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By Dick Whittington, W. R. Taylor

GENERAL In mid-1974, a representative of ARCO Petroleum Company walked into our Austin offices and asked for a permit for ARCO's first Clay West Mine site. This was the first in situ uranium mining permit issued in the United States. That initial permit, issued in January 1975, was for three acres. The four years since have been characterized by growth and change. Today there are 16 permits approved for approximately 1,540 production acres issued to five companies at eight sites in four counties. There are approximately seven additional permit applications being processed or on the verge of being submitted for an estimated 2,000 additional acres of production. As a rough gauge of the financial scope of this activity, at the typical 40 production wells per acre and an estimated $2,000/well, operators hale installed or committed $122 million for production wells. This does not account for the exploration and development wells installed to delineate the ore or the cost of processing facilities for extracting the uranium. HISTORY OF URANIUM MINING IN TEXAS Information I have concerning early in situ uranium mining activities is "sketchy" but the apparent first on-site test of in situ uranium mining was conducted between 1967 and 1971 at the Dueterstat site, north of Yorktown in Gonzales County, by City Service. Others ran tests at the Bruni site in Webb County and the Burns and Clay West sites in Live Oak County in the mid-70's. During this period, Texas Water Quality Board personnel in the central and district offices maintained a general surveillance of these various test activities. Regulation of in situ uranium mining was formalized with the issuance of a permit in January 1975 with the advent of ARCO's initial production scale (3 acre) effort in the Clay West area at the Moser mine site. Since 1975, the accelerating rate of mining and exploration activity is noticeable. There were 16 exploratory rigs operating early in 1977. This year, the rig count is averaging 46--a 287% increase. HISTORY OF LEGISLATION Paralleling this mining activity was state and federal legislation which subjected in situ mining to environmental regulation. The following is a brief chronology of the legislation that is directly or indirectly related to uranium mining. As most of you know, disposal wells are an integral part of most in situ uranium mines operating in Texas. They are used both during production and during aquifer restoration following production. The wells are regulated by the Texas Injection Well Act, enacted in 1961 by the Texas Legislature. In 1967, the Water Quality Act established the Texas Water Quality Board, and provided for the regulation of water quality by the so-called permit system. In 1969, the Solid Waste Act was enacted by the Texas Legislature. The legislation provides for control of wastes from manufacturing, mining, and agriculture. This Act regulated uranium surface mining activities until 1975 when the Texas Surface and Mining Reclamation Act placed responsibility with the Railroad Commission for uranium open-pit mining and surface mining of coal and lignite. In 1972, the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (Public Law 92-500) was passed. This legislation forms the legal base for the NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) and the subsequent point source effluent guidelines and standards. The November 6, 1975 issue of the Federal Register published interim final rules for Best Practical Treatment levels for effluent discharges from ore mining and dressing operations. Litigation was immediately initiated by eleven companies against these proposed rules, and they are currently being reconsidered for reissuance in 1979. In 1974, the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act (Public Law 93-523) was enacted. A part of this legislation is the Underground Injection Congrol Program. The regulations implementing this program have undergone various public hearings and it is expected that they will be published in the Federal Register before the end of 1978. In 1975, the Texas Surface Mining and Reclamation Act (Senate Bill 55), providing for the Railroad Commission's authority to require reclamation of surface mines, was passed. In 1977, an amendment to Senate Bill 55 was introduced that proposed to place regulation of in situ mining of coal, lignite, and

Jan 1, 1979

By W. A. Koehler, M. E. Hinkle

INTRODUCTION THE oxidation of pyrites and marcasite in coal-mine strata to produce discolored acid mine drainage has long been explained by chemical reactions occurring in three stages: I. The iron sulphide minerals are oxidized by air in the presence of water to produce a nearly colorless solution of fer¬rous (iron) sulphate and some sulphuric acid. 2. The ferrous sulphate and part of the sulphuric acid combine with additional oxygen to form ferric (iron) sulphate. 3. The ferric sulphate hydrolyzes to form a reddish-brown precipitate and additional sulphuric acid. Nevertheless, chemical data alone are not sufficient to explain all observed facts. The first stage seems to proceed more slowly in the chemical laboratory than in nature. The second and third stages nor¬mally occur to a marked extent within a few days with raw mine water. However, the visible discoloration that characterizes these latter stages will not develop for months if the mine water is sterilized. By means of bacteriological techniques, two organisms have been isolated from acid coal-mine drainage. These are believed to have a part in promoting the chemical reactions summarized above. One organism is considered to be Thio¬bacillus thiooxidans, which is known to be able to convert elementary sulphur or sodium thiosulphate to sulphuric acid. Its relation to the formation of acid mine drainage has not yet been established. Apparently it does not promote the oxida¬tion of ferrous iron compounds in mine, drainage to the ferric state. The second organism has not been identi¬fied by name but is described as "Gram negative, non-spore-forming rods approxi¬mately 0.4 micron wide by o.8 to 1.0 micron long." A pure culture of this when added to sterile mine water will cause the latter to become amber and develop the typical rusty precipitate. However, it has not been found to convert sulphur com¬pounds to sulphuric acid. Further research is planned to determine whether or not these microorganisms play a significant part in the first stage of oxidation whereby pyrites and marcasite minerals go into solution. Some of the conditions found in abandoned sections of coal mines, such as a reduced percentage of oxygen and increased percentage of carbon dioxide in the air, as well as the existing temperature and acidity ranges, will be tolerated by and may even be favorable to these organisms. ACID COAL MINE DRAINAGE Acid coal mine drainage has been the concern of coal mine operators, industrial¬ists, sportsmen and public officials for many years. The amount of acid flowing into our streams in the coal-producing areas varies considerably from mine to mine and from

Jan 1, 1948

By B. Tougas

Recycling of titanium represents an important economic activity due to high cost of the material and the amount of returns of machined parts which represent the bulk of finished titanium products (typical "buy to fly" of 10 in the aeronautic industry). In the present work, the metallurgical quality of 76 mm in diameter and 20 cm ingots poured in coated graphite mold will be assessed against the nature and condition of application of 4 coatings namely aluminum oxide, yttrium oxide, zirconium oxide and zirconium oxide with 4% aluminum oxide. The metallurgical quality has been evaluated in terms of alpha case thickness, microstructure and composition. Microhardness from surface will be assessed against casting conditions. Least square regression analysis have been use to optimize casting conditions.

Jan 1, 2011

By Alex Maia do Nascimento

Durante a produção de aços em fornos elétricos a arco (FEA), o hidrogênio pode ser incorporado ao banho líquido através de diversas formas: umidade das matériasprimas, umidade do ar (no momento de abertura do arco elétrico), umidade dos refratários e etc. A fragilização por hidrogênio (FH) é um fenômeno decorrente da incorporação e retenção de hidrogênio, acima de certo nível tolerável para cada aço em particular, que gera altíssimas tensões internas e diminui, catastroficamente, a capacidade de deformação do material. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi encontrar a quantidade de hidrogênio (ppm) aceitável no aço inicialmente desenvolvido para fabricação de barras CA-50 (6,3 / 8,0 / 10,0 e 12,5 mm), obtidas em rolos por laminação a quente após instalação de uma nova máquina de lingotamento contínuo de tarugos. Para realização do trabalho foram realizados ensaios de dobramento a 180° conforme a norma NBR 7480/2007 e medições dos teores de Hidrogênio no distribuidor da Aciaria através do equipamento Hydris.

Aug 17, 2017

By L. X. Yu

As is known, the oxidized antimony and antimonate are hard to treat. A new combined mineral processing flowsheet which is controlled in grinding and classification ?bulk floatation?gravity separation is adopted to dispose of gravity-separated tailings (antimony content: 1.48%; oxidization rate: 68.92%) in Muli Antimony Mine, the grade of floatation antimony concentrates is 32.64%; the grade of gravity-separated antimony concentrates is 26.99%; the combined grade of floatation and gravity-separated antimony concentrates is 30.85%, and the total recovery of antimony is 70.64%. Adopting the new mineral processing technique have solved the problem of over grinding of antimony ore by controlling grinding and classification, recovering effectively the sulfide antimony and the easy floatable oxidized antimony of fine size by bulk floatation, recovering effectively the oxidized antimony which is hard to float by classified gravity separation. This is a great breakthrough in the mineral processing technique of the recovery of the oxidized antimony. At present, favorable economic benefit has been obtained from the application of this processing technique in Muli Antimony Mine.

Jan 1, 2014

By R. T. Keyes, R. B. Clay, L. L. Udy, V. O. Cook, M. A. Cook

Based on compressibility and stress wave velocity in rock, initial explosive loading conditions, the thermochemistry of the explosive and reasonable description of the pressure-distance relations behind the shock front, the distribution of energy between the products of detonation and the burden are estimated as a function of time for various loading conditions. These include 'powder factor', loading density A (fraction of borehole occupied by explosive), and the explosive itself. Factors responsible for rock fragmentation are discussed in terms of: 1) 'release wave fracturing', 2) 'shear wave fracturing', and 3) 'release of loading fracturing' or 'rock bursting'. Release wave fracturing appears to occur only in the immediate vicinity of free faces, and shear wave fracturing only adjacent to the borehole under normal blasting conditions. Rock bursting is thus considered to be the most important means of rock fracturing in blasting. Means for maximizing it are considered. The most important factors to consider include maximum available energy A, explosive density p1, loading density A and 'powder factor'. Maximum efficiency is attained in general by maximizing the A . p1 product. This is achieved by using high density explosives at a loading density of unity (A = 1.0). Ways for achieving this condition are discussed. The bulk-handled aluminized slurry blasting agents have the desired properties for achieving optimum conditions for high blasting efficiency based on the theory outlined herein. Factors considered most important in the blasting of rock are: 1) The maximum available energy A, determined by the heat of explosion Q and the mechanical efficiency ?, a factor intimately associated with the mode of application (A = Q at highest gas concentrations). 2) The 'borehole pressure', pb, or the maximum pressure developed in the borehole after passage of the detonation wave and before the burden has had time to move or become compressed appreciably. (Owing to the short duration of the detonation wave at any particular point in the borehole, the fact that the explosive may not always fill the borehole completely and the further fact that the burden may not actually see the detonation pressure, the borehole pressure is considered more significant than the detonation pressure p2 as a performance factor in borehole blasting.) The borehole pressure is determined by the explosion or adiabatic pressure, p3 , and the loading density, A, or the fraction of the borehole filled by explosive. 3) The physical conditions important in the application of the explosive are: a) The 'powder factor,' (We/Wr), or the ratio of the wt of the explosive to that of the rock being blasted expressed as lb per ton or more generally in lb/cu yd. b) The bulk density, p1 ?. c) The 'burden' or 'line of least resistance,' the spacing between boreholes, the geometry of the borehole pattern and sequence of firing. d) The physical and chemical properties of the rock, most significant of which are possible heterogeneties, such as faulting, prefracture, and greater than micro-scale chemical heterogeneities. (This factor is not considered here but deserves a great deal of careful consideration.) All of these factors need to be carefully considered in the most economical engineering of a blast. Here is considered firstly an outline of the present status of dynamic rock mechanics, particularly as it pertains to blasting. The factors pertaining to the most efficient application of blasting agents are also considered, followed by a discussion of methods of application to achieve optimum explosives performance. ROCK MECHANICS Dynamic rock mechanics is currently a rapidly developing science contributing greatly to a better understanding and consequently the more effective application of explosives in blasting of rock.1-22 Basic to the development of the science of dynamic rock mechanics were the advances of Goransen23 and the Los Alamos and NOL groups24-28 concerning rock and stress wave phenomena and the transmission and reflection characteristics of stress waves at interfaces between different media. Basing considerations on this new knowledge as well as new experimental methods of study (ultra-high speed streak and framing cameras and electronic timers) the theory of fracture and failure of solids under impulsive loading by stress waves developed rapidly.14,16,27-29 Also the

Jan 1, 1967

By Víctor Enrique Zapata S

El presente trabajo señala los métodos adecuados para lograr una optimización en la evaluación, diseño de la implementación y el abastecimiento de los fluídos de las operaciones mineras. Para ello, se estudia el problema de cada sistema y se diseña las modificaciones que se requieran para satisfacer la demanda de los servicios correspondientes como el abastecimiento de agua, relleno hidráulico y aire de ventilación.

Nov 8, 1984

By K. Halada

Current trend of the global flow of strategic metals are analyzed to discuss the strategy of the development of recycling technology and alternative technology. In many cases, each global flow of metal is changing from the trilateral structure of U.S., EU and Japan in the later 20th century into the convergence to China as the factory of the world. Scrap flows are also changing dynamically. A long term change of prices of metal has gotten changed since the entrance of this century. The estimation of metal consumption up to 2050, in which the author estimated that many kinds of metal will overshoot the reserve base line, is revised considering these change of current trends.

Jan 1, 2014

By Weslei Viana Gabriel

Por meio do uso de técnicas de modelamento físico e matemático, caracterizou-se o fluxo de líquido, no interior de um molde de beam blank, quando alimentado por apenas uma válvula submersa constituída por três portas de saída cilíndricas e espaçadas de 120°. Verificou-se que o fluxo do jato de líquido que atravessa a alma se espalha ao longo de toda a superfície do flange antes de se recircular na região central do molde. Através da técnica de injeção de traçador e análise do perfil de velocidade, percebe-se que os jatos direcionados para as quinas do flange recirculam rapidamente e, por isto, se espalham numa pequena região. Este tipo de válvula se caracteriza também por ter uma maior intensidade de oscilação da superfície do que a válvula do tipo tubular. Foram realizados testes para simular a taxa de remoção de inclusões. Os dados obtidos mostram que esta válvula é mais eficiente na limpidez do aço do que uma válvula tubular simples.

Oct 30, 2017

By Andrés Miranda, Ronald Rojas

El presente estudio surge del desafío de Compañía minera Antapaccay por procesar 40M t de mineral el año 2021, el 62% del material tendría como origen a minerales del Tajo Norte con valores de Axb de 25-35. En los años 2018 y 2019 los minerales del Tajo Norte tuvieron impacto en el tonelaje procesado debido a su bajo Axb que afectó los resultados de fragmentación en la voladura con 35.8% finos < 1 pulg. Se identificó que, para lograr el objetivo deseado, era necesario invertir en voladura, a fin de obtener mejoras en la fragmentación que conllevaría a incrementar el tratamiento de mineral en la planta y los rendimientos de los equipos de carguío.

Sep 30, 2022

By Arthur Grounds

Historical In the course of a paper which is necessarily limited in length, such as the present one, it is obviously impossible to describe in detail the history, development, and present position of coal preparation in Western Europe. Great Britain has been blessed with large deposits of excellent coal of nearly every type, ranging from the high-grade anthracites of South Wales, which are characterised by their very low ash and volatile con-tents, to the superb coking coals of South Wales and Durham -probably the finest in the world -with their low ash and sulphur contents, the latter constituent often well be-low l per cent. Gas coals abound in Lancashire and Yorkshire, while coals from the East Midlands, Northumberland, and Scotland are excellent for steam-raising and other industrial purposes. The excellent quality of these various coals has, in years gone by, ensured ready .sales abroad and it is not surprising, therefore; that methods of coal preparation were largely developed on the Continent in an endeavour to upgrade the inferior fuels found there, so that the prepared product could compete with British coals on the European market.

Jan 1, 1951

By Carolina G. D. Ribeiro, Carlos Maurício Vieira, Jordana Ferreira, Sergio N. Monteiro, Janaina da S. Vieira, Cláudio R. Marciano, Natália de O. R. Maciel, Frederico M. Margem

One of today’s biggest concerns has been environmental issues, which has motivated researchers and the development of materials from renewable resources and environmentally friendly. Natural fibers have excelled in replacing synthetic fibers used in composites manufacturing, because natural fibers are biodegradable, abundance in the nature, low cost, low density, high strength, among others. Due to these qualities, some natural fibers are used for many purposes in automobile industry. However, the natural fiber has irregularities and pores in its structure which directly impact the density determination by geometric techniquesand, accordingly, the volume of fibers used in composites. Therefore, the main objective is this study is to determine the density of curaua fiber by pycnometry and to compare it with the commonly used geometric technique.

Mar 1, 2017

By Virgil R. D. Kirkham

NoRth America has for many years led the world in phosphate production, but with development of African deposits and their marketing conditions with respect to European countries, this leadership will shortly pass to Africa. Algeria, Egypt, Tunis, and Morocco have large phosphate reserves and a correspondingly large production because of easy mining and a ready European market, which was developed during the war. An increase in home consumption is destined to develop for the eastern American fields, and the countries of the Pacific will provide a market for the western producers. New processes indicate a decrease in fertilizer costs, which will encourage a more widespread domestic use and assure better marketing conditions. The African deposits, although benefited by a water haul, have the disadvantage of being isolated from a source of acid so that the crude rock is shipped from Africa to its destination, whereas in the United States the chief product shipped is acidulated rock or various types of superphosphatic fertilizers, The principal types of phosphate deposits used in the manufacture of fertilizers are guanos, apatite, phosphatic marl, phosphatic limestone, phosphatic shale, and phosphate rock which is also known as phosphorite. Some of these deposits are found on each of the continents; Table 1 gives their occurrence, age, location, character, extent, etc. Most of the information found in this table represents a compilation of information published elsewhere in a different form and widely scattered.

Jan 1, 1925

By K. D. Mehta

Copper concentrate containing complex sulphides of Cu-Ni with 14.13% Cu and 10.04% Ni besides impurities such as 0.33% Co and 0.71% Mo, is not acceptable to the copper smelters due to the smelting problems. Selective bioleaching of nickel from the concentrate can be considered an an option to make it suitable for copper smelter. Effect of elemental sulphur and pyrite on the bioleaching of Ni and Co has been investigated using a mixed culture of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans (A.f.) and Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans (A.t.). Parameters such as pH, temperature, particles, size etc. were optimised to understand the role of additives in the bioleaching. With 2% S at 308K, 2.0 pH, 5% pulp density and 200µm size particles while shaking at 100 rpm, 79% Ni, 41% Co and 5% Cu were bioleached as compared to the leaching of 81% Ni and 45% Co in presence of 10 wt% pyrite in 60 days; 27% Ni, 24% Co and 4% Cu were recovered in sterile experiment. The selective dissolution of nickel and cobalt as compared to copper may be explained by galvanic interaction between chalcopyrite: pentlandite / pyrrhotite. Bioleaching was facilitated by strong oxidizing conditions due to higher Fe3+/Fe2+ ratio/redox potential (ESCE) as a result of improved interaction of minerals through biooxidation of sulphur and accelerated galvanic interaction by pyrite. The mechanism of selective leaching of Ni and Co was established by XRD phase identification.

Sep 1, 2012

By Enrico Pavese, Tim Kearney, Stefan Lemke

Watertightness is of central importance in hydraulic and underground structures but has always been associated with a risk, as demonstrated by the very high impact that water inflows have on the damage of linings and infrastructure (Howard, 1991; Sandrone and Labiouse, 2011). Concrete is vulnerable to groundwater and chemical contaminants in the soil. These can leach into the pores and cracks of the concrete and degrade its integrity, causing spalling and corroding the reinforcing steel. Moisture migrating into the building can also degrade structural elements over time and lead to mold and other hazards to occupants’ health. In this connection, the demands placed on the setup and detailed design of the seal depending on the negative influence by water on the one hand and on the other hand on the function of a construction in view to its watertightness classification. Thus, the reliable functioning of a seal is of particular significance in the case of traffic tunnels, which are not easily accessible for all subsequent repairs after the construction in seepage water and especially when located in a pressure water zone (risk–cost assessment). Requirements for the long-term efficiency and quality of underground structures have increased in recent decades. Today, the standard lifetime requirement for an underground infrastructure project is 100 to 120 years and, in some cases, even higher. This calls for high increased attention to the durability of the whole structure and of each individual element. Standards, which started as application guidelines given by the manufacturers, are available in the market since the 1980s and are constantly adapted to the current developments in various technical committees. Differentiations are made between: Manufactures application guidelines, case studies or published articles Test standards for the laboratory to guideline the testing procedures (air temperature, type of test equipment, dimensions, test speed, test duration, concentration, type of liquids, monitoring, tolerances, interpretation of results, documentation, etc.), developed by committees based on material and laboratory experts Application standards, which include test standards but also the related minimum performance requirements (values) for material, processing, and quality assurance (practical tolerances), developed by committees based on a wide range of experts (e.g., designers, construction companies, applicators, manufactures, owners, test institutes, quality engineers) and therefore also based on a wide field of experience, different views and up-dated case studies. In the following there are some examples of guidelines and published information’s, ranked according to the year of issue, which are relevant for the development of waterproofing specifications in the tunnel industry:

Jun 13, 2023

By D. S. Kingery

Investigations over several years have disclosed that the principal manners of occurrence of shuttle-car injuries are in order: 1. Victims in contact with roof or crossbars. 2. Victims in contact with ribs or timber legs. 3. Victims falling from, or jerked from, shuttle cars. 4. Victims in contact with overhanging brows or protruding pine for pin timbers, or water lines. 5. Contact with persons or collisions with parked equipment. 6. Victims injured by roof falls or falling timbers caused by knocking out roof supports with shuttle cars. 7. Victims injured by runaway shuttle cars. 8. Victims injured while loading or unloading timbers or other materials from shuttle cars. These recurring types of shuttle-car accidents reflect the physical conditions of the working sections, certain safety deficiencies in shuttle-car maintenance and design, and unsafe practices by operators.

Jan 1, 1952

By Maria Fernanda Gonçalves de Oliveira

O objetivo do trabalho é estudar a viabilidade da realização do tratamento superficial via implantação iônica por imersão em plasma (3IP) de nitrogênio de chapas de nióbio soldadas previamente com feixe de laser, para formação de camadas de nitretos sobre superfície do material base, zona termicamente afetada (ZTA) e do cordão de solda. Os resultados obtidos são discutidos levando-se em consideração a influência do tratamento nas alterações apresentadas pelo material tratado. Os resultados mostram uma significativa alteração na superfície do material, em termos de composição química, evidenciando a formação de nitretos de nióbio sobre esta superfície. Em geral, os nitretos de materiais refratários apresentam propriedades desejáveis para aplicações que envolvem temperatura elevadas de trabalho como: estabilidade térmica, elevado ponto de fusão, boa resistência à oxidação; além de apresentarem elevada dureza e baixas taxas de desgaste e corrosão. Em virtude do aquecimento do substrato, durante o tratamento, observam-se mudanças microestruturais no material tratado. Tais alterações microestruturais, nas diferentes regiões analisadas, mostram-se benéficas na homogeneidade dos valores de dureza apresentados, especialmente na região do cordão de solda e material de base. A redução da dispersão dos valores de dureza entre o cordão de solda, a zona termicamente afetada (ZAC) e o material de base podem minimizar a presença de regiões com concentrações de tensões, melhorando a resistência mecânica do material quando submetidos a esforços mecânicos, como tração uniaxial.

Aug 8, 2018

By P J. Hawke, M F. Flis

The Hamersley Basin of Western Australia holds significant tonnages of detrital iron deposits. Formed by a cyclic weathering and eroding sequence of nominally barren banded iron formation, they may form rich proximal accumulations of iron cemented gravels distal from any obvious hard-rock iron mineralisation. While generally small, they nonetheless represent excellent economic targets as they are near surface and easy to mine. The relatively high density of iron detritals, when compared with their sedimentary hosts, makes the gravity method the primary method of exploring for these blind deposits. Identification of possible trap sites is used as a precursor to gravity surveying, with magnetics used as an ancillary method prior to drilling. Application of the gravity method in this terrain is not straightforward. Detrital trap sites are best developed next to the spectacular cliffs that form the range fronts to the Hamersley Ranges. Precise terrain corrections and use of first vertical derivatives are routinely applied to gravity data in an effort to map every possible gravity high that may reflect the presence of a detrital accumulation. Extensions to Hamersley Iron Pty LimitedÆs BS2D deposit were discovered by the routine application of gravity. This methodology has been used to create a model by which exploration for detrital deposits continue to the present day.

Jan 1, 2002

By R. Macleod, G. G. Bursey, T. R. C. Aston, J. E. Gale

In 1991 the problems of water inflow at the mine were addressed by a three-phase study. A three-dimensional finite-element computer code, CFEST (Coupled Fluid, Energy and Solute Transport), was used to model the system of groundwater flow around the mine, allowing assessment of the nature of the hydrological regime and of the various recharge mechanisms and sources of inflow. A regional (111 km2) model was used to simulate conditions of low to average mine inflow and provide boundary conditions for the subsequent local (16.8 km2) model. The regional model produced inflows of 0.26 m3/s and the local model 0.25 m3/s. With the use of constant head conditions to simulate a saturated flood plain along the Gays River and on doubling the rate of surface recharge, the local model produced a maximum mine inflow of 0.255 m3/s, in contrast to a measured peak mine inflow of 0.37 m3/s. The discrepancy suggests that during periods of high river level surface water gains access to features with high permeability, such as sinkholes, that may be connected directly or indirectly to the mine workings. Improved simulation of high inflow conditions can probably be achieved by determining the hydraulic conductivity of the river-bed and flood-plain sediments and modelling known sinkholes as discrete units. Possibilities for controlling the amount of inflow to the mine include sealing the flood plain with dykes, checking regularly for new sinkholes, which should be filled and capped, maintaining adequate mine drainage, and monitoring well levels and pressures on a continuous basis.

Jan 12, 1993

By P. E. Cavanagh

Introduction A comprehensive study of the economics of processes for smelting iron ores has been made by the Ontario Research Foundation on behalf of the Ontario Research Commission. This survey has included investigations of all processes in commercial use, and proposed processes which are still in the experimental stage. The two main objects of this work were to discover (l) whether any known processes would be particularly suited to present and future Canadian conditions, and (2) whether any new process would be of assistance in solving the present scrap shortage in Canada. The future prospects of the Canadian iron smelting industry have changed radically in the past ten years. For nearly twenty years before 1939 no iron ore was mined in Canada. The ore used was imported, mainly from the United States and Newfoundland. The economics of iron blast-furnace smelting always force the location of blast furnaces near the source of coal for making high-grade metallurgical coke, and near the market for iron and steel, rather than near the iron ore. Blast-furnace installations in Canada are confined to the north shores of the Great Lakes with ready access to United States coal and ore and the major Canadian markets, and to Nova Scotia near the coalfields of that Province. This distribution of primary smelting capacity naturally results in relatively high prices for iron and steel in the West, the North, and in Quebec.

Jan 1, 1948