Search Documents

Editor?s note: Each year, the June issue of Mining Engineering features an industrial minerals review. Several people put in a fair amount of time in developing the material for this issue. Thank you to the industrial minerals annual review editor, to the technical committees chair and vice-chair, and to the authors of the individual commodity profiles. Jim Norman, member SME, of GeoTrans, Inc., is the industrial minerals annual review editor. SA Ravishankar, member SME, of Cytec Industries, is chair of the industrial minerals technical committees. Technical committee vice chairs include: ? Abani Samal, member SME, of Pincock Allen & Holt, agricultural minerals. ? Aaron McMahon member SME, of Pincock, Allen & Holt, ceramics and refractories. ? Bradley S. Van Gosen, member SME, of the U.S. Geological Survey, chemical raw materials. ? Mark Zdunczyk, member SME, of Continental Placer, Inc., construction materials. ? Jerry Gauntt, member SME, of JEG Minerals Consultants, fillers and pigments. ? Michael Cheshire, member SME, of Indiana University, sorbents, filters and process aids. Their help makes possible this June industrial minerals issue. On behalf of ME readers, the editors thank them.

Jan 1, 2008

By G. Coombs, L. Meade, J. Welshimer

Industrial Minerals commodity profiles are continued from May's Annual Review issue. Diatomite G. Coombs, Manville Sales Corp. Growth in US diatomite production continued to lag in 1986. The US Bureau of Mines estimated that 580 kt (640,000 st) were produced last year. This is a 1%0 growth over 1985. The cumulative growth from the 1982 low point is 4.4%. Present production, though, is still only 90% of the high tonnage of 1979. The industry will see increased competitive activity with the start-ups of two new mines and production facilities in California and Oregon. US production has come primarily from Lompoc, CA, Bassalt, Clark Station, and Lovelock, NV, and Quincy, WA. New production, probably with capacities of 45 kt/a (50,000 stpy) each, have started near Burney, CA, and Vale, OR. Eagle Picher's new, full-line filter aid and filler plant at Celatom, Vale, OR, was dedicated in August. The plant uses diatomite from the Celatom mining district in Juntura, OR. Grefco's new filter aid and filler plant near Burney, CA, was ready in July. It produced flux calcined products through a single kiln and can handle both bag and bulk shipments. The operations are in Shata County with the plant and mine at the same site. Manville Specialties Group is moving its Filtration and Minerals Division headquarters and research staffs to Lompoc, CA. The move is intended to strengthen response and performance by locating research, marketing, and production close together. Diatomite is processed in three methods: natural, calcined, and flux calcined. The natural is dried to remove water and is particle size classified. Calcined or straight calcined products have been sintered to modify particle size or permeability. Flux calcination, or flux sintering, has a stronger influence on permeability and also benefits color. The unique structure of diatomite is used in a range of particle sizes from fine paint fillers, to coarser filter aids, to granular aggregates. Dimension stone L. Meade, Geomapping Associates Ltd. 1986 was another good year for dimension stone production. The trend toward using marble, granite, limestone, sandstone, and slate has created an increasing demand. According to US Bureau of Mines 1986 estimates, 1.1 Mt (1.2 million st) of dimension stone, with a value of $173 million, was produced by 200 companies. This is an increase from 1985, where 220 companies produced 1 Mt (1.12 million st) valued at $172 million. The increased production volume and decreased unit value is due to the competition from imports. The net import reliance in 1986 was 68% compared to 62% in 1985. The value of imports was $374 million in 1986 versus $295 million the year before. In an effort to maintain their market share, domestic finishers, particularly in the granite industry, continued to upgrade plants and machinery during 1986. In addition, offshore dollars have financed a number of fabricating facilities in North America that will finish imported rough stock. It is hoped that this increased domestic production capability will capitalize on a devalued US dollar. The trend has been for growth in stone usage and market. This trend is continuing with increased public awareness and desire for natural stone in buildings. The area of greatest market growth is expected to be in residential and interior decorative stone usage. Use of sophisticated, automated equipment has made the cost more affordable. Now lobbies, foyers, and specialty rooms are being clad in stone. Dolomite J. Welshimer, National Lime & Stone Co. About three-quarters of dolomite production is used as construction aggregates and 10% to 20% is sold or used as an industrial mineral. Total limestone and dolomite consumed for chemical and metallurgical purposes is about 136 Mt/a (150 million stpy). Sales of industrial dolomitic products were somewhat stronger in 1986 than levels recorded in the early 1980s. Some of the sales' strength, however, can be attributed to reductions in the number of active mining and processing operations. The industry will probably undergo further consolidation by the end of this decade. This will be due primarily to the continued softening in demand by the steel industry. Dolomitic limestone deposits being mined for raw materials for the steel, glass, and refractory in¬dustries are generally 54% calcium carbonate and 45% magnesium carbonate by weight. Impurities composed of silicon, aluminum, iron, sulfur, and phosphorous, represent less than 1%. The heaviest concentration of high purity, surface mineable dolomite in the US is in northwestern Ohio. Crushed and sized dolomitic limestone is a basic raw material for the iron and steel industry. It is also used as feed stone or lime kilns. Soft-burned lime is a popular raw material for BOF steel production. It is also used extensively in insulating glass fiber manufacturing. A related material, hydrated

Jan 6, 1987

By Eduardo M. Sacris

The performance of the grinding circuit, from the initial stages of operation to the present, is discussed. The mill efficiency as measured by the Bond grindability data and the operating work index is presented. The objective has been to produce a sand cyclone overflow containing not more than 6% +65 mesh. However, this has never been attained even at low milling rates. On the other hand, significant improvements in throughput were achieved by instituting some equipment changes and process modifications within the grinding circuit. The latest approach to solving the coarse grind problem is also discussed.

Jan 1, 1983

By D. W. Rich

An environmental management system (EMS) is a key part of a company?s environmental stewardship. Procedures and practices to continually improve environmental performance can provide great benefits in operating the company. Managing site environmental quality data is a key component of this. An environmental data management system (EDMS) is an important element of the EMS for mining and other projects, providing project staff with the information that they need to make decisions that can have a significant impact on public health. Improvements in computers, data communications, and transfer formats have made it much easier to implement an integrated EDMS program for gathering, managing, selecting, and displaying data from the field and the lab. Software now lets users define sampling plans, create files for field data entry, and print Chains of Custody. Laptop and handheld computers facilitate field data entry and may provide automated communication back to the office. Most labs can now create usable electronic data deliverables. QC checks and limit comparisons can be largely automated. The result is organized data that can be efficiently used for reporting, graphing, and mapping, to better understand project issues.

Jan 1, 2009

By James W. Harrower, Gerald S. Ball

This paper discusses the installation of steel linings in vertical, raisebored openings. Design criteria used to evaluate the applicability of liner type and design are presented as well as a brief description of installation procedures. Specific projects completed by J. S. Redpath Corporation are then outlined noting special considerations and techniques.

Jan 1, 1985

By Don Phelps, Dean Brox, Peter Procter, Andy Saltis, Tom Morrison, Jeff Pringle

The Greater Vancouver Water District is currently constructing the Seymour-Capilano Water Filtration Project to enhance the quality of drinking water in the Vancouver metropolitan area. The Seymour-Capilano Water Filtration Project comprises the 1,800 million litres per day Seymour-Capilano Filtration Plant, the 1,080million litres per day Capilano Pumping Station, twin tunnels with associated shafts, and the Capilano Energy Recovery Facility. The twin tunnels will convey raw water under pressure from the Capilano Reservoir to the Seymour Filtration Plant and return treated (filtered) water for distribution. The Twin Tunnels component of the project comprises twin, 3.7 m diameter, 7.2 km TBM bored tunnels, the 180 m deep Seymour Shaft as the main launch shaft, and two 4 m diameter, 268 m deep raise bore exit shafts at Capilano. The Twin Tunnels have been planned as predominantly unlined tunnels sited at depth entirely within granitic bedrock and cross under two major buried glacial valleys of breadths in excess of 1500 metres that are filled with glacial sediments to depths up to 200 metres. The maximum overburden along the tunnel alignment is approximately 400 metres. Comprehensive site investigations and studies were completed during the detailed design stage of the project. The construction of the twin tunnels started in the fall of 2004 and is planned to be completed by mid-2008.

Jan 1, 2005

By Paul Wellman

The energy problem of the U. S; was emphasized by the oil embargo of late 1973 and early 1974 and it seemed for a time that the Federal Government, under pressure from the general public, might take some corrective action. However, this was not the case. With the gasoline lines gone and an apparent plentiful supply of petroleum products, public concern quickly dissipated., This country is more vulnerable to an oil embargo today than we were in 1973-1974 and this fact should be of concern to all our people. Since 1968, we have used oil and natural gas at a much more rapid rate than we have been able to find new domestic sources; thus, there is an increasing gap between domestic production and consumption and we have filled the gap with ever increasing oil' imports. These imports have increased at an alarming rate in the recent past, some 58 percent in 1976 compared with 1975. Imports are nearing 8 million barrels per day. Then, by applying some simple arithmetic, at $12 per barrel, the resulting trade deficit is $96 million per day or $35 billion per year. Obviously, this cannot be tolerated by our economy over a long period of time. Historically, we have shifted from one fuel to another as is shown in this slide. In 1850 about 90 percent of our fuel requirements came from direct combustion of wood, by 1900 we shifted to coal for 70 percent of our fuel, and now about 78 percent of fuel requirements comes from oil and natural gas. The difference is that the previous shifts were voluntary and the one facing us now is of necessity.

Jan 1, 1977

By S. M. Carpenter

In an ever increasing ?carbon? society; management and growth will be measured by one?s carbon footprint (or output). Industries, especially mining, are under an ever increasing scrutiny of carbon, water and environmental mandates. These mandates are measured by the emissions caused by the combustion of fossil fuels. The fundamental building-block for any business, strategic or management decision must be based on an understanding of one?s ?footprint?. The scrutiny is most stringent for the commodities producers, power producers & fuel suppliers in the energy market. An overview of currently acceptable standards, application of those standards and nuances experienced in collecting the data necessary to analyze and complete a company?s carbon footprint will be presented. A lack of regulation, the fear and expectation of new and ever constraining rules, regulation and a change in the federal administration is a recipe for uncertainty in the marketplace.

Jan 1, 2010

By William G. Schultz

Sylvite of Canada, a wholly owned subsidiary of Hudson Bay Mining and Smelting Co., operates an 8000 TPD potash mine and refinery located nine miles North East of Rocanville, Saskatchewan. Prior to Hudson Bay's entry in 1968 into potash mining and refining, it was one of the more traditional and conservative Canadian Mining Companies whose principal business had been for many years a successful copper-zinc mining and smelting operation located at Flin Flon, Manitoba. The potash reserves being mined by Sylvite were acquired through the acquisition of Francana Oil and Gas. This acquisition was at the time when several major potash mines were being developed or had recently been brought into production in the Province. These mines are owned by either very substantial Canadian Mining Companies or Multi-National Mining Companies with considerable potash mining experience. At that time, it became very apparent because of the new mines coming into production, potash mining and refining would quickly become a very competitive industry. Because of long term considerations, Hudson Bay decided to proceed with the development of its potash reserves, recognizing the Mine and Refinery would have to be the most advanced available in order to successfully operate. This report deals with the mining operation at Sylvite and the degree of success Sylvite has achieved.

Jan 1, 1972

By Jamie Bonner, Ray Hutton, Taro Nonaka

The Nancy Creek Tunnel is a deep tunnel, designed to store and convey wastewater by diverting flows from trunk sewers currently at or near capacity in the northwest of the City of Atlanta. The tunnel, constructed in hard rock, has an overall length of 13,300 m (43,700 ft), and a finished diameter of 4.9 m (16 ft). The project is currently under construction by a joint venture of Obayashi/CJB for the City’s Department of Watershed Management. This paper describes the contractor’s techniques and equipment, as well as discussing challenges which were overcome. The project is scheduled to be complete in October 2005.

Jan 1, 2005

By F. E. Heuze

This article deals with the effects of high-explosive and nuclear explosions in rock masses. We first highlight the strong influence of geological discontinuities, such as joints and faults, on ground motion characteristics. Then, we briefly introduce the Discrete Element Method, as a new technique for numerical simulations. II is shown to be far superior to continuum-based approaches, when dealing with the dynamics of discontinuous media such as jointed rocks. Finally, we simulate the ground effects from a generic contained nuclear explosion, which bears some similarity to the SHOAL event in granite. This calculation is intended to emphasize the influence of the near-source geology on the distribution of energy, and on the motion at various azimuths in the medium.

Jan 1, 1991

By M. S. Safarzadeh

Over the last fifty years, the treatment of enargite concentrates has not received much attention primarily because of the availability of other clean concentrates suitable for processing with existing smelting and/or leaching technologies. As traditional copper ores have become scarcer, copper-arsenic ore deposits have garnered more interest. Arsenic release is a significant concern during the treatment of enargite by pyro or hydrometallurgical methods. Enargite is also very refractive in standard leaching procedures. Thus, economical treatment options for enargite concentrates are needed. Preliminary experiments have shown that the acid-bake leach process could be adapted and used for the treatment of enargite concentrates. In this study, low-temperature (100-400 ºC) sulfuric acid baking of an enargite concentrate followed by water-leaching has been evaluated. The results indicate the thermal transformation of enargite to copper sulfate during sulfuric acid baking, with most of the arsenic being released from the concentrate into the gas phase for baking at 400 ºC. The condition for maximum copper extraction (~100%) from the concentrate was found to be 400 ºC, sulfuric acid amount of 0.5 mL/g of concentrate, and 2 h baking time. Part of the arsenic was captured in the form of arsenopyrite (FeAsS). XRD analysis proved the presence of some arsenic in the form of claudetite (As2O3) in the baked concentrate. Acid baking of pure enargite behaved in similar fashion.

Jan 1, 2012

By William G. Pariseau

Few departments of mining, metallurgical or petroleum engineering in the United States have critical mass. Cost per student credit hour (SCH) in departments across the country are usually the highest among engineering departments, which are the highest on campus. Almost all departments are operating at fixed costs and enrollments could easily double without incurring much additional cost. However, the cost per SCH would remain unacceptably high and the probability of doubling enrollment is nil. Declining enrollment is a more likely future. The pressure to reduce SCH from university administration is unrelenting. And it has the potential for doing serious damage to program quality when standards and requirements are lowered in attempts to maintain enrollments and increase retention.

Jan 1, 2002

By Remo Grandori

The Umiray Angat 13,2 km long tunnel in Philippines have been bored through extremely variable and difficult ground conditions including a number of special events. In particular the following adverse conditions were found: faults in decomposed ground, high temperature rocks, extremely rapid and important convergence phenomena, water inflows up to 800 litres per second. The special El Nino climatic conditions caused a long dry season and lower the level of the lake that was granting the access by barge to the site under the minimum navigable level. Many equipment have had therefore to be transported to site by a 10 ton capacity helicopter, after having been partially dismounted. For the same reason most of the tunnel drive have been bored servicing the site by 1 ton capacity helicopters to transport materials, spares and personnel. In order to overcome the above geological and logistic problems several innovation were introduced and tested in this project. Despite all that difficulties the 13,2 km of tunnel were bored in about 24 months, with a global average of 500 m/month.

Jan 1, 2001

By Randy Vranes

Sophisticated information technology, quality management systems and a commitment to the environment has allowed Solutia’s Soda Springs phosphate mine and elemental phosphorus plant to reduce operating costs, improve product quality and contribute to the sustainable development of Idaho’s industrial minerals. Soda Springs background The Soda Springs phosphate mine and plant is a joint venture between Monsanto and its operating partner, Solutia Inc. The operation is based in southeastern Idaho in the Western Phosphate Field. The plant is located about 275 km (170 miles) northeast of Salt Lake City, UT and about 4 km (2.5 miles) north of the town of Soda Springs.

Jan 1, 1999

By Maurice Deul

For the first half of the 21st century, the United States will rely on the same mix of fuels it has for the past 50 years. Petroleum for the United States will cost more and availability will decline as developing nations modernize. Increased use of natural gas for electric power generation will result in stress on the gas supply. Coal will be the fuel of last resort. More than half the petroleum used is imported, about the same amount as used for transportation. Only coal can provide relief by fueling railroads through electrification while encouraging “piggy-back” trailer haulage, co-generation for manufacturing and expanded passenger service.

Jan 1, 2002

By James M. Riddle

A discussion of frequently asked questions may help individuals trying to interpret subsidence regulations or prepare permit applications. The subsidence permitting process involves just one part of the mass of Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act regulations. But of the 18 main SMCRA sections, subsidence is critical to the permitting process for coal operators. It's an area in which applicants have had problems interpreting regulations and preparing permit applications. Of 22 western states, only Wyoming, Montana, Colorado, and Utah heave thus far received approval for their mining and reclamation plans. The other states are now involved in the permit application process and will be dealing with SMCRA regulations for the next year or so. Some state programs, when approved, may differ substantially from the federal SMCRA program. But, to be approved, the state programs must be deemed equal to or more stringent than the federal regulations. SMCRA regulations apply to any coal operation "that exhibits surface effects." Thus they apply to surface strip mines as well as underground coal operations. The regulations do not apply to hardrock mining operations. Since August 3, 1977, the government, industry, and the public have wrestled with SMCRA. They have struggled through an initial program with the US Geological Survey; a new agency, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM); an interim program; and a "final" permanent regulatory program. Even now, OSM is reluctant to publish formal program guidelines because: •The regulations are still in the process of judicial review. • Some approvable state programs will supersede the federal regula¬tions. • The flexible regulations are open to interpretation, which is desir¬able to maintain. •Guidelines could be misleading until regulations and interpretations are revised and finalized.

Jan 12, 1980

By Edward M. Dowey

The concrete lining for a long 8.05 km (5 mi) section of New York City Water Tunnel No. 3 was cast in place. The contractor, Grow-Perini-Skanska, placed over76,841 m3 (100,505 cy) of concrete, pouring 24 hours per day, 5 days per week. The concrete was dropped 204 m (670 ft) to the tunnel level, transported by rail to a concrete remixer and pump, and placed in 146.3m (480 ft) of full circle forms. Some of the many challenges include the sheer magnitude of the job, navigating through drifts, a raise and curves, dealing with ground water inflows, and placing the concrete within time limits.

Jan 1, 2001

By Garry Biles

The Eskay Creek Mine is a high-grade gold and silver underground mine in northwestern British Columbia. The mine started operations in late1994. For the first three years, ore was crushed to -50 mm(-2 in.), blended to satisfy smelter terms and shipped to smelters in Japan and Canada. Preliminary evaluations indicated that a complex metallurgical facility, requiring a large capital investment, would be required to recover the precious and other economic metals. So markets for raw ore were identified and underground mining and ore transportation operations began at a production rate of 300 t/d (330stpd).

Jan 1, 2000

By C. A. Pryor

The aggregates industry is the largest minerals industry in the United States producing over 2.6 billion metric tons of crushed stone, sand and gravel annually. Approximately 5% of that production is fine material, passing a 75-micron mesh sieve. Of that amount, about 77% is not sold and represents one of the major industry issues. The material accumulates in stockpiles and settling ponds having an operational and economic impact on the site’s bottom line. Many factors cause this material to be produced: from blasting and processing techniques all the way to end use specifications.

Jan 1, 2002