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By Michael J. Jorgensen, Pranathi B. Aedla, N. K. Kittusamy

Risk factors associated with the development of muscu­loskeletal discomfort and disorders during the operation of heavy mobile equipment include whole-body vibration and awkward and sustained joint postures of the shoulders, neck, and trunk. Cab design may influence awkward postures of the joints, and task duration may influence duration of exposure to awkward and static postures and whole-body vibration. To reduce exposure to risk factors related to the interface between cab design and task, it may be necessary for manufacturers to address cab design. This study assessed the repeatability of a cab design checklist developed to evaluate various design characteristics that can influence exposure to risk factors for musculoskeletal discomfort. The ability of the cab design checklist to identify posture-related deficiencies of design was also assessed. The checklist was used by two administrators across 10 pieces of heavy construction equipment. Video analysis was performed to quantify postures of the neck, shoulder, and trunk; correlation analysis was used to determine whether specific questions from the checklist were associated with the identification of awkward postures. The repeatability assessment resulted in kappa coefficients ranging from 0.52 to 1.0 (good-to-excellent reproducibility) across each piece of equipment, and an overall kappa coefficient of 0.77 (excellent reproducibility) when considering all equipment together. Results from the correlation analysis showed that shoulder flexion posture was correlated with scores from the cab design checklist. However, results of the cab design checklist were not significantly correlated with shoulder abduction or awkward postures of the neck and trunk. Results suggest that the cab design checklist may be useful for identifying cab design characteristics that need further improvement and for identifying design characteristics that increase shoulder flexion. The strength of the repeatability assessment suggests that outcomes of the cab design checklist administered by different individuals may be consistent, independent of the type of equipment being assessed.

By Roger Payne, John R. Goode, Feng Gao, James Brown

The Eco Ridge deposit is located in the Elliot Lake mining camp in Northern Ontario, Canada. Between 1955 and 1996, the area produced more than 138,000 t (300 million pounds) of U3O8 and very significant amounts of thorium and heavy rare earths. Based on the NI 43-101 Preliminary Economic Assessment by Roscoe Postle Associates (RPA) dated June 2012, and the economic review by RPA as announced in Pele Mountains’ Press release dated September 12, 2013, the Eco Ridge Mine Project would extract and process 46 Mt of material to produce about 19,000 t (42 million pounds) of U3O8 and about 65,000 t of rare earth oxide (REO) over a 14-year life. This paper discusses process optimization studies including beneficiation and hydrometallurgical testwork. The proposed modified flowsheet includes the flotation and processing of 1) a pyrite concentrate, 2) a dominantly light rare earth elements (LREE) concentrate, 3) a concentrate containing most of the balance of the uranium and heavy rare earths (HREE), and 4) a relatively inert tailings.

Jan 1, 2014

By Raymond P. Miller

This two volume report addresses slope stability of surface mine spoils within the Interior Coal Province. Sixteen (16) mines were visited, pertinent data and samples collected, and reported spoil instabilities back-analyzed. Laboratory test results are compared to back-analyzed material properties. Available methods of slope stability analysis are reviewed and evaluated with respect to application to mine spoil stability evaluation and prediction. Correlation and tentative relationships among spoil material properties, highwall conditions, mining equipment and procedures and empirical observations are presented. Slope stability sensitivity plots illustrate the relative significance of various input parameters on stability. Slope stability input parameters are correlated with site and mining conditions to identify the primary factors controlling spoil stability. Investigative methods, spoil stability enhancement techniques, spoil stability prediction procedures and future study areas are discussed. Appendices include a glossary of terms, annotated bibliography, details of mine visits, and detailed laboratory test procedures and results.

Jan 1, 1979

By M. K. G. Whateley, W. Hatton

Paper presented at the conference: Risk assessment in the extractive industries, held in Exeter, UK, 23-24 March 1994, and first published London: IMM, 1994, preprint volume, 20pp., 31 refs. Estimates of coal tonnage on UK open cast mining sites often vary from the recoverable tonnage. This is because the estimates depend on the geological variability of the coal measures. Geological parameters, such as thickness, quality and disturbance of the seam, have a direct control upon this variance. Risk analysis techniques have been applied using commercially available software to combine each parameter's variability into a cumulative variance, resulting in a tonnage distribution. Sensitivity modelling has also been used to identify the geological parameters which have the largest influence on the variance of the simulated tonnage distribution. An understanding of the relationship between the tonnage and geological variability has helped to focus exploration more efficiently. A cost to risk relationship can now be monitored, helping management to avoid negative consequences on site

Aug 1, 1995

By Z. Mullard

The introduction of social media platforms has ushered in a new era of interaction and information exchange, which impact business-to-society relationships. Mining companies are closely watching these platforms, as the industry takes a cautious approach to control flows of information. This paper explores the risks, challenges and opportunities of using social media, based on a qualitative mixed methods investigation with stakeholders from the Canadian mining industry. Generational and language barriers, misunderstanding and limited motivation from regulators make implementing social media platforms challenging and risky at an organizational level. The benefits of social media include being able to mobilize communities and share information in real time. Despite the challenges, the study found that 62% of mining stakeholders are incorporating social media tools, mostly in an ad hoc manner. Flexible strategies for transparent communication and public engagement are creating new opportunities for information exchange.

Jan 1, 2011

By D Smith, A Ramdhani, J Francke

Ground penetrating radar (GPR), a well-established geophysical technique generally used for shallow civil engineering applications, has, in the last decade, found increasing acceptance as a complementary tool in mineral resource evaluations. As new sites are trialled with the method, a greater understanding is being garnered regarding the most suitable environments for long-range radar. Although successful projects have been conducted worldwide for mineral sands, iron ore and alluvial projects – tropical weathering environments have produced some of the most impressive results. Specifically, tropical nickel laterites have shown to be, with some notable exceptions, ideal GPR environments.Such high-resolution remote sensing has particular relevance to bulk commodities or those which possess significant rheological variation within geological units, and has led to some innovative downstream uses within exploration, project development and the larger mining industry. In this paper, we examine the application of long-range GPR in Indonesian nickel laterite deposits in general, to highlight some of these novel applications with particular reference to resource modelling, mine geology and operational economic implications.CITATION:Francke, J, Smith, D and Ramdhani, A, 2014. Ground penetrating radar to enhance the exploration-to-mining value chain, in Proceedings Ninth International Mining Geology Conference 2014 , pp 175–182 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Aug 18, 2014

By G. Tiess, S. Mujiyanto

Indonesia is a fast growing democratic developing country comprising more than 17,000 islands, founding member of ASEAN and a member of the G-20 major economies. It is one of the most highly mineralised countries in the world, the mining sector playing a pivotal role in the country's economy. In 2001, the Decentralization Law No. 22/1999 came into force and caused a transfer of authority and responsibility from central to regional and local administrative governments. The new Mining Law of 2009 substituted its 40 year old predecessor, but lacked detailed regulations for its implementation. These were only issued in 2010, which lead to a period of great uncertainty for investors in the mining industry. The new legislation intends to foster domestic economic development, which may be interpreted as protectionist policy. For the development of a sustainable mineral resources policy, further endeavours will have to be made.

Jan 1, 2011

By Rick Wilkins

The stability of steep embankments is a major safety issue in open pit mining, highway passes, and earth filled dams. A failure in any one of these situations could mean a loss of very expensive equipment, a long term inconvenience, and more importantly, a loss of life. These possible catastrophes could be avoided by installing a reliable real time monitoring system. Robotic total stations (RTSs) give one possible cost effective solution to creating a near real time monitoring system. Repeated surveys at predetermined time intervals can automatically generate warnings if slope movements exceed a preset tolerance level. The variation in atmospheric refraction, combined with possible instabilities in reference targets, can make a monitoring system based on RTSs produce false alarms. A methodology has been developed at the Canadian Centre for Geodetic Engineering (CCGE) for reducing these systematic error effects. The methodology has been realized in the creation of a software package that has been successfully implemented at large earthen dams in California and at an open pit mine operation in British Columbia.

May 1, 2002

The Ediacara mineral field is classified as a Mississippi Valley type deposit with stratiform mineralization near the base of the Cambrian beds. Mineral deposition was contemporaneous with sedmentation and reerystallization, and mobilization took place after lithification of the sediments. Several mechanisms of deposition were possible.INTRODUCTIONThe Ediacara mineral field is located in the Mt. James Range approximately 300 miles north of Adelaide, about 12 miles west of Beltana railway siding and 10 miles east of Lake Torrens. It is isolated geographically from similar deposits of equivalent age and environment in the Flinders Range Province (Fig. 1). The climate may be described as semi arid with high summer temperatures and frequent dust storms. Occasional thunder storms are the main source of rain in the summer months.The exact date of discovery is unknown, but is believed to be about middle of the last century. Ulrich (1872) was the first geologist to report on the field. At that time only the southern portion of the field had been prospected (and abandoned). Although the prospects did not appear encouraging Ulrich advised prospecting of the shales and testing beneath the limestone.In 1888, Rosewarne, an Inspector of Mines, visited the Southern Workings and queried whether they were connected with some lode at deeper level or were merely bedded deposits. The first geological map with sections was drawn by H.Y.L. Brown (Brown 1892).Brown recognized three principal rock formations as dolomitic sandstone, kaolinised shales and sandstone, and quartzites and sandstone in descending order. These three basic units are still recognized. He recognized also the stratiform nature of the mineralization in the shales as a...

Jan 1, 1963

By William L. Saunders

Many members of the Institute, who participated in the visit made, during the Bethlehem meeting of February, 1906, to the shops of the Ingersoll-Rand Company, at Phillipsburg, N. J., inspected with interest the new Electric-Air drill, which the company had set up for the purpose of showing it in actual operation to American mining engineers. At the request of the Secretary of the Institute, I promised at that time to prepare a paper for our Transactions, describing the construction and advantages of the machine. But such a paper would then necessarily have contained much that was only expected or claimed by the designers and manufacturers of the drill, and not yet incontrovertibly proved by varied and long-continued practice. However moderate such statements might have been, they would have given inevitably to the paper, to some extent at least, the air of a prospectus, rather than of a technical contribution. I therefore decided, with the Secretary's approval, to postpone the writing of the promised paper until it could set forth the results of adequate actual practice, as well as the latest details of construction, etc., based upon practical experience. That period has now arrived. The Electric-Air drill has been exhaustively tested in the field, under varied and arduous conditions and upon the hardest rocks. It is now fairly in the field; its merits and performances are matters of unimpeachable record, and its place among established competitors can be definitely determined. As a representative of the Ingersoll-Rand Co., as well as a member of the Institute, I may be permitted to add that my company, being largely interested in the manufacture of air-coxpressors and machinery driven by compressed air, has no desire to injure its own business by claiming for this new machine that it should immediately supersede all existing applications of pneumatic transmission of power for drilling. On the

Jan 1, 1908

By M. Rakoma

Following the blasting fatality on 17 December 2009, Landau Colliery was forced to change from the blasting practices that had been utilized since the start-up of the mine. Since then, attempts have been made to optimize blasting results. The challenge is rooted to the mining environment - during the early life of the mine, mining took place in virgin areas, whereas currently mining is taking place in areas overlying old underground bord and pillar workings. The underground bord and pillar workings aggravate phenomena such as spontaneous combustion, hot holes, and sinkholes. The 2009 fatality was attributed to hot holes causing premature detonation. Landau has been struggling with poor results from their overburden and coal blasts; leading to poor fragmentation of overburden and the PI parting that lies between the No.1 and No.2 coal seams. An extensive literature survey was completed in order to identify possible alternative solutions that could be evaluated for this unique mining environment, which demands a high degree of caution during mining to ensure factors such as dragline stability and personnel safety. The literature survey confirmed that the previous blasting technique, which was mainly characterized by air decking, was indeed the more efficient, although it was deemed unsafe because of the possibility of hot holes and the high sensitivity of detonators. Potential modifications to the blasting technique were modelled in a Microsoft Excel simulation that was available from the mine, and pit visits were conducted in order to determine whether implementation would be a problem. From the model it is evident that results can be improved by changing the current burden and spacing ratio. Visiting the pit revealed that the tie-in pattern and drilling inaccuracies are contributing to problem areas.

Jan 1, 2013

Combine the MSHA and OSHA versions of the HazCom Helper into one easy-to-use software tool.

Jan 6, 2007

By Amir Zavichi

Today, with the necessity of timely, on-budget and high quality completion of projects, proper use of construction equipment is essential to ensure project success. Construction equipment places a large monetary burden on the project and if not utilized efficiently, it can result in economic losses. Cranes are one of the most important and expensive operational devices on construction sites. They play a central role, and often activities that rely on crane services fall on the project?s critical path. Currently, material-handling scheduling is done by the crane operator or by an on-duty superintendent using his/hers personal judgment, making the process manual and timeconsuming. Thus, developing an optimal schedule, which considers different dynamic constraints in construction job site, may not be possible based on the current practice. This leads to longer operation times and a negative impact on project cost. This paper presents the latest results of an ongoing study, which aims to design and implement a nearreal time crane operation decision support system to be utilized directly by the crane operator or as an aid for the superintendent in scheduling optimal operation services. This system has several advantages such as maximizing the efficiency of crane operations, guaranteeing the best operation possible to reduce the crane?s travel time, reducing crews and equipment idle time, and minimizing the dependence on subjective human judgments.

Aug 1, 2013

By A. Halim, A. Martikainen, S. GYAMFI

This paper outlines a unique case of the development of strategies to reduce ventilation and heating costs in Konsuln iron ore mine in northern Sweden. The mine, located just south of Luossavaara-Kiirunavaara Aktiebolag’s Kiruna iron ore mine, was developed as a test mine from 2018-2020 for the Sustainable Underground Mining (SUM) project. Besides functioning as a test mine, Konsuln also contributes to ore production. The existing mine ventilation system was designed for the current production rate of 0.8 million tons per annum (Mtpa). There is a plan to increase this rate to between 1.8 and 2.0 Mtpa.

Sep 30, 2021

By LaTasha R. Swanson, Jennica L. Bellanca

Proximity detection systems (PDSs) for mobile machines have the potential to decrease injuries and fatalities. Early adopters of the technology have identified some challenges, which present an opportunity to explore and improve the integration of mobile PDSs in underground coal mines. The current research study applied the task-technology fit framework to investigate the fit between mobile PDS technology and mining relative to health and safety, from the perspective of leaders at two coal mines. Quantitative results from the study show that mine leaders evaluated mobile PDS favorably for training and ease of use, system feedback, user authorization and experience, and less favorably for safety, compatibility, task completion, and reliability. Qualitative results reveal specific task, mine, and system characteristics that may have influenced leaders’ evaluations. The study includes considerations and suggestions for safe technology integration

By LaTasha R. Swanson, Jennica L. Bellanca

Proximity detection systems (PDSs) for mobile machines have the potential to decrease injuries and fatalities. Early adopters of the technology have identified some challenges, which present an opportunity to explore and improve the integration of mobile PDSs in underground coal mines. The current research study applied the task-technology fit framework to investigate the fit between mobile PDS technology and mining relative to health and safety, from the perspective of leaders at two coal mines. Quantitative results from the study show that mine leaders evaluated mobile PDS favorably for training and ease of use, system feedback, user authorization and experience, and less favorably for safety, compatibility, task completion, and reliability. Qualitative results reveal specific task, mine, and system characteristics that may have influenced leaders’ evaluations. The study includes considerations and suggestions for safe technology integration

This article focuses on TurkeyÆs gold potential with respect to exploration, development and operation after 1985. Apart from TurkeyÆs geology, which offers a substantial number of volcanic-associated gold (Ag) and gold-copper (Au-Cu) projects, there are numerous other factors which make the country a favourable place for mining. Turkey has a mining history which goes back to pre-Roman times and an excellent mining code which ensures security for long-term production. In the country, the Government and local villagers are very positive and the country works extremely well logistically with excellent road and telecommunication links. The opportunities for new discoveries in Turkey are very high. Moreover, Turkey has its eyes turned west as it moves towards joining the European Community and it is no surprise that international companies believe it has got its timing as well as its partner relationship right. Newmont, Teck Cominco, BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto, Eldorado Gold, etc all have direct or indirect interests in Turkey, as do an increasing number of midtier and junior exploration companies. Turkish Koza Gold Mining is the first Au producing company of Turkey. The Eldorado Gold owned 245 t Kisladag Au deposit in Western Turkey is currently also producing Au. In the meantime Anatolia Minerals Development is advancing the 131 t resource at the C÷pler Au deposit in North Eastern Turkey. These are significant world-class deposits. Further encouragement for investment in the Au mining sector has been provided by the introduction of a new mining law in 1985. Foreign investments in the country were encouraged and have seen a rapid increase in the last two decades. Gross domestic product (GDP) growth is in excess of five per cent per annum, inflation is down from 70 per cent to single figures, the budget deficit has been cut by 40 per cent to 11 per cent and industrial output and productivity are increasing rapidly. Turkey is politically and economically stable, is a member of the European Customs Union, has a supportive mining legislation, is highly prospective and under-explored and hosts significant recent gold discoveries.

Jan 1, 2007

By Jim Wickens, Vince Lofftus, Mark Kravetz

"This paper discusses how Bald Mountain Gold Mine (Ely, NV) dramatically reduced mercury production by treating process solutions with a liquid reagent based on organic sulfide chemistry. Cherokee Chemical Co. Inc. (Vernon, CA) markets this reagent as UNR 81 1A.A summary of the bench tests comparing various reagents is given. The ensuing plant trial is discussed and successful mercury removal results are presented. Data is presented to show that early removal of mercury in the process reduces the amount of mercury collected at retort. Data is also presented to show that use of this reagent does not reduce gold recovery. Plant trial treatment costs are discussed. Finally, the potential of this technology to substantially reduce closure costs as compared to traditional mercury removal options is discussed.INTRODUCTIONBald Mountain Mine produces gold. Mercury is a costly by-product of gold production because no revenue is generated from mercury. Traditionally, mercury leaches out with gold and follows the gold throughout the processing circuit until it is eventually condensed and collected at Retort. Minimizing or eliminating mercury production minimizes worker health and safety risks, minimizes environmental liability, and reduces costs. In the long term, minimizing mercury production will make mine closure easier and less costly.Bald Mountain Mine dramatically reduced mercury production by treating process solutions with liquid reagents called UNR 811 and UNR 811A. Several reagents were bench tested before proceeding with a plant trial. The reagent complexes the mercury to form an insoluble organic sulfide precipitate. In independent tests, the precipitate passed acid mobilization tests and is considered stable."

Jan 1, 2001

The final session of the meeting was preceded by a movie, "Contact That Kills," which was a color film clearly pointing out various causes of electrical accidents in mines and how such accidents could he prevented. This film was made underground and produced by the U. S. Bureau of Mines for use in teaching accident classes. President R. R. Williams, Jr., called the meeting to order and introduced Mr. Leif Arentzen of the Lee-Norse Company, Charleroi, Pennsylvania, who spoke on "Coal Mining in Australia." The text of his address is as follows: "I arrived in Australia in February of this year-my father sent me over there for an installation. He preceded me as he does in most things, and set up a showing of our machine in Australia. We had 200 of the top level coal mining men visit this showing. They were interested in what the Americans are doing and what the American manufacturer had to offer them. Conditions in Australia are very similar to our mining conditions in the United States and they have looked to us, the coal industry in general, because we have the know-how in answering some of their problems. They feel that European methods and their type of machines are too inadequate to cope with their conditions. My visit was to South Wales, 60 miles south of Sidney. Their mining operation resembled mining coal in Florida. The work is on about a 500-ft. elevation about three miles from the ocean and when you turn around and see about 30 miles of beach, it is quite a picture - the Pacific Ocean is so blue. The coal seam is about ten feet of relatively clean coal. Labor relations are very, very taught right now. They are agitated by a strong Communistic influence and their weekly publication is known as the ?Common Cause,? which is against mechanization of coal mines." Mr. Arentzen enlarged on the fact that America was the example they held before them and described the Australian coal men and their character.

Jan 1, 1959

By James P. Sloss

MOST students that plan to enter the mining profession attempt to obtain some kind of practical experience before graduation. Six or seven years ago it was an easy matter for undergraduates to find employment during the summer vacation and return to school in the fall filled with enthusiasm to dig deeper into the theoretical field. However, during the past few years it has become extremely difficult for an inexperienced undergraduate to obtain even a menial job in mining. This was the situation which presented itself to the author and his partner, T. M. Patten several months before school closed in May, 1934. At that time, Mr. Patten's training consisted of two years study in Mining, and mine included three years' study in Mining Geology at the Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy. With this technical training and no practical experience, we conceived the idea that custom assaying in some of the western mining districts should be a lucrative business. We thought that the renewed interest in prospecting for gold and the opening of new mines should provide more assay work, and believed that we might secure it if we were on the spot where the assaying was needed. We realized that it would be out of the question for us to obtain the necessary equipment with which to establish an assay office. Even if such an office were established we had a maximum of but three months during which to operate. So we determined to build some kind of inexpensive equipment that could be placed in an automobile, or trailer, and be moved from one camp to another. We then began to study the theoretical aspects of assaying and started experimental work with the equipment that we proposed to build.

Jan 1, 1935