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By Ronald W. May

The Lower Cretaceous McMurray Formation in northern Alberta contains bituminous sands interbedded with other sediments which form the reject encountered during mining operations. Grade prediction is based on a combination of geological interpretation, computer modelling and past mining experience. In addition to estimates for ore, an accurate estimate of "waste" or "reject," are required for Mine Planning. This study investigates the ability of point-kriging using geostatistics, to augment the existing data base of drill-holes in a study area on Syncrude's leases. This approach enables the assessment of potential "worst" case - "best" case scenarios within the context of Mine Planning.

Jan 1, 1985

By H. H. Murray

Recently developed clay deposits that will impact regional and world markets are described. These deposits, their location, geology, and physical properties are delineated. Kaolins from the State of Para in Brazil and from Ukraine; bentonites from Argentina and India; and palygorskite and sepiolite from China are world class deposits that when processed using modem technology will produce excellent products. Other deposits that may affect regional markets are l<aolins from China, Australia and Indonesia; bentonites from Georgia (formerly USSR) and China; and palygorskite from India and Ukraine. New ball clay deposits that will affect regional markets are in China and Indonesia.

Jan 1, 1999

By J. L. Kohler

Control circuit failures contribute significantly to continuous miner downtime. The time required to put the machine back into production is a function of the time required to diagnose the problem, obtain parts, and make the repair; of these, the diagnostic time is often the largest. A microprocessor-based system with the ability to diagnose all of the common control circuit failures was designed, installed on a continuous miner, and tested. This paper summarizes the development of the diagnostic system, and provides examples of the system&apos;s diagnostic capabilities. Implementation issues and the hardware used for the prototype are briefly described. Finally, comments on the system&apos;s performance are presented.

Jan 1, 1993

By S. P. Singh

Drifts are the nerve centre of underground mining. They provide essential communications between primary openings and production areas. In view of their strategic importance in the overall safety, economy and productivity of mines, an empirical approach for blast design during drifting has been proposed in this paper. The approach was developed with the objective of minimum blast damage and provides computerized blasthole patterns for drifting operations. The drift blasting practices and problems in Canadian mines have also been reviewed in this paper.

Jan 1, 1991

By J. A. Lepinski

The FASTMETSM Process is a coal-based process for converting iron oxide fines into metallic iron. The end product, direct reduced iron (DRI) is used as a low residual charge material in electric arc furnace steelmaking. This paper describes the FASTMET Process and its potential application in the United States. Operating results from a 175 kg/h process simulator are presented. Characteristics of the end product are discussed. Process economics are reviewed along with plans for scaling-up the process to full commercial size.

Jan 1, 1993

By Tedd B. Bodimer

Why complicate an already complex machine such as a continuous miner by adding roof drills? Immediate permanent roof support is an immediate thought of the mining engineer just as elimination of frequent time-consuming places changes is a thought of the methods engineer. The realization of those two objectives has the potential for improved safety with increased production is the thought of the general manager. Miner-Bolters Used a Generation Ago These are not new thoughts as the 1CM continous miner equipped with two integral roof drills was introduced twenty-five years ago. Approximately two hundred of these machines were sold in the next five years for use in medium and high seam operations. The 1CM miner chassis that remained stationary in the center of an entry or room while the ripper bar was swung and sumped hydraulically provided an ideal platform for mounting two roof drills that could be operated during the continuous miner&apos;s production cycle. Two roof bolts could normally be installed in less time than required for the mining cycle. A typical roof drill unit is shown in Figure I.

Jan 1, 1981

"2016 marks an amazing accomplishment in the mining industry as Hecla Mining Company celebrates its 125th anniversary. Mining Engineering sat down with Hecla chief executive officer Phil Baker to gain insight on this tremendous longevity and to get his view on how the company demonstrated persistence, gained perspective and created position for its future.How did Hecla Mining Co. get its start?In 1891, a group of investors formed Hecla Mining Co. to acquire and trade mining claims. No one envisioned at the time that the Coeur d’Alene Mining District would become known as the “Silver Valley” and produce more than 37.2 kt (1.2 billion oz) of silver. Or that Hecla would become the United States’ largest primary silver producer and the last of the pioneer mining companies from this illustrious mining district.What is the origin of the name “Hecla?”That will forever be a bit of a mystery. Some say it was named for an Icelandic volcano. Or that it was the foresight of James Toner, who staked the original claim, that it would go so deep, fulfilling the medieval folklore definition of the word ‘Hekla’ which is the ‘Gateway to Hell.’ I kind of like that one as the Lucky Friday Mine is almost 3.2 km (2 miles) below the surface. It has operated for more than 70 years and has all the markings of being one of only a handful of mines that will exceed 100 years of operations.Is there a common theme, or thread throughout the 125 years?Yes, Hecla has always had a solid core of high-quality and long-lived assets, positioning the company to survive times of low prices and reap the rewards when cycles turn and higher prices are realized. But it is not just assets. Hecla has extraordinary expertise that gives us the perspective of how to acquire, explore, develop and operate mining assets, particularly underground. Hecla is one of the few companies to acquire assets in the last five to six years and we did not have to write down the value of them, which means we paid a fair price for the asset despite the metals price reductions that followed the purchase. And our culture has given us the persistence to develop mines and complete projects despite lower prices. For almost a decade we have been advancing the #4 Shaft project at the Lucky Friday. We will complete this project this year, positioning the mine to operate for decades. We have elected to spend capital on San Sebastian (Durango, Mexico) and Casa Berardi (La Sarre, Quebec, Canada) to start a new mine and increase production, respectively. And we are spending money on new techniques, new equipment and innovations to our operations. Our insistence is on developing for the future, and our persistence in doing so is in contrast to many companies that are reducing investment and shrinking production"

Jun 1, 2016

By R. Fernando

"The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory (NPPTL) is leading an effort to develop the next generation of self-escape breathing apparatus for egress from confined spaces in emergency scenarios. A backpack style closed-circuit mine escape respirator design was one configuration explored as part of the research imperative directed by the 2006 MINER Act. Stakeholder feedback from MSHA and at the NIOSH Breathing Air Supply Partnership Meeting indicated a smaller belt worn unit that does not sacrifice performance is desirable. This paper outlines some further technology advancements that may be investigated toward developing such a small-sized respirator. Technologies being considered are novel chemicals for improved carbon dioxide (CO2) absorption and oxygen (O2) production, eliminating a dedicated CO2 scrubber by incorporating its function in the spaces of the respirator’s breathing loop and storing O2 in a liquid form with long standby capabilities. When these technologies are applied to a future design, there is the possibility of having an escape respirator that can be belt worn and capable of being certified to 42 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 84 standards, including sub-part O for escape purposes including mine escape. BACKGROUND NIOSH NPPTL has a Research and Development effort to provide mine workers with state-of-the-art breathing air technologies to comprehensively support initial and continued self-escape, refuge alternatives, and rescue needs, resulting from mine emergencies. As part of this R&D effort, NIOSH invested in the development of a next-generation closed-circuit mine escape respirator (CCMER) which would be compliant with NIOSH’s respirator standard requirements, 42 Code of Federal Regulations Part 84, including sub-part O. The design features of the CCMER also address the MINER Act’s requirements for transitioning between devices without the need for doffing the initially donned device. It would also allow for improved protection when using voice communications with a donned device ."

Jan 1, 2018

By R. J. Miller

Mechanized Roof Supports (MRS) have dramatically improved safety and productivity of retreat pillar mining in coal. Due to low capital cost and greater flexibility, retreat panels have in some cases approached the productivity of a longwall. Because of improved safety and rapid set-up time when compared to conventional timbering, MRS are driving a return to retreat pillar mining in many situations. This paper describes how panel layout can be optimized for safety and operational efficiency when using MRS for retreat pillar mining of coal. The potential for significant unit cost reductions will also be addressed.

Jan 1, 1996

By M. Yavuz

Due to workability difficulties, people have begun to use iron ore much later than gold, copper and bronze. In addition, iron and steel products are the most commonly used metals which are necessary for human life today. It is a fact that iron ore is raw material of the steel production process as known. Iron&Steel sector is plays an important role in the economic development of countries all over the world. Therefore, the amount of production and consumption of steel is one of the basic indicators of industrialization all over the world. The amount of steel consumed per capita of the country is considered as a measure of development. The world average per capita consumption of steel is around 210 kg in 2007 (Yildiz, 2009).

Jan 1, 2010

By H. Ban

Triboelectrostatic separation tests were performed on a bench-scale, analytical separator using coal, coal combustion fly ash and mineral samples. Fractions of separated samples were collected and analyzed to characterize the performance of the separation. Particle size distribution and morphological characteristics for these samples were analyzed by optical microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It was found that smaller size fractions of a fly ash sample had better separation than the full sized parent fly ash sample, indicating interference or particle-particle interactions during the separation process. It was also observed experimentally that small kaolin particles attach to the surface of large silica spheres, causing charge neutralization and subsequent low separation efficiency.

Jan 1, 1997

By C. Patrick

Annually, the U.S. coal industry generates and must dispose of over 200 million tons of coal refuse, expanding a major environmental problem. The purpose of this research was to investigate the feasibility of utilizing coal refuse as an aggregate in concrete. This paper reports on findings of the initial phases of a project to determine the viability of replacing traditional concrete blocks, used for under-ground ventilation stoppings, with refuse blocks. Refuse was collected from three active preparation plants in Eastern Kentucky and used as the primary aggregate for concrete cylinders. The refuse fell within ranges normally observed for size consist, moisture, and ash. Stress-strain analyses yielded compressive strengths of the refuse cylinders from 59% to 77% of the control group strengths. Low variability within groups while significant differences between groups were found. On-going determination of effects of weathering on the refuse cylinders is being conducted and will be completed in early 1995. The research results are favorable for the future direction of the overall project objectives.

Jan 1, 1995

By Andrea B. Baldwin

In recent years, federal and state regulatory agencies have tightened air emission standards. Two of the acid gases, hydrochloric acid (HCI) and sulfur dioxide (SO2), are under heavy scrutiny for reduction. . Most traditional scrubbing systems, i.e. wet scrubbers and spray dryers, meet the standards but they typically are high in capital cost, have significant space requirements for equipment, and are difficult to maintain. Dry sodium injection (DSI) is a alternative technology that has been shown to be effective in HCl and SO2 removal while being the inverse to the problems listed with traditional systems. This paper covers the mechanics of dry injection scrubbing using the most effective sorbents, sodium bicarbonate and mechanically-refined trona (natural sodium sesquicarbonate). It presents DSI performance data for Chambers Medical located in Hampton, SC. This facility incinerates local medical and municipal solid waste. Chambers Medical has used mechanically-fined trona for HCl and SO2 removal since late 1991.

Jan 1, 1995

By G. Brien, O&apos

Selective in-plant breakage was investigated at a Central Queensland, Australia mine. Component seams and size fractions from in-plant samples were characterized petrographically and probability analysis of vitrinite reflectance data used to track the distribution of seam proportions through the plant. Results show that the 2 seams reported differentially to coarse and fine circuits, mainly as a function of coal type rather than rank. Seams were also preferentially concentrated in different size fractions of the coarse circuit. Breakage in the coarse coal centrifuge generated approximately 4% of -0.5 mm fines, but was not seam specific.

Jan 1, 1996

By A. D. Paananen

With the demand for higher grade feed by the American steel industry and the depletion of the direct shipping ores from the Marquette Iron Range and elsewhere, there was a need to develop the low-grade orebodies. The large reserve of fine grained oxidized iron-formation at the Tilden Mine has been the object of research and development efforts to concentrate the iron oxides as far back as 1949. Preceding the present mining-concentration-pelletizing complex, about 6,500,000 long tons of direct shipping siliceous ore were shipped from the Tilden Mine. Following development of the concentrating and pelletizing flowsheets, engineering and construction was initiated to develop the mine and construct concentrating and pelletizing facilities to produce 4,000,000 LTPY of pellets from this low grade crude ore. Operations started in late 1974 with Algoma Steel, J&L Steel Corp., The Cleveland-Cliffs Iron Company, The Steel Company of Canada, Ltd., Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel Corp., and Sharon Steel Corp. as participants. Cleveland-Cliffs operates and manages the operation. Due to the non-magnetic nature of the ore and the fine grinding required to liberate the iron oxide minerals, this crude ore was not amenable to concentration by conventional methods. The iron oxides of the Tilden orebody have a grain size of less than 25 microns and recovery of the finer, well-liberated iron oxides is essential. Conventional methods of des liming employing cyclones or thickeners were not feasible because of the excessive loss of iron oxides in the finer fractions.

Jan 1, 1978

By H. K. Conn

This paper discusses briefly the evaluation of chrysotile asbestos deposits in ultramafic rocks. Such deposits are limited to serpentinized peridotite and/or dunites. The purpose of any evaluation is to determine whether a deposit contains sufficient ore mineral to justify profitable exploitation. Dimensions of a mineral zone are established by conventional methods, such as mapping, ground magnetic surveys, diamond drilling or underground exploration. The value of the contained asbestos fibre Is dependent on numerous physical properties such as fibre length, strength, flexibility, as well as the actual amount of fibre present. The determination of grade is difficult. The Quebec Standard Test (Q.S.T.) is used to grade fibre according to the proportionate lengths of fibre present. A method of visual vein counting allows calculation of an approximate percent fibre together with a simulated Q.S.T. Various drilling methods are discussed, diamond drilling is favored. Bulk sampling is required to determine fibre quality. Correlation of visual techniques and laboratory methods are often difficult. Reasons for any variance are discussed. Underground bulk sampling of most potential ore zones is strongly recommended to confirm the viability of the property. Evaluation of slip fibre deposits requires greater reliance on laboratory testing as visual methods are difficult to apply. Cross fibre has greater inherent strength.

Jan 1, 1971

By S. Tafazoli, D. Cooper, I. Bell, S. Nouranian, B. Sameti, M. Ramezani

"Image-based rock fragmentation sensing in mines and quarries includes an important rock boundary delineation step, commonly referred to as rock segmentation. This paper presents an artificial intelligence-based solution to this challenge. The proposed technique encodes prior knowledge of previously analyzed images into mathematical/statistical models. Human-labeled images are used as inputs to train neural networks through an optimization process. The networks can then be used in real time for rock delineation. To build the models, special deep artificial neural networks are used as a pixel classifier. The proposed classifier labels each pixel (edge, rock or fine) by analyzing a plurality of pixels within the image. Advances in machine learning allow the network to contain many parameters. The increased number of parameters is a strong factor in the classifier’s ability to correctly classify each pixel. Deep learning-based segmentation, combined with 3D imaging followed by post processing, provides a unified fragmentation sensing solution. Results from automatic segmentation are compared to human labeled segmentation using the percentage passing curves for 64 rock images. INTRODUCTION Mines and quarries can see significant productivity and performance benefits by controlling material sizes (McKee, Chitmobo, & Morrell, 1995; Sellers & Gumede, 2012). During the past decade, image-based fragmentation analysis has been applied to estimate rock size distributions in order to optimize procedures in mines and quarries. Using a roving camera and operator assisted analysis Maerz, Franklin, and Coursen (1987) measured the size distribution of the blasted rock and eliminated the need for manual sieve analysis. Since then, many others have introduced automated and manual methods for fragmentation analysis and improved upon existing approaches (Girdner, Kemeny, Srikant, & McGill, 1996; Smith & Kemeny, 1993; Palangio, Palangio, & Maerz, 2005; Tafazoli & Ziraknejad, 2009; Raina, 2013). In image-based fragmentation, rock boundaries are identified in the image, and an image scaling is applied to transform rock pixel sizes into real world dimensions. Usually geometric references, such as regularly shaped objects (discs and basketballs) (Siddigui, Ali Shah, & Behan, 2009), or the known size of an excavator bucket (Zeng, Chow, Baumann, & Tafazoli, 2012), are used to determine the proper scaling factor. In recent years, 3D imaging and sensing have also been incorporated to improve rock delineation. Specific methods include using camera-laser combinations and stereo imaging to measure rock fragmentation on conveyor belts (Noy, 2013; Thurley, 2013; Dislaire, Illing, Laurent, & Pirard, 2013) as well as portable fragmentation analysis devices with 3D imaging sensors (Sameti, et al., 2014)."

Jan 1, 2018

By G. J. Hartman

A presentation of this project was given previously at the SHE Annual Meeting, Denver Colorado February 23-27, 1987. The project concerns the development of in situ recovery of borate products from a deep-seated colemanite deposit in California. The deposit contains some 147 million tons of borate ore containing 6.4% boron oxide (B2O3). This paper involves the numerous changes in the process that has taken place since that first presentation. This paper further explains the reasons for these changes which are primarily environmentally based and secondarily capital requirements related.

Jan 1, 1994

By Bill Morgan

This paper discusses the economic zones of application for several different types of earthmoving equipment: dozers, wheel loaders in load-and-carry applications, wheel tractor scrapers, articulated trucks, rigid-frame trucks and wagons. Only the medium to large pieces of equipment were considered. From this chart (Figure 1), you can see the size range, in tons of carrying capacity, of Caterpillar equipment and the specific models analyzed.

Jan 1, 1994

By R. Adams

Zirconium is the 20th most abundant element in the Earth?s crust and it most often occurs in the form of silicate (as zircon), less often in the oxide form (as baddeleyite or caldesite). Historically, the world?s production of zircon was entirely derived from mining and processing beach sands or heavy mineral sands that were being exploited primarily for their titanium content, i.e., to generate TiO2 feedstocks that would be used for making titanium pigments and, to a lesser extent, titanium metal. Zircon was then regarded as a byproduct, with the sharply fluctuating prices typical of a commodity where the supply is essentially involuntary and not truly responsive to market demand. However, in recent years, zircon has shown considerable mining investment appeal in its own right. Projects have been planned ? and some have already come to fruition ? based mainly on the zircon potential of the deposit. Booming Chinese demand for zircon to meet the requirements of the ceramic and zirconium chemical sectors has been a major factor causing zircon prices (f.o.b. Australia) to surge from US$674/t ($611/st) at [ ] the end of 2005 to beyond US$2,400/t ($2,177/st) by the end of 2011.

Jan 1, 2012