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By J. D. Jones

The geographic occurrence of economic mineral deposits presents a variety of problems in modern tailings disposal operations. This paper presents case histories in several sectors of the mineral industry as well as the several stages of operations planning required for new designs, system expansion, reactivation of abandoned systems and upgrading to present environmental standards.

Jan 1, 1978

A. Sutherland Brown (ed.). Porphyry deposits of the Canadian Cordillera. The Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, Special Volume 17, 1976. C. G. Down and J. Stocks. Environmental impact of mining. G. B. Rothenberg. Refractory minerals. Park Ridge (V.S.A.), Noyes Data Corporation, 1976. Geology, mining and extractive processing of uranium. London, Institution of Mining and Metallurgy, 1977.

Jan 1, 1978

Open pits and quarries are the major sources of all hard rock tonnages mined today. Normally, ore is fractured from the pit bench face by blasting and then truck-hauled to a primary crusher on the pit rim for conveying to the concentrator; overburden (or waste) is generally truck- hauled from the pit to dump areas. This system of truck haulage of blasted ore and waste accounts for some 25 to 50% of total mining costs in a typical open pit operation and commonly is the largest single cost factor. In an effort to reduce these costs mining companies are continually replacing their older and smaller trucks with larger ones and at the same time are studying conversions to conveyor haulage, since this method of transport seems to offer possibilities of lower costs per ton of material handled. In these studies it seems logical to consider installing these conveyors as close as possible to the mining face for maximum use of conveyors and minimum use of trucks, since a conveyor is much less labor intensive than a trucking system. However, direct loading onto a conveyor near the retreating bench face is impractical because of excessive lump size. Consequently, it is conventional practice to load the blasted rock into trucks at the face for haulage to the crusher. After crushing, the rock is fed onto a conveyor. The closer the crusher is to the mine, or if it is in the mine, the shorter the truck haul and the greater the potential for cost saving. At first appearance, in-pit conveying might seem to be an obvious solution, yet many mining companies have considered such a move while few have implemented it. To determine why, it is necessary to consider the factors influencing such a decision. A conveyor system tends to be capital intensive but can have a lower operating cost per ton than trucks. Trucks, on the other hand, tend to cost less to buy but more to operate; thus, economics tend to favor the conveyor if it can be operated close to capacity and if a sufficiently large tonnage can be passed over the system to mitigate the effect of its high capital cost. In a typical hard-rock, open-pit mine it is necessary for a variety of reasons to mine several faces of both ore and waste at the same time; and any mining system must have sufficient flexibility to permit loading from one face or another at short notice. This makes it impractical to place small mobile crushers and their consequent network of conveyors at each working face. To date no alternative has been found to using trucks for bringing all rock of the same class to some convenient marshalling point from which it may be crushed and conveyed from the pit. Another advantage of trucking when compared to conveying is flexibility. Many mines wish to deliver their shot-rock to different locations, depending on the mineral content. For instance, a typical copper mine may have to simultaneously mine milling ore, leach ore,

Jan 1, 1978

By Gerald Zink

The work described in this paper is sponsored by the Bureau of Mines for the purpose of accelerating the drilling of roof bolt holes and reducing the quantity of materials needed to fill each hole. A high-speed small-hole drill has been fabricated and tested in the laboratory. High priority has been given to safety, reliability, and compatibility with underground coal mining practice. The combination of drag bits and erosion jets is designed for high penetration rate, long wear life, and uniform hole size in a variety of sedimentary strata. A reliable high-pressure high-speed swivel feeds water to the bit at about 4 1/min (1 gpm). The duplex hydraulic intensifier which drives the jets has a 40 kw capacity (30hhp) Results of recent full-scale laboratory testing are presented.

Jan 1, 1978

By H. R. Green

The design of slurry launders has usually been based on strictly empirical concepts. An examination of the most common procedures reveals that they do not account for many of the variables that are recognized as Significant for slurry transport. These may include flow rate, volume concentration of solids, solids specific gravity, solids size distribution particle shape, launder geometry, and roughness of the wetted surface. It was decided to develop a design procedure, which would accomplish two things: First: Take into consideration most of the known significant variables and systematize the procedure to assure consistent results. Second: Provide a rational basis for examining and utilizing operating data to refine and improve the system. To accomplish this, it was necessary to develop a basic design concept. This concept has been developed through a complex development history, and yet still appears workable and technically sound. That concept may be outlined as follows: First: The solids transport velocity is the fundamental basis for slurry launder design. Second: The stream configuration, hence the launder size, is integrated with the solids transport velocity so that the actual stream velocity exceeds the solids transport velocity. Third: The launder slope is that which will achieve the required actual stream velocity. It was originally planned to utilize a series of charts and nomographs for the design procedure. A nomograph, based on data given in Taggart's Handbook of Mineral Dressing (1), was developed to determine the solids transport velocity. The velocity thus determined was used with Manning charts to determine the launder slope .and configuration as though the fluid were water. It was planned to utilize a "slope adjustment factor" to increase the slope to compensate for the apparent viscosity of the slurry. All attempts to develop a suitable correction factor failed. This failure was principally due to the complex relationship of viscosity to the required slope. It was then decided to revise the entire approach. Specifically, the present procedure is based on the Darcy-Weisbach flow equation, which is rationally preferable to the Manning equation. The Camp (2) equation is used for the solids transport velocity. The necessity of reference to the Moody curves for the Darcy friction factor is avoided by using the Colebrook and White (3) equation. The resulting mathematics require iterative solutions for several of the unknowns.

Jan 1, 1978

Jan 1, 1978

By James E. Lawver

Response surface methodology is a well-known and powerful technique for determining optimum conditions in flotation systems. One disadvantage is the onerous task of the numerical calculations and curve platting. This paper describes a system in which the investigator simply selects the range of several flotation variables after which the design of the experiment, data analysis, generation of response surface equations, and response surface plats are automatically carried out using a digital computer and a computer-driven curve plotter. Several typical response surfaces of important variables in phosphate flotation are presented as examples. An overview of the flow charting of the system is provided in the addendum.

Jan 1, 1978

W. C. J. van Rensburg and D. A. Pretorius (H. Glen ed.). South Africa's strategic minerals - pieces on a continental chessboard. Johannesburg, Valiant Publishers, 1977. 170 pp. RI2,00. (Obtainable from The Librarian, Foreign Affairs Association, P.O. Box 26410, Arcadia, 0007 South Africa.) This book provides the answers to many questions relating to what minerals South Africa produces and in what quantities, what mineral industries and trade she practises, and what mineral resources and reserves she possesses.

Jan 1, 1978

National Coal Board. Gate belt conveyors. London, H.M.S.O. (Price 95p.) Although the preface of this handy little book states that it has been written for the guidance of miningoperation trainees, it will prove valuable to the practising engineer as well. NIM reports Report no. 1733 A mineralogical investigation of weathered carbonatite from Salpeterkop. (14th Apr., 1975; re-issued 28th Feb., 1978). Report no. 1823 The recovery of gold and pyrite from a residue dump at Crown Mines. (10th Jul., 1976; re-issued 28th Feb., 1976). Report no. 1829 An investigation of weathered carbonatite from Salpeterkop. (20th Jul., 1976; reissued 28th Feb., 1978). Report no. 1932 A BASIC computer programme for the evaluation of intensity data from the Telsec Lab-X-250 Analyser. (12th Jan., 1978). Report no. 1940 The extraction of the noble metals with n-octylaniline,and its application to the analysis of platinum-bearing materials. (30th Jan., 1978). Report no. 1945 Analyses of the NIMROC reference samples for minor and trace elements. (28th Feb., 1978). International futures conference A conference entitled 'The Road Ahead' is being organized by the 1820 Settlers National Monument Foundation to be held in Grahamstown from 3rd to 7th July, 1978. Conference of metallurgists The technical programme has been established for the 17th Annual Conference of Metallurgists sponsored by the Metallurgical Society of the Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. This year the Conference will be held in Montreal, Quebec, on 27th to 31st August, 1978, together with the 8th Hydrometallurgy Meeting.

Jan 1, 1978

Edward J. Stephenson. Extractive metallurgy. Recent advances. Park Ridge (New Jersey), Noyes Data Corporation. James L. McCall and P. M. French (eds.). Interpretive techniques for microstructural analysis. 1977. Institution of Mining and Metallurgy. Prospecting in areas of glaciated terrain. London, the Institution, 1977. £16 ($D.S. 30). NIM reports Report no. 1928 A liquid-nitrogen monitor for lithium-drifted germanium detectors. (21st Nov., 1977). Report no. 1931 The equilibrium between the slag and the metal in the production of low-carbon ferromanganese. (14th Nov., 1977). Report no. 1934 The spectrometric analysis of chromium-bearing materials with particular reference to ferrochromium slags and chromite ores. (30th Nov., 1977). Report no. 1935 The construction and testing of a small mixer-settler for use in the laboratory. (30th Nov., 1977). Report no. 1933 The determination of trace elements by thin-film X-rayfluorescence spectrometry, and its application to zirconium. (30th Nov. 1977). Report no. 1942 The accuracy of assays for platinum -group metals and gold. (30th Nov., 1977). Courses on geostatistics In view of the continuing demand, the University of Leeds will offer two further courses on geostatistics in 1978, each covering ten working days (3rd to 14th April, and 3rd to 14th July).

Jan 1, 1978

By M. J. Virnig, G. A. Kordosky, K. D. MacKay

LIX 34 liquid ion exchange reagent, one of a totally new class of metal extractants, is discussed in terms of its properties. Specifically, these properties include improved selectivity for copper and greater recovery. Some comparisons to the well known General Mill's LIX 64N have been made. Particular emphasis is given to treating solutions containing very low copper values and high impurity levels.

Jan 1, 1978

By MALCOLM FRASER

I was delighted to be invited to be patron of this Joint Conference, but the challenging task you have set yourselves, and your speakers' depth of expertise, deny anyone, even the patron, the opportunity to be patronizing. Australia's history has been inextricably linked with the fortunes of our great mining industry. That link will remain. Just as the gold rushes of the last century, and the discoveries at Kalgoorlie and Broken Hill changed the lives of generations, so the more recent development activity in iron ore, bauxite, nickel, coal, and uranium are having a significant impact on the lives of Australians today. The minerals industry has contributed to Australia's jobs and prosperity. Mining is not free of problems, but so long as safeguards are strong and appropriate the net benefits the mining industry brings Australia will continue to be enormous. We rely on our mining industry to find, prove, develop and sell our minerals profitably, and my Government is committed to maintaining a healthy mining industry. In the past year there have been positive signs of a resurgence in exploration and development. The North-West Shelf ventures are spending $50 million on a feasibility study to work out the extent of future investment in that project; exploration expenditure for minerals other than petroleum increased by 34 per cent in 1976-77 to $134 million; petroleum exploration increased dramatically last year almost doubling to $94 million-this year it is projected to reach $125 million.

Jan 1, 1978

By Carl E. Jones

This presentation discusses the properties of the two-component explosive, KinePak, and how it is used by the utility industry.

Jan 1, 1978

By G. J. Allen

Kennecott Copper Corporation's Nevada Mines Division initiated a program to stabilize the inactive portions of the tailings disposal area and perimeter dikes in 1946. To date, approximately 1,000 acres have been stabilized with vegetation and ground cover.

Jan 1, 1978

By Milton E. Jennings

On May 11, 1977, the SAMARCO 20-inch, 396-kilometer (246-mile) Pipeline was placed in service. This system represents the latest thinking in slurry pipeline design and is one of the main contributors to the viability of the SAMARCO Project. This paper presents the background, description and latest information on the system's operation. Special attention is given to the handling limitations of the slurry and to the unique hardware requirements.

Jan 1, 1978

By A. Patrick Ryan

To many people, the word cartel implies illegality. However, although it is illegal in the US, cartels are an effective and legal way to conduct business elsewhere in the world. But be-fore we continue, what is a cartel? The American Heritage Dictionary defines a cartel as "a combination of independent business organizations formed to regulate production, pricing, and marketing of goods by the members." However, that definition does not fit many of the "cartels" we are examining today. The International Tin Council is an organization of both consumer and producer nations--no individual companies are represented. The buffer stock is used by the ITC to provide protection for both producers and consumers, and has only been in effect since 1955. (Earlier tin producers groups date back to 1921 when the Federated Malaysia States and the Netherlands East Indies formed the first intergovernmental tin agreement, known as the Bandoeng Pool, which only lasted three years.) The International Bauxite Association only dates back to 1974 when seven nations--Australia, the Dominican Republic, Ghana, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti and Jamaica--agreed to three main objectives: 1) to promote the orderly and rational development of the bauxite industry; 2) to secure a fair and reasonable return on the raw material for the benefit of the nations' citizens; and 3) to safeguard the interests of member countries in relation to the international bauxite industry. 1 Again this organization is composed of nations, not separate firms. This generally follows the pattern that the oil producing countries (OPEC) chose since the nations' mineral product-ion is controlled and often owned by the state. However, the group I am going to discuss fits the more classic mode of a cartel. The informal lead-zinc producers' cartel can be dated as far back as to Roman times when Romans are said to have imposed a quota system on British lead production to safeguard their Spanish lead mines. Also, the lead-zinc producers group is composed only of individual companies, not do not include any lead-zinc consumers. Finally, the activities of the group are not open to public scrutiny, and details are only now available due to a leak in the Australian government. At this point, it is necessary to split the two metals since while many of the members of the cartels produce both lead and zinc they do have different histories and marketing arrangements.

Jan 1, 1978

By R. C. Timberlake

An understanding of the Florida Phosphate Industry, the mining practices and extraction processes and the historical development of the Industry, is essential to any consideration of reclamation. In the earliest days of the Industry, phosphate rock was produced by screening the phosphate pebble from the matrix. The waste, which consisted of overburden, clay, sand and fine phosphate, and was called "debris", was disposed of onto, either the adjacent surface area, or into mined-out pits. Since the Central Florida area was sparsely settled in those early days, there was no complaint from residents about contamination of streams or the resulting spoil piles - environmental concerns were non-existent. The development of the flotation process in the 1930's and the implementation of the flotation process in the early 1940's was a significant technological breakthrough in the Industry. This technique made possible the extraction of fine phosphate particles, and doubled the recovery of phosphate values from the matrix. However, the implementation of the flotation process produced a new waste disposal problem.

Jan 1, 1978

By Ralph M. Barnett

It is no longer a question of "If" mining operations will meet standards and regulations set by various governing bodies and the demands of citizen groups. Legislation is fact. The needs of citizens are becoming more of a integral part of mining company planning. "Open Planning", regardless of some frustrations it provides, is working. Climax, AMAX Chemical and AMAX Exploration are successfully employing several citizen involvement techniques in exploration and feasibility study phases of planning for potential new mines.

Jan 1, 1978

By Robert T. DeGavre

I have been asked by the Society of Mining Engineers to present a paper on Inco Limited's Indonesian nickel project as a case study in the financing of large overseas mining projects. I welcome this opportunity It is a story worth telling not only because the project itself represents a significant human achievement but also because there are certain important lessons that can be derived from our experience in financing the project. The paper will be divided into four sections: (i) a brief history of the project, (ii) a critical appraisal of the project's financing plan in terms of the goals that we sought to achieve, (iii) some comments on certain factors underlying the relative success of the financing plan, and (iv) the contributions that the engineering staffs must make to a successful financing plan. The paper will not present a technical assessment of the project since Inco Limited has been asked to submit a series of papers on this subject at the International Laterite Symposium as part of the 108th Annual Meeting of the AIME in February 1979.

Jan 1, 1978

By Manfred Krutein

Ocean mining has a number of problems which are critical to its development: ? Political hurdles on national and international stages ? The worldwide economic situation, with the possibliity of a recession ? Financial difficulties in funding further work ? Technical problems for the development of ocean mining and transport subsystems ? Demands for technology transfer This paper touches the last two points and provides some thoughts for discussion and creative objectification. The many technical problems of ocean mining will be identified and some proposed solutions will be investigated relative to the state-of-the-art technology of ocean mining and nodule transport. An outlook into the future attempts identification of the steps necessary to eventually develop components for workable systems that are not only technically but also economically feasible.

Jan 1, 1978