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By Nora M. Hutt, Kevin A. Morin

Geochemical static tests are a basic component of geochemical assessments and predictions for acidic drainage, and include acid-base accounting and total-metal contents. A key database for such information is the International Static Database (ISD), which currently contains more than 45,000 static-test analyses from over 200 minesites. Such large databases are useful in identifying general trends and, just as important, the percentage of exceptions. General trends and significant exceptions can be seen in the ISD by comparing one parameter against another. This paper shows that bulk neutralization potential (bulk NP) obtained from acid titration is often a good indicator of neutralizing capacity above values of 10 t CaCO3/1000 t. Other types of calculated neutralizing capacity are then compared to bulk NP to determine if they, in fact, reliably represent actual neutralizing capacity and if they can substitute for the more time-consuming and expensive bulk NP. For example, bulk NP correlates better with Carbonate NP (from carbonate analyses) and Total-carbon NP (from total-carbon analyses) than with (Ca+Mg) CaNP (from solid-phase analyses of calcium and magnesium). This means that, in general, (Ca+Mg) CaNP is a less accurate substitute for bulk NP than the other types, and thus requires intensive site-specific justification if a substitution is attempted. This also means that measurement of the frequently less-expensive parameters of total carbon and carbonate can often substitute, within site-specific error bars, for the bulk-NP titration. However, the ISD also shows that non-carbonate minerals make the primary contribution to neutralization in up to 20% of samples, so Carbonate CaNP and Total-carbon CaNP do not always reveal the full neutralizing capacity of a sample.

Jan 1, 2000

By M. A. Perras, M. S. Diederichs

"The Niagara Tunnel Project (NTP) is a 10.1 km long water-diversion tunnel in Niagara Falls, Ontario, which was excavated by a 14.4 m diameter tunnel boring machine. The excavated rock types included limestone, sandstone, siltstone, shale and mudstone. Based on observations and measurements the overbreak was divided into four zones. Approximately half the tunnel length was excavated through the Queenston Formation, which locally is a shale to mudstone. Three of the four overbreak zones were within the Queenston. Zone 1 includes the formations above the Queenston Formation, Zones 2 and 4 are border regimes with little or no influence from St. Davids Buried Gorge and Zone 3 is the area influenced by the gorge. Zones 2 through 4 can be generally summarized as having overbreak as the result of stress induced spalling. Zone 2 marks the transition from slabbing at the Whirlpool contact in the stress shadow to spalling towards Zone 3. The behaviour of Zone 3 is interrupted from the typical high stress behaviour due to the presence of St. Davids Buried Gorge. As the tunnel passed from the gorge the high regional stresses induce spalling, which creates the typical notch shaped overbreak geometry of Zone 4.Three modelling approaches were used to back analyze the brittle failure process at the NTP: damage initiation and spalling limit, laminated anisotropy modelling, and ubiquitous joint approaches. Analyses were conducted for three tunnel chainages: 3+000, 3+250, and 3+500 m because the overbreak depth increased from 2 to 4 m. All approaches produced similar overbreak geometries to those measured. The laminated anisotropy modelling approach was able to produce overbreak depths and chord closures closest to those measured, using a joint normal to shear stiffness ratio between 1 and 2. The back analysis results were able to produce sets of stress and strength inputs for different sections of the tunnel at the transition from overbreak Zone 3 to 4. The back analysis procedure demonstrates the importance of including the anisotropic stiffness in the numerical modelling approach to correctly capture the overbreak geometry and deformations around underground excavations."

Jan 1, 2015

By J. W. Mahar, E. J. Cording, F. L. Gau

INTRODUCTION The Washington, D.C. rapid transit system (METRO) when completed will consist of 98 miles of double track rail. Fifteen miles will be tunneled in rock and 12 large underground rock chambers will be constructed at station locations. The University of Illinois is under contract to Metro to provide observations and instrumentation services in the initial phase of construction. The work is coordinated through DeLeuw, Cather & Co., the General Engineering Consultant to Metro. The program is designed to monitor construction conditions as well as to provide information useful for the design of future rock tunnels and rock chambers in the Metro system. This paper presents the results of observations in the rock tunnels constructed to date. Most of the observations are in a 5000-ft-long, 30-ft-wide, double track tunnel in downtown Washington, D.C. Observations were also made in single track tunnels, shafts, enlargement areas, and pilot tunnels, and are being made in a large rock chamber 700 ft long, 76 ft wide, and constructed at shallow depth in a schistose gneiss. One of the major objectives of the observational program was to determine the orientation and character of joints and shear zones and to evaluate their effect on support requirements for various tunnel orientations and configurations. The consistency of geologic features throughout the Washington area has made the results of the initial study applicable to evaluation of support requirements on future tunnel contracts. The first section of this paper summarizes the geologic conditions in the tunnel and their effect on overbreak and rock movement.

Jan 1, 1997

By David Leidel, James Stuart

The 50 ohm resistorized electric detonator is commonly used in the oilfield for initiation of wireline conveyed perforating guns and other downhole explosive tools. This type of electric detonator provides some degree of safety above that of the conventional one ohm electric detonator, since a higher current level is required to initiate the device. In order to obtain the necessary data to develop safe distance tables from RF sources for the 50 ohm electric detonator, laboratory tests were conducted to determine the detonator’s “no-fire” current, AC impedance, and its susceptibility to ESD. The results were surprising as two types of failure modes were observed. The “no-fire’ current levels determined from Langlie “One-Shot” Test Methods were determined for the devices tested providing values for the 0.999 probability “no-fire” power level at a 95% confidence level. This data will serve as the basis for sets of safe distance tables from RF sources that will appear in the forthcoming edition of the Institute of Makers of Explosives Safety Library Publication 20, “Safety Guide for the Prevention of Radio Frequency Radiation Hazards in the Use of Commercial Electric Detonators, (Blasting Caps)”.

Jan 1, 2010

By D Ray, D Brett

A clay-capping trial was established in 1996 on Magazine Dump at the Mt Lyell Copper Mine. The trial was initially constructed under the Mount Lyell Remediation Research and Demonstration Program, a co-operative venture between the State and Federal governments. The detailed engineering design for the clay cover included the following features; reshaping and compaction of dump batters, 5 m vertical bench interval, overall side-slopes of 2.5:1, emplacement of clay in four 150 mm lifts, compaction by a 10 t vibrating roller or ætrack rollingÆ on batters with density testing for quality control. A small section at the base of the dump ( The trial also generated certain unexpected findings. Field permeability tests on the cover yielded uncertain results and oxygen remains available throughout the dump. The flow data indicate that, while total outflow has decreased as a result of storm shedding, inputs from groundwater and batter infiltration are still significant. Outflow during the driest weeks of the year may have risen following capping. Detailed assessment of the data is hampered by insufficient pre-capping information; however, there is a possibility that conductivity flux emitted when flows in the receiving environment are at their annual minimum is unchanged or worse post-capping.

Jan 1, 2003

By C. R. Montgomery

Coal companies in order to supply their customers En the metallurgical market, both home and abroad, must be able to control their production in order to meet carbonization specifications over and above those of the proximate analyses which has been the prime consideration of purchases in the past. It is the purpose of this paper to review in brief some of the tests used and give data to show the application of such as it applies to the customers needs. It is now recognized that coal is not homogeneous in any of its properties and an amazing fact is that it has been used for so long a time as the principal raw material for the manufacturing of coke without more emphasis having been placed on the variation between coals; yes, even from coals in the same seam at different geographical locations, Recently Kuchta and Clendenin pointed this fact out In a study of the(1) carbonizing behavior as related to chemical and plastic properties of Alabama medium volatile coal.

Jan 1, 1962

By L. G. Graper, E. L. Ramsey

THE present program of increased production of armament and lend-lease material for mechanized war has created a problem for the shops that must do the machining. They have naturally turned to the steel producers to provide them with a steel that can be accurately machined with the greatest possible speed. The adding of sulphur to steel as an aid to machinability has long been practiced; however, it may cause red shortness in rolling and may result in billets with seams and cracks, which must be removed before rolling can be continued. This conditioning of billets slows down production and adds to the cost of making steel. Experience with various grades of sulphur steel made to different specifications has shown that Bessemer sulphur steels roll better than similar grades made in the open hearth, and also that low-carbon steels that are open or semi-killed as tapped roll better than completely deoxidized or killed steels. This has led to the belief that oxygen plays an important part in the rolling qualities of sulphur-bearing steels. It is generally held that the red shortness of sulphur steels is due to the low melting point of the sulphide compounds that separate out at the grain boundaries when the steel solidifies. At the rolling temperature of steel these sulphide compounds melt and cause cracking. ADDING SULPHUR AS A SULPHITE These difficulties can be avoided if sulphur is introduced into the steel by means of an anhydrous sulphite, such as sodium sulphite or sodium bisulphite, which-upon decomposition-forms sulphur dioxide. It is assumed that, in this case, the oxygen of the sulphur dioxide forms part of the sulphide inclusions in the steel, and raises their solidification temperature enough so that the formation in the steel of a low-melting eutectic is prevented. The result is the prevention of hot shortness and a more uniform distribution of inclusions. Fig, I shows photomicrographs of steels made with sulphur, while Fig, 2 illustrates the structure of steels made with sodium bisulphite. These samples were cut from the steels as cast-that is, before rolling and were polished and lightly etched to bring out the grain boundaries. Fig. I shows that sulphide inclusions segregate more or less at the grain boundaries, and it can be seen how the continuity of these low-melting inclusions would cause red shortness. Fig. 2 shows that the sulphide inclusions are more or less uniformly distributed throughout the matrix. This arrangement of inclusions has no apparent effect on the rolling qualities of a steel. This statement has been substantiated by the observation of the rolling of over 6000 tons of steel made with a sulphite addition. RESULTS As stated before, the sulphur dioxide is added to steel by means of the decompcsi-

Jan 1, 1942

By L. G. Graper, E. L. Ramsey

THE present program of increased production of armament and lend-lease material for mechanized war has created a problem for the shops that must do the machining. They have naturally turned to the steel producers to provide them with a steel that can be accurately machined with the greatest possible speed. The adding of sulphur to steel as an aid to machinability has long been practiced; however, it may cause red shortness in rolling and may result in billets with seams and cracks, which must be removed before rolling can be continued. This conditioning of billets slows down production and' adds to the cost of making steel. Experience with various grades of sulphur steel made to different specifications has shown that Bessemer sulphur steels roll better than similar grades made in the open hearth, and also that low-carbon steels that are open or semikilled .as tapped roll better than completely deoxidized or killed steels. This has led to the belief that oxygen plays an important part in the rolling qualities of sulphur-bearing steels. It is generally held that the red shortness of sulphur steels is due to the low melting point of the sulphide compounds that separate out at the grain boundaries when the steel solidifies. At the rolling temperature of steel these sulphide compounds melt and cause cracking. ADDING SULPHUR AS A SULPHITE These difficulties can be avoided if sulphur is introduced into the steel by means of an anhydrous sulphite, such as sodium sulphite or sodium bisulphite, which-upon decomposition-forms sulphur dioxide. It is assumed that, in this case, the oxygen of the sulphur dioxide forms part of the sulphide inclusions in the steel, and raises their solidification temperature enough so that the formation in the steel of a low-melting eutectic is prevented. The result is the prevention of hot shortness and a more uniform distribution of inclusions. Fig. I shows photomicrographs of steels made with sulphur, while Fig. 2 illustrates the structure of steels made with sodium . bisulphite. These samples were cut from the steels as cast-that is, before rollingand were polished and lightly etched to bring out the grain boundaries. Fig. I shows that sulphide -inclusions segregate more or less at the grain boundaries, and it can be seen how the continuity of these low-melting inclusions would cause red shortness. Fig. z shows that the sulphide inclusions are more or less uniformly distributed throughout the matrix. This arrangement of inclusions has no apparent effect on the rolling qualities of a steel. This statement has been substantiated by the observation of the rolling of over 6000 tons of steel made with a sulphite addition. RESULTS As stated before, the sulphur dioxide-is added to steel by means of the decomposi-

Jan 1, 1942

By Y. Wang, S. Sridhar, B. Coletti, G. N. Shannon, S. Vantilt

The final removal of inclusions in the ladle, tundish, and mold in a continuous casting process involves the kinetic steps of liquid film drainage, interface rupture, and absorption of the inclusion into the overlaying molten slag. During this process, oxide inclusions can undergo chemical reactions with the slag. This paper presents recent results on imaging the slag/steel interface and elucidates the evolution of Al2O3and Al2O3-CaO inclusions during their separation from the steel and on their incorporation into the slag. Experimental results, obtained through a Confocal Scanning Laser Microscope, are compared with thermodynamic predictions.

Jan 1, 2004

By D. W. Collins

The uptake of gold from halide solutions by activated carbon has been investigated using various techniques. Halide systems typically exhibit combined adsorption-reduction type behavior. In an attempt to gain more information about the nature of these processes, samples of synthetic highly-oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) were contacted with aqueous solutions of gold-iodide. HOPG represents a model structure for activated carbon comprising of basal- plane sites, edge sites, and various defect sites. Two basic instrumental methods were used to examine the uptake of gold by HOPG. The first was standard X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The other involved several scanning probe techniques. XPS clearly indicated a preferred uptake of gold at edge sites. However, iodine appeared to be distributed on both basal-plane and edge sites. At low iodine additions, tapping mode AFM showed that clusters were concentrated along steps and surface defects. At high iodine concentrations, the HOPG surface was uniformly covered by iodine.

Jan 1, 1998

By Anthony Iannacchionc, Jessica Benner, Harold Miller, Megan Witkowski

"Longwall bituminous coal mining has been practiced in Pennsylvania since the 1970""s. Hundreds of longwall panels have been mined during the last 40 years but only 24 have actually undermined Pennsylvania's Interstate Highway System. The impact to interstate highways are summarized in this paper and the factors that influence the magnitude of these impacts are examined.INTRODUCTIONOver the last 30 years, interstate highways in Pennsylvania have been undermined by portions of 21 bituminous coal mine longwall panels. From 2003 to 2008, three of the panel were extracted by the Emerald Mine and six by the Cumberland Mine both in Greene County and both owned by Alpha Resources. Previous assessments of longwall mining under Pennsylvania’s interstates have identified impacts to the highways but no danger to public safety. In general the magnitude and extent of impacts during the recent undermining of Interstate 79 or 179 appears to be similar as those identified in previous studies. The nine longwall panels are among some of the widest in the U.S. They are supercritical in character with overburdens ranging from greater than 152 m (500 ft) to less than 305 m (1,000 ft).The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP) requested that the University of Pittsburgh summarize observations collected by their staff during the recent undermining of 179. Observations and photographs of impacts to the highway were made by PA DEP staff and entered into reports prepared by California District Mining Office (COMO) staff and statements written into the Bituminous Underground Mining Information System (BUMIS) database. In addition to the observations by the PA DEP, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) conducted a series of detailed land surveys along portions of the highway undermined from 2003 to 2008. To characterize the subsidence basin fanned by longwall mining. PennDOT information has been analyzed by another research group within the university (Guticrre7, et al., 20 I 0)."

Jan 1, 2010

By C. K. Man

Coal dust explosions are routinely conducted within the full-scale experimental mine at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Pittsburgh Research Laboratory?s (PRL) Lake Lynn Experimental Mine (LLEM) to meet the needs of numerous safety and health research programs. Many of these explosion tests over the years involved igniting different coal dust and limestone rock dust mixtures (up to 80% by volume rock dust). Following four more recent tests, floor dust samples have been collected and analyzed using the alcohol coking test and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the results compared to estimate the flame travel.

Jan 1, 2009

By Robert Maquil, Gilles Didier, Walter Steiner

"The 1580 m long dual-tube motorway tunnel Markusberg near Schengen, Luxembourg experiences strong swelling phenomena in each tube related to a 35 m wide diagonally crossing rock layer, some150 to 200m from the east portals. Overburden over the roadway is 26 to 30 meters. Tunnel construction started in 1998 and the tunnel was opened in 2003. The tunnel was driven downgrade from the West, the heave phenomenon started to occur as the tunnel approached completion. No indications of the presence of anhydrite and dissolved sulphates were known prior to tunnelling. Water samples had been taken from the beginning of construction and the concentration of anions and cat ions determined. Sulfate content was substantial, in one well it reached 22 mg/l, this high concentration requires the presence of other ions, in particular sodium and chlorine. Based on the knowledge at the time of construction heaving ground was removed from the tunnel invert and a free space was left below the roadway that is covered by a transversely spanned slab. In addition a series of posttensioned tiebacks were installed below the sidewalls. The void left in 2003 was 1.7m high and closed to less than 0.5 meters in 2007 then it became necessary to widen the free space. A central trench was dug with a height of about 2.5 meters and the benches were lowered.Level surveying had been carried out since 2002. In 2006 two extensometers were installed, one in the zone of strongest heave, the second at the edge of the swelling zone. The extensometer in the center of the swelling zone indicated heave with an essential constant rate with seasonal variations, the heave is concentrated in layer from 2 to 5 meters that heaved by nearly 300 millimeters within 5 years or 60 mm/year, which equals to approx. 1% extension per year. At the abutments heave rates of 20 mm/year where the support resistance is higher were observed. With data from other case histories a relation of heave rate with support resistance was established. Based on the numerous field observations hypotheses for the complex in-situ swelling processes, involving rock mechanics, mineralogical, soil mechanics and hydrogeological aspects were developed"

Jan 1, 2015

By Tell Ertl, Ernest E. Burgh

INTRODUCTION THE Bureau of Mines is operating an oil-shale mine 10 miles west of Rifle, Colo., as part of its Synthetic Liquid Fuels program. The purpose of operating this mine is twofold: First, to supply oil shale to an experimental processing plant; and second, to develop practices and select methods for mining oil shale on a commercial scale at the lowest practicable cost. The second purpose-that of finding out how to mine oil shale most cheaply-entails considerable mining research. Since the drilling of oil shale probably will be one of the major items of the mining cost, factors that influence drilling speeds were investigated. One phase of the drilling program was the development of a successful hard-surfaced rock-drill bit1 that can be used for drilling long holes in oil shale without changing bits. During that phase, drilling speeds were measured and drill cuttings were collected for assay and for screen sizing. When the cuttings from the individual tests were compared, a definite relationship was shown to exist between the drilling speed and the coarseness of the drill cuttings. PROCEDURE Measurement of Drilling Speeds All drilling in the tests was done with a Model UMB-D-99W Gardner-Denver wagon drill. Round-lugged drill steel, 1 ¼ in. in diameter was used in 6, 12, and 18 ft lengths with 2 1/8 -in. Timken H-type bits hard-faced with acetylene tube borium. The tests were made in the lower adit of the Bureau of Mines oil-shale mine; the grade of the oil shale drilled ranged from 18.6 to 42.7 gal per ton. During the experiments air pressure varied between 75 and 90 psi while water pressure remained fairly constant at 75 psi. All holes were drilled almost horizontally. Each drill hole was thoroughly cleaned of cuttings after being collared. The advance of the drill along the carriage was measured and recorded as the drilling speed in inches per minute. Method of Collecting Cuttings To facilitate the collection of cuttings, each drill hole was collared in a smooth, vertical portion of the oil-shale breast (Fig 1). A galvanized-steel sheet was fastened to the breast below the area in which the hole was to be drilled. The cuttings washed out of the drill hole by the drilling water were guided by the steel sheet into a wooden box. The cuttings that remained in the drill hole after the drill was withdrawn were scraped out and placed in the same box as the cuttings washed out of the hole. After the cuttings from a 1-min. drilling interval were collected, they were placed in flat metal pans. The fines were allowed to settle and the clear water was decanted. The cuttings then were dried in the sun.

Jan 1, 1947

By Melissa L. Trapani

Keywords: Copper, Taphole, Flow Instability. ?Blister spitting? is a flow irregularity where the molten blister copper stream ? or part thereof ? sprays from the taphole exit rather than following a regular flow profile to the collection box. As well as being a general ?housekeeping? issue, the unpredictable nature of the flow is a threat to operator safety. Also, the aggressive flow pattern may contribute to the mechanical wear of the taphole refractory, compromising the integrity of the taphole. This paper brings together a collection of first-hand observations and reports from process personnel, and suggests some theories as to the causes of blister spitting.

Jan 1, 2005

By C. F. Jr. Tolman

IN February 1913, Prof. L. C. Graton and Dr. Joseph Murdoch1 presented to the American Institute of Mining Engineers a notable contribution to economic geology under the title The Sulphide Ores of Copper. The value of the work was recognized by mine operators, and Mr. Graton was assisted in his plan to extend his investigations,. by the organization of a commission to undertake a "secondary enrichment investigation." In this work lie secured the cooperation of the Geophysical Laboratory of the Carnegie Institution of Washington. Their report 2 on the chemical phases of the investigation has just been published. Incidental to investigations 3 carried on in my laboratory by advanced

Jan 2, 1916

By C. F. Tolman

Discussion of the paper of C. F. TOLMAN, JR., presented at the New York meeting, February, 1916, and printed in Bulletin No. 110, February, 1916, pp. 401 to 433. Louis C. GRATON, Cambridge, Mass.-Of particular interest at this time is any paper that deals with chalcocite, the characteristic product of secondary enrichment and the copper mineral of greatest commercial importance, and that seeks to aid in the distinction between primary and secondary chalcocite-a distinction of much scientific and practical importance but one which thus far it has proved difficult to draw. The present paper on this subject by Professor Tolman, like the ,many preceding it which he and his colleagues at Stanford have published in the last couple of years, contains much of interest and suggestiveness. Without endeavoring at this time to review or comment upon Professor Tolman's conclusions in detail, I may say that many of them are in accord with the findings that my associates and I have been accumulating in the course of studying secondary enrichment in many of the copper deposits of the country. On the other hand, it goes without saying that in this comparatively new field of research or, at least, a field in which

Jan 5, 1916

By Mark Malamphy

DURING the latter part of the year 1932, the Servico Geologico e Mineralogico do Brasil ordered four magnetic field balances with tem-perature-compensated magnetic systems and a photographic recording apparatus for the registration of the diurnal variation. These instru-ments were delivered during the early part of the year 1933 and a short time later were taken to Santa Catherina for use in the field. Before the field work was begun, a series of experiments was carried out to determine the behavior of these new instruments under existing field conditions. The recording instruments were mounted in an under-ground chamber and their sensitivities checked by means of a Helmholtz coil. The field instruments were then mounted at fixed stations and readings were taken to determine the diurnal variation and compare it with the photographic records. The data obtained with the horizontal field balances were concordant but that obtained with the vertical component instruments showed a considerable divergence. This divergence was of such a magnitude that it was necessary to spend considerable time in determining its cause and finding a means of improving the functioning of the instruments. This paper presents the results of our observations on these systems and the conclusions at which we arrived; also the means we took to partly elimi-nate the difficulty until new systems could be ordered from Germany.

Jan 1, 1935

By D. S. Kingery, D. W. Mitchell

Experience in Europe indicates that the control of dust production and dissemination by water or foam systems is not successful except during undercutting. Cybulski, Dawes, and DeBraaf-respectively Director, Mines Research Establishment "Barbara", Katowice, Poland; Principal Scientific Officer, Safety in Mines Research Establishment, Sheffield, England: and Chief, Central Mines Research Establishment, Hoensbroek, Treebeek, The Netherlands-believe that wetted dust becomes readily dispersible and abatement measures should be considered only as a temporary means for reducing the health hazard. In an effort to reduce the health hazard, calcium chloride is used on the floor of main haulageways in Dutch mines and water infusion is practiced in Germany in mines where the coal is relatively porous. With respect to wet coal dust, the Belgians, British, Dutch, French, and Russians reportedly have accepted the results of research from the Polish and American experimental mines on the effectiveness of water as an inert in arresting explosion propagation. The Polish use the two test methods proposed by the U.S. Bureau of Mines for evaluation of the adequacy of wetness of mine dust; they require that water be added to the wet dust to maintain a minimum of 50% moisture by weight if dependence is placed on water alone.

Jan 7, 1964

The paper is aimed at mining engineers and other mining practitioners in the metalliferous mining industry who are considering the use of roadheaders and wish to understand the basic geomechanical and operational principles controlling their performance. The paper aims to address metalliferous minersÆ general unfamiliarity with roadheader technology, which is one of the factors which has limited the application of these machines in such mines. The historical development of drag tool mechanical excavation machines is briefly discussed, and factors affecting the application of roadheaders are mentioned. The mechanics of cutting with drag tools is then reviewed as are the effects of these and tool wear on tool performance. The implications of tool performance to roadheader performance are mentioned, the potential benefits of high pressure waterjet assistance are discussed and the relative performances of different tool types and materials are compared. Roadheader performance factors including productivity and utilisation are mentioned, and the state-of-the-art of conventional roadheaders is discussed in the context of machine weight, power and cutting head configuration. The influence of these and rock strength on machine productivity is analysed. Alternative, developing technologies are discussed which may extend the effective use of mechanical excavation into stronger rock masses which are beyond the range of conventional roadheaders. Finally, conclusions on these discussions are presented, along with recommendations for continuing research and development.

Jan 1, 1997