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During the period January 1, 1977 through July 31, 1977, 5 percent (264,000 tons) of U.S. capacity was closed due to power curtailments in the Pacific Northwest because of the shortage of water. During July, one plant in Tennessee cut production by 50,000 tons annually due to a power reduction by the Tennessee Valley Authority. Full capacity production was resumed at a West Virginia smelter during September. If demand for aluminum is strong it seems likely that aluminum supply during the remainder of 1977 and in 1978 will be tight. The price was increased 3¢ per pound to 51¢ per pound effective March 28, 1977, and by an additional 2¢ per pound to 53¢ per pound, effective July 5, 1977. New projects and expansion of existing facilities are planned by Australian aluminum companies over the next 2 to 3 years. The companies listed have committed themselves to spending approximately A$801 million: Alcoa of Australia Ltd. -New alumina plant at Wagerup, south of Perth. Darling Ranges bauxite is located near the proposed project. A$650 million. Coma 1 co Industries Pty. Ltd. -Increase bauxite mining capacity and upgrade or replace other facilities at its Weipa mines on Cape York Peninsula region of Northern Queensland. A$81 million. Alcan Australia Ltd. -Expansion program that will increase capacity of the Kurri Kurri aluminum smelter north of Sydney about 50 percent, and improvement of other facilities at the plant. A$70 million.

Jan 1, 1977

The U.S. economy continued to expand during 1986, although at the slowest pace since 1982 when the current business expansion began. Real gross national product (GNP) grew about 2.6%, slightly below 1985 growth but significantly below that of 1984. The continuing expansion was fueled pre-dominantly by rising personal consumption expenditures as well as growing Government purchases of goods and services. Fixed investment, although positive, failed to grow at the rate of the overall economy. The trade deficit, which increased more than 30% over the record 1985 level, continued to depress economic growth despite significant declines in the price of petroleum and the value of the dollar. On a more positive note, domestic employment continued to grow--increasing over 2 million from the 1985 level--and inflation and interest rates declined. The unemployment rate dropped slightly to 7.0%. Of direct importance to the mineral-producing industries, expenditures for consumer and producer durables as well as investment in residential construction each grew faster than the overall economy, but investment in nonresidential structures fell more than 10% from the 1985 level. The level of real capital spending declined about 3% in 1986, following strong gains in 1985 and in 1984. Capital expenditures for new plant and equipment bottomed out in the second quarter and expanded in the third and fourth quarters. The decline in the first half of the year was partially attributed to uncertainty arising from the then-proposed tax bill. Also, there was little impetus for corporations to invest in new capacity since factories were operating at less than 80% of capacity during most of the year, in part because of continued competition from imports.

Jan 1, 1986

By Robert C. Dyni

The Bureau of Mines in cooperation with the Solution Mining Research Institute conducted surface and subsurface investigations over five solution-mined salt cavities in the Hutchinson, KS, area. The purpose of these investigations was to determine the mechanisms that lead to the formation of sinkholes above collapsed solution cavities. Of the five salt-solution cavities investigated, four had collapsed and produced sinkholes prior to the time of the investigations; the fifth cavity was considered stable. Exploratory drilling and coring operations were conducted at all five sites; surface stability monitoring was conducted at three of them. The results of these studies indicate that excessive dissolution at the salt-shale contact of each collapsed cavity produced large, unsupported roof spans that ultimately exceeded the structural integrity of the overburden. The stable cavity was not exposed to excessive dissolution at the salt-shale contact; this limited the roof span and ensured a stable cavity. The data also show that surface settlement in the vicinity of the two surface-monitored sinkholes continued for approximately 7 years after the sinkholes formed, indicating that the rubble piles of the collapsed cavities were undergoing gradual consolidation.

Jan 1, 1986

Several primary ingot producers have introduced price changes for July. Howmet Aluminum Corp., Revere Copper and Brass, Inc. and the Anaconda Co, will increase late-July prices of 99.5 percent unalloyed aluminum ingot by 3 cents to 56 cents per pound, Prior to this, Kaiser Aluminum and Chemical Corp. had advanced June ingot values by 4 cents to 57 cents and Consolidated Aluminum Corp., 4.5 cents to 57.5 cents. Domestic merchants held June quotes at a range nearing 50-50.8 cents per pound. ANTIMONY Although NL Industries, since April of this year, stopped publishing prices for RMM and Lone Star antimony grade, values of domestically-refined antimony in alloy are being made available to industry, The current price of this material is $1.75 per pound of antimony contained in alloy, New York dealer-marketed metal was available in June at $1 -13-$1 .20 per pound. Important industrial uses of antimony are for flame retardants, storage batteries, chemicals, pigments, rubber, plastics, glass, ceramics and machinery.

Jan 1, 1978

By A. N. Baldwin

This report documents work performed under Bureau of Mines Contract J0265029 to study and develop two innovative mining systems: ? An underground auger capable of augering into the right and left ribs without repositioning the machine ? A conventional mining system employing recently developed innovative machinery. The report is separated into two volumes to document the two studies separately. Volume I describes work performed and the recommended concept for a bidirectional auger. Volume II describes the studies of mining equipment performance and mining plane developed to determine a conventional mining plan offering improved productivity.

Jan 1, 1977

By E. D. Gardner

A general survey of the mineral industries of the Black Hills is being made by the Bureau or Mines, but this report is confined to the tin deposits of that region. Because of the strategic importance of tin in a national emergency, special attention was given in the field to deposits of this metal. The present paper outlines the procedure that would be required for determining the potentialities of the most promising deposits as emergency sources of tin and gives estimates of the cost of sampling and rehabilitating some of the old tin mines. Tin mining in the Black Hill was quiescent in 1938. Tin occurs in two areas inn the region. The deposits have received considerable attention, and since 1884 numerous articles have been written about them. It is estimated that between 7 and 15 million dollars has been spent in promotion expenses, acquiring claims, development work, and equipment; production, has totaled about 160 long tons of metallic tin worth about $95,000.3/

Jan 1, 1939

By Willard C. Lacy

A mining operation begins with prospecting and exploration-stages with long periods of investment and high risk of failure. However, success in exploration ultimately determines survival of the mining industry. Prospecting and exploration may discover evidence of a mineral occurrence and outline its size and character, but ore deposits that support mining are "made" through the collective efforts of project geologists, geophysicists, geochemists, metallurgists, engineers, chemists, lawyers, and even politicians (Joralemon, 1975). Some deposits may go through multiple cycles of rejection and recommendation, discovery and development, decline and abandonment, rediscovery and development, etc., as economic, technological, or political conditions change or geologic understanding is improved. Peters (1987, p. 233) graphically illustrates the normal life cycle of a mine and the position of exploration in the cycle (Fig. 4.0.1). During the past fifty years, mineral exploration has evolved from comparing evidence of mineralization of prospects with that of known deposits to a more quantitative science employing many facets of geochemistry, geophysics, multispectral sensing from space, computer data storage, analysis, modeling, and most importantly, a better understanding of ore genesis. This modem approach to exploration began in the late 1940s and continues to develop. Exploration efforts peaked in the 1960s with emphasis upon the search for porphyry copper deposits, Mississippi Valley lead-zinc deposits, and volcanogenic massive sulfide copper-lead-zinc deposits. It peaked again in the middle and late 1980s with emphasis upon micron-size disseminated gold and epithermal and stratiform precious metal deposits.

Jan 1, 2008

By Ankit Jha, Javad Sattarvand, Aaron Young

Blockchains are one of the prominent disruptive technologies that are being implemented in several disciplines. The application of blockchains in the mining and mineral industry can provide utility for several processes especially when the industry is undertaking digital transformation. The governing principles of blockchain technology are applicable in undertaking transformation in several processes within the mining industry. This study investigates the applications of blockchain technology within the realms of the mining industry and identifies key areas of implementation. A systematic review of publications on academic platforms relating to blockchain technology in the mining industry did not retrieve a considerable number of articles. Consequently, a thorough review of white papers and articles authored by individuals on use cases within the mining industry is compiled and presented in this manuscript. This paper identifies all the potential areas within the mining industry where blockchains could provide value and improve processes through their implementation. The broad area of implementation of blockchains includes supply chain, traceability in spare parts, contract management, regulatory compliance, and cyber security.

Nov 23, 2023

By Xinhua Wang, Qiangqiang Wang, Yubin Li, Shusen Li, Lifeng Zhang

"Numerical simulation on the fluid flow in a Flow-Control Mold (FC-Mold) were performed. The motion of inclusions were calculated. With FC-Mold, the flow pattern and surface velocity become more symmetrical, and at higher casting speed the velocity of liquid steel in the top region of the mold was largely reduced with the highest velocity of the meniscus reducing from 0.65 mis to 0.4 mis, and the meniscus shape became flatter. With FC-Mold, more inclusions approached to the surface of the slab and the amount of inclusion in the center of mold became fewer. Larger inclusions were easier to remove, however, the EM filed of the FC-Mold could hardly improve the removal of inclusions from the molten steel.IntroductionElectromagnetic brake technology is an effective method to control the flow pattern within continuous casting mold, together with other casting parameters, nozzle design and mold geometry [1-5]. Due to the interaction between the applied magnetic flux and the conductive molten steel inside the mold cavity, a force is generated in the direction opposite to the jet flow, which can decelerate the high speed steel jet from the SEN ports. The potential benefits include fewer surface and internal defects, fewer inclusion especially at higher casting speed. However if used imperfectly, electromagnetic forces can have opposite effect [6]. Numerical models are the best tool to optimize electromagnetic flow control. In the current study, numerical simulation was performed to investigate the flow field in a continuous casting FC-Mold, and the effect of different operation parameters on the flow, surface level and velocity in FC-Mold were discussed."

Jan 1, 2013

The Aluminum Company of America (Alcoa) announced that the second unit at its experimental facility at Palestine, Tex. would begin production -in 1979, increasing the capacity of the facility to 30,000 tons per year. The plant uses an experimental process based on the electrolysis of aluminum chloride and reportedly uses 4 to 5 kilowatt hours per pound of aluminum produced, compared to an industry average of about 7 to 8 kilowatt hours per pound. Alcoa has reportedly signed a letter of intent with the Chinese government under which Alcoa will conduct feasibility studies on two new integrated aluminum projects and modernization of an existing aluminum plant. If the study results are favorable, Alcoa Engineers Inc. and the Import and Export Company of the Chinese Ministry of Metallurgical Industry could negotiate agreements to provide Alcoa technology and services for the projects.

Jan 1, 1979

By C. G. Maier

The fundamental chemistry of zinc smelting, especially that part dealing with the chemical reduction of the zinc-oxide content of a roasted zinc ore, has been discussed by metallurgists in some detail, but, in the light of present knowledge, unsatisfactorily. A considerable portion of the information available has been qualitative, or quantitative in a sense that could not be interpreted chemically. A number of attempts to elucidate the physical chemistry of zinc oxide reduction have been based upon unsubstantiated and, as is now known, incorrect equilibrium data. To write upon the chemistry of zinc smelting at this time, when electrolytic methods for the production of zinc metal from ore are becoming increasingly widespread, may seem a belated effort. So, for example, C. A. Hansen,3 in the communicated discussion of an article by the author,4 writes as follows:

Jan 1, 1930

By Russell R. McLellan

The Tertiary channel gravel deposits in northern California were selected Or detailed investigation by the U. S. Bureau of Mines as part of a national program to locate potential sources of gold that might be developed rapidly by large-scale mining operations. Five bureau research centers representing mining and metallurgy subsystems coordinated their efforts in a team operation to identify and investigate possible solutions to the problem area, that long have discouraged the resumption of large-scale mining in the deposits. This report summarizes the individual investigations, conclusions and recommendations conducted and prepared by all mining subsystems research groups after the completion of two years of field work at the deposits on San Juan Ridge in Nevada County, California. The studies indicate that modern mining technology can cope with the environmental problems that closed the immense hydraulic mines in 1,884. however, they also indicate that mining can be conducted with only marginal profits its unless the price of gold remains substantially above $70 per ounce or unless sufficient by-products can be recovered and sold to place the average value per cubic yard of gravel into a positive commercial range. The by-product potential of the Tertiary gravels remains to be investigated in more detail.

Jan 1, 2012

U.S. producers for more than 5 months have priced 99.5 percent primary aluminum ingot at 486 per pound. Sales by independent dealers in this same period reportedly declined by 0.5$-2.5$ to 43.50- 44.56 per pound. CADMIUM: U.S. producer-published cadmium prices for the last 5 months have been at $3 per pound. Dealer quotes in the same period fell by almost 504 and ranged from $2.45 to $2.55 per pound.

Jan 1, 1977

By Jan Zwarcendyk

This study is primarily directed toward providing an understanding of the economic complexities associated with subsidence damage on the surface resulting from underground mining. Some of the pertinent theories on the physical stresses involved are reviewed, and both remedial measures and relevant laws in various countries are discussed. Part I (Chapters 1-3) is an historical overview of various aspects of subsidence problems (theoretical, remedial, and legal) during pre-World War I, between World Wars, and post-World War II, respectively. Part II (Chapters 4-9) presents a comprehensive analysis of the economic aspects of subsidence in relation to the following mining alternatives: (a) carrying out the lowest cost mining method without regard for any surface subsidence, (b) special mining techniques, (c) partial mining, (d) full recovery with stowing, and (e) sterilization or leaving the mineral unmined beneath selected areas. These alternatives are evaluated in terms of their measurable expenses.

Jan 1, 1971

By Meyer Klein

Decision theory is the formal theory of the logic of decisions in view of the decision maker's objectives, preferences, I beliefs, and available information, It usually deals with weighty economic problems involving irrevocable (or costly to reverse) decisions. Capital investment planning problems constitute an instance par excellence for application of the decision theory concepts. Decision theory as it is presently conceived has evolved in recent years. At first it concentrated on decisions in the face of total lack of information and on games with intelligent adversaries. The results of these efforts proved theoretically interesting, but practically of little applicability. In the last few years, stress has shifted to the introduction of subjective probabilities and preferences, and the results have been eminently successful in applications both in government and with- in business firms in the resolution of complex problems.

Jan 1, 1970

By Judy K. Todd

Double benching has been utilized as an excavation technique in open pit mines for many years. This process involves drilling, blasting, and excavating the material for the design bench height. A second bench is then excavated without the creation of a catch bench, i.e. only minimal offset from the first bench face is allowed when drilling off the second bench. The result is a double high bench face or double bench. When drilling off the second bench, the offset of the drill from the bench face projects the lower bench face into the pit up to an extra five meters. This reduces the maximum attainable bench angle, enhances the probability of rock escaping the catch bench and increases the overall strip ratio. The generally utilized process of trim blasting also can impact on the final bench profile by contributing to blast damage of the face. BHP Billiton Diamonds Inc., Ekati Mine Diamond MineTM, has pioneered the usage of a technique that eliminates this offset. Double benching is accomplished by drilling a single, 30m pre-shear (two 15m benches) to define and protect the final bench profile. This article provides a comparison of the attained face angles obtained in the field utilizing both of the above methods, as well as a comparison with the analytically predicted angles prior to excavation.

May 1, 2002

By R. Farrar

The survey work on protective canopy design was conducted in a 2-month period commencing November 15, 1973. The reported re¬sults under this contract are intended to provide guidance to coal mine operators in complying with federal regulations pertaining to incorporation of protective canopies on underground coal mine electric face equipment. All coal mine electric face equipment manufacturers and 11 coal mines were visited in the course of conducting this survey. Canopy designs currently being manufactured and those now being used underground were examined and discussed with manufacturers, mine operators, machine operators, and safety committeemen. The general objective was to find out what kind of canopies are now being made and used underground, what the operational problems are, and what can be done to secure improvements. Specifically, the survey scope was as follows: a. Survey all electric face equipment manufacturers. b. Survey 10 coal mines (seam height 60 inches and greater). c. Identify current production canopy configurations and minimum mine entry dimensions for each model and type of electric face equipment. d. Assess in-mine operation of canopies developed by manufacturers and/or coal companies. e. Specify optimal canopy configuration and minimum mine entry dimensions for each type and model of electric face equipment.

Jan 1, 1974

By Charles W. Merrill

AN ADEQUATE, dependable, and continuing supply of raw materials is indispensable to tile the United States and its industries in meeting the needs of an expanding Population, a rising standard of living, and the national security. The primary responsibility for appraising the status of the country's mineral supply and for making appropriate recommendations within the executive branch and to the Congress has been pinned in the U.S. Department of the Interior. In fulfilling its role of governmental responsibility for raw-material supplies and their efficient utilization, the Bureau of Mines has analyzed the factors in current and future mineral supplies and demands and has developed 87 statements for specific commodities that assess the national position and problems for these metals, minerals, and mineral fuels. These statements, which constitute the chapters of this volume, are based on lire assumption that nearly till production and consumption of materials in the United States are to be by private individuals and organizations, in accordance with the Nation's devotion to a private-enterprise economy.

Jan 1, 1960

By O. Bazhko, F. D. L. Uahengo, Y. R. S. Hara

Although the conventional acid-reductive leaching method effectively extracts copper (Cu) and cobalt (Co) from Cu–Co oxide ores, efforts to enhance hydrometallurgical performance are ongoing. This study evaluates the influence of sulphuric acid (H2SO4) and sodium metabisulphite (Na2S2O5) on metal extraction from Zebesha Cu–Co oxide ore using ferrous sulphate heptahydrate (FeSO4·7H2O) and ferric sulphate (Fe2(SO4)3) as lixiviants. Ore samples (<150 μm) were leached at ambient temperature for two hours, and metal concentrations were determined via X-ray fluorescence analysis. In the FeSO4·7H2O system, Co, Mn, and Ni recoveries increased w=ith Na2S2O5 concentration, reaching a maximum of approximately 80% Co at 150 kg/t, while Cu recovery remained below 5%. Conversely, with Fe2(SO4)3, Cu recovery peaked at 88% at 50 kg/t Na2S2O5, then declined to 79% at 150 kg/t. The addition of H2SO4 improved metal recoveries in both systems. Notably, 60 kg/t H2SO4 yielded 92% Cu extraction in Fe2(SO4)3, while Co, Ni, and Mn remained below 40%. However, in FeSO4·7H2O, Co recovery improved from 40% to 84%. These findings suggest Na2S2O5 is more effective for cobalt extraction with FeSO4·7H2O, whereas H2SO4 enhances copper extraction in Fe2(SO4)3.

Oct 24, 2025

By AIME AIME

R. A. Hadfield, W. H. Bleckly, The Rt. Hon. Sir James Kitson, Bart., M. P.&apos;, E. Windsor Richards, E. P. Martin, Andrew Carnegie, Sir Hugh Bell, Bart., Bennett H. Brough. Patrons. Adamson, Joseph, & Co., Hyde; Aird, John, & Co., London ; .Akrill, C., & Co., Ltd., West Bromwich ; Anderson Foundry Co., Ltd.,. Port Clarence, Middlesbrough ;. Armstrong, Sir W. G., Whitworth & Co., Ltd., Newcastle-on Tyne ; As¬sociated Portland Cement Manufacturers (1900), Ltd., London; Babcock & Wilcox, Ltd., London; Baird, William, & Co., Ltd., Glasgow ; Baldwin&apos;s, Ltd., Stourport; Barclay, Andrew, Sons & Co., Ltd., Kilmarnock; Barrow Hematite Steel Co., Ltd., Barrow-in-Furness; Bayliss, Jones & Bayliss, Ltd., Wolverhampton ; Beardshaw, J., & Son, Ltd., Sheffield ; Bell Brothers, Ltd., Middlesbrough ; Bolckow, Vaughan & Co., Ltd., Middlesbrough ; Booth, Joseph, & Bros., Ltd., Leeds ; Briton Ferry Works, Ltd., Briton Ferry; Butlin, Thomas, & Co., Ltd., Wellingborough ; Butterley Co., Ltd., Alfreton ; Byrne, James, & Co., Middlesbrough; Cargo Fleet Iron Co., Ltd., Middlesbrough.;. Carnforth Hematite Iron Co., Ltd., Carnforth ; Cochrane & Co., Ltd., Middlesbrough ; Coltness Iron Co., Ltd., Glasgow ; Colville, David, & Sons, Ltd., Motherwell ; Consett Iron Co., Ltd., Consett ; Cooke, William, & Co., Ltd., Tinsley ; Craggs, R., & Sons, Ltd., Middlesbrough ; Darwen & Mostyn Iron Co., Ltd., Mostyn ; Dorman, Long & Co., Middlesbrough ; Dunlop, J., & Co., Ltd., Glasgow ; Ebbw Vale Steel, Iron & Coal Co., Ltd., Ebbw Vale ; Engineer, The, The Proprietors. of, Lon¬don ; Engineering, The Proprietors of, London ; Etna Iron & Steel Co., Mother¬well ; Farnley Iron Co., Ltd., Leeds ; Firth, Thomas, & Sons, Ltd., Sheffield ; Rather, W. T., Ltd., Sheffield ; Fraser & Chalmers, Ltd., Erith ; Frodingham Iron & Steel Co., Ltd., Doncaster; Gjers, Mills & Co., Ltd., Middlesbrough ; Glenboig Union Fire-Clay Co., Ltd., Glasgow ; Glengarnock Iron & Steel Co.; Ltd., Glengarnock ; Guest, Keen & Nettlefolds, Ltd., Birmingham ; Hadfield&apos;s Steel Foundry Co., Ltd., Sheffield ; Hall, J. & E., Ltd., Dartford ; Harkness, W.; & Sons; Ltd., Middlesbrough ; Harrison & Co., Ltd., Lincoln ; Head, Wrightson & Co., Ltd., Stockton-on-Tees ; Hill, John, & Co., Middlesbrough ; Hingley, N., & Sons, Ltd., Dudley ; Hopper, John I., Ltd., Thornaby-on-Tees; Hull Forge Iron &-Steel Co., Ltd., Hull; Iron and Coal Trades Review, The Proprietors of, London ; Ironmonger, The, The Proprietors of, London ; Jackman, Joseph, & Co., Ltd., Sheffield ; Jessop & Appleby Bros., Ltd., Leicester and London ; Jes-

Nov 1, 1906