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By D. R. Rathburn

Jan 1, 1962

By R. A. Brown

RIGHT NOW the Canadian oil business is suffering from growing pains brought on by developments outside our borders. I would like, therefore, to place our industry in perspective for you in two ways. I would like first to describe it briefly and let you see it in relation to the world oil industry. Then I would like to bring it back and place it into perspective against a strictly Canadian background. Naturally, in such a discussion, it is necessary to use a certain amount of statistical material. I'll endeavour, however, to keep it to a minimum. Eleven years ago, before the discovery of Leduc, Alberta could boast of having 21,000,000 barrels of crude oil reserves. Five years ago we had 1,810,000,000 barrels. At year end, 1957, our remaining recoverable reserves totalled more than 3,000,000,000 barrels. In 1957, our potential production in Alberta reached an all-time high of 756,000 barrels a day. Unfortunately, our actual average daily production dropped from 393,000 barrels per day in 1956 to 376,000 barrels per day in 1957. And in 1958, to date, it has dropped sharply to around 300,000 barrels per day.

Jan 1, 1958

By Norma Golumbic

The primary purpose of the Bergius (hydrogenation of coal) and Fischer-Tropsch (hydrogenation of carbon monoxide) processes is the production of synthetic liquid fuels. This objective is of importance in insuring an adequate supply of motor fuels and lubricating oils in the United States. In the urgency of the basic research and process development work on synthetic liquid fuels, the possibilities for the production of synthetic chemicals inherent in these processes have hitherto received little attention in this country. However, the by-products, as well as the primary products, from the Bergius and Fischer-Tropsch processes are rich source materials for organic chemicals. The overhead oil from liquid-phase hydrogenation of coal, for example, contains benzene, toluene, xylene, cyclohexane, methylcyclohexane, aromatic solvents, about 20 percent tar acids (largely phenol, cresols, and xylenols), and 3 percent nitrogen bases. Wax, alcohols, and acids are by--products of the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis. In addition, techniques have been developed which make possible the production of aliphatic hydrocarbons, alcohols, acids, aldehydes, and other oxygenated organic compounds. These chemicals are more valuable on a unit basis than gasoline. Because of continued rapid expansion of the plastic, resin, lacquer, and solvent industries, larger amounts of many of these chemicals will be needed in the near future.

Jan 1, 1949

By David J. Hoadley

This report describes the development and underground operation of a semi-automatic, raise climber, Man and Supply Hoist System designed for stope access in underground metal and nonmetal mines. Demonstrated capabilities of the system include a 4000-lb payload capacity, control from the traveling cage and from up to five remote stations, operating in vertical or inclined raises 5 ft in diameter and up to 300 ft in length and a travel speed of 50 ft/min. The 'system has the capability of operating in crooked raises because the conveyance climbs two stationary wire ropes suspended down the raise. The drive unit is electrically powered with power and control signals supplied to the drive unit through an armored cable also suspended down the raise. The system has been designed for portability, ease of installation and minimum raise development. The system can be installed by two men in five shifts. The hoist has been demonstrated successfully in two underground applications. The first demonstration was in a 5-ft diam, 60 deg inclined raise over a 2-month period. The second demonstration utilized a vertical 5-ft diam borehole to access a blast-hole stoping area. The system successfully provided two shift-a-day service over a 7-month duration demonstration. This report provides a detailed description of the hoist design and its demonstrated performance in two mine applications.

Jan 1, 1981

BUMPS in No. 2 Mine, Springhill, N. S., furnished the main feature for discussion at the morning meeting* on Ground Movement and Subsidence on Feb. 18. Walter Herd, the author of the paper by which the discussion was introduced, not being well, was unable to be present. The paper was presented by T. L. McCall, who laid stress on the presence of sand- stone as the cause of bumps, on the value of retreating longwall in eliminating such phenomena at the coal face and on the advantage of wide headings with packs on either side, leaving space behind them for any coal that bumps might dislodge. George S. Rice, who presided, referred to his visits to the Nova Scotia mines and said that bumps usually occurred only where the coal was thick and strong and the roof and floor both more than usually hard. If any of the three were weak, bumps were not likely to occur. In the Nova Scotia mine, to which Mr. Herd referred, there was no material for packwalls and for this reason as well as for safety he had been convinced that long- wall retreating with a small percentage of pack walling was the most feasible plan.

Jan 1, 1929

As part of the overall development of a borehole mining system -develop backfilling techniques to reduce possible damage to the environment caused by either the cavities or the piles of sand tailings that result from in-borehole hydraulic mining. (Borehole mining is described in technology News No. 56.) Approach Water filled cavities at the bottom of boreholes are rapidly and economically backfilled by jetting a sand-tailings slurry underwater. How It Works The Bureau of Mines borehole mining system creates a cavity having a horizontal diameter of more than 50 feet. (See photograph). This cavity can be backfilled with much of the sand previously mined. The sand tailings or similar backfill material is dumped by a front end loader into a slurry mixing tank at the rate of about one ton every three minutes. Enough water is added to give a thick, but pumpable slurry. The slurry is pumped down the borehole through a string of 4-inch pipe to the cavity. After passing through a right elbow at the end of the pipe, the slurry is ejected through a nozzle. The resulting slurry jet emplaces the backfill at the outer wall of the cavity. To obtain an even distribution of fill in the cavity, the nozzle is slowly rotated. The nozzle and pipe assembly is supported from a turntable on the surface. See diagram.

Jan 1, 1981

By H Peiming, W Sakurai, Y Matsuhisa, H Shimazaki, Y Fukahori

Oxygen and carbon isotope mapping of hydrothermally altered wall rocks was applied to the blind ore prospecting of skarn Pb-Zn deposits in the Kamioka mining district, centralJapan, where the wall rocks consist of heterogeneous rock units. The results (d18OSMOW of -1.1 to +17.3ë and d13CPDB of -5.0 to +4.8ë for limestones, and d18OSMOW of -0.8 to +12.5ë for silicate rocks) show isotope zonations of the wall rocks with depletions in heavy isotopes (18O and 13C) toward the centre of mineralization. The isotope zonations likely formed by interaction of migrating thermal waters with the wall rocks during the mineralisation. The heavy-isotope depleted zone, which indicates higher temperature or higher water-to-rock ratio of the system, occurs in the footwall of a fault, indicating that the fault played the role of main conduit of the ore-forming fluids. A heavy-isotope depleted zone was also found in an area, where significant mineralisation had yet to be identified. Recent drilling in this area has intercepted a zone with a grade of 16.0% Zn, 0.8% Pb, and 35g Ag per metric tonne at a depth of about 360 m.

Jan 1, 1995

By Nicole R. Henderson

Many mining engineering graduates enter the mining industry lacking training in mine emergency management. As a result, mining universities in the United Sates and other countries are beginning to form volunteer student mine rescue teams to train mining engineering students in handling mine emergency situations and give them hands-on experience managing potential emergency scenarios underground. In the early 1980s, the Missouri University of Science and Technology developed the first collegiate mine rescue team in the United States. For approximately 30 years, it was the only successful collegiate team until the Colorado School of Mines (CSM) started its program in 2009. Currently, there are at least five collegiate teams in the United States and one in Canada. At the Freiberg University of Mining and Technology in Germany, the goal is to adapt the Colorado School of Mines Mine Rescue Program to develop a collegiate team of its own. Currently, mining engineering students cover the theoretical basics of mine rescue in an occupational health and safety lecture and take a basic, one-day mine rescue training course at the Central Mine Rescue Station in Leipzig. The course covers the basic mine rescue topics and gives students the opportunity to experience working in elevated heat and smoke conditions while wearing breathing apparatus. This training gives students a small insight into the importance of mine rescue and mine emergency management. Collegiate mine rescue teaches students the importance of mine rescue and mine safety by giving them hands-on learning experiences before entering the mining industry.

Feb 1, 2014

By H. P. Stüwe

HE recent papers of Aust and Rutter112 have again brought to mind the importance of certain "special" orientation relationships between the lattices of two fcc crystals on the mobility of the grain boundary separating them. No theoretical treatment of this problem has been offered till now. The only principle published so far that has given an indication why certain orientation relationships should be "special" is the counting of "coincidence sites" according to the suggestions by Kronberg and Wilson.3 The "coincidence plots" published by these authors show, for instance, that two fcc lattices rotated by 38 deg around a common (111)-axis have 1/7 of their lattice sites in common. Such an orientation relationship is also characteristic for high boundary mobility. The accuracy of the orientation relationship needed for high mobility is not too rigid. Deviations up to 10 deg from the ideal orientation seem to be tolerable as can be gathered from the experimental data.'j4 The auestion arises, then. how the density of coincidence sites will be affected by a deviatioi from mathematical accuracy. This can be checked by a simple model. Two sieves are prepared, the arrangement of the holes corresponding to lattice sites on a (111)-plane in a fcc crystal. They are placed upon each other, Fig. 1. One is kept fixed, the other is rotated around an axis pushed through one hole in common to both. The light falling through holes of both sieves is then a measure for the density of coincidence sites. If the diameter of the holes is very small, light intensity is contributed only by holes the centers of which coincide "exactly." If the diameter of the holes is rather large, some intensity will be contributed by

Jan 1, 1962

By Saulo Brinco Diniz

O presente trabalho buscou explorar a influência de um tratamento térmico de ressolubilização, realizados com distintos tempos (70, 80 e 90 minutos) a uma temperatura de 510ºC, na microestrutura e na dureza de uma liga de alumínio 7475- T7351. Para verificar a influência destes tratamentos térmicos foram utilizados um durômetro (fabricante EMCOTEST, modelo Duravision 300) e um microscópio óptico (Olympus, modelo GX51). Após os resultados obtidos, pode-se evidenciar que a liga de alumínio em estudo sofre um envelhecimento natural (a temperatura ambiente), e dentre os tempos de encharque estudados, 70 minutos é o tempo que possivelmente obtém-se a maior ressolubilização dos precipitados.

Aug 17, 2017

Discussion of the paper of MANUEL EISSLER, presented at the New York meeting, February, 1915, and printed in Bulletin. No. 9.5, November, 1914, pp. 3661 to 2703. J. W. RICHARDS, So. Bethlehem, Pa.-I do not see in the paper a description of the Mabuki hearth as used for ore smelting. I noticed it described for concentrating matte, but I believe the older Japanese process was to use it for-smelting directly, by a pyritic smelting and Bessemerizing all in one operation, in the same simple hearth apparatus. There is a monograph published in German, on Copper-Ore Smelting in the Mabuki Hearth. At Ashio the practice of injecting bituminous coal at the, tuyères is noteworthy. It is very interesting to see two men load little cartridges on the end. of an iron rod with bituminous coal, and push them into the furnace tuyères, and with a piston inject 2 or 3 lb.. of bituminous

Jan 5, 1915

By Hal M. Scrugham

UNITED States Steel Co.'s Tennessee Coal & Iron Div. Wenonah mines present definite materials handling problems arising from the natural features of the operation. Trackless equipment went a long way toward supplying the answers-but at the same time gave birth to several new posers. Machines-trackless or otherwise-require maintenance and Wenonah's experience may do much to add to the body of information already available on this type of equipment. Let's look at the mines themselves. Ore is of sedimentary origin, extending over an area of several square miles. A thickness from 8 to 14 ft is mined. Bed dip varies from the horizontal to 20 pct in local rolls. Practice is to mine across the dip at 14 pct or less. A parting forms a smooth footwall in some of the mines while in others the footwall must be blasted smooth. Ore weighs 215 lb per cu ft in place and is extremely abrasive.

Jan 6, 1953

Scenario reduction is designed for selecting a representative subset of geostatistical simulations out of a much larger set. Three steps are involved: measuring the dissimilarity between two simulations; finding a metric to measure the distance between any subset of k simulations and the full set of N simulations; and finding an efficient algorithm for selecting the subset that minimizes the metric. This paper focuses on the third question. We show that genetic algorithms are an efficient way of approaching the minimum when the population of subsets to be sampled is large. Two case studies based on the Walker Lake data-set are presented: firstly choosing k=4 simulations out of a total of 100, and secondly choosing 20 out of the same 100 simulations. In the first case it was possible to compute all possible combinations exhaustively and hence to demonstrate that the algorithm converges to the true minimum. This was not possible in the second case. Instead we demonstrate that it outperforms the random draw algorithm used in earlier work. A procedure for tracking individual selections during the iterative procedure was developed. This allows us to measure the evolution in the percentage of progeny resulting from crossing-over and from mutation that survived in the next generation. It gives valuable insight into how to choose the parameter values in the algorithm. Another key finding is that there is a trade-off between the number of individuals per generation and the number of generations required for the algorithm to converge.

Jan 1, 2014

By R. G. Horvath

The Statnamic loading test is a new and innovative method for testing deep foundations. The test is relatively inexpensive, quick, easily mobilized, provides for direct measurement of applied load and corresponding displacement, and is capable of very high loading capacities. The long duration of the applied loading, as compared to a dynamic loading test, allows for a straightforward determination of the static behaviour of the foundation tested. A new method of analysis of the Statnamic loading test, the Equilibrium Point Method, is presented. A description is given of the pile-soil model and a demonstration of how the static load-displacement behaviour of deep foundations may be predicted from the Statnamic loading test data. The Equilibrium Point Method of analysis is applied to three types of deep foundations in soils which respond differently to fast loading rates. These case histories, from Canada and the United States, include data from static loading tests for direct comparison, and demonstrate the ability of the Equilibrium Point Method to predict static behaviour of the deep foundations.

Jan 1, 1993

By M. Moseki

Paper written on project work carried out in partial fulfilment of B.Sc. (Eng.) (Metallurgy of Materials) degree This paper presents the research into melting of scrap for job creation purposes in rural areas. The research was done on behalf of Mine Recycling Services (MRS), the company that will implement the project. The project involves the research into available cost effective and easy to operate technology. The paper covers the experimental and theoretical work that was conducted. The results were used to determine the best equipment and method for melting and casting brass scrap.

Jan 1, 2002

By R. E. Hucko

The principal thrust of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Coal Preparation R&D Program is to develop technology to reduce the ash and sulfur contents of United States coals to levels such that the resultant product can be formulated into a high quality solid or slurry fuel that could replace oil or natural gas in both new and retrofit applications. Specifically, the objective is to develop and refine cost-effective physical and chemical beneficiation processes to extract 85-95 percent of the total sulfur and ash. The Coal Preparation program is implemented by the Pittsburgh Energy Technology Center (PETC) and is conducted both in-house and by a cross section of industrial organizations, universities, and national laboratories. Research is subdivided into three areas -coal characterization, beneficiation, and ancillary unit operations. This paper will provide a brief overview of many of the research projects being carried out in these areas in fiscal year 1984.

Jan 1, 1984

By E L. Kotova

Completeness of extraction of a mineral from ore depends on many reasons. First of all it is a function of quality of disintegration of ore. It is supposed that two basic factors: character of structure and texture of the ore aggregate and a disintegration technique influence the quality of the mineral aggregate destruction, æopeningÆ of its internal boundaries. In this paper, the problem of technological mineralogy from the point of view of genesis of the mineral aggregate, its typomorphical features and methods of their quantitative description are discussed. The purpose of this research is to provide information for technologists. It should enable the development of a rational flexible scheme of disintegration of ore with full extraction of a useful component, without its losses and without unnecessary expenses of energy. For achievement of this purpose the mineralogical information should have ½number and a measure+. By the authors, the technique of the quantitative analysis of fabric of the mineral aggregate based on several models û thermodynamic, crystallographic and geometrical is offered and discussed. The leading role in the quantitative analysis of a fabric of ore belongs to internal bounders. But internal bounders of the mineral aggregate by bounders or faces of the mineral individuals or mineral grains are formed. Their geometry, orientation concerning own (mineral grain) crystallographic lattices, orientation and distribution in space of the ore aggregate are proportional to the energy accumulated at origin and the further growth. These characteristics of mineral individuals are consequences of conditions of their formation. That is why the named triad of models is used. From crystallography it is known that faces of different stability and mobility form borders of crystals. They also contain different quantity of energy. Mineral grains also are faceted by different energy borders. They form intergrowths with each other according to a principle of balance or unbalance. That is why in addition to traditional parameters of the description of a fabric of the mineral aggregate (mode and grainmetrical composition) it is necessary to add new. For example, length and the square of intergrowthing bounders of mineral individuals differentiated (in couples), crystallographic symbols of borders, their roughness and so forth. Consequently, solving a problem of the geometrical characteristic of borders, we define also its power characteristic. In this paper experience of application of our technology in studying ores of one of deposits of Urals Mountains is presented. For realisation of these types of the analysis technologies of measurement, the program of calculation and the devices, which are carrying out the analysis in a semi-automatic mode, are possessed. Structure and texture of rock or ore aggregate reflect its formation and transformation conditions. It is important to understand that disintegration energy cannot be more than aggregation energy, the energy of intergrowths formation. The square and orientation of mineral individuals borders vary at pressures or stresses of mineral aggregate evolution. These phenomena often cause selective increase in the square of borders at constant average grain size, ie the granulation. Granulation presents the increase in quantity of mineral individuals while their modal share remains constant. At the same time their average mineral grains size. Some mineral individuals increase in size at increased pressure. When lithostatic or lateral pressure drops the majority of mineral grains increases in volume at the cost of intersticial or film solutions or fine grains. These are only special examples of the ontogenesis of the mineral aggregate. They illustrate our statement that all changes in fabric of the mineral aggregate are a reaction on varying external (ie geological) conditions. It is possible to consider that structurisation of totality of mineral individuals as a whole is a process of adaptation of the mineral aggregate, which forms and exists in varying force and energy fields. Differential and integrated geometry of total internal boundaries of the mineral aggregate serves as adaptation mechanism of the mineral grains system. Boundaries form intergrowths of the mineral aggregate. Thus, it is possible to consider that the most informative parameters of the stereometric analysis for restoration of the ontogenesis of the mineral aggregate are the following. First of all, it is a quantitative estimation of the volumetric shape of the ore mineral in crystallographic coordinates, a total area of borders of all mineral grains in the aggregate, the specific square of their boundaries, the specific square of intergrowth boundaries of the ore mineral separately with grains of each minerals of the matrix of the mineral aggregate as well as traditional grainsmetric and modal composition. For realisation of these types of the analysis technologies of measurement, the program of calculation and the devices that are carrying out the analysis in a semi-automatic mode are possessed.

Jan 1, 2008

By William Gleason

"Despite the difficult economic climate for the mining industry, more than 6,300 people joined SME for its 2016 Annual Conference & Expo in Phoenix, AZ, Feb. 21-24.Nearly every commodity has been bruised and battered during the past year, leading to one of the more difficult cycles for the industry in the past decade. Coal has taken some of the hardest hits and other commodities, such as copper and iron ore, have felt the sting of a slower growth in China and an oversupply on the market.The difficult conditions could not be ignored, but they did not deter SME from offering a forum for the industry to share knowledge, network with peers and learn about the best products and practices while visiting the sold-out exhibit hall (844 booths and 627 vendors) or while attending any of the 121 technical sessions that were offered.The current state of the industry was one of the overriding themes of the conference and during the challenging times there are often cutbacks as operations look to become leaner and more efficient, however, there is one area that cannot be cut – health and safety.The conference kicked off with a fascinating presentation from Colonel Mike Mullane, a former NASA astronaut who, in 1978, was selected as a Mission Specialist Astronaut in the first group of space shuttle astronauts. He completed three space missions and logged 356 hours in space aboard the shuttles Discovery and Atlantis before retiring from NASA and the U.S. Air Force in 1990.In his speech to a packed audience, he warned of the dangers of cutting corners to get the job done more quickly by guarding against the “normalization of deviance.”Normalization of deviance is a long-term phenomenon in which individuals or teams repeatedly accept a lower standard of performance until that lower standard becomes the norm. Usually, the acceptance of the lower standard occurs because the individual or team is under pressure (budget, schedule, etc.) and perceives it will be too difficult to adhere to the original higher standard. Their intention may be to revert back to the higher standard when this period of pressure passes. However, by getting away with the deviation from the higher standard, it is likely they will do the same thing when the same stressful circumstances arise again. Over time, the individual/team fails to see their actions as deviant."

Apr 1, 2016

By M I. Roberts

Corporate and workplace culture, as many owners, directors, executives and managers know, is by far the most powerful determinant of productivity. It’s much more significant than buildings and equipment. Yet although no one today would build a building or machine without a plan, few leaders have a plan for building and sustaining a safer and more productive culture.Using practical ways, culture can be planned and shaped as desired. Success requires implementing a project plan for changing the systems that drive behaviours that in turn shape attitudes. The combination of behaviour and attitude together with leadership largely shape culture.To improve performance, leaders need to:1. improve the organisational systems that drive behaviour2. action a project plan for improving specific performance metrics 3. demonstrate leadership that is conscious, disciplined, committed and passionate for purposeful use of human energy.This paper explains all three factors in practical ways with operational and corporate examples. It details understanding and applying the power of fundamental statistical analysis tools to recalibrate, focus and drive proactive leadership that takes responsibility for process improvement, supporting people and ensuring accountability.Experience and practical understanding of human and organisational behaviour confirm that the Measurement ? Analysis ? Reporting system combined with conscious leadership is by far the most powerful driver of behaviour. This wisdom produces profound changes in leadership style and behaviour. It develops outstanding leadership to create and sustain a safe and highly productive culture reliably producing consistently high quality products. It is the key to developing accountability, employee retention and a sustained competitive advantage.CITATION:Roberts, M I, 2016. Building safe, productive cultures and leadership, in Proceedings International Mine Management Conference, pp 163-178 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Jun 22, 2016

By M. Bozorgtabar

Metal Matrix Composites (MMC) have a ductile matrix containing ceramic particles, Due to their improved wear properties, Al?SiC composites have economical applications in many industrial uses where wear is a problem, One of the most serious difficulties in manufacturing Al-SiC composites is obtaining adequate 'wetting' of the particles by the melt. In this research work, a stir casting system was designed for the improved manufacturing Al-SiC composites, The effect of some production variables such as the addition of SiC particles to the aluminum melt on wettability, was also studied. The results showed that the manual addition of particles would not be successful in manufacturing and that a system of adding silicon carbide particles through controlled temperature, atmosphere and improved mixing was needed.

Jan 1, 2005