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By C. Gosselin, M. Rheault, M. Benoit, Y. Bouroubi, V. Sarago

The last three decades have seen significant mining development in northern regions of Canada, where the freeze and thaw cycle of permafrost and the corresponding surface subsidence and heave represent a significant challenge to the design and maintenance of infrastructures. Identifying areas at risk is of great assistance to reduce the impact of this issue. Over the past ten years, Synthetic Aperture Radar Interferometry (InSAR) has been widely used to monitor ground surface deformation. With this technique, changes in phase between two SAR acquisitions are used to detect centimeter to millimeter surface displacements over a large area and with high spatial resolution. InSAR can be used as a tool to assist the siting and design of new infrastructure as well as highlighting the risk to existing structures in areas of unstable terrain. This paper presents the results of a project carried out by Effigis, which made use of SAR interferometry in the context of monitoring terrain and infrastructure stability in a northern mining environment that is affected by permafrost seasonal and long term changes. TerraSAR-X images acquired during two periods, August to November 2012 and March to October 2013, were used to measure the deformations and/or movement of ground surface, infrastructure and stockpiles caused by seasonal changes in permafrost extent in and around a mining site located in Nunavik, Quebec. The results showed that spatial and temporal distributions of surface displacements are in accordance with scientific and terrain knowledge. Some displacements were observed in loose soil areas while, as expected, none were detected in bedrock and rock outcrop areas. The areas most affected by active layer changes showed surface subsidence in the thaw settlement period. This study confirms that SAR interferometry has a great potential for operational applications related to risks induced by surface deformation in mining environments. It shows that this technique can be used to produce reliable maps of surface movement and monitor the vertical displacement of important infrastructure.

Jan 1, 2015

By Thiago Pinto Silva

Este estudo teve como objetivo investigar o efeito da substituição da dolomita por magnesita como fonte de MgO no processo de sinterização. Em testes realizados em escala piloto, observou-se que a utilização de magnesita eleva a resistência mecânica do sínter. A diferença de resistência foi decorrente da formação de uma solução sólida entre magnésio e ferro durante a sinterização. No caso da dolomita, que é fonte tanto de cálcio quanto de magnésio, a solução sólida Mg-Fe promove o encapsulamento do cálcio no seu interior, o que dificulta a formação das fases mineralógicas que promovem o endurecimento do sínter. Assim, a participação do cálcio na formação das fases ligantes é inibida, limitando a resistência mecânica obtida. A magnesita, por sua vez, não apresenta cálcio em sua constituição, sendo esse elemento adicionado via calcário. Dessa forma, o efeito do encapsulamento do cálcio não ocorre, havendo grande disponibilidade desse elemento para a formação de fases ligantes, permitindo a obtenção de níveis mais elevados de resistência mecânica do sínter. Portanto, a substituição da dolomita pela magnesita mostrou-se viável, desde que a granulometria seja similar à da dolomita, com grande potencial de melhora produtiva da sinterização industrial.

Oct 30, 2017

By Arman Ehsani, Ersin Yazici, Haci Deveci

The downstream treatment of chloride leach solutions of WPCB for recovery of base and precious metals by a combination of adsorption and precipitation processes were carried out. A synthetic leach solution (1 M HCl, 116.5 g/L Cl-, 30 g/L Cu2+, 2.5 g/L Fe3+, 5 mg/L Au3+, 10 mg/L Ag+ and 20 mg/L Pd2+), which was prepared based on the composition of the pregnant leach solution obtained in the previous study was used in the tests. The leach solution was initially subjected to activated carbon (AC) adsorption (20 g/L AC, 80°C) in which gold was selectively recovered over silver and palladium i.e., 88% Au recovery at 0.5 h (92% at 3.5 h) compared with only 3-6% for Ag/Pd. Copper and iron were also observed to adsorb on AC as indicated by 1.4% and 17% decline, in their respective concentrations. Following the adsorption and filtration stage, metallic copper was added into the gold-barren solution to allow reduction of Cu2+ to Cu+, and to cement Pd on metallic copper. Over the mixing period (1 h), 93% of the Pd was recovered while only 1.4% of silver was cemented onto metallic copper. Subsequently, the leach solution was gradually neutralised by NaOH to pH 4, 7.5 and 9.5 for the precipitation of copper as cuprite (Cu2O). It was found that 41% and 46% of Cu and Ag, respectively, were precipitated at pH 4 at which iron was almost totally (99.8%) removed from solution. Precipitation of copper and silver was increased further at high pHs. At pH 9.5, cumulative recoveries for copper and silver were 91% and 85%, respectively. XRD analysis of the precipitates confirmed the presence of cupric copper oxides/hydroxides and revealed that copper losses occurred at pH 4 was due to the undesired presence of cupric copper in the solution.

Jan 1, 2014

By Albert G. Zima

THE conservation of strategic materials during war rime gives rise to many problems not commonly encountered in times of peace. During normal times, when world trade is unrestricted, we are apt to become lavish to a point of extravagance in our use of those materials which, during rime of war, become scarce owing to inadequate transportation and production facilities or because the enemy may be in position to control sources of supply. It becomes necessary, then, to enforce rationing of available sup-plies, and in some cases, where such supplies are wholly inadequate, we find we must resort to the use of substitute materials. We are now confronted with such a problem to an extent never before experienced, with the result that many of the commodities upon which our civilization depended are now either shut off completely or, because of the heavy demand occasioned by war production, are not available in sufficient quantities to meet requirements predicated on peace-time standards and manufacturing methods. It has become necessary, therefore, to make many changes, some of them very drastic indeed, to enable us to carry on our war effort effectively. This? discussion will deal briefly with one phase of this problem, namely, the conservation of alloys required in the making of steels necessary for war production. In line with a request from the War Production Board, the Technical Committee on Alloy Steels of the American Iron and Steel Institute made a study of experimental steels embodying the !east amount of alloying constituents, with the objective in mind of substituting these steels wherever possible for the standard alloy steels used heretofore. This study embraced the following phases: (1) The availability of silicon and manganese; (2) The average quantity of alloying elements recoverable from scrap; (3) The effect of increases in manganese and silicon contents on the general properties of steel; ( 4) The elements and ranges of elements which might be used to duplicate the hardenability of the steels now in use; (5) The effect of combining several elements in small quantities upon the properties of steel at various hardness and strength levels; (6) A determination as to whether or not the steels selected would suffice for general application. Working on this basis, the Committee arranged for the manufacture of several heats of steels containing various combinations of different amounts of such elements as silicon, manganese, chromium, nickel, and molybdenum. The steels thus produced were compared by hardenability tests.

Jan 1, 1943

By L. J. Ingvalson, Roy H. Miller

IN 1948, as part of a program to expand the copper tube mill facilities of the American Brass Co. plant at Kenosha, Wisconsin, plans were formulated to convert the 100 ton capacity anode casting furnace at the Great Falls, Montana plant of the Anaconda Co. to the production of 3 in. phosphor -ized billets. The furnace was rebuilt completely and construction was started on an addition to the building. Members of the Great Falls staff visited various billet casting plants to draw upon the experience of other producers of this type of casting. Many features of other plants were incorporated into the Great Falls plant but, in addition, many new designs were made and perfected to make the plant the most advanced of its type. Construction was begun in 1949, with the intention of having the plant in production in the early part of 1951. In January 1951, as the plant was being rushed to completion, the government placed restrictions on the production of copper tubing. As a result, work was halted and the plant lay idle for two years. Interest was reactivated in May 1953 with the lifting of restrictions on copper. Plans were laid to go into production in July and the first charge was taken out July 1, 1953. Basically the plant is designed to produce from cathode copper a 3 in. diam billet, 50 in. long. weighing 110 lb, and containing 0.013 to 0.036 pct P, at a rate of 150,000 Ib per operating day. These billets are to be pierced and drawn into tubing. Furnace The furnace is a 100 ton capacity reverberatory type, gas fired furnace; 21 ft long and 9 ft wide. Gas is introduced to the furnace through two 38 hole Mettler gas burners. These burners are of chrome nickel alloy with four jets per hole. The furnace is charged with cathodes from the Electrolytic Copper Refinery plus return scrap from the casting operation by means of a Wellman Seaver Morgan Co. 7,000 lb capacity charging machine. The charge crane has a 20 ft boom and fork peel provided with an air ram to push material off the peel. The machine travels on overhead tracks and can be moved in any direction. The boom can be raised and lowered and swung through an arc of 180". With well stacked units of 6,000 lb, an experienced operator can put the first charge into the furnace in 40 min. After charging, the steel framed silica brick charge door is put in place and sealed with clay. After melting and skimming off the slag, the copper is blown until an oxygen content of 0.40 pct is reached. The metal is then heated to 2180°F, covered with coke, and poled. Poling is continued until a 3 in. diam test billet, 8 in. long, shows a flat set. The oxygen content is usually 0.030 pct at this time. At the end of poling, a temperature of 2160" to 2180°F is desired. In the side of the furnace opposite the charging door is the taphole slot, extending 36 in. upward from the bottom of the furnace. It is 4½ in. wide at the outside face and widens to 9 in. at the inside face of the furnace. It is filled with a wet mixture of sand, fireclay, and crushed coal. Flow of metal

Jan 1, 1957

By David R. Brosnahan

Increased Cu grades due to chalcopyrite-rich ore from The Doe Run Company's new Casteel Mine prompted a program to increase Cu recovery. Preliminary tests indicated that prohibitive quantities of FeS2 float with chalcopyrite. Point counting of mill stream samples showed that locking was not a major problem, although grinding to finer particle size enhanced the floatability of both chalcopyrite and marcasite. Backscattered electron images and microprobe analyses of FeSz minerals revealed the presence of Pb which appears to occur as solid solution in marcasite, and as a sub-micron particulate Pb phase in pyrite.

Jan 1, 1987

By C D. Rose

A review and summary of the results of 120 coal sampling system bias tests is presented. This review supports new methodology using multivariate statistics currently being considered by ISO TC27 SC4. The current difficulties with ISO 13909-8 are explained and the logic behind the current new working draft is discussed in detail. Bias was detected in nearly 36 per cent of tests reviewed, suggesting that much improvement is needed in designing, maintaining and monitoring the performance of sampling systems in order to avoid sampling bias.CITATION:Rose, C D, 2012. Bias testing of mechanical sampling systems for coal - A review of test results and call for use of multivariate statistical analyses, in Proceedings Sampling 2012 , pp 185-192 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Aug 21, 2012

By Harlowe Hardinge, R. C. Ferguson

Laboratory and plant data covering 12 different operations show that lower than "standard" ball mill speeds increase grinding efficiency. In the case of high pulp-level mills, the gain is so great that the increase in capital cost of the larger lower speed mill will pay for itself in less than a year's time.

Jan 1, 1950

By J. H. Archibald

"In mines employing cut-and-fill stoping (sand fill), ore passes are built as mining progresses upward. These ore pass raises are generally made from timber and form a vertical ""chimney"", like a very tall log cabin. Traditionally the chimney, or raise, is square in shape and is constructed from square timbers with stepped ends as shown in Figure I. The timbered raise is thus surrounded by sandfill on its outside, leaving the centre open for passing ore down through it. Each layer consists of four timbers and rests flush on the layer below. The corners are frequently pinned or spiked.Under certain conditions in sandfilled stopes large horizontal loads may be transmined to the raise cribbing timbers, or the ""chimney's"" walls. In deep mines, where rock bursts are a problem, it can be shown that one of the conditions for rockbursts to occur is that the burst zone be stiffer and weaker than the surrounding rock(l). This allows a strain energy build-Up in the rock surrounding the burst zone, and the rate of release of this strain energy is known to be related directly to the over-all strength and stiffness of the rock in the burst zone. In stopes that are sandfilled, attempts are, therefore, usually made to increase the strength of the sandfill by the addition of large-sized waste rock and Portland cement. These measures usually achieve the desired strength of the sandfill and, consequently, the severity and frequency of rockbursts can be reduced.Problems may arise when the now chunky sandfill transmits high loads to the raise cribbing along with relatively large move- merits. This leads to heavily stressed and strained cribbing timbers the Coeur d'Alene district in Idaho, raise cribbing failures are common. A typical mode of cribbing failure is shown in Figure 2. One learns in statics that a structure shaped like the crib in Figure I is inherently unstable , at least from a structural standpoint. The crib has pivoted, in Figure 2, into a rhombi c shape and supports very little load. Soon the four-foot square raise cribbing made from 5 in. by 5 in. timbers will no longer pass ore."

Jan 1, 1991

By F. C. Robles Hernandez

This paper presents the results of the electromagnetic semi-solid treatment of the 319 aluminum foundry alloy, Various levels of structure modification were achieved controlling the AC current used to create the Electromagnetic Field, thus manipulating the intensity of the field, The level of grain refinement, partial modification of the Al-Si eutectic, as well as cellular dendrites were observed, A quantitative analysis of the structure was performed using Image Analysis (IA) techniques. In addition a novel Thermal Analysis methodology was developed for the on-line determination of the microstructure modification level.

Jan 1, 2004

By Andrew Allan

[Research conducted by the Bureau of Mines hrinq the last 5 years on the uce of machines for 7!naer:rolmrl ?.eve loym~nt in pi.t,c hlng anthracite beds l~a~ provide? data ?howin? that ?:;panrt of thc roof an9 str?eg of thes? oTen - jnqs requires almst half of' the PRS? workin? time. The possibilitie~ of i!rinz a mvable,. te1.ee*co@. c tpr? 3f ?tee1 ~h-!.oltl at the face in~tetcrl of conventional wood a*ti~yorts w?r? si:~q~eteil by engineers engaqad on the~ work If ~uch a shi~l8 COLI.~,~. be ~sve~.~yad, it tnillil man that face workera w~uld be provi8ed with mulrnu.m prot?ct+on from falls of' roof and ribs mi! the en- tire ehift could he I~W? Lo ~lro,J.~:ce cocl. Fermanent tim3er coald be p'l.acnA behind the shielR independently of the 'face work as the face advanced.]

Jan 1, 1953

By D. N. Golenkov, N. I. Lomaka, A. V. Kozub, T. V. Ignatova, E. V. Shelepov, D. O. Sharkovskiy, A. V. Chanturiya, R. I. Ismagilov

The modern Russian iron ore mining industry is faced with multiple challenges from everincreasing requirements of steel-making, the value of iron ore concentrates, depletion of high-grade ore reserves and complications of the mining and geologic environment’s necessity to process low-grade ores with complex material composition and low valuable mineral content; with finely disseminated aggregates of metal and non-metal minerals responding similarly to processing. The upgrade of the existing operations’ fine wet screening was implemented by Metalloinvest; as well as the design of a process flowsheet for concentration oxide ferruginous quartzites with low concentrating ability. The scientific basis for improvement of low grade ore concentrating efficiency and the upgrade of market product quality is supported by an in-depth study of ore characteristics, application of high performance equipment for separation of fine-grained mineral aggregates and use of depressor selective to ferruginous minerals in the flotation process. The benefits of wet fine screening have been proven by industrial scale tests; as well as the feasibility of significant upgrades in product quality which have been confirmed as a result of the tests. A road-map for the upgrade of an existing process for the concentration of unoxidised ferruginous quartzites deposited in the Mikhailovskoye ore field was developed, based on the industrial scale test of a fine screening process. With reference to the ability for concentration, three major ore types oxidised ferruginous quartzites were defined as a result of comprehensive geological mapping and process sampling: oxidised ferruginous quartzites with good concentrating ability: over Fe67% grade of concentrate with ca. 80% iron recovery; oxidised ferruginous quartzites with moderate concentrating ability: Fe65-67% grade of concentrate with 70-72% iron recovery oxidised ferruginous quartzites with low concentrating ability: below Fe60% grade of concentrate (cannot be processed into desired grade market product). A process flow diagram combining magnetic separation and flotation has been designed and recommended for implementation based on the in-depth research of defined Mikhailovskoye deposit iron oxide types, including grain size, chemistry, petrographic, mineralogy, hematite and magnetite grain size distribution and liberation analysis.

Jan 1, 2020

By H. M. Maturano

"Los métodos geoeléctricos de detección de fugas se utilizan en obras de ingeniería civil con el fin de mejorar los sistemas ambientales y de producción En ese sentido, el presente texto señala los métodos aplicados para detectar daños en la geomembrana expuesta como el método Lanza de Agua y Bipolar. El primero consiste en la aplicación de un potencial eléctrico entre el suelo ubicado debajo de la geomembrana y el agua esparcida en la superficie de la misma, mientras que el segundo, expuestas, mientras que el método Bipolar tiene como finalidad localizar fugas en la geomembrana luego de haber sido recubierta con algún tipo de material. Para el caso de plataformas de lixiviación, se han realizado cálculos de costo/beneficio sobre la aplicación de programas de detección de fugas, concluyendo que resulta económicamente rentable su ejecución comparada con las pérdidas de solución rica en mineral a través de los agujeros por largos períodos."

May 1, 2016

By H. G. Fleshman

?Wyoming bentonite? has become almost a world-wide trade mark for high quality sodium bentonite. Although bentonite is produced in more than a dozen U.S. states the largest producing area covers Wyoming and adjacent parts of Montana and South Dakota. Bentonite was originally known as Taylorite and later renamed Bentonite by Dr. Sam Knight, the State Geologist of Wyoming. The new name came from the Fort Benton shale member of the Mowry Formation. Bentonite is a clay consisting essentially of the montmorillonite group of minerals. Since bentonite has good ion exchange capabilities, various cat-ions are easily replaced. These cations are usually calcium and sodium; however, magnesium, lithium, potassium, and others can be exchanged. One way of classifying the clay is based on its swelling capacities when wet or added to water. Bentonite having sodium as the dominant exchangeable ion typically has very high swelling capacities and forms gel-like masses when added to water. Bentonite in which exchangeable calcium is more abundant than other ions has much lower swelling properties than sodium varieties.

Jan 1, 1987

By George D. Haley

This report will be given in two sections. The first sec¬tion outlines techniques and equipment to form almond shaped fluorspar briquettes by means of briquet presses, and the second section outlines techniques of the balling disc. PART I - BRIQUET PRESSES Fluorspar has been briquetted for a number of years and the so called "peach pit" briquet is known to many steelmen. Present production is estimated at over 100,000 tons annually. Slide 1 shows an assortment of various sizes and shapes of briquettes. It is possible to form fluorspar into almost any configuration of briquet. For safety on the melting floor, pillow type briquets are preferred. Ease of mechanical handling and durability of the product are facil¬itated by an almond shape. The dimensions of the almond can vary from 1-in. to 1-1/2-in. in length, from 13/16-in. to 1-in. in width and from 1/2-in. to 1-in. in thickness. The type of equipment to pro¬duce almond shaped fluorspar briquettes is shown in Slide 2. Here we have a Komarek-Greaves and Company 300 ton briquettor equipped with almond rolls. This machine is capable of producing fluorspar briquettes at a rats of 30 tons per hour with power consumption of 35 hp per ton par hour.

Jan 1, 1969

By Mark L. Requa

(San Francisco fleeting, October, 1911.) DURING the past two years California has developed a new and important oil-field : I refer to Midway. This field produced the famous Lake View gusher, which is credited with a total production in excess of 8,000,000 barrels. Fortunately for the oil industry of the State, this well is now a thing of the past, and nothing save a great crater-like opening marks its location. The pipe is entirely worn away and gone ; and it is a matter of serious doubt if there can be anything done that will cause the well to produce again. Fortunately, also, there have been no, other wells in that field or elsewhere throughout the State that in any way compared with the Lake View. Midway is noted for large wells, of from 500 to 2,000 barrels production; but the decline is rapid, and a few months serve to bring the output down to a few hundred barrels. In the oil-territory heretofore blocked out as proved and probable, there have been, during the year, many changes. Some areas which were expected to be fairly productive have apparently failed; others, more strictly "wild-cat," have come in; while in some of the older fields there are properties which are beginning to show evident signs of exhaustion. The total area of proved territory will therefore probably suffer but small increase, when balances are struck off. The increase of new area has come from extensions of the Midway field, the development of a field in Lost Hills and Belridge, and extensions of the Fullerton-Whittier field in southern California. In these later developments, down to date, the fresh area absolutely proved is not much in excess of 3,000 acres. Recent developments in Coalinga indicate the possible extension of that field to the south, but at great depth. Coalinga is still the most northerly field of any consequence in the State. The Kettleman Hills have hitherto brought in nothing, although a

Apr 1, 1912

By Maria I. DeRosa

This Bureau of Mines report describes the Automated Breathing Metabolic Simulator and its hardware and software systems with emphasis on the role exerted by the software program subroutines in controlling the hardware mechanisms during the simulation of man's respiratory and metabolic functions.

Jan 1, 1978

By G. A. Smyres

The Bureau of Mines conducted laboratory studies to determine the feasibility of chlorine-oxygen leaching for treating low-grade zinc sul-fide flotation concentrates. Recovery of zinc sulfides by flotation from complex fine-grained sulfide ores is substantially higher in low-grade bulk sulfide concentrates than in the high-grade cleaned concen-trates required for smelter feed. However, there is no commercial process in the United States for the treatment of low-grade bulk zinc sul-fide concentrates. Leaching experiments using reactors of 500-mL and I-gal capacity were conducted on a bulk concentrate containing 19.3 pct Zn, 35.6 pct Fe, and 39.4 pct S. The effects of pressure, temperature, and percent solids on extraction were investigated. The chlorine-oxygen leaching procedure showed promise for treating the concentrates. Zinc extractions of 95 pct or more were obtained by leaching at 50 pct solids in the temperature range of 1000 to 1200 C. Zinc extractions by leaching with chlorine followed by oxygen at reactor pressures of 50 to 100 psig were independent of pressure.

Jan 1, 1985

By G. V. Henderson

Large reserves of high calcium limestone have been outlined in the Redwall formation at Nelson, Arizona. Geologic mapping, core drilling and shallow seismic refraction studies have outlined more than 100 million tons of high quality, chemical and metallurgical grade limestone in the Mooney Falls member of the Mississippian Redwall Limestone. Well developed Karst zones in the Redwall were delineated by field mapping, seismic profiling and core drilling. Development of large reserves of high quality, thick beds of limestone near the present mine and rail facilities was the basis for the current mine and plant expansion. When completed in 1978 the planned 1800 Tpd production will represent the largest lime operation in the Western United States.

Jan 1, 1978

Deciding on plant-scale reagent dosage regimes and air rates is a topic of ongoing investigation and high importance. The current work explains some techniques that have proven useful in deciding on plant-scale flotation operating regimes. Specific focus has been placed on the reagents: frother and depressant, as well as some discussion around the control of air rate and froth depth. Air rate has been selected based on its effects on the froth phase. Froth velocity and froth height above the cell lip are the two variables measured and used to select the operating air rate. Pulp level is then adjusted to increase or decrease mass pull. A technique has been developed using the Anglo Platinum Bubble Sizer on an industrial flotation cell to determine the relationship between bubble size and frother concentration. This technique has been extended to measure the equivalent frother concentration or frothabilities of various streams on a rougher bank. A mass balance for frother was performed successfully, and this provided a better understanding of the way frother moved in the rougher bank. With this knowledge, more informed decisions can be made about frother addition required in subsequent flotation stages. For depressant, a new protocol for deciding on dosage rate has been developed. The depressant dosage should be based on the amount of fresh feed material reporting to a bank. Currently 400 g/t of fresh feed has been assumed a reasonable starting point with promising results. Improved froth stability and grades were observed. There is scope for more accurately defining the optimal dosage rate. Importantly, the combined effect of changing the chemistry and the hydrodynamics together has been demonstrated. A significant upward shift in the grade-recovery relationship for a cleaner bank was observed.

Jan 1, 2012