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By Max Friedemann, Alexandros Bousdekis, Anna Gustafson, Helmut Mischo, Håkan Schunnesson

Many devices used in mining are not monitored by sensors or do not have their own intelligence. By retrofitting sensors and real-time data processing, machines can be integrated into an existing digital infrastructure. Within the project Mine.io funded by the European Union a Sandvik DE110 exploration drill rig is being digitized using various AI algorithms at research and education Mine “Forschungs- und Lehrbergwerk Reiche Zeche (FLB)” of TU Freiberg. The aim is to increase the productivity of drilling with real-time evaluation of the current rock to be drilled and the current maintenance status of the drill rig. The drill rig is equipped with a speed sensor, pressure sensors in the hydraulics, 3-axis vibration sensor, borehole length measurement and temperature sensor. The sensors are additionally attached to the drilling rig and no structural changes on the drill rig are necessary. All data are processed real-time at a server structure outside of the mine using AI algorithms to analyze which rock (ore or host rock) is being drilled and to perform predictive maintenance. Processed Data are visualized for the operator to optimize the workflow and the productivity.

Feb 1, 2025

By R. S. Farinato

Thionocarbamate flotation reagents have enjoyed a niche position in the recovery of copper sulfides and activated sphalerites since their introduction in the mid 1950's (Harris, 1954). Thionocarbamates containing an allyl group (-CH2- CH=CH2), introduced recently Lewellyn, 1985; Nagaraj, 1988; Avotins, 1991), are used commercially as collectors for copper sulfides and activated sphalerite. Laboratory flotation tests and plant usage have demonstrated that allyl-containing thionocarbamate collectors exhibit certain unique properties that distinguish them from the corresponding dialkyl thionocarbamates. Spectroscopic (FTIR, XPS) and wettability studies of N-allyl iso-butyl thionocarbamate (AIBTC) and its saturated analog N-propyl iso-butyl thionocarbamate (NPIBTC) adsorbed on copper at pH 9 were performed in order to investigate whether there were any fundamental reasons for these differences. Flotation tests were carried out on chalcocite, copper ore and an activated sphalerite.

Jan 1, 1993

By A. Norholm

For grinding Portland Cement, the power consumption accounts for some 35 % of the total consumption of electrical energy for producing cement, counting right from the quarry to the packing plant. It is therefore for very good reason that great efforts during the past years have been put into making cement grinding more efficient, thereby saving power. In this paper three ways of reducing the consumption of electrical energy will be described, namely precrushing in the high pressure FLS-Köppern roller press, the introduction of a new design of COMBIDAN diaphragm in ball mills and the separation of mill discharge in the newly developed high efficient; separator SEPAX from F. L. Smidth.

Jan 1, 1987

By Hajime Kitamura, Nobuharu Isago, Yuta Yamanishi, Kosuke Kawata, Hiroshi Yagi, Akira Matsuoka

Mountain tunnels are generally considered to be stable during earthquakes, however, it is known that the portal areas are prone to seismic damages. Characteristics in portals such as the location of the slope, modulus of ground deformation, and the change of overburden are different for each tunnel, and damage degrees are unclear. In this study, we reproduced the seismic behavior to investigate the effect on the tunnel portal by considering some parameters above, using simple static model tests and numerical analysis. As a result, the conditions of the slope condition and minimum distance from slope was confirmed to influence on the mechanical behavior of the tunnel portal during earthquakes.

Dec 1, 2022

By Elliot Gillerman

The title of this paper implies the presence of silver, nickel, and cobalt minerals at, the Alhambra mine. Perhaps this should be amplified to include uranium, as pitchblende also occurs, possibly in mineable quantifies. A brief history of the Alhambra mine is of interest, both from a historical angle and as pointing up the importance of geology in the-present development. The Alhambra is one of several mines in the Bullards Peak or Black Hawk dis¬trict, ass it is more familiarly known, in southwestern. New Mexico, which was mined for silver in the 1880?s and 18901s, Silver valued between $500,000 and $1,000,000 was extracted from the mine in the 10 years prior to 1893, when operations ceased. Almost all the silver mined was native silver, although a small quantity of argentite was produced. Nickel and cobalt were recognized in the ores, but they were thought to be of no consequence.

Jan 1, 1959

By Chinmay Shingote, Robert Visintainer, Renjie Ke, Jaikrishnan R. Kadambi, John Furlan

Hydrocyclone separators are widely used in various industrial applications in the oil and mining industries to sort, classify, and separate solid particles or liquid droplets within liquid suspensions, which are considered to be multiphase systems. Numerous valuable studies have been conducted in recent years to investigate the flow fields inside hydrocyclones. However, much of the information regarding the performance of cyclones in the literature has limitations and much of it cannot be considered as completely applicable to most real-world applications; many of the studies investigated the flow fields within extremely simplified hydraulic designs that are not representative of the complex geometries or large sizes which are typical in industry. Therefore, in this study, the two-phase flow system inside the actual hydraulic geometry of a milling circuit hydrocyclone is explored with the aid of both computational and experimental techniques (particle image velocimetry (PIV)). More specifically, the flow field with an air core has been investigated. In addition, the air-liquid two phases flow in a hydrocyclone might cause some challenges on both the computational and experimental sides. Two turbulence models are utilized in the numerical calculations: the Reynolds stress model and large eddy simulation. The computational studies are mainly focused on the local flow behavior and the prediction of the dimensions and shape of the air core. Different section planes of hydrocyclone are selected as planes of interest and divided into several fields of view (FOV) for PIV measurements. Two-dimensional experimental velocity vector maps are obtained in each of the fields of view. The computational results are validated globally using pressure and flow rate readings at the boundaries and locally by comparison to the PIV velocity vector maps and profiles.

Computerized financial models can be used in all phases of the mineral industry from setting exploration targets to projecting profit plans for producing mines. In this presentation, I will use the example of an exploration company entering a new district to trace the application of financial models through the following intermediate phases. 1. Hypothetical analysis and strategy 2. First encounter of mineralization 3. Preliminary drill results - decision process 4. Feasibility studies 5. Post-feasibility negotiations 6. Producing mine 7. Acquisition of producing mines or mineral properties. I will conclude with a brief discussion of the mechanics of the financial models that we use at Wright Engineers Limited. As we progress through the seven phases, the availability and accuracy of the data will parallel the complexity and application of the financial models. However, the same basic financial models are utilized throughout the seven phases. I will begin by suggesting that the exploration group is somewhat autonomous and has the mandate to explore in Western Canada.

Jan 1, 1979

By Neal P. Cochran

My talk today is an effort to project our thinking forward a few years to that point in the future when we will be producing gas and liquid fuels from coal. To those of you that are concerned with meeting today's production quota--my remarks may sound like a Buck Rogers projection. Not so. Although I'm talking about the future, please understand that my thoughts are focused on the near term future. The coal plant of the future will be an energy plant producing energy products to meet the needs of our modern society. This plant is an outgrowth of Government- industry cooperation. Much of the research work that makes such a plant possible was jointly funded, other work was a continuation into development of private research expenditures, other work was performed by private research organizations with Government funding, other work was performed in Government laboratories, both State and Federal. As indicated above, and in the title of my talk, I expect to describe the coal plant of the future. I will describe a plant producing Carbon, Oil, Pipeline gas, and Electricity--Project COPE. This plant copes with the Atomic-Nuclear Group. As stated above, this plant is an energy plant. Energy plants today are large-scale operations. Power plants of 5,000 megawatts are projected, refineries of 500,000 daily barrels are near term probabilities, 48" transcontinental gas pipelines are with us today and 25,000 daily ton mines are here as well. The COPE plant will be of the same general size and require 50,000 - 100,000 tons of coal per day.

Jan 1, 1969

By Niles E. Grosvenor

Several methods have been proposed for determining the tensile strength of rock. These have been tried out over the past several years, but the results have been erratic and of doubtful value. The tensile strength of rock is its weakest property, and this property apparently enters into all failure phenomena whether underground or on the slope of an open pit. Therefore, it is essential that detailed quantitative information is known about the tensile strength of rock if the design engineer is going to select the proper pit' slope, pit orientation, or orientation of underground workings so as to give the most economical and safest mining condition. This quantitative information may be used to orient the pit in such a manner as to allow steep slopes along two sides. This information may possibly be used to orient the direction of either underground workings or open pits so as to decrease powder consumption and to increase blasting efficiency. Hence it is of prime importance that a method of determining accurately the tensile strength of rocks be developed.

Jan 1, 1960

By S. K. Palm

Volatility is a fact of life in the mining industry. Prices of and demand for mineral products are among the most volatile of those for any product. The volatility of these markets wreaks havoc on both corporate management and the personal lives of mining people. Yet, until recently, it has been difficult to assess the impact of volatility on business strategy. This paper discusses how mining firms can profit from market volatility through an operations strategy that stresses operating flexibility. The foundation for our strategy analysis is the observation that a mine is analogous to a stock option. Techniques based on those developed to value stock options have recently been extended to the field of mine valuation. The insights provided by option pricing are very valuable in the development of mine operating strategy.

Jan 1, 1986

By Eugene P. Pfleider

The mining industry of the World, and particularly of the United States, has made a complete reversal from underground to surface mining methods since the turn of the 20th Century. This has occurred even as average ore grades were decreasing and strip ratios rising. In the early 1900's there were over 100 underground mines producing from the three iron ranges of Minnesota -- today there are hone. Practically all of our coal prior to 1930 was mined underground; today over one-third is from surface operations and that percentage is increasing. Although world mining has hot changed to surface techniques as rapidly as has the U. S. Industry, the shift is escalating and will approach our figures shortly. A comparison of World and U. S. production figures are shown in Table 1, taken from the AIME Surface Mining volume, and the trend rates for the U. S. are depicted in Fig. 1.

Jan 1, 1968

By F. L. Kadey

A discussion of fillers would not be complete without allotting adequate time to that unique and different mineral material, diatomaceous silica. Historical references to its use challenge the aesthetic aspect of man's curiosity; whereas modern scientific tools have provided a dimension of measurement that has motivated many of its more recent applications. A brief review of what is already known is in order. The diatom is a unicellular, plant-like, microscopic organism, related to the algae1. Its natural function appears to be that of a food for other marine or lacustrine organisms, The diatom's "claim to fame" from an industrial viewpoint is dependent on the fact that it secretes an opaline siliceous skeleton that must survive, chemically and structurally, the geologic processes that caused its formation in the first place; its subsequent demise, burial, consolidation, and alteration; and finally, its ultimate exploitation by man--in somewhat that order. In addition to its siliceous nature, the skeletal structure of the diatom possesses a variety of shapes, patterns, and sizes that have not only been the intrigue of microscopists for decades, but have served to set diatomite apart as an industrial mineral; and have reserved for it applications that cannot be satisfied by any other material. Its chemical inertness, its intricate structure, and its intrinsic hardness-coupled with fineness and friability-- are generally known and have accounted for its application in a wide range of filtration and filler uses. The increasing use of the electron microscope has considerably expanded our knowledge of heretofore unseen secondary and tertiary structure of submicron dimension in the diatom valve. The development of electro-sensing methods of particle size measurement which seem to supersede sedimentation and microscopic techniques has portrayed size distribution in a more realistic light. Interest in the surface chemistry of these silica structures has further strengthened our understanding for certain uses. Thus, new tools and ideas have made possible the introduction of diatomite into such sophisticated technologies as that of chromatographic supports, its improved utility in paint applications for the control of gloss and sheen, and its usefulness in the entirely new concept of "Dry Acid Concentrates." Each of these applications has been discussed elsewhere before people particularly interested in analytical chemistry, in paint, and in liquid handling, respectively, where the diatom has been a means to an end. The emphasis here, before the mining fraternity, however is on diatomite as a raw material with reference to the uses mentioned above. It is therefore toward an awareness and understanding of diatomite properties pertinent to these newer filler applications that this paper is directed.

Jan 1, 1967

By RICHARD A. THOMAS, Liming Yuan, Lihong Zhou, DAVOOD BAHRAMI

Mine ventilation simulation software has become an essential tool for the mining industry to design and manage mine ventilation operations. Building a well-calibrated mine ventilation network is time consuming, however, and requires great effort. In the last several decades, the mining industry has seen a steady increase in the use of air velocity sensors to monitor airflow and detect unexpected abnormal airflow in some key locations in underground mines. The present research work was carried out to explore the possibility and methodology of calibrating a ventilation network model using atmospheric monitoring system (AMS) data on a routine and ongoing basis.

Aug 1, 2022

By Gordon M. Pugh, David G. Rasmussen

INTRODUCTION Variations of cut-and-fill stoping are the most com¬monly used methods for mining narrow, nearly vertical veins in the United States. These methods offer the best results for maximum recovery with minimum dilution of ore from veins that are irregular along either the strike or dip. The vein is developed along the strike length in 61 to 122-m (200 to 400-ft) blocks or stopes and vertical lifts of 48 to 61 m (160 to 200 ft). The level development is either on the vein or parallel to the vein with crosscuts intersecting the vein at right angles. Chutes, manways, and haulageways are established in the center of the stopes at the lower level of the ore block. Mining then proceeds by blasting down horizon¬tal cuts of the vein in both directions from the chutes. As the blasting continues to the outer limits of the stope, the broken ore is slushed into chutes. When a complete horizontal cut has been made, the service raise, including chutes, is raised to a height of a few feet from the back and the stope is filled with either sand fill or waste rock. Then the mining cycle is re¬peated until the stope reaches the level above. LEVEL DEVELOPMENT PRACTICES FOROVERHAND CUT-AND-FILL STOPING The two basic methods used are: the development of the haulage drift within the vein, or development of the haulage drift paralleling the vein in the foot or hang¬ing wall with crosscuts intersecting the vein perpendicu¬larly at 61 to 122-m (200 to 400-ft) intervals. The il¬lustrated methods of development show some of the variations which can be used to develop a stope block. Development for cut-and-fill stoping does not require the more elaborate schemes outlined for shrinkage or sublevel long-hole stoping. Many factors must be considered before deciding on a particular development plan and usually the nature of the vein or host rock will dictate which specific method to use. If the vein is relatively straight, then develop¬ment on the vein is feasible. Excessive ground pressures will necessitate the leaving of a sill pillar (Fig. la) and highly fractured or "heavy" ground will require timber¬ing (Fig. 1b). Development on the vein has the advan¬tage of reducing capital outlay and waste handling prob¬lems since the mined rock has value. But removal of the sill pillar is costly and time-consuming. Also, where no sill pillar is left, excessive timbering and subsequent level repair is a drawback. Development in either the footwall or hanging wall is the more common procedure and offers greater flexi¬bility in overall development of consecutive stoping blocks by partially disassociating the level development from stoping (Fig. 2). Chutes, manways, and service compartments com¬prise the next stage of development and are established in a variety of ways. They provide access to the stope, ventilation ducts, and muck removal. Several different development systems are in common use and average costs for each have been developed. Raise borers are used to establish ventilation and ac¬cess from level to level. They are normally reamed with 1.5 or 1.8-m (5 or 6-ft) cutterhead and may either be left bald or lined with a 1.2-m (4-ft) diam corrugated liner plate, depending upon ground conditions. The use of an Alimak raise climber is another effec¬tive method of driving a raise from level to level. The size usually is 2 m (7 ft) square. This will accommodate square-set timber which is later installed. This method of raising is not common, although it is a valuable tech¬nique especially when level spacing is several hundred feet.

Jan 1, 1982

By George P. Tateosian

Merchants perform a number of functions in the copper market. As a major distribution arm of the copper industry, they secure scrap and other copper bearing materials for processing into usable refined shapes. These are ultimately sold to fabricators. Merchants ' hedging and arbitrage activities help keep values in proper relationship from product to product or region to region. Through these switching and trading operations, they optimize the flow of copper from mine to consumer. And finally, merchants act as a repository for copper units during times of surplus and a stockpile from which to draw during tines of shortage.

Jan 1, 1979

By Edward J. Hasenohr

Geochemical studies were under- taken in the Breckenridge mining district to test the effectiveness of soil and rock-chip samples in high- lighting known mineralization in the district, and in locating sites of possible porphyry-type mineralization, if such mineralization is present in the area. Soil sampling can be done more quickly and more cheaply, but it does not provide a direct site- specific sample of mineralized rock. In well-developed soils, supergene effects may mask and/or displace primary hypogene effects; and even in places where the soils are poorly- developed, as in the Breckenridge district, the masking effects may be felt. Soil anomalies, if present, likely will be of lower amplitude and more diffuse (widespread) than corresponding rock-chip anomalies. On the other hand, detailed rock-chip surveys are more time-consuming and expensive, even though they yield direct geologic information in addition to the chemical data. The goals of the combined soil and rock-chip programs were (1) to com- pare the data from the two; and (2) test the effectiveness in identifying significant chemical anomalies with respect to the geology of the district, as it is presently understood.

Jan 1, 1982

By Joseph Cervik

Common methods of controlling gob gas in U.S. nines are by means of ventilation of gob areas and gas drainage through surf ace boreholes. Costs of drilling surface gob holes increase as deeper coalbeds are mined. Where gob holes cannot be drilled because of topography, ventilation is the only means of control. Even then, sufficient air may not be available to dilute methane in the bleeder entries to acceptable levels. Thus, new methods of gob gas control need to be developed that are independent of surface topography, and of the mine ventilation system, and less costly than present systems. Except for slight variations in procedures and equipment, Great Britain, West Germany, France, Belguim, Poland, and Czechoslovakia use a common methane control method that is different from the system generally used in the United States, This Bureau of Mines paper reviews European mining methods, mining conditions, and methane control technology and discusses their applicability to U.S. mines.

Jan 1, 1979

By Frank C. Di Luzio

REMARKS BY FRANK C. DI LUZIO, ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR FOR WATER POLLUTION CONTROL, BEFORE THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF MINING ENGINEERS, NEW YORK CITY, FEBRUARY 25-29, 1968 POLLUTION PROBLEMS AFTER MUNICIPAL-INDUSTRIAL WASTE CONTROL I am happy to have this opportunity to discuss pollution problems related to the mining industry and the role of mining engineers in protecting our environment. Technological Power and Pollution of the Environment The increasing power of technology to destroy and disrupt the natural environment and the ecological systems upon which life depends has reduced man's margin for error in the use of this power. We must act, therefore, to deter and prevent the occurrence of future ecological disasters such as that caused on the British and French coasts by the sunken oil tanker, the TORREY CANYON, the Clinch River fish kill which occurred when a dam broke and released coal ash from a power plant operation, or that which threatened on the Clark Fork River in Montana when a strike at the Anaconda Copper Company threatened to shut down pollution control activities, thereby endangering fish and plant life on the Clark Fork River with copper waste. In the past, pollution of the environment has tended to be slow. But now, the increased power of technology to damage nature, the loss of in¬sulating space and the compression of time--all reduce our margin for error and the cushion which space and time once provided for our mistakes.

Jan 1, 1968

By Victor F. Hollister

This first section of case histories of mineral discoveries, Vol. 3, covers some of the milestones in porphyry copper and skam exploration successes. It was during the era of these discoveries that large, complex exploration departments emerged as permanent adjuncts of large mining companies. The discoveries helped shape how and where exploration activity was conducted. Probably the most important factor in exploration success is management. Few management people are mentioned in this section or in any exploration history, yet the distinction between success and failure ultimately rested with the decisions they made. One of the most successful groups was initiated by Roger Straus and Herbert Brownell when they sought to make Asarco into an important metal producer. Relying on Clem Pollock and L.H. (Bill) Hart to identify and push worthwhile projects, the Asarco management remade the company. Asarco will benefit from exploration successes com- pounded by that team for years to come. Duval is an example of a management that decided to add metal production to its industrial minerals output. When Page Morris was president, that company opened three major porphyry copper mines and became an important factor in metals. Under the Monis management team, Duval became a leader in exploration. At the other end of the scale are managements that snatched defeat from the jaws of victory and by so doing changed the character of their companies in other ways.

Jan 1, 1991

By James Parkes

"The proposed Baltimore Red Line light rail system includes a 3.4 mile downtown tunnel (DTT) with five underground stations. The design of the underground stations involved overcoming several challenges, including limited right-of-way, high groundwater and uplift pressures, and metamorphic rock within the station depths. An innovative design was developed to maximize the internal station space while minimizing cost. The station designs use slurry walls for temporary and permanent support and groundwater control. Depths within rock are supported with cast-in-place concrete walls, the thickness of which are minimized through the use of permanent rock anchors for support of the rock mass and slurry wall toes. Permanent tiedown anchors are used for uplift resistance, which minimizes the station depths, volume of rock excavation, and the volume of deadweight concrete. Design considerations regarding individual elements and overall integration of the slurry walls, CIP walls, and multiple anchor types are presented.INTRODUCTION The Baltimore Red Line (BRL) project is a proposed light rail transit line for the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) that runs east to west through Baltimore City and County. The project includes the Downtown Tunnel (DTT) consisting of 3.0 miles of twin running tunnels, two portals, five underground stations, and a pedestrian tunnel, as shown in Figure 1. The tunnels have an outside diameter of 21.8 feet and are designed to be mined using pressurized face tunnel boring machines (TBMs). The stations, portals, and the pedestrian tunnel are designed as cut-and-cover structures using slurry walls (concrete diaphragm walls) for both temporary support of excavation (SOE) and permanent structural walls. The dimensions of the five underground stations are summarized in Table 1. Design challenges included limited right-of-way (ROW), challenging soils conditions, strong metamorphic rock within the station depths, and high groundwater conditions. The final station designs included innovative use of slurry walls, tieback anchors, rock anchors, and tiedown anchors."

Jan 1, 2016