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By Susan B. Robertson, Gregory E. Hinshaw

Many injuries are caused each year by rock falls in coal mines. Most of these injuries are not caused by major roof collapses, but from falls of smaller rocks from the immediate top or roof skin. Various surface controls are used in mines to control this surface rock. One that has been found to be very effective is roof screening. Depending on the size of the screen, roof coverage approaching 100%can be achieved. Many mines are reluctant to use screen for primary skin control because of additional costs of time and materials, but others are having great success at both controlling costs and surface rock. Data is presented from two mines that show a dramatic reduction in roof skin injuries when screening is used. Much of this success is due to innovations in roof bolting machines. Four case studies of roof screen experience are presented along with associated costs of materials, impact on bolting advance rates, and potential ergonomic risks. The effects of roof screening on skin control and safety are also included. Finally, this paper will provide information about features of different roof bolting machines that affect production and safety.

Recent developments in diamond drilling practice have been chiefly 'concerned with modifications in drill design and 'operating technique whereby an increase in daily footage rates and reduced footage costs have been achieved without any marked improvements in the recovery of core. This trend is perhaps due to the general acceptance by the mining and drilling engineer alike of the belief that diamond drilling has definite limitations in exploratory work on mineral deposits characterized by irregularities in continuity and grade, such a belief arising from the fact that drilling technique has not yet evolved coring devices to ensure the full recovery of the rock and mineral formations penetrated.Current diamond drilling operations at Moonta and Wallaroo Mines, carried out by the South Australian Department of Mines, have attained remarkable results in completely eliminating core-loss by the use of a special double-tube core barreI.It is considered that assays of borehole samples taken with this special barrel have a reliability comparable, if not superior to that of similarly situated mine samples and, provided they are spaced satisfactorily, can be used as, a basis for calculating tonnage and grade. Formerly, with only partial core-recoveries, positive borehole results on narrow irregular lodes, such as those in the Moonta and Wallaroo Mines, could be accepted mainly as indications of the presence of mineralization, and could have only a limited bearing on estimates of ore reserves.The value of this special double-tube core-barrel lies In the fact that it guarantees good core recovery and, therefore, good samples, and eliminates the need for sludge-sampling, which is prone to give unreliable assay results from several causes, such as gravity concentration in the bottom of the hole and return water losses which cannot be overcome.In view of the increasing demand for minerals and the probability that the search for them will be carried on largely by boring, it is felt that it would be of interest and value to direct the attention of mining engineers to core-recovery results obtained by diamond drilling plants in South Australia and the features of the special core-barrel, designed by the writer, which has made this possible. Also, the writer is desirous of placing on record two other core-recovery devices designed to extract accurate samples in relatively soft or unconsolidated formations. The latter are used with percussion and calyx plants, respectively and their value has been proven on phosphate rock and coal deposits in South Australia.

Jan 1, 1943

By T Hughes

The Gekko InLine Pressure Jig (IPJ) was unleashed on the World gravity separation market in 1996 and has since sold over 150 units in applications including tin, diamonds, silver, coal, garnet and gold. During the past twelve years the knowledgebase of the best applications and capabilities of the IPJ has greatly increased. Improvements to the original IPJ design have included engineered ceramic ragging in specific gravities from 1.6 to 5.0, full automation and improved designs of feed presentation and tailings and concentrate handling systems. The IPJ has been found to be able to handle a wide feed size range and recover mineral at liberation size without significant addition of water to the mass balance. Test work carried out during full-scale operation of the IPJ has shown the IPJ can recover diamonds down to 0.5 mm, sulfides down to 0.3 mm and gold down to 0.1 mm which greatly expands its application in the mineral processing industry. A significant volume of data now supports the symbiotic benefits of an IPJ and flotation circuit combination to pre-concentrate an ore and minimise downstream processing requirements.

Jan 1, 2008

By Kouichi Tomisawa

Two bridges were constructed for extension work of Central Hokkaido Connection Road in 2005 at two different sites. Pile group foundations were employed for the foundations of abutments of the two bridges. In order to assess the performance of the constructed piles in the sites and to obtain design parameters for design in future, static alternating cyclic horizontal load test was carried out on one of the open-ended steel pipe piles constructed at each site. The ground at one site was characterised as a thick deposit of volcanic soils, and the ground at the other site was characterised as a very soft peat layer near the surface. In this paper the results of static alternating cyclic horizontal load tests on the piles at the two sites are presented and discussed in detail.

Jan 1, 2006

By Detlef Ehlert

In view of the increasing level of cost pressure on the part of plant owners, optimized plant operation with top product quality and maintenance costs is indispensable. Unscheduled shutdowns with increased repair costs and production downtimes are significantly reduced by preventive maintenance and the stock-keeping of spare parts. To remain competitive in the steel market, it is important for plants owners to operate their plants with the highest possible degree of energy efficiency and at high availability in order to manufacture high-quality products. Plant Monitoring Systems make it possible to optimize the manner of production. An integrated overview of the overall process, under consideration of process stability, product quality, production costs and plant availability ensures a “transparent plant”.

Aug 16, 2017

By C. O’Hara, S. Roy, K. Swedburg, J. Katchen

"New Gold Inc.’s New Afton concentrator commenced operation in June 2012, producing a copper-gold-silver concentrate. During the first two years of operation, various optimization efforts have improved mill throughput, recoveries and concentrate grade. Daily mill throughput has increased 20% above the design rate. This was achieved through more consistent instantaneous feed rate and size distribution from the mine reclaim stockpile, higher pebble crusher reliability, changes to the SAG and ball mill grinding media sizes, larger SAG grate openings, reduced SAG discharge screen-deck aperture size and an increase in the maximum ball mill power draw limit. Metal recoveries at New Afton are primarily limited by liberation in the coarser size fractions; therefore, improving the grind size at a given mill throughput has been the main means of improving recovery. The average rougher flotation feed F80 size was reduced from 175µm in Q1 2013 to 165µm in Q1 2014, while the average operating mill throughput increased by 25%. Other flotation circuit changes focusing on recovery improvement include the addition of froth crowders to the rougher cells and the use of a stronger frother. The average concentrate grade increased from 22% Cu in Q1 2013 to 25% Cu in Q1 2014. This was achieved by redirecting the flash flotation concentrate stream to the regrind circuit and by the addition of lime to the cleaner circuit.This paper describes the above improvements made at the New Afton mill. The paper describes the objectives, timing and end result of each area of improvement.IntroductionThe New Afton Mine is situated approximately 10km west of Kamloops, British Columbia, 340km north-east of Vancouver. The mine has a moderate climate, access to transportation and electrical infrastructure, nearby fresh water supply, and close proximity to industrial and mining service businesses. The population of Kamloops is around 90,000 with most mine employees living in or around the city."

Jan 1, 2015

By William G. Pariseau

Solvay Chemicals Company mines trona in south-central Wyoming and has done so for many years. The mine is one of several in a mid-continent sedimentary basin that hosts the largest trona resource in the world. Trona is an evaporite, a sesquicarbonate that occurs in several seams of varying thicknesses and depths. Trona is processed into soda ash which has a number of industrial uses in the manufacture of glass, detergent, paper and chemicals. Figure 1 shows the location of the Solvay Mine. A ventilation shaft was recently excavated at Solvay Chemical Company’s mine in the trona patch. In fact, a 22 ft (6.7 m) diameter shaft (inside diameter) was bored upwards from the 1500 ft (457 m) level to the surface. The first bored section was 26 ft (7.9 m) in diameter that allowed for a 2 ft (0.6 m) thick concrete liner. This section began at a depth of approximately 1500 ft (457 m). A second bored section was 24 ft, (7.3 m) in diameter that allowed for a 1 ft (0.3 m) thick concrete liner. This section began at a depth of approximately 750 ft (229 m). This shaft is the #5 Shaft. Figure 2 shows the cutter head used to excavate the shaft.

Feb 1, 2025

By King R. L

Low-enthalpy geothermal groundwater resources occur at relatively shallow depths in the Upper Cretaceous/1'ertiary sedimentary sequence in the on-shore Gippsland Basin. The main stratigraphic unit containing hot groundwater is the Latrobe Group. Groundwater temperatures in the range 30 to 70¦C have been recorded from depths between 500 and 1000 m. The hottest groundwater is in the Latrobe Valley and Lake Wellington depressions. Geothermal gradients in these areas range from less than 2¦C/100 m to over 10¦C/100 m (compared to a world average of about 3¦C/100 m). A number of theories have been advanced to explain the geothermal anomalies including exothermic reaction such as oxidation of coal, mixing with deeper, hotter groundwater and high geothermal fluxes along fault zones. Variations in geothermal gradients can also result from type and thickness (and hence thermal conductivities) of the sedimentary pile, depth to consolidated basement rocks, and influence of groundwater flow patterns including proximity to recharge zones. The hot groundwater in the Gippsland Basin has substantial potential as a source of energy for direct heat applications such as process heating, space and water heating for buildings, and agricultural and aquaculture. Geothermal energy has a number of environmental advantages over traditional sources of energy. It is clean, safe, causes minimal land disturbances and in most cases is naturally renewable.

Jan 1, 1992

By Edward Keller

The work covered by this report was undertaken at the request of Dr. J. A. Holmes, late Director of the Bureau of Mines, to whom the writer had been recommended by C. W. Goodale and E. P. Mathewson, of Butte and Anaconda, Mont. The director's offer was accepted for the honor it conferred and for the useful results that might be promulgated by the work in the technical field covered. The investigation was facilitated by permission to visit various works and sometimes by contributions of important definite information on a given subject. It is therefore with pleasure that acknowledgment of courtesies is made to the following corporations and gentlemen: Anaconda Copper Mining Co., Raritan Copper Works, Baltimore Copper Smelting & Rolling Co., United States Refining Co., American Smelting &, Refining Co., B. B. Thayer, A. C. Clark, A. L. Walker, William H. Peirce, E. A. Cappelen Smith, H. H. Alexander, F. C. Newton, S. Rolle, R. W. Deacon, N. W. Pierce, O. C. Martin, C. N. Sappington, James K. Thomson, W. G. Derby, and the assistants of the writer, K. W. McComas and W. L. Raup. In this report considerable space has been devoted to general and theoretical principles on the ground that under modern conditions the best results in any field of activity can be attained only with the a. id of an adequate knowledge of the best theories underlying the practice. The diffusion of such knowledge in the field of sampling metallic metallurgical materials appears to have been quite insufficient, and it is felt that when the principles involved are once thoroughly comprehended their universal application will be appreciated, so that it will make no difference whether pig iron or gold bullion is offered for test. It may further be noted that a discussion of the theories underlying practical methods is placed under the caption "Practical Sampling," with the idea that no one can be a practical sampler unless he is capable of analyzing his methods. No attempt has been made to advocate any one method, but it is hoped that the analyses of all of the methods in use will show where each may be correctly and safely applied. The fact that it is possible to demonstrate the theoretical correctness of several methods indicates the invalidity of the claim that any single one of them is the standard.

Jan 1, 1916

By Max F. Lee, Warren A. Peck

The applicability of the Q-system [Barton et al. 1974] to Australian underground metal mines is discussed with reference to two common design issues: ground support for horizontal mine development, and assessing the stability of bored raises. Installed ground support in mine development is com-pared to empirical estimates using the Q-system and associated support capacity calculations. Data are graphically presented from 59 specially selected sites at 15 contributing mines. The actual performance of large-diameter raise-bored shafts is also compared to empirical stability assessments using a modified version of Q (Qr, after McCracken and Stacey [1989]). Lower-bound Qr values are plotted against raise diameter for 47 selected sites at 23 mines in Australia and Papua New Guinea. The influence on Q and Qr of some geotechnical aspects of the Australian landscape, the dynamic nature of mines (compared to civil construction), and occupational health and safety regulations are discussed. Stability and support assessments that are based just on Q or Qr are not always conclusive. It is often necessary to consider other rock mass parameters, the regulatory environment, and risk issues. These results are interim; further data collection and analysis are required with regard to comparing actual performance versus empirical assessments.

Jan 5, 2007

Entering June, U. S. producer pricing of 99.5 percent unalloyed aluminum ingot was divided at 53-57 cents per pound. The Kaiser Aluminum and Chemical Corp. took the initiative and raised its June 1 ingot values by 4 cents to 57 cents. Consolidated Aluminum Corp. announced plans to increase ingot prices by 4.5 cents per pound to 57.5 cents per pound effective May 15. Dealers increased their May ingot quotes by 1.5-2 cents to 50-50.5 cents. CADMIUM While producers in the United States kept May cadmium at $2.25-$2.50, dealers increased their quotes by 15-30 cents to as high as $2.15.

Jan 1, 1978

The principal dirnensions of the chimney were fixed as follows: Height from formation to coping, 328 ft. 8 in.; inside diameter concrete shell, 13 ft. Gin.; inside diameter of the 4~-in. brick lining. 11 ft. (j in. ; shell thickness above flue inlet at a point 39 ft. above formation, 1 ft. 8in.; shell thickness at coping, 6 in. That is, the inside of chimney is cylindrical, wldst the outside is gradually stepped inwards with of 1 in. and less until the shell is 6 in. thick only at the top. With these dimensions in mind, it will be seen that some close thought was necessary to ensure a satisfactory of fonn which could be kept rigid and plumb to a height and at the same time provide safe working conditions for the labourers employed.FOUNDATIONSThe spread base of the chimney is 45 ft. in diameter, and foundations were carried down to a depth of 8 ft. 6 in. below natural surface into good hard clay which was known to be the best foundation obtainable in the vicinity being capable of withstanding, when dry, a load of 3 tons to 4 tons per square foot, whereas dead load is 1A tons per square foot and the maximum load expeeted under the most severe wind condition is 2 tons per square foot to ensure the foundation being kept dry and unaffected by ground water, the site was surrounded by a ring drain at a distance of six feet from edge of concrete foundation and at a minimum depth of one foot below bottom of concrete. Open-jointed pipes were laid in the bottom ofthe drain and graded to a pipe drain with outfall clear of the site.

Jan 1, 1924

By Andrew Peterson

The Maine Department of Transportation offered this challenging design-build project for a new, 12-span, bridge over the Kennebec River in Bath, Maine. This structure would be built to replace the existing Carlton Bridge connecting the village of Bath, Maine to neighboring Woolwich, Maine. The design build team of Flatiron Structures, Inc., and Figg Engineers, Inc., elected to design and build a segmental concrete bridge. Site conditions dictated that this bridge would be supported primarily on deep foundations. Case Foundation Company joined the project team in the winter of 1997 to install twenty-two, eight foot diameter drilled shafts. The drilled shafts were designed with 8' diameter, permanently cased shaft sections and 7.5' diameter rock sockets. Shaft lengths ranged from 20' long near the river's edge to 100' deep in the middle of the river. Rock socket lengths ranged from 12' to 30' deep. Two Osterberg Cell load tests were conducted on production drilled shafts. Figg Engineers utilized the results of the load tests to "fine-tune" the rock socket design during construction of the drilled shafts. Construction of the drilled shafts proved to be very challenging and called on every member of the design-build team to work together throughout the project. One of the most challenging aspects of this project was in the installation of the 8' diameter permanent casing and drilling of the rock sockets. Early in the project, it became apparent that the top of bedrock was broken and unstable. This condition limited the advancement of the permanent casing and the affect of a "seal" at the top of rock socket. As a result, as the rock socket was advanced, loose material spilled into the hole and stopped progress of the socket. In order to resolve this problem, the design-build team developed a redesigned drilled shaft which included the installation of a steel sleeve to seal off the unstable rock formation. Following installation of the sleeve, the rock socket diameter was reduced to 7' diameter and advanced additional length to achieve required design capacity. All drilled shafts were installed with equipment supported on floating barges. Water access, along with the long shaft lengths and very hard bedrock required the use of cranes and drilling equipment that far exceeded the requirements of typical drilled shaft projects. This paper will discuss the relationship between design, construction, and equipment utilization on this challenging design-build project. [ ]

Jan 1, 1999

By W. Rogers

Blast-induced rock mass displacement can have a significant impact on ore loss & dilution. The mischaracterisation of the grade boundaries both prior to, as well as a result of blasting can lead to significant financial losses on account of ore loss and dilution. Ore dilution occurs when waste material is miscategorised as ore and sent for processing or stockpiling, diluting the run of mine head grade and recovery. Ore loss takes place when valuable mineral is miscategorised as waste and sent to the waste dumps, thus never being processed and recovered. Extensive research has been conducted at the University of Queensland over the last fifteen years to understand the impact of blast movement on ore loss and dilution. Recent outcomes of this research have developed innovative tools and techniques to measure and model blast movement. These techniques have been implemented at Ahafo gold mine in Ghana to understand blast movement dynamics and to implement solutions to reduce blast-induced ore loss and dilution. These solutions are validated through controlled trials and have been incorporated into site standard operating procedures to sustain the benefits.

Jan 1, 2012

By Matthew E. MacGregor, Hugh T. Kelly

I.H. 635 (LBJ Freeway) was constructed as a loop freeway around the city of Dallas in the late 1960s and early 1970s with a design capacity of 160,000 vehicles per day (vpd). Today’s facility is carrying over 270,000 vpd. To help mitigate community concerns with regard to right-of-way issues, noise, safety, and traffic disruption, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is planning a number of significant improvements. The West Section improvements include the construction of managed HOV/Toll lanes. Within this 8-mile section, TxDOT is planning two mined tunnels(1.5 and 1.9 miles long) beneath the LBJ Freeway. The mined tunnels will connect to cut-and-cover box sections in both the east and west directions. This paper presents an overview of the project development from the design schematic, through the geotechnical investigations, into the current design stage. The project is being planned for implementation by use of a Comprehensive Development Agreement.

Jan 1, 2005

By Haiping Sun, Samir Ganguly, Oleg Ostrovski, M. Yaser Lone

Wettability of graphite by synthetic SiO2-Al2O3-CaO-MnO slags with varied MnO content and by industrial slags was studied at 1350-1600 °C using sessile drop method under argon atmosphere. Initial contact angle was the lowest (110-115o) for the MnO-free slag. For slags with 10-40 wt% MnO, the initial contact angle was in the range 125-135o. The contact angle decreased with the contact time. The change in the contact angle with slag mass was found insignificant. The surface tension of slags obtained from the drop shape analyses was 500-800 mN/m and varied in a narrow range with temperature and MnO concentration. The reduction rate increased with increasing MnO content in the synthetic slag from 20 wt% to 40wt% and temperature. Increasing temperature also increased the rate of reduction. No correlation was observed between the reduction rate and MnO content in the synthetic slags in the range 0-20 wt% and in the industrial slags. The rate of SiO2 reduction from the molten slag was close to the rate of MnO reduction. The MnO-free slag had the largest contact area with graphite substrate. Keywords: reduction, wettability, graphite, slag, manganese, surface tension.

Jan 1, 2007

By Amy B. Cerato

The application of this study is to use helical anchors as a foundation system for small wind tower (1 ? 10 kW) guyed cables. Helical anchors are currently used to anchor guyed cables of telecommunication and electric towers. However, the increased dynamic vibrations a wind turbine adds to the tower and foundation system under working loads, as well as extreme environmental conditions (e.g., straight line winds, ice load or sudden furling shocks), require additional knowledge about the behavior of helical anchors. These field conditions were simulated in this study by instrumenting a working tower with load cells and 3-axis accelerometers to gather data on wind speed and tower response. These tower responses were then transmitted to the helical anchors through an extensive, large-scale testing program that included monitoring the performance of the helical anchor foundation under dynamic loads, subject to natural variations in both wind regimes, precipitation (water level) and variations in helical anchor geometry. This paper specifically discusses the effects of helical anchor geometry on helical anchor performance under long-term dynamic loads.

Jan 1, 2008

Mining is big business in Ontario. The province is Canada?s leading mining region. It consistently ranks among the top 10 jurisdictions worldwide for exploration spending, reaching about C$1 billion in 2011. More than 26 percent of all exploration and appraisal dollars spent in Canada are invested in Ontario. Minerals produced include nickel, copper, platinum group elements (PGE), cobalt, zinc, diamonds, gold and silver. It was reported that there are more than 600 mining exploration projects in the province. And, recent discoveries of chromite in northern Ontario?s Ring of Fire will add to the province?s mineral production in the coming years.

Jan 1, 2013

By Ryan W. Ulansky

This paper presents the conceptual design of a magnetically-levitated skip for use in an underground mine. A skip is used to move rock from an underground mine to its surface processing facility. Conventionally the skip is raised and lowered by cables, similar to an elevator. In a magnetically-levitated skip, the cable is replaced with a linear induction or synchronous motor to provide propulsion and levitation. Removal of the cables in a magnetically-levitated skip provides many advantages over a conventional system including the ability: to negotiate corners, to travel vertically in the shaft as well as horizontally to the mining face, and to move a very large volume of material using multiple skips in a small shaft. A magnetically-levitated skip is a safer, more environmentally-friendly, productive alternative to conventional skipping. It has the further advantage to decrease haulage distances for underground vehicles.

May 1, 2002

By O. P. Hood, R. H. Kudlich

When a gasoline locomotive is used in a mine there is danger of the noxious gases of the exhaust vitiating the air, but if enough air is circulating in those parts of the mine in which the locomotive is used, these gases are so diluted that they are rendered harmless, and the health of the workmen is not affected. In some mines the use of gasoline locomotives is impracticable, though in the majority of mines where they have been tried they have proved to be safe and economical. To determine the limitations that should surround the use of these machines in mines so that they shall not be detrimental to health and so that their economic advantage may be retained, it is necessary to ascertain the volume and the character of the exhaust gases and the amount of these gases that may be safely allowed in the mine air, and also to determine safe conditions of operation. The problem is primarily one of ventilation and like all ventilation problems must be intelligently computed to meet the conditions of each mine. The investigation described in this bulletin was undertaken 'by the Bureau of Mines in an endeavor to obtain exact information on some of the basal questions involved in the use of gasoline locomotives in mines, this investigation being one of many that the bureau has been conducting in its efforts to increase safety and efficiency in mining.

Jan 1, 1915