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By John L. Watson

The processes of magnetic separation and cyclone classification are common in the mineral processing industry, and frequently the two are found in consecutive stages in the beneficiation of a magnetic mineral ore. The application of a magnetic field across the cyclone, to combine the two stages in treating a magnetic mineral pulp, has been investigated with a view to possible practical applications in the mineral industry The results of this research reveal that magnetic particles can be manipulated within the cyclone body by the application of a magnetic field, and that magnetic grades may be significantly upgraded with recoveries in excess of 90%.

Jan 1, 1983

By Morrison R. D

This paper describes major events in the design, construction, camtissioning and operation of the Elura concentrator. It covers the period fran September, 1974 when laboratory testwork on drill core cotmenced to March, 1983 when the concentrator catmenced operation on run of mine ore following successful completion of initial ccnmissioning tests. The concentrator was designed to treat 1.1 million tonnes of lead-zinc-silver ore per year with a plant availability of 89 per cent. This treatment rate has been achieved for test periods.

Jan 1, 1983

By Dwight L. Sawyer

To provide technology that can help decrease the dependence of the U.S. aluminum industry on imported bauxite, the main ore of aluminum, the Bureau of Mines is investigating the extraction of aluminum from abundant domestic reserves of kaolinitic clay. Miniplant studies of the continuous leaching of calcined kaolin with boiling 25-pct HC1 acid resulted in a 93- to 99-pct extraction of the acid-soluble alumina in the calcined kaolin feed. Data are presented for an acid leaching study carried out in three or four continuously stirred tank reactors (CSTR) in series, feed rates of 100 to 250 lb/hr of calcined kaolin, and total nominal residence times of 0.7 to 2.3 hr. A material balance for a 176-lb/hr calcined kaolin feed rate in a circuit consisting of three reactors, four classifiers, and five thickeners is given. Data provide detailed compositional and physical information for calcined kaolin, process liquors, and acid-leached residue solids.

Jan 1, 1983

By James M. Barker

Sulfur is a nonmetallic element of great physical and economic importance to the world. It is widely but sparingly distributed throughout the hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere. Sulfur is the tenth most abundant element in the universe and eighth most abundant in the sun. In the earth's crust, which is mainly igneous, it ranks 14th, but is eighth or ninth in sediments (Kaplan, 1972; Stanton, 1972). It apparently is very abundant in the core of the earth, because it is a strong chalcophile, and it is fifth in abundance in stony and iron meteorites (Field, 1972) where it occurs as trolite (FeS). In ancient times sulfur was called brimstone, literally "burning stone." Today the term brimstone is used interchangeably with the term elemental sulfur. Shelton (1979) summarized most of the common definitions of terms, grades, and specifications for the sulfur industry as follows (with minor additions): Sources of Sulfur: Combined sulfur-Sulfur that occurs in nature combined with other elements. Cupriferous pyrites-Pyrite containing relatively minor amounts of copper sulfide minerals. Hydrogen sulfide-A toxic gas (H2S) occurring in natural gas and petroleum. Involuntary sulfur-Sulfur produced primarily as a result of legislative or process mandates. Native sulfur-Sulfur that occurs in nature in the elemental (uncombined) form. Nonferrous metal sulfides-Copper, lead, zinc, nickel, and molybdenum sulfides that are processed for their metal content. Organic sulfurs-Complex organic sulfur compounds occurring in petroleum, coal, oil shale, and tar sands. Pyrites-Iron sulfide minerals that include pyrite, marcasite, and pyrrhotite. Sulfate sulfurs-Sulfur in anhydrite and gypsum. Voluntary sulfur-Sulfur produced in response to market forces. Basic Sulfur Products Produced and Marketed: Acid sludge-Contaminated sulfuric acid usually returned to acid plants for reconstitution. Brimstone-Synonymous with crude sulfur. Bright sulfur-Crude sulfur free of discoloring impurities and bright yellow in color. Broken sulfur-Solid crude sulfur crushed to -8 in. Byproduct sulfuric acid--Sulfuric acid produced as a byproduct of a metallurgical or industrial process, generally relating to combined sulfur sources. Crude sulfur-Commercial nomenclature for elemental sulfur. Dark sulfur-Crude sulfur discolored by minor quantities of hydrocarbons ranging up to 0.3 % carbon content. Elemental sulfur-Processed sulfur in the elemental form produced from native sulfur or combined sulfur sources, generally with a minimum sulfur content of 99.5%. Formed sulfur-Elemental sulfur cast or pressed into particular shapes to enhance handling and to suppress dust generation and moisture retention. Frasch sulfur-Elemental sulfur produced from native sulfur sources by the Frasch mining process. Hydrogen sulfide-Associated with natural gas or petroleum and produced at refineries and coke oven plants; used to make sulfuric acid or recovered sulfur. Liquid sulfur-Synonymous with molten sulfur. Liquid sulfur dioxide-Purified sulfur dioxide compressed to the liquid phase. Molten sulfur-Crude sulfur in the molten phase.

Jan 1, 1983

By J. O?Hanlon

The 4500 m3 blast furnace at the Redcar Works of ESC operates or, a burden of sinter and pellets, both materials being produced within the works. The early history of the furnace was given to the AIME Ironmaking Conference in 1981(1) when the burden was 65% superfluxed minter and 33% acid pellets. While ironmaking performance was adequate, it was felt that there were advantages to be gained by the use of fluxed pellets. For example, Kobe Steel had reported (2) that the rise of 30-50% dolomite fluxed pellets had enabled them to achieve better furnace permeability, higher gas utilisation, and enhanced ore/coke ratios. It appeared probable to BSC that the use of magnesia-bearing fluxed pellets would give a burden which had compatibility of softening and melting properties, i.e., fluxed sinter and dolomite pellets would result in a thinner cohesive zone because of closer matching of softening and melting temperatures, with consequential benefits on furnace stability and efficiency.

Jan 1, 1983

By Jack E. Brockway

As tunnel boring machine technology has expanded, so has its range of application. Tunneling machines (TBM's) are tackling tasks today that fifteen years ago were considered "inappropriate". A case in point is incline/decline TBM boring. An incline or decline bore presents peculiar design considerations that differentiate it from a horizontal bore. This paper reviews those design considerations as they apply to TBM's, backup, muck handling and other tunneling subsystems. In addition, several abbreviated case studies are presented. By the review of real life tunneling techniques as well as design considerations, the "appropriateness" of TBM incline/ decline boring today becomes apparent. INCLINE Introduction In contemplating the impact of incline versus horizontal tunnel boring system design, the obvious consideration is gravity. Up-hill boring can be quite different than horizontal boring. Muck, water and machine weight all tend to slide down the incline. In addition, hydraulic and lubrication systems if unaltered, will find their fluids pooled in the lower corners contentedly ignoring such higher elevation items as gears and bearings. In order to address this inherent gravity problem, a review of

Jan 1, 1983

By W C. Brukle

Our title for this presentation could be taken in many ways. One course would be terrifying and that would be to cite incredibly bad practices. All of our votes/efforts should be for the reverse direction in which everyone does his/her best to keep their pit or working place free from hazards.

Jan 1, 1983

By Wallace W. Roepke

The Bureau of Mines conducted a series of experiments using Illinois No. 6 coal to determine the effect of asymmetric wear on airborne respirable dust (ARD), specific energy, cutting force, and normal force. Plumb-bob-type bits--one new bit and four ground with different sized flats--were used. Constant-depth linear cuts at 0.32, 0.64, 1.27, and 2.54-cm cut depths were made. Both cutting force and normal force increased as the flat area increased. Specific energy demonstrated a statistically significant increase with flat area at the 0.32-and 1.27-cm cut depth only. Specific ARD showed a statistically significant decrease with increasing flat area only at the 0.64-cm cut depth. Increasing cut depth increased cutting force but decreased specific energy and specific ARD. Normal force increased with increasing cut depth for the new bit but exhibited a maximum at 0.64 cm for the bits with flats.

Jan 1, 1983

By Burt A. Waite

The new OSM regulations for ground water monitoring of underground coal mines have been the source of many concerns for the mining industry. Because the regulations were initially written at the federal level, but are being administered at the state level, considerable confusion still exists within the industry as to what is really required. Based on submission and/or approval of more than 30 monitoring plans for existing mines in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Ohio, three basic sections are necessary. They are: 1. background data on the hydrogeologic setting of the mine, 2. the monitoring plan itself, and 3. mining procedures to minimize adverse effects on ground water. Like all of the OSM requirements, ground water monitoring will be a new burden the coal industry must bear, but with proper planning and communication with the regulatory authorities it need not be as bad as originally feared.

Jan 1, 1983

By Spencee L. Willett

A sand and gravel deposit exists in the Wildrose Canyon Wilderness Study Area (WSA), Out it is limited to local use because of the distance from major markets and resulting high transportation costs. The WSA has no identified metallic minerals, oil, gas or other energy related deposits. INTRODUCTION The WSA encompasses 17,366 acres (7,028 ha) in the Panamint Range, Inyo County, California. Access to the area is by State Route 190, approximately 45 miles (72.4 km) east of Lone Pine, California and 16 miles (26 km) southwest of Stovepipe Wells, California (fig. 1).

Jan 1, 1983

By Peter Loehr

Full-face tunnelling machines were introduced into German coal mines 12 years ago. It was aimed to utilize these highly efficient systems to drive mine tunnels in rock so that the large demand for development work in some mines could be met. A characteristic feature of coal deposits in Germany - and particularly in the Ruhr Area - is a thick overburden strata. Access is therefore only possible through vertical shafts. A network of horizontal drivages leading from these shafts open the deposits between the different mine levels. The hardcoal-bearing formations are multi-folded and heavily tectonically stressed. Apart from a few extensive fault zones there are many single faults of different natures in the carboniferous strata. During the course of decades coal mining has penetrated to ever increasing depths. Nowadays coal is mined from depths of between 600 m and 1,200 m. The effects of ground pressure in connection with extremely varying rock strengths and high temperatures are particular difficulties which have to be overcome during drivage work. The first full-face tunnelling machines to be applied in the mines had originally bee deigned and developed for tunnelling projects. Not only the machines themselves, but also the back-up equipment had to be adapted to meet the special demands of German coal mines.

Jan 1, 1983

By D F. S Natusch, R J. Hooper

Recent lignite investigations indicate their potential as a strategic long-term fuel resource. This potential however would be determined not only by lignite quantity and quality, but also by economic, physical and social resources required to support it. The following discussion uses the example of a typical lignite mining operation to review the major resource requirements. While recognising that the implications of supplying those resources may be as important as their actual existence, this paper has purposely omitted such discussion as this will be one of the main target areas for the next phase of investigations.

Jan 1, 1983

By Gordon DM

Tyres account for 25-30 per cent of the operating costs of large capacity haul units as used in open-cut mines.Tyre operating costs can be substantially reduced and often contained in real terms by applying knowledge that is now available.This paper describes certain specific advances in tyre management, namely batching, bias adjustment, cumulative plotting and the so-called "pressure-temperature" system of tyre pressure control, originated on the Mt Newman Mining Company's Newman minesite, and discusses the contribution that each has made to improving tyre management and reducing costs.

Jan 1, 1983

By R. C. Schmidt, B. E. Kennedy

The Mont Klahoyo magnetite deposit is located about 600 km (373 miles) northwest of Abidjan, Ivory Coast. During an exploration period ending in 1977 an international joint venture group investigated the deposit and proved reserves of 670 Mt (739 million short tons) grading 36% iron. The deposit occurs at the northeast end of the Baoubly-Kiriao chain of Precambrian iron formations with associated amphibolites, pyroxenites, and gneisses of the Liberian Shield. The ore body is represented by a highly metamorphosed banded quartz-magnetite iron formation with alternating beds of iron silicates and quartz-magnetite. Amphibolite-pyroxenites and sillimanite-cordierite-garnet gneisses form hanging and footwall rocks. The iron formation has been folded into an elongated, overturned 2-shaped major drag fold with axes trending and plunging approximately northeast. Beds are vertical or dip steeply to the southeast. The ore zone has an average thickness of 130 m (427 ft) and outcrops intermittently over a distance of approximately 5.5 km (3.4 miles). Based upon detailed studies of drill cores and the results of ore dressing test work, eight stratigraphic units, identified as K- 1 to K-8, are recognizable in the iron formation. Four interbedded units are low grade silicate zones (silicate facies) while the remaining quartz-magnetite units are oxide facies, representing the important Mont Klahoyo deposit ores. Ore-bearing "K" units are subdivided further into 11 ore types, based upon their specific lithologies, iron content, and concentration characteristics. Identification of these ore types proved particularly useful to mine planning and flowsheet design. A cap of oxidized material overlies the primary quartz- magnetite iron formation, but no enrichment has occurred. It is thought that the Mont Klahoyo iron formations were deposited chemically in a volcanic environment as a siliceous iron formation with volcanism the primary source of iron and silica. Metamorphism converted the siliceous iron formation to a coarse-grained, quartz-magnetite-silicate iron formation.

Jan 1, 1983

By John P. Borovsky

A 3-year study was conducted to evaluate the problems and benefits of using vegetation to stabilize tailing from a potential Minnesota copper-nickel milling operation. The project consisted of three separate investigations: a waste characterization study, a greenhouse study and a field study. With few exceptions, the physical and chemical characteristics of the tai ling were found to lie within the range of properties of Minnesota soils. The tailing lacks organic matter; is deficient in nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium; and may contain elevated levels of soluble salts and heavy metals, particularly copper and nickel. Numerous grasses, forbs and woody plants will tolerate the tailing as a rooting medium. Peat incorporation and topsoil dressing provided few benefits to the revegetation process which were not provided by a fertilizer application. With fertilization, grass/legume production in the tailing was comparable to local agricultural yields. Concentration of heavy metals in grasses grown in the tailing were generally below suggested tolerance limits for plants and animal forage. Legumes tended to accumulate higher concentrations of copper and nickel, and metal uptake of most plants was positively correlated with rate of fertilization. Tailing drainage water contained elevated levels of heavy metals, and establishment of vegetation had little effect on the quantity and quality of tailing drainage water. However, topsoil dressing significantly increased drainage water volume when compared to unvegetated control plots. Copper-nickel tailing revegetation recommendations were developed.

Jan 1, 1983

By B. J. Barfield

Standard erosion plots (4.6 m by 22.1 m on 9 percent slope) were constructed on the Alston Surface Mine of Peabody Coal Company in Western Kentucky to evaluate the effects of placement technique and density on the erodibility and eroded size distribution from mine spoil and reconstructed topsoil. PLots were constructed with a dozer and scraper pan from shale spoil material, topsoil (A horizon) and subsoil (B and C horizon mixture) using soils stockpiled at the Alston Surface Mine. Plots were evaluated under fallow conditions with a tilled plot surface and two compacted conditions. One compacted condition was generated by tracking the surface with a dozer and rolling with a loaded scraper pan. The second was generated by rolling the surface with a solid wheel compactor. Rainfall was supplied with the Kentucky Rainfall Simulator at a rate of 63.5 mm h-l with the plots in three different soil moisture conditions; dry, field capacity, and very wet. Runoff was evaluated for flow rates, sediment concentrations, and aggregate and primary particle size distributions. Sediment yields and the Universal Soil Loss Equation E130 indexes were calculated from the data for each plot. The erodibility was calculated from the tilled plot data using a weighted soil loss and E130 value from the dry, field capacity and wet runs, and a cover management factor calculated for every other condition. For the topsoil and subsoil plots, sediment yield was greatest for the dozer scraper pan plots and lowest for the tilled plots. For the shale plots, erosion rates from the wheeled compacter plots were the highest and tilled plots the lowest. Average erodibilities were 0.14, 0.38, and 0.41 tons ac h ft-1 tonf-1 in-1 hundred ac-1 for the shale, subsoil, and top-soil plots. Cover management factors for each plot were 1.29, 1.42, and 1.17 for shale, topsoil and subsoil plots compacted with the solid wheeled compacter and 1.29, 3.79, and 2.51 for shale, subsoil, and topsoil plots compacted with the dozer scraper pan conbination. The accuracy of the Wischmeier erodibility nomograph was evaluated on the data collected. Erodibilities were accurately predicted for the topsoil plot and poorly predicted for the sub-soil plot. The accuracy of the CREAMS procedures for predicting the composition (size distribution) of eroded particles was also evaluated. The composition was well predicted for the topsoil plots, moderately well predicted for the shale plots and poorly predicted for the subsoil plots.

Jan 1, 1983

By John Drew Ridge

"Over the years, ore geologists have made innumerable observations as to the relationships of certain kinds of ore deposits to particular types of rocks and to the types of primary and secondary structures that these rocks contain. On the basis of these, the places in which to look for new are deposits are more clearly defined than they would be in an exploration program based largely or solely on concepts of ore genesis. This paper discusses the affinity of certain rock types and structures for such ore deposits as: (1) tin-tungsten associated with granitoid rocks; (2) lead-zinc of simple mineralogy in carbonate rocks; (3) massive base-metal sulphides in sedimentary or volcanic rocks; (4) massive base-metal sulphides and oxides at, or near, contacts with igneous rocks; (5) gold or gold-uranium in, or adjacent to, conglomerates; (6) shale- or sandstone-hosted copper; and (7) porphyry coppers. Additional varieties could be considered, but it appears that these examples are sufficient to demonstrate the validity of the suggestion that the use of observational characteristics is far more useful in mineral exploration than that of theories of ore genesis.As by-products of the theory of plate tectonics, many concepts have been put forward to explain how ore deposits of different kinds have been formed. Most, if not all, of these theories seem to be as valid as present-day information permits. However, do these ideas add to the ability of the ore geologist to find ore deposits? I doubt it, and offer reasons as to why I think so.To produce maximum results in any exploration program, the one that makes the greatest use of information produced about the geologic environment of the area being investigated is the one that will provide the greatest return in deposits found for the sponsors of the program. Such exploration is best designated as total exploration, and it certainly is the most effective way of uncovering such new deposits as may exist in the area being studied in particular and of adding to the sum total of nonfuel minerals deposits available to the industrial world in general."

Jan 1, 1983

By S. J. Rodgers

This report presents guidelines on methods of dust control in conventional coal mining operations. The normal mining cycle and equipment used in a room and pillar conventional section are described. Main ventilation, section ventilation and face ventilation are discussed in detail. Proper installation of line brattice, maintenance of proper air flows at the face and split ventilation are stressed. The effects of maintaining the end of the line brattice near the face are described. The advantages and disadvantages of blowing and exhausting face ventilation are presented. The use of water sprays on cutter bars and loading machines is described. The design of a nonclogging water spray system developed under a Bureau of Mines contract is presented. Other methods of reducing dust exposure are discussed and include alternative procedures for shot firing and administrative controls.

Jan 1, 1983

By H. O. McDonald

The Bureau of Mines has demonstrated a hydrometallurgical method to separate chromium from other metals in a variety of surface-finishing wastes by precipitation with benzoate ion. The resulting chromium salt may then be converted to the hydroxide, and the benzoate may be recycled. Chromium recoveries of 92 to 100 pct are obtained.

Jan 1, 1983

By Wallman D

Since 1981 two single entry roadways have been driven at Ellalong Colliery for a total distance of 1 030 metres. They were driven at a height of 1.73 metres within the 3.7 metres thick Greta Seam using a Dosco In-Seam Miner (I.S.M.). Ventilation of the drivage was accomplish- ed by an exhausting fan in series with steel ducting and flexible ducting in the immediate face area. The air quantities provided at the face were more than adequate to comply with the requirements of -the auxiliary fan rules and the Coal Mines Regulation Act, 1912, as amended. The experience gained in these drivages demonstrated that the ventilation of long single entry headings can be practically and safely achieved using existing equipment.

Jan 1, 1983