Search Documents

By K. R. McGinnis

A major cost to a mining company is funding of an exploration program. It is a necessary cost to insure the company's future. But if the exploration effort does not discover an economic are body, there is no return on investment and the days of the company are numbered. However, if you are aware of what exploration geologists are saying, it places the exploration process in a different light. Basically they are saying that ore bodies exist that contain 250,000 tons or less of gold and silver bearing ore that is cyanide amenable utilizing heap leach technology.

Jan 1, 1988

By B Nielsen, H Lehto, B Musuku

"The demand for fine and ultra-fine grinding associated with the processing of more challenging, finer grained orebodies and the global driver of minimising energy consumption has been an increased focus in our industry. Outotec’s stirred milling technology, the high intensity grinding mill (HIGmill™), was launched in 2012 in response to this industry need. First Quantum Minerals Ltd selected HIGmill™ technology for its Kevitsa mine in Northern Finland. The 700 kW mill is grinding copper rougher concentrate to improve copper/nickel separation and copper recovery. Selection of the HIGmill™ followed mineralogy analysis and laboratory and pilot testing for HIG milling in parallel with flotation tests to determine optimum grind size and energy input.The paper discusses the challenges and successes of the test work, manufacture, installation, commissioning and subsequent operation of the mill. Grinding performance is presented and a comparison between predicted and operating energy efficiency is made. In addition, the various steps to optimise wear rate and minimise maintenance and downtime are made, with particular reference to internal geometry of the mill.Citation:Nielsen, B, Lehto, H and Musuku, B, 2016. Design, Installation, Commissioning and Operation of Fine Grinding Technology at the Kevitsa Mine, in Proceedings 13th AusIMM Mill Operators’ Conference 2016, pp 59–66 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne)."

Oct 10, 2016

Bath smelting options for recovering valuable metals from jarositic residues containing 22-28% lead and 16-30% sulphur obtained from pressure leaching zinc-lead-copper bulk concentrates were investigated using thermochemical computations and crucible-scale experiments. Direct fuming of lead and zinc from a slaglmatte bath at 1250-300°C was demonstrated successfully. Up to 93% of the lead was recovered in the fume and steady-state recoveries of zinc were predicted in the range 82-95% under these conditions. The energy required for the fuming reactions was supplied by partial combustion of the fuel, added as char, with air. An important feature of the process is that the recoveries to the fume are not significantly affected by changing: the fuel:air ratio over a wide range. Thermodynamic computations, confirmed by experimental results also showed that the presence of a matte phase is not essential for high recovery of lead and zinc to the fume. Operating conditions which produced a matte ensured that about 70% of the silver and 80-90% of the copper were recovered into that phase. Approximately 98% of the arsenic in the residue was fumed. In the absence of matte the slags contained high arsenic levels (260-330 ppm) but low arsenic (20-60 ppm) levels were achieved when matte was produced.

Jan 1, 1994

By R. P. King

An Analytical Solution to the Batch comminution Equation R. P. King, Pr. Eng., B.Sc. (Eng.), M. Se. (Eng.), Ph.D. (Visitor). An analytical solution to the batch-grinding equation is presented in terms of the generalized hypergeometric series and the confluent hypergeometnc function. This solution is valid for selection functions that are describe~ piece-wise by functional forms of the type KOXB and by normalized breakage functions of the type B(x,x') = (x/x')x. These functional forms are sufficiently general to Include most practical cases. In particular, they can be used to describe selection functions that have a maximum.

[A AALSETH, EARL P GEOLOGIST. AMERADA PETROLEUM CORP. BOX 1498 BILLINGS. MONT ABADIE, HENRY G ASST TO SUP OF OPER LONG BEACH OIL DEVEL. CO. 255 S. SANTA CLARA. LONG BEACH, CALIF. ABBE. TRUMAN W. … ASST.FLD.SUP.OF PROD SUN OIL COMPANY BOX 66 STOWELL. TEXAS ABBOTT. J. L. .... GEOL. PARTNER PRITCHARD & ABBOTT 504 CENTURY BLDG. FORT WORTH, TEX ABBOTT, RICHARD H OWNER ABBOTT AND HOWARD OIL 422 W. HERMOSA DR. SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS. ABBOTT, SETH J.. JR PETR ENGR.]

Jan 1, 1961

By W. G. Pariseau, C. H. Schmuck, Fei Duan

The Homestake Mine is located in steeply dipping Precambrian metasediaents, an environment common to a number of world class ore bodies. Development of a pronounced plane of schistosity raises a question concerning the importance of anisotropy to the design of vertical crater retreat stopes. Little is known about the actual influence of elastic anisotropy in such -circumstances; even less is known about strength anisotropy. A cautious step- by-step approach was therefore taken towards a numerical assessment of the role of anisotropy in the analysis of stress and stability. The sequence of analyses begins with elementary test problems for computer program checks and proceeds to the analysis of a study stope area between the 6950 and 7100 Levels of the Homestake Mine. Anisotropy (orthotropy) is important at the Homestake Yine. No simple guidelines for evaluating in advance the need for plastic and strength anisotropy in design analysis appear to be forthcoming, ;o that some physical properties testing is necessary where the question is in doubt

Jan 1, 1984

Use controlled blasting techniques to reduce blast-produced overbreak damage to underground mine ribs and back for both safer working conditions and improvements in productivity. The Problem Blasting is used in metal and non-metal underground mine slopes, drifts and crosscuts to fracture rock to be excavated and further processed. Standard blasting also produces fractures in the rock beyond the desired excavation area. This is sometimes evident by rough surfaces, undercutting and other signs of excessive damage. This damage contributes to rockfalls in the mines, a major cause of injuries and fatalities, and equipment damage. A variety of controlled blasting techniques has been developed for civil engineering projects where long-term stability is essential. For several reasons, these methods arc not widely used in mining. For example, these methods incur additional costs and time; there is little need to maintain stable openings over long periods of lime; and there is the perception (hat corrective remedial techniques, such as rock bolting, are more practical. Basically the benefits of these methods are not demonstrably clear for application in underground mines.

Jan 1, 1991

By P. G. Mason, H. T. Brown

Electrowinning of nickel at the Bindura Smelting and Refining Company by H. T. BROWN, B.Sc. (Member) and P. G. MASON, B.Sc. (Member) After a brief discussion of theoretical considerations in the electrowinning of nickel, an account is given of the electrowinning process and plant used at the Bindura Smelting and Refining Company.

Jan 2, 1977

By J. Richard Tonry

In portland cement manufacturing, the raw materials axe changed to clinker in the burning operation. Generally the rotary kiln is used for this purpose and involves many processes, including pelletizing and nodelizing. This transformation is called clinkering, and is analyzed as now generally practiced in cement making, from the raw material to the resulting clinker.

Jan 1, 1963

By G. J. Slavens

The U.S. Bureau of Mines conducted research on preparing submicrometer titanium nitride (TiN) powder as a substitute for tungsten carbide (WC) in cutting tools and wear-resistant parts. Earlier research on a small scale was expanded to include a larger reactor. The TiN powder was produced by contacting titanium tetrachloride (TiCI4) with anhydrous ammonia (NH3) in the presence of Mg at 1,100° C. The powder was collected in an electrostatic precipitator (ESP) filled with ultra-high-purity (UHP) Ar. All collected powder was thermal vacuum distilled to remove Mg and magnesium chloride (MgCl2), leaving the purified TiN. Powder handling and purification procedures were conducted to assure low oxygen content in the powder product. Oxygen content in the distilled TiN powder product was as low as 0.40 wt pct. Nitrogen averaged near 22.0 wt pet with a high of 22.4 wt pct. The purified powder product had an average median particle diameter of 0.14 µm with a standard deviation of 0.09 µm.

Jan 1, 2010

Results obtained from small scale tests using Australian tin concentrates indicate that metallic tin containing less than 0·1 per cent iron can be recovered by a two-stage process using hydrogen and make-up chlorine. In the first stage the concentrate is ground,. pelletized, roasted, and reacted at 650°C with HCI and H2 to volatilize the tin as SnOI2. The volatilization reaction is conducted with cocurrent gas and solids flow because it was found that the use of cocurrent flow yielded a solids residue substantially free from FeCI2. The second stage uses a technique termed "reflux reduction" during which the SnOl2 produced by volatilization is reduced by hydrogen to form tin and a gas containing HCI and H2 of sufficiently high HCI tenor for recycle to the volatilization stage. The elimination of tin ranged from 98+ to 99·7+ per cent of the tin from concentrates containing 5 to 50 per cent tin, respectively. The process should be capable of continuous operation, and a tentative calculation has shown ,that a treatment rate of 12,000 tonnes of tin concentrate per year could be obtained in a volatilization reactor 1·1 m in diameter and 6·1 m high. The process may have particular application to finely divided concentrates containing less than 20 per cent tin.

Jan 1, 1974

By J. E. Burke, C. W. Mason

IN attempting to study precipitation from a tetragonal lattice using solid solutions of bismuth in tin, it was found that although a Widnmanstatten pattern is observed 1 only a qualitative analysis of the orientation relationships is possible, because of the unusual structural changes that accompany the precipitation process MICROSCOPICAL STUDIES Alloys were made from Chempur tin (Standard samples 42b and 42c, National Bureau of Standards), and bismuth (Kahlbaum C P ) by melting neighed quantities together under palm oil, stirring well, and casting in a heated graphite mold The polishing and etching techniques employed largely govern the visibility of the structural changes The preliminary surfacing operations were similar to those recommended by Villela and Bergekoff,5 through BehrManning 3/o abrasive papers, lubricated by a solution of paraffin in kerosene A rough metallographic polish was next given, using a thin cotton cloth charged with relevigated alumina (maximum particle size of about 4µ) and soap solution, repeated etching and polishing served to remove disturbed metal For high-power examination better preparation was necessary It was found that on such soft metals the threads of the fabric, rather than the abrasive, cause most of the scratching Cotton outing flannel, which had been brushed so that the nap lay down, was fairly satisfactory, but a Heavy grade of silk velvet (not the noncrushable kind) was found to be better, especially after some use A better procedure was as follows The metal lap was warmed slightly, and a 4-in circle of woolen broadcloth was cemented to its center by a thin film of melted paraffin The broadcloth was then moistened with water, and a 30 to 40 per cent solution of sodium hydroxide heated to about 50°C was poured over it, allowed to stand for 1 to 2 min and then washed off It was neither necessary nor desirable to remove all the sodium hydroxide from the cloth, since its etching action aided in the removal of the flowed layer from the sample The cloth was then charged with a paste of the relevigated alumina in water Since this lap did not remove deep scratches, it was necessary previously to polish the specimen on some material such as the silk velvet The sodium hydroxide softens and partly gelatinizes the woolen lap covering, permitting a scratch-free polish, but its action continues, and the cloth deteriorates after about 24 hr This is not serious, because a new lap can be prepared in about 5 min, and only small pieces of cloth are used Etching with a strongly acid solution of ferric chloride was found satisfactory for removing the flowed layer For the final etching, the most satisfactory reagent was that of Taffs,7 the formula for which is FeC13 6H20, 2 grams, HC1, 5 c c , H2O, 30 c c , C2H5OH (95 per cent), 60 c c This etchant reveals differences in com-

Jan 1, 1941

By Rusty Winn

"R.E. Janes Gravel Co. is an aggregates producer is located along a paleo-channel of the Ogallala formation (locally known as the Slaton Channel) approximately 48.3 km (30 miles) southeast of Lubbock, TX. In an attempt to beneficiate the 25.4-mm (1-in.) concrete aggregate product, a log washer was installed in the processing line to liberate and remove fines (clay) from the finished product. The introduction of this extra cleaning step increased fines in the finished product, exacerbating the original problem. Several other processing options were investigated before a geological analysis was undertaken to try and define the lithology of the formation and formation characteristics in an attempt to alleviate this problem.Initial assessmentsThe mined resources are mid-Miocene to early Pliocene (16-4 mya) in age and is the eastern exposure of the Ogallala formation of the Southern High Plains escarpment. The Ogallala formation consists of coarse-grained alluvial sediments in paleovalley channel ways from the Rocky Mountains with fine Aeolian and paleosol deposition on the uplands across the High Plains region of the United States. Locally, these Rocky Mountain sediments from New Mexico were transported and deposited in a paleochannel that is approximately 0.805 km (0.5 miles) wide and 15.25 to 18.3 m (50 to 60 ft) in depth. As this channel cut across the Southern High Plains it eroded local rock sources of Late Cretaceous limestones and Triassic sandstones and mudstones incorporating them into the younger Ogallala depositional sequence.Depositional historyThe channel currently being mined is a nontypical Ogallala deposit. The Ogallala in the panhandle of Texas is divided into two units, the Couch and the Bridwell. The Couch is the older of the two and exhibits alluvial sedimentation of thicker and larger gravel (up to 76.2 mm or 3 in.) deposits fining upward to Aeolian sedimentation and thick friable caliche deposits. The Bridwell overlies the Couch and is characterized by alluvial sedimentation, a distinctive red tint and smaller gravel components (typically no larger than 25.4 mm or 1 in.) fining upward to Aeolian sedimentation and thick, well-indurated caliche cap. The Slaton Channel divides these two units and shares lithologic components of both, yet is lithologically distinct due to its Cretaceous Age limestone gravels that can be < 3.66 m (12 ft) in size. Caliche/calcrete is a calcareous (CaCO3) deposit that forms in the B horizon of soils as a rain water leachate of CaCO3 from the upper A horizon."

Jan 1, 2014

By Guoqi He

Common offset seismic data collected over two active longwall panels at different stages of mining reveal that significant arrival time delays are produced in reflections from different levels within the mine cover. Mining-induced arrival time delays are also observed beyond the edges of the mine over unmined areas. Reflection arrival time delays increase with reflector depth and are laterally variable. The arrival time delays are produced by reductions of seismic velocity within the overburden. Reflection arrival time delays from a major strong unit located neutrally within the cover are proportional to subsidence, however, delays in other events are not.

Jan 1, 1989

[E. O&apos;C. Acker &apos;86 Jinzoc Adachi ‘88 *Truman H. Aldrich &apos;78 Walter H. Aldridge &apos;89 Anson W. Allen ‘87 *John H. Allen &apos;84 William R. Appleby &apos;90 *W. Lawrence Austin &apos;82 *W. SAyres ‘73 David Baker &apos;86 *John Henry Banks .83 Henry C.Banon &apos;90 Alonzo F.. Bardwell &apos;89 Walter A. Barrows ‘90]

Jan 1, 1940

By John Ziats

This chapter covers the drawing requirements for the design of a comminution plant.

Jan 1, 1982

By B. W. Naugle

A small-scale laboratory coke oven similar to those described by Swiniarski, Cryan, and Altieri and Fuchs, Sandhoff, Taylor, and Gauger was built by the Bureau of Mines in 1943. Tests made since that time have indicated that such a small oven is of questionable value in predicting the coking pressures to be expected in commercial coke ovens. This summary of the work done has been prepared at the suggestion of the Advisory Committee to the Bureau of Mines-American Gas Association Survey of Carbonizing Prop¬erties of American Coals.

Jan 1, 1948

By D. H. Polonis, M. B. Kasen

AN unusual thermal etching phenomenon has been observed on the surface of a Cu-Si alloy. The observations were made during studies of vacancy condensation pit formation which were reported in previous papers.1,2 Figs. 1 and 2 are photomicrographs of the surface of a Cu-4.8 pct Si alloy after heating in vacuo (3 x X mm Hg) to 525°C and subsequently holding at that temperature for 16 hr in an impure (air-contaminated) argon atmosphere. Under these conditions preferential removal of silicon from the matrix by oxidation results in a surface which is entirely a phase overlying an a plus y structure. The light areas of Fig. 1 are regions in which very little thermal etching has occurred, while the majority of the surface has experienced severe etching. Similar regions in Fig. 2 are seen as plateaus above contours produced by net transfer of material from the specimen surface. Twin boundaries are also visible in Fig. 2. The difference in matrix mi-crostructure between Figs. l and 2 reflects the par- ticular orientation of low-index planes with respect to the surface of observation. Thermal etching contours of this type have been studied in detail by Hondros and Moore Both of the photomicrographs show that one or more dark spots are located approximately at the center of every protected area; where two spots are in close proximity, the protected areas have merged. The microstructures indicate that the anomalous resistance to thermal etching is related to the presence of these spots. Williams and Hayfield have shown that local regions of unusually high oxidation resistance can be caused by a surface monolayer of atoms with a work function higher than that of the base material. The result is an inhibition of the rate of electron removal from the base material and a decrease in the oxidation rate. The source of the protected layer may be either surface diffusion from contaminants on the specimen surface or pipe diffusion of solute atoms followed by migration across the surface. In the latter case the driving force is a difference in chemical potential resulting in a Gibbs adsorption phenomenon. In the present case, chemical polishing of the specimen surface precluded contaminants of a strictly surface nature. Consequently, diffusion of impurity atoms from within the lattice appears to be the most tenable explanation of the observed phenomena. The authors propose that the structures of Figs. 1 and 2 reflect the diffusion of impurity atoms along extended dislocations within the individual a phase grains prior to surface oxidation. The central spots within the protected regions are seen as sites of dislocation emergence which have become locally decorated with oxide in the manner discussed in Ref. 1. Williams and Hayfield observed protected regions adjacent to the grain boundaries of iron-contaminated copper which they attributed to the segregation of iron to the grain boundaries coupled with high dif-fusivity along the complex dislocation array at such boundaries. No evidence of such grain boundary protection was observed in the Cu-Si alloy; this

Jan 1, 1964

By Robert M. Lewis

Chemically, mica is a complex silicate of sodium, potassium and aluminum. There are no important uses of mica where the chemical analysis is important, except that in some uses of ground mica, the content of iron oxide present as an impurity must be kept to a very low limit. Muscovite mica is frequently found containing black and red "stain" as a homogeneous part of the books or sheets. In most cases this stain or impurity is magnetite or hematite. Some mica contains impurities deposited by infiltration. This is commonly a red stain, less often brown or white. The best mica is free from all such impurities, and the greater their content, the less value does the mica have.(1) It is because of these undesirable impurities that a large segment of the fine ground mica industry relies on weathered pegmatites and alaskite ores as a source of raw material. The mica concentrates obtained from these ores are relatively clean and require moderate beneficiation to meet color and density specifications. One need only to observe the stained and decrepitated condition of the mica recovered from mica schist to appreciate the challenge that processing this material presents. Despite these adversities there are several advantages to be gained by mining and processing mica schist ores. The mica content of these ores are considerably higher than the pegmatites and alaskite ores now being mined, often containing in excess of forty percent mica. This-higher grade mica feed should promote a lower mining and milling cost with its resulting competative advantage. With more rigid government

Jan 1, 1969

By J. Drzymala

Ores and raw materials are subjected to mineral processing operations to increase the content of their useful components. Upgrading of these materials can proceed with different selectivity and therefore, there is a need to know and monitor the separation results of the process. The separation results can be evaluated using tables and graphs called upgrading curves. The course of lines in the upgrading curves is usually complex and depends on the graph type and process parameters. The Halbich grade vs. recovery plot is frequently used because is practical and it indicates several characteristic features of separation results. Separations by means of flotation of several different shale, dolomite and sandstone copper ores were performed along with determination of their mineral composition, copper content, liberation degree, and the maximum theoretical copper content in the first concentrate. These data, plotted as the Halbich upgrading curves, allowed to find other characteristic points such as practical maximum copper content in the first concentrate, maximum curvature coexisting with the liberation degree, maximum recovery of ore valuable components, and the slope the recovery-grade line at high recoveries as a measure of liberation. Correlations between theoretical and practical maximum copper contents in the first concentrate as well liberation degree and maximum curvature were also presented. They show that the ore type significantly influences the shape of the Halbich curve and its characteristic points.

Sep 1, 2012