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By James J. Scott

I welcome this opportunity to speak before the Coal Division of the AIME in such an attractive setting as the Pacific Northwest. With the development of the Centralia project, the Pacific Northwest will have its first major coal-fired thermal electric generating plant. This State has a long history of coal mining that diminished with the passage of coal-fired steamships and locomotives but is now reviving with the growth of electrical power demand. Because this 1,400 row plant is to be supplied with surface-mined coal, it is particularly appropriate that this area be the setting for a talk on factors influencing the growth of surface coal mining in the West. During the course of my talk, I will touch on a number of factors including electric power demand, coal resources, production trends, environmental considerations and trends in State and Federal activities that I feel will influence surface coal mining in the West. Total electric power consumption by the year 2000 is expected to reach 9.4 trillion kilowatt-hours. Predictions of total coal consumption for electric power generation by that year range from a low of 845 million tons to a high of 1,520 million tons, or 2.6 to 4.7 times the amount used for this purpose in 1970.

Jan 1, 1971

By John Newby, Edward Kennedy, Ulf Gwildis

Alluvial deposits of major rivers often provide relatively uniform tunneling conditions. However, these conditions pose specific challenges due to the tunneling behavior of the granular soils as flowing ground, if unsupported. This paper describes the design considerations and construction experiences gained during the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) drives for the Annacis Island WWTP New Outfall System in the Vancouver, B.C. metropolitan area. Meeting the design criteria for connecting two (2) deep on-land shafts with an in-river riser manifold required advancing a 5-meter-diameter slurry TBM through the Fraser Rivers sands and at a tunnel invert elevation with a baseline hydrostatic head of 3.4 bar.

Dec 1, 2022

By Reed S. C. Rogers

There is recent evidence that high frequency screening can be a viable alternative to hydrocyclone classification for a wide variety of grinding applications. However, since high frequency screening is a relatively new development, the decision to use screens generally must be based on full scale screening tests of a slurry material of interest. In this paper the authors employ mathematical simulation models as an aid to evaluating the use of screens versus hydrocyclones for closed circuit fine grinding. This approach is validated in a pilot plant study and then demonstrated for the design of full-scale grinding circuit, including classifier cost comparisons. For the case of maximum production rates versus product size, without a constraint on fine product solids densities, results indicate that screening with Derrick sandwich type cloths can give higher grinding circuit production rates with more narrowly sized products than when hydrocyclones are used. These results are explained in terms of the bypass and Sharpness Index of the respective classifier partition curves. Classifier cost comparisons for the full scale circuit show that although the installed cost of screens is substantially higher than equivalent capacity hydrocylone operations, even modest increases in circuit capacity caused by screens; can significantly reduce total grinding costs.

Jan 1, 1985

By Raúl Castro, Marco Vera, Alfonso Ovalle

The underground mining evolution for block cave mines in Chile and worldwide has made important strides in the last decades. Nonetheless, reserves determination in the initial stages of these types of projects—mainly for long-term planning—is not studied in as much detail as it should be, especially regarding the impact on the final value of the enterprise. Today, the first estimation of the size of a block cave mine, typically expressed in tons, tends to determine very large footprints and ore bodies. The resulting large-scale mine is obtained by applying the marginal cut-off grade (COG) to determine reserves. Yet, in many cases, it is possible to obtain an equal or higher benefit, extracting fewer reserves in less time, with a smaller active area, which significantly reduces the project’s uncertainty. To explore scenarios obtained by applying a higher marginal COG in the initial phases of the project, the Hill of Value methodology is used to estimate the net present value (NPV) in relation to the production rate and the COG. However, the application of this methodology considers certain simplifications that generate results which are not completely satisfactory in specific cases. This paper suggests an improvement of this method to obtain more reliable results regarding determination of a COG profile that will optimize the NPVof a block-cave project. The methodology was developed and applied in a massive polymetallic deposit with zinc, lead, and silver mineralization, corresponding to a real block caving project. The methodology provides NPV results that differ by approximately 15% in comparison to the real mine plan, while also being considerably simpler and faster to calculate. In summary, the proposed methodology provides a reasonable and fast procedure to estimate higher than marginal COG that increases the NPV of block cave mine projects.

By Kallam V. K. Reddy, VADAPALLI SANJANA, Veerendra Singh, Gajanan Kapure

This work describes a leaching process for the conversion of high-magnesium peridotite rock, which is a chromite ore overburden, into two valuable products: magnesium salts and micro silica. Under normal leaching conditions, residue remaining after leaching is of a gelatinous nature and thus hinders the filtration process. To address this issue, oxidative leaching with the addition of H2O2 was employed, and it significantly improved the filtration kinetics. Four different approaches for H2O2 addition were tried, and they all proved effective in controlling gelation. The optimum oxidative leaching condition was 70 °C, 2 h time, 2 M H2SO4, 0.5MH2O2 and 400 RPM; under these conditions, 92% magnesium leaching efficiency was achieved. After leaching, the leach liquor obtained was purified and dried into Mg(OH)2 and MgSO4 salts. The leach residue contained mainly silica particles, with size in the 10–30 μm range. This material thus represents an attractive candidate for the production of highperformance concrete for the construction industry. The oxidative leaching process described here enabled the complete conversion of peridotite into valuable products, magnesium salts and micro silica.

May 5, 2020

By B. J. Huls

The commissioning of a Distributed Digital Control. System for the grinding circuit at Cuajone, was completed by mid August, 1985. Development of a successful strategy, excellent operator acceptability and the visual aspects offered by the display of the central console, improved mill throughput significantly. The inherent features of a digital system enhanced the flexibility in grinding control and allowed the mills and classifiers to be operated at maximum capacity. This paper discusses in detail the strategy development, the production restrictions encountered, and evaluates the overall performance of the digital control system. 1.0 Introduction In November 1976, the Cuajone Concentrator, located on the western slope of the Andes in Southern Peru, was commissioned to treat a nominal 41,000 TPD of ore. A systematic elimination of production restrictions has resulted in a continual increase of concentrator throughput to 48,700 TPD before the grinding control was in- stalled.

Jan 1, 1986

By F. Freme

Coal production in the United States in 2009 de-creased to 972.8 Mt (1,072.8 million st), according to preliminary data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). This is a decline of 8.5 percent, or 90 Mt (99.1 million st) below the 2008 record level of 1.06 Gt (1,171.8 million st) (Table 1). In 2009, U.S. coal consumption decreased in all sectors while total coal stocks increased for the year. Coal consumption in the electric power sector in 2009 was lower by 10 percent, while coking coal consumption decreased by 30.6 percent and the other industrial sector declined by 16.6 percent. The commercial and institutional sector (which prior to 2008 had been called ?residential and commercial?) is the smallest of all the coal-consuming sectors and it declined by 8.4 percent in 2009. (Note: all percentage change calculations are done at the short tons level.) U.S. coal exports fell from the 2008 levels, while coal imports decreased for a second year in a row. The decline in coal consumption during the year was the consequence of the domestic economic conditions combined with the weather in 2009, which resulted in lower demand for electricity. Preliminary data show that total generation in the electric power sector (electric utilities and independent power producers, including useful thermal output) in the U.S. decreased in 2009. Coal-based generation also decreased, resulting in a 94-Mt (104-million st) drop in coal consumed in the electric power sector. Coal use in the non-electricity sector decreased by 20.1 percent to a level of 57.9 Mt (63.9 million st). The international coal markets for most of 2009 were reflective of a worldwide economic slowdown. U.S. coal exports and imports both declined for the year. U.S. coal exports totaled 53.6 Mt (59.1 million st). This is a decrease of 20.3 Mt (22.4 million st) from the 2008 level.

Jun 1, 2010

By H. G. Wickes

Virtually all fluorine consumed by the aluminum industry is as the electrolyte of the Hall-Heroult process for producing primary aluminum. A small amount of fluorspar is used but most fluorine is consumed as either aluminum fluoride or cryolite. Some fluorine- containing materials are used in secondary aluminum production, but the amount is negligible compared with primary production requirements. Any analysis of the future of the primary aluminum industry must take into account two powerful and closely related driving forces which are shaping that future. These factors are increasingly stringent restrictions on the emission of pollutants and the continuing cost-price squeeze. Nowhere do these factors combine more forcefully than in the area of fluorine consumption. We can safely assume that industry efforts to reduce fluorine consumption will be intensified and that these efforts will be fruitful. This paper will attempt to identify and quantify the factors and trends of fluorine consumption during the next decade. We will be concerned primarily with the demand for new fluorine. Sources of new fluorine will not be treated.

Jan 1, 1973

By W. Hustrulid

"In recognition of his inspiring dedication to the mining industry through education, research contributions and dissemination of practical knowledge, exceptional leadership and excellence in mining engineering practice and for his lecture, “You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.” Recipient of the 2002 D.C. Jackling Award Introduction It is always difficult to decide on the most appropriate title to give to a paper or talk. It is a particularly difficult decision in the case of the Jackling Lecture, because the title becomes part of the award citation. I hope that the significance of this unusual title will become crystal clear as you read the pages that follow. However, to assist you in this journey, I will provide the following few words of guidance. In making a cake, you need the proper ingredients. If one or more of them are missing, it will not be a cake. In addition, the quality of the cake depends on the quality of the ingredients. In my lecture, the "cake" is the U.S. mining industry of the future. A national perspective President George W. Bush in his State of the Union Address (Bush, 2002) delivered on January 29, 2002, defined three national objectives: •win the war on terrorism, •protect the homeland and •revitalize the economy. Under the heading "revitalize the economy," he indicated the importance of "good jobs" and "energy production" by saying: "Good jobs begin with good schools. Good jobs also depend on reliable and affordable energy. This Congress must act to encourage conservation, promote technology, build infrastructure and it must act to increase energy production at home so America is less dependent on foreign oil." I wish that he would have broadened his focus and stated instead that: "This Congress must act to encourage conservation, promote technology, build infrastructure, and it must act to increase materials production at home so America is less dependent on foreign sources." With regard to jobs, all jobs are not equal. To paraphrase John Reeves of MidContinent Resources (Reeves, 2002): "If our nation is to prosper, we all cannot make a living by doing each other's wash. Some of us, at least, must be actively engaged in the primary production of raw materials from the riches of the earth and other Americans must turn those materials into consumer products." The unfortunate trend in our country has been to neglect the primary production of basic materials, even those coming next in line. We have left those responsibilities to others while we concentrate instead on performing various services, i.e., doing each other's wash and flipping burgers. This cannot continue. It must be remembered, especially by those in leadership positions, that all "jobs" are not created equal. Some jobs are much more essential to the security and wellbeing of our country than others. We must be sure that the important ones are in place. We cannot produce the basic materials that our nation requires without access to those materials. This leads to my Proposition 1: You cannot have a viable mining industry without a clearly enunciated, positive U.S. materials policy. Background regarding U.S. materials policy Resources for freedom. In January 1951, President Truman created the President's Materials Policy Commission, with William S. Paley as chairman. As expressed in the invitation letter from the president to Paley: This commission, within the executive office of the president, is to study the broader and longer-range aspects of the nation's materials problems as distinct from the immediate defense needs. The task of the commission is to make an objective inquiry into all major aspects of the problem of assuring an adequate supply of production materials for our long-range needs and to make recommendations that will assist me in formulating a comprehensive policy on such materials. The commission should study, together with any other aspects deemed by it to be pertinent, such questions relating to production materials as: - the long-range requirements outlook; - the long-range supply outlook; - the prospect and estimated extent of shortages; - the consistency and adequacy of existing government policies, plans and programs; and - the consistency and adequacy of private industry practices.

Jan 1, 2003

By Walter Steiner, Claus Becker

INTRODUCTION General Switzerland is a densely populated country in the heart of Europe. With its total surface of 41.300 km2 and a population of 6,8 million in 1986 the average population density is 163 capita / km2. The population density is lower than in Germany (245 capita/ km2) or the Netherlands (355 capita/km2). The USA have a population density of 26 capita/ km 2. However, sixty percent of the Swiss surface is covered by the Alps and another ten percent by the Jura mountains the remaining thirty percent of the surface is covered by the Swiss plateau where the majority of the population lives. The population in the inhabitated areas is thus substantially higher and may possibly reach those in major metropolitain areas. Due to the high population density in Europe in general and Switzerland in particular future traffic demands cannot be fulfilled sole by car or plane. Environmental and land-use constraints lead to the third option for growing transportation needs: High-speed rail (Bovy, 1990). Switzerland has developed its own approach to promote public transportation and in particular rail transportation: "Rail 2000" (Stalder, 1990). The system "Rail 2000" is based on a series of hubs distributed over Switzerland where easy connections can be made.

Jan 1, 1991

By Craig J. Nelsen, J. Leroy Schutz

The Carache Canyon Prospect consists of a hypabyssal breccia pipe which intrudes a gently dipping sequence of Cretaceous Mancos Formation and Mesa Verde Group shales and sandstones. This sedimentary sequence is intruded by a number of Oligocene (34-30 Ma) calc- alkaline sills. The formation of the breccia pipe and its subsequent gold mineralization is related to the emplacement of an alkaline intrusive complex dated between 30-26 Ma. An exceptionally large block within the pipe provides compelling evidence that brecciated sills and sedimentary rocks form a relict stratigraphy that collapsed 400-800 ft (120-240 m) below their counterparts outside the pipe without substantial changes in stratigraphic position. Native gold and sulfide mineralization within and around the pipe occurs in fractures that are primarily controlled by competency differences between sills and sedimentary rocks and secondarily controlled by ductility contrasts between the relatively brittle Mancos Formation hornfels and the more ductile Menefee Group shales. The resulting pattern of gold mineralization is a series of stacked, tabular, mineralized sills and sandstone separated by barren shale in an annular region along the southwest margin of the pipe. A series of near-vertical, subparallel, sill and sandstone breccias separated by barren or weakly mineralized shale breccia occur within shallow levels of the pipe.

Jan 1, 1990

By L. H. Michaud

A mining company plans to extend its surface coal-mining operations in central Pennsylvania. Although the proposed site contains pyritic material, the results of the acid-base accountings for the site shows an overall Neutralization Potential to Maximum Potential Acidity Ratio (NP:MPA) of 4.26:1 for the entire site. The pyritic material is, however, associated with the lower of the three seams to be mined. If traditional dragline-mining methods are used, this would result in the acidic material being placed at the top of the spoil piles, exposing it to air and water, and therefore to the formation of acid mine drainage (AMD). Further concerns are associated with the fact that the alkaline material is not distributed evenly over the mine site. To prevent the formation of AMD, the company has proposed to mine the area using truck-shovel mining methods. This technique offers a more flexible alternative for cut sequencing and for the selective placement of waste material. Working with the Department of Mineral Engineering at The Pennsylvania State University, amine plan was developed for this site. This plan results in the layering of the alkaline and acidic spoil to achieve an overall net alkalinity in all spoil areas. Therefore, mining this site should not result in the formation of AMD.

Jan 1, 1996

By B. C. Paul, R. Q. Honaker, K. Ho

Recent research has shown that froth flotation is not effective at treating fine coals (-28 mesh) containing a large portion of middling particles. Due to their relatively large density differences, middling particles can be separated more efficiently using gravity-based processes. The ability of gravity separators to treat fine particles has been limited by the lack of particle inertia relative to the surface drag forces. However, particle inertia can be enhanced by the application of a centrifugal field. A commercial-scale centrifugal Falcon concentrator capable of treating a mass flow rate of greater than 1 tph continuously has been used to evaluate its feasibility for treating fine coal as an alternative to froth flotation. Tests conducted on a -28 mesh fine coal circuit feed have found the Falcon concentrator to be very effective at cleaning the 28 x 325 mesh size fraction. For an Illinois No. 5 coal sample, the ash content was reduced in the 100 x 325 mesh size fraction from about 18% to 8% while achieving a high combustible recovery value of nearly 97%. In addition, the total sulfur content was substantially decreased from 2.6% to 1.7%. The effects of the critical operating parameters on separation performance have been studied and their values optimized.

Jan 1, 1995

By Robert A. Jankowski, J. Drew Potts

The Bureau has identified several ventilation techniques and a water spray application for reducing auger mining dust levels. The dust control methods all work by improving air quantity or flow patterns at the face. Section airflow is maximized by reducing air leakage between entries. Sealing stoppings with brushed- on mortar, containing fiberglass additives, reduces leakage. Heading airflow is maximized by properly installing the brattice curtain and keeping the area between the curtain and rib free from obstructions. The brattice curtains should be hung at least 1.7 m (5.5 ft) from the ribs in 7.9 m (26 ft) wide entries and kept less than 4.6 m (15 ft) from the face. A tight curtain seal is created by using the mine air pressure to force the curtain against the timbers, roof and floor of the mine. Using both a blowing curtain and an exhausting curtain will isolate some face workers from dusty air. The Bureau designed, auger clearer spray system, can be used to force heading air across the active face. Laboratory tests indicate that the auger clearer spray system can increase face velocities by more than 0.5 m/sec (100 ft/min), while using less than 0.13 l/sec (2.0 gal/min) of water.

Jan 1, 1989

By Raymond A. Povirk, David L. Bartsch, James V. Hamel

The Ohio Valley Coal Company is expand- ing its Powhatan Mine No. 6 near Alledonia, Ohio. This expansion includes a 20 rn (65 ft) height in crease for an existing 44 rn (145 ft) coal refuse - slurry impoundment dam. The dam is being raised by upstream construction which will involve placement of more than 15 m (50 ft) of new fill over an existing reinforced concrete decant structure. This structure is 0.76 rn (30 in.) square inside and its deepest portion was under 24 m (80 ft) of coal slurry and water. The top of the decant structure was not strong enough to safely support the new fill and, because of the slurry and water, there was no way to reinforce the structure from the outside. The structure was reinforced frorn the inside by sliplining 73 m (240 ft) of 0.66 rn (26 in.) OD, 0.53 rn (21 in.) ID polyethylene pipe, grouting around this pipe with cellular concrete. and constructing a steel-fiber reinforced micro-silica concrete transition at the upslope end of the pipe. Rehabilition of the decant structure was completed in August 1989. The rehabilitated decant structure is now performing satisfactorily as fill is being placed over it for raising the dam.

Jan 1, 1991

By Y. Luo

Cuando se diseña y operan minas de carbón subterráneas con el método de cámaras y pilares, es siempre difícil obtener un buen equilibrio entre la prevención de subsidencia de la superficie y la obtención de un alto coeficiente de recuperación. En este trabajo se propone una metodología de diseño aplicando la teoría de arco de presión y se detallan los principios y modelos matemáticos involucrados. Se desarrolló un programa de computadora a fin de realizar el proceso de optimización del diseño y fue aplicado a la examinación de un caso documentado en el que había sucedido una falla masiva de un pilar en cascada sobre un área grande en una mina de carbón poco profunda. Los resultados indican que el método de diseño propuesto puede ser aplicado para prevenir la subsidencia y a la vez obtener un alto coeficiente de recuperación para operaciones mineras de cámara y pilares.

Jan 1, 2014

By Y. Luo

In designing and operating underground room-and-pillar coal mines, it is always difficult to achieve a good balance between preventing surface subsidence and achieving high recovery ratio. In this paper, a design methodology applying the pressure arch theory is proposed, and the principles and mathematical models involved are detailed. A computer program was developed to carry out the design optimization process and was applied to the examination of a documented case in which a massive cascading pillar failure had occurred over a large area in a shallow coal mine. The results indicate that the proposed design method can be applied to prevent subsidence while achieving reasonably high recovery ratio for roomand- pillar mining operations.

Jan 1, 2014

By Bryan Ulrich

Knight Piésold and Co. hosted its annual roundtable discussion on March 17, 2011 at the Stockman Hotel and Casino in Elko, NV. The theme for Roundtable 2011 was, ?High density tailings, paste, and filtered tailings,? although the topic may well have been subtitled, ?Don?t prematurely rule out any technologies before they are given their day in court.? Bryan Ulrich, Knight Piésold?s local representative, as well as Tom Kerr from Knight Piésold?s office in Denver, CO, were on hand to help facilitate the discussion. Ulrich and Kerr are senior vice president and president of Knight Piésold?s U.S. practice, respectively. The event played host to more than 30 attendees from several western states. Attendees included personnel from a dozen mining properties and various corporate offices. There were also attendees from manufacturing and specialist consulting firms who have been providing services to various high-density tailings, paste and filtered tailings operations worldwide. It may be noted that the term ?filtered tailings? is used in this discussion. Alternative terms, such as ?dry stack? or ?dewatered tailings,? should be avoided whenever possible, as such terms tend to give a false sense about the nature of the material since these materials typically still retain a significant amount of moisture.

Jan 1, 2011

By J. A. Zimmer, M. S. Hillis, D. Moredock, J. A. Organiscak, A. B. Cecala

Enclosed cabs have been used on surface mining equipment for many years to protect equipment operators from health and safety hazards. The surface mining and quarrying process is a highly mechanized process that generates large quantities of respirable dust. Due to economic factors, more older mining equipment is being used today than in years past. With this older equipment, it is common to observe deterioration of many components on the enclosed cabs, which greatly reduce their protection effectiveness. NIOSH has performed a number of different field studies, as well as a comprehensive laboratory study, evaluating various factors and parameters regarding enclosed cabs. NIOSH has recently completed a cooperative research effort to evaluate the effectiveness of a newly designed unidirectional powered precleaner, filter and pressurizer that brings clean filtered air in at the roof of the cab and extracts all recirculated air near the floor. This research effort provided another example of the enhancement in air quality that can be achieved in an enclosed cab from the implementation of an improved filtration system and by establishing positive pressurization from increased intake air volume and sealing the cab. This testing showed a significant reduction in respirable dust levels in the enclosed cab when comparing baseline versus post-testing results. Since dust levels were similar near the roof and floor of the cab during post-testing, the unidirectional flow pattern did not appear to significantly improve the performance over the conventional design in this study.

Jan 1, 2009

By David B. Brooks

I gratefully acknowledge the help of a number of American and Canadian geologists, in both federal surveys and in private firms, who took the time to discuss this problem with me. Hans Landsberg and Bruce Netschert also followed the study with interest and encouragement. In their 1961 monograph, THE FUTURE SUPPLY OF THE MAJOR METALS, Bruce Netschert and Hans Landsberg noted that identified potential resources (that is, known but submarginal resources) of lead and zinc were much lower relative to reserves (that is, known and supermarginal resources) than was the same ratio for other metals.1/ Put another way, it seemed that for such metals as iron, manganese, copper, and aluminum, slightly more favorable economic conditions or modest advances in technology would greatly increase reserves by permitting the exploitation of vest quantities of leaner or deeper or otherwise less valuable mineral deposits. But for lead and zinc, Netschert and Landsberg concluded that either: "(1) there is relatively little material below present cutoff grades; [or] (2) such material exists, but for some reason there are no data.? 2/ This situation, which they called "the lead-zinc anomaly" has been subsequently discussed by other authors. The purpose of this paper is to carry the discussion further by examining the evidence in favor of (1) and (2) and by advancing a third alternative.

Jan 1, 1967