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By M. Gimpel, R. Galler, T. Antretter, H. Kargl, R. Tichy, W. Ecker, M. J. Mikl-Resch, G. Pittino

"A computational method based on a continuum-mechanical approach to simulate rock cutting is developed and evaluated. The aim is to obtain the local loading acting at the cutting pick during operation. The explicit FEM is chosen to model the pick-rock interaction. The presented method takes advantage of (i) an advanced material model (ii) a robust contact algorithm and (iii) fast calculations due to parallelization. A damage-plasticity law is chosen and modified with user-subroutines. A user integrated element deletion routine evades critical mesh distortions. Infinite elements at the model boundaries avoid unrealistic deformation wave reflection.INTRODUCTIONExcavation in mining and tunneling is a costly and complex process. Special equipment such as the roadheader (Figure 1) is employed to cut the rock in the excavation process but high material strengths limit their usability (Tockner 1999). Nowadays a challenge is to extend their field of application to harder and more abrasive rock materials. The forces on the pick (Figure 2) are of great importance and determine wear and especially the efficiency of the machine. Figure 2 shows the principle of cutting and the predominant forces. The variation of pick geometry, cutting depth or attack angle will result in an alteration of these forces and determine the efficiency of the process (Tockner 1999). The mechanisms of rock cutting follow the principle of indentation (Kou et al. 1999). Directly under the indenter a hydrostatic stress state evolves causing the material to fail only due to crushing and fragmentation mechanisms. In the close surroundings large strains emerge and tensile cracks are formed but in a further distance the material behaves elastically."

Jan 1, 2015

In seeking to improve the economic performance of mines, the management or human aspects are usually seen to be quite seperate from, and more significant than, the technical aspects. There are obvious aspects of industrial relations, man-management, skills training and supervision that are currently the focus of efforts to improve the productivity and quality of the mining process. However technology also has a lot to offer. Analysis of the costs involved suggests that innovations leading to improvement in the productivity of the excavation and transport of overburden and the recovery of coal (both in the mine and preperation plant) can lead to improvements in the economic performance of a mine that may outstrip the obvious non-technical or management opportunities for improvement. While there are some innovations currently being investigated within the industry that relate to the design of mining equipment, the type of machinery being used in open cut mines has not changed dramatically over the last twenty five years. It is also likely that mining equipment will remain essentially of the same form in the forseeable future. If significant improvements to mining performance are to be achieved other than by futher increases in the scale of machinery, then we need to seek ways to operate these same types of machines in a more productive and controlled manner. This paper discusses the identification of mining processes the improvement of which is likely to have a significant effect on mining costs and performance. Some areas of current research are discussed and potentially fruitful areas for future development are identified.

Jan 1, 1991

By R. D. Begley, A. W. Khair

Introduction The technique being investigated here uses a physical mine model which consists of a plexiglass room-and-pillar model 11.4 x 11.4 cm (4.5 x 4.5 in.). It is placed at the bottom of a larger plexiglass box 25.4 x 30.5cm (10 x 12 in.). The box is then filled with a model material representing geologic overburden. Sand has been selected because of its deformability under gravitational forces. The mine model is capable of creating a cavity and induces movement on the surface of the model material. This surface disturbance can be measured using a photographic technique called holographic interferometry. This paper discusses results of an investigation of the possibility of generating subsidence criteria using physical mine models and laser holographic interferometry. Problem Statement Subsidence appears to be widespread in two states - Pennsylvania and Illinois - although serious subsidence is found in localized areas of numerous other states (HRB Singer Inc., 1977). The US Bureau of Mines estimates that more than 1618 km2 (400,000 acres) of urban areas are threatened by subsidence. Pennsylvania and West Virginia contain 57% of these threatened areas, with the remainder being spread out over 16 states (Johnson and Miller, 1979). Events of subsidence have been reported in urban areas, including Pennsylvania (Gray et al., 1977) and Illinois (Mahar and Marino, 1981). One location has observed three episodes of subsidence beginning in 1950 (Bruhn et al., 1981). These subsidence events all occurred over abandoned room-and-pillar mines. Some mines have been abandoned more than 50 years (Bauer and Hunt,1981) . Available research does not offer much on the problem related to time dependent subsidence, especially those associated with the failure of remnant coal pillars. The physical modeling technique developed at West Virginia University is capable of measuring both instantaneous and time delayed subsidence. Laser Holographic Interferometry Laser holographic interferometry, or holometry, uses the interference properties of laser light to measure small movements of objects. The object requires only optical access and no surface instrumentation. This technique is closely related to photoelasticity. Both techniques rely on the uniqueness of the light reflected off or through an object in any given state of stress. The entire measurement process is done remotely without any surface instrumentation and without using a camera. The interferogram is constructed and visual observation will yield fringes on all areas that yielded or moved. The displacement represented by one fringe was determined by Wilson et al. (1977) and is given by the relationship: [d ='1(1) 2 cos 8 where d = displacement of one fringe 6 = incident angle of laser light A = wavelength of light (632.8 x 10-9 meters for Helium-Neon lasers)] In summary, holometry is capable of detecting very small movements of objects under study. It is a very sensitive process that requires laser light and vibration free experiments. Experimental Program Lab Facilities The primary components of the facilities were the laser and the optical table. The light source was 50 milli-watt, Helium-Neon laser. The optical table was a granite slab weighing nearly one ton. All experiments were performed on the optical table. It consists of a large table sitting on air cells similar to car innertubes. Six air cells were placed on top of two layers of wood and Styrofoam. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the vibration free table. Even with these precautions, the experiments still had to be performed at night to reduce potential traffic related vibrations. Room-and-pillar mine models consisting of three different pillar sizes were constructed out of plexiglass. The models were designed to represent three different extraction ratios. Figure 2 shows the models. The extraction ratios were determined by the tributary loading concept (Peng, 1978). These models were the primary component of a seam extraction simulator. A schematic of this simulation device is shown in Fig. 3.

Jan 1, 1986

By M. Gimpel, R. Galler, T. Antretter, H. Kargl, M. Mikl-Resch, R. Tichy, W. Ecker, G. Pittino

"A computational method based on a continuum-mechanical approach to simulate rock cutting is developed and evaluated. The aim is to obtain the local loading acting at the cutting pick during operation. The explicit FEM is chosen to model the pick-rock interaction. The presented method takes advantage of (i) an advanced material model (ii) a robust contact algorithm and (iii) fast calculations due to parallelization. A damage-plasticity law is chosen and modified with user-subroutines. A user integrated element deletion routine evades critical mesh distortions. Infinite elements at the model boundaries avoid unrealistic deformation wave reflection.INTRODUCTIONExcavation in mining and tunneling is a costly and complex process. Special equipment such as the roadheader (fig. 1) is employed to cut the rock in the excavation process but high material strengths limit their usability (Tockner 1999). Nowadays a challenge is to extend their field of application to harder and more abrasive rock materials. The forces on the pick (fig. 2) are of great importance and determine wear and especially the efficiency of the machine. Figure 2 shows the principle of cutting and the predominant forces. The variation of pick geometry, cutting depth or attack angle will result in an alteration of these forces and determine the efficiency of the process (Tockner 1999). The mechanisms of rock cutting follow the principle of indentation (Kou et al. 1999). Directly under the indenter a hydrostatic stress state evolves causing the material to fail only due to crushing and fragmentation mechanisms. In the close surroundings large strains emerge and tensile cracks are formed but in a further distance the material behaves elastically."

Jan 1, 2015

By Roger N. Miller

Talc mining in Vermont has in recent years undergone a progressive change in mining methods and in mining equipment. Underground mines have been phased out except in special circum- stances, and continuous mining machines (CMM?s) have replaced conventional drill/blast mining systems. Talc mining in Vermont began in the late 1800?s, and has continued without interruption to date. Beneficiation (flotation) has been applied since the early 1930?s, and has provided special products for toiletries and other markets. At the present time, there are two active companies that have evolved from the cumulative absorption of nearly ten smaller operations.

Jan 1, 1984

By Anthony J. Deevy

"Abstract -The Magino gold mine is located 45 km northeast of Wawa, Ontario. There was limit­ ed gold production in the Iate thirties. The present operation was officially opened in October 1988 and produced gold until September 1992. It was a 635 tonnes per day, decline-accessed mine, with ore coming from several small blast hole and shrinkage stopes.The host for the gold is the Webb Lake granodiorite stock which was intruded into the Goudreau Lake Deformation Zone. This east-northeast-striking deformation zone overprints the generally east­ west-striking isoclinally folded metavolcanic and metasedimentary rocks, which make up the east end of the Michipicoten greenstone belt. The ore-shoots are controlled by dextral delatancy associated with the Goudreau Lake Deformation Zone. Shearing, bleaching and silicification accompanied the gold emplacement."

Jan 1, 1994

By C. J. Liebenberg

This paper focuses on the application of ion exchange technology for the recovery of copper from a leach solution originating from a heap bioleach in which base metals are leached from a low-grade ore that bears platinum group metals. Screening tests indicated that Dow XUS43605 has high selectivity for copper over the other metals in the solution, namely nickel, iron, cobalt, zinc, manganese, and aluminium. Batch adsorption kinetic experiments showed that copper adsorption equilibrium is attained at a fast rate. The kinetics of adsorption increased as the temperature was increased from 25°C to 60°C due to the decrease in solution viscosity and the subsequent improved intra-particle mass diffusion. Single-component Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models were fitted to the batch copper adsorption equilibrium data, and a maximum copper capacity of 26 g/l was observed for Dow XUS43605. The effects of flow rate, temperature, pH, and initial metal concentration on the dynamic recovery of copper were investigated in fixed-bed columns, and it was determined that temperature and flow rate had the most significant impacts on the loading of copper on the resin at copper breakthrough. A 36% increase in copper loading at breakthrough was observed when the temperature was increased from 25°C to 60°C. Finally, it was determined that a split elution is possible by using different concentrations of H2S04 to first elute co-loaded nickel from the resin, followed by the elution of copper.

Jan 1, 2013

By Jones JJ

A laboratory study of size segregation is described using a model of a Paul Wurth hopper industrailly employed for blast furnace charg- ing purposes. Experimental charge materials used in the study were glass ballotin.i (1-4mm dia.) and sinter fines (0.25-4mm). The tracer material employed consisted of coloured glass beads. The results of the study show that the discharge stream from a Paul Wurth hopper is characterised by an initial negative segregation followed by a positive segregation and that this segregation pattern is a property of the hopper geometry and the filling conditions. A simple computer model based on experimental tracer concentration results is proposed. The measured segregation results and those predicted by the model show close agreement. Application of the results with special reference to the effect of size segregation on charge permeability in blast furnaces is also included.

Jan 1, 1984

"Minerals in Transition" is the timely theme of this year's SME-AIME Fall Meeting and Exhibit, to be held September 10-12 at the Salt Palace, Salt Lake City, Utah. Approximately 2000 members and guests are expected to attend the meeting, which will include 117 technical papers, presented during 27 sessions. To complement the technical program, a record number of mining manufacturers and suppliers will be on hand to exhibit the latest in equipment innovation and professional services.

Jan 8, 1975

Bougainville Copper Limited (BCL) ships about 600,000 dry tonnes of copper concentrate per annum to Japan, Germany and Spain, with some spot sales to other countries. Concentrate sales value for 1984 was 335 million US$, representing almost half of PNG exports. Contained metal determination is based on physical and chemical measurements on representative samples. The entire procedure is subject to statistical uncertainties and possible systematic errors; losses as high as several percent of contained copper or gold are common and frequently are regarded as unavoidable. In this context, the function of the chemical laboratory is to identify and eliminate such errors and recommend correct technical procedures for possible inclusion in sales contracts. BCL's marketing management has encouraged this approach and the close buyer versus seller agreement is beneficial for all parties involved. BCL participates in the respective technical committees of the Standards Association of Australia (SAA) and the International Standards Organisation (ISO). Standard methods for sampling and analysis of copper, lead and zinc ores and concentrates are in course of preparation, some being due for publication shortly.

Jan 1, 1986

By K S. Smith, J Woodhead, K Olson Hoal

Mineralogy is the link between ore formation and ore extraction. It is the most fundamental component of geomet programs, and the most important aspect of a life-of-project approach to mineral resource projects. Understanding orebodies is achieved by understanding the mineralogy and texture of the materials, throughout the process, because minerals hold the information required to unlock the value they contain. Geomet mineralogy programs absolutely require the appropriate expertise and at least three steps of mineral characterisation prior to using semi-automated or other methods: field examination, thorough core logging, and optical microscopy. Economic geological inputs for orebody characterisation are necessary for orebody understanding, and are exemplified by current research in the Zambian Copperbelt, where revised sequence stratigraphy and understanding of alteration, metasomatism and metamorphism can be used to predict topical issues at mine sites. Environmental inputs for sustainability characterisation are demonstrated by recent work on tailings from the Leadville, Colorado, USA area, including linking mineralogy to water quality issues. Risk assessments need to take into account the technical uncertainties around geological variability and mineral extractability, and mineralogy is the only metric that can be used to make this risk contribution.CITATION:Olson Hoal, K, Woodhead, J and Smith, K S, 2013. The importance of mineralogical input into geometallurgy programs, in Proceedings The Second AusIMM International Geometallurgy Conference (GeoMet) 2013 , pp 17-26 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Sep 29, 2013

By R. J. Morrell

The Bureau of Mines conducted a series of laboratory experiments to test a cutting technique for hard rock using large-scale drag cutters. Cutting experiments were performed on rocks ranging in compressive strength from 10,000 to 27,000 Ib/in2, using large drag cutters from 3 to 6 in. in width. The tests were conducted on a special test apparatus, called a ripper tester, which made a curvilinear cut across the rock sample while measuring the cutting force acting on the drag cutter. The cutting method that evolved from these experiments is called ripper cutting, and its energy efficiency appears superior to all other large-scale mechanical fragmentation techniques. In addition, the method cre-ated very little dust, and the wear on the bits was negligible. A fragmentation system based on ripper cutting was then devised, and a large-scale test device was fabricated to allow full-scale laboratory testing of the system. The results of these tests will be published in future Bureau reports.

Jan 1, 1986

By J. B. Dilworth

OUTCROPS of coal have bees discovered is many localities is the Philippine archipelago, and practically all of the larger islands contain deposits of this mineral. Very little prospecting has been done to determine the value of the various coal-bearing areas, but so far as known, the largest and most promising fields are found : (1) is northern Cebu; (2) is the small island of Batan, a part of the province of Albay is southeasten Luzon; (3) is the somewhat larger island of Polillo, off the east coast of Luzon, and (4) is southern Mindoro, sear the small coast tows of Bulalacao. Northern Panay, south-central Cebu, and various localities is southern Luzon, Masbate, Negros, and Mindanao also afford evidences of the existence of coal-beds, the extent and value of which have not yet bees proved. The general position of these islands and districts is shows on the map of a portion of the Philippine Islands, Fig. 1. Some of these coal-fields have been known for many years (coal was discovered is Cebu 1827 and is Batas is 1842),1 and several futile attempts were made by the Spaniards to operate mines is these districts. But owing to many circumstances, chief among which were indifferent management, the political unrest of the islands, natural difficulties of transportation, and those inherent in the mining of steeply-inclined and somewhat irregular seams, no considerable output was ever obtained from any of these mines, and the fuel required is the many departments of industrial and political life has continued to be drawn largely from Australia and Japan. These conditions exist to a great degree at present, and though much interest is the coal-deposits of the Philippines

Jan 1, 1909

By Christopher Mark

Successful longwall gate entry design requires control of both vertical and horizontal stresses. Vertical, or overburden, stresses are most severe in the tailgate where they are concentrated by longwall panel extraction. Horizontal stresses, which are generally tectonic in origin, can be highly destructive during the development and headgate phases of longwall mining. The goal of this paper is to present the current state-of-the-art in detecting and controlling horizontal stresses. The information presented was collected through site investigations at 45 U.S. longwalls and an international literature review. The paper begins with a discussion of the present knowledge of regional in situ stress fields in the U.S. A review of available underground stress measurements from coal mines is presented, along with data collected by structural and petroleum geologists. The combined evidence indicates that a persistent ENE-EW trending stressfield is present throughout the eastern coalfields. Experience with horizontal stress in longwall mines is addressed next. The paper focuses on the northern Appalachian region, where the effects of horizontal stress have been most evident. Three case histories are discussed in detail, and the solutions each developed are highlighted. Observations made in the Southern Appalachian, Alabama, and Illinois coalfields are also described.

Jan 1, 1991

By W. C. Baver

Even before the energy crisis developed in the early '70's, considerable research world-wide was being directed towards the development of schemes to both reduce the energy requirements and to reduce air pollution emissions associated with the manufacture of glass. In many cases the sought-for solutions would benefit both objectives. If, for example, the glass batch could be consolidated into such compact forms as briquettes or pellets, they could be preheated in a moving-bed heat exchanger with the high-temperature exhaust gases from the glass furnace. Lower furnace temperatures would thus be possible with a corresponding reduction in heat losses and total fuel consumption. Moreover, the lower temperatures would also reduce the amount of nitrogen oxides generated in the furnace and emitted to the atmosphere. Many tests on consolidated glass batch have been run in many countries. In some cases, extended tests on production furnaces have also been included in the programs. For various reasons, however, none of these has proved to be economically attractive. The current, but temporary lull in the rapidly rising cost of energy which has been with us in recent years, has reduced the push for research for energy saving means for melting glass. A few of the current programs will be discussed. Since raw material requirements, primarily physical in nature, are affected by some of these schemes, these will also be considered.

Jan 1, 1986

By Ronald H. Mullennex

The growing need for development of thinner, more erratic, or less easily- mined coals in the Appalachian region requires more detailed analysis of conditions and factors controlling or influencing deposition of these seams. The value of depositional modelling in evaluation of such coals has been demonstrated in many recent studies and publications. Such modelling may be applied to allow prediction of factors varying from regional coal occurrence trends to very local areas of seam discontinuities, but requires thorough utilization of all available types of data. Mapping of general depositional energies, as derived from basic geophysical and driller's logs, can be applied to specific prediction of coal occurrence, and projection of particular facies as representative of unique depositional features or conditions often proves more applicable to coal character delineation than does mapping of the coal itself. Depositional modelling and trend projection may also serve as a guideline in reserve classification and confidence-levels in reserve estimations.

Jan 1, 1981

By Henry E. Perlee

In a Bureau of Mines study two-dimensional mathematical equations were solved that describe the transient thermal response of a rock dust particle in a cloud of similar particles in a gas flame's preheat zone subject to a radiant field from the approaching flame. The description includes both radiant energy absorbed and emitted by the particle and thermal conduction inside the particle and into the surrounding gas environment moving relative to the particle. Two situations were studied; in one the radiant energy incident on the particle is converted to thermal energy at the particle surface, and in the other the radiant energy is converted to thermal energy uniformly over the volume of the particle. The result of the study showed that for a 10-µm-radius particle, a 200-mg 1-1 loading density, and a flame approach velocity of 30 m sec-1, the particle temperature rise was twice that previously calculated by Singer and Cook based on the model of Essenhigh and Csaba. It was further established that under the conditions examined a rock dust particle temperature never increases more than about 200 K before crossing the flame front.

Jan 1, 1976

By T. Hidayat, D. Shishin, V. Prostakova, M. Shevchenko

The chemical compositions of copper feed streams are becoming increasingly complex following the growing demand for metals and corresponding shortages of primary sources. The optimisation of process conditions requires an accurate description of phase equilibria and thermodynamics. Integrated experimental and thermodynamic modelling research program on the characterisation of the complex, multi-component, multi-phase gas-slag-matte-speiss-metal-solids Cu2O-PbO-ZnO-Al2O3- CaO-MgO-FeO-Fe2O3-SiO2-S-(As-Bi-Ni-Sb-Sn-Ag-Au) system is being carried out to support companies undertaking the pyrometallurgical primary production and recycling of copper. The experiments involve high temperature equilibration in controlled gas atmospheres, rapid quenching and direct measurement of equilibrium phase compositions with quantitative microanalytical techniques, including electron probe X- ray microanalysis and Laser Ablation ICP-MS. The thermodynamic modelling is undertaken using FactSage computer package with advanced thermodynamic solution models. The continuing development of research methodologies has resulted in significant advances in research outcomes. Implementation of the results of these fundamental studies involves an ongoing collaboration of researchers and industry technologists. An overview of recent progress in research, implementation and applications in industrial practice are given in the paper. INTRODUCTION Rapidly developing technologies increase the demand for various metals in number and volumes. Modern technological devices such as mobile phones, computers, other electronic devices, have dozens of metals—all those metals have to be a) produced and b) recycled. The fast transition in mobility from fossil energy delivered through combustion to renewable energy first stored in bakeries and delivered through electric engines introduce a significant change in the metal demand in terms of both type and volume of metals. Pyrometallurgy is playing a key role in supporting these changes in our industrialised society.

Jan 1, 2019

By P Kirsch, P Jagals, D Viswanathan, J Shandro, R LaBouchardiere

The planning, design and operation of mines must include the development of positive environmental, community and land-use benefits if it is to achieve good corporate social responsibility and minimise detrimental impacts throughout the life of the mine. Life-of-mine (LOM) planning should, therefore, consider conducting mining activities in the best socially, environmentally and economically acceptable manner, from the commencement of exploration to post-closure of the mine. Current knowledge of LOM activities in relation to public health (life-of-community, or LOC) impacts neither fully captures the full suite of human health and well-being impacts, nor comprehensively informs society on these issues. This knowledge gap is becoming more apparent as public antipathy is increasing towards mining activities within Australia, Canada and globally. The purpose of this paper is to present preliminary and informative results of a literature review to gain insight into the extent of available public health and well-being knowledge associated with mining development. LOM development must also benefit the LOC, in that it must aim to minimise detrimental impacts, and maximise beneficial (including health) impacts on all associated communities. Health planning and programing for mitigation of potential adverse health impacts of mining should extend beyond the scope of work-related injury and illness (resulting from chronic exposure to harmful substances, infectious and lifestyle illnesses), to the health and well-being of workersÆ families and extended associated communities. By mapping the available but rather scarce literature on LOC areas to recognised LOM stages, this review found shortcomings and imbalances regarding research reporting on mining and its health-related impacts in the worker-to-community continuum.CITATION:Kirsch, P, Viswanathan, D, LaBouchardiere, R, Shandro, J and Jagals, P, 2012. Health impacts extend from the life of a mine to the life of a community - Knowledge gaps, in Proceedings Life-of-Mine 2012 , pp 161-168 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Jul 10, 2012

By Tuomas Hirsi

The world’s first large scale modular solvent extraction plants have been delivered by Outotec. The first of these is now in operation and has proven that the VSF®X technology can deliver the excellent performance of the Outotec VSF® solvent extraction process. Modular delivery allows site work to be minimized and the manufacturing done in a controlled environment, allowing for serial production manufacturing benefits. Container based delivery was found to be a highly efficient way of utilizing the standardized transportation methods on a global scale. Site work with modular units was found to be efficient and highly predictable. In this paper, we present the first successful Outotec VSF®X deliveries and discuss the benefits of the modular delivery and design compared to the standard solvent extraction installation’s delivery. The process performance of the VSF®X is also discussed with experiences from the first industrial reference presented.