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By K. Woo

"With ever-increasing global demand for mineral resources, mining companies are considering developing deeper, more complex and lower grade ore bodies. Recent years have seen the transition from surface to underground mass mining operations to access deeper resources, with mass mining methods such as block and panel caving being favoured due to the tonnages and economics achievable when dealing with lower grade ore. However, the rock engineering interactions involved with such plans are complex and challenging given the significant disturbance caused to the surface environment. If not properly accounted for, the unexpected propagation of a cave breaking through to surface or the differential surface displacements otherwise produced may threaten the safety and integrity of overlying mine and civil infrastructure.This paper reports the findings of a comprehensive research programme focussed on investigating and integrating new developments in remote sensing characterization and monitoring technologies with state-of-the-art numerical modelling to better manage the challenges and geo-risk associated with the transitioning from open pit to underground mass mining. Procedures were developed to integrate discrete fracture networks (DFN) into finite-element/discrete-element analyses to simulate the influence of rock mass fabric on cave propagation and the evolution of caving-induced surface subsidence and step-path failure of large open pit slopes through the progressive failure of rock bridges. The results clearly showed that caving-induced surface deformations tend to be discontinuous and asymmetric due to large movements around the cave controlled by geologic structures, rock mass heterogeneity and topographic effects. Although parallel investigations of empirical design charts used to predict caving-induced deformations were found to be moderately sufficient for assessing the extent of macro deformations directly above the undercut (i.e. caving collapse features), numerical modelling was found to provide the only means to confidently estimate the lateral extent of smaller strain subsidence.These results were further supported by the use of high-resolution synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data to monitor the ground deformations associated with block caving production, and to use these to calibrate and constrain a series of predictive 3-D numerical models focussed on Rio Tinto's Palabora mine in South Africa. The InSAR data was obtained from Canada’s recently launched RADARSAT-2. The close fit achieved between the predictive 3-D numerical model and InSAR monitoring data demonstrates the significant value of InSAR calibrated 3-D numerical models applied to subsidence prediction.Collectively, the results from this research programme have helped to further the characterization, assessment and understanding of mass mining-induced subsidence, and its evolution, by addressing existing limitations in the use of empirical and numerical design methods. The limitations and uncertainty arising from mine site data were detailed, specifically the representation of mine geology, rock mass properties, in-situ stresses and cave propagation, together with means to constrain these inputs and calibrate sophisticated 3-D numerical models through back analysis and integration with high resolution monitoring data."

Jan 1, 2015

By W. H. Fertl, S. J. Pirson

Well logging techniques, as used successfully in oil and gas exploration, can also be used to give a detailed evaluation of drill holes through industrial mineral deposits such as sulphur. This paper describes the logging tools used gives the theory behind the well-log interpretation and discusses the application of the method in sulphur-bearing limestone and m more complex sulphur deposits.

Jan 1, 1970

By J. Stachulak

In recent years more emphasis has been placed on the control of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) emissions from mining diesel equipment. Worldwide, diesel engine regulations to control emission and protect the environment are also driving the development of the diesel engine technology to reduce oxides of nitrogen NOx (Nitric oxide, NO + NO2). NOx are toxic gases produced in mines during the operation of diesel equipment. Most of the diesel equipment used in underground operations are equipped with Diesel Oxidization Catalysts (DOCs) designed to reduce carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrocarbons (HC). The effects of DOCs on NO2 production from diesel powered equipment is not well understood. DOCs do not alter NOx concentration, but may promote the oxidization of engine exhaust NO to the more toxic NO2, thus increasing the undesirable NO2 exposure of workers in the mine environment. In 2012, the ACGIH reduced the NO2 TLV concentration value from 3 ppm to 0.2 ppm. Vale and CanmetMINING have been involved in several research projects to reduce diesel emissions exposure to workers. One aspect of the current program is to determine the effects of in-use DOCs on NO2 production. Several in-use DOCs taken from mining equipment were selected for testing in the laboratory using ISO 8178-C1 and mine LHD transient test cycles. The paper presents the laboratory test results and effects of DOCs on NO2 production. The results indicate significant reductions in CO concentration, by over 77%, while increases in NO2 varied from 46% to 315% based on the ISO 8178-C1 8-mode steady state test cycle. The mine LHD transient test cycle showed the same pattern, although the magnitude of CO reduction was less. Consequently, it is recommended the use of only those DOCs that have been properly evaluated and shown not to significantly increase NO2 emission in the environment be used on mine equipment.

Aug 1, 2013

"Some of the tools developed for the processing of nickel laterite ore by resin-in-pulp (RIP) may be applicable to the remediation of metalliferous mine drainage (MMD). In both cases, recovery of metal value and production of a stable waste stream appropriate for long term storage is desired. MMD typically has the additional challenge of management of toxic low-value metals. Seen in this light, innovations in RIP reactor configuration, selective elution strategies and novel synthetic ion exchange resins become useful tools for taking on the MMD challenge in a way that maximizes both environmental and economic benefit. INTRODUCTIONAcid mine drainage (AMD) is a common problem in any country with significant past mining activity. When sulphide containing minerals, tailings or slag are exposed to water, oxygen and sulphur oxidizing bacteria, AMD will result. Abundant and reactive iron sulphide minerals leach first, providing acidity and the ferrous/ferric couple that can enhance the oxidation kinetics of other minerals. If this runoff contacts encounters acid consuming carbonates or silicates, the acidity may be neutralized, but certain heavy metals remain in solution and can continue to be an environmental hazard (Gray, 1997). For this reason, the remainder of this paper will refer to the broader term metalliferous mine drainage (MMD) rather than acid mine drainage. In either case, such drainage, containing high heavy metal concentrations and often significant acidity, is toxic to aquatic life and can lead to significant damage to ecosystems and to public watercourses. MMD is a problem most commonly associated with now defunct sulphide mineral mines, but similarly toxic streams can result from many types of waste, such as poorly stabilized leach tailings, slag heaps, and coal flotation tailings (Johnson and Hallberg, 2005; Lee et al., 2002; Sainz et al., 2002; Schüring et al., 1997). In any case, the management and remediation of MMD is an important ongoing problem for the resource industry, particularly for the many mines in Canada closed before the advent of more stringent environmental standards. MMD remediation represents a significant long term expense for the resource industry. Multi-disciplinary efforts to understand and mitigate this problem range from creation of artificial wetlands (Poulin and Lawrence, 1996; Sheoran and Sheoran, 2006) to sophisticated biochemical reactors and precipitation processes (Hatami, 2010). Certain remediation technologies such as ion exchange offer methods to make a saleable product by recovering valuable dissolved metals. This paper will show how these technologies can help defray the cost of remediation, and offer potential to turn a dangerous waste stream into a useful product."

Jan 1, 2012

By Soumitry J. Ray

Poor visibility of powered industrial vehicles, such as forklifts, used in industry is often the cause of accidents that include pedestrians. Current standards allow up to 20 % non-visible regions for forklifts where measurement of these regions is performed by using lamps. A collaboration of research organizations, including National Institute of Standards and Technology, Georgia Institute of Technology (NIST), and Direct Dimensions, has been evaluating advanced methods for measuring a forklift operator?s visibility. These methods can potentially improve visibility standards. They can also help forklift and sensor manufacturers to determine (1) how visibility-assist sensors and algorithms can be designed and (2) where sensors can be mounted on forklifts. This paper includes explanation of visibility measurement experiments performed and results, associated language suggested to standards organizations, and a prototype design for measuring the visibility of forklifts automatically.

Aug 1, 2013

By S. Glen

Cyanide management practices on modern gold plants are becoming more onerous, due to environmental pressures, particularly for signatories to the International Cyanide Management Code. Operations are therefore seeking to reduce levels of weak-acid dissociable (WAD) cyanide reporting to spigot discharge as well as to any eventual discharges from the tailings storage facility (TSF). Current gold industry standard processes primarily include the oxidation of cyanide by means of sodium meta-bisulfite (SMBS, or SO2) with air, Caro&apos;s acid (H2SO5) or hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). These processes require the transport and usage of expensive oxidizing reagents, along with the safety and environmental issues associated with these corrosive and toxic chemicals. Maelgwyn Mineral Services (MMS) has developed the MMS CN-DTM process, which utilizes the Aachen ReactorTM, a high-energy mass-transfer superoxygenation system, in conjunction with an activated carbon-based catalyst and no additional reagents, to increase the rate of cyanide oxidation to cyanate, the thermodynamically more stable form. Testwork conducted at the Maelgwyn Australia testwork facility in Perth Australia is described, at both pilot scale and continuous bench-scale, on a sample of tailings effluent obtained from an Australian gold plant. WAD cyanide is demonstrated to be lowered using the MMS CN-DTM process from an influent of 130 mg/L to the required levels for discharge to TSF (<50 mg/L). The continuous test results showed stable operation over three residence time turnovers. The pilot-scale results demonstrated the efficiency of the process at the reasonably large scales required for engineering cost estimation.

Jan 1, 2011

By T. G. Edgeworth

Some of the historical background of the industry is reviewed, with reference to the different types of reduction cells in use for aluminum smelting. Factors to be considered in cell des1gn involve capital, power, and operating costs. The trend is apparently toward larger cells. The industry is studying new construction materials for cell linings, as well as alternate electrolyte compositions and other design changes which will improve productivity and energy efficiency. The aluminum smelting activity in other countries is briefly reviewed. TODA Y'S industrial production of aluminum is still based on the simultaneous discoveries made in 1886 by Charles Martin Hall in Ohio, and Paul Heroult in France. Up to that date, only about 50 tons of aluminum had been produced in the world, and the price at that time was about $5 per pound. Sucl1 figures must be contrasted with the present world aluminum smelting capacity of over five mil-lion tons per year, and a price of about 25 cents per pound.

Jan 1, 1962

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 H. H. Bird

Kilembe is situated in the foothills of the Ruwenzori Mountains in Uganda. Precambrian stratiform copper de-posits are currently being mined at a rate of 90,000 tons per month. Complex ore structures and variable ground conditions have led to diverse mining methods in the past. New mining areas contain more shallow-dipping, highly contorted orebodies, in heavy ground. Cut-and-fill mining will be practised in the future. The geology, mining and milling are described.

Jan 1, 1968

By M. A. EI Zeky, A. E. El-Nikbaily, M. A. Shahin

"Possible mechanisms of microsilica dust formation and factors affecting its quantity have been discussed. General mathematical models to predict the dust quantity based on electrical and coke consumptions, and flue gas temperature as functions of silicon recovery in the process and silicon content of the alloy have been established. It has also been shown that the flue gas temperature can be used as an additional process control parameter. Comments are made on the effect of the dust formation on the whole process economics and it is pointed out that the formed microsilica dust is a valuable by-product and not an industrial waste. INTRODUCTIONFerrosilicon is produced in electric arc furnaces with submerged electrodes. The charge mixture consist s mainly of quartzite, coke as the reducing agent and iron chips. The products are ferro silicon and carbon monoxide, various other volatile materials, water vapour and silicon monoxide gas. Carbon monoxide and silicon monoxide oxidize at the charge surface when mixed with air entering through the furnace hood openings. The off-gas contains a considerable amount of dust, which is mainly very fine particles of silica formed as a result of oxidation. The emission of dust containing gases to the atmosphere causes serious pollution problems to the environment. Therefore, the control of the formation of the dust, preventing it from escaping to the atmosphere, and dealing with this very fine dust collected from the flue gases represent important technological and economical parameters in the ferrosilicon production industry.This paper is concerned with the relations between the quantity of formed micro silica dust, as a function of both silicon recovery and silicon content in the alloy, and various other technological parameters; and their possible effects on the energy consumption and economics of the whole process."

Jan 1, 1989

By R. L. Christie

"THE ISLANDS lying north of the Canadian mainland, and the large Boothia and Melville peninsulas, form one of the great archipelagos of the world; this sparsely vegetated and nearly unpeopled region extends about 1,500 miles east to west and 1,200 miles from the mainland to the northern tip of the northern-most island. Sea access to most of the islands is restricted by ice to the summer season, and the 'polar pack' ice of the Arctic Ocean presses the year round against the northwest margin of the archipelago. Although the region is remote, the accessibility has greatly increased through a network of weather stations, airfields and air routes connecting with southern centres.The area considered in this paper is that part of the island region underlain mainly by sedimentary rocks. In broad terms, this includes the land and sea areas of the archipelago and the adjacent continental shelf, but excludes the dominantly 'Shield' terrain of Baffin Island, and of Melville and Boothia peninsulas. An impression of the size and potential of this sedimentary region may be gained by comparing some areas: the land area of islands underlain mainly by sedimentary rocks is over 300,000 square miles or about 50,000 square miles greater than the area of Alberta. The total area of the region, including the continental shelf and the inter-island areas, may be double this figure, and may approximate one-seventh of the land area of Canada."

Jan 1, 1970

By Hooman Askari-Nasab

Open pit mine plans define the complex strategy of displacement of ore and waste over the mine life. The objective of the mine plan is to maximize the future cash flows within the technical and physical constraints. Various mixed integer linear programming (MILP) formulations have been used for production scheduling of open pit mines. In the MILP formulation the slope constraints guarantee that all the overlying blocks are mined prior to mining a given block. Traditionally, the slope constraints have been modeled with cone templates representing the required wall slopes of the open pit mine. The overall pit slopes constructed by these templates are a function of the width and height of the geological block model. Therefore, the overall slopes are fixed in one bearing. This paper presents a general MILP model for open pit mine scheduling with variable slopes constraints. The methodology utilizes a directed graph to capture the precedence of extraction of blocks and pit slopes in different bearings. Depth-first-search algorithm was used to traverse the graph for constructing the slope constraints in the MILP problem. TOMLAB/CPLEX was used as the implementation platform to efficiently integrate the mathematical solver package CPLEX with MATLAB. A case study on intermediate scheduling of an iron ore mine over twelve periods was carried out to validate the models.

Oct 1, 2009

By S. Torizuka, I. Mizushima. Kawasakitohri, A. Ohmori, K. Nagai

Strain (work)-hardening in tensile tests were examined for low carbon steels with various ferrite grain sizes ranged from 0.4µm to 16µm. The steels had microstructures composed of ferrite grains and dispersed cementite particles. They were fabricated through warm caliber rolling with an accumulative area reduction of 93%. Strain-hardening rate at a given strain increased with an increase in volume fraction of cementite particles. The balance of yield strength and uniform elongation for ultrafine-grained structures could be improved by the dispersion of cementite particles. Effects of the cementite dispersion and the ferrite grain size on the strain-hardening rate can be roughly explained by the work-hardening model with GN-dislocation density. Strain-hardening design using dispersed cementites was proved to be effective in controlling ductility of the ultrafine-grained steels.

Jan 1, 2004

By M. A. Power

The diamondiferous Drybones Bay kimberlite pipe is the largest pipe (900 m by 400 m) discovered to date in the Northwest Territories. The pipe intrudes granodiorite of the Archean age Defeat Pluton and contains crater, reworked crater (epiclastic) and diatreme facies kimberlite. In-situ measurements of seismic p-wave velocity were recorded with in-line refraction arrays over representative areas. Refractions from fresh kimberlite were recorded over epiclastic facies kimberlite in the eastern portion of the pipe and returned an average velocity of 4300 m/s. Refractions from weathered kimberlite were recorded on all lines and returned velocities ranging from 1900 m/s to 2200 m/s. Granite surrounding the pipe returned an average velocity of 5400 m/s. The results indicate that there is a definite contrast in seismic velocities between kimberlite and country rocks at Drybones Bay and suggest that seismic refraction surveys may be an effective means of screening kimberlite targets in glaciated areas underlain by igneous or metamorphic rocks.

Jan 1, 1998

By I. Spector

A SHORTAGE of cement in the Prairie Provinces, together with an aggressive policy on the part of the Saskatchewan Government in bringing new industries to the province, combined to create a favourable set of conditions for the establishment of Saskatchewan's first cement plant on the outskirts of Regina. Built by Saskatchewan Cement Corporation Limited, this single-kiln plant, tl1e latest addition to cement producers on the Prairies, began operations in the Fall of 1956. Location of the plant followed the trend of building cement manufacturing facilities in market areas rather than at raw material sources. In 1957, all assets of the Corporation were taken over by Inland Cement Company Limited and the plant and quarry now operate as Saskatchewan Cement Company, an Inland division. The Regina plant's production makes up approximately eleven per cent of the productive capacity of all plants in the Prairie Provinces. At present, two types of cement are manufactured -normal portland and sulphate resisting.

Jan 1, 1960

By J. M. Hong, H. K. Zheng, R. Hu, C. B. Zhou

The Jinping-I double curvature arch dam, located in the middle reach of the Yalong River and with a maximum height of 305 m, is the world highest dam of the same type that has been completed. Since the second and third periods of the reservoir impounding, after which the reservoir water level was raised by about 200 m, a significant amount of leakage was observed out of the drainage holes deployed in the lowest drainage tunnel at the left-bank abutment at EL. 1595 m, with a pressure of 0.3 MPa at one typical hole when it was blocked. In this study, a number of analyses including water quality analysis, digital borehole imaging, tunnel geological mapping and in-situ groundwater monitoring were performed to investigate the source of leaking, the leakage passages and the performance of the grouting curtains. An inverse modeling procedure combining the orthogonal design, finite element forward modeling of the transient seepage flow, artificial neural network and genetic algorithm was invoked to further evaluate the permeability of the foundation rocks whose permeability was underestimated in design, using the in-situ measurements of flow rate and piezometric head. The geological structures that lead to the leakage were identified and the seepage flow behaviors in the dam foundation and the left bank abutment were assessed. Given the connectivity nature of the sub-vertically oriented fractures that induce the leakage event, it is found that some of the drainage holes with relative larger amount of discharge could be closed or blocked for reducing the amount of leakage without remarkably increasing the pore water pressure in the foundation rocks.

Jan 1, 2015

Agenda ? Where?s Victor ? What work was done to get approval to spend $982m ? a brief history ? Some project facts ? The triple bottom-line accomplishments to date ? Construction A Brief History of Victor ? 1960?s ? first sampling in area ? 1980?s ? stream samples and Victor kimberlite discovered ? 1990?s ? test / bulk samples ? 1999 / 2000 ? large bulk samples ? 2000 / 2003 ? technical evaluation through to Feasibility Study, permitting process

May 1, 2006

CHALLENGES TO SCHEDULE/BUDGET Shortage of people (contractors, vendor support, engineering, staff) 2007 projects off the shelf Increase in metals prices Shortage of large tires Reserve increase Size of mine Unskilled labor force Community/government relations Limited access into valley English to Spanish SOLUTION Line 1 Line 2 concurrent construction, EPCM engineering review, advance scheduling Placed line 2 orders earlier Hedged currency, bulk orders Strategic alliances Flexible design Plan Deliveries Training, multiple contractors Engagement Built/upgraded roads Technical translators

May 1, 2010

Keeping the sediment on the mine site and out of the water course is essential from the regulatory, environmental and sustainability perspectives. Regulation of this aspect of mining is embedded in environmental legislation and government receiving water quality standards, and government control has apparently been considered to be the most appropriate method to define mine site discharge standards and the environmental implications of sediment in downstream watercourses. A literature search for guidelines for the site specific design and operation of sediment ponds treating mine site runoff to remove total suspended solids, turbidity and flocculant-induced toxicity, revealed little information on the mining industry?s and government?s roles in defining the ?how to achieve? related to sediment pond design. Is there a need or reason for an industry-driven leadership to clearly define the ?how to? keep the sediment on the mine site and out of the water course? Currently, this issue is addressed in Canada by a federal mining regulation for metal mines which specifies discharge quality for sediment. This paper focuses on the method used in British Columbia, Canada, to regulate and provide a scientific methodology to control the discharge of sediment from mine sites. Management plans relative to this topic are discussed and are considered to have value from the exploration, construction, operation and the onset of closure phases. In addition, the balance and linkage between the erosion control management plan and the sediment pond management plan are discussed in terms of how they may be designed to complement each other to lower the risk of exceeding discharge and receiving water quality standards. If there were an industry-driven standard, or guidance document relative to addressing sediment release, it would benefit mining companies by eliminating the repetitive analysis of this topic for each new mine, mine expansion, and mine modification; also, government may often replace certain aspects of permitting with a regulation, if there is a government/industry established standard defining Best Achievable Technology (e.g. the Canadian Metal Mining Effluent Regulations).

Aug 1, 2013

By A. G. Matyas, B. Wasmund, R. C. Francki, K. M. Donaldson

"The construction of large. high-power electric furnaces has been an important factor in the growth of electric smelting technology . New developments in the design and operation of electric furnaces have been spurred by the escalating cost of electric power and increasingly stringent environmental constraints. Key areasofprogress include the application of high voltage to enhance furnace productivity; the installation of novel furnace cooling elements and robust binding systems to extend furnace life; development of process schemes to reduce power consumption by preheating and prereduction of the charge; and environmental control improvements for handling fine dusty feedstocks, and for furnace sealing.This paper reviews these developments and outlines a systematic approach for their application in the custom design of new or retrofit electric furnace facilities.IntroductionThe use of electric smelting furnaces has continued to progress during the last decade. Electric furnaces offer high throughput capacity and productivity. In addition, they produce minimum environmental impact, as the furnaces can be readily sealed, and only a small quantity of off-gas is generated. Electric furnaces present the most favourable choice of smelting technology where high process temperatures in excess of about l400°C are required.Their application is burdened by the escalating cost of electric power, hence it is important to seek new opportunities through further technological development. This paper reviews recent developments in the design and operation of high-power electric smelting furnaces, in the following areas:"

Jan 1, 1993