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By E. J. Lintner

This paper is one of a series being prepared by the United States Bureau of Mines describing clay mining, crushing and grinding methods, and costs at various clay-mining operations throughout the United States. These papers are designed to disseminate technical information regarding methods used. The cost tabulations represent local operating expenditures only and not total production costs. Although the publication of total production costs might not be advisable in some instances, yet a knowledge of operating costs is essential to the technical discussion and study of the methods employed. The attention of the reader is specifically called to-this distinction between total and operating costs in order that no misunderstanding of the cost tabulations shall ensue. The following report deals specifically with the methods employed by the Dennison Sewer Pipe Co., Dennison, Tuscarawas County, Ohio.

Jan 1, 1936

By C. Melvin Lepper

The Bureau of Mines has developed an improved earth resistivity field system which employs a novel technique for obtaining null measurements. The instrument is designed to operate reliably in high-noise environments such as those found in the vicinity of operating mines. The system consists of a low-frequency transmitter, a sensitive receiver and an external battery pack, each in its own case to provide protection from the elements. The receiver and transmitter units have self-contained recharge-able batteries to supply power to the circuitry and separate built-in battery chargers that operate on standard 115 Vac power. The system is portable and simple to operate. Measurement accuracy, reliability, and dynamic range are superior to most commercially available equipment even though less time and effort is required to make null readings. Unlike some commercial systems, long integration times are not required to enhance signal-to-noise ratio in areas of high background noise.

Jan 1, 1974

By J. Haynes

Coal mines in the eastern US often use sloped shafts as production beltways for ore removal, as means of access for supplies, and for ventilation. These structures are usually completed with the help of a contractor. In late 2011, Frontier-Kemper Constructors was engaged to build a slope for a coal mine in southern Indiana. Although the site was located in familiar Illinois basin formations, the geology proved to be very difficult. This paper describes some of the challenges faced during excavation of this slope and the methods used to overcome them, including changing the method from conventional drill and blast to cutting with a continuous miner.

Feb 27, 2013

By Fraser Rowe

This paper discusses the philosophies, strategies, goals and pitfalls in automating a mine schedule. The intention of the paper is to give an open and honest view of who could benefit from moving to an automated system, what you can expect from such a system, and what you should be aware of. Many companies feel that moving to an automated mine planning solution will allow the mine scheduling engineer to push a button and walk away, but the reality is that is hardly ever the case. Part of that awareness comes from understanding what is meant by ?automated mine scheduling?, and this paper address that. By contrasting what is meant by ?manual scheduling? and ?automated scheduling? it is hoped that the reader can gain an appreciation of the entire process.

Oct 1, 2009

Ground support audits are sometimes necessary in ageing underground mines. Usually, the purpose of such audits is to assess the state of the ground support in various parts of the mine, identify areas that require attention and establish rehabilitation requirements. In 2005, Brunswick Mine, located in Bathurst, New Brunswick, Canada, completed a comprehensive mine-wide ground support audit. The areas examined included excavations in several mining blocks, as well as ramps, shaft stations, garages, shops, etc., throughout the mine. A vast amount of data was collected over a period of two weeks by multiple auditing teams. The audit was followed by a data digitisation exercise, and the creation of a data management system to store audit results and keep track of subsequent rehabilitation activities as they occur. One aspect of the data management system was the incorporation of a function for reporting on ground rehabilitation progress, along with the capability of updating mine level plans for easy visual presentation of this progress. This article describes the approach implemented at the mine to carry-out the audit, as well as the database constructed to manage the results.

May 1, 2009

The mineralogy and textures of a portion oC ore from the 25 level northern orebody, North mine, Broken Hill are described. This ore, in places, contains up to 70 per cent cubanite (CuFe2S3 ) which has crystallized directly with other sulphides and associated gangue minerals.Several breakdown reactions involving the cubanite are also considered.

Jan 1, 1969

By S. O?Connor

When one looks back and does assessments of what has been the key ingredient in achieving success in our safety efforts, there are many issues that spring to mind and cover a wide array of elements. One does not know which has the ultimate maximum effect. In his presentation yesterday, Alan Peers, our SHEQ leader, covered a lot of detail with the way we are managing safety at Modikwa. I have attempted to identify some of the key essentials in making the mine safe. Passion Safety is addressed with a passion that is unbelievable at times. When I get phoned because an incident has occurred and in reporting the incident, there are already action plans being put in place to prevent re-occurrences, you understand the commitment to put employees? safety first. You hear the disappointment in your subordinates? voices when they have to share the fact that an incident or accident has occurred.

Jan 1, 2011

By Bill Stormes

This paper will discuss implementation of the Hilti OneStep rock anchor technology to improve face bolting operations during the May 2008 longwall move; increase rock anchor installation capacity; and improve safety by reducing employee exposure periods by utilizing the Hilti OneStep rock anchors.

Jan 1, 2008

By McElroy. G. E.

"INTRODUCTION The ventilation of development faces in mines for diluting gas or dust concentrations and, in hot mines for providing air-motion cooling effect, by fan pipe units discharging high-velocity streams of air close to the face, is an important phase of mine ventilation. The effectiveness of such units depends largely on the air-flow distribution between the pipe discharge and the face, a subject on which little definite information is available. A study of the air flow from grills into rooms 3/ has provided some basic data, but under conditions no different from mine fan-pipe installations in development ends that the data are of doubtful application to mine installations, owing to differences in air-flow conditions.The purpose of this report is to present and discuss the results of an initial series of tests of a general investigation designed to yield definite laws and design data for the discharge of fan-pipe lines in mines. This series was planned to yield preliminary data on the effects of velocity of discharge, size and shape of pipe, and adjacent walls on the air-flow distribution. Tents were made on 10-inch pine with seven different end conditions and one change of wall condition. Changes in size and shape of discharge wore made by short transformation pieces directly at the discharge end, with the result that effects due to contraction and expansion of the flow, which proved to be of much greater importance than was expected, totally obscured any normal effects due to size and shape. The results of this series of tests, therefore, relate to 10-inch pipe with various discharge designs and are so reported."

Aug 1, 1940

By Mark H. Balfe

Over the last decade, Fenway Park has undergone annual improvements to modernize the facility for players and fans. These renovations include the Monster Seats, the Right Field Roof expansion, a new pavilion behind home plate, expansion of the Red Sox clubhouse, additional roof seating, and concourse improvements. Retrofitting the historic ballpark to bring it up to current standards required installation of foundations to support the new structural loads for each of the alteration projects. This required evaluation of existing conditions, and in many cases augmentation of the foundations at existing columns to accommodate the structural changes to the park. New foundations, generally consisting of drilled-in micropiles, were installed in numerous configurations and conditions. Since 2003, a total of 215 drilled-in micropiles have been installed to augment various columns around the park. The micropiles range in capacity between 40 and 70 tons and are installed through Fill and Organic Soils and embedded into the dense Glaciofluvial Sand and Gravel layer. Issues and learning related to the foundation augmentation include schedule constraints (work is typically conducted during the off-season and schedule is very aggressive), encountering old/abandoned utilities or foundations, ventilation of equipment, and management of spoils during micropile installation.

Jan 1, 2011

By Sylvain Létourneau

Help organizations maximize the benefits of the data that they collect ? perform scientific research in: machine learning, data mining, statistics, artificial intelligence, soft computing, information retrieval, information systems, and natural language processing ? preferred application areas: Equipment Health Management, Bioinformatics, Health, Web Mining ? today?s talk limited to Equipment Health Management While the aircraft is still in the air, IDS: ? clusters relevant WRN, FLR, and snag (pilot) messages ? identifies probable causes based on TSM and provide links to corresponding TSM pages ? assesses MEL conditions (GO, NOGO, GOIF, ?) ? displays relevant maintenance history, suggests fixes based on similar cases ? Commercialization with MxI Technologies Ltd and Air Canada in 2000

May 1, 2008

By J. van Lookeren

In the case of a reservoir where the oil underlies a large gas cap and overlies bottom water, production can be inzproved considerably if wells are perforated below the water-oil contact rather than opposite the oil-bearing section. The theoretical arguments for this improvement, which in some cases may be tenfold, are supported by experimental evidence. INTRODUCTION Reservoirs frequently consist of one sand body containing an oil layer underlying a thick, gas-bearing section and overlying bottom water (Fig. 1). Wells in such reservoirs are customarily opened up opposite the oil-bearing interval or, rather, opposite the lower part of this interval (Fig. 2). More often than not, it is inefficient or prohibited to blow off large quantities of gas with the oil. This im-psses a severe limitation on the drawdown, which results in low oil-production rates. Because of the small difference in specific gravity between oil and water, the latter will easily cone upwards, so that the production of water together with the oil is not prevented by this completion method. In such a situation wells should be opened deeper, in the originally water-bearing zone. The gas can be shut off by not perforating over the upper part of the interval (Fig. 3) or by a tubing hung close to the bottom of the interval (Fig. 4). Initially much water will be produced, but when steady-state conditions have been established (as depicted in Figs. 3 and 4) larger drawdowns are permissible than in a conventionally completed well, and correspondingly higher oil-production rates will result. Water cuts are only slightly higher because of the small effect of gravity on the water-oil flow distribution. CALCULATIONS The ratio of improvement has been estimated by means of approximate calculations. The completion depicted in Fig. 4 is the most convenient basis for these calculations. By postulating that vertical flow gradients can be disregarded, the Appendix shows that the well-known Dupuit formula can be obtained except for some complication due to the presence of two fluids rather than one. The Appendix makes the reasonable assumption that, for suitable boundary conditions, the oil layer occupies a constant fraction of the total fluid height throughout the reservoir. The oil- and water-production rates can thus be related to the liquid levels in the borehole as follows:

Jan 1, 1966

By M. Dworzanowski

The physical beneficiation of iron ore that has a wide particle-size distribution is problematic, regardless of the process applied, whether dense medium separation, gravity concentration, magnetic separation, or flotation. The problem of particle size is further compounded when there is a significant -10 µm fraction. Generally the approach to a wide particle-size distribution is to split into narrower size ranges and treat each separately. More often than not the -10 µm fraction is not treated but discarded. This approach results in a more complicated and expensive flow sheet and the loss of any potential value in the -10 µm fraction. Wet high-intensity magnetic separation (WHIMS) bench-scale test work was conducted on a haematite-rich material with a particle size of -200 µm. What made this material different was that it contained a 60% -10 µm fraction, hence discarding the -10 µm material was not an option. The objective of the test work was to determine how to maximize the recovery of the haematite across the full particle size range. Given the unusual particle size distribution, it was concluded that WHIMS would be the only practical beneficiation route. The -200 +10 µm and -10 µm fractions were treated separately and together under varying WHIMS conditions. For a given concentrate grade, the mass yield obtained was greater when the total particle-size distribution was treated. The inferred optimum conditions, using the same material, were tested on a pilot-scale WHIMS and similar results were obtained.

Jan 1, 2014

Jan 1, 1969

By T. S. Seleka

Laser surface melting has been conducted on a 304 stainless steel (SS) with the aim of enhancing pitting corrosion resistance of the material. This process involves rapid melting of the material?s surface followed by rapid solidification to refine the microstructure. This includes the dissolution of inclusions such as MnS, FeS, CrxCy, and other minor constituents. The microstructures as a result of laser treatment were observed by means of optical microscope and also confirmed by the XRD. The glow discharge optical emission spectroscopy (GDOES) was utilized for chemical analysis. Changes in hardness were observed by using a Vickers microhardness tester. Pitting corrosion tests on laser treated and untreated samples were conducted according to ASTM G48-92 to evaluate mass loss and pitting morphology. Laser surface melting improved the pitting corrosion resistance of this material in a chloride-containing environment.

Jan 1, 2007

By J. R. Thoenen

This circular is part 5 of the third paper (entitled "Excavation") of a series summarizing the technical problems involved in the production and preparation of sand and gravel. Part 1 discussed the use of power shovels, draglines, and excavator cranes; part 2, power scrapers, slackline cable-way excavators, and hydraulic monitors; part 3, hydraulic, clamshell, ladder, and dipper dredges; and part 4, haulage systems in general, with particular reference to locomotive and car, hoist and car, and remote-control systems. This circular discusses the use of motor trucks, conveyor belts, pumps end pipe lines, barges and towboats, and aerial trams. MOTOR-TRUCK HAULAGE During recent years motor trucks have gained considerable ground as a successful competitor of locomotive haulage for quarries and gravel pits. Often where trucks have displaced locomotives and cars the operators readily admit an increase in both labor and total haulage operating costs but point to some other advantage as offsetting the extra expense. In other instances haulage costs have beep reduced by the use of trucks. In still others operators, having replaced locomotive haul with trucks, have again returned to the earlier method. Obviously gasoline-driven motor trucks cannot successfully compete with other types of haulage under all conditions. The apparent' growth in the number of advocates of truck haulage, however, indicates that it has passed the experimental stage and become a permanent competitor to other tyres.

Jan 1, 1936

Integrated Utilisation of Desulfurisation and Skimming Slag

Sep 13, 2010

By Andrew Chapman

The scope of the SA (Situational Awareness) working group is to analyze the effectiveness of information delivery systems in mining equipment and develop a unified display design, to mitigate against the proliferation of screens within equipment cabs. This working group comprises a variety of stakeholders representing a cross-section of relevant mining and mining-related organizations. This stakeholder network will help guide the direction of the working group towards a common, mutually beneficial end. For now, the focus is on shovel displays; however it should be noted that this work is expected to form the foundation for similar work with other equipment in the future.

Aug 1, 2013

By Greenwood J. N

This work was commenced at a time when information on the manufacture of cemented tungsten carbide was urgently needed in Australia. Much information of a general type has been published, but many of the details of the processes used are still undisclosed. The aim of this research was to determine a satisfactory way in which cemented tungsten carbide could, be made, and to investigate the problems which are associated with the process. As the work proceeded, its ramifications grew continually, and it was necessary to limit the possible lines of investigation. After much experimental work, a 9% cobalt-tungsten carbide alloy was developed which had satisfactory properties when used as a cutting tip. The effect of certain variables on the properties of this particular alloy was investigated.The tungsten carbide was prepared in stages from King Island scheelite concentrates under strict laboratory control, whilst the cobalt (1) used was made from cobalt oxide prepared from crude cobalt oxide obtained from Eisdon.In order to clarify the detailed experimental work, a brief summary of the method used for the preparation of cemented tungsten carbide follows.Tungsten carbide and cobalt are prepared in a very finely powdered state, and are then thor,oughly mixed by a ball milling operation. The resultant mixture is pressed in a suitably shaped die into small compacts which are subsequently '''presintered,'' i.e., heated' in hydrogen between 800°C. and 1000°C. The final sintering is carried out in hydrogen between 1,400°C.and 1,600°C. for about half an hour. These "alloys" may contain from 3 to 13% cobalt, depending on the particular properties required of them.PREPARATION OF MATERIALSThe tungsten oxide prepared as described by Smithells (2) was extremely finely divided, and after a few hours' grinding in a ball mill, the powder consisted of material below 10 microns iJ;l size. The oxide was reduced to tungsten metal with hydrogen in a tube furnace. The reduction was carried out at 800-900° C., a rapid flow of hydrogen being maintained in order to remove the water vapour' formed as a result of the reactions:

Jan 1, 1942

By Y. M. Zhao

The separating performance of a pilot dry beneficiation system using a gas-solid fluidized bed was investigated with coal from South Africa. The coal used for the study has a low inherent moisture content, a moderate ash content, a moderate volatile content, a low sulphur content and a high calorific value. Its washability is moderate. Experimental results show that the separating quality of the fluidized bed drops gradually as the feed-coal particle size decreases. The probable error, E, values for 50?25mm, 25?13 mm and 13?6 mm coals were 0.04 g/cm3, 0.06 g/cm3 and 0.09 g/cm3, respectively. The cause of the differences in separating characteristics was analysed by particle dynamics and numerical modelling. Furthermore, the pilot fluidized bed was employed to separate 50-6mm coal. In this experiment the coal ash content was reduced from 23.74% to 11.79%, with a probable error, E, value of 0.07 g/cm3and a recovery efficiency of 98.26%. This indicates that the fluidized bed is applicable to the separation of coal from South Africa and has good separating performance and wide applicability. Keywords: feed-coal particle size; gas-solid fluidized bed; dry coal beneficiation; numerical simulation.

Jan 1, 2010