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By Russell E. Griffen

With the development of larger mine-haulage trucks in recent years, the visual field of the driver has diminished correspondingly. Specifically, the operator's lack of direct vision in the right front area and directly to the rear constitutes a serious hazard to personnel in nearby small utility vehicles. Recently developed electronic technology has made it possible to supplement the use of mirrors and fresnel lenses to warn the operator of specific collision dangers in the truck's blind areas. This Bureau of Mines report describes the results of a coordinated contract and in-house research program to develop and test in-mine prototype electronic systems to detect the presence of smaller vehicles within the blind areas of large mine-haulage trucks. Each system utilized transmitters installed on the smaller vehicles and receivers installed on the haulage trucks. Transmitting techniques tested included both low-and high-frequency radio waves. On-vehicle testing established the engineering feasibility of each approach. Further private sector product development to improve reliability and reduce system costs is recommended. Mining companies should consider the advantages of each type of system.

Jan 1, 1988

By H. McSorley

"I note that many of you are involved in the production of zinc, lead and copper concentrates and metal, which I am the most familiar with among the non-ferrous metals. This afternoon, I will describe briefly the responsibilities of a commercial manager within a mining/metallurgical company, the basic framework of a non-ferrous metals concentrate agreement and lastly, a brief discussion of the copper, zinc and lead concentrate and metal markets.I hope this talk will contribute to a better understanding of the business between all of us and look forward to a discussion after the presentation.First of all, I work for Noranda Sales, which is the marketing and sales agent for Noranda Minerals' three operating units: Noranda Copper, Noranda Zinc and Mining Corporation. In addition, Noranda Sales acts for other mining companies in the marketing of their raw materials and metals. Noranda Sales is responsible for procuring all raw materials for Noranda's metallurgical plants, such as the Copper Group's Forne and Gaspe smelters, as well as the sale of surplus concentrates and by-products and metal products. In addition, Noranda Sales trades metals and concentrates and owns a metal brokerage business, Rudolf Wolff, a founding member of the London Metal Exchange. It does $3 billion of business in 60 countries, exporting some 80% of Noranda Minerals' output to the world.What are the responsibilities of commercial management in resource marketing to the mine and metal producers?Resource marketing and commercial administration involves assistance in establishing exploration priorities, contributing to feasibility studies, pre-production planning, product promotion and realization of income for many properties and metallurgical plants through completion of supply and sale agreements with other companie"

Jan 1, 1988

By Enrique Hermana, Raymond F. Dalton, Raymond Price, Barry Hoffman

Introduction Chloride leaching of sulfidic ores has been known about for 100 years. It is recognized as a highly efficient process to produce concentrated leach solutions. Despite this, chloride leaching found little practical application until recently because of the highly corrosive nature of concentrated chloride solutions. This situation changed with the advent of modern construction materials such as GRP, polypropylene, butyl rubber, etc. And in the past 20 years, research has burgeoned in the area of chloride hydrometallurgy. The research impetus stemmed from the belief that chloride leaching can provide an alternative to smelters for treating conventional copper concentrates. In addition, chloride leaching was thought to be suitable for on-site refining of copper at small tonnage operations located in remote areas. And chloride leaching was seen as a logical choice for treating unusual or complex concentrates that smelters could not handle. Underpinning these beliefs is the attraction of chloride-based hydrometallurgical processes for sulfidic ores. Sulfur is liberated in the environmentally acceptable elemental form rather than as sulfur dioxide. Consequently, sulfidic copper ores have received much attention. A review of Edmiston in 1984 describes 12 chloride-based processes. All managed to progress past the "laboratory beaker" stage of evaluation. In nine of these processes, copper is recovered electrolytically. Key features of these processes are summarized in Table 1. Table 1 shows that the processes must include a copper solvent-extraction step. Only these processes produce a clean copper electrolyte capable, with no further refining, of directly producing high quality cathode copper. The ICI/Elkem process is the exception here. The rest of these processes use o-hydroxyaryloxime reagents for the solvent extraction of copper and are constrained by the performance of these reagents. This is governed by hydrogen ion concentration (Equation 1). The practical result is that only relatively dilute copper solutions can be treated (Canmet, Phelps Dodge), or careful pH control or adjustment is necessary (Minimet Recherche, B.H.A.S.). This negates one of the attractive features of chloride leaching - its ability to produce very concentrated copper solutions, up to 40-45 gl-1. [ ] In all four processes using o¬hydroxyaryloxime extractants, solvent extraction transfers the copper from the chloride to the sulfate medium. To minimize cross-contamination of the two anions, the loaded organic solvent has to be scrubbed to remove the chloride ion. This represents an additional complication in the solvent extraction circuit. And it

Jan 1, 1988

By Bert R. Oastler

BERT R. OASTLER: Born Atlanta, Georgia, October 19, 1933; B.S. Civil Engineering, Duke University, 1956; Doctor of Laws, Emory University, 1966; Bryan Honor Society; Associate Editor, Journal of Public Law. Partner in charge of litigation for Smith, Currie & Hancock Including federal and state courts, administrative boards, arbitration and negotiation. American Bar Association; American Trial Lawyers Association; Georgia Trial Lawyers Association. Practiced structural steel design at Newport News Shipbuilding & Drydock Company and building construction as an officer in the United States Air Force. Engaged in the building construction business in Atlanta, Georgia as estimator and project manager for five years. Lectured on construction litigation, arbitration and government contracts procurement law for Federal Publications, Inc., Associated General Contractors and other private entities on a nationwide basis. Served as guest lecturer on Government Contracts at Emory University and Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia. Served as arbitrator in cases for the American Arbitration Association.

Jan 1, 1988

By L. Salnais

"Aluminum alloy structural components f or aircraft designed prior to the early 1970s, were machined from 2024, 7075 and 7079 plate, bar and forgings in either the T3xxx of the T6xxx tempers. Protective treatments for these parts consisted of chromic acid anodizing and alkyd zinc chromate primer, plus a nitrocellulose lacquer for exterior parts.The major service problem with these parts was the frequent occurrence of exfoliation corrosion and stress corrosion cracking (S. C. C.). Therefore, 2024 and 7079 alloys, with min or exceptions, were not used in aircraft designed after the early 1970s. Replacement materials were 7075 and 7050 alloys in the overaged, exfoliation corrosion and S. C. C. resistant, T73xxx tempers.The use of improved materials together with the upgrading to chromated epoxy primers, polyurethane enamels and the introduction of water displacing corrosion inhibiting compounds have significantly reduced corrosion in aircraft. IntroductionThe prevention of corrosion in aircraft has been a challenge to aircraft designers for many decades. With the design of the first all-metal aircraft, the designer and builder were thrust into the relatively new field of protective treatments as corrosion started to become more prevalent. This resulted from the continually increasing importance and wider utilization of aircraft, and their exposure to a wider variety of ho stile environments such as urban industrial pollution, high humidity tropical areas and salt ladened marine environments.Corrosion advanced another significant step when, after World War II, designs of new and larger aircraft utilized larger and thicker metal sections in the manufacture of structural components. With thicker mill products came higher residual heat treat, fabrication and assembly stresses resulting in an increased number of stress corrosion and exfoliation corrosion problems.Apart from the exterior environment, aircraft interior s can be exposed to a number of fluids which are either directly or indirectly responsible for corrosion. The most common of the fluids is water which is usually introduced as a result of condensation, especially in pressurized fuselages, and spillage from lavatories, galley s and electrolytes from batteries. These fluid s have a degrading effect on protective treatments and are also corrosive to the substrate metal. Fluids such as phosphate ester hydraulic fluids and ester based turbine engine lubricating oil s are not corrosive to the substrate metal, albeit they do contribute to corrosion by the degrading effect on protective treatments."

Jan 1, 1988

By D A. Edmunds

The most important development that has been taking place recently relating to mining operations in New Zealand would generally be regarded as being the Resource Management Law Reform. This has been widely publicised by the Government as a comprehensive review of the laws governing New Zealand's natural and physical resources. Submissions have been sought and a free phone provided to encourage public participation. Recently a Discussion Paper has been prepared by the Core Group coordinating the review to explain progress on Phase One (Ministry for the Environment, Directions for Change: A Discussion Paper, Wellington 1988). It outlines Government decisions already taken which impinge on the Review and describes the possible models for resource management laws. However, it is possible that some fundamental practical issues of significance to the mining industry will not be addressed and may be lost sight of in the much wider issues which are to be covered. The purpose of our paper is to address one of these issues namely, the interrelationship between any new resource management legislation and the Conservation Act 1987 (as recently amended) in the context of Ministerial consents. The importance of this issue can be seen from the fact that as at 7 June 1988 there were 279 mining licence applications and 223 prospecting licence applications waiting to be determined by the Minister of Conservation. Since April 1987 only 19 mining and 13 prospecting licences have been consented to. In addition a major proportion of New Zealand's mineral resources are contained with land administered by the Department.

Jan 1, 1988

By R. W. Baker

"The development of uppers drilling at Brunswick Mining is reviewed. This paper describes design criteria for drilling patterns and the research required for selection of a suitable drill jumbo. The success of the uppers drilling program based on operating procedures is highlighted. IntroductionBrunswick Mining and Smelting Corporation Ltd., operates a 10 500 tonnes per day lead /zinc/copper I silver underground mine some seventeen miles southwest of Bathurst, New Brunswick .The No. 12 orebody, first discovered in 1952 by a group headed by M.J. Boylen, had extensive development, including two shallow shafts (500 ft), and test work carried out on it by St. Joe Lead between 1953-1957. However due to complex metallurgy and depressed metal prices, the operation was suspended.In 1961, a group comprised of M.J . Boylen, K.C . Irving and Patino acquired the rights of St. Joe Lead to the No. 12 property. A concerted development plan was initiated along with construction of the necessary sur face facilities and by July 1964, the property was in production at 4500 tons per day.In 1967 Noranda Mines Ltd. acquired operating control of Brunswick Mining and Smelting Corporation Ltd."

Jan 1, 1988

A mineral grain finder is described which is easily constructed to fit onto the stage of a standard reflected light ore microscope.The device is most useful in relocating particular grains or mineral associations on 30 mm diameter polished sections. The use of the grain finder in the teaching of ore microscopy is outlined.

Jan 1, 1988

By K. Y. Haramy

Coal mine bumps involve the violent, rapid failure of coal and rock around a mine excavation. Deep coal mines with strong roof and floor rocks and high-stress conditions frequently experience face and rib bumps. The bump problem is becoming more severe as mining depth increases, prompting efforts to control high stress in advance of mining. This Bureau of Mines report presents a review of the most widely used methods to detect and destress high-stress zones along coal faces and an investigation of stress-related bump problems and destressing techniques at a cooperating mine. Geotechnical instrumentation and microseismic methods were used to better understand bump occurrences in underground coal mines. Laboratory tests of the drilling-yield method for high-stress detection were conducted to determine the correlation between the volume of cuttings obtained and the magnitude of the applied stress at various confining pressures. A three-dimensional, multiple-seam computer modeling program, MULSIM, was used to evaluate the effectiveness of stress-relief methods. Modeling results indicate that dangerously high-stress areas can be controlled by either proper planning or destressing. Proper mine planning guidelines and destressing methods such as volley firing, hydraulic fracturing, and auger drilling are discussed.

Jan 1, 1988

By Richard P. Reiff

"The Facility for Accelerated Service Testing (FAST) program has been involved in numerous rail wear tests since its inception in 1976. A number of specialized tools have been developed to aid in assessing specific performance parameters including gauge face wear, head height loss, metal flow, head area loss, hardness, and welded rail end batter. The layout of a test site, including position in curve, number of measurements per rail, and train operation must be properly controlled/monitored to provide valid wear comparisons.This paper will provide an overview of the above-mentioned tools and techniques. In addition, a summary of recent test results from FAST, including information on head hardened rail investigations, will be provided. A set of guidelines for establishing a revenue service field test site will also be provided to aid users in performing evaluations of their own.IntroductionBackground of Rail Wear Testing at FASTThe Facility for Accelerated Service Testing (FAST) located at the Transportation Test Center, (TIC), Pueblo, Colorado has been involved with testing of rail since program initiation in 1976. A huge data base of rail wear information has been gathered from FAST operations under a variety of rail metallurgies, lubrication conditions, and measurement techniques. Attempts at obtaining meaningful rail wear information from early (1976-1978) FAST rail wear data was hampered by two main factors: (I) measurement techniques were insufficiently accurate for the amounts of wear being experienced, and (2) the lubrication was not sufficiently controlled to obtain uniform conditions for a sufficient measurement time period.Subsequent test periods were operated with improved measurement techniques and controls that ensured statistically valid data. The policies and conditions that permit accurate rail wear assessment will be reviewed and outlined in this paper, along with some specific TIC and field examples that will allow the user to improve the accuracy of a field rail test on their own operating property."

Jan 1, 1988

By J. Patterson

"Acid Mine Drainage (A.M.D.) formed from oxidation of disposed pyritic wastes presents a potential pollution hazard for Equity Silver Mines Limited and the mining industry in general. Failure to collect and treat these acidic effluents can eventually affect the quality of receiving streams and endanger aquatic life forms. Treatment and discharge of A.M.D. to the receiving environment must comply with stringent anti-pollution laws.Wastes mined at Equity Silver Mines Ltd. are predominantly acid generating and must be handled according to a materials management plan to minimize impact on the environment. Effluent collection and treatment facilities have been constructed to address the short term environmental concerns with reclamation and research programs being developed to address and monitor abatement measures for control over the long term.The purpose of this paper will be to offer a brief overview of these measures. Key topics for discussion will be: kinetics of Acid Mine Drainage, acid generating potential, water treatment and sludge handling, special wastes, waste dump construction, waste rock amendments, bacteriocide research, simulations, and reclamation measures. Programs designed to evaluate impact on the receiving environment, although they form an extensive part of the program, will not be discussed in this paper.INTRODUCTIONEquity Silver Mines Limited is located in the Central Interior of British Columbia, within the Omineca Division, 35 kilometers southeast of Houston Mining and approximately 575 kilometers by air north-northeast ofVancouver (Figure 1).The deposit consists of three economic mineralized zones: The Southern Tail, Main and Waterline Zones. Mining of the Southern Tail commenced in April, 1980 and was completed in the first quarter of 1984. Main Zone production was initiated during the last quarter of 1983 and the Waterline Zone remains undeveloped to-date. Remaining reserves are in the order of four years contingent on favourable metal prices. The three deposits (Figure 2) occur within a window of interbedded volcanic and minor sedimentary rocks. The older volcanic sequence is bounded on the west by a small granite-like stock and on the east by a gabbro-monzonite complex. All are overlain by a series of younger lava flows."

Jan 1, 1988

By M. Kalin

"SUMMARYWaste management in general, and the water treatment of mine and mill effluents, has become an ever increasing burden for mining operations. A reduction in these expenditures would undoubtedly be desirable if this could in fact be achieved within effluent guidelines and monitoring requirements.A brief summary is presented of the research which has as its aim the development of methods which would reduce such costs and lead to solutions for environmentally acceptable close-out conditions for acid generating mine waters. The basic concepts of Ecological Engineering and Biological Polishing are presented, together with an indication of the present state of these research efforts. Details are provided of the progress of various experiments which aim to promote reducing conditions, organic matter production and the establishment of biological filters which remove metals from the water which are then retained within the waste management areas. These conditions should lead to a curtailment of acid drainage and an improvement in effluent quality.A description is provided of the first pilot demonstration using this approach to achieve a walk-away condition for the close-out of a massive sulphide tailings resulting from 10 years of operating a copper/zinc concentrator in Northern Ontario.1.0 INTRODUCTION1.1 Waste management and close-outIt is recognized that the achievement of a cost-effective and competitive mining operation, from the commencement of exploration for ore bodies through to the day-to-day efficient operation of the mine, requires a certain expertise and sophistication. However, the environmental effects of these activities are considered peripheral issues and their importance as an integral part of the planning and development of the mine/mill, is not always appreciated."

Jan 1, 1988

Industrial minerals and rocks are those which are economically important because of desirable physical and/or chemical properties rather than metal or energy content. The evaluation of these resources for investment purposes in general follows established procedures after due consideration of well documented input data. However, in view of the sensitivity of many industrial mineral projects to specific inputs they require very careful analysis. The characteristics of the industrial minerals and the industrial minerals industry are reviewed and the significance of logistics, customer requirements, technology and marketing are discussed. Implications in relation to resources/reserves terminology are considered with phosphate rock used as an example. It is concluded that industrial mineral projects as a consequence of technology and market dependence in particular can give a high level of investment risk. The industry, however, offers most interesting and challenging employment opportunities for geologists, mineral engineers and economists.

Jan 1, 1988

By Shail J. Butani

In 1986 the Bureau of Mines conducted a probability sample survey, Mining Industry Population Survey, to measure such employee characteristics as occupation; principal equipment operated; work location at the mine; present job, present company, and total mining experience; job-related training during the last 2 years; age; sex; race; and education. The population estimates are necessary to properly analyze the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSWA) injury (includes illness and fatality data) statistics; that is, to compare and contrast injury rates for various subpopulations in order to identify those groups that are exhibiting higher than average injury rates. This report uses the survey's results to characterize the U.S. metallic mining workforce from March through September 1986. Similar reports have been published for the stone, sand and gravel, and nonmetallic mining industries, as well as for the entire metal and nonmetal mining (includes metallic, stone, sand and gravel, and nonmetallic industries) sector and the coal mining sector.

Jan 1, 1988

The objective of this study was two-fold: 1. To perform a world literature search pertinent to the analysis, selection and design of hoisting systems and their components and to codify the search into a literature compendium. The search resulted in a technical data file of over 1500 hard copy items. The compendium index was also suitable for establishing a comprehensive computer-loaded data base on the subject. 2. To develop a comprehensive system of guidelines to cover salient aspects of analysis, selection and design of electrical, mechanical and structural components of a hoisting system with a view to establish parameters for maximum safety and efficiency of operation, installation and revision of the system. 3. (a) The system design of hydrostatic drives for mine hoists, usually of special nature, is considered along with oil hydraulic component selection suitable for the application; (b) The criteria for head frames of steel and/or concrete are developed with full consideration of all operating and environmental conditions.

Jan 1, 1988

The objective of this study was two-fold: 1. To perform a world literature search pertinent to the analysis, selection and design of hoisting systems and their components and to codify the search into a literature compendium. The search resulted in a technical data file of over 1500 hard copy items. The compendium index was also suitable for establishing a comprehensive computer-loaded data base on the subject. 2. To develop a comprehensive system of guidelines to cover salient aspects of analysis, selection and design of electrical, mechanical and structural components of a hoisting system with a view to establish parameters for maximum safety and efficiency of operation, installation and revision of the system. 3. (a) In-shaft equipment design and specification criteria are considered as they influence guideline preparation. (b) A comprehensive review of hoist electric drives and controls as applied to mine hoists is set forth with special reference to duty cycle calculations and their effect on electrical component selection.

Jan 1, 1988

By Victor V. Verbinski

This report presents the development of a raw coal concentration sensor for hydro-transport of coal and refuse (rock) from underground mines, and the results of an international test series carried out at the Colorado School of Mines Research Institute in Golden, Colorado, the U.S. Bureau of Mines, Hydraulic Transport Research Facility in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Saskatchewan Research Facility in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, and the Steinkohlenbergbauverein Test Facility in Essen, West Germany. Test results are presented for a three-component sensor and also for the more rugged two-component (all nuclear) sensor.

Jan 1, 1988

By Terry R. Neumann

In 1987 and 1988, the U.S. Bureau of Mines conducted a mineral resource investigation of the 31,400-acre Muddy Creek Wilderness Study Area (UT-060-007). The investigation was requested by the Bureau of Land Management and authorized by the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (Public Law 94-579). The study area is located in Emery County, Utah, about 50 air-miles southwest of Green River, Utah. The wilderness study area is in the San Rafael Swell region of the Colorado Plateau Physiographic Province. Rocks in the area consist of gently dipping sedimentary strata of Permian, Triassic, and Jurassic age.

Jan 1, 1988

The wealth of a nation may be measured in many ways, but one of the most important is its natural resources, particularly its minerals. Minerals create the wealth upon which economic prosperity and defense preparedness rest. Managing mineral resources for the benefit of all Americans continues to be an important national goal. In its 78-year history the U.S. Bureau of Mines has established itself as the world's premier mineral information and research agency. Its authoritative, comprehensive data and pioneering research have contributed significantly to a strong U. S. mineral position in the world.

Jan 1, 1988

By Charles L. Kimbell

The year 1986 was not a good year for the world's mineral industry from several viewpoints. Levels of production, both of crude minerals and processed forms, registered declines in the cases of a greater number of commodities than the number that recorded increases. The overall value of world crude mineral production was estimated to have increased, but only very slightly in terms of constant dollars to nearly $997 billion. Although there were modest increases in the consumption of all major fuels and most major metals, the latter at least apparently resulted more from drawdowns of inventories than from increased production (fuel consumption increases did come from higher output levels), and consumption of most major fertilizer and chemical commodities (nitrogen, phosphate, and sulfur) were at lower levels than those in 1985. Prices for a number of mineral commodities declined, headed by the very substantial drop in world crude petroleum prices, but also including downturns for a number of metals and industrial minerals as well. There was insufficient information to reliably fix the level of the dollar value of world trade in minerals, for while output was up in the case of some large-volume materials such as iron ore, coal, and crude and refined petroleum, suggesting that the volume of trade in physical units may have increased, declining prices may well have offset quantitative gains.

Jan 1, 1988