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By M Foster

The new environmental legislation of 1986 was left incomplete and to date remains so. The 'missing' process by which environmental consideration should be applied was never embodied in law and has predisposition to a wide interpretation. The Resource Statutes which govern land use and development place demands on the environmental process without that definition. The Resource Statutes are themselves under review by Government. There is a new Government Department of Conservation. It is still in its early days and facing a challenge to compose its role as a steward over large tracts of land holding significant marketable resources, animal, vegetable, mineral, and abstract. It has also taken over numerous consent and advocacy roles in legislation beyond its own empowering Act. Enter the mining company, anxious if not able to get an easy passage for consents to prospect and mine, then at least to have a clear path to tread to get there, within a fixed time period. Whichever options appear available to process environmental approvals, public participation is that being favoured most by the regulatory bodies. Where a public notification of consent applications is mandatory, public participation should lead to the fastest track available.

Jan 1, 1988

By M. Kawulak

The necessity to protect the environment can limit mining activities and make some areas less attractive for the prospecting and exploration of mineral deposits. In Poland, the main environmental factors that restrain Irumng are: 1. Regional A Protection of the landscape B. Protection of ground water from contamination and depletion 2. Local A Conservation of fertile soils B. Conservation of forest resources C. Preservation of natural, cultural, and historical monuments The regional factors listed above that can limit mining are presented on a map of Poland. These data, combined with maps of known and potential mineral deposits, make it possible to delineate general levels of limitation for various mining-related activities varying from "no existing environmental limitations" to "no allowed industrial activity" As an example, a compilation of such data is presented for lignite exploration and mining in Poland. Lignite deposits occur within Upper Paleocene to Upper Miocene clastic strata at depths ranging from a few to 300 m. The thickness of the lignite is generally a few meters, but can locally reach over 100 m within grabens. As a result, the overburden-to-lignite thickness ratio varies from less than 1 to over 20. Within the same Tertiary strata, and within overlying Quaternary strata, several aquifers exist that produce good quality water that may be contaminated or depleted during lignite mining. The protection of these ground waters is the main factor limiting lignite mining and should be addressed in mining and environmental policy and planning.

Jan 1, 1996

By Norbert L. Piret

From the copper smelter operation a various outputs are to exert negative impacts on the environment. Particularly, emissions like SO2 and dusts, solid wastes like contaminated gypsum and arsenic sludge, effluents and heated cooling water are generated. Most countries have sitipulated an environmental legislation to provide the framework for an efficient environmental management. As part of the planning activities for x major greenfield copper smelter, the Following elaborations are required and were drawn up. -The Environmental Impact Assessment which is the first step of environmental management and mandatory for every new project. - The Environmental Monitoring Plan, which describes the monitoring procedures for the main impacts identified and assessed. -The Environmental Management Plan, which deals with the minimization of environmental impacts, and the methods of its implementation.

Jan 1, 1996

By Verne Huser

The intensity of environmental conflict, the delays and legal battles that have marked the 1970's suggest the need for additional processes to resolve environmental disputes. Our present means frequently fail to address the real issues separating individuals and institutions. They are primarily adversary processes that foster polarization and reduce cooperative efforts. At the Office of Environmental Mediation, we have no quarrel with adversary processes nor with polarization, for both serve as important spurs to necessary change. We do seek cooperation among parties at a point where there can be a realistic expectation of success in facilitating a resolution of their mutual differences.

Jan 1, 1979

By R. N. Chakravorty

Environmental monitoring plays a key role in coal mine safety. In recent years, significant advances have been made in the development of systems suitable for monitoring air in underground coal mines. Because of intensive mining and large capital outlay, the need for higher productivity consistent with safety is well recognized and it appears that environmental monitoring may help achieve this objective. This paper reviews the state-of- the-art in the monitoring technology with particular reference to hazardous gas detection in underground coal mines. The preliminary results obtained from ongoing studies, with regard to continuous monitoring of methane and carbon monoxide in mine air in some of the operations in Western Canada, are discussed. The inadequacies of the methods using spot samples are examined and the need to supplement the present practice with continuous monitoring systems is emphasized.

Jan 1, 1979

By X Sun, L B. Zhou, H Yi, X Tang, P Ning

The rapid industrialisation in China has consumed large amounts of various industrial raw materials, which has left behind large quantities of industrial solid wastes produced from the processes of mining, mineral processing and smelting. The storage of huge quantities of industrial solid wastes is an obvious risk to the environment and human well-being. As the first step to fully appreciate the scale of this risk, it is necessary to carry out research for developing a pollution source environmental risk assessment system (PSERAS), especially for the typical staple industrial solid waste (TSISW). This paper aims to discuss the frame of the PSERAS for TSISW for large scale production. This system consists of two aspects: predicted factors and accidental ones, which involve physical, chemical and biological risk assessments, on-site and during transportation process. Two analysis methods, the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and fuzzy logic assessment (FLA) were used to handle the complexity of environment and non-quantitative data. The risk assessment system for such a complex objective is difficult and the assessment of relative factors is problematic through the usual quantitative analysis. With the proposed PSERAS, it is possible to define the risk class of pollution sources. Furthermore, the risk assessment results will be helpful to the decision-maker, especially when facing unknown risks in the environmental management of industrial solid wastes. In addition, by means of the PSERAS, risk factors can be ranked against their contributions to environmental risk, in order to calculate their relative priorities in decision-making.CITATION:Sun, X, Ning, P, Tang, X, Yi, H and Zhou, L B, 2012. Environmental risk assessment system for typical staple industrial solid wastes, in Proceedings Life-of-Mine 2012 , pp 301-304 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Jul 10, 2012

Results of laboratory studies on the flotation of marmatite (zinc sulphide) with new reagents, which were developed to avoid the use of copper sulphate, are presented.Episulphides were chosen as the basis for the reagents because of their reported special chemical affinity for zinc and cadmium. Attempts were made to solubilize and introduce functional groups to episulphides with organic and inorganic acids, ammonia, phenol, aniline, diethylamine, and pyridine. As a class of reagents, the episulphide-amine combination was generally found effective in zinc sulphide flotation to a greater or lesser degree. Best results were obtained with ethylene sulphide-aniline combination. Although anilino-ethyl mercaptan is the reported reaction product of aniline and ethylene sulphide, it was concluded that the effective zinc sulphide flotation with ethylene sulphide-aniline combination is not entirely due to the formation of the mercaptan.The economics of the possible usage of ethylene sulphide-aniline reagent are discussed.

Jan 1, 1974

A subsurface study of the Maria Lode and associated hydrothermal alteration of andesites within the Karangahake epithermal gold-silver deposit defined the local evolutionary sequence in the once active geothermal system.   Some implications for mining of epithermal deposits arise as a result.

Jan 1, 1984

By Barbara J. Arnold

The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) and six EPRI-member utilities are sponsoring research to define relationships between coal properties and coal handling behavior. Deratings and outages caused by plugged chutes or bunkers or frozen coal can cost utilities millions of dollars annually in lost energy production as well as in manpower to restore coal flow. There is also the added expense of maintaining redundant equipment to assure a continuous coal feed to the boiler, a common practice for utilities. Over the past two years, researchers at CQ Inc. and Iowa state university have collected and analyzed coal samples to develop a coal handleability index for utilities to use when specifying coals for their power plants. These coal samples cover ranges in ash content, rank, grindability, size distribution, and moisture content--properties that affect the handling behavior of coals. Other properties, such as the washability and ash composition, are measured as well. Over the remaining two years of the project, all of these analyses will be correlated to handling behavior, measured using a triaxial shear tester that determines the strength of a coal under compression. An index will be developed and validated at host utility power plants.

Jan 1, 1991

By Shubin Wang

Copper(II) and nickel(II) are often recovered from ammoniacal alkaline solutions by solvent extraction using hydroxyoxime extractants: both copper(II) and nickel(II) are extracted from ammoniacal alkaline solutions and, from the loaded organic phase, nickel(II) is selectively stripped with a dilute acid followed by copper(II) stripping with an acid of higher concentration. Since a small portion of ammonia is co-extracted with copper and nickel, the extracted ammonia should be scrubbed using a dilute acid before metal stripping. In the present study, a mechanistic model has been developed in order to support design and control of this process. The equilibrium distribution ratios of copper(II), nickel(II), and ammonia at 298 K using LIX® 84-I (active component, 2-hydroxy-5-nonylacetophenone oxime) as the extractant are successfully correlated by considering the relevant equilibria. Based on these results, quantitative prediction of equilibrium distribution ratios in the process has been made possible, and suitable conditions for the efficient separation of copper(II) and nickel(II) are discussed.

By Donald C. Myntti

INTRODUCTION A major segment in a successful heavy equipment maintenance and repair program is the provision of well-laid out and well-equipped shop and service facilities The facilities described here will be those required for a large, high tonnage hard rock open pit mine utilizing rotary drills, shovels, haulage trucks, support equipment, and service trucks. The term support equipment covers the equipment required to support the drill, shovel, and truck operations, these are crawler tractors, road graders, front-end loaders, water trucks, rollers, rubber-tired tractors, etc. Service trucks are the automotive type consisting of rubber-tired over-the- road equipment. The primary structures generally involved in the total maintenance effort are as follows. (1) the main shop with an attached warehouse (the structure could also house the tire and lube shops plus the equipment cleaning stalls), (2) a service station with bulk petroleum product storage tanks, (3) a heating plant, (4) a security station (lf this is a corporate requirement), (5) operating department and employee assembly buildings, and (6) an electrical substation. Under certain conditions, many of these facilities with the exception of the substation could be combined In one or several structures. This arrangement could have a great advantage especially in areas where the heating of the structures is extremely critical.

Jan 1, 1979

By A. Paviani

The subject of this session is "Equipment Installa­tion, Recent Developments". This is a subject which is not usually addressed at conferences of Foundation Engineering. It is rare to find sessions dealing with the technological side of deep foundations, a subject which only recently seems to have aroused sufficient interest at national and international conferences. It is therefore natural for the subject of "Equipment", or the tools used to implement the various "technologies", to be over­looked or mentioned only occasionally during the discussion of other issues. At conferences, most of the attention is attached to research and to the theoretical interpretation of the performance and behaviour of deep foundations, as well as to establishing the most suitable calculation algorithms and approaches for the study, design and control of foundation structures. It is almost as if the subject of equipment is felt to be less important or, perhaps, that it is considered to belong more strictly to mechanical engineering than to civil engineering.

Jan 1, 1994

By James Douglas

For the past several years, inflation has placed increasing pressure on our economic system. The total effect of inflation is complex when combined with other factors which affect the economics of equipment. A mathematical model is described herein which can be programmed on a computer to determine the effect of inflation on economic life and profits after taxes. The computer output results in graphic plots which clearly show the relation of various percentages of inflation to life and profits. Inflation has become a common topic of conversation in the recent past. What is it and how can it be measured? What effect does increased inflation have on equipment policy? Research now in progress at the Construction Institute at Stanford University is beginning to unravel some of the mystery of inflation. As a start, let us answer the first question by defining the word inflation. The dictionary says that inflation is "an increase in the volume of money and credit relative to available goods resulting in a substantial and continuing rise in the general price level. It appears, in fact, that we are in an inflationary spiral which is "a continuous rise in prices that is sustained by the tendency of wage increases and cost increases to act on each other." 3 Inflation behaves just like compound interest. It takes more dollars of future years to buy an equal amount of a given commodity, be it a material or a service. Let us assume an annual inflation rate of 5 percent. Assume that 1Associate Professor of Civil Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California. 2Webster's Seventh New Collegiate Dictionary, Springfield, Mass., G. and C. Merriam Co., 1969. 3Ibid.

Jan 1, 1972

By G. R. Waters

NMR360 is developing a suite of chloride-based metals extraction processes, with the first commercial operation scheduled for commissioning late in 2018. It is critical, therefore, that with the introduction of any new technology, that the circuits do not suffer from mechanical failures which will compromise the operation. Although chloride leaching is at atmospheric pressure and relatively low temperature, the main challenge is preventing corrosion, since the high proton activity makes even a small amount of acid behaves as though it were concentrated. An additional challenge in concentrated chloride circuits is the potential for solids precipitation. In this context, therefore, correct valve selection is crucial, and NMR360 has partnered with CGIS to ensure that the Severe Service Valves (SSVs) needed will perform over and above the definitions of the Manufacturers Standardization Society (MSS) of the Valve and Fittings Industry. This paper outlines what the minimum requirements are for SSVs in chloride leaching applications, drawing on five decades of industry experience from one of Canada’s leading valve experts.

By I KylmSkorpi, H Mansikkaviita

The traditional direct-heated drying process has been replaced by the steam drying process in non-ferrous metal smelters, where steam is available from waste heat boilers. Many recent projects have selected Kumera Steam Dryers in equipping a new production line or modifying an old production line. The industrial performance of the steam dryers has shown significant energy saving and emission reduction. The steam dryers have been operated at high availability and long maintenance interval. As the process principle of Kumera Steam Dryer is different from other equipment, the set-up for steam dryer plants is configured to fit the smelter site and operation conditions to achieve optimal performance. This article discusses the equipment involved in the steam drying process and their combination options.

Jan 1, 2008

By L. A. Ayres da Silva, J. P. G. Negri, A. L. M. Ayres da Silva

"Rock hardness is dependent on the type and quantity of the various mineral constituents of the rock and the bond strength that exists between the mineral grains. As the book “The Complete ISRM Suggested Methods For Rock Characterization, Testing and Monitoring:1974-2006” explains, hardness is a concept of material property. As such, the quantitative measure of hardness depends on the type of the test employed.Among the three types of tests that have been used to measure the hardness of rocks and minerals: 1) indentation tests; 2) dynamic and rebound tests; 3) scratch tests, the authors of this paper chose indentation tests, more specifically the Vickers test, and complementary verified the correlation between the results of the Schmidt sclerometer tests (rebound tests) and the Vickers microhardness tests in a set of the same 9 (nine) granite rocks.The objective of this research was to verif y the correlation of one created index, based on the Vickers test that can be able to represent the rock material hardness. We know that Vickers tests determine the microhardness of individual rock minerals. A pyramidal shaped diamond is applied to the surface with a specified force. The area of the permanent residual deformation divided by the applied force is a measure of the hardness. Using the relative participation of the mineral components of the rock, we established a hardness index denominated EVM (Equivalent Vickers Microhardness).The correlation of the EVM with others strength properties and application parameters like UCS (Uniaxial Compressive Strength) to study sawability of granite blocks have presented very good results. The association of equivalent microhardness with others strength parameters, allowed to find powerful algorithms for analyzes of the rock materials behavior under diversified circumstances, as the sawability of granite blocks, as we can see in Fig. 1.Other very interesting correlations were found as the EVM values and that were obtained by the use of the Schmidt impact hammer for the superficial hardness determination."

Jan 1, 2015

By Chris Jobes, Alan Mayton, N. Kumar Kittusamy, Dean Ambrose

NIOSH researchers conducted a study to compare seat designs on underground coal mine haulage vehicles. The objective of the study was to support prior findings that NIOSH-designed seats, which incorporated ergonomic design features (e.g., viscoelastic foam padding and low-back support), are improved designs. Based on measured levels of vehicle jarring/jolting and perceived discomfort, researchers evaluated four different designs - two in-use and two NIOSH-developed, ergonomic designs. Researchers collected data using a short questionnaire, a linear, visual analog scale, and accelerometers with a data recorder. Results showed that vehicle operators favored the NIOSH seats with added adjustability, low-back support, and improved seat padding over the existing seats. In addition, the measurements indicated all NIOSH seats performed better than the existing seat, under the no-load (worse of two) conditions, in reducing peak acceleration, crest factor, and RMS acceleration. The authors summarize the data collected and operator preferences for seat designs and different foam padding arrangements.

By Aruna Mangalpady, Sandeep Kumar Jeripotula, Govinda Raj Mandela

Injuries due to work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are not uncommon in heavy industry like mining. Researchers acknowledged that occupational exposure to ergonomic risk factors is the chief causative factor in the development ofWMSDs. The aim of this study was to perform an ergonomic assessment of musculoskeletal disorders among surface mine workers in India. Standardized Nordic Questionnaire was used to collect subjective response from 500 workers. A stratified random sampling method according to surface mining work activity type was used to obtain the sample. Data was collected by means of a structured questionnaire, and the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to analyze data using descriptive and inferential statistical methods. A response rate of 85% was obtained out of 500 targeted groups. TheWMSDs prevalence for the 12-month period was estimated to be 44.23%. The mean and standard deviation of workers’ age were 41.31and 8.927, respectively. The study has shown that the operators of dumpers, dozers, and graders along with electricians were found to be the most susceptible to developWMSD problems. Among the most affected body parts, back disorder reported the highest. Further, it was found that working with static posture over the longer duration has a significant association with the lower back disorder (with p = 0.020) and bouncing and jarring has also significantly associated with the lower back disorder (with p = 0.023). Similarly, a significant association was found between repetitive work and neck pain (with p = 0.016). The study depicted a significant association between ergonomic hazards and WMSDs, like working with prolonged static posture, bouncing and jarring, and repetitive work.

Mar 13, 2020

By Cindy Schiewek

Industrial injury occurrences are an ongoing concern for Mine Operators. Along with the personal suffering of injured workers comes an increase in compensation and productivity costs. Growing recognition of repetitive stress and bodily injuries, accompanied by recent studies, validates the assumption that a relationship exists between ergonomic injuries and machine design. Intuitively, there is a belief that an ergonomically designed machine will reduce repetitive stress injuries through design and education however; quantifying this belief has been a challenge for Mine Operators. Sandvik Tamrock has undertaken a project aimed at developing a business model to assist in quantifying the benefits of ergonomic intervention. This model focuses on distinguishing and quantifying this method of intervention to allow for a better evaluation of the machine. For simplicity, the project initially focused on the Face Drill Jumbos. The target of the project was three fold: !" Recognition of the cost drivers for compensation; ergonomic injuries !" Identification of the relationship between ergonomic machine design, and the decrease of the negative effects associated with the cost drivers !" Systematic prioritization for ?prevention by design? The project findings substantiate the expected reduction in injuries and compensation claims. Based on all ergonomic intervention studies conducted, each case showed a reduction in compensation cost; through prevention by design, one can reduce the amount of potential risk. The paper addresses the resources and methodology used, along with the findings and its relevance to the issues that face the Mining industry.

May 1, 2003

By F. C. Turin, K. M. Cornelius

1. INTRODUCTION Underground mining in the USA has undergone significant change in the past 20 years. Two key elements have been increased mechanization and a more educated work force in spite of these changes, many jobs continue to be labor-intensive and repetitive in nature. They entail tasks that, performed over time, can take a toll on the soft tissues and joints. The problem may be compounded by an aging mining workforce. In 1996 the mean age of the coal mining work force was 45 years and the median total years of experience was 20 (NMA 1998). As a person ages, the body resilience to chronic wear and. tear is reduced, which may cause a worker to pay an increasingly higher health price for performing the same task. Mining companies, like many others, are becoming more aware of cumulative effects to the worker as reports of these types of injuries rise. . Conducting a job analysis is an important step when considering a job redesign or modification to reduce worker cumulative trauma exposure. A basic approach to job analysis is to examine the types of aches and pains reported, the tasks performed, and work site conditions. The US Bureau of Mines (USBM) conducted an evaluation of roof-bolting tasks performed at an underground coal mine concerned about early warning signs of cumulative trauma. This evaluation will comprise the primary focus of this chapter. The approach used for the roof-bolting race study may be applicable to other work environments. 2. FUNDAMENTALS OF CUMULATIVE TRAUMA EXPOSURE Musculoskeletal injury is a term used to describe a wide range of soft tissue disorders that affect the nerves, tendons and muscles. Common examples include lower back pain, tendinitis and carpal tunnel syndrome. The majority of these injuries are not the result of sudden mishaps, but usually develop gradually from repeated wear and tear. Symptoms may not appear immediately, but can take weeks, months or even years. Symptoms may result from many types of activities, performed at work or at home, and it is often difficult to attribute there to a single event. In fact, it is more common to identify factors that may have contributed to the development of the condition. The terms repetitive strain injuries or cumulative trauma disorders (CTD) have been commonly used to refer to disorders that have occurred due to work-related activities. Three main risk factors contribute to CTD: force, repetition and awkward postures. Any one or combination of these may contribute to the development of CTD. Therefore, the design of equipment in conjunction with the required tasks should be evaluated when attempting to reduce these risk factors. Examining the layout of the work area to help identify tasks which may contribute to cumulative trauma is necessary. The following list (Putz-Anderson 1988), describes ergonomics concerns that, overall, should be minimized at the work area: • Crowding or cramping the worker: a work area layout may unnecessarily constrain movements of the worker. • Twisting or turning: placement of tools and materials may require the worker to twist the spine to fulfill the requirements of the job. • Repeated reaching motions: the layout of the work area may require the worker to lean to reach and grasp the necessary tools and controls. • Misalignment of body parts: the arrangement of the work area may require the worker to frequently have one shoulder higher than the other or have the neck or spine bent to one side. While many of these concerns are a function of equipment design and environmental conditions, making workers aware of these issues may help them to adapt their work habits to reduce risk of injury. Additionally, this information is useful when conducting an ergonomic evaluation of a work area and associated tasks. 3. UNDERGROUND MINING ENVIRONMENT The underground mining environment is a unique challenge. It is more difficult to develop controls for an underground mine site as compared with a factory setting where equipment and facilities can be more easily designed to reduce worker force, posture and repetitive exposures. In an underground mine, workers are required to perform labor-intensive tasks that often cannot be avoided due to environment constraints. The dynamic nature of the environment does not allow easy implementation of mechanical assists to reduce force exposure. Many of the tasks performed by workers are repetitive. Restrictive work areas due to low ceiling height, low lighting levels and large pieces of equipment cause workers to perform these tasks in postures that are not desirable. Designers of underground mining equipment can control how a machine will function, but not the environment in which it will be used, Hazards in an underground mine cannot be completely removed by redesigning the system. There are many hazards and information sources that must be continually monitored by workers including their position in relation to large pieces of mobile equipment and unpredictable geological anomalies. Thus, immediate dangers may take priority over awareness of ergonomic considerations while performing a job. 4. CASE STUDY OF UNDERGROUND ROOF BOLTING 4.1. Roof Bolting and Cumulative Trauma Exposure In an underground coalmine, after an area is mined it is necessary to support the roof to keep it from collapsing. Since 1950, the primary method for supporting the mine roof has been installation of roof bolts. Long bolts installed into the roof compress the layers of strata achieving a uniformly distributed support anchorage. Roof bolts, typically 6-8 feet long, are installed by workers using large roof-bolting machines. There are different types of machines