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By Phil Thwaites

"The mining industry uses many types of mineral and metallurgical plants to produce saleable product from ore mined. Plant design history has left current operations with a mixture of manual operation and various forms of automated process controls. Consequently, we typically see high variability in the continuous operations together with a shortfall in the attainment of full capacity, or higher utilization of consumables.At a level of best practice, “Operational Performance Excellence” focuses on process control, using automation and control systems to deliver process optimization. This more sophisticated delivery is a great deal more difficult than the first stage of equipment selection / installation. It includes the appropriate selection of the right instrumentation, control system, key process knowledge, individuals with a solid control engineering background/experience, and the essential backing/ support of the operations management team together leading to higher value delivery. Robust solutions can be realized, considerably minimizing process variation, thus leading to process optimization. This approach results in an easier, efficient and safer process while providing considerable returns for the plant owners.How variable are your processes, and do you maintain optimized process performance with dedicated resources, modern instrumentation, ‘best practice’ control systems and performance monitoring tools? In this lecture, these questions and their possible answers are discussed.357"

Jan 1, 2013

By N. H. J. Freire, D. Majuste

In this paper, the effects of some organic compounds on the current efficiency, cell voltage and specific energy consumption during nickel electrowinning, and on the deposit features (morphology, crystallographic orientation and nanohardness) were described. The organics tested here (extractant, diluent, flocculant, lubricating oil and acid mist suppressant) are currently used in industrial plants. The results indicated that only the flocculant and acid mist suppressant exhibit relevant negative impacts on the current efficiency and energy consumption. The current efficiency dropped from 93.6 % (organic-free solutions) to 86.0 % and to 92.8% in electrolytes containing 100 mg.L-1 of acid mist suppressant and flocculant, respectively. At this concentration, their addition to the electrolyte led to increases of the specific energy consumption in the order of 18 % (acid mist supressant) and 2 % (flocculant). Cyclic voltammetry showed that Ni nucleation occurs at more negative potentials at 50 and 100 mg.L-1 of these organics in the electrolyte, thus indicating an inhibition of the deposition process. The deposit quality decreased at the higher concentration of all organics, when more hydrogen pitting was observed. The acid mist suppressant caused delamination of the Ni deposit at 50 and 100 mg.L-1. The addition of 100 mg.L-1 of flocculant and acid mist suppressant to the electrolyte increased the nanohardness of the deposit around 31 and 72%, respectively. The increase in Ni deposit hardness may lead to a decrease in the material ductility, thereby affecting the stripping and cutting of Ni sheets. Our findings may be helpful since strong adverse effect of some organics that may be present in the electrolyte were identified, thus the industry can control and optimize the organic´s dosage in the corresponding operations.

Jan 1, 2016

By V. C. Pandolfelli, L. Paulino, C. E. Zangiacomi

The continuous improvement in aluminum industry over the last years has increased metal output at lower cost. The potlining plays an important role in this regard due to high cost involved and more recently in its environmental aspects. In order to increase potlife and thus minimize the aluminum cash cost, a systemic approach is needed, through investigating the main cathode failure mechanisms by using a pot autopsy as a powerful tool, and then making the necessary chances to achieve extended potlife. In addition, preheating and pot start-up may also damage the cathode if not performed with an appropriate technique or even if the lining materials are not specified correctly, among other factors. All these aspects will be presented and discussed in this paper. Increased potlife, especially now that the current is reaching values up to 300kA, will allow aluminum plants to match their goals more efficiently at lower costs.

Jan 1, 2006

By C. M. Clapperton, K. E. Darke, A. J. Boyce, C. M. Rice, S. D. Redwood

"Abstract - The Kori Kollo gold deposit is hosted by a c.15 Ma sericitized dacite stock in the La Joya district on the Bolivian Altiplano. The mineralization is of the Bolivian polymetallic vein (BPV) type, with a significant amount of the gold reserves contained in the oxide cap. Field and microscopic studies, K-Ar dating, ??34S values of pyrite, alunite and jarosite, and ??18O values of alunite and jarosite demonstrate that some of this gold is supergene. Two types of supergene gold are present: minute gold grains, 1 to 10 microns across, of high fineness and associated with jarosite and iron oxy-hydroxides; and ‘invisible’ gold, which is probably sorbed onto minerals such as jarosite and iron oxy-hydroxides.Pyrite ??34S values fall in the limited range -3.5 ± 0.6‰, consistent with a magmatic origin. Sulfate ??34S values are homogeneous and overlap closely with those of pyrite (-1.2 ± 2.1‰), which supports petrographic evidence that sulfates replaced pyrite. By contrast, sulfate ??18O values are inhomogeneous with a large range (alunite +2 to 26‰, jarosite -5 to +18‰). These data are interpreted as reflecting kinetically controlled reactions involving various proportions of atmospheric oxygen and local meteoric water. This is typical of supergene alteration and is due to the seasonally dry climate of the Altiplano.The oxide-zone mineralogy is dominated by sulfates and iron oxy-hydroxide minerals with some phosphates and halides, which indicates that the groundwaters were acidic, oxidizing and relatively saline. Under these conditions the most likely complexes responsible for gold mobilization are halides.Geological data and K-Ar ages indicate that oxidation of the BPV deposits began at least around 11 Ma and possibly up to 15 Ma ago, and that supergene alteration lasted until around 4 Ma. During this period, erosion was minimal. Although supergene processes have been active on the Bolivian Altiplano since the Middle Miocene, in contrast to Northern Chile, enrichment of gold has not occurred."

Jan 1, 1997

By C. M. Clapperton, K. E. Darke, A. J. Boyce, C. M. Rice, S. D. Redwood

"The Kori Kollo gold deposit is hosted by a c.15 Ma sericitized dacite stock in the LaJoya district on the Bolivian Altiplano. The mineralization is of the Bolivian polymetallic vein(BPV) type, with a signi?cant amount of the gold reserves contained in the oxide cap.Field and microscopic studies, K-Ar dating, ??34S values of pyrite, alunite and jarosite, and ??18O values of alunite and jarosite demonstrate that some of this gold is supergene. Two types of supergene gold are present: minute gold grains, 1 to 10 microns across, of high fineness and associated with jarosite and iron oxy-hydroxides; and ‘invisible’ gold, which is probably sorbed onto minerals such as jarosite and iron oxy-hydroxides.Pyrite ??34S values fall in the limited range -3.5 ± 0.6‰, consistent with a magmatic origin. Sulfate ??34S values are homogeneous and overlap closely with those of pyrite (-1.2 ± 2.1‰), which supports petrographic evidence that sulfates replaced pyrite. By contrast, sulfate ??18O values are inhomogeneous with a large range (alunite +2 to 26‰, jarosite -5 to +18‰). These data are interpreted as reflecting kinetically controlled reactions involving various proportions of atmospheric oxygen and local meteoric water. This is typical of supergene alteration and is due to the seasonally dry climate of the Altiplano.The oxide-zone mineralogy is dominated by sulfates and iron oxy-hydroxide minerals with some phosphates and halides, which indicates that the groundwaters were acidic, oxidizing and relatively saline. Under these conditions the most likely complexes responsible for gold mobilization are halides.Geological data and K-Ar ages indicate that oxidation of the BPV deposits began at least around 11 Ma and possibly up to 15 Ma ago, and that supergene alteration lasted until around 4 Ma. During this period, erosion was minimal. Although supergene processes have been active on the Bolivian Altiplano since the Middle Miocene, in contrast to Northern Chile, enrichment of gold has not occurred."

Jan 1, 1997

By A. R. Farkoosh, J-P. Fortin, M. Pekguleryuz, S. Bagherpour

"Titanium aluminides are structural intermetallics which offer an attractive combination of high temperature strength and light weight. For such properties, these intermetallic alloys have become front-runners in replacing nickel-based superalloys used for several high temperature applications. These alloys are produced from metallic titanium, aluminum and master alloys involving an expensive and difficult process. A low cost alternative to current industrial production method is the new modified aluminothermic process which directly reduces titanium oxide (TiO2) to titanium aluminides. Nevertheless, this process has itself significant challenges in achieving alloys free of oxide inclusions; the close densities of the slag and the titanium aluminides makes slag/molten metal separation a challenging task. Usually, the alloy produced requires a second refining step. In this study, thermodynamic calculations based on CALPHAD method were performed to determine the solidification path and an attempt has been made to develop a criterion to increase the density deference between the slag and the alloy by alloying with appropriate elements. Furthermore, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and x-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques were utilized to examine the microstructure and phase selection of three Ti-Al alloys produced by the aluminothermic reaction, including the as-cast, refined in a controlled atmosphere and inert-gas-refined alloys. The composition range of the alloys studied was restricted to the a2-Ti3Al + ?-TiAl phase field (Ti-30Al) in the binary Ti-Al phase diagram leading to a lamellar structure with different complex intermetallics as shown in Figure 1.INTRODUCTIONTiAl based alloys are promising structural materials for high temperature aerospace and automotive applications. This is due to some attractive properties such as low density, high specific strength, high specific stiffness and high temperature strength retention (Wen-bin, Xue-wen, Hong-fei, & Yong-feng, 2011). These alloys have become leading candidates to replace Ni-based super alloys in gas turbine engines. Replacement of Ni-based super alloy parts with titanium aluminides is expected to reduce the structural weight of high performance gas turbine engines by as much as 20–30% (Kothari, Radhakrishnan, Sudarshan, & Wereley, 2012)."

Jan 1, 2016

By Albert G. Zima

THE conservation of strategic materials during war rime gives rise to many problems not commonly encountered in times of peace. During normal times, when world trade is unrestricted, we are apt to become lavish to a point of extravagance in our use of those materials which, during rime of war, become scarce owing to inadequate transportation and production facilities or because the enemy may be in position to control sources of supply. It becomes necessary, then, to enforce rationing of available sup-plies, and in some cases, where such supplies are wholly inadequate, we find we must resort to the use of substitute materials. We are now confronted with such a problem to an extent never before experienced, with the result that many of the commodities upon which our civilization depended are now either shut off completely or, because of the heavy demand occasioned by war production, are not available in sufficient quantities to meet requirements predicated on peace-time standards and manufacturing methods. It has become necessary, therefore, to make many changes, some of them very drastic indeed, to enable us to carry on our war effort effectively. This? discussion will deal briefly with one phase of this problem, namely, the conservation of alloys required in the making of steels necessary for war production. In line with a request from the War Production Board, the Technical Committee on Alloy Steels of the American Iron and Steel Institute made a study of experimental steels embodying the !east amount of alloying constituents, with the objective in mind of substituting these steels wherever possible for the standard alloy steels used heretofore. This study embraced the following phases: (1) The availability of silicon and manganese; (2) The average quantity of alloying elements recoverable from scrap; (3) The effect of increases in manganese and silicon contents on the general properties of steel; ( 4) The elements and ranges of elements which might be used to duplicate the hardenability of the steels now in use; (5) The effect of combining several elements in small quantities upon the properties of steel at various hardness and strength levels; (6) A determination as to whether or not the steels selected would suffice for general application. Working on this basis, the Committee arranged for the manufacture of several heats of steels containing various combinations of different amounts of such elements as silicon, manganese, chromium, nickel, and molybdenum. The steels thus produced were compared by hardenability tests.

Jan 1, 1943

By R. J. Goodman, P. Lafleur

This paper presents a current interpretation and projections of recent statistics on raw materials availability based on familiarity with the Canadian steel industry and its development. Problems and opportunities are recognized and discussed.

Jan 1, 1976

By L. M. Scovell

The Internet and its related technologies will radically change the way that mines manage and control their maintenance, repair, and operating supply chains. The Internet is creating new distribution channels and offers new technology platforms with significant advantages over more traditional methods. Mines will have to re-evaluate both the strategies and the tactics employed in these areas. Mines will use e-commerce to integrate their maintenance, repair, and operating supply chains. The integration will extend beyond traditional trading partners to a worldwide network of communities with similar interests and goals. The changes will transform the way mines operate, lower mining costs, and thereby increase their chances of success in an increasingly competitive environment.

Jan 1, 2000

By W J. Riva

This paper reviews the coal mining operations of The Canmore Mines, Limited, at Canmore, Alberta, paying particular attention to the use of this coal by the metallurgical and chemical industries. The characteristics of the deposits are outlined, and the mining and processing methods used are discussed. Introduction M INING in the Cascade coal area of Alberta began form-ally in 1886 when the Canadian Anthracite Coal Company was granted its charter. Earlier operations had been confined to prospecting and family-type enterprises serving the market area within barging distance on the Bow river. From 1886 to 1964, seven mines were opened between Banff and Ribbon Creek; six of these have since been abandoned, leaving the B c 0 L. original tenant, under the name of The Canmore Mines, Limited, as the sole survivor. The town of Canmore, hub of the mining ventures, is located on the main line of the C.P.R. and on the Trans-Canada Highway, 67 rail miles west of Calgary and 57 4 miles east of Vancouver, as shown in Figure 1.

Jan 1, 1965

By Mike Turner

The Otter-Juan mine was closed by WMC Resources? Kambalda Nickel Operations (WMC-KNO) in 1999 due to the combined effects of low Nickel prices and high mining costs. GBF Mining Pty Ltd purchased Otter-Juan Mine from WMC in early 2001 as part of WMC?s disinvestment from the nickel mines in the Kambalda area. Goldfields Mine Management (GMM), (a wholly owned subsidiary of GBF Pty Ltd) re-opened Otter-Juan in May 2001. The Otter-Juan mine is one of the oldest mines in the Kambalda region and is now mining at depths below 1160mbs. Stresses are very high, rock mass deformation considerable, and the mine has a history of serious seismic activity. Orebody widths in the current mining area range from 2 to 2.5m, with dips from 25° to 40°. On taking over the operation, GMM converted the mining method from the previous mechanised drift and fill method to a slot-rise and strip method using hand held airlegs. During the latter years of production under the control of WMC, production averaged around 12000 tonnes per month, with grades of 2.7% and orebody extraction of only 55 to 60%. In the last three years of operation under the control of GMM the mine has produced an average of 12000 tonnes per month of ore at an average grade of 4.2% and with an orebody extraction of 70 to 75%. The mine is now highly profitable with at least another 3 years of reserves remaining at depth. The main benefits of the current method include reduced dilution and increased extraction. In the relatively poor ground conditions experienced this has only been possible using airleg mining, with excavations designed to suit conditions, support to suit rockmass deformations, and with improved extraction sequencing. Other benefits have included improved operating conditions, reduced falls of ground incidents and a dramatic reduction in seismic activity. These achievements have only been possible by stepping back in time and using traditional airleg stoping methods to extract the maximum amount of the orebody with minimum dilution. This paper includes details of the mine history, geology, mining method, seismicity, and support.

May 1, 2004

By Thomas Mütze, Frank van der Meer, Gunnar Kretschmar

"The air classification of moist bulk materials is addressed in the literature insufficiently. Therefore a feasibility study investigated the influence of feed moisture on the separation efficiency expecting a reduction with higher moisture content in the feed. Two iron ore samples were characterized in terms of the nature of bonding of moisture as well as its effect on the agglomerate strength. The classification tests themselves were conducted with two dynamic laboratory air classifiers at cut sizes from 45 to 110 µm and a moisture of the feed material between 0 to 10 wt.-%. The quality of classification was assessed by split factor, cut size, separation efficiency, moisture of both products, as well as the yield of the fines as product fraction in a corresponding processing plant. An initial approach was found for a technological implementation: A sufficient drying of a moist feed can be realized simultaneously to the pneumatic transport inside the classifiers. In the present case the drying effect and dispersion intensity was sufficient to provide good separation results up to 3 wt.-% feed moisture. An additional drying step was necessary beyond 3 wt.-%.INTRODUCTIONSpecific information about the influence of moisture in air classifiers is very rare. Mostly only dry products are processed and/or drying prior to classification is recommended. Apart from the specific influence of the feed moisture a lot of literature can be found regarding air classification itself. Altogether air classification can be divided into several sub-process (Leschonski, 1977):- dosage of the feed material,- dispersing the solid feed material into a gas stream,- feeding the dispersed material into the classification zone by pneumatic conveying,- separation of coarse and fine particles, and- separation of fine particles from gas.For wet feed particles also drying plays an important role. Interesting for the present investigation are the humidity of the feed and its influence on the single sub-processes."

Jan 1, 2016

By AN. Kumar

Two fabrication stages in the manufacture of pipelines are identified as causing significant deterioration of the steel plates, namely cold bending and welding. The objectives of this work include quantitative assessment of the degradation of the quality of the steel plate by the loss of fracture toughness, and an estimation of the safe working pressure. The study was conducted on three API grade steels: X42, X46 and X60. After cold bending by the UO technique, various welding technique were employed for joining of the bend plates along the pipe length. A crack-tip opening displacement parameter (CTOD) was used at the onset of initiation and at the first load maxima as the criterion for assessing the toughness degradation under various fabrication stages and regime (such as WZ, HAZ and parent body). In addition, strength, hardness and impact energy values were determined to check the degree of degradation. Microstructural and microfractographic investigation of the fractured samples were also carried out in the scanning electron microscope (SEM). X60 grade steel plate suffers from CTOD toughness loss by around 38 and 55% after welding and cold bending, respectively, for the conditions studied. A combined effect of the two stages results in a loss in toughness by around 70% for the same steel. In X42 grade, the loss in impact energy ranges from 78 to 35 J due to electrical-resistance welding study (ERW). Crack resistance curves are also obtained for the steels to study the crack growth resistance behaviour and to supplement the information on crack initiation behaviour. The orientation of the pearlite banding, as observed on the fracture plane with respect to notch front and applied loading direction appears to have a strong influence on the microvoid-coalescence mechanism of fracture as well as the toughness values. An integrated analysis of the performance of pipelines, considering all these key factors, is discussed.

Jan 1, 2005

This paper aims to increase our understanding about existing capacity-building approaches and their implications for obtaining a social license to operate in the mining industry. The notion of ?capacity building? is gaining increasing currency in the mining sector in developing countries due to a rapid rise in the globalisation of mining operations. Capacity-building is conceived here as a process that lasts after the mine-cycle, intended to provide local mining communities with tangible skills and knowledge to gain meaningful employment in mining or other industries relevant for the local economy. Building community capacity to understand and effectively respond to these transformations is vital for obtaining a social license to operate, as it promotes sustainable and locally relevant development. Accountability mechanisms such as global norms and international standards increasingly highlight the need to build capacity among stakeholders, particularly among local communities adjacent to mining operations. International frameworks and mining companies have embraced the notion of capacity-building as a driver to assist corporate social and operational performance. However, this narrow understanding of capacity-building through the prism of corporate social responsibility and ?best practice? is preventing the industry from meaningfully impacting communities and maintaining a social license to operate. This latter notion is being widely embedded across multiple industry sectors, as a social and economic reward from mining companies to compensate communities for natural resource extraction and gain social acceptance. Although both concepts are widely recognised in the minerals industry, insufficient attention has been paid to the implications of applying a top-down (mining-orientated) or a bottom-up (community-orientated) capacity-building approach for obtaining a social license to operate, or indeed how these two concepts are linked and applied in practice. At times, communities lack the necessary capacities in the form of education and skills to deal with mining-led livelihood transformations. This is preventing both mining companies and communities from forging sustainable livelihoods and responding to mining-led livelihood transformations, a situation that is creating discontent among communities and reducing the possibility of obtaining and renewing a social license to operate for the industry. Based on a review of current scholarly debates, accountability mechanisms in the mining industry and fieldwork findings in Colombia, this paper will contribute to an understanding of the implications of existing capacity-building approaches that support a social license to operate.

Aug 1, 2013

By Haruka Takeura, Tomoaki Murata, Kazunari Yoshida, Masato Adachi

"Pure magnesium is a material with high functionality, however, the cold drawing of this material is very difficult, that is why, until this day there are no optimal cold drawing conditions. Furthermore, cold drawing of pure magnesium wire shows a problem with internal defects that occurs under certain conditions. In this research, the aim is the suppression of internal defects, and final target is to create the optimal cold drawing conditions for pure magnesium wires. The first step is the investigation of the drawing limit by using 250°Cannealed wire. As a result, reduction of 10% per pass was chosen for stable wire drawing. However, in this case, it was found that internal defects occurred at total reduction of over 45% during drawing. Investigation of intermediate annealing conditions that can suppress internal defects, and influence on internal defect that the die half angle and reduction per pass. As a result, it was found that the drawing condition capable of suppressing internal defects most efficiently was 13% reduction drawing by using under 6°half angle die. Consequently, it’s possible to manufacture a cold fine drawn pure magnesium wire of 100µm, without defects in the center of the wire and hindering its mechanical properties.INTRODUCTIONMagnesium is a light and high functionality material that has high vibration absorbency, heat dissipation, electromagnetic wave-shielding and recycling efficiency (Conruy, 1989). However, proper cold wire drawing conditions haven’t been established, that is why warm or hot processing is commonly used (Oishi, Mori, &Kawabe, 2005). As a result, strength improvement of the wires is not possible, that is why the production of medical tools is disregarded. If it was possible to cold draw magnesium wires, the applications for material products would expand. Further, in wire drawing such difficult processing material, if appropriate processing conditions are not selected, defects will be generated inside the drawn wire."

Jan 1, 2017

By Laura Mottola

Process Design and Change Management for Successful Deployment of Technology in Mining Over the last 30 years Canada has been successful in developing but not deploying hardrockmining automation. Our opinion is that the current lack of R&D investment and implementation capacity places Canada at risk as a future global mining leader A white elephant A burdensome possession; creating more trouble than it is worth. White (albino) elephants were regarded as holy in ancient times in Thailand and other Asian countries. Keeping a white elephant was a very expensive undertaking, since the owner had to provide the elephant with special food and provide access for people who wanted to worship it. If a Thai King became dissatisfied with a subordinate, he would give him a white elephant. The gift would, in most cases, ruin the recipient.

May 1, 2010

By E. W. Lucht

THE term "high pressure", as used in industry today, is applied rather loosely. Generally, it refers to pressures that are higher than those encountered in most industrial processes although no definite limits are normally stated. For the purpose of this talk I should like to set rather arbitrary limits to the term "high pressure", and in ab-solute figures this would be the range from 1000 psi to perhaps 40,000 or 50,000 p.s.i. The scope of high pressure technology is very broad, and it would take more time than we have avail-able here today to cover fully even one aspect of the field. Therefore, I should like to discuss just some of the techniques used and problems en-countered in high pressure operations. Research work into the high pressure region dates back about 150 years, but it was not until 1910 that the first commercial application of high pressure technology was made in the production of ammonia.

Jan 1, 1962

By J. F. Archibald

A research effort has been undertaken, under Workplace Safety and Insurance Board of Ontario (WSIB) sponsorship, to characterize the support capabilities of conventional and innovative spray-on lining materials for mitigating dynamic failure effects created by simulated rockbursts. Conventional spray support media, such as shotcrete and fibrecrete linings, and a variety of new spray-on lining materials [thin, spray-on liners (TSLs)], typically polymer-type thin coatings, were subjected to simulated rockburst influence. For baseline comparison, conventional rockbolt and bolt-and-mesh support products were also evaluated. Observation of lining performance was undertaken through completion of field-scale support and rock detonation trials. Controlled blasting tests were conducted at the Queen’s University Explosives Laboratory to examine the effectiveness of the variety of surface coating agents for modifying dynamic rock spalling processes. All tests were performed upon largely undisturbed and homogeneous rock materials in highly repeatable fashion. All blasts were observed seismically and photographically to provide detailed information concerning rock motion, surface fracturing, ejected fragment motion and support liner survivability characteristics. These material comparison trials were performed to assess the relative effectiveness of a wide range of currently available area support techniques for suppressing hazards associated with dynamic rock ejection. The results of this study validate that thin, spray-on linings may be equally as effective, and often better, than conventional support materials at mitigating rockburst or like damage in highly stressed mine environments.

Jan 1, 2004

By H. W. Wevers

Fatigue failure and accompanying brittle failure occurs frequently in heavy mining equipment. This paper discusses how fracture mechanics can be applied as a tool for crack control and crack management. Information is provided to determine if particular components are prone to brittle failure. By using existing fracture mechanics formulae, an estimation of the critical crack size can then be made. It is explained that for a successful application of fracture mechanics, both the actual engineering stress in the component and the mechanical properties of the applied material must be known. The importance of toughness at low temperatures is quantitatively illustrated by calculating critical crack sizes at room temperature and at below-zero temperatures. Understanding the possibilities of fracture mechanics will also produce a climate in which the purchaser of equipment can more precisely analyze the relative quality of components with respect to crack tolerance and failure prevention. In this manner, communication between the user and manufacturer of equipment may also become more precise and effective, leading to improved design.

Jan 1, 1977

By Zbigniew J. Hladysz

A Deep Underground Science and Engineering Laboratory (DUSEL) is being planned at the site of the former Homestake Gold Mine in Lead, South Dakota, under the sponsorship of the US National Science Foundation (NSF) in cooperation with the US Department of Energy (DOE). This national facility will host a variety of multidisciplinary science and engineering experiments including physics experiments that require shielding from cosmogenic radiation. Geotechnical mapping was performed in 2010 in large excavations of the Davis Campus at the 4850 Level of the former Homestake Mine. LIDAR mapping included laser scanning using a red light laser scanner and 288 Mpixels 360° still camera. The resulting vector map with the photographs digitally draped over the model, was used to create an accurate, virtual model of the excavations. For model verification, the laser scanning was accompanied by surveying and manual mapping of the geology and rock structure. The immediate use of the model was to perform structural analysis and interpretation of geology needed for the design of the DUSEL?s super large excavations. The second round of scanning, after the application of shotcrete to the excavations walls, will be used as a technical blueprint to assess the effectiveness of shotcrete application.

May 1, 2011