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By H. W. Seany

Over the years since the initial experiments with underground concreting were made in 1956, attesting to cope with the ground weight and pressure encountered in the development of a large-scale underground block caving system, the use of monolithic concrete linings has grown to include most of the primary development in the, mining area. Although the development cost of concrete linings is higher than either timber or steel-supported openings, the repair and maintenance costs are substantially lower, making concrete the most economical means of ground support. Other advantages are also apparent, in that concrete provides superior fireproofing, better ventilation, and a safer, cleaner working place.

Jan 1, 1965

By Robert Thomas

DURING the past 20 years the advantages of reinforced concrete as a substitute for timbering in so-called permanent mine openings have been fully recognized, and its use has become almost general practice in the larger mines. The term "permanent mine openings" is used advisedly and is assumed to embrace such openings as ventilation shafts, material shafts and main hoisting shafts, with their adjacent stations, ore pockets, etc. In the concreting of such openings, the actual cost as compared with that of timbering has been of secondary consideration, the support of large openings, elimination of fire hazards, and prevention of inter-ruptions to production being the primary objectives. The ultimate economy, however, of lining such openings with concrete when they are to remain in use during the entire life of the mine, and especially when they are in bad ground, will seldom be questioned. During this 20-year period there have appeared in engineering publi-cations a number of interesting articles on the use of concrete in mines, nearly always describing some specific project of major proportions, such as the concreting of ore pockets, large stations or main hoisting shafts. Such articles are unquestionably of interest, since the projects require considerable engineering thought, not only in the method of excavating large openings, but in their engineering design as well. Concreting of main hoisting shafts, particularly when this is done with the least possible interruption to production, provides some interesting problems. The concreting of haulage drifts of the dimensions commonly found in mines, on the other hand, soon develops into a routine operation, there-fore it is with some hesitancy that the author attempts to prepare an article on this subject. The writer can recall only one article on the concreting of mine haulageways, although several articles have been written concerning the concreting of tunnels considerably larger in dimensions than those required in general mine practice.

Jan 1, 1936

By R. P. Corbett

Since the beginning of operations at the Kelley mine in 1952, Anaconda has emplaced more than 150,000 cu yd of concrete underground. Concreting practices have changed over the years but the net result is still the same- lower costs along the line and more versatility.

Jan 7, 1961

By Edward M. Dowey

The concrete lining for a long 8.05 km (5 mi) section of New York City Water Tunnel No. 3 was cast in place. The contractor, Grow-Perini-Skanska, placed over76,841 m3 (100,505 cy) of concrete, pouring 24 hours per day, 5 days per week. The concrete was dropped 204 m (670 ft) to the tunnel level, transported by rail to a concrete remixer and pump, and placed in 146.3m (480 ft) of full circle forms. Some of the many challenges include the sheer magnitude of the job, navigating through drifts, a raise and curves, dealing with ground water inflows, and placing the concrete within time limits.

Jan 1, 2001

By Vitor Guarnier Domiciano

A necessidade de melhorar as propriedades dos refratários monolíticos para resistir às condições operacionais cada vez mais severas e instáveis das casas de corrida de Alto-Forno tem sido um grande desafio para os fornecedores de refratários de maneira a garantir a segurança dos canais de corrida e sua disponibilidade para operação. Este trabalho apresenta as propriedades de novos concretos refratários Al2O3-SiC-C (aplicados por vibração ou bombeamento/projeção a úmido) desenvolvidos para resistir ao severo mecanismo de corrosão que ocorre na linha de gusa de canais principais e que exige constante atenção dos operadores das casas de corrida. Testes realizados com os novos concretos refratários em canais de corrida principais de diferentes Altos-Fornos de grande produtividade revelaram uma significativa diminuição da velocidade de desgaste do revestimento refratário na linha de gusa oferecendo uma condição operacional segura e confiável às casas de corrida.

Aug 16, 2017

By Vitor Guarnier Domiciano

Pre-shaped refractory burner blocks play an important role in reheating furnaces operation and melt shops production since they are responsible for heating the billets/plates so that they reach the temperature required for lamination. This paper presents the main characteristics and properties of a new refractory castable developed for pre-shaped burner blocks, which significantly improved the performance of reheating furnaces burner blocks. Tests carried out in 3 different melt shops have shown that the new refractory castable was able to extend the service life of the refractory burner blocks from 1 year (standard product) to more than 3 years (new castable), showing perfect conditions to continue operating for a longer period.

Oct 30, 2017

By Rowan Melrose, Naj. I. Aziz, Arvind Misra

Mathematical models have been developed to simulate longwall heading development systems in Australian Longwall Mines. The models developed consider the effect of non concurrent cutting and supporting systems and concurrent cutting and supporting systems. They also consider the impact of operating parameters on each of these systems. Operating parameters that are considered include pillar dimensions, the use of surge cars, bolting time, shuttle car speed and heading advance per cycle. The effect of these parameters is considered with respect to production rates and also panel advance rates.

Jan 1, 1996

By Yong Kuk Park

The horizontal cold chamber die casting process can produce a wide range of near-net shape, non-ferrous castings with small dimensional variation, excellent surface finish and very complex geometries. However, top quality die castings can be achieved only when optimal performance of the cold chamber and plunger is maintained during the molten metal injection phase of the process. Cold chambers (shot sleeves) are known to deteriorate fast and sometimes fail catastrophically because of poor design. Catastrophic fracture and wear due to deformation are leading causes to degrade quality, increase downtime and thereby decrease productivity and profitability. Therefore, a systematic approach to minimize irregular and adverse conditions which prevent an intended injection profile, is highly desirable. To eliminate them, design criteria for shot sleeves were developed using analytical tools and available experimental data. The correlation between design and mechanical failures of shot sleeves was shown by the data obtained from the die casting industry. Also, the relationship between die casting process parameters and deterioration/ failure mechanisms were carefully evaluated.

Jan 1, 1996

By Worthen Bradley, R. G. Hall

THIS paper will attempt to show how a metallurgical problem at one California quicksilver mine was solved, and how the solution was applied successfully at another mine. The pronouns "we" and "our," as used below, refer to the Bradley Mining Co. of San Francisco. The term "concurrent firing" for the purpose of this paper can be defined as feeding and firing a rotary kiln at the same end-that is, of course, the upper end. This is as opposed to "counter-current firing," the orthodox method, in which a kiln is fed at the upper and fired at the lower end. The terms "quicksilver" and "mercury" are used interchangeably. EARLY REFERENCES The earliest work on nonferrous metallurgy, we believe, was The Pirotechnia of Vannocio Biringuccio,1 its first edition having been printed in Italy in 1540. Quoting from its chapter entitled "Concerning Quicksilver and Its Ore": Quicksilver . . . is one of the gods and has divine strength in itself, and also, to the annoyance of the alchemists, it is winged. Hence, when it sees that it is in gravest danger, it loosens itself from . . . every bond . . . and flies away into the heavens, escaping from the hands of those who crucify it. Almost laughing, it leaves all its adversaries mocked and scorned, with their phials and filters empty . . . How thorough a job, under certain conditions, it can do of mocking its adversaries and leaving their phials and filters empty, was found out four centuries later at the Sulphur Bank mine, on the east shore of Clear Lake, in Lake County, California. The other mine mentioned in the title is the Reed, in Yolo County, California, 35 miles by road southeast of Sulphur Bank. Reed and Sulphur Bank ranked respectively fifth and seventh in U. S. production in 1943. The earliest direct reference we can find to furnacing troubles at these mines was by Thomas Egleston in 1890.2 Speaking of Sulphur Bank, Egleston says: Sometimes there is more sulphur than cinnabar in the ore, which is a detriment to both . . . making the sulphur impure, and rendering the cinnabar difficult to work on account of the soot. In some of the early . . . furnaces the accumulation of soot from the excess of sulphur has been known to penetrate as far as the fan blower at the end of the . . . condensers, and completely prevent its revolution. In order to get rid of the inconvenience of this accumulation . . . , as well as to get a commercial value from the sulphur, it (the sulphur) is now separated by steam and sold. It is claimed that the sulphur alone pays all the expenses of . . . the mine. The mine was first worked for sulphur, and the cinnabar it contained was considered to be an inconvenience, and was carefully picked out and thrown away. as its richness and value were not

Jan 1, 1945

By M. Younis, E. Comis

"The success of a tunnel project relies on many factors, but one of the most important is also the most overlooked: coordination by all parties involved during the design stages. This is particularly true of segment design and TBM design. Tunnel lining with segmental rings is usually designed according to the standards of reinforced concrete construction based on a given GBR. However, for TBM tunneling, the determination of loads during ring erection, advance of the TBM, earth pressure, and bedding of the articulated ring are all part of the tunnel lining design as well. TBM design can be heavily affected by the segment arrangement, dimension, and weight, but these are usually given as a fixed input to the TBM manufacturer—a process that can cause unnecessary complications. The authors propose that the industry evaluate the process as it stands. In order to find the optimum balance between lining design and TBM cost and operational workflow, both designs should be finalized concurrently. This requires coordination between the TBM manufacturer and segment designer from the early stages. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the influence of the segment lining design on TBM cost and performance, and to provide commentary on existing design guidelines to optimize lining and TBM procurement. INTRODUCTION The conventional project setup for tunnel lining design and the design and manufacture of the tunnel boring machine (TBM) should be coordinated in a timelier manner. It is widely acknowledged that the design of segments must consider the forces exerted by TBM rams during tunnel construction, but other inputs are most frequently provided to the TBM manufacturer as fixed parameters to design around. This paper describes other important factors in TBM design that impact not only the interaction with the segments, but also the construction of the tunnel in terms of overall production and even safety. For example, the segment width and tapering have direct influence on shield body length and thrust cylinder size. Furthermore, TBM geometry can also affect the backup (trailing gear) layout and length."

Jan 1, 2016

By M. C. Azar, W. B. Mason, G. L. Anderson

Eminent domain overview Eminent domain is the power of the Government or a municipality to take property for public use without the consent or acceptance of the owner. Typically, the agency taking the prop¬erty will make an offer, hoping the owner will immediately accept and allow work to begin. If a mutual resolution regard¬ing its value cannot be reached, how¬ever, the municipality will institute a condemnation action in court seeking possion of the property. This is when the problems begin. The power of the Government to take the subject property is limited by Federal and state constitu¬tional requirements to pay "just com¬pensation" for the property. The exact nature of an owner's prop¬erty has been the subject of much debate and discussion. It is generally under¬stood, though, that property is consid¬ered to be "every kind of right or inter¬est, capable of being enjoyed and recog¬nized as such, upon which it is practi¬cable to place a money value" (US vs. 53 114 Acres of Land). A taking, for condemnation purposes, is considered to occur whenever there is a substantial interference with the free use and enjoyment of the property. Rarely is the necessity for the taking ever challenged and more rarely is the taking ever successfully challenged. When a taking occurs, it is not only the fee owner who is entitled to compen¬sation. Every person holding an interest in the subject property will be recog¬nized. Thus, all persons who at the time of taking have a compensable interest in the property will be made parties to the case (Swanson vs. US). Minerals, like all other interests in land, are recognized as property rights, giving the owner the power to dispose of them as he or she sees fit. Thus, the only remaining considera¬tion is only "just compensation." Ex¬actly what "just compensation" is has been difficult to define. Generally, it is that amount of money that will "put the person in as good a position as the per¬son would have been in had the taking not occurred." The owner must not be forced to sacrifice or suffer by receiving less than full and fair value for the prop¬erty. Every element that effects the value of the land and that would influence a purchaser must be evaluated. Courts have employed a variety of techniques to determine just compensa¬tion but have generally relied on market value as the standard for measuring compensation to the owner. The deter¬mination of market value is based on sales, income, costs, and use. These factors have been employed in various ways but can be summed up as: -The highest estimated monetary price the property will bring if exposed for sale in the open market with a reason¬able amount of time allowed to find a purchaser who is buying with knowl¬edge of all the uses and purposes to which it is adapted and for which it is capable of being used. • The amount the property would bring if it were offered for sale by one who desired, but was not obliged, to sell, and was bought by one who was willing, but not obliged to buy. • What the property would bring in the hands of a prudent seller, at liberty to fix the time and conditions of sale. • What the property would sell for in negotiations resulting in sale between an owner willing, but not obliged to sell, and a buyer willing, but not obliged to buy. • What the property would be rea¬sonably worth on the market for a cash price, allowing a reasonable time to affect a sale. (Michigan Standard Jury Instructions). Special consideration regarding mar¬ket value is given when the taking is only partial, rather than complete. An example of this partial taking is when a state highway cuts across the northern half of a parcel of property, leaving the rest behind for the owner. A variety of problems can be immediately seen. In a partial taking, the owner is permitted to recover not only for the property taken, but also for any loss in the value of the remaining property. The measure of compensation for partial taking purposes is generally the difference between the market value of the entire parcel before the taking, and the market value of what is left of the parcel after the taking (Michigan Stan¬dard Jury Instructions). Determining the partial taking value for mineral bear¬ing lands is the difficult issue.

Jan 1, 1989

By Jr. Mason

Eminent Domain is the power of the government or municipality to take property for public use without the consent or acceptance of the owner. Typically the agency taking the property will make an offer on the property, hoping that the owner will immediately accept and allow work to begin. If a mutual resolution regarding the property value cannot be reached, however, the municipality will condemn the premises and institute a condemnation action in a court of law, which is when the problems begin. The power of the government to take the subject property is limited by the Federal and State constitutional duty to pay "just compensation" for the property.

Jan 1, 1989

By Broggi Andrea

Condensates produced by SiO(g) and CO(g) have a crucial importance in silicon production. Condensation will follow the reactions 3 SiOðgÞ+COðgÞ→ 2 SiO2 + SiC and 2 SiO ðgÞ→Si+SiO2. Solid compounds generated during silicon production contain Si, SiO2 and SiC in different microstructures and amounts. In industrial systems, condensates limit the SiO(g) escape to the off-gas system. On the other hand, they can block the gas flowing from the high temperature zone, hence the necessity of studying an optimized condensation process. This review discusses SiO(g) condensation and its interaction with CO(g). The report gives an overview of the condensates found both at laboratory and at industrial scale. The two main compounds are the Si–SiO2 and the SiOx–SiC mixtures. The hypothesis on the mechanism of formation of SiC–SiOx condensates is presented through a wide selection of performed works. The advantages and disadvantages of the former experimental procedures are discussed.

Jan 1, 1894

By Russell Millar

ACCORDING to the data of Maier and Ralston1 zinc vapor and carbon monoxide under the conditions in which they are present in a zinc condenser should, from a thermodynamic point of view, react to form zinc oxide and carbon, Zn (gas) + CO = ZnO (solid) + C. Calculations based on these results show that the gas mixture which is reducing to zinc oxide at the tempera-ture of the retort is oxidizing to zinc at the tempera-ture of the condenser. A series of experiments at the Pacific Experiment

Jan 9, 1928

By Luis Palacios Valdivieso

El presente trabajo describe la importancia del costo de operaciones en la producción minera aplicado en la minera Condestable S.A, Lima a través de la reducción de costos en el rubro de la perforación y del uso de los barrenos . En este sentido, el proceso de la perforación que estuvo dirigido por una administración nacional, desarrolló un mejor cuidado y rendimiento de los mismos, prolongando su producción a un 20% y con significativas utilidades para la mina.

Nov 24, 1986

By C. Alvarez del Villar

"El presente trabajo describe algunos estudios realizados sobre las condiciones ambientales en operaciones de subsuelo, en 30 minas peruanas. Dichos estudios comprenden un período de 10 años (1949-1958) donde se evaluaron los riesgos de contraer silicosis en las zonas mineras, así como aquellos análisis relacionados con las operaciones de subsuelo. La gran mayoría de minas evaluadas están ubicadas en la región de la Sierra (Junin, Pasco, Huancavelica, Cajamarca), mientras que la minoría en Arequipa, Puno, La libertad y Lima, cuyas alturas oscilan entre 1000 y 4800 m.s.n.m. Los resultados de la concentración de monóxido de carbono señalan que de las 20 minas examinadas, solo 8 dieron un 100% de detecciones por debajo del límite permisible. Mientras que del 12 restante, la concentración del gas permanecía luego de un tiempo de dos horas. Por ende, existe una mayoría de centros mineros donde no se concientiza el riesgo de salud sobre estos niveles de monóxido, y tampoco se ejecuta los principios de ventilación por dilución como el mejor medio de evitarlos. Bajo estas circunstancias nace la silicosis, enfermedad producida por la producción de partículas de sílice libre depositada en los pulmones. En 1935, Cummings propuso como primer criterio de riesgo, la relación de la exposición del polvo con la cantidad de sílice libre y a partir de allí, se adoptaron medidas basadas en este primer criterio de ""exposición-respuesta"", encontrándose que el valor máximo del sílice libre está en los minerales de cuarzo, incluso cinco años antes de su exposición. Mientas que la relación alternativa de ""dosis-respuesta"" es más factible en los tres estadíos de la silicosis, tanto en el sentido de sus concentraciones, como en el número de años de exposición."

Jul 20, 1959

By Juan G. González Rojas

El presente estudio describe los resultados de exámenes sobre salud ocupacional en nueve asientos mineros del Perú, pertenecientes a los departamentos de Arequipa, Ayacucho, Cusco y Puno. El trabajo comprende dos partes: el ambiente ocupacional y el estado de salud del personal expuesto. Asi también se informa sobre la seguridad, aspectos de saneamiento básico de los campamentos (vivienda, suministro de agua, desagüe, etc.), las facilidades médicas y de bienestar al servicio del personal.

Aug 20, 1963

By Cesar Montoya, Yarmin y. Taborda

Indagar sobre la operatividad de la minería en Colombia es una acción mayúscula, pues esta no se observa solo desde la arista económica para la generación de beneficios a determinada población, sino también de acuerdo con su historia, personas que la operan, formas de desarrollo y otros. La investigación se desarrolló en 15 minas artesanales ubicadas en los sectores: La Ferrería y la Cancha del municipio de Amagá en Antioquia. Se ejecutó con un enfoque cuantitativo no experimental de tipo correlacional y permitió la descripción de características propias de las minas y la identificación de los niveles de desarrollo frente al Sistema de Gestión de Salud y Seguridad en el Trabajo.

By David Van Horsen

Operation and maintenance of California?s water tunnels is an important factor and vital link in California?s infrastructure. These tunnels are owned and operated by a variety of large and small private and public water and power utility companies, municipal agencies, and irrigation districts. Visionary pioneers such as Michael O?Shaughnessy (San Francisco Hetch Hetchy Water Supply System), William Mulholland (Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and Metropolitan Water District of Southern California?s Colorado River Aqueduct), and John Eastwood (Southern California Edison Big Creek Hydroelectric Project) built large and small water supply, irrigation and hydroelectric tunnels, which have supplied environmentally friendly-water supply, renewable electricity, and uninterrupted service to a burgeoning population and economy. This paper introduces these pioneers and describes several case histories and lessons learned during condition assessment and rehabilitation of tunnels providing enlightenment of California?s vital water projects.

Jan 1, 2008