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By R. R. Odman, O. N. Lofgren

At the planning stage for this plant it was scheduled that the plant operate at a low energy consumption. After start up in 1973 it was established that outcome was even better than the forecast. In view of the 1977 ore market it was decided to operate the plant at half capacity. This initiated efforts to reoptimize the process in order to hold back expected increase in energy consumption. The result from this work proves that a detailed study and tuning of the process can not only avoid expected increase, but also reduce specific energy consumption.

Jan 1, 1983

By J. F. Harvard

We might say that for the metallurgist time "ambles withal," for the mining engineer time "trots withal," and for the geologist, time "gallops withal." And anyone for whom time "stands still withal" does not belong in the mining community today! In this bicentennial year of the United States of America we sense the mystery of time and we feel the pulse of history, especially in our own profession. What was mining like 200 years ago? What is it like today? What will it be like 200 years in the future?

Jan 7, 1976

By Fred C. Bond

This article is interesting because it deals with the fundamentals of grinding in a novel manner. However, it is somewhat reminiscent of Mark Twain's famous evaluation of science as the production of pounds of conjecture from ounces of fact. Extrapolations abound, and some cases they are treated with a seriousness that is undeserved. Tests should undoubtedly be made of wet grinding at supercritical speeds, using smooth mill lining and mill charges of large grinding balls as well as pebbles. However, the performance predicted in the article needs more qualification than it has received.

Jan 5, 1958

A Report Of Current Activity In The Industry

Jan 7, 1951

By H. V. Fairbanks

This report covers a study of three different methods for drying ultrafine coals by sound waves. Ultrafine material is classified as coal which passes through a 100-mesh sieve. During the investigations, it was found that the addition of acoustic radiation to the drying of ultrafine coal is effective in increasing the rate of drying; the effect of acoustic radiation to improve drying decreases with an increase in the temperature of the system; the drying rate increased 10-40% when acoustic radiation was introduced into a rotary kiln but was dependent upon the environmental conditions; the application of vertical vibrations to multi-tiered drying screens increased the rate of moisture removal ten times over that obtained in the rotary kiln; the formation of coal balls in any of the drier systems retards the rate of drying; the higher the initial moisture content of the coal the greater the amount of coal balls formed.

Jan 1, 1970

Jan 1, 1931

By R. L. Manegold

This paper outlines the reasons for and the application of suspended magnets above belt conveyors for the purpose of removing tramp iron to protect equipment. The design of a magnet strong enough to extract iron through a distance of 24 in. is described along with the proper method of application in the field. Advantages of the suspended magnet in contrast to the conventional magnetic pulley are also discussed. IN RECENT years there has been a decided trend toward bringing ores and coal out of open-pit and underground mines by long, sloping single-stage belt conveyors. Because the high investment cost of haulage conveyors dictates maximum speed and full loading for economy, conveyor belts are running faster than ever before, with a greater burden on the belts. In addition, larger blocks of ore are being mined and conveyed. Rougher use of large mining equipment generates more tramp iron; mechanical loading rejects nothing. Therefore the extraction of tramp iron and other deleterious materials for the protection of haulage conveyors at transfer points, chutes, and idlers is becoming an increasingly difficult job. In our experience, the best method of protecting long haulage conveyor belts is to extract the tramp iron, at least the large tramp iron, ahead of the main haulage conveyor or series of conveyors. It is most practical to collect the tramp iron at the earliest source possible, usually directly after the primary car unloading dump or after the primary crushers, which are ordinarily not affected by tramp iron, see Fig. 1. The coal or ore from its primary source is fed by chutes or feeders onto a buffer or shock belt conveyor, a short, ruggedly built conveyor system that can be considered somewhat expendable. Its primary function is to bring the ore up to speed for transmission to the haulage conveyor. There is no assured method of protecting this conveyor from tramp iron damage at its feed end. Likewise, there is a possibility, although remote if the magnet applied to this belt is installed correctly, that the tramp iron extraction process will damage the shock belt, which is, however, short and comparatively inexpensive. Magnetic head pulleys with their maximum effective range of about 8 or 10 in. cannot be considered for large installations, even though they are desirable because of the continuous and automatic tramp iron removal feature. Further, the most dangerous form of tramp iron with respect to potential damage to a haulage conveyor is the long rod, roof bolt, or rail segment, which is not extracted satisfactorily because of the limited tangential contact of such an iron shape with the magnet. Magnetic head pulleys are also undesirable because the dribble or fines from the head pulley discharge at the same point as the tramp iron. Screens must be used to separate the fines from the magnetics, resulting in additional expense and loss of head room. Magnetic detectors have been used with success, but they only indicate the presence of iron, and the conveyor belt must be stopped for its manual removal. The stoppage of any conveyor means that all preceding equipment must be stopped or a cascade of material on the idle conveyor will result. Occasionally combinations of detectors and magnetic head pulleys are used. The detector precedes the magnetic head pulley and detects only large pieces of tramp iron, while the magnetic pulley subsequently takes out the smaller ferrous metals. Suspended magnets overcome the disadvantages of magnetic head pulleys, detectors or a combination of both. There are several magnetic extraction problems involved in applying a suspended magnet at this

Jan 1, 1953

By R. L. Manegold

This paper outlines the reasons for and the application of suspended magnets above belt conveyors for the purpose of removing tramp iron to protect equipment. The design of a magnet strong enough to extract iron through a distance of 24 in. is described along with the proper method of application in the field. Advantages of the suspended magnet in contrast to the conventional magnetic pulley are also discussed. IN RECENT years there has been a decided trend toward bringing ores and coal out of open-pit and underground mines by long, sloping single-stage belt conveyors. Because the high investment cost of haulage conveyors dictates maximum speed and full loading for economy, conveyor belts are running faster than ever before, with a greater burden on the belts. In addition, larger blocks of ore are being mined and conveyed. Rougher use of large mining equipment generates more tramp iron; mechanical loading rejects nothing. Therefore the extraction of tramp iron and other deleterious materials for the protection of haulage conveyors at transfer points, chutes, and idlers is becoming an increasingly difficult job. In our experience, the best method of protecting long haulage conveyor belts is to extract the tramp iron, at least the large tramp iron, ahead of the main haulage conveyor or series of conveyors. It is most practical to collect the tramp iron at the earliest source possible, usually directly after the primary car unloading dump or after the primary crushers, which are ordinarily not affected by tramp iron, see Fig. 1. The coal or ore from its primary source is fed by chutes or feeders onto a buffer or shock belt conveyor, a short, ruggedly built conveyor system that can be considered somewhat expendable. Its primary function is to bring the ore up to speed for transmission to the haulage conveyor. There is no assured method of protecting this conveyor from tramp iron damage at its feed end. Likewise, there is a possibility, although remote if the magnet applied to this belt is installed correctly, that the tramp iron extraction process will damage the shock belt, which is, however, short and comparatively inexpensive. Magnetic head pulleys with their maximum effective range of about 8 or 10 in. cannot be considered for large installations, even though they are desirable because of the continuous and automatic tramp iron removal feature. Further, the most dangerous form of tramp iron with respect to potential damage to a haulage conveyor is the long rod, roof bolt, or rail segment, which is not extracted satisfactorily because of the limited tangential contact of such an iron shape with the magnet. Magnetic head pulleys are also undesirable because the dribble or fines from the head pulley discharge at the same point as the tramp iron. Screens must be used to separate the fines from the magnetics, resulting in additional expense and loss of head room. Magnetic detectors have been used with success, but they only indicate the presence of iron, and the conveyor belt must be stopped for its manual removal. The stoppage of any conveyor means that all preceding equipment must be stopped or a cascade of material on the idle conveyor will result. Occasionally combinations of detectors and magnetic head pulleys are used. The detector precedes the magnetic head pulley and detects only large pieces of tramp iron, while the magnetic pulley subsequently takes out the smaller ferrous metals. Suspended magnets overcome the disadvantages of magnetic head pulleys, detectors or a combination of both. There are several magnetic extraction problems involved in applying a suspended magnet at this

Jan 1, 1953

By M. A. Matzkin

The Problem: There are no roads and mapping has been inadequate. There isn't a clearing large enough to accommodate a conventional airplane. Entry would consume months, yet the area must be investigated. Sustained communication is impossible except by radio. Cost in time and money for exploration would be exorbitant. . . . . . . . .

Jan 9, 1953

By C. E. Lesher

Coal has been fighting a rear-guard action since the last World War. The battle against competitive fuels has been largely guerilla warfare with more sniping within the ranks than of organized opposition. Oil and natural gas are the fuels that over these twenty odd years have driven coal backward and out of many profitable markets. Now, somewhat timidly, the coal industry is trying a new weapon; namely, Research, or let us more properly say, Organized Research. Engineers have been designing this weapon for many years, supported by those interested in coal, including some coal producers. A part of this pioneer work has been Fundamental Research, the Ph.D. kind that is over the heads of most of us. Another part has been aimed at immediate objectives and realizable profits, the practical, man-in-the-street sort. That is Industrial Research. Enough has been accomplished to make a fair exhibit, but whether this new weapon will have sufficient fire power to rout the opposition, whether the industry will really go into production and use it, the next few years will tell. Need foR Coal Research To utter "Research" is to use the modern magic word; to conjure up the miraculous—rubber from weeds; radar; magnesium from sea water; yes, even gasoline from coal. Research is a very general term. It means something different to every man. What is the coal industry seeking with its research; or what should it seek? And, specifically, how is it going about the job; and is it taking the best way? There are many who say that Coal has been asleep at the switch, while Oil and Gas have been taking the energy business. In an organized way this is true. Large-scale, privatelyfinanced research is just started in the Pennsylvania anthracite industry, and it is still a dream for bituminous coal. What has been done so far collectively is purely defensive; as, for instance, to improve mechanical devices for burning coal so as to be able to recover markets for house-heating fuel long since abandoned to oil and gas. To appreciate just how seriously bituminous coal has slipped back in the national economy in the past 2 5 years, one has only to recall that, in the last war the Navy required for its operations all the high-grade, low-volatile coal that could be produced, and that anthracite was withdrawn from the middle and northwest markets to keep the eastern seaboard warm. All coal was "rationed" by zones, if not to individuals. Now the Navy, the Armed forces and the Merchant Marine are propelled by oil and gasoline. Gasoline and heating oil are rationed to individuals. Production of all coal in this country in 1918 reached the historic figure of 678,200,-000 tons, and in 1943, after 25 years, it is expected to reach a special wartime total of 660,000,000 tons. Meanwhile, production of crude oil this year may exceed 1 ,500,000,000 bbl., and like that of natural gas, reach four times the amount produced in 1918.

Jan 1, 1944

By C. E. Lesher

Coal has been fighting a rear-guard action since the last World War. The battle against competitive fuels has been largely guerilla warfare with more sniping within the ranks than of organized opposition. Oil and natural gas are the fuels that over these twenty odd years have driven coal backward and out of many profitable markets. Now, somewhat timidly, the coal industry is trying a new weapon; namely, Research, or let us more properly say, Organized Research. Engineers have been designing this weapon for many years, supported by those interested in coal, including some coal producers. A part of this pioneer work has been Fundamental Research, the Ph.D. kind that is over the heads of most of us. Another part has been aimed at immediate objectives and realizable profits, the practical, man-in-the-street sort. That is Industrial Research. Enough has been accomplished to make a fair exhibit, but whether this new weapon will have sufficient fire power to rout the opposition, whether the industry will really go into production and use it, the next few years will tell. Need foR Coal Research To utter "Research" is to use the modern magic word; to conjure up the miraculous—rubber from weeds; radar; magnesium from sea water; yes, even gasoline from coal. Research is a very general term. It means something different to every man. What is the coal industry seeking with its research; or what should it seek? And, specifically, how is it going about the job; and is it taking the best way? There are many who say that Coal has been asleep at the switch, while Oil and Gas have been taking the energy business. In an organized way this is true. Large-scale, privatelyfinanced research is just started in the Pennsylvania anthracite industry, and it is still a dream for bituminous coal. What has been done so far collectively is purely defensive; as, for instance, to improve mechanical devices for burning coal so as to be able to recover markets for house-heating fuel long since abandoned to oil and gas. To appreciate just how seriously bituminous coal has slipped back in the national economy in the past 2 5 years, one has only to recall that, in the last war the Navy required for its operations all the high-grade, low-volatile coal that could be produced, and that anthracite was withdrawn from the middle and northwest markets to keep the eastern seaboard warm. All coal was "rationed" by zones, if not to individuals. Now the Navy, the Armed forces and the Merchant Marine are propelled by oil and gasoline. Gasoline and heating oil are rationed to individuals. Production of all coal in this country in 1918 reached the historic figure of 678,200,-000 tons, and in 1943, after 25 years, it is expected to reach a special wartime total of 660,000,000 tons. Meanwhile, production of crude oil this year may exceed 1 ,500,000,000 bbl., and like that of natural gas, reach four times the amount produced in 1918.

Jan 1, 1944

By J. F. Myers, F. M. Lewis

The paper reports the development of a large, slow speed ball mill closed circuited with a hydroscillator. This increased grinding efficiency 28 pct over conventional units.

Jan 6, 1950

FROM newspaper reports circulated in Indonesia, it seems quite obvious that many people, even the left-wingers, have serious doubts concerning the wisdom of the Indonesian Government in nationalizing the Bangka Island tin mines, formerly operated by the Dutch Billiton Co. Chief source of American dollars for Indonesia has been the 34,000 ton tin production of its mines. Right now, both left and right are concerned with whether the Government will be able to maintain and increase current production. The right wing Moslem party newspaper, Mimbar Indonesia, stated: "It will no longer be possible any more for radical labor leaders to find foreign scapegoats and tell the workers they are working only for foreign interests and foreign managements. It is up to labor now to increase its labors for the national good. It will be a new experience, and the problem is whether we are capable enough to manage these important mines."

Jan 4, 1953

By William H. Mount

St. Joe Minerals Corp. has a long operating history of utilizing rubber-tired, trackless mining equipment in its Southeast Missouri Lead Belt underground mines. The company's first completely trackless mine, Hayden Creek, was opened in 1952, employing rubber-tired drill jumbos, electric shuttle cars, and articulated diesel trucks. The trucks were comprised of a conventional scraper tractor unit matched with a rear-dump rock wagon. These machines featured the first true earthmover tires to be used underground by St. Joe. The articulated truck concept proved to be very successful, and constitutes an increasing portion of the underground haulage today. St. Joe's second completely trackless mine, the Indian Creek property, was opened in 1954; conventional 9.1-t (10-st) rear dumps were used for haulage. Main haul roads were designed to be wide and fairly level to accommodate speeds of 32-40 km/h (20-25 mph).

Jan 4, 1976

By Frank Firmstone

IT is proposed to consider here only comparisons made between results obtained when the materials employed are precisely the same, two furnaces at the same works for example, or the same furnace under different conditions as respects temperature of blast, method of charging, etc. With this limitation, the most important point in the comparison is the amount of fuel consumed per ton of iron. This, in fact, is the only item in the prime cost of the iron which can properly be said to vary in consequence of changes in the furnace process ; for of the other principal items, the ore used per ton of iron, and also the amount of fluxing material, will depend on its richness, which, under the assumed conditions, will be practically invariable when taken over any considerable period; the labor cost also, from its nature, should be very nearly constant when estimated on the ton of iron. Moreover, as it consists principally in handling and moving material, it is greatly affected by circumstances quite independent of

Jan 1, 1876

IT is not necessary to enter into a long discussion of ordinary bells, because every master carpenter or blacksmith knows how to make those levers with a crossbar that are called storks. This is nothing other than a board that has a thick and heavy head and looks more like a dolphin than a bird. This has a long tail in the form of a handle so that it makes a more powerful lever. As can be seen in every bell tower and other place where there are bells, it has, crosswise above the point where the cannon of the bell is fitted and fastened in, an iron bar which is arched and which has its two ends turned horizontally. These are made round so that they may turn easily when they are held by two steel rings or in two metal grooves or on glass pillows. In this, the more the transverse rod is arched,

Jan 1, 1942

By Denis Yeung, B. H. G. Brady

A hybrid finite element-boundary element code with eight noded isoparametric finite elements and three noded boundary elements is described for plane strain and linear isotropic elasticity. In the direct formulation of the Boundary Flement Method, quadratic variation of geometry and displacements, and linear variation of tractions with respect to the element intrinsic coordinates are used. The boundary element region is treated as a "super-element" in the finite element sense.

Jan 1, 1982

By W. R. Webster

Opinions still differ widely concerning the requirements, chemical and physical, which should be expressed in specifications for steel rails, in order to secure results satisfactory to both manufacturers and purchasers.

Jan 1, 1902

By L. A. Jr. Norman

ANOTHER chapter in the history of Mother Lode mining is being written by operations in the Old Eureka mine near Sutter Creek, Amador County, California. During a two-year period (1938-1939), 85,517 tons of ore averaging 0.62 oz. gold per ton were mined and milled, as compared to the production of approximately 210,000 tons of 0.315-oz. gold ore during the preceding seven years. This is a repetition of mining history in the Mother Lode, where a period of prosperity has followed a long period of lean production. The location of this new ore in the hitherto unproductive hanging-wall greenstones and its mining and geological developments are most interesting.

Jan 1, 1939

By Robert Sisselman

Cesium metal isn't on the government's list of priority materials for stockpiling, but it may be getting a big lift in that direction. Both the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) have committed themselves to a long-range research program the outcome of which may boost annual domestic production to 37,000 lb by the year 2000. This would represent a sixfold increase in cesium consumption over the figures reported in 1968. To accomplish this dramatic increase, there must he some equally dramatic breakthroughs. Recent research efforts designed to shake the metal from its lethargic status in world markets have been concentrated in the areas of ion propulsion, thermionic power conversion and magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) power generation. The activities in these areas, all of which attempt to make use of cesium's unique properties, may lead to a practical method for converting nuclear energy into electricity and a cheaper and more effective alternative to liquid propellants used in long-range space flights.

Jan 1, 1971