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By D. F. Malan

This paper presents an overview of work conducted over several years to investigate the continuous stope closure profiles recorded in tabular excavations and the use of this data as a hazard indicator. In spite of the brittle nature of the rock, measurements in gold mines and intermediate depth platinum mines revealed a significant time-dependent closure component. Various approaches to simulate the time-dependent closure have been investigated. Viscoelastic theory is able to simulate the time-dependent closure behaviour, but there are subtle problems with the use of this theory as it cannot simulate the failure processes in the rock. To overcome these problems, continuum and discontinuum elasto-viscoplastic models were developed by the authors. Discontinuum models have the advantage of being able to simulate the creep behaviour of prominent discontinuities. Development of these models has led to useful insights into rock mass deformation and has made the numerical simulation of parameters, such as rate of mining, possible for the first time. A number of practical applications for the mining industry have been developed from this study. Among these are the delineation of geotechnical areas using closure data, use of the data as a hazard indicator and to give warning of large collapses in the platinum mines, identification of areas to be preconditioned in the gold mines, measurement of the effectiveness of preconditioning and improved da

Jan 1, 2007

By Ishwinder Grewal, Michael Fullam

Many factors affect the overall performance of a gravity circuit beyond that of the primary gravity recovery device. It is critical to examine the gravity circuit in its entirety in order to determine the dominant operating variables that affect overall performance. Knelson has developed a mathematical model which has been used to assist in the design of gravity circuits, and in particular, in making accurate predictions of plant scale gravity recovery. More recently, inclusion of recovery by particle size class and additional data from various mine sites and research studies has made the model more robust. The model is now able to predict GRG (gravity-recoverable-gold) recoveries using various devices such as centrifugal concentrators, shaking tables, jigs and flash-flotation within the grinding circuit. The benefits derived by these recent advancements in modeling capability are two-fold; the first is as a tool to assist in circuit design and correct equipment selection and the second is as an analytical tool to help to evaluate and enhance the performance of existing gravity circuits.

Jan 1, 2006

By M. Seeger

The demographics and the growing numbers of people provide a strong signal that the demand for electrical power in Southern Africa will grow considerably over the foreseeable future. Without a steady and increasing supply of electricity development of the continent is likely to be constrained. The inventory of solar, wind, hydrothermal, geothermal and biomass resources will probably provide sources of energy for the future The parallels between extraction of natural resources in the minerals industry and the green energy industry is striking, and the well-established project development process in the minerals industry provides an ideal and useful template for comparing the establishment and development of green energy projects. The potential levels of power generation and carbon savings are described.

Jan 1, 2010

By H. Naghavi, M. Karimi

"In self-aerated flotation machines, the gas rate depends on operational variables (e.g. froth depth and impeller speed), pulp properties (e.g. solid content and viscosity), and reagent addition (e.g. type and concentration of frother). The gas rate has a strong correlation with the flotation performance by influencing the gas dispersion properties and froth retention time. A factorial experimental design was used to study how the gas dispersion properties, the froth retention time, and the flotation performance respond to changes in froth depth and impeller speed (as the most common operational variables). An in-depth understanding of the effects of impeller speed and froth depth on the gas dispersion properties, especially the bubble surface area flux and froth retention time, is necessary to improve operating strategies for self-aerated flotation machines. All experiments were carried out in a 50 m3 selfaerated flotation cell in an iron ore processing plant. The results showed that the froth depth affected the metallurgical performance mostly via changing the froth retention time. The impeller speed had two important impacts on the metallurgical performance via varying both the froth retention time and the bubble surface area flux in the froth and pulp zones, respectively. The interaction effects of the froth depth and impeller speed were also established. This allowed us to develop a strategy for operating selfaerated flotation machines based on varying the froth depth and impeller speed with regard to the cell duty. IntroductionA mechanical flotation machine may be divided into two distinct zones. namely the pulp zone and the froth zone (Goodall and O’Connor, 1989; Yianatos, Bergh, and Cortes, 1998; Rahman, Ata, and Jameson, 2015a, 2015b). The overall flotation recovery, Ro, including the true flotation (particles attached to the bubble lamellae) and entrainment (particles recovered in water held in the bubble plateau boundaries), is a function of the recoveries in the two zones. It is calculated as follows (Dobby, 1984):"

Jul 1, 2019

By E. S. Peters, M. J. van Rensburg, M. Le Roux, Q. P. Campbell

"The demand for energy has continued to rise worldwide in line with population growth. The majority of South Africa’s electricity is supplied by coal-fired power stations. The amount of fine coal (-2 mm) generated at coal processing plants has increased, due mainly to mechanized mining methods. Fine coal retains more water, which lowers its heating value.Drying the coal is costly and it is difficult to achieve the required moisture content. Consequently, coal fines are often discarded. An estimated 8% of the total energy value of mined coal is lost1.Fluidized bed technology is often used to dry coal thermally, but this method is expensive and has an adverse environmental impact. The objective of this study was to investigate the removal of moisture from fine coal (<2 mm) in a fluidized bed operated with dry fluidizing air at moderate temperatures as the drying agent. The effects of different air temperatures and relative humidity levels were investigated in a controlled environment. The study further investigated the influence of coal particle size on moisture removal.The drying rate was found to increase with increasing temperature. The relative humidity of the drying air had a more pronounced effect on the drying rate, even at temperatures as low as 25°C.. It became more challenging to remove moisture as the particle size decreased. The gain in calorific value was greater than the energy required to dry the coal samples, showing that a fluidized bed using moderately warm dry air is an energy-efficient drying technology. The energy efficiency of the fluidized bed compared favourably with other thermal drying methods.Paper written on project work carried out in partial fulfilment of Degree in Chemical Engineering(NWU) - Pursuing Masters in Coal Beneficiation"

Jan 1, 2015

By R. Weideman, M. Le Roux, F. B. Waanders, Q. P. Campbell, E. Fosso-Kankeu, D. Moyakhe

"*Paper written on project work carried out in partial fulfilment of B.Eng (Chemical Engineering) degreeSynopsisSpent coffee grounds were transformed into biochar using a hydrothermal method. Some of the biochar product was pre-treated through surfactant impregnation with sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) to enhance its adsorption capacity. The non-treated(NT) and pre-treated(PT) biochars were characterized using FTIR spectroscopy and SEM-EDS analyses, which revealed that the products had the potential for adsorption of heavy metals from solution and confirmed the successful impregnation of biochar with SDS surfactant. The two adsorbents were then used for the removal of cadmium from solution and the adsorption behavior and capacity determined through adsorption isotherm, kinetic, and thermodynamic studies. It was found that the cadmium was adsorbed in several concentric layers on the surface of the adsorbents through a chemisorption mechanism. The PT biochar was identified as a superior adsorbent, with a capacity of qe = 10.67 mg/g compared to the NT biochar with qe = 4.82 mg/g. The adsorption of cadmium onto the PT biochar was further determined to be spontaneous and endothermic. It was therefore concluded that the PT biochar shows potential as an adsorbent and could be considered for implementation in the treatment of metal-polluted effluents. IntroductionCoal mining operations are notorious for producing large amounts of waste tailings, which are disposed of in the form of a slurry on tailings dams. This inadvertently contributes towards environmental problems (Jin, Mansour, and Thomas, 2017). Heavy metals are one of the most common pollutants that originate from solid mine waste disposal facilities, and these can leach into groundwater supplies, contaminating them and rendering the water unsuited for human consumption (Salomons, 1995). Cadmium occurs in conjunction with metalliferous ores and can cause severe damage to agricultural soils and drinking water supplies in the vicinity of mining sites (Dudka et al., 1995). It has a tendency to migrate into the surrounding vegetation, which in turn can cause harm to humans and animals when consumed (Marquez et al., 2018)."

Jul 1, 2019

By K. S. Liddell

The Kell Process has been developed for the extraction of platinum group metals (PGMs) and base metals from sulphide flotation concentrates. The process has been successfully tested on several different sulphide flotation concentrates, including those from the UG2 chromitite horizon and the Platreef mafic/ultramafic layer. It has been shown to provide high (>95 per cent) and selective extraction efficiencies for the key valuable metals, i.e. Pt, Pd, Rh, Au, Ni, Co, and Cu. The Kell Process consists of several commercially proven unit operations. S, Ni, Co, and Cu are first selectively removed by use of a pressure oxidation step during which the dissolution of PGMs is minimized. The residue from pressure oxidation is subjected to a thermal treatment to ensure efficient PGM recovery by subsequent chlorination. All the core steps are very similar to well-proven conventional unit operations in common use, as are the subsequent metal recovery steps to provide marketable end products. Typical metallurgical responses of flotation concentrates from UG2 and Platreef to the Kell Process are provided, and key outcomes of an energy comparison study with smelting are summarized in this paper. Kell presents a potentially substantial improvement in PGM concentrate processing technology, in terms of economics via much-reduced power costs, ease of processing, and various environmental benefits. It allows for the treatment of high-chromium low-grade &apos;dirty&apos; concentrates, such as secondary concentrates from the platinum industry&apos;s &apos;mill-float-mill-float&apos; (MF2) flotation circuits and concentrates from retreatment of tailings. It allows greater concentrate mass pulls, has higher tolerance to gangue intergrowths in concentrates, and its use can provide substantial increases in overall PGM recovery. Its adoption would be a step change in the platinum industry, and given the commercially proven unit operations embodied in the Kell Process, at much-reduced risk compared with other more experimental technologies. Since the initial process development work, significant improvements and refinements have been introduced as a result of further compre¬hensive testing and process modelling. Pilot-scale testing and engineering study work is in progress for several selected sites.

Jan 1, 2012

By J. Kirsch

Keywords: Pyrometallurgy, pneumatic transport, pneumatic transport Dense-phase pneumatic injection has begun to replace more traditional furnace-feeding systems. The paper describes the technology as it is applied to processes where the back pressure at the point of injection is greater than 50 kPaG. It reviews earlier systems of injection and more recent developments that address concerns for instantaneous control in modern smelters. The new technologies fall into two groups, (1) modified pressure-difference control (sub-divided into simple and complex) and (2) mechanical-feeder-based control. Features of current injection systems include feed splitting in two forms, passive and active, and co-current injection.

Jan 1, 2006

By G. E. Blight

Wind erosion can be a major cause of the loss and dispersion of tailings material from a tailings dam into its surrounding environment. Such dust dispersion can be a serious nuisance, as well as a health hazard to inhabitants in nearby settlements, and can also damage the health of animals, degrade crops, making them less marketable, and cause soil and water pollution. The problem of wind erosion can affect tailings dams in all types of climate, but becomes worse as climatic aridity increases. Because clouds of dust are often observed billowing across the top surfaces of tailings dams in dry windy weather, there is a common misconception that the dust arises from wind erosion of the top surface. As a result, much effort and money is vainly spent on treating the tops of tailings dams to prevent dust generation, whereas the slopes of the dams are the true major dust source. This paper briefly reviews what is known of erosion of tailings dams and then proceeds to describe the mechanics of wind erosion in general, and how it affects tailings dams in particular. Finally, recommendations are made for mitigating wind erosion of tailings dams and the resulting blowing dust.

Jan 1, 2007

By B. Genc

"The risk of spontaneous combustion is well known in the South African coal mining industry. In the coming years it is very possible that the incidence of spontaneous combustion will increase from current levels, due to factors such as an increased rate of mining, re-working of previously mined seams, more stooping and total extraction for underground mines, and higher stripping ratios for surface mines, leading to more spoils. It is also fairly certain that coal mining will face tougher environmental emissions legislation in the near future. To determine the areas where the risks of spontaneous combustion are high, it is necessary to improve on our current laboratory procedures for testing and evaluating coal samples, combining the results with site and field data, and if necessary revising the laboratory rating system to refine our understanding of South African conditions.Currently, laboratory tests are conducted in order to determine both the Wits-EHAC index and the crossing-point temperature which, when combined, give an indication of the spontaneous combustion propensities of the coal samples. This procedure has enabled the establishment of a database of results to review and evaluate South African coal seams. Using this database, the high-risk areas in terms of spontaneous combustion are identified. Tests have been undertaken for five consecutive years, between 2008 and 2012. In total, 119 coal samples from different coal seams and production coalfields have been analysed and classified through a series of laboratory tests. A comprehensive database of these results is available, and is continually being updated as new test results are added. This database will continue to expand, and to provide the basis for an improved risk evaluation methodology for spontaneous combustion"

Jan 1, 2015

By P. J. Bhonde, R. D. Angal, R. H. Tupkary

Manganese imparts numerous beneficial mechanical properties. Hence it finds extensive application in iron, steel and non-ferrous sector. Prevalently, it is incorporated in the form of master alloys i.e. &apos;ferromanganese&apos;. In India, ferromanganese is mainly the inexpensive and paramount source of availability of manganese. Various conventional and non-conventional techniques of ferromanganese production have been adopted in past and present. However, these techniques have demerits viz. high refractory, energy consumption, losses of valuables in slag and fumes. Also geographical co-ordinates of the plant restricted the manufacturer to prefer an appropriate process. Accordingly, the industrially implemented methods had reliance on availability of infrastructure, energy, mineral resources, grade of raw material, outlay of labor, environmental compatibility of technique etc. In view of the liberalized economy and the gap scenario in the supply and demand of ferromanganese, the authors felt it indispensable to explicitly bridge up this vacuum by initially designing a simple energy conserving, eco-friendly, low capital investment technique for decarburization of ferromanganese. Measurement of the data involved studying the impact of rate governing parameters on the process kinetics. This laboratory scale investigation is expected to escalate the Mn/C quotient of high carbon ferromanganese. Key Words: ferromanganese, carbon, carbide, decarburization, rate, kinetic

Jan 1, 2007

By J. Xiao, Y. Jiang, Y. Tanabashi, Z. Song

Modelling the effect of blasting-caused damage, anisotropy of rock masses and excavation sequence on deformational behaviour and stability of large-scale underground caverns is important in the design and information-oriented construction of the pumped storage power plant. A powerful three-dimensional numerical method that can be applied for that purpose is presented in this paper. Damaged range caused by blasting and mechanical properties of rock masses near to the walls of caverns are determined by using the back analysis approach in which three lines of the measurement results during the arch part excavation process were used to verified the simulations. Finally, applying the improved model and properties of rocks, the cavern stability and reinforcement effect of the preliminarily designed support system are also estimated for the safety in the bench excavation process. La création de modèles des effets relatifs aux dommages résultant des explosions, à l’anisotropie des masses rocheuses et à la séquence d’excavation quant au comportement à la déformation et à la stabilité des cavernes souterraines de grandes dimensions est une étape importante dans l’étude et la construction sur ordinateur de centrales hydrauliques à accumulation par pompage. Cet article traite d’une méthode numérique tri-dimensionnelle puissante applicable à cet effet. La gravité des dommages résultant des explosions et les propriétés mécaniques des roches à proximité des parois de la caverne sont déterminées par une analyse du fond dans laquelle les simulations sont vérifiées à l’aide de trois lignes de résultats de mesures prises durant le processus d’excavation de la partie arche. Finalement, la stabilité de la caverne et les effets du renforcement du système de support préalablement conçu sont estimés par application du modèle amélioré et des propriétés de la roche, pour application à la sécurité durant le processus d’excavation en gradins. Nachahmung der Wirkungen von durch Explosionen hervorgerufenen Schäden, Anisotropie der Gesteinsmassen und der Ausschachtungssequenz auf das Verformungsverhalten und die Stabilität großräumiger Untergrundhöhlen ist für das Design und den informationsorientierten Bau von Pumpenkraftwerken wichtig. Entsprechend der Vorgaben in dieser Arbeit kann ein leistungsfähiges, dreidimensionales numerisches Verfahren für diesen Zweck eingesetzt werden. Der durch Explosionen und die mechanischen Eigenschaften des Gesteins bedingte Schadensumfang im Bereich der Höhlenwände kann mit Hilfe eines retroversen Analyseansatzes bestimmt werden, bei dem die drei bei der Ausschachtung resultierenden Messlinien dazu genutzt wurden, die Simulationen zu bestätigen. Abschließend wurde außerdem durch Einsatz verbesserter Modelle und Gesteinseigenschaften die Auswirkungen vorläufig entworfener Unterstützungssystem auf die Höhlenstabilität und Verstärkungswirkungen hinsichtlich der Sicherheit bei Böschungsausschachtung abgeschätzt.

Jan 1, 2003

By C. J. Pretorius

More than 30 percent of the global demand for zircon (ZrSi04) is supplied by South Africa. A significant amount of the zircon is exported, and beneficiated products are then imported for industrial applications locally. Beneficiating the zircon locally could have a positive impact on the local market, since zircon is only one of many such cases. Ammonium acid fluoride serves as an alternative anhydrous fluorinating agent for zircon in the synthesis of several metal fluorides1,2. It provides an effective dry fluorinating method and is easier to handle than hydrogen fluoride or fluorine gas. Zircon exposed to extreme plasma temperatures dissociates and becomes more reactive. The reaction of the plasma-dissociated zircon (Zr02.SiO2) with the ammonium acid fluoride (NH4F.XHF, where x= 1 to 5) forms two main intermediate compounds (NH4)3ZrFr(s) and (NH4) 2SiF6(s), the latter decomposing to form volatile products at relatively low temperatures, providing easy separation of the silicon and zirconium compounds. The ammonium zirconate compound decomposes to form zirconium tetrafluoride (ZrF4), which can be further manufactured into zirconium metal, to name but one product. Data on the kinetics of the reaction of ammonium acid fluoride with zircon and plasma-dissociated zircon, combined with the thermo¬dynamic parameters of the reaction, is essential for the development of an industrial process for the production of a precursor for the manufacturing of zirconium metal, namely anhydrous ZrF4. Both the reaction kinetics and reaction parameters will be included in this study, as well as some proof that the reaction proceeds to ZrF4 on a small batch scale. If the exact reaction parameters can be pinned down, a wide spectrum of anhydrous metal fluorides can be synthesized through this fluorination route.

Jan 1, 2012

By W. Dziurzynski

Transient states of the air parameters in mine workings occur as the effects of natural and technological disturbances, and in particular as a result of changes in ventilation conditions, caused by alteration of the mine workings geometry, state of fans performance or emission of gases. Particularly significant are those transient states caused by disturbances resulted from catastrophes, since they are frequently associated with violent phenomena that may be a danger for life and health of the staff working underground. The paper presents a number of examples of transient states of the air parameters in mine workings after a catastrophe, like the bump in the ZABRZE-BIELSZOWICE coal mine. Registration of air disturbances by the monitoring systems of ventilation in mine workings in the area of disaster both at the moment of a catastrophe occurrence and later during the rescue operation, enabled to track out the incident and identify the circumstances and reasons of those tragic events which caused death of 18 miners during last two years. Furthermore, computer simulations of processes occurring in mine ventilation network make effective research tools to be applied in practice, among others for the study of accidents and disasters.

Jan 1, 2003

By W. S. Steinberg

Keywords: Pyrometallurgy, furnace, open slag bath, Evraz, Highveld In 1963, the full-scale engineering study for the development of an Iron, Steel, and Vanadium plant was initiated. This was the birth of Evraz Highveld and its process flow as it is known today. Highveld started out as a steel works that produced steel and vanadium-bearing slag by using a titaniferous magnetite iron ore mined from its own mine site near Steelpoort. The process utilized co-current rotary kilns for pre-reduction, and submerged-arc furnaces for the production of pig iron with approximately 1.15% vanadium. Because of various technical challenges that the submerged-arc furnaces experienced over the years, a decision was taken in 2004 to convert the furnaces to Open Slag Bath (OSB) operation, in order to enable the maximum production of iron and vanadium while improving the control over operational parameters. The conversion proved to be highly successful and, since 2005, three furnaces have been converted to OSB operation. The fourth furnace will be converted in the first half of 2011. The conversion to OSB furnaces not only yields higher vanadium recovery to the metal at the iron plant, but also improves the overall throughput of the steel plant. This is the result of a higher carbon content of the liquid iron from the OSB furnaces, eliminating the need for anthracite addition to the shaking ladle process. This reduces the blowing time by approximately 60%. The conversion of the furnaces to OSB configuration is seen as an enabling technology change and a prerequisite to the implementation of other plant improvements that are envisaged. The long-term vision of EHSV is to convert five furnaces to OSB mode, and permanently decommission the two remaining submerged-arc furnaces. This will allow EHSV to maintain current steel and vanadium production but at a significantly improved overall efficiency.

Jan 1, 2011

Rock engineering has now been practised as a discipline for about50 years, and many sophisticated methods of analysis for use in rock engineering design have been developed. However, analysis is only a tool for use in engineering design, and rock masses are often so complex that realistic modelling of them, even with sophisticated methods of analysis, is impossible. At the other end of the scale, rock mass classification methods have been developed to quantify the rock mass. These ?numbers? are now widely used for assessment of stability of underground and surface excavations in rock, for the determination of rock support requirements, and for the estimation of rock mass strength and deformation properties. In considering these areas, the two concepts?design, and prediction of behaviour?will be dealt with. The discussion will be introduced by a consideration of the characteristics of the rock mass, which will highlight the variability in its properties and hence the uncertainty in the behavioural parameters. Examples of real projects will be used to illustrate the discussion.

Jan 1, 2003

By Y. Sagawa

The Hishikari Gold Mine consists of epithermal vein type Au-Ag deposits, each of which has several veins standing almost in parallel each other and inclining 70 to 90 degrees. The veins have 1 to 3m widths and are extracted mainly by drifting and bench stoping with waste rock fill. The Hishikari has tried to optimise the stope dimensions by the Potvin’s Stability Graph Method, which is well known as an easy and effective tool to design appropriate stope dimensions. The method, however, has some limitations of application due to its simplicity so that it has been used only in limited cases. The authors developed a new numerical approach, based on 2D FEM solu-tion for the stability analysis. As a result, it has been possible to solve the Hishikari situation. The authors also introduce the concept of the design approach and compare the results obtained by us-ing the approach with the database of the Stability Graph Method for validation. La mine d’or Hishikari se compose de gisements d&apos;Au-AG avec des types de filons épither-maux dont chacun a plusieurs veines qui sont presque parallèle les unes par rapport aux autres et sont inclinées de 70 à 90 degrés. Les veines ont de 1 à 3 m de largueur et elles sont principalement extraites en creusant et en abattant des bancs de roches encaissantes. Hishikari a essayé d’optimiser les dimensions du chantier d’exploitation avec la méthode de graphique de stabilité de Potvin, bien connue comme un outil facile et efficace pour avoir des dimensions de chantier d’exploitation appropriées. Toutefois, la méthode a certaines limites d’application dues à sa sim-plicité de sorte qu’elle a été utilisée seulement dans des cas limités. Les auteurs ont développé une nouvelle approche numérique, basée sur la solution 2D FEM, pour l’analyse de stabilité. Par conséquent, il a été possible d&apos;expliquer la situation de Hishikari. Les auteurs présentent le concept de l&apos;approche et ils comparent les résultats donnés en l&apos;employant avec la base de données de la méthode de graphique de stabilité pour la validation. Die Hishikari-Goldmine besteht aus Au-Ag-Ablagerungen mit epithermalen Adern, die jeweils mehrere Adern aufweisen, die mit einer Neigung zwischen 70 und 90 Grad nahezu parallel zueinander verlaufen. Die Adern haben eine Breite von 1 bis 3 Metern und werden überwiegend durch Vortrieb von Stollen und Bergversatz abgebaut. Hishikari hat versucht, die Abmessungen des Abbauorts durch das Potvins Stabilitätskurvenverfahren zu optimieren, das als einfaches und effizientes Mittel für die Erzielung angemessener Abmessungen des Abbauorts bekannt ist. Das Verfahren weist jedoch aufgrund seiner Einfachheit einige Anwendungsbeschränkungen auf, so dass es nur in einigen Fällen benutzt worden ist. Vor diesem Hintergrund haben die Autoren einen neuen numerischen Ansatz entwickelt, der hinsichtlich der Stabilitätsanalyse auf der 2D-FEM-Lösung beruht. Dadurch wurde es möglich, das Problem von Hishikari zu lösen. In diesem Dokument stellen die Autoren die Grundlagen des Ansatzes vor und vergleichen die erzielten Resultate durch Benutzung der Datenbank des Stabilitätskurvenverfahrens zur Validierung.

Jan 1, 2003

By M. Le Roux

Fine coal (-500 µm) is notoriously difficult to dewater. It is not uncommon for a dewatered product to have a moisture content as high as 30 per cent after vacuum filtration. This poses several handling and financial problems to such an extent that a lot of fine coal is discarded onto slurry waste ponds. A novel way of dewatering fine coal was developed at North-West University. It entails deliberately damaging the filter cake during dewatering to allow for an increased flow of air through the cake at the expense of the applied pressure differential. This method resulted in an average improvement in final cake moisture of between 3 per cent and 5 percent when executed in the laboratory under controlled conditions. A device was designed that could be fitted onto existing belt filters that would damage the filter cake as it passes by. This device was tested on a vacuum belt filter installation at a coal beneficiation operation in the Waterberg coal field in South Africa. The results showed a 3 per cent reduction in final moisture of the cake, proving the validity of the method at full industrial scale.

Jan 1, 2012

By C. D. K. Gauert

High-pressure waterjet technology is proposed as an alternative tool for selective underground mining of high-grade ore sections in stratiform orebodies showing a preferred ?bottom? or ?top? enrichment such as the Witwatersrand reefs and the Bushveld Complex platiniferous reefs. This technique, utilizing known mining technology together with more advanced machinery and additives as used in industrial and cleaning applications, may lead to an increased life-of-mine (LOM) for mining operations. A series of experiments was successfully carried out in a laboratory on Witwatersrand quartzite material, indicating acceptable cutting performance. Mining volumes by selectively cutting of reef portions are considered to be comparable to traditional drilling and blasting. Economic advantages of waterjet mining include energy savings due to the lower quantity of gangue rock to be hoisted to surface, as well as savings by a decrease in the usage of blasting materials. Capital expenditure of waterjet cutting, if applied on a broad scale, could be lower in the long term than that of conventional drilling and blasting methods. Mining by the application of high-pressure waterjet technology could become a competitive ?green technology? improving the economics and safety of labour-intensive mining operations. This paper suggests that waterjet cutting at an industrial scale can become a routine hard-rock mining technique in the future. Keywords waterjet cutting, high pressure, mechanized narrow reef mining, abrasive agents, costs, selective mining.

Jan 1, 2013

By D. Ksinsik, R. Boisvert, D. Leblanc

Casting, cooling and crushing/sieving of ferroalloys has followed a well-established pattern in the whole ferroalloys industry for many years. Usually liquid metal or alloys are cast into flat open moulds of various shapes and forms, and after solidification the product is removed from such mould to further cool down to a temperature where subsequent handling steps are feasible. Common to all mechanical product fractioning is the generation of dust and fine size material with lower product value. For almost 10 years, Bécancour Silicon has investigated alternative roads to improve technology and/or reduce or solve problems related to those disadvantages. Since 1995 Bécancour Silicon operates a special silicon granulation plant targeted to product for the chemical treatment/conversion of silicon for silicones production. Prior to the development of the granulation process, various systems had been evaluated, among others the vibrating casting bed, now in operation elsewhere but judged inappropriate because of the tapping volumes to be handled at Bécancour Silicon and other disadvantages. After evaluation of all aspects of heat transfer, radiation, and conductivity in relation to transfer media and within the product, a novel system was designed and built.

Jan 1, 2004