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By Benjamin F. Merembeck

A mutispectral scanner (MSS) obtains remotely sensed data of the earth's surface in vector form, one vector element for each spectral sensing band of the MSS. Data generated by either airborne or orbiting MSS systems are organized in a lattice of scan lines and elements within scan lines. Each element, called a pixel, is represented by an observational vector and corresponds to a relatively small specific area on the ground. The total observations for a sensed scene frequently are in the millions and are composed of a number of populations, each representing a different land form category. Based on samples from the populations, the mean vectors, or spectral signatures, and the covariance matrices for the categories may be estimated. From these, an among category covariance matrix and a combined within category covariance matrix can be found. The total among category variance is the trace of the among category covariance matrix. Canonical analysis finds a linear transformation matrix such that the first transform variable accounts for the maximum possible part of the total among category variance. Similarly, the second transform variable, orthogonal to the first, accounts for the maximum possible part of the remainder of the total variance, and so on. Such transformation often results in over 95 percent of the total variance accounted for in the first three canonical variables, even though the initial number of spectral bands exceeded twenty. Transformation of bulk data into three canonical variates allows color map products to be developed by assigning each variable to a different basic color. Such color products are believed to be more useful for photo-interpretation than color products resulting from any combinations of three of the initial spectral bands.

Jan 1, 1977

By Sharmil Markar M

Ballarat Goldfields Limited is currently re-opening the old workings of the East Ballarat Goldfield which contain an estimated 1800 ML of groundwater. The disposal of this 'minewater' was of concern: the minewater is of moderate salinity; increased salinity levels have interfered with agriculture and water use at a number of locations downstream from Ballarat. Extensive numerical studies indicated that treated minewater could be discharged into the Ballarat Creek system for dilution by sewage effluent and by surface runoff after rainfall events. An automatic real-time salinity management system has been developed to enable the disposal of saline minewater in this fashion. A desk top computer operates the system: discharge and salinity readings are taken automatically each hour and filed away; the maximum allowable rate of discharge of treated minewater is calculated; pumps are switched on and off. The system readily enables daily, weekly and monthly data reports together with floppy disks of 'raw' data to be prepared in formats suitable for direct submission to the Victorian Environmental Protection Authority.

Jan 1, 1990

By Cesar Ccorahua, Pabel Alvarado

Los diseños de Open Pit con la Linea Media Del Banco, son la forma más eficaz de construir diseños de Open Pit. El diseño de un Pit puede cambiar en función de los precios de los metales, los costos y otras restricciones económicas, geológicas y ambientales; Estas restricciones deben establecerse en el modelo de bloque y debe establecerse una variable numérica y categórica específica. Los profesionales deben informar lo que está en el diseño basado en el Modelo de Bloques. Aunque el diseño se considera lento en software 3D, el diseño de la línea media del banco ejemplifica la flexibilidad y la eficiencia.

Sep 1, 2017

By Ramani R. V

There are many important physical phenomena in mine ventilation which involve transient mass and heat transfer processes. These processes have been modeled using differential equations often solved with close form solution. Within the last two decades, many numerical schemes have been devised to solve these mass-transfer problems. Much of this effort has focused on variants of the finite element and finite difference methods. In this paper, the solution of mass transfer models in mine ventilation by finite difference technique is discussed. Specifically, the computational effort and the accuracy of the solution are presented.

Jan 1, 1988

By F. N. Rhines, A. S. Nemy

The mode of high-temperature tertiary creep of 523-0 aluminum alloy was found to be strongly stress dependent. The occurrence of necking and/or fissures during tertiary creep exhibited a sequence with varying stress, wherein fissures with no necking occur at a minimum stress and necking with no fissures occur at a maximum stress. At an intermediate stress, tertiary creep begins without necking but with fissures in a region just beneath the external surface, followed by necking and the development of fissures along the axis of the specimen. The results are interpreted in terms of grain boundary gliding and the hydrostatic stresses produced by restraints to grain boundary gliding. THERE appear to be two possible reasons for the existence of a period of accelerating elongation prior to rupture during high-temperature creep in metals; namely, 1) a change in the structure of the metal itself, leading to a change in its response to loading, and 2) a reduction in the cross section of the metal resulting in a higher unit loading. Howe,' by annealing and retesting broken low-temperature creep specimens, found that irreparable damage is done once a metal is subjected to creep. Andrade2 first pointed out the association between the reduction in cross section and the increase in creep rate. The present research was designed to investigate both of these factors by retesting specimens machined from material which had been subjected to high-temperature creep testing short of rupture. EXPERIMENTAL METHOD An aluminum alloy, 52s-0, was selected for these studies because it is constitutionally simple, is strong enough to be relatively insensitive to mechanical damage during machining,3 and undergoes accelerating creep in a convenient temperature range. This alloy is hardened by 2.6 wt pct Mg in solid solution and is not subject to overaging effects; it has a very small quantity of an insoluble impurity phase, Mg2Si, finely dispersed throughout its micro-structure. Creep specimens, similar in design to ASTM 0.252-in. tensile specimens, were machined from 3/4-in. round stock and the surfaces were electro-polished. A 24-hr anneal at 500°C was then applied to stabilize the grain size to an average diameier of 0.27 mm. Subsequent heating for as long as 700 hr at the intended test temperatures produced no change in the tensile properties, indicating a well-stabilized state of the material. Corresponding to each of the typical testing conditions listed in Table I, one creep specimen was tested to destruction and this test was employed as a guide in the selection of times for subsequent tests. Duplicate creep tests were then run to various points along the creep curve to produce specimens which were used to determine changes in mechanical properties and microstructures. The latter were examined at the midsections of the specimens. Other specimens were tested to various stages of tertiary creep, after which they were remachined to new cylindrical test specimens, electropolished and re-tested in creep. RESULTS The major findings of this investigation may be illustrated by a comparison of the results of three sets of creep tests. These were run at 400°C at three stress levels, namely 750, 1000, and 1500 psi. In presenting these results in Figs. 1, 5, and 8, the creep curves are given in pairs: That curve of each pair which is drawn through filled circles corresponds to the initial test, and the curve drawn through open circles (and designated by - R) represents the result of retesting the same specimen after machining to a new cylindrical surface. The load was readjusted to the original unit stress at the beginning of each retest.

Jan 1, 1960

By S. Tavani, T. Rees

The current mining operations at Newmont Boddington Gold Mine (NBG) commenced in 2008, and commissioning of the processing plant started in the latter half of 2009. Metso Process Technology and Innovation were engaged to assist NBG with commissioning and project ramp-up through the implementation of a comprehensive “Mine-to-Mill” Process Integration and Optimisation project. This methodology entailed extensive data collection which included drill and blast audits, ore characterisation, comprehensive comminution circuit surveys and review of operational data to assess the limitations within the current mining and processing operations. The results of these investigations have been used to define the operating base line of both the mining and processing areas and identify improvement opportunities. The use of modelling and simulations, utilising actual production data, has allowed for multiple scenarios to be evaluated, minimising the requirement for actual trials and thereby minimising impact on the operation. Improvements implemented to date include: the introduction of routine rock strength measurement for inclusion in block models, modifications to blast design improving ROM fragmentation and downstream comminution process performance, and changes to improve performance of secondary crushing and grinding circuits. Close cooperation between the mine and plant personnel is playing a significant role in overcoming the challenges presented to this operation and further improvements are targeted for the second full year of process plant operation.

Jan 1, 2012

By Fidel T. Torres

El presente texto describe las pruebas con sistema de iniciación electrónica eDev, realizadas en Compañía Minera Suyamarca – Unidad Pallancata del Grupo Hochschild, las cuales se se desarrollaron durante los meses agosto 2010y enero 2011. Asimismo, los test fueron direccionados a realizar voladuras a frente completa y utilizando el sistema mixto con el actual sistema de iniciación que utilizaba la minera. Las ventajas que ofrece el sistema mix son: la disminuación en el sobrequiebre demostrado en el resultado de las áreas en el ByPass1400, el aumento del número de cañas y la disminución de la fragmentación.

Sep 12, 2011

By Heath E, van Calsteren P, Turner S, McDermott F

U-Th isotope studies of recent volcanic rocks may be used to evaluate the depths and rates of melt generation beneath mid- ocean ridges and ocean islands. Island arc rocks exhibit a similar range in Th isotopes to that seen in both MORB and OIB, but while those with high (230Th/232Th) tend to have excess 238U, many of those with low (230Th/232Th) are in isotope equilibrium. The excess 238U is attributed to the preferential mobilisation of U in hydrous fluids from the subducted slab within the last 100,000 years, whereas the low Th isotope ratios in the higher-K arcs are primarily due to the introduction of subducted sediment. Preliminary results from mineral separates from lavas on Soufriere on the island of St. Vincent indicate that some of the minerals crystallised up to 50,000 years prior to eruption.

Jan 1, 1995

By Oda Y, Hashiuchi M

In the smelting section, flexible fuels such as coal or coke are used in place of heavy fuel oil in order to utilize energy sources more efficiently. Heat recovered from the off gas of the furnace has been converted by the waste heat boiler into steam, which is used for self power generation and for heating or maintaining various temperatures. The amount of the recovered steam in the smelter is currently increasing due to maximum utilization of powdered cokes. The heat source required to maintain the temperature of the electrolyte in the tank house is electric power and steam. However until recent year this steam was provided by its own heavy oil combustion type boiler in the tank house since the amount of steam consumed in heating the electrolyte is large. Though experimental work over the last few years has shown the advantages of reducing steam in the tank house by fully covering the cell, the implementation of the full cover can lead to other operating problems. However various improvements, mainly the covering of the cell with a simple device, have led to greatly reduced steam consumption. As a result, steam for the tank house is now provided by the waste heat boiler only bringing more efficient energy usage.

Jan 1, 1987

By Prakash AJ, Singh PK, Dhar BB

Safety and stability of underground mine openings, coal pillars and water dams in the near vicinity of operating surface mines are endangered from excessive blast induced vibrations. This paper deals with the investigations carried out in four coal mines. Simultaneous measurements at equal distances from the source indicated higher level of vibration on the surface than those produced in the underground workings. The values of peak particle velocity (PPV) measured on coal pillars, body of water dam were lower than those measured on roof and junctions of the roadways. The parting of coal (3-4.5 m) between two sections vibrated with higher PPV compared to the roof of top section and floor of bottom section. In one case the influence of total charge fired in a round was significant in generation of vibration compared to the maximum charge/delay where monitoring was done vertically below the source.

Jan 1, 1995

By C. Vasilescu

Phytotechnologies use plants to remediate various media impacted with different types of contaminants. These technologies can be implemented either in situ or ex situ. The affected media in which phytotechnologies can be applied include soil, sediments, groundwater and surface water. They are best applied at sites with shallow contamination of organic, nutrient, or metal pollutants that are amenable to one of five treatment options: phytoextraction, phytotrans-formation, rhizosphere, bioremediation, phyto-stabilization or rhizofiltration. Phytoremediation can be used along or, in some cases, in place of mechanical cleanup methods. Phytoremediation can be used to clean up metals, pesticides, solvents, explosives, crude oil, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and landfill leachates.

Jan 1, 2006

By William G. Pariseau

Advances in numerical methods of analysis and computer technology during the past decade have brought many formerly intractable ground control problems within easy reach of present day graduate mining engineers. However, the new technology brings with it new problems. The identity of these problems are largely those arising from a lack of familiarity with the capabilities and limitations of the new technology. In this regard, the central problem in ground control planning is the calculation of ground motion associated with mining. The fundamentals of this problem leading to a form suitable for computer programming are therefore reviewed. Solution procedures in the broad sense including the gathering of input data and the interpretation of output are described. Computer program capabilities necessary for ground control analysis are discussed and the steps necessary to implement an analysis are outlined.

Jan 1, 1983

By P. E. King

The U.S. Bureau of Mines is conducting an ongoing research project to better understand the phenomena involved within electric arcs utilized in electric furnace steelmaking. With a better understanding of the physical and electrical characteristics involved, dynamic or predictive control of electric arc furnaces may be possible. A mathematical model is presented, but not solved, and the system of coupled equations is analyzed. Characteristic parameters are used to determine relative importance. In this manner, significant quantities are dermed. The parameters found to contribute little to the system of equations of motion are ignored. A resultant simplified system is identified, and directions for further study are indicated toward control of electric arc furnaces.

Jan 1, 1990

By Pollard DM, Willis GM

The removal of bismuth from liquid copper in a vacuum furnace was studied over a range of pressures. The rate determining step changes from diffusion in the gas at pressures above 0.2 Torr to approach the Langmuir evaporation rate at pressures of 10-2 Torr. Oxygen and sulphur were found to have a negligible effect on the rate. Bismuth removal from copper sulphide was found to be considerably slower than from copper. This is consistent with the known thermodynamic properties of ternary sulphide melts.

Jan 1, 1980

By Lee H. G, Li H, Hayes P

Slag from the smelting of lead can contain up to 20 per cent zinc as an oxide. An understanding of the lead smelting process and of the subsequent fuming process for the recovery of zinc is enhanced by a knowledge of the activity coefficient behaviour of zinc oxide in smelting slags. The literature presents a wide range of contradictory values. This paper critically reviews the published data and outlines new measurements being made by the authors. A consistent set of zinc oxide activity coefficient data is presented for liquid slags within the ZnO-'FeO'-CaO-A1203-SiO2 system, through a combination of present and previous measurements.

Jan 1, 1993

By André Xavier, Edim Bahamonde

En las últimas décadas ha habido un aumento del otorgamiento de concesiones mineras por parte del Estado peruano; sin embargo, paralelamente se ha incrementado el número de conflictos sociales. Ante este panorama, es necesario promover la participación de las comunidades a través de la conformación de comités de monitoreo ambiental participativo, como una herramienta que fortalezca las relaciones de confianza entre las empresas mineras, las comunidades y el Estado, de manera que se genere progreso en la línea de los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible. Este estudio presenta los casos de los comités de monitoreo ambiental participativo de Orcopampa (Arequipa), Juprog (Ancash) y Mallay (Lima), como referentes de buenas prácticas que aportan al mejoramiento de la prevención de conflictos socioambientales.

Sep 20, 2019

The reasons for and the methods of inte- gration of the gold treatment plant with the existing nickel concentrator are discussed. The integration was accomplished in three stages commencing in May 1980 and attain- ing current throughput in December 1982. The problems encountered and their solution, including the design and construction of a new tailings dam are also discussed.

Jan 1, 1984

By D. K. Deardorff, H. Kato

THE transformation temperature of hafnium from hcp to bcc is 1750° + 20 °C in contrast to previously published values by Duwez and fast2 which are believed inaccurate. The Bureau of Mines determined this value by measuring the temperatures at which a sudden decrease was observed in the electrical resistance of hafnium alloys containing up to 18 at. pct Zr, and then extrapolating the temperatures to 0 pct Zr. Duwez1 previously reported a transformation temperature of 1310°C, obtained by use of a rapid-cooling thermal-analysis technique. Later, Fast2 published a much higher value of 1950° 100°C based upon: a) his own determination of 1690°C for the beginning of the transformation range for hafnium containing 5.7 at. pct Zr, and b) his belief that lattice parameters reported3 for Duwez' hafnium indicated i contained 19 at. pct Zr and that the 1310°C value should be associated with that composition. Russell4 subsequently stated that Duwez and Fast probably were reporting their lattice parameters in different units and reassigned a value of 6.0 at. pct Zr to Duwez' hafnium. If this assumption were true, Duwez' hafnium was of approximately the same purity as Fast's, but his transformation value was considerably lower. The reason for this divergence is not known. Fast's value for hafnium containing 5.7 at. pct Zr agrees well with our data. McGeary5 determined a transformation value of 1660°C by metallographic examination of heat-treated specimens, but the zirconium content of his hafnium was not definitely established. The specimens used in this investigation were 1/8-in.-diam rods 6 1/2 in. long, fabricated by hot-swaging bars cut from arc-melted buttons. These buttons were melted from crystal bar hafnium and crystal bar zirconium. The chief impurity in the hafnium

Jan 1, 1960

By Paul Hughes

Purpose of Research ? What are the loading mechanics of paste against barricades? ? What is the capacity of the composite paste fill fences? ? Based on the loading mechanics of the paste, do the fill fences pose a risk of failure? Outline ? Glossary of Terms ? General Introduction ? Research Methodology ? Site Description ? Instrumentation Program ? Results ? Analysis ? Conclusions ? Recommendation for Future Work

May 1, 2008

By David H. Yee

Because of environmental concerns, the Bureau of Mines investigated an anhydrous chlorination process for the recovery of copper from chalcopyrite, Pelletized concentrate was reacted continuously with chlorine in a vertical shaft reactor at 550° to 750° C to extract copper-iron chlorides and elemental sulfur. The resulting molten metal chlorides drained from the reactor and collected in a receiver while sulfur distilled from the top and condensed in a separate unit. The tests were conducted in a 10-cm-diam reactor constructed of glass and in l5-cm-diam reactors constructed from various refractory materials. A high-alumina ramming mix exhibited the best resistance to molten metal chlorides and elemental sulfur in chlorine atmospheres. A reactor made with this high-alumina refractory was operated for 55 hr under actual chlorinating conditions without suffering any deterioration. Tests results show that more than 96 pct of the chalcopyrite was converted to copper-iron chlorides and elemental sulfur. Good separation of the metal chloride and sulfur products was achieved. After filtration, elemental sulfur of greater than 99 pct purity was obtained.

Jan 1, 1977