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By R. S. C. Rogers

A mathematical model is proposed as a general formulation for the analysis and simulation of once-through crushing machines. Methods are described which can be used to estimate parameters of the proposed model from experimental data, thus minimizing reliance on backcalculation. The applicability of the model is demonstrated in the analysis and simulation of laboratory and full scale double roll crushers, and with evidence given for a laboratory scale cone crusher. An extension of the model for closed circuit crushing is also described.

Jan 1, 1984

By Ken A. Pfaff, Ray Daigh

This paper will discuss state-of-the-art applications of GPS automation in mobile conveying systems. Robotic mobile conveying systems increase profitability, optimize stacking and reclaiming operations, and control complex interfaces more accurately than other systems. We will also discuss the application process in machine-to-machine coordination, selection of the appropriate GPS system, and Ethernet considerations. As the leading supplier of GPS-controlled mobile conveying systems, we'll draw on our experience at Morenci, Radomiro Tomic, Zaldivar, El Abra (Figure 1), and El Tesoro mines in the US and South America to demonstrate system reliability and the lessons we've learned through analysis of these projects.

Jan 1, 2002

By R. W. Smith, R. K. Mehta, X. P. Zheng, A. M. Raichur, M. Misra

Experimentation was per formed on the flotation of apatite and dolomite separately using anionic collectors in the presence of Mycobacterium phlei. Also, the flotation of mixtures of dolomite and apatite in the presence of anionic collectors and in the absence and presence of the bacterium were studied. It was found that M.phlei functions as a depressant for both minerals. However, it functions as a better depressant for dolomite than for apatite. Experimentation was extended to two different Florida dolomitic phosphate rocks. In this investigation a concentrate grade of less than 1.0% MgO was achieved with a 75% P2O5 recovery.

Jan 1, 1999

By J. B. Hiskey, V. P. Atluri

Resin-in-leach (RIL) cyanidation experiments were performed on a refractory carbonaceous gold ore. The objective of this investigation was to determine if strong-base ion exchange resins could adsorb the soluble aurocyanide complex in preference to natural "preg robbing" organic constituents. Direct cyanidation of the carbonaceous gold ore used in this study resulted in less than 2% gold extraction in 24 hr. RIL cyanidation resulted in about 70% gold recovery onto the resin. Kinetic experiments indicated that 50% of the gold is extracted after 1 hr of leaching. Resin breakage was investigated for as-received and preattrited resins. Similar results were obtained with three different strong base resins.

Jan 1, 1990

By Fathi Habashi

Precipitation of a metal from an aqueous solution of its salts by another metal is known as cementation, because the precipitated metal is usually cemented on the added metal. This phenomena was once described by the alchemists as "transmutation," when they dipped a piece of iron in a solution of copper sulfate and the iron was coated with a layer of metallic copper. The process can be predicted in terms of electrode potentials. The metal with the more positive (oxidation) potential, as given in Table 13-1 of the electromotive series, will pass into solution and displace a metal with a less positive potential.

Jan 1, 1970

This paper discusses the type of scaling operations presently in use in underground mines. It defines a scaling factor that is expressed as the area necessary to scale to extract 1 t (1.1 st) of ore. The problems associated with conventional scaling methods are discussed as well as recent developments in mechanized hand-held scaling de- vices and methods of loose detection. The elements of the scaling process are further analyzed. The conception and design of a mechanized scaling device, developed at Universite' Laval is also described. The results of field tests conducted in Quebec hard rock mines are presented. The experimental findings show that the mechanized hand-held scaling device shows potential in improving the productivity and safety of underground mining operations.

Jan 1, 1996

By J. Chappell

The Nuggety Gully prospect is located 170 km (106 miles) south- east of Port Hedland and 40 km (25 miles) northeast of Marble Bar in the Pilbara Region, Western Australia. The area is held under title by Esso Exploration and Production Australia, Inc. The prospect covers a significant, but currently uneconomic body of molybdenum and copper mineralization of porphyry style, associated with Archean high level acid intrusives intruding sediments and volcanics of a narrow east-west Archean greenstone belt. The Nuggety Gully intrusive rocks have been dated at 3.2 b.y. ± 117 (de Later, oral communication). The current resource estimate for the deposit is 102 Mt (1 12 million st) of 0.1 1 % Mo and 0.15% Cu.

Jan 1, 1991

By P. K. Naik, S. C. Das

Leaching studies of low-grade manganese ore containing 31.77% Mn and 23.71 % Fe from Nishikhal, India, were carried out using pyritiferous lignite as a reductant in sulfuric acid medium. The variables studied were quantity of lignite, sulfuric acid concentration and temperature. Regression equations for the extraction of manganese and potassium were determined from 23 full factorial design data. The experimental conditions for the extraction of manganese were optimized using the steepest-ascent method. It was found that 99.03% of the manganese could be extracted in three hours with an ore to lignite ratio of 1:1.8, a sulfuric acid concentration of 1.9 M and a temperature of 99°C. Key words: Leaching, Manganese ore, Lignite, Statistical design

Jan 1, 2003

By G. F. Willis

Gold mineralization in the Mesquite district is hosted by a series of Jurassic amphibolite grade metamorphic rocks which have been intruded by a Cretaceous leucogranite pegmatite. A series of northwest trending, high angle, normal faults have apparently acted as a structural locus for mineralized epithermal fluids and thus economic concentrations of gold in the Big Chief orebody. Late Tertiary fault reactivation has bounded the fault and fracture controlled mineralization. Popular theories of ore genesis call on, (1) Tertiary detachment faulting, (2) the Cretaceous intrusive, or (3) the opening of a dilational jog between regional dextral strike-slip faults as a source powering the gold bearing hydrothermal fluids.

Jan 1, 1988

By Yuji Tsuneno, Yoshikazu Mikami, Yasuo Takeuchi

A new device was successfully developed in order to overcome the difficulty of drilling longer holes for anchors in soft soil bedrocks or swelling bedrocks, which is one of the major impediments to rapid excavation by NATM (New Austrian Tunnelling Method). With higher rotation (1200 - 1800 r.p.m.) and lower percussion energy (4 - 6 kg.m), the new drill has following advantages: (1) Applicability covers soils and medium hard rocks with the same drifter. (2) Longer hole (more than 9m) is achievable only with air flushing even in cohesive soils or rocks. (3) Better borehole stability is obtainable even in earth or in fissured rocks.

Jan 1, 1981

By Jozef F. Zurawski

The paper discusses design and construction of a 1.8 meter (6 ft.) diameter tunnel installed under complex geology of Staten Island, New York. Contract T-13 is a section of the Oakwood Beach Water Pollution Control Project constructed for New York City Department of Environmental Protection. A knowledge of the subsurface conditions and difficulties experienced on the adjacent contracts called for an innovative approach to handle tunneling under 12 to 17 meters (40-55 ft.) of water in the variable subsurface conditions. This paper describes tunnel design and construction utilizing continuous grouting during advancement of tunnel boring machine and installation of liner plates.

Jan 1, 1993

By Tor L. Brekke, Alberto Marulanda P.

The paper describes hazardous water inflows during construction that have taken place over the last three years in tunnels in Colombia. The projects involved are the Chivor II Hydroelectric Power Project (penstock tunnel), and the Chingaza Water Project (two tunnels). In all cases, loss of face control led to significant loss of ground; in one case some 70,000 m3 of slide material was involved, much of which came out through the portal situated 1.6 km from the face. Emphasis is given to: (a) the geologic setting, (b) the remedial measures taken, and (c) the main efforts that can be made to prevent hazardous conditions from developing.

Jan 1, 1981

By Levent Ozdemir, Roy H. Spitzer, Don W. Deere, John B. Blyler

This paper documents the construction of the Stanley Canyon Tunnel, the geologic conditions encountered, boreability of the rock, and the impacts of the conditions encountered on the construction. The 5.05 kilometer long (3.1 miles), 3.47 meter (11.4 feet) diameter, tunnel was driven through granites with a refurbished tunnel boring machine (TBM). Difficult ground conditions encountered included shear zones, high groundwater flows, and hard, tough, and strong rock. Detailed geotechnical studies during construction revealed that microscopic changes in the rock grain boundaries due to contact metamorphism, resulted in the hard boreability. Originally scheduled for five months, the tunnel construction required nearly three years, including periods of project shutdown.

Jan 1, 1995

By Stanley W. Ivosevic

Introduction Increasing investor and industrial demand for gold is not being matched by new mine output from traditional sources. This forces the exploitation of alternative natural and industrial resources to supplement traditional sources. A traditional natural resource is either high- to medium-grade ore, of gold or silver with coproduct gold. Or, they are medium- to low-grade base metal ores having byproduct gold. Traditional ores are also frequently extracted at relatively great expense by selective underground mining. Alternative natural resources include low-grade, near surface ores and the products of mining-dumps - and of onsite processing - tailings. Traditional industrial resources are newly mined gold or that obtained from plant sweepings. Their alternative analogues include gold in old scrap and chemical sludges and precipitates, notably those incidental to the electronic industry. These alternative gold resources have several attractions. They are untapped and abundantly available. Having been overlooked by prior metals suppliers, title to many alternative resources is easily acquired. Or, the value of such a resource may go unnoticed until its gold is rendered exploitable by an advance in extractive technology or an other approach. This article addresses the effect of large tonnage, low-grade lode ores on gold supply. Exploiting these ores is rendered commercial by their amenability to bulk mining by modern large-scale mining and metallurgical operations requiring little selectivity. Placer gravels, perhaps the earliest type of gold ore mined, also are bulk minable. But these fall outside the definition of being lode deposits. Most lode bulk mining is from surface open-pit mines. Some, however, is from underground by such large-scale mining techniques as room and pillar, vertical crater retreat, and end slicing. The low-grade gold ore being discussed averages 2.8 g/t (0.082 oz per st). Output How greatly do bulk minable, low-grade resources effect supply? 1982 was a somewhat healthy year for gold mining and exploration in North America in spite of the general depression in the mining industry (Table 1). The wildly fluctuating price of gold bullion had stabilized at an annual aver¬age of $12.08/g ($376 per oz) - (Handy and Harmon base price). Half of the 1.3 kt (43 million oz) of 1982 world gold mined were from South Africa's high-cost, medium-grade, selective underground mines. Of the remaining half, 20%, or about 130 t (4.2 million oz), was mined in North America. This includes Canada and the US - the third and fifth largest gold producers in the world. Of that North American production, more than 62.2 t (2 million oz) of gold, or about 50%, came from bulk mining of gold ores with or without co-product silver. Most of this was in the US, where bulk minable gold-silver lode ore produced nearly 31 t (1 million oz). This amounted to 60% of the nearly 46.6 t (1.5 million oz) produced in the US during 1982. An additional nearly 7.7 t (250,000 oz) of gold were produced as the byproduct of bulk mining of cop¬per ore, for a total of 34 t (1.1 million oz) of gold, or 75% of US gold production by bulk mining. To further illustrate this, US placer, mine dump, and related operations produced an insignificant 4% of US gold output at the time. Exploitation of bulk minable gold deposits is becoming increasingly important worldwide. Most new Australian gold mining announcements are of bulk minable developments. This trend will increase in North American mining as more large tonnage, low-grade operations come onstream in Canada, where much current production is from underground. It will increase with the general climb in Mexican gold mining. And it will grow with expansion of the 12 t/a (400,000 oz per year), gold production of the Dominican Republic. Production Metal price and operating costs make these large tonnage, low-

Jan 11, 1984

By Hans Ehdwall

INTRODUCTION Investigations of radon and radon daughter concentrations in Swedish [non-uranium] mines started in the late 1960's. The first screening measurements showed that the average annual exposure to radon and radon daughter products was 4.7 WLM. The main reason for high radon and radon daughter concentrations was inefficient ventilation and radonrich water entering the mine. In the radon regulations worked out later it was stated that no miner should be exposed to more than 60 000 pCi h/1 equilibrium equivalent concentration of radon annual exposure, corresponding to 3.6 WLM. Now, 1981 the situation has changed considerably. From the average annual exposure of 4.7 WLM in 1970 it is now only 0.7 WLM. Sweden has up to now had only one [uranium] mine and the work there has only been investigative. However, there are plans for a commercial uranium mine in another part of Sweden. The radon problems in these mines are widely different depending on the mineralogy. NON-URANIUM MINES The radiation problems in Swedish mines were not recognised until the late 60's. The first radon and radon daughter measurements were made in some sulphide ore mines in 1967 (1). The radon and radon daughter concentrations were surprisingly high for non-uranium mines. In order to have a complete picture of the radon situation in Swedish mines the National Institute of Radiation Protection (NIRP) decided to make measurements in all, at that time about 60 mines (2). To get results as fast as possible measurements on radon gas seemed most appropriate to start with. Sampling was made by mailing a number of evacuated 4.8 litre conventional propane containers from NIRP to each mine. The containers were then opened at the place of interest. After sampling the containers were sealed and then mailed back to the institute for measurement. The measurements were made in ionization chambers. This method only gave the radon concentration and the radon daughter concentration was estimated by multiplying the radon concentration by an assumed equilibrium factor. The equilibrium factor is defined as the ratio of the total potential alpha energy for the given daughter concentration to the total potential alpha energy of the daughters if they are in equilibrium with the given radon concentration. The results of this first preliminary survey indicated that a great many of the Swedish miners probably had an annual radon daughter exposure of more than 3.6 WLM. As the radiation exposure in non-uranium mines was not regulated in either the Swedish Radiation Protection Act or the Swedish Labour Protection Act work was started on special radon regulations. A lung cancer mortality study was also started. To check the results of the first survey and to get experience and knowledge of radon problems in mines, it was decided that personnel from the NIRP should visit each mine for a detailed investigation of radon and radon daughter concentrations starting with the ones with the highest radon concentrations. The main reasons for these so-called "basic measurements" were: 1. To estimate the doses received by Swedish miners 2. To find the sources of the high radon and radon daughter concentrations 3. To find appropriate counter-measures 4. To determine the most typical equilibrium factor for each mine. Unlike most uranium mines the reason for high radon concentrations in non-uranium mines is seldom the occurrence of highly radioactive minerals. The main sources were found to be waste-rock and radon-rich water. In order to filter and warm up the inlet air, especially in winter time, it was very common at that time to suck the air through broken wasterock. By doing so the air was contaminated with radon from the waste-rock and radon-rich water in it. It is noteworthy that the radium and uranium concentration in the waste-rock is relatively low. The uranium concentration is only of the order of 15 - 20 ppm. The action to prevent this contamination of the inlet air was to change the direction of the ventilation and in the case of radon-rich water entering the mine the action was to prevent the air coming into contact with the water. The first calculation of the radon daughter exposure of Swedish miners was based on radon gas measurements. The radon daughter concentration was estimated by using an assumed equilibrium factor of 0.5. Later when the mines were visited by institute staff it was possible to compare the assumed equilibrium factor with the measured ones. It was found that the factor varied from 0.15 at the air inlet to 1.0 at the air outlet and the average equilibrium factor on workplaces for almost all mines was between 0.4 and 0.6. The result of the exposure calculation in 1970 showed that more than 40 % of the miners had an annual radon daughter exposure of more than 3.6 WLM. The overall average was 4.7 WLM and the maximum annual expo-

Jan 1, 1981

By William E. Cutcliffe, John A. Ames, John D. MacFadyen

Webster's dictionary nearly equates portland cement with its current primary definition of cement. Although such equation may be a triumph of common usage, the confusion between the terms cement and concrete unfortunately is very widespread. Full definition of cement properly would extend to many substances, but for purposes of this chapter cement is restricted to varieties of portland cement including portland-pozzolan cement. Among the usually recited historical notes concerning cement is that it was developed by the Romans. Their use of cement in the great structures of Rome, and even in the far comers of their Empire, such as Hadrian's Wall in the north of England, testifies to the antiquity of a major cement industry. From English sources we know of John Smeaton's carefully proportioned hydraulic cement mixed in 1756 and of Joseph Aspdin's patented cement to which, in 1824, he gave the name portland cement. (He claimed that his cement mortar looked like the famous dimension limestone quarried from the Isle of Portland on England's south coast.) The year 1971 marked the centennial of portland cement manufacture in the United States. A fair historical account of the many real contributors to the cement industry since 1756 unfortunately would be too extensive for this chapter. Development of rotary kiln practice and burning at higher temperatures clearly was the major move into today's technology. Cement manufacture is the processing of selected and prepared mineral raw materials to produce the synthetic, mineral mixture (clinker) that can be ground to a powder having the specified chemical composition and physical properties of cement. Cement making incorporates a number of distinct steps, but it is characterized by the key pyroprocessing (or burning) step, which brings about the necessary changes in the raw materials. This pyroprocessing is a chemical process. Conversion of large volumes of mineral raw materials into specification-controlled cement at relatively low cost is the objective. Statistics on the cement industry are of uneven quality. The US Bureau of Mines (USBM) is the principal collector of available data. These statistics can be only as good as the quality of information supplied by the reporting companies. The data perhaps most often questioned relates to productive capacity of the industry. The questions submitted by USBM are valid, nevertheless, and the information gained from them, as good as is available, is what is generally used. The Portland Cement Association also is a source of much quality information. In analyzing cement industry production rates, it is well to keep in mind that measurement of raw materials requires the reader to recognize that approximately 1.6 t of dry raw materials are required to make 1 t of clinker. This number can vary depending on the amount of kiln dust wasted. Also that to produce 1 t of portland cement required .94 to .96 t of clinker, the remainder being gypsum or anhydrite. A ton of masonry cement or pozzolanic cement re- quires considerably less clinker.

Jan 1, 1994

By G. Gregory Bryan

G. GREGORY BRYAN 33.1-DEFINITIONS 1. Engineering-Engineering may be defined simply as the science and art of making materials and energy serve the purposes of mankind. There are many fields of engineering, each with specialized branches. The basic fields are: civil, mechanical, electrical and chemical. Others may be specialized phases of one of these or a combination of two or more of them. Mining engineering, for example, requires a working knowledge of construction, mechanics, electricity, metallurgy, geology, accounting and economics, in addition to mining techniques or methods. Mining geology and geological engineering involve rocks and their structure and the forces that act upon them, and chemistry, physics and mechanics also are important to practitioners in these fields. Metallurgical engineering requires chemistry and physics but also a working knowledge of mechanics and electricity. The fields of engineering with which this section are concerned are those primarily involved in the finding, mining, processing and utilization of the natural mineral resources of the earth. They include geology, mining engineering and metallurgy, each with several specialized subdivisions. 2. The Engineer-The engineer is an individual who has had specialized training to qualify him to practice the profession of engineering. The term engineer is used here in its broadest sense to include such professions as certain applied branches of geology, physics and chemistry, whose practitioners may not have acquired engineering degrees but who, nevertheless, by training and experience in some area of the minerals industry, qualify under the above definition. To become a successful engineer, a person should have certain pronounced aptitudes and preferences, even before embarking upon the requisite course of training. Among the chief qualifications that the engineer-to-he must possess are: (a) a natural inclination toward mathematics and the physical sciences, and (b) intellectual and moral honesty. Among the qualities the student engineer must develop are: (a) independence of thought, open-mindedness, sound judgment and the ability to observe, deduce, plan and apply solutions, (b) the ability to articulate and convince, and (c) the ability to organize and direct the activity of others. These qualities are normally developed through sound education, followed by pro¬gressive experience. 3. The Consulting Engineer-The consulting engineer is an engineer primarily in the business of furnishing specialized advice and engineering services on an intermit¬tent, part-time or occasional basis to clients who do not have continuous or full-time need for those services. He must be able to make and take full responsibility for decisions and recom¬mendations where original thought is required. He should not be confused with the engineer, surveyor or technician who also may furnish services on an intermittent basis, such as regular periodic surveys, the overseeing of drilling programs and other such routine work as may require little original thought and planning. 33.2-THE PROFESSION OF CONSULTING ENGINEERING 33.2.1- QUALITIES REQUIRED A successful consulting engineer must first have, as a minimum, the qualities and preparation of an engineer. In addition, he must have sufficient knowledge,

Jan 1, 1973

By Gail L. Achterman

Most mining companies today perform site assessments and operational or compliance audits regularly. The purpose of these audits is to review company facilities and operations to determine whether they comply with applicable federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations. Why Audit? Companies adopt assessment and audit programs for legal and business reasons. The business reasons include: (1) ensuring efficient and cost-effective compliance through early problem identification and resolution; (2) planning and implementing business transactions such as real estate conveyances, loans, mergers and acquisitions, and waste disposal service contracts; and (3) employee training and relations. Legal reasons for audits include: (1) avoiding enforcement actions and penalties; (2) meeting environmental permit certification requirements; (3) avoiding corporate officer liability; and (4) meeting Security and Exchange Commission disclosure requirements. The Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") encourages environmental auditing by regulated entities. The EPA Environmental Auditing Policy Statement was published in the Federal Register on July 9, 1986 (51 Fed Reg 25,004). Although the existence of an auditing program does not create a defense to or otherwise limit a company's regulatory responsibilities, EPA considers compliance programs in setting inspection and enforcement priorities. If a company makes an honest effort to identify and correct its own problems, EPA's enforcement approach is influenced, especially if violations are promptly reported. Perhaps more significant to many executives, the U.S. Department of Justice issued guidelines last year on when it will pursue criminal prosecution for environmental violations. See Department of Justice, "Factors and Decisions on Criminal Prosecutions for Environmental Violations in the Context of Significant Voluntary Compliance or Disclosure Efforts by the Violator," (July 1, 1991). It is now commonplace to read about major companies pleading guilty to criminal violations and paying millions of dollars in penalties. For example ALCOA recently agreed to pay criminal fines and civil penalties totaling $7.5 million for unauthorized excavation of PCB-contaminated soil and improper dumping of spent caustic solution. No executive wants to explain to the Board of Directors or shareholders why the company was criminally indicted. The Department of Justice considers factors such as voluntary disclosure, preventive measures and compliance programs, such as a regular compliance auditing program, the effectiveness of the disciplinary system for employees who violate the company's environmental policies, and subsequent compliance efforts by companies to remedy ongoing noncompliance. The Department of Justice looks closely at whether audit recommendations were implemented in a timely way and whether environmental compliance was a standard by which employees were judged. The Lawyer's Role. The role of the lawyer in an audit team deserves special attention. When enforcement action or litigation has begun or is contemplated or a government agency has asked for information, attorneys always should be directly involved in environmental audits. In most situations, however, environmental audits are management tools, and the attorney's role should be to advise the team. The attorney can help make sure the team understands the laws and regulations the facility must

Jan 1, 1992

By J. H. Dietz

The electric assist option for diesel-electric trucks can improve truck productivity while maintaining the inherent flexibility of a truck and shovel operation. In addition, the resulting cost reductions offer a rapid investment payback for many mine situations. A review of the present technology and performance experiences verify the projected benefits in productivity and operating cost. New technologies can further improve the productivity/cost scenario.

Jan 1, 1984

By William E. Lamont

The Mineral Resources Institute (MRI) of the School of Mines and Energy Development (SOMED), University of Alabama conducted studies to determine the potential for upgrading the Eastern Devonian shales by flotation. Results of those studies indicate that flotation concentrates containing 150 liters of oil/t (36 gal/t) can be produced from shale containing 50 liters of oil/t (12 gal/t) as determined by Fischer Assay with good recovery of the kerogen. Organic carbon and trace elements such as molybdenum, vanadium and uranium also are concentrated with the kerogen. Kerogen concentration was found to be a function of the size of grind.

Jan 1, 1983