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By John M. Boyle

The use of high vacuum mercury retort recovery as a safe and effective means of removing mercury from mercury hazardous waste solids rendering them non-hazardous and recovering mercury suitable for recycling.

Jan 1, 1995

By I. A. Cameron, F. Ham, R. Sriram

"Planned increases in electric furnace productivity and higher matte temperatures needed for the Sudbury Smelter's S02 Abatement Plan, require an improved matte tap hole. Since startup in 1978, the matte tap holes have been incrementally improved by the addition of copper cooling blocks around the refractory tap blocks. These improvements provided a tap block life of about 100 taps per campaign.In July 1993, a prototype matte taphole was installed in Number 2 Electric Furnace to develop the technology to increase tap hole service life. The design was based on a heat transfer model of the tapping process to determine candidate refractory materials and cooler arrangements. The prototype tap hole features increased copper cooling, high conductivity refractories and extensive instrumentation. Eight trial campaigns are reviewed outlining the performance of silicon carbide and graphite refractories and typical heat loads during tapping.IntroductionFalconbridge Limited operates two 36 MYA, 6 electrode submerged arc electric furnaces in Falconbridge, Ontario. The furnaces, commissioned in 1978, smelt a partially roasted nickel-copper calcine, to produce matte for converting and slag for discard. Additional details of the smelter are available in the literature(1-4).Each furnace was equipped with two matte tap holes located in the furnace end wall. Early in the campaign, matte tap holes were identified as a weak area in the furnace which could be improved. From 1981 to 1987, incremental improvements were made to the design by the addition of water cooled copper blocks. In 1993, a prototype matte tap hole was designed and installed in Number 2 electric furnace to develop the technology to increase tap hole service life. Improved service life is required to meet planned increases in electric fWl1ace productivity and the higher matte temperature needed for the smelter's S02 Abatement Plan.This paper reviews matte tap hole development since 1978; outlines the prototype matte tap hole design, refractory selection and installation; and details the performance of the prototype tap hole during the first eight campaigns."

Jan 1, 1995

By F. W. Brackebusch

Paste backfill is a pumpable, flowable, non-Newtonian fluid consisting generally of mine tailings and cement. Paste is prepared from dilute slurries of tailings. This is done by dewatering the slurries with conventional thickening or filtering. Backfill with a paste consistency is prepared by mixing dewatered tailings with cement and water to obtain the desired consistency of medium slump concrete. The paste is pumped with concrete pumps over relatively long (1 km or 0.6 mile) horizontal distances. More commonly, though, it flows by gravity down a mine shaft and then horizontally to the void being filled. Alternatively, cement can be added near the end of the pipeline. A certain proportion of fine particles <20 µm (<625 mesh) must be present in pastes but particles of aggregate can be added without significantly affecting the flow characteristics. Detailed testwork is necessary to design a system to prepare and place paste backfill. Testwork must determine dewatering characteristics, strength of mixes and friction in pipelines. Plants must be well engineered and controlled with PLCs because high quality control is necessary to prevent plugged pipelines and excessive pressures. Relatively small amounts of cement (3% to 5%) produce stiff backfill material 1.5 to 3.5 MPa (217 to 507 psi). The advantages of paste backfill in a mining operation include reduced mine dewatering, labor and materials savings, reduced tailings impoundment requirements, good support properties and reduced spills underground. In certain cases where more than 30% of the weight of the ore is sold as a product, the entire tailings stream can be placed underground. Paste technology can he used for surface or underground placement of tailings.

Jan 1, 1995

By Nag D. K

The Dolphin Scheelite orebody is located near the old mining town of Grassy on the south-east comer of King Island in Tasmania. Surface open cut mining of the Dolphin deposit was conducted for a number of years, then the proximity of the sea and adverse stipping ratio led to underground mining. As a result of the variable orientation and dimensions of parts of the orebody a number of mining methods were practiced at the Dolphin mine until 1990 when a combination of high processing and surface site costs coupled with low tungsten prices led to the cessation of operations. In this paper the different mining methods practised are examined and critically reviewed. The more successful mining methods were developed with experience and improving equipment technology to the extent that the underground operation produced ore at the lowest unit cost during the final years of operation.

Jan 1, 1995

By J. Partyka, Trevor R. J. Kelly

This paper presents the results on noise testing of a fan only, as well as the results of a steel silencer and of flexible silencers that were connected directly to a fan. On-site facilities and free-field method set by the British Standards Institution were used to measure and then compare the fan only and different practical silencer configuration setups. In order to determine the fan-silencer combination that would give the maximum noise attenuation, total noise intensity, noise contributed to by the fan motor only, as well as aerodynamical noise created through air interacting with the fan parts were considered to obtain decibel readings for the octave bands. Subsequently, the optimal configuration found was the setup with flexible silencers on the fan inlet and the fan outlet. If only one silencer is used, it should be installed on the fan inlet. The aerodynamic noise affects the low frequencies. The flow noise is then overtaken at 1 kHz by the mechanical noise.

Jan 1, 1995

By Luis M. Chia

The direct dissolution of zinc in an organic solution of di-(2-ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid (D2EHPA) and kerosene was studied. The objective was to gain a better understanding of the fundamentals involved in the anodic step of the galvanic stripping process. Results showed that metallic zinc does dissolve spontaneously at ambient temperature by an electrochemical mechanism and the presence of additional oxygen activated the process. When oxygen was removed by prior nitrogen sparging, dissolution did not occur indicating a depolarizing cathodic reaction is necessary. The concentration of water in the organic also affected the rate of dissolution. A factorially designed experiment was made using four variables at two levels selected by evaluating results from previous screening tests. D2EHPA concentration, surface area and agitation were all found to be significant for the values chosen. Temperature was less significant and it was found that zinc dissolution is probably a diffusion or mixed controlled process, as indicated by the calculated activation energy of 6 kcal/mole.

Jan 1, 1995

By M. G. Bakker, D. D. Murphy, D. R. Spears

The US Bureau of Mines studied the mechanism of shear flocculation of silica with stearic acid. At pH 6 and 12, shear flocculation of silica was not observed with the addition of up to 4.5 x 10-4 M (5 lb/st) stearic acid. However, in the presence of 0.1 M NaCl at pH 6, shear-flocculation was observed at stearic acid concentrations = 10-4 M (22.5 lb/st). Adsorption of stearic acid on silica was studied using stearic acids spin-labeled with a doxyl group. The presence of the spin-labeling group did not greatly affect the shear flocculation properties of stearic acid. Adsorption of labeled stearic acid on silica was measured as a function of surfactant concentration with electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy and gas chromatography (GC). The GC results indicated that the stearic acid was predominately adsorbed on the surface at concentrations above 10-4 M. From the EPR spectra, the formation of aggregates of stearic acid was apparent at concentrations of approximately 10-5 M (22.5 lb/st). The results are discussed in terms of a possible mechanism for shear flocculation.

Jan 1, 1995

By Ivo André

Sorption of copper ions from aqueous solutions by dried biomass of the aquatic plant Potamogeton luscens was studied at laboratory scale. The aquatic plant was collected in water resources in Brazil, washed, dried at 60°C and ground in a bladed mixer. Sorption experiments were conducted in agitated flasks and in a packed bed column. Maximum copper removal was obtained between pH 5.0 and 6.6 when copper was present in the ionic form Cu&apos;. Sorption followed the Langmuir isotherm with saturation attained at 35 mg/g. Free energy of sorption was found, to be of the order of -25 kJ/mol. Sorption kinetics data were better described by a second order reaction and rate constants were calculated in 0.030 1/(min.mg) for - 4.0 mm particles and 0.081 1/(min.mg) for - 0.59 mm particles. Removal of metal ions in a packed bed column showed that Potamogeton luscens biomass can be used in several sorption/dessorption cycles. After sorbent saturation, copper ions can be recovered from the loaded biomass by elution-with H2SO4, solution. Main mechanism responsible for heavy metal uptake was found to be ion exchange. Results are discussed in terms of the surface properties of the biomaterial, solution chemistry of copper ions and thermodynamics parameters.

Jan 1, 1995

By Chen Ziming, A. Burkert, A. L. Mular

A mechanism has been proposed for autogenous grinding that involves three distinct types of breakage: self impact breakage, media breakage and abrasion. Based on this analysis a mathematical model and an autogenous grinding simulator have been developed. Using pilot plant data fitted to the model, the simulator was tested and employed to examine both the scale-up problem and the effect of feed size distribution on performance.

Jan 1, 1995

By Yan D. S

The removal of antimony from a refractory gold-bearing stibnite ore by roasting and selective chlorinating roasting was investigated. The influence of roasting temperature, roasting time, roasting atmosphere and type and amount of chlorinating agents on antimony removal were studied. The laboratory studies carried out included roasting tests of 4 g samples in a laboratory rotary kiln, followed by 400 g samples roasted in a fluidised bed. The test results revealed that antimony was efficiently removed by roasting at temperatures over 800¦C in a nitrogen atmosphere. The most efficient volatilisation of antimony was achieved with the addition of ferric chloride at temperatures between 350-600¦C.

Jan 1, 1995

By Shaoxian Song, Shouci Lu, Jingyon Gou, Pan Yiuwen

The calculated potential energies of interaction between hydrophobic particle of three minerals (rhodochrosite, quartz and talc) and air bubble show that the energy of hydrophobic interaction is the dominant factor for their attachment. An attachment rate equation, integrating particle -bubble collision and adhesion by introducing a "capture efficiency", has been put forward. It was found that the hydrophobic particle-bubble aggregates can not be disconnected in the bulk zone of flotation cell, whereas in the impeller zone the breakup may occur, particularly for the coarser particles captured by bubble. Finally, the flotation rate constant was estimated theoretically and verified by experiments.

Jan 1, 1995

By G B. Arehart, S J. Mathews, J L. Mauk

The banded nature of the quartz veins which form the Empire lode at the Golden Cross mine, is perhaps their most striking feature. Petrographic studies show that significant differences occur between the bands in terms of textures, quartz grain size, calcite, adularia and kaolinite content, and the form, concentration and mineralogy of sulfide phases. &nbsp; The d18Oquartz values of individual bands within the vein material range from 7.3-10.9ë. Calculations show that the d18Oquartz values can be adequately explained by temporal variations in the system temperature, boiling and/or variations in the systems fluid/rock ratios.

Jan 1, 1995

By D. A. Rhys

"The Red Bluff porphyry is a tabular 2 km long north-west trending Early Jurassic quartz diorite to monzodiorite body that intrudes a folded Triassic greywacke sequence in the lskut River area, northwestern British Columbia. The porphyry is 500 m to 800 m northeast of the Snip orebody, which is a southwest-dipping shear-vein, termed the Twin zone that contains approximately 35 tonnes of gold.The intrusion associated with the mineralization is characterized by 0.3 cm to 4 cm phenocrysts of K-feldspar in a mediumgrained plagioclase porphyritic matrix. It is overprinted by pervasive sericite + quartz ± K-feldspar ± biotite (potassic) alteration characterized by intense stockworking of quartz veins containing magnetite--hematite bands. This assemblage is cut successively by quartz veins with minor iron-oxides and pyrite, and by younger pyrite veins with phyllic envelopes. The system is gold-rich but copper-poor, with typical grades between 0.25 g/t and 0.6 g/t Au, and 0.1% and 0.2% Cu. All styles of alteration and veining have similar abundances of these metals. Where southwest- and north-east dipping shear zones are developed in the porphyry, veins of all types are sheeted and foliation parallel. These sheeted zones are interpreted to be syntectonic. Asymmetric phenocrysts, folded veins and oblique foliations developed in the 130 haulageway of the Snip mine imply oblique normally-directed shear on the southwest-dipping foliation.The adjacent Twin zone is a high-grade auriferous shear-vein system that is internally banded with: (1) carbonate-chlorite-biotite veins, with textures indicating formation at least partially by wallrock replacement, and (2) dilatant quartz-sulphide veins. Veins commonly have potassic alteration envelopes that contain biotite ± calcite ± K-feldspar. The zone is highly deformed and schistose, with numerous kinematic indicators including shear bands, asymmetric folds, rotated porphyroclasts and oblique foliations that indicate a normally-directed shear sense which is parallel to that indicated by fabrics within the porphyry.Precious and base metal veins within 2 km or 3 km of the Red Bluff porphyry are zoned. Veins and shear-veins proximal to the intrusion, such as the Twin zone, are typically enriched in gold, copper and molybdenum, and have potassic alteration envelopes dominated by biotite. Distal veins usually contain relatively abundant zinc and lead and have sericitic alteration envelopes. Structures of both types have an Early Jurassic galena Pb-Pb isotope signature.The similarities in structural fabrics and alteration histories in both the Twin zone and the porphyry, the zoning of the vein systems in the area, and the apparently concordant Early Jurassic zircon U-Pb age from the porphyry and galena Pb-Pb dates from the Twin zone and surrounding vein systems suggest that intrusion, semi-brittle deformation and a large mineralizing hydrothermal system were closely related temporally and genetically."

Jan 1, 1995

By Keith G. Wallace, Robert Wise, Ian J. Duckworth

This paper describes a case study for the ventilation planning at Utah Fuel Company&apos;s Skyline Mines which are located outside Price. Utah. The Skyline Mines are currently comprised of two longwall coal mining blocks located in two different mines. A third replacement longwall block is currently being developed. Future ventilation systems for the mines were determined by establishing ventilation models developed from data collected during a detailed ventilation survey. The paper discusses the challenge to coordinate immediate ventilation requirements with long-term demands. The continuous movement of the longwall, which frequently represented the only open split in the ventilation network, resulted in cyclic ventilation demands dependent upon the length of the tailgate. A series of system configuration changes were recommended based on the results of the network modeling exercise and an economic evaluation of the various options. The scope and cost of the configuration changes, and the mead improvement resulting from these changes is discussed.

Jan 1, 1995

By Barnes R. G, Agostini A, Lewis P. C

The Mineral Resources Audit is a five-year Program established to produce a comprehensive and objective assessment of the mineral resources of New South Wales, including prospective resources. The goals of the Program are to improve planning and land use decision-making; attract exploration and minerals related investment; help the Department to identify and fill gaps in knowledge; and develop methods to identify and quantify resource potential and prospectivity. To achieve the goals of the Audit it is necessary to assemble and enhance a large amount of information and it is necessary to spatially analyse this information using computer-based Geographic Information Systems (GIS) which allow the collection, storage, transformation and display of large quantities of spatial data. An extensive range of both map-based and textual data can be employed in spatial analysis and resources and geoscience modelling. In order to use this information, data sets have to be corrected and standardised. Many data sets need to be classified. An objective of the Audit Program is the spatial analysis of the State, region-by-region, and the release of cleaned-up multiple digital data sets as packages which include upgraded mineral deposit information, &apos;seamless&apos; geological map layers showing lithology, structures and stratigraphy, and processed and classified geophysical map layers. These regional packages are important reference sets for the mineral resources industry and will assist delineation of regional exploration targets.

Jan 1, 1995

By D. M. Wyslouzil

Conditioning, in the conventional sense, means providing sufficient agitation and contact time for the reagents to react with the minerals in the ground ore. High intensity conditioning (HIC) on the other hand, as described in this paper, recognizes the need to exceed this minimum power input over a suitable length of time to induce aggregation of the finest size fraction. Time alone is not sufficient to achieve aggregation. The threshold minimum power input, kW/m3, depends on many surface properties of the fine particles and can vary considerably. In addition, the mechanical aspects and the chemical conditions must be matched to achieve good aggregation. Treatment of complex sulphide ores, requiring fine grinding for liberation, offers a large field for the application of HIC. Improved flotation rates and enhanced selectivity are some of the benefits that can be expected. This unit operation has now reached the level of commercial application. Lakefield Research considered HIC not from a fundamental point of view but as a means of solving difficult mineral processing situations arising in actual operating plants. This paper summarizes the effects of the various chemical reagent combinations that had been applied to promote faster, more selective flotation, higher mineral recoveries and cleaner separations, using HIC.

Jan 1, 1995

Managers are demanding efficient use of their resources and part of this demand is leading to the idea of integrated audits for Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S), quality and the environment. It is possible to construct audits which test the compliance in this area with standards established by management systems and it may be that such an integrated audit of a site could reduce the time of auditing and be equally effective as three separate audits. However, this is only a maybe. To do an audit on all three aspects when they are not fully integrated results in more time wastage than doing three separate audits. But organisations are not structured around the audit process (some financial managers may query this statement). The organisational management systems are put in place to achieve the organisational goals - presumably in an efficient and cost-effective manner.

Jan 1, 1995

By A. Jakobsson

Studies of the rate of interdissolution in oxide systems in the solid state are of importance in materials processing through the powder-metallurgical route. As there is a need for following the rate of the such reactions continuously, a new method based on high temperature X-ray diffraction was developed. Mechanical mixtures of the oxides were placed in a high-temperature X-ray diffraction unit and the changes in the intensity and position of the peaks with highest intensity for both the components were followed as functions of time. A suitable theoretical model has been developed in order to interpret the experimental data and evaluate the diffusion coefficients. The method was applied in the case of the system MgO-NiO. The results obtained are compared with those obtained by another new method, based on solid-state galvanic cell technique with calcia stabilized zirconia electrolyte, developed in the Department of Theoretical Metallurgy. The advantage of the present techniques to monitor the progress of the reaction continuously make them suitable for computer control of such processes.

Jan 1, 1995

By John H. Fowler

The 30th Forum on the Geology of Industrial Minerals will be held in the historical seaside city of Halifax, Nova Scotia, from May 22 to May 27, 1994. The Forum will be co-hosted by the Provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, two of Canada&apos;s East Coast Provinces, both having a long tradition of industrial mineral production. Two previous Forums, the 19th in Toronto in 1983 and the 27th in Banff in 1991, offered delegates the opportunity to see industrial minerals in central and western Canada. The 30th Forum will take you to Canada&apos;s east coast completing the picture of Canada&apos;s industrial minerals from coast to coast.

Jan 1, 1995

By Lane White

Loading shovels are at the heart of most surface mine production. As truck sizes have increased, shovel manufacturers have matched them with larger shovels (see table, page 343). Further increases in shovel size may be in order if trucks in the 270-t (300-st) range find acceptance at the largest surface mines. However, larger shovels are not currently the primary focus of shovel design engineers. Competition and user pressure are combining to keep their work directed toward improved shovel productivity and efficiency. Computer design technology and advanced electronics play an increasingly prominent role in this work. "Improved diagnostic capability, system monitoring, vibration analysis and above all increased user friendliness in machine control systems are being pursued by most manufacturers working in our industry today," observes Stuart R. Cotterill, director of marketing for Harnischfeger Corp. The use of computer-aided design (CAD) systems in shovel design has been in place for many years. However, recent advances in computer capability and improved software programs and graphics are making computers even more useful.

Jan 1, 1995