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By M. Sears, W. H. Su, J. Wickline, M. A. Van Dyke, G. Esterhuizen, Z. Khademian

It is commonly recognized that seismicity can be induced by rock failures or slip along geologic structures around mining excavations. The unpredictable nature of these events and their proximity to the working area may raise safety concerns in underground mining operations. Modeling can be a useful tool for estimating seismic potential for a given mine layout, but the challenge is to detect a seismic event and estimate its intensity in the model. One well-documented approach is to monitor the variation in the energy content of the model and record potentially damaging seismic events when there is a significant release of energy. Researchers from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) employed this approach using 3DEC modeling software to simulate the anomalous seismic events that occurred in a deep longwall mine in Virginia in 2005. A four-panel model of the mine was constructed utilizing a 2D cross section at the location of the mining face at the time of the event. Seismic potentials associated with the development of each panel are evaluated by recording the seismic energy released during the simulation. The results demonstrate the occurrence of two relatively significant events during the mining of the last panel, which are consistent with the historical observations at the mine.

Apr 26, 2022

Editor’s note: As usual, the June issue features an industrial minerals review. And some thanks are in order. Thank you to the industrial minerals annual-review editor, to the technical committees chair and vice chairs and to the authors of the individual commodity profiles. Jim Norman of GeoTrans Inc. is the industrial minerals annual-review editor. Lucy McCartan, US Geological Survey, was the chair of the SME industrial minerals technical committees. She also served as the vice chair for agricultural minerals. Other technical committee vice chairs were: •Gary Tomaino, Specialty Minerals Inc., ceramics and refractory materials. •Srinivas (Vas) Veeramasuneni, US Gypsum, chemical raw materials. •William Langer, US Geological Survey, construction materials. •Vanessa Santos, Independent, fillers and pigments. •Richard Berg, Montana College of Mineral Science and Technology, specialty minerals. Their help makes possible this June industrial minerals issue. On behalf of the readers, the editors thank them.

Jan 1, 2002

By J. Utt

Recent developments in circulating fluidized bed (CFB) once-through supercritical technology (OTSC) have enabled this technology to be offered as a utility-scale alternative competing head-to-head with pulverized fuel (PF) OTSC offerings. One clear example is the CFB supercritical unit at the Lagisza Power Plant in Poland, owned by PoludniowyKoncernEnergetyczny SA (PKE). This unit has now been in commercial operation for three full years, exhibiting very good performance, and has validated Foster Wheeler?s performance model at this utility scale as well as for units in the 600 MWe and 800 MWe size ranges offering net efficiency of ~43 per cent (LHV basis). This operating unit has also proven the use of the world?s first FW/BENSON? vertical-tube OTSC low mass flux technology. Since the Lagisza original international tender specified OTSC PF technology, it is important to note that the alternative selection of CFB OTSC technology over conventional PF technology is of historic significance, not only for the validation of the CFB supercritical platform as a viable alternative to conventional PF technology, but it also positions the CFB OTSC with fuel flexibility for offering of sizes up to and including 800 MWe units. This paper explores the differences between CFB OTSC technology and standard PF OTSC in utility power generation. Selection criteria, fuel burning range in both technologies, and other selection drivers are discussed. Economic analysis of both technologies, based on existing cases, is also provided. Also discussed are the technical advantages and uses of each technology. Foster Wheeler has recently been awarded a contract for four units of CFB OTSC technology, which utilizes a 2 on 1 configuration of two 550 MWe CFB OTSC boilers on two single 1000 MWe turbines. Essentially this provides a fuel-flexible low-emissions alternative to a 2 × 1000 MWe solid fuel power block.

Jan 1, 2012

By M. I. Al-Wakeel

Nile sediment was collected as a waste from one of the water treatment plants in Cairo, and subjected to petrographical investigation and granulometric, chemical, and mineralogical analyses. It was expected to find diatomite in that sediment but it was a surprise to find that the diatomite content amounted to about 52.01% by volume in addition to quartz, orthoclase and clay minerals. The latter are represented by montmorillonite and illite minerals. The sediment is light gray in color, soft and has low density and high surface area, such density and surface area generally decrease with temperature. The sediment absorbs 317% of its weight in water. The diatomite skeletons are the main factor responsible for its high porosity producing microporosity and low density, and these particles are concentrated in the very fine silt size fraction (11x2µm). The common diatoms in such sediment include Cyclotella ocellata Pant, and Melosira granulata (Ehr.) Ralfs. It seems that this Nile diatomaceous sediment has many advantages over the fossil diatomite, such as Fayium diatomite in Egypt, with the absence of carbonate minerals that require grinding and calcination those cause destruction of the cellular structure and energy consumption. This Nile diatomaceous sediment can be processed using sequential classification to obtain diatomite concentrate of 88.8% grade at 90.6% recovery, and a middling product of 19.4% grade and 5.8% recovery. The suggested flow sheet is quite simple to produce diatomite product for different industries at a low cost. The unusual particulate structure and chemical inertness make diatomite an ideal mineral to be used as functional filler in a wide range of industries, and as catalyst carriers and insulating material. Key words: Egypt, Nile sediment, Diatomite, Beneficiation, Sedimentation, Classification.

Jan 1, 2008

By R. G. Garrett, A. J. S. Geddes

Paper presented at the 28th International Geological Congress held in Washington DC, July 1989 (International geochemical mapping sessions). The 1986 geochemical survey was successful in recognising all the previously known mineral occurrences of significance in Jamaica, in outlining areas not previously believed to have mineral potential and in stimulating fresh appraisals of old occurrences in terms of their potential for new commodities. This has resulted in a very significant increase in mineral exploration activity in Jamaica

Jul 1, 1991

By J. Paraszczak

ABSTRACT Diesel-powered loaders are a pillar of modern underground metal mining. As these mines are getting deeper and hotter and the emission regulations stricter, ventilation costs are soaring, affecting production cost. Also, the cost of diesel fuel is expected to rise. These may make the use of diesel engines more problematic. Electric load-haul-dump machines (LHDs) are an interesting alternative. This paper compares features and performance of diesel and electric, cable-powered LHDs. It overviews equipment offerings, and compares, analyzes and discusses technical parameters, operational problems and cost issues. The paper gives some conclusions about electric LHD applicability and performance, indicates possible applications, and suggests further research work.

Jan 1, 2013

By G. C. Presley

Estimated domestic production of pumice and pumicite in 2004 increased about 23 percent since 2003, according to the U. S. Geological Survey (USGS). The USGS estimate of domestic production of 687 kt(757,000 st) for 2003 turned out to be 870 kt (959,000 st)of actual production. The USGS estimated the value of pumice and pumicite sold or used in the United States to be $26 million in 2004, up $4 million from the value in 2003. There was an estimated decrease in the mine, or mill, average price to $24.14/t ($21.90/st) in 2004 from $25.19/t ($22.85/st) in2003.

Jan 1, 2005

By Steve Dillingham

Whenever misfired holes or portions of misfired holes remain after a blast is fired, a hazardous situation exists until the unfired explosive materials have been disposed of properly. Yet, there are so many factors that can contribute to misfires that it is impossible to give blanket instructions on how to handle them. To complicate matters, misfires today are rare due to reliable blasting products. As such, it isn’t very surprising that many blasters have never had to deal with a misf i re condition. While the likelihood of a misfire occurrence is minimal, you should always be pre p a red to handle a misfire should you be involved in such an event. To begin, every blaster and blasting org a n i z a t i o n should develop a misfire policy which contains the company’s safe operating pro c e d u res, emergency contact list, as well as any regulatory compliance re q u i re m e n t s . Tailgate and/or company-wide safety meetings should communicate the company’s contingent misfire pro c ed u res and any special site-specific precautions BEFORE the start of any project.

Jan 1, 2004

By D. K. Crampton

The object of this work was to obtain and correlate information on effect of internal stress in variously drawn tubes on several properties. Also, a simple approximate method of comparing types of stress distribution in such variously drawn tubes was sought. There is also included some work on comparison of single and polycrystalline materials and effect of different types of operation and preferred orientation. Preparation of Material A series of tubes was drawn to study the effect of the type and degree of final reduction on various physical properties and the approximate distribution of stress intensity across the tube wall. The material used all came from a single heat of 70-30 brass melted in a regular production Ajax-Wyatt induction furnace. The analysis of the metal as cast was: copper, 70.36 per cent; lead, 0.04; iron, 0.02; zinc, balance. The material was cast in "shells" with 4 in. outside diameter and in. wall thickness. It was drawn part way down according to the usual standard mill schedule and then by suitable individual schedules to finish by a variety of types and degrees of drawing to the same final cases in every instance; namely, 0.750 in. outside diameter by 0.080 in. wall thickness. The exact final draws, together with the percentage area reductions, diameter reductions and gage reductions are given in Table 1. In fabricating these tubes, rather unusual precautions were observed to insure the elimination of ail variables not under immediate study. All intermediate anneals were carried out at about 1200" F. down to the so-called "cut-in size"; namely, 17/16 by 3/16 in. From this point on, all anneals were made at from 1050' to 1100" F. The greatest care was used all through to have the tubes as free from minor surface defects as possible. When such defects were visible on intermediate sizes they were carefully filed out. On the final draw to 3/4-in diameter the die was aligned with the greatest possible precision in order to insure as straight a tube as possible

Jan 1, 1933

By Francisco Coutinho Dornelas

Este artigo pretende contribuir na compreensão da produtividade de mão de obra por meio de análise do setor de produção de aço da América Latina. A discussão teórica fundamenta-se em Tangen (2005), que demonstra como o termo produtividade embora muito utilizado é vagamente definido e mal-entendido e que o conceito mais largamente aceito é a relação entre saída (output) e entrada (input). Nesse contexto, realizou-se um estudo com setor siderúrgico da América Latina com dados do ano de 2015. A pesquisa foi realizada entre Março e Agosto de 2016 com os principais gestores de engenharia industrial e/ou de recursos humanos das empresas, onde se procurou identificar relação entre a produção de aço bruto (saída) e a mão de obra empregada diretamente envolvida no processo de produção, isto é, equipes de operação e manutenção, do quadro próprio e de terceiros, excluindo-se todo o demais efetivo bem como o pessoal afastado por férias e por outros motivos, acrescido de horas extraordinárias trabalhados no período, medido em termos de t/FTE. Os resultados mostraram uma produtividade mediana de 1534 t/FTE, variando dependendo de a empresa ter rota integrada ou semi-integrada e produtora de aços planos ou longos. A contribuição deste estudo reside na proposição de uma metodologia de cálculo de produtividade de mão de obra na produção de aço, possibilitando comparação entre diferentes segmentos desta indústria, outras empresas e regiões do mundo, além de permitir acompanhar sua evolução ao longo do tempo.

Oct 30, 2017

By Jesús Ortíz V

Si bien en 1974, las reservas del mineral duro y semiduro del yacimiento minero Cerro de Pasco resultaron apropiadas para el método Arch Bach, en cambio, sus niveles de producción no alcanzaron un mayor desarrollo. Es por ello que se optó por explotar los cuerpos de mineral suave a través del método de corte y relleno descendente (undercut and fill) cuya aplicación en la recuperación de pilares tuvo buena recepción. En este sentido, el objetivo del trabajo es mostrar las soluciones adoptadas en la mina de Cerro de Pasco al mecanizar el método de corte y relleno, con el fin de optimizar el método de minado, mejorar la eficiencia, recuperar los rangos de producción y reducir los costos.

Nov 20, 1978

By J. P. Gliddon

Since 1980 a number of significant changes have been introduced at Palabora in an effort to off-set the effects of reduced product price and increased unit cost of inputs. These changes and improvements include major equipment rationalization programs, the introduction of trolley assisted truck haulage, adoption of a sophisticated computerized truck control system, pit design enhancements, improved drilling practices, use of emulsion explosives and the installation of an in-pit crushing and conveying system. The various changes, their effect on the operation and their contribution to cost reduction and improved productivity at Palabora are considered.

Jan 1, 1987

By S. K. Kawatra, S. J. Ripke

Bentonite clay is used as a binder for iron ore concentrate pelletization. Bentonites are sensitive to cations such as calcium, magnesium, sodium, and potassium that are known to be dissolved in the moisture remaining in the iron ore concentrate. These cations affect the ability of bentonite to absorb water, as measured by the plate water absorbance (PWA) test. This paper addresses the relationships between plant water chemistry and pellet strength for a wide PWA range of bentonites. Experiments were conducted to determine the effect of concentrate moisture solute chemistry and bentonite PWA value on the wet knock and wet and dry compressive strengths of iron ore pellets. Experiments used seven different types of bentonite that had PWA values ranging from 564 to 1033. Flushing plant concentrate with distilled water to remove the dissolved cations resulted in increased pellet strengths, to a widely varying degree, for each bentonite tested; wet knock values increased an average of 92% and dry compressive strength increased an average of 46%. In addition, pellet strengths were not found to be directly related to the ability of bentonite to absorb distilled water, measured by the PWA test.

Jan 1, 2002

By Shen Zhengchang, Dong Ganguo, Chen Dong, Zhang Ming

"It is advantageous to process low grade ores with large scale flotation cells. Large-scale flotation cells have been enhanced with effective volume scale-up. In this paper, the latest and largest flotation cell with effective volume of 680 m3 in China is investigated. The hydrodynamics and flotation kinetics characteristics are conducted using CFD simulation. The similar circulating flow is formed compared to the previous BGRIMM (Beijing General Research Institute of Mining and Metallurgy) flotation cell and it is a suitable fluid dynamics environment. It is demonstrated that the flotation cell produces good gas dispersion and solid suspension. It is indicated that kinetic eddy dissipation plays a key role on collision kernel and collision probability profile. The higher collision probability profile appears at the impeller and stator regions aiding good metallurgical performances. The properties of the large-scale flotation cell are assessed using hydrodynamic numbers. The variation of hydrodynamic numbers such as the power number Np, the Froude number Fr, the air flow number Na, etc with flotation cell volumes show similar properties to previous flotation cells proven to be good in engineering applications. This research would aid structure optimization of the 680 m3 flotation cell.INTRODUCTIONFroth flotation is one of the mains method used in the mineral industry, which is used to process the most of metallic minerals. The proportion of low grade ores has increased with the minerals exploited around world. The increased capacity of concentrators demands large-scale flotation cells. Therefore, flotation equipment has seen a significant increase in size, for which large-scale flotation cells have prominent advantages in improving metallurgical performances, reducing area of plant blueprint printer, lowering the power consumption of the unit ore, decreasing labor cost and overall capital cost. Since the end of 1940’s, flotation cell sizes have continuously increased. To the end of 1990’s, flotation cells with the effective volume of 200 m3 were developed. In the last two decades, flotation cells have achieved a dramatic increase in size. In 2003, an industrial experiment on 257 m3 Smart Cell flotation cells was carried out in Minera Los-Pelambres, Chile. In 2007, the first 300 m3 Tank Cell flotation cell was designed and obtained industrial application in Macraes gold ore, New Zealand. And 320 m3 BGRIMM flotation cells are also in good operation in Toromocho Copper Mine, Peru and Wunugetushan Copper Mine, China. However, flotation cells are conventionally designed using empirically derived relations and geometric similarity. The continual scale-up of flotation cells is still a significant developing process. A 500 m3 Tank Cell was designed for the industrial experiment in Finland and a 620 m3 Tank Cell have also been completed the design. A 660 m3 Super Cell also was manufactured for the industrial experiment released in IMPC 2014. So, the flotation cells with volume exceeding 600 m3 become a pioneering research field for researchers worldwide."

Jan 1, 2016

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) defines an independent contractor as “any person, partnership, corporation, subsidiary of a cor-poration, firm, association or other organization that contracts to perform services or construction at a mine.” Contractors that perform specific types of work are required to report the number of employees who work at coal mines and noncoal mines.

Sep 1, 2007

By Cláudio Magno do Carmo, Gilmar Pinto Ribeiro, Luciney Miranda Martins

A rotina operacional e os seus processos de validação e acompanhamento já estão consolidados no ambiente da Tecnologia da Informação (TI). No ambiente da Tecnologia de Automação (TA) estamos avançando lentamente, apesar da grande semelhança em vários processos, devido a dificuldades de adaptação dos controles principalmente no tocante aos tempos de resposta e atuação das equipes. Enquanto a TI atua na garantia da execução do tripé formado por confidencialidade (segurança), integridade (precisão dos dados) e disponibilidade, rigorosamente nessa sequência de prioridades (CID) [1], a TA procura atender às necessidades da produção, e inverte a prioridade para a disponibilidade (DIC). Daí o conflito inicial entre os modelos: demanda imediata ou planejamento detalhado das atividades dentro dos padrões de qualidade da TI, entretanto sem impactar nas metas operacionais. É tudo uma questão de visão e principalmente de gestão por processos! Quais as diretrizes comuns? Quais os processos similares? Encontrar os pontos de afinidade, alinhados com as expectativas dos gestores e com foco na disponibilidade, sem perder a integridade e confiabilidade dos dados é o desafio.

Oct 1, 2019

By Giovani Gonçalves Ribamar

A metalurgia do pó torna-se um processo importante para obtenção de peças com geometria complexa, tornando-as cada vez mais viáveis. O objetivo desse trabalho é caracterizar e avaliar a influência da energia de mistura e tempo de mistura na microestrutura e propriedades mecânicas (dureza) da liga Fe 70% - Ni 30%, utilizadas em componentes eletrônicos e materiais estruturais de peças de motores automotivos, sendo produzidas por metalurgia do pó (MP). As ligas Fe-Ni foram misturadas a baixa e alta energia, 25 rpm e 200 rpm, respectivamente, por 2 (duas) e 4 (quatro) horas, compactadas uniaxialmente a frio com pressão de compactação de 8 toneladas e sinterizadas a 1.100ºC. Foram realizadas simulações para previsão das fases presentes através do software de simulação termodinâmica, Thermo-Calc, onde mostrou a possível existência de fases CCC e CFC. A microestrutura foi avaliada por Microscopia Eletrônica de Varredura (MEV), possibilitando a visualização da quantidade e do tamanho dos poros, bem como forma e tamanho dos grãos. Foi realizada espectroscopia de energia dispersiva (EDS) para análise química pontual e mapeamento químico.

Aug 8, 2018

By Yuting Xue, Alper Kirmaci, Taghi Sherizadeh, Khaled Mohamed

Resin-grouted bolts serve as a crucial means of stabilizing yielded coal ribs in underground coal mines. A comprehensive investigation into their efficacy was undertaken by a collaborative effort between the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and Missouri University of Science and Technology (MST). This study involved pull-out tests in multiple locations, including six coal mines and the NIOSH research mine. A total of seventy-three (73) tests were conducted, of wide range of anchorage lengths, ranging from a short encapsulation length of 0.305 m to a fully grouted encapsulation length of 1.524 m. The test findings indicate that when short encapsulation bolts are installed at high rotation speeds, their anchorage capacity is significantly reduced, leading to failure at the bolt-grout interface. Conversely, when these bolts are installed at lower rotation speeds, they exhibit greater capacity, with failure occurring at a higher anchorage load equivalent to the yield load of steel rebar. No matter what the rotational speeds were used during bolt installation in this study, the fully grouted bolts consistently experienced failure at the ultimate load of the steel rebar. Most of the tests carried out on partially grouted bolts with anchorage lengths of 0.610 - 0.914 m have shown behavior patterns like the fully grouted bolts, although exhibiting reduced stiffness. The outcomes of this research offer a profound insight into the ways in which resin-grouted bolts enhance the stability of coal mine ribs.

Feb 1, 2024

By JA Vallejos

High stress underground mining poses a significant challenge to rock mechanics and rock engineering. To overcome theses challenges significative improvements in solutions and best practices of the design and operation of mines under high stress have been developed and implemented. This paper presents certain topics related to the management of high stress for sustainable underground mining. The topics include; the effect of preconditioning techniques (destress blasting and hydraulic fracturing) in the seismic rock mass response to underground mining and the dynamic behaviour of rock support systems. The opportunities associated with research in rock mechanics and practical rock engineering are discussed.

Apr 26, 2022

By Leonardo Sales Araujo

Ligas de zircônio encontram grande aplicação em componentes estruturais do núcleo de reatores nucleares, dadas suas vantagens como resistência mecânica e a corrosão e baixa seção de choque de nêutrons térmicos. Contudo, por se tratar de uma liga reativa e necessitar de homogeneidade química e microestrutural, requer processos de fusão especiais como refusão a arco em vácuo. No presente trabalho, foi produzido um lingote de liga de zircônio a partir de briquetes de zircônio esponja compactados e unidos por soldagem para a composição do eletrodo. Foram realizadas duas refusões para aumento do tamanho do lingote e aumento da sua limpeza. As duas fusões foram analisadas por meio de observação das variáveis de processo. Foi possivel corroborar a viabilidade do processo de fabricação do lingote de zircônio em duas etapas de refusão. A análise das variáveis de processo mostrou que a primeira etapa de refusão apresentou maior instabilidade durante a fusão, o que poderia afetar a estrutura de solidificação. Com isso, uma etapa de refusão foi realizada, com maior estabilidade, além de potencialmente propiciar maior grau de limpeza e homogeneidade da liga.

Aug 16, 2017