Search Documents

By R. J. Hickson

From 1993 through 1999, Cyprus Amax Minerals successfully completed eight major construction projects around the world. Six greenfield mines were brought into production, an ongoing operation was completely modernized and an environmental issue was appropriately remediated. The projects stretched over three continents: from arctic Russia to the Atacama Desert, from sea level to an elevation of 4,900 m (16,00Oft), from city suburbs to remote wilderness and from a low of US$130 million to more than US$ 1billion. The operations included open-pit and underground mines, mill and leach facilities and involved gold, copper, molybdenum and coal. The diversity of these projects inspired Cyprus Amax to create a "best-practices” project-management protocol to steer corporate expansion in the new millennium. This paper summarizes these best practices, while highlighting the project-management pirfalls to avoid.

Jan 1, 2000

By Arthur Taggart

THE following conclusions on the work of the Hardinge mill are based on data furnished to the writer by the Hardinge Conical Mill Co. in the form of the mesh cards hereto appended. Energy units (E. U.) and relative mechanical efficiencies (R. M. E.) are computed by the "volume method" of Stadler.1 Screen apertures used are the average apertures of testing screens of the meshes given. Card 122. June 28, 1912. Vipond Porcupine Mines Co., Ltd., Schumacher, Ont., Canada. Ore from mill bin. Gangue, quartz and basalt. 4.5 ft. by 13 in. ball mill. Capacity, 48 tons per 24 hr. Charge, 4,000 lb. balls. Speed, 33 rev. per minute. Horsepower, 15 to 17. Water, 100 per cent. by weight. (50 per cent. ?) Product deslimed and oversize reground-in pebble mill, see Card 113. Feed to mill through 2-in. mesh.

Jan 7, 1915

By William Bergeson

This paper presents the challenges of the Homestead Avenue Interceptor Extension (HAIE) project in downtown Hartford, Connecticut. The new 72-inch (1,830 mm) sewer pipeline project consists of installing approximately 3,010 linear feet (920 m) of PVC lined reinforced concrete pipe using pressurized face microtunneling. The entire alignment is located within soft to very soft, varved silt and clay. To the extent possible, the alignment was selected to avoid bedrock, glacial till, miscellaneous fill,buried steel piles, and utilities. Challenges for this project include low ground cover, crossing major transportation routes, and limiting settlement to prevent damage to historical buildings and critical utilities. The machine was selected for the ground conditions. Design calculations were performed for selecting the reinforced concrete pipe class and for evaluating settlement. The potential for settlement damage was evaluated using both conventional analysis and finite element analysis

By Roger M. Zimmerman

The G-Tunnel heated block experiment is being conducted on the Nevada Test Site (NTS) as part of the Nevada Nuclear Waste Storage Investigations project (NNWSI). The purpose of the ambient temperature testing ph se is to evaluate rock-mass mechanical properties of a block (- 8 m3) under biaxial stress changes up to 7.5 MPa above an initialization in situ value of 3.1 MPa. Results indicate that the modulus of deformation ranges from 9.7 to 17.0 GPa and Poisson's ratio ranges from 0.21 to 0.33. In general, the higher values of the modulus and Poisson' s ratio were influenced by fracture propagations parallel to the compressive stress field. Other measurements indicated that cross-hole compression (p) wave velocities and single fracture permeability values were relatively insensitive to stress changes above the in situ value.

Jan 1, 1984

By H. D. Freeman

The Pacific Northwest Laboratory (PNL) is developing cover technology for uranium mill tailings that will inhibit the diffusion of radon to the atmosphere. As part of this cover program, an improved radon flux measurement system has been developed. The radon measurement system is a recirculating, pressure-balanced, flow-through system that uses activated carbon at ambient temperatures to collect the radon. With the system, an area of 0.93 m2 is sampled for periods ranging from 1 to 12 h. The activated carbon is removed from the radon trap and the collected radon is determined by counting the 214Bi daughter product. Development of the system included studies to determine the efficiency of activated carbon, relative calibration measurements and field measurements made during 1980 at the inactive tailings pile in Grand Junction, Colorado. Results of these studies are presented.

Jan 1, 1981

By N. R. Sainath

This paper discusses a laboratory investigation that studied the microscale flow characteristics of copper ores and the variation in flow behavior resulting from flow of leach solution. Fractures in 40- and 100-mm-diam (1.5- and 4-in.-diam) cores were first mapped by visual inspection. The permeability of cores to water-stressed in a triaxial stress field representative of in situ conditions - was estimated. The samples were then exposed to 20g/L (2.7 oz/gal) sulfuric acid and the experiment was repeated. The porosity and the rate of recovery of copper from the specimen during leaching were also studied. The measured permeability of unleached samples with no visible fractures ranged from 10-16 to 10-19 m2 and it increased as leaching progressed. The porosity increased significantly with leaching, while the rate of copper recovery decreased.

Jan 1, 1994

By Jeff Schwoebel, Arcy, D&apos Horner

The Deep Coal Seam Project is a multi- year, large-scale research and development effort between the Gas Research Institute (GRI) and Resource Enterprises, Inc. (REI). The project is being conducted at the Red Mountain Site, a multi-well test site located in the southeastern portion of the Piceance Basin near Collbran in Mesa County, Colorado. The project objective is to develop the drilling, reservoir evaluation, completion and production technology required to produce gas from a thick, deeply buried coal seam. To understand the parameters controlling gas production, project efforts are focused on the Cameo "D" coal reservoir which lies at a depth of about 1707 m (5,600 ft) at the test site. This paper overviews the drilling, testing, completion, and production techniques used on the 1, 2 and 3 Deep Seam wells and implications for resource development.

Jan 1, 1987

What is `environmental risk'? There are two possible perspectives: (a) The risk that mining activity will have an impact on the environment. (b) The risk that due to a perceived impact on the environment, the mining activity is at risk due to some legal consequence. This paper is concerned with the second of these perspectives, and particularly with the way in which mining companies can manage that risk. Environmental risk - possible legal consequences The risk is that the mining operation will be disrupted. Disruption may be: (a) Physical. The mining activity can be stopped, altered, or modified, or something additional can be required to be done. (b) Financial. Penalties (up to $1M) on corporations and in some states on both directors and managers. Land may also be included on a contaminated land register (significant impact on asset valuation).

Jan 1, 1994

By Robert S. Hendricks

The paper describes the design and operation of a Shaft Boring Machine (SBM). The machine has been developed by The Robbins Company. It is anticipated that the prototype, which will bore shafts in the 6.1 to 7.3 m (20 to 24 ft) size range, will be placed in operation during 1985. This pioneering application of rapid excavation technology is expected to lead to significant improvements in the cost and speed of shaft construction. The technical and economic factors which have limited the employment of Shaft Drilling and which caused unsatisfactory results with earlier attempts at Shaft Boring are reviewed. The design criteria adapted to overcome these problems are discussed. Cost and performance estimates are presented and are compared to conventional sinking methods. Factors that influence the application of the SBM to specific projects are reviewed.

Jan 1, 1985

By L. J. Prosser, A. T. Iannacchione

From 1991 through 1995, 44 miners out of a total workforce of less than 2,000 were fatally injured in the stone industry. Of these, 12 occurred at underground mining operations with nine deaths resulting from roof or rib falls. A safer environment can be achieved by evaluating the nature of the hazardous ground and by developing more efficient and effective ground-control strategies. Roof and rib conditions were observed and assessed in 33 underground stone mines in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Pennsylvania and West Virginia (Fig. 1). Hazard assessment indicated that the ground failures that occurred under moderate to substantial overburden, i.e., >30 m (100 ft), were caused by stress concentrations and geologic structures. Ground failures near the surface are caused by solution (water) processes. Selection of the mining horizon and mine-layout decisions

Jan 1, 1999

By Peter J. Jancich

This paper describes the installation of high capacity Augered Pressure Grouted piles which support structural loading from a four level parking garage in west-central DuPage County, Illinois. The subject site is characterized by a variable glacial geology which presented, to the designer, a number of problems with respect to analysis and prediction of pile capacities, and, to the contractor, the very real difficulties associated with estimating the costs of, and installing foundation units in highly variable subsurface conditions. 2. General Site and Subsurface Conditions 2.1 Site Conditions - The subject site is part of an overall 300 acre property. Topographically, the overall site is saddle shaped with higher elevations along north and south boundaries and a subdued, east-west trending swale centrally located. Elevation relief is on the order of 25-30 feet (7.6-9.2m).

Jan 1, 1991

By David J. Dunn

At a time when mill availability is at a premium, production costs are rising, and lead time for mill liner casting is a year or more, mill liner design is an important factor in ore grinding. Testing and selection of the optimum liner profile for a given set of mill operating conditions can improve mill capacity, reduce liner wear rate, and lengthen liner life. The mill liner that grinds best, lasts the longest, and costs the least is a necessity for economic mill operation. After testing four mill liner profiles for 3.96 X 3.65-m (13 x 12-ft) overflow ball mills, Climax Molybdenum Co. found that an improved design increased mill tonnage by 2.72 t/h (3 stph) while reducing finish grind by 1.7% minus 100-mesh, reduced liner wear rate, and almost doubled liner life.

Jan 12, 1976

[Adams, Douglas K General Electric Co., P.O. Box 2331, Denver 1, Colo. Adams, Kenneth L Peabody Coal Co., 301N, Memorial Dr., St. Louis, Mo. 63102 Allen, Earl W Mine Safety Appliances Co., 257 Rio Grand St., Salt Lake City, Utah Allen, Dr. Harry C U. S. Bureau of Mines, Washington, D. C. 20906 Alston, George L Mine Safety Appliances Co., 201 N. Braddock, Pittsburgh 8, Pa. Archer, Bryan J., Jr Peabody Coal Co., 421 Glenwood St., Grand Junction, Colo. Arentzen, E. M Lee-Norse Co., P.O. Box 582, Charleroi, Pa. Arentzen, L. E Lee-Norse Co., 6030 W. 55th Pl., Arvada, Colo. Arentzen, Rolf F Lee-Norse Co., Box 582, Charleroi, Pa. Artis, Cliff E Big Horn Coal Co., 247 Sherman Ave., Sheridan, Wyo. Atchison, Lee Atchison Construction Co., Drawer D, Aztec, N. Mex.]

Jan 1, 1967

By S. Kawai

Natural convective flow of the electrolyte solution plays an important role in several electrochemical systems. Copper refining electrolysis is the most important industrial process to produce high purity copper on large scale. Turbulent natural convection develops along vertical plane copper electrodes installed in an unstirred electrolyte accompanying with the electrochemical deposition and dissolution of copper during the electrolysis. It introduces the electrolyte stratification phenomenon. Thus, the electrolyte is circulated in a special way depending on each electrorefining tankhouse. The theoretical discussion is indispensable to understand the coupling phenomenon between the ionic mass transfer rate and the morphological variations of electrodeposited copper. In present study, the mass transfer rate of both Cu2+ and H+ ions as well as the momentum transfer rate is numerically analyzed accompanying with the turbulent natural convection along 1 m high Cu metal electrode surface.

Jan 1, 2007

By A. J. Buchan

The wear of steel pipelines used for the transportation of backfill slurries is frequently regarded as an erosion problem only. An investigation was undertaken of the likely contribution to the total 'wear rate' made by corrosion. Use was made of a pipe flow loop with catholically protected specimens and corrosion inhibitors. Laboratory electrochemical tests utilizing a rotating-cylinder electrode were also conducted. The slurries used were classified tailings from two mines at a relative density of 1,7. The velocities were between 2 and 4,9 m/s. Substantial decreases in the wear rate of up to 80 per cent for one slurry and up to 67 per cent for the other were obtained with the use of corrosion control, showing that corrosion and, more importantly, interaction between erosion and corrosion, contribute a significant portion of the overall wear in steel pipelines

Jan 1, 1994

MONTANA LOCAL SECTION Executive Committee F. M. SMITH, Chairman J. L. BRUCE, Vice-Chairman . D. C. BARD, Secretary, Box 267, Butte, Mont. FREDERICK LAIST W. C. SIDERFIN The semi-annual meeting of the Montana Section was held at the Silver Bow Block, Butte, Mont., on Friday evening, Oct. 8, 1915. An informal, subscription dinner, at $1.50 a plate, was enjoyed inn' the early evening, by 62 members and guests. After dinner a technical session was held, and a paper entitled Preliminary Outline of Paper on Mines in the Boulder Batholith was presented by J. A. Grimes, who is joint author of the paper, with Paul Billingsley. The paper elicited a lively and interesting discussion, in which a score of members took part. After the reading of the paper the rest of the evening was spent socially. D. C. BARD, Secretary.

Jan 12, 1915

By Scott Ellenbecker

The formation in Newmont Mining?s Phoenix Mine near Battle Mountain, NV contains high levels of abrasive quartzite as well as gold, copper and silver. Newmont started mining operations at Phoenix (formerly Battle Mountain Gold) three years ago and the planners knew they were working with a challenging geological formation. But as it turned out, it was more challenging than anticipated. Mine manager Mark Evatz said, ?Anything that touches Phoenix rock wears fast. The rock fights back here.? To contend with the hard conditions, Newmont uses Atlas Copco?s Pit Viper 271 (PV-271) blasthole drill. Because of the hardness of the rock, drilling at Phoenix requires hammer drilling and the mine uses Atlas Copco TD65 hammers with 171 mm (6.75 in.) bits. The mine?s PV-271?s are outfitted with a single 41 m3/min (1450 cfm), 2.4 MPa (350 psi), oil-flooded air compressor. Phoenix has six Atlas Copco PV-271 drill rigs plus an Atlas Copco DML and a DM45 midrange blasthole rig. The mine?s goal is to keep 3.6 Mt (4 million st) of muck in inventory to stay ahead of the shovels and support needed operational flexibility (ore control related). Drilling efficiency has been a continuous point of improvement since operations began at the mine. The single-pass depth capability of 16.5 m (55 ft) on the PV-271 helped with that. Originally, the plans called for 6-m (20-ft) bench heights, supported by 7-m (23-ft) drill depths, and time spent moving from hole to hole was eating up productivity. Drilling on that plan resulted in drilling an average of 14 m/h (47 ft/hour). When depths were changed to 13-m (44-ft) drill depth, supporting blasting of 12-m (40-ft) benches, they were able to use the single pass capacity of the PV-271. Performance increased to more than 18 m/h (60-ft/hour) an hour. Although the drill depth change largely supported the improvement, other aspects of continuous improvement associated with improved knowledge of the Pit Viper drills helped as well.

Jan 1, 2009

By Xianjun Lu

This paper presents gold occurrence investigations on the altered rock gold deposit from Jiaodong area of China, and comparisons of gold occurrence in the ore samples from different mining levels. According to the results, the chemical and mineral compositions of raw materials from different mining levels are quite similar. However, the relative content and grain size of gold minerals are quite different between the two mining levels of -130m~-340m and -550m~-650m. In the ore of upper mining levels of -130m~-340m, electrum is the dominant gold mineral and accounts for about 80% of the total gold minerals, while native gold is minor and accounts for about 20%. As for the ore of deep mining levels of -550m~-650m, the major gold mineral shifts to native gold which accounts for 67%, while the ratio of electrum drops to about 33%. Coarser gold grain size was observed in the upper mining level ore with a mean size of 33.05µm while the gold grain size was much finer in the ore of deep mining levels with a mean size of 22.85µm. Furthermore, the gold mineral associations also show different patterns between the upper mining level samples and the deep mining level samples. Of the three observed gold association types such as inclusion gold, fissure gold and interparticle gold, more inclusion gold was found in the ore of deep mining levels. The inclusion gold accounts for 62% in the ore of deep mining levels, while that in the ore of upper mining levels accounts for about 56%. Further study revealed that the dominant gold associated minerals are pyrite and sulphides and only a small amount of gold is associated with quartz and silicates. It was shown that the altered rock gold ore from Jiaodong area can be regarded as a free milling gold ore, but the processing parameters should be optimized for the ores in different mining levels according to the different gold occurrence. In addition, it was predicted that enhanced gold liberation is necessary for the ore in deep mining levels.

Sep 1, 2012

By José Ricardo Lopes, Alaor Coelho, Marco Gomes, Alfredo Dacio Moraes Filho, Akira Koshima

"Very low strength alluvial peat soil was found under two old drainage galleries with just 4.3m cover above a twin tunnel due to be excavated by a 10.6m diameter EPB Shield for São Paulo Metro’s Line 5. Alignment was required to strengthen soil and drive the TBM through safely without damaging the galleries. The design included six levels of self-drilling forepoling with lengths up to 15m, using 100 mm-diameter SCH160 metal tubing and injection bulbs with estimated 0.20m diameter. Two 6m-diameter circular shafts were excavated along the shield-tunnel axis, one each side of the galleries, and forepoling fanned out under gallery foundations. Given the peculiar soil and confined working space, more data were needed for correct drilling geometry. Ground mass treatment was successfully designed and executed and galleries were fitted with instruments to enable the shield’s advance. DESCRIPTION São Paulo Metro’s Line 5 (aka Lilas or purple line) is adding 11 stations along an 11.5km extension and three EPB TBMs are being used simultaneously (three EPBs on the same job for the first time in Brazil) with one of them excavating a large cross- section twin-track tunnel. Currently the largest work-in-progress for São Paulo Metro, this project has been divided into seven lots and 9km are already operational. This study refers to Lot 6 where the 10.6m - diameter EPB shield excavation is only 4.3m below two galleries running through a 10m layer of very soft peat soil in an old alluvial riverside region ringed by major roads. After recent filling, this area (Parque das Bicicletas) was used for recreation, although temporarily it has become a construction site. This paper will describe the original basic design; precautions in relation to the structural condition of the galleries after inspection; the problem of absence of data for their foundations; subsoil bore tests; evolution of the engineering design for the galleries and conditioning and reinforcing the soft soil below the galleries to ensure safe advance of the EPB shield, and finally the successful outcome of the solution used."

Jan 1, 2016

By J. Keith Haddock

"The Luscar Mine is a metallurgical coal mine located in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies, 41 km southeast of Hinton, Alberta. The mine is operated by Cardinal River Coals Ltd., a 50/50 joint venture between Luscar Ltd. and Consolidation Coal Company of Canada. The mine produces a high quality medium volatile metallurgical coal which is sold on the export market principally to Japan and South Korea. Operations consist of a surface mine with capacity to produce 3.0 million tonnes per year and an underground mine which is currently mothballed due to market conditions.GeologyBedrock units within the Luscar minesite are of Devonian to Upper Cretaceous age. The commercial coal measures in the area are, however, confined within the Lower Luscar Formation. The Luscar Formation consists of a 460-metre thick sequence of interbedded sandstones, shales and coal seams. The sequence is primarily deltaic in origin, and is bounded to the north and south at the Luscar mine by tectonically induced thrust faulting.The only mineable coal seam at Luscar is referred to locally as the Jewel seam. Average thickness of this coal measure is usually 10.5 m to 14 m, although in some areas folding and faulting has produced ""pods"" of coal from 15 m to over 40 m thick while in others the structural deformation has thinned the coal to 3.0 m to 4.6 m. Waste within the Jewel seam seldom exceeds a metre of shale, carbonaceous shale or infrequent sandstone stringers.Reserves and Coal QualityProven surface mineable reserves, based on pit scheduling through 1996, are 50.8 million raw tonnes. An additional 19.2 million raw tonnes are contained in possible extensions to the present planned operations. These surface mineable reserves are considered to be those reserves within 155 m of the surface. Underground reserves, located within 770 m of the surface show that 25.7 million raw tonnes have been proven to date in additon to 27 .5 million indicated and 260 miIJion inferred.Coal specification at Luscar Mine is as follows:"

Jan 1, 1985