Search Documents

By Keith G. Papke

Industrial-mineral mining started early in the history of the State when salt was extensively mined for use in processing gold and silver ores, and borates were produced to meet most of the world's needs. After this start, industrial-mineral production grew slowly until World War II, mostly because of the remoteness of the State and the small population. Nevada now has a large and varied industrial-mineral industry. In 1983, 14 principal commodities were produced from 48 deposits; the total value of these materials was 168 million dollars. Nevada ranks first in domestic production of barite and magnesite; second in diatomite, gem stones, and lithium; third in fluorspar; and sixth in gypsum. Other materials produced are carbonate rocks, cement, clays, decorative and crushed stone, light- weight aggregate, perlite, pyritic soil additive, salt, sand and gravel, and silica. From 1978 through 1982 barite was the most important commodity; in 1983 diatomite surpassed barite in value of production. Most of the Nevada production consists of high-value commodities that are consumed out of the State. Approximately 430 significant deposits with 20 principal commodities are present in Nevada. This abundance can be attributed to the numerous and diverse geologic processes that have been operative. Seven major modes of origin have been identified: hydrothermal activity, sedimentation, combined hydrothermal activity-sedimentation, evaporative precipitation, brine formation, extrusion of igneous rocks, and alteration by ground water. The hydrothermal type accounted for 39 percent of the deposits, the combined hydrothermal-sedimentary type for 28 percent, and the sedimentary type for 13 percent. Nevada diatomite production is about 200,000 short tons/year valued at 30 million dollars. In 1984 three companies operated in Nevada producing diatomite from six open pits and processing it at four plants - one plant producing filter-grade materials and the others adsorbents and fillers. The diatomite occurs in about 60 areas, almost all in the western one-third of the State. The diatomites were deposited in long-lasting, fresh-water lakes in topographically closed valleys formed by basin-and-range faulting. About 85 percent of the barite mined in the United States is produced in Nevada. In 1981 the high point of production,-2.5 million short tons of bedded barite was produced from about 30 open-pit mines. About 120 significant bedded-barite deposits are known in Nevada; 38 of these have had past production of more than 25,000 short tons. The deposits are associated with marine siliceous rocks of Cambrian through Devonian age and occur in a zone about 300 miles long and 60 miles wide. Abundant evidence supports the theory that the bedded barite is of exhalative sedimentary origin.

Jan 1, 1987

By Karl-Heinz Bruemmer, Karl Wollers

1- Importance of Shafts for the Exploration and Extraction of Coal Deposits Coal mining in the Federal Republic of Germany is carried out in a depth between 800 and 1200 m below sea level (Fig. 1). The shortest connections underground in a mine and up to the surface are vertical shafts. Such shafts assume, with ventilation, manriding and the winding of material, the most important functions for the maintenance of mining operations. In the German coal mining industry, a difference is made between the main shafts providing a direct access from the surface to the deposits, and the so-called "blindshafts" which serve as a connection between two or several haulage levels underground. [ ]

Jan 1, 1976

By J. Drelich, J. D. Miller

The wetting behavior of liquid polymers at solid surfaces and the adhesion forces involved at polymer-filler interfaces should always be considered in the preparation of high-quality polymer composites, including those made with mineral fillers. Spontaneous polymer spreading over the filler surface is a basic condition for the design of polymer-mineral composites. In this regard, the wetting and adhesion characteristics of polymer-mineral systems are reviewed. Based on this review it is clear that several aspects of wetting phenomena at mineral filler surfaces require further systematic study. Specifically, efforts should be made to determine the wetting characteristics of molten polymers at mineral-filler surfaces in greater detail. Also, the effects of mineral-surface contamination (including surface hydration) on wetting and adhesion phenomena need specific investigation. It is expected that an improved fundamental understanding of wetting and adhesion phenomena for polymer-mineral composites will provide the basis for further technological development.

Jan 1, 1996

By J. C. Yingling, R. Kumar, J. Sottile

The capability for on-line measurement of the quality characteristics of conveyed coal now enables mine operators to take advantage of the inherent heterogeneity of those streams and split them into wash and no-wash stocks. Relative to processing the entire stream, this reduces the amount of coal that must be washed at the mine and, thereby reducing processing costs, recovery losses and refuse-genera¬tion levels. In this paper, new ap¬proaches for optimal control of the segregation process using time-se¬ries models and empirical distribu¬tions are presented and demon¬strated using field data.

Jan 1, 2000

By K. Biswas, S. S. Peng

The stability of pillars in old mined-out districts is greatly dependent on the weathering action caused by moisture penetration into the pillar structure. Field observations in old mining districts indicated that this weathering action becomes critical in terms of the stability of the pillar if the coal seam contains parting or binder (layers of claystone or mudstone). The weathering action caused by moisture penetration over a long period of time degrades both parting and coal. However, it has been observed that the structural deterioration is more severe in parting. Moisture-penetration rates in parting and coal are different. The extent of the weathered zone in various layers of the pillar is primarily time dependent. This paper investigates, both in the laboratory and in the field, the effects of weathering action on coal and parting. In the laboratory, slake durability indices and uniaxial compressive strength tests for dry and saturated specimens are compared for coal. In the field, the in situ strength profiles for coal and parting layers are obtained, and the effect of time (in terms of the pillar age) on the strength profiles is studied An attempt was also made to establish formulae for time-dependent strengths of coal and parting.

Jan 1, 2000

By A. I. Makhin, S. M. Sablukov, V. K. Sobolev, V. A. Larchenko, V. S. Shchukin

The kimberlites of northern Europe are related with a large crustal block having a northwest-southeast orientation. Kimberlites penetrate the Archean formations of crystalline basement, Late Proterozoic rocks, which are overlapped by Middle Carboniferous and younger deposits. The kimberlites bodies include pipes, dikes and sills of Upper Devonian age. Within the region, rocks of two magmatic series form diamond-bearing kimberlites. Aluminum rocks form a new type of diamond-bearing rock that is not found in other diamond provinces. Kimberlites of this region are characterized by highly developed deuteric alterations, a low content of associate minerals, the presence of two diamond generations and an increased content of jewelry-grade diamonds.

Jan 1, 1997

By P. Coleman, J. C. Kerkering, S. Iverson

A fatal accident may result when a dozer is driven over a hidden void in a coal surge pile and the dozer falls into the void, burying and suffocating the dozer operator. This type of accident was analyzed by researchers from the Spokane Research Laboratory of the National Institute for Occupational Safely and Health using inexpensive fault-tree programs that had been developed, for use on a personal computer. Fault-tree analysis is a systematic safety-analysis tool that proceeds deductively from the occurrence of an accident event to the identification of the root causes of that event. The analysis identified basic and intermediate events that led to the burial of the dozer and graphically depicted the interrelationship between the basic events as well as the intermediate events leading up to the accident. A sensitivity analysis on assigned probabilities showed which events had the greatest influence on dozer burial in a coal surge pile. Operational guidelines and engineering controls are suggested to decrease the probability of a burial event.

Jan 1, 2002

By C. Haycocks

In spite of the increasingly high capital investment required for longwall mining equipment, there continues to be a steady trend towards this form of mining. This move is caused in large part by improved productivity of longwall mining systems combined with greater percentage of coal recovered over room and pillar mining, reduced manpower requirements, and the inherent safety of the system. Longwall mining is most amenable to the greater depths experienced by many mining operations, particularly in the coalfields of the Eastern United States. Two primary problems in the installation of a longwall panel are determining whether a particular seam is suitable for longwall and, secondly, type and capacity of equipment required for such a mining operation. In addition, recent legislation has forced an evaluation of the surface effects of longwall mining with a view to determining what, if any, surface damage might result from extracting any particular panel. These factors must be determined using large and often complex quantities of geological, structural, mining, and surface data. This makes the problem most attractive to solution using the computer.

Jan 1, 1979

By Louis A. Sandbak

Drift excavation by boom-type roadheaders in the San Manuel and Kalamazoo sulfide copper ore bodies has been successfully demonstrated. Geomechanical rock classification in conjunction with detailed geologic mapping has been necessary to assess roadheader performance, and to predict advance rates in the varied rock classes in the San Manuel block caving mine. Rapid excavation and less fractured ground are obvious advantages of roadheader drift excavation over conventional drill and blast techniques. The geomechanical system of Engineers International (1984) can be an effective roadheader performance and ground support tool.

Jan 1, 1985

By A. E. Ketler

Powerful, yet inexpensive, personal computers running Windows-95 operating systems provide powerful mine-wide monitoring capabilities when properly engineered. Long awaited conductivity over LAN, phone and Internet links provide new dimensions for sharing information throughout an operator's organization, in- deed around the world. On-line data analysis, archival data storage and historical trend viewing generate shared inputs to production, safety and maintenance personnel. Five years in development, Rel-Tek's new EZ-Trol/W-DX system was engineered around the pilfalls of a Windows environment. It now offers higher speeds, 3D animated graphics and long distance telemetry - all with better reliability than ever before possible. The ubiquitous DDS utility inherent in most Windows was discarded in favor of a lightning fast RAM format. Several ponderous interpretive programs were redesigned into a single compiled entity, thus avoiding the overhead from message conversion, handshaking and transfer. To make the system user friendly, a 'Wizard" utility helps operators set up and reconfigure their systems on site. In-mine data acquisition telemetry was also re- vamped, incorporating a unique noise avoidance scheme, dubbed the "DX" bus - enabling longer distances and higher reliability. 12- bit analog conversion provides the enhanced resolution needed for field scaling auto-cal sensors. By mid '96, eight EZ-TROLMI- DX systems were up and running, several for more than a year. Factory updating and assistance are possible over a phone or Internet link. Our factory testing of components routinely includes actual operation at 2400 BAUD over 14 miles of twisted pair wires.

Jan 1, 1997

By D. Hodouin

The optimisation of mineral processing plants requires the evaluation of performance indices such as production rate, product quality, valuable mineral recovery and process efficiency. Decision to change operating conditions or equipment to improve plant performances rely on the significancy of the estimated performance indices. The better is the quality of the estimation, the better is the discrimination capability of the index and as a consequence the larger is the operation improvement. The reliability of performance calculation depends on the sensors nature, accuracy and location, on the data redundancy, on the correction method applied to raw data and finally on the propagation of measurement errors along the calculation of performance indices. To maximize the quality of the data collected for performance evaluation, the following techniques are presented, discussed and illustrated: redundancy and observability analysis, data filtering for mass conservation, variance analysis of performance calculation, and data acquisition strategy design.

Jan 1, 1991

By I. W. Farmer, R. E. Finky

Design of structures in rock based on ultimate limit states or strength criteria is unrealistic. The fracture process which inevitably occurs in rock around an underground structure is an energy release phenomenon. The development of fractures and associated displacements around a structure may therefore be more logically described using strain energy concepts and design may sensibly be based on serviceability limit states.

Jan 1, 1986

By Dominic F. Howarth

Groove deepening (deepening of a groove in rock by successive passes of a rock cutting tool) is a potential operational feature associated with tunnel boring machines. Little research has been undertaken in this area which is of direct practical relevance to the design and application of tunnel boring machines. Laboratory experiments using single, double and triple disc arrays have revealed an important fundamental cycle of events associated with disc cutters when progressively deepening a groove. Furthermore, in contrast to pick cutters, groove deepening by discs is shown to be an efficient operation. This can be directly attributed to the increased interaction between disc cutters due to the increase in magnitude of lateral forces generated as a groove is deepened.

Jan 1, 1981

By J. W. Craven, M. Katom, K. M. McCaffery

At Ok Tedi, ore type and SAG feed size distribution vary widely and frequently. This makes control of the SAG mills by application of the power/pressure relationship difficult. Power logic has traditionally been conservative due to power spikes associated with rapid size-distribution changes. A new expert system was installed in early 2000. The system incorporates multiple state fuzzy logic to deal with frequent and radical ore type and size variations, along with monitoring of motor temperatures. A short-term power spike no longer warrants immediate radical action. This has resulted in increased mill throughput and improved circuit stability. Key words: SAG mills, Mill control, Fuzzy logic

Jan 1, 2003

By Heinrich Schubert

In many unit operations, there are more or less developed turbulent flow conditions. Then, macroturbulence influences the transport phenomena of the particles and microturbulence controls the stresses acting on fluid and solid particles or agglomerates as well as the collisions between particles. Consequently, these conditions have to betaken into consideration for modeling and optimization. The results of corresponding approaches are demonstrated taking classification and flotation as examples. But, at present, extensive simplifying assumptions have to be made.

Jan 1, 1989

By R. N. Chakravorty

It is well established that coal can react with oxygen in air at ambient temperature and as a result heat is produced. If the heat is not fully dissipated the temperature of the coal mass will increase, thereby enhancing the rate of oxidation with a greater production of heat. If this phenomena continues, the coal mass can ignite under favourable heat accumulation conditions. A number of mine fires are caused each year due to this phenomena, commonly known as spontaneous combustion. The early detection of spontaneous combustion is of prime importance to mining engineers since any fire which could be detected at an early stage may save the mine from considerable damage and subsequent loss of production. Obviously, there is no single general criteria by which one can assess whether the under- ground mining of a coal seam will result in liability to spontaneous combustion. This has made it imperative to develop systems for the early detection of heating and to follow its development. In recent years considerable advances have been made in the design and development of methods for the early detection of spontaneous combustion. The Mining Research Laboratories (CANMET) is presently investigating the problem of spontaneous combustion in coal mines with Kaiser Resources Ltd. at their hydraulic mine at Sparwood, B.C. on a co-operative basis, and some of the work was described earlier in the Canadian Institute of Mining & Metallurgy Bulletin (1,Z). This paper summarizes and updates the work done by CANMET on the detection of spontaneous combustion in coal mines.

Jan 1, 1980

By M. M. Rajkovich

Just prior to the close of the century, the Mine Safety and Health Review Commission issued its long-awaited decision in Berwind Natural Resources et al. vs. Secretary of Labor[1] to usher in the new millennium. The case arose as a result of a mine explosion in Eastern Kentucky resulting in the US Mine Safety and Health Administration's (MSHA) issuance of 225 citations, not only to the contractor but to four affiliated entities of Berwind Corp. While an Administrative Law Judge dismissed citations to three of the four Berwind entities, MSHA and the remaining Berwind entity appealed the case to the commission. Although the commission effectively left intact the administrative law judge's decision, it announced a new theory of liability that would apparently be applied in the future, namely the unitary operator theory.

Jan 1, 2003

By Ramon S. Pizarro, W. Joseph Schlitt

Introduction Trying to synthesize innovations occurring in gold processing is not simple. At present, this technology is exploding, brought about by the high price of gold. This price has compelled the mining industry, as a matter of survival, to produce gold. The frantic search for gold deposits continues, from glacial areas to tropical jungles. The search has been fruitful. New exploration techniques have helped to locate deposits. Some are amenable to conventional processing techniques. Others are in unusual settings that challenge the ingenuity of extractive metallurgists. Ore deposits containing traces of invisible gold, refractory mineralization, and impurities and deleterious materials that previously defied treatment are now being profitably processed. Metallurgists have developed various processing methods and equipment for gold ore treatment that reflect differences in ore characteristics, grade, mineralogy, reserves, topography, climate, and location. These processes can be categorized as: • For nonrefractory or readily leachable gold ores - vat leaching, heap leaching, and agitation leaching. • For ores containing free gold - gravity concentration methods, followed by mercury amalgamation, and • For refractory gold ores - flotation, roasting, pressure oxidation, followed by cyanidation leaching. In actual practice, a combination of these processes may be required. This is because gold mineralization, although usually simple, may be associated with other mineral species or with clays that make the ore difficult to treat. Furthermore, after the gold has been solubilized to form a cyanide complex, one of two important processes must be applied to recover the gold. These ore zinc cementation (Merrill-Crow process) and Carbon adsorption, desorption, and electrowinning. New techniques for leaching and recovery are also advancing. These will become the bases for the next generation of gold processing plants. Nonrefractory Gold Ores Nonrefractory ores with readily leachable gold are among the .easiest to treat. Even so, non-refractory ores from epithermal deposits are likely to contain too much clay. When these ores are damp, they may clog the screens and cone crushers. Depending on the type of process, scrubbing the crushed ore is very effective in overcoming clay problems. After dewatering, the slimes enter the cyanidation process and the thickener overflow is stripped of gold values and recycled. Semiautogenous (SAG) mills are also gaining popularity due to lower capital costs and ability to treat wet, sticky ores. If properly sized, the secondary crushing and screening plants, together with a secondary ball mill, can be eliminated. When the ore is of such a low grade that it can not support fine grinding, vat or heap 'teaching may be applicable. These systems are being actively applied in the US and elsewhere. Rapid construction and low capital costs are important features of these plants. Vat leaching is ideally suited for fast leaching ores and small tonnage deposits located in areas with harsh winters or wet tropical climates. For effective vat leaching, the ore is crushed to less than 25 mm (1 in.), agglomerated with lime or cement to control fines, and leached with sodium cyanide solution (upflow or downflow). The degree of size reduction is a tradeoff between increased costs of comminution and improved gold recovery from smaller particles. However, the size of material

Jan 11, 1984

By Zhang Dekuan, Wang Haifeng, Yi Weiping, Wan Liping, Yu Yunzhen

The fundamentals of domain knowledge, knowledge base building, system structure, principle of inference mechanism, function of explanation mechanism, application analysis on Expert System of In-situ Leaching of Uranium (ESILU) are described, especially the Dempster/Shafer theory on inexact reasoning, which was used in ESILU, is detailed discussed. The application of in-situ leaching for abstraction of uranium and the analysis of parameters required for evaluation of uranium deposit. the procedure of evaluation of uranium dewsit for the purpose of in-situ leaching as well as the concept related were introduced. For building knowledge base, discussion is emphasized on production rule, which wasused in ESILU, on representation of rules and facts and application as well. From the system menu provided in the paper, the readers will, in a certain content, under- stand the functions of system structure and the way to set up. Several paragraphs are written concentrated on the procedure of backward reasoning and the principle of inference mechanisms combined with knowledge bases. Tracing interpretation and acquisition of knowledge with interactive method, which the system flexibility is considerably strengthened, are the main specific features of ESILU.

Jan 1, 1996

By A. E. Ketler

Optical smoke monitoring fills an important gap in ventilation and fire safety: namely monitoring of smoky, low temperature fires where little CO and heat are generated. Smoke monitoring also avoids the nuisance alarms due to diesel exhaust, battery chargers, blasting and welding. The smoke optical density (OD) fire alarm standard specified by MSHA presents an opportunity for improved safety. Experience of actual mine usage of the SmokeBoss*100 is reviewed, with particular regard to effectivity, maintenance and cost.

Jan 1, 1995