Search Documents

The development of short- and medium-term mine production schedules in isolation from each other has meant that only a local optimum can be achieved when each scheduling phase is carried out. The globally optimal solution, however, can be achieved when integrating scheduling phases and accounting for the interaction between short-term and medium-term activities simultaneously. This paper addresses the task of integrating short- and medium-term production plans by combining the short-term objective of minimizing deviation from targeted mill feed grade with the medium-term objective of maximizing net present value (NPV) into a single mathematical optimization model. A conceptual sublevel stoping operation comprising 30 stopes is used for trialling segregated and integrated scheduling approaches. Segregated medium- and short-term scheduling using separate models achieved an NPV of $42 654 456. The final scheduling approach involved integrating the two scheduling horizons using the newly-developed globally optimal integrated production scheduling model to achieve an NPV of $42 823 657 with smoother mill feed grade. The larger the stope data set, the larger the difference between the two scheduling approaches is likely to be. At the very least, an integrated approach ensures feasibility across the two scheduling horizons, which cannot always be assumed when using a segregated approach.

Jan 1, 2012

By D. S. Kostick

Soda ash production in the United States during 1994 increased 4%, reaching 9.3 Mt (10.2 million st). That was the second highest production year. Domestic nameplate soda ash capacity is about 11 Mt (12 million st). Overall, the industry operated at about 85% of capacity. Some companies produced at 100% of capacity while others produced at below their design ratings. Although domestic soda ash consumption was slow during the first half of the year, third- and fourth-quarter sales increased, especially in the flat¬glass and fiberglass sectors. These two sectors increased because of greater demand for glass products in the automotive and construction industries. Soda ash sold for pulp caustic soda increased during 1994. This was due to higher prices for and reduced availability of electrolytic caustic soda. It is often preferred for pulp digestion because of its stronger alkalinity.

Jan 1, 1995

The income of the Institute is derived from dues, subscriptions to MINING AND METALLURGY and sale of publications. These sources are fortunately supplemented by the interest from invested funds now amounting to over $500,000, a considerable portion constituting endowments for especial purposes. Aside from the medal funds the principal endowments are the James-Douglas Fund for support of the Library, the Rocky Mountain Fund and the Seeley W. Mudd Memorial Fund. The income from the two last named is available for the support of research and a variety of other purposes. It is allocated by the Board of Directors upon recommendation of standing committees in each case. An active effort is being made to increase the endowments of the Institute, it being felt that unusual opportunities exist for research and public and professional service through the organization.

Jan 1, 1934

The income of the Institute is derived from dues, subscriptions to MINING AND METALLURGY and sale of publications. These sources are fortunately supplemented by the interest from invested funds now amounting to over $500,000, a considerable portion constituting endowments for especial purposes. Aside from the medal funds the principal endowments are the James Douglas Fund for support of the Library, the Rocky Mountain Fund and the Seeley W. Mudd Memorial Fund. The income from the two last named is available for the support of research and a variety of other purposes. It is allocated by the Board of Directors upon recommendation of standing committees in each case. 'An active effort is being made to increase the endowments of the Institute, it being felt that unusual opportunities exist for research and public and professional service through the organization.

Jan 1, 1934

The income of the Institute is derived mainly from dues, advertising in MINING AND METALLURGY and sale of publications. These sources are fortunately supplemented by the interest from invested funds now amounting to over $500,000, a considerable portion con- stituting endowments for especial purpose?s. Aside from the medal funds the principal endowments are the James Douglas Fund for support of the Library, the Rocky Mountain Fund and the Seeley W. Mudd Memorial Fund. The income from the two last named is available for the support of research and a variety of other purposes. It is allocated by the Board of Directors upon recommendation of standing committees in each case. An active effort is being made to increase the endowments of the Institute, it being felt that unusual opportunities exist for research and public and professional service through the organization.

Jan 1, 1937

The income of the Institute is derived mainly from dues, advertising in MINING AND METALLURGY and sale of publications. These sources are fortunately supplemented by the interest from invested funds now amounting to over $500,000, a considerable portion constituting endowments for especial purposes. Aside from the medal funds the principal endowments are the James Douglas Fund for support of the Library, the Rocky Mountain Fund and the Seeley W. Mudd Memorial Fund. The income from the two last named is available for the support of research and a variety of other purposes. It is allocated by the Board of Directors upon recommendation of standing committees in each case. An active effort is being made to increase the endowments of the Institute, it being felt that unusual opportunities exist for research and public and professional service through the organization.

Jan 1, 1938

By C. C. Clark

The national Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Office of Mine Safety and Health, Ground Control Engineering Branch is investigating the use of shotcrete in weak rock mass mines with the objective of reducing fatalities and injuries resulting from rock fall accidents. When shotcrete is used as part of a multi-element ground support system, it is necessary to know when the material has developed a compressive strength of approximately 1 MPa (145 psi), the early threshold for safe re-entry of miner and machine into shotcreted mine workings at this value, the material has developed enough strength to be self-supporting and to allow for installation of other ground support components that require drilling of the shotcrete layer without degradation. NIOSH researchers have developed methods and portable test equipment to measure shotcrete strength on site in the first six hours after application using a partial beam test standard, a STM C 116-90 (1990). These advances were demonstrated in tests with five commercially available shotcrete mixes, sprayed as dry shotcrete using field expedient methods and equipment. The strength values from these tests allowed for real-time identification of the early strength threshold and were consistent with strengths reported using laboratory-type equipment. Measuring the early strength properties of shotcrete directly at the mine site can improve mine safety by identifying appropriate re-entry times and providing a convenient means of conducting on site quality control during shotcrete applications.

Jan 1, 2011

By Tanai Marin

Modelling of pyrometallurgical processes can become extremely challenging when the process involves complex chemical reactions, phase change, multiphase flows, heat and mass transfer and fluid flow. Traditionally modelling involving complex thermodynamic equilibrium and thermochemistry are treated separately from problems in which transport phenomena are dominant, such as CFD and heat transfer studies. The separation is also necessary due to the lack of modelling tools that can effectively couple both solution thermodynamic and transport phenomena or even multiphysics problems. However, there are, quite often, problems in high temperature process metallurgy in which it is not possible to simplify this two modelling approaches. Typical cases of this are for example, the modelling of slag freezing on furnace walls (electric or flash furnaces) to create a protective layer in front of the refractories hot wall, the formation of build up from the matte or metal phases at the hearth of the furnace, calcine smelting from charging piles into slag phase, etc. The problem is even more challenging in nonferrous pyrometallurgy as most, if not all, of the condense phases are highly non ideal solutions involving several components and exhibiting complex crystallization paths and miscibility gaps, such as the Fe-Ni-Cu-S matte, FeO-Fe2O3-SiO2, FeO-MgO-SiO2 slags, etc. In this paper, an approach to model coupled problems involving multiphysics and solution thermodynamic is presented. The approach consists in developing in-house a library containing the Gibbs energy minimization routines and using the local equilibrium concept for process modelling from a multiphysics commercial software (COMSOL). Simple test cases, such as building a non-ideal binary phase diagram on a CFD package is presented, the limitations and of other classic approaches such as equilibrium or Scheil cooling are discussed and compared to this model.

Jan 1, 2015

By J. D. Anthony

The Australian continent possesses significant reserves of a wide range of minerals, including bauxite, coal, copper, diamonds, gold, iron ore, lead, manganese, mineral sands, nickel, phosphate, silver, tin, uranium, and zinc. Australia's identified economic resources of many minerals are very large as indicated in Table 1. A sophisticated and highly experienced mineral industry is now an established feature of the Australian economy and Australia is the world's largest exporter of iron ore, alumina, mineral sands and refined lead and amongst the leading suppliers of many other commodities such as coal, lead and zinc ores/concentrates, nickel, refined zinc, tungsten concentrates and bauxite. The industry exports 70% of its production. This is reflected in the value of Australian mineral exports which have grown from about $200m in 1960/61, comprising 10% of total export receipts, to about $1265m or 29% of export income in 1970/71 to around $7061 representing 37% of Australia's total export income in 1980/81. Details of the more significant minerals are as follows: Japan (42.1%) USA (11.3%) ASEAN (6.3%) UK (5.9%) F.R. Germany (3.8%) Republic of Korea (3.4%) New Zealand (2.6%) Also see Table 2. AUSTRALIA'S MINERAL RESOURCES POLICIES Federal and State Governments' Responsibilities Australia has a federal system of government comprising six States, a self-governing Territory and a Federal Government. Under the Australian federal system the Constitution sets down the powers of the Federal Government. All powers not assigned to the Federal Government in the Australian Constitution reside automatically with the States. Certain of these broad powers result in the Federal Government having a significant influence on resources development. For example, in being responsible for economic management, the Federal Government's fiscal and monetary policies have an important effect on industry as well as on State finances. In particular, the taxation regime employed by the Federal Government is of direct importance to decision-makers in the resources industry. The Federal Government is responsible also under the Constitution for external trade matters; and international trade and commodity matters are increasingly important in Australia's international relationships. Foreign investment is another area where the Federal Government has a role to ensure that national interests are protected. This foreign investment power flows from the Federal Government's control of foreign exchange movements into and out of Australia. However, before enlarging on these and others of the Federal Government's powers and policies, it should be emphasized that the State governments, by virtue of their wide powers to regulate matters within their own boundaries, are more directly involved in the day-to-day administration and regulation of mining operations. For instance, the powers of the State governments include the responsibility-for the granting of exploration rights and mining leases, the approval of mining operations and the levying of royalties and other like charges. Administrative arrangements covering the granting of minerals and petroleum exploration and development titles vary from State to State. Before development rights are granted, State governments consider environment protection and rehabilitation aspects of development proposals. The provision of infrastructure within State borders is a matter primarily of State government responsibility. It is usual practice in Australia for State governments to construct and operate infrastructure services such. as railways, ports and electricity generation and transmission. The States may also provide certain public services such as electricity. and water, port and loading facilities, communications, health and education services which form part of the infrastructure of mining operations. In remote areas the mining companies themselves usually are expected to provide much of this infrastructure. However, the Federal Government is primarily responsible in some fields, such as telecommunications and parts of the railways network. State governments carry out preliminary exploration and geological mapping and some are directly involved in the mining of coal for power generation. The Federal Government's responsibilities in addition to economic management, taxation, international relations, foreign capital and investment, include regulation of exports, environmental matters and matters affecting the Aboriginals of the Northern Territory. FEDERAL GOVERNMENT POLICIES The continued sound development of the minerals and energy resources sector is regarded by the Federal Government as being of very great importance. However, the Government does not seek to participate directly in resource developments. It sees its role rather as that of establishing a sound economic and policy climate in which private companies can identify opportunities, seek out customers and marshall the necessary capital for the development of resource projects.

Jan 1, 1982

By Doris M. Hyde

Mineral industry activity in many of the smaller Caribbean Island countries has remained minimal. For this reason, specific references to Bermuda, Guadeloupe, Martinique, and the Netherlands Antilles have been removed from textual and trade table presentations. Any significant future developments will be reported as they occur. Readers are referred to earlier Minerals Yearbook editions for previous information. Table 1 production statistics have been modified in some instances. References to certain nonmetal commodities were eliminated because information has often been unreliable. Their inclusion in table 1 was not considered important to either an overview of the area or to compatibility with volume I of the Minerals Yearbook.

Jan 1, 1984

Limnological processes are often overlooked when trying to assess the long-term water quality of pit lakes. It is essential to deal with these aspects, since they determine the geochemical and redox conditions around the submerged reactive rocks. Underground mining at East Sullivan (northwestern Quebec, Canada) stopped in 1966. Two adjacent stopes, 91 and 106 m deep, were left open to the surface, with roughly circular apertures of about 7700 and 18 000 m2. Water filling of the two glory holes went on over three decades and overflow began in 1999. Surface water pHs values were near neutrality as late as 1994 (6.3 - 7.0) but had become acidic by 1999 (2.6 - 3.5). Limnological processes were investigated in late-1999 and early-2000, with temperature measurements at 1 m intervals and sampling of the water columns before and after the late fall density inversions. A strong chemocline-thermocline was observed at 15 m. Above the chemocline, the water had low pH (3.2), no alkalinity, and low Na, Ca and sulfate. Below the chemocline, the concentrations of these parameters and the pH increased, with pH at 5.5 - 6. Consistent with the low pH values present in the upper 15 m, the concentrations of Al, Cd, Cu, and Zn were high near surface, and decreased below the chemocline. Dissolved oxygen concentrations as well as Eh decreased with increasing depth. Alkalinity integrated over the entire water column below the chemocline was at least six times larger than the acidity inferred from Fe2+ and Fe3+ concentrations. The temperature survey showed that seasonal density inversions do occur in the water column. The inversions do not involve the entire water body, since the surface to depth ratio is too small for a complete overturn. Oxygen from surface waters is carried to the bottom where it oxidises sulfides, until its depletion. Residual Fe2+, stable under anoxic conditions, is displaced upward by the next dense water incursion. It eventually reaches the thermocline, but only after many successive incursions. There, its oxidation to Fe3+ allows hydrolysis, which consumes dissolved and wall-rock alkalinity. It is only in 1999 that alkalinity was finally exhausted and that the pH shifts to acid values. The low pHs in the surface waters allow a build up of Fe3+ and Al3+, and desorption of metals from colloids. Buffering is assumed to be controlled by wall-rock oxyhydroxides in surface waters, and by carbonate minerals in the bottom waters. Because the seasonal overturns are far from being complete, the large amounts of alkalinity acquired from the wall-rock in the bottom waters cannot balance the acidity of near surface waters. Hence the surface water is acidic.

Jan 1, 2003

By Larissa Manso Miguel Gonçalves

A partir da latente necessidade de se manter competitivo perante seus concorrentes, as empresas vêm buscando se diferenciar através de inovações e melhoria contínua de processos. Com base nesse conceito a Logística CSN Aços Longos realizou mapeamento dos seus processos para que fosse possível mensurar sua eficiência. Avaliando o ciclo total do pedido através da medição dos tempos de Coleta (entrada do pedido à oferta de veículo), TPV – Tempo de Permanência do Veículo (carregamento) e Entrega (viagem), foi desenvolvida uma ferramenta para medição do Nível de Serviço da operação. Com a constante evolução do mercado e à elevada exigência dos clientes, isso se torna um diferencial, agregando valor aos produtos e fidelizando clientes. A ferramenta contribuiu para melhora significativa na tomada de decisões quanto às atividades críticas e sua consequente contribuição à satisfação dos clientes.

Oct 30, 2017

By Rob Thomas

"In Australia, a wide roadway is commonly defined as any roadway that is driven to a width greater than 5.5 m (18 ft). These roadways are typically required to enable the installation of longwall equipment (termed installation roads); however, other applications include the need to house conveyor driveheads and pre-driven recovery roads.As a result of the increasing size of longwall equipment and mine infrastructure, in some mines, roadway widths of between 9 and 12 m (30 and 39 ft) and are being developed.Accepting that these almost always constitute strategically important and often long-term roadways, this paper considers the use of: (i) an empirical roof support design model, which is based on over one hundred case histories, (ii) various roof support design principles, and (iii) commonly accepted strata management techniques.The paper demonstrates that wide roadways can be driven and supported to an acceptable standard providing due consideration is given to the prevailing ground conditions (including the quality of the immediate and upper roof strata, the Depth of Cover and the horizontal stressfield), the final width of the roadway and the required use of the roadway.INTRODUCTIONRoof behaviour and the associated roof support requirements in wide roadways, which are roadways typically driven to a width that is greater than 5.5 m (18 ft), are controlled by a number of key geotechnical and operational factors. The recognition of these factors is an important first step in the design process and it is imperative that each is considered in conjunction with local mine site information.The main points of note in this regard can be summarised as follows:• The greater the final width of the roadway, the greater the resulting surge in roof displacement on widening - note: a) see Figure 1 for a schematic illustration of the roof displacement trends typically measured during the development of the first pass and roadway widening, b) since displacement increases with roadway width, it is always recommended that the roadway width is kept to the minimum required and c) general buckling beam theory indicates that the capacity of any beams present in the roof will reduce in inverse proportion to any increase in roadway width squared (i.e., [final width2 -first pass width2] I final width2)."

Jan 1, 2010

By Beatriz Fausta Gandra

A chave para a operação eficaz de altos-fornos está em elevada produtividade, baixo consumo de combustível e maior liberdade na seleção de matérias-primas. Neste contexto, foram realizados testes de caracterização e comportamento a alta temperatura de diferentes combustíveis para verificar sua potencial utilização sob a forma de small nos altos-fornos. Foi verificada, em escala piloto, melhoria considerável dos resultados para todos os combustíveis analisados em relação à condição de 100 % de sínter na carga metálica. O uso de 5 % de small indica considerável ganho em termos de permeabilidade e redutibilidade, com limite superior em 10 % de small para uso em altos-fornos. Modo geral, o carvão vegetal foi o material de melhor desempenho, seguido pelo coque e coque verde de petróleo. O antracito foi o combustível de pior desempenho sob a forma de small dentre os avaliados. Em relação ao modo de carregamento, é evidente a necessidade de se distribuir o small em meio à carga metálica para se absorver ao máximo seu potencial de melhoria da permeabilidade e da redutibilidade do leito no interior do alto-forno.

Aug 16, 2017

By Ravi Sahu, Brad Gyngell, Oktai Radzhabov

Design machine learning approach to simulate the process of muckpile throw distribution before blasting.

Feb 1, 2020

By Natal Nerímio Regone

Pelo processo de anodização forma-se uma camada de óxido sobre o substrato de alumínio através de um processo eletrolítico. Após a anodização do alumínio, pode-se colori-lo para obter um bom acabamento externo, aliado a maior durabilidade. O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar as condições de anodização e colorimento por corrente contínua e pulsada no alumínio, e avaliar as vantagens da anodização e colorimento em função das propriedades do filme. A camada de óxido de alumínio e o revestimento colorido foram caracterizados por potencial de circuito aberto, polarização potenciodinâmica, e por espectroscopia de impedância eletroquímica. Pela solução utilizada na eletrodeposição obteve-se uma cor marrom sobre a camada anódica. As medidas eletroquímicas mostraram que a anodização e o colorimento processados por corrente pulsada tiveram melhores resultados de resistência a corrosão.

Aug 8, 2018

By B. K. Choi, S. H. Kang, G. E. Kim, K. B. Kim, S. Noh, T. K. Kim, H. J. Jin

Oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) steel is being considered as an in-core structural material of future nuclear reactor systems because of its excellent creep and irradiation resistance on the basis of uniformly distributed nano-oxide particles with a high density, which is extremely stable at high temperature in a ferritic/martensitic matrix. Up to now, ODS steels have been intensively studied and developed to apply these materials to the in-core structural component of future nuclear systems. The primary activity is to develop high strength advanced ODS steel, fabrication technology for the structural components and key joining technology for the component fabrication. As a result, a Fe-10Cr-1Mo alloy with a superior creep resistance at high temperatures has been developed. An optimized fabrication process of this alloy system has been established through various process conditions in mechanical alloying, hot/cold working, and heat treatment processes. Joining technology for the ODS steel components is also being developed using solid-state welding such as magnetic pulse welding, friction stir welding and diffusion boding. These R&D activities will contribute to the realization of ODS materials for future nuclear reactor system applications.

Jan 1, 2015

By M Coleman

Information is a key ingredient for successful mineral exploration and development. Whether identifying potential exploration localities from a map, interpreting technical reports or searching a register for operators past and present, the common aim is a parcel of information from which the enquirer can make a decision. Traditional information gathering often requires days or weeks of manual research, studying maps, files, reports etc, before consolidating the results into an investment proposal. In recent times, such methods have largely been replaced by Information Technology, making the process much faster, easier and more centralised. However, notwithstanding some very successful technology implementations, the general rush to computerise everything in sight has left many organisations struggling to cope with the management of large volumes of diverse information. Information management is now recognised as the most important factor in determining the success of information technology implementation. The Northern Territory Department of Mines and Energy (DME) has established a detailed information management strategy to underpin the rapid advance of computer technology within the organisation. A broad base of timely and reliable information is gradually becoming more accessible. It is envisaged that the availability of combined spatial, textual and scientific information will provide a sound basis for decision-making within the Department and the mining industry at large. Although information held by DME will be available at all times (24 hours on-line), its security and confidentiality will be guaranteed. The production of the DME system is aimed at satisfying the corporate objective to facilitate and promote mineral exploration and development. This paper outlines some current developments in the system.

Jan 1, 1994

By Viviane de Melo Borges

O presente trabalho avaliou as influências da adição de boro nas características mecânicas e micro estruturais do fio máquina e arame trefilado. O estudo foi realizado por meio de análises no aço 10B45 com variações na adição de boro. Foi verificado que a adição de boro reduz a resistência do material. O boro reduz os efeitos do envelhecimento pois associa-se ao nitrogênio formando o nitreto de boro alocado no contorno de grão. Quanto maior a adição de boro menor resistência à trefilação, o que pôde ser comprovado pelo ensaio de torção. Através das micrografias de fio máquina foi possível evidenciar que o boro também atua como refinador de grão e inibe o crescimento do mesmo. Por fim, foi possível avaliar o modo de fratura relacionado com a quantidade de boro adicionada. Neste ponto não foi possível atribuir maior ductilidade à amostra com maior teor de boro.

Oct 30, 2017

NEW MEMBERS The following list comprises the names of those persons who became members during the period Nov. 10 to Dec. 10, 1915: BARTH, ERNEST, Petroleum Geol Box 552, Tulsa, Okla. BEROLZHEIMER, D. D.,.Chemist; Librarian, Barrett Mfg. Co., 17 Battery Pl., New York, N. Y. BLIEK, PIERRE FRANCISCO, Mgr., Compania Minera de Oruro, Oruro, Bolivia, So. Amer. BLOCS, JAMES A., Met 1076 1st Ave., Salt Lake City, Utah. BULKLEY, RALPH G., Mine & Mill Supt.; The Montezuma Mines & Mills Co., Montezuma, Colo. BURRAGE, ALBERT CAMERON, JR., Met. Engr.; Director, 85 Ames Bldg., Boston, Mass. CABELL, CHARLES ARNOLD, Vice-Pres Carbon Coal Co., Carbon, W. Va. CHAPMAN, LEWIS CARL, Economic Geol Producer Oil Co., Houston, Tex. CHOFFEL, FLAVIEN AURELIEN, Mgr Ingersoll-Rand Co., Paris, France COY, HARLEY A., Mine Supt American Zinc Co., Mascot, Tenn. DITTMANN, C. 0. ADOLF, Cons. Engr., Beer, Sondheimer & Co., Inc., Santiago, Chile, So. Amer.

Jan 1, 1916