Search Documents

By Daniel Lum

The limestone resources of Hawaii are derived chiefly from emerged fringing coral reef and coastal dune deposits of Pleistocene age. These deposits are most abundant on the island of Oahu and other older islands and least abundant on the island of Hawaii, the youngest. Their origin and depositional environment were influenced by glacio-eustatic rising and falling of sea levels during Pleistocene time. Dredged reef limestone deposits from two deep-water harbor projects have provided additional resources. Limestone uses include cement and lime manufacturing, concrete sand and aggregate, mad base material, beach sand replenishment, agricultural lime and golf course construction.

Jan 1, 1982

By James J. Snodgrass

A new technique was used to obtain detailed sonic logging data in drill holes above the water table at a coal mine site in northeastern New Mexico. The equipment was developed under contract to the Bureau of Mines and the U.S. Department of Energy to indirectly evaluate the in situ structural properties of coal and overburden. The system comprises a hydraulically operated, wall-clamping downhole probe compatible with standard four-conductor logging cable, and a surface control module. Resolution of layering is 0.6 meter (2.0 ft), and a redundancy of data from separate receivers provides accurate timing measurements. Preliminary results in the settled overburden of an excavated long-wall panel indicated a low average velocity zone, extending approximately 18 meters (60 ft) into the immediate roof of the coal seam. Subsequent measurements improved the field and recording procedures to produce high quality waveforms from which both P and S arrivals may be visually interpreted. Over a representative section of interbedded sandstone, siltstone, shale, and coal, Vp and Vs varied considerably even within lithologic units. Compressional wave velocity in the coal seam, Vp = 1,740 m/sec (5,700 ft/sec), was in the range of variability of published data.

Jan 1, 1982

By Ronny J. Sadri

Under contract to the Department of Energy, Fluor Mining & Metals, Inc. and Bonner & Moore Associates developed a group of computer models that can be used to simulate single seam dragline operations. These models have been subsequently modified by Fluor for use in multi-seam dragline mining situations. The single seam model analyzes the digging, spoiling, and walking patterns of draglines to identify possible parameter changes to increase productivity. Parameters such as key-cutting, panel width, digout length, and bench height, etc., are analyzed in this process. The models were tested using data from four operating mines. Field demonstrations were performed to correlate computer optimization results with field data. Productivity was greatly enhanced at one mine site by a change in some of the operating parameters. The multi-seam study has as its objective the development of a broad- based mine planning tool which would be used to identify and quantify the different procedures employed in multi-seam dragline mines to increase their productivity. The major problem identified in multi-seam mining is the sequencing of the different stripping and mining operations. The multi-seam model has the same capabilities as the single seam model. In addition, it models up to four seams with three partings per seam. It allows the operation of several draglines at different levels, and analyzes the effect of ramps, rehandling, and ancillary mining equipment.

Jan 1, 1982

By Edward L. Mooney

In the, West, walking draglines often offer the least cost method of uncovering coal for surface mines. However, with each of these machines costing millions of dollars, a good deal of analysis can be justified by the potenial savings or, conversely, costs associated with the choice of a machine. This has resulted in the recent development of a number of computerized models for dragline selection and pit design. One of the earliest reported models for this purpose was developed by Dunlap and Jacobs (1). Later, Rumfeldt described the computer approach to sizing stripping draglines given the required production rate and mine site parameters (2). This basic approach is probably still the most widely used with models for more complicated mining methods reported by Stefanko, Tomica, Finch, as well as others (3,4,5). furthermore, detailed simulation models useful in this regard have been developed by McDonnell Douglas and Fluor, Utah (6,7)

Jan 1, 1982

By J. L. Watson

The composite nature of titanomagnetites found on the west coast of the north island of New Zealand is an important parameter in the beneficiation of the black beach sands for export to Japan. To investigate this composite nature, borehole and plant samples from the Waipipi Ironsands Ltd property were subjected to a series of separations in heated Clerici solutions at densities varying from 3.2 to 4.6 g/cc. The resulting density fractons were analyzed magnetically and a set of distribution curves for composite grains proposed. In addition the experi¬mental data was plotted to produce titanomagnetite sand 'washability curves" which illustrate the possible problem areas in beneficiation that may arise due to composite titanomagnetite grains. From this data a set of guidelines are suggested for interpreting the curves in terms of ease of gravity concentration. The composite nature or liberation of titanomagnetite grains is shown to favor high and low grade composites with few intermediate compositions being isolated. The relationships between grain size, borehole depth and liberation are examined and related to beneficiation procedures for the black sand deposit.

Jan 1, 1982

By Brahm D. Prasad

As in other mineral deposits, variation in bitumen saturation, thickness of ore and discard occurs throughout Alberta's Athabasca Oil Sands deposit. The economic stripping ratio developed here to determine surface mineable limits takes into account capital and operating costs, crude oil prices, quality of ore, thickness of overburden, and thickness of inter-ore waste. The surface mining systems employed to remove bituminous sands (oil sands) from huge mines at depths of 60-70m use gigantic draglines, bucket wheel excavators and reclaimers, and large mobile equipment.

Jan 1, 1982

By Ludwig Strah

"The paper outlines the history of rubber mill liners beginning with the awarding of the first North American patent rights in 1923. It includes the early-day applications and installations of the 1920s and 1930s through to their present-day application. Over-all rubber mill liner design is discussed in relation to present day installations employing rubber mill liners in various grinding applications. A brief overview is given of a manufacturer's procedures to produce rubber mill liners.IntroductionIn early 1910, it became apparent that the productive life of the silver mines in Cobalt, Ontario, could be substantially prolonged by mining lower-grade ores.The mining of lower-grade ores required the establishment of treatment facilities which initially employed jaw crushers, stamp mills, jigs and concentrating tables. The recovery of silver in other than a coarse metallic form required the additional step which was introduced at that time: the cyanidation of silver concentrates from the tables. The resultant requirement for increased and improved recovery led to the introduction of grinding mills, i.e. tube mills.Shortly after the introduction of the tube mills to the Nipissing Mine's mill in 1914, the idea of using rubber as a mill liner material was spawned. However, no action was taken due to the advent of World War I. It is interesting to note that the idea of rubber mill liners emanated from having used pieces of solid rubber tire as an emergency repair on a set of liners when a liner had broken and no immediately available spare was on site.The credit for this ingenuity and subsequent application for a patent on rubber mill liners falls to James John Denny, the mill superintendent, and Rolla Barnum Watson, the general manager of Coniagas Mines Limited. The patent application was formally made on December 3, 1921. The U.S. Patent Office issued Patent No. 1,470,597 on October 16, 1923."

Jan 1, 1982

With IIT research institute as a cosponsor, this seventh mineral waste Utilization Symposium was funded by the Bureau of Mines through its Division of Mineral Resources Technology. Environmental scientists and engineers from five countries (Canada, Netherlands, Austria, England, Guatemala) besides the United States participated in the symposium, which was held Oct. 20-21, 1980, at the Chicago campus of IIT Research Institute. Of the 25 papers presented on the reclamation and recycling of mining and mineral wastes, municipal solid waste, industrial waste, and scrap metal, 21 are summarized herein.

Jan 1, 1982

By D. M. Hausen

A computer program has been developed by Newmont Exploration to convert mineralogic data by XRD into rock type and ore type classifications. This method has proven useful in identifying lithology from cuttings samples, where percussion drilling was an alternative to expensive core drilling. Computer printouts of rock type and ore type identifications can be generated simultaneously with mineralogic analyses, resulting in a considerable time savings in manual calculation. XRD-computer logging was first applied to the Carlin mine in north central Nevada, and later to the Maggie Creek and Gold Quarry gold deposits, southeast of the Carlin mine. Impure Paleozoic limestones of the "lower plate" Roberts Mountain Formation and the "upper plate" transitional facies have been decarbonatized to altered siltstones and shaley units along vertical faults and permeable stratiform horizons. Advanced stages of decarbonatization were accompanied by silicification. Quantitative XRD data are initially sorted into principal rock type units (limestones, siltstones, dolostones, shales) based on major mineralogic components (calcite, quartz, dolomite, clays). On the basis of relative amounts of less major constituents, descriptive subclassifications (dolomitic limestones, dolomitic siltstones, argillaceous cherts) are made. XRD lithologic data provide assistance in correlating lithologic units, and delineating favorable replacement horizons associated with gold mineralization.

Jan 1, 1982

By Roger C. Parsons

"The problems presented by ice formation and interference with processes, structures and mechanical operations in the mining industry can be expected to increase sharply as more of our mineraI needs are supplied from the far north. A process of rapid ice destruction is presented which lends itself to the effective removal or penetration of ice. Suggestions are offered for applying the system to problems related to mining activity in cold environments. The system can be readily adapted to large-scale operation, the reactant components being transported in crystalline form and volatilized on site.IntroductionThe number of operational mines in northern environments, relative to the number of mines in the temperate zone, will increase in the years ahead. This is not surprising, because:(a) in the past, those mines closest to centres of commerce had minimum transport charges and hence were more economic to develop;(b) great centres of commerce were far removed from northern environments;(c) the exhaustion of ores and lowering of grades in temperate zones now offset to some degree the extra transport costs applied to northern ores;(d) the abundance of excess energy in the north in the form of oil, gas and hydropower attracts mining as a means to justify its development; (e) assuming that the frequency of mineral occurrence north of the 52° N latitude is no different than south of it, there are many deposits waiting to be developed.As a result of current and projected activity in northern environments, we are faced today, and will be increasingly so in the future, with mining problems rarely encountered before-problems related to below-freezing temperatures. Engineering activity in permafrost regions will increase as new mining ventures are developed north of the 52° N latitude, roughly coinciding with the -1.1 ° C isotherm in Labrador, the upper temperature boundary for permafrost."

Jan 1, 1982

By Klaus-Peter M. Hanke

INTRODUCTION In early 1979 Jim Walter Resources, Inc. (JWR) of Brookwood, Alabama approached TMCI Construction, Inc (TMCI) to make a proposal on a program that involved the sinking of up to 10 ventilation shafts of approximately 6.7 m (22 ft) diameter and ranging in depth from 500 to 700 m (1650 to 2300 ft) for the JWR coal mines in Alabama. At this time TMCI was already constructing the first spiral underground bunker (capacity 2000 tons) in North America for the JWR organization at their No. 4 mine in Alabama. The TMCI proposal was based on the use of the mos modern large diameter shaft boring machine rather than sinking the shafts using the conventional drill blast-muck technique. The proposal was made based o: the experiences by the parent company, Thyssen Schachtbau, which has been using this type of machin in Germany for shaft boring since 1971. As a result of the TMCI proposal JWR issued a purchase order to TMCI for the construction of four 6.7 m (22 ft) diameter, concrete lined, unfurnished ventilation shafts ranging in depth from 500 to 700 (1650 to 2300 ft). An order was thus placed with WIRTH Machinen- and Bohrgeraete Fabrik GmbH, in Germany for the manufacture of a model 650/850 E/Sch "Schachtbohrmaschine" (Vertical Shaft Borer = V-mole which arrived on site in Alabama in early 1981. The first V-mole GSB 450/500 was introduced in Germany in 1971 and was capable of enlarging in one step a pre-drilled 1.2 m (4 ft) pilot hole to 4.5 - 5.0 m (14.7 - 16.4 ft). This machine has sunk 9 staple shafts and deepened one surface shaft for a total of 2360 m (7740 ft) of shafts. On the last shaft boring operation in 1978 the machine was converted as an experiment to drill without a pilot hol using a hydraulic pumping system to remove the cutting debris. A second generation machine, the SB VI 500/650, was introduced in 1977 for enlarging the pilot hole to a range of 5.0 - 6.5 m (16.4 - 21.3 ft) diameter. This machine is still in operation and has already drilled well over 2000 m (6500 ft) of shaft. The third generation of V-mole, the SB VII 650/85( for diameters from 6.5 to 8.5 m (21.3 to 27.9 ft) was: commissioned in May 1980 and has been used for two surface shaft deepenings totalling 606 m (1990 ft) with another scheduled for 1982. The main advantages favouring the use of such V-moles were identified as: 1) A reduction in manpower to the crew required in a conventional shaft sinking operation. 2) A considerable reduction in time to complete a shaft compared to conventional techniques. 3) The use of the V-mole eliminates many of the hazards encountered in conventional sinking. Based on the successful performance of the first three V-moles in Germany, Thyssen Schachtbau decided to employ this principle abroad. In 1980 a second machine of the third generation was built and is now operated by TMCI Construction, Inc. in Alabama. The first shaft was completed at the end of 1981 and this paper describes the method of operation including some unique aspects not attempted on prior V-mole operations and some of the statistics arising out of the experiences during the first shaft boring operation. THE NO. 7 MINE FAN SHAFT SITE Jim Walter Resources, Inc. was formed in 1970 to exploit the coal field in Alabama on the southern tip of the Appalachian coal field. The coal reserves amount to around 650 million tons of mainly good quality coking coal of which about 350 million tons are to be extracted over the next 30 years. Shaft sinking and preparatory work began in 1972, and at present 6 mines are producing around 5.4 million t.p.a. Annual production is to expand to 10 million t.p.a. as soon as possible, and the ventilation shafts to be sunk by TMCI play a vital role towards attaining this goal. The first shaft site is located at the No.7 mine, near Brookwood, Alabama. The actual location of the shaft relative to the production shafts is shown on the mine plan (Fig. 1), which also shows the room-and-pillar extraction system used at present. The mine plan further shows the conveyor route used for the muck removal. The geological survey showed that the strata consisted of horizontal layers of mainly sandstone, sandy shale and shale interspersed with several coal seams. The seam being extracted at the No. 7 mine is a combined seam made up of the Blue Creek and Mary Lee seams at a depth of 513 m (1682 ft) and having an average seam thickness of about 2 m (6 ft). At the beginning of September 1980 the surface site preparation and pre-grouting work was completed by JWR, and TMCI was able to commence with Stage I of the shaft sinking program - the drilling of the pilot hole.

Jan 1, 1982

By Lowell L. Patten

The Federal Bureau of Mines participated with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and Martin Marietta Aerospace in developing, building, and testing a portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometer for use as an analyzer in mineral-resource investigative work. The prototype battery-powered spectrometer, measuring I1 by 12 by 5 inches and weighing only about 15 pounds, was designed specifically for field use. The spectrometer has two gas-proportional counters and two radioactive sources, 109Cd and 55Fe. Preliminary field and laboratory tests on rock specimens and rock pulps have demonstrated the capability of the spectrometer to detect 33 elements, to date. Characteristics of the system present some limitations, however, and further improvements are recommended.

Jan 1, 1982

By Sathit Tandanand

Geological differences among various coalfields restrain the applicability of subsidence prediction using empirical approaches previously developed. The Bureau of Mines assessed data collected from 16 longwall panels in the Northern Appalachian basin. Attention was focused on the effects of rock lithology, excavation width, and panel depth on the subsidence factor. The results show that the subsidence factor can be expressed in terms of the width-to-depth ratio by a simple exponential equation, which has a coefficient tentatively considered as the subsidence index. This index varies with the lithology of a particular site, and can be expressed in terms of percent distribution of weak and strong rocks in the overburden.

Jan 1, 1982

By Richard H. Sillitoe

Gold is an important byproduct and, locally, coproduct of porphyry copper deposits, and possesses potential for discovery as the major metal in porphyry deposits in either island arcs or Cordilleran belts. Tungsten and tin occur as major components of several potentially bulk-minable porphyry deposits, as well as being byproducts from the Climax porphyry molybdenum deposit. Whereas porphyry tin systems are localized in Cordilleran back-arc settings, their tungsten counterparts appear to span a range of geotectonic settings, from Cordilleran principal arcs through back-arcs to rifts. Although silver is a common byproduct of porphyry copper deposits, it tends to be preferentially concentrated with lead and zinc on the fringes of all types of porphyry deposits and/or as late-stage superpositions; the latter situation could be of some interest in the higher parts of porphyry systems. As byproducts, rhenium, uranium, platinoids and magnetite are exploited occasionally, and rutile and the rare metals, such as tantalum and niobium, have merited consideration.

Jan 1, 1982

By Vas Choudhry

The eighties are likely to witness the first commercial-size coal-to-gasoline plant(s) in the U.S., although uncertainty regarding crude prices and cautious involvement of the Federal Government in the synfuels development are evident. The formation of The U.S. Synthetic Fuels Corporation with passage of the Energy Security Act is projected to pave the way for some of the projects on a moderate scale. The corporate objectives (1) are to provide funds for supporting a number of feasibility studies and loan guarantees for the construction of at least some commercial-size plants and the possibility of product price supports or purchase commitments. There are a number of coal conversion processes (2) currently under evaluation for producing either gaseous or liquid plus gaseous fuels, the other processes such as SRC I are for producing desulfurized deashed clean solid fuel for commercial use.

Jan 1, 1982

By Gerald G. Griswold, James O. Greenslade, Cherie Tilley, Richard Reseigh

INTRODUCTION The Harrison Western Corporation, a leading Denver based mine contracting and engineering concern, is presently engaged in sinking two 1,006 m (3,300 ft) shafts for the Phillips Uranium Corporation at their Nose Rock Project, approximately 13 miles northeast of the small community of Crownpoint in McKinley County, New Mexico. The Nose Rock Project is the first attempt by the Phillips Uranium Corporation to tap the deep uranium reserves in what has become known as the Grants Mineral Belt. (See Figure 1) Project Description Phillips Uranium Corporation's plan for the large 2700 metric ton per day (2950 tons/day) mining facility calls for a series of deep access and ventilation shafts ranging from 4.27 m (14 ft) to 5.49 m (18 ft) in diameter to approximate depths of 1,006 m (3,300 ft). The initial pair of shafts consists of one production shaft and one ventilation shaft separated by a distance of 91 m (300 ft). The interbedded layers of sedimentary sandstones and shales to be penetrated by the shafts contain several major water producing aquifers, the deepest being the mineralized zone called the Westwater Canyon Member of the Morrison Formation. A series of temporary and permanent water pumping stations is planned. Generally, the temporary stations are located above major aquifers to facilitate water removal while sinking through the aquifer and the permanent stations constitute what, in the final mode, will be the mine dewatering system. In addition, Phillips Uranium Corporation has In- stalled and is maintaining a system of depressurization wells that temporarily pump the major aquifers and considerably reduce the water inflows during shaft construction. The major aquifers are also chemically grouted prior to sinking. Site work for the project was initiated in the fall of 1976. Full scale shaft sinking commenced in November of 1977 on the 4.88 m (16 ft) diameter ventilation shaft and on the 5.49 m (18 ft) production shaft by another contractor. Harrison Western Corporation began work on the project on November 4, 1979 wlth the production shaft at a depth of 633 m (2,076 ft) and the ventilation shaft at a depth of 474 m (1,554 ft). This paper will address only the portion of shaft sinking completed by Harrison Western. Geology and Hydrology The Nose Rock Project is located on the Chaco Slope in the southern extreme of the San Juan Basin in northwest New Mexico. The southern San Juan Basin is generally bound by the Defiance Uplift to the west, the Zuni Uplift to the south and the Nacimiento Uplift to the east. The Grants Mineral Belt occupies most of the southern portion of the San Juan Basin and this project is located on the northern extreme of the Grants Mineral Belt. The San Juan Basin is comprised of sedimentary rock of continental, marginal-marine and marine origin, that dip northward from the Zuni Uplift and Chaco Slope into the interior of the San Juan Basin. (See Figure 2) Major Formations The major geologic formations to be penetrated range from mudstone and shales to siltstones and sandstones. The sandstones are highly productive aquifers which, under static conditions, would flow artesian. Water temperatures in the aquifers are high and therefore are a force to be dealt with. Temperatures range from 18ºC (65OF) in the upper aquifers to 48ºC (118º'F) in the lower. The mudstones are generally bentonitlc. (See Figure 2) GALLUP SANDSTONE: The Gallup Sandstone is the first major regressive wedge in the San Juan Basin of the Cretaceous era and at this project is about 35 m (115 ft) thick. It is medium grained and prior to depressurization carried a hydrostatic water pressure of over 72.5 kg per cm2 (1,031 psi) which 1s artesian. Compressive strength ranges from 334.7 kg per cm2 (4,760 psi) to 421.8 kg per cm2 (6,000 psi). Water temperature is approximately 30°C (86°F).

Jan 1, 1982

By Walter R. Hibbard

Precipitation in the northeastern United States, Florida, California and in many industrialized areas of the world is now more acidic (lower pH) than can be accounted for by natural causes. At the same time, the acidity of many lakes and streams in the northeastern United States has been measured and found to be similar to that of actual rain. These facts have led to conclusions that the two conditions are related. Coal burning utilities, 700 to 1000 miles upwind, have been accused of being the cause, leading to proposals for strict emission controls on the alleged offenders. The costs of these controls would place an estimated $10 to $15 billion capital burden on utility customers in about 15 states plus $2 to $6 billion annual operating costs. There appears to be no direct well-established scientific evidence that the accused are guilty but that the indictment is based largely on circumstantia1 evidence. This study examines the evidence, describes the situation and proposes what must be done to reduce the acid precipitation in an orderly cost beneficial manner. It is interesting to observe that studies by the different adversaries on the acid precipitation issue come to different conclusions largely because they do not read the same literature, but selectively develop evidence to support their own points of view, This study will try to review the issues impartially and reach a position of scholarly balance.

Jan 1, 1982

By Louis R. Iverson

Patterns of species colonization, biochemical interaction among species, and competitive phenomena were studied in four reclaimed areas in western North Dakota ranging in age from one to four years after mining, along with a site from a native mixed grass prairie for comparison. Early successional changes in floristic composition and soil chemistry were quantified. The mined sites had been contoured, topsoiled, fertilized and seeded. Despite seeding of agronomic species, initial colonization was by fugitive species; analysis of the seed bank in topsoil showed that the most dominant colonizers immigrate after topsoiling. Of the 95 species encountered, Kuchia scoparia was the most dominant in the first two years following mining. Kochlo had relatively low densities in the first year (50-80 plants m-2), but was robust and attained heights of 88 cm with a biomass of about 400 g m-2 In the second year, the plant densities increased to over 10,000 plants m"2 but the height and biomass were reduced to 15 cm and 90 g m-2. However, during the third and fourth years Kochia density declined and was practically non-existent by the fourth year, while the planted Agropyron grasses had concomitantly increased. Other pioneers like Amaran thus retroflexus, Chenopodlum album, Helianthus annuus, Salsola spp. And Setaria spp. showed a less abrupt but similar decline. Chemical analysis of the soils over the same time period showed decreases in electrical conductivity (E.C.), and in the concentrations of P, Ca, Mg, Na, Li, Sr, and SO4 (due to leaching), while N increased. Field studies were conducted on the competitive relations between the dominant species - Kochia scoparia and Agropyron spp. - during early succession. It was found the Kochia acted as a "nurse" crop for several months during the first year of Agropyron spp. establishment, but then began to shade heavily by late July, thus reducing grass tillering. Field and growth chamber experiments on the intraspecific competition relations of Kochia demonstrated that its density and dry matter production, per plant and per unit area, conformed to several laws of plant population biology. Autotoxicity or the depression in growth of a species by its own degradation compounds, in Kochia, appears to be the main factor causing the decline in its growth. Results from a field experiment indicated that thinning dense second year Kochia stands to the density of first year stands did not alter the growth of Kochia, providing strong evidence for autotoxicity. Similarly, several growth chamber experiments demonstrated that small amounts of decaying Kochia leaves and especially roots were toxic to Kochia growth, but not Melilotus officinalis or Agropyron canlnum, Chemical analysis of the soils and plant tissues indicated nutritional im¬balances as shown by P/Mn and P/Zn ratios may be responsible for autotoxicity. In addition to Kochia, a bioassay experiment showed allelochemics to be important in several other colonizing species. Although our results indicate that later stage species generally have greater toxicities than first year colonizers, autotoxicity in the very initial stages seems to be accentuated by harsh habitat conditions. Several practices (mowing. fire, etc.) are used to manage grasslands. Mowing of the first year erect, annual, colonizing vegetation was shown to be beneficial in the growth and establishment of wheatgrasses after mining in western North Dakota. Plots containing Kochio predominantly were mowed in mid-and late-July, and in mid-August, during the first year of growth after recontouring, replacing topsoil. seeding and fertilizing. It was found the Kochia densities were reduced to two percent of the control and its biomass reduced to less than one-third when the area was mowed in mid-August. On the other hand, wheatgrasses showed increases of 23% in stem density and 860% in biomass production over the controls when mowed in mid-August. The mowing of Kochia just before seed-set apparently reduces interspecific competition between Kochia and Agropyron spp. during the following growing season. The method is highly recommended for use in hastening the establishment of planted grasses.

Jan 1, 1982

By J. C. Franklin

A 32-channel continuous monitoring system has been developed to monitor radiation working level (WL), fan operation, and air door position. The system consists of a surface receiver unit and an underground transmitter that is connected to the various monitors. A continuous WL monitor used with the system can generate alarms at two different WL readings. One of these levels is variable from 0.00 to 0.99 WL and generates an alarm on the surface receiver. The other level, fixed at 1.0 WL, generates an underground alarm in the vicinity of the monitor. The detectors for fan operation and air door position work on the principle of a completed circuit to the underground transmitter (multiplexer). When the circuit is broken, as is the case when a fan is off or an air door is open, an alarm is generated at the surface receiver. This alarm remains in effect until the circuit is completed, signifying the fan has been turned on or the air door has been closed.

Jan 1, 1982

By Michael G. Pojar, John K. Ahlness

"The copper industry has had a long and interesting history associated with leaching, involving vat, dump, heap, and in situ methods. The Bureau of Mines has also had an interest in copper leaching and has researched the techniques of solution recovery, particularly concentrating on in situ methods. In situ mining is a relatively low cost method and has been proven commercially successful by nine operations. It has been most commonly used for final recovery in old workings at the conclusion of conventional mining operations.This report brings together information about 10 commercial in situ operations as well as 14 experimental projects. These 24 sites comprise most of the in situ copper mining activities that have taken place in the United States. Background information, geology, ore preparation, solution application, and recovery and processing are provided for each operation. Production data and tables summarizing the engineering statistics for each operation and an extensive in situ mining bibliography are included. INTRODUCTIONThe purpose of this Bureau of Mines report is to summarize the documented in situ copper leach mining activities that have taken place in the United States. It was prepared to provide a source of engineering and operating data upon which future in situ copper mining activities can be based. Twenty-four different sites are discussed. These are all of the sites that are known to the authors from the extensive in situ copper leach mining bibliography developed at the Bureau's Twin Cities (MN) Research Center (Appendix B).In situ copper leach mining activities fall into the following categories:1. Commercial operations with ore body preparation.2. Commercial operations in old mine workings.3. Experimental programs.Ore body preparation includes such activities as blasting, block caving, and hydraulic fracturing (hydrofracing) specifically to fragment the ore body. Operations in old mine workings include those done in open pits, worked out block caved areas, and backfilled stopes where leaching is done as an afterthought to conventional mining. Experimental programs are small-scale tests of the feasibility of a commercial operation. Some of these programs did not progress to the point where leach solutions were applied to the ore.Each operation (locations shown in figure 1) will be discussed in terms of background information, geology, ore preparation, solution application, recovery and processing, and engineering and production data. Information was collected from published reports, communications with company personnel, and site visits."

Jan 1, 1982