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By N. H. J. Freire, D. Majuste

In this paper, the effects of some organic compounds on the current efficiency, cell voltage and specific energy consumption during nickel electrowinning, and on the deposit features (morphology, crystallographic orientation and nanohardness) were described. The organics tested here (extractant, diluent, flocculant, lubricating oil and acid mist suppressant) are currently used in industrial plants. The results indicated that only the flocculant and acid mist suppressant exhibit relevant negative impacts on the current efficiency and energy consumption. The current efficiency dropped from 93.6 % (organic-free solutions) to 86.0 % and to 92.8% in electrolytes containing 100 mg.L-1 of acid mist suppressant and flocculant, respectively. At this concentration, their addition to the electrolyte led to increases of the specific energy consumption in the order of 18 % (acid mist supressant) and 2 % (flocculant). Cyclic voltammetry showed that Ni nucleation occurs at more negative potentials at 50 and 100 mg.L-1 of these organics in the electrolyte, thus indicating an inhibition of the deposition process. The deposit quality decreased at the higher concentration of all organics, when more hydrogen pitting was observed. The acid mist suppressant caused delamination of the Ni deposit at 50 and 100 mg.L-1. The addition of 100 mg.L-1 of flocculant and acid mist suppressant to the electrolyte increased the nanohardness of the deposit around 31 and 72%, respectively. The increase in Ni deposit hardness may lead to a decrease in the material ductility, thereby affecting the stripping and cutting of Ni sheets. Our findings may be helpful since strong adverse effect of some organics that may be present in the electrolyte were identified, thus the industry can control and optimize the organic´s dosage in the corresponding operations.

Jan 1, 2016

By Steven R. Davis

Voyageurs National Park in northern Minnesota, and a 30-mile radius area of influence on the United States side of the International Border, was examined for hardrock (nonferrous metallic minerals and diamonds) mineral potential and environmental sensitivity by the U.S. Bureau of Mines. The investigation also included an analysis of current Metallic Minerals Leasing Rules of the State of Minnesota, and the probable effects of changes proposed to the current rules by the State of Minnesota in order to "encourage mineral exploration and development." The study has determined that the proposed changes to the Minnesota State Leasing rules will have minimal, if any, impact on the likely, foreseeable levels of mineral-related activities in the State as a whole, and particularly, in the area of influence to the Park. Voyageurs National Park management was advised on the extent and character of the proposed rules changes, and on those items of concern meriting a specific and timely response by the National Park Service.

Jan 1, 1994

By Rob Domotor

This paper tells the story of using controlled surface and underground blasting methods to excavate hard rock in three areas on Australia’s largest road infrastructure project; the Airportlink Project in Brisbane; worth a total value of AUD $4.8 billion. The project used blasting methods including design, modelling, drilling and loading of the explosives that had never been used before in Australia, some of these were probably unique in the world.

Jan 1, 2012

By R. E. Hershey

1. Reserves were estimated for three coal beds: Lantana, Sewanee, and Richland. 2. Known measured and indicated reserves for all beds, based on a minimum thickness of 14 inches and on 1,800 tons per acre-foot of coal in place, are estimated at 34 million short tons as of Januray 1, 1954. Of this total, 15 million short tons represents coal 28 inches and more thick. Areas in the beds were omitted from the estimate because available data relative to the bed characteristics were insufficient to permit making an estimate conforming with the definitions of measured and indicated coal adopted for this study. Should future drilling or development prove reserves in these areas, such reserves should be added to the total estimated reserves determined by this investigation.

Jan 1, 1956

By Thomas Glück

Established and emerging mining companies face significant challenges in managing their operations and projects. Outcomes often do not meet the expectations of all the stakeholders of particular developments. This paper reviews typical management practises used by mining companies to undertake mining projects and improve their operations. A simple application of the House of Quality (HOQ) tool used in the Quality Functional Deployment (QFD) management approach is presented. It is shown that a QFDMMPtg approach could lead to innovation in mining processing plant development practice.

Jan 1, 2015

By D. A. Rhys

"The Red Bluff porphyry is a tabular 2 km long north-west trending Early Jurassic quartz diorite to monzodiorite body that intrudes a folded Triassic greywacke sequence in the lskut River area, northwestern British Columbia. The porphyry is 500 m to 800 m northeast of the Snip orebody, which is a southwest-dipping shear-vein, termed the Twin zone that contains approximately 35 tonnes of gold.The intrusion associated with the mineralization is characterized by 0.3 cm to 4 cm phenocrysts of K-feldspar in a mediumgrained plagioclase porphyritic matrix. It is overprinted by pervasive sericite + quartz ± K-feldspar ± biotite (potassic) alteration characterized by intense stockworking of quartz veins containing magnetite--hematite bands. This assemblage is cut successively by quartz veins with minor iron-oxides and pyrite, and by younger pyrite veins with phyllic envelopes. The system is gold-rich but copper-poor, with typical grades between 0.25 g/t and 0.6 g/t Au, and 0.1% and 0.2% Cu. All styles of alteration and veining have similar abundances of these metals. Where southwest- and north-east dipping shear zones are developed in the porphyry, veins of all types are sheeted and foliation parallel. These sheeted zones are interpreted to be syntectonic. Asymmetric phenocrysts, folded veins and oblique foliations developed in the 130 haulageway of the Snip mine imply oblique normally-directed shear on the southwest-dipping foliation.The adjacent Twin zone is a high-grade auriferous shear-vein system that is internally banded with: (1) carbonate-chlorite-biotite veins, with textures indicating formation at least partially by wallrock replacement, and (2) dilatant quartz-sulphide veins. Veins commonly have potassic alteration envelopes that contain biotite ± calcite ± K-feldspar. The zone is highly deformed and schistose, with numerous kinematic indicators including shear bands, asymmetric folds, rotated porphyroclasts and oblique foliations that indicate a normally-directed shear sense which is parallel to that indicated by fabrics within the porphyry.Precious and base metal veins within 2 km or 3 km of the Red Bluff porphyry are zoned. Veins and shear-veins proximal to the intrusion, such as the Twin zone, are typically enriched in gold, copper and molybdenum, and have potassic alteration envelopes dominated by biotite. Distal veins usually contain relatively abundant zinc and lead and have sericitic alteration envelopes. Structures of both types have an Early Jurassic galena Pb-Pb isotope signature.The similarities in structural fabrics and alteration histories in both the Twin zone and the porphyry, the zoning of the vein systems in the area, and the apparently concordant Early Jurassic zircon U-Pb age from the porphyry and galena Pb-Pb dates from the Twin zone and surrounding vein systems suggest that intrusion, semi-brittle deformation and a large mineralizing hydrothermal system were closely related temporally and genetically."

Jan 1, 1995

By Lever R. R

The paper discusses assay methods generally used when prospecting for gold, and also the applicability of various chemical methods, it describes a new paper chromatographic technique.for making fairly rapid semi-quantitative assays for very fine gold. Testing of the method in field work shows that this simple method could have applications in geologic work, in prospecting and in certain routine mine sampling work. It is not yet a method that can be used to detect anomalies in traces of gold dispersed around an orebody, as is general practice in geochemical prospecting.INTRODUCTIONAccording to the English economist Harrod (1958), "the acute shortage of gold in the world-because currency value has not been adjusted in line with the fall in the goods value of the various currencies-has been a familiar fact for some time now". Harrod calculates that a rise in the price of gold to double its present value is necessary to rectify this condition, and that, if this rise were to take place, increase in production and reduction in private hoarding might well bring annual accretion to world stocks from the presentaverage of about $464 million to a figure close to the $2,000 million that would probably eiiminate these shortages.Any increase in the price of gold is bound to lead to a great increase in prospecting at working mines, in abandoned areas and possibly in untouched country. Prospecting, techniques for base metal orebodies have improved greatly in the last thirty years; but methods available to detect gold occurring without accessory metals have not received the same attention. With this in mind a paper chromatographic method of assaying for gold has been developed by Lever (1958). In the field this semi-quantitative method has proved...

Jan 1, 1959

It is indeed a privilege and honour to deliver the keynote address at this 15th APCOM symposium. APCOM has played a significant role in my own career and I am sure in the careers of many of the thousands of other participants over the years since its inception as a short course on "Computers and Computer Applications in the Mineral Industry" at the University of Arizona in 1961. The technical papers and addresses presented at the 14 past symposia provide an imposing record of sustained pro- gress and achievement in the field of computer applications. I will not attempt to analyse this technical side of APCOM but rather endeavour to provide you with a broad popular perspective of the road travelled to date and that lying ahead of us. The name of the series of symposia has changed from time to time, with titles such as Mathematical and Statistical Techniques, Mining and Exploration, and Decision Making being used at various times until in 1972 the name APCOM was coined and the present loga designed by the South African organising committee for the 10th symposium. It can conveniently be accepted as standing for:

Jan 1, 1977

By John W. Fredland

Many accidents occur in the mining industry as a result of the instability of material during handling and processing operations. Accidents due to dump point instability at stockpiles, and at spoil or waste piles, for example, occur with alarming frequency. Miners must be trained to be better aware of these hazards. Information on safe working procedures at stockpiles and surge piles is provided. Mine operators must review their training and operating procedures regularly to ensure that hazardous conditions are avoided.

Jan 1, 1993

By J. N. Van der Merwe

The paper provides an overview of subsidence research which was done by the Sasol Company in South Africa over a period of more than six years. The magnitudes of subsidence elements in South Africa are largely similar to those in the U.S.A. and Australia, as opposed to Europe. The research resulted in a subsidence prediction method with a new approach to the prediction of ground strain. The paper also describes the effects of subsidence on various commonly occurring surface structures such as roads, overland conveyor belts, pipe lines and power pylons. It is concluded that while most structures are not specifically designed to accommodate mining induced displacements, they can nontheless be undermined safely and economically with only minor precautions.

Jan 1, 1986

By D François-Bongarçon

After a review of the progresses made on the liberation factor theory since its inception by Gy (1982), a new and surprising result of great practical importance is presented: the liberation factor. First introduced simply as a number between 0 and 1, then shown to be the ratio of two variances, is now shown to be well approximated by the proportion of liberated mineral.CITATION:François-Bongarçon, D, 2017. Evolution of the concept of the liberation factor and a surprising new result, in Proceedings Eighth World Conference on Sampling and Blending , pp 307–310 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

May 9, 2017

By Thomas T., Read

IT will be recalled that when educational instruction for the mineral industry began at Freiberg, at the beginning of the eighteenth century, the original aim was to organize and systematize the procedures previously followed by young men in gaining -familiarity with the technology then in use. There must have been many other ideas current, even then, as to just what a young man needed to learn in order to become capable of assuming 'responsibility for the supervision and direction of such technical work. The problem in Europe was decidedly different .from that in nineteenth-century America, because some of the European mines were actually owned and operated by the governing authority and the others were supervised, regulated, and taxed by it. The American problem was the e5cient performance of technical operations; the European one was regulatory supervision. It was natural, therefore, that in the development of educational processes in Europe stress was laid on those factors which conserved and protected the interests of the state. The study of mineralogy and geology, leading to correct judgments as to the workability and value of mineral deposits; assaying, which gave the means of quantitative measurements, as did surveying; chemistry, which furnished a better basis of understanding for assaying, mineralogy, and geology; and physics and mathematics, which are the bases for the understanding and efficient use of mechanical appliances, became the core of systematic instruction, for the mineral industry. It was early recognized that men could learn more than was already known about all of these subjects and education took on that dichotomy which still characterizes it; the teaching of established knowledge to the unlearned, and that of extending of the bounds of knowledge, now loosely termed research, which after two and a half centuries of work still shows

Jan 1, 1941

By Robert C. Freas

While on the surface limestone marketing may appear mundane, it has continued to provide a series of challenges beyond the realm normally envisioned with this industry. This paper presents a case history of a mature and well-established quarry company that has attempted to keep pace with an ever-changing economy. It examines the impact of socio- economic and technological factors on the company's marketing efforts, and looks at the role of both short and long range planning. The realities which have had to be faced and how product requirements have been kept in balance with production restrictions are also discussed.

Jan 1, 1981

By Cecilia Arrue, Dominic Fragomeni, N. O. Lotter

"A statistically designed benchmark mill survey was carried out in July 2005 at the Kidd Creek Concentrator, D Division circuit, which processes Ni/Cu ore from the Montcalm deposit. A structured statistical survey approach was followed, together with defined quality controls, which would assign a 95 percent level of confidence in the result.A set of six surveys were completed over a limited time; the corresponding stream samples of the surveys found acceptable were combined to obtain high confidence composite samples. The head grade of each survey is compared to two distributions to test its acceptability; surveys that fail to conform to these trials are rejected. The accepted set of surveys, which is a robust representation of the process, is prepared into a composite for QEM-SEM analysis and mass balance purposes.Where the above practice is a standard procedure in Falconbridge for QEM*SEM purposes, in this case each individual two-hour survey unit was measured and analysed for a mass and value balance. It is shown that none of the individual mass and value balances close as well as the composite set of accepted two-hour survey units. This founding is in keeping with the averaging properties of the Central Limit Theorem.INTRODUCTIONMontcalm OperationsNi/Cu bearing ore from the Montcalm deposit is being processed at the Falconbridge, Kidd Creek Concentrator in a modified D Division circuit. The circuit was commissioned in the fall of 2004. Ore is crushed at the minesite to –19 mm and trucked to Kidd for delivey into the 4 parallel fine ore bins.Ore is milled in a rod mill followed by cyclones and 2 parallel ball mills. The grinding circuit treats Montcalm ore at an average feed rate of 100 wet tonnes/hour (750,000 tonnes/annum) and produces a flotation feed particle size of 83% -53 um. A simple flowsheet including bulk Cu/Ni roughing and 2 bulk cleaning stages followed by Cu/Ni separation in 2 stages is practiced. Soda ash is used as a pH modifier in bulk flotation. SIBX is the collector. Lime and Dextrin are added into Cu/Ni separation for the depression of pentlandite."

Jan 1, 2007

By J. H. Adkins

The goal of the project reported in this paper was to make recommendations for changes in roof bolting procedures and bolter design that would reduce roof bolter accident rates. To that end the project identified the major hazards associated with each task a roof bolter operator per-forms, normalized task accident frequencies. by the time spent on each task, reviewed equipment design features and operating procedures related to the identified hazards and developed recommendations for equipment and procedural changes that would reduce, if not eliminate, the hazards. The research steps completed during the project were: a. A review of related literature and re-search including roof bolting time studies b. The collection and analysis of 1975 accident data pertaining to roof bolter activities c. The normalization of the accident frequency data on the basis of time/task data d. A review of roof bolting equipment e. The development of a field data collection instrument f. The selection of mines for bolter observations g. The collection of field data h. Data analysis and problem specification i. The development of recommendations for corrective measures

Jan 1, 1978

By Brotzmann K, Turner RE, Philp DK, Rusden RC

New approaches in the last decade have led to the supplemental use of raw coal as a direct energy source in several iron and steelmaking processes. The dependence on more expensive coke and electricity is being progressively reduced. The Technology Venture of Klockner Werke and CRA has pionered several of these developments and is pushing ahead to processes for scrap melting and direct smel- ting of iron where coal is the ONLY energy source. Such complex developments depend strong- ly on the experience gained in the simpler but related processes for coal use already in operation. The longer term implications of a successful coal-based direct smelting process for the world steel industry are substantial.

Jan 1, 1986

By Kunihiko Takahashi, Gjergj Dodbiba, Hisayoshi Umeda, Toyohisa Fujita

"An increasing number of mobile phones is increasing the number of the discarded mobile phones. Many efforts are thus being made to collect and recycle these devices. This paper is a short introduction of the recycling system of precious metals from the discarded mobile phone, currently available in Japan. Moreover, an attempt has been made to compare the energy recovery and the mechanical recycling of plastic wastes from the discarded mobile phone. The assessment has been carried out in the context of the life cycle assessment methodology (LCA). The environmental impact of each option was assessed by calculating the following impact indicators: depletion of abiotic resources (ADP), and global warming potential (GWP). 1. Introduction In 2003, the demand for mobile phones was increased since the camera was included in a mobile phone and the 3rd generation of mobile phones was introduced. In turn, the number of discarded mobile phone is rising sharply. Generally speaking, all the metallic parts of mobile phones can be recovered and recycled by using smelting and purification techniques. The recycled materials are then used to fabricate other new products."

Jan 1, 2008

By R. HOLROYD

The Ludwigshafen and Oppau plants are largely independent I. G. factories situated some 23 miles apart on the west bank of the Rhine facing lannheim. The former factory is a general organic chemical works specializing in dyes, dye intermediates, plastics and synthetic rubber,. while the latter is a heavy organic chemical factory producing ammonia, methanol, higher alcohols and their derivatives. Before the war much of the I. G. research and development work was carried out at Ludwigs- hafen; in particular the high pressure research section directed by Dr. Mathias Pier played a very active part in all hydrogenation developments. Apart from the possibility that a full scale hydrogenation or Fischer Tropsch plant had been erected at Ludwigshafen/Oppau during the war, the main objectives of an oil team investigation were: - (a) To obtain from Dr. Pier and his staff an advance general picture of German fuel production processes. (b) To study the fuel developments still in the research and pilot plant stage. (c) To examine any new developments in hydrogen or synthesis gas manufacture. (d) To look for new processes for production of high anti-knock fuel constituents and for new fuel additives. (e) To investigate new chemical syntheses based on raw materials obtainable from oil. The Ludwigshafen and Oppau factories were first visited by the large team listed in Appendix A during the period 25-31st March. The investigation revealed that no large plant for synthetic fuels or lubricants had been operated at this target. All the important members of the Fuel Research Section staff had been evacuated to Heidelberg and information on the work of this department was therefore limited to that contained in seized documents, the greater part of which have still to be examined in detail. Valuable information on synthesis gas production from hydrocarbon gases was obtained as well as interesting data on a num- ber of chemical syntheses. Two members of the above team Holroyd and Faragher accompan- ied by Major Tilley (interrogator) went on to Heidelberg, contacted Dr. Pier and the chief members of his staff on April 1st and obtained from them the hydrogenation information given later in the body of the report. Later, after visiting Leuna, Holroyd, Faragher and Ellis paid a second visit to Heidelberg and to Ludwigshafen/Oppau on 27th-30th May to check a number of details, particularly with respect to hydrogenation costs, and to obtain information on the pressure.conversion of water gas to hydrogen and on the manufacture of Wickel pressure vessels.

Aug 1, 1943

By William O. Vanderburg

This report3/ gives the reconnaissance of a reconnaissance of the mining districts in Churchill County, Nev., made in the fall of 1938 and spring of 1938 All of the mining districts in the county were visited, but no attempt has been made to include all the mines and prospects within the area; inclusion or omission of a property in this paper has no bearing on its merits, The report gives the situation of the various districts, mineral production, and ownership of properties; describes the ore deposit, mines, and prospects; contains information on past and current activity; and includes other data likely to be useful to those interested in the development of our mineral resources. The various district, were named when they were organized for purposes of record and regulation. When established, the districts embraced large areas n without well- defined borders, so that the names have little geographical significance.

Jan 1, 1940

By AIME AIME

PLANS are now well advanced for the joint meeting of the Institute and over a dozen other engineering societies in Chicago during the week beginning June 26: Engineers' Week at A Century of Progress. All engineers planning to visit the Fair will find it to their advantage to be present at this time so far as the Chicago attractions are concerned, and Eastern members will also have the advantage of special transportation arrangements on June 24 and 25. The tentative program is given at the bottom of the next page. Monday morning, June 26, will be reserved for registration of members and guests and the Woman's Auxiliary at the Stevens Hotel, where special rooms will be provided. A luncheon will also be served there, and in the afternoon, a technical session on nonmetallics. Instead of having the big family dinner that evening at the Stevens, as at first proposed, the local committee has planned to have it at the Fair Grounds, where special facilities have been arranged. A meeting of the Board of Directors and a few invited guests will precede the dinner. All members and guests are likely to be interested in visiting the Museum of Science and Industry, so that will be the sole event on the program for Tuesday morning, June 27. The big attraction there at present is the model coal mine, the first operative coal mine ever built for exhibit purposes. It is based on the Deutsches Museum mine at Munich, but goes far beyond that in realism, and takes the visitor on an extended tour underground. It shows him in half an hour more types of modern mining machinery and coal geology than he would be likely to see in a week's underground study in the coal fields. The Institute members will be the first group to go through this mine.

Jan 1, 1933