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New developments in the pipe conveyor and belt are advanced to address the growth in the capacity, length and complexity of pipe conveyor systems. Improved belt construction can offer better stability during horizontal curves and resistance to twist. Low rolling resistance rubber compound can significantly lower the power consumption and belt tension, producing capital and operation cost savings. Dynamic analysis, when used to analyze the conveyor?s starting and stopping behavior, can improve the design and reliability of long overland pipe conveyor systems. For these three aspects, technical backgrounds and field installations as examples are discussed in this paper.

Jan 1, 2012

By M. -O. Suk, S. -K. Jo, S. -C. Shim, J. T. Kim, S. -H. Kim, C. -W. Seo, J. -S. Kim

An equilibrium study was carried out at 1873 K to ascertain the effect of carbon in CaO-SiO2-Al2O3-MgO-MnO-FetO slag systems on their FetO and MnO activity coefficients, representing the slag?s thermodynamic potential for steel reoxidation. Both ?FetOand ?MnO showed not only a sharp increment, but also a simultaneous slow decrement by increasing carbon content in slag, suggesting opposite roles of the carbon according to its stable forms. XPS (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy) was introduced to clarify the stable forms of carbon in slag. XPS results prove that carbon dissolves in slag as carbonate, and carbide ions under oxidizing and reducing atmospheres, respectively. It was concluded that carbonate ions increase ?FetOand ?MnO, and that carbide decreases them. This paper suggests an application method of the present results to actual ladle refining processes, in order to enhance steel cleanliness without decreasing (FetO + MnO) content in slag. Keywords: carbon, slag, activity coefficient, FetO, MnO, carbonate, carbide, XPS, reoxidation, cleanliness

Jan 1, 2004

By S. Banisi, H. R. Iran-Manesh, M. R. Shayestefar, H. Shekarchyan

"Flotation circuit of the Sarcheshmeh copper mine processes 41,000 t/d of ore at 0.9% Cu. Chalcopyrite and chalcocite are the main copper bearing minerals which are concentrated in three stages of roughing, cleaning and recleaning. Due to major changes in the reagent addition regime, make-up balls combination, and throughput to the primary mills an increase of 2.6% (from 87.2% to 89.8%) in the sulfide copper recovery was obtained during a period of six years. In order to investigate a rather large variation of monthly recovery (i.e., from 89.0 to 91.2%) of the plant after implementation of the changes, a study was undertaken to trace mineralogically possible causes of such a behavior. During a five-month period, monthly composite samples of feed and tailings of the flotation circuit were taken. At the first stage, the polished sample preparation method and the mineral counting procedure were optimized through a detailed study. Liberation degrees and types of locking of valuable minerals in both streams were determined in three size intervals of +75, +38 and –38 microns. It was found that for both recovery levels (i.e., 89% and 91.2%), there was no significant difference in the liberation degrees of valuable minerals in the flotation feed; the average liberation degree was 57.1% with a standard deviation of 3.1%. On the other hand, in the case of high recovery level (i.e., 91.2%) there was a reduction of 15% in the amount of free valuable minerals in the tailings stream. The highest reduction was found for the -38 micron size range in particular for chalcocite. It was concluded that compared to the grinding circuit the change in the flotation circuit had the significant effect on the plant recovery increase.INTRODUCTIONThe Sarcheshmeh copper ore body contains 1 billion tonnes averaging 0.90 % copper and 0.03 % molybdenum. It is located southeast of Iran and currently processes 41,000 t/d of ore. The concentrator has been in operation since 1982. Last year, the concentrator produced 130,000 tonnes of copper and 4,000 tonnes of molybednite concentrate. An expansion to the plant which will increase the throughput by 50% is under construction and will be effective in 2003.After three stages of crushing, the ore with a F80 of 12.7 mm is fed to 8 parallel ball mills in closed circuit with cyclones to produce a product 70% finer than 75 microns. The concentrate of the first stage of flotation is reground and the tailings constitute the main component of the plant final tailings. A concentrate with an average grade of 30.5% Cu is obtained after cleaning and re-cleaning stages. At the present time, the average sulfide copper recovery of the plant is 89.8% which varies depending on the operating conditions and ore type."

Jan 1, 2003

By D. I. Smith

Constructing tunnels in congested urban areas requires tunnels to be placed closer together and with less cover than was previously necessary. Contract CQ031 of New York?s East Side Access project will construct four six-meter diameter bored tunnels in a three-up one-down ?T? configuration, with less than three meters of soil between the tunnels. Mixed-face rock and glacial till conditions with a high ground water table will be encountered under active railroad yards. The tunnels will also pass beneath the busiest railroad interlocking in North America with cover as shallow as three meters. This paper discusses the challenges of designing segmentally lined tunnels for these conditions.

Jan 1, 2008

By Leigh Freeman

The War for Talent ?McKinsey & Company 1997 and 2000 survey ?2001 book by Michaels, Handfield-Jones and Axelrod, Harvard Business School Press

Jan 1, 2007

By S. Pal, A. K. Lahiri

Most of the compounds present in slag are surface active. This gives rise to foaminess of slag. The foam life and foaming index are normally determined by the draining rate of slag through the plateau border, so the foaming index is directly proportional to slag viscosity and inversely proportional to slag density and bubble diameter. When a small amount of a strong surface active compound like P2O5or Cr2O3is present in slag, however, the foam life increases significantly and the above relationship is not obeyed. The strong surface active compounds reduce the draining rate from the film between the adjacent bubbles so the film draining controls the life of the foam. The thickness of the film, Marangoni force, viscosity of the slag, and diffusion of surface active compounds determine the film draining rate. The interplay of these factors leads to very low or high film draining rates and affects the film and foam stability significantly. Keywords: slag, foam, foaming index, film draining

Jan 1, 2004

By John Heilig, Patrick Andrieux

"Near-field monitoring of blast induced seismic vibrations is a practical and useful way of assessing blast field behaviour for diagnosis and optimization purposes. It is also necessary in order to provide the information from which empirical vibration prediction equations, such as the one proposed by Holmberg (11 for example, can be derived. (Strictly speaking, the “near field” extends from the blasthole itself to about one charge length away from it; however, throughout this article, “near field”will.most often refer to the outer limit of this zone, from roughly 0.75 to 1.50 charge length away.) In order to obtain reliable data, proper field monitoring techniques are of paramount importance. Once the data are properly recorded, analysis can be done either in the time domain (describing vibration amplitude vs. time) or in the frequency domain (usually describing vibration amplitude vs. frequency)."

Jan 1, 1995

By E. A. Lowe, J. W. Smith, C. W. Overton

"The operations of Bethlehem Copper are situated in the south-central interior of British Columbia at an elevation of 4900 feet above sea level. Main road and rail transportation systems pass through Ashcroft in the Thompson Valley, which is 28 miles by road from the minesite. The operation was the first low-grade open-pit porphyry copper mine in British Columbia.The minerals are chiefly chalcopytite and bornite, while the rock is principally feldspar and quartz. In the outer fringes of the orebodies some pyrite is present. Average grade of mill feed is 0.55% copper.History of Milling Operations Production commenced in December 1962 at a rate of 3,000 tpd in a plant that comprised two-stage crushing followed by rod and ball milling. Production ratings were increased to 6,000, 10,000 and 12,000 tpd by the addition of a further stage of crushing and more rod and ball mills. When the last expansion was completed tonnage throughput exceeded the 12,000 ton designed rate and was stabilized at 15,500 tpd.However, recovery did not meet expectations at the expanded rate because of coarse flotation feed. Capacity in the rod mill circuits exceeded the subsequent fine grinding capacity, resulting in poor liberation. Studies were initiated to improve recovery without decreasing throughput.Description of Operation Prior to Pebble Milling Crushing with primary, secondary and a closed tertiary stage proceeds at a scheduled 20.5 shifts per week. Fine ore screened on 1/2"" x 4"" apertures is stored in a 30,000-ton bin ahead of two 12.5' x 15' rod mills. Rod mill discharge joins secondary ball mill (one 10.5' x 14' and one 11' x 14') discharge for classification in a single 50"" cyclone which closes the secondary mills. Overflow from this cyclone is split between three third-stage ball mill-pump-cyclone circuits (two 11' x 14' and one 12.5' x 15'). Prior to addition of the two pebble mills the flotation feed was produced by this three-stage grinding system. Grinding criteria are shown in Table I."

Jan 1, 1975

By Nicolae Dobritoiu

The literature in this field and the practical activity record that a method, respectively the technology used for an underground mining work have many components which, in order to be applied, demand that for each of the parameters that describe the environment of the mining work and that influence the chosing of that method and that technology of execution, must have values in an interval well determined. There are situations when one or many parameters of the set of parameters that describe the environment of the mining work, can modify its values, and, as a result, one or more components of the methods or technology cannot be applied anymore, making necessary a replacement of their values. The information offered by this graphical-analytical model allow the determination of optimum solutions for the process of digging of the underground mining work and thus it will result the incresing of the technical-economical efficiency of the digging process and, also the increasing of the quality of the underground mining work.

Oct 1, 2009

Jan 1, 1971

By Elizma Ford, Vincent Sithole

"Two shortened test procedures for estimating the Bond ball work index are compared for suitability of use on Zambian/DRC-type copper–cobalt ores. The first procedure is based on a batch milling test while the second procedure is based on a limited locked-cycle test. Both procedures were conducted using a standard Bond test mill. INTRODUCTION The Bond ball work index is widely used in the field of minerals processing as an indicator of ore grindability. The work index is determined by means of a locked-cycle test procedure that typically requires seven to eight cycles to stabilise at a re-circulating load of 250%. A typical test requires between three to four kilogram of ore sample and around eight hours of operator time. For geometallurgical test work applications, where a large number of variability samples are to be tested, it would be highly beneficial to use a test procedure that requires less sample mass and operator time. Certain test work laboratories, for example SGS and JK Tech, are already offering various types of shortened test procedures for estimating the Bond ball work index. This paper discusses a comparison of two shortened test procedures that were evaluated for suitability of use on Zambian/DRC-type copper–cobalt ores. EXPERIMENTAL Test Procedure 1 – Batch Milling The first test procedure is derived from a batch milling approach proposed by the University of Hacettepe (Aksani, 2000). Some modifications were, however, made to the data analysis method from that originally proposed. During this test procedure, a 700 mL volume of sample is milled in a standard Bond test mill for a pre-determined number of revolutions. The feed and product particle size distributions are measured for each test. These results are then used to back-calculate a cumulative breakage rate parameter (k) for each particle size, according to the following formula:"

Jan 1, 2015

By Dave Capstick, Ken Garner, Jim Porter

Technologies and systems used in the management of energy consumption in the mining and metal processing industry are well understood and documented from the supply side of the business. It is our contention that in many instances, through a more complete understanding of the demand side of the business, based on the detail of the operations plan, will provide greater lead time in terms of the design, implementation and utilisation of power supply infrastructure. Thus, optimal management of demand in a proactive manner, based on production requirements, will ensure both security of supply as well as continuity of operations. This paper describes the technology and methodology that is being developed to enable the above statement to be achieved. We use a case study to demonstrate the ability of the tools and methodology and conclude by outlining the business benefits achievable as well as the future developments emanating from this initiative.

Jan 1, 2005

A Mechanistic Model of Batch Grinding in Ball Mills

Sep 13, 2010

By Garry Johansen, Andrew McCallum, Sandy Gray, Gary Patrick, Jennifer Abols

"The authors challenge the traditional thinking that whole ore cyanidation followed by Carbon in Pulp (CIP) or Carbon in Leach (CIL) should be applied as a standard process in the majority of gold processing flowsheets. The concept of whole ore leaching by using cyanide can result in unnecessary environmental and capital risk. Alternative, currently available technologies can be used to provide the desired level of gold recovery at a much lower installed cost and less impact on the environment. Gravity concentration, alone or in conjunction with flotation, can produce a gold bearing concentrate that can then be fed directly to a batch or continuous intensive cyanidation unit.The InLine Leach Reactor (ILR) is an intensive cyanidation unit developed by Gekko Systems of Australia. Advantages of this technology include significantly reduced capital outlays for greenfield plants or plant upgrades and increased investor returns. Reduction of onsite cyanide and carbon inventories improves plant safety, materials handling and site security. By using direct electrowinning to treat the gold bearing solutions produced by the ILR, the need for a conventional carbon stripping circuit is removed. Potential also exists to increase grind size – saving energy, further reducing capital and operating costs and decreasing the environmental impact of a mill. Detoxification of cyanide before the release of solution to the tailings dam can minimise tailings disposal and containment requirements.When used in the right application the proposed process will have little or no impact on gold recovery and may actually increase recovery for complex ores. Areas applicable to this type of treatment include: plants in environmentally sensitive regions, lower tonnage higher grade deposits, coarse gold deposits, and preg robbing ores - some of which may not currently be economically feasible using standard processes and flowsheets. We have provided three examples of such projects, where an alternative to whole ore leach and CIP or CIL has delivered these benefits."

Jan 1, 2003

By D Craw

TheSouthern Alps in the South Island of New Zealand are currently rising rapidly as a consequence of continental collision along the Pacific-Australian plate boundary. Rapid uplift has resulted in a major thermal anomaly in the shallow crust beneath the alps. Alpine topography and associated intense precipitation, coupled with the thermal anomaly are responsible for vigorous combined topographic/convective circulation of water through the shallow crust.   Uplift is greatest in a wedge-shaped region between the Alpine Fault and an associated second-order backthrust system, the Main Divide Fault Zone, approximately 20 km to the east. The Main Divide Fault Zone is segmented into NNE and NE striking faults, which are regionally sub-parallel to the Alpine Fault, but dip northwest in the opposite direction. Reverse oblique-slip on the Main Divide Fault is in an easterly direction, with a greater component of strike-slip movement on the NE trending faults. Elevated topography in the Mt Cook region is related to thrusting of a relatively homoclinal sequence of semi-schistose rocks on top of lower-grade greywacke, which controls the position of the Main Divide. Tectonically induced fluid flow resulted in only minor alteration and hydrothermal mineralisation of fault-rocks in Alpine and Main Divide Faults, and localised deposition of quartz and/or carbonate in the immediate hangingwall.   The wedge between the Alpine and Main Divide Faults is segmented by third-order structures north of the Mount Cook region. A series of right-lateral (-085/700S) and left-lateral (-150/600SW) faults, which are synthetic and antithetic to the Alpine Fault, respectively, developed as a conjugate set during uplift. Fluid-flow in the Southern Alps is controlled by these third-order fault/fracture systems. Cu-Au mineralisation, hydrothermal veins, and surface hot spring activity are localised by third-order fault/fractures and appears to be enhanced where conjugates intersect.

Jan 1, 1995

THE exceptional rainfall characteristic of the West Coast of Tasmania, in conjunction with the rugged topography of the district, has always suggested the utilization of water-power, and from the earliest days of the Mount Lyell Company theeventual installation of a hydro-electric power scheme, making use of some near-lying lake, has constantly been kept in view. At the period of the inception of the company, however, the time was not ripe for such an undertaking, and it is only oflate that the various important considerations involved have sanctioned incun;ing the heavy expenditure necessary, with the positive assurance of permanently reaping the benefits expected. The West Coast of Tasmania contains many lakes of varioussites; situated at high levels, and, although the catchments of these lakes are not very extensive, still, the excessive rainfall is so constant over long periods that its regularity may be relied on as offsetting the limited catchments. The explanation of the abnormal rainfall is simply the circumstance that the West Coast Range forms the first high land barrier which is met by the moisture-laden westerly and north-westerly winds blowing off the Southern Ocean. By the time the clouds strike the mountains they ride very low, consequently the elevation of the range, the peaks of which do not exceed 3000 to 4000 ft. above the sea, is sufficient to cause a copious precipitation. Lake Margaret, which is situated five miles north of the reduction works, was first recognized as a possible source of waterpower by Mr. Hugh Ohrisp, a surveyor, who visited it about 1893-4. Earlyl in 1895, while the preliminary work on the erection of the first furnaces of the Mount Lyell Co.'s reduction...

Jan 1, 1915

Many of the world?s largest existing mines are considering substantial step changes in production volumes, compensating for declining ore grades while trying to address increases in world demand for resources. The natural configuration of coal deposits allows for many mine development openings along the strike to access the ore body and thus increase volume. Similarly, with iron ore the nature of the deposits means that additional capacity can easily be added by opening up new mesas and providing extensions to infrastructure. On the other hand most of the non-ferrous metaliferous deposits form vertically and additional extraction volume comes from increasing depth. Underground mining from the base of the strata allows for large extraction rates, but block or panel caving operations develop at rates dictated by the geophysics of the overlying strata and the need for massive tunnelling developments to establish sufficient extraction points for high volumes. For really big mine production capacity, open cast mining still allows the easiest development of more massive mining techniques. But there remains the question of whether there are limits to how large an open cut mine can become in terms of throughput?

Feb 27, 2013

By Stephen H. Chung, Kevin Atherton

The main purpose behind this preliminary study was the reduction of costs while maintaining productivity. Finding a way to achieve this balance without compromising controls on safety and quality of blasting results is of continual interest to the mining industry and of particular interest when ore of lower grade is being mined.

Jan 1, 1998

By S. Slottee

The technology of making and using ?paste? from mine tailings is increasingly well known by the minerals industry. The primary applications are water recovery and ?stacking? of tailings with minimal use of dams and ponds. This paper highlights some applications, other than water recovery and stacking, that have come to the attention of a paste thickener equipment supplier. As generated by thickeners, paste (also called ?thickened tailings?) is a non-settling, relatively high concentration, suspension of solids that can be pumped. Paste deposits with an angle of repose, allowing minimal use of dams. High solids concentration allows more water recovery at the paste thickener than is achieved in conventional and high rate slurry tailings thickeners. This paper is based on paste as produced in a flow sheet that includes a thickener, underflow pumps that are typically centrifugal, transfer pumps that can be centrifugal or positive displacement, and a distribution system at the deposition site. Examples of paste applications other than water recovery or stacking include: ?mine? an existing tailings pond by removing slurry, recovering coal or iron ore values, and return the new tailings to the pond as a paste that does not res-suspend; use paste to seal an existing tailings pond from leaking to groundwater or to an underground mine; extend the life of an existing tailings pond by thickening the tailings to paste; move an existing dry tailings impoundment to a new location by slurrying, pumping, paste thickening, and redeposit; minimize the size of a filter by paste thickening the feed; operate a paste thickener and filter in parallel on a tailings stream with re-mixing to achieve a high solids concentration. The use of paste tailings technology has been expanding over the last 15 years. The applications, both implemented and under consideration, are increasingly diverse and include all minerals tailings. Tailings handling designers should always consider a paste option to the conventional slurry solution.

Jan 1, 2011

By S. F. Emmons

There is, in the southern part of the State of Illinois, a series of deposits of fluorspar and galena in which the former mineral occurs on a scale of magnitude unequalled, so far as I know, in any other part of the world. In June, 1891, 1 had an opportunity of visiting the region of their principal development, near Rosiclare, Hardin county, Ill., and examined such of the mines in the vicinity as were accessible at that time. A very large proportion of the mining shafts that had been sunk in this region were unfortunately abandoned for the time being, and full of water. Moreover, detailed maps of the region are unattainable, no surveys having been made there, apparently, since the original land-surveys' of the early part of the century. In spite of these disadvantages I was enabled, in the few days at my disposal, to ascertain with sufficient accuracy certain facts not hitherto published with regard to these deposits, which seem worthy the attention of the members of the Institute. Before proceeding to a description of the deposits in question, I will give a brief abstract of the little historical and geological information hearing directly or indirectly upon them, which I have been able to find in existing publications. Historical. That the mineral was known to the Indians, is proved by the discovery, in some of the pre-historic mounds of the region,* of fluorspar, shaped into ornaments. The earliest scientific mention of its occurrence is found in the first volume of the American Journal of Science (1818+), which describes specimens obtained in the vicinity of Shawneetown by Mr. Joseph Baldwin. Similar notices appear in the same journal in 1820 and 1821, but without mention of the exact locality. They remark on the fetid odor which characterizes the mineral and its association with galena. Schoolcraft, as early as 1819, note: the occurrence of fluate of

Jan 1, 1893