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By Gabriel G. Walton

Conventional numerical modelling tools for analyses of underground excavations are well suited for modelling elastic behaviour and yield response of geomaterials with very simple constitutive behaviour. Non-dilatant elastic and perfectly plastic behaviour is most commonly used for preliminary analyses in the absence of the data required to consider more complex behaviours such as strainweakening and dilation. For truly brittle models, this deficiency is more acute. Current state of practice allows only for reliable estimation of the volume of failure, but not for any prediction of displacement. In fact, there is no consensus in rock engineering regarding the most accurate approach or most suitable tool to model the magnitude of the plastic deformation that strain-weakening or brittle rocks experience at tunnel boundaries, particularly when support is incorporated into these models. This problem is largely a function of a poor understanding of how inelastic dilation occurs in different types of rockmasses, the rate controls on strength loss and volume change during yield, and the complexities of rock-support interaction in yielding conditions.

Jun 1, 2012

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Jan 1, 1907

By E. J. Schmitz

This trip, beginning at Springfield, August 12, 1897, and ending at the same place fourteen days later, extended south and southeast through Christian, Ozark and Taney counties,

Jan 1, 1899

By Zbigniew Lubosik, Stanislaw Prusek

"The main elements of hard coal extraction systems in the Polish mining industry, including the characteristics of gateroads, are described, followed by several dozen underground measurements of gateroad roof sag performed in different geological and mining conditions in Upper Silesia Coal Basin.Based on the analysis of the roof sag measurements, an attempt to describe the gateroad roof sag process using a geometrical model was made. To build the model, it was assumed that the roof sag curve could be described by three straight lines. The first line describes the roof sag ahead of the longwall face; the second line, the sag at the longwall-gateroad junction zone; and the last line describes the zone behind the longwall face. Determining the intersection points and inclination angles is essential for the model. These model parameters depend on the geological and mining conditions in the gateroad.Using the statistical computations and analysis, the dependencies between the characteristic points of the gateroad roof sag model and the selected geological and mining parameters were defined. The STATISTICA computer program by StatSoft was used for computation.This paper presents a simple form of the geometrical description of roadway roof sag progression that is very useful during the gateroad support design process.INTRODUCTIONThe longwall system with caving is the dominant method in European mining in cases of hard coal seam extraction. For instance, in Poland, in 2009, 117 longwalls were driven, with total production of 77.5 million tonnes. In roughly 95% of the longwalls, mining operations were conducted using longwalls with roof caving; the remaining 5% used the hydraulic stowing system. The average mining depth was about 700 m (2,297 ft), and average daily output per face was approximately 2,600 tonnes per day. When using the longwall mining system, gateroads play an important role. These principal roadways transport materials, mine crews, and output. In addition, they impact ventilation of the extraction area, affecting, among other things, the climatic conditions or methane hazard. Unfortunately, difficulties often appear in maintaining an adequate size for the gateroads, due to the face line, which causes origination zones with stress concentration around the gateroad, resulting in rock mass movements in the form ofroofsag, floor heave, or horizontal convergence (Figure 1)."

Jan 1, 2010

Historical exploration of the Ballarat East goldfield defined two primary quartz vein lode types. Tracking the intersection of these lodes with vertical lines of enrichment (or so-called æindicatorsÆ) was the basic practice for historical mining. This strategy proved highly successful in terms of identifying quartz veins associated with mineralisation. However, it provides little understanding of the timing or processes involved in the formation of these veins, or the associated emplacement of gold. Current underground mapping shows the Ballarat East gold deposit can be subdivided into four stages of vein formation. The earliest veins (V1 and V2) strike north-south and formed during bedding flexural slip and limb thrust fault propagation in parasitic chevron folds. V3 veins are subhorizontal and relate to further fold tightening involving a transition from east-west compression to north-south extension that initiated re-shear of bedded slip surfaces and additional strike-slip faults. Sporadic V4 veins overprint the shallow-dipping sections of V2 and V3 veins and are associated with weak north-south compression. The V4 veins mineralogy is distinguished by a high carbonate content and sphalerite-galena sulfide assemblage. Vein sampling indicates a significant increase in gold mineralisation where overprinting by the later deformation/veining has occurred. As a result of these observations, a new model is emerging that identifies the chronology, structural control and spatial distribution of respective quartz vein types. This is a major advance in terms of exploration targeting, resource modelling and mine planning.

Jan 1, 2008

By John Mark Patek

Knowledge of the relative floatability of silicate minerals is increasing in importance as flotation is being applied to the concentration of nonsulfides. Many silicates are in themselves commercial products amenable to concentration by flotation. Moreover, the selective flotation of other nonsulfide minerals, such as cassiterite, depends largely upon the floatability of associated gangue silicates. Differences in floatability existing between the various silicates have not- been sufficiently appreciated; for example, the feldspars that differ greatly in floatability have generally been merely treated as "feldspar." It was the purpose of the work described in this paper to determine by experiment the differences in floatability between silicates; to investigate the causes for such differences, and to discover a means of predetermining approximate floatability without the necessity of experimentation. Determining Floatability The relative floatability of 20 silicates so selected as to represent all of the more common silicate types1 was obtained by flotation tests enumerated in Table 1. The mineral to be floated was crushed dry on a steel plate, and screened repeatedly during crushing through an 80-mesh screen in order to produce a sand with all grains as close to 80 mesh as possible. The sand was placed in dilute (6N) hydrochloric acid until free of soluble foreign material, and then washed with tap water about ten times in order to remove both acid and fines. The resultant product, which averaged 82 per cent plus 200 mesh, was floated in 50-gram charges in a 50-gram Denver celluloid flotation machine with 0.008 gram of terpineol, and from 0.01 to 0.05 gram of oleic acid in a solution acidified with sulfuric acid. The degree of separation of one mineral from another was determined by counting under a nlicroscope the grains of each mineral, both in the concentrate and in the tailings, and comparing their relative abundance in each. Unless the comparison showed a decided difference in amount,

Jan 1, 1935

By D. J. Miller

Environmental considerations are extremely important in planning and carrying out mergers, acquisitions and real estate transfers. It is not inconceivable that potential or actual environmental liabilities could exceed the targeted company's net worth or the book value of the real estate of interest. It is therefore essential that an environmental due diligence investigation (DDI) be performed to quantify environmental liabilities before sales, mergers or acquisitions. This paper will discuss general procedures used in environmental due diligence investigations. The emphasis will be placed on mergers and acquisitions. It should be pointed out that the procedures discussed in this paper are general and must be modified to fit each particular merger or acquisition under consideration.

Jan 1, 1988

THERE are certain facts that the mining industry in Australia is faced with at the present moment which may be accepted as axioms. The industry is at a low ebb, as evidenced by statistics. Metals form the basis of all modern industries, and are necessaryfor the welfare of Australia. Mining is a wasting asset. Every ton of ore extracted is one ton less which c.annot be made good, and it should be our duty to get as much profit froin that ore as possible, otherwise there is a permanent loss to the country.The metal market cannot be controlled by Australia; it is more or less an international matter. Australia has not been thoroughly prospected. There are no mines being developed that are likely to replace those which are being depleted.Our mining engineers are as capable as those in other parts of the world, and have made good where they have been given a chance. There is no one cause for the present depression; there are several, more or less, interwoven. Of course, the war has had an adverse effect, but that has only dislocated things temporarily; it upset our markets, influenced the price of metals, and affected the labour market and cost of stores. Labour troubles made their appearance before the wave of unrest swept over the world. The cause of labour discontent must be investigated, and if possible removed. As each industry has .its·own problems, miners must inquire into their special problems, as there is no sovereign remedy that will suit all cases.It is obvious that we cannot mine ore if we do not know where it is; therefore, the first thing is to discover workable deposits.

Jan 1, 1919

By E. P. Lunghofer

Silicon Carbide and Aluminum Oxide were two of the early forms of man-made abrasives often referred to as synthetic and were invented at the turn of the century. Edward G. Acheson invented Silicon Carbide in 1893 and Charles F. Jacobs filed a patent for the manufacture of fused alumina from bauxite in 1900. Jacobs' patent provided a method for tempering the alumina by reduction and fusion to a degree of hardness and toughness suitable for abrasive purposes. These two inventions are the basis of the synthetic abrasive industry today. Improvements have been made in the equipment used in the process, however the process itself remains basically the same. In 1904 A. C. Higgins observed that hot spots developed on the shell of the pot furnace used in the reduction of bauxite. He found that by spraying water on the hot spots they could be prevented and, in addition, they failed to return in the same place. Higgins reasoned that the cooling effect of the water caused the melt contacting the metal shell to freeze as an insulating autogenous refractory. This suggested that an improved furnace design could be obtained by using a metal shell which is continuously flooded with water on the exterior surface. Paradoxically, a furnace required to contain tons of molten Aluminun Oxide was thus constructed of nothing but a sheet steel shell with no refractory lining at all. A test of such an arrangement was tried by Higgins with considerable trepidation and was found to be extremely satisfactory.

Jan 1, 1985

By A. R. Troiano, W. J. Barnett

The existence of a grain size stabilization effect on martensitic type reactions as shown by Scheill in an iron-29 pct nickel alloy and by Troiano and Tokich2 in cobalt prompted a review of other martensitic reactions to determine if this stabilization effect is characteristic of all martensite type reactions. Preliminary work has shown this effect to be present both in the gamma —+ epsilon transformation in an iron-20 pct manganese alloy and the martensite transformation of SAE 4140 and 3 pct Cr-O.40 pct steels. No appreciable effect was found in an SAE 2340 steel. The M, temperature for the gamma —+ epsilon transformation was lowered from 380°F to about room temperature by varying the annealing treatment following cold work as shown in Table I. The effect of austenitic grain size on the M, of three steels is shown in Table 2. M, was deter- mined by the conventional quench-temper method of Greninger and Troiano. In a single crystal the change in external shape concomitant with the homogeneous shear mechanism of the martensite transformation can take place unhindered. In a polycrystalline specimen a restraint of these changes must occur at the grain boundaries. Therefore, the smaller the grain size the greater the shear strain energy necessary for the formation of a martensite crystal. The degree of lowering of M, due to the reduction of grain size is much greater when the change in crystal structure involves only a small energy change, such as face-centered cubic —+ close packed hexagonal (that is, CO and Fe-20 pct manganese alloy). The maximum lowering of M, observed in the steels investigated was 50°F with a change in the ASTM austenitic grain size of 1-2 to 8-9. In comparison, the crystal structure change face-centered cubic —+ body-centered tetragonal involves a considerable energy change. There is little doubt that with much finer grain sizes the increased grain boundary restraint would greatly enhance this stabilization effect. The implications of this phenomenon are multifold. Undoubtedly. under certain conditions it offers a method of stabilizing high temperature phases for room temperature

Jan 1, 1949

By Jannie Maree, Dieks Theron, Ryneth Nengovhela, Patrick Hlabela

In extracting base metals from ore bodies, sulphide as well as oxide, the main environmental concern is sulphur, whether in the form of sulphurous gases or sulphate in liquid form. Generally sulphur is in over supply in developed countries mainly because of strict legislation to capture it. In developing countries on the other hand there is usually a shortage of sulphur because of less strict environmental legislation. Africa falls in this second category and the African continent imports substantial amounts of sulphur despite the fact that large quantities of sulphur is emitted by smelters, thermal power stations, coal mines, fertilizer manufacturers and others. Other than making acid from gaseous emissions, existing methods to capture sulphur from gaseous and liquid effluents are uneconomical and it ends up in the environment either as ammonium sulphate (from gaseous effluents) or as gypsum (from liquid effluents). The CSIR?s Environmentek and Pyroserv has developed a process whereby gaseous sulphur emissions and sulphates in liquid effluents can be economically captured and converted into elemental sulphur and metal carbonates. The elemental sulphur is of high purity as it is precipitated from a gas stream and is readily marketable. The metal carbonates (barium or calcium) can be recycled back to the process or marketed. The only harmful byproduct of the process is carbon dioxide. Should natural gas or methane be available the carbon dioxide could be reduced by about one third. Should solar, wind or hydro energy be available to generate hydrogen the carbon dioxide emissions would be zero. Employing this technology could make Africa independent of sulphur imports and furthermore reduce the impact of acid rain and seepage of sulfate from gypsum and other waste dumps into the environment.

Jan 1, 2005

By Donald Towse

Geothermal energy can substitute for and compete with other fuels, but until now it has been used only in special situations where it costs much less than alternate fuels. Geothermal heat is expected to be developed where it can: (1) compete with alternate fuels, (2) replace scarce fuels, (3) be more environmentally acceptable, or (4) is especially adapted to local needs. Economic problems in development include the often high capital costs of wells and gathering systems and the long lead-times required for electric generating plants. The large investment and long payout times for large industrial uses adversely affect the economics.

Jan 1, 1977

Various aspects of judgment and decision-making are key themes in this book. The model presented here serves as a loose structure for the chapters that follow this one. The notion of a model is introduced because growing research interest in the subjective aspects of group and individual behavior has led to a debate over whether judgment is a skill that can be understood scientifically. A related point of contention is whether such an understanding could lead to the development of methods for estimating people's ability to make good decisions during an emergency. There is some literature that supports the potential usefulness of this approach. However, little agreement seems to have been reached on how to define and operationalize even those basic concepts necessary to assess the soundness of decisions from within their environmental and group contexts [Jensen and Benel 1977; Godden and Baddeley 1979; Baumann and Bourbonnais 1982; Brecke 1982; Stone et al. 1985]. A look at the real-world process is clearly needed. The need to attempt a better understanding of judgment and decision-making properties stems from those occasions in the existence of an organization when there is a lot at stake. The process of decision-making (which is part of the exercise of judgment) has been analyzed in situations such as corporate takeovers [Janis and Mann1977], military combat [Begland1979], clinical emergencies [Baumann and Bourbonnais 1982], and aviation events [Billings and Reynard1984]. The fundamental assumption of these analyses is that, while there are untold successes, there are also notable numbers of failures resulting from decisions that can be ascribed to one or more errors in judgment. From a cognitive perspective, any person engaged in decision-making (either alone or in a group) is actively involved in a process characterized by certain elements. These were mentioned in chapter 1, but are reiterated briefly at this point: (1) detection of a problem, (2) definition or diagnosis, (3) consideration of available options, (4) choice of what is perceived as the best option given recognized needs, and (5) execution of the choice based on what has transpired [Flathers et al. 1982; Baumann and Bourbonnais 1982]. At any moment in this process, there are factors at play that have a large impact on one's ability to solve complex problems in a limited time: (1) an internal state [Hedge and Lawson 1979] is the sum of a person's psychomotor skills, knowledge, attitudes, etc.; (2) uncertainty [Brecke 1982] is caused by faulty or incomplete information received from the external environment; (3) stress [Biggs 1968; Jensen and Benel 1977] is generated both by the problem at hand and any background problem that may exist; and (4) complexity, as it is used here, refers to the number of elements involved that must be attended to. These variables are depicted in figure 5.1, and their relationship to each other and to an outcome is indicated. This schema is designed to suggest interaction, because while the judgment and decision-making process may be conceptualized as discrete stages, experience tells us that this is not the way people function in real-world situations.

Jan 1, 2000

By F. Habashi

Asbestos, an extremely useful natural resource, has been studied extensively mineralogically and for industrial application. Its extraction from ores has been greatly improved with respect to safety in the work place. In spite of that, there is a decisive effort in many countries to ban its use on the grounds that it is a toxic substance. This action resulting in drastic decrease in production and the possibility of destroying the industry. The chelation of asbestos with organic dyes seems to be a promising way to abate its toxicity. Dyeing can be done when the fibers are slurred in water at ambient conditions in the same way as textile fibers.

Jan 1, 2009

By Juan Mendoza Marsano

"El presente texto revela las primeras transacciones de la venta del oro en el Perú -en tanto se determina su precio a través de un acuerdo denominado""on the spot"", donde el vendedor ofrece sus mercaderías a uncomprador y se acuerda un precio pagado con dinero al contado y de inmediato. Hasta 1914 el precio del oro estuvo determinado o fijado por la denominación de las propias monedas circulantes de oro y sus monedas equi- valentes. Sin embargo, la primera determinación del oro en el Perú surge en Cajamarca, 1553. Posteriormente se describe la circulación de este durante la Colonia, los diferentes métodos de transacción y las especificaciones del contratos de oro, así como los factores que influyen en el precio del oro."

Nov 1, 1978

Jan 1, 1967

A group of geologists is located in a remote area of North America, without telephone lines, electricity or even running water. They have spent days accumulating data for a mining company that is eager to receive any information about the dig. But the team does not have access to a wired communications infrastructure. So the geologists must wait until they get to the nearest town to transmit their data. TMI Communications has a mobile satellite communication system that allows geologists in the field to transmit their data from remote locations. The company's satellite is the heart of its North American mobile communications network. This satellite turns all of North America, including Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean into a single digital communications cell. Traditional terrestrial communications systems, such as dedicated phone lines or cellular systems, cannot handle a remote geological exploration camp's extensive communications needs. Cellular technology, where available, has high costs and limited applications. For geologists in the isolated areas of North America, accessible and reliable phone service is vital to success. For those who have established temporary camps, TMI Communications' satellite phone service has improved the speed and accuracy of their communications with home base. This wireless network is suited to meet the needs of existing data applications and the challenges of new ones. It can support any one- or two-way, fixed or mobile data transfer. TMI's network enables geologists to transmit exploration results, spreadsheet information and location co- ordinates to anywhere in the world, at any time. This is important if a team needs to relay vital data back to its headquarters to support immediate decision making on a prospect site or a find.

Jan 1, 1999

By Reinhardt Thiessen

In the general study of coal, all evidence points in the one direction —that coals had their origin in a manner analogous to that of peat. The best method of studying coal, whether it concerns its chemistry, composition, or physical condition, is to study peat. The essentials in a study of peat are a knowledge of the chemistry of plants, knowledge of decay and of the transformation process of plant-substances into peat. A number of facts must be emphasized, namely, (1) peat is formed under wet conditions only; (2) plants grow in the place where peat is formed; (3) all the plant substances go into the bog; and (4) all the plant substances are subjected to a series of phases of decay which are (a) in the air completely above the water level but in relatively moist conditions; (b) above the water level, but covered by debris; and (c) completely submerged by both water and debris. Plant Chemistry Plant chemistry as a whole is remarkably well understood. The number of compounds composing plants is large, and it is not possible here to give even a comprehensive outline, but a classification into definite groups is possible; this is as follows: Carbohydrates; glucosides; pigments; tannins; acids, alcohols and ketones, etc., and their salts; essential oils; resins; vegetable bases; proteins; enzymes. Plant substances may also be grouped according to the role they play in the life of the plant, such as: Framework materials, living materials, food materials, protecting materials, waste materials. While this classification groups them well for. certain purposes, it does not group them exactly chemically; but in a consideration of the composition of coal, this is an excellent classification for our purpose here.

Jan 1, 1925

By D. J. MacKinnon

Zinc metal was first produced in India around 1100 A.O. and a zinc industry based on retorting gradually developed in both India and China(1) . The vertical retort method for smelting zinc ores was developed in England in the 1730s; this was followed by the more fuel efficient horizontal retort process developed by the Belgians in the 19th century(2) . The horizontal retort process was the standard method of zinc manufacture until the 1950s when it became obvious that it could not compete with electrolytic zinc technology(2). The present day extractive metallurgy of zinc is dominated by the electrolytic process which now accounts for almost 80% of the world's primary zinc production. In recent years the electrolytic zinc process has seen significant improvements: the fluid-bed roasting of zinc concentrates, improved leaching and residue treatment techniques such as the jarosite and goethite processes, improved solution purification procedures, mechanization of the zinc electrolysis step and of the zinc melting and casting operation. In addition, new leaching processes have been implemented for the treatment of oxidized ores, particularly silicates, and the pressure leaching of zinc sulphide concentrates is now a commercial reality. Although the electrolytic zinc process was first used on a commercial scale in 1916, its history can be traced back to the 1860s. The purpose of the present paper is to outline the early history of the electrolytic zinc process and to trace the significant developments which led to the first successful commercial electrolytic zinc plants.

Jan 1, 1999

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Jan 1, 1907