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By D. M. Lane, J. M. Berkoe

Engineers and Owners share a common desire to build reliable, efficient plants on schedule at reasonable costs. This paper describes one tool that Bechtel finds can integrate these objectives by “putting innovation into practice”. Examples of such innovative engineering practice include the use of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to determine efficient designs. This paper outlines several examples of CFD applications on actual Mining and Metals Projects from around the world. The focus here is to highlight the modeling objectives, analysis strategy, actual benefit obtained from the work, lessons learned to improve future efforts and the common mistakes that can obscure the correct or best results, despite impressive graphics. The tools are powerful, and the results are more powerful when applied with skilled and well-directed human effort and ingenuity.

Jan 1, 2000

Energy Dissipation in Long-Distance Slurry Pipelines

Sep 13, 2010

By O. A. Bascur

The lack of integration of mining and metallurgical information with sufficient detail for analysis causes inefficient operation and hence sub-optimal energy and water use. It is difficult to analyze the performance of mining and metallurgical processes without an integrated view of mine transactions, stockpile inventories, process flows and assays. To take action requires real time information from manufacturing assets, corrected for gross errors from trucks, shovels, conveyors, faulty sensors, bad instrument calibration. This paper presents an infrastructure with advanced tools that sift through available data, identify and eliminate gross errors, and transform the data into business information for continuous improvement and optimization. Collaboration is a key component of improving efficiency of energy and water use, and the evolution of Web technology enables collaboration and troubleshooting of plant information to more quickly act on issues to reduce wasteful operation. Keywords: Mine Concentrator Optimization, Real Time Performance Management, Data Unification, Integration of Operational and Business systems, Mass and Energy Balances, Real Time Web Services, Equipment Availability, Efficiency.

Jan 1, 2009

By W. F. Van Impe

The design of piles and of pile groups has remarkably progressed over the past two decades. The in­creasing complexity of the building concept implements a more rational approach of the deep foundation capacity and its interaction with the structure. Moreover, the understanding of the soil characteristics relevant to deep foundation behaviour, is continuously in progress because soil parameters are always more accurately determined; which also contributed a lot to the recent developments in pile capacity design. At last, due to the increasing sensitivity of buildings to deformations, continuous attention must be also paid to pile group settlements. The aim of this report is to discuss some of the mentioned more important pile design developments.

Jan 1, 1994

Study on Mineral Processing of Refractory Copper-Nickel Ore

Sep 13, 2010

By Per Eriksson

For light buildings on clay, foundations on L/C-columns is in many cases a competitive alternative to piles when the thickness of the clay is moderate (<20 m). The method is applicable for the above mentioned depth when the clay is normally consolidated, and for thicker deposits when the clay is overconsolidated at depth. This case study concerns a shopping mall in Nordby, Sweden, founded on L/C-columns (5-15 m in length) and generally spaced 1.45-2.0 m (spacing 0.7 m was used below pillars). The base slab was built as a raft foundation, using fibre reinforced concrete.

Jan 1, 2000

By Steven Rupprecht

"The South African Code for the Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves (the SAMREC Code or the Code) sets out minimum standards, recommendations and guidelines for public reporting of exploration results, mineral resources and mineral reserves in South Africa. The Code is being rewritten and updated, with work on-going since 2013. The revision is being undertaken to ensure the Code remains relevant, incorporates developments within the international mining industry and keeps abreast of technology. Some of the changes and their reasons are discussed. INTRODUCTION The South African Code for the Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves (the SAMREC Code or the Code) sets out minimum standards, recommendations and guidelines for public reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Mineral Rreserves in South Africa. The Code is being rewritten and updated, with work on-going since 2013. The proposed 2016 update is not significantly different from previous versions of the Code. The revision is being undertaken to ensure the Code remains relevant, incorporates developments within the international mining industry and keeps abreast of technology. The Code sets out minimum standards, recommendations and guidelines for public reporting. However, reporting may be unclear, ambiguous, selective, obscure, distorted or unintelligible. Part of the purpose of the update is to provide better guidelines to Competent Persons (CPs) to ensure that the material information is being reported and that reporting is transparent in accordance with the guidelines of the Code. The information provided should, as required by the Code, be adequate to inform the “reader/investor or potential investor to make a reasonable and balanced assessment of the significance of the information”. The Committee for Mineral Reserves International Reporting Standards (CRIRSCO) highlights the importance of the reporting Codes, as provided from a quote from their website (www.crirsco.com): The mining industry is a vital contributor to national and global economies. It is a truly international business that depends on the trust and confidence of investors and other stakeholders for its financial and operational well-being. Unlike many other industries, it is based on depleting mineral assets, the knowledge of which is important prior to the commencement of extraction. It is therefore essential that the industry communicates the risks associated with investment effectively and transparently in order to earn the level of trust necessary to underpin its activities."

Jan 1, 2015

By Becerra J. O

HYL developed a direct reduction process (DR) that does not require a reformer; it is called self-reforming process. Typically, direct reduction processes based on natural gas utilise a reformer unit to transform the natural gas into reducing agents (hydrogen and carbon monoxide). The reforming reactions are: CH4+H20-?3H2+CO CH4 + CO2 - 2H2 + 2CO These reforming units require a catalyst agent to promote the kinetics of the reforming reactions. The catalyst for these reactions is typically a metallic element such as nickel in a ceramic matrix; iron is also an excellent catalyst for the reforming reactions.

Jan 1, 1999

By Steve Kral

More than 124,000 people involved in the mining and construction industries throughout the world poured into Las Vegas, NV in March for ConExpo-Con/Agg ’99. Show organizers said this triennial exhibition is the largest equipment show in the Western Hemisphere and one of the largest exhibition of any industry. “Clearly, Con-Expo-Con/Agg ’99 was one of the largest trade shows of any industry ever held in the Western Hemisphere,” said Bruno Benna, co-chair of the event. Attendees included mining industry representatives, including aggregates, and sand and gravel producers. In addition, many of the attendees work in the construction, reclamation, forestry, asphalt paving, landscaping and concrete industries. According to show records, about 52% of those attending were company presidents, vice presidents, chief financial officers or managers.

Jan 1, 1999

By E J. Hofmann, J E. Hofmann, A J. Hofmann-Fritz

"With its Head Quarters in Perth, global heavy engineering company Hofmann Engineering is one of the largest family owned engineering companies in Australia. The company has pioneered a number of new manufacturing processes and design improvements for components of large comminution equipment.Some of these innovations are: Innovative design improvements of high pressure grinding roll (HPGR) forged steel tyres. Hofmann Engineering has developed unique patented tungsten carbide stud and edge protection designs which improve wear life and introduce quick and cost effective replacement options to further extend the life of the tyre. Development of forged fabricated mill heads using rolled and welded high tensile steel plate as an alternative to cast conical mill heads. Establishment of Australian capability to manufacture and export up to 42 ft. (12.8 m) diameter SAG mill shells. Techniques for fast track, product improved replacements of cracked or damaged mill gears, including in situ profile &amp; wear measurements of girth gears using portable coordinate measuring machine (CMM) technology, forged rim steel and induction hardening technology. Gear and pinion mechanical drive designs to 24 MW or higher for SAG mills of 38 ft. to 42 ft. (11.6 m - 12.8 m) diameter as reliable alternatives to gearless drives.The paper presents case studies from the Australian heavy manufacturing facilities of Hofmann Engineering on large, high powered equipment for both the domestic and export markets.CITATION:Hofmann, E J, Hofmann, J E and Hofmann-Fritz, A J, 2013. Australian innovations in high pressure grinding rolls and large grinding mill manufacture, in Proceedings MetPlant 2013, pp 141-151 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne)."

Jul 15, 2013

Recycling and Recovering Fine Particles from Auto Shredding Residue (ASR/SR) to Conserve Raw Materials and Protect Environment

Sep 13, 2010

By Dwayne C. Kicker

This paper introduces the concept of design theory and methodology as applied to rock mechanics for more innovative and efficient design. This is a "frontier" research area in rock mechanics because although design is a fundamental foundation to all engineering branches, very little attention has been paid to this aspect in mining. In discussing the theoretical premise of design, this paper identifies the principles which form the basis of design activity. Also, from a practical viewpoint, the findings from a series of interviews with mine design engineers are presented. These findings lead to the identification of needs arising from overlooked design methodology in practice.

Jan 1, 1989

By Gordon King

The City of Atlanta Water Department required the construction of a two sludge tanks and a wet well at the existing Chattahoochee Water Treatment Plant. Western Summit won a design build contract to build the project and proceeded to evaluate the wet well size options, and construction procedures. The final design required the construction of a 1 million gallon tank. The proximity of the underground tank to adjacent roads and existing plant structures ruled out laying back the excavation. As a result a tied back sheet pile retaining wall was initially proposed.

Jan 1, 2003

The early history of the mine is traced from the beginning of shaft sinking in 1886 to the purchase by the Broken Hill Proprietary Co. Ltd. in 1949. A necessary preliminary to mechanisation of the Borehole Seam was development of the Young Wallsend seam, andthis development is described. Surface reorganisation and coal handling arrangements are dealt with in detail. Then follows a description of the Borehole Seam mechanisation, the provision of power supply for this purpose, arid pumping arrangements in themine.INTRODUCTIONStockton Borehole Colliery is in the Parish of Teralba, between the townships of Teralba and Boolaroo, and about 12 miles from Newcastle. The colliery holding, a freehofd area of 2,560 acres, was apparently an original land grant when acquired by Teralba Co-operative Coal Company who decided to mine for coal and named the mine &quot;Teralba Colliery.&quot; Shaft sinking was commenced in 1886 but was delayed by financial and water troubles to such an extent that it was not until 1901 that the Borehole Seam was reached.Coal was won until 1904 using a single 16 ft. diameter shaft, ventilation being achieved by means of a wooden boxing down one side of the shaft. This collapsed, and operations ceased until the mine was taken over in 1906 by a company known as &quot;Borehole Colliery Limited,&quot; the principal stockholder being the Stockton Coal Company. It renamed the mine &quot;Borehole Colliery.&quot; This new company immediately commenced sinking a 13 ft. diameter air shaft. In 1908 the Stocktol1 Colliery at Stockton was abandoned, and during the following year much of its equipment was transferred to Borehole Colliery. The name was again changed becoming &quot;Stockton Borehole Colliery.&quot; From this period on, coal was produced from the Borehole Seam by...

Jan 1, 1957

By A. Moergeli

The Swiss are building the world’s longest tunnel, the 57-Kilometer (35-mile) long Gotthard Base Tunnel. Lot 252, Tunnel Amsteg: Two Hard Rock Tunnel Boring Machines (TBM) crossed hydro-thermally decomposed granite. While the East TBM advanced slowly but steadily, the West one got stuck for five months and had to be recovered by special means and methods. Both TBMs have finished their more than 11-Kilometer (7 miles) long drives successfully. Lot 360, Tunnel Sedrun: For the first time in tunneling, roadway support machines are used through most challenging, squeezing geology. They constantly advance in full face mode for about one Tunnelmeter/24 hours.

Jan 1, 2007

By D. E. Pollock, Andrew B. Cecala

It has long been known that ventilation is a cost-effective method to lower respirable dust concentrations in all types of mining applications. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has been working on a number of different research techniques that use ventilation as a critical component to lower respirable dust levels at surface and metal/nonmetal operations in the United States. This article presents five such research efforts. The first research area discusses how improving the ventilation flow patterns in an iron ore mill facility lowered respirable dust concentrations by 31 pct throughout the primary grinding area. The second research area examines how respirable dust levels were lowered at a dimensional stone shop by using air cleaning units suspended from the ceiling. A third area discusses how improvements in ventilation at underground limestone mines lowered respirable dust concentrations. The fourth area examines how improvements in dust filtration and pressurization systems significantly impacted the air quality in enclosed cabs of surface mining equipment. The last area presents a newly developed clothes cleaning technique. This technique uses an air spray manifold to blow dust from a worker’s clothing in an enclosed booth, which confines the dust for capture and removal by a baghouse dust collector. These research areas represent an array of different control technologies to lower respirable dust concentrations. Ventilation is an integral part of these control technologies.

By Uusna S, Canning R. G, Goodheart B. A

The development of a process for removal of iron oxides from ilmenite is outlined whereby the Ti02 content of Western Australian ilmenites can be upgraded from 55 to approximately 90 per cent. In the first stage, the iron oxides are reduced with solid carbon (coal) to metallic iron. Experimental reductions were carried out in crucibles, a fluidized bed, and a small pilot plant rotary kiln. The reduced ilmenite was then agitated in aerated water, in the presenceof catalysts, so that the iron &quot;rusted&quot; away from the ilmenite grains and the precipitated iron oxide was easily separable by decantation.The influence of variables on the rates of reduction and oxidation are discussed. The oxidation rate was examined for both the physical oxygen transfer characteristics and electrochemically by reference to Pourbaix diagrams, in which redox potential is plotted against solution pH.The upgraded ilmenite is expected to be an attractive material for pigment manufacture, and the iron oxide has prospects of being a marketable by-product. The process may possibly be applied to other ores.INTRODUCTIONThere are extensive deposits of ilmenitic beach sands, Le. iron titanium oxides of the general formula FeTi03, &apos;occurring in the lower south-west portion of Western Australia, and although there has been considerable commercial development, local producers face keen competition on a freight-cost basis. Thus the removal of the unwanted iron oxide constituent would have the double advantage of reducing the freight differential and presenting a more attractivematerial to pigment manufacturers.

Jan 1, 1965

By L. E. Fish, G. S. Wyman

CHUQUICAMATA open-pit mine is capable of producing a total of 105,000 tons daily. When the sulphide plant is operating to capacity the distribution of this quantity will be approximately 30,000 tons sulphide ore, 30,000 tons oxide ore and 45,000 tons of waste. At that time the combined capacity of the oxide and sulphide plants will be about 540 million lb of copper per year. Twenty one benches have been opened to date and all are still active except the three top ones at the northeastern limit of the pit. These have been pushed back to final slope line. The pit is 8850 ft long, 3540 ft wide and 980 ft deep. Benches are not all developed to a standard height as the large development shovels used in cutting new benches have been of different size and range. At this time new benches 521 ft high are being developed with an&apos; 11-yd shovel. Ore haulage through the greater part of the pit operation has been on down grades to the crushing plant. With the opening of bench F-4 in April 1944 the first adverse-grade ore haul was encountered. Of the total tonnage now being mined, 35 pct comes from the four benches that are below the level of the crushing plant yard. Waste had been dumped on the same or nearly the same level as the bench from which it was removed up to the opening of bench F-4. Waste from this and lower levels is hauled to the level of the crusher, yard where it must cross the flow of ore traffic to reach the only available dumping space to the east of the mine. The average ore haul is 3.13 miles one way shovel to crusher, and the average waste haul from that portion handled by railroad is 3.32 miles one way from shovel to waste dump. Waste that is being removed by truck haulage from the upper part of the -mine is hauled an average of 1 mile. Ore loaded by trucks is hauled 3/4 mile to a car loading ramp and then by rail to the crushing plant. Drilling and Blasting There are two types of development for blasting being used: One for opening new benches and the other for bank shooting. The former consists of 9a in. diam churn-drill holes drilled 11.8 ft center to center in rows 10.2 ft apart with the holes staggered in the rows thus giving an equilateral-triangle pattern of 11.8 ft on a side. After the first block, 492 ft long by 71.5 ft wide, is shot in the pattern described above, the cut is advanced by smaller shots consisting of four rows of holes spaced 23 ft center to center with the rows 23 ft apart. These shots are fired in conjunction with side shots in which the holes are drilled 33 ft center to center and 29.5 ft back from the toe, thus squaring up the bank for subsequent shooting. An average bank shot consists of about 60 holes drilled in two rows parallel to the face, 30 holes to

Jan 1, 1952

The Reefton Goldfield on the West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand was a significant gold producing area between 1860 and 1951. During this period it produced approximately 2.1 million ounces (67 tonnes) of gold. The largest single producer on the goldfield and the deepest mine in New Zealand, was the Blackwater Mine at Waiuta which produced 21 tonnes of gold. The Prolubition Shaft reached a depth of 878 metres (317 metres below sea level). The mine closed suddenly in 1951 with about 66 000 tonnes of are remaining in the stapes. Since closure there has been no attempt to determine the ore potential of the mine at depth. This paper summarises the geology, history and resource potential of the mine and sets out two options for evaluating the remaining resource. The options are either deep drilling from surface or recovery of the Prohibition Shaft and underground development and drilling. A schedule for each option is presented and discussed.

Jan 1, 1992

By John G. Payne

The Pebble deposit contains three contiguous zones. In the Pebble West zone, granodiorite stocks intrude gently warped volcanosedimentary rocks that had been intruded by diorite sills and two felsic intrusion breccias. In the Central zone, volcanosedimentary rocks are cut by diorite and granodiorite sills; the latter are genetically associated with the granodiorite stocks. In these zones, widespread potassic alteration consists of brown biotite and K-feldspar, with abundant quartz-carbonate-sulphide vein stockworks. Chalcopyrite/pyrite ratios range from 2/1 to 1/20. Diorite hosts the highest-grade mineralization, with much of it being disseminated. Patchy, later phyllic alteration is moderate and commonly depleted in copper. The Pebble East zone occupies a granodiorite stock and intruded host rocks below an eastwardly thickening wedge of barren Tertiary volcanic and sedimentary rocks up to 600 m thick. Brown biotite alteration and copper mineralization are strong, with chalcopyrite/pyrite ratios commonly over 1/1. The zone extends to a depth of at least 1200 m below surface; some drill holes bottomed in strong mineralization. Later, weak to moderate sericitic alteration removed some chalcopyrite and locally remobilized gold. The Pebble deposit has a Measured/Indicated resource of 3 billion tonnes grading 0.28% Cu, 0.32 g/t Au and 0.015% Mo (= 0.5% copper-equivalent) and an Inferred resource of 1.13 billion tonnes grading 0.30 g/t Au, 0.27% Cu and 0.015% Mo (0.55% copper-equivalent). The Pebble East zone has an Inferred resource of 2.13 billion tonnes grading 0.55% Cu, 0.34 g/t Au, and 0.037% Mo (0.97% copper-equivalent). The Pebble East zone is open to the east and to a lesser extent to the north, south, and to depth.

May 1, 2006