Search Documents

By Chris Weyand

Throughout the past 40 years we have been drawing inevitably closer to the conclusion that coal will be our chief source of energy. Our reserves of natural gas and petroleum, on which we depend, are dwindling. Knowing that we will soon reach our physically extractable limit of these energy sources. The US government has created many incentives to encourage energy companies to transfer technology and resources from natural gas and petroleum to coal. Such encouragement is stimulated through taxation methods. Coal mining engineers deal mainly with production, which involves planning and design throughout the acquisition, exploration, development, production, and reclamation of a mine. Though taxation is not one of the areas analyzed by the engineer, it should be considered and understood as it is involved in the mine life cycle. This paper will discuss coal taxation in the five stages of mining and will explore certain tax saving decisions.

Jan 1, 1983

By John Edgar, Eugene P. Pfleider

Breakage of rock in mining operations as a part of the overall comminution process is examined. Examples of blasting practice are examined, and the energy expended is related to the comminution work accomplished. Costs for the comminution effected are examined, and an attempt is made to evaluate overall mining practice to determine the range of incremental costs for breaking the ore to a finer size in the mining step.

Jan 1, 1973

By A. E. Himebaugh

A SEMI-AUTOMATIC hoist has been installed at the 2966 station of the Copper Queen mine, since neither the bulk of supplies handled nor the number of men engaged in developing the 3100 level justifies the constant attendance of two cagers and two hoist operators. The connecting service shaft between the 2966 and 3100 levels is actually a two-compartment raise. Below the 2966 level the shaft is 7x13 ft-slightly oversize to permit downcast ventilation and provide space for the 16-conductor flexible control cable. The raise extends 52 ft above the 2966 level for a 3-ft diam head sheave. Another 3-ft sheave is mounted as an idler between the hoist and head sheave, eliminating the need for an inclined cableway. The main compartment serves as a cageway; the other compartment provides a manway and space for service lines. Since vertical travel is limited, rope speed is of minor importance.

Jan 5, 1958

By Robert Glass Cleland

THE DEVELOPMENT of the Phelps Dodge copper and railroad interests began in one era of the company's history and continued unbroken into the next. Yet the two eras themselves were strikingly dissimilar and represented marked differences in the company's activities, corporate structure, and personnel. From its organization in 1834 almost to the end of the first decade of the twentieth century, the partnership known as Phelps Dodge was directed, managed, and controlled by the family dynasty established by Anson Greene Phelps. The last two directing partners of this three-generation-old regime assumed control of the company's affairs in 1879 when the economic revolution that followed the Civil War was well under way.' They lived in an age of gigantic undertakings, gigantic enterprises, gigantic combinations, gi- .

Jan 1, 1952

By I. E. Rosenzweig

GeophyGical prospecting by earth-resistivity methods is frequently applied to investigation of structural problems in geology. Fig. 1 indicates a scheme of the general arrangement used in these methods of measurements. The battery (or generator) E is connected with two "current electrodes" I1 and I2. The current of intensity J, supplied by this battery, passes through the earth between these elcc- trodes. A potential difference U will be measured between two other electrodes V1 and Vz, called "potential electrodes." According to the configuration of electrodes (Fig. I), the resistivity of a homogeneous soil results from the formula p — 2rca-j [1] where 1 C = -------------------------------------- a a 1 a a [2]

Jan 1, 1940

By W. L. Korbee, P. Hazebroek, M. Prats, E. E. Allen, C. A. 225-000-000-017 Verbraak, H. C. van Elst

In a recent paper,' one of us has presented some experimental evidence on the relationship between twinning and brittle fracture in steel. From metallographic examinations of brittle fracture it could be derived that mechanical twins and microcracks are formed already in front of a running brittle fracture. A tentative explanation based on the evaluation of the statistical distribution of mechanical twins vs various angles to the fracture was given in the above mentioned paper. It was suggested that these twins are caused by stress waves emitted by a running brittle fracture. With the aid of high-speed photography and the use of photo-stress sheet we are now able to study in more detail the propagation of a brittle fracture and the emittance of stress waves connected with fracture. A typical example is given in Fig. 1. In this figure a running brittle fracture in an ordinary Thomas steel is shown. The experiment was performed on a Robertson apparatus and the stress waves caused by the fracture were made visible with photo-stress

Jan 1, 1962

The income of the Institute is derived from dues, subscriptions to MINING AND METALLURGY and sale of publications. These sources are fortunately supplemented by the interest from invested funds now amounting to over $500,000, a considerable portion constituting endowments for especial purposes. Aside from the medal funds the principal endowments are the James-Douglas Fund for support of the Library, the Rocky Mountain Fund and the Seeley W. Mudd Memorial Fund. The income from the two last named is available for the support of research and a variety of other purposes. It is allocated by the Board of Directors upon recommendation of standing committees in each case. An active effort is being made to increase the endowments of the Institute, it being felt that unusual opportunities exist for research and public and professional service through the organization.

Jan 1, 1934

By Jerry L. Taylor

Utah Power & Light Company is an electric utility serving approximately 1.8 million people in Utah, Idaho, and waning. In order to supply coal to fuel power plants, Utah Power & Light awns three mines in central Utah. Planning for these mines is aided by a computer program developed by the staff mining engineers. This program, when supplied with the pertinent seam and mining configuration data, calculates the time to mine each section. This allows the planning engineer to estimate accurately the time required to extract pillar sections or develop longwall panels. The program's greatest benefit, however, is its ability to allow the engineer to examine quickly, different combinations of possible mine layouts to determine the most efficient plan. Computer aided mine planning has been used at Utah Power & Light Company since 1979, and has significantly improved the accuracy and quality of mine planning.

Jan 1, 1983

By Nick Turner, E Walker, George C. Bowser

A fully field tested mine-wide data/communications system is presented which integrates total data acquisition, control, and instrumentation into a single system. Installations at Kitt #1 and Amonate Mines (W.Va.1 use an LSI-11 series computer which communicates with easily installed field data stations over a single twisted wire pair. Complete field test data are presented, identifying the problems and successes experienced in the development, installation, operation and maintenance of the system, and the training of mine personnel. Of particular interest is the system installed at Kitt #1 which has been in continuous use since February 1982. The paper will also deal with the application of a computer-based carbon monoxide monitoring system installed at the Amanate mine in September 1982. The purpose of that system is to monitor air quality and to provide early fire detection in the belt entry to permit the use of belt air for face ventilation.

Jan 1, 1983

By Joseph H. Allen

Commercial coke is made to-day in the United States chiefly from the Appalachian, the Illinois and the Colorado coal-fields. The measures of the great Appalachian coal-fields furnish by far the largest proportion, only about 1 per cent. coming from those of Illinois and Colorado. This is not due, however, to a corresponding difference in area. The Illinois field covers about 47,000 square miles in Illinois, Southern Indiana and Western Kentucky. The coal is high in both ash and sulphur, and on this account nearly all the attempts which have been made from time to time to coke it have resulted in failure, so far at least as the requirements of ironmasters are concerned. Nevertheless,. I am able to say from a practical knowledge of this field that the physical structure of the coke is perfect, and

Jan 1, 1893

By W. A. Boyer, A. W. Beck

At the Morning mine of American Smelting & Refining Co. it was particularly important that there be a means of signaling the engineer from the moving cage in the shaft. Because of the shifting ground in which the shaft was located, buckling timber made it extremely difficult to keep a continuous bell line serviceable. In 1930 engineers considered a moving contact pantograph arrangement between the cage and two stationary messenger wires strung on insulators in the shaft compartment next to the cage. The idea was abandoned because falling material in the shaft and speed of hoisting made it difficult to maintain communication. Later in 1934 a manufacturing company was consulted about the use of an electric eye or a radio signal. As the shaft was located in a return air stream of nearly 100 pct relative humidity, there was too much fog for the electric eye to be used. The radio signal was considered, and it was believed feasible to generate electric static on the cage, locating a radio receiver at the top of the shaft, but the manufacturing company's research department was too busy to work on it at that time.

Sep 1, 1955

By Thomas M. Drown

At the meeting of the Istitote in New York, in February, 1880," I described a process of determining sulphur iu metallic allphides, with especial reference to the determination of pyrites in coal. The procem, as then described, is as follows: A solution of sodium hydrate, of 1.25 specific gravity, is saturated with bromine. If an excess of bromiue is used it must be neutralized by the addition of a little more sodium hydrate. The pulverized mineral or coal is moistened with 25 c.e. of this solution autl heated, then hydrochloric acid is added cautiously to just acid reaction. This operation is repeated with another 25 c.c. of the alkaline solution, and again rendered acid. The mixture should be kept hot. The contents of the beaker or dish are then

Jan 1, 1881

By J. Jay Jacobsen

A dynamic regional coal development model is constructed for the Eastern Powder River Basin of Wyoming. Using this model, alternative development schedules from a recent environmental impact statement submitted to the Department of the Interior are simulated (Ref. 1). These alternatives include different mixes of export capacity, different coal conversion techniques within the region, as well as various levels of coal production. Exportation of 70 to 80 percent of an ultimate coal production of 180 million tons (163.3 x l09 kg) per year and the careful phasing of additional public services with population growth effectively reduce the social and environmental impacts of coal development. The alternative involving the addition of 43,000 megawatts of electrical generation capacity has very significant adverse social and environmental impacts on the region.

Jan 1, 1977

By Thomas M. Drown

AT the meeting of the Institute in New York,, in February, 1880,* I described a process of determining sulphur in metallic sulphides, with especial reference to the determination of pyrites in coal. The process, as then described, is as follows : A solution of sodium hydrate, of 1.25 specific gravity, is saturated with bromine. If an excess of bromine is used it must be neutralized by the addition of a :little more sodium hydrate. The pulverized mineral or coal is moistened with 25 c.c. of this solution and heated, then hydrochloric acid is added cautiously to just acid reaction. This operation is repeated with another 25 c.c. of the alkaline solution, and again rendered acid. The mixture should be kept hot. The contents of the beaker or dish are then * Transactions, American Institute of Mining Engineers, vol. viii, p. 569.

Jan 1, 1881

By J. B. Dilworth

Outcrops of coal have been discovered in many localities in the Philippine archipelago, and practically all of the larger islands contain deposits of this mineral. Very little prospecting has been done to determine the value of the various cod-bearing areas, but so far as known, the largest and most promising fields are found: (1) in northern Cebu; (2) in the small island of Batan, a part of the province of Albay in southeastern Luzon; (3) in the somewhat larger island of Polillo, off the east coast of Luzon, and (4) in southern Mindoro, near the small coast town of Bulalacao. Northern Panny, south-central Cebu, and various localities in southern Luzon, Masbate, Negros, and Mindanao also afford evidences of the existence of coal-beds, the extent and value of which have not yet been proved. The general position of these islands and districts is shown on the map of a portion of the Philippine Islands, Fig. 1. Some of these coal-fields have been known for many years (coal was discovered in Cebu in 1827 and in Batan in 1842),'

Jan 1, 1909

By J. J. Brown

The ore-hearth was the earliest type of furnace used in smelting Mississippi Valley lead-ores, which are very pure, and low in silver-content. The first smelters made no attempts to recover lead from the smoke; and since about 15 per cent. of the lead in the charge escaped in this manner, early practice with the hearth was decidedly wasteful. At most of the large smelting-plants blast-furnaces with auxiliary roasters were substituted for the hearths long ago. But, upon the introduction of the Lewis and Bartlett bag-process for collecting fume, the ore-hearth was used by companies engaged in the manufacture of pigments, simply on account of the large percentage of fume made by it. In fact, the extraction of lead mas kept down by the use of hot blast and other devices. During recent years, however, several smelting companies have realized that the preliminary roasting of galena for the blast-furnace is not economical, and have, therefore, replaced the roasting-furnace with a modification of the old Scotch hearth, in which a large percentage of the lead in a charge is

Jan 1, 1912

By Robert T. Walker

Robert T. Walker and Woodville J. Walker (Walker Engineering Corp., Salt Lake City)-Mr. Kinkel's article embodies, in condensed form, the results of the first detailed and complete geological survey that has ever been made of the long neglected but potentially very important West Shasta Copper-Zinc district, in Shasta County, California. In view of the difficulties of the terrain and the complexity of the geological structure, this represents a notable achievement, and it is with regret, therefore, that the writers find it necessary to differ from Mr. Kinkel's conclusions on two important points. The first has to do with the interpretation of two members of the stratigraphic column of formations in the district; for purposes of comparison, the description of these two members according to Mr. Kinkel is shown parallel to the description of these members according to the writers, see Fig. 14, Mr. Kinkel's nomenclature being used

Mar 1, 1956

By Douglas M. Smith

Silver-gold ratios were studied at the Tayoltita epithermal vein deposit using channel sample, channel sample line, stope, ore body, and vein sample populations. The ratios are highly variable among individual channel samples (25:1 to greater than 500: 1) with both high and low values randomly distributed within ore bodies and veins. Whole vein ratios for the 14 most important ore producing structures range from 44: 1 to 105:1, and show zonal distribution relative to two small granitic stocks, low values closest to the intrusives. The zoned nature of the deposit suggests that the stocks, apophyses of an underlying batholith of late Eocene age, were the heat engines which powered the hydrothermal system responsible for ore deposition.

Jan 1, 1980

By D. H. Yardley

GEOCHEMICAL investigation of trace elements in surface materials was begun near Ely, Minn., in 1953 along the basal contact of Duluth gabbro with Giants Range granite (Fig. 1). This article presents data on the distribution of copper and nickel in till and in stream sediments in the area and proposes an explanation for the types of distribution found. The Duluth gabbro, one of the world's largest basic intrusives, intrudes rocks which range in age from Keewatin to middle Keweenawan. Within the test area the gabbro is in contact with granite except for short sections where it is in contact with remnants of iron formation. Sulfide mineralization occurs within the gabbro, near and parallel to the basal contact for a distance of several miles. Schwartz and Davidson1 have described the geologic setting of the mineralization.

Jan 7, 1958

By Alvin F. Kroll

BUNKER Hill & Sullivan Mining & Concentrating Co. has three major sources of ore at present: high grade square-set ore, low grade caving ore, and low grade reclaimed washed jig tailing. These three ores constitute the feed to the 3000-tpd concentrator that produces lead-silver, zinc, and pyrite concentrates. Each ore has different characteristics of grindability, mineral particle size, composition, and content, but all are amenable to the same mill circuit and reagents. The gangue is primarily quartzite. The Bunker Hill concentrator is now using a coarse primary grind followed by a regrind of sand fractions of lead rougher tailing, lead middling, and lead cleaner tailing, and further regrind of sand fractions of zinc middling and zinc cleaner tailing. This is done in order to recover all valuable minerals at the largest size possible. The tendency to overgrind the ore particles, which are more easily ground than the gangue particles, is thereby reduced-lessening their loss in the flotation tailings. The coarse primary grind and regrind method has the advantages of: providing more selective grinding, minimizing sliming, giving a cleaner lead-zinc separation, and reducing mill requirements for reagents and water. Improved lead-zinc separation raises overall recovery and also increases lead and zinc recovery in the respective concentrates by keeping middling particles out of concentrate and tailing.

Jan 6, 1954