Search Documents

By Louis Frost

"1N 1951, the Dominion Steel and Coal Corporation, as part of a programme of modernization in their coal mining operations at Sydney Mines and Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, undertook the development of two large cross-measure tunnels, which were to be used for the purpose of raising the coal from the underground workings by conveyor belts direct to wash plants located on the surface.These tunnels were to reach from the surface to central loading points underground located at a depth of 600 and 900 feet, respectively. They were to be driven on a pitching gradient of 11 degrees to the horizontal, and they were to reach a length of 3,600 feet in the Sydney Mines area and 10,000 feet in the Glace Bay area.The longer tunnel, 19 feet in diameter, was driven a distance of 1,500 feet and, for domestic reasons, bas not yet been •completed. The other tunnel, in the Sydney Mines area, 18 feet in diameter, is steel supported and concreted throughout its entire length. This tunnel has been completed and will be in operation at an early date.The development of this particutar tunnel posed an additional problem, as the rock through which it had to pass was considered to be water-bearing. In the sinking of Princess Colliery shafts in 1866, a great deal of water had been encountered, and it had been necessary, while sinking, to line the shaft with cast-iron tubbing through the water-bearing strata. The shaft had to be lined for a depth of 300 feet at the upper end. It was anticipated that we would meet with difficulty in driving the tunnel through this strata."

Jan 1, 1955

By V. Casaletto, L. Widdifield

"Equipment capable of higher production requires more sophisticated maintenance programs. Reduction in fleet size through use of modern technology requires higher utilization and greater availability.Caterpillar's maintenance control system program will display the capabilities of computer technology in a maintenance environment. Utilizing such resources will provide increased availability, lower inventory requirements, fewer last minute disasters, and lower cost per ton for maintenance. High production from premium quality equipment can only be realized by good planning and care, executed by maintenance and operating personnel acting cooperatively.IntroductionAccurate information is the key to accurate decision making. In today' s competitive industry, mines' teeter on the brink between profit and loss. Their survival will be predicated on their ability to retrieve, analyze, and formulate accurate information regarding the operating costs of mobile equipment. This paper deals with the impact of managing equipment operating costs and introduces a computerized control system designed for monitoring and controlling these costs.Caterpillar has produced several computerized modelling programs designed at taking the guesswork out of equipment selection and management. The most basic of these is Equipment Investment Analysis (E.LA.). This model compares two or more alternatives over the projected life of the machine. It deals with comparisons in the owning and operating costs of equipment, as well as, their productivity over a specified period of time.In order for a computer model to be credible as a decision making tool, it must be simple to use and the results measurable and accountable . Caterpillar has introduced several computer models to assist the industry in selecting and managing an equipment fleet. These programs allow the user to predict and monitor the operating costs and production capability of mobile equipment. They are often used in the machine selection process to select equipment which best suits a mine's long-term cost per tonne objectives. After the optimum selection is made, Caterpillar's Maintenance Control System provides an efficient management tool to monitor and verify the data used in the selection model."

Jan 1, 1992

By Antoine Fournier, Karen St. Seymour

"Responding to market developments, interest in locating deposits of wollastonite has grown significantly. The many occurrences in the Grenville marbles of Quebec can be grouped into disseminated type and discordant vein-type deposits. Disseminated-type wollastonite occurrences have the disadvantages of lower grade, the need for more elaborate mineral separation, and failure to meet ""long grain"" technical specifications. Vein-type deposits have better grades and technical characteristics; exploration should be focussed on these and in the contact-metamorphic aureoles of fluid-rich intrusions. SOMMAIREEn réactions aux nouveaux de bouches, l'interet pour les gîtes de wollastonite a crû de façon marquée. Les nombreux indices sis dans la province de Grenville au Québec peuvent être regroupes en deux catégories soit: les indices dissémines et les indices en veines discordantes. Les indices dissémines ont le désavantage d'être moins enrichis, de requérir une séparation minéralogique plus complexe, et leur wollastonite ne possède pas le degré d'acicularité voulu. Les indices en veines sont plus enrichis en plus de rencontrer les critêres techniques; les efforts d'exploration devraient se porter vers ce type de gites et aussi, sur les auréoles métamorphiques de contact d’intrusions riches en fluides."

Jan 1, 1992

By P. Mengé

The covering of a hydraulically filled goethite pond is discussed from a geotechnical point of view. The characteristics of the goethite were defined in order to allow a detailed study of the procedure for the construction of the cover on top of the soft material and a verification of the stability of the cover and side slopes after construction. These characteristics and the main results of the studies are given, as well as the experiences and observations made during the execution of the work. Finally, the monitoring plan, during and after construction, is also discussed and some results are given. The 'Design and Construct' contract form was used to allow the contractor to choose the optimum and most economical method to realize the closing of the pond, based on his experience with similar projects. The works were carried out between mid 2003 and the end of 2004. The paper will, amongst others, discuss the special method of working that had to be developed to allow the covering of the whole pond in a relatively short time period, without soil improvement methods such as vertical drains or stabilization by in situ treatment. Fill material was used to establish a platform on top of the soft material so that the cover liner and finishing layer could be installed on top of the fill layer. The 'floating roof' principle was used; subsidences were allowed to occur during the installation of the impermeable top liner and soil cover.

Jan 1, 2006

By H. Mindivan

In the present study, the feasibility of recycling AA6061 Al alloy chips by a combination of ciyomilling, cold compaction and hot extrusion processes was investigated. Furthermore, the effect of Al powder addition to the recycled Al alloys chips on the mechanical properties was investigated. The characterization of recycled Al alloys was made by structural examination and mechanical tests (hardness, compression and dry sliding wear tests). The results indicated that by increasing wt. % of Al powder added to the recycled Al alloy chips the studied properties (the density, hardness, compressive strength and wear resistance) increased due to reduction of porosity in the recycled Al alloys.

Jan 1, 2011

By Victor Maksaev, Marcos Zentilli

"Abstract - The Domeyko Cordillera, the westernmost uplifted crustal block of the composite High Andes of northern Chile (20°S to 28°S) hosts a narrow N-S trending belt of Late Eocene-Oligocene giant porphyry copper deposits, which include Collahuasi, Chuquicamata, El Abra, La Escondida, and El Salvador. These deposits are spatially and genetically associated with the closing igneous activity along this range, prior to a 30 km eastward jump of the magmatic front in response to tectonic plate interaction. The porphyry copper deposits are also spatially associated with a major intraarc strike-slip shear system, the Domeyko Fault System. Although the tectonic uplift of the 3000 m to 5000 m high range has generally been assumed to be mostly Miocene in age, field relationships suggest that the Domeyko Fault System and tectonic uplift were active as early as the Eocene, coinciding with porphyry copper emplacement between 41 Ma and 30 Ma. Apatite fission track (FT) thermochronology provides both age data and a time-temperature history for rocks since they cooled below a temperature of ca. 125°C (equivalent to a depth of 4 km to 5 km under normal geothermal gradients) on their way to the surface during exhumation, or after a heating event. Apatite FT data from the Paleozoic crystalline basement of the Domeyko Cordillera indicate that at least 4 km to 5 km of rocks were eroded during exhumation of this tectonic block between ca. 50 Ma to 30 Ma (Middle Eocene to Early Oligocene), a time that immediately precedes and overlaps with the emplacement of giant porphyry copper deposits. The FT data constrain the age and duration of a period of crustal thickening and extensive erosion known as the Incaic compression, an event recognized in the Andes of Chile and Peru. Assuming that cooling was due to denudation alone, modelling of the FT data allow estimation of denudation rates between 200 and 100 m/My during this period. In contrast, exposures of pre-porphyry Paleocene intrusives on the western edge of the Domeyko Cordillera reveal apatite FT ages that are concordant with biotite 40Ar-39Ar dates, indicating shallow emplacement, fast cooling and negligible exhumation. The apatite FT ages of the Chuquicamata and El Abra porphyry copper deposits are only marginally younger than their 40Ar-39Ar dates, implying fast cooling/exhumation of shallow mineralizing systems (ca. 2 km to 3 km). Their FT time-temperature history is compatible with extremely low rates of exhumation (ca. 50 m/My) since about 30 Ma (Early Oligocene). This limited extent of erosion, due to exceptional aridity, has greatly contributed to the preservation of rich supergene enriched blankets above some of the porphyry copper deposits.A model is proposed, which is consistent with field relationships, geochemical, and geochronological data. High relative velocities and intermediate-angle oblique convergence between the Nazca and South American plates in the Eocene-Early Oligocene led to intra-arc transpression partitioned into reverse faults of opposing vergence and a right-lateral shear system (the Domeyko Shear System) localized along the magmatic front. Crustal shortening and thickening led to uplift within the Domeyko Fault System and to erosion of at least 4 km to 5 km. Crustal thickening deepened the zone of magma generation, and magmas accumulated in the lower crust, allowing small volumes to rise rapidly to shallow levels along transtensional domains of the regional shear system. A similar model of crustal thickening and shortening before and during porphyry copper emplacement in zones of transtension may also apply to the Miocene-Pliocene giant porphyry copper province of central Chile."

Jan 1, 1999

By A. Aftabi

To evaluate geochemical aspects of sheared zones, 35 samples of granitoid rocks from an area of shearing >5 km2at Derehamzeh, Iran were studied geochemically. Relatively unaltered samples within the shear-zone area average 38 ppm Cu, 1.45 ppm Mo, 4.6 ppb Au, 0.21 ppm Ag, <1ppm Re, 46 ppm Zn, 28.5 ppm Pb, and 0.34% S. Bleached, hydrothermally-altered samples areanomalous in Cu (>896 ppm), Au(>59.5 ppb), Ag(>24.4 ppm), Re(>1.28 ppm), Zn (>164 ppm), Pb(>218 ppm), and S(>0.9%). Some samples from bleached sheared zones that are highly anomalous in Cu (5000 ppm), Mo(23 ppm), Ag(74 ppm), and Au(200 ppb) are characterized by a typical sericitic alteration assemblage consisting of sericite, pyrite, chalcopyrite, and granular quartz. The main anomalous zone extends over about 0.4 km2in the southern part of the area. The strong Cu-Mo-Au-Ag association in the sericitic shear zones suggests a possible relationship to porphyry cop-per mineralization, similar to that found in northern Chile. Further studies on drill-core samples in the southern sericitized shear zones are required to determine if more extensive porphyry-type sul?de mineralization is present.

Jan 1, 1997

By A. Aftabi

Abstract-To evaluate geochemical aspects of sheared zones, 35 samples of granitoid rocks from an area of shearing >5 km2 at Derehamzeh, Iran were studied geochemically. Relatively unaltered samples within the shear-zone area average 38 ppm Cu, 1.45 ppm Mo, 4.6 ppb Au, 0.21 ppm Ag, <1 ppm Re, 46 ppm Zn, 28.5 ppm Pb, and 0.34% S. Bleached, hydrothermally-altered samples are anomalous in Cu (>896 ppm), Au(>59.5 ppb), Ag(>24.4 ppm), Re(>1.28 ppm), Zn (>164 ppm), Pb (>218 ppm), and S(>0.9%). Some samples from bleached sheared zones that are highly anomalous in Cu (5000 ppm), Mo(23 ppm), Ag(74 ppm), and Au(200 ppb) are characterized by a typical sericitic alteration assemblage consisting of sericite, pyrite, chalcopyrite, and granular quartz. The main anomalous zone extends over about 0.4 km2 in the southern part of the area. The strong Cu- Mo-Au-Ag association in the sericitic shear zones suggests a possible relationship to porphyry copper mineralization, similar to that found in northern Chile. Further studies on drill-core samples in the southern sericitized shear zones are required to determine if more extensive porphyry-type sulfide mineralization is present.

Jan 1, 1997

By S. K. Dimitrov

?Ellatzite Med? is one of the biggest mining companies in Bulgaria, processing about 12,000,000 t of ore per year. Waste materials left after extraction of copper concentrate are deposited in tailings dam ?Benkovski 2?. The hydraulic structure is built according to the downstream method, through hydrocyclonization where the downstream batter and the body of the wall are formed by the separated coarse sand particles of the separated tailings. In connection with the prolonged concession of Ellatzite Med and the enlarged capacity of Benkovski 2, the tailings dam has expanded on to the surrounding terrain. To guarantee a normal hydrocyclonization and build up of a tailings wall during waste deposition from the ore mill, the technological scheme of the hydraulic transport system of Benkovski 2 has been changed.

Aug 1, 2013

By T. K. Bose

According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the average global temperature has risen over the last century. If this trend continues over the next century, the IPCC projects a significant increase in temperature and a rise in sea level. The changes in climate could adversely impact human health, agriculture, water resources and ecosystems. Most national and international agencies have concluded that our use of carbon-rich fuel is responsible for global warming through the greenhouse effect. In the future, the situation may get worse if the increased need for energy in countries like China, India and Brazil is fulfilled by burning fossil fuel. Advanced natural gas-fuelled vehicles have the potential to reduce carbon monoxide and reactive hydrocarbon emissions substantially compared to gasoline vehicles. Further environmental benefits can be realized by using a blend of natural gas and hydrogen. Such an approach will help create an infrastructure for an eventual transition to hydrogen.

Jan 1, 2005

By Hung-wei Liu, Kevin Plucknett

Early attempts to manufacture titanium aluminides using blended elemental powders, through powder metallurgical processes, have been obstructed due to serious swelling during sintering. Although the use of pre-alloyed powder can avoid this undesired expansion problem, there are limited commercial powder sources available. Therefore, in the present research, fundamental studies on the synthesis of dual-phase (? plus a2) Ti48Al intermetallic materials is undertaken, in particular assessing powder manufacture. In order to produce pre-alloyed powders, highly porous Ti48Al pieces are initially sintered from elemental Ti and Al powder blends, and subsequently pulverised into powders. The powder size is then further reduced by use of either dry or wet milling processes (i.e. shatterbox grinding, attrition, or ball milling). Among these methods, shatterbox grinding has shown the highest efficiency, with a slight mechanical alloying effect observed. The manufactured powder morphologies and phases, as well the sintered material, will be discussed.

Jan 1, 2015

By L. R. Bottomer, G. M. Leary

"The Copper Canyon property is located in the Galore Creek area of northwestern British Columbia. Porphyry copper-gold mineralization on the property is notable for its high gold content and close spatial relationship with a distinctive suite of high level syenitic and monzonitic intrusions, and pseudoleucite-bearing volcanic country rocks. The style of alteration and mineralization is similar in many respects to the nearby Galore Creek deposits.The current geological resource of 32.4 million tonnes grading 0.75% Cu, 1.17 g/ t Au and 17.1 g/t Ag is insufficient to support a mining operation, but definition of additional reserves combined with improved transportation infrastructure in the region may change this in the future. The climate, topography and proximity to an active glacier indicate that the most likely production scenario is an underground bulk mining operation, with the ore being milled offsite.IntroductionThe property is located at 57°07' North latitude, 131 °21' West longitude, on NTS sheet 104G/ 3W, approximately 160 km northwest of Stewart and 90 km south of Telegraph Creek (Fig. 1). The Galore Creek camp and airstrip are located 6 km to the west. Current access to the property is via helicopter either from Galore Creek, or from the Bronson Creek airstrip 32 km to the south-southeast.The deposit occurs within the Boundary Ranges of the Coast Mountains, on the north side of the east fork of Galore Creek, which flows northerly into the Scud River and thence westerly to the Stikine River.Topography is rugged. In the deposit area, elevations range from 1130 m to 1750 m. Valley glaciers and permanent snow and ice fields are characteristic of the region at these elevations, and at its southern limit, mineralization is truncated by the East Fork Glacier.The property is entirely above the treeline, and except for areas of moraine cover and talus slopes, outcrop is abundant."

Jan 1, 1995

By Ralph W. Edie

"IntroductionTHIS PAPER presents some analyses of diabases from a number of metallogenic provinces in Canada and the United States. It is intended as a contribution to the literature on the genesis of mineral deposits associated with diabase.As it has been in the past, opinion today on the origin of the cobaltnickel- native silver and associated pitchblende type of deposit is sharply divided. Some geologists hold that this type of deposit is in some way genetically related to intrusive diabase; others are of the opinion that the deposits are related to granite. The controversy, like others of a similar nature, probably will not be settled satisfactorily for many years to come, •but in the meantime it is recognized that, with respect to most deposits of the type referred to, altogether too few facts are known for accurate conclusions on genesis to be drawn. To contribute in a small way to factual data on this whole .problem, the writer analyzed diabase from several districts in Canada in which deposits of the aforementioned type occur. For comparative purposes, the copper, cobalt, and nickel content of diabase from Cornwall, Pennsylvania, and of norite from the Sudbury basin of Ontario, was also determined.Insofar as is known, none of the analytical work undertaken had been previously carried out."

Jan 1, 1953

By M. B. Mansur, A. S. Guimarães, A. J. M. Santanilla, D. C. R. Espinosa, J. A. S. Tenório, R. A. Pini

The separation of Ni and Co from sulphate medium containing Mn, Mg, Cu and Ca was carried out by solvent extraction. The object of this study was to investigate the synergistic effect using phosphinic acid (Cyanex 272) and carboxylic acid (Versatic 10) and their mixtures in kerosene. The extraction percent of each metal ion was found to increase with increasing pH and extractant concentration. Co was preferentially extracted over Ni under the same extraction conditions. The separation factors of Ni/Co increased with the use of the synergistic systems investigated.

Jan 1, 2014

By G. G. Hatch

FOLLOWING World War II there was an urgent need for the development of domestic sources of ilmenite to take care of the expanding needs of the titanium dioxide pigment industry. In addition, there was the interest by the pigment manufucturers and others in titanium metal. Prior to the war the pigment industry in the United States had obtained its major tonnage of ilmenite, analyzing 55- ?60 per cent Ti02, from India. However, as a result of the shipping situation which developed during the war, the pigment manufacturers had to consider the use of lower grades of ilmenite located on this continent .and several companies undertook extensive exploration programmes to locate and develop such orebodies. Probably the most significant deposit that was found as a result of these ?programmes was the orebody .at Allard Lake, Quebec, owned by the Quebec Iron and Titanium Corporation. This ?Company was formed in 1948 by the Kennecott Copper Corporation and the New Jersey Zinc Company to mine this ilmenite ore and treat it in electric furnaces to produce titanium dioxide slag for the pigment industry and iron for the steel industry.

Jan 1, 1956

By T. E. Wakefield

"Final Galloway (stage) designs for vertical drill and blast shaft sinking projects evolve from complex thought patterns which integrate operational processes, systems and methods of communication, power supply, drilling, blasting, ventilating, mucking, supporting, surveying, dewatering, sealing, concrete lining and shaft furnishing. Attention to ergonomic design detail at the shaftsman / structure interface is at the heart of safe and successful multi-deck working platforms. For economy the end product must have a low mass to reduce suspension rope end loads to be able to use smaller suspension hoists and have lighter headframe structures, be robust to withstand concussion damage, be easily constructible on site, be maintainable in the shaft barrel, and comply with safety and legislated standards. This paper’s ambition is to describe a systematic design framework and sequenced thought process that delivers a product that is engineered with excellence, illustrated by making use of two designs that evolved during recent Galloway projects, one destined for a large diameter man/material shaft, the other for a ventilation shaft. The stage engineering iterative process starts with mapping permanent and sinking hoisting layouts, followed by laying out horizontal deck plans, mostly constrained by the permanent shaft purpose and configuration, whilst maximizing openings to enable muck to be removed rapidly for the best sinking cycles. Concurrently the designer needs to understand the chosen sinking methodologies in conjunction with crewing to determine the number of decks and fix their spacing. Insufficient access to move and line up formwork, set reinforcing rods and pour concrete in the confined spaces of the stage is an inherent major risk to be mitigated. An iterative and integrative process follows for the primary configuration which delves into increasing design detail, accommodating all other methodology influences, resulting in 3D layouts for further risk assessment, review and fine tuning by seasoned shaftsmen. INTRODUCTION Documented colliery shaft sinking practice from the late 1800’s makes reference to purpose built walling (bricked lining) cribs with floors suspended in sinking shafts, thereby allowing shaft lining to proceed concurrently with the excavation. Improvements were made by Sir William Galloway who introduced two decks supported at the corners by angle irons. The sinking stage, or Galloway, has developed substantially over time to be the in-barrel heart of the sinking operation, with overwhelming complexity for those who have to design one for the first time."

Jan 1, 2019

By C. George Miller

"As the influence of governments has become more widely felt, the use of research techniques to analyze policy has increased. Mineral economics, as one of the foundations of mineral policy research, has grown accordingly. Policy research and analysis has been carried out within governments, university departments and the private sector. Each of these institutional environments has characteristics which influence the topics of study, the approach, the methodology and the output of the research. A brief survey of recent research activities provides illustrations of trends and developments occurring within this organizational framework.A radically different organization, the independent research institute, has begun to make an impact on policy research in recent years, and will have an increasing importance in the future. Combining certain features of the traditional research organizations, it nevertheless has important differences which are essential to its effective functioning. An overview of the formation, goals, organization and operation of one such institute is presented."

Jan 1, 1976

By N. Valkanov

This paper presents results of an investigation into the connection between minerals liberation management and flotation, responding to lead-zinc concentrator ?Erma reka?, in Bulgaria. Monitoring of a Zn flotation circuit was carried out. The causes for the high silica content in the final Zn concentrate were established. Quartz is present mainly as liberated particles (> 60?80 %) in the fine fractions of the products; therefore the selectivity of the flotation process is not effective. Two approaches were tested to reduce the quartz content of Zn concentrate: froth washing in Zn cleaner flotation and new gangue depressants in the Zn circuit. Experimental results from bench-scale flotation and industrial tests show that it is possibile to reduce the silica content of final Zn concentrate more than 2 times without the need for extensive regrinding. The depression of liberated quartz particles on all operations of Zn circuit using stage depressant addition is the right solution to produce high-grade Zn concentrate that meets the metallurgical requirements.

Aug 1, 2013

By G. J. Arseneau

Mineral resource statements are reported as tonnage and grades. While great care is placed on generating a reliable estimation of grade, the determination of bulk density for resource estimation is often overlooked. Often mineral resource statements are prepared using a simple average value of bulk density. While a simple average estimate of bulk density can be appropriate for some deposit types, an over simplistic estimation of bulk density can result in serious errors in tonnage estimates and consequently to an over or under estimation of metal content. The construction of a reliable bulk density model requires an adequate bulk density database in order to develop a good understanding of the variability of bulk density with grade and geology. A reliable bulk density database is also essential in determining the appropriate modeling technique to minimize the errors in mineral resource statements caused by incorrect bulk density determinations. This paper summarizes bulk density measuring techniques and draws on examples from various deposit types examining the basic principles of bulk density modeling and domain construction for each deposit type. Examples are presented of simple bulk density domains and more complex grade variable bulk density domains with a discussion of best approaches for minimizing errors in density estimation.

Aug 1, 2013

By J. S. DeLury

The last few years have been eventful ones for Manitoba in connection with mineral development. Perhaps the past year has been the most important of all. It is therefore a suitable time to review the mining situation in the Province. In order to obtain, in the following paper, a proper set ting from which to discuss the trend of recent developments, a brief review of the story of mining will first be given. This will include a summary of a few of the outstanding facts regarding prospecting, discovery, and operations in the several known metalliferous areas of the Province. Following this will come a more detailed description of activities during the past year or two. Special attention will then be paid to the outstanding enterprises, such a~ those associated with the names of Flin Flon, Sherritt-Gordon, and Central Manitoba, names which have been attracting the attention of the mining world to Manitoba. And last of all will be presented a brief summary of mineral production, which, so far, has largely been credited to non-metallics. HISTORICAL To aid a proper comprehension of the recent trend in mining, it is well not to lose sight of the history of development in the different metalliferous areas in Manitoba. This Province seems throughout to have been more or less dependent on mining interest excited by discoveries in the neighbouring province of Ontario. The first interest came as an effect of the Lake of the Woods mining boom, when small adjacent parts of Manitoba were prospected. Several discoveries were made, but no mining industry resulted.

Jan 1, 1929