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By M. R. Smith, H. Kanli

The impact crusher is a popular device for producing crushed aggregates from non-abrasive rocks such as limestones, offering the advantages of high reduction ratios and relatively low installed costs. To extend the application of a process-flowsheet simulator to the quarrying industry, a mathematical model of an impact crusher was therefore developed using the general crusher models of Andersen and Whiten as a basis

Aug 1, 1995

By R. A. Lord, H. M. Prichard

efficiency is discussed from both experimental and

Apr 1, 1994

By A. P. Gize, J. F. W. Bowles, D. J. Vaughan, S. J. Norris

Paper presented at the IAGOD international symposium on mineralization related to mafic and ultramafic rocks held in Orleans, France, 1-3 September 1993. Geological evidence from tropical laterites indicates clearly that platinum group metals are taken into solution and precipitated to form grains larger than those in the source rocks. Platinum and palladium move differentially in the surface environment, with Pt partitioning into soils and eluvial or alluvial deposits while Pd remains more mobile in natural waters. Natural organic acids, particularly humic acid, can interact with platinum-group elements and concentrate them even in areas where their content in rocks is very low. Experimental work has confirmed that Pt and Pd can be taken into solution by humic acid at room temperature and in geologically short time-spans. Solubility and deposition may be controlled by physicochemical conditions, reaction kinetics or an adsorption effect, or there may be two competing reactions, solubilisation assisted by organic matter and a kinetically slower metal precipitation

Apr 1, 1994

By J. A. Finch, D. Lin

The robustness of the large-sections correction procedure, Hill's fast approximation, Barbery's correction and the PARGEN correction was examined by comparing their ability to reconstruct the true liberation distribution using sectioning data from computer-generated spheres. The results indicate that the flexibility of a correction procedure is related to the assumptions it makes about the continuity of the liberation distribution, locked-particle characteristics and ore texture. Overall, the large-sections procedure appeared to be the most generally applicable. The Hill fast approximation performed well, but this was probably because it partially incorporates the sphere model; the performance of the PARGEN and Barbery corrections varied from case to case.

Dec 1, 1995

By D. W. Taylor, I. W. Farmer, N. Mojtabai

Rittinger's and Bond's descriptions of rock crushing relate the energy input required to fracture rock and the surface energy required to form new fractures to the change in specific surface area of feed and product during comminution. The potential applicability of this approach to blasting is illustrated, using the results of data from bench blasting tests on Pinal schists and production blasting of Carboniferous limestones. The approach contributes to understanding of the mechanisms involved in blasting and to the design of test blasts. A modified form is presented of the relationship between blasting energy, specific surface area of the muckpile and a rock energy constant related to the discontinuity structure of the rock. The modified equation fits observed data and offers a simple basis for further experiments

Jun 19, 1905

By F. Tailoka

Bi was electrorefined from alloys containing 10-90 wt% Pb, together with Cu and Ag as minor impurities, in a basic cell and in a recessed-channel cell with 27.5:72.5 NaCl-PbCl electrolyte at 450-470 degrees C and 10 000-20 000 A/m2. The voltage in the basic cell was as high as 9 V, with some carryover of Bi to the cathode observed, whereas in the recessed-channel cell it was as low as 285-635 mV. Flow patterns observed in a room-temperature model indicated that the recesses provide both static liquid hold-up and good mixing of the alloy, enhancing cell performance in combination with the reduced anode-cathode distance of 0.90 mm. The purity of the resulting anode product is as high as 99.9%

Aug 1, 1995

By S Durucan, A Korre

The application of simple methods of statistical analysis, coupled with geostatistical analysis and geographic information systems, can only summarise and give an outline of the spatial distribution of the parameters measured. Spatial analysis of the components or factors calculated, through principal component analysis or factor analysis, allows assessment of the geographical distribution of the dominant processes contributing to soil composition and/or contamination. Neither of these tools, however, distinguishes between the different sources of pollution. The application of canonical correlation to the data, driven by expert appraisal of the potential pollution sources, allows their quantitative and spatial assessment while GIS provides the environment in which to organise and present the results. The methodology is illustrated by its application to soil-contamination data from the Lavrio area in Greece, where silver-bearing orebodies have been mined for more than 25 centuries

Jun 21, 1905

By C. J. A. Mcewan, C. M. Rice

The Rosita Hills contain rich, vein- and breccia pipe-hosted precious metal deposits. Volcanic activity occurred in two cycles - an early, mainly andesitic cone-building phase that terminated in the formation of a caldera and breccia pipes and a later phase characterised by trachytic lavas and dykes, rhyolite domes and lamprophyre dykes. Alteration consists of weak propylitic and argillic and, locally, intense advanced argillic, K-feldspar sericitic and silicic types. Marked trace-element depletions (Rb, Sr, Zn, Mn) are associated with K-feldspar-sericitic alteration and with advanced argillic alterations, whereas enrichments (Pb, Ag) are associated with K-feldspar-sericitic alteration. Gold distribution is highly localised and is controlled by breccia pipes and a caldera ring fault; it is not related to district scale alteration. In general, the geochemical and alteration patterns are complex, but they are clearly influenced by linear structures, the caldera ring fault and breccia pipes. Pipe-hosted Au-Ag and vein-hosted Ag mineralisation are associated, respectively, with early andesitic and late, post-caldera rhyolitic activity. The pipe-hosted and, especially, the vein-hosted mineralisation show affinities with adularia-sericite-type epithermal deposits

Jan 1, 1991

By M. C. Ruiz, M. E. Godoy, J. B. Rivarola, M. W. Ojeda

The amount of Pd recovered from an exhausted olefin hydrogenation catalyst was found to depend on mixing technique, particle size, carbon percentage, chlorine flow, reaction time and temperature. Pd extraction was total when a sample in the 125-175 micrometre particle size range was chlorinated for 60 min at 723 K with 20 cm3 Cl2/min, for 60 min at 748 K with 30 cm3 Cl2/min and for 30 min at 773 K with 30 cm3 Cl2/min. No C addition was needed; the initial C content of the catalyst was sufficient for total recovery. Pd extraction was also affected by heat treatment in different atmospheres before chlorination. Treatment with O2, N2 and N2 with traces of O2 led to different degrees of oxidation of C and permitted the formation of oxidised Pd species. Thermal pretreatment in N2 with traces of O2 was most conducive to Pd extraction

Jun 21, 1905

By R. G. Garrett, A. J. S. Geddes

Paper presented at the 28th International Geological Congress held in Washington DC, July 1989 (International geochemical mapping sessions). The 1986 geochemical survey was successful in recognising all the previously known mineral occurrences of significance in Jamaica, in outlining areas not previously believed to have mineral potential and in stimulating fresh appraisals of old occurrences in terms of their potential for new commodities. This has resulted in a very significant increase in mineral exploration activity in Jamaica

Jul 1, 1991

By Jinsheng Chen, S. S. Peng

The relationship between support performance parameters and parameters representative of mining and roof conditions is characterised by uncertainty, non-linearity and dependence, so the theory of artificial neural networks was selected as a basis for shield design. A computer program based on a back-propagation training algorithm was written to derive the weighting factors between inputs and outputs from field data; once these had been established two mathematical models were developed to describe the relationship. Back-calculation of field data indicates that the results generated from the neural network models are much more accurate than those derived by traditional methods and can be used with a higher level of confidence. The support density, possible yield frequency of face supports and interval of periodic roof weighting under specific mining and roof conditions can be determined by application of the models

Jun 21, 1905

By M. K. G. Whateley, W. Hatton

Paper presented at the conference: Risk assessment in the extractive industries, held in Exeter, UK, 23-24 March 1994, and first published London: IMM, 1994, preprint volume, 20pp., 31 refs. Estimates of coal tonnage on UK open cast mining sites often vary from the recoverable tonnage. This is because the estimates depend on the geological variability of the coal measures. Geological parameters, such as thickness, quality and disturbance of the seam, have a direct control upon this variance. Risk analysis techniques have been applied using commercially available software to combine each parameter's variability into a cumulative variance, resulting in a tonnage distribution. Sensitivity modelling has also been used to identify the geological parameters which have the largest influence on the variance of the simulated tonnage distribution. An understanding of the relationship between the tonnage and geological variability has helped to focus exploration more efficiently. A cost to risk relationship can now be monitored, helping management to avoid negative consequences on site

Aug 1, 1995

By G. S. Camm

Gwynfynydd is a small, high-grade black shale-hosted vein-gold deposit. The Chidlaw Link Zone is the only area being mined and contains 24 000 t ore grading 15.2 g/t gold. Within the Link Zone a complex vein structure occurs consisting of a mother vein up to 5 m thick and narrow (less than 0.5 m) leader veins. The former shows minor variations in dip, strike and thickness, whereas the latter show marked changes in all three. The leader veins are hosted within the footwall zone of the mother vein and both are composed of quartz with galena, sphalerite, chalcopyrite, pyrite and minor arsenopyrite. The vein system is transected by a series of cross-vein and intra-vein dip-slip faults. Pockets of gold occur at vein intersections or branches and within the complex footwall zone and are often related to variations in vein attitude and/or geometry. The Chidlaw Link Zone displays a complex, erratic distribution of gold mineralisation and a multi-stage history of structural activity, fluid flow and mineral deposition

Jun 18, 1905

By N. B. J. Kieser

Paper presented at the IAGOD international symposium on mineralization related to mafic and ultramafic rocks, held in Orleans, France, 1-3 September 1993. Platinum-group minerals (PGM) in the enriched zone at Dust Mountain occur in two separate parageneses, the first representing primary magmatic PGM and the second primary magmatic PGM that have been reduced to alloys during serpentinisation. Minerals in the first group were unaffected by hydrothermal alteration on account of their textural setting or stable chemical composition. Despite substantial alteration of the serpentinised assemblage, most evidence points to the dominant role of primary magmatic processes in determining PGM occurrence. Several base metals have nevertheless been introduced hydrothermally. With respect to surficial dispersion the single most important paragenetic factor was the reduction of sulphides to alloys, rendering them more susceptible to mechanical erosion and less so to chemical leaching. The different textural setting of Pd-group and Ir-group phases results in different dispersion characteristics, with major implications for stream sediment sampling

Apr 1, 1994

By P. Golledge, A. D. S. Gillies

An investigation has been carried on samples of three Queensland coal dusts to determine the potential explosibility of dust-gas mixtures. The explosion potential of the samples was classified by the lean and rich limits of explosibility and the limiting oxygen concentrations for each sample. Plotting of these points showed 2-dimensional flammability limit surfaces for coal dust/oxygen, methane/oxygen and coal dust/methane mixtures. From these plots the 3-dimensional flammability envelopes defining the explosibility of the mixtures were defined. The explosion limits of the coal dust/methane/oxygen system were seen to be influenced most by the explosibility characteristics of coal dust. Methane exerted a stronger influence over the explosion limits when the coal had a low volatile content

Jun 19, 1905

By A. R. Naderian

Laboratory strength and deformation testing of freshly blasted sandstone and claystone overburden from Jeebropilly colliery in Queensland and in-situ plate-bearing tests on four backfills of different ages showed that the bearing capacity of backfill is a function mainly of compaction, not of age. The modulus or stiffness of the backfill is significantly increased by previous loading, in some cases up to threefold. Backfill material experiences some compaction through the passage of mining vehicles, likely to provide a bearing capacity that will support normal construction activities; the limited testing performed suggested that completed backfills are capable of supporting loads of up to 200 kN/m2 while sustaining displacements acceptable for a wide range of residential and industrial uses, but may be susceptible to collapse settlements due to saturation in the long term

Jun 19, 1905

By B. E. Burakov, S. D. Lupal, O. A. R. Thalhammer, B. Saini-Eidukat

Electric-pulse disintegration is a mineral separation technique that liberates all mineral grains from any igneous or metamorphic rock irrespective of its lithology or grain-size distribution. The normal mechanical crushing of whole-rock samples is replaced by the rending effect of an explosion, produced by applying an electric current from a high-voltage power source. A voltage greater than the 100 kV necessary for the electrical breakdown of rock samples is achieved by using capacitors charged in parallel, but discharged in series. The sample sits in a water bath and the rapid distribution of electric pulses leads to an explosion which occurs preferentially along grain boundaries of the sample. Individual, undamaged mineral grains can be recovered in their original shape and form regardless of grain size. Examples are given of the liberation and concentration of important accessory minerals from different rock types. The examples show the recovery of diamond from two types of non-kimberlitic host rock in Popigai and Kumdykol in Kazakhstan and platinum group minerals associated with chromitites from the Konjdor intrusion and sulphides from intrusions in the Kola Peninsula in Russia

Apr 1, 1995

By D. M. A. Flight, P. M. Green, J. A. Plant, P. R. Simpson

Paper presented at Mineralisation in the Caledonides, the Mike Gallagher memorial meeting held in Edinburgh, 27-28 June 1996. The British Geological Survey's regional geochemical database is used to identify the patterns associated with the various mineral deposit types and to examine the extent to which their distribution reflects the presence of long-lived metallogenic provinces in the crust. Image analysis provides new insights into the setting of the mineralisation, geochemical constraints on tectonic models of Caledonide evolution and evidence for terrane amalgamation and large-scale processes. There is evidence that much of the mineralisation reflects the presence of long-lived provinces with a distinctive geochemistry reflecting their origins as zones of crustal extension. In the case of the Middle-Upper Dalradiam sedex deposits, the relationship between geochemistry and tectonic setting is direct. In other cases, rocks deposited in extensional zones appear to have acted as reservoirs of ore-forming elements which were further concentrated during later events

Jun 19, 1905

By G. D. Schena, C Chiaruttini

The feasibility is demonstrated of reconstructing the volumetric distribution of liberated particles and middlings by use of a damped, weighted least-square regularisation method. This allows a precise mass balance to be obtained around a separation/concentration unit, permitting evaluation of the partition curve (Tromp curve) of the separator. Areal grade measurements are made on polished sections of feed, concentrate and tailings and a kernel-based inversion technique is then used to obtain the volumetric grade distribution of the three assemblages. A plain kernel (number of occurrences) and a weighted kernel (each occurrence counted with its area) are used for the solution. Testing of the method on computer-generated synthetic areal grade measurements indicates that it offers a valid alternative to the tedious conventional procedure of conducting experiments with heavy liquids

Jun 21, 1905

By P. H. Carr, G. G. Marino, K. A. Patel

Extensions to a correctional institution at Wabash Valley, Indiana, required development over abandoned coal-mine workings, at 90 m depth, where subsidence was possible at surface. Backfilling of the flooded mine in critical areas was determined to be the most cost-effective method of limiting the risk of damage to the buildings. Containment grout was first placed in selected entries and cross-cuts of each mine area; the remaining volume was then filled with a readily flowing infill grout. Where a high proportion of an area was taken up by rubble, calcium lignosulphonate was used as a retarder and plasticiser to increase penetration. Grout movement was monitored from adjacent boreholes with an electrical resistivity probe during grouting, while after the work was finished core samples were obtained from verification holes drilled in the backfilled areas

Jun 19, 1905