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By Colleen A. M. Gibbs

On July 30, 1979 New Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations for implementing the procedural provisions of the decade-old National Environmental Policy Act went into effect. These new regulations replace approximately seventy different sets of agency regulations, providing some uniformity throughout the Federal government in the conduct of environmental reviews and preparation of environmental impact statements (EIS). This attempt by the Federal government at a general improvement in the preparation and quality of EIS's presents an opportunity for the mining industry to evaluate how the EIS process for mining proposals can be expedited. The environmental impact statement is often a key element on the critical path of a major mining project. Preparation of the EIS is ordinarily the responsibility of the Federal agency with primary decision-making authority over the project. Still, the proponent, i.e. the mining company, can play a major role in the process and have a major impact on the timeliness and adequacy of the effort. Typically, the Proponent will conduct (or will hire consultants to conduct) environmental baseline studies of, for example, air quality, wildlife, geology, water quality, vegetation and archaeology. These studies are then compiled into an environmental report and submitted to the agency. The agency verifies the data and incorporates them into the environmental impact statement.

Jan 1, 1979

By Marie-Antoinette Dziurla, Barrie Johnson, Åsa Kolmert

Acidophilic bacteria are well known for their role in accelerating the oxidative dissolution of sulfide minds, such as pyrite. Other acidophiles, however, are able to catalyze dissimilatory reductive reactions. Bacteria that reduce ferric iron to ferrous, and sulfate to sulfide, were isolated from ARD-impacted environments and immobilised onto porous beads made of recycled glass. Column bioreactors containing colonized beads were constructed and peacolated with synthetic and actual ARD, and evaluated for their capacities to promote iron or sulfate reduction, and pH amelioration. Iron reduction did not require strictly anoxic conditions in bioreactors, and rates of up to 800 mg Fe3+ reduced/(l*day) were achieved, with a conversion efficiency of up to 98%. Using mixed populations of acidophilic fungi and iron-reducing bacteria, the bioreactors were capable of promoting iron reduction using paper pulp as sole carbon and energy source. Reduction of sulfate in pack bed bioreactors was observed with acidic wastewaters of pH 3 and above, though average rates of 300 mg sulfate reduced/(l*/day) were less than those recorded for circum-neutral pH systems. Bioremediation of ferric iron-rich ARD was assessed using coupled iron-reducing and sulfate reducing bioreactors.

Jan 1, 2000

By J. Gawler

In June 2005 the Minerals Council of Australia signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Australian Government which states an intention ?for mining companies and government to work together with Indigenous people to build sustainable, prosperous communities in which individuals can create and take up social, employment and business opportunities in mining regions?. Implementation of the MoU has begun with demonstration sites established across Australia. All sites are using a Regional Partnership Agreement (RPA) model as a framework for enabling local people to find local solutions to local issues in partnership with mining companies, governments and Indigenous communities. Mining and resources companies can provide important input into regional economic development and capacity building by working through local partnerships. Company benefits include gaining a social licence to operate, access to a reliable skilled workforce, better longterm relationships with Indigenous communities and sustainable regional communities. All levels of government, Australian, State and Local, are working collaboratively to address unemployment and other issues in remote Indigenous communities. The Australian Government has adopted RPAs as one mechanism for implementing its whole-of-government approach to Indigenous affairs. This leading edge work is unique to Australia and the model has applications and significant learning for other countries and industries.

Jan 1, 2007

By Gary E. Slagel

The federal Office of Surface Mining (OSW) has undertaken an effort to revise many of their permanent program regulations. Numerous procedures for compliance are being rewritten to allow for greater flexibility while meeting the requirements of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act. This study investigates, for certain select provisions, the cost differential between complying with the original OSM standards and the more flexible, state-specific standards being allowed in many of the revised regulations. Estimated cost savings that could be realized under a few of the revised regulations are substantial and should provide a basis for seeking revisions to the state regulatory programs.

Jan 1, 1982

By J. G. Pippenger

The Coteau Properties Company's Freedom Mine is a surface lignite mining operation located near Beulah, North Dakota. Coteau, a wholly owned subsidiary of The North American Coal Corporation, produces more than 13.5 million tonnes per year, ranking it among the largest mines in North America. In 1993, Coteau ranked seventh in terms of annual coal sales, becoming the largest mine outside the Powder River Basin of northeastern Wyoming. However, for the Freedom Mine to stand among these Powder River heavyweights, Coteau over-came several obstacles, including a coal seam with three quarters the heating value and overburden to coal ratios three times higher than the Powder River mines. Coteau's ability to compete has been built around a program of continuous productivity improvement, cost efficiency, and innovation. This report highlights a few of the major improvements implemented in recent years.

Jan 1, 1995

By Robert A. Westman

The INRED process has been developed step by step by Boliden since 1972 at MEFOS, the Foundation for Metallurgical Research, at Lulea in Sweden. The demonstration - plant is number five in this series. The purpose of this plant, which has a nominal capacity of 60,000 tonnes per year of hot metal is to: 1) prove the process on a sufficiently large scale to provide the basis for construction of production plants, 2) test various kinds of raw materials on behalf of licensees, 3) train operators of the first production plant, 4) develop the process further for special applications.

Jan 1, 1983

By M. Murphy

The multibillion dollar cost of cleaning up thousands of environmentally contaminated sites across the country created by decades of inadequate disposal of hazardous waste has led to a search for "deep-pocket" sources of cleanup funds. The resul1:: is the emergence of a growing body of law that could have a profound impact on commercial financing transactions and other investment activities when present or past owners of contaminated property are involved.

Jan 1, 1988

By J. G. Russell

The valuation of known mineral re-serves entails the economic evaluation of the mining enterprise and the valuation of other assets employed, including mining and processing plant and intangible assets. A case study approach analyzes two reserve situations: ownership of reserves (phosphate rock), and leasing of reserve lands (kaolin). The appraisal of the physical property is outlined, along with the economic analysis of the operation. The discounted net cash flow approach is used to value the enterprise, leading to value of the reserves after correlation with other assets employed.

Jan 1, 1989

By Mario Eduardo Rossi

The Universal Kriging (UK) and the Ordinary Kriging (OK) systems of equations are variations of the well-known system of Normal Equations. They differ only by the number of constraints present in the system. The dual version of these sytems enables one to interpret kriging as the fitting, of an interpolation surface, whose components are a series of variogram functions plus a polynomial trend model. This trend model should account for any systematic decrease or increase of the variable over the study area. It is shown that modeling the trend is useful only when the locations being estimated are beyond the range of influence of neighboring data (extrapolation cases). A case study based on a public-domain coal data set is presented. The variable described (seam thickness) shows an actual trend of increasing data values towards the NW corner of the region considered. UK and OK are used to estimate coal thickness at locations within sample data range (interpolation cases). The UK algorithm that includes a model for the trend does not improve the estimation when compared to the simpler OK algorithm with no trend model. Thus, in interpolation situations, the simpler OK algorithm is recommended.

Jan 1, 1989

By F. Gray

Diamond tool fabricators expect strong growth in most applications for 1995 and 1996. Overall growth projects range from 8% to 10%. Diamond grinding is forecast to grow between 5% and 8%, while cubic boron nitride grinding should grow between 10% and 12%. A strong automotive industry is a major factor in this projected growth, as is continuing demand for other durables

Jan 1, 1995

By Misra M., P. Grimes, Chen. S.

The combustion of petroleum products produces emissions which contain oxides of nitrogen (NOx), hydrocarbons (HC), and particulate matter (PM) which have adverse health and environmental effects. In recent years there has been increasing interest in the use of water-fie1 emulsions as a substitute for conventional fuels. Emulsified fuels are emulsions of water in fuel, which are typically made of 10 to 20 percent of water mired with certain additives and fuel. Studies have shown that the emulsified diesel can significantly reduce the emissions of NO, PM and car- bon monoxide and increase the fuel efficiency. In order to produce a stable diesel emulsion, the development of an effective surfactant additive is critical. The stability of diesel emulsions is influenced by many factors, including size distribution of the droplets, the viscosity of the continuous phase, the physical properties of the interfacial film, and temperature. This paper describes a method to produce emulsified diesel and combustion results obtained from various tests. It has been found that the diesel emulsion made with this additive package was stable during the test, and the emissions were lower in NO, CO, and PM compared to the baseline diesel.

Jan 1, 2005

By BHAMIDIPATI S. SASTRY, KATTAMURI PAVAN KUMAR, ADITYA PANDEY

Several laboratory methods are available to determine the thermal conductivity of rocks, but most of them are complex and cumbersome. The present study explains the working principle of Lee’s apparatus, which is relatively simple, easy to fabricate and use, and provides consistent results. In the present study, thermal conductivities of sandstone cores obtained from an Indian coal mine are determined using Lee’s apparatus. An approach is discussed to determine the temperature gradient of sandstone specimens while cooling and is used to calculate thermal conductivity. The thermal conductivities of different sandstone specimens have values between 2.37 and 2.59 Wm−1°C−1. For different sandstone cores obtained from the field, properties including specific gravity, specific heat capacity, thermal diffusivity and porosity, along with thermal conductivity, were determined and highlighted in this study.

By S. N. Chadha

INTRODUCTION The work described here refers to the Genesee River Interceptor Southeast Project. This project is a part of the Combined Sewer Overflow Abatement Program, Phase I, for the Rochester Pure Water District, Rochester, New York. Our contract required the design of a 13,200-feet long main tunnel, 14 feet finished diameter, approximately 100-120 Feet below ground; drop shafts and diversion tunnels to deliver surface flow to the main tunnel; a gate chamber whereby the main tunnel is dropped 35 feet, and provision made for connection to the future tunnel in Phase II, as well as a host of other surface structures. Cross sectional dimensions for the structures involved varied from 16 feet circular to a 20'x50' horseshoe, in a competent rock formation consisting of Lockport Dolomite and Rochester Shale. In the construction of a rock tunnel, the problems of the tunnel designers are as follows: 1. To evaluate stresses in the rock as a result of excavation. 2. Design a temporary support system to prevent any rock failure during the period of construction. Design of this temporary support system is empirical. Design loads given by empirical relations are dependent upon the rock quality and size of opening. Temporary support system may either be steel frames closely spaced along the length of tunnel and tied together, in the case of poor rock, or, an even spacing of rock bolts in the case of competent rock. 3. Design a final lining for the service loads. Service loads, in our case of a water-carrying tunnel, are hydrostatic pressure due to ground water, deadweight of lining) pressure of contained water and time dependent rock loading. The constitutive properties of the rock are extremely complex because of discontinuities, pre-existing stresses due to overburden, material symmetries and changes of initial state associated with the process of excavation. The changes of initial state may be changes of stress fields along with the consequent yield of the material or the extension of existing discontinuities.

Jan 1, 1977

By John N. Murphy

In fiscal 1996, the US Congress directed that the US Bureau of Mines (USBM) be closed. Certain functions were reassigned to other agencies. The remaining employees were separated and the unoccupied sites were decommissioned. As a result, 12 locations were closed and about 1,200 employees were terminated in March 1996. About 600 employees at five locations were reassigned to other federal agencies. This article provides a summary of the continuing functions, the agencies involved and the points of contact for each continuing function. The functions that were discontinued are also identified. The functions that have been maintained and transferred to other agencies are: ? Portions of USBM's Mineral Information and Analysis program formerly conducted in Washington, DC and Denver, CO were assigned to the US Geological Survey (USGS). ? The Mineral Land Assessment program in Alaska (Anchorage and Juneau) was transferred to the US Bureau of Land Management (BLM). ? The Health and Safety Research program in Pittsburgh, PA and Spokane, WA was reassigned on an interim basis to the US Department of Energy (DOE). In fiscal year 1997, it was permanently assigned to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). NIOSH is part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention within the US Department of Health and Human Services. ? Environmental Research at Pittsburgh, PA was assigned to DOE. ? Materials Research at Albany, OR was assigned to DOE. ? The helium program was assigned to BLM, where it will be managed pending privatization. ? Coal and noncoal mine maps were transferred to the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE). The following locations were closed: ? Research centers in Denver, CO; Minneapolis, MN; Reno, NV; Rolla, MO; Salt Lake City, UT and Tuscaloosa, AL. ? Field operations centers in Denver, CO and Spokane, WA. ? Washington, DC headquarters office. To provide a concise picture of all of the affected functions, the following is a synopsis of the USBM program functions and facilities immediately before the closure. There were two principal programs: information and analysis, and research.

Jan 1, 1997

By D. M. Conner

An innovative patented process has been developed to convert high volume wastes--fly ash from coal-fired power plants, municipal solid waste (MSW) ash from incineration, solids from waste water treatment and paper mill sludge into a high value and environmentally benign product in the form of a lightweight aggregate. Lightweight Aggregate is widely used in the building construction industry in the United States, Europe and some Asian countries. This paper will present the development of the process, the process itself and details on the first commercial scale plant. The commercial plant is owned and operated by Wisconsin Electric Power (WEPCO).

Jan 1, 1997

By Boghani. A. B.

A computer program has been developed to simulate evacuation of a mine in various configurations. The simulation input variables include characteristics of the mine, expressed, in the form of a network of passages, properties of hoists and hoisting strategies, initial miner positions, ventilation and compressed air velocities, stench warning system and self rescuer capabilities. The simulation can be carried out for cases in which there is no fire, i. e. , fire drill simulation, or for cases in which there is a fire at any arbitrary location. The fire is assumed to generate gases which impede movement of miners in the gaseous region. However, the thermal effects of the fire are not considered. The simulation output include the evacuation time for each miner, movement of the hoists, propagation of smoke through the mine passages and smoke exposure of the miners. Several illustrative simulations have been carried out to verify validity of the program and to demonstrate its capabilities. The computer program has been able to predict evacuation time, within 5 percent, for an actual fire drill. It is believed that this program can be used to evaluate evacuation performance of a mine, identify problem areas and demonstrate improvements due to the recommended corrective actions.

Jan 1, 1977

By William A. Rhoades

INTRODUCTION Ever since miners were faced with the task of moving ore, some form of scraper has been in use. At first, men and beasts of burden supplied the power to move the scraper, and later, machines were developed for this purpose. In the early 1900s, a few mining properties used small pneumatic single-drum winches to pull loaded scrapers to a raise or ore pocket, and the empty scraper then was dragged back to the muck pile by a miner, as shown in Fig. 1. Just prior to 1920, an improvement was introduced, using two single-drum hoists. As illustrated by Fig. 2, the second hoist was used to return the empty scraper to the muck pile. However, this arrangement still re¬quired two men, one operating each hoist. The next developmental step was to eliminate the second man by locating the hoists side-by-side and using one man to control both hoists. As illustrated by Fig. 3, this involved the use of a tail rope over a sheave to pull the scraper back. The greatest progress in development and the great¬est increase in the use of slusher haulers occurred between 1920 and 1930. In 1921, the Sullivan Machinery Co. designed and built the first two-drum scraper oper¬ating on the principle illustrated by Fig. 4. It was powered by a 4.5-kW (6-hp) Turbinair(r) motor and would pull a 450-kg (1000-1b) load at 0.61 m/s (120 fpm). In 1922, this unit was shipped to the Verona Mining Co. of Caspian, MI, and it experienced immediate success in the Lake Superior iron ore district. Since the two-drum slusher was much less expensive and more efficient than hand mucking, the Lake Superior mines were saved from financial disaster when iron-ore prices fell 25% between 1923 and 1925. Immediately there¬after, a demand developed for slushers that would oper¬ate with electric power, which was considerably cheaper than compressed-air power. In 1923, the Sullivan Machinery Co. responded with the first electric-powered double-drum hoist. During subsequent years, design improvements in¬cluded separate tail-drum gearing to increase the tail¬drum speed, as welt as a number of safety features such as rope guides. One result of these improvements and their utilization by the Michigan iron mines was an in¬crease of 100% in the tons of ore per miner per day in those mines between 1924 and 1929. Since the two-drum slusher was capable only of straight-line mucking, it was not a practical machine for use in open stopes. In 1929, the Sullivan Machinery Co. introduced the first three-drum slusher. As illustrated by Fig. 5, two tail drums and one hauling drum were provided. A tail sheave could be placed at each side of the stope, and the ore then could be loaded and hauled to a central point from the entire width of the stope. During the 1930s, progressively larger slushers were demanded. By 1940, two- and three-drum units were available with motor power as high as 45 kW (60 hp), and slusher power continued to increase after 1940. Be¬tween 1951 and 1952, Joy Manufacturing Co. designed a 112-kW (150-hp) two-drum Blusher for the Climax Molydenum Co. Although there has been no demand for a slusher more powerful than this, 150- to 225-kW (200- to 300-hp) slushers are quite feasible at the pres¬ent time. During the last 30 years, many slusher improvements have been made to the operating life, operational safety, and ease of operation and maintenance. Increased tail-drum speeds have decreased overall scraping times. Rope guards, totally enclosed drums, and operator shields have reduced the hazards of injury due to wire¬rope breakage. Improvements in lubrication have made the slushers relatively maintenance-free, with long operating lives. The introduction of spring-actuated drag brakes prevented uncontrolled unreeling of dis¬engaged drums, allowing the development of practical remote-control slusher operation. Remote control now is available in a choice of all-air, all-electric, or air¬electric slushers. APPLICATIONS Quite simply, slushers are used to load and transport material (ore), generally over a short distance of from

Jan 1, 1982

By K. N. Han

The kinetics of gold dissolution in iodide solutions with oxygen in an autoclave was investigated. The leaching process was described by a gas-liquid-solid heterogeneous reaction. The effects of stirring speed, temperature, oxygen partial pressure and lixiviant, concentrations on the overall leaching rate was investigated. It was found that the dissolution of gold could be represented by a heterogeneous chemical reaction. Under the conditions studied, the apparent activation energy ranged from 34.7 to 54.3 kJ/mol. Experimental findings were in good agreement with the kinetic model proposed.

Jan 1, 1998

There are bound to be changes with age, so I should not have been surprised or disappointed when what I had considered as high ad- ventures were much fewer and more widely scattered in the last 20 years of my long and active business life. But such adventures came until I was past 80 years of age and no one could expect more than this. Frequent visits to mines in this country and Canada and directorships in Bralorne and its subsidiaries, Homestake Mining Co., Bradley Mining Co., and the Bunker Hill Co.; and Copper Range Co. and its great new White Pine mine in Michigan, lasted far beyond the usual retirement age. The least happy part of my last two decades of active life was the death or sickness of many of my old friends. Hubert d'Autremont, whose friendship no one could replace, died suddenly in 1946. Henry Carlisle and Temple Bridgeman, for many years office associates, had heart attacks that cut down their activities far too soon. Many other less intimate friends died or became ill, but I knew that with advancing years such losses were inevitable. These memoirs would be endless if they covered all of the unusual work and associations I found in the last 20 years. So I must confine the rest of my recollections to expeditions that would have thrilled any engineer at any time. Masaro Mine, Mindanao, Philippines The first of the four "high adventures" came late in 1949, when I was 65 years old. For over a month I had been discussing reported rich lead-silver-copper properties in the Philippines with Thayer Lindsley and other officers of Panaminas. A competent and agreeable "Elderly" (not as old as I was) engineer named Ward Williams had talked with Thayer about high grade mines in a remote part of the

Jan 1, 1976

By B. C. Darst

Intensive efforts to develop potash use in agricultural production were begun in the US 50 years ago. Early growth was rapid and continued well into the 1960s. Many soils were inherently low in K, so crop responses to fertilization were often dramatic. Deficiency symptoms were common. Per-acre use has continued to increase in recent years, but annual growth rates have slowed. Soil buildup has occurred in some areas. Poor economics in the 1980s have been difficult to overcome. Efforts are now well under way to develop potential markets around the world.

Jan 1, 1987