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By George I. Staber

As stated by the Congress in the preamble of the act establishing the Office of Coal Research, its purpose is, "To encourage and stimulate the production and conservation of coal in the United States through research and development by authorizing the Secretary of the Interior to contract for coal research, and for other: purposes." Thus, while the overall responsibility for air pollution control from all sources rests primarily with the Department of Health, Education and Welfare, it is obvious that OCR could not perform its mandate of, increasing the utilization of our Nation's greatest energy resource if it ignored one of the greatest practical obstacles to achieving that objective. Therefore, air pollution abatement and prevention is one of the practical considerations taken into account in the selection of the OCR program. And as the severity of the air pollution problem imposes new restrictions on the use of coal, the importance of this criteria in the selection of OCR projects increases. The work done by OCR in air pollution abatement does not conflict with nor does it duplicate the program developed by HEW's National Center for Air Pollution Control. Technical members of the OCR staff maintain close formal and informal liaison with their counterparts in NCAPC. One formal agreement has been executed whereby the HEW agency has transferred funds to OCR for a practical study of the potential effectiveness of air pollution control when coal is burned in a fluidized bed comprised of inert alkaline earth material. It is hoped that this initial cooperative effort will be

Jan 1, 1968

By K. C. Strebig, C. W. Schultz, A. A. Selim

For some time researchers have attempted to in- crease drilling efficiency (and therefore reduce costs) by adding certain chemical agents to the circulating medium. The effect of some organic additives on the diamond drilling of quartzite was recently investigated in the laboratory by personnel of the U. S. Bureau of Mines. In these tests, the penetration rate and bit life were found to increase with the use of additives. In addition, an economic analysis of a hypothetical 1000-ft hole showed that additives can reduce drilling costs by 30%. Wetting Agents Improve Drilling Efficiency Much of the interest in the use of wetting agents to improve drilling efficiency is the result of an observation made by Rehbinder, Shreiner, and Zhigach.1 These investigators postulated that drilling creates a region of increased crack formation directly below the bit and that a circulating medium that wets the rock will also penetrate the micro- cracks of the predestruction zone. Increasing the molecular affiinity (wetting ability) of these circulating media for the surface of the rock helps the deformation and destruction by softening the rock in the zone of increased crack formation. In this manner, the hardness or strength of the rock is decreased as the medium wets the rock in the predestruction zone. This is known as the "Rehbinder effect." Rehbinder's work has prompted many investigators to examine the relationship between the use of additives and the mechanical destruction of rock. Engelmann, Terichow and Selim reported that the maximum penetration of the rock by a diamond point in a solution environment was at the isoelectric point of the mineral and solution interface.2 Improvement in rock breakage with the use of additives was observed by Frangiskos and Smith.3 Joris and McLaren suggest that additives having a lower surface tension than water will also be more efficient in cooling the diamonds.4 Additives help remove fine cuttings from the face of the bit and improve efficiency. The latter two authors also report an improvement in impregnated bit life and penetration rates with the use of soluble oil additives. All of these investigations were initiated in the hope of discovering what economic benefits will accrue with the use of additives.

Jan 10, 1969

By E. Chin

The domination of Bangladesh's mineral industry by natural gas was in for some possibly significant changes. A modest flow of crude oil was struck in a gas development well in the northeastern corner of the country. This was the first commercial flow of crude oil in Bangladesh. All crude oil was being imported, which cost a significant proportion of the nation's foreign exchange earnings. The development of an oilfield producing only a few thousand barrels per day would be a welcome help to the economy. Additional exploration at a 1985 coal discovery in the northwest indicated a considerable reserve of good-quality coal at a depth suitable for mining. If the coal is mined, it would be a boon to the local economy because natural gas was not available in the area.

Jan 1, 1988

By Samuel Daniels

In this paper are given the mechanical properties, determined by the Engineering Division, Air Service, U. S. A., of the 94 per cent. aluminum, 5 per cent. copper, 1 per cent. silicon alloy as sand-cast and as heat-treated commercially to Air Service Specification No. 11,300. This particular alloy was tested both in the cast and in the heat-treated condition. Tension and tension modulus values were obtained from machined and from un-machined test specimens; while data for shear, compression, impact, torsion, and for Brinell and Rockwell hardness were found from machined bars. Specific-gravity tests were made on sanded, un-machined specimens. The metallography of the alloy is useful as a control to heat treatment and presents some interesting peculiarities in regard to the two iron-bearing compounds. THE demand for an aluminum alloy, suitable for sand castings, that may be heat treated to meet requirements of high strength, ductility, shock and corrosion resistance, and ready machineability has led to the commercial development of a proprietary material that contains from about 4 to 5 per cent. of copper, 1 per cent. of silicon, and such impurities as iron, up to a maximum of 0.75 per cent., and manganese, in quantity usually less than 0.1 per cent.1 Magnesium is not generally present, for it tends to nullify the beneficial influence of the added silicon by forming magnesium silicide. The function of the silicon is to minimize casting difficulties and, structurally, to favor the precipitation of (insoluble) iron-bearing skeletons rather than the needles, which prevent full realization of tensile properties from heat treatment by stimulating intergranular fracture. The amount of silicon necessary to counteract the ill effect of iron is equal to or slightly more than the content of iron; the excess of silicon over this ratio, under certain conditions of heat treatment, enters with CuAl2, the principal hardening constituent, into solid solution and contributes somewhat to the strength of the alloy without appreciably impairing its ductility. The schedule of heat treatment of this alloy depends on the design (cross-sections) of the castings and on the nature of the tensile properties desired. Essentially, the process consists in heating the material at about-950° F., quenching in oil or in cold or boiling water, and artificially aging

Jan 7, 1925

The paper describes the geology, structure, stress, gas and strata geomechanical properties for Leichhardt Colliery and their reactions to mining.

Jan 1, 1986

By D. van der Veen

Mining companies and contractors are looking at Wirtgen Surface Miners to provide flexibility at their operations. Wirtgen Surface Miners have been used in the surface mining industry for over fifteen years. The principle behind the Wirtgen Miner is a rotating drum equipped with tungsten carbide tipped cutting tools that excavates and sizes the material. The drum helix augurs the mined material to the center of the drum where it is loaded onto the primary conveyor belt. From there the material is conveyed to the discharge belt and into a truck bed. The cutting drum is located in the center of the machine, near the center of gravity. This permits the machine to cut hard materials as the entire machine weight is converted into cutting forces. Conventional mining practices are process, equipment, and labor intensive. Furthermore, strict environmental requirements pertaining to noise levels, dust pollution, and blasting, near buildings or urban areas, limit the application of conventional methods. Mining/ Construction contractors are using Wirtgen Miners in various limestone excavation projects, such as highway expansion projects, and new roads in housing developments. Mining companies in the industrial minerals and coal industry are using Wirtgen Miners to load directly onto trucks, eliminating the rehandling process and ultimately, primary crushers.

Jan 1, 2002

Construction of Western Mining Corporation's nickel refinery at Kwinana, Western Australia, commenced in July, 1968. Production of 15,000 tons per annum of refined nickel metal will commence early in 1970, The plant will also produce approx- imately 150,000 tons of ammonium sulphate0 The ammonia leach process which was developed by Sherritt Gordon Mines Ltd., and has been in operation at their plant at Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, Canada, for the past 15 years, will be used at Kwinana. The refinery will cost approximately 435 million, and will employ upwards of 250 people.

Jan 1, 1969

By Bill Cain, David F. Tsztoo, R. John Caulfield, D. Scott Kieffer

In 1994, the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) commenced a system-wide Seismic Improvement Program to protect their facilities from catastrophic damage. A primary focus of this program has been on retrofitting the 75-year old Claremont Tunnel, which crosses the active Hayward Fault zone. A large earthquake on the Hayward Fault could generate enough right-lateral fault slip to effectively sever this important lifeline. The retrofit project involves construction of a new bypass tunnel through the Hayward Fault zone, together with systematic contact grouting and localized structural repair of the existing concrete liner. Several innovative design measures have been incorporated into the seismic retrofit design, including an oversized tunnel cross section, backfill concrete side drifts, seismic isolation of an internal structural pipe, and shear fuses in the final lining.

Jan 1, 2005

The following advertisements show the contemporary view of the value of coal on a tract, usually as compared with farming advantages of several kinds. Fayette Gazette and Union Advertiser, February 10, 1798: "For Sale in Washington twp., Fayette Co., 211 acres of land whereon is a good new grist merchant mill, a good stone dam, and a house for the miller, about two acres of bottom, cleared and fenced, an excellent coal bank and saw-mill seat unimproved." Pittsburgh Gazette, March 19 and 26, 1802: Ads. offering for sale two properties, one of 38 acres, "together with a Coal Pitt and Lime Quarry, lying on the Monongahela side of Grant's Hill, and within one mile and a half of Pittsburgh," and the other two tracts of 700 acres on "Racoon creek, contiguous to which is a valuable limestone quarry, and a quarry of building stone, also plenty of stone coal." Pittsburgh Gazette, Oct. 8, 1802: A farm between Pittsburgh and Greensburg "with house, barn and a Smith shop-also, a fine sugar camp, and a Coal Bank within sight of the house," was offered for sale. The Farmers Register, Greensburg, Pa., March 13, 1802: An advertisement of a "plantation, six miles from Greensburg, there are two coal banks on it, one at each end of the place." The Commonwealth, Pittsburgh, Aug. 4,1805: A number of lots were laid off on Saw Mill Run, nearly opposite the first opening made on the Pittsburgh seam. They were from two to twenty acres each "and a great quantity of Limestone and stone coal." Pittsburgh Gazette, Aug. 9, Sept. 6, Sept. 27, Oct. 4, 1811; The Commonwealth, Aug. 19, 1811: Five tracts were advertised that contained coal. One had "fine springs and an inexhaustible mine of coal;" one, "excellent sugar camps, coal banks and limestone and a good mill seat;" one, "good sugar camps, an excellent coal bank and an elegant seat for a distillery;" another, a tract of 45,000 acres in Allegheny and Butler Counties affording "stone coal and iron ore, and seats for water works;" and the last a tract on Beck's Run, four miles from Pittsburgh "and a coal pit opened about one fourth of a mile from the river." The Mercury, Pittsburgh, April 8, Jan. 14, Feb. 11, 1813; Pittsburgh Gazette, April 16, Dec. 3, 1813: These tracts were advertised during the year in the vicinity of the city. One had "a good sugar camp, woodland and plenty of coal;" another, "a sugar camp and a coal bank on the premises;" while the others were "well timbered or well watered and had excellent stone coal." The Mercury, Pittsburgh, Feb. 2, 1814: A farm was offered for sale on the headwaters of Robinson's Run, in Washington County, four miles from Burgettstown, containing 60 acres, "a young bearing orchard,... a coal bank and a good sugar camp." Genius of Liberty and Fayette Advertiser, Uniontown, Pa., March 2, 1814, carried an advertisement of a sale of lots in the new town of Perriopolis; "the quantity and quality of the clay, sand and salt licks, near the premises, together with the timber and abundance of .stone coals The town of Perriopolis was situated upon a . farm at one time belonging to Washington.

Jan 1, 1942

By Edwin E. Maust

In response to the ever- increasing demand for high temperature materials, the Bureau of Mines instituted a program for the study and development of superrefractories, One of the major tools obtained for use in this research was an image furnace of the double-paraboloidal mirror type. Although extensive theoretical analyses of solar furnace performance may be found in the literature, comparable detailed information on the double-paraboloidal-mirror image furnace has been nonexistent. This report presents an analysis based on an investigation undertaken to ascertain the limitations and characteristics of the furnace so that it can be used most effectively. The quantitative determination of the energy available at the image, the control of this energy by mans of a 60-inch iris diaphragm, and its variation with position and time relative to the heat source used have all been dealt with in detail. The quantitative results were obtained using a specially designed waterflow calorimeter and these measurements, in conjunction with the theoretical analysis, are used to present a fairly complete description of the furnace and its capabilities.

Jan 1, 1962

By L. Zhu, S. Kaierle, M. Dahmen, C. Zimmermann, T. Haubold, I. Kelbassa, C. Mattern

Application of integrally bladed disks (blisks) is of increasing interest in compressors of aero engines. Blisks are preferred due to their potential for size and weight reduction, for increased performance and for reduced manufacturing costs compared to conventionally bladed disks. In case of a damage the blisk aerofoils cannot be simply replaced. If the damage is beyond acceptance or blending limits refurbishment is possible only by scrapping the whole blisk assembly, or more cost effective by the application of advanced weld repair methods. Weld repair of blisk aerofoils is challenging as it affects a critical part with specific requirements regarding its mechanical integrity, and as the accessibility is usually limited. The paper describes the ongoing development of advanced weld repair processes as part of a comprehensive repair strategy which have been developed for small-sized blisk assembly to give competitive maintenance cost.

Jan 1, 2006

By E. A. Brocchi

This work is dedicated to the chemical treatment of a typical EAF dust by chlorine content agents. The residue contains 48% Fe2O3 and 28% ZnO mainly in the franklinite structural form. The others less compounds are: 4.00% CaO, 2.60% MnO, 2.20% MgO, 1.08% PbO, 0.36% Cr2O3, 0.21% B2O3, 0.03% CdO and 0.01% NiO. The experiments purpose is selectively to remove zinc from the residue leaving the iron behind. Thermodynamics studies have indicated some roasting possibilities. The experimental results have shown that both HCl leaching and carbochlorination will remove iron and zinc without any selectivity. However, either the chlorine or the calcium chloride roasting seems to form, preferentially, the zinc chloride. So, it will be presented how the EAF Dust can be treated by the using of chlorine roastings process such as carbochlorination in order to separate the zinc and iron present in the frankilinite, main EAF dust content.

Jan 1, 2014

By Stanley I. M, Brett D, Dickson R

The Mt Lyell Mine, situated in Queenstown on the west coast of Tasmania, has a production history of more than 100 years. Previous mining activities have resulted in substantial modifications to environmental conditions at Mt Lyell and disposal of sulphidic waste rock across the lease has left a legacy of on-going environmental impacts including acid drainage (AD). In 1995 Copper Mines of Tasmania (CMT) was granted a mining lease Irons the Tasmanian State Government for redevelopment of Mt Lyell and indemnity from actions concerning pollution from previous occupation and use of leased land. The Environmental Management Plan (EMP) for the Mt Lyell redevelopment committed CMT to be responsible for waste rock dumps generated from their activities and to ensure that management is in-line with best practice environmental management principles. CMT commenced commercial production in December 1995 with sulphidic material from development of the underground Prince Lyell mine reporting to a single waste rock dump constructed according to a management plan developed in July 1995 and superseded by a management plan for extension in May 1997. The CMT waste rock dump currently has a total capacity of 220 000 m- and approximately 120 000 m3 of rock have been placed to-date. Material reporting to the dump is placed in a densely compacted state to a controlled surface profile. The dump is clay capped and a final revegetated soil layer placed on top. A rock pitched drain extends down to a wetland area in order to remove stormwater and minimise possible soil erosion on the revegetated sections. An integral part of the management plan for the waste rock dump involves characterisation of waste rock to identify geochemical rock types according to acid forming potential with provision for selective placement within the dump. High-risk materials are selectively placed and covered within the core of the waste rock dump, where possible, to control sulphide oxidation. Monitoring equipment has been installed in the waste rock dump by the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) and an on-going monitoring program has been established to demonstrate the integrity of the dump cover as a barrier to the influx of atmospheric oxygen into the dump. The overall objectives of this program of work are to control the oxidation of sulphidic waste rock in the waste rock dump, minimise the risk of AD, prevent pollution of the aquatic environment and thereby demonstrate the integrity of the CMT waste rock dump management Strategy.

Jan 1, 1997

By John C. Stankus

Jennmar Corporation. in an effort to improve mine roof control, has conducted extensive study and research comparing tensioned point anchor resin systems versus the use of non-tensioned fully grouted rehar. Preliminary indications are showing that in thinly laminated, weak strata, tensioned point anchor resin systems are providing more effective roof control than the non-tensioned fully grouted rehar. In this paper two case studies are presented in which tensioned point anchor resin systems were utilized to stabilize and control the mine roof in two different mines. Both mines are alike in many ways, but yet very different in other aspects. However, the mines do share one main common factor. and that being the non-effectiveness of the non-tensioned fully grouted rebar in controlling the thinly lamininated strata in each respective mine.

Jan 1, 1990

By M. A. Lucas

The Bureau of Mines has developed a computerized mathematical model to predict the distribution of accessory elements throughout a metallurgical process. The model can be used to determine process conditions that effect better accessory element control consistent with continued high primary metal recovery. The model presented is specific for determining the bismuth distribution in lead smelting but can be adapted to most extractive metallurgical processes. Thermodynamic, kinetic, and process parameters form the base for the model. Its logic and structure are described in detail.

Jan 1, 1983

By C E. Davies

At present the source of virgin iron for steel produced in New Zealand is titanomagnetite extracted from titaniferous beachsands. Some of these beachsand deposits contain extractable quantities of ilmenite as well as titanomagnetite and both minerals represent challenging sources of vanadium and titanium products in addition to iron. This study looks at some theoretical aspects of smelting these ores directly with coal rather than with electric power, and takes into consideration the properties of the raw materials, the thermodynamics of possible process routes and the background of the economics involved.

Jan 1, 1980

By H. R. Hose

Total crude fluorspar reserves in western Europe, containing more than 35 pct CaF*, are estimated at 12 million metric tons, while reserves in the USSR and Soviet sphere may exceed 5 million metric tons. The bulk of these reserves are concentrated in the USSR, Spain, United Kingdom, Western Germany, and Italy. Since published estimates of the tonnages of individual mines and explored deposits are not available for most countries in Europe, the estimates given in Table I for individual countries are necessarily approximate, as they have been compiled from various sources and modified and combined according to the author's judgment. The majority of fluorspar deposits in Europe belong to the late Paleozoic metallogenetic epochs and have been found within or along the borders of the Hercynian massifs. Deposits in the Central and Esterel massifs of France, those of Western and Eastern Germany, Sardinia, the Catalonian coastal range and the Sierra de 10s Santos in Spain, and those of Devonshire and Cornwall belong to the Hercynian metallogenetic epochs. The deposits in southern Norway and Sweden belong to the middle Paleozoic or later, those of northern England to the late Paleozoic or later, those of northern Spain and Greece to the late Mesozoic, and those of northern and probably central Italy and Switzerland to the early Tertiary. Fluorspar occurs typically in veins, lenses, and stringers, but also in bedded replacement deposits and pockets, and may be colorless to white, yellow, green, pink, brown, blue, or purple to almost black. Except for the colorless variety, the only kind which can be used for the optical industry, the color of the fluorspar does not affect its ultimate use,

Jan 4, 1955

By J. A. Madonna

Universities and colleges in three countries, Australia, Canada and the United States, recognized the need to establish and/or reorganize geoscience programs at the vocational and two-year technical levels. To accomplish this goal, a cooperative study with industry in one state or province from each country was initiated. These include 1) Tasmania, Australia, 2) British Columbia, Canada and 3) Alaska, United States. Over one hundred mineral industry organizations cooperated in the study by providing information regarding their specific training needs for support personnel. The data gathered has been used to identify training areas for semi-skilled, skilled and technical personnel in geochemical mineral exploration, including, but not limited to, geological skills, geochemical skills, environmental skills and computer skills. With the areas of major educational need defined for geochemical exploration, an educational field skills model has been developed for the three levels of training. The depth of each level of education and the training objectives for the work force at each level will be discussed.

Jan 1, 1993

By M. Gericke

Over the past few decades the commercial application of heap bioleaching technology for the extraction of base metals has become increasingly important, due mainly to the depletion of high-grade ore reserves. Heap bioleaching is widely used for the extraction of copper from secondary copper sulphide ores. The design and engineering aspects of the process have received considerable attention, but issues related to the microbiology of the process have been subjected to less rigorous scrutiny. The major role of micro-organisms in bioleaching processes is to catalyse the regeneration of ferric iron and protons, from ferrous iron and by sulphur oxidation respectively. It is accepted that even the most carefully engineered heaps are heterogeneous in terms of temperature, pH, the presence of anaerobic pockets, irrigation efficiency, and dissolved solutes. Since interactions between solution chemistry, mineralogy, and microbial populations exist in heaps, a better understanding of the correlation between microbial numbers and types with changes in these chemical and physical profiles with time would be beneficial during process design and operation of heaps, and could result in faster start-up times and higher metal recoveries. This paper reviews the role of microbiology in heap bioleaching processes. Aspects such as microbial diversity, identification and monitoring of cultures, inoculation strategies, colonization behaviour, and tolerance to metals and salts are discussed, and the potential contribution of the knowledge to the improvement of the operation and design of heap bioleach processes assessed. Conclusions are drawn with respect to the role of genetic engineering, heap inoculation practises, and remaining areas for future heap bioleaching research and development.

Jan 1, 2012

By R. F. Selder

The material in this paper is intended simply to be an inquiry into some of the theoretical aspects of the occurrence of methane and carbon dioxide in coal, with a brief resume of the more recent literature. Several discussions of various phases of the subject have been published a few of which (4, 20, 25, 88, 90) have more or less extensive bibliographies of the earlier literature. In large measure the pertinent literature deals with the unusual aspects of the subject, and in consequence it might appear that the normal aspects have not been given due consideration here. The latter information is largely a matter of practical field experience, and since that which is normal to one locality is often abnormal to another no sharp differentiation appears to be necessary or, in fact, possible. No attempt will be made to present a critical discussion of the relations between the presence of gases in coal and pertinent geologic features or mining practice. Although the presence of foreign gases in the ventilating air of many mines is not particularly noticeable, in many others the evolution of methane and perhaps small amounts of carbon dioxide (or sometimes the reverse - large amounts of carbon dioxide with perhaps sore methane) is quite apparent. The presence of small quantities of carbon dioxide can be attributed to oxidation of the carbonaceous matter exposed to the air. In the few cases in which this explanation is not sufficient, obviously the carbon dioxide must escape as such from the coal and neighboring strata.

Jan 1, 1934