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By TUIJA MONONEN, LUDGER BENIGHAUS, CHRISTINA BENIGHAUS, Virginia del Rio, SARI KAUPPI, JUHA M. KOTILAINEN, JAVIER GÓMEZ, JARI LYYTIMÄKI

The understanding of public debates over mineral exploration and mining largely originates from exceptional situations such as mining accidents of conflicts. Less is known about how mining is portrayed and understood under more conventional settings. What storylines dominate the local day-to-day public debate? This article presents results from a comparative case study focusing on newspaper coverage of mineral exploration and mining in three European countries representing different geological and socio-economic contexts. Newspaper articles from the Geyer-Erzgebirge region in Germany, the Andalusia region in Spain, and Northern Finland are studied. The sample looks into the period between September 2018 and February 2020 and shows that regional newspapers report about mining issues relatively intensively even in the absence of major accidents or other media events causing peaks of attention. The tone of the articles is generally neutral to positive towards mining activities, reflecting the specific local settings, historical experiences, and future expectations. Despite the different contexts of the three countries, there were considerable similarities to the topics highlighted, including common themes of mining revival, mining events and social interaction, history of mining, and damages related to mining. Past, present, and future employment opportunities related directly or indirectly to the mining sector are key storylines. Another recurrent underlying theme is the need to balance environment and safety risks and socio-economic prosperity, typically covered through ordinary disputes among the mining sector, public authorities, regional non-governmental organizations, and local initiatives.

Jul 6, 2021

By J. Kretschmann, R. Amiri

"The Sangan iron-ore mines (SIOM) in Iran are located in a remote area, near the Afghanistan border. The deposit of SIOM is containing a geological resource of 1.2 billion tons of mostly magnetite with a Fe grade ranging from 27 to 61 %. The Iranian government plans a stepwise development of SIOM in cooperation with private companies to satisfy the growing demand of the Iranian steel industry. Sustainable development (SD) is an influential ethical concept in mining all around the world. However, a successful realization of a SD is not possible without a foundation on the core values and regarding the specific circumstances of the individual mining country. This paper introduces SIOM and describes SD activities undertaken during its development. From the early stages, these activities have been realized to secure the acceptance of the stakeholders in the region. To evaluate their effects, indicators could be filtered as the ones with the highest priority for the stakeholders. Moreover Islamic values and Iranian regulations and their influences on SIOM have been analyzed. Keywords: Iran, Sustainable Mining, SIOM, Evaluation, Islamic Values INTRODUCTION Mining Industry in Iran The Islamic Republic of Iran holds 68 types of minerals, including salt, sand and gravel, gypsum, chrome, lead, zinc, copper, coal, gold, iron etc., with 37 billion tons of proven reserves and more than 57 billion tons of potential reservoirs. Iran is ranked among the 15 major mineral rich countries (1). In accordance with the statistics published by Statistical Center of Iran (SCI), there were 5.316 active mines and 84.922 employees in the whole country in 2012-13 (2) and according to the statistics published by Central Bank of Iran (CBI) in 2011 the share of this sector in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country was 1.2 per cent (3). Sangan Iron Ore Mines (SIOM) The deposit of SIOM is one of the largest iron-ore deposits in Iran, also considered to be one of the Middle East’s richest deposits, which contains a total geological resource of 1.2 billion tons of mostly magnetite with a Fe grade ranging from 27 to 61%. It is located 300 km southeast from Mashhad, the capital of Khorasan-e-Razavi Province, and 18 km northeast of Sangan town, in Khaf County, at latitude N34°24’, longitude E60°16’ in the north-eastern Khorasan-e-Razavi Province, 30 km west of the Afghanistan border (4) (Figure 1). SIOM is owned by the Iranian Mines and Mining Industries Development & Renovation Organization (IMIDRO). IMIDRO intends to develop an open pit mine complex and supporting facilities in SIOM for the production of about 20 Mtpy of iron oxide concentrate and pellets in four developing phases (5)."

Jan 1, 2016

By Frederick C. Moore

This paper describes the original planning which actually resulted in the opening of a new aggregate plant located in central New York State. This plant, which is now named the Skaneateles Plant of The General Crushed Stone Company is unique in that the plant itself is a departure not only in design but in concept of operation from the normal aggregate plant the company has operated in the past. Whether or not the concepts which resulted in the Skaneateles Plant are economically feasible remain to be proven by the next few years of operation. By way of background data about our company which will help set the stage for this presentation, we currently operate seventeen stone quarries in the states of New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia. These quarries range in size from 200,000 tons per year to 1,500,000 tons per year with a total annual stone production of approximately 7,500,000 tons. We also produce about 1,250,000 tons of sand and gravel at six sand and gravel plants, 300,000 cubic yards of ready mix concrete, 1,500,000 tons of bituminous concrete, aglime and other minor construction materials. In many cases we are our own best customer consuming a large percentage of the total production of our own aggregates in our various ready mix and blacktop plants. Up to the concept of the Skaneateles Plant our operating facilities have been of the permanent type as opposed to the moveable or portable type plant. The steps involved in the case history of Skaneateles will begin with the basic economic requirements, market research, geologic surveys, land acquisition, zoning and financing and carry through to the final design and construction. We will attempt to show what some of the problems were, how we interpretted them and how we proceeded to solve them. The current results are apparent and can be analysed. The success of the total concepts of the Skaneateles Plant remains for future analysis.

Jan 1, 1968

By K. Heatwole, D. Shier, A. Davis, J. Kidder, S. Sunkavalli

"Acid rock drainage (ARD) is produced when sulfides are exposed to oxygen and water. Oxidation reactions typically result in a depression of pH and leaching of solutes and metals. Many oxidation models have been developed based on oxygen diffusion, but in environments with high permeability, other transport processes (i.e., convection and advection) can play an important role. Multiple sulfide mineral phases with differing oxidation rates should also be incorporated. WROC, a finite-difference model, was developed to account for these factors in predicting ARD. The program includes sulfide mineral oxidation using a shrinking core mechanism, heat transfer by conduction, heat of reaction and oxygen transport by diffusion and advection. The model was validated using data from the literature. After validation, the WROC model was used to simulate several different waste rock scenarios, including different forms of sulfide mineralization and the effect of implementing a waste rock cover. The results demonstrate that including specific sulfide mineral phases can have a significant effect on oxidation and that implementation of a cover can also aid in reducing waste rock oxidation.IntroductionAcid rock drainage (ARD) is a notable environmental concern in areas where rock or other material with acid generation potential is disturbed. ARD is defined as drainage that occurs as a result of sulfide oxidation in rock exposed to air and water. ARD is characterized by low pH, elevated metals concentration (especially aluminum, iron and manganese), sulfate and high total dissolved solids. The low-pH water that results from acid generation is capable of solubilizing heavy metals contained within the rock. The principal sulfide mineral in mine wastes is pyrite (FeS2). Pyrite oxidation is complex and can involve chemical and biological reactions. Oxidation of pyrite by atmospheric oxygen produces one mole of Fe2+, two moles of SO4 2- and two moles of H+ for every mole of pyrite oxidized, as described by Eq. (1)."

Jan 1, 2015

By P. Clifford

FIPR-sponsored research will playa critical role in enhancing the competitiveness of the Florida phosphate industry as ore grade declines and environmental restrictions tighten. FIPR's program seeks to improve surface mining and pipeline transportation while reducing the energy cost for pumping phosphate matrix. The development of a reliable on-line analyzer and a modern process control strategy will result in improved processing efficiency. Significant improvement in overall efficiency will also be realized as the industry adopts column flotation technology. Economic acidulation of high-Insol rock will allow the industry to adopt simplified flotation flowsheets thereby reducing operating costs. Various applications of phosphogypsum would save the industry millions of dollars in constructing and closing gypsum stacks.

Jan 1, 1998

By H. D. Dahl

In January, 1969, the Central Research Division of Continental Oil Company initiated a research program on roof control. The purpose of the research was to improve roof stability. Toward this end, it was necessary to determine which of the many geological and geometrical variables have a significant effect on roof stability. The isolation of these significant variables would allow research effort to be concentrated where it would be most effective in improving roof control. The research effort was directed toward two major objectives. One was to de-fine the geological and/or geometrical parameters that affect the severity of roof conditions in any particular area of the mine. This study was concerned with roof fall intensity. The second was to define why roof falls in Humphrey No. mine (and in northern West Virginia-south-western Pennsylvania coal mining areas) are oriented so that they occur primarily in north-south rooms or entries. This study was concerned with roof fall orientation. To provide a reference framework for further discussion, a geological description of the area is presented in Part II. In Parts III and IV, the procedures, methods, and 'results of the research applied toward the afore-mentioned major objectives are presented. Part V contains the conclusions and recommendations for-warded by this study.

Jan 1, 1971

By J. E. Murphy, Y. Topkaya, R. E. Johnson, B. R. Palmer, D. K. Dysinger, R. B. Bhappu, A. E. Clark

The U.S. Bureau of Mines utilized a central composite experimental design to investigate leaching kinetics of pure chalcopyrite in the sulfuric acid-oxygen system. The six factors studied were oxygen pressures of 150, 300 and 450 PSI, leach temperatures of 35O, 65O, and 95O C, oxygen-to-chalcopyrite mass ratios of 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5, leach times of 8, 16 and 24 hours, initial acid strengths of 0.6, 1.2 and 1.8 g H,SO,/g chalcopyrite and pyrite to chalcopyrite mass ratios of 0, 1, and 2. Chemical analysis and oxygen consumption measurements indicatedthat leaching occurs through three consecutive reactions. Temperature was the primary determinant of leach rate and solution acidity was the primary determinant of oxygen consumption, sulfur oxidation, and activation energy.

Jan 1, 1993

By K. L. Gabby

Selective removal of mercury from cyanide leaching solutions while retaining silver has been a long-standing problem, due to the chemical similarity of mercury and silver. In order to be practical, a mercury removal process needs to be both highly selective and use inexpensive materials. This paper reports the use of zinc sulfide (ZnS) as a precipitant for mercury. The mercury cyanide complex (Hg(CN)4 2-) undergoes a replacement reaction with the zinc sulfide, forming insoluble HgS, while the silver cyanide complex (Ag(CN)2 -) remains in solution. Under appropriate conditions, the separation of mercury from silver is nearly quantitative, with close to 100% removal of mercury, while nearly none of the silver is precipitated.

By C. O. Lee

The Grand Isle Sulphur Mine is located in the Gulf of Mexico, approximately seven miles off the coast of Grand Isle, Jefferson Parish, Louisiana. The depth of water at this location is about 50 feet. The deposit is on acreage covered by oil, gas, and mineral leases which were originally issued in favor of Humble Oil & Refining Company by the State of Louisiana, and which were continued, maintained, and redesignated by the Department of the Interior of the United States, pursuant to Section 6(b) of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act. On September 19, 1956, Freeport Sulphur Company acquired from Humble Oil & Refining Company the sulphur rights underlying the tracts. This assignment was approved by the Secretary of the Interior on July 12, 1957. The Director, United States Geological Survey, approved Freeport Sulphur Company as Operator on July 31, 1957. Actual design began in September 1956; the first structural contract was let December 15, 1957, and offshore erection began in June 1958. The initial phase of construction will be completed and production started in early 1960. The estimated total cost of the project is $30,- 000,000, of which $8,000,000 is the extra cost for being in the Gulf of Mexico.

Jan 1, 1959

By W. D. Macleod

This paper describes a mineral dressing process for the upgrading of tin ores. The process described is called 'agglomeration' and. is similar in many respects to flotation. Many variables have been examined experimentally both on batch and continuous operations and are reported upon herein... Using a Mt. Pleasant tin ore, assaying 0.5% Sn, an upgrading to 8% Sn, with a recovery of 95% could be obtained by this process.

Jan 1, 1966

By Roe-Hoan Yoon, Kaiwu Huang

Derjaguin and Dukhin (1961) were the first to develop a model for bubble-particle interaction in flotation from first principles by considering the surface forces in wetting (or flotation) films. The model predicted that the energy barriers to bubble-particle attachment arise from the ζ-potentials of fine particles, which corroborates well with an earlier work of Fuerstenau (1957) reported for the flotation of quartz using dodecyl ammonium acetate (DAA) as collector. In the present work, a series of surface force measurements have been conducted by accurately monitoring the changes in bubble curvature during bubble-silica surface interactions. The curvature changes are then used to determine the capillary force, which is the sum of the hydrodynamic and surface forces. By subtracting the former that can also be determined from the curvature changes, one obtains the surface forces (or disjoining pressure). The results obtained as functions of pH and collector concentrations show that control of the ζ-potentials of bubbles relative to those of the silica surfaces is critical for maximizing the negative disjoining pressure, which is conducive to promoting bubble-particle attachment in flotation.

By R. W. Smith

A number of investigators have studied the electrokinetic potential (?) of kaolinite as a function of pH. (1,2,3,4,5) These investigators all agree that the ? is negative except at quite acid pH values. The actual shapes of the curves reported by the several authors vary considerably. In spite of the general negative character of kaolinite the mineral has a rather high anion exchange capacity. (6,7,8) The cation exchange capacity is the lowest for the clay minerals. (6) It has been shown that anionic surfactants adsorb readily onto the mineral even up to neutrality, often in quantities exceeding the reported anion exchange capacity. (7,8) At least part of the anionic adsorption should be onto positive edge sites thought to exist on the mineral. (9,10) In the present study ? of kaolinite was measured as a function of pH using both the streaming potential (sp) and microelectrophoresis (m.e.p.) methods. In addition ? was measured at various pH values as functions of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and trimethyldodecylammonium chloride (TMDAC) concentrations. In some experiments decyl alcohol (DA) was added.

Jan 1, 1968

By Zainab Nasrullah, MontanaFrank Agyemang, Mehran Sadat, Richard LaDouceur

Rare earth elements (REEs) are valuable for various modern technological applications, including metallurgy, machine building, radio electronics, instrument engineering, nuclear engineering, and manufacturing. The extraction and separa-tion of rare earth elements (REEs) from their complex ores is challenging due to their distinct physical and chemical properties, contributing to their market scarcity. At present, REE recovery utilizes traditional pyro- or hydrometallurgi-cal processes. The overall process in the recovery and sepa-ration of individual elements from complex REE systems suffers from high energy demands and the use of many haz-ardous chemicals that negatively impact the environment. With the growing trend toward a circular economy aim-ing to balance sustainability, efficiency, and environmental impacts, this research is focused on using deep eutectic sol-vents (DESs): a combination of a quaternary salt: Choline Chloride and five organic acids: Oxalic Acid, Urea, and Ethylene Glycol, Lactic acid and Glycerol for the selective leaching of REEs from their complex ore which is proven to be green, selective, non-toxic, biodegradable, and cheap. The effects of different DESs and leaching time on the REE leaching efficiency were determined, and the optimum DES media were found to be Oxaline and Lactic Acid at which a leaching efficiency of 25% and 15% was achieved at 80°C respectively for cerium.

Feb 1, 2025

The evaluation of Abandoned Mined Lands can involve the investigation of very large areas of land. Often, the locations of critical areas or impending problems are unknown, and are not easily identified from the surface. Microseismic monitoring has been demonstrated to be effective in identifying potential instabilities and active movement in mines from distances of several kilometers. By placing sensors in proximity to, or in contact with, a high acoustic conductance layer close to the mined zone, large areas can be monitored for potential problems with a minimum of sensors and drillholes. As part of a U.S. Bureau of Mines contract, a prototype system was developed to identify and locate potential instability problems over wide areas of land. Once a problem area has been located, the system can be used to analyze the type of the problem, its size, relative degree of instability, and potential for damage. Continued monitoring after application of remedial measures can effectively determine the efficacy of those measures.

Jan 1, 1993

By Amar Prakash, V. M. S. R. Murthy, VIVEK KUMAR HIMANSHU, Sufal Mehrotra, Ashish Kumar Vishwakarma

Raises are vertical or inclined openings made to connect two levels of an underground metalliferous mine. They are developed using drilling and blasting-based technique or by mechanical means. Raise boring machines (RBM) have evolved in recent years, which provide quicker and safer raise excavation. The penetration rate using RBM has influenced applied thrust. The required thrust to enhance penetration rate with optimal use of energy would be different under varying geological and geotechnical conditions. In this study, the influence of applied thrust on penetration rate using RBM has been investigated. The investigation has been made for two different rock types, amphibolite (AMP) and garnet-biotite-sillimanite-gneiss (GBSG). The numerical simulation model was developed for this purpose using Ansys-Explicit Dynamics. The induced tensile stress under different conditions of applied thrust has been analysed in the calibrated numerical model. The model output shows the power trend between the parameters. The experimental data on penetration rate was also collected along with the respective operational parameters. A statistical analysis has been carried out for the gathered data. The analysis of data also shows a power trend between thrust per cutter and penetration rate in both rock types and hence validates the numerical simulation-based output. Based on the outputs of the numerical simulation and empirical study of the experimental data, the optimum thrust per cutter for excavation in both rock types is in the range of 12–14 tons. The approach used in this study can be helpful for predicting the optimal operational parameters of raise boring machines under different geological/geotechnical conditions.

May 29, 2023

By Nikhil Dhawan, Sanjay Pindar

The limited lifespan, ever-growing demand, and significant lithium and cobalt content are responsible factors for the immediate recycling of discarded lithium-ion batteries. Discharged batteries were dismantled, segregated, and size reduced to recover cathode and anode material. The active cathode material comprises LiCoO2 (65.8%) and LiMn2O4 (34.2%) and was carbothermal reduced with recovered graphite in a microwave furnace followed by water leaching and magnetic separation. A Box Behnken statistical experimental design is used for process optimization. Both cobalt and manganese report to magnetic fraction, whereas graphite and lithium carbonate report to non-magnetic fraction and solution crystal respectively. The final product comprises of cobalt 73% and manganese of 14% with process yield of 36% and saturation magnetization of 76 emu/g.

May 16, 2020

By R. N. Gow

Acidic treatment of enargite (Cu3AsS4) dissolves both arsenic and copper from the mineral and then attempts to separate them in the leach solution. The reactivity of enargite was examined in acidic solutions, over the pH range 1-7, to determine a potential range for co-dissolution.. Enargite mineral samples from Butte, MT and Quirivilca, Peru were used as working electrodes in a cyclic voltammetry corrosion cell setup, which were then cycled multiple times over -1000 to 1000 mV. Surface reactions and transitions were characterized using in-situ Raman spectroscopy, which were then compared to updated predominance diagrams for the copper-arsenic-sulfur system from a previous study done under alkaline conditions. The region of co-dissolution is limited to > 600 mV vs. SHE and pH < 1 under the proposed diagram.

Feb 23, 2014

By E. A. Devuyst

Metallurgical processes involving the use of cyanide such as gold cyanidation, metal plating and flotation, generate effluents containing cyanide and cyanide in complex combinations with heavy metals in quantities exceeding those regarded as being safe for discharge into streams. A new process for destruction of free and complexed cyanide and related-species in wastewaters has been developed at the Inco research laboratories using sulfur dioxide, air and lime. High reaction rates are obtained in the presence of a small amount of copper which acts as a catalyst. Cyanide species can be reduced to as low as 0.1 mg/L in a very short treatment time. Examples of treatment of gold mill effluents and barren slurries, plating rinse waters and flotation liquors or tailing slurries are given.

Jan 1, 1982

By Christine M. Kammer

In 1852, six barrels of iron ore were loaded aboard the steamer Baltimore at Marquette, MI, after a trip by mule wagon from the nearby Cleveland Iron Mining Co. Shipped to Sault Ste. Marie, they were portaged around rapids and reloaded onto another ship for the final journey to the steel mills of Cleveland. In 1855, the same company-the predecessor of Cleveland-Cliffs Iron Co.-chartered the brigantine Columbia to carry the first iron-ore cargo through the newly opened Soo locks. In 1981, about 2,190 iron-ore shipments in the form of taconite pellets were transported by water from US Great Lakes-ports. The total volume during the 284-day shipping season was 63 Mt (62 million It). Counting Canadian ship¬ments, almost 76 Mt (75 million It) of iron ore were moved on the lakes last year. The five Great Lakes-Superior, Huron, Michigan, Erie, and Ontario-contain 20% of the world&apos;s fresh water. The area surrounding the lakes has 26% of the nation&apos;s populations, 47% of its steel production, and over 80% of the raw materials required to make steel. That figure includes 71% of the country&apos;s iron ore and 40% of its limestone. Only the availability of low-cost water transportation of raw materials has kept the heartland steel producers competitive. Iron ore shipped on the lakes originates in the Lake Superior district&apos;s Mesabi and Marquette iron ranges. Major mines and their principal partners are Cleveland-Cliffs Iron Co.&apos;s Empire, Republic, and Tilden; Armco and Republic&apos;s Reserve Mining Co.; Oglebay Norton Co.&apos;s Eveleth; Hanna Mining Co.&apos;s National and Butler; Inland Steel Co.&apos;s Minorca; Pickands Mather & Co.&apos;s Erie and Hibbing, the latter operated in conjunction with Bethlehem Steel Corp.; and US Steel Corp.&apos;s Minntac. Pelletized ore products at these facilities is shipped through seven principal ports on the upper lakes: Duluth, Two Harbors, Silver Bay, and Taconite Harbor, MN; Superior, WI, and Marquette, MI, on Lake Superior; and Escanaba, MI, on Lake Michigan. In 1981, tonnage volumes ranged from 13.3 Mt (13.1 million It) shipped from Duluth, to Marquette&apos;s total of 5.4 Mt (5.3 million It). The ore docks, with two exceptions, are operated by railroads, most of which are owned by mining companies. Table 1 illustrates US iron-ore shipments in 1981. In the lower lakes, ore is discharged at dock facilities close to the great steel-producing centers of Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and Buffalo. Between the mines and mills, lakes and connecting waterways form one of the country&apos;s most effective transportation systems. Each year, vessels on the Great Lakes transport about 181 Mt (200 million st) of bulk industrial and agricultural materials-a greater quantity at a lower cost than can be achieved by any other transportation mode. Major commodities in Great Lakes trade are iron ore, coal, grain, limestone, cement, sand, and petroleum products. About 125 US flag vessels serve this trade, among them 13 "1,000-

Jan 10, 1982

By B. L. Bessinger

Because of a, work stoppage at the Carlsbad plant, IMC faced the challenge of operating a 24-hour-a-day mine and plant with inexperienced maintenance and production crews. This is an underground mining operation, using the room-and-pillar mining- method. The mine was entirely, mechanized with conventional equipment, was hoisting an average of 13,539 tons off ore per 24 hours, and employed a, mine maintenance group of 100 men. The 100-man, mine maintenance group was equally divided between mechanics and electricians. In re-forming this maintenance group, two main objectives were to be achieved (1) a general upgrading off the intelligence level; and (2) the elimination of craft lines for greater flexibility.

Jan 1, 1966