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By Danny W. Hagood

High methane liberation and mining depth were two major factors which prompted the development of a high- capacity face ventilation system at Jim Walter Re- sources, Inc., No. 4 Mine. No. 4 Mine, one of four deep shaft mines presently under development, is located approximately 50 miles southwest of Birmingham, near Brookwood, Alabama (Figure 1). The coal seams under development are located in the Warrior Coal Field and include both the Blue Creek and Mary Lee Seams, Depth of cover averages 2000 ft. (610 m) with an average total mining height of 8 ft. C2.4 m). [ ] It is generally accepted that the methane content of a particular coal increases as the overburden depth is increased [l] ; experience to date has shown that the gas condition of the No. 4 Mine is no exception to the rule. To further compound the problem, the over- burden depth, coupled with the relatively soft nature of the Blue Creek coal, has resulted in an initial layout based upon 150 x 150 ft (45.7 x 45.7 m) centers. Considering the above-mentioned mining conditions, the means and the effectiveness of the face ventilation system becomes paramount where productivity is concerned.

Jan 1, 1980

By Qinghua Gu, BUQING XUE, XUEXIAN LI, JIANGSHAN SONG, Qian Wang

Updating the openpit vehicle transportation network has the problem of being time consuming and low precision. To address this problem, a high-precision road network model construction method for unmanned vehicles in openpit mines is proposed. This method can be divided into two steps. In the first step, an improved deep learning image processing model named DeepLabv3+C (DeepLabv3+Concat) is presented, and the road information extracted by the DeepLabv3+C network is used to construct a three-dimensional model of the openpit mine road network. In the second step, aiming at the time-consuming problem of unmanned vehicles meeting in openpit mines, a vehicle meeting strategy is proposed. This strategy is used to guide the navigation of unmanned vehicles in openpit mines. At the end of the study, vehicle running simulation was carried out on the road network model using Unity, a 3D visualization simulation software. The high-precision unmanned road network model of openpit mines studied in this work can further promote the construction and development of smart mines by acting as a high-precision map for unmanned vehicles.

By A. U. Seybolt

A FEW copper-zinc-base alloys meet die-casting requirements reason- ably well, although improvements are desired. Aluminum bronzes, high-tinbronzes and some copper-nickel-zinc alloys can be die-cast, accordingto Herb,1 but seldom are because of such factors as higher melting ranges and greater cost than certain of the brasses. Fox2 has summarized the copper-base die-casting alloys that were in commercial use in 1937 and has given the effects of different alloying constituents. Table 1 gives some of the properties of these alloys as reported by Fox. TABLE 1. Commercial Die-casting Brasses a Constituent Yellow Brass Low-silicon High-siliconb Brass Brass Nickel Silver Composition, Per Cent Cu 57-59 63-65 80 -81.5 42.0 Zn 40-42 33-35 13.5-16.0 41.0 Sn 0.5-1.5 Si 0.75-1.25 3.75-4.25 Pb 1.0 Ni 16.0 Properties Tensile, lb. per sq. in.. 55,000-60,000 65,000-70,000 85,000-95,000 85,000-95,000 Yield, lb. per sq. in.d.. 30,000-35,000 35,000-40,000 65,000-70,000 65,000-72,000 Elong., per cent in 2 in . 15-20 20-30 8-12 10-20 Brinell hardness 120-130 120-130 160-180 160 Specific gravity 8.47 8.50 8.15 8.45 Properties reported by Fox.2 b Trade name of Brastil, Doehler Die Casting Co., similar to Webert Alloy, 3,4 American Brass Co., and Tombasil Alloy,5 Ajax Metal Co. c Trade name Tinicosil, Titan Metal Manufacturing Co. Melting point (liquidus) of the yellow brass is given by Herb' as 1650° F., of the high-silicon Brastil (with 4.5 to 5 per cent Si) as 1600° F., and of the nickel silver as 1675° F. d Criterion not stated.

Jan 1, 1939

By Robert Lee, Pertti Paavola

Automated vibration monitoring and web-based data distribution has proven itself on the largest single construction project ever undertaken in Finland. The excavation for the Kamppi Center Project in the center of Helsinki was completed in November of 2003 and involved the removal of over 200,000 m3 (260,000 yd3) of rock and over 1,700 individual blasts. A system was installed, incorporating 37 discrete monitoring points located throughout an underlying metro station, and other surrounding underground and surface facilities. After every blast, vibration data was automatically transferred from the monitoring network to a server database. Stakeholders were able to access and review vibration reports on a password-protected website within 90 seconds of each blast. This allowed engineers to verify that recorded levels were in compliance with established limits, before proceeding with subsequent blasts. The data was also imported into a semi-automated Scaled Distance tool for analysis using linear regression techniques. This was used to determine, and adjust for trends in blast-induced vibration.Copyright

Jan 1, 2004

By A Turns

In a survey conducted by symplexi with underground miners in Australia; 78 per cent of participants believed that ‘safety’ is all about people. If ‘safety’ is about people, then is the mining industry focusing on the wrong thing? It would be fair to say that the mining industry is heavily systems focused. Companies develop a safety management system and use this to show regulators that they comply with legislation – however, that is only half of the picture.

May 5, 2022

By Qinghua Gu, BUQING XUE, XUEXIAN LI, JIANGSHAN SONG, Qian Wang

To solve the problem of time-consuming and low precision in updating the open-pit vehicle transportation network, a high precision road network model construction method for unmanned vehicles in open-pit mines is proposed. This method can be divided into two steps. In the first step, an improved deep learning image processing model named DeepLabv3 + C (DeepLabv3 + Concat) is presented. Then, the road information extracted by the DeepLabv3 + C network is used to construct a three-dimensional model of the open-pit mine road network. In the second step, aiming at the time-consuming problem of unmanned vehicle meeting in open-pit mines, a vehicle meeting strategy was proposed. This strategy is used to guide the navigation of unmanned vehicles in open-pit mines. Besides, the DeepLabv3 + C network is verified by comparing the mIOU (means Intersection Over Union), accuracy, and continuity of road image extraction with the mainstream networks. The road network model constructed in the first step is quantitatively analyzed, and its performance is compared with GPS trajectory clustering methods. At the end of the paper, vehicle running simulation is carried out on the road network model by using Unity (a 3D visualization simulation software). The results show that the road network model constructed by this method can meet the navigation requirements of unmanned vehicles in open-pit mines, and the feasibility of the vehicle meeting strategy is proved.

Jan 11, 2022

By Richard F. Sliwoski

The Virginia State Capitol was designed by Thomas Jefferson and constructed in 1785. The Capitol is of great historic and architectural significance to not only the Commonwealth of Virginia but to the nation. It is the oldest operating Capitol in the U.S. and required a total restoration/renovation as well as an expansion to continue to remain functional. Site conditions dictated that the expansion (a new visitor center) be placed underground on the south side of the Capitol building, requiring a 40-foot deep excavation approximately 5 feet from the Building. Because of its historic significance, every measure had to be taken to ensure the safety and function of the Capitol during construction. The construction techniques that were used to make the deep excavation and protect the historic Capitol included a tied back concrete slurry wall, jet grouting, compensation grouting, and instrumentation monitoring. This paper describes the history of the Capitol building, the techniques that were employed for construction of the deep excavation, results of the latest movement monitoring, and factors contributing to meeting the restrictive movement goals.

Jan 1, 2006

By J. R. Kiji

The Cerro Matoso S.A. mine and smelter, in the Cordoba lowlands of northwestern Colombia, consist of a dedicated laterite nickel mine, ore blending, drying and an RKEF process to produce high-quality ferronickel. At a project investment of $400M, first production of ferronickel was in September 1982, and in its inaugural year CMSA produced 6,150 tons of contained Ni from a mined ore grade of 3.2% Ni. Initial operational difficulties resulted in a number of furnace run-outs, which impacted ramp up to design ore throughput of 128 dry t/h Since then CMSA has steadily incorporated process improvements and initiatives to take the single line operation to an ore throughput of 175 dry t/h. A second 175 dry t/h line was added in 2001 (investment of US$ 300M) to consolidate CMSA as one of the world's lowest cost Ni producers with an installed annual production capacity of 50-55,000 tons Ni. The most recent addition is commissioning of Phase I of an ore-upgrading project to counteract the effect of declining ore grades. Keywords: Laterite, ferronickel, pyrometallurgy, smelter.

Jan 1, 2004

By S R. Williams

There is a sense of geometallurgy being new; a new methodology for mining project development and improved operational strategy. One of the main challenges that any ænewÆ technology faces is a validation of the value and the need to produce case studies. However, producing case studies can often be problematic particularly given the long cycle from mineral deposit project, through feasibility and construction to stabilised operation of a mine.However, the roots of geometallurgy go back quite some time. Successful practices with geometallurgy can be seen from as early as the 1980s. Many times those practices were not called geometallurgy but something else and, in other cases, what can be seen are various components of the geometallurgical ævalue chainÆ.This paper will analyse a selection of published past practices from a geometallurgical perspective to demonstrate the value realised from the application of this methodology. The paper will then make some general comments on where this history of work in geometallurgy has lead us to and what are the challenges today for the geometallurgical effort.CITATION:S R Williams, 2013. A historical perspective of the application and success of geometallurgical methodologies, in Proceedings The Second AusIMM International Geometallurgy Conference (GeoMet) 2013 , pp 37-48 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Sep 29, 2013

By F. T. Cawood

?It is in the interest of stability and investor confidence that the healthy and necessary debate on such a (minerals) policy should soon find its way to consensus.? (President Nelson Mandela at the104th (1995), AGM of the South African Chamber of Mines) Inauguration of the new political dispensation in South Africa initiated a dynamic period in the historical development of its minerals policy. The process of substituting the current South African mineral policy framework with an acceptable ?post apartheid? system, started soon after the 1994 election of the African National Congress (ANC) government. The Green Paper on a Minerals and Mining Policy for South Africa released for public discussion in February 1998, calls for radical transformation in mineral rights ownership. A shift towards exclusive state ownership of mineral rights, away from the present dual system of private and state ownership, is the most significant proposal. The current holders of mineral rights, or their nominees, who lawfully enjoyed security of tenure under past and present mineral laws are opposed to this transformation because mineral rights were often acquired at considerable cost. The situation is compounded by poor public record-keeping and passive mineral rights administration over a very long period. This paper represents a summary of the historical developments leading to the current legislative environment and forms the basis for any discussion on which future sculpturing of South Africa?s policy regarding mineral rights can take place. One cannot plan for the future without considering the past!

Jan 1, 1998

By David M. Abbott

This paper is a companion to, and amplification of, the ?History? section of the 2014 version of the SME Guide for Reporting Exploration Results, Mineral Resources, and Mineral Reserves (SME Guide). The need for the careful examination and evaluation of mineral deposits has long been recognized. In the book De Re Metallica, Georgius Agricola noted, ?Moreover, a prudent owner, before he buys shares, ought to go to the mine and carefully examine the nature of the vein, for it is very important that he should be on his guard lest fraudulent sellers of shares should deceive him? (1556, p.29). Agricola further stated, ?Now a miner, before he begins to mine the veins, must consider seven things, namely: the situation, the conditions, the water, the roads, the climate, the right of ownership and the neighbors? (1556, p. 30). The elements of Agricola?s seven things, much expanded, are incorporated into the 2014 SME Guide. As reflected in this quotation, veins were the primary concern of mining until 20th century technology permitted bulk mining techniques. The need for standardization of reserve descriptions arose along with the development of western mining in the United States and the concurrent development of mining engineering and mining geology as professions. By the turn of the century, debate about terminology of various classes of reserves was in full swing. Herbert Hoover noted in 1909 (p. 16-17), ?The old terms ?ore in sight? and ?profit in sight? have been of late years subject to much malediction on the part of engineers because these expressions have been so badly abused by the charlatans of mining in attempts to cover the flights of their imaginations. A large part of Volume I of the Institution of Mining and Metallurgy has been devoted to heaping infamy on these terms, yet not only have they preserved their places in professional nomenclature, but nothing has been found to supersede them. ?Some general term is required in daily practice to cover the available field of visible ore, and if the phrase ?ore in sight? be defined, it will be easier to teach the layman its proper use than to abolish it. In fact, substitutes are becoming as badly abused as the originals ever were. All convincing expressions will be misused by somebody.? Hoover (1909) noted that the common terms at the time were: ? Positive ore or ore developed: Ore exposed on four sides in blocks of a prescribed size. ? Ore blocked out: Ore exposed on three sides within a reasonable distance of each other. ? Probable ore or ore developing: Ore exposed on two sides, ? Possible ore or ore expectant: Ore in whole or in part below or beyond the range of vision. Hoover stated that these, and similar terms, overlapped and had the difficulty of failing to account properly for geologic variation in metal distribution beyond the exposed face. Certainly assuming extension of values along a vein is reasonable, but how far? Also, these definitions are for vein deposits, not all types of deposits are in veins. Hoover (1909, p. 19), therefore, defined the following terms. ? Proved ore: Ore where there is practically no risk in failure of continuity. ? Probable ore: Ore where there is some risk, yet warrantable justification for assumption of continuity. ? Prospective ore: Ore that cannot be included in the above classes, nor definitely known or stated in any terms of tonnage.

Feb 1, 2014

By George H. Willis

In the second half of the nineteenth century, bimetallism progressively replaced by gold standard. After World War I and 1931-33 depression, gold mainly reserved for official international transactions and internal use restricted. Changes since 1971 have shrunk official international use of gold. International payments deficits and surpluses now financed by private and official credit, rarely by gold. Historical review covers evolution of: (1) internal and external private use, (2) internal official use, (3) external official use, (4) role in IMF and (5) use as unit of account.

Jan 1, 1978

By K Afewu, R Dunne, W P. Staunton

The treatment of preg-robbing gold ores has always been a technical challenge in the gold industry. Early solutions included removal of preg-robbing carbonaceous material by flotation, the addition of kerosene to æblindÆ/passivate the surface of the preg-robbing component, and the most effective of all options, roasting the ore. Unfortunately gold ores have become more complex and roasting has environmental challenges, so other methods of treatment have had to be found. This paper will review methods of characterising preg-robbing gold ores, method of treatment and cite examples of actual application in the industry.CITATION:Dunne, R, Staunton, W P and Afewu, K, 2013. A historical review of the treatment of preg-robbing gold ores - what has worked and changed, in Proceedings World Gold 2013 , pp 99-110 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Sep 26, 2013

By I. M. Gordon, J. Blackshaw

"Run-of-mine ore is reduced to 4 per cent on 4 mesh (3/ 16 inch), using four stages of dry crushing. The mill feed is then reduced to 2 per cent on 48 mesh and 60 per cent through 200 mesh, using one stage of ball milling in cyanide solution. During the subsequent treatment about one-tenth of the tonnage is removed as a table concentrate and ground to 77 per cent through 325 mesh. The size of the mill tailing is 66 per cent through 200 mesh.Four stages of ore reduction began when the dry crushing plant at No. 26 Shaft came into operation at a maximum rate of 440 tons an hour on July 31, 1941. A detailed description of the crushing plant was published in C .I .M. Trans., Vol. LVI, 1953.One-stage ball milling in cyanide solution came into full operation on January 11, 1938. The ball milling plant had a capacity of 4800 tons daily when reducing mill feed at 2. 7 per cent on 1/ 4 inch to 54. 3 per cent through 200 mesh. Primary grinding to 60 per cent through 200 mesh commenced May 22, 1945, when the feed was 3 per cent on 4 mesh. Under these conditions the capacity of the ball milling plant is estimated at 4300 tons daily. A description of the 11 Hollinger Crushing and Grinding Plant"" by D. C. McLaren was published in the Canadian Mining Journal, June 1944.The concentrate grinding circuit using a 7 x 15 low discharge ball mill and a 19-foot diameter bowl classifier with a 6-inch centrifugal pump to close the circuit began operating in the ball milling plant on October 24, 1939."

Jan 1, 1965

By D. A. Stanley, B. J. Scheiner

The U.S. Bureau of Mines has thoroughly investigated the flocculation of phosphatic clay waste with polyethylene oxide (PEO). The studies included both theoretical and applied aspects of the flocculation sequence. The screen dewatering technique developed by the Bureau was field tested at four different Florida phosphate mines. The results of these field studies are presented. Also, to determine the mechanisms of the interaction of PEO with montmorillonite clays common to the phosphatic clay waste, a number of theoretical studies were conducted. An empirical equation was developed to describe the amount of PEO needed for flocculation. Infrared, ion exchange, and rheology techniques were used to study the interaction of PEO with Florida clays. The results of these studies are also presented.

Jan 1, 1993

The American mining industry is vigorous today because it is young. At a time when the ore deposits of central Europe, for example, were being exploited actively, those of the United States were lying practically untouched. The founding fathers of our republic were not interested in mineral wealth because they were ignorant in such matters; their preoccupations were with defence against the Indians, the clearing of the forest, and the starting of agriculture in their new domains. They had no idea of establishing a mining industry. The Indians whom the American colonists dispossessed had no mines; they used only the metal that was to be found lying on the surface of the ground. Their arrows and spears were tipped with flint, which likewise called for little digging, if any. The native copper that glacial action had torn from the lodes of the Lake Superior region and had carried into the valleys of the Ohio and Mississippi was employed in the making of earrings, bracelets, knives, and scrapers. The same useful metal was found in many other places, in Virginia and Carolina, in Vermont and New Jersey, for example, but the Indians did not know how to melt it, much less how to smelt the ore, therefore they shaped it into tools and implements by hammering. Fortunately for them the hammering of the metal caused it to harden and therefore to become serviceable for implemental use. It is doubtful if they obtained the copper by actual mining, that is, by digging or excavating; it is true we find traces of such operations in the Keweenaw .peninsula of Michigan, but we have no

Jan 1, 1932

By Michael Jenkins

This paper reviews the history of rock burst research in the Coeur d'Alene Mining District of northern Idaho over the last 30 years. Rock bursting is a problem because of a combination of geological factors in the region--complex structure, high horizontal stresses, and strong, brittle rock that readily stores strain energy. The Bureau of Mines has cooperated with industry to study rock burst phenomenon for many years. Early work focused on methods to mitigate bursting problems within the context of existing mining methods. In the 1970's, researchers began investigating methods for altering or controlling conditions that lead to rock bursts. These control measures become part of the stope development that precedes mining or are changes in the mining process itself. Although, researchers continue to develop microseismic techniques, the major research effort focuses on developing a new mining method to reduce the number and severity of rock bursts in order to improve safety and increase productivity in the Coeur d'Alene Mining District.

Jan 1, 1987

The first record of coal discovery in Australia dates back to 1791 when escaping convicts found coal in the banks of a creek just south of Newcastle. Development in the Newcastle Coalfield was the sole source of supply for the colony and for export until the 1850s when mines were established in the Southern & Western Coalfields. The important Hunter Coalfield was not discovered until 1873 when coal was found at Rixs Creek near Singleton: The first exploration drillholes were commenced in 1799 using drilling equipment obtained by Sir Joseph Banks. From 1820 to 1850 several famous geologists (naturalists), including the Rev W. B. Clarke, J. D. Dana and Strzelecki, wrote reports on the coal measures in New South Wales. The first Government Geo- logist, Samuel Stutchbury, was appointed in 1850. The major coal deposits of the State are contained in Permian Coal Measures in the Sydney-Gunnedah and Oaklands Basins. Coal quality ranges from high volatile, high moisture thermal coal at Oaklands to low volatile hard coking coal in the Southern Coalfield. Most coalfields can provide a range of steaming and coking coals.

Jan 1, 1988

By P. C. Thakur

The history of coal mining in the United States of America and the rest of the world is replete with mine explosions and consequent loss of lives. Serious efforts in the USA to recover methane prior to mining and post mining started about forty years ago. CONSOL Energy Inc. and government agencies, e.g., the erstwhile US Bureau of Mines developed several techniques of methane drainage, such as in-mine horizontal drilling, vertical gob wells, hydrofracing of vertical wells and horizontal drilling from surface. With the current technology, thirty to sixty percent of total methane emissions from a mine can be captured making the mines much safer and more productive. Drained methane is often marketed to defray the cost of methane drainage. This paper is an anthology of these developments and describes how coalbed methane, which used to be a bane, has become a boon for the coalmining industry.

Jan 1, 2003

By Davison GR

The cost of drilling consumables is always a large component of any mine budget. It is important that this cost be carefully examined with a view to reducing the overall cost per inetre or at least minimising its escalation.At Renison it is considered that the only way to ensure drilling costs do not rise unduly is through a total system of control from purchase to disposal.In 1979 extension of an existing drill supply service contract was carefully examined and abandoned in favour of a hybrid system. This system is providing a great deal of control over the use of drilling consumables and has maintained a relatively constant cost per drilled metre over the last five years.Current consignment stock contracts for drilling consumables are strictly specified by the Technical Services section of the Mine Department and consumables purchased under these contracts are distributed and refurbished/sharpened by a contractor.The total result of this package is individual drilling items that achieve the best cost per metre and careful distribution and maintenance to ensure maximum life.

Jan 1, 1985