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By S. Tuttle, R. Sisson

"Suncor Energy Inc. has proposed a 2.2 billion dollar expansion to the current oil sands operation, which will more than double the productive capability of the facility. As part of the application for this expansion, a comprehensive closure plan had to be developed and filed.Closure planning includes a systematic evaluation of the area to be developed, the development activities planned, the goals and objectives of the corporation in re-establishing landforms and ecosystems at the same time as running an effective operation. As early as is practical during the mine development, surface contouring is completed, soil is reconstructed, and vegetation, surface drainage and wetlands are re-established. Once active reclamation is complete and vegetation has been re-established, Suncor monitors maturation of landscapes and ecosystems to provide the submission basis for reclamation certification"

Jan 1, 1999

By D Cumming-Potvin, S W. Jacobsz and E Kearsley, J Wesseloo

This paper describes a physical modelling program that recreated block cave propagation in a geotechnical centrifuge. A brief description of the design of the test along with the sample material and monitoring equipment is given. The samples tested showed caving behaviour and fragmentation distributions that one would expect from caving mines, with one cave deviating due to pre-existing major discontinuities in the sample. A series of fractures formed ahead of and parallel to the cave, implying that an extensional failure mechanism may play a larger role in cave development than previously thought. The results of acoustic emission monitoring of the tests show a seismogenic zone advancing ahead of the cave; however, the quantity and quality of the data is too limited to draw any further conclusions.CITATION:Cumming-Potvin, D, Wesseloo, J, Jacobsz, S W and Kearsley, E, 2016. Results from physical models of block caving, in Proceedings Seventh International Conference and Exhibition on Mass Mining (MassMin 2016), pp 329–340 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

May 9, 2016

By C. W. Owings

"PURPOSE OF REPORTMany bituminous coal-mine officials realize that coal dust presents an ever-present coal-mine explosion hazard, and that persons forced to breathe large quantities of it may be more subject to respiratory infection than persons working in less dusty atmospheres. As an outgrowth of the realization that coal dust should be allayed at its source, many mining companies have expressed the desire to install dust-allaying equipment, and in a number of mines, water or wetting solution is being applied on the cutter bars of mining machines, on mobile loaders, belts or conveyors underground, and tops of mine cars. Spraying equipment also has been installed on dumps to allay dust during dumping operations. Dust-allaying equipment has not been standardized, however, because manufacturers have found that many prospective purchasers of such equipment have different ideas. These manufacturers wish to standardize, so far as feasible, the types and placement of such equipment. Many mine officials, although interested, do not know the best or most effective methods for allaying dust.For a number of years the Bureau of Mines has advocated allaying dust by applying water or, more recently, water modified by a wetting agent on the cutter bar of mining machines and by applying water to loaded and empty mine cars in order to keep as much dust as possible from spilling onto the haulage roads. In recent years this Bureau has also advocated applying water with or without a wetting agent during mechanical loading of coal and during unloading of coal from trackless cars or buggies and from elevating conveyors. It has now become apparent that specific arrangement of pipes, hose, and nozzles should be standardized to at least some extent. It is the purpose of this report, therefore, to give in detail suggested arrangement of dust-allaying equipment in the hope that both manufacturers and mine officials will have available dust-allaying equipment with maximum efficiency to do the desired work."

Nov 1, 1945

By Gus Van Weert, Peter Kondos

"Ore sorting has been quite successful in providing a separation means in the rock size range of 1 to 6 inches; a range where mineral dressers do not have many options. The industrial minerals and recycling worlds have embraced this technology. However, ore sorting has not found wide application in the base or precious metals mining industry. One reason for this is thought to be the reliance of most sensors on rock surface characteristics, not very useful in case of sulphides, non-existing in case of gold. Microwave heating, however, is specific for sulphides and graphite (or carbonaceous matter) embedded in the rocks; washing or even drying does not appear necessary. Separation can be done afterwards by already existing ore sorting technology using infrared sensors. Test results on six Nevada gold ore samples are presented in detail. Some simple test procedures are also presented for those wishing to explore the microwave potential of sulphide sorting in their own operations.INTRODUCTIONMineral processing in the base metals industry most often involves upgrading of the ore, concentrating the valuable mineral fraction by classic methods, such as flotation. Since the liberation of minerals in the ore occurs mostly at or below the 100 micron level, the industry has been living with fault lines, so to speak, between blast hole spacing (10,000 mm), run-of-mine ore size (100 mm) and beneficiation size (0.1 – 0.01 mm). The acceptance of ore sorting will inevitably lead to the revisiting of the following questions: “Exactly how much below ore grade rock ends up in the mill because the geologists or the miners cannot define the resource boundaries more precisely? How can the economics of dilution be improved? How many ore grade rocks are lost with the overburden?”"

Jan 1, 2007

The mining industry is the largest source of foreign income for South Africa. It is also the main source of employment in the country and, as an industry; it is also one of the largest. Due to the labour-intensive nature of the industry, labour costs in South African mines make up nearly 50 per cent of the total mine cost. It is thus imperative to have optimum labour planning and labour management systems in place.The focus of this study was to investigate current underground labour-planning models. It is shown that there are serious limitations. The range between an oversupply and undersupply of labour can be as high as ten per cent. A new system was therefore developed to ensure a constant labour demand and supply on a daily basis. One of the main objectives was to determine the existing labour supply range and thus the requirements to fill the undersupply. For this purpose, a specific methodology was designed to capture and process all the relevant information. Mine personnel was involved throughout the entire process to ensure ownership of the new model. This buy-in was achieved through planning workshops, interactive presentations and discussions. The improved frequency of daily blasts validated the new system by providing the correct amount and mix of the labour force. The new labour-planning model was then extended to optimise revenue. Implementation on a mine resulted in increased income of R95 million.

Dec 6, 2010

By F. Habashi

The peninsula that lies between the Black and Mediterranean seas, called Asia Minor by the Romans and Anatolia by the Greeks, was one of the crossroads of ancient civilizations. The fall of Constantinople in 1453 was a turning point in the history of mankind. Visits to Istanbul, Ankara, Eskisehir, Cappadocia, and Trabzon will be given together with the history of the country. Mineral resources of the country will also be briefly outlined.

Feb 23, 2014

By Gary E. Sherman

This report presents a Bureau of Mines study on the cost of mine permitting and compliance with environmental regulations in Alaska. It discusses permitting requirements and procedures for placer and lode mines. Placer miners must comply with recently established (1988) water quality regulations and effluent treatment requirements. To estimate the impact differing treatment options (no recycle, 100% recycling, and flocculation) have on a placer mine's rate of return, three models (1,500, 1,000, and 500 yd3/d) were simulated. Rates of return for these models show a marked decrease as effluent treatment is increased. The incremental increase in operating cost from one treatment option to the next is relatively small; however the opportunity cost of lost production if' significant and accounts for the decreasing rate of return with increased effluent treatment. Lode mines face greater costs for permitting and compliance than similarly sized placer mines as a result of the impact of the operation. Direct permitting costs for lode mines range from 2 to 6% of total project cost, with 4% the most common figure cited by industry. Total costs for permitting and compliance are approximately double those for permitting. Indirect costs associated with compliance include mitigation, monitoring, and reclamation.

Jan 1, 1991

By M. I. Brasileiro

The use of experimental design to the study of mixtures has found a wide range of applications, even in laboratory scale or in industrial development works. The aim of this work was to maximize granite sawing waste content in ceramic tiles using experimental design. Based on the raw materials, specific formulations were developed using the experimental design. The raw materials were mixed and sample bodies were produced using uniaxial pressing. The sample bodies were fired and characterized in terms of water absorption, mechanical strength and X-ray diffraction. Regression models were adjusted relating the water absorption and mechanical strength with the amount of raw materials. The results showed that the methodology of experimental design maximize the content of wastes incorporated in ceramic tiles formulations. Formulations containing up to 40% of waste can be used for the production of ceramic tiles.

Jan 1, 2009

By E. E. Maust

The present work is part of an ongoing Bureau of Mines effort to provide a better understanding of the fundamental phenomena involved in sulfide flotation, the role of oxygen in xanthate adsorption being one essential issue. Galena was chosen as the material around which to develop a conceptual model, partly because of its demonstrated oxygen sensitivity and partly because information on its properties and flotation behavior constitutes the largest part of the fundamental information available on sulfides of commercial importance. The model is formulated primarily in terms of surface electronic energy levels produced by oxygen and xanthate and is further developed using existing experimental evidence and its implications. Four major functions of oxygen are elucidated, and the relationship of these to the formation of lead xanthate, dixanthogen, and a surface compound is discussed. Though yet incomplete, the model provides a useful framework within which the results of diverse experiments can be related to one another in their proper perspective, as shown by a brief discussion and resolution of some apparently discordant results reported in the literature.

Jan 1, 1976

By M. M. Singh, J. W. Brown

Three rocks of highly varied physical properties are selected for the first reported experimental study concerning microseismic activity of rock under tension to determine the effects of static fatigue, loading rate, repeated loading and rock anistropy compared to compression and bending loads. The microseismic method of detecting rock under deformation may be a great potential tool in surveillance and location in situ of dangerously stressed strata, as well as predicting rock failures. Noises emitted under load or the rate of energy (energy of noise pulses generated per unit time) are computed for varying conditions. The tests are conducted at constant load on a dead weight loading machine to eliminate all possible extraneous noises — an indispensable precaution — at various load levels. Experimental results are reported including the relation of total energy emitted to tensile strength of rock and the possibility of simulating a phenomenological model for microseismic activity. Plots of some of the experiments are included. INTRODUCTION Rock failure, whether on a large scale faulting in the earth's crust and rock bursts in mines, or on small scale ruptures of laboratory test specimens, generates transient vibrations in the rock mass. Mechanisms of intermittent deformation, such as twinning and cracking through and between mineral grains, also produce similar vibrations, but of very small amplitude. Such vibrations from both deformation and failure are referred to as microseismic activity, rock noise, or occasionally seismo-acoustical activity. An individual rock noise is sometimes

Jan 1, 1967

By Barry L. Warner

This program involves the evaluation of means for suppressing fires on underground coal mine conveyor belts. Full scale conveyor belt fire tests were conducted to determine the requirements of automatically actuated water sprinkler, high expansion foam, and multi-purpose dry powder extinguishing systems, and of various fire detection devices, necessary to adequately protect underground belt heads. The program included the development of a suitable MI scale conveyor belt test fire, conducting of fire tests in which extinguishing and detection systems and equipment were evaluated, and testing to evaluate the effects of the coal mine environment on detection equipment. Preliminary testing conducted to develop a suitable test fire revealed that fire can propagate on some conveyor belting classified as fire-resistant. New fire-resistant PVC and new non-fire resistant rubber belts were used in the full scale fire tests. These tests indicated that a single branch line sprinkler system with relatively low water pressure provides adequate belt head protection. High expansion foam and multi-"purpose dry powder extinguishing systems as presently specified by regulation were found to be suitable for belt head protection, although care is required with powder systems to assure adequate distribution. Thermal type detection devices were found to be most practical for conveyor belt protection, with combustion products and optical detection methods having serious disadvantages.

Jan 1, 1974

By John R. Reynolds

This paper describes mining and milling methods of the American Smelting & Refining Co. at the Morning mine in the Mullan area of the Coeur d'Alene mining region in Idaho and is one of a series of Bureau of Mines reports dealing with methods and costs of mining throughout the United States. The Morning mine has been described previously in a Bureau of Mines report published in 1930,2/ and the milling methods and costs at the Morning concentrator were presented in a Bureau of Mines report published in 1932. 3/ These reports are supplemented by this publication, which presents data to show the effect of changing times and conditions on a typical medium-size mining operation during the latter part of its history, when costs were rising and production was from increasingly greater depths. The report contrasts two periods in the history of the mine-periods not too far separated in years but considerably different in economic conditions. During the first period (1939) costs of labor and materials were moderate, mining operations were just being transferred from the main shaft to deeper workings opened from the offset shaft, and the operation prospered. During the second period (12 years later) production costs had increased following the national trend in all industry, mining was from greater depths near the bottom of the ore body, and the operation was becoming unprofitable. Mining on the lower levels of the property ceased in 1953.

Jan 1, 1956

This article focuses on TurkeyÆs gold potential with respect to exploration, development and operation after 1985. Apart from TurkeyÆs geology, which offers a substantial number of volcanic-associated gold (Ag) and gold-copper (Au-Cu) projects, there are numerous other factors which make the country a favourable place for mining. Turkey has a mining history which goes back to pre-Roman times and an excellent mining code which ensures security for long-term production. In the country, the Government and local villagers are very positive and the country works extremely well logistically with excellent road and telecommunication links. The opportunities for new discoveries in Turkey are very high. Moreover, Turkey has its eyes turned west as it moves towards joining the European Community and it is no surprise that international companies believe it has got its timing as well as its partner relationship right. Newmont, Teck Cominco, BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto, Eldorado Gold, etc all have direct or indirect interests in Turkey, as do an increasing number of midtier and junior exploration companies. Turkish Koza Gold Mining is the first Au producing company of Turkey. The Eldorado Gold owned 245 t Kisladag Au deposit in Western Turkey is currently also producing Au. In the meantime Anatolia Minerals Development is advancing the 131 t resource at the C÷pler Au deposit in North Eastern Turkey. These are significant world-class deposits. Further encouragement for investment in the Au mining sector has been provided by the introduction of a new mining law in 1985. Foreign investments in the country were encouraged and have seen a rapid increase in the last two decades. Gross domestic product (GDP) growth is in excess of five per cent per annum, inflation is down from 70 per cent to single figures, the budget deficit has been cut by 40 per cent to 11 per cent and industrial output and productivity are increasing rapidly. Turkey is politically and economically stable, is a member of the European Customs Union, has a supportive mining legislation, is highly prospective and under-explored and hosts significant recent gold discoveries.

Jan 1, 2007

By J. R. Allsup

Air pollutants in exhaust gas produced from LP-gas (propane) were studied using both laboratory engines and vehicles. The objective of the study was to evaluate engine parameters relating to the advantageous use of propane as a low-pollution fuel. Some comparisons are made between gasoline, natural gas, and propane. Results show that engines can operate over a wider range of A/F with minimum carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon emission when using propane than when using gasoline. Mixture enrichment using propane is unnecessary during cold starts, thereby eliminating the emission penalty during warmup. Carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon emission using propane are unaffected by ambient temperature. The photochemical reactivity of hydrocarbon emission is considerably lower with propane than with gasoline.

Jan 1, 1972

By T J. Sprott, Associates

A number of people have expressed concern, understandably, that if mining operations take place in the Coromandel, the flows of mineralised ground water which exist will be intercepted. This water in many cases contains toxic metals including mercury, arsenic and lead and it is thought that if this water is allowed to enter streams or the waters of the Hauraki Gulf, it could endanger natural marine life and possibly established fisheries. This paper seeks to explain in simple terms the geology and the process of deposition of the various mineral deposits in the ground, the chemistry of the reactions between these minerals and the rain water falling on the ground, the hydrology and behaviour of this mineralised groundwater as it moves through the ground until it eventually enters the sea.

Jan 1, 1981

By R. E. Old

Through the use of pressure and production records, formation properties and bottom-hole sample data, the performance of an oil reservoir may be studied analytically to define and evaluate the natural forces acting on and within the reservoir. Use is made of material-halance methods and the equations for natural water encroachment. to estimate reserves. Methods for calculation of pressures are given. A study of the Jones sand, Schuler field, Arkansas, has been made and is given here to illustrate the value of the methods discussed. Introduction With the decreasing rate of discovery of new oil reserves, attention is necessarily focused on the efficient development, evaluation, and production of existing reserves. From the nation's viewpoint, the necessity of conserving resources is obvious. From the operator's viewpoint, the problem is to lengthen the period of profitable operation, in an attempt to increase the return on his investment. To do this the operator must take advantage of the natural forces acting on and within the reservoir. Natural water encroachment, the nemesis of profitable operation in the past, can be and is being harnessed to produce a greater oil recovery during the stage of flowing production. Proper evaluation of water encroachment rates and a fuller under- standing of reservoir behavior dictate the appropriate production procedures. Complacency in hit and miss production is obsolete. Oil production must and will approach the efficiency of other businesses, such as manufacturing. A manufacturer will not place an article on the market until he has fully investigated the processes involved, additional investment in equipment, costs of production, and expected profits. These may be modified by actual experience at a later date, but at least he begins with an idea of expected return. It is just as logical that an oil operator should investigate these same factors during the development and the early period of production of an oil reserve. The complexity of the problems existing in oil reservoirs should not be underestimated. Conversely, they should not be regarded as insoluble. Many completely defy solution, but there are others that can be solved completely or attacked intelligently to yield approximate results. The petroleum engineer has many tools, both figuratively and literally, at his disposal. Physical data such as core analyses, electrical logs, bottom-hole sample analyses, and bottom-hole pressures are accumulated extensively. Advances in the analytics of fluid flow have kept pace with the advances in measurement of physical data. It is the purpose of this paper to show how some of these records may be analyzed to define certain phases of reservoir behavior.

Jan 1, 1943

By R. E. Old

Through the use of pressure and production records, formation properties and bottom-hole sample data, the performance of an oil reservoir may be studied analytically to define and evaluate the natural forces acting on and within the reservoir. Use is made of material-halance methods and the equations for natural water encroachment. to estimate reserves. Methods for calculation of pressures are given. A study of the Jones sand, Schuler field, Arkansas, has been made and is given here to illustrate the value of the methods discussed. Introduction With the decreasing rate of discovery of new oil reserves, attention is necessarily focused on the efficient development, evaluation, and production of existing reserves. From the nation's viewpoint, the necessity of conserving resources is obvious. From the operator's viewpoint, the problem is to lengthen the period of profitable operation, in an attempt to increase the return on his investment. To do this the operator must take advantage of the natural forces acting on and within the reservoir. Natural water encroachment, the nemesis of profitable operation in the past, can be and is being harnessed to produce a greater oil recovery during the stage of flowing production. Proper evaluation of water encroachment rates and a fuller under- standing of reservoir behavior dictate the appropriate production procedures. Complacency in hit and miss production is obsolete. Oil production must and will approach the efficiency of other businesses, such as manufacturing. A manufacturer will not place an article on the market until he has fully investigated the processes involved, additional investment in equipment, costs of production, and expected profits. These may be modified by actual experience at a later date, but at least he begins with an idea of expected return. It is just as logical that an oil operator should investigate these same factors during the development and the early period of production of an oil reserve. The complexity of the problems existing in oil reservoirs should not be underestimated. Conversely, they should not be regarded as insoluble. Many completely defy solution, but there are others that can be solved completely or attacked intelligently to yield approximate results. The petroleum engineer has many tools, both figuratively and literally, at his disposal. Physical data such as core analyses, electrical logs, bottom-hole sample analyses, and bottom-hole pressures are accumulated extensively. Advances in the analytics of fluid flow have kept pace with the advances in measurement of physical data. It is the purpose of this paper to show how some of these records may be analyzed to define certain phases of reservoir behavior.

Jan 1, 1943

By Enrui Dai, Weibing Chen, Bin Yang, Wenhui Ma, Haisheng Fang, Hui Wang

LiMn0.8Fe0.2PO4/C composite was prepared by an improved solid-state method and the effect of calcination temperature on properties of the obtained materials was investigated. The results showed that increasing calcination temperature from 600 to 700 oC improved the performance of the LiMn0.8Fe0.2PO4/C due to enhanced crystallinity and increased conductivity, but further increase in calcination temperature to 800 oC led to degraded performance due to particle growth and decrease in porosity. Therefore, the LiMn0.8Fe0.2PO4/C composite prepared at 700 oC exhibited the best electrochemical performance, and could deliver a high capacity of 152 mAh g−1 at 0.1 C, 147 mAh g−1 at 1 C and 114 mAh g−1 at 10 C. In addition, the performance of the LiMn0.8Fe0.2PO4/C and LiMn0.8Fe0.19Mg0.01PO4/C was compared when they were obtained at the optimum calcination temperature.

Jan 1, 2015

By J R. Lang, J K. Mortensen

The Canadian Cordillera contains numerous classic porphyry deposits and several unusual subtypes, including the alkaline suite of porphyry Cu-Au deposits and the Tombstone magmatic suite and associated Au¦W deposits. The alkaline suite formed in collisional settings in island arcs whereas the Tombstone suite was emplaced in an active fold and thrust belt in a continental arc. In addition to different regional settings, these suites differ in the type of underlying basement, metallogeny, and the styles of mineralization. Both magmatic suites were emplaced over short intervals, probably in response to specific tectonic events. In the case of the alkaline suite, the tectonic event promoted magmatic processes suitable for the formation of porphyry Cu-Au deposits. The tectonic environment is less well constrained for the Tombstone suite, but the result was the formation of distinctive porphyry and intrusion-related Au¦W deposits.

Jan 1, 1995

By William J. Campbell

Three types of X-ray analytical instrumentation were compared for applications in the secondary brass and bronze industry. The instruments were a conventional X-ray spectrograph, a portable X-ray spectrograph, and a radioiso-topic X-ray analyzer using balanced filters. The following two general applications were considered: Rapid identification for sorting scrap metals and quantitative analyses to provide guidance in the melting and casting of alloys. Twenty-three analyzed copper-base alloys were used as standards. Although the alloys varied widely in composition, matrix correction procedures were not necessary except for copper. The conventional X-ray spectrograph provides positive identification of the alloys and quantitative values for the six elements investigated--aluminum, copper, iron, lead, tin, and zinc. Equivalent results were obtained with the portable X-ray spectrograph for those elements whose characteristic X-rays are in the wavelength range of the instrument. The radioisotopic X-ray analyzer distinguishes certain groups of alloys and provides quantitative determinations for copper, lead, tin, and zinc. The sensitivity of the analyzer was marginal for the determination of small concentrations of elements of atomic number 26 or lower.

Jan 1, 1972