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By A. E. Koski

This paper describes the implementation of specialized software in mine planning at the Cleveland-Cliffs’ managed Empire Mine on Michigan’s Marquette Iron Range. The application puts together years of mining experience on the eastern end of the Marquette Range beginning in the early 1960’s. The Empire Mine, in its thirty-fifth year of production, uses the software to model a complex and highly variable low grade magnetite orebody, capturing the economics of mining and processing to the final product. With special attention given to geostatistical methods, the software is used for all geologic modeling, ore reserve estimation, ore control, pit design and short and long range planning.

Jan 1, 1999

By J. E. Warm

Florida’s ancient beach ridge sand deposits, mined for construction aggregate, are highly variable. Rinker Materials utilizes a small reverse-circulation drill rig to prospect and profile unconsolidated fine aggregate deposits more effectively and inexpensively than other drilling methods. Sample data is stored in a spreadsheet that calculates yield and volume. Rinker also uses a Trimble ProXR backpack GPS to locate boreholes in the field, track mine progression on a monthly basis, and to map restrictive features such as wetlands. Autodesk Land software is used to create detailed deposit maps and mine plans. Rinker believes that these practices have led to improved awareness of deposit characteristics and deposit utilization.

Jan 1, 2004

By James A. Pappas, Francis L. Fong, Tracy K. Lundin

The impact of environmental regulations on the quality of tunnel groundwater discharges is examined in this paper. Tunnel contractors usually depend on specialty contractors or outside consultants to deal with this issue without carefully examining their activities to minimize the production of contaminants. This approach may not be adequate given increasingly more restrictive environmental requirements. This paper surveys the general practice of the tunneling industry and attempts to identify sources of contaminants which may affect the total suspended solids, oil and grease content, and pH of the discharges. Strategies for treating the discharges are included. Field data and observations from several tunneling projects are also presented.

Jan 1, 1995

By Thomas F. Pugsley, Wilf J. Davies, James Gallagher

Falconbridge Limited is developing a major nickel mine at Craig which lies between 600 m, 915 m and 1500 m below surface and is accessed on the 600 m and 1250 m levels of Onaping Mine. To supply adequate ventilation for mine development and initial ore production, two raises, 1200 m long are to be driven in norite and granitic gneiss. Falconbridge has purchased a Robbins 97RL Raise Drill and a string of 330 mm drill pipe to ream these raises in 600 m legs at diameter. The paper describes the introduction of deep hole, large diameter raise boring technology into Falconbridge operations involving contractors and specialists in the technology.

Jan 1, 1989

By Hayward B. Oblad, Anthony G. Fonseca

Coal flotation has been practiced since about 1920 in Europe and since about 1926 in the U.S. Over 200 U.S. coal preparation plants now use the process to recover coal. Over the 60 year period, the fundamental principles upon which flotation is based have been enumerated, but the interaction between the parameters that affect flotation has not been quantified and a useful model which accounts for these parameters has not yet been developed. A comprehensive and user friendly kinetic model coupled with better process monitoring and control instrumentation would allow plant operating personnel to better predict flotation performance and better control the flotation process in coal preparation plants.

Jan 1, 1989

By H. B. Oblad

The WEMCO® SmartCell™ flotation machine is a continuously-stirred tank reactor in which solids are suspended in water and are contacted with air. The reaction is particle flotation resulting in the separation of valuable material from gangue. The effects of several operating variables on the flows of water and air and on motor power were measured. A miniature magnetic flowmeter was installed in the draft tube that allowed measurement of the water flows into the rotor. This work has led to a better understanding of machine function which will lead to improved performance and better operation. General equations for optimization, design, and scale-up were inferred.

Jan 1, 2002

By G. Barelli, C. Giusti, W. H. Langer

Natural aggregate – sand, gravel, and crushed stone – is the number one non-energy mineral resource in the world in terms of both volume and value. A plan for the sustainable development of aggregate resources can include: 1) policies and economic incentives to encourage identification and protection of potential resources, 2)efficient quarrying and processing of aggregate, 3) efficient use of primary aggregates, 4) greater use of recycled, waste, or substitute material, 5) inclusion of costs of all environmental impacts in price of material, 6) reclamation to beneficial secondary uses, and 7)identification of objectives, targets, actions, and sustainability indicators. Quarrying can also contribute to sustainable ecosystems through natural habitat reclamation.

Jan 1, 2003

By M. G. Ayat, B. C. Scott

Coal degradation is the breakage of coal particles to finer sizes due to the continuous forces of attrition and gravity to which coal is subjected during mining, handling, and preparation. The objective of this paper is to determine the extent of degradation that a coal slurry experiences when transported through pumps and pipelines. The examination of degradation results for a number of different coal slurries have indicated that the extent of breakage is dependent on the physical properties of coal and the time span of circulation. These results have also indicated that certain size fractions of coal are more susceptible to breakage than others.

Jan 1, 1987

By P. K. Kaiser

A rational approach for the design of fully grouted bolts in underground excavations is presented. An analytical model involving elasto-plastic concepts and the mechanics of bolt/ground interaction was developed and tested by comparison with laboratory tests and field measurements. The theory elucidates the influence of shear stress distribution, bolt pattern and geometry on tunnel convergence. Laboratory simulation has provided convincing evidence to support the theoretical predictions. A dimensionless bolt efficiency parameter is introduced as a design tool that relates the reduction of tunnel convergence to the bolt length and density. Its application in practice is highlighted by the analysis of one case history.

Jan 1, 1987

By Lee W. Abramson, Glenn M. Boyce

A dowel testing program was conducted as part of the Interstate Route H-3 Trans-Koolau exploratory tunnel project on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. The testing evaluated the performance of dowels to be used as initial ground support for two 12- by 15-meter (40- by 50-foot) tunnels within weathered basalt. The program tested four dowel types of three different lengths. Both grouted and friction dowels were tested. The program determined which dowels were more effective in carrying load and noted any special procedures that would be required during construction. This paper presents the test results and discusses how these results were used in the design.

Jan 1, 1991

By George H. Klein, B. Kent Merritt, Anthony Crisci

During the past decade, over 114-km (71-mi) of 0.25-m (10-in) to 3.7-m (144-in) finished diameter tunnels have been driven below Metropolitan Houston as part of a major program of water and wastewater improvements. This large effort has seen the introduction of midwestern technology with over 18-km (11-mi) of man-entry pipe jacking and European and Japanese technology with over 21-km (13-mi) of microtunneling. Owing to the high water table; a stratigraphy consisting of stiff fissured clays containing numerous layers, channels, and lenses of water-charged sands and silts; and active faults, many challenges existed for designers and contractors alike.

Jan 1, 1991

By JoAnn Silverstein, Eric A. Marchand

Competition between Thiobacillus ferrooxidans and non-iron-oxidizing heterotrophic bacteria was induced by the addition of glucose to a co-culture of T. ferrooxidans and A. acidophilum in an oxygen-limited environment. Iron oxidation was inhibited as dissolved oxygen was used preferentially for glucose metabolism. Furthermore, as the water became anoxic, glucose was consumed along with the oxidized iron species (Fe3+) during iron respiration resulting in a pH increase from 2.0 to 4.0. Results suggest that biologically mediated acidification of drainage water can be reversed by dispersion of an easy to degrade, soluble, and inexpensive carbon source such as glucose into the subsurface.

Jan 1, 2000

By Fred H. Lightner

Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) within the mining industry are becoming frequent events. Large companies and small companies alike are jumping on the bandwagon of merger mania. The results of these mergers have significant impacts on the employees of the involved companies. Comments, observations, and specific examples of the 'peop1e"aspect of mergers are presented in an attempt to answer the question "will it be business as usual?" My answer is a simple NO. This paper attempts to provide support for my conclusion. The reader should recognize that the comments, observations, and specific examples mentioned in this paper are subjective and reflect the experience and prejudice of the author.

Jan 1, 2001

By Levent Ozdemir, Roy H. Spitzer, Don W. Deere, John B. Blyler

This paper documents the construction of the Stanley Canyon Tunnel, the geologic conditions encountered, boreability of the rock, and the impacts of the conditions encountered on the construction. The 5.05 kilometer long (3.1 miles), 3.47 meter (11.4 feet) diameter, tunnel was driven through granites with a refurbished tunnel boring machine (TBM). Difficult ground conditions encountered included shear zones, high groundwater flows, and hard, tough, and strong rock. Detailed geotechnical studies during construction revealed that microscopic changes in the rock grain boundaries due to contact metamorphism, resulted in the hard boreability. Originally scheduled for five months, the tunnel construction required nearly three years, including periods of project shutdown.

Jan 1, 1995

By Douglas R. Malicoat, Christopher J. Pritchard

Tg Soda Ash operates an underground trona mine located In southwestern Wyoming, which utilizes continuous mining machinery to produce 2.OM tpy (2.2M stpy) by shortwall and room and pillar methods. As the mine developed, the Increasing distance from the shafts caused travel times to be a significant factor in planning for mine emergencies. It was decided to construct a barricade chamber, a modified refuge chamber, to Increase safety and to provide an additional escape option in the case of a mine emergency. Fortunately, there has been no need to use these facilities during the last 9 years, but mine emergency planning has been greatly improved.

Jan 1, 1993

By Francis B. Gularte, James E. Monsees, John-Paul Whyte, Gary E. Taylor

In a short section of the Los Angeles Metro Rail system approximately 222.5 m (730 ft) of 6.4 m (21 ft) diameter twin-tube tunnels separated by a 1.8 m (6 ft) narrow pillar were designed to pass under a major eight lane freeway and a metropolitan intersection with only 3.7 m (12 ft) to 5.8 m (19 ft) of loose fill and alluvium cover. The design considerations and the chemical grouting program used to stabilize the alluvial materials is discussed. Also included is a discussion of the novel shield used for tunnel excavation and the effects of the subsequent fire.

Jan 1, 1991

By J. Engel

The talc deposit in Gemerská Poloma lies 350 to 400 m under the surface; the whole deposit is located at the highest-level drinking-water-source protection zone, therefore, opening in this mining area (a well, a ramp) requires higher investment, operational and water protection costs. The adit, outside the mining area, with a length of 4200 m, rising with a gradient of 3? and a diameter of 10.3 m2, allows free passage/runoff of mining-water through the adit, and guarantees low costs for transporting produced material and equipment. This solution is in total less demanding from both investment and operational point of view.

Jan 1, 2007

By Karl H. Gehring

According to the increasing importance of boom type roadheaders in tunnelling essential problems occuring in the application of these machines are dealt with. Based on a chart including the various stages for decicion finding the excavation method of underground cavities, both the technical limits and economic criteria are discussed in order to determine the range of applicability of roadheaders. Giving examples-the numerous developments in the fields of pick and cutting technology, performance data of boom type roadheaders in hard rock, safety technology and increase in the machines' degree of utilization, research and development of VA is illustrated. Two topic operation examples show partial aspects of the various tendencies of development.

Jan 1, 1981

By J. P. Allen, D. A. Rice, H. L. Abercrombie

Cobalt, nickel and manganese can be recovered quickly, cleanly and selectively from cobalt-rich manganese ocean crust by leaching in dilute acid solutions in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. Common selective precipitation methods can then be used to recover these metals from the leach liquor. The leaching reaction produces only oxygen as a byproduct, and the waste residue from leaching was tested and found to be nonhazardous under existing EPA specifications. The leaching process is effective in either fresh water or seawater. This research is a part of the Bureau of Mines program to identify the mineral resources of the Exclusive Economic Zone and devise methods, for recovering their valuable components.

Jan 1, 1992

The objective of the fines flotation step in a coal preparation plant is to maximize coal recovery subject to a constraint on the allowable ash in the concentrate. The objective is achieved when the incremental ash is driven to a target value determined by an economic constraint. In this paper, a phenomenological flotation model and ash analyzer combination are identified that allow the development of a soft sensor for incremental ash and subsequently a model-based strategy which manipulates key flotation variables to achieve the control objective. A combination of plant tests and computer simulations are presented to evaluate control-system performance in one operation.

Jan 1, 1999