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The proper selection of a coal for a particular use depends on knowledge of fundamental data concerning the coals that offer, particularly their type and rank. Type of coal depends on the nature of the original plants and the environment in which they accumulated.Rank reflects the subsequent metamorphism of the coal, and is of two kinds-physical rank and chemical rank.INTRODUCTIONIn the different coalfields of the Commonwealth of Australia there occur many different kinds of coal which provide the coal-research worker with a wide range of material, but to the fuel technologist they represent complex problems in utilization.In the past it has been common practice to instal coal-using equipment of a design based on plant used in large industrial centres of other countries and then search for supplies of suitable coal. This has led to the transportation of coal mainly from New South Wales to other States, which have inadequate supplies of coal suitable for use in the equipment they have installed. However, modern economy and industrial practice demand local resources of coal for the development of industry, transport and domestic services, and a change in the old order is rapidly taking place. Technologists and engineers are now faced with the problem of designing and installing equipment to use whatever kind of coal is available in local coalfields.Much has been accomplished in this direction and important investigations are at present being carried out, but there still remains a wide field of problems for research.In planning and carrying out investigations into coal utilization it is essential that fundamental data and knowledge should be available and that its significance should be appreciated.

Jan 1, 1955

By S. M. Bulatovic

The western industrial world has to rely more and more on complex polymetallic sulphide ores as sources for base metals. These ores are composed of fine grained sulphide minerals such as chalcopyrite, galena, sphalerite, pyrite, pyrrhotite and marcasite. The liberation sizes of the individual minerals can range between 30 um and 5 um. Therefore, applying conventional techniques to recover these finely disseminated minerals usually results in unsatisfactory metallurgical performances with high losses of the valuable mineral to the slime , fraction of the tailing. New concepts for treating these polymetallic complex ores are discussed in this paper. Beneficiation techniques utilizing new reagents and a new approach to pulp preparation are described. Some of these techniques were applied to ores from existing concentrators as well as to new ores. The results of these studies are discussed in the following sections.

Jan 1, 1990

By Katsuyama K, Nag DK

Three aspects of rock mechanics, namely, in-situ stress estimation by acoustic emission (AE) method, strength of rock mass and role of chemicals to reduce the strength are covered. It is possible to detect the previously applied maximum stress by stressing a rock specimen to the point where there is a substantial increase in AE activity. This is known as Kaiser effect. From the AE signatures in the second and subsequent loadings, AE take-off point was identified more easily than in the first loading. In determining the compressive strength of rock mass, two factors have to be considered, namely, the size effect on the compressive strength of intact rock and the effect of discontinuities on the compressive strength of rock mass. Although a modified Bieniawski criterion gives best agreement with the triaxial test data, modifications have been suggested to Hoek-Brown criterion due to its popularity. It is possible to reduce the tensile strength of sandstone by saturating it with weak chemical solutions made with dodecyltrimethyl ammonium bromide, polyethylene oxide and aluminium chloride by up to 30%. In the case of compressive strength, there is no appreciable effect. The possible explanation is that the chemical solutions produce an effect on the strength of sandstone only when the failure mechanism is dominated by tensile mode.

Jan 1, 1998

By Ma Guang, Huang Jinshou

In this paper we briefly describe measuring techniques and their practical use in the mining industry of China. A strain coefficient matrix of triaxial strain cell for a flat ended borehole is also introduced.

Jan 1, 1983

By Alan E. Gallie

FOR many years the Witwatersrand has been the leading gold mining r camp in the world and, to a Canadian mining student, could not fail to be of overwhelming interest. The vast scale upon which the operations are conducted, the enormous production accomplished, and the perfection of the operative technique, have all so forcibly impressed themselves on his memory that it is difficult to select any one feature as more outstanding than another. For the purposes of this paper, however, the author has selected the very first feature of mine operation with which he came in contact, namely, shaft sinking, as it reflects, quite as well as any other, the spirit of mining in South Africa. Early mining in Johannesburg was by open cuts or trenches, dug along the outcrops of the reefs. The ore was thrown from bench to bench to the surface. As the depth increased, rock was hoisted by bullocks. In 1887, the first shafts were sunk and true underground work began. At the same time, boreholes were put down to test the continuity of the reefs at depth. The first was at the Village Main reef. It cut the South reef at 517 feet and the Main reef leader at 581 feet. The Main reef leader assayed eleven penny-weights. Subsequent boreholes proved the reefs down to thousands of feet. Many companies secured deep-level claims as a direct result of the information obtained from the early holes. These companies then held land on which there was no readily available ore. In order to get to their pay rock, vertical shafts through the upper strata were necessary. Shareholders were impatient, and shafts had to be sunk as speedily as possible. The old methods of shaft sinking were investigated, new methods developed, and soon all records were being broken. In the last thirty-five years, the record has been slowly advanced, and last summer it was again broken to stand at 430 feet in a 31-day month. During the period from 1915 to 1935 inclusive, in the Witwatersrand district, 96 miles of shafts were sunk. Today, with the advance in the price of gold and the increase in the mining area, there are over twenty-five major shaft-sinking operations being carried on.

Jan 1, 1937

By Edward J. Jr Walter

This paper discusses the use of slant hole drilling and water matting as an effective method of reducing costs in shaft sinking operations through a general review of cost priorities for the contractor.

Jan 1, 1976

By M. Y. Fisekci

Subsidence measurement methods, applied over the thick and steep seam mining in the Rocky Mountains Region of Western Canada are described. The studies to date indicate that two new subsidence monitoring techniques appear to be the most suited methods for our conditions. The computerized telemetry and aerial photogrammetry systems are being tested for the reliability of the systems during the winter months within the network of laser surveying over the workings of the new hydraulic mine. The site particulars and the mining method of the concerned area have been described briefly. The observation over the old hydraulic mine indicate that panels adjacent to each other do not obey identical subsidence phenomenon.

Jan 1, 1982

Important factors in dredge design are the estimation of total head, and the determination of flow in and around suction nozzles and in pipe lines. Total head for the dredge pump is calculated from velocity, static, and friction heads. Flow into suction nozzles depends on whether hydraulic jets or mechanical cutters are used, and on nozzle shape. Design of pipe lines depends on the transportation characteristics of the pulp, skin friction, swirl, and the avoidance of cavitation. Measurement and control of flow is important.INTRODUCTIONEconomic deposits of heavy minerals along the east coast of Australia occur in frontal dunes, which are normally unconsolidated and granular, or in hind dune areas which may contain indurated seams interspersed with loose material. In working frontal dunes, dredging depths are usually shallow since values do not persist for more than a few feet below sea level. However, the controlling factor in dredging the hind dune areas is the level of the water table and suction dredges may be designed to mine to depths of 120 ft, or even more, if necessary.In previous applications of suction dredges in the industry attention was directed primarily towards production and there was only limited research on fundamental techniques. However, with lower grade deposits now forming the major ore reserves, production levels and profit margins will fall unless more efficient dredges are developed.For satisfactory design of dredges it is essential that the total head be accurately estimated and that detailed information of the principles of flow in and around suction nozzles be determined. This paper presents information gained from field experience and laboratory investigation on these aspects.

Jan 1, 1962

By C J. Hogan

Increasing demand for fine grinding to improve mineral liberation and metal recovery and the need for stricter control of the environmental impact of tailings deposition poses problems for tailings disposal. This has led to an increasing number of investigations of properties of tailings and their disposal. This paper describes laboratory model testing undertaken on Macraes mine flotation tailings to provide information on tailings behaviour under conditions of subaerial deposition. The in-place density or 'dry density' of the impounded tailings and the impoundment depth relationship are important for utilisation of the available impoundment storage facility and results of dry density to depth relationships are given for the Macraes mine tailings impoundment.

Jan 1, 1993

The evolution of Hall process alumina reduction technology is des- cribed with particular attention to the pot lines. Future directions of tech- nological change are considered. It is predicted that the Hall process will continue to be the avenue for aluminium production for some time to come.

Jan 1, 1982

By N. E. Green, W. E. Bennett, G. P. Harrison

INTRODUCTION The art of raise boring has seen rapid development and use in underground mines both for primary development and production during the past 10 years. The intensive full scale tests by a major mining company in the Precambrian rocks of the Sudbury district of Ontario, Canada, have lead the way to the general acceptance of the raise drills. The rock successfully raise bored in the Sudbury area has compressive strengths varying from 30,000 to 50,000 p.s.i. As a result of the intensive study, it became evident to many mining companies that raise boring could be adapted to many mining systems. Many companies have modified their planned mining methods to incorporate raise boring. The result has been a more rapid development of their mine and naturally, an economic advantage to them. In conjunction with the acceptance of the raise drills, the range of equipment has broadened in terms of size, capability and efficiency. The concept of raise drilling and the general arrangement of the equipment has seen little change. At some locations there have been reported successes of drilling pilot holes up

Jan 1, 1997

Natural gas is a comparatively new fuel in Australia. It was first used in small quantities in Queensland in 1965, but it was not until 1969 that natural gas reached the capital cities Brisbane, Melbourne, and Adelaide in that order; then in 1971 it reached Perth. By the mid seventies, natural gas had secured a significant proportion of the energy markets in Queensland, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia and in 1976 supply commenced in Sydney. In that year - 1976 - gas supplied about 12.5% of the total demand for primary energy in Australia excluding transport. In the current financial year - 1981/82 - natural gas is expected to supply nearly 19% of the market and forecasts for 1990 range up to 25%. From a starting point in the late 1960's when manufactured gas supplied a small but important proportion of the non-transport energy market - less than 3% - we have exper- ienced an average growth of nearly 24% per annum up to the present time.

Jan 1, 1982

By Harraway D. H, Draper N

The association of graphite with a fine grained pyrite in the Mount Isa lead-zinc ore was investigated from mineralogical and metallurgical standpoints. The pyrite has been partially or completely replaced by galena and to a less extent by sphalerite, pyrrhotiteand chalcopyrite with the retention of graphite films or inclusions. During lead flotation the graphite imparts a spontaneous flotability to all associated minerals, resulting in a low grade fraction, which we call the carbonaceous fraction, floating with and diluting the lead concentrate. In times of low metal prices this fraction seriously reduces the economic value of the lead concentrate. A flotation procedure was developed to upgrade the carbonaceous fraction separately, producing an economic concentrate and a tailing.INTRODUCTIONThe lead concentrate produced from Mount Isa ores can vary from 20 to 50 per cent lead, depending on the locality in the mine from which the ore is obtained. Variations of this order are independent of ore grade and lead recovery. The large variation is related to the presence in the ore of a variable fast floating low grade fraction known locally as the carbonaceous fraction because of its association with graphite. During conventional lead flotation with sodium ethyl xanthate the carbonaceous fraction floats rapidly and unselectively with normal Mount Isa galena.The paper discusses mainly the examination and treatment of an average carbonaceous fraction, defined here as the fast floating material in the mill feed of late 1956. The ore was drawn from the Mount Isa Black Star orebodies. The fraction represented about 5 per cent of the total ore...

Jan 1, 1961

An empirical kinetic model is discussed that enables the number of stages in a carbon-in-pulp plant and the amount of carbon in each stage to be calculated for any desired metallurgical performance. It is shown that a knowledge of the kinetics of gold extraction by activated carbon in each stage assists plant operators in the important' areas of process control and optimization. Factors such as mixing efficiency, concentration and distribution of carbon through the plant, bypassing of pulp through a stage, and carbon poisoning are examined. The resin-in-pulp process for the extraction of gold cyanide is also discussed, and the chemistry of absorption and elution on strong- and weak-base resins is examined. In addition, operating results from a small-scale resin-in-pulp pilot plant are presented, and various applications in which resin-in-pulp may be preferable to carbon-in-pulp are discussed.

Jan 1, 1982

By Gerald Blackmore

This paper discusses the present state and future trends within the coal industry, and then goes into the reasoning behind these planned trends. Such factors as marketing, costs, new mining techniques and machinery, and manpower and human resources are considered. Finally, the author refers to the effect that these trends will have on the coal industry of Cape Breton.

Jan 1, 1968

By S. A. TAYLOR

THERE is probably no other mineral industry of which the public has as much information and misinformation as it has of the coal industry. Unfortunately, however, the general public's knowledge of the coal industry, outside of the particular kind of coal it is accustomed to, by reason of use, is largely made up of information received from newspaper and popular magazine articles, in which the mine workers are depicted as overworked and mistreated men, and the coal operators as "coal barons." Those who have any specific knowledge of exact conditions in the coal industry know how unjust and un- fair such an opinion of the coal industry is, not only to the miner but to the operator as well. Many reporters and writers of magazine articles are misled by statements regarding the condition of the miners that are exaggerated and not founded on facts and, if an investigation of the conditions of the miner's work, his habitation and surroundings were fairly made, it would at least compel more truthful statements by those who write for public reading. That such an investigation would not reveal anything that was wrong, or anything to be censured or cured, no one, I think, would maintain, but I do think that any fair investigation of the facts would show that conditions in and around the newer and later-developed coal mines and communities would compare favorably with those of manufacturing districts, and that where the mines and com- munities are old and not very attractive places to work, or live in, they carry with them other considerations, compensating for these conditions, and cannot be remedied by reason of a lack of sufficient coal to warrant economically any costly changes.

Jan 1, 1926

By C. F. Nagel

THIS paper is written primarily for those who are familiar with the processes mentioned but who desire a further insight into some of the fundamental principles. It does not give a complete description of the various practices employed in the working of aluminum and its alloys, but presents a few illustrations of the essential respects in which aluminum differs from other common metals, and emphasizes the controlling factors of the processes under consideration. HEAT TREATING Certain aluminum alloys are capable of having their mechanical properties greatly altered by a heat-treatment process. The degree of this improvement may be illustrated by some typical properties of duralumin (Table 1). It is essential that the material be in the wrought condition in order to obtain maximum heat-treatment effects. [ ] In the case of duralumin, the process consists of heating the metal to a prescribed temperature and then quenching it. Immediately after quenching, the material is relatively soft though not as soft as in the annealed state. If allowed to stand at room temperature, the material changes, increasing in hardness and strength without loss of elongation, but at the expense of the plasticity. This action is very rapid at first, gradually diminishing in intensity and to all practical purposes being completed in about four days. This process of hardening is termed

Jan 1, 1928

By C. F. Jr. Nagel

THIS paper is written primarily for those who are familiar with the processes mentioned but who desire a further insight into some of the fundamental principles. It does not give a complete description of the various practices employed in the working of aluminum and its alloys, but presents a few illustrations of the essential respects in which aluminum differs from other common metals, and emphasizes the controlling factors of the processes under consideration. HEAT TREATING Certain aluminum alloys are capable of having their mechanical properties greatly altered by a heat-treatment process. The degree of this improvement may be illustrated by the typical properties of duralumin (Table 1). It is essential that the material be in the wrought condition in order to obtain maximum heat-treatment effects.

Jan 1, 1927

By Eugene F. Eisemann

This paper is concerned principally with the competition between fuels for industrial use in the United States. Total energy consumption in the U. S. is allocated between industrial and other uses The industrial volume is divided into two classifications (1) where-there is competition between fuels and (2) where there is no competition. The pattern of fuel consumption by electric utilities was studied because there, is competition between fuels and because it is the fastest-growing industrial market. Electric utilities fuel consumption is discussed by geographic area. The growth of each fuel in several areas is investigated. The analysis of these areas, includes the study of the relationship between prices where fuels are in, competition:- (1) on the East Coast where price competition occurs between oil and coal, and (2) in the southeastern states where competition exists between coal and gas..

Jan 1, 1961

By H. J. E. Hamel

Some aspects of the deformation behaviour and temperature rise during instantaneous compression loading of high purity aluminium By H. J. E. HAMEL The influence of deformation speed on the deformation behaviour of high purity aluminium was investigated. By varying the initial height-to-diameter ratio a considerable influence on the deformation behaviour could be noticed. Lubrication of the specimen end faces was found to have an influence on the flow behaviour and on the roughness of the specimen interface at pressing platens. The results of temperature measurements during deformation agree with work-hardening behaviour of the specimens. Flow curves calculated with the measured temperature rises do not agree with results obtained at lower strains by other workers. The possible reasons are discussed.