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Slide presentation at conference

Jan 1, 1996

By SONGHE WANG, YI XUE, PENG HOU, CAIHUI ZHU, XUANYE JIAO, Feng Gao

The abstract discusses the challenges of coalbed methane development in China due to low coal seam permeability. It highlights protective layer mining as a method to reduce in-situ stress and enhance permeability for improved gas drainage and disaster prevention. The study involves experimental and numerical simulations to analyze gas migration and permeability changes during stress release. It includes a stress-strain-seepage coupled test on coal, development of a mathematical model for coal seepage under mining unloading, and a numerical model based on the Wulan coal mine to explore in-situ stress release, permeability evolution, and gas drainage in an unloaded coal seam. The aim is to demonstrate the effectiveness of combining protective layer mining and gas drainage technology for gas outburst risk elimination.

Mar 14, 2022

By A. D. Hammond

"The drop in iron ore prices has claimed an unwitting casualty in vanadium. Vanadium is dominantly produced as a coproduct of steel production. The recent shutdown at EVRAZ’s Mapochs steel-vanadium operations in South Africa has cut off 10 percent of the world’s vanadium output. In February 2015, Australia’s Atlantic Ltd. suspended operations at its Windimurra iron-vanadium complex after a fire caused severe damage at the plant. Since then, challenging market conditions has resulted in the permanent closure of this operation.This decoupling of vanadium production from integrated iron ore producers presents an opportunity for vanadium exploration companies to target single-product deposits. This trend is manifested in the increasing number of pure-play vanadium ventures around the world.The mine production of vanadium is dominated by three countries — China, South Africa and Russia, which collectively produce 96 percent of the world’s vanadium. While the use of vanadium as an alloy in the steel industry remains the largest application for this metal, growth in demand is expected to come from the renewable energy industry in the form of batteries for energy storage.This article summarizes the current state of vanadium exploration, briefly describes the vanadium market and lists sources of future demand for the metal.Trend in vanadium explorationThe most active participants in the current vanadium exploration are pure-play vanadium ventures in Brazil, South Africa and Australia. These ventures are targeting deposits with higher vanadium grades than those typically mined in titaniferous magnetite operated by integrated steel-vanadium producers.The 10 percent shortfall in vanadium production resulting from the shutdown at EVRAZ’s Mapochs is expected to be partially compensated by Largo Resources’ Maracás Menchen vanadium operation located in the state of Bahia in Brazil. It commenced operation in August 2014 and is expected to produce between 7.6 and 8.6 kt (8,421 and 9,523 st) of V2O5 in 2016 at a target production cost of $3.71/lb (Largo Resources, 2016). This is the first primary vanadium operation to be placed in production in the Western Hemisphere in more than 35 years."

Jul 1, 2016

By Frank M. Brooks

Endeavoring to meet the requirements of more oil created by the war effort, the oil industry of Kansas in 1944 maintained a level of exploratory and development work well above the average of previous years. During the year, 1866 test wells were drilled, of which 838 were completed as new oil wells, 89 as new gas wells and 939 as dry holes. These figures compare with 895 new oil wells, 32 new gas wells and 834 dry holes for a total of 1761 tests in 1943. Thus, there was a marked decrease in the number of new oil wells, and an increase in the new gas wells and dry holes. The total daily initial potential of production discovered by the successful wells amounted to 494,689 bbl. of oil as compared with 736,297 bbl. in 1943. The increase in unsuccessful tests and decrease in the daily initial potential of production has caused considerable comment and speculation among the oil operators of the state. This tends to confirm the fact that each year it is becoming harder to find the remaining oil fields. The total number of wildcats drilled in Kansas was 651 in 1944, including the so-called "extension wildcats" (more than 1/2 to I mile from known production). Of this number, 410 are classified as "rank wildcats," being more than one mile from production. The total of 651 compares with the total of 577 for 1943, showing an increase in wildcat drilling of 74 test wells: Of these tests, 81 were successful in finding new oil fields or substafitially extending known areas of production, and 20 either found new gas pools or extended old ones. The ratio of dry holes to producing wells among the "rank" wildcats was approximately 10 to I (372 dry and 38 successful). This compares with a ratio of 10 to I in 1943, 11 to I in 1942, and 6 to I in 1941. A compilation of the results obtained by 34 active companies, including all of the major companies, reveals that their efforts accounted for 286 rank wildcat wells, of which-37 found oil or gas, making a dry-hole percentage of 87. Approximately 55 per cent of all, tests (pool and wildcat) were failures. Thc Kansas Nomenclature Committee of the Kansas Geological Society named and classified 43 new oil fields and 8 new gas fields during the year. The discovery wells of the new oil fields had a total initial potential of 18,358 bbl. for a per well average or' 427 bbl. The average initial potential per well in 1942 and 1943 was 894 and 419 bbl., respectively. With nearly all wells producing at their economic capacity, the total production for Kansas during 1944 totaled 101,896,704 bbl., which compares with total runs of 107,709,679 bbl. in 1943. Production of natural gas during 1944 reached a new high record of 135 billion cubic feet. This compares with 122 billion cubic feet for 1943, and 98 1/2 billion cubic feet for 1942. The large Hugoton field of Southwestern Kansas accounted for about half of the total gas produced. Highlights OF the Year Although 51 new fields were found in the state during 1944, it is apparent that the

Jan 1, 1945

By Y Xie, L O’Connor, S C. Dominy

"Sheeted vein gold deposits are characterised by multiple subparallel veins and free milling gold. In situ heterogeneity of mineralisation results in grade and process parameter variability, which will increase project risk. Measured variability is often enhanced by poorly designed sampling and test work protocols. Protocols that are optimised within the framework of the theory of sampling to suit the ore type, together with quality assurance/quality control systems, will reduce variability and provide fit-for-purpose results. The geometallurgical approach requires spatially distributed samples within a deposit to support variability modelling. Diverse attributes from core logging, mineralogical/textural determination and small-scale tests are used to measure variability. This contribution emphasises early stage geometallurgical intervention during project development. It presents a discussion of representative sampling in the context of the theory of sampling. A case study presents a protocol that exemplifies how data can be gained from a well-designed and planned program to support a resource estimate and prefeasibility study.CITATION:Dominy, S C, O’Connor, L and Xie, Y, 2016. Sampling and Test Work Protocol Development for Geometallurgical Characterisation of a Sheeted Vein Gold Deposit, in Proceedings The Third AusIMM International Geometallurgy Conference (GeoMet) 2016, pp 97–112 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne)."

Jun 15, 2016

By Gary E. Parish

TABLE OF CONTENTS Contents I. Introduction II. Purpose of the Paper III. Historical Perspective A. Existing Sources B. New Sources (NSPS) C. Hazardous Pollutants (NESHAPS) D. Enforcement/Judicial Review 1. Title I Enforcement 2. Title III Enforcement 3. Information Gathering E. Summary IV. The Clean Air Act Amendments of 1977 (1977 Act) A. SIP-Related Provisions 1. Section 107(d) - Geographic Boundaries 2. Section 108 - Air Quality Criteria 3. Section 109 – NAAQS 4. Section 110 – SIPs 5. Section 122 and Sections 402 and 403 of P.L 95-95 – Unregulated Pollutants 6. Emission Offsets – Interpretive Ruling (I.R.) B. PSD Provisions - Part C. 1. Regulations Under the 1970 Act 2. The 1977 Act 3. Regulations Under the 1977 Act C. Visibility Protection - Part C, Subpart 2 D. Non-Attainment Provisions - Part D E. Monitoring and Modeling F. NSPS G. NESHAPS H. Enforcement/Judicial Review 1. Title I 2. Economic Enforcement 3. Title III Enforcement/Judicial Review (a) Section 304 (b) Section 307 4. Summary V. Special Problems and Opportunities for the Uranium Industry A. End Use B. Transportation C. Milling/Processing D. Extraction E. Exploration/Discovery F. General VI. Conclusions Appendix A Footnotes

Jan 1, 1979

Diversity; what a wonderful topic. Diversity; the condition or quality of being diverse, different, varied to the point that the very word diversity means different things to different people. As one example of diversity the American Science Magazine (April, 1994) contained a light-hearted interview with Dr Noitall who was pushing his case for diversity.

Jan 1, 1996

By Manuel Gutkrrez, Nasslo Gallardo, Arturo Cancec

The study done in Dofia In&s de Collahuasi aims to improve the fragmentation in one of the most difficult rocks to deal with in an operation, It is the Ignimbrita. In order to avoid ejections and to increase the efficiency of the explosive it has been obtained an improvement in the stemming quality by using the Blasting Optimisation Program in Ignimbrita. Different materials were used in the stemming. In 1997 it was used soil material (Paleorrelleno), then in 1999 started the use of crushed gravel and during this year it is being implemented the utilisation of Stemtite only loaded with drill cutting. The first improvement was obtained with the utilisation of gravel, yielding good fragmentation results in comparison with the stemming with detritus material. The stemtite has made easier the blasting operation and it has signiticantly improved the fragmentation.

Jan 1, 2001

By David Deglon, Martin Harris, Mehdi Safari

This paper investigates the effect of energy input on the flotation of galena in a novel oscillating grid flotation cell (OGC). Oscillating grids generate near ideal hydrodynamic environments, characterised by turbulence which is relatively homogeneous and isotropic. Previous work was limited to quartz (-100 µm). Galena (-150 µm) was floated in the OGC at power intensities from 0.5 to 3 W/kg using 0.13, 0.58 and 0.82 mm mean bubble sizes (d10) and at three collector dosages. Results show that the effect of power intensity on flotation kinetics is strongly dependent on both particle and bubble size. For fine particles (-19 µm), increasing energy input increases the flotation rate at a low collector dosage but leads to an optimum at both the moderate and high collector dosages. For intermediate particles (+19-38 µm), increasing energy input has no effect on the flotation rate at the low collector dosage but leads to an optimum at both moderate and high collector dosages. For coarse particles (+38-150 µm), increasing energy input has no effect on the flotation rate at the low collector dosage and leads to a general decrease at both moderate and high collector dosages. Optimum conditions for fine particles are using small bubbles at a moderate collector dosage and an energy input of around 2 W/kg. Optimum conditions for moderate particles are using small bubbles at a high collector dosage and energy inputs of around 1.0 W/kg. Coarse particles do not benefit from agitation.

Jan 1, 2014

By V. A. Marple, K. L. Rubow, B. A. Olson

"A virtual impactor personal aerosol sampler (VIPAS) bas been developed for use in diesel-equipped mines to collect size-separated samples or diesel exhaust and mine dust particles in the respirable size range. This sampler consists or three stages: a 10-mm cyclone, a 0.8- µm cutpoint virtual impactor and two filter cassettes. The large non-respirable particles are removed in a 10-mm cyclone. The respirable particles from the cyclone pass through a 0.8- µm cutpoint virtual impactor with the particles larger than and smaller than 0.8 JI.ID (mine dust and diesel exhaust particles, respectively) collected on two 37-mm filter cassettes. The sampling How rate is 2 L/min so as to be compatible with the standard respirable dust sampler and personal sampling pumps. INTRODUCTIONThe mining industry has been increasing its use of diesel-powered equipment in underground mines, especially in coal mines. With this increased usage has come an increased concern regarding the health effects associated with inhaling diesel exhaust particles since they are in the respirable particulate size range. A Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) advisory committee directed MSHA to develop a sampling protocol for diesel exhaust particles to assess worker exposure (MSHA, 1988). In addition, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has recommended that ""whole diesel exhaust be regarded as a potential occupational carcinogen as defined in the Cancer Policy of Occupational Safety and Health Administration"" (NIOSH, 1988).Past work, with cascade impactors in both the laboratory and in underground coal mine studies, has shown that the diesel exhaust particles are primarily in the less than 0.8 µm aerodynamic diameter size range whereas the coal dust particles are primarily greater than 0.8 µm (Marple et al., 1986; Cantrell, 1987; Rubow and Marple, 1988; Rubow et al., 1990a, b; Cantrell and Rubow, 1991). This work has been jointly performed by the University of Minnesota and Bureau of Mines researchers over the last 8 years. Typical particle size distributions for a diesel-equipped coal mine and an all electric coal mine are shown in Figure l. Note that the particles in the < 0.8-µ.m mode are the diesel exhaust particles (seen only in diesel-powered mines) and the particles in the > 0.8-µ.m mode are coal particles (seen in both the electric-powered and diesel-powered coal mines). Chemical mass balance analysis was also performed on these two size fractions to determine the degree of particle cross-contamination in the two modes. This analysis showed less than 10% cross-contamination, i.e., in coal mines Jess than 10% of the diesel exhaust particulate was collected in the coarse fraction and Jess than 10% of the mine dust was collected in the fine fraction (Cantrell, 1987; Rubow et al., 1990a)."

Dec 1, 1996

By I Grewal, M Lundt

Dense medium separation (DMS) is one of several preconcentration methods used for early waste rejection from run-of-mine ores at relatively coarse particle sizes prior to additional milling and beneficiation. DMS has been used extensively in the coal, diamonds, mineral sands, base metals and iron ore industries to produce either a final product or as a preconcentration step. Laboratory scale and pilot test work at the Met-Solve laboratory in Canada has demonstrated successful separation and upgrading of other minerals such as lead, zinc, copper and lithium based ores using DMS.This paper reviews historical dense media systems, results from the pilot-scale multi-stage DMS Separator “Condor” system, as well as production plants and associated laboratory heavy liquid separation (HLS) test work on various minerals. The mineral systems tested included a lithium bearing ore and a fluorspar ore. Other minerals were tested but are not reported in this paper.Pilot plant test work on a fluorspar ore showed that 41.6% of the mass could be rejected to the tailings stream while 95.3% of the CaF2 was recoverable to the product stream. On a spodumene sample that was tested, it was possible to reject 55% of the mass to tailings while recovering over 90% of the lithium.In recent market conditions and with the decreasing grades in existing ores, preconcentration should be a consideration to maximise the value of certain operations.CITATION:Lundt, M and Grewal, I, 2017. Dense media separation – a valuable process for preconcentration, in Proceedings MetPlant 2017, pp 122–130 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Sep 11, 2017

By Qingguo Xue, Jingsong Wang, Guang Wang, Yuanyuan Zhang

Due to complicated structure and composition of high-phosphorus iron ore, pure substances were used to simulate the chemical composition of high-phosphorus iron ore to study the reaction of fluorapatite at different temperatures and effect of additives. The gasification process of P during carbothermic reduction process was investigated using a quadrupole mass spectrometer gas analysis. It is found fluorapatite was reduced to phosphorus which diffused into iron and gas phase. From the gas analysis, it was observed that PO and P gas species were vaporized around 800 °C. As the reduction temperature increased, the diffusion of phosphorus into iron was enhanced. The presence of Ca(OH)2 as additives not only promoted the reduction of iron oxide, but also decreased the degree of fluorapatite reaction to inhibit P into iron.

Mar 1, 2018

By R Ibarra, H Solis, G Teowee, B E. Papillon

The authors have previously described a piezoelectric-based system to measure the dynamic pressure during actual detonation in the field. This technique is used in a water hammer test set-up where a donor detonator is fired first, with the pressure sensor and an acceptor electronic detonator placed underwater in a water tank, and maintained at a fixed distance away from the donor detonator. The functioning and timing of the acceptor detonator are captured using a customised microcontroller board called the water hammer timer. Using such water hammer testing, the effect of dynamic pressure was studied as a function of the magnitude of pressure during the electronic timing countdown. Data obtained indicate there is no significant impact in the timing of the electronic detonators in contrast to what has been reported in non-electric detonators.CITATION:Teowee, G, Solis, H, Papillon, B E and Ibarra, R, 2015. Effect of dynamic pressure on electronic detonator timing, in Proceedings 11th International Symposium on Rock Fragmentation by Blasting, pp 575–578 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Aug 24, 2015

By A. K. Raji, E. F. Orumwense, M. O. Ojumu

This research paper introduces a novel passive method for ocean mining using an electricpowered robotic subsea dredging crawler designed to operate in various subsea conditions, including unstructured and rough terrain. The electric-powered robotic subsea dredging crawler is equipped with two driving tracks and features a complex assembly of tank tread chain link, tank tread idler wheels, tank tread sprockets, bronze bushings, motor hub, motor mount, and a 12-volt direct current motor. To evaluate the performance of the electric-powered robotic subsea dredging crawler, it was compared with existing ocean hydraulic exploration crawlers, such as MK3 ROST, in terms of drive performance on an inclined ramp with five angles of inclination (0°, 15°, 20°, 25°, 30°). The experiment aimed to determine the maximum velocity, torque, and efficiency of the crawler at different angles of inclination. The collected data were analysed and plotted using Python, and the effect of the electric-powered robotic subsea dredging crawler’s weight on its driving performance was also considered. The results of this study demonstrate a quadratic relationship between driving performance and inclination angle, which can be used to optimise the electric-powered robotic subsea dredging crawler’s performance for future ocean mining robot drive applications.

Oct 2, 2025

By A. Warczok

Metal losses in discard slag are the main factor determining overall recovery. The metals are present both in dissolved form and as matte or metallic inclusions, varying in size from 2 to 1000 µm. Pyrometallurgical slag cleaning usually consists of heating the slag, reduction of oxides and settling of matte/metal droplets. Heating the slag decreases viscosity and accelerates reactions. Reduction of magnetite liberates inclusions and facilitates co-reduction of dissolved metal oxides. A significant amount of the matte and metal is present as very fine metallic inclusions, too small for settling. The coalescence of these matte or metal inclusions is required to remove them from the slag. The developed new concept of slag cleaning combines DC furnace technology with an extra magnetic field for vigorous slag stirring, enhancing mass transfer to the reductant surface, accelerating the rate of reduction, and destabilizing the emulsion of matte or metal inclusions. Intensive slag stirring increases the probability of collision of inclusions, will accelerate their growth and will therefore improve settling. The process is carried out in a patented DC channel furnace, where the liquid metal or matte layer acts as a cathode and the floating coke bed on the slag surface is the anode. In the first part of the furnace, a superimposed magnetic field induces a Lorentz&apos;s force causing the slag to start an intensive circular motion. The next furnace zone does not experience any stirring and is dedicated for quiet sedimentation of the inclusions. A mathematical model of gravitational coalescence combined with forced slag motion showed the possibilities of effective removal of copper matte inclusions. The results of laboratory pilot scale tests of continuous slag cleaning showed fast slag reduction and confirmed the improved matte removal from the slag. Conceptual analysis shows the potential use of the technology in various other non-ferrous industries, like for example nickel plants. It is also possible to use this technique batch wise.

Jan 1, 2007

By Chitombo G. P, Thompson A. G

Excavation engineering involves three key design processes; excavation design, blast design and reinforcement design. An excavation engineering methodology is proposed in an attempt to promote integration and simultaneous consideration of these three design processes. This methodology requires research and development of, inter alia, a universal rock mass classification system and a universal data display system. Simple examples are used to explain and illustrate the concepts central to these components in the three design processes.

Jan 1, 1995

By Y. Zhou, G. Chisakuta, P. Bwando, G. Mitshabu

A newly started copper hydrometallurgical plant was confronted with a manganese oxidation issue in electrowinning. This oxidation, in the absence of the amount of iron required to stabilise the electrolyte oxidation-reduction potential, is known to produce oxidants (MnO2, MnO4) that can cause accelerated degradation of the organic phase components in solvent extraction and corrosion of lead anodes in electrowinning. The overpotential required to build up the protection layer on new anodes causes an increased electrolyte potential that creates oxidized species in the electrowinning tankhouse, and these species come back to solventextraction plant with the recycled spent electrolyte. This paper discusses the impacts of manganese oxidants on the health of a plant organic phase. It also outlines the actions taken using iron scraps and sulfur dioxide to mitigate the problem that happened due to the lack of ferrous iron sulfate available on site, as recommended for better control.

Jan 1, 2023

By İbrahim Gunes, ATILA GURHAN CELIK, Eren Komurlu

This study introduces a new apparatus designed to improve the load-bearing capacities and insertion efficiency of split set type friction bolts. Laboratory and site studies demonstrated the apparatus’s advantages in terms of practicality and prevention of buckling. The apparatus temporarily compresses the split tubes, reducing friction during insertion and increasing normal stresses and friction capacity at the bolt-rock contacts.

Jan 3, 2022

By NEWTON B. KNOX

IN Bolivia, mining is still the principal economic activity, as it was before and during the Spanish Colonial period. Tin, tungsten, antimony, copper, lead, zinc, gold, silver, sulphur, and a little bismuth are produced. The Andes mountains are divided into two main ranges in Bolivia; the Western range marks the border with Chile and the Eastern range forms the backbone of the country; in the North it drops rather abruptly eastward, to the plains of the Beni, whereas in the South it splits and is separated from the Chaco flatlands by a series of folded mountain ranges. In general the mineral deposits are found within the Eastern range or in the hills that rise from the high plateau between the ranges - really parts of the Eastern range partly submerged by recent sediments. The mineral belt is thus over 500 miles long and about 100 miles wide and includes most of the principal centers of population and the most important means of communication. The region is mountainous and the roads are bad; furthermore labor is a serious problem, for the land is poor and the agricultural population is never far from hunger. The floating supply of miners is limited and soon exhausted in any emergency like the present.

Jan 1, 1945

By A. Vidyadhar

Using pure quartz and hematite minerals, the adsorption mechanism of mixed cationic/anionic reagent schemes was investigated through Hallimond flotation studies. The flotation response of quartz and hematite independently with cationic and anionic collectors as well as with mixed cationic/anionic collector systems is assessed. The flotation response as a function of pH and collector concentration was investigated. The single mineral flotation tests in the presence of anionic collectors, quartz does not respond to flotation, but the C12 amine flotation of quartz was observed to be pH and concentration dependent. It was observed that hematite flotation recovery is maximum at acidic pH with sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS), neutral pH with oleate, and at basic pH about 9.5 with C12 amine. Flotation results with both quartz and hematite indicate an increased adsorption of cationic collector in the presence of anionic collector apart from its own co-adsorption. The incorporation of oleate in between C12 amine molecules decreases the electrostatic head-head repulsion and thereby increasing the adsorption of C12 amine due to attractive tail-tail hydrophobic bonds, besides forming a closely packed adsorbed layer enhancing the hydrophobicity. The increase in oleate concentration beyond C12 amine concentration leads to the formation of soluble C12 amine-oleate complex / precipitate and the adsorption of these species decreased the flotation since the alkyl chains are in chaotical orientation with a conceivable number of head groups directing towards the solution phase. Keywords: quartz, hematite, adsorption, mixed collector system, flotation, zeta-potential

Sep 1, 2012