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By d&apos, F. Elia

Hot cracking of magnesium (Mg) alloys during welding creates a barrier to enhancing the use of these alloys in automotive applications. As a result, it is imperative to understand the mechanisms responsible for hot cracking of Mg alloy welds in order to develop means of eliminating this problem. In this study, the hot cracking susceptibility of AZ91E and AE42 magnesium alloys were assessed using the moving torch Varestraint test method. Plates of 3 mm thickness were extracted from AZ91E and AE42 ingots and subsequently tested. Quantitative cracking data in terms of maximum crack length (MCL) was used for evaluating the cracking susceptibility. Scanning electron microscopy was carried out. The results suggest that AE42 showed a higher resistance to hot cracking in comparison to the AZ91E alloy. This was attributed to the difference in microstructure between the two alloys. In the fusion zone and HAZ of AE42, the brittle needle-like A1IIRE3 phase was seen to decompose to the more ductile particle-like Al2RE phase, thereby increasing the alloy's resistance to hot cracking. In contrast, SEM fractography revealed that brittle A16Mn and Mg17A112 intermetallic particles segregated to grain boundaries and triggered hot cracking in AZ91E.

Jan 1, 2011

By H. C. Gunning

SOME small vanadium-bearing deposits on the west coast of British Columbia about 100 miles north of Vancouver are of interest for several reasons. They are of a type that is, so far as we know, unique. They are difficult to identify as being vanadiferous so that, unless they are described, other similar deposits could easily pass unrecognized. Furthermore, although none of them has as yet been proven to be of commercial proportions, no good reason is apparent why larger, and therefore valuable, deposits should not occur under similar geological conditions. The original discovery on Quadra island was made in 1932 and has been recorded by H. V. Ellsworth and H. C. Gunning (l). Since 1932, prospecting in the area has revealed other similar deposits, one about a mile south of the original and another some ten miles to the east, near Menzies bay on Vancouver island. The Quadra Island showings are a mile and a half north of the head of Gowland harbour, a small inlet that is easily reached by gas boat from Campbell river, about four miles to the southeast on Vancouver island. The deposits were examined by the writers in the spring of 1943 in connection with field work sponsored by the Department of Geology, University of British Columbia. We are indebted to Mr. G. A. Dirom and Mr. Lothrop, of Vancouver, for helpful data on the Menzies Bay deposits, and to Dr. V. Dolmage for making a brief trip to Gowland harbour and discussing the deposits.

Jan 1, 1944

By H. J. Handewith

"After having performed qualitative and quantitative tests on nearly 550 rock specimens from tunnel projects throughout the world and comparing the results with actual boring in eight distinctly different rock types which varied in compressive strength from 12,000 to over 34,000 psi, it has been concluded that any rock -andesite, granite and even taconite -can be machine-bored. The question is -can it be bored economically? The intent of this paper is to delineate the investigative needs to accurately and reliably answer this question. A piece of NX core in the hand represents less than 50 per cent of the worthwhile geologic information that could have been obtained from a given core hole. A thorough site investigation by competent personnel can gene-rally foretell to what extent, if any, varying geologic conditions will hinder machine progress.A laboratory testing technique has been developed that has been correlated well (80 to 120 per cent) with actual boring results. This technique will be discussed in detail. Rock cutter life is a function of the penetration rate and the forces required to sustain that rate. Cutters are now, and will be for .some time to come, the single, most expensive consumable item involved in continuous tunneling in hard rock. It is by strict attention to predicting these rates and forces that tunneling costs can be optimized."

Jan 1, 1970

By D. Holz

In this work we present a novel level set-based model for the real-time simulation of soil deformations. A level set defined by a signed distance function and sampled in a regular 3D grid represents and tracks the soil volume under deformation. Moving away from classical 2.5D heightfield representations of soil to a full 3D volume representation allows for improved tracking of cutting tool operations and the simulation of near-vertical or vertical soil faces. The proposed level set representation furthermore provides a versatile mathematical platform for modeling additional effects such as soil slip, and does not suffer from the sampling limitations of commonly used heightfields. Cutting forces applied to the tool are simulated via a formulation based on the Fundamental Equation of Earthmoving, modified to support inclined soil surfaces and transient states of tool motion. Discretisation of this 2D cutting force model with respect to the tool surface allows capturing the effects of irregular 3D terrain shapes on blades and buckets. The surcharge created during cutting operations is tracked in the form of particles and included in the soil failure force computation. We make use of an adaptive, hybrid level set-based and particle-based soil deformation scheme, which allows the soil deformation to be simulated in real-time.

Aug 1, 2013

By S. F. Featherby

"This paper traces briefly the historical development of coal handling systems to meet the needs of a rapidly developing thermal power generation technology. The wide range of operating requirements is demonstrated by comparing and contrasting the Wabamun GS of Calgary Power Ltd. and a typical modern Ontario-Hydro thermal plant. The problems of safe storage of large tonnages of coal in stockpiles are discussed, together with recommendations for stockpile management. The development of coal bunkers and their management is discussed in detail, together with future trends in the industry."

Jan 1, 1966

Introduction A Hypothetical Scenario: Suppose that your company's research department has developed a new device which represents a significant innovation. You would like to begin selling it as soon as possible. The new device has not been publicly disclosed. You're not sure about what type of intellectual property protection you should be seeking, or when you should be seeking it. As discussed below, assuming that the costs are worth it, a patent application probably should be filed before any public disclosure is made. In general, if you do not file a patent application prior to a public disclosure, you will lose rights. Major Types of Intellectual Property In this paper, intellectual property protection is broadly discussed. Practical steps which can be taken to minimize the possibility of losing intellectual property rights (and maximizing the possibility of benefiting from your company's intellectual property) are outlined at the end of this paper. The issues discussed in this paper are somewhat complex, because a number of outcomes are possible, depending on the facts. It is strongly recommended that you seek legal advice in your jurisdiction in connection with any particular circumstances relating to intellectual property rights. "Intellectual property" refers to a number of different types of rights. The major types of intellectual property are: (i) patents; (ii) trademarks; and (iii) copyright. Trade secrets are also usually considered to be a type of intellectual property, and they are also discussed in this paper because of their importance. In general, each of these types of intellectual property protects different subject matter, although there can be some overlap. Intellectual property rights are generally territorial in nature. The scope of protection of a type of intellectual property in a country (e.g., patent protection) depends on whether the specific national requirements for protection have been met.

Feb 1, 2008

By A Frydrychewicz, J. Mirza, J. Lipkowski

The objective of this work was to understand the mechanisms of action of additives, such as thiourea, that enhance gold leaching in thiosulfate solution. The leaching reaction and surface passivation were investigated using linear sweep voltammetry. Leaching currents were determined using analysis of current-potential curves and the mixed potential theory. The gold-electrolyte interface was further characterized with surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy. The results show how thiourea prevents formation of oxysulfur compounds, which passivate the gold surface. Other molecules such as 3- m ercaptopropionic acid and L-cysteine were also studied as possible additives to prevent passive layer formation.

Jan 1, 2011

By M. P. Tixier

Abstract In a review of the application of electrical logging in Canada, examples are .given of long and short distance correlations by means of the electrical logs. The use of MicroLogging for the determination of permeable and porous formations is explained. The question of log analysis for the quantitative determination of fluid saturation and porosity is .discussed. An example is provided to illustrate the significance of the resistivity gradient. The advantages of the new method of the Laterolog are shown, chiefly for the case of wells filled with high-salinity mud. Introduction Electrical logging techniques developed rapidly in Canada at the time an intensive drilling activity started for the exploitation of the Devonian series in Alberta, namely, at the beginning of 1947. The conventional service was soon thereafter supplemented with the latest technica1 improvements. Canada has been among the first regions to take advantage of MicroLogging*, which has proved a most powerful .tool for the investigation of permeable and porous formations; also, the more recent development known as the Laterolog has ?been introduced in Canada. The Laterolog provides a better determination of .the formations, particularly in the case of salty mud where the conventional logging is greatly handicapped. The various methods of electrical logging are now commonly known in oil industry and have been described in numerous publications ( 1) ( 2) (3).

Jan 1, 1951

By S. Dominguez, E. Gebrehiwot, S. Richardson, S. Sandoval

Copper electrowinning/electrorefining (EW/ER) is powered by direct current (DC) rectifiers that typically generate 30,000 to 70,000 amps and a bus-bus voltage of 200 to 500 volts DC. Tankhouses are designed so that DC current flows through “cell lines” which contain individual EW/ER cells electrically connected in series. Electrolyte composed of copper sulfate and sulfuric acid in water forms the “liquid conductor” that connects the metallic conductors in this circuit. In this setting, stray current is a DC current that strays from and therefore bypasses the tankhouse circuit by finding a path to ground, often through the electrolyte in pipelines that feed into and discharge from the cells, or through dried electrolyte (i.e. sulfate), which is also electrically conductive. Tankhouse workers can be exposed to shock hazards if they become part of a stray current path to ground. This presentation details examples of stray current shock hazards in electrolytic tankhouses and provides voltage and amperage measurements associated with stray current in these examples. A review of critical safety controls in EW/ER tankhouses that will mitigate the risk of employee shock from stray current is also provided. INTRODUCTION Electrolytic tankhouses are designed to deliver relatively large amperages of DC current to a series of electrolytic cells in which copper is plated out of solution using the classic anode-cathode pair geometry within each cell. Electrolyte is the “liquid conductor” that transfers current in between the metallic conductors of the cell. The metallic conductors include inter-cell copper bus bars and the anodes and cathodes themselves. It is sometimes forgotten that electrolyte as a conductor is capable of delivering DC current outside the designed circuit of a tankhouse. Stray current is a DC current that strays from the tankhouse electrical circuit by finding a path to follow other than the designed path. Safety becomes a concern when there is a risk of an employee becoming part of an accidental stray current path, thereby suffering an electrical shock. In 2016, Freeport-McMoRan (FMI) suffered a fatality at one of its copper electrowinning tankhouses. The forensic analysis concluded that stray current from the tankhouse rectifier contributed to the fatality. An employee accidentally fell into contact with a metal flange at the end of an HDPE pipe that was collecting cell overflow electrolyte from the tankhouse. DC current passed through the employee to ground, creating a shock that was judged to contribute to his death. The situation was exasperated because the employee was unconscious, and therefore was exposed to the stray current for several minutes before being found. In addition, the employee’s clothing was saturated with liquid, and the employee was found kneeling in puddled liquid on the ground. FMI immediately began an investigation into the root cause of the stray current that was measured at the scene. Sufficient electrolyte had accumulated in the HDPE pipe such that a continuous path was formed between it and electrolyte that was continuously overflowing from energized electrowinning cells. The metal flange on the pipe was the metallic conductor that carried the current to the employee from the electrolyte inside the pipe. Current then flowed through the employee to ground. Because of this incident, FMI undertook an extensive review of the hazards of stray current in EW/ER. FMI’s tankhouse workforce received a Tankhouse Electrical Safety training course developed in- house to insure worker understanding of stray current hazards. Tankhouse design changes were implemented to better insulate workers from stray current. Personal protective equipment (PPE) standards were also reviewed and changes made.

Jan 1, 2019

By A. M. Brown, P. V. Straznicky

Dimpling as a means of flush countersinking rivets is an old process predominantly used in secondary structures. The introduction of GLARE as an aerospace material has renewed interest in dimpling and its possible application in primary structures. The dimpling process is able to prevent the creation of a machined knife-edge in the thin aluminum plies of the GLARE sheets. In addition, dimpling eliminates the need to use reduced height rivets, such as the NAS 1097 rivet style. This investigation expands on an earlier study into dimpling of GLARE by Rans and Straznicky. In order to tailor the dimpling process to GLARE, FEM simulations were developed. After verification, a study was performed to find the best parameters for dimpling GLARE3-2/l. Coupon fatigue tests were carried out and the dimpled joints demonstrated increased fatigue lives over the conventional machine countersunk joints. Future wide panel fatigue tests are planned to confirm the usefulness of dimpling thin GLARE laminates.

Jan 1, 2006

By F. A. Forward

"IntroductionTHE LYNN LAKE MINE, situated in Manitoba about 150 miles north of Sherridon, has been actively developed by Sherritt Gordon Mines, Limited, during the past seven years, resulting in the establishment of a proven reserve of over 14,000,000 tons of ore containing 1.223 per cent nickel, 0.618 per cent copper, and additional cobalt values. For many years, the Sherritt Gordon Company operated a copper-zinc-gold mine at Sherridon but, as this mine was approaching exhaustion and as it was proposed to use the mining and milling equipment to treat the Lynn Lake ore, a number of unusual problems were faced in transferring plant and operations from the one mine to the other, and particularly in preparing to undertake nickel production.Preliminary investigation showed that the ore could be concentrated by flotation to produce a copper concentrate containing 28 to 30 per cent copper with less than 1 per .cent nickel, and a nickel concentrate containing 11 to 14 per cent nickel, 0.3 to 0.4 per cent cobalt, and less than 2 per cent .copper, with high recovery of the three metals in .the concentrates. It was apparent that, initially, the copper concentrate could be economically smelted and refined in the usual manner. But as the nickel concentrate contained an insignificant amount of precious metals (less than 0.02 oz. per ton) and as .it had a much higher nickel content than comparable concentrates normally produced from sulphide ores, the selection of a treatment process and the location of a plant required careful study."

Jan 1, 1953

By W. A. Padgham, H. Helmstaedt

Field evidence for current hypothe e about age and kinematic ignificance of gold-bearing hear zones in the Archean Yellowkni fe greenstone belt is reviewed , and it is concluded that major disagreements between previous workers are a direct result of differences in stratigraphic and tructural in terpretations of the Yellowknife Supergroup. Although goldbearing hear zone appear to be confined to the mafic volcanic pile of the Kam Group. it can be shown that shearing affected all supracru tal rocks, including the Jackson Lake Formation. now con idered to represent the youngest unit of the Yellowknife Supergroup. tructural ob ervations are incompatible with the hypothe is that the hear zones represent loci of ynvolcanic gravity sliding but are consistent with earlier conclu ions that shear zone development commenced with rotation of the volcanic pile and continued as re ult of lateral shortening broadly overlapping with the emplacement of granitoid batholiths. Shear Zones are common throughout the entire green tone belt. yet productive zone are confined to the Yellowknife Bay Formation of the Kam Group and localized where flow abut with a high angle again t the contact of the We tern Plutonic complex. However. no obvious tructural and lithological features have been recognized that are more favorable for gold deposition and distinguish the shear zones and flows of the area around the mines from those of other parts of the greenstone belt. The model that gold wa transported by metamorphic solutions and that hear zones were the firs t-order control for gold deposition provides no explanation for the trong localization of the depo it . As porphyries with elevated gold contents are present in and near ome of the mines. the possibility that gold was deposited from hydrothermal system around fel ic intrusion representing early phases of the Western Plutonic complex should be given erious consideration.

Jan 1, 1986

By P. S. Arthur

The copper I SAS MELT? process is a submerged lance bath smelting technology. In the 20 years since the process was first demonstrated on a semicommercial scale at Mount Isa in north-west Queensland, Australia, copper ISASMELT? plants have been constructed to treat concentrates or secondary raw materials around the world. The process is operating in smelters in Australia, the USA, Belgium, India, Germany, China and Zambia. ISASMELT? plants have been installed to improve the environmental performance of operating smelters and reduce costs for smelting companies. A new copper furnace is being commissioned at Southern Peru Copper Corporation in early 2007, while more furnaces are under design for installation in Kazakhstan and Peru. Copper ISASMEL T? plants are supplied as complete technology packages including engineering design services for the furnace and key ancillaries, supply of core equipment, provision of intensive training programs in operating plant environments and commissioning assistance services. The proven technology transfer process ensures successful implementation of submerged lance bath smelting into large scale plants. This paper summarises developments at recently constructed copper ISASMELT? plants.

Jan 1, 2007

By F. P. Agterberg

"IntroductionTHE KNOWLEDGE about the mineral resources in a region ranges from relatively precise ore-reserve estimates for known deposits to probabilistic estimates concerning the speculative resources which may be discovered in future at greater depths and in the less-explored parts of the region. Previously developed probabilistic methods for regional resource evaluation (1) are based on the following two assumptions.(1) The probability that a specific block of rock, or part of a region close to the topographic surface, contains undiscovered deposits can be estimate d by weighting selected geological, geophysical or geochemical parameters for that block. The weights are computed by considering similar environments which are known to contain deposits.(2) Some of the characteristics of the undiscovered deposits, such as ore tonnages and average grades of metals contained in the ore, can be evaluated by considering probability distributions f or known deposit data. These methods were initially applied to Precambrian deposits in the Abitibi Volcanic Belt of the Canadian Shield (1).Since 1972, statistical methods for quantitative resource evaluation have been applied to the occurrences of the mainly Paleozoic base metal deposits in t he Canadian Appalachian Region. The objectives of this project (Project Appalachia) have been discussed by Leech (2) in a paper that introduces 8 papers with results of the exploratory data analysis. Project Appalachia represents an effort to develop and apply methods of combining information and concepts from regional geology, metallogeny and geomathematics for computer- aided regional mineral resource evaluation."

Jan 1, 1977

By C. K. Baxter, A. Odeshi, M. Mohammadi, E. D. Cyr

"Metal additive manufacturing has been a revolutionary step in designing new complex shapes with faster and cleaner building capacity in comparison to subtractive manufacturing processes. The ability to print lightweight alloys such as aluminum has made metal 3D printing attractive to different industrial sector from aerospace to energy and bioengineering. Of particular interest in this study, are the mechanical and microstructural properties of AlSi10Mg-200°C alloys. In this project, samples were 3D-printed in horizontal direction using an EOS M290 machine by Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) technique. Uniaxial tensile tests and high strain-rate impact e tests were carried out to investigate the mechanical properties and to study the repeatability of the process. A constitutive model is developed to predict the results of the mechanical tests at varying strain rates to better understand the high strain-rate behaviour of these alloys. Using optical microscopy, features such as scan tracks and melt pools within the AlSi10Mg-200°C samples were observed, and the microstructure was observed to be homogenous. The previously listed tests were compared to the results obtained for similar cast alloy counterpart, i.e. A360.0.INTRODUCTION A relatively new way of manufacturing parts is on the increase as rapid prototyping becomes increasingly popular throughout the world. Additive manufacturing is a process which, given a 3D model, uses metallic material in powder form to build a part layer by layer until completion (Gu, Meiners, Wissenbach, & Poprawe, 2013). This way of rapid prototyping is very attractive in comparison to other possibilities because of its ability to accommodate complex design and geometries. Conventional manufacturing methods have limitations when it comes to complex geometries, but additive manufacturing allows for increased design flexibilities while maintaining a light and stable final product (Murr et al., 2012). It also allows for a reasonable cost, especially for small batch sizes that would otherwise be extremely expensive."

Jan 1, 2018

By J. T. Liu, G. H. Han, W. C. Chai, Y. F. Huang

"In beneficiation process, metal ions could adsorb onto clay mineral surfaces or interact with flotation chemicals, and then result in the flotation behavior changing of desired minerals. Al(III) is the dominating ion existing in the bauxite flotation system. In this research, the adsorption behaviors of Al(III) on two silicate clay minerals (including bentonite and kaolin) were investigated by means of UV-Vis spectra, zeta potential testing and scanning electron micrograph analysis. The adsorption experiment results show that the adsorption capacity of clays for Al(III) ions increases with the initial Al(III) concentration, contact time and solution pH. There are some different adsorption behaviours for two clays. Increasing the clay concentration decreases the adsorption capacity of bentonite, while increases first then decreases for kaolin. Higher temperature favours the adsorption of Al(III) on bentonite but goes against for kaolin. The adsorption capacities of bentonite and kaolin for Al(III) respectively reach 12.48 and 0.875 mg/g at initial solution pH 5. Zeta potential results show that the adsorption of Al(III) on two clays is characterized by electrostatic attraction mechanism.INTRODUCTIONIn beneficiation process, there is inevitably a wide variety of metal ions generated from mineral crushing, mineral dissolution and water chemistry conditions. Metal ions adsorb on the mineral surfaces or interact with the beneficiation agents, affecting the flotation efficiency of desired minerals (DiFeo et al., 2001; Parolis et al., 2008; Shackleton et al., 2012; Shengo et al., 2014). Therefore, it is necessary to have a detailed investigation on the adsorption behaviour of metal ions on clay minerals.Having good ion exchange capacity and negative surface charge, the clay minerals could take up various metal ions from the mineral-water system. Bentonite and kaolin are very common aluminosilicate clays in the mineral processing system. These two clays both hold a permanent negative charge, =X- on the basal surfaces, and a smaller variable charge, =SiOH on the mineral edges (Gu & Evans, 2008; (Gu et al., 2010). Adsorption experiments are usually used to study the adsorption affinity of metal ions for clay minerals (Sen & Bhattacharyya, 2012). The adsorption of Zn(II), Cu(II) and Pb(II) onto natural bentonite showed that the adsorption amounts of metal ions increase with contact time, solution pH and metal ion concentration, but decreases with adsorbent concentration and system temperature (Sen & Gomez, 2011; Melichova & Hromada, 2013). Cr(III) adsorption on bentonite was significantly pH dependent. The adsorption process followed pseudo-second-order model and the equilibrium adsorption was consistent with Freundlich isotherm (Lollino et al., 2015). The adsorption behaviours of Pb(II), Cd(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) onto kaolin indicated that increasing pH favoured the adsorption of metal ions (Jiang et al., 2010). The adsorption of Cd(II), Cu(II), Pb(II) and Zn(II) onto kaolin showed that an ion-exchange reaction occurred at pH<7.0 and inner-sphere surface complexes were prone to form at higher pH (Srivastava et al., 2005)."

Jan 1, 2016

By Geo. D. Furse

"The information that has accumulated regarding the geology of the McIntyre mine is the result of work by several geologists and, as might be anticipated, their conclusions have varied. The writer has been at the mine only a few years and due to wartime conditions has not been able to study and review the mine's geology as thoroughly as his predecessors. Where the writer's conclusions differ from those of previous authors, it should be noted that he has been unable to re-map all the workings in which flow contacts are exposed, but has endeavoured to describe the structure as indicated by the evidence he has been able to observe. He wishes to thank H. G. Skavlem and H. S. Robinson for their constructive criticism of this paper, and McIntyre Porcupine Mines, Limited, for permission to present it. A list of references is appended.The McIntyre mine is in the central part of the Pearl Lake section of the Porcupine gold area. It includes the ""bed of Pearl lake, twenty-two claims to the north of the lake, and the Platt Vet lot to the southeast. It is bordered on the west by the Hollinger and on the east by the Coniaurum property. The chief ore-bearing veins on the upper levels lie very close to the north shore of the lake, but some occur under the lake, and others of lesser importance are found to the southeast. The most important veins are Nos. 3, 5, 7, 10, and 25. Some of the veins extend into the Hollinger. on the west and others cross the east boundary into the Coniaurum. The total production since the commencement of milling in 1912 to the end of March 1947 has been $168,448,218 in gold and silver from the milling of 17,690,963 tons of ore."

Jan 1, 1954

By Thomas C. Poulter

Abstract The Poulter seismic method of geophysical exploration is an attempt to obtain an increased efficiency in the conversion of the energy of an m~pl06ion into useful energy which has directive properties and which contains a minimum of random frequency and random phase relations. Very little effort has been made in the past to simplify OT even control the uniformity of the seismic energy being introduced into the ground. The Poulter seismic method is also an attempt to improve the signal-to-noise ratio not merely by trying to complete the impartial filtering done by the earth on ,the continuous spectrum of primarily high-frequency energy radiated from a shot point but by applying a frequency control at the point of origin of the seismic wave. The energy from a shot-hole charge is peaked in a frequency which is much higher than will be transmitted through the ground, and its absorption introduces background interference. Only 10 to 20 per cent of the seismic energy of a shot-hole charge .is directed downward in a 90-degree vertical cone, whereas, from a pattern of charges detonated above the surface of the ground, 85 per cent of the seismic energy is included in a 90-degree cone and in some cases it is even confined to as small as a 30-degree cone. This greatly reduces the horizontally distributed energy, thereby producing a marked improvement in the signal-to-noise ratio. The frequency of the signal energy may be peaked in a rather narrow range by the proper application of two or more impulses upon the surface of the ground controlled as to direction, magnitude, and timing. These impulses may be controlled by the reflection shock wave technique, the pressure pulse technique, and the sequence firing technique, using the primary controls as outlined. The information obtained from the study of directivity of seismic energy in a high velocity, uniform material such as the ice on Taku glacier, in the Juneau ice field in Alaska, has been of great assistance in the application of the method to oilfield and mining problems.

Jan 1, 1950

By Jonathan Peck, Jim Gray

"While the mine developer looks for bigger and better orebodies in countries offering lower risks to development capital, the opera-tor of existing mines is looking for bigger and better ways to use his existing resources. Mining operations today utilize a variety of stand-alone systems for planning and managing their operations. In both small and large mines, payroll, accounting, inventory, planning, and engineering requirements are met using a combination of manual and computer-based systems.Technical advances and new enabling technologies are changing how mines are doing business. PC-based systems are allowing small operations to join the larger mines in using advanced computer-based systems. Advanced monitors are being used in maintenance to track, predict and correct the health of production equipment. Production monitoring systems are used to measure the performance of operating equipment and personnel in real time. This detailed information on how much, where, when, and by whom is being used for proactive management and planning. Ultimately, this information can be used to optimize and control the machines’ activities, eventually leading to robotic and autonomous operation of mining equipment.As the use of technology increases in mining, specific information objectives are being met but other problems are being created. The life cycle of technology is small, and as current systems are replaced by newer ones, integration problems and additional end-user training are created. In addition, onboard monitoring systems can create large volumes of data, data which are frequently archived without being analyzed. Mine operators are also duplicating efforts applying new technologies in an effort to be more competitive, but in doing so are creating interfaces which are only compatible with their own facilities. As system development moved from the centralized mainframe computer to the PC environment, the fragmentation of these systems became more pronounced.To efficiently continue in adapting and utilizing advancing technology, the mining industry needs to develop a system architecture that readily integrates as many sub-systems as possible. This will provide a framework for existing system integration and design guide-lines for future development. The Total Mining System (TMS) concept will allow a network of stand-alone functional modules to be readily integrated with minimal effort. This paper will discuss some of the current technologies cur-rently in use in some surface mine operations.In addition, a description of the information system and communications requirements that will be needed to integrate these components in the future, will be discussed."

Jan 1, 1996

By Dart Wantland

"AbstractThe scope of geophysics in civil engineering and the nature of exploration geophysics are briefly discussed. Engineering problems amenable to geophysical attack are illustrated by specific examples. The various methods available, accuracy of results, and costs are treated. The possibilities of new uses of geophysical techniques are pointed out.IntroductionTHE SCOPE of geophysics in engineering is different than in oil or mining exploration. In civil engineering, geophysics solves specific problems; as for example, what is the depth to bed-rock along the axis of a proposed dam? The area to be surveyed is of limited extent, and the subsurface information .sought is relatively near the surface. The engineering geophysicist is not called upon to investigate geological basins or extensive mineralized areas or to probe for data to thousands of feet in depth. The geophysical tools employed in the three fields are, however, quite similar; the differences are mainly in the objectives.The Natural Geophysical ExplorationThe terms geophysics and geophysical exploration have been used heretofore and will .be employed in what follows. The question is, therefore, What is geophysical exploration?Geophysical exploration is a line of field work where measurements are made at the ground surface with special instruments to get geological subsurface information. Briefly stated, geophysics is a form of exploration that supplements geological work. It is a blend of physics and geology since physical measurements are made •at the surface of the ground that can be interpreted in terms of subsurface conditions."

Jan 1, 1953