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By H. Polat, Q. Hu, S. Chander

The collection efficiency of dust particles was determined in a laboratory dust chamber equipped with a water spray. Measurements were made in the presence of selected nonionic, cationic and anionic surfactants. For the nonionic and the anionic reagents, efficiency was maximum in a narrow range of concentration. The surfactant concentration corresponding to high collection efficiency was usually much below the commonly used concentration of l%, however. In comparison, much higher collection efficiency was observed for a cationic surfactant at extremely low concentrations. For delineating the mechanism of capture of dust particles, surface tension and contact angle results were used to obtain a correlation between the work of adhesion and the efficiency of collection. Such a correlation was reasonable for the nonionic surfactants but not for charged surfactants. In the latter case, electrostatic interactions between charged droplets and particles were more important, especially for the cationic reagent.

Jan 1, 1992

By F. Bruey

The Factorial Model Experimenters are often interested in systems that are multi-factorial. A multi-factorial system is one whose output is believed or known to be dependent on the particular settings of several inputs, or factors. We can think of these factors as defining a space, with each point in this space corresponding to a particular set of factor settings. Experimenting can be thought of as exploring this space - finding out how the response of the system changes as factor settings are changed. There are several challenges in this exploration, among which are deciding what region to explore, designing an experiment that explores it most effectively, and describing the results of the exploration. This paper deals principally with the last of these; it shows how the factorial model can be used to describe how the response of the system changes as factor settings are changed. A strength of the factorial model is that it treats the factors as causes of change in the system's response and focuses on relations among these causes. In particular, the factorial model focuses on whether causes act independently on the system (in a sense to be explained below), or whether they interact. This is important because the experimenter generally seeks to control the system, and because control based on causes that act independently of other causes is relatively simple, whereas control based on causes that interact is more challenging. Also, mapping the space - finding out how the response of the system changes as factor settings are changed - will require less work if, during the exploration, it can be determined which of the causes act independently. For the sake of example, let us assume that the space we are exploring is three-dimensional, and that we have already defined, for each of the three factors, the range of interest. Let us consider all the ways in which the response of the system might depend on the settings of these three factors. In the simplest case, the response in this region does not depend on any of the factors. The response is constant throughout the space, at say, 80 units.

Jan 1, 2007

By K. Mondal

A macroscopic approach integrated with microscopic analyses for wettability characterization is presented. Wetting depends on 1) Contact between the dust and the fluid droplets, 2) Wettability of the particles by the wetting fluid, and 3) Wettability rate (due to low contact times). The goal of this paper is to show that the wetting rate is a significant factor in dust control. Samples from the roof, three different horizons of the coal seam and the floor were pulverized to less than 25 µm. Experiments were conducted with known wetting fluids to correlate surface tension and equilibrium wettability. Further analyses were performed in terms of surface charge (zeta potential), particle size, mineral composition, elemental composition, and quartz content. The surface tension reduction was also achieved by the use of chemicals and/or altering the temperature of the water. Two methods were used to evaluate wettability rates: a) near real-time comparison of wettability rates, and b) comprehensive evaluation of the intrinsic wettability rates. The data obtained provides meaningful insights towards the design of engineering controls for an economical solution to dust control in coal mines.

Jan 1, 2012

By R. Thornton

Montana Tech is located in the historic mining town of Butte, MT and is adjacent to the Orphan Boy mine. This abandoned underground mine will be the heat source for a down-hole heat exchanger (DHE)/heat pump system. The mine was abandoned in the 1950?s and has since filled with water to within approximately 30 m of the surface. The shaft is composed of a 245 m vertical shaft connected with horizontal crosscut drifts at 60 m and 150 m below the water level that connect to a large stope with approximately 1250 million liters of water at a consistent 75-78°F temperature. The intent is to build this heating system to augment or fully heat a newly built 2,000 m2 building on the Montana Tech campus. As designed the system uses ?off-the-shelf? parts making the basic configuration straightforward with the exception of the DHE?s which need to be placed into the vertical shaft. Because there is little or no examples of placing the heat exchangers in a vertical shaft, the primary focus of this work was to model the heat exchanger placement and configuration in the vertical shaft such that thermal currents develop between the stope and vertical shaft in, via the horizontal crosscut drifts, in order to move the water and thereby provide the required energy. This study includes the modeling of water flow, temperature profiles, and the heat contribution from the surrounding rock walls.

Feb 27, 2013

By D. Brandt

The Dos Pobres Mine is a copper oxide heap-leach mine located near Safford, Arizona. Mine production is 180,000 tons (163,293 tonnes) per day with a stripping ratio of 2:1. During the startup phase of the mine, the required fragmentation size was easy to achieve as the ore was highly weathered and fractured near the surface. As the mine depth increased, the proper fragmentation size became harder to achieve due to less weathering and different rock types. Because copper recovery increases as crusher product size decreases, achieving the appropriate product size at the crusher is the operating priority. The Engineering Department started a project to improve fragmentation through blasting and thus increase throughput in the crushing system. It soon became clear that input from other departments was going to be required to make this a safe and economical project. Therefore the Crush and Convey and Ore Control departments worked together to evaluate all available data on blast patterns and explosive loads and tracked performance and results. Using image analysis, Drill Energy Index and databases, we have been able to improve fragmentation size and verify the results while controlling costs.

Jan 1, 2011

By Steve Kral

After years of cutbacks, closures and layoffs, the mining industry is beginning to expand again. Metals prices are up and so is investor interest and confidence in the industry. Gold prices began to slowly move up in January2003 and finally cracked the $12.86/g ($400/oz) mark in early December. Silver, too, is up, as is copper. So the mining industry is feeling good about itself again and many companies are expanding existing mines and developing new ones. One side benefit to mining’s improved outlook is that companies are beginning to send more of their employees to industry conferences. Such was the case at the109th Northwest Mining Association meeting in Spokane, WA. The meeting was held in early December and attracted 1,100 attendees and 84 exhibiting companies. That is up from 2002’s attendance of about 900 people and 65 exhibitors. The theme was “A Partnership into the Future.”

Jan 1, 2004

By J. B. Seymour

This paper provides an overview of the current use of backfill for ground support in underground metal mines in the United States and a summary of recent accident data reported for these mines by the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA). Backfill mines comprise a major part of the underground metal mining industry and are particularly important in terms of the fatalities and injuries impacting this workforce. Ground falls are the leading cause of fatal accidents at these mines accounting for 50 percent of the total fatalities (4 out of the 8 fatalities that occurred from 2006 through second quarter of 2011). MSHA reported several different types of accidents involving backfill at these mines. While backfill ground falls do not occur frequently, these accidents result in a much higher proportion of fatalities than host rock ground falls. Backfill ground fall accidents are especially hazardous in underhand cut-and-fill mining operations where employees work directly beneath the backfill. An analysis of recent MSHA accident data supports the need for further cooperative research with the mining industry to identify and address ground control problems in underground metal mines using backfill.

Feb 27, 2013

By J. Hunter, E. Jackson

This paper describes work done by Placer Dome Technical Services Limited, a subsidiary of Barrick Gold, and Nautilus Minerals Inc. in support of the conceptual design of a subsea mining system. It describes an overall concept design plus specific studies into mechanical excavation at depth. The concept design includes one or more subsea excavators connected to a suction riser, which transports the cut material to a shipboard dewatering and offloading system. A multi-phase investigation was performed into the mechanical excavation of seafloor massive sulphides at depths of around 1600m. Rock samples were recovered and tested for rock properties and cutting behaviour. A small pick drum cutter was procured and tested on a representative concrete slab in a lab and tested again while submerged in a test tank. Finally the cutter was tested on a massive sulphide ore body at 1600m depth. The cutting performance results, e.g. pick forces and specific energies, should provide valuable input to the design of future full scale subsea mining systems.

Jan 1, 2007

By S. M. Carpenter

In response to the FY2008 Consolidated Appropriations Act (H.R. 2764; Public Law 110?161), the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) issued the final Mandatory Reporting of Greenhouse Gases Rule (MRR). The rule, signed by the USEPA Administrator, Lisa Jackson, on September 22, 2009, requires reporting of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from large sources and suppliers in the United States, and is intended to collect accurate and timely emissions data to inform future policy decisions. The MRR will go into effect on January 1, 2010, and a report of the total emissions for calendar year 2010 will be due to the USEPA by March 31, 2011. Under the final MRR, suppliers of fossil fuels or industrial greenhouse gases, manufacturers of vehicles and engines, and certain facilities that emit 25,000 metric tons or more per year of GHG emissions are required to submit annual reports to the USEPA. The gases covered by the rule are carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), hydrofluorocarbons (HFC), perfluorocarbons (PFC), sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), and other fluorinated gases as outlined in Table A-1 of Subpart A of the MRR, which is also provided in Appendix A of this report.

Jan 1, 2011

By W. H. Langer

Large amounts of limestone fines coproduced during the processing of crushed limestone may be useful in the sequestration of carbon dioxide (CO2). Accelerated weathering of limestone (AWL) is proposed as a low-tech method to capture and sequester CO2 from fossil fuel-fired power plants and other point-sources such as cement manufacturing. AWL reactants are readily available, inexpensive, and environmentally benign. Waste CO2 is hydrated with water to produce carbonic acid, which then reacts with and is neutralized by limestone fines, thus converting CO2 gas to dissolved calcium bicarbonate. AWL waste products can be disposed of in the ocean. Feasibility requires access to an inexpensive source of limestone and to seawater, thus limiting AWL facilities within about 10 km of the coastline. The majority of U.S. coastal power generating facilities are within economical transport distance of limestone resources. AWL presents opportunities for collaborative efforts among the crushed stone industry, electrical utilities, cement manufactures, and research scientists.

Jan 1, 2009

By J. Wickens

Haile Gold Mine is located near Kershaw, South Carolina, approximately 50 miles south of Charlotte, North Carolina. Gold was first discovered at the site in 1827, and the property has been through several operating periods since. The relatively low grade and refractory nature of the deposit has been a challenge for efficient processing since the start of mining on the property. Early processing techniques included gravity separation and barrel chlorination. The last operation employed heap leaching in 1985 through 1992. After being closed and reclaimed for over 20 years, the property is poised to re-open and produce once again. In this chapter of the Mine?s legacy, flotation and ultra-fine grinding will be employed to achieve economic extraction of gold and silver from the pyrite. This paper briefly reviews some of the mine?s history, the metallurgical testing, the flowsheet and discusses design considerations. KEY WORDS: process plant, flash flotation, leaching, SMD, stirred media detritor

Feb 27, 2013

By Colin P. Pigott

The paper describes a variety of existing techniques and equipment which when combined together permit faster and cheaper drilling of shafts in soft to medium strength formations. Drilling fluid circulation, methods of hole stabilisation and bit design, including the advantages of flat bottomed and conical bits, shrouds and skirts, tungsten carbide, long tooth and disc cutters are considered. The principles of rock chip transportation and bottom hole cleaning are described together with a new and very efficient fluid circulation system which was invented by the author.

Jan 1, 1985

By Albert Adu-Acheampong

Fairmount Mineral's Maiden Rock underground sand mine historically delivered air to ventilate diesel-powered equipment at its working faces through high-resistance, 381-mm- (15-in.-) diameter PVC distribution lines. In support of plans for expanded production, three new, low-resistance ventilation design alternatives were analyzed. The study determined that adequate ventilation for expanded production was possible with various commercially available, high-volume/ low-pressure fans combined with a systematic layout of control structures. The recommended redesign was implemented in 2001, resulting in a significant increase in flow volumes and a noticeable improvement in the mine environment.

Jan 1, 2008

By E. Topuz, C. Patrick

Longwall face-to-face transfers can cost more than $100 per minute in lost production potential and $100,000 for personnel and supplies. Such high costs make extensive planning and control of the transfer process a critical necessity for the economic feasibility of longwall operations. Operations research techniques are used for the analysis and modeling of longwall face-to-face transfers. Transfer data has been collected from companies who operate, over 35%, of the total US longwall faces. Comprehensive sequence networks of existing longwall transfers were developed; simulation was used to generate models of transfers under Carving conditions; and the economic feasibility of tine-cost tradeoffs in the transfer procedure was investigated.

Jan 1, 1994

By Kwang ‘Min’ Kim, Paul T. Behum

The Old Bevier Aerobic Wetland in Macon County, Missouri, was constructed between 1990 and 1991 by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ Land Reclamation Program for the purpose of treating acid mine drainage (AMD). The principal source of the AMD is from an underground mine that operated during the 1920's through 1950's, which was partially exposed during surface mining in the 1960’s. Limestone bedding of an AMD collection system provided alkalinity similar to an anoxic limestone drain (ALD). Because the original aerobic wetland failed when a critical dilution water supply became unavailable, the total acidity of the AMD overwhelmed the limited neutralization ability of the aerobic wetland. The aquatic vegetation deteriorated and treatment became ineffective. The Missouri Land Reclamation Program with the assistance of the Office of Surface Mining, Mid-Continent Regional Coordinating Center rehabilitated the Old Bevier Aerobic Wetland in 2001, incorporating newer technologies to improve the performance. The new system, Old Bevier II treatment facility, consists of a 2-stage vertical flow pond (VFP) with associated oxidation cells and aerobic wetlands. This paper discusses the performance of this passive AMD treatment system, updating an earlier report. The new treatment system has operated with nearly continuous net alkaline discharge and a high iron removal rate. Treatment improves during warm months when emergent vegetation is fully established and biologic activity is greater. Reduction in system efficiency is evident during winter months.

Jan 1, 2005

By H. Maleki

In this paper, long-term measurements in five underground mines are presented to demonstrate how these measurements can be applied to stability evaluations and design of underground excavations. These case studies address both the global aspects of strata response to mining activities as well local ground behavior and support loading. The measurements include static (stress and deformation) and geophysical. Case studies quantify pillar behavior, roof-floor deformation patterns, overburden response, and microseismic activities. Large-scale studies quantify the nonuniform nature of overburden deformation and collapse. Local measurements address yield and stable pillar load deformation characteristics, as well as the performance of support systems under combined axial and lateral loads.

Jan 1, 2002

By Paul D. Tomlingson

There are huge benefits for mining operations that have a well-defined maintenance program that is understood and followed across the total operation. But for operations lacking a quality maintenance program, there is equal assurance that nearly every major maintenance problem can be traced to this omission. Few problems will be permanently corrected until such a program is implemented. Definition The maintenance program re-quires the interaction of all mine departments. Initially, the production department will request work and the maintenance department will identify work, principally through preventive maintenance inspection and testing efforts. Maintenance will then classify the new work to determine the best way to respond. Maintenance will plan selected major jobs to enable its crews to carry them out more effectively. Maintenance will schedule the planned work with operations. Supervisors will assign all types of work to their crews then, control the work through effective supervision. As work is completed, maintenance will measure the work using an accurate information system. Next, it will assess overall accomplishments against goals such as performance standards or budgets. In addition, the pro-gram would prescribe a means to evaluate every aspect of the operation as it affects maintenance so that necessary improvements or changes can be identified, prioritized and acted on. Such evaluations should be part of a mine-wide continuous improvement effort. A well-defined maintenance program is one of the best investments a mining operation can make to assure its profitability. Educating the total operation on the pro-gram assures long-term dividends from the investment.

Jan 1, 2008

The efficiency of a coal mine ventilation circuit is usually measured by the ratio of the sum of the face quantities divided by the quantity supplied by the fans. Other types of systems use the power delivered to the power supplied to measure efficiency. This paper argues the case that the current measure may be inadequate and that by also looking at the power ratio, ventilation may be better managed. Problems associated with failing ventilation systems would be highlighted earlier so that crisis management could be avoided.

Jan 1, 2009

By Martin Stone

Industrialized countries, particularly the United States and the United Kingdom, remain at the forefront of international efforts to control the potential disruption from computer malfunctions caused by the date change from1999 to 2000 — widely known as the millennium bug or Y2K. Disruption is least likely in the developed world, including the United States, Canada, western Europe, Japan and Australasia. However, the picture is potentially different in developing countries where many mining companies operate. The less developed the country, the greater the chance of some form of Y2K-linked disruption.

Jan 1, 1999

By Dan Witkowsky

Beginning on June 11, 2007, as many as 36, kindergarten-to-grade-12 (K-12) teachers will participate in a program designed to educate them all about the mining industry. The 39th Annual A Total Concept of the Mining Industry – All About Mining, will be conducted by the Colorado Mining Association Education Foundation, Inc. (CMAEF) and the Office of Special Programs and Continuing Education (SPACE) at the Colorado School of Mines. This flagship program includes four intensive weeks at the Colorado School of Mines. During that time, more than 75 volunteer lecturers will “educate the educators” about mining and its importance to the United States and the world. During the learning process associated with obtaining a basic understanding of mining and all its aspects, the teachers will be hosted by hundreds of other industry professionals at 10 Colorado mining operations. Also visited will be a government earthquake center, a museum of mining and industry, an earth mechanics laboratory, a metallurgical research center, a metallurgical concentrator, an electric power plant and a steel mill. Questions before, during and after visits will be answered by another select group of volunteers who will travel with the teachers to the various sites.

Jan 1, 2007