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By Z. Hyder, A. Urquidez

"INTRODUCTION The Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) is located approximately 26 miles southeast of Carlsbad, New Mexico and is the nation’s first underground geologic repository for transuranic (TRU) and TRU-mixed waste (see Figure 1). The WIPP facility was opened for operation in 1999 when the first TRU waste shipment arrived at the WIPP facility for disposal.WIPP facility does not employ typical production aspects of a conventional mine. Instead, the mining focus is on the quality of the excavation to ensure safe disposal of TRU and TRU-mixed waste (Walls, 1991). GEOLOGY WIPP underground repository is mined within a 2,000 feet-thick bedded-halite formation (Salado Formation) (see Figure 2). The WIPP underground repository is located approximately 2,150 feet beneath the surface near the center of the Salado Formation. Geologic criterion and site-selection factors evaluated for the selection of the repository included topography, depth, thickness, lateral extent, lithology, stratigraphy, structure, erosion, dissolution, subsidence, surface water, aquifers, hydrologic transport, climatic fluctuations, manmade penetrations (U.S. Department of Energy, 1980).FACILITY DESIGN Profit did not play a major role in the WIPP’s conception like in a conventional mine. This was due to the extensive amount of additional regulations and safety controls that had to be built into the WIPP facility. Since it is nuclear and hazardous waste disposal facility, it must meet certain federal and state requirements for TRU-mixed waste. One of the major regulatory drivers for the WIPP facility is defined in the WIPP Land Withdrawal Act (LWA). One of the requirements in the WIPP LWA requires the DOE to submit documentation of continued compliance with Title 40 CFR Part 191, Subparts B, and C. These standards are regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The DOE must submit documentation of continued compliance (recertification) with these regulations every five years. In addition to the LWA, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) is another major regulatory driver for the WIPP facility. Since the WIPP facility is categorized as a “Miscellaneous Unit” under 40 CFR, it must meet extensive environmental performance standards. These standards are defined in the WIPP Hazardous Waste Facility Permit (HWFP). The HWFP defines the terms and conditions that the Secretary of the New Mexico Environment Department has determined necessary to protect human health and the environment (U.S. Department of Energy and Nuclear Waste Partnership LLC, 2015)."

Jan 1, 2017

By Ajit K. Sinha

"Abstract - Electromagnetic surveys were conducted over the Yava sandstone-hosted lead deposit in Nova Scotia to evaluate the usefulness of such surveys for detecting and mapping sedimentary­ hosted metallic ore deposits. Both transient and multifrequency systems were used for that purpose. The deposit consists of three zones of disseminated galena which also contain minor amounts of pyrite and sphalerite filling the interstices of the sandstone grains. Each zone overlies a basement depression and is separated from the adjacent zone by an intervening basement high. A conductive shale layer underlies the galena-rich sandstone formation at all three zones.Because the concentration of galena (3% to 4% ) and other sulfides is too low to affect the resistivity of the sandstone formations for detection by ground electromagnetic (EM) methods, the strategy for our survey was to look for areas of basement depressions and the presence of conductive shale in those depressions by EM depth soundings. The presence of the galena-rich sandstone formations could be inferred because of the close association of these two features with the deposits in the Yava area. Both transient and multifrequency EM systems were successful in mapping the basement depressions and detecting conductive shale at the three known mineralized zones. The technique, therefore, seems to offer good prospects for mapping similar stratabound sedimentary-hosted sulfide deposits."

Jan 1, 1993

By H. G. Iverson

The purpose of this investigation was to beneficiate the Talladega gray iron ores by flotation. A component of the problem was the determination of the degree of beneficiation possible by flotation as well as the relative selectivity of certain reagents in promoting flotation of either the iron minerals or the siliceous gangue minerals. The scope of the present investigation involved only the use of small-scale laboratory equipment. Treatment by roasting and magnetic separation was not included in this study, inasmuch as a similar comprehensive investigation was completed and the results were published by the Bureau of Mines in 1927. The results of the work on Talladega iron ores are briefly summarized in this report. In the search for efficient and economic methods of beneficiating low-grade iron ores, the flotation process is among those that are receiving considerable attention. The Talladega ores are of particular interest for a flotation study, because they contain two iron minerals (magnetite and specular hematite) that are somewhat dissimilar in their flotative response.

Jan 1, 1949

By Fuxing Yin, Akira Sato, Yoshiaki Ohsawa, Kohji Kawaharai

"INCRAMUTE alloy (nominally 45Mn-53Cu-2Al wt. %) has a specific damping capacity as high as 0.4, through a solid-solution and aging treatment. The damping behavior of the alloy is highly temperature-dependent and shows a peak near room temperature. The inadequate strength in the high damping condition restrains the practical application of the alloy, as structural components. Ferromagnetic MnB particles are dispersed in the alloy during induction remelting the matrix alloy in an argon atmosphere. Surface modification of the MnB particles by mechanical alloying (MA) and suitable control of the addition process cause a homogeneous distribution of MnB particles in the alloy. In the composite containing 2 wt. % MnB particles, temperature dependence of damping capacity is improved, and higher damping capacity is still retained in the temperatures over 60 °C. Meanwhile, the Young's modulus and tensile strength were also increased by about 20%. The roles of the MnB particles in improving both damping behavior and mechanical properties were also discussed.IntroductionMany viscoelastic materials, such as rubbers, polymers and plastics, have the superior ability to damp vibration and noise. However, in the applications as structural materials the high damping capacities of materials are pursued upon the satisfactory mechanical properties, especially those at elevated temperatures. Damping alloys are finding more and more applications in structures where noise and vibration ·should be ·eliminated. Specific damping capacity (SDC), defined as the ratio of the energy dissipated to the maximum vibration energy stored per cycle, is usually used to evaluate the damping capacity of alloys. INCRAMUTE damping alloy, developed by the International Copper Research Association, Inc., has a nominal composition of 45Mn-53Cu-2Al in weight percent. The high damping· microstructure of this alloy is obtained through the solution treatment at 820 °C followed by a water quench and aging at 400°C for 10 hours followed by cooling to room temperature [1]. With the heat treatment, a SDC peak ·vs. temperature of as high as 0.4 was observed in the alloy at the strain amplitude of about 10-3 while a tensile strength of about 500MPa was sustained."

Jan 1, 2000

By Will H. Coghill, I. L. Feld, G. D. Coe

"INTRODUCTION During the course of research on the beneficiation of the Big Seam iron ores of Birmingham, Ala., an urgent need was felt for quick iron assays of grab samples for mill control. Since the gangue minerals in these ores - quartz, limestone, and clay - all have about the same specific gravity, the use of a specific-gravity method was anticipated as a means of measuring the iron content. The idea of estimating the composition of a mineral mixture by measuring its specific gravity is by no means new. However, the usual method of carry in out this idea proved unreliable when applied to the Big Seam ores. The usual rapid method of determining specific gravity consists of measuring the volume of a known weight of sample that has been dried at high temperature. The inadequacy of this method led to the development of the rapid, modified, specific-gravity determination described in this paper.This work- was an incidental development resulting from research on beneficiation of iron ores by the Bureau of Mines, United States Department of the Interior, in cooperation with the University of Alabama and ore producing companies of the Birmingham district."

Jan 1, 1946

By Cloyd M. Smith

A FEW years ago, the Ventilation Committee established the practice of presenting one topic each year for discussion at the annual meeting. The practice has met good response on the part of committee members and I suggest that it be continued. The topic chosen for this year, "Underground Anemometry," is a topic which has bothered me for more than 20 years. It seems to me that the coal industry is content to rely on slipshod methods for measuring the rate of flow of air underground, so I prefaced my discussional charge to committee members with the statement that I regard air measurements made in the usual way, with hand held anemometer, as no good. Agreements and disagreements came in from more than a dozen engineers, some of whom are with operating companies, coal and metal; some with manufacturers; others with government agencies.

Jan 1, 1949

By Tianzu Yang, Weifeng Liu, Lin Chen, Wei Chen, DUCHAO ZHANG

Ni-M (Metal=Cu, Fe, Co, Mn, Zn, Cr) aerogel catalysts were tested for CH4 oxy-CO2 reforming. It was found that the Ni-Co bimetallic aerogel catalyst had the highest activity and stability in methane oxy-CO2 reforming among all the Ni-M aerogel catalysts. It exhibited a steady activity of 79 % (in terms of CH4 conversion) at 750 oC, which is the highest activity under a similar reaction condition as compared with those published in literature. Characterizations for the reduced catalysts indicated the formation of Ni-Co alloy, while other transition metals separated from Ni during the reduction process. Therefore, the active species in the Ni-Co bimetallic catalyst showed a stronger interaction than those in other Ni-M catalysts, which might be one of the main reasons for the better catalytic performance of the catalyst.

Jan 1, 2016

By Rebecca Mae Summer

Large scale surface mining has a major impact on land use. Without reclamation, abandoned mining sites are usually less productive than before mining. With increasing and completetive land use demands in the United States, it becomes increasingly evident that multiple land use should be considered for all areas that will be mined, with special emphasis on coal, sand, gravel, and stone. The mining of these commodities affects the largest land areas and the latter two are commonly mined near population centers where high land-use pressures justify serious consideration of multiple use. Typically, sequential use will mean restoration of the mined land or at least transformation of the land into a useable state. Determination of land reclamation capability is a viable approach to planning reclamation of surface mined land. The natural resource base--geology, soil, and water--controls the type and intensity of land-use practices which can be sustained following mining. Evaluating physical limitations can eliminate consideration of uses which would severely impair the environment or which are impractical. This approach provides for an environmentally and economically sound land use at very little cost. In addition, it can save or make money for the mining company and landowner. Sand and gravel is an especially significant resource because it is mined throughout the entire country and commonly extracted near cities. Increasing urban growth and industrial activity require increased supplies of sand and gravel. This translates into expanded surface mining and an increase of disrupted land. Oftentimes this land is within an urban area and has potential for real estate or water-based activities. Therefore, if reclamation is planned and carried out concurrently with mining, it is definitely feasible and

Jan 1, 1977

By H. V. Makar

The Bureau of Mines successfully demonstrated, on a pilot plant scale, a sodium sulfate (Na2S04) refining process for removal of copper from molten ferrous scrap. Previous tests established technical feasibility on a bench scale for achieving low copper concentrations and determining the principal factors controlling process efficiency. The pilot plant study involved a 1-ton arc furnace for melting ferrous scrap and a 1-1/2-ton treatment ladle. Results of these tests showed that copper removals obtained in laboratory tests (approximately 40 relative percent copper removal with 10 weight-percent surface addition of sodium sulfate) could be achieved on the pilot plant scale when excess carbon was added with the sodium sulfate compacts. Data were obtained on temperature losses and carbon consumption related to Na2SO4 treatment.

Jan 1, 1974

By G. H. Gronhovd

This report describes the design and initial operation of a slagging gasification pilot plant installed by the Bureau of Mines at the Lignite Research Laboratory, Grand Forks, N. Dak., in 1958-59. The tests covered in this report were conducted over a period of about 2 years, beginning in April 1959. The pilot plant was designed for eventual operation at pressures ranging from 400 to 600 p.s.i.g. (pounds per square inch gage); however, for the preliminary test reported here, the gasifier was fitted with a low-pressure slagging section and operated at atmospheric pressure and at 80 p.s.i.g. The reason for using a low-pressure slagging section for initial operation was to facilitate modifications in design during the development of a reliable slagging procedure.

Jan 1, 1962

By Robert Goldstein

A computer program for calculating the illumination on coal mine surfaces due to machine-mounted lights is described. Utilizing numerical models of mining machinery and measured data on luminaire output characteristics, the program computes the ft-candle levels incident on the mine entry surfaces for any desired machine/luminaire/ entry configuration. Shadowing effects of the machine are taken into account. Results are provided at 2 ft. intervals on the face, left and right walls, floor and roof. To provide a data base for these calculations, eleven 3-D machine models were prepared and the outputs of three luminaire types were measured. Calculations were done for thirty different configurations.

Jan 1, 1977

By Ron Light, Doug Applett

"HistoryThe Nanisivik mine began operation in October 1976 as the world's most northerly metal mine and the first permanent industrial project in the Canadian High Arctic. Located 700 km north of the Arctic Circle on Baffin Island's Strathcona Sound, exploration by Texasgulf Inc. between 1957 and 1970 had outlined the ore deposit. In 1974, Nanisivik Mines Ltd. was formed with Mineral Resources International, the Government of Canada, Metallgesellschaft and Billiton being shareholders, and Strathcona Mineral Services Ltd. providing project management. In 1996, Breakwater Resources purchased the mine from Alberta Energy Corporation Limited which had recently acquired the assets of then owners Conwest Exploration Ltd.Ore DepositThe main ore deposit is very flat, approximately 80 m in width and varying in thickness from 3 m to 16 m. The length of the deposit is approximately 3000 m with satellite zones located on the perimeter of the main zone. The economic mineralization is sphalerite with minor galena and silver. The sphalerite and galena are coarse grained and associated with pyrite as the main gangue component with minor inclusions pf dolomite and calcite within the deposit. The deposit being hosted in a permafi·ost environment creates a number of challenges. Dry drilling is employed in room and pillar production drilling. The permafrost aids in the stability of both the pillars and the back."

Jan 1, 2000

By Daniel Threlfall

The disposal of hazardous chemical wastes will be one of the major environmental issues of the 1980's. Approximately 50 million tons of hazardous wastes are produced yearly. One of the major aspects of the problem is the siting, design and construction of environmentally acceptable disposal facilities to accommodate this huge volume of material. Surface mines have been considered attractive for development as disposal sires for several reasons: 1. Surface mines represent an open pit that can conveniently serve as a repository for wastes. This could represent a significant economic savings when compared with sites on undisturbed lands chat might require extensive excavation or embankment construction.

Jan 1, 1981

By F. L. Wideman

This report describes a computer program that is used for the calculation of the coordinates and elevations of subsidence survey pins located by intersection. This program was developed for the Federal Bureau of Mines by the Numerical Analysis Laboratory, University of Arizona. These calculations, although relatively simple, are both tedious and time-consuming when computed with a desk calculator and trigonometric tables. In this survey, a large number of pins were surveyed repeatedly, and it was evident that both time and money could be saved by using a digital computer.

Jan 1, 1962

By X. Tong

Flotation researches of indium-beard marmatite from the Dulong multi-metallic ore in the Yunnan Province of China has been studied in order to improve the grades and recoveries of zinc and indium of the zinc concentrate in the Dulong concentration plant. The experimental results have shown that copper sulfate mixed with a chemical reagent X-1 as the activator in the marmatite flotation produced a much better beneficiation than copper sulfate alone, increasing the zinc and indium recoveries of 10% and 6%, respectively, while the concentrate grades were unchanged. Also, the new activator acted well around pH 10, allowing large savings on lime consumption in the marmatite flotation. In addition, it has been found that a sufficient activated time of activator with ore slur-ry in the flotation is needed to achieve good beneficiation of the marmatite ore.

Jan 1, 2014

By David A. Milligan

This paper describes the Darwin Silver Recovery project, located 66 km (40 miles) outside of Lone Pine, near Darwin, Inyo County, California. A lead-zinc mine and a flotation concentrator were operated there from 1945 to 1957. By the time the mine was shut down, 1.53 Tg (1.69 million short tons) of tailings had been stored in ponds. An average silver assay of 47 mg/kg (1.38 troy oz/st) of tailings stimulated interest for commercial silver recovery. A heap leach process was developed in 1981 at the Tucson Research Center of Anaconda Minerals Company, a division of Atlantic Richfield Company. Agglomeration techniques were used on the ore since the fine grind did not allow direct heap leaching. Lime and cement were required as binders, Early laboratory tests showed that recoveries equal to those from an agitated leach could be achieved at lower capital and operating costs. Laboratory tests determined cyanide requirements, lime and cement usages, and percolation or leach rates, as well as confirming that a zinc precipitation step could recover the silver from the leach solution.

Jan 1, 1983

By J. Drelich

The wetting behavior of liquid polymers at solid surfaces and the adhesion forces involved at polymer-filler interfaces should always be considered in the fabrication of high quality polymer composites, including those made with mineral fillers. Spontaneous polymer spreading over the filler surface is a basic condition in the fabrication of the polymer-mineral composites. In this regard, the wetting and adhesion characteristics of polymer-mineral systems are reviewed in this contribution. It appears that several aspects of wetting phenomena at mineral filler surfaces are not well described in the literature and require further systematic study. Specifically, it is clear from this review that efforts should be made to determine the effects of mineral surface contamination (including surface hydration) on wetting and adhesion phenomena, and to determine the wetting characteristics of molten polymers at mineral filler surfaces. It is expected that any improved fundamental understanding of wetting and adhesion phenomena for the polymer-mineral composites will provide the basis for further technological development.

Jan 1, 1995

By T. T. Read

"Employee representation in the management of large mining enterprises was first introduced in organized form, by the Colorado Fuel and Iron Co. in 1915. Within the past few years a number of the larger mining enterprises have introduced similar systems and there is growing interest in the subject. This will be stimulated by the final report of the President's Second Industrial Conference, in which the following statement occurs:""The conference finds that joint organization of management and employees where undertaken with sincerity and good will has a record of success. The general principles governing such organizations are stated at length under the title 'Employee Representation. It is not a field for legislation, because the form which employee representation should take may vary in every plant. The conference, therefore, does not direct this recommendation to legislators but to managers and employees.""If the joint organization of management and employees in the plant or industry fails to reach a collective agreement, or if without such joint organization, disputes arise which are not settled by existing agencies, then the conference proposes a system of settlement close at hand and under Government encouragement, and a minimum of regulation. The entrance of the Government into these problems should be to stimulate further cooperation."""

Mar 1, 1920

By Thien Sok, Yaojun Lu, Craig Gilbert, Jeremy Scott

Feedwells play a pivotal role in gravity thickeners, governing flow distribution, feed dilution, and flocculation condition during solid–liquid separation. This study presents an optimized design and digital prototyping framework for FLSmidth’s E-volute and E-Duc Feedwell systems, integrating advanced computational fluid dynamics (CFD) with quantitative criteria introduced at SME2024. Building on established FLS technologies, a series of novel configurations were developed and systematically assessed under full-scale and site-specific conditions. CFD provided quantitative insight into flow distribution, feed dilution, and flocculation efficiency, enabling iterative refinement of design parameters. The optimized feedwell demonstrated superior hydraulic performance, enhanced mixing, and improved flocculation outcomes. Beyond the specific design advances, the work highlights CFD as an effective and economical tool for digital prototyping, facilitating early identification of design limitations, reducing dependence on physical trials, and accelerating innovation. The methodology underscores the value of simulation-driven design in advancing feedwell performance and improving thickener technology.

Feb 22, 2026

By B. W. Hester

Report of discussion at January, 1971, general meeting (Chairman: M. J. Cahalan, President) of the paper published in Transactions/Section B (Applied Earth Science), vol. 79, May, 1970, pp. B60-B67, and contributed remarks. Comments were made by Taylor J.T.M., James C.H., Lethbridge R.F. and Heath K.C.G.

Dec 1, 1971