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By Y. P. Chugh

Additional field evaluations of a modified continuous miner using a new spray system and modified scrubbers have been conducted by the authors. In this demonstration, a comprehensive package for dust control on a continuous miner which included previously developed modifications to the scrubber, scrubber intakes and the innovative chassis spray system was demonstrated. Side-by-side comparisons of the modified miner and regular miner indicated that the miner operator with the modified miner was exposed to 62% less respirable dust. Ram car operators with the modified miner had 38% less respirable dust exposure and the return air on the modified miner had 19% less respirable dust. The mining conditions during side-by-side testing were very comparable. These results support the findings of the modified spray system studies conducted earlier at different mines in Illinois on four occasions and the modified scrubber system field evaluation studies.

Jan 1, 2009

By Mark DeSalvatore

Currently, at Caltrans, the Office of Structure Design is carrying out an extensive seismic retrofit program involving transportation structures throughout California. The goal of the retrofit program has been to upgrade existing transportation structures to meet the present seismic codes and anticipated loads that are generated during a seismic event Part of the retrofit program involves retrofitting existing structure foundations when required. To determine if the foundations of a specific structure need to be retrofitted, an engineering analysis of the existing foundations has to be done. If the engineering analysis of the structure foundations determines that the foundations will not meet the load carrying demands required by the structural engineer, the existing foundations are then retrofitted. The retrofit projects that require foundation modifications can be separated into two general cases. The first case comprises structures where the original designs will not meet the demands of the present seismic design code. In this case, the existing foundations are not capable of providing the load capacities the current seismic code requires. The second case consists of structures where the retrofitting of the superstructure will increase the required load carrying capacity of the existing foundations during a seismic event In this case, the anticipated load demands on the existing foundations are greater than the foundations are capable of providing. For either of the cases listed above, the present strategy for increasing the capacity of the existing structure foundation consists of installing tiedown anchors or large capacity piles to provide the required resistance to seisraically induced loads.

Jan 1, 1993

By Diler Katircioglu-Bayel, Oner Yusuf Toraman, Safak Gokhan Ozkan

One of the most energy-intensive processes for producing submicron range calcite is stirred media mill. In the present work, numerous operating parameters such as solid mass fraction, grinding media size, media filling ratio, and grinding time have been investigated using a vertical type stirred media mill. The results are evaluated on the basis of mean particle size, specific surface area, and specific energy consumption. After conducting this study, optimum experimental conditions found to be as 70% media filling ratio, 25% solid mass fraction, 1 mm grinding media size, and 120 min grinding time. Besides, energy savings up to 22% were achieved with the choice of proper media size.

By G. Deschênes

Following a successful investigation on the Central Zone sample, a cyanidation study was conducted on an ore sample from the AD-MW Zone of Clarence Stream Property, owned by Freewest Resources Canada, to develop a leaching strategy to extract gold. At a grade of 6.48 g/t, gold is present in the forms of aurostibite, free gold and electrum. The ore contains 4.3% berthierite/gudmundite, 1.3% pyrrhotite, 0.7% pyrite, 0.07% stibnite and 0.9% arsenopyrite. Similar to the Central Zone, the extraction of gold from the AD-MW Zone can be performed at atmospheric pressure, pH 10.5 and with a low concentration of cyanide. The grind size had no effect on gold extraction between a P80 of 28 to 71 µm. The oxygen and cyanide requirement significantly increased with a ?ner grind. Consequently, a very close control of cyanide addition is required to minimize passivation of gold. Lead nitrate, added in the pretreatment, increased the extraction of gold by 2.3%. Leaching at pH < 10 improved gold extraction but increased the cyanide consumption by 5%. Passivation of gold occurred when the pretreatment was longer than 2 hours. A longer pretreatment reduced the cyanide consumption by 5%. Mineralogical characterization of the leach residue with no gravity pretreatment prior to leaching indicated the presence of unleached gold grains and passivated gold grains. Removal of coarse gold by gravity increased the extraction by 2.8% (leach residue at 0.74 g/t Au). Increasing the DO to 16 ppm or the lead nitrate from 500 to 1,000 g/t increased the overall gold extraction to 90.4% (leach residue at 0.62 g/t), which is the maximum gold extraction obtained. The leaching parameters were 800 ppm NaCN, DO 16 ppm and pH 10.5 for a duration of 120 hours. The associated cyanide consumption was 4.0 kg/t. Gold leaching was not sensitive to cyanide concentration. Reducing the cyanide concentration to 250 ppm resulted in a gold extraction of 89.5% with a cyanide consumption of 2.6 kg/t.

Jan 1, 2009

By D. C. Bailey, D. I. Hodson

Paper presented at the annual joint meeting of the IMM and IMinE held in Harrogate, 31 January 1991. The Neves-Corvo copper-tin mine is the highest-grade large-tonnage copper operation in the world and is now arguably the most significant producing base-metal mine in Europe, rating in the top ten world producers of both copper and tin. A description is given of the initial exploration work and the development of the project from the orebody discovery in the Iberian Pyrite Belt of southern Portugal in 1977 to full operating capacity in 1990. The chronological account includes discussion of the main organisational, financial, technical and environmental decisions and of the various difficulties encountered, and the challenges of the future are identified. The project was brought in on schedule and within budget

Jan 1, 1991

By R. E. Chaney

This report summarizes the research on the Strategic and Critical Materials Program tasks conducted at the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory (INEL) between Mdy 1983 and April 1984. The work is divided into two areas: 1. Production Technologies - Tasks directed at developing advanced extraction technologies ? Biologically-Assisted Minerals Processing ? Metal/Gas Reactions and Thermal Plasmas ? Dehydration of Aluminum Chloride Hexahydrate. 2. Conservation/Substitution Technologies - Tasks directed toward establishing the technical processing base which will permit the use of advanced materials ? Joining of Rapidly Solidified Alloys (RSA) ? Joining of Silicon Nitride-Based Ceramics ? Nondestructive Evaluation of Ceramic and RSA Joints and Materials.

Jan 1, 1984

In spite of the many contributions that have been made to our knowledge of the creep properties of polycrystalline lead, the precise influence of various factors on these properties is not yet fully understood. Indeed, the position is such that several important points in connection with the creep of lead are a matter of controversy. This has been brought about largely by the fact that, in the case of lead, the changes that are produced in the creep behaviour by slight variations of such factors as the purity, grain sizeand previous treatment are out of all proportion to the magnitude of these variations.In order to study the fundamental properties of lead as related to creep, and so gain a more enlightened perspective with which to consider the creep of lead in general, the work that is described in a series of papers, of which the present paper is the third part, has been carried out. It deals with lead in the form of single crystals.It has been shown (1) - (3) that the grain boundaries as well as the actual grains play a part in the creep of polycrystalline lead. The present work, by eliminating grain boundaries, enables the. contribution of the grains themselves to the process of creep, in other words, crystalline creep, to be studied effectively.This object was, possibly, the major one in this work.

Jan 1, 1940

By Michael A. Knott

Large lateral forces on bridge foundations due to extreme events such as vessel collisions, earthquakes, and wave forces on storm surges during hurricane events are often the controlling design condition for bridge foundations. A review of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) vessel collision analysis and design codes used in the United States for highway bridges will be presented. The paper includes the background and development of the AASHTO Guide Specification and Commentary for Vessel Collision Design of Highway Bridges (1991) and vessel collision provisions of the AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications (3rd Edition 2004 and the approved 2005 Interims). Experience in using the AASHTO codes will be discussed and observations on the adequacy and gaps, comparison with the European Standard Code, and recommendations for immediate and long term needs will be presented.

Jan 1, 2013

By A. U. Miller

"Ventilation is one of the meet important factors in mining, although until recent years less thought has probably been given to effective ventilation than to any other one phase of mining. In the past, very little, if any, attention was given air courses until they became so constricted by falls that the volume of air was greatly reduced; and, in addition, the stoppings and doors were so poorly constructed that only a very small percentage of air reached the face workings.As a matter of fact, mines have been visited where the volume of air being circulated in certain sections was much larger than in others, and where the management was striving to increase the flow of air in those sections with the least air current, believing the ventilation to be deficient. After sampling and analyzing the return air from the various sections in such mines it has been found that the quality of the air in certain places with the largest flow was more impure than in some of those with the least flow.In past years, practically all mine fans were operated by steam-driven engines supplied with steam from the mire boiler plant. No check was made on the steam consumption or the power cost of operating the fan, therefore the management had very little if any definite information as to cost of ventilating the mine.With the increased use of electrically-driven equipment in mines electricity is being used more and more to drive mine ventilating fans, and since in many instances the current is purchased from central power plants operators have come to realize that in many cases the cost of operating the fans is very high. Some engineers estimate that it ranges from 20 to 50 per cent of the total power cost of the mine. This information, together with the fact that mines are now being developed on a larger scale, requiring larger quantities of air for the men to dilute the gases liberated, has caused the large progressive companies to make, a more comprehensive study of mine ventilation, resulting in a decided improvement in the quality and quantity of air at the face workings, as well as reducing materially the ventilating costs."

Oct 1, 1930

By Mike Fabius

The Lakehead Region Conservation Authority is responsible for slopes along the Kaministiquia River, one of the largest tributaries to Lake Superior in Canada. After arresting toe erosion for a mile of riverbank, the remainder of the slope required stabilization to stop further crest regression and to protect the houses, street and services at the top. Stabilization of the 100 ft. high slope was tendered as design-build with a target safety factor of 1.3 and a design life of 75 years. The successful bid was a system of 1.4 inch diameter soil nails up to 40 feet long, installed perpendicular to the slope on a 3 to 5 foot grid. The conventional shotcrete facing was replaced with a ?green? biotechnical facing and special transverse plate heads on the nails. The key to keeping costs low proved to be installation with light equipment working on the slope, and driving the nails without drilling or grouting. Rather than tension, the design was based on bending in the nails, similar to a laterally loaded flexible pile. The paper describes the design and installation of this innovative system. The design is discussed in terms of soil properties, nail resistance as it varies with depth, failure modes, corrosion protection, root design and nail head design. Construction challenges are discussed. The system is compared to an adjacent anchored soldier pile wall built along the same slope 20 years ago. Post construction monitoring results confirm predicted performance.

Jan 1, 2006

By J. D. Steenkamp

Southern Africa has a history rich in the pyrometallurgical processing of ores. Two of the alloys produced are high-carbon ferromanganese (74?83 per cent Mn) and silicomanganese (59?67 per cent Mn and 14?31 per cent Si). The largest land-based manganese ore deposit in the world is based in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa. In 2010, 6.3 Mt of ore from the deposit was exported, mainly to China, Norway, Japan, and India, and an estimated 1.1 Mt beneficiated locally to produce manganese ferroalloys. In southern Africa the producers of manganese ferroalloys are Metalloys and Assmang, and of silicomanganese Transalloys, Mogale Alloys, and Match Corporation. Submerged arc furnace technology is utilized in the production of high-carbon ferromanganese (HCFeMn) and silicomanganese, applying the discard slag practice in both instances. The carbon content of HCFeMn is reduced using converter technology and that of SiMn using the Perrin process. Ninety per cent of the world?s manganese ferroalloys production is consumed by the steel industry. The consumption (and production) of manganese ferroalloys therefore closely follows worldwide steel production. From 2001 to 2010, the doubling of the worldwide production of manganese ferroalloys can be attributed to an increase in production capacity in Asia and Oceania, with the largest increase in the production of SiMn. Manganese ferroalloys produced in Asia and Oceania are mainly for the local market, with North America, Europe, Russia, and Turkey the major markets for alloys from southern Africa. The major challenges faced by the southern African manganese ferroalloy producers are increasing electricity tariffs and productivity of labour, which require a concerted effort by all parties involved to achieve a satisfactory solution. Keywords manganese ferroalloys, ferromanganese, silicomanganese, southern Africa, South Africa, manganese ore, high-carbon ferromanganese, refined ferromanganese, refined silicomanganese.

Aug 1, 2013

By Eti Purwaningsih, Widi Astuti, Erik Prasetyo

Selective-reductive leaching of manganese from low-grade manganese ore using tannic acid as a reductant in acidic media was demonstrated by XRD, SEM-EDX characterization, and batch leaching studies at room temperature. The pH change in the liquid phase before and after leaching revealed that selectivity of manganese over iron was due to the hydrolysis of iron. The acidity in the liquid phase during leaching was dictated by two mechanisms: proton-consuming reaction (manganese oxide reduction by tannic acid) and proton-producing reaction (ferric ion reduction by tannic acid to produce ferrous ion). Based on the leaching studies, the more prevalent reaction between these two was determined by initial leaching conditions: tannic acid concentration, sulfuric acid concentration, liquid-solid ratio, temperatures, and agitation time. Kinetic studies revealed that maximum recovery was attained within 6-h agitation, which indicated a product layer diffusion process.

By Eti Purwaningsih, Widi Astuti, Erik Prasetyo

Selective-reductive leaching of manganese from low-grade manganese ore using tannic acid as a reductant in acidic media was demonstrated by XRD, SEM-EDX characterization, and batch leaching studies at room temperature. The pH change in the liquid phase before and after leaching revealed that selectivity of manganese over iron was due to the hydrolysis of iron. The acidity in the liquid phase during leaching was dictated by two mechanisms: proton-consuming reaction (manganese oxide reduction by tannic acid) and proton-producing reaction (ferric ion reduction by tannic acid to produce ferrous ion). Based on the leaching studies, the more prevalent reaction between these two was determined by initial leaching conditions: tannic acid concentration, sulfuric acid concentration, liquid-solid ratio, temperatures, and agitation time. Kinetic studies revealed that maximum recovery was attained within 6-h agitation, which indicated a product layer diffusion process.

By Rafael C. Castro

As part of its risk management plan, the South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority (RWA) is assessing the condition of its system of raw water conveyance tunnels and connecting pipelines. In 2006, the RWA inspected one of the system?s main tunnels, a 4-mi, 1950s-era tunnel that had not been inspected since its construction. The inspection team prepared extensively for the unknown conditions in the tunnel, and the inspection was completed safely and successfully. This paper describes the team?s pre-entry preparations, dewatering and ventilation efforts, surface-to-tunnel communication, access, physical inspection of the tunnel, and the lessons learned throughout the process. Additionally, this paper will preview planning for the subsequent inspections.

Jan 1, 2008

By D R. Peacor, J L. Mauk

Dioctahedral clay minerals in the volcanic-hosted Golden Cross epithermal Au deposit, New Zealand, have been investigated by petrography, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy/analytical electron microscopy (TEM/AEM) to determine the nature of these minerals in a hydrothermal ore deposit. Heterogeneity in the distribution of dioctahedral clays is observed from the hand-specimen scale to the TEM scale, indicating that primary rock textures and fluid pathways (related to rock type, porosity/permeability and fluid/rock ratios), in addition to temperature, are important factors controlling the distribution. As the proportion of illite in mixed-layer illite/smectite (I/S) decreases, TEM observations show decreasing layer stacking order, parallelism of packets, and packet size, and increasing apparent porosity. AEM structural data show a corresponding decrease in AlIV, AlVI, and K+, and an increase in Si, Ca2+, and Fetotal. The observations of this study indicate that local dioctahedral clay mineral reaction progress is controlled mainly by permeability and structure, but that this is superimposed on a predictable, system-wide clay mineral distribution that is controlled by temperature and fluid/rock ratio.

Jan 1, 1999

By W. D. Northrop

This paper gives an account of the development of a technique whereby the vertical limits of geological horizons may be identified by the use of vertical variograms on the mineral of economic interest. This information may supplement or guide the correct subdivision of the individual horizons into meaning full data sets by diligent geological observation. This process then improves the quality of the variance modelling of the gold distribution in the plane of the individual layers and therefore enables better estimates to be made into the grids or blocks of the mine model. The technique is explained by an account of the development work, which was performed, on duplicate superimposed reef horizons in the Kimberley formations. The paper then shows how the correct approach was developed to evaluate the mineralized layers in a multiple stacked conglomerate layer sequence in the Elsburg reefs of the Witwatersrand Rand System at the Target deposit. The method of categorization of resources according to confidence in the estimate is also explained. The feasibility processes carried out on the three-dimensional model, in accordance with the SAMREC code are also described. An example of the development of a reconciliation process utilizing chip sampling is also explained.

Jan 1, 2003

Particles of a complex nickel sulphide concentrate (containing pyrite, pyrrhotite, pentIandite, and violarite as the major mineralogical constituents) were entrained in a stream of hot gas the temperature of which was varied from 500 to -1000&#176;C. Chemical analysis of the particulates collected from the furnace was used to detect the rapid change in sulphur content which accompanied the ignition temperature jump. X-ray diffraction analysis was used to characterize the oxidized material.These techniques showed that ignition was dependent on the mineralogical composition and occurred over the temperature range 500-900&#176;C. Pyrite ignited first in the range 500-600&#176;C; pyrrhotite was the least reactivemineral and required temperatures in excess of 800&#176;C for ignition. The nickel minerals &lt;pentIandite and violarite decomposed before ignition and ignited at temperatures intermediate to those required for the pyrite and pyrrhotite. The ignition temperature for the pyrite was found to be independent of particle size and concentration of oxygen in the atmosphere.Ignition temperatures determined by the simulated flash smelting method were compared with the results of differential thermal analysis (DTA) measurements performed on the same concentrate. Temperaturesdetermined in the DTA test as corresponding to the start of exothermic activity were shown to be at least 100&#176;C below those determined by the simulation test.

Jan 1, 1978

By Richard D. Begley

This paper summarizes the development of a mechanistic model to predict longwall mining induced surface subsidence. The model was originally developed from data acquired from a recent field study conducted in Northern West Virginia. Additional data has been collected from published sources and used to refine the model. The original model utilizes a negative exponential equation to predict the subsidence profile after the maximum possible subsidence is predicted based on the following input parameters: mine geometry, angle of draw and expansion factors for the deformation zones that have been identified above a longwall excavation. The model refinement involved the development of relationships between physical properties of the overburden strata and angle of draw in addition to the expansion or bulking factors. Therefore the refined model now requires only mine geometry and a typical geologic column from the site to predict the subsidence profile. This paper provides the methodology that enables the model to determine the angle of draw and expansion factors breed on physical properties of the site geology i. e. percent of strong rock and Rock Quality Designation of the overburden strata. In addition :comparisons of predicted results with measured data for over H) different sites with various geological and geometrical parameters located throughout the United States will be presented.

Jan 1, 1989

By A. Dave Mackintosh

In 2001, at the CIM AGM in Quebec, a paper discussing poor ground conditions in a newly opened area at Agrium?s Vanscoy Potash Operation?s, suggested load transfer around old workings as a possible reason for the early room failure. High closure rates are expected in deeper regions however the rapid failure of walls immediately behind the face resulted in protective guards being mounted on and behind the borer. The high closure and early rib failure continued well past any reasonable distance to be explained by load transfer around old workings and investigations continued into possible reasons other than simply depth. Detailed investigations into the mineralogy and crystal fabric of the ore zone provided one possibility, which combined with a changed borer cutting profile are now believed to have contributed greatly to the poor conditions.

Apr 1, 2005

By H. S. Benson

This report documents, from concept through field testing, the pan scraper Wheel Slip Monitor. The function of this device is to instantly warn the scraper operator of wheel slip and thus enable him to take immediate corrective action. Knowledgeable pan scraper people recognize that the preponderance of scraper tire damage and wear occurs during useless wheel slip when the scraper operator attempts to increase machine draft beyond what traction will allow. The resultant shortened tire life has become very expensive. The Wheel Slip Monitor reported here provides the means for relieving the scraper operator of attempting to judge wheel slip on tires he cannot see. Direct and intuitively understandable audible and flashing light warnings tell the scraper operator which wheel is slipping and also indicate the relative magnitude of the slip. Beside the Wheel Slip Monitor&apos;s patent utility as a real time operator aid, it has unique potential for application to extended term wheel slip history acquisition under field conditions. This information has never been easily available and it promises practical value in pan scraper management.

Jan 1, 1983