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By N. E. Green, W. E. Bennett, G. P. Harrison

INTRODUCTION The art of raise boring has seen rapid development and use in underground mines both for primary development and production during the past 10 years. The intensive full scale tests by a major mining company in the Precambrian rocks of the Sudbury district of Ontario, Canada, have lead the way to the general acceptance of the raise drills. The rock successfully raise bored in the Sudbury area has compressive strengths varying from 30,000 to 50,000 p.s.i. As a result of the intensive study, it became evident to many mining companies that raise boring could be adapted to many mining systems. Many companies have modified their planned mining methods to incorporate raise boring. The result has been a more rapid development of their mine and naturally, an economic advantage to them. In conjunction with the acceptance of the raise drills, the range of equipment has broadened in terms of size, capability and efficiency. The concept of raise drilling and the general arrangement of the equipment has seen little change. At some locations there have been reported successes of drilling pilot holes up

Jan 1, 1997

By E. R. Bollinger, N. S. Tanious, R. D. Beckett

The US Bureau of Mines developed hand-made, steel-fiber-reinforced concrete (SFC) blocks for building mine cribs. To ensure wider usage of these cribs, US Steel Mining Co. initiated a joint development and evaluation program with Burrell Construction Co. to mass produce SFC blocks of reasonable dimension, weight, and cost. Small specimens and full-size cribs were evaluated to determine their compressive strength and post failure characteristics. After testing and adjusting of various concrete mixtures, a final formulation was selected that gave a nominal crib strength of 22 MPa (3200 psi) and a nominal modulus of elasticity of 6.9 GPa (1.0 x 106 psi.) These SFC cribs can support 6.4 times as much as a wood crib with the same load-bearing area. The SFC crib was proven to be an economical and effective roof support system through various underground installations.

Jan 1, 1987

By W. E. (Bill) Stanley

Introduction This is an exciting day. It isn't often that you can find the best minds in a particular business gathered together in one place. But that is what we have here. You are the best and the brightest people there are in the business of gold mining. What we discuss at this conference confirms the major issues facing us and sets out the issues governing how our mines and mining companies will be run in the next few years. In looking over the list of papers to be given, I have noticed something. It is something that I have noticed at almost every mining convention I have ever attended. Almost every paper at this conference concerns itself with the technical side of mining. Most of us in this roan are professionals; we are either engineers, geologists, accountants or representatives of some other profession. In getting where we are today, we have had to work hard to acquire the technical skills needed for our individual professions. We are all proud of our knowledge and work hard to claim the right to be considered an expert in a particular technical field or subject area.

Jan 1, 1987

By A. Foscolos

Land reclamation and rehabilitation of depleted coal mines in the wider area of Ptolemais-Amynteon is practiced by the Division of Mines of the Public Power Corporation of Greece in order to conform to the concept of environmentally sustainable economic development of its operations. Detailed chemical and mineralogical studies were performed on reclaimed soils and their crops in order to evaluate the results of land reclamation and rehabilitation while similar studies were undertaken in adjacent, regularly cultivated, soils. Results indicate that trace element concentrations as well as concentrations of elements of environmental concern to be higher in regularly cultivated soils than the reclaimed ones. However, the concentration of the elements in wheat grains harvested from both, regular and reclaimed, group of soils is the same. The reason for this behavior is the very low water solubility, of the elements in the soils, due to their high pH values and the nature of their occurrence. As a result, wheat crops produced from reclaimed-rehabilitated soils developed on depleted lignite mines in the wider area of Ptolemais-Amynteon do not pose any health problem on either humans or animals when consumed.

Jan 1, 2003

By W. X. Wang, O. Stephansson

In the mining and quarry industries, rock fragments are often transported by conveyor belt. To estimate the qualities of the rock fragments (i.e., size distribution and shape), an operator must take samples from the conveyor and manually perform a sieve analysis, which is time-consuming and tedious. Alternatively, an image-analysis system can be used to monitor the fragment quality on a fast moving conveyor belt. However, images of fragments on a fast moving belt vary to such a degree that the quality of any two successive images are not the same, and some of the images are of such poor quality that they are unrecognizable by human eyes. If poor-quality images are directly analyzed by a segmentation algorithm, the analysis will not be satisfactory. To resolve this problem, it is necessary to use an image-classification program for the automatic selection of fragment images with good quality. Because of this need, an image-classification program was developed and tested both in the laboratory and in the field Testing of the system on different types of fragments showed that the system works reasonably well.

Jan 1, 1997

By Kenneth N. Han, Yuhong Chen

The removal of carbonaceous material from Carlin gold ore has been investigated via froth flotation. The effect of type and concentration of various oils as flotation collectors and of sodium silicate as the dispersion agent on the overall recovery of carbonaceous material has been studied. Other variables affecting froth flotation efficiency were also examined closely. These included particle size, pH of the solution, and temperature. The effect of reduction and oxidation of carbonaceous material on froth flotation efficiency has also been investigated. This investigation showed that aromatic type oil was the most effective collector. Also found in this investigation was that oxidized carbonaceous material was difficult to float unless the oxidized portion was subject to reduction before flotation. More than fifty percent of the carbonaceous material was able to be removed via froth flotation. It can be concluded from this study that the effect of pH and temperature during the rougher flotation state is of little significance to the overall recovery of carbonaceous material. Since pyrite is responsible for the high consumption of chlorine, removal of pyrite is very important in order to reduce the overall consumption of chlorine.

Jan 1, 1990

By L. B. Hales

The advent of the process control computer with its capabilities of monitoring, storage, and real-time control has revolutionized control technology in the mineral industry. Initial efforts to introduce the computer into process control began in the early 1960's. However, it wasn't until the last decade with the introduction of integrated circuits and minicomputers that truly successful applications became visible. Computer hardware and real-time operating software have improved to the point that they rarely provide major problems in the implementation of successful control systems. At this time the most prevalent problems and obstacles affecting the successful implementation of a control system are as follows: (1) reliable and representative sampling systems; (2) rugged and reliable process sensors; (3) the availability of well-defined control strategies; (4) the willingness of plant management to provide the continuous support necessary to acquire and/or train appropriate personnel in the operation and maintenance of advanced control systems. Discussion of these problems and of the instrumentation required for the successful application of computers in minerals processing plants follows. In order to enhance this discussion the remainder of this subsection is broken up into individual mineral processing categories.

Jan 1, 1979

By L. Xu, S Jones, R. Bhaskar, J. McKenzie

The objective of this project was to optimize the ventilation parameters of a continuous miner underboom scrubber. This would result in further control of the amount of airborne dust discharged during mining, reduce the exposure of face personnel for an exhaust brattice ventilation system, and avoid recirculation of contaminants at the face. This research was performed in an underground coal mine in Utah. The tasks performed included preliminary face ventilation evaluation, and optimization of the scrubber system to eliminate recirculation of the scrubber discharge air. Airflow tests were conducted on the currently used dust control system and the modified scrubber system. Tracer gas tests were performed to evaluate face ventilation effectiveness. Confirmatory tests of the scrubber system under actual operating conditions, modifications to the scrubber system and a comparative evaluation of the scrubber system vs. the existing system were performed. This paper presents the results of the airflow pattern tests and the respirable dust levels in the modified scrubber system and the existing system. The optimized face ventilation parameters and the developed operating guidelines may provide the benefits of dust reduction, better lace ventilation and improved visibility.

Jan 1, 1994

By A. Platts, K. Leung, P. Rohner, P. Munro, B. Coulter

The Hilton Concentrator treats a laminated stratiform silver- lead-zinc ore to produce separate lead, zinc and bulk concentrates. Commissioning commenced in December 1989. Grinding circuit performance is above design with a mean flotation feed sizing of 80% passing 65 microns at 800 000 tonnes / year throughput. Grinding is done in two stages with an open circuit low diameter : length ratio SAG mill followed by a closed circuit ball mill. SAG mill control philosophy is to maintain a fixed feedrate for stability of flotation and to control mill charge weight to a setpoint with feed water. It is planned to increase throughput to 1 million tones / year in the second half of 1991. Proposed milling circuit modifications include close circuiting the SAG mill by recycling a portion of the ball mill cyclone underflow, increasing the SAG mill speed from 73% to 79% of critical and offloading of lower than feed grade -20mm /+7mm SAG mill ore scats. This paper will describe current mill operating practice with operating data and key mill developments since the beginning of operations.

Jan 1, 1992

By P. E. Richardson, N. P. Finkelstein, Z. Chen

The large band gap and insulating properties of sphalerite have limited the application of standard electrochemical techniques for studying its reactions with flotation reagents. This problem has been overcome by developing electrodes that rely on the surface conductance produced when sphalerite is activated with copper or other heavy metals. A brief exposure of the mineral in copper sulfate solutions results in electrodes that exhibit significant electrochemical activity characteristic of copper sulfides. Voltammetry studies conducted on sphalerite activated in 10-4 M CuS04, solutions at pH 4.6 provide information on both the amount and the nature of the activation product(s). It is shown that copper activation is strongly dependent on the electrochemical potential applied during activation. Activation at potentials increasingly negative of the rest potential causes a progressive increase in the amount of copper on the surface; activation at potentials positive of the rest potential decreases the amount of copper on the surface. The results indicate that both the kinetics of copper uptake and, possibly, the chemical composition (stoichiometry) of the activation product are controlled by the electrochemical potential.

Jan 1, 1995

By B. K. Baird, P. C. Satchwell

The application of cutoffs during and after pit optimization is examined for a lower-grade multimetallic copper deposit. Pit optimization requires calculation of the net revenue associated with each mining block. The calculation incorporates parameters such as metal prices, grades and expected recoveries, mining and processing costs, smelting and refining charges, and penalty element and royalty charges. Sensitivity analysis during pit optimization reveals which parameters have significant effects on the total contained resource tonnage and total contained nondiscounted revenue in the optimized pit. The cumulative effects of changing several of the more-significant parameters are investigated The application of a copper cutoff grade to a block inside the optimized pit could result in the less-than-optimal extraction of the resource. A block with a copper grade below the applied cutoff could be economic due to the presence of other metals. Conversely, a higher-copper-grade block may be subeconomic. Also discussed are the merits of applying a copper-grade cutoff, an "equivalent-grade" cutoff and a dollar-per-ton cutoff to blocks inside the optimum nit.

Jan 1, 2002

During 1997-2001, an EC funded project investigated the environmental consequences of the use of industrial waste and sewage sludge based artificial top soils (ATS) in rehabilitating large coalmine waste dumps in the Saar region of Germany. Both the laboratory leaching tests and field lysimeter data analysis carried out by the research partners have shown that the amount of dissolved heavy metals in the leachate was low, and generally below the regulatory limits. However, the dissolved amount of nutrients, especially mineral nitrogen, was found to be relatively high. The hydrological properties of waste rocks and ATS mixtures were established through history matching of the laboratory column tests and the field measurements. 1D column models and 3D field models were used to numerically simulate pollutant transport at the ATS rehabilitated waste dumps. This paper presents the findings of the numerical modelling research carried out for the characterisation of hydrological and pollutant transport properties of rehabilitated coalmine waste dumps in the Saar coalfield.

Jan 1, 2003

By G. T. Adel

The selective recovery of fine particles by flotation has been a long-standing problem in the mineral processing industry. Fundamental studies carried out at Virginia Tech since 1980 have suggested that many of the problems encountered in separating fine particles can be alleviated by using significantly smaller air bubbles than those used in conventional flotation processes. The main advantage of using smaller bubbles is found in an increased recovery rate, which can be attributed to an improved bubble-particle collision efficiency. This concept has been applied in column flotation as a means of improving flotation kinetics. A computer simulator has been developed to better study the effects of various parameters on flotation column performance. The simulation results suggest that the use of small bubbles and tall columns improves the recovery of fine particles while a judicious use of wash water greatly improves product quality. Information collected as a result of this analysis has been applied in developing scale-up relationships for column flotation.

Jan 1, 1989

By Willard C. Lacy

Discovery of a mine is a complex affair. No mine is simply found but comes about through the efforts of many. It is difficult to establish "credit" when a mine is found and becomes a viable operation, or "guilt" when a mine is lost, goes bankrupt, or remains undeveloped. The story of the Toquepala and Cuajone developments entails various stages of: (1) discovery and recognition; (2) testing and innovation; (3) political and industrial negotiation and intrigue; and (4) finance, development, and operation. The Toquepala and Cuajone projects introduced innovative drilling techniques, were among the first major porphyry copper deposits to utilize induced polarization (1P)geophysical methods, were among the first deposits to undertake complete feasibility studies on drilled- out ore bodies, and were developed by the first large Western Hemisphere copper mining consortium. Many persons have contributed to the development of these two great deposits. Some of the names have been lost and certain contributions have gone unrecognized. I apologize for these omissions.

Jan 1, 1991

By Rob McIvor, Joe Keating, Gary Simmons

As more complex ores are processed, finer grinding becomes more necessary. A cross section of several industries will be presented with discussions not only of find grinding issues but also the classification of fine particles. JOHN MANSANTI: Our next topic will be fine grinding. Again, the intent is to present a topic that is generic enough to apply to multiple industries. Our first speaker is Gary Simmons. Gary is filling in for Phil Walker from Twin Creeks. Phil was not able to join us this week, because of some issues they're having with the autoclave. Gary, being involved in the development phase, is very familiar with the topic. Gary spent about three years with American Cyanamid and another four years with Noranda. He also spent some time with Meridian Gold, then became the director of metallurgy with Santa Fe Pacific Gold. He spent seven years there and is presently the director of process technology with Newmont Gold.

Jan 1, 1998

By Gary W. LaChapelle

Cyprus Miami Mining Corp. has a history of overcoming adversity through innovation and adaptation to changing conditions. Requirements to remain profitable in the 1990s include a combination of advanced technology, employee involvement and training, attention to customer satisfaction, environmental awareness and quality management. The Miami property is located in the Globe-Miami area of Arizona, 130 km (80 miles) east of Phoenix and 160 km (100 miles) north of Tucson. The complex is located in a high desert environ¬ment at an elevation of 1065 m (3500 ft). The region receives about 480 mm (19 in.) of precipitation annually. History Mineralization at the Miami property was first discovered in the 1880s, which led to underground mining of copper by the 1890s. In 1911, the Inspiration Consolidated Copper Co. was formed by combining the Inspiration and Live Oak Mines. Full-scale production began in 1915. Block caving methods were used at both mines. Open-pit mining commenced in 1948. Underground mining had ceased by 1954, and all production was obtained from surface operations. Innovation has been the key to Miami's success. Development of sulfide flotation and the ferric cure process for vat leaching were advanced at Miami. In situ leaching of oxide material, remaining after block caving had removed the sulfide ore, was also used.

Jan 1, 1993

By Hassan El-Shall, El-Sayed A. Abdel Aal

The major goal of this study is to decrease iron content in wet-process phosphoric acid. Reducing the amount of post-precipitated sludge in the acid is another important objective in this investigation. In order to achieve these goals, research efforts have focused on bench scale testing of an iron-chelating reagent to remove iron from phosphoric acid produced from South Florida high-iron and -magnesium phosphate concentrate, and plant testing using freshly produced concentrated acids for reducing the post- precipitated sludge. The data obtained in the above studies suggest that the addition point of the precipitating reagent is very important, as the precipitated iron compound has higher solubility at higher P2O5 concentrations. Up to 60% Fe2O3 removal efficiency is achieved depending on the amount of the reagent, concentration of acid used, and operating conditions. The addition of precipitating reagents to freshly concentrated phosphoric acid leads to a decrease of up to 84% in sludge volume percentage depending on acid type and clarification conditions. Decreasing the volume percentage of the sludge facilitates acid handling as well as decreases the adherent water- soluble P205 leading to lower total P2O losses.

Jan 1, 2002

By Charles L. Karr

Grinding is a necessary component in the processing of a number of minerals, and improvements in this area could provide substantial cost savings for the minerals industry. Optimizing the process of grinding, however, is a difficult task because there are multiple objectives; i.e., several aspects of the process are important including the fineness of the ground product, the energy consumed in the process, and the viscosity characteristics of the final slurry. Genetic algorithms (GAs) are search algorithms based on the mechanics of natural genetics and have been proven capable of solving multiple objective optimization problems. These robust search techniques are able to rapidly locate near-optimum solutions across a broad spectrum of very difficult optimization problems. In this paper, two varieties of GA are used to optimize a grinding process as it is described by a computer model: (1) a simple genetic algorithm (SGA) and (2) a micro genetic algorithm (MGA). The performance of these techniques is compared to the performance of a more conventional search technique, a simplex algorithm. Results indicate that the GAs are efficient, versatile, quite capable of improving the grinding process, and easily incorporated into the toolbox of today's process engineer.

Jan 1, 1993

By A. E. Hall

INTRODUCTION Underground gold mining operations are found in South Africa, U.S.S.R., Canada, the United States, Zimbabwe, Ghana , Brazil. Australia, China and many other countries. The methods used for extraction differ from highly mechanized trackless mining in the developed countries to the labour intensive systems of the third world nations. The climatic conditions in which mines are situated vary from equatorial to arctic. The rock temperatures and the depth of workings also vary significantly from shallow to extreme depth. The Western Deep Levels mine in South Africa is the deepest and exceeds 4.000 metres in depth with strata temperatures above 55°C. These major differences between mining fields result in significantly different ventilation problems in underground gold mines. The ore types also vary and some deposits have high silica contents while other mines extract sulphide ores. Methane may also be encountered in underground gold mines and can have a large influence on the ventilation practice. Several topics are currently of concern to operating mines and are reviewed here:- a) Air circulation and fans b) Mine cooling c) Permafrost operations d) Mine heating e) Control of diesel exhaust f) Gases, fires and explosions

Jan 1, 1988

By A. LaPlante, A. Cauchon

This gravity circuit at Les Mines Camchib Inc. consists of two pinched sluices to bleed a feed to one of two 76 cm (30") Knelson concentrator. The Knelson concentrate is upgraded to smeltable grade with a smaller Knelson (18130 cm) and a riffleless table. Their tails are column cyanided and washed prior to recycle to the grinding circuit. This paper details size- by-size circuit performance. The Knelsons recover around 90% of free gold (as determined by Mozley Laboratory Separator), even below 37 pm. The sluices are ineffective, with upgrading ratios around 2, but approaching unity in the fine sizes. Much of the effectiveness of the circuit lies in the high gold circulating loads in the grinding circuit, which partly atone for the poor sluice performance, and the ability of the Knelsons to recover free gold. Secondary upgrading recovers slightly above 99% of the primary concentrate gold, 90% of it in a 65% Au concentrate and the balance in a heavily loaded (10 to 20 oz/st) pregnant solution, generated by intensive column cyanidation.

Jan 1, 1990