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By C. Bazin, D. Hodouin

Dynamic experiments were performed in a continuous open-circuit 40x40-cm ball mill using a pseudo-random binary sequence of the feed rate and measuring the variations of the discharge particle-size distribution. The impulse response is calculated by a cross-correlation technique. Then a model involving a discrete transferfunction and a time-series stochastic equation is calibrated using maximum likelihood methods. Based on this empirical model, a minimum variance controller with constrained input is designed and its performances are compared, by simulation, to the performances of a conventional PID regulator.

Jan 1, 1987

By James E. McTurk, Sheldon B. Bland, Roger E. Melley

During the first fifteen years of operation at the Syncrude facility in northern Alberta, numerous improvements have been made in the field of ore conveying. The unique nature of the material conveyed coupled with the wide range of environmental conditions encountered results in a number of unparalleled challenges. Most of the improvements have been brought about with the use of detailed field evaluation. This paper outlines some of the programs which have been run to optimise belt and system construction, and conveyor performance and utilization.

Jan 1, 1993

By Hector M. Valenzuela, Juan H. Rojas

This paper presents a strategic plan for automation, plant integration and process management being implemented at the Chuquicamata mining and metallurgical complex of Codelco-Chile. This five-year plan considers different levels of process control and plant integration, which include instrumentation and direct control, process models and supervisory control, plant information integration, and real time process and plant wide management. The conceptual solution developed defines an architecture for the overall system and the projects to be implemented by each production unit, as part of the proposed solution for the division wide process control, plant integration and real time process management. An estimate of the cost benefit relation of the plan is also given.

Jan 1, 1998

By S. K. Kawatra, S. T. Bagley, T. C. Eisele

The use of the bacteria Thiobacillus ferroxidans to catalyze pyrite dissolution in coal is well known, and recent investigations have shown that T. ferrooxidans are also capable of rapidly altering the pyrite surface to facilitate its removal from coal by froth flotation and oil agglomeration. However, the effect of reactor design on the bacterial leaching rate is poorly documented, and the ability of bacteria other than T. ferrooxidans to affect pyrite flotation has been unknown. In this study, the effect of a number of different microorganisms on the flotation of unoxidized pure mineral pyrite has been investigated, and it was shown that organisms other than T. ferrooxidans are also capable of depressing pyrite flotation. In addition, comparative studies of leaching in shake-flasks and pachuca tanks have shown that the pachuca tanks allow leaching to proceed to a greater degree and at a significantly accelerated rate.

Jan 1, 1989

By M. S. J. Leary, M. J. McPherson, O&apos

This paper introduces a computer simulation that extends the use of microcomputer systems for mine ventilation planning. The program was developed as part of an ongoing study to produce a simulation model that would determine the optimum duties of a main fan and a booster fan without requiring the trial-and-error runs that are necessary with currently available programs. To use the new program, the user specifies the location of one main fan and one booster fan, and the minimum required airflows in any number of working places. The computer determines the fan duties that will maintain the required airflows at the lowest operating costs without causing undesired recirculation. The methodology of the program and an example showing how it can be applied are presented.

Jan 1, 1990

By Z. T. Bieniawski, Christopher Mark

A new method for the design of long- wall chain pillars, called Analysis of Longwall Pillar Stability (ALPS), is described. The method provides estimates of the relative stability of different longwall pillar designs during all stages of their service life. The key issue addressed by ALPS is the magnitude and time-of-arrival of the longwall abutment loads applied to chain pillars. A field study was conducted and other available field data were analyzed in order to develop an approach for estimating the abutment loads. An example based on longwall experience in the Pittsburgh seam is used to illustrate how ALPS can be used in mine design.

Jan 1, 1986

By Robert J. Watters, Peter C. Kelsall, Joseph G. Franzone

Two separate studies investigated the compressive strength of basic igneous rocks and its relation to index properties such as porosity, density and soundrave velocity. The rocks tested were weathered dolerite from S. W. England and vesicular lavas from California. In both cases strength was affected considerably by porosity. In the dolerite, strength was also affected by fissures (microcracks) which were formed in the parent rock by shearing and later accentuated by weathering. While test results show that porosity, density and sound velocity are not reliable indices of rock strength, these properties are useful in interpretation of strength test results. Index testing can be used to classify samples according to similar behavior and to recognize the influence of fissures.

Jan 1, 1986

By Norbert Patzelt, Johann Knecht, Wolfgang Baum

High pressure roll grinding (HPGR) is a mature but still expanding comminution technology. In the metals mining industry, HPGR is slowly gaining acceptance as a cost-efficient, high-throughput alternative for plant optimization. The increasing need to treat ores with progressively lower grades, complex mineralogies, refractory metal occurrence and variable rock types requires an energy-efficient comminution technology that reduces metallurgical problems inherent in conventional crushing and grinding, while stabilizing leach and flotation circuits and increasing metals extraction. This paper will summarize our latest HPGR pilot test results for gold and copper projects in the United States and South America and their confirmation through the first HPGR operation in copper mining. This paper will also stress the use of the high pressure grinding roll as a metallurgical tool. The application of HPGR for the treatment of heap leach SX-EW ores, semi-refractory gold ores, waste rock material and concentrator feeds will be illustrated.

Jan 1, 1998

By Jan Leja

Surfaces of metal sulfides react readily with selected constituents of environment. Two types of reaction products may form: (1) primary, chemisorbed and hydrophobic surface products or primary hydrophilic surface products, and (2) secondary reaction products -- produced during continued oxidation-reduction processes. For flotation, the chemisorbed surface product and the secondary reaction products, elemental sulfur or metal xanthates, must provide sufficient hydrophobicity of the surface to ensure particle-bubble attachment.

Jan 1, 1986

By Andrew F. McKown, Lewis L. Oriard

Advances in explosives engineering are moving forward in several different aspects. These include improvements and new development in explosives products, the application of these products to blasting technologies, and the study of the peripheral effects of the use of explosives, such as ground vibrations and airblast. Topics of special interest in the last several years include new explosives and detonators, cap timing, explosive casting, high-speed photography, perimeter and slope control, air decking and mathematical modeling of blasting processes.

Jan 1, 1988

Cost accounting information is used primarily for (1) planning, control, and performance evaluation; and (2) managerial decision-making. Incremental analysis is a tool for managerial decision-making. It is designed to estimate future financial performance, namely the benefits and costs associated with alternative courses of action. Decisions may be distinguished as pertaining to short-term or long-term activities. Long-term activities frequently focus on capacity decisions and the attendant capital budgeting processes used to quantify the financial effects of these decisions. Short-term decisions typically address short-range production quantity and pricing issues, outsourcing, selection of the optimal mix of products, inventory management, and the acceptance of special orders. This chapter addresses these short-term decisions.

Jan 1, 1999

By Kenneth N. Han, Jianshe Liu

Various techniques used in the removal of metal ions from effluent streams have been reviewed. These techniques include recovery of metals by biological treatment, chelating agents, adsorption, ion- exchange and chemical precipitation. The main thrust of this paper however, is concerned with the removal of cadmium and zinc ions from the solution by adsorption utilizing liquid fluidized beds. The bed particles used were silica of 150x200 mesh. The range of the concentration of these ions studied was 10-3 to 10-5 M. Important variables examined included flow rate, concentration of metal ions and amount of bed particles. A mathematical model describing the concentration profile of metal ions in the axial direction in liquid fluidized beds has been developed. The equation of continuity was solved numerically and the results were used to predict the recovery of metal ions in fluidized beds.

Jan 1, 1992

By Ron Robinson, Trevor Harrison

The planning, installation and commissioning of the first scheme of controlled recirculation of air flow in a section of coal mine in Great Britain is described, together with the proposals for a second installation. The work updates a previous paper (Robinson and Harrison, l986) on the subject. The special problems of ventilating the increasingly distant faces of the undersea mines in the North East Area of the British Coal Corporation are discussed and the alternative solutions stated. The advantages of using a system of controlled recirculation of air are proposed together with the safety features considered necessary. Design and installation details of the recirculation fans and a new booster fan are described.

Jan 1, 1987

By Pierre Mousset-Jones, Felipe Calizaya, Malcolm J. McPherson

The algorithm presented in this study determines the combination of fans that provide all working districts of a mine with predefined airflows at the minimum operating cost. It is based on an existing ventilation simulator, VNETPC, and a set of linear equations associating fan pressures and the added resistance of regulators. Two assumptions are undertaken: (1) fan locations are predetermined and (2) the number of working districts is equal to or greater than the number of fans. By means of this algorithm, the optimal solution to an n fan ventilation system may be found after n + 1 simulation runs.

Jan 1, 1987

By M. Misra

Jan 1, 1992

By Lei Zhang, P. Somasundara

The beneficiation of phosphate is complicated due to its sparingly soluble nature. The surface proper- ties of phosphate and associated minerals are determined, in addition to the ionic composition of the solution, by the dissolution of the lattice ions of the minerals and subsequent complexation, hydrolysis, adsorption, and precipitation of the dissolved species. These, in turn, are influenced by the pretreatment of the mineral. These complex interactions determine the interfacial properties of phosphate and associated minerals and thereby the efficiency of beneficiation processes such as flotation and flocculation. Under- standing of the chemistry involved in such systems is helpful to develop the optimum beneficiation schemes. It is shown that desired selectivity can be achieved by controlling the chemistry of the systems. More important, the need to conduct development tests under plant conditions is clearly demonstrated.

Jan 1, 1999

By W. R. Dearman, N. Turk

A seismic fissuration index (K) is defined as the ratio of the difference in the P and S wave velocities obtained when a dry rock specimen is tested both under a load equal to half the uniaxial compressive strength of the rock (Vo) and without an applied load (Vd) to the velocity obtained without an applied load (Vd), as K = (Vo - Vd)/Vd. A similar seismic fissuration index is also proposed for classifying the dry rock mass in terms of field seismic velocities. The field equation is extended by including the intact rock seismic velocities. K is found to be related to the porosity of rocks. The proposed equation can equally be used for characterizing saturated rocks, using S-wave velocities. However, the time average equation should be used for characterizing saturated rocks, using P-wave velocities, even though this equation gives upperbound estimates of the rock material and fracture porosities.

Jan 1, 1986

By Evans U. Jegbefume

A plane strain two-dimensional finite element model employing the method of negative reaction loading has been used to model roof collapse and subsidence resulting from the underground gasification of coal in regions of soft overburden such as that found in Texas. The model included dry zones of rock around the cavity. Roof collapse was included by considering the final state of stress in the elements and removing those that had undergone tensile failure. The two-dimensional plane strain model was extended to include thermal loading and thermal softening of the roof rock. Roof collapse initiation and growth of the cavity were modelled by examining the portion of the rock immediately above the cavity under thermal and hydrostatic load. The model was extended to include linear creep using the method of incremental strains. The overburden was modelled as a generalized Kelvin material.

Jan 1, 1982

By Ian Sheppard, John J. Chen

This paper describes the development of the underground mining methods employed for narrow silver-lead-zinc orebodies at the Isa Lead Mine. Cut-and-fill methods were the chief underground mining methods for the narrow orebodies at the mine over 35 years ago. Benching methods were introduced approximately two decades later, and quickly replacing the cut-and-fill methods. The cut-and-fill methods and the benching methods are briefly reviewed in the paper. The benching methods and technologies have been continually evolving and one of the recent achievements is a multi-lift benching method. The multi-lift benching method is described in detail.

Jan 1, 2001

By Jianliang Li, Xi Peng, Guorong Lu

This paper describes a wind tunnel modelling study on airflow and pollutant concentration in a large open pit mine located in southern China. A 1:1000 scale model of the surface mine was fabricated and placed in a wind tunnel. Airflow velocity in the test section of the wind tunnel can be continuously adjusted from 0.3 m/s to 6.0 m/s. In this study, both the present pit condition and the projected final pit condition were modelled. Airflow direction and velocity profiles were obtained. The impact of wind direction and velocity on airflow was also studied. The pollutant concentration distribution in the open pit was simulated using smoke, and a distribution profile was obtained. Respirable dust concentrations at the mine site were measured, then its concentrations at the projected final pit condition were estimated using the obtained pollutant concentration distribution profile. Under normal meteorological conditions, it is expected that the respirable dust concentration for the final pit should not exceed the government standard. Key Words: wind tunnel modelling, open pit, surface mining, scale model, mine ventilation, airflow profile, point source.

Jan 1, 1993