Search Documents

By Alexandru Corneliu Stematiu, Catalin Popescu, Radu Sarghiuta

"The tunnel sector is excavated into a rock mass heavily affected by tectonics, defined as a regional fault. The rock around the tunnel support undertakes the non – elastic deformation and gradually detaches from the rest of the non affected rock mass, moving inside of the excavated area and tending to fill up the whole space. The initial solution of using stiff support consisting in double steel ribs I12 with circular shape in the upper part and straight vertical pillars in the lower part has proved to be inadequate. Based on the calculations of the subsidence phenomena and a mathematical model, the proposed alternative support was provided by special circular steel ribs – SG-23 –that allows a limited rib deformation (by relative slip between the arch segments) in order to mobilize the contact between the rock contour and the inner face of the rib - not only for the deformed rib but also for the neighboring ribs. 1. INTRODUCTION Hydropower development of Jiu river in Romania, in the narrow gorge sector includes two diversion HPP and a small hydro plant that provides the minimum required flow downstream: CHE Dumitra , CHE Bumbesti and MHC Livezeni (Table 1. Hydropower parameters).The Livezeni intake reservoir is provided by a gated dam located 1250 m downstream of merging point between Jiul de Vest river and Jiul de Est river. The dam is equipped with three radial gates with flap gates with a span of 12 m each and the height of (6 + 3) m. The longitudinal profile of Dumitra head and the location of the gallery zone that is the subject of the paper are presented in Figure 2. Longitudinal Profile – Dumitra Head."

Jan 1, 2016

The Bagdad mill, built in 1977, was de-signed for a mill capacity of 36,300 tpd. An ABC (Autogenous Mill-Ball Mill-Crusher) grinding circuit was chosen. The original mill contained three completely independent grinding circuits, each containing one 9.75 m diameter by 3.96 m long fixed speed autogenous mill, one 4.72 m diameter by 6.71 m long ball mill and one 2.13 m diameter short-head cone crusher. Total installed power per grinding circuit was 8,464 kw with 5,966 kw in the autogenous mill, 2,237 kw in the ball mill and 261 kw in the crusher. (See FIGURE I--Major Equipment Flow Diagram.) The autogenous mills were designed to be able to operate semi-autogenously but were never converted to SAG. As a result of this design, only about 4,100 kw of the designed power is utilized in the autogenous mills. The grinding circuits are closed with 2.44 m by 6.10 m double deck vibrating screens. Screen oversize is returned, by a series of conveyors, underneath the mill coarse ore stockpile to feed the crushers. Variable speed belts feed the crushers and control power draw. Crusher product reports directly to the tail end of the autogenous mill feed belt. (See FIGURE 2--Typical Crusher Feed and Product Size Distributions.) Tramp iron in the autogenous mill-crusher circuit is handled in a unique way. A magnetic sensor detects the metal. This closes a gate which directs the crusher feed onto a separate belt which bypasses the crusher and returns the material to the autogenous mill feed belt.

Jan 1, 1992

By Roy A. Grancher

CYCLING WITH CEMENT "THE WHEEL IS COME FULL CIRCLE" Shakespeare's King Lear Act V, Scene 3, Line 176 The time clock of the cement industry has been turned back to the early 1950s. After the trials and tribulations of the decade of the Sixties, the hands now stand where they did just over twenty years ago. Cement shipments have steadily increased, with a record 419 million barrel level (78.8 million tons) being reached last year. Plants are operating at average utilization rates in excess of 85 percent of rated capacity. The spread between supply and demand has narrowed to where a definite shortage of cement now exists within the industry. The notable and unfortunate difference between the two periods however is that, back then, cement's returns were a respectable 14 to 18 percent, whereas today they stand at less than half those levels. Insufficient return forms the present foundation of the U.S. cement industry. This lack is destined to have a cumulative effect. Just as the industry's balance between supply and demand is returning to favorable proportions, promising a period that has historically and now should generate those profit levels required to modernize and provide for capacity addition, cement instead finds itself frozen by federal price controls into the semi-depressed condition that has existed for over a decade and from which it was just starting to emerge. Capital is not attracted to continued low returns, and increasingly restrictive pollution control measures are necessitating great non-productive expenditures be made as definite costs to stay in business. Even a clouded crystal ball would reveal that additional cement plant closings can be expected.

Jan 1, 1972

By Ian S. Ross

The emphasis in this paper is focussed on dry bulk car go or the same cargo converted to slurry form for ease of handling. It is this type of cargo which is of primary interest to the mining industry whose products it represents to a large extent. The design problems associated with the handling of liquid bulk and of unitized cargo are sufficiently different to be treated separately. This paper then will consider the port handling facilities of dry bulk commodities as part of a system consisting of (1) the movement of products to the port area, (2) the movement of products out of the port area and (3) the handling of products within the port area itself. Expanding within these three components of the total transportation system, the paper will discuss the various difficulties encountered concerning the mode of transport into the port area and the method of handling product from transport to stockpile. Secondly, and before discussing the port area itself and in order to complete the conditions under which the port must operate, the movement of products out of the port area will be covered dealing with such items as the accommodation of the ship, problem associated with the very large ships, optimum berthing arrangements and the need to consider the various costs associated with the vessel. Finally the paper will review within the port or interface area such items as stockpiles, method of recovery, inventory control and an outline of the common design difficulties encountered. In all cases the relative influence on the total transportation costs of each of these dry bulk transportation system components will be considered.

Jan 1, 1972

By E. B. Kroeger, Y. P. Chugh

The goal of this project is to develop, demonstrate, and document the beneficial use applications of a ponded F-fly ash as a road subbase material for the 2.1-mile Meredosia Industry Access Truck Route in Meredosia, Illinois. Approximately 60,000 to 70,000 cubic yards of ponded fly ash are proposed for use on this project without negative environmental impacts to surface water or groundwater. The County Highway Truck Route will consist of a 24-foot wide road built on a 0 to 7-foot thick compacted F-fly ash subbase. Laboratory testing indicates this fly ash will serve adequately as a road subbase, conforming to IDOT standard specifications. The economic considerations of using the Meredosia F-fly ash will also be developed so that a detailed cost-benefit analysis can be prepared for this project and for future projects. This project represents a two-year cooperative development and demonstration effort among the Office of Coal Development and Marketing (OCDM) of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs (IDCCA), Southern Illinois University (SIU), Morgan County Highway Department (MCHD), Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), AmerenCIPS, and the Morgan County Regional Planning Commission. It is anticipated that monitoring activities will continue for a period of three (3) years after the completion of this project. The MCHD and IDOT will oversee all construction activities and long-term performance evaluation studies. Successful demonstration of large-volume beneficial use applications of F-fly ash at this site will significantly reduce management costs for power plants burning Illinois Coal. Furthermore, it will encourage similar utilization strategies at other sites in the State of Illinois.

Jan 1, 2002

By R. Worrall

The global mining industry has been proactive over the last decade in finding ways to embrace the concept of sustainability. However, legacy mine sites (which include abandoned derelict and orphan mine sites) across the world continue to present issues for the global mining community, governments, local communities and NGOs. Unfortunately there has been much less academic focus on this area of mining and sustainability. This paper seeks to address how principles of sustainable development can be used to guide the development of processes for addressing post mining landuse issues for legacy mining areas. This is being done using a case study area located near Ipswich, in southeast Queensland, Australia. This area has a 160 year history of coal mining, and was one of Queensland?s crucial early industries. Mining in the area ceased in 2003 leaving a degraded landscape covering an area in excess of two thousand hectares adjacent to one of the fastest growing urban areas in Australia. A sustainability criteria and indicators framework for post-mining landuse on legacy mined land, developed from current best practice used for measuring sustainability across a range of industries is being developed. A review of current best practice suggests the framework should: (1) consider in equal measure environmental, social and economic factors; (2) have a minimum number of indicators which should be easy to identify and measure; (3) must have indicators with a meaningful output; and overall, the framework must consider particular requirements of the site being investigated. Application of the framework to the case study area is an ongoing aspect of this research, and the results will be evaluated through the use of expert stakeholders.

Jan 1, 2007

By Basar Arioglu, Jaeung Kim, Mehmet Öztürk, Jinmoo Lee, Dongho Lee, Taek-Kon Kim

"Istanbul Strait Road Tube Crossing Project (Eurasia Tunnel) includes 3.34 km of a bored double-deck tunnel under the Bosphorus Strait, at a maximum depth of 106 m from the sea level, and 1 km of twin NATM tunnels on the Asian side. The region’s variable geology, hydrology and propensity for seismic activity, combined with high water pressure and large-diameter/double-deck tunnel configuration, make the Eurasia Tunnel one of today’s most challenging and complex projects under construction. Due to the site’s proximity to the active North Anatolian Fault, the tunnel is designed to withstand a 7.5 magnitude earthquake. The tunnel penetrates through both the Trakya bedrock (on both European and Asian sides) and the alluvial sediments at the bottom of the channel. The tunnel is designed to accommodate differential displacements by introducing seismic/flexible joints at proper locations at the transition zones between rock and soft soils. Tunnel fire is also a significant design consideration for undersea tunnel due to that the rubber protecting it in close proximity of the seismic joint should resist a fire for long term safety and durability. This paper mainly focuses on the design for method of tunnel response analysis in transverse and longitudinal direction against seismic demands relating with the seismic joints. INTRODUCTION Istanbul Strait Road Tube Crossing Project (Eurasia Tunnel) will build and operate a roadway tunnel under the Borphorus connecting Kazlicesme on the European side and Goztepe on the Asian side, to provide additional road-access across the Strait and consist of three main parts as shown in Figure 1."

Jan 1, 2016

By Ian McFeat-Smith, Robert J. Fowell

Roadheader machines have a specific place in modern tunnelling, not simply as a compromise between drill and blast techniques and full face machines, but as an economic and versatile form of mechanised tunnelling where the method of excavation is easily integrated with tunnelling operations. In the past, roadheaders have been subjected to misuses by engineers who failed to realise that, as in all mechanised tunnelling, a planned and systematic approach is essential if the full potential of these machines is to be gained. An increasing awareness of this, together with the introduction of the more powerful roadheader carrying their cutting potential into the hard range of rock is changing this situation and now makes the prospect of using roadheaders particularly attractive (1). The advantages gained by employing these machines can be considerable and Table 1 lists some of them. This table illustrates that from both cost, and installation points of view, the roadheader has considerable benefits over the full face machine. However, the principal advantage gained is in broken ground where heavy supports can be installed immediately at the tunnel face. In addition, access for planned maintenance and repairs to most working parts of the machine is at a premium and average machine utilisations of 40 - 60% can be expected. In comparison to drill and blast methods, up to 40% better progress can be regularly achieved, and the subsequent savings in overbreak costs alone would more than pay for the cost of a roadheader used to drive a 3km long tunnel. As with full face machines, ground disturbance is minimal and for short tunnels in urban areas a road-

Jan 1, 1979

By Richard Newcomb

It is four years since the seminal study of demand for rapid excavation by the National Academies of Sciences (NAS) and Engineering outlined this technology's opportunities, requirements and significance to the challenges of urbanization and natural resource conservation. The demand study was quite simple. Opportunities were valued at market while requirements to produce new technologies were valued at cost. The significance of new technology in economic terms was measured by the net discounted gains to users over time. The Academy view in 1968 was that these gains, even most modestly estimated, appeared large enough to justify the bill for research proposed by that Committee (1). In 1970 the question of demands became international in what is recognized as the first international experiment in technological policy analysis, terminating in the Advisory Conference on Tunneling of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)(2). A monumental demand survey formed the basis for its economic assessment. The twenty-two OECD nations also made an impressive attempt to measure the magnitude of existing research and development efforts. In their recommendations periodical statistical demand forecasting and collection of demand data (Recommendation 1) was given central importance for public planning (Recommendation 2), the financing of public construction (Recommendation 3) and the encouragement of technological advance (Recommendation 4). Their program for international cooperation led to OECD's establishment of a Directorate for Environmental Affairs, and influenced the organization of the World Environmental Conference meetings now held in Stockholm under United Nations auspices. The OECD Conference was the first example of "an attempt to apply the concept of technological policy analysis to a 'civilian' technology having potentially

Jan 1, 1997

The most important event affecting the United States coal industry in 1993 was the strike by the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA). This was a series of selective strikes, beginning with a strike against four Peabody Holding affiliates on Feb. 2, following unsuccessful contract negotiations between the UMWA and the Bituminous Coal Operators' Association (BCOA). Although that strike ended on March 3, the failure to reach a new contract agreement led to walkouts at several Midwestern mines on May 10. During the summer, the strike expanded to include mines of 13 companies in seven states including Ohio, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Virginia and West Virginia. About 17,000 miners were idled during the strike. As the prospects for a settlement diminished, the Secretary of Labor appointed a federal mediator. The mediation resulted in a five-year contract. In addition to increases in wages and pensions, it was agreed that 60% of new job openings would be filled by laid off and active UMWA miners. In return, companies won the right to establish more flexible work rules and scheduling of miners. While some health care benefits were expanded, the agreement established a new health care system that was designed to reduce costs. Preliminary Energy Information Administration (EIA) data indicate that US coal production fell by 5% in 1993, to 859 Mt (947 million st) (Table 1). The strike was one of the primary causes of the decline in production. Another significant cause was a 27% decline in coal exports. Also, a very small displacement of domestic coal production resulted from a rise in coal imports.

Jan 1, 1994

By Ronald E. Heuer

The significance of surface settlement over soft ground tunnels is well recognized. Cracked buildings, streets transformed into lakes, broken utility lines, to underpin or not to underpin--all are familiar problems. The basic causes of surface settlement are recognized. Possibly the most common and troublesome cause is "lost ground" during construction. Lost ground refers to removal of a larger volume of ground (Ve) than is eventually occupied by the final tunnel structure (Vt). A number of sources of lost ground in shield tunneling have been identified, as illustrated in Fig. 1. These include 1) face loss, 2) overcutting loss, 3) annular tail void loss, and 4) loss through the lining. The ground generally does not stand unsupported around the completed tunnel lining as illustrated in Fig. 1, but moves in to fill the lost volume, resulting in subsidence of the overlying ground surface as shown. As suggested in Fig. 1, lost ground and surface settlement associated with overcutting and the annular tail void tend to occur systematically along the tunnel length. This "systematic" lost volume is "limited" in the sense that it is restricted to an upper limit determined by the shield and lining geometry. Partially controlled face loss may sometimes contribute to this systematic loss. This lost volume is commonly a few percent of the nominal tunnel volume. The resulting surface settlement over the tunnel is commonly in the range of a few inches or less and develops over a period of hours to days. Although they may have a significant impact on surface facilities, systematic ground loss and settlement frequently have little adverse effect on tunneling progress.

Jan 1, 1976

By Stephen M. Voynick

Two hours driving time west of Denver, CO and 21 km (13 miles) north of Leadville, Bartlett Mountain rises 4,065 m (13,337 ft) high in central Colorado's Tenmile Range. Bartlett Mountain is one of Colorado's most recognizable peaks, especially when the late afternoon sun casts a surreal, reddish light across its most prominent feature - the Glory Hole. This is a gaping, half-mile-wide, 245-m- (800-ft-) deep crater. Created by subsidence from 60 years of massive underground mining, the Glory Hole is a monument to the Climax Mine, one of the great achievements in American mining and metallurgy. For most of this century, the name Climax has been synonymous with brilliant mining engineering, innovative metallurgical research and entrepreneurial promotion of a once-obscure metal - molybdenum. Climax overcame an array of economic, technological and social problems to become a model for underground development of massive deposits of low-grade ores. It is one of the few mines in the world where cumulative production is measured in the billions of dollars. The Climax mineralization was emplaced 30 million years ago. Magmatic intrusions formed a large, mineralized stockwork within the granite country rock of Bartlett Mountain. Associated hydrothermal events forced superheated metal- and quartz-rich solutions through fracture zones, silicifying the country rock and depositing huge amounts of molybdenite, or molybdenum disulfide. The mineralized rock, a light gray, finely crystalline, silicified granite, is laced throughout with blue-gray quartz veinlets containing molybdenite. Although the richest ores graded only about 1% molybdenite, the Bartlett Mountain deposit contained more than 2.7 Mt (3 million st) of elemental mo- lybdenum.

Jan 1, 1997

By J. H. Desautels

The modern coal mining industry is subject to a vast array of regulations affecting virtually all aspects of its operations. Probably the most significant over-sight role involves the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSH) established by the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act, or SHCRA.1 Although complying and coping with SHCRA can be difficult for coal operators, this complex regulatory process has helped insulate the industry from ongoing efforts to extend regulation under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, or RCRA, 2 to aspects of the mining industry in general. The Environ-mental Protection Agency (EPA) has struggled with regulation of mining wastes under RCRA since the mid-1970's, but RCRA itself places most coal mining wastes firmly under the control of OSH and SHCRA. Despite the general exemption from RCRA regulation for waste materials that result from extraction and processing of coal itself, there may be circumstances under which coal mining operators could find themselves subject to regulation under RCRA or a number of other statutes administered by EPA. This paper will review briefly the history of mine waste regulation under RCRA, as well as touch on the policy decisions that led to the exemptions from RCRA regulation. The paper will summarize coal waste requirements under SHCRA, and also will review what operations at coal mines need to be controlled, in order to avoid potential liability under RCRA. In addition, it will mention requirements under other federal laws, including CERCLA, or the "Superfund" law,3 and describe how they may impose restrictions or liability on coal operations for waste or other materials commonly found at surface and underground coal mines.

Jan 1, 1993

By Karl H. Bruemmer

1. TRENDS OF DEVELOPMENT IN THE MECHANICAL DRIVING OF UNDERGROUND EXCAVATIONS IN THE GERMAN COAL MINING INDUSTRY The demand for higher advance in underground excavations led, in the past ten years, to the development and application of various mechanical methods in the coal mining industry of the Federal Republic of Germany. Hence, a modern mine cannot operate anymore without tunneling machines for the driving of horizontal and inclined roads and shaft boring machines for the sinking of shafts. In future, boring operations will assume a high positional value in the mining industry, as the development of cutters has kept pace with the development of machines. In the past ten years, about 40 km of roadways have been bored by tunneling machines in the German coal mining industry, further 140 km will be bored by 1990, part of which are already under contract. The idea was tempting to apply the technology of horizontal tunnel borers also to the sinking of vertical shafts. The underground contractors Deilmann-Haniel GmbH of Dortmund and Thyssen Schachtbau GmbH of Mülheim/Ruhr developed already in 1970, together with Wirth of Erkelenz, a shaft boring machine working without drill pipes, capable of sinking shafts following a pilot borehole, according to the downward reaming method (Fig. 1). In the meantime, two such shaft borers are operating in coal mines with diameters of 4.50 m to 6.50 m. Recently an order was placed for a third Wirth shaft borer for diameters up to 8.50 m. Since 1971 about 3.800 m of open or blind shafts have been sunk by the reaming process (Fig. 2).

Jan 1, 1979

By Larry J. Hughes

Ground-based electrical geophysical techniques have be valuable for three indirect exploration strategies: "tracer" sulfide mineralization, 2) mapping structure with or controlling mineralization, and 3) mapping proven to 1) mapping? associated alteration zones. When sulfide mineralization is associated with gold, it often can be mapped using induced polarization (IP). This technique can detect pyrite in amounts as small as 0.2% by volume, and in some cases can distinguish pyrite from anomalies due to graphite and clays. A case history illustrates mapping sulfides in a shear zone. Structure and alteration mapping are often the domain of controlled source audio-frequency magnetotellurics (CSAMT) due to the superior lateral resolution and depth penetration of this technique. Typical CSAMT targets include silicified sediments and volcanics, faults, brecciated zones, argillic alteration, clay and graphite horizons, and certain lithologies. Examples of mapping silicification and mapping epithermal alteration are presented in CSAMT case histories over Cannon mine in Washington and Hishikari mine in southern Japan. In our experience, four things are needed to use geophysics effectively in precious metals exploration. First, the explorationist must correctly identify the exploration stage at which the geophysics is most useful. Second, the explorationist must clearly define the types of "tracer" mineralization, host geology, or alteration which need to be defined by the geophysics. Third, the right electrical technique needs to be applied to the problem to provide the best chance of success. Fourth, the explorationist must be willing to commit adequate finances to do the geophysics properly. With careful adherence to these principles, geophysics can greatly enhance exploration success while reducing the total cost of exploration.

Jan 1, 1989

By M. M. Rajkovich, J. J. Zaluski, S. J. Gardner

The telephone rings at 3:20 a.m. and an exasperated voice on the other end says, “There’s been a mine explosion at Mine No. 5 and we have not heard from three units of men!” Twenty-three minutes later, the phone rings again and another panicked voice says, “There’s something wrong at the slurry impoundment, the pool level has just dropped five feet and we’re trying to figure out what’s wrong!” Thirty minutes later, the mobile phone rings and an excited security guard says, “We have reports of thick black water running down both the right fork and left fork of Straight Creek and both seem to be rising in the banks!” As if this isn’t enough excitement, the mobile phone rings again and a stressed company official says, “I just heard a report that black slurry is running out of the portals of XYZ Company No. 2 Mine, which is adjacent to our No. 5 Mine!” Is this all some kind of dream or nightmare? More importantly, however, if this could happen, what on earth do you do? Although we all like to think that “It can’t happen to me,” we all must admit that mine explosions do happen, slurry impoundments can rupture and creeks can flood with black water causing damage to others, including competitors. Your response must be quick, cool-headed, calculated and effective. This paper will examine the issues, concerns and ramifications of this hypothetical “disaster” and then present a systematic crisis management response. While each situation is different, there are general guidelines for forming an effective plan of action.

Jan 1, 2003

By J. C. Norman

The boron review arrived too late for the June issue. The United States was the world's largest producer and consumer of boron compounds during 1993. Boron mineral concentrate and chemical production in the United States totaled an estimated 958 kt (1.05 million st), yielding 526 kt (580,000 st) of B203, according to the US Bureau of Mines. Estimated value was $322 million. This level of production was about 5% less than 1992 revised production figures. The United States continued to provide essentially all its own boron while maintaining a strong position as a source of sodium borate products and boric acid to foreign markets. Domestic employment in the mining and beneficiation of boron products in 1993 was 900 people, about the same as in 1992. That was down from 1988 levels of 1250 people. Total world production of boron in 1993 was about 2.5 Mt (2.75 million st), yielding about 1.2 Mt (1.3 million st) of B203. World production in 1993 was about equal to revised 1992 levels. Production United States In 1993, mines and processing operations in southern California were the only domestic sources of boron mineral concentrates and chemicals. Domestic producers, in order of quantity of production, were: • US Borax and Chemical Corp., which operates an open pit kernite and tincal mine at Boron, CA, producing boric acid and borax products, • North American Chemical Co., which produces boric acid and borax products as coproducts from chemical operations at Searles Lake, CA and • American Borate Co., which produced small amounts of colemanite and shipped from inventories from its operation in Death Valley, CA.

Jan 1, 1994

By J. Hanna, H. R. Gonzalez

Discussion by N.L. Hargett Dear Dr. Hanna: As discussed in our phone conversation, we are enclosing a suggested revision to the paper, "Application of Bentonitic Clays in Suspension Fertilizer Formulations," published in MINERAL & METALLURGICAL PROCESSING, May 1990. The revision will replace the second paragraph in the article. The reason for the revision is that suspensions have decreased in market share since 1984 and at present comprise an estimated 25% to 30% of fluid mixtures. This represents 6% to 7% of all fluids and only 2% to 3% percent of all fertilizers. Based on national surveys conducted by the Association of American Plant Food Control Officials (AAPFCO), suspensions comprised an estimated 25% of all fluid mixtures in 1974, 33% in 1976, 35% in 1980, 40% in 1984, and 36% in 1988. Revision to "Application of Bentonitic Clays in Suspension Fertilizer Formulations." Suspension fertilizers are an important segment of the fertilizer industry in the United States. Suspensions allow higher concentrations of nutrients (N, P2O5, K2O) than clear liquid solution fertilizers. K20 content of solutions is limited to about 10%, while suspensions can contain more than 30% K2O. Suspensions can tolerate greater variations in temperature than solutions. In suspensions, if crystallization occurs, the crystals can remain suspended in a clay jell instead of settling as they would in solutions. Solubility is not a limiting factor in suspensions, since complete solubility of phosphate is not required. This allows a wider range of phosphate materials to be used. Also, materials commonly used in formulating suspensions are less expensive and more widely available than those for clear liquids (Getsiner et al., 1984).

Jan 1, 1992

By Donald R. East

There has been an increasing trend in recent months by regulatory agencies to require that estimates be made of the hydraulic head acting, under operational conditions, on the surface of primary leach pad liners. This move towards inferred performance standards, rather than specifying a prescriptive standard for all sites regardless of economics, is to be generally welcomed. The theory of flow on a sloped beach pad, which was developed by East et al, 1987 (Reference 1 and 3) has been refined and extended. Unitized curves have been developed by graphically displaying the seepage losses and resulting dissolved gold lost as seepage through the primary liner as an aid to pad liner selection and design. Very little information is available of actual hydraulic head profiles acting on the liners beneath heap leached ores. Attempts have been made to measure these by drilling from the top of the heap and installing piezometers at the base. With this procedure it is difficult to obtain accurate data due to the fact that the drilling operation itself creates a highly permeable vertical flow path which may not exist to the same degree elsewhere in the heap. Combined with the fact that it is almost impossible to ensure that the piezometer tip is sitting directly above the liner without the risk of causing some damage to the liner itself. The best time to install hydraulic head monitoring devices on the pad liner is during construction and when piezometers can be carefully placed directly above the liner and suitably protected hydraulic lines laid to ensure full hydrostatic head measurement with simple manometer devices.

Jan 1, 1998

By K. R. Weller

In recent years, a variety of new or substantially modified grinding machines have been offered to the mining industry with claims of improved performance relative to standard grinding machines especially rod and ball mills. The incentive for developing such new machines is high, because costs associated with grinding are a very substantial part of the total costs of processing run-of-mine ore, and gold ores are no exception in this regard. The incentive is also high because of the very low conversion of input energy to comminution energy in most tumbling mills. If the most energy-efficient means of mechanical size reduction is slow compression of single particles, then this energy amounts to only about 3% of that used in tumbling mills. It would seem, therefore, that there is a huge potential to do better. This paper examines three types of grinding machine for which claims of higher energy utilisation ( amongst other beneficial claims) have been made, namely the high pressure grinding rolls, the vibrating drum mill and various styles of stirred mill. It presents evidence concerning the claims, examines the range of particle size and particle size reduction over which benefits might reasonably be expected to accrue, discusses the major issues in contention and briefly describes the research the CSIRO Division of Minerals has in progress, both independently and collaboratively, the latter mainly with the Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre (JKMRC) via the Cooperative Research Centre for Mining Technology and Equipment (CMTE) and the Australian Mineral Industries Research Association (AMIRA). There are many criteria which may be chosen to assess relative performance of grinding machines. Those used below are:

Jan 1, 1995