-I-L Inc., as a leading explosives manufacturer, initiated a program to examine blasting methods in use in surface work with the intent of revising these method s for underground applications. Research facilities were also oriented toward developing appropriate products. This was a task that was accepted with anticipation, with the result that many new blasting systems and methods were brought forward, thanks to the collective efforts of both the consumers and manufacturers."

Jan 1, 1984

By Stephen Esposito

Outline ? Brief Overview of Solid Energy New Zealand ? Need for Integrated Risk Management at Solid Energy New Zealand ? Overview of Solid Energy?s IRM program ? What are the results and key learnings? Overview Of Solid Energy New Zealand ? 100% NZ Government Owned ? Produces 95% of New Zealand?s Coal ? Sales turnover USD150 million per year ? Sold 4 million tonnes of high quality coal in 2003 ? Coking and Thermal coals ? Exported 2 million tonnes of coal ? Significant international and domestic growth expected going forward

May 1, 2004

By Z. Tang

A collaborative project was performed between NRC Institute for Fuel Cell Innovation and MagPower Systems Inc, to develop a cost effective fabrication process to manufacture the anode for magnesium-air fuel cell with improved performance. A novel fabrication process was developed, which resulted in a porous microstructure with increased surface area, instead of the traditional solid structure. This porous anode greatly increased power density in the magnesium-air power source. This fabrication process is very simple and cost effective. Especially, this process makes it convenient to incorporate different alloying additions, as well as hydrogen inhibitor and electrolyte management additive into the anode. The anode composition was designed so that micro galvanic cells were formed as current is drawn out of the fuel cell, and resulting increased dissolution rate of Mg. It is feasible to incorporate hydrogen inhibitor and electrolyte management additive into the porous anode, and the anode with some kinds of inhibitors exhibited improved electrochemical performance. This paper describes the microstructure and electrochemical performance of anodes with designated porous structure and alloying additions. Furthermore, quantitative kinetics analysis of the obtained I-V curves and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were carried out to clarify the mechanism.

Jan 1, 2005

By Andreas Gaich

COMBINED 3D IMAGES _ Highly detailed 3D geometry _ Identification of fine fractures together with a general impression of the situation _ Dealing with unfavourable outcrop geometries

May 1, 2009

By J. W. Coetzee, H. E. Deist

Carbon-in-pulp (CIP) and Carbon-in-leach (CIL) processes are used extensively in the gold mining sector to recover aurocyanide from solution. This paper discusses the modelling of these operations, using various simplifying assumptions, in order to simulate the effect of changing operating conditions on the dynamics of the system. It is assumed that the adsorption and leaching rates are a function of concentration difference between the source phase and recipient phase. The simulation was set up using Matlab's Simulink interface. Plant variables are solved using a medium scale Newtonian search algorithm in Matlab, where the differences between the actual and predicted plant outputs are minimized on a continuous time-line.

Jan 1, 2005

By Christopher Andreae

"Years before the present iron and steel works were established at Sydney, several thriving although short-lived iron work s operated in Nova Scotia. These furnaces reflected the general nineteenth-century North American experience with iron work s. At the beginning of the century, small furnaces struggled to supply local needs. Charcoal was the principle fuel and water powered most furnace equipment. By the end of the century, a few huge primary iron and steel work s dominated production for Nova Scotia and the rest of Canada.Two sites achieved prominence in the nineteenth-century Nova Scotia iron industry: Londonderry and Ferrona. Londonderry, the larger and longer-lasting of the two sites, is today a small village on the south flank of the Cobequid Mountains, about 30 km west of Truro. Prior to the establishment of an iron works in 1849, no community existed. At the peak of operation in the 1880s, however, over 2,600 people were located there. The second site, Ferrona, today is a mere crossroads on the map, about 10 km south of New Glasgow. Following the construction of a blast furnace there in 1892, a small village grew up around the furnace, but once the furnace was blown out in 1904, the population gradually drifted away.Early HistoryThe history of Nova Scotia's iron industry began in 1604 when Samuel Champlain became the first European to identify iron ore in the future province. Despite this early acknowledgment, iron was not smelted commercially in Nova Scotia for another two hundred years. Although primitive smelters of the period produced more iron than could be used locally, early settlers depended on imports of iron from Britain and the United States."

Jan 1, 1983

By M. Kalin

Tailings deposits are frequently the source of ground water contamination due to the transport of contaminated tailings pore-water. If amendments to tailings covers could be made to facilitate a precipitation reaction and halt or reduce the generation of acid in pyritic tailings, the quality of pore-water quality would be improved which would in turn reduce the production of contaminants. The effects of phosphate wastes, added to base-metal mine tailings in Newfoundland, Canada, were tested. Laboratory and field experiments determined the effects of different mixing ratios of phosphate wastes to tailings volume (1:4, 1:8, 1:12 and 1:20, dry weight) for a total period of 3.2 years. The addition of phosphate at ratios of 1:4 to 1:12 substantially increased the pore water pH, and reduced both acidity and Zn concentrations. These results suggest that addition of phosphate wastes to tailings covers can reduce acidity generation and improve tailings pore-water quality.

Jan 1, 2004