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By Eugie Kabwe

The velocity of detonation (VOD) is a significant property considered when rating an explosive, and it is quantified as a confined or unconfined velocity. The confined velocity is more significant as explosives are usually used under a definite degree of confinement. This study evaluates the stepwise increment of the air-deck volume from 10 to 30 percent, and its effect on the VOD. The VOD estimation in the 172-mm-diameter explosive column was conducted using the Dáutriche technique. The air-deck volume increment has an attenuation effect on the steady-state VOD, and detonation failure is high at 30 percent air-deck volume. This attenuation effect is directly linked to the explosive’s rating and efficacy. The air-decking approach in this study is different from conventional air-decking techniques in that it does not employ the fixed blasthole parameters, air-deck volume and specific VOD. 

By R. S. Simkus, J. R. Egan

"Changes have recently been applied to the Sullivan Concentrator lead and zinc circuits to treat fine-grained ores which make-up the majority of ore reserves in the mine. Pilot plant test work conducted in 1990-91 indicated that concentrate grades would be substantially improved by reducing the particle size (P,0) of the lead from 38 to 15 µm and the zinc from 45 to 24 µm.Circuit revisions involved installation of major new equipment including: two GUO kilowatt Vertimills for regrinding, a 4 metre diameter column flotation cell and a 4 metre diameter hyperbaric pressure filter for dewatering. Duties of the existing regrind mills were reassigned.IntroductionThe Sullivan ore body is a massive sulphide deposit consisting of fine grained mixtures of sulphides, sometimes inter-banded with country rock and varying widely in their content of lead, zinc, iron and silicates. Principal economic minerals are marmatite and galena. Iron is mainly present as pyrrhotite (85%), and to a lesser extent as pyrite (15%) .The orebody has been actively mined since 1923, with 1992 ore reserves estimated at 15,800,000 tonnes with an average grade of 4. 7% lead and 7. 9% zinc. Current plans call for treatment of 1,600,000 tonnes/year, (7,000 tonnes per operating day), with flotation feed grades of 5.9% lead, 10.1% zinc, and 22.0% iron."

Jan 1, 1994

The underwater test method for the determination of energy content of explosives is a very useful method. It’s also the only one which can separate shock and gas heave energies from each other. The total energy can be determined as a sum of these partial energies. Because of this special feature, the test method can be used to develop the energy content of explosives for different purposes; the military high explosives should contain more shock energy whereas the gas heave energy is a very important feature for the blasting explosives. The goal of this study was to find out the effects of aluminium and sodium perchlorate increments to the shock, gas heave and total energy values of an emulsion explosive and detect the particle size effects of two different aluminium powders to the total and partial energies as well. Both partial energies as well as the total energy were observed to increase linearly as a function of aluminium (A-80) concentration. The fine aluminium powder (A-100) (6%) also seemed to increase the shock energy of the explosive slightly whereas the gas heave energy was observed to remain unchanged to compared to the normally aluminazed (A-80) (6%) emulsion explosive. Therefore the fine aluminium powder also increased the total energy, but only very silightly. The fine aluminium powder can probably take apart to the chemical reactions more easily during the detonation. (3%) of sodium perchlorate (NaClO4) mixed with (6%) of (A-80) aluminium powdered emulsion explosive was observed to effect to the gas heave energy content of the explosive, but only very slightly. The shock energy was observed to remain unchanged.

Jan 1, 2005

By Doug Smith, Ross MacFarlane

"The Star Lake Mill was commissioned by Cameco (formerly Saskatchewan Mining Development Corporation) in 1986 to process a small high grade gold deposit in a remote location of Northern Saskatchewan. The lean approach to the 200 t. p. d. CIP mill to minimize capital and operating costs employs a number of unique features which are described along with highlights from the initial two years of operation.1.0 INTRODUCTIONThe Star Lake Mine is located 520 kilometers north of the City of Saskatoon (Fig. l) with the nearest population centre in La Ronge 130 km to the south. Gold showings were first discovered in the area in the 1940's with the Star Lake ""21 Zone"" ore body discovered in 1983. The Star Lake Mine started operations in 1986 becoming the first primary gold producer in Saskatchewan in over 40 years. The mine is operated by Cameco (formerly SMOC) with 50\ ownership in a joint venture with starrex Mining Corporation (35\) and Uranerz Exploration and Mining (15%).The limited reserves coupled with the remote location and the price of gold ($300-$350 u.s./oz) at the time the project feasibility was being assessed required a lean approach to make the short term operation successful. This paper describes the approach taken in the design and construction of the Star Lake Mill and describes the mill operation with highlights of the initial two years of operation."

Jan 1, 1989

By M. L. Fuller

IN connection with an investigation in this laboratory on the high-zinc side of the copper-zinc system, it was observed that well developed segre-gate structures of the Widmanstätten type were formed when a secondary phase precipitated from the solid solution of copper in zinc. This paper presents an analysis of the crystallographic relationship between the segregate and the solid solution matrix. The data to be presented are an interesting addition to the literature on segregate structures in that the plane of segregation is one of the less densely populated planes. In agreement with the generalization of C. H. Mathewson and D. W. Smith1 the plane of segregation in the matrix con-tains the direction of closest atomic packing of the lattice. Furthermore, the matrix and the segregate are both hexagonal close-packed, which has not been reported hitherto in the literature.2 The increasing com-mercial importance of zinc alloys containing copper makes this funda-mental study of value to the metallography of zinc alloys.

Jan 1, 1933

By K. A. Larsen, J. L. Ariail, C. M. LaRosa

This article discusses the evolution of U.S. laws and policies towards environmental remediation at mine lands over the last 20years, the opportunities that these changes present for reuse, and the remaining challenges associated with community capacity for effective reuse planning and implementation. Emerging initiatives by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Interior for addressing these challenges are discussed.

Jan 1, 2004

By James J. Halbouty, Michel T. Halbouty

Drilling activity in the South Texas area, which includes the South Corpus Christi and Laredo districts, showed a marked decline during 1941 from that of the preceding year. The rate of new discoveries, however, 'compared favorably with exploratory results of 1940 because of the many new productive sands opened in existing fields. South Texas completions for 1941 were about 12.3 per cent below the 1940 figure, compared with an increase of approximately 5.5 per cent in the total number of completions in the United States during 1941 over the 1940 total. During the year, 1452 wells were drilled in this area; of these, 1205 were drilled in or as extensions to the proven fields, and 247 were rank wildcats drilled in search of new producing pools. The comparable 1940 figures were: 1320 field or extension wells and 336 rank wildcats, a total of 1656 completions. This represents a decline in 1941 of approximately 8.7 per cent in proven-area wells, and of about 26.5 per cent in rank wildcats. It must be stressed that wells that were considered rank wildcats at the beginning of operations, but which opened production later classified as additions to existing fields, are not regarded as rank wildcats in this and previous annual reports on this same area. These wells are classified as semiwildcats (Table 2). There were 13 new oil or distillate fields and 4 new gas areas opened during the year, as listed in the next column. This listing represents a decline of 32 per cent from the 25 new areas found during the previous year, and to a great extent can be attributed to the 26.5 per cent decline in wildcatting. The rate of new discoveries based on the 247 wildcats was 14.5 to I, which compares somewhat unfavorably with the 13.4 to I ratio obtained in 1940 (Table 5). Dry wildcats totaled 230. The proof of the prolific character of the South Texas area as a source of petroleum reservoirs is to be found in the fact that of the 1205 field or extension (semiwildcat) wells completed during the past year 61 opened production from new sands or found crude in formerly distillate-producing sands. The 1940 total of 1320 such wells accounted for 50 horizons that provided either new production or crude in distillate sands, and in this respect the 1941 rate of discovery shows to greater advantage, the ratios for new sands being 19.7 to I for 1941 and 26.4 to I for 1940. The 1205 field or semiwildcat wells completed in 1941 resulted in 926 oil or dis-

Jan 1, 1942

By James J. Halbouty, Michel T. Halbouty

Drilling activity in the South Texas area, which includes the South Corpus Christi and Laredo districts, showed a marked decline during 1941 from that of the preceding year. The rate of new discoveries, however, 'compared favorably with exploratory results of 1940 because of the many new productive sands opened in existing fields. South Texas completions for 1941 were about 12.3 per cent below the 1940 figure, compared with an increase of approximately 5.5 per cent in the total number of completions in the United States during 1941 over the 1940 total. During the year, 1452 wells were drilled in this area; of these, 1205 were drilled in or as extensions to the proven fields, and 247 were rank wildcats drilled in search of new producing pools. The comparable 1940 figures were: 1320 field or extension wells and 336 rank wildcats, a total of 1656 completions. This represents a decline in 1941 of approximately 8.7 per cent in proven-area wells, and of about 26.5 per cent in rank wildcats. It must be stressed that wells that were considered rank wildcats at the beginning of operations, but which opened production later classified as additions to existing fields, are not regarded as rank wildcats in this and previous annual reports on this same area. These wells are classified as semiwildcats (Table 2). There were 13 new oil or distillate fields and 4 new gas areas opened during the year, as listed in the next column. This listing represents a decline of 32 per cent from the 25 new areas found during the previous year, and to a great extent can be attributed to the 26.5 per cent decline in wildcatting. The rate of new discoveries based on the 247 wildcats was 14.5 to I, which compares somewhat unfavorably with the 13.4 to I ratio obtained in 1940 (Table 5). Dry wildcats totaled 230. The proof of the prolific character of the South Texas area as a source of petroleum reservoirs is to be found in the fact that of the 1205 field or extension (semiwildcat) wells completed during the past year 61 opened production from new sands or found crude in formerly distillate-producing sands. The 1940 total of 1320 such wells accounted for 50 horizons that provided either new production or crude in distillate sands, and in this respect the 1941 rate of discovery shows to greater advantage, the ratios for new sands being 19.7 to I for 1941 and 26.4 to I for 1940. The 1205 field or semiwildcat wells completed in 1941 resulted in 926 oil or dis-

Jan 1, 1942

By Donald F. Reed

In its investigation of old, abandoned, lead-zinc mines at which records of operations are not available, in 1914 the Bureau of Mines dug surface trenches anti', in 1947 It diamond-drilled three holes at the Albright Farm deposit in Sinking Valley. Some good lead-zinc ore had been extracted from veins in dolomitic limestone during the time of the American Revolution and as late as 1870. Since that time the only activity was sporadic prospecting and developing. Thu Bureau of Mines disclosed two additional veins by surface trenching, but diamond drilling failed to find significant lead-zinc mineralization.

Jan 1, 1949

By P. K. Sen, Mrinal K. Ghose

Tailing slurry is usually abrasive and possesses high viscosity. This paper examines the existing iron ore beneficiation process and focuses on some of the key environmental issues related to the disposal of tailings. It identifies that almost 32% of the iron ore extracted ends up as tailings and they are usually disposed in slurry form in tailing ponds. By the year 2000, 27 Mt of iron ore tailings were generated in India, which has become one of the biggest waste handling problems to the industry. Characteristics of the tailings vary widely. So the physical nature of tailings cannot be considered separately in isolation without considering the mill effluent from the beneficiation plant. In the present investigation, studies were carried out in three iron ore mines in India to evaluate the characteristics of tailings from the beneficiation plant. The tailing samples were collected from different locations during a time period of one year and analyzed. The results will be discussed and the characteristics of the tailings have been evaluated. The disposal system of tailings at the three mines was evaluated. The research on the settling characteristics of tailings indicates that the area provided in the existing tailing ponds in India is much more than that of the experimental results. This paper concludes that sedimentation tests are essential to design appropriate tailings pond with respect to size. In the proposed scheme it is suggested that an additional unit process, i.e. sedimentation tank be added to the process before the disposal of tailings to the tailing pond.

Jan 1, 2003

By J. W. Cox, W S. Jones, A E. Chase

For a long time the Oil Industry has been looking for a logging tool which can determine the quality of the cement job behind casing. Older methods such as Temperature Surveys and Radioactivity Surveys might detect the presence of cement behind the casing, but short of production tests, it was impossible to tell that the producing zones were adequately sealed off from adjacent zones. A new logging method, which is called the •Cement Bond Log, operates on the principle that a sonic pulse transmitted by the casing is greatly attenuated when the casing is strongly bonded to an outer annulus such as cement. The down-hole tool consists of a source of sonic energy which is detected by a receiver situated a few feet away from the source. The amplitude of the detected energy is measured and the resulting signal transmitted to the surface where it is recorded versus depth. Amplitude is a function of attenuation and thus the log is readily interpreted.

Jan 1, 1961

By Tomohide Takeyama, Binh T. T. Nguyen, Masaki Kitazume

"Deep mixing columns are widely used to support embankments constructed on soft ground area. Researches on the stability of deep mixing columns were done by some authors when the columns do not simultaneously fail but individually fail at different time. A layer of shallow mixing is proposed to reinforce these columns as a group to increase the stability as well as loading capacity of columned improved area. Two centrifuge model tests were done to observe the effect of shallow layer on reducing embankment displacement as well as on failure pressure of improved ground. Acrylic piles were used as deep mixing columns in the centrifuge tests to avoid unexpected internal failure of columns. The results of centrifuge tests were also simulated by 2D FEM to back-analyze the centrifuge experiments. A good agreement between the centrifuge experiments and the numerical simulations shows that by using a shallow layer reinforcing individual columns, the horizontal displacement at the embankment toe reduces by 60 % and the tilting failure is clearly indicated in columns without shallow layer. Although, no significant failure was observed under the current centrifuge condition, the failure pressure of improved ground was significantly increased with the columns reinforced by shallow layer.INTRODUCTIONCement or lime and soil mixing technique was firstly used in Japan and Nordic countries since 1970s. The technique is used to improve soft soil by increasing its mechanical properties including strength and consolidation characteristics (Kitazume and Terashi 2013). Various researches were done to investigate the characteristics of mixing material due to various factors including types of binder, condition of soil, mixing condition and curing condition (Terashi 1997). On the other hand, many studies focused on the application of in-situ mixing technique such as supporting embankment and underground structure as well as working as the foundation of building and factory (Kitazume and Terashi 2013). In term of embankment supporting, column-type improvement is taken into account for huge applications. Due to loading from embankment, the deep mixing columns tend to fail either external failure (Kitazume and Maruyama 2006) or internal failure (Kitazume and Maruyama 2007). However, the deep mixing columns do not fail simultaneously but instead one by one at different time (Kitazume and Maruyama 2007). Because the deep mixing columns work and fail individually, the strength and stiffness of all columns cannot be mobilized simultaneously. By using a shallow mixing layer fixing the top of deep mixing columns, individual columns may work simultaneously. A combined technology of shallow stabilization and floating-type cement treated columns is used to reduce settlement of a high embankment on soft ground (Ishikura et al. 2007). A research on effect of surface improvement layer on internal stability of group column type deep mixing improved ground under embankment load was reported in the Port and Airport Research Institute, Japan (Kitazume 2011). However, the failure pattern of shallow and deep mixing combined structure has not well studied. This research focuses on the external failure mechanism of the combined structure by centrifuge model tests and back-analyzed simulation using 2D finite element method. The effect of shallow layer on embankment displacement and the yield point of the improved ground is also discussed in this study."

Jan 1, 2015

By Fumitaka Tsukihashi

Phase diagrams of the CaO-SiO2-FeOx-MgO, Al2O3 systems arc necessary for the analysis of copper smelting reactions and sintering process of iron ore. The effect of MgO and Al2O3 addition on the liquidus of the phase diagram of the CaO-SiO2-FeOx system at low oxygen partial pressure was observed. The liquid phase area changed bi the addition of MgO and Al2O3 with a changing oxygen partial pressure from 10-8 to 10-3 atm (10-3 to 10 2 Pal at 1573K. The effect of Fe3+ / Fe2+ ratio on the melting mechanism is discussed.

Jan 1, 2003

Draglines are one of the largest land-based equipment moving across the earth. They typically ranging in size from2.5 to 6.5 kt (2,750 to 7,100 st). Their size, though, makes them difficult to maintain. Recently, G&S Engineering Services used an Enerpac synchronous hydraulic lifting system to lift a 3.2-t(3,500-st) dragline at the Curragh Mine in Queensland, Australia’s Bowen Basin.

Jan 1, 2004

By G. A. Murphy

This tipple differs from the ordinary tipple only in that it embodies numerous refinements for grading and otherwise preparing the coal. Coal from the mines is delivered to the tipple over a surface tram. There are two tracks for loads, which will hold about forty cars, and one track for empties which will hold about the same number. The loads are fed to the dump by gravity from both tracks and are controlled by two squeeze blocks. These blocks are of the type originally designed by Mr. W. J. Elwood, but unlike the original blocks which were of wood and operated by hand levers, are built of steel and operated by com¬pressed air at 100 pounds pressure. They are capable of holding securely twenty-four three-ton cars on a grade of 2.5%. The dump is of the complete revolving type and has a capacity of five cars per minute. After being dumped the empty cars go to the usual kick-back and onto the empty track by gravity. The hopper under the dump has a capacity of approximately fifteen tons, and the coal from this hopper is fed to the shakers by a reciprocating feeder. The screens are of the usual shaker type. They are eight feet wide, seventy-two feet long in two sections, balanced, pitch 12° 30", travel six inches and the eccentric shaft makes 100 revolutions per minute. The upper section of the screen is shorter but heavier than the lower section, and contains the slack and nut screens, consisting of plates with 1 5/8" and 3" round perforations respectively. The lower section contains plates with 4 ½ ", 6" and 8" round perforations respectively, from top to bottom in the order named. The shaker is so arranged that nearly all changes for making the different sizes of coal are made by merely shifting levers. The most complicated change has been made in two and a half minutes; most of the other changes can be made in less than one minute and some of then without stopping the shaker. One of the refinements is what we call the degradation screens. Just before the coal leaves the shaker it goes over a screen with 1 3/8" round perforations, which takes out the fine coal made while the coal is going over the other perforations. This fine coal goes into hoppers and onto the degradation conveyor and to the slack chute. The different sizes of coal, excepting the slack, are delivered by the shaker onto three picking tables. These tables are horizontal for twenty-four feet and then hinged to form the loading booms, so that each picking table forms a unit of continuous conveyor. Centrally located under the picking tables and under the floor, is the refuse conveyor which runs at right angles to the tables. The impurities picked from the coal are dropped into openings in the floor and onto this conveyor, from which they are discharged into a bin of 100 tons capacity. From this bin the refuse is loaded into railroad cars through a gate. The slack may be loaded directly into railroad cars through a chute from the hopper under the shaker, or it may be conveyed to the rescreener. Gates are provided by which all or any part of the slack may be loaded either directly into railroad cars or conveyed to the rescreener. The rescreener is a shaker four feet wide with sixteen feet of plate perforated with 3/4" round holes. The framework is wood, the pitch is 5° and it is driven by eccentrics having a 5 3/4" throw running 143 R.P.M. It is hung on 1"x10" ash boards, rigidly fixed at the support and on the shaker, so that the spring of the boards allows for its movement. The eccentric rods are also of ash, rigidly fixed and spring to allow the movement of the eccentrics. The dust going through this shaker drops into a bin of 80 tons capacity and is loaded into railroad cars

Jan 1, 1925

By G Chitombo, A Perryman, A D. Campbell, J White, B Hollis

This paper describes the development and implementation of an optimisation tool developed as part of the Mass Mining Technology (MMT) Project. The tool, known as the SLC Schedule Optimiser, is capable of optimising the schedule of development and production activity for a sublevel cave, given a fixed draw strategy, for the life of the mine.This paper starts by describing the development and production scheduling problem for a sublevel cave, the geotechnical constraint that a schedule of activities must adhere to, and outlines the pre-existing manual planning procedures used to produce schedules.Following this, the paper then outlines the optimisation tool developed, describes the changes to the planning process it has enabled and finally quantifies the improvement to operations this tool has brought using Glencore’s Ernest Henry Mining Operations as a case study.CITATION:White, J, Perryman, A, Campbell, A D, Hollis, B and Chitombo, G, 2016. Life-of-mine development and production scheduling optimisation for sublevel cave operations, in Proceedings Seventh International Conference and Exhibition on Mass Mining (MassMin 2016), pp 133–138 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

May 9, 2016

By Izabela Silva Bicalho

A utilização de fluidos de corte no processo de retificação tem como principais objetivos lubrificar e refrigerar a zona de corte, limpar a superfície do rebolo e minimizar a corrosão. Observa-se que a maioria dos óleos de corte aplicados na zona de retificação apresentam vantagens quanto às propriedades lubrificantes e corrosivas, porém perdem seu poder de refrigeração, quando comparados aos fluidos emulsionáveis. O presente estudo tem como objetivo avaliar o ganho da propriedade refrigerante dos óleos vegetais com e sem aditivos, e compará-la com a dos fluidos de corte integral. Para isso foi realizada análise da curva de resfriamento, termogravimetria (TG), ponto de fulgor e teste de corrosão em amostras com e sem aditivos de óleo vegetais (soja e milho) e de um fluido de corte mineral parafínico. As curvas de resfriamento foram obtidas conforme a ASTM D6200 e as curvas TG foram determinadas em uma termobalança. O ponto de fulgor foi determinado conforme a ASTM D92-25. O teste de corrosão foi realizado conforme a NBR 10505. O ponto de fulgor e a termogravimetria indicaram uma maior estabilidade ao aumento da temperatura dos óleos vegetais em relação ao mineral. Os óleos vegetais analisados apresentaram melhor capacidade de resfriamento quando comparados com o fluido de corte mineral sendo sua ordem apresentada da seguinte maneira: milho > soja > mineral. A amostra aditivada de óleo de soja também promoveu aumento da capacidade de resfriamento e diminuição da estabilidade térmica.

Aug 7, 2018

By Samanta Neves da Silva

Depósitos estratiformes são característicos por apresentarem irregularidades nos contatos entre minério e estéril, motivo que requer especial atenção no planejamento de lavra. No depósito de Bauxita em estudo, a definição da geometria da camada de minério é realizada por interpretação dos furos de sondagens com espaçamento médio de 200 metros. O modelo gerado dos contatos litológicos, comumente, não incorpora as oscilações em curtas distâncias das elevações (Z) entre furos, o que influencia na fase de modelamento geológico, logo, na previsão dos fatores de diluição e perdas de minério. Este trabalho propõe agregar dados de curta distância, aumentando as informações entre furos de sondagens e, a partir das medidas de cota no topo e base da camada de minério, melhor refletir a geometria do corpo de minério. Assim a metodologia se divide em: criar modelos de superfícies interpoladas irregulares de topo (SIT) e base (SIB), considerando as informações de curta distância; analisar elevações médias em cada superfície, a fim de pressupor superfícies planas de lavra no topo (SPT) e na base (SPB); verificar a amplitude entre essas superfícies - SITxSPT e SIBxSPB, mensurando os fatores de perdas e diluições de minério a partir da diferença entre as elevações. O produto final deste trabalho consistiu da quantificação dos fatores de diluição e perdas de minério, aplicadas ao planejamento de lavra de curto prazo, otimizando o aproveitamento dos recursos e, consequentemente, aumentando a vida útil da mina.

Aug 8, 2018

Alluvial diamond deposits covered with a thick overburden cannot be explored effectively and mined profitably with the available conventional techniques. A novel directional drilling technique has been developed and site trials have been conducted at the De Beers Namaqualand Mines situated at the western coast of South Africa. This paper describes the technique developed as well as the results of the site trials. The main task of the project is to develop a tool and a supporting system to achieve a remote exploration and ore extraction method for inaccessible alluvial diamond deposits. The project involves the acquisition of a system, commissioning on-site and evaluating the information obtained during assessment. The project consists of the design -of certain tools and instrumentation for the system, investigations and desktop studies as well as development of the system's logistics. The operating philosophy of the system is based on the keyhole surgery principle. In this study a pilot hole was drilled first, starting from the surface with an inclination to reach deeply seated diamondiferous gravel layers, followed by drilling into a more or less horizontal gravel layer for a certain length and finally pointing-upwards reaching ground surface at a predetermined exit point. The pilot drill bit was then replaced with a larger diameter reamer/mining tool and an HDPE tail pipe was attached behind the reamer. The drill string was retracted back to enlarge the guide hole and flush the excavated ore to the surface through the tail pipe. The material flow in between the sections of the system was' carefully measured to assess and record the gravel recovery rates. Several horizontal holes were drilled at preplanned drill paths to reach and follow the ore layer and the Ore extraction was achieved by means of a reamer/mining tool. Principles of the concept have been proven viable in this investigation.

Jan 1, 2010

By Ling Wu

The development of pyrometallurgical technologies has been focused on new smelting reactors, but the proposal for new converting reactors has been substantially lower. Up to today about 80% of copper matte is treated by the traditional P-S converters which have the weakness of pollutant fugitive emissions. Therefore, the continuously converting processes for treating molten matte have been studied and developed. In July 2017 the "oxygen-rich side blowing smelting + multi-lances top converting & fire refining" continuous copper treating process was commissioned. This process was designed by ENFI and YanTai GuoRun Copper Smelter. In this process, oxygen rich side blow technology is adopted for smelting, which is a new type of side blowing smelting furnace to produce high-grade copper matte. The converting adopts the horizontal multi-lances top-blowing continuously converting process, which eliminates the transportation of molten melt and the SO2 fugitive emission. The intermediate products of this process, copper matte and blister copper is fed into the furnaces respectively through launders. This new process is more advanced, more reliable and more environmentally friendly. Until now, this process in the GuoRun copper smelter is operating smoothly. An increasing number of projects which use this process are under design and construction in China. INTRODUCTION At present, there are many advanced smelting technologies for copper concentrate, such as oxygen bottom blowing smelting, flash smelting, top lance smelting (including ISA and Ausmelt furnaces smelting), side blowing smelting, Mitsubishi smelting, etc. At the same time, there are many copper matte converting technologies such as oxygen bottom blowing continuous converting, flash converting, Ausmelt top lance converting, horizontal multi-lances top blowing converting, Mitsubishi converting, P-S converter converting, etc. The final blister copper fire refining technology mostly adopts rotary anode furnace. Therefore, in the process of processing and extracting the copper from concentrate to produce anodes, there are dozens of technology combinations. Among them, the non-continuous converting technologies for molten or cold matte are often adopted in the converting process. The traditional P-S converting technology had been utilized for over one hundred years, with a mature, reliable and simple operation, also has advantages in the secondary scrap smelting of a wide range of quality. However, due to its batch operation, frequent roll in and out, poor sealing, considerable air infiltration, needs for ladles for molten phases transportation and other characteristics, the technology has a serious pollution problem due to fugitive SO2. At the same time, in the cold matte converting technology, the molten matte needs to be cooled and then processed. The sensible heat of the molten matte cannot be recovered, and the preparation process is needed in the process. Therefore, both energy consumption and investment are relatively higher.

Jan 1, 2019