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On June 4, Kennecott Utah Copper (KUC)marked the centennial of the founding of the original company. Bill Champion is president and chief executive officer of KUC. He said, “What has happened during the past 100 years far surpassed even the most optimistic visions of men like Daniel C. Jackling and Robert Gemmell when they promoted the concept of mass production techniques for a low-grade deposit of copper ore. At that time, it was a totally new way of doing things and the mining leaders of that day scoffed at the idea. They said it would never work,” Champion said. The company will celebrate this once-in-a-lifetime occasion with a few special projects, mainly for the benefit of our employees, said Louie Cononelos, director of government and public affairs for KUC. The company has designed and minted a commemorative copper coin that reflects early steam shovel and locomotive operations on one side, and today’s modern electric shovels and huge haulage trucks on the other side. “The history of the company stems from the ores of the Bingham Canyon Mine. That coin has been encased as part of a10-panel brochure that captures the company’s 100 year history,” he said. KUC also developed special centennial banners and comparable framed posters that were displayed throughout its operations and at selected community locations that have enjoyed a long-time partnership and special relationship with the company. Some of the plants also designed their own centennial hardhat decals.

Jan 1, 2003

By Ana Chiquini, Clayton V. Deutsch

The most common approach used in the mining industry for mineral resources modeling is to estimate the grades using ordinary kriging and report the recoverable resources based on this deterministic estimated model. Mineral resources calculated with kriging are a smooth representation of the actual distribution of grades and do not provide an assessment of uncertainty. Unlike kriging, simulation reproduces the variability of the grades in the mineral deposit and provides an assessment of uncertainty. Reporting mineral resources directly on high-resolution simulation results would assume perfect knowledge of the grade at the time of mining and selectivity at the scale of the data. There will always be uncertainty left at the time of mining, so assuming perfect knowledge of the grade in the future is incorrect. There are two concerns when geostatistical simulation is used for resources modeling: the information and the mining selectivity effects. A new framework for resource estimation is proposed with two separate modules to address those concerns. The information effect is accounted for by anticipating the additional production data that will be available at the time mining to guide the destination for the mined material. The mining selectivity effect is addressed by mimicking the grade control procedure to get mineable dig limits at a chosen selectivity, represented by a minimum mineable unit size. In addition to a prediction of recoverable resources that will be closer to the material mined in the future, the framework proposed provides an assessment of local and global uncertainty for risk management.

May 26, 2020

By Joseph Kuti

Longwall mining is the term used for the underground extraction of a wide and deep panel of coal. Such a panel may be blocked out by one or more entries on either side ("head" and "tail") of a longwall face. If all the entries are pre-driven, the panel extraction is termed longwall retreat mining. With one exception, all the longwall faces in the United States are of this type. (1) prior to the general decline in the rates of production with Continuous Miners, the development of the multiple entries generally kept ahead of the longwall extraction rate. This is no longer the case: longwall extraction rates far exceed the rate of development. In addition to this problem, in newly established mines, the development of a haulage and bleeder system based on multiple entries results in a lead-time of three years or more before longwall mining can be applied. This is one reason why earlier projections and much of the optimism attached to longwall mining as a principal "savior" in the energy crisis should be viewed with some caution.

Jan 1, 1978

By Richard E. Thill

Engineering properties of rock are essential in most phases of mining from site reconnaissance through mineral processing. Review of the literature indicates, however, that property data is scarce for most coal measure rocks in the United States. The Bureau of Mines, U.S. Department of the Interior, has undertaken a wide-ranging testing program to provide more complete property data for coal strata in the U.S. coal basins. The property data are expected to have application in geophysical exploration, the development of pre- mining and hazard detection probes and instrumentation, mine design, engineering and rock mass classification, subsidence engineering, and ground control. This paper describes the comprehensive program encompassing in situ geological, geophysical, and geotechnical properties and laboratory determinations of acoustic, electromagnetic, physical, mechanical, and index properties and discusses results for 500 ft of coal measures at a minesite in the Northern Appalachian, Eastern Coal Province.

Jan 1, 1982

By Dan Preston, Shane Yanagisawa, Robert Marshall, Don Deere

Geotechnical Baseline Reports often estimate the number of cobbles that will be encountered in terms of volume or weight. These estimates are practically impossible to verify in the field. ClaroVia Holdings in conjunction with Frontier Kemper Constructors Inc. developed Digital Geologist 2.0 to classify and count cobbles discharged from an EPB TBM at the RSC7 project in Burbank, CA. The system worked by using two stereoscopic laser sensors with a global shutter to scan and count cobbles at 12 frames per second. Results of the effort are revealed along with lessons learned and paths for improvement.

Jun 13, 2023

By D. W. Rich

An environmental management system (EMS) is a key part of a company?s environmental stewardship. Procedures and practices to continually improve environmental performance can provide great benefits in operating the company. Managing site environmental quality data is a key component of this. An environmental data management system (EDMS) is an important element of the EMS for mining and other projects, providing project staff with the information that they need to make decisions that can have a significant impact on public health. Improvements in computers, data communications, and transfer formats have made it much easier to implement an integrated EDMS program for gathering, managing, selecting, and displaying data from the field and the lab. Software now lets users define sampling plans, create files for field data entry, and print Chains of Custody. Laptop and handheld computers facilitate field data entry and may provide automated communication back to the office. Most labs can now create usable electronic data deliverables. QC checks and limit comparisons can be largely automated. The result is organized data that can be efficiently used for reporting, graphing, and mapping, to better understand project issues.

Jan 1, 2009

By James R. Evans

Orange County, adjacent to the populous and industrialized Los Angeles area, is the fastest growing county in California and is second only to Los Angeles County in total population (figure 1). In addition to an equable climate and a burgeoning economy, there is room in Orange County for growth and expansion. Growth over the past decade has resulted in rapid development of industrial tracts, housing areas, and shopping and commercial centers, mostly in former agricultural areas. The value of new building in 1972 was a record amount-over I billion dollars (figure 2). Problems relating to the proper direction of growth are the concern of both government and the private sector. The intelligent and efficient use of areas to be developed requires planning for the conservation and protection of the County's natural beauty and for the orderly development of natural resources. The availability of sand and gravel, which is used in many phases of construction, will be a major controlling factor in the future of the County.

Jan 1, 1974

By Jr. Kermit Allen

A study was conducted for the AEC to determine the feasibility of constructing an unsupported 315 foot diameter spherical cavity at a depth of 2,700 feet in a salt dome. A cavity of this size and shape has never been attempted. It was determined that the three basic essentials for solution mining; adequate salt, fresh water, and a means of brine disposal were available at the Tatum Salt Dome in Lamar County, Mississippi. Assuming a large, unsupported mined opening of the size and at the depth required would remain stable, the most practical method of providing the cavity using solution mining techniques is by use of a movable blanket of air to control the water level to properly shape the cavity while removing the insolubles either with jetting or by conventional mining methods. It is estimated that, using the jetting method of insolubles removal, the cavity can be constructed in 24 months for approximately $7 million. Using conventional mining techniques to remove the insolubles and shape the final cavity, it is estimated that the cavity can be constructed in 36 months for approximately $12.6 million.

Jan 1, 1968

By Bo Forsman

METAFORA is a simulation model for determination and evaluation of strategies for operating loader/truck systems in mining. A specific version of METAFORA was used to evaluate the haulage system at Solider Mineral's Aitik mine in northern Sweden, one of the largest open pit mines in Europe with a production of about 11.5 Mtpy (about 34000 tpd) of copper are. A production level of 34065 tpd was estimated by simulation runs with METAFORA. Using METAFORA's dispatch rules (Fixed Dispatch, Maximize Trucks, and Maximize Loaders), the truck/shovel system in the Aitik mine was simulated for evaluating alternative dispatch control strategies. The Maximize Trucks rule gave about the same total production (ore + waste) as the Fixed Dispatch rule but a 9% higher ore production. The Maximize Loaders rule gave the lowest production. The marginal truck capacity decreases with increasing number of trucks serving the same loader due to increasing waiting times. In Aitik mine the low crusher capacity results in long dumping times. If the dumping time at the crusher could be halved, the ore production would increase by 14%. The paper indicates that the use of software like METAFORA can result in a substantial reduction of time, effort and cost in shovel/truck system design and evaluation.

Jan 1, 1992

By Susan P. Taite, Alain R. Charest, Peter D. Lewis

The El Sauzal deposit is a classic, high sulfidation, epithermal gold system located in the southwestern Chihuahua state of Mexico (Fig. 1). A Francisco Gold geologist discovered the prospect in1995. El Sauzal was encountered as a result of an extensive grassroots exploration program in the rugged, dissected volcanic terrains of the Sierra Madre Occidental, around the historical Batopilas silver camp. At El Sauzal, high grade gold is hosted within a series of more permeable, low-dipping, lithic and fine-grained dacitic rocks of early Tertiaryage. The mineralization appears tobe structurally and lithologically controlled. The alteration characteristics are typical of a high sulfidation system, including kaolinite, illite, alunite, dickite and pyrophyllite.

Jan 1, 2005

By Borje Bjorkvall

At LKAB's plants in Lappland, Sweden, sintered pellets are manu-factured according to three different industrial processes, viz. shaft furnace at Malmberget, straight-grate at Kiruna and grate-kiln at Svappavaara. At present the total annual capacity amounts to 4.7 million tons. However, since it has been decided to erect a new straight-grate plant (2.5 million tons) at Malmberget, and because of the decision to extend and rebuild the existing plants, it is estimated that the annual capacity will be increased to somewhat over 8 million tons by 1973. The great majority of the pellets produced is exported. They are thus reloaded several times and generally speaking roughly handled, resulting in larger or smaller product losses on arrival at the point of use. It is there-fore of great economical interest to have a good control over the transport strength of the pellets by appropriate quality testing at the point of production. In addition to good transport strength, further demands are ob-viously made on pellets destined for blast furnace operation. The blast furnace burden must maintain a good permeability for the gas. The pellets must thus have a favourable size distribution and must not be so weakened by reduction that they disintegrate under the stresses and clog the blast furnace shaft. Furthermore, the burden must have good reducibility. An increase of the rate of reduction can obviously mean increased blast furnace capacity and reduced coke consumption. In order to optimise the properties of the pellets in these respects, the producer must also be thoroughly familiar with their behaviour during reduction, particularly as the customer's interest in the reduction properties of the pellets' has increased over the last few years. Up to now the only quality demands the customer has made have generally had to do with the cold strength and the screen analysis. Thus a quality control of in addition to good transport strength, further demands are obviously made on pellets destined for blast furnace operation. The blast furnace burden must maintain a good permeability for the gas. The pellets must thus have a favourable size distribution and must not be so weakened by reduction that they disintegrate under the stresses and clog the blast furnace shaft. Furthermore, the burden must have good reducibility. An increase of the rate of reduction can obviously mean increased blast furnace capacity and reduced coke consumption. In order to optimise the properties of the pellets in these respects, the producer must also be thoroughly familiar with their behaviour during reduction, particularly as the customer's interest in the reduction properties of the pellets' has increased over the last few years. Up to now the only quality demands the customer has made have generally had to do with the cold strength and the screen analysis. Thus a quality control of

Jan 1, 1972

P&H MinePro Services Canada is supplying Syncrude Canada three more of its model4100BOSS electric mining shovels. The shovels will be delivered during 2003. Syncrude’s oil sands operations already use five P&H shovels. The first 4100BOSS shovel was commissioned at Syncrude’s operation in northern Alberta, Canada in October 2001. The unit loads more than 9 kt/hr (10,000 stph) of unblasted oil sands. Since it began operation, the 4100BOSS has shown a 28% production increase over the four P&H 4100TS shovels also on site.

Jan 1, 2003

By H. Demirel

This paper deals with concentration of hematitic-limonitic iron ores. The ore sample obtained from Karakuz (Turkey) contain:. about 40-46 I Fe. First, a low intensity magnetic separation process was employed to separate the strongly magnetic particles cf "-10+2 mm" and "-2+0.075 mm" size fractions and magnetic concentrates with 59.1 % Fe aid % 58.0 Fe were obtained respectively. The non-magnetics of both fractions were then fed to a nigh intensity permanent magnetic separator. The Fe contents of "-10+2 nun" and "2+0.075 mm" size fractions were increased from 28.2 to 51.13 and from 35.4 7. to 43.25 respectively after single pass. Easing on these results, it was concluded that the high intensity permanent magnetic separator could he used as a pre-concentrator f.7.1- hematitic-limonitic Karakuz iron ore.

Jan 1, 1991

By Patrick J. Doig

In mid-1991, the design/build contractor set to work on the Pergau HEP in a remote corner of Malaysia, armed with only a slim volume of conceptual drawings. The next five years saw roads, power lines, buildings, dams, and over 30 kilometers of tunnel constructed, followed by two years of E&M installation and commissioning. Along the way, the project overcame geothermal groundwater, faults, land disputes, monsoon rains, marauding tigers, and those most fearsome of foes, politicians and the press. This paper is a testament to the ingenuity, commitment, and persistence of the construction industry professionals who brought this massive project to fruition.

Jan 1, 2001

By Mahmut Yavuz

to in Old Uighur Turkish as Tolay kopugu, in Ottoman Turkish as Derya kopugu, and in modern Turkish as Luletasi. Scientifically known as sepiolite, it is represented by the formula Si12Mg8O30(OH)4(H2O)4(8H2O). Sepiolite is a natural clay mineral composed of hydrous magnesium silicate, characterized by a structure of alternating blocks and tunnels that develop in the direction of the fiber. Each structural block contains two silica tetrahedral sheets surrounding a central layer of magnesium oxide- hydroxide. Sepiolite exists in two distinct forms in nature: alpha-sepiolite and beta-sepiolite. Alpha- sepiolite is amorphous, compact, and resembles pellets that look like sea froth, hence its Turkish name Luletasi. In contrast, beta-sepiolite appears as amorphous aggregates or small, flat, round particles. These two forms exhibit different physical properties. Meerschaum was also studied by Brauner and Preisinger in 1958, who agreed that it primarily consists of sepiolite (2MgO·3SiO2·nH2O). According to these researchers, water is present in its mineral, zeolitic, crystal, and structural forms. Meerschaum is commonly used for adsorbing various liquids, as an ion exchanger, and for dispersing and insulating paraffin in the chemical industry (Gokdemir and Dogan, 2011). Sepiolite deposits of the meerschaum type are primarily found in Turkey, Somalia, Tanzania, Kenya, and Mexico. Alongside high-quality, low-density, and highly porous meerschaum, Somalia also has sedimentary sepiolite formations. The total reserves of these deposits are estimated at around 50–100 million tons (Sariiz and Isik, 1995). Meerschaum, also known as “white gold” or “sepiolite,” is a unique mineral highly prized for its lightness, heat- resistant properties, and ability to be carved into intricate designs. Found predominantly in Eskisehir, Turkiye, meerschaum mining and processing have become significant contributors to the local economy and cultural heritage. This paper explores the history, economic importance, mining practices, and environmental impacts of meerschaum mining in Eskisehir and discusses the challenges and opportunities faced by the industry.

Feb 1, 2025

By Paul Sarnoff

The economics of precious metals -- depending upon who is involved --could be the economics of hope, of fear, indeed of profit and perhaps survival. For those investors seeking capital gains in a puzzling economy, precious metals involve the economics of hope. Those who are convinced that currency soon won't be worth the paper it's printed on turn to precious metals because of the economics of fear. Gold and silver have been a storehouse of wealth since biblical times. The economics of fear during the past 500 years on the Continent has caused almost every European family to make sure a private stockpile or hoard of gold, silver or coins is at hand in case the paper currency of their country undergoes the kind of disaster that came to the German Mark after World War I. Understandably, for mining companies involved in the production of precious metals, the elements of operations and management are directly concerned with the economics of profit -- and perhaps survival. To the American miner the price of precious metals in the marketplace is a matter of daily concern. After decades of selling silver to the US Government at 64.64 cents an ounce, producing silver mines suddenly became faced with prices breaking $5, $10 and $20 per ounce, and approaching $50 an ounce during the period 1978-1981. What should the miner expect one year in the future? Five years?

Jan 1, 1981

By M. I. Al-Wakeel

Nile sediment was collected as a waste from one of the water treatment plants in Cairo, and subjected to petrographical investigation and granulometric, chemical, and mineralogical analyses. It was expected to find diatomite in that sediment but it was a surprise to find that the diatomite content amounted to about 52.01% by volume in addition to quartz, orthoclase and clay minerals. The latter are represented by montmorillonite and illite minerals. The sediment is light gray in color, soft and has low density and high surface area, such density and surface area generally decrease with temperature. The sediment absorbs 317% of its weight in water. The diatomite skeletons are the main factor responsible for its high porosity producing microporosity and low density, and these particles are concentrated in the very fine silt size fraction (11x2µm). The common diatoms in such sediment include Cyclotella ocellata Pant, and Melosira granulata (Ehr.) Ralfs. It seems that this Nile diatomaceous sediment has many advantages over the fossil diatomite, such as Fayium diatomite in Egypt, with the absence of carbonate minerals that require grinding and calcination those cause destruction of the cellular structure and energy consumption. This Nile diatomaceous sediment can be processed using sequential classification to obtain diatomite concentrate of 88.8% grade at 90.6% recovery, and a middling product of 19.4% grade and 5.8% recovery. The suggested flow sheet is quite simple to produce diatomite product for different industries at a low cost. The unusual particulate structure and chemical inertness make diatomite an ideal mineral to be used as functional filler in a wide range of industries, and as catalyst carriers and insulating material. Key words: Egypt, Nile sediment, Diatomite, Beneficiation, Sedimentation, Classification.

Jan 1, 2008

By B. A. Filas, H. N. Lammers

Responsible environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices are not new to mining. It is the ESG acronym that has become the “flavor-of-the-day” with the stock markets, accounting firms, and investment strategists. This increased interest from the financial sector has heightened executive awareness and accountability to where corporate leadership and directors are proactively prioritizing ESG issues from the top down within their companies. This paper aims to convey what the authors believe one needs to know to be able to conduct and prepare effective ESG audits and reports. The emphasis is on how ESG fits within the mining sector, some of the ways that many mining companies have been practicing ESG responsibility for decades, the importance of effective communications with stakeholders, and the roles that regulatory and international lending institutions play in enhancing ESG practice on a global scale as a precursor to the discussion on ESG auditing and reporting. Without this background, the ESG audit may become a purely academic exercise.

Feb 1, 2023

By J. M. Elder, W. S. Kow

Challenges to new heavy mineral deposit developments are presented. These include land use issues, particle fineness, declining grades, and particle coating, amongst others. Industry responses to these are presented as possible solutions.

Jan 1, 2005

"Editor’s note: Each year, Mining Engineering features an industrial minerals review. Several people put in a fair amount of time in developing the material for this issue, all the while doing their own jobs. Thank you to the industrial minerals annual review editor, to the Industrial Minerals and Aggregates Division technical committee chair and vice chairs, and to the authors of the individual commodity profiles.Jim Norman, member SME, of Tetra Tech, is the industrial minerals annual review editor.Vishal Gupta, member SME, of EP Minerals LLC, is chair of the Industrial Minerals &Aggregates Division’s Technical Committee.The technical committee vice chairs include:• Vishal Gupta, member SME, of EP Minerals LLC, Agricultural Materials.• Joe Garska, member SME, of Imerys, ceramics and refractory materials.• Stanley Krukowski, member SME, of the Oklahoma Geological Survey, chemical raw materials.• Russell Winn, member SME, of R.E. Janes Gravel Co., chemical raw materials.• Justin Zdunczyk, member SME, of Pike Industries, construction aggregates.• Jerry Gauntt, member SME, of Golder Associates, fillers and pigments.• Ebrhaim K. Tarshizi, member SME, of the Michigan Tech, sorbents, filters and process aids.• Daniel T. Eyde, member SME, of St. Cloud Mining, specialty minerals.Their help makes possible this July industrial minerals issue. On behalf of ME readers, the editors thank them.Virta, R.L. U.S. Geological Survey, National Minerals Information CenterFour companies - H.C. Spinks Clay Co., Inc., Imerys, Old Hickory Clay Co., and Unimin Corp. - mined ball clay in four states in 2013. On the basis of preliminary data, production was 1 Mt (1.1 million st) with an estimated value of $47 million. Production increased by 3 percent in tonnage from 973 kt (1.1 million st) with a value of $45.1 million in 2012. Tennessee was the leading producer state accounting for 64 percent of domestic production, followed by Texas, Mississippi and Kentucky. About 67 percent of total ball clay production was airfloat, 22 percent was crude or shredded and 11 percent was water-slurried.ConsumptionIn 2013, domestic ball clay producers sold clays to the following markets: ceramic floor and wall tile (44 percent); exports (21 percent); sanitaryware (18 percent); miscellaneous ceramics (9 percent); fillers, extenders, and binders, and unspecified uses (4 percent each), based on 2012 end use patterns and current markets. Other markets accounted for less than 1 percent of the remaining ball clay sales or use. Sales reported for the manufacture of fiberglass or most filler, extender, and binder applications were likely to have been mainly kaolin mined or purchased by the ball clay producers.PricesThe average value of domestically produced ball clay was approximately $47/t ($43/st) in 2013 compared with $46/t ($42/st) in 2012, on the basis of a preliminary survey of domestic ball clay producers. The unit values of exported and imported ball clay were $126/t ($114/ st) and $373/t ($338/st), respectively, in 2013, compared with $62/t ($56/st) and $314/t ($285/st), respectively, in 2012. Unit values for most large export shipments increased in 2013, and a larger number of low-tonnage, high-value export shipments were shipped in 2013 than in 2012, resulting in a doubling of the average export value. Two low-tonnage, high-value shipments in 2013 accounted for the increased value of imports."

Jan 1, 2014