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By Jehan Rondot

Des quartzites très pars ont été dêcouverts au cours de la cartographie de la region du lac des Martres, étape de l'étude géologique de la region de Charlevoix. On distingue quatre groupes métasédimentaires, tons con tenant des niveaux de quartzite dans an moins deux domaines géologiques différents, c'est à l'ouest, clans le domaine gneisso-charnockitique que se situent les quartzites du groupe des Martres. Quartzite et gneiss à grenat et sillimanite, en banes épais, constituent la formation de La Galette. A Pest, dans un environnement gneisso-granitique, les deux groupes métasédimentaires de Saint-Siméon, et de La Malbaie comprennent, par contraste, des bancs pen épais et de compositions variées. Les niveaux de quartzite dépassent rarement 50 m d'épaisseur. L'autre groupe metasédimentaire, celui de Saint-Tite des Caps, recoupé de nombreuses intrusions charnockitiques et granitiques, ne possède que de minces niveaux de quartzite. La pureté et la grande épaisseur des quartzites de La Galette suppose une histoire complexe qui se termine par des depots continentaux de climat aride, par opposition aux depots marins des autres groupes. D'autre part, la presence de ces quartzites an sein de roches Presque anhy¬dres et de haute temperature que sont les charnockites leur confère des caractéristiques de fusion sans decrepitation. Parmi la multitude de depots de quartzite qui existe clans le monde, peu sont de qualité supérieure. Or, de par sa composition chimique, le quartzite de La Galette se compare avantageusement à ceux des meilleurs gisements des Etats-Unis, de l'Europe de l'Ouest et de l'Afrique du Sud. D'accès facile pour l'exploitation, les gisements ne sont qu'à une trentaine de milles de Baie Saint-Paul ou de La Malbaie, sur le Saint-Laurent. L'utilisation en metallurgic prévue pour le quartzite de La Galette comprend la production de silicium, de ferro¬silicium et d'autres alliages de silicium. La composition du quartzite est en outre appropriée pour la production de carbure de silicium et de silicate de sodium. Les fines peu¬vent être utilisées pour la fabrication du verre et comme matière de charge.

Jan 1, 1977

By E. M. De Souza, A. M. Coode

"Since potash was discovered substantial rock mechanics research has been done to develop the technology needed to cope with the unique conditions in Saskatchewan mines, to assure general mine safety and to assess the problems associated with mining potash at depth.The practical result of this research was the development of multiple entry systems incorporating yielding pillars for access ways and the chevron type layouts for production panels. These developments proved the viability of extracting potash from between 950 m and 1100 m depth using a high degree of mechanization. High extraction ratios could not, however, be achieved using the developed technology.The presence of a competent salt back is critical to mining the potash, and underground practice is governed by the presence of anomalous geological zones. These factors may be associated with the occurrence of brine inflows. One potash mine in Saskatchewan ceased its underground operations and was closed due to flooding of the entire mine. Two other potash mines in Saskatchewan had significant brine inflows. The costs involved in brine pumping, equipment relocation, bulkhead construction, grouting, and in auxiliary operations can run into the tens of millions of dollars.At Central Canada Potash, the use of stress relief and yielding pillars in the design of the mining layouts has resulted in over-all stable underground excavations and safe mining practices. There are two types of production room s, the chevron and the hybrid, which result in a planned block average extraction ratio of 35010. Mining activity has resulted in brine ingresses in two areas, and additional operating costs have been incurred over the years. These mining areas have demonstrated abnormally high closure rates, and rapid back deterioration. A program was established in those two areas to ensure the practice of safe mining procedures.The short-term perspectives inherent in the program included the elimination of all uncertainties associated with the possibility of an increase in brine inflow leading to flooding, the elimination of the abnormal ground behaviour and ground deterioration in the inflow areas, and the reduction of the long-term adverse effects of mining on regional mine stability. The program was also designed to provide means for developing alternative safe mine layouts which would improve the exploitation of potash resources. Details of the extensive work performed during the program are found elsewhere (E. De Souza, 1988).Grouting and salt backfilling are viable techniques to control brine inflows in underground excavations in potash mines. Detailed instrumentation of the backfilled test areas provides information on the long-term behaviour and effectiveness of the grout/backfill system, allowing for rational decisions on the complete abandonment of these mined out areas, thus resulting in considerable operational cost savings.This paper is presented in two parts: the first addressed the problems of diamond drilling , grouting and backfilling in Panel 209 and the second, addresses the problems of instrumentation and rock mechanics."

Jan 1, 1990

By S. Yannacopoulos, L. Bichler, P. Wanjara, J. Gholipour

Characterization of a virgin and in-service Inconel 718 alloy was undertaken to study the changes caused by the service conditions on the grain size, ?? phase, MN-type nitrides and MC-type carbides. The size, distribution and volume fraction of these phases and grain size were studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) analyses. A considerable difference in the grain size, as well as distribution and volume fraction of the precipitates was observed in the in-service material as compared to the virgin Inconel 718. As a result of these microstructural changes, a notable dissimilarity in hardness between the materials investigated was observed. The results presented in this study are important for proper development of repair parameters and heat treatment of in-service Inconel 718 material.

Jan 1, 2014

By J. J. Gillman

"The coal deposits from Cape Perce on Cape Breton Island have been known to supply the coal requirements of the people living in or visiting the area for close to 300 years.A major block of coal has been identified off Cape Perce, which has several seams from which coal can be taken. The initial development by the Cape Breton Development Corporation will be in the Harbour Seam and constitutes the Donkin-Morien Development Project.The CBDC's confidence in this indicated resource is based on its knowledge of the Sydney Coal Field and from boreholes driven into the block during the summers of1977, 78 and 79. In 1980, further geological data were gathered from surface drilling and an intermediate-depth high-resolution seismic survey. The surface facilities for the Donkin-Morien Development Project will be located on the northern half of the cape, with access declines extending 3.9 km in a north-northeasterly direction to the Donkin block of coal reserves. The development has the potential of supplying all the coal needed f or the future electrical power generation requirements of Nova Scotia for many years to come.The planned mine, for which a project definition study has recently been completed, will have a production rate in excess of 3 million tonnes per year.IntroductionAt the Second CIM District 1 Meeting held in Halifax in October 1980, a background paper on Phase II of the Donkin-Morien Development Project was presented. The project involves a 3.2-million-tonne, saleable, underground coal mine. At that time, the chronological sequence of events had unfolded, starting with the initial boreholes through to the feasibility study, and on through site clearing and site preparation. This led to engineering design contracts for the portals and the two tunnels to be driven to intersect with the Harbour Seam close to 4 km from their entry point."

Jan 1, 1982

By Himmelman. Nicholas P.

In this paper, the hardware foundations and data collection methods of a real time collision avoidance system for electric surface mining rope shovels are described. The primary goal of the system is to help a shovel operator avoid accidentally colliding the shovel?s dipper with either a nearby haul truck or the shovel?s tracks. To achieve this goal, the system requires complete and precise knowledge of the shovel?s geometry and movement, as well as the location of any nearby haul trucks. This paper describes the subsystems created to acquire this necessary information. This system is unique in that all of its components are mounted solely on the shovel and that it is designed to be easily retrofitted to a shovel without significant modifications.

Oct 1, 2009

By Brian W. Mackenzie

"This paper briefly outlines the characteristics which should be considered in assessing the economics of mineral exploration, and illustrates such an assessment by using data from the Canadian base metal sector. Implications for the sector are found to include the following:(1) base metal exploration has the potential to create a substantial amount of new wealth;(2) investment incentive for exploration under current conditions is not unattractive over-all;(3) because of existing taxation policies, there is much more incentive for large companies to explore than for smaller enterprises;(4) succesful exploration is sensitive to the size, financial resources and organizational structure of the exploration entity;(5) the general level of recent exploration expenditures should be adequate to maintain the current rate of production and perhaps to support very modest growth; and(6) there is an important opportunity for growth in the sector.The findings of the study suggest that government policies should be made more flexible, in order to take into account the risks associated with exploration and with price fluctuations in the base metal sector. Recommendations are also made concerning improvements in provincial regulations for disclosure of exploration information."

Jan 1, 1981

By D. A. McIsaac

In these days, when mass production seems to be the watchword of all industrial companies, nothing is left undone to attain this end. Transportation, where necessary, becomes a question of very great importance. For this reason every mechanical contrivance known to man is employed, with its resultant advantages. So successful has man's ingenuity been that, offhand, we are inclined to say that practically all transportation on a large scale is done mechanically, that is, where speed and economy are desiderata. Granting this, one would think that to read a paper on the horse before your honourable and highly technical Society would surely be a waste of time, and that any Company employing old-fashioned 'horse' power would certainly be very much behind the time, to say the least. However, the fact remains that the biggest industry in our country today-coal mining-must use horse power to a great extent, being compelled -both by considerations of economy and by necessity. For this reason,' in the production of coal under present conditions, the pit horse is of great importance to this industry and is to be considered seriously as one of the units that help to make coal mining a success or a failure. Hence, in employing horses as a power for transportation, care must be exercised in selecting the animals, and the care of this power must be considered as seriously as any other department of such an organization. In selecting a pit horse, several things must be borne in mind, that is, one must get as much horse power as possible in as compact a form as is practicable. This determines the type of horse we must use, which is of very great importance under our present conditions of coal mining. With low roof, steep grades, and forced production, a distinct type of animal must be selected.

Jan 1, 1930

By D. A. McIsaac

In these days, when mass production seems to be the watchword of all industrial companies, nothing is left undone to attain this end. Transportation, where necessary, becomes a question of very great importance. For this reason every mechanical contrivance known to man is employed, with its resultant advantages. So successful has man's ingenuity been that, offhand, we are inclined to say that practically all transportation ?On a large scale is done mechanically, that is, where speed and economy are desiderata. Granting this, one would think that to read a paper on the horse before your honourable and highly technical Society would surely be a waste of time, and that any Company employing old-fashioned 'horse' power would certainly be very much behind the time, to say the least. However, the fact remains that the biggest industry in our country today-coal mining-must use horse power to a great extent, being compelled both by considerations of economy and by necessity. For this reason,' in the production of coal under present conditions, the pit horse is of great importance to this industry and is to be considered seriously as one of the units that help to make coal mining a success or a failure. Hence, in employing horses as a power for transportation, care must be exercised in selecting the animals, and the care of this power must be considered as seriously as any other department of such an organization. In selecting a pit horse, several things must be borne in mind, that is, one must get as much horse power as possible in as compact a form is practicable. This determines the type of horse we must use, which is of very great importance under our present conditions of coal mining. With low roof, steep grades, and forced production, a distinct type of animal must be selected.

Jan 1, 1930

By P. M. Huck, R. John

"The National Uranium Tailings Program was established in 1982 to develop, in part, a mathematical predictive model which would allow the assessment of the impact of uranium mill tailings on the environment and particularly on humans. . To achieve this , various studies were undertaken to establish the role played by key constituents of the tailings. This paper summarizes the findings of a study carried out under that program, to examine the leachability of barium-radium sulphate sludges produced in the treatment of uranium mill tailings decants. The investigators performed detailed chemical an alysis of the sludge, applied geochemical computer models to investigate sludge leaching behaviour, and conducted experiments to assess the impact of bacteria on leaching. The modelling showed that the redox state o f the sludge-leachant system was the most important factor. Substantial bacterially-mediated dissolutio n of the sludge and release of radium was demonstrated experimentally under suitable reducing conditions . INTRODUCTIONIn September 1981, Phillip A. Lapp presented the final report of the National Technical Planning Group on uranium tailings research to the federal government (Lapp, 1981). Lapp' s group had performed an in-depth survey of the status of uranium tailings research in Canada and, as a result, recommended that a national program be funded in the amount of $18 .6 million. Half of this fund ing was to come from the federal government, with the two producing provinces , Ontario and Saskatchewan, providing the balance. However , the provinces declined to support the program and the federal government decided to inaugurate a reduced program with $8.5 million o f funds .In late 1982, the formation of the National Uranium Tailings Program (NUTP) was announced by the minister of state for mines. A primary objective of this program was to develop a mathematical predictive model that would permit the assessment of the impact of uranium mill tailings on the environment, a nd particularly on humans. The program was to use existing information to the greatest possible extent, and then fund research to fill in gaps or substantiate data where necessary .The NUTP was established to administer this program of contract research over a five-year sunset life. By the end of the 1986-87 fiscal year the NUTP had completed about 100 contracts. One of those projects was to study the effect of placing barium-radium sludge ba ck within the tailings matrix. Th is paper gives the results of that study."

Jan 1, 1989

By Xiaoqi Sun

"Rare earth elements (REEs) have a series of specific properties making them invaluable in products including lighting, electronics and magnetism. The elements have been used in many commercial products, for example, turbines, electric vehicles, batteries, lighting, computers, cell phones and lasers. Heavy REEs are attracting the interests of scientists from many countries, and these elements have become critical to develop high-tech materials. Ion-adsorbed rare earth deposits were first discovered in China. The minerals are also called weathered crust elution-deposited rare earths. The particular types of deposits are distributed throughout southern China. The ion-adsorbed deposits are rich in medium and heavy REEs, accounting for more than 80% of the world’s total medium and heavy REEs production. However, the separation of heavy REEs from ion-adsorbed deposit is difficult owing to their similar chemical properties. The conventional separating technologies have caused serious pollution. A novel extraction strategy has been developed in this laboratory and is presented herein.INTRODUCTIONThe unique properties of rare earth elements (REEs) render them important in high-strength magnets, lighting phosphors, polishing compounds, and ceramics. Especially for applications that take advantage of the f-orbital electrons, substitutions outside the REE family are often difficult to impossible (Nassar, Du, & Graedel, 2015). Extracting and separating individual elements from mined ore is not easy, requiring lengthy operations to separate them, and this results in high costs and adverse effects on the environment. The low concentration of REE in the earth’s crust makes economic exploitation difficult (de Boer & Lammertsma, 2013) and the sustainability of the REEs separation industry has aroused considerable attention (McLellan, Corder, Golev, & Ali, 2014). To eliminate protons and break the dimmers in organic phosphonic acids or carboxylic acids, the saponification of acidic extractants by acid-base neutralization reactions are widely used in industrial REEs separation (Sun, Luo, & Dai, 2012a). The saponification procedure contributes to increased extractability and selectivity of acidic extractants to a considerable extent. The common industrial saponification mechanisms and technological processes are shown in Figure 1 and include ammonium saponification (saponified by NH3·H2O), sodium saponification (saponified by NaOH), calcium saponification (saponified by Ca(OH)2), and magnesium saponification (saponified by MgO). These inevitably result in wastewaters containing NH4 +, Na+, Ca2+ or Mg2+ because of the cation-exchange extraction mechanisms (Xiao, Long, Huang, Feng, Cui, & Wang, 2013; Song, Fu, Wang, Liu, Zhou, & Li, 2014; Sun & Waters, 2014)."

Jan 1, 2016

By L. E. Young

"The Red Dog deposit of the western Brooks Range, Alaska was discovered in the 1970s. Two mineralized areas are present, the Main and Hilltop deposits. With indicated and inferred reserves of 77 million tonnes of 17.1% zinc, 5.0% lead and 82 g/ tonne silver, the Main deposit of Red Dog represents one of the world's largest zinc-lead deposit s. Since serious evaluation by Cominco commenced in 1980, a better understanding of deposit geology has been gained through 10 715m of diamond drilling and concurrent geologic, geophysical and geotechnical studies. The Red Dog deposit is of Mississippian to Pennsylvanian or Early Permian age, and straddles a redox transition in fine-grained and chemical sediments of the Red Dog structural sequence.The Main deposit has been modified by regional Mesozoic thrust faulting and isoclinal folding, resulting in complex interrelationships between silica rock, sulphide rock and barite. Multiple lines of evidence suggest the Main deposit contains both a syngenetic stratiform and a replacement component. Ore fluids were probably derived by regional lateral movement of brines through a coarse clastic footwall aquifer, then upwards along block faults to the site of the Red Dog deposit.Historical PerspectiveThe region in the vicinity of the Red Dog deposit (Fig. 1) was first prospected by J. W. Kelley in the late 1880s (Orth, 1967). The first coordinated inland exploration was conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey in 1910-1911 and 1923-1926 (Smith, 1913; Smith and Mertie, 1930). The earliest reports of zinc-lead mineralization in the region include reference to samples collected at unknown locales by Eskimo prospectors (Anderson, 1944). In 1955 stratiform pyrite was discovered 19 km west of Red Dog by I.L. Tailleur of the U.S. Geological Survey (Tailleur, 1970). The first reported visit to what is known as Red Dog was by I.L. Tailleur in 1968, who was field checking a colour anomaly noted by B. Baker, a local bush pilot (Tailleur, 1970; Moore et al., 1986) ."

Jan 1, 1989

By T. Holmes, S. Davison

"The Special Standard Surge bin at Agrium’s Vanscoy Potash Operations (VPO) has been plagued with flow problems and wear, and corrosion issues for it’s entire working life. Investigation showed that the carbon steel construction, bin geometry, and resultant funnel-flow pattern were directly responsible for production losses and disproportionate maintenance and capital costs. Potash enters this bin at between 140°C and 165°C, but the stagnant potash outside the active flow channel was much cooler, allowing moisture to migrate toward the outer regions, which caused corrosion of the walls and reduced live capacity as the potash in this area hardened and built up on the walls over time.A 2013 inspection revealed holes and paper-thin areas in the lower cylinder wall sections and in the conical hopper. The only thing preventing major leaks and even a potentially catastrophic failure was the buildup of stagnant hardened product on the cone walls. It was concluded that the cone had reached the end of its life and required replacement. VPO’s original plan was to replace the cone in kind and repair the cylinder as necessary; however, a failure-mode and bin-performance investigation combined with a lifecycle- cost analysis indicated it would be better to redesign the hopper.For success in retrofit projects, it is essential at the design stage to consider the bulk solid flow properties and the operating environment involved. Because education in this area is not offered at a university level, engineers often do not fully appreciate the effects of the flow properties of bulk solids on bulk material handling equipment.Jenike & Johanson conducted flow properties tests on samples of potash and using the data, redesigned the bin and the feeder. After the modifications, VPO’s surge bin provides safer, more reliable operation with a much longer predicted working life. Using this retrofit as an example, we aim to provide a general understanding of bulk solids flow theory and highlight the importance of customizing the design to the appropriate flow properties in the cost effectiveness, reliability, and safety of a bulk material handling system."

Jan 1, 2016

By Hamid-Reza Manouchehri

Coarse particles flotation is controlled by detachment (particle hydrophobicity and flotation cell turbulence) For composite particles (the bubble may attach to good hydrophobic region, but the expansion of the three phase line of contact is limited. Hence, the equilibrium contact angle, characteristic of the hydrophobic region, may never be attained, and the force of attachment is decreased relative to that possible for homogenous hydrophobic surfaces.

May 1, 2013

By K. H. March

In the present very highly competitive condition of the bituminous coal business, it is becoming increasingly apparent that coal mines which do not lend themselves to efficient mechanization cannot long survive. It would seem that those mining operations best fitted to survive the struggle for existence are burdened with the considerable capital and maintenance cast of carefully selected mechanical and electrical mining equipment. The ever changing conditions of coal mine operations require equipment which is adaptable to a variety of uses; and investigation of the mechanical and electrical equipment in most mines will show that the operating duty of much of this equipment is considerably different from that duty for which it was originally selected. And it would appear that one of the essential qualifications for a successful mine management is a marked ability to get satisfactory operating results from equipment which has been transferred from some other operation, rebuilt, rearranged, or in some way adapted to the job at hand. As a striking example of such mechanical ingenuity, many of us recall that the first longwall jigging conveyor used in Nova Scotia was built in Sydney Mines from odds and ends in the scrap pile at a total cost of less than $50.

Jan 1, 1930

By Arnfinn F. Prugger, Fritz F. Prugger

"The Saskatchewan potash beds are overlain by a number of water-bearing formations. There are water zones in the footwall as well. These aquifers created difficulties during the construction of shafts to the potash beds at 1()(}() m depth, and they pose a continuous threat to the safe and efficient operation of potash mines in the province.The first shafts to be sunk in Saskatchewan encountered major problems during shaft sinking. Of the 17 potash shafts started in the province, five had major water inflows during shaft sinking or after production startup, and one was abandoned because of water problems. The biggest obstacle encountered during shaft sinking was a poorly consolidated sand-shale-clay-siltstone unit commonly called the Blairmore Formation, which occurs at a depth of about 500 m. The initial problems with shaft sinking were overcome in the 19605by using European methods of freezing and the installation of cast-iron tubbings or a double-steel lining through water bearing horizons.From the start of production in the early 19605, operators have been aware of the ever-present hazard of potential water inflows into mine openings from permeable units in both the hanging wall (carbonates of the Dawson Bay Formation which occur 15 m to 50 m above the mining level) and the footwall (carbonates of the Winnipegosis Formation which occur 50 m to 150m below). This awareness has been reflected in conservative over-all extraction rates and mining layouts specific to local conditions. In spite of this consciousness, a number of water problems have occurred in operating mines. These have resulted in everything from simple increases in expenditure to the shut-down of one mine in 1987.In this paper a history of water problems in the Saskatchewan potash industry is given, followed by a summary of measures that are now commonly used to avoid these problems. A description of each inflow event is given, and the attempt is made to analyze the causes of each occurrence. Based on what was learned f rom each event, suggestions are made to prevent future water inflows into potash mines."

Jan 1, 1991

By T. G. Carter

"During the early part of the 1980s, four new surface coal mines commenced operation in the Province of British Columbia. Each represented a major investment in both persons and materials in order to protect this investment in one significant area-the fixed portion of the surface coal handling system-a substantial amount of work was undertaken to ensure that the system was well protected from an outbreak of fire. A great deal of effort in this field had already been made by those coal mines which had been in operation for a number of years and experience gained at these operations was utilized in determining the level and extent of fire protection for the new mines.This paper summarizes the major problems, and suggests some of the methods of solution, in providing an adequate degree of fire protection for surface coal handling systems. It will also discuss the potential for gas and dust explosions together with ways to minimize this potential.The Fixed Coal Handling SystemNote: The word ""fixed"" has been used in its present context to denote that part of the coal handling system where the coal is moved via fixed installations such as a conveyor. It differentiates from that part of the system where coal is moved by mobile equipment.The raw coal delivered to the truck dump will undergo two major processes on its way to the rail load out. The first will be at the coal preparation plant where coal of specified quality will be extracted from the raw feed to the plant. If this coal is of metallurgical quality, and sometimes if it is of thermal quality, it will pass through a thermal dryer where part of the moisture acquired during coal preparation will be removed, i.e. the second process. As the complexity of both the coal preparation plant and the thermal dryer is such as to warrant separate considerations they will not form part of this paper. Each of the processes, however, is generally, housed in its own building, thus, containment of any hazards is usually more attainable than those existing or caused in the rest of the system."

Jan 1, 1988

By Karl J. C. Harries

This paper looks briefly at some of the agreements and types of royalties that may be met during exploration activities, but does not go into details relating to them. Agreements can either make or break a deal or relationship. A well drafted, comprehensive and fair agreement can create good relations and trust among the parties and will go a long way towards making a deal work. In the best of all worlds the agreement will be put away and not need to be referred to after it has been signed (but it will be there if needed to sort out potential problems). On the other hand, a poorly drafted agreement or one that is inappropriate to the circumstances or unfair to one of the parties can break a deal and end up with the parties facing each other in that expensive, unproductive and time-consuming occupation ? a lawsuit. Accordingly, it is advisable to involve professional advisers with any agreement. The straightforward one may involve no more that a read through whereas the more complex agreement will require considerable involvement. There is, however, one rule for every explorationist to remember: a professional adviser is only an adviser. His responsibility is to make sure that you have the necessary information to make a reasoned decision but the decision is yours, not the adviser?s. It is your deal, you are going to have to live with it, and it is inappropriate for an adviser to introduce new concepts or amend negotiated ones without your specific instructions. Mineral exploration agreements, although basically option, acquisition and joint participation agreements, come in all the shapes and forms, appropriate to give effect to the endless variety of deals negotiated by the ever-active minds of explorationists. You will note the reference to "joint participation agreements" rather than "joint venture agreements". The latter term was purposely avoided because, with the current activity of explorationists from common law jurisdictions in civil law jurisdictions, it has become necessary for the explorationist to become familiar with corporations and shareholders agreements. As most of you are no doubt aware, under the civil law system a joint venture is normally not recognized as a legal entity and, therefore, joint participation in projects is usually by way of corporations.

May 1, 2003

By A. Vervoort

The concepts of geostatistics are commonly difficult to understand for students, even for those with a strong mathematical background. A main problem is certainly the link between the variation of the parameter value in space or time, and the calculated experimental semivariogram as a function of the interdistance, but over the entire area. Another problem is to differentiate between directional and omnidirectional semivariograms and the way they have to be interpreted. Furthermore first time users of geostatistics often do not want to struggle through different books with the whole geostatistical background before using it. Too often this leads to using geostatistics as a black box with all the risks linked to it. That is the main reason that we developed some interactive tools based on the free public domain software R. We aim by developing three different modules to assist individual first time users, but also regular students and teachers to get a feeling of the importance of the various aspects in conducting a good geostatistical study. The modules show directly e.g. the impact of deleting, moving or adding data points, of changing parameters of the semivariogram model and of the geometrical parameters during kriging. The first module allows making the link between the variation of the parameter values in one direction and the calculated experimental semivariogram, and this for different given datasets. The second module covers two dimensional datasets and apart from calculating the semivariogram values, models can be fitted to the calculated data. A distinction can be made between omni-directional and directional semivariograms, including the effect of the tolerance on the angle and lag-distance. The third module focuses on ordinary kriging of point values in two dimensions. The aim of the interactive tools developed is limited to educational purposes only, i.e. to visualize some basic concepts for different pre-selected types of spatial variation. They do not intend to do a geostatistical study on a certain dataset (for this purpose there exists already a broad spectrum of good software packages). The original intention of developing the three modules was aimed at users with no or a limited amount of geostatistical experience. However, these modules seem also very useful to remain critical for experienced users. One should never forget that in a real application one does not have a complete view of the phenomenon studied. The geostatistical interactive modules can be accessed through: www.bwk.kuleuven.be/geostatistics . We compiled a manual to facilitate the use of the modules and to guide the user we formulated several questions to be solved for each module.

Aug 1, 2013

By A. Vervoort, A. Govaerts

Geostatistical concepts are often difficult for students to understand, even those with a strong mathematical background. One of the main problems is the link between the variation of the parameter value in space or time and the calculated experimental semivariogram. Another challenge is differentiating between directional and omnidirectional semivariograms and their interpretation. For these reasons, interactive tools were developed based on the free public domain software R. The use of these interactive tools is limited to educational situations only (i.e., to visualize basic concepts). The interactive modules can be accessed at www.bwk.kuleuven.be/geostatistics.

Jan 1, 2014

By J. G. Lang

"This paper gives an outline of the principles used in E.M. wire rope testing, showing the practical application of the device and its value in industry and in mining operations.It presents: case histories involving deterioration, such as corrosion, peening and broken wires; anomalies indicating conditions peculiar to drum hoists and friction hoists; tests of locked coil ropes; low-frequency testing; and experiments and development."

Jan 1, 1969