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By A. R. Naderian

Laboratory strength and deformation testing of freshly blasted sandstone and claystone overburden from Jeebropilly colliery in Queensland and in-situ plate-bearing tests on four backfills of different ages showed that the bearing capacity of backfill is a function mainly of compaction, not of age. The modulus or stiffness of the backfill is significantly increased by previous loading, in some cases up to threefold. Backfill material experiences some compaction through the passage of mining vehicles, likely to provide a bearing capacity that will support normal construction activities; the limited testing performed suggested that completed backfills are capable of supporting loads of up to 200 kN/m2 while sustaining displacements acceptable for a wide range of residential and industrial uses, but may be susceptible to collapse settlements due to saturation in the long term

Jun 19, 1905

By R. A. Ixer, R. A. Lord, H. M. Prichard, A. J. Boyce, P. McConville, C. T. Pillinger, I. P. Wright, J. Maynard

Analysis of 62 samples show that the sulphides throughout the igneous stratigraphy have a magmatic signature, with the exception of the uppermost gabbros and the lowermost basal thrust talc-carbonate lithologies. Mean delta-34S values for whole-rock samples from harzburgites, dunite pods in harzburgite, crustal dunites and wehrlites, the main and high-level pyroxenites and gabbros suggest that the primary sulphides derived their sulphur from a magmatic source enriched in 34S. This finding is compatible with the proposed origin of the ophiolite above a subduction zone. Values for pyrite mineralisation in the uppermost part of the gabbros are thought to result from precipitation from a seawater-derived fluid, while isotopically light sulphur in the basal thrust could have been introduced from underlying metasediments. The replacement of pentlandite by heazlewoodite has not led to sulphur fractionation

Jun 19, 1905

By A. Ersoy, M. D. Waller

The principal factors which require consideration in predicting drilling rates are the bit-type, the bit operating parameters and the characteristics of the penetrated rock. A single index is not a sufficient basis for predicting performance. A variety of rock types were drilled in the laboratory with polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) and impregnated diamond core bits using a fully instrumented drilling rig at different rotational speeds and with a range of weights on the bit. Quantitative determinations of a wide range of textural, mechanical and intact rock properties were also made. Multi-variable linear regression analysis was then used to develop predictive models of rates of penetration from the operating and rock property data. The models have been verified by statistical tests. The analysis indicated that the models for the pin and hybrid PDC bits have potential for practical application. However, although the model for the impregnated diamond bit appears to be reasonable from a purely statistical point of view, it may not be satisfactory for drilling uses as it is based on two measures of rock hardness alone. The application of multiple regression analysis to PDC drilling performance is novel and the technique shows promise for the prediction of rock drillability with PDC bits. The ability of the technique to provide a mathematical characterisation of the performance of new drill bits in specific rocks may prove to be of value to drill manufacturers and users

Aug 1, 1995

By J. H. E. Jeffes, C. Diaz

The heat balance and chemical equilibria involved in the production of blister copper from a chalcopyrite concentrate in a single operation are examined. It appears that two stages—one oxidising and one reducing—will be required. The analysis indicates that on thermal grounds the process is possible with a dry, high-grade chalcopyrite concentrate, if oxygen enrichment to about 30 per cent is used, but that copper losses in the slag will be serious and will require a secondary recovery operation. More extensive data on the activities of copper oxide in slags are required to elucidate this point more effectively

Dec 1, 1971

By R. A. Halatchev

A risk model for assessment of the uncertainty in the forecasts of the planned profit is developed. It is based on the selling price of the metal recovered from the ore and the production per shift of the excavators. These two critical variables characterise the economic and technical aspects of the mining venture. Time-series methodology is used to describe the behaviour of the economic variable, which improves the adequacy of the modelling. A hypothetical open-pit gold mine is used to illustrate the application of the model. Results obtained show that the model is a good alternative to sensitivity analysis in taking account of the stochastic character of the price of the metal recovered from the excavated ore and the production per shift of the excavators used. The model can be extended by the inclusion of new variables that have a probabilistic nature

Dec 1, 1996

By P. H. Morris

The exponential delta profile equation matches the profiles of a wide range of coal and metalliferous subaerial tailings deltas well, but the original model implies unrepresentatively low solids concentrations. A revision, based on analysis of the governing equations of mobile bed flows with high concentration values, has shown that for exponential delta profiles to form there must be quasi-steady, slowly varying flow and slow deposition as well as tailings with a log-uniform sorting-parameter distribution. Deposition on tailings deltas is slow and the flow in many natural streams and, by analogy, tailings deltas is quasi-steady and slowly varying; the assumption of such flow is justified by the strong congruence of the revised model and the available data. The predictions of the theoretical model are essentially unchanged but concentration and flow Froude number are now not explicitly limited

Jun 19, 1905

By A. E. Tercan, D. Mamurekli

Ordinary kriging on the assumption of a gaussian error distribution and indicator kriging were used to derive the probability that a given calorific value would or would not be exceeded by coal from an area of a deposit. The two techniques led to similar probability maps despite local differences; the lack of an absolute reference makes it impossible to judge which method is better for this particular application

Jun 19, 1905

By B. R. Reddy, Y. V. Swamy, B. V. R. Murthy, H. S. Ray

The Ni oxide was reduced with a CO-CO2-N2 gas mixture and the effects were observed of process variables such as roasting temperature, time and CO partial pressure. Extraction of over 90% of Ni was achieved by ammoniacal leaching of ore that had been reduced for 1 h at 760 degrees C under a gas mixture with a volumetric CO/(CO+CO2) ratio of 0.57. The kinetic data were found to conform to the Ginstling-Brounstein equation. The applicability of this model was confirmed by evaluating the apparent activation energy with the use of independently constructed differential and integral plots, which showed an excellent match

Dec 1, 1995

By B. W. Hester

Report of discussion at January, 1971, general meeting (Chairman: M. J. Cahalan, President) of the paper published in Transactions/Section B (Applied Earth Science), vol. 79, May, 1970, pp. B60-B67, and contributed remarks. Comments were made by Taylor J.T.M., James C.H., Lethbridge R.F. and Heath K.C.G.

Dec 1, 1971

By J. M. Jimenez, G. D. Schena, A. J. Cazorla

A full-scale Deister column was operated in parallel with the conventional cleaning bank of cells and a pilot Jameson cell in parallel with the conventional rougher cells. Flotation column performance was appreciably enhanced by use of an improved washing system and an internal launder. The performance of the rougher bank of cells, Jameson cells, cleaner cell bank and column were described by simple linear functions. These allowed calculation of overall circuit recoveries and evaluation of alternative circuits. An evaluation procedure based on a financial criterion is demonstrated with a simplified example, illustrating how revenues and operating margins are often of more concern than concentrate grade and recovery

Jun 18, 1905

By S. Babendererde

The twenty-ninth Sir Julius Wernher memorial lecture of the IMM, presented at Tunnelling '97, London, 2-4 September 1997. The tunnelling industry is well prepared to face the challenge from the population explosion in urban areas in the near future. Many well-established yet redundant concepts are still impeding progress, however, including the prediction of excessive surface ground settlements. The correct selection of TBM can minimise these, and ground deformations can be avoided completely if the appropriate techniques are applied. Advanced techniques have been used in the Tokyo Bay Crossing, where the tunnel lining was installed by robots. Other advanced techniques include the use of a sliding slip form to give temporary support to an extruded tunnel lining, the chemical processing of ground by polymers during earth-pressure balanced tunnelling and the use of electronic monitoring and steering devices in TBMs. There will be challenges to tunnelling in urban environments, as open cut techniques will no longer be tolerated. Two examples of mined stations are briefly discussed

Jun 19, 1905

By A. M. Tunstall, N. Djordjevic, H. A. Villalobos

The damage zone behind a typical smooth-wall blast in the open pit was assessed by visually examining diamond drill core to identify blast-induced cracking, mapping core rock quality designations to identify changes in fracture frequency and conducting uphole seismic testing to determine changes in rock mass characteristics. The results from the three techniques show reasonable correlation. They suggest that major damage, in the form of fracturing of intact rock, occurs at least 7 m behind the smooth-wall blast and significant damage, in the form of opening and extension of calcite-filled fractures, at least 12 m from the blast. At greater distances the dominant damage mechanism is the loosening of existent joints within the rock mass. In the trachytes at El Soldado these damage mechanisms correspond to peak particle velocities of 2 000, 900 and 500 mm/s respectively

Jun 19, 1905

By B. B. Dhar

Slope stability at the proposed mine in Rajasthan was analysed in two dimensions using a finite difference code. The properties of the rock material were determined in the laboratory and subsequently modified to approximate those of the in situ rock mass. Geotechnical mapping was undertaken to determine the critical orientation of structural discontinuities. The results of the work indicated that an open pit 148 m in depth would be stable with overall slope angles of 60 degrees

Aug 1, 1994

By A. Dean, J. Roberts, I. Stone, J. R. Merefield

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, 10pp., 11 refs. No completely reliable method for characterising and quantifying airborne dust risk exists. A new monitoring technology has been developed whereby dust collected from four-way directional and high volume samplers is analysed for mineral content and particle size for integrated dust mapping. A dust database was set up for the area surrounding the Ffos Las open cast coal site in South Wales. It included XRD directional traces from 17 gauges over 20 months, XRD traces from window ledges in the nearby communities, the major soil types in the area, dust data from haulage roads and public roads and reference-type mineral samples. The database can be accessed relationally to compare and analyse the data using mineral, direction, time, weather and geographical relationships. The data has been used to assess areas of low, intermediate and high levels of risk from dust fall-out

Apr 1, 1995

By J. Konnerup-Madsen, T. Unlu, H. Stendal

Paper presented at the conference Economic geology in Europe and beyond II, models for mineral deposits in sedimentary basins, held in Keyworth, UK, 13-14 April 1994. The region includes the Deveci siderite/goethite deposit and the Hasancelebi, Karakuz and Kuluncak magnetite/goethite deposits; Deveci is the only mine in operation. The area consists of a serpentine-gabbro complex overlain by a volcano-sedimentary sequence hosting the iron ores. At least three generations of hydrothermal alteration have affected all rock types except the latest trachytic dykes. The Deveci deposits occur in a pyroclastic volcano-sedimentary sequence with shales and carbonates equivalent to the main mafic sequence, whereas the other three deposits formed contemporaneously with the intrusion of trachytic dykes. The deposits are of the volcanic-exhalative type, with syngenetic siderite in pillow lavas or stratiform layers the primary and main Fe-bearing mineral. In the west hydrothermal alteration has replaced siderite in pillow lavas with magnetite or has remobilised sideritic iron into magnetite veins

Apr 1, 1995

By Y. Ichihara, H. Matsumoto, K. Itakura, H. Eguchi, G. Deguchi, K. Sato

Mechanical data from a rockbolt drilling machine, such as torque, thrust, revolution and stroke, are useful for understanding the geological and geomechanical conditions around roadways and hence selecting the optimum bolt type and density. Laboratory experiments showed that the level of torque or thrust reflects differences in rock type, with separation of strata and cracks appearing as a specific pattern. Algorithms of neural networks based on adaptive resonance theory and back-propagation were used to extract the pattern and estimate the location of discontinuities. For field testing in an underground coal mine, a prototype data acquisition system was attached to a portable drilling machine. Several sets of logging data from one locality were combined to construct a two-dimensional model of the strata, from which the slope angles of discontinuity faces could be estimated

Jun 19, 1905

By C. A. Jeffrey

The Dirtlow Rake vein deposit, which is up to 12 m thick, contains a range of paragenetically linked replacement mineralisation styles typical of many Mississippi Valley-type deposit environments. The main ore zone lies within the solution collapse breccia domes, the more southerly of which has recently been well exposed, allowing its relationship to the associated mineral-hosting structures to be studied. The domes were largely formed during early silicification, propagated by dissolution collapse and infilled by subsequent fluorite-barite mineralisation. The location of pipes and pervasive replacement was also controlled by early silicification. Structurally controlled bow tie shears were formed as a result of fluid access at fracture-bedding plane intersections. The nature and distribution of the mineralisation styles indicate that the degree of fluid access, residence time of solutions in contact with the wallrock and susceptibility of the limestone to silicification each played a major role in dictating mineralisation

Jun 19, 1905

By A. P. Gize, J. F. W. Bowles, D. J. Vaughan, S. J. Norris

Paper presented at the IAGOD international symposium on mineralization related to mafic and ultramafic rocks held in Orleans, France, 1-3 September 1993. Geological evidence from tropical laterites indicates clearly that platinum group metals are taken into solution and precipitated to form grains larger than those in the source rocks. Platinum and palladium move differentially in the surface environment, with Pt partitioning into soils and eluvial or alluvial deposits while Pd remains more mobile in natural waters. Natural organic acids, particularly humic acid, can interact with platinum-group elements and concentrate them even in areas where their content in rocks is very low. Experimental work has confirmed that Pt and Pd can be taken into solution by humic acid at room temperature and in geologically short time-spans. Solubility and deposition may be controlled by physicochemical conditions, reaction kinetics or an adsorption effect, or there may be two competing reactions, solubilisation assisted by organic matter and a kinetically slower metal precipitation

Apr 1, 1994

By S. Vardy

The paper notes that the extraction of 22% of the remaining workable reserves in the north western area involves a risk of spontaneous combustion higher than is normal in Britain. Mining systems have been tailor made in order to minimize the risk of spontaneous heatings, and these systems are described. Well-proved methods of combating spontaneous combustion are referred to, as well as the limitations which now apply to them as the result of the introduction of modern mining techniques. A substantial part of the paper is devoted to the circumstances in which spontaneous combustion occurs underground in the north western area. Several actual incidents which have occurred in the last few years, along with the practical application of the lessons learned, are described. Of particular note are: a) the procedure adopted in the north western area to equalize pressure differences across stoppings using pressure chambers, and b) a retreat mining system, primarily designed to deal with high methane emission and steep gradients, which also affords some protection against spontaneous combustion.

May 23, 1905

By S. A. Sayed, M. N. M. Ahmed, M. A. Doheim

The performance of a 12.7 cm hydrocyclone was investigated by considering the effect of design variables (diameters of the vortex finder and apex) and operating variables (pressure drop and solids content of the feed) at a medium feed solids concentration of mixed minerals. Cut-size was found to be the most important parameter in hydrocyclone design and operation. The effect of feed pressure in reducing hydrocyclone cut-size is less pronounced at medium feed solids concentration with a mixed mineral feed. The choice of vortex finder diameter and apex diameter becomes more sensitive at medium feed solids concentrations. The effect of feed solids concentration in increasing the cut-size becomes less marked at higher concentrations. Predictions of an empirical model were found to be in good agreement with experimental data. Comparison of results obtained from the model with those predicted by theoretically derived models showed the latter to be more promising, with the turbulent two-phase model giving closer agreement with the experimental data

Apr 1, 1995