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By Dean. R. S.

The work of the copper metallurgy section during the year was devoted to laboratory studies of sulphur recovery from smelter smoke and combination smelting of copper and manganese. Both of these subjects were new this year. Combination Smelting of Copper and Manganese According to published work, the affinity of manganese for sulphur is greater than that of iron for sulphur, so that if a suitable mixture of com-pounds of iron, copper, and manganese be smelted to form a matte and slag, manganese should concentrate in the matte, together with copper.

Jan 1, 1937

By David Montgomery

The feasibility of building a calibrator for the DuPont D-100 audio dosimeter is discussed. The desired specifications are used as guidelines but the possibility of their relaxation is also considered. Commercially available equipment is surveyed and found to not satisfy the guidelines. Several alternate concepts are investigated, and recommendations for further work are presented.

Jan 1, 1974

By Etienne Roy Grégoire

Since the early 1990s, the Canadian mining industry has been increasingly defined by the signing of Impact and Benefit Agreements (IBAs) between mining companies and Aboriginal peoples. While these agreements are intended to complement the legal system, they also serve to establish the legitimacy of mining projects and to encourage the harmonious integration of these projects into their social and environmental contexts. Beyond their practical implications, what are the effects of such agreements on the ability of Aboriginal communities to access the institutional space where the authorization of mining projects and the conditions of their implementation are decided? Can we view IBAs as a preliminary step towards the operationalization of the principle of Free, Prior and Informed Consent? This paper aims to explore the potential of IBAs as a sustainable solution to the legitimacy issues that result from the implementation of the formal regulatory framework governing mining activities in this jurisdiction. We highlight what constraints and opportunities the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement (JBNQA) engenders for local communities and draw attention to the ways in which the negotiation of the Raglan IBA and the environmental evaluation processes act upon each other. We find that certain structural problems - and problems of legitimacy ? related to mining in Northern Quebec cannot be solved by the sole signature of an IBA, which suggests the need for caution when considering such agreements as a panacea. The Raglan case demonstrates that IBAs, like other modes of regulation relying on the direct interface between companies and communities, would benefit from a stricter framework and more explicit ties with official regulation channels.

Aug 1, 2013

By Kenneth N. Han

The effect of anions such as sulfate, chloride and nitrate on the solubility of rare earth element (REE)-bearing phosphates and fluoro-carbonates was examined using relevant thermodynamic data. The study found that these anions have significant influences on the overall dissolution of REEs from various sources in the aqueous media.

By W. L. Falke

This Bureau of Mines report illustrates critical path planning and scheduling techniques as applied to typical mining operations. Detailed examples of arrow diagramming and computer oriented applications of critical path methods are given. Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) is discussed briefly in comparison to the Critical Path Method (CPM).

Jan 1, 1966

By S. M. Marshall

The investigations recorded in this bulletin were conducted by the Pacific Coke & Coal Co. in cooperation with the United States Bureau of Mines and the University of Washington. They cover one phase of a comprehensive investigation to determine whether coals from an extensive, undeveloped area of Pierce County, Wash., can be used in the manufacture of coke for the iron blast furnace. The completed investigation had three parts: (1) A geological survey of the coal property, (2) washing and crushing tests of the coals, and (3) coking and by-product tests. The geological survey, which was not conducted in cooperation with the Bureau of Mines and the University of Washington, included systematic tracing of the coal beds by test holes throughout the property, except some portions covered by an impenetrable layer of glacial drift. By this means all of the beds were correlated, their thickness and general character were determined, and tonnage estimates were made. Only such parts of the survey results as are necessary to a full explanation of the investigations described herein are included in this bulletin.

Jan 1, 1931

By P. R. Perry

This publication is a compilation of tested methods for the analyses of titanium tetrachloride, titanium sponge, and various intermediate materials and products. They are presented in concise form without the detail usually found in publication of new methods because many of them are modifications of well known procedures. The Electrometallurgical Experiment Station, Boulder City, Nev., has been developing titanium production methods since 1945. Most of this development was on a modified Kroll Process but also included work on sodium reduction and electrolytic methods. During these years a large variety of samples were analyzed. Most of the analytical problems were solved using published methods or modifications of the same. At the start, there were no published procedures for analyzing titanium sponge using spectrochemical methods. A great deal of study was given to testing several of the well known techniques, and some of them, such as direct sparking of the metal, proved to be completely unsatisfactory. Solution-spark techniques were finally tried, and satisfactory procedures were developed for some of the more common impurities. These spectrochemical methods were then put into routine use for several months before their publication.2/ Some new modifications have been made, and techniques have been developed to determine other impurities found in titanium sponge and tetrachloride. All spectrochemical methods used in 1954 are included in this publication.

Jan 1, 1955

By Patrick Edward Connell

The next generation of the well-established 3-roll Reducing & Sizing Block (RSB), the RSB SCS® is the latest milestone in reducing and sizing technology for SBQ products. It offers enhanced bar quality, improved productivity, mill availability and economy as well as a simplified, safe and environmentally friendly operation. A newly developed modular drive concept of the RSB SCS® grants a smaller footprint in the layout, a reduced oil-lubrication volume and a simplified maintenance schedule. Intelligent engineering leads furthermore to reduced hydraulic functions of the RSB SCS®, which ensures a safe and environmentally friendly rolling. Another integral part of the RSB SCS® is an innovative stand changing concept, which allows automatic stand changing within three minutes. The new RSB SCS® also includes a Fast Remote Control (FRC) which enables the immediate adjustment of the roll gap against the rolling force (under load) within milliseconds. Size changes along the free-size range can also be made within the traditional billet gaps in less than five seconds. At the core of the future-oriented RSB SCS® is a real-time closed-loop control system called Size Control System (SCS®) acting with 3-roll stands adjustable under load (AUL) and / or the heavy duty stands. These features remarkably further improve the rolled tolerances and their reproducibility, and at the same time simplify the operation by means of an automated optimization of the process parameters for the rolled bars.

Aug 16, 2017

By Dean S. Rogers

The conventional role of exploration, development and grade control is examined in this paper within the context of the many and varied types of gold occurrences which are found at the Dome Mine. The account endeavours to trace the development of the total ore evaluation process, from diamond drilling through the exploration and drifting stage, to the stope development and planning phase of the operation, with an emphasis on sampling techniques and assaying procedure. The concept of ore reserve calculations is developed and the practice of grade control is described. In summary, the role of the geological, the engineering and the mining department is presented in relation to the contribution each has to make in the evaluation and exploitation of ore from one of the world's classic Archean gold deposits.

Jan 1, 1985

By Melvin P. Silverman

The literature on methane-oxidizing bacteria is reviewed in regard to (1) the growth and isolation of cultures by special techniques; (2) the distribution of these organisms in nature and descriptions of individual species; (3) the physiology of methane-oxidizing bacteria as influenced by temperature, light, pH, aerobiosis versus anaerobiosis, and carbon and nitrogen sources; and (4) the biochemistry of methane oxidation revealed by studies with intact cells and subcellular systems. Present practical applications of methane-oxidizing bacteria are limited to prospecting for natural gas and petroleum deposits. Desirable areas for future research are discussed as well as some possible applications such as (1) the removal and/or early detection of methane gas in coal mines by intact culls or enzyme preparations; (2) the generation of electrical energy by microbial fuel cells using methane as fuel; (3) the growth of methane-oxidizing bacteria on methane fur their food value; (4) the purification of hydrocarbon gas mixtures using methane-oxidizing or other alkane-oxidizing bacteria; and (5) the synthesis of methane from mixtures of H2 and CO or H2 and CO2 by methane-forming bacteria.

Jan 1, 1964

By Melvin P. Silverman

The literature on methane-oxidizing bacteria is reviewed in regard to (1) the growth and isolation of cultures by special techniques; (2) the distribution of these organisms in nature and descriptions of individual species; (3) the physiology of methane-oxidizing bacteria as influenced by temperature, light, pH, aerobiosis versus anaerobiosis, and carbon and nitrogen sources; and (4) the biochemistry of methane oxidation revealed by studies with intact cells and subcellular systems. Present practical applications of methane-oxidizing bacteria are limited to prospecting for natural gas and petroleum deposits. Desirable areas for future research are discussed as well as some possible applications such as (1) the removal and/or early detection of methane gas in coal mines by intact cells or enzyme preparations; (2) the generation of electrical energy by microbial fuel cells using methane as fuel; (3) the growth of methane-oxidizing bacteria on methane for their food value; (4) the purification of hydrocarbon gas mixtures using methane-oxidizing or other alkane-oxidizing bacteria; and (5) the synthesis of methane from mixtures of H2 and CO or H2 and CO2 by me thane-forming bacteria.

Jan 1, 1964

By F. L. Wideman

This paper lists resources of sulfur in Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, and Arizons, an area comprising approximately 522,600 square miles, Sources of sulfur occuring within the region are sulfur are, pyrite and pyritic ores, and natural gases and petroleum. Data concerning these sources are presented on a statewide basis. Some of the known deposits of sulfur ore are surficial and of fumerole origin; other deposits have resulted from oxidation of pyrite or sulfide ores of copper, lead, and zinc. The deposits are small and the sulfur is distributed erratically in them. There is a small production from some of the deposits, and the material produced is used as soil conditioner.

Jan 1, 1957

By Walter Kawa

Bureau of Mines research on the hydrogenation of coal has been concerned with developing processes that could be used to supplement the Nation's petroleum and natural gas resources. Motor fuel was produced in a subsidized coal hydrogenation industry in Europe prior to 1945, but the process used is still not economical and other methods of producing liquid and gaseous fuels from coal are being investigated. As an aid to the planning of coal hydrogenation research, a literature survey was made of processes or methods of hydrogenating coal that differ from the subsidized or conventional process. This report contains a bibliography of unconventional methods of hydrogenating coal and a brief discussion of the economics of the conventional method. A general discussion of unconventional methods is included, and the advantages and disadvantages are pointed out where possible. The survey supplements a previous Bureau of Mines survey3 and a comprehensive review published in 1930.4

Jan 1, 1964

By J. M. Cummings

DURING the past year, the writer has investigated the treatment of a variety of British Columbia tungsten-bearing ores. Much of the test-work described in this paper was carried out in collaboration with Mr. A. G. Lyle in association with the British Columbia War Metals Research Board at the University of British Columbia. The remainder was completed in the laboratories of the Department of Mines at Victoria. Two mills in the Province are at present treating tungsten ores. Descriptions of these are included through the co-operation of Messrs. S. Gray (1) and A. A. Almstrom (2). MINERALOGY, OCCURRENCE, AND SPECIFICATIONS In the present paper, attention is directed solely to scheclite, inasmuch as known occurrences of other tungstcn minerals in British Columbia are of mineralogical interest only. The properties of scheclite are listed below: Percent W03 .. 80.6 Tenacity ...... Very brittle Çrystallization Tetragonal Lustre ........ Vitreous to resinous Cleavage ...... Good in 4 directions Magnetism ... Non-magnetic Specifie gravity 6.05 Diaphaneity .. Transparent to translucent Hardness. . . . . . 4.5-5.0 Scheelite may contain as much as ten per cent of molybdenum in solid solution, but most of the specimens from British Columbia examined by the writer were relatively pure.

Jan 1, 1943

By W. H. Hannay

Introduction The subject matter of this paper will be treated under two heads: (1) experimental work and the development of the purification system, and (2) the operation of the commercial plant. During 1927-28, a two-ton slag-retreating plant was in operation at the smelter for experimental purposes. Details of this operation and of the commercial plant are presented in a paper by G. E. Murray, read before the Annual General Meeting of the Institute in April, 1933 (1). A point which has considerable bearing on the subject of the present paper, and which was not emphasized by Mr. Murray, is the concentration of volatile impurities in the zinc oxide fume produced. The result of the operation of the slag fuming furnace is largely to confine in a closed circuit all the minor constituents of the Sullivan concentrates, both lead and zinc. They pass into the feed of the zinc fuming furnace, with the result that all impurities which volatilize-such as arsenic, antimony, tin, fluorine, etc.-report in the zinc oxide product. The accompanying condensed flow-sheet (Figure 1) will illustrate this. The only outlet for impurities which is not shown is the small tonnage which passes the Cottrell plants. The flow-sheet would indicate the possibility of building up a prohibitive concentration of cathodic impurities in the oxide leaching plant feed. However, after three years' continuous operation this has not occurred. Should this condition arise at some future date, discard of some tonnage of blast furnace slag is indicated. In Mr. Murray's paper, the much greater flexibility of blast furnace operation, due to the slag fuming furnace, is stressed, particularly as to the lead content of the slag. The requirements of our lead refinery call for a bullion containing about 0.70 percent antimony.

Jan 1, 1934

By G. R. Smith

This report describes research carried out by the Bureau of Mines to develop new technology for electrorefining metals at much higher current densities than those normally used in commercial practice, preliminary studies using rotating-ring and cylinder electrodes to increase the mass transport of copper are discussed. Following this work, single- and multichannel cells were developed that utilized a high electrolyte flow in the channels formed by the anode-cathode pairs. Using these cells, copper was successfully refined at current densities in the range of 70 to 300 amp/ft2. The effects of flow rate, electrolyte composition, and grain-refining and leveling agents on the morphology and purity of electrodeposited copper were determined.

Jan 1, 1979

By Corby G. Anderson

In the majority of industrial operations recovering gold and silver by hydrometallurgical means, cyanide is the predominant lixiviant. However, as an economic alternative, production of massive quantifies of silver chloride was done on an industrial scale in the nitrous-sulfuric acid pressure leaching of a refractory precious metals concentrate. This proven process required no cyanide. Thus, because of the large volumes encountered during day-to-day plant operation, the need for efficient and low cost methods of silver chloride precipitation, reduction and materials handling was mandatory. As such, this paper covers the evolution of plant scale precipitation, filtration, washing, reduction and control of silver chloride processing. As well, an in-depth description of the unique leaching system is included.

Jan 1, 1998

By W. W. Roepke

The Bureau of Mines has developed an interactive computer program that enables mine operators and others to identify the effect of cut-ting system changes on relative dustiness at the face. The program, which simultaneously evaluates machine parameters, coal seam parame-ters, and operator-controllable parameters, was developed for use on any microcomputer using BASIC programming language. The program allows the user to change one or more of the cutting system parameters at a time to see how these changes affect relative dustiness. A complete program listing and flowchart are included along with operating in-structions and sample outputs. An example showing how to use the program is also included.

Jan 1, 1985

Mineral engineering is defined as those engineering activities that relate to the discovery, development and utilization of mineral resources. Using petroleum engineering as an example, it is shown that the breadth of the field to be studied is a major educational problem. Breadth of field is aggravated by the rapidity with which technological demands may change. At present, special short courses serve to update engineering education. Recent experience suggests an increased rate of change for the future. The fact that engineers have typically human needs and goals, and the fact that engineers respond to these in our free society, introduces a third class of problems. One approach to the solution of these problems is the unified engineering curriculum based on a core of subject mat-ter common to all engineering. Experience suggests that the unified curriculum is an effective method to minimize the importance of the first two problem areas presented, and shows a degree of success in handling some problems within the third area. Perhaps, for the good of all segments of society, it is best to have both career-oriented and unified curricula represented by educational institutions of high quality.

Jan 1, 1963

By M. Gagné, F. E. Goodwin

The mining industry represents a significant investment in infrastructure of which steel plays a key role. Many structures in a mine are made of steel including shaft structures (buntons, station steelwork and headgear); stope structures (roof supports, pipe hangers); haulageway structures (ore transfer stations, electrical stubbies); and surface structures (plant buildings, tank supports, pipe gantries, conveyor belts, stacks, stockpile structures, stairways and railings). Maintenance of structural components can often be difficult because of the environment, including those where corrosive fumes persist, or limited access, such as in shafts where access is limited, or to short maintenance shifts or where limited working space is available. Thus a cost-efficient, long-lasting and maintenance-free protection system for steel should be specified. Galvanizing provides the required high-quality, long-term corrosion protection to steel. Galvanizing provides protection in two ways, first as a physical barrier to corrosion and secondly by means of cathodic or sacrificial protection that is unique to zinc. The dual nature of corrosion protection provided by galvanizing significantly extends the service life of steel even in the most challenging environments. The unique corrosion protection properties provided by galvanized steel will be highlighted with global mining application case studies.

Jan 1, 2015