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By S. Onuki, T. Ando, M. Tejima, R. Enomoto, Y. Okada

"Al–Si–Cu–Mg die casting alloys are widely used in the automotive industry, and recent advancements in high pressure die casting technology enable heat treating products to achieve desirable properties. However, CO2emissions associated with die-casting production lines should be reduced to address the global warming issue. In this study, the relation between the microstructures and thermal stability of precipitates formed during isothermal aging at 423, 485, and 558 K of Al-11.0 mass%Si-1.8 mass%Cu-0.2 mass% Mg (JIS ADC12) was investigated using Vickers hardness tests and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The hardness tests and TEM results showed that Si compounds and Al–Cu compounds enhanced the mechanical properties of the alloy and that the predominant compound affecting the mechanical properties differed between specimens treated at 423 K and those treated at 558 K. Moreover, additional aging at 423–458 K resulted in a material with a Vickers hardness higher than that of the isothermally single-aged material. Differential scanning calorimetry, differential elemental analysis, and selected-area diffraction analysis using TEM suggested that the combination of Al–Cu compounds precipitated at low aging temperatures and Si compounds precipitated during preliminary aging increased the mechanical strength, resulting in a maximum hardness of 130 HV.INTRODUCTIONAl–Si–Cu–Mg die casting alloys have well-balanced mechanical properties, machinability, and cast ability. These alloys are therefore widely used in the automotive industry because of their superior characteristics, accounting for>90% of the aluminum used in die casting production. As a substitute for iron-based materials, these alloys have contributed to the development of lightweight vehicles.Dong et al. (2014) reported that the heat treatment of die casting materials is effective for changing their dimensions under high temperatures as a result of the precipitation of solid-solution elements. Recent advancements in high pressure die casting technology have led to the application of heat treatments of Al–Si–Cu–Mg alloy products to reduce fuel consumption and satisfy customer needs. Although attempts to reduce CO2emissions have focused on fuel consumption in cars and fuel efficiency regulations have become increasingly strict in recent years, CO2discharged from production lines should also be reduced without adversely affecting the properties of the product. Heat treatments for artificial aging after solution treatment (T6 treatment) and after casting (T5 treatment) are CO2discharge sources, which together with a holding furnace account for >80 % of the CO2discharged during the casting process."

Jan 1, 2018

By O. Alonso-Gonzalez, F. Nava-Alonso, A. Uribe-Salas, R. Pérez-Garibay, C. Jimenez-Velasco

A current problem in gold production is the presence of copper minerals which dissolve during conventional cyanidation practice. The dissolved copper causes several problems in the different stages of the process. This issue is the base for copper elimination/recovery methods such as the Sulphidization, Acidification, Recycling, and Thickening (SART) process, which is currently used in gold production plants around the world. Even though the process is well established, new challenges appear as the composition of the solution varies from ore to ore, in some circumstances affecting the performance of the SART process. This work presents a thermodynamic study and experimental tests performed to understand the role of the initial copper concentration and sulfur addition, on the efficiency of the copper removal. For a constant cyanide concentration, an increase in the initial copper concentration causes a decrease in copper removal; high sulfur/copper molar ratios favor copper removal. We demonstrated that the cuprous sulfide formed from solutions with high ionic strength, presents better sedimentation rates than solutions with less ionic strength. For solutions with low sedimentation rates, the use of some pretreatment is necessary to facilitate the sedimentation such as addition of flocculants, particle recirculation and the used ultrasonic pretreatment.

Jan 1, 2014

By Matthew Violot

Vale Canada?s Birchtree Mine, located in Thompson Manitoba, has been experiencing problems with hanging wall / footwall dilution, as well as sloughing off of adjacent stopes and temporary stope block backs. Birchtree Mine is interested in determining how time affects the stability of their open stope blocks. Many factors simultaneously influence open stope stability (rock mass quality, joint condition, stress condition). This makes it challenging to determine the influence of a single parameter such as exposure time or stand-up time. This study focuses on determining the effect of exposure time on open stope dilution and combines stress analysis and empirical based approaches.

Jun 1, 2012

By W. Schubert, N. Radoncic

"The term “squeezing” is frequently used, although it is ill defined. Definitions like “large and long lasting displacements” raise the questions about the threshold values for the magnitude and duration of displacements. Large displacements during tunnelling frequently are observed in fault zones with high overburden. Whether this causes problems very much depends on the design approach used. On the one hand, the magnitude of expected displacements has to be predicted prior to excavation to provide for enough allowance for the displacements without violating the clearance profile. On the other hand, the support characteristics must be compatible with the expected imposed strains. As the magnitude of the displacements and thus the strains in the support depend on the support capacity and its characteristic (yielding potential), only well engineered systems will be successful.Experience in Alpine tunnels over the last decades has shown that closed shotcrete linings can sustain a strain of approximately 0.8% to 1% without failure. Any strain above this value inevitably leads to failure of the lining, and thus a loss of resistance, causing additional displacements. Based on a large number of simulations, a criterion for a critical overburden depth up to which closed linings can be used has been developed. Traditionally open gaps in the shotcrete linings have been used to allow for larger strains. To enhance the efficiency of the linings, yielding elements have been developed, which are integrated in the shotcrete lining, allowing large strains and controlled development of support resistance (Figure 2). When designing such yielding support systems, the development of the displacements, as well as the rheological behaviour of the supports must be considered. As the development of displacements to a large extent depends on the face advance, also the advance rate has to be considered, to be able to compare the time-dependent strength of the lining to the stresses developing as a result of the imposed strains. Another issue is the compatibility of the rock bolts with the large strains. With standard grouted bolts, there is a potential that the “fresh” grout is sheared due to the initially large strain rates. Special rib designs of the bolts allow for a higher strain tolerance.For successful tunnelling through fault zones quality monitoring and up-to-date data evaluation is of crucial importance. With advanced evaluation tools, changes in the ground conditions ahead of the face can be reliably predicted. With the help of empirical relations, the development of the displacements for different advance rates and supports can be predicted, allowing for the determination of the required overexcavation.The paper presents a review of the development of ductile elements, methods of analysis, and monitoring data interpretation."

Jan 1, 2015

By C. L. Belyk

There are fifteen accepted types of uranium ore deposits and at least forty subtypes readily identified around the world. Each deposit type has a unique geological model which may also have unique processing implications. Primary uranium production in the past decade has come from a handful of these deposit types: unconformity, sandstone, calcrete, intrusive, breccia complex and volcanic. Processing implications for each of the fifteen deposit types can vary widely between and within different geological models. Some key characteristics of uranium deposits that may have processing implications include: ore grade, uranium and gangue mineralogy ? including clay and carbonate species and content, hardness, porosity, uranium mineral morphology, and carbon content. Processing roadblocks may occur as a result of one or more of these characteristics for any of the fifteen deposit types. Future technological advances and innovative thinking around uranium ore processing could provide avenues for roadblock removal setting the stage for additional and economically-viable uranium production from traditional and non-traditional uranium ore deposits.

Aug 1, 2010

By M-A. Thibault, C. Gauthierand, J-P. Gagné, J-Y. Carrier, P. Rochette, G. Dufour

"Anodes consumed in the electrolytic process for the production of primary aluminium are considered consumables. They need to be replaced at regular intervals of approximately one month. The so-called anode butts which are removed from the cells contain the metal supports (rods), cast iron thimbles, crust and residual carbon material. Cleaning is required to remove the waste material before the rods are fitted with new anodes. An inspection is required to ascertain if repairs to the rods are necessary. Presently, this inspection is carried out visually. ST AS, in 2004 in collaboration with Alcoa Deschambault, initiated a project to develop an automated inspection system. The objectives were to find a technical solution to perform these functions with a very simple system. Such a system was designed around ""artificial vision"". The inspection system developed uses only one fixed camera and does not require a separate step in the process for the anode rod assembly to perform the inspection. This paper presents the initial steps of the work performed to develop the equipment and software as well as a summary of the results obtained."

Jan 1, 2006

By C. Díaz, A. D. Dalvi, C. E. O'Neill

"Roast-reduction smelting (RRS) of nickel concentrate, combined with flash smelting of copper concentrate, was one of the process options that Inco considered as a means of meeting its 1994 sulphur dioxide abatement target at its Copper Cliff operations. RRS involves deep roasting the nickel concentrate in fluid bed roasters. The roaster off-gas is treated in a sulphuric acid plant, and the low sulphur calcine is reduction smelted with coke in an electric furnace to yield a sulphur-deficient matte. The latter material is converted to Bessemer matte in Peirce-Smith converters, with minimal evolution of sulphur dioxide, and the converter slag is reverted to the electric furnace. Excellent nickel and cobalt recoveries (Ire obtained. This paper discusses the development of RRS, including extensive commercial scale testing at Inco's Thompson Smelter, and its key operating parameters. IntroductionReduction of sulphur dioxide emissions has been a long-standing endeavour at Inco. At the company's Ontario Division, as shown in Figure 1, sulphur dioxide emissions were reduced from about 2 million to 685 000 tonnes per year over the period 1970-1985. Most of this impressive improvement was the result of a sustained research effort which led to increased rejection of pyrrhotite from the ore during milling while maintaining an acceptable nickel recovery. Between 1970 and 1985, the combined grade of the separate nickel and copper concentrates feeding the Copper Cliff Smelter increased from about 10070 to about 'lIJ0J0 Cu +Ni and the combined S/(CU +Ni) ratio decreased from about 2.8 to 1.65."

Jan 1, 1994

By W. Lodge, G. Rasmussen

"The carbon-in-pulp (CIP) process has been the dominant gold recovery technology since the 1980s. During all this time carbon measurement, and control of the carbon transfer pumps has been largely manual in nature. Such manual operation inevitably limits process efficiency, potentially resulting in higher gold solution losses, and higher cost of circuit operation. Based on the authors’ experience, average plant solution loss is in the range of 0.02-0.03 ppm Au, as opposed to the general industry target of 0.01 ppm Au or less. Gekko Systems, in conjunction with Curtin University’s Gold Technology Group, has developed a carbon concentration meter, the ‘Carbon Scout’ meter. The meter automatically measures carbon concentration in all tanks, providing more frequent and more precise data. Combined with SIMCIL, a CIP circuit process model which is used to determine the optimum set points for the circuit, the meter should ensure lower gold solution losses, and more efficient operation of the carbon circuit. This paper will review they critical factors for good carbon management, the development of the meter and results from the first plant installation. Additional benefits of the Carbon Scout, including improved health and safety and the opportunity to measure other key variables in the leach/adsorption circuit from one central location will also be described.INTRODUCTION The carbon-in-pulp (CIP) process was first introduced to the gold industry in the early 1950s at the Carlton Mill in the USA (Fast, 1988), with the modern version of CIP becoming fully developed with large scale installations in South Africa in the late 1970s (Laxen, 1982). CIP quickly became the technology of choice for new operations, and for the retrofitting or upgrading of existing operations. In the 1980s the carbon-in-leach (CIL) circuit configuration became the process design of choice due mainly to its lower capital costs. With 40 years of operational experience, CIP/CIL for gold recovery is now mature a technology, whose operations and limitations are well understood. To extract further efficiencies from such technologies, by improving recoveries and/or reducing operating costs, is challenging and may require new approaches to circuit management. Gekko Systems, in association with the Gold Technology Group at Curtin University, has developed the Carbon Scout, an automated carbon measurement device. This device replaces manual measurement of carbon concentration in carbon adsorption tanks, providing more frequent and more accurate data for control of the CIP process. Data from the Carbon Scout can be used to automatically control the carbon forwarding pumps."

Jan 1, 2018

Strips of AA6111 automotive alloy were cast on a horizontal single belt strip casting simulator, Pure copper and carbon steels substrates plasma sprayed with different coatings for improving the strip surface quality, were used as chill moulds, Experimental studies revealed that a graphite coating provided the greatest benefit in achieving good surface quality. The interfacial heat fluxes during solidification of AA6111 strip were calculated by the IHCP method (Inverse Heat Conduction Problem). Temperature variations and cooling rates within the strips were then calculated through numerical simulations based on the time-dependent heat fluxes obtained by IHCP, The effects of casting parameters, including casting temperature and strip thickness, on interfacial heat fluxes, cooling rates and microstructures, were investigated, Although the maximum interfacial heat fluxes on the chill copper substrate were much higher than the results obtained from the steel substrates, the solidification times of the melts were mainly determined by strip thickness. Very fine equi-axed grains were obtained for both 1.2mm and 2.5mm thick strips thanks to the rapid extraction of heat, and effective grain refinement.

Jan 1, 2005

By J. W. Cox, W S. Jones, A E. Chase

For a long time the Oil Industry has been looking for a logging tool which can determine the quality of the cement job behind casing. Older methods such as Temperature Surveys and Radioactivity Surveys might detect the presence of cement behind the casing, but short of production tests, it was impossible to tell that the producing zones were adequately sealed off from adjacent zones. A new logging method, which is called the •Cement Bond Log, operates on the principle that a sonic pulse transmitted by the casing is greatly attenuated when the casing is strongly bonded to an outer annulus such as cement. The down-hole tool consists of a source of sonic energy which is detected by a receiver situated a few feet away from the source. The amplitude of the detected energy is measured and the resulting signal transmitted to the surface where it is recorded versus depth. Amplitude is a function of attenuation and thus the log is readily interpreted.

Jan 1, 1961

By LeRoy A. Thorssen

The use of lightweight aggregate as a constituent of concrete is not a recent development. Pumice was used by the early Romans, in pozzolana cement concretes, in the construction of many of their works. However, the recent development of manufactured lightweight aggregates, such as the expanded shales, vermiculite and perlite, has created a possible use for a whole new group of Portland cement concretes. Concrete can now be produced with unit weights ranging from 30 to 150 pounds per cubic foot and with various insulating, fireproofing, acoustical and structural properties. The tonnage of such materials being used has increased considerably in each of the past ten years, and can be expected to increase for the next several years as availability of the aggregates becomes more widespread and the properties of such concretes become more thoroughly investigated and more generally known. LIGHTWEIGHT aggregates of many types have become avail-able to the construction industry in most localities on this continent

Jan 1, 1963

By Sergio Bustos

A significant expansion project is under way at KATCO?s Torkuduk In Situ Leaching (ISL) operation to increase uranium production up to about 4000 tU/year. Higher flows and lower uranium concentration are expected in the rich solutions coming from the well fields. Therefore, extra adsorption and elution columns and modified operating conditions are required to deal with the increased demand for uranium transfer from the ISL solutions to the eluate solution, which goes to the uranium precipitation section. Resin adsorption and elution performance have been interpreted and projected by using Mac Cabe-Thiele equilibrium diagrams. The resin load, the adsorption mass transfer coefficient, the adsorption zone height and the eluate concentration have been estimated for the expected changing operating conditions associated to the future mine plan. This information has allowed to improve the present operation results and to define the main process design criteria for the expansion project.

Aug 1, 2010

By T Nakamura, M. Itoh

Most of the used cathode ray tube (CRT) glass in Japan, which contains lead oxide, was exported and recycled in overseas factories of new CRTs. However, domestic treatment and recycling of waste CRT glass has become necessary because overseas CRT factories have shut down and exports of CRT glass have stopped. Some of the waste CRT glass recycled domestically is charged in lead blast furnaces instead of silica flux, because there is no local reproduction route for glass that contains lead. However, the mass of CRT glass that can be treated in this manner is limited because of its high silica content. Consequently, additional treatment methods for waste CRT glass are required so that more can be used as a lead smelting material. In this study, waste CRT glass was treated with hydrofluoric acid to dissolve the silica contained in the glass, and the dissolved lead was recovered by precipitation. Lead metal was recovered by electrodeposition from the prepared hexafluorosilicic acid solution.

Jan 1, 2011

The concept and practices of co-extraction of coal and methane have emerged in recent years to improve coal mining safety and productivity, utilise methane resources, and reduce fugitive emissions in environments that involve multiple coal seams with low gas permeability. The system of co-extraction integrates two previously separate operations of coal extraction and methane drainage. The coal mining operation reduces the coal seam gas pressure and creates strata fractures that enhance gas migration and capture from mine workings and surrounding coal seams. An effective methane drainage operation produces a consistent and quality clean energy product and, at the same time, reduces the methane concentration in underground workings and the methane content and pressure in the adjacent coal seams. This is a significant benefit in preventing gas explosions and outbursts, and promotes a safer and more productive coal mining environment. In addition, the co-extraction with enhanced utilisation of coal mine methane directly leads to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Presented in this paper are key results and outcomes of a major Asia Pacific Partnership project carried out from 2008?2012 by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation in collaboration with Huainan Mining Industry (Group) Co. Ltd., to develop and demonstrate advanced technologies at Pansan mine, Huainan, that promote the concept and practices of co-extraction of coal and methane. A comprehensive approach was adopted to assess fundamental strata and coal seam methane conditions during mining, and optimise mining sequences and coal mine methane capture systems. The project has not only demonstrated a practical approach and procedures of advanced co-extraction of coal and methane systems but also delivered significant benefits and outcomes in improved mining safety and efficiency, increased methane capture and utilisation, and reduced fugitive methane emissions at the Pansan mine. The total mine gas drained increased from 25.36 Mm3 in 2007 to 47.0 Mm3 in 2011, and the mine gas utilisation increased from 4.94 Mm3 in 2007 to 21.15 Mm3 in 2011. The improved methane capture resulted in reduced coal and gas outburst risks and methane concentration levels at the mine workings, provided a safe working environment for coal production, boosted the mining efficiency, and eliminated methane related incidents over the last few years at Pansan mine.

Aug 1, 2013

By K. Waters, A. Navarra, T. Grammatikopoulos

Strategic decisions to develop a mineral deposit are subject to geological uncertainty, due to the sparsity of drill core samples. The selection of metallurgical equipment is especially critical, since it restricts the processing options that are available to different ore blocks, even as the nature of the deposit is still highly uncertain. Current approaches for long-term mine planning are successful at addressing geological uncertainty, but do not adequately represent alternate modes of operation for the mineral processing plant, nor do they provide sufficient guidance for developing processing options. Nonetheless, recent developments in stochastic optimization and computer data structures have resulted in a framework that can integrate operational modes into strategic mine planning algorithms. A logical next step is to incorporate geometallurgical models that relate mineralogical features to plant performance, as described in this paper.

Jan 1, 2017

By G. K. Herzog

THE problems relating to the construction and use o{ mining equipment are basically the same as those pertaining to equipment in other industries. It is true that much mining equipment is subjected to an unusually severe combination of shock, high stresses, abrasive wear, and corrosive ? conditions, but in other industries, also, equipment must operate under similar adverse conditions, so that their experiences may readily be applied to the problems of the mining industry. Steel and iron are for obvious reasons the most suitable materials for the construction of the greater part of the equipment used in the mining industry. For a large percentage of uses, the ordinary plain carbon-steels and ordinary or unalloyed cast-iron are, and probably will continue to be for a long rime, entirely satisfactory materials. There are, however, many. conditions which cannot be satisfactorily taken care of by these materials, and alloy steels and irons must be used where the greatest possible economy is desired. In general, alloy steels and irons are used where it is necessary or economically desirable to use materials possessing properties superior to plain carbon-steel or ordinary cast-irons, such as: (a) better strength (b) better wear resistance (c) better corrosion resistance (d) better resistance to high temperatures (e) better resistance to low temperatures or combinations of two or more of these advantages. There are also conditions where materials having other special properties are required, such as, for example, certain magnetic or electrical properties for electrical machinery; but in the great majority of cases, one or more of the five advantages listed are the most desired.

Jan 1, 1938

By E. Ghali, N. Sorour, G. Houlachi

"The binary Fe53Mo47 and ternary Fe54Mo30P16 coatings have been electrodeposited from citrate-based electrolyte on mild steel (MS) substrates. The electrodeposition has been conducted for 6 hours at 20 mA cm-2 and 30°C. The electrochemical tests were carried out in chlorate solutions containing 300 g L-1 NaCl and 4 g L-1 K2Cr2O7 at pH 6.4 and 80°C. A number of surface characterization techniques such as SEM-EDS, XRD and EMP were used to study the microstructure of the alloys. The electrocatalytic activity of these coatings was investigated using steady-state polarization and galvanostatic technique. This study revealed that the Fe-Mo-P coating could be considered as a promising cathode material for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The results showed an important decrease of hydrogen overpotential for Fe-Mo-P alloy as compared to that of Fe-Mo and especially MS which is a traditional cathode in chlorate industry. The HER overpotential for Fe54Mo30P16 at current density of 250 mA cm-2 was decreased by 30% in comparison to that of MS (1029 mV), and by 16.5% to that of Fe53Mo47 coating (857 mV).INTRODUCTIONSodium chlorate is used for manufacturing of several daily consumption products. This chemical is mainly employed for the production of chlorine dioxide (ClO2) that is a bleaching agent used in the pulp and paper industry. The ClO2 is also consumed for generation of perchlorates, chlorites and other chlorates, as an herbicide and in uranium processing (Cornell, 2002). Sodium chlorate is produced industrially via following overall formula in un-divided electrochemical cell (Nylén & Cornell, 2009):"

Jan 1, 2016

By Robert B. Parsons

"First down and four to go. In the game Of football, this is not a bad position to be in. However, in this game of political football, it means that there is still a long way to go. The government in Ottawa has concluded an important agreement with one producing province, and now has at least four more provinces to deal with-B. c., Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland.On September 1, 1981, the federal and Alberta governments took a significant step forward in formulating an oil and gas policy for Alberta and the rest of Canada on signing a comprehensive five-year agreement that covers taxes, prices, incentives and other fiscal matters related to the production and marketing of oil and gas.This month, Tax Notes examines the main features of the agreement, and offers some eye-opening observations of what the new accord could mean for the future of the Canadian petroleum sector in particular and Canadian business in general."

Jan 1, 1981

By B. F. Giyani, D. Rahal

"Stirred media mills have proved to be more energy-efficient than the conventional ball milling for fine grinding applications. The mill performance is governed by a number of operating variables including mill stirrer speed, feed particle size, solids content and slurry rheology. A study was conducted to assess effects of mill speed, media size and density, and slurry density on the Stress Intensity (SI) in a VXPmill and thereby the relationship to mill performance. For the mill speeds tested, it was found that the optimum tip speed is 7 m/s. If the speed is too high (12 m/s) energy losses result due to mechanical friction losses and heat generation. If the speed is too low (3 m/s), the kinetic energy is not sufficient to promote breakage. The size reduction ratio increases with the increase in mill speed and the decrease in solids content especially in the coarse fraction particle sizes. The effect of slurry rheology on mill performance was shown by assessing the effects of increasing solids concentration and decreasing particle size. Rheological effects seemed to interact with mill speed such that the mill was less energy-efficient at higher solids content and at higher mill speeds particularly for grinding to fine particle sizes. There is an opti"

Jan 1, 2017

By Schoeman L., K. C. Sole

Evaluation and measurement of the influence of changes in conditions and electrolyte composition during early stages of a growing metal electrodeposit are crucial to predict changes in developing morphology. A galvanodynamic polarization technique was developed to reliably measure overpotentials for nickel electrodeposition from sulfate electrolyte. The validity of these polarization parameters as indicators of the relationships between changes in the electrolyte and resulting deposit morphology was evaluated for electrolytes of varying composition. Findings indicate that nucleation and plating overpotentials measured by the described technique can be used as indicative tools for monitoring, evaluating and ultimately improving control of the electrodeposition of nickel from sulfate electrolytes. The results predict that nickel deposits of desirable quality and morphology are obtained when plating overpotentials are higher than 700 mV vs. Ag/AgCl and nucleation overpotential is less negative than plating overpotential.

Jan 1, 2017