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By E. F. Schnitzer, S. R. Mamoyac, P. J. Wampler

During 1996 and 1997, Oregon experienced flooding on a scale not seen in many years. Some gravel pits located near rivers experienced erosion and, in several cases, breaches between the gravel pit and the river. Initial evaluation of several sites that experienced breaches indicates that impacts to the river system are complex and vary significantly from site to site. The impacts to the adjacent river system may be viewed as both positive and negative. Several floodplain-mining sites in Oregon located in areas of historic river flow have reverted to active riverbed. In many cases, state and federal fisheries biologists and university researchers see the resulting increase in channel complexity and habitat as favorable. The Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries – Mined Land Reclamation Program (DOGAMI-MLR) is performing additional studies of the impacts to the off-channel areas that resulted from the 1996 floods. More data is needed to make sound floodplain decisions regarding mining.

Jan 1, 1999

By Michael Rehbock-Sander

The Gotthard Base Tunnel (GBT) is 57 km (35 miles) long and consists of two par-allel single-track tubes with an ex-cavation diameter ranging from 8.8 to 9.5 m (28.8 to 31.2 ft). These are interlinked by cross-passages every 312 m (1,000 ft). Two multifunction stations (MFS) are located in the sections Sedrun and Faido, at one-third and two-thirds of the entire tunnel length (Fig. 1). These will be used for the diversion of trains to the other main tube via tunnel crossovers, for the housing of tech-nical infrastructure and equipment and for potential emergency stops. To reduce construction time, the GBT was divided into five sections and was excavated from several sites simultaneously. The tunnel was excavated from the two portals, Erstfeld in the north and Bodio in the south, and also from three intermediate attacks, with their corresponding access tunnels, in Amsteg and Faido and two vertical 800-m (2,624-ft) deep shafts in Sedrun.

Jan 1, 2012

By E. F. Schnitzer, P. J. Wampler

During 1996 and 1997, Oregon experienced flooding on a scale not seen in many years. Some gravel pits located near rivers experienced erosion and, in several cases, breaches between the gravel pit and the river. Initial evaluation of several sites that experienced breaches indicates that impacts to the river system are complex and vary significantly from site to site. The impacts to the adjacent river system may be viewed as both positive and negative. Several floodplain-mining sites in Oregon located in areas of historic river flow have reverted to active riverbed. In many cases, state and federal fisheries biologists and university researchers see the resulting increase in channel complexity and habitat as favorable. The Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries – Mined Land Reclamation Program (DOGAMI-MLR) is performing additional studies of the impacts to the off-channel areas that resulted from the 1996 floods. More data is needed to make sound floodplain decisions regarding mining.

Jan 1, 1999

By Marco Sonnenschein

As time is costly, engineering companies have developed methods, procedures and mechanical equipment to tunnel faster. But the best excavation method will not be able to cope with the time pressure if there is not a reliable backup system. Therefore, the application of belt conveyors for tunnel boring machine (TBM) drives as well as for drill-and-blast driven tunnels assure a quick and smooth removal of excavated soil in order to enhance the efficiency of the tunneling equipment. During the last 10 years, belt conveyor systems have achieved ?state-of-the-art? levels and have become the first choice for muck removal systems in both TBM and drill-and-blast driven tunnels. Because time has become such a key criterion in tunneling projects, it is essential that all equipment is operated so as to derive optimum efficiency and minimize costs. Efficiency also means to think about new tasks for existing technologies.

Jan 1, 2012

By Troy Holm, Matthew L. Fuller, Frederick H. Earnest

Virtual Reality Animation Of The Proposed El Dorado Mine In El Salvador Assists Regulators In Reviewing An EIA

Jan 1, 2005

By M. P. Hoffman

The U.S. Bureau of Mines is developing a roof bolter with a computer-controlled drill head that will increase the safety of roof bolting in underground coal mines by allowing miners to be relocated to a safe area. To ensure secure anchorage, acceleration and strain data are broadcast from an instrumented drill steel to a data acquisition system. These data are analyzed, correlated, and transformed to pro-vide information about roof strata, then are sent to a supervisory computer executing National Institute of Standards and Technology's real-time control software. The supervisory computer sends setpoint commands to proportional-integral-derivative control loops to control drill thrust, position, revolutions per minute, and torque.

Jan 1, 1994

By Steven Norris, William Moler, Michael Cole, Patrick Doig, Debi Lewis, Craig Pyle, Matthew Crow

The recently completed Lower Northwest Interceptor Program (LNWI) in Sacramento, California comprises, ten pairs of micro tunnels totaling 4,369 m (14,417 ft),three horizontal directionally drilled bores totaling 956 m (3,154 ft), and two large diameter tunnels under the Sacramento River totaling 1,198 m (3,953 ft). This paper briefly summarizes surface and subsurface conditions, and planning and design considerations. It then goes on to describe problems encounterd with each trenchless crossing, as well as lessons learned with respect to shaft construction, ground control at shafts during tunnel break-in and break-out, frac-out and heave, settlement, obstructions, coordination with permitting agencies, and application of geotechnical baseline reports.

Jan 1, 2007

By Stone. Jon P.

INTRODUCTION Countries that are currently developing their mineral potential have unique information systems requirements to support these activities. The mining laws usually grant the State considerable authority over the process. In many instances, the mining laws give a government agency the responsibility for granting and controlling exploration permits and development concessions. This is the case in Costa Rica. The Direcion of Geologia, Minas, y Hidrocarburos (DGMH) of the Ministerio de Industria, Energia y Minas (MIEM) is responsible for the management and operation of the National Mining Register. This paper describes the results of two studies of the information system requirements to support the National Mining Registry as well as those supporting some of the other function of the DGMH. The first of the studies reviewed the situation before the installation of computer equipment. The second study evaluated the installed systems. BACKGROUND Historical Perspective Mining in Costa Rica is at present a relatively minor part of the economy. It consists primarily of industrial minerals and gold production. Gold production is largely by small-scale miners and may be more substantial than reported. There is considerable interest on the part of the Government in both having a better understanding of the existing mining industry and promoting future development. Mining law was first provided by the Ordinanza de Mineral (of 1830). This was replaced by the first Mining Code of 1953. Apparently, one of the first problems caused by the 1953 law was the granting of concessions which were not worked. A 1968 agreement with ALCOA also resulted in political conflict. The Government worked on a new Mining Code for many years and in 1982 the current Mining Code was enacted. Draft implementing regulations were prepared in April 1984. Mining Code of 1982 The Mining Code of 1982 addresses most aspects of mining in Costa Rica including the declaration that all mineral resources are to be the property of the State. The State may grant exploration permits and exploitation permits. The exploitation of hydrocarbons, radioactive minerals and certain water resources was reserved to the state. The DGMH was given authority to settle placer claim disputes, maintain a registry of exploration permits, and exploitation concessions. and generally supervise mining activity. Towards this, the Mining Code of 1982 includes rather detailed requirements for the processing of application for permits and concessions. Mining Code Application Requirements The following briefly describes the requirements to give the reader a feeling for the complexity of the process. Currently, over 1,000 active applications, exploration permits and exploitation concessions are being monitored under the process. The number remains relatively consistent in that the number of new applications is usually about the same as the applications that are put aside. The time and date of the filing must be certified by the DGMH. The application must include all the information specified in the Mining Code. If incomplete, DGMH must notify the applicant of the deficiencies or omissions and direct that the applicant correct the deficiencies or omissions within 8 business days (a single 30 business-day extension is allowable). If the applicant does not respond as directed, the application is deemed as not having been filed and the pertinent information is placed in the files. The DGMH must reject the application outright and direct it be placed in the files in the following cases: (a). If the new application covers the area of a previous permit or concession, either being processed or already granted.

Jan 1, 1987

By W. K. Hitchcock

Anecdotal evidence suggests that re-entering a sealed heating poses a significant hazard, whereby the original heating is rejuvenated at an accelerated rate forcing withdrawal and re-sealing of the area. Bulk-scale laboratory experiments using a two-metre column confirm these mine site observations. A high volatile bituminous coal from New South Wales, Australia was allowed to develop a significant hot spot before being inerted with nitrogen and allowed to cool. Air was then allowed back into the coal after the nitrogen was turned off and a hot spot developed almost immediately at the same location as the original hot spot before it quickly migrated towards the air source within a day. Two more re-entries were simulated. Each successive re-entry developed a broader hot spot and took longer to reach thermal runaway. These results clearly show the behaviour that can be expected when trying to recover a section of an underground coal mine that has been sealed due to a spontaneous combustion event.

Jan 1, 2009

Mining steeply dipping coal seams is a difficult task in the mining industry. Prior to 1996, fully mechanized longwall mining methods along the seam strike direction were tried in China and other countries. Due to its larger coal reserve in steep seams, China made more but still limited progresses on mining in such seams than the other major coal-mining countries. In the last two decades, accelerated research efforts have been made to improve the mining technology in steeply dipping coal seams. Based on these works, a dynamic model of ?R-S-F? system under asymmetrical constrains in mining steep seam is established and the theory of strata control and hazard prevention begin to be formed. The key technologies for mining steep coal seams include: global and regional strata control methods in longwall face, methods for the longwall face machines to sustain static and dynamic loads, and flexible protection technology. These theory and technologies have been successfully applied to mining of steep coal seams of varying thickness and hardness, with hard and soft roof and floor, and with high potential of spontaneous combustion in China. In the recent years, the technology has been introduced to Russia, India, Uzbekistan and other countries where steep coal seams are mined.

Jan 1, 2012

By Bengt L. Stillborg

INTRODUCTION This paper summarizes the result of a two and a half year research program. The objective of the research was to develop a fundamental understanding of the Rib-in-Roc method. Through the development of a new model technology, namely three-dimensional physical models which powerfully exploit the results of dimensional analysis Stillborg, Stephansson and Swan (1), it has been possible to establish the contribution to both permanent and immediate stabilization of a large underground opening pre-reinforced by the Rib-in-Roc method. Using the results from these physical models and earlier work by Stillborg and Stephansson (2) and Åkesson (3), a conceptual synthesis is given in this paper so demonstrating the Rib-in-Roc method to be a practical working system of pre-reinforcement. DESCRIPTION OF THE RIB-IN-ROC METHOD To give the reader an idea of how this method of pre-reinforcement is performed, a short description will be given, Figure 1. Before any full-scale excavation takes place an entry is made in the host rock and rib raises are driven around the proposed opening. These raises are made at a spacing that is dependent upon rock quality; an opening in poor rock needs more ribs per length of opening. As the ribs are driven they are used as a site from which very competent rock bolting can be done. As a rib is excavated it is filled with reinforced concrete. Finally after having in this way reinforced the zone around the proposed opening, (a reinforced arch is formed) the displacements are automatically controlled as the opening is being excavated. Using this method openings with a span of 50-60 meters (160-200 ft) and a height of 60-80 meters (200-260 ft) are likely to be realised.

Jan 1, 1979

By R. D. Hagni, P. A. Shivdasan

Cathodoluminescence microscopy (CLM) is uniquely applicable to the study of carbonatite-related fluorspar ore deposits. The mineralogy of the carbonatites, sodic and potassic fenites, marbles, quartzites, and fluorite ores are readily determined and characterized. Calcite, dolomite, apatite, fluorite were deposited dominantly under high temperature conditions and they exhibit strong cathodoluminescence (CL). Three types of carbonatites have been recognized at the Okorusu, Namibia carbonatite complex and fluorspar mines by field mapping and laboratory CLM. The main carbonatite intrusion is fine grained and consists mainly of calcite. A later phase of pegmatitic carbonatite consists of calcite, magnetite, Fe-rich pyroxene, apatite, and pyrochlore. Pyroxene carbonatites were recognized mainly through their study by CLM.

Jan 1, 2001

By Joachim Klein, Frank Reimann

Nodular-graphite cast iron (GGG) is a material similar to steel, and one which exhibits excellent properties, in particular for components exposed to pressure. GGG cast iron has been used in many cases when sinking mine shafts with conventional tubbing. With linings made of cast iron tubbings (the backfill concrete is not integrated into the calculations, and merely serves as bedding) the properties of the cast iron can be made full use of, provided the tubbing is made to the appropriate cross-section. Calculations have shown that better static values can be arrived at when using cross-sections other than those of tubbings made to conventional German standard. The cross-sectional design of the new types of shaft lining made from GGG is to be developed on these lines irrespective of the cast iron structure being only stressed component or its restistance function being combined with the one of concrete. GGG 50 is used for the first time to make the reinforcing inner liner of a main shaft currently sunk in Germany. The physical properties of nodular-graphite cast iron, strength and deformability, suggest that, in the future, its application will not be restricted to shaft support but also in tunneling. New moulding techniques with better three-dimensional modelling resulted in new tubbing designs as installed e.g. for the Hannover underground at present. Shield-driven tunnels have to withstand earth and water pressure, apart from axial machine loads. In this field time is money as well. Therefore easy handling and quick installation are necessary for successful, use. Last but not least, safety is of first-order importance for work in shaft sinking and tunneling. Cast iron lining systems, accordingly, are adequate systems, in particular for excavations underneath water for transport systems and for goods and passengers.

Jan 1, 1987

By Mark Ioli, Debra Struhsacker

In September 2004, Gale Norton, U.S. Secretary of the Interior, presented the Manhattan Mine with a U.S. Bureau of Land Management’s 2004 Hardrock Mineral Environmental Award. The Manhattan Mine is a sustainable development showcase. The reclamation accomplishments at this Nevada gold mine demonstrate how modern reclamation techniques can restore an old mining district into an aesthetically pleasing landscape that can support multiple and sustainable uses. In a collaborative effort that relied on substantial community involvement, Round Mountain Gold Corp.(RMGC) has improved the environment and eliminated a number of public hazards associated with old, unsafe mining features. RMGC’s community collaboration, innovative engineering, creative reclamation design and corporate commitment to environmental excellence show what Secretary Norton’s 4 Cs Initiative looks like on the ground and inaction.

Jan 1, 2005

By B. Farshadi, B. Asi, M. J. Habibian

"Dare-Zereshk deposit is one of the deposits supplies ore for Taft copper Complex in Iran Yazd province. This deposit is situated underneath a village the same name. Prior to mining activities, the village and its agricultural lands should be dislocated and deserted. This paper discusses about sustainability factors in this area including: Social and environmental effects of mining, dislocation and substitution of communities, created and lost jobs, financial and economic factors, quality of life index, infrastructures and post-mining land use. Studies have been performed by coupling Geographical Information System (GIS) with decision support tools such as Multi Attribute Decision Making (MADM), Through these studies revealed that considering the infrastructures developed for mine and plants, earned incomes and changing the community, mining activity in this area not only increases the social and regional sustainability but also improves it to a higher level."

Jan 1, 2011

By F. Mendaña

The characteristics of the igneous and metamorphic bedrock, extra-hard and abrasive, of the Guadarrama Tunnels, a bi-tube project of length 28.4 km without any intermediate attack, are first commented upon. Next, a detailed discussion is given of the most relevant aspects of the performance of the four double shield type TBMs. The experience of this leads to various recommendations to be borne in mind in future designs of TBM having to work in rock of similar characteristics.

Jan 1, 2007

By James McNally, Adam Stremcha, John MacGregor

With 13.7km of TBM tunneling in Atlanta’s hard gneiss well under way, drill and shoot work continues on several sites throughout the city. In order for the City of Atlanta to meet the consent decree imposed by the federal government, an aggressive construction schedule was a necessity. Construction consists of two deep, large diameter tunnels, four construction shafts, a pumping station, one overflow shaft, three large intake structures, and two connecting tunnels. Due to the multitude of blasting insensitive urban environments, a high standard of seismic and air-overpressure criteria, coupled with time restrictions, was adopted for the project. At any given time, drill and blast operations were under way at four of the seven sites requiring a certain amount of coordination between the TBM excavation, surface work, and the forces of Mother Nature. This paper addresses the challenges faced and the techniques used to safely and successfully complete the rock excavation of the West Area CSO Tunnel and Pumping Station project.

Jan 1, 2007

By James J. Kabat, James A. McDonald

Impregilo/SA Healy JV recently completed this Project using the first slurry shield TBM’s in the United States. The Project used two TBM’s to mine 18,000 feet in sands, gravels, and silty alluvial materials under the Willamette River and downtown Portland, Oregon. This paper discusses alignment and geological conditions, equipment selection and plant setup, and tunnel excavation means and methods, parameters, and results. Extensive hyperbaric operations were required and will also be discussed.

Jan 1, 2007

By Luke Erickson

San Francisco Public Utilities Commission is planning to replace 5 miles of pipeline under San Francisco Bay. The tunnel will be constructed using an Earth Pressure Balance (EPB) TBM and will be the first TBM-driven tunnel under the Bay. The alignment passes under environmentally sensitive habitats, through interbedded layers of sands and clays, and through a buried bedrock ridge. This paper discusses the geotechnical characterization and anticipated tunneling conditions and presents the analysis of various construction methods that resulted in the selection of an EPB TBM. Considerations related to tunneling with an EPB TBM are described in detail, including ground conditioners, TBM cutterhead wear, muck control, and squeezing ground.

Jan 1, 2008

By Kerry Spickelmier

The only nickel smelter and the only active nickel mine in the United States is Glenbrook Nickel Co., a joint venture (50% each) of Cominco Resources International Ltd. and Cominco Ltd. In 1989, with the nickel price riding high between $2.30 and $2.70/kg ($5 and $6/lb), Glenbrook seized the opportunity to purchase and recommission a southwestern Oregon ferronickel smelter and the adjacent nickel-ore mine. This Douglas County site is only about 97 km (60 miles) due east of the Pacific Ocean, and California's border lies a similar distance to the south. Hanna Mining Co. had closed the operation in 1987. And the following year, the equipment had been largely stripped for salvage value. From November 1990 through August 1992, the mine supplied an average 5 kt/d (5500 wet stpd) of ore. Currently, with import ore supplying 40% of the smelter feed, the mine's daily tonnage averages 4.2 kt (4600 wet st). From November 1990 through August 1993, the mine has delivered 2.1 Mt (2.3 million st) of ore grading 1.22% nickel with an average moisture content of 26%. Buffaloed nickel? A nickel is not worth what it was in 1989 and neither is ferronickel, with recent prices hovering around $1.13/kg ($2.50/lb). To survive, Glenbrook has focused on increasing smelter production to lower its operating costs. And this strategy has triggered several bold moves: • a new, $30 million, port facility and • a 10-year importation contract for ore from New Caledonia, an island approximately 1000 km (625 miles) east of Australia. For a Glenbrook update, a May 25, 1993 visit was made to the company's Oregon operations - the mine and smelter near Riddle plus its new Coos Bay port facility. Unfortunately, as the rain came down that day, so did news of another temporary shutdown. The previous suspension had lasted from Dec. 20, 1992 until Feb. 22, 1993. Barely three months back to work on a wet May afternoon, more than 250 of Glenbrook's approximately 300 employees contemplated yet another shutdown, effective July 31, 1993.

Jan 1, 1993