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By Yoon R-H, Luttrell GH

A theoretical model has been developed to predict the probability of particle collection by air bubbles in a quiescent flotation pulp. The model considers the effects of both hydrodynamic and surface chemistry forces acting during the bubble-particle interaction. Hydrodynamic forces considered include the gravitational, buoyancy, streamline and film thinning resistance forces. The surface chemistry forces considered include the electrostatic, dispersion and hydrophobic forces. The hydrophobic force has been estimated from extended DLVO theory. The model is capable of predicting hydrodynamic and surface chemistry conditions under which bubble-particle adhesion is possible. Validity of the model has been verified experimentally.

Jan 1, 1993

By S. Sarac

Solving ventilation networks of natural splitting is a basic problem in mine ventilation. Several mathematical techniques are used to solve this problem. This paper proposes a new method which combines the advantages of both classical Hardy Cross method and unconstrained optimization techniques. The trials carried out on model networks have shown that the method offers some facilities in the analysis of mine ventilation networks. Keywords: Ventilation network analysis, Hardy Cross method, Steepest Descent method.

Jan 1, 2000

By O. K. Kuznetzov, L. A. Otrozhdenova, N. D. Malinovskaya, I. I. Maksimov, N. D. Khodov

While processing zinc cakes with application of Weltz-technology silver remains unrecovered and goes into clinker. In order to prevent it the elaboration of effective silver recovery methods from zinc cakes before their weltzing becomes necessary. A combined method of zinc cakes treatment with leaching and flotation in a closed water circuit has been worked out. The technological scheme envisages the use of sulphgydril collectors in combination and comprises a series of consecutive operations: leaching, filtration, precipitation(cementing) and flotation. Total silver recovery is approximately 94%. The technology elaborated has been realized in a project by which the construction of a new shop is under way now.

Jan 1, 1995

By Robert W. Bartlett

A computer model for predicting the rate of oxidative leaching of copper from fragmented low grade sulfide ores is presented. The model involves the kinetics of the dissolution of chalcopyrite grains and solution diffusion of oxygen within rock pores. Adjustable curve fitting parameters are not used. The model was tested by comparing computed extraction curves with experimental results for a -11 inch ore obtained by block caving and leached at 90°C and 400 psi oxygen for one year at the Lawrence Livermore Laboratories.

Jan 1, 1973

By W. Z. Choi

A combined size reduction- liberation model of grinding has been developed to predict the product size distribution for both free and locked particles. The model is an extension of the population balance model for size reduction. Locked (or composite) particles have been subdivided into discrete classes of different compositions to obtain more detailed information. The model has been tested on a sphalerite ore from Tennessee. Liberation data have been obtained using an areal scanning technique on microscope images of polished particle mounts.

Jan 1, 1985

A viable flow sheet of the sorption-flotation technology for gold recovery from low-grade ores and concentrates using powdered activated carbon modified by organic compounds as the sorbent-bearer has been developed. The powdered activated carbon, with high kinetic ability and sufficient specific area, was selected as the all-purpose gold cyanide complex-bearing sorbent which is active during flotation. To improve carbon adsorption capacity and to provide the required floatability its porous structure was filled with a quaternary ammonium compound which can extract gold cyanide complexes and render additional flotation properties to the carbon. To optimise the process and to simplify the layout, adsorption and flotation processes were carried out simultaneously in a mechanical flotation cell. The proposed technology was used for extended and pilot-plant tests of sorption-flotation gold recovery from 0.6 g/t Au final tailings and 2.0 g/t Au gravity tailings. The extended tests were carried out on Taseevskaya (Chita Region) flotation tailings, whereas pilot-plant tests were conducted on Kommunarovskaya (Krasnoyarsk Region) gravity tailings passing to cyanidation, followed by processing with filtration technology. Additional gold recovery from Taseevskaya final flotation tailings was 50.8 per cent. Gold recovery from Kommunarovskaya final gravity tailings was 92.5 per cent. Compared to the complete sludge process conventionally used at the plant, gold recovery was increased by 7.5 per cent due to lower gold losses in the liquid phase and conversion of the refractory non-cyanided metal into a carbon concentrate. This paper presents the experimental results of gold adsorption onto powdered activated carbon modified with quaternary ammonium compounds (sorbent-bearer) as well as sorbent-bearer flotation with various collectors from cyanide solutions and pulps.

Jan 1, 2005

The word governing derives from gubernare meaningto pilot a ship. Being inclined to metaphors, one could be forgiven to think that politicians act this verb and captain the Nation's ship into some definite course. In the case of at least the mineral resources industry, it seems that there are not many James Cook followers in our parliaments: Australia's approach to mineral and energy policy is often chaotic - witness the 1935 to 1961 ban on iron ore export-ing which prevented the development of a significant steel industry at time when the World was hungry for this metal, just to mention one amongst many other examples.The follies of Australia's mineral policies are well il-lustrated in the case of uranium mining. Although Australia had the Western World's largest economic reserves of uranium, it is onlythefifth producing nation and its uranium potential is largely unrealised. At the root of this situation are the interventionist attitudes and policies of successive Federal Governments which for more than four decades distorted the Investment decision and, in more recent times. discouraaed investment.

Jan 1, 1990

By S. Rupprecht

"INTRODUCTION This paper addresses the prevalence of poor public reporting practices of Coal Exploration Results, Coal Resources and Coal Reserves in southern Africa. Currently, the reporting of coal tonnage without supporting coal qualities or “saleable” tonnes and quality is a poor reporting practice that occurs far too often. Not all coal is equal – therefore it is extremely important that investors or potential investors are provided with the full details of both run-of-mine (“ROM”) and Saleable coal tonnage, their associated qualities and other material and relevant information. Competent or Qualified Persons should note that publicly reported information should be sufficient to enable an informed reader to make a reasonable and balanced assessment of the significance of the information provide. “Companies are encouraged to provide information in their Public Reports, which is as comprehensive as possible” (CRIRSCO, 2013): too often this isn’t the case and material matters are either not reported or inadequately disclosed. According to the South African National Standard (SANS) 10320:2014 draft document - “tonnage and coal quality that will be available for sale, either in the raw ROM state (raw Saleable) at a specified moisture content, or after beneficiation of the ROM coal by processing operations to produce materials at specified qualities, size ranges and moisture contents. The assessments must demonstrate that at the time of reporting, the marketing of the products is reasonably justified. The basis of the predicted practical product yield to achieve the Saleable Coal Reserve must be stated. The moisture basis of reporting shall be stated.” As an example to why coal qualities are so important to the public, the requirements of South Africa’s electric public utility (Eskom) power stations are highlighted. The Kendal power station, commissioned in 1988, operates at a Calorific Value (“CV”) range of 19 to 20MJ/kg, an Ash content between 29 and 34% and Volatiles between 20 to 21%. Other power stations, such as Kriel or Hendrina, may require different qualities such as a CV range of 22 to 23MJ/kg, an Ash content between 20 and 28% and Volatiles between 22 to 23%. Thus, in terms of domestic saleable coal, it isn’t just about reporting the coal qualities but also informing the investor as to which power station the coal is intended to be sold as “boilers are designed to burn particular qualities of coal” and “it is not always possible to transfer coal between stations because of different quality requirements at each station” (Chetty, 2010). Sulphur content is also another important quality with the ideal coal content having a quality of less than 1% Sulphur."

Jan 1, 2018

By S. Rupprecht

"This article addresses the prevalence of poor public reporting practices of coal exploration results, coal resources and coal reserves in southern Africa. Currently, the reporting of coal tonnage without supporting coal qualities or saleable tonnes and quality is a poor reporting practice that occurs far too often. Not all coal is equal — therefore it is extremely important that investors or potential investors are provided with the full details of both run-of-mine (ROM) and saleable coal tonnage, their associated qualities and other material and relevant information.Competent or qualified persons should note that publicly reported information should be sufficient to enable an informed reader to make a reasonable and balanced assessment of the significance of the information provided. “Companies are encouraged to provide information in their public reports, which is as comprehensive as possible (CRIRSCO, 2013).” However, too often this isn’t the case, and material matters are either not reported or inadequately disclosed.According to the South African National Standard (SANS) 10320:2014 draft document, “tonnage and coal quality that will be available for sale, either in the raw ROM state (raw saleable) at a specified moisture content, or after beneficiation of the ROM coal by processing operations to produce materials at specified qualities, size ranges and moisture contents. The assessments must demonstrate that at the time of reporting, the marketing of the products is reasonably justified. The basis of the predicted practical product yield to achieve the saleable coal reserve must be stated. The moisture basis of reporting shall be stated.” An example as to why coal qualities are so important to the public, the requirements of South Africa’s electric public utility (Eskom) power stations are detailed in the followint paragraphs. The Kendal power station, commissioned in 1988, operates at a calorific value (CV) range of 19 to 20 MJ/ kg, an ash content between 29 and 34 percent and volatiles between 20 to 21 percent. Other power stations, such as Kriel or Hendrina, may require different qualities, such as a CV range of 22 to 23 MJ/kg, an ash content between 20 and 28 percent and volatiles between 22 to 23 percent. Thus, in terms of domestic saleable coal, it is not just about reporting the coal qualities but also informing the investor as to which power station the coal is intended to be sold as “boilers are designed to burn particular qualities of coal” and “it is not always possible to transfer coal between stations because of different quality requirements at each station (Chetty, 2010).” Sulfur content is another important quality with the ideal coal content having a quality of less than 1 percent sulfur."

Jul 1, 2019

By D. C. Fuller

"CoaLiquid, Inc. (CLI) has been in the coal-oil-mixture (COM) business for over five years. The initial pilot processing facility was replaced by a 2000 barrel per day commercial production facility in August 1979. For over two years CLI has been expanding its efforts and conducting large-scale production and combustion demonstrations successfully in many locations across the United States. To facilitate the marketing effort, CLI has recently constructed a special trailer containing all equipment needed for a temporary COM retrofit.CoaLiquid has conducted commercial-scale combustion demonstrations in the following types of combustion units: kilns, calciners, industrial boilers, blast furnaces and driers.IntroductionCoaLiquid, Inc. officially dedicated its plant on August 31, 1979, at a ceremony presided over by the then Governor of Kentucky, The Honorable Julian Carroll. The dedication marked the culmination of over three years of research and development work and marked the beginning of a new era of coal-oil-mixtures as a commercial commodity in the marketplace. As the first such plant in the United States, it set the tone for construction to follow.CLI was originally owned and managed by a group of entrepreneurs from Kentucky who had developed the process and constructed the plant on purely private investment and conventional financing. Beginning in late 1976, with a pilot-scale operation, also located in Shelbyville, Kentucky (near Louisville), CLI began producing a stable mixture of 50070 coal, 30% to 40% oil and 10% to 20% water by weight. The technology employed was developed by Eric C. Cottell of Long Island, New York and is covered by U.S. Letters Patent No. 3,941,552. Since the pilot plant operation, CoaLiquid has made many refinements to its process and in fact has added new technology to its portfolio of patents and patents pending. Further refinements to the product now produce a stable mixture of 50% coal, 40% No.6 fuel oil and 10% water by weight."

Jan 1, 1985

By D. C. Fuller

CoaLiquid, Inc. (CLI) has been in the coal- oil-mixture (COM) business for over five (5) years. The initial pilot processing facility was replaced by a 2000 barrel per day commercial production facility in August of 1979. For over two (2) years CLI has been expanding its efforts and conducting large scale production and combustion demonstrations successfully in many locations across the United States. To facilitate the marketing effort, CLI has recently constructed a special trailer containing all equipment needed for a temporary COM retrofit. CoaLiquid has conducted commercial scale combustion demonstrations in the following types of combustion units: kilns, calciners, industrial boilers, blast furnaces and driers.

Jan 1, 1982

By W. H. Blauvelt

THE subject of fuel-briquetting has attracted much attention on the part of engineers and investors for the past 15 or 20 years, and especially in recent years, during which a number of plants have been built, with more or less commercial and technical success. Our technical literature contains numerous descriptions of certain processes, and discussions of the industry in general. For a history of the development of the art in the United States, and for descriptions of many of the processes which have been tried, reference may be made to the files of our Transactions, and, for more recent information, to a paper by C. T. Malcolmson, read before the First Annual Convention of the International Railway Fuel Association in June, 1909. The purpose of the present paper is to describe the briquette-plant of the Solvay Process Co. and the Semet-Solvay Co. at Detroit, Mich., which, after a period of long and costly evolution, is now operating satisfactorily on a commercial basis. I believe that it will be of interest to some of our members to have the details of operation, lower-consumption, labor, etc., as worked out on a practical and commercial scale in a going operation. The briquette industry has had a somewhat checkered career in the United States, and much the larger portion of the failures has been due entirely to commercial causes. It seems axiomatic to say that before undertaking the installation of a plant for manufacturing briquettes it is necessary that the local situation should be carefully examined : First, to determine the kind of briquettes, if any, the local market will consume; that is-to say, whether the available fuel-supply is such that briquettes would be a welcome addition, and whether the most promising field is the industrial or the domestic market. Second, if there is an available supply of raw material, as coal,

Mar 1, 1910

By D. Erik Spiller

A commercialized dry gravity concentrator is operating on an alluvial gold deposit in the Boludo Mining District, State of Sonora, Mexico. The technology base of the process is the Rotary Air Concentrator (a dry circular air jig) that recovers gold from the desert sand resource. An overview of the Mexican operation and the dry concentration technology is presented. Application of the dry technology to pretreat­ment of heap leach feeds and other heavy minerals is a pos­sibility.

Jan 1, 2000

By David D. Davidson

Commodities remain hot for the time being, but for how much longer? The bulls point to global economic growth lead by China?s insatiable demand for raw materials. To further emphasis the bullish view they point to the emergence of India for follow through demand. The bears remain convinced China?s growth is unsustainable and with higher interest rates and high oil prices, the United States economy is poised to slow. Both groups can make a convincing argument and both will be proven right in the fullness of time. Profitability and balance sheet strength for the mining industry has rarely been better. Is this a time to be bold or cautious? In this paper, the author will address the dilemma facing today?s management as they pursue growth and try to minimize risk.

Apr 1, 2005

By Sii Smith-Gruner

Blasthole drilling by todays standards is not a mature operation. In most mining appli¬cations, the blasthole drill rig is the least understood piece of machinery. Draglines, mining shovels, and haulage trucks may have more charisma, but the entire mining process starts with the drilling of blastholes to facilitate removal of the overburden and/or the primary material being mined. There are two (2) principal drilling methods them being rotary and percussion. In certain situations, percussion drilling is the most practical method, but for most applications, rotary drilling using the rotary tricone bit is the common and accepted drilling technique. While the drilling rig is on the surface and quite visible to everyone, it is really the object at the end of the drill pipe, the tricone bit, that is doing the work and drilling the hole. The rig supplies power to the bit and air to clean the hole. In addition, it must be capable of providing certain other functions and should be properly outfitted to adequately support the rotary tricone bit.

Jan 1, 1988

By Kenneth G. Knight, Frank L. Lynch

It's 12:30 A.M. The day before had been a long one with problems ranging from proper application of shotcrete during cold weather and the follow-on precautions for curing, meetings with city officials to avert a job shutdown because traffic wasn't being maintained properly and finally a briefing before METRO's General Manager to bring him up to date on projections for meeting the operational date of June 1975. The phone rings and Officer Jones of the Park Police says "Mr. Lynch, this lady in the apartments overlooking the jobsite is complaining of noise and she wants the job shutdown". "Officer Jones, have you called the Project Manager or the Resident Engineer?" "Yes, sir, but there is no answer!" "O.K., Officer, I'll check it out." In calling the job, I can only get the guard, because the inspector is in the tunnel. After some time, the guard calls back and says he doesn't know the way down into the tunnel. I have since had a difficult time believing that one. In the interim I finally reached the Resident Engineer and explained the situation. And finally at 1:30 A.M. the inspector called the Resident to say that the Park Police stopped the job at 1:00 A.M. because we didn't respond promptly. A similar situation had occurred some 2 years previously. With great expectation, noise specifications were developed to correct the earlier situation that had occurred. These newly developed specifications were in force at the time of this most recent shutdown. Common sense would tell you that even though we had developed and implemented, we believe, some of the best and most practical noise specifications in construction practice today, we had not enforced them. What caused the shutdown - a noisy

Jan 1, 1974

By Phil N. Bradbury

"During a routine belt tightening of all cost centers, the management at the Martin County Coal Surface Mines, located in Martin County Kentucky felt that a thorough investigation of the drilling and blasting program could possibly pinpoint areas where the cost could be cut without sacrificing production. Upon close inspection of the drill benches it was noted that the actual layout of burden,spacing and stemming varied a bit from the actual blast design that the management had outlined for the blasters. This paper will outline the method of reducing the drilling and blasting cost at the Martin County Coal Operation."

Jan 1, 1986

By Robert E. Murray

The title of my paper, "A Company's Response to Federal Coal Leasing," brings to mind a picture of a dog chasing its tail. This is what the coal industry, has been doing since the Federal coal leasing moratorium went into effect in 1971. We've gone around in many circles, but we are only very slowly, if at all, getting closer to catching our tails, i.e., efficient, economical, and rational Federal coal leasing. My companies, The North American Coal Corporation and its four Subsidiaries, The Falkirk and Western Plains Mining Companies and The Coteau and Missouri Valley Properties Companies, together hold in excess of 4.5 billion tons of lignite reserves in North Dakota. Some of our North Dakota properties are substantially interspersed with Federal coal, with the government holding title to the minerals in every other section. This checkerboard pattern of Federal ownership has made it difficult to develop and market some of our reserves, and, as a result, it has become imperative that we be familiar with and active in the Federal Coal Leasing Program.

Jan 1, 1982

By W. R. Reed, G. J. Joy

The personal dust monitor (PDM) is a new coal mine respirable dust sampling instrument that has the ability to provide accurate end-of-shift and real-time respirable dust exposure data. A hypothetical cost comparison analysis of the PDM with the current MSHA-required coal mine dust personal sampling unit (CMDPSU) was conducted. Some simplifying assumptions were made to create hypothetical cases for analysis. This analysis was limited to respirable dust sampling of one designated operator (DO) and one designated area (DA) for one mechanized mining unit (MMU) which operated one shift per day. Only sampling intervals of the minimum sampling as required by federal regulations and continuous sampling were analyzed. This cost analysis from the company perspective is only one part of an overall cost/benefit analysis that should be conducted at a later date. In this analysis, company-associated costs were examined for both sampling systems. Results show that the PDM, while it has high initial costs of approximately $12,600, may be a cost-effective sampling system for measuring coal mine respirable dust. The estimated present worth cost of conducting the minimum required dust sampling over a five-year life ranges from $5,850 to $19,000 for the CMDPSU, with the higher present worth cost including costs of potential violations incurred. For the PDM, the comparable present worth cost is $14,900 to $19,300, with the lower present worth cost representing a lower capital cost of $8,150 per unit if more than 850 units are produced per year, while the higher present worth cost reflects the result with the higher $12,600 capital cost.

By H. EI-shall

In this paper, the results of bench scale testing of five different flotation processes to separate dolomite from phosphate are discussed. The effectiveness of each process interms of phosphate recovery and MgO content in the concentrate is used together with the reagent consumption as the basis of comparison. The water quality is found to play a major role in the performance of these processes. Effect of water hardness as well as other parameters are discussed.

Jan 1, 1995