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By Nicholas Chlumecky

One of the most dangerous jobs in mining is that of resupporting the roof after a fall has occurred. The resulting cavity may be more than 30 feet high, with relatively unstable sides and roof. It is often impossible to proceed with rehabilitation without exposing men and equipment to unsupported rock. Temporary supports provide margin- ally effective protection because of the lack of available footing. Furthermore, the usual supports in rehabilitated fall locations are not permanent, require frequent maintenance, and fail to eliminate some remaining serious safety hazards. This is typically the case for high cavities where loose rock drops from considerable heights from between roof bolts. Supports made of cribbing, beams and additional cribbing to the high points of the fall in many cases do not provide good protection due to the deterioration and shrinkage of timber. In mines, high cribbing frequently loses contact with the roof and thus provides no protection against rocks peeling off the sides. This is true in spite of the fact that at time of installation the cribbing was wedged tightly to the roof. Therefore, when considering the difficulties which occur with current practices, the objective is to find alternate methods of resupporting the high roof after a fall.

Jan 1, 1981

By G. Granata

In this work, we studied the recovery of copper from AMD by cementation with iron powder. To control the size of copper particles within the nanoscale range, we tested the use of the anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). We tested three concentration levels (0.2, 0.4 and 0.6 M) and temperatures (25, 50 and 75 °C). The activation energy of cementation was also assessed by fitting the experimental data with the Arrhenius equation. Under all investigated conditions, the cementation reaction was found to be a diffusion-controlled process. Without surfactant, the activation energy was 19.9 kJ/mol. In the presence of SDS the activation energy increased up to about 35 kJ/mol. With or without SDS, the particle size of the copper product was strongly affected by the cementation temperature. Without SDS, the cemented product aggregated into micro-sized clusters of about 15 μm at 25 °C, 2–3 μm at 50 °C and 1 μm at 75 °C. The addition of SDS resulted in a dramatic decrease of copper particle size up down to the nanoscale range. Under the best operating conditions, the particle size of copper was <100 nm.

By Stuart M. Buck, J. H. Bramwell, Edward H. Williams

The Southwest Virginia Improvement Company began operations in the Bluestone Flat-Top coal-field, situated in Tazewell County, Virginia, in the fall of 1881. In May, 1883, the company had built 200 coke-ovens, and by March, 188-1, had 9000 feet of entries, exclusive of air-ways, in the Nelson or Rig coal-bed of this district (which here averages eleven feet in thickness), and had extracted 200,000 tons of coal, representing an area of about twenty acres. About this opening has grown the recently incorporated city of Pocahontas, and the completion of the New River branch of the Norfolk and Western Railroad to this point enabled the company to make large contracts for supplying coal and coke, so that it was deemed necessary, on account of the limited area developed, to work the mine day and night to fill orders. At 1.30 Thursday morning, March 13th, the inhabitants of Pocahontas were awakened by a violent shock, and within a few minutes all knew that the East mine had been the scene of an explosion of so general a nature that, of the 114 men at work, not one had escaped. The daily papers gave more or less distorted accounts of the number of victims, the scenes in and about, the mine, and the probable cause of the disaster. At the request of the company, the President of the American Institute of Mining Engineers appointed the undersigned a committee of three to investigate the matter, and the committee thus constituted presents the following report, accompanied by a copy of the testimony taken daring the investigation, for preservation in the archives of the Institute. Pocahontas was reached on Thursday, April 24th, and left on Friday, May 2d. During this interval the committee made repeated visits to the mine, especially to the points, of most importance, examining it carefully in every part; and summoned a number of witnesses, twenty-six of whom appeared and testified. The mine had been left in the same state as when the bodies were

Jan 1, 1885

By Augusto César Barrios Tamayo

The high temperature erosion of Thermal Barrier Coatings (TBCs) is one of the main factors that define the lifespan in gas turbine components as it is considered the second source of failure of hot path components in power and propulsion turbine operation. The worn Top Coat (TC) surface in components such as first stage turbine blades affects the turbine efficiency due to energy losses and the increment in heat transfer to substrate. The first part of this work consists in describing a HTE test facility developed to emulate the damage conditions found in a number of components of gas turbines; in this testing machine, the samples were exposed to combustion gases moving at velocities close to 1.5 Mach and temperatures of 1100°C. The second part consists in the characterization of liners and first stage turbine blades of a GE7FA gas turbine used for power generation. The last part deal whit correlation of the features of TC’s worn surfaces with the erosion conditions and the dominant degradation mechanisms between test samples and turbine components were compared.

Jul 31, 2018

By Rodrigo Rocha de Meira

O laminador de tiras a frio n° 3 da CSN apresentava perdas de produtividade ao processar aços de elevada resistência microligados, com limite de escoamento mínimo igual a 340 MPa, dotados de largura superiores a 1400 mm. Devido à crescente demanda do mercado automotivo relativa a esta família de aços, tornou-se necessário um estudo para optimizar a produtividade do equipamento e não desestabilizar o fornecimento aos clientes. O estudo consistiu em testar parâmetros de processo alternativos, objetivando abastecer o laminador de tiras a frio com bobinas laminadas a quente dotadas de resistência mecânica ligeiramente menor, para promover maior estabilidade operacional no equipamento a partir da redução das cargas de laminação. As alterações propostas resultaram no aumento de produtividade do laminador de tiras a frio, sem comprometer as características mecânicas do produto final.

Jul 30, 2018

By Fábio Lerbach

Balanço Energético Global da Vallourec Sumitomo Soluções Tubulares do Brasil site Jeceaba em 2016, com os principais indicadores de consumo energético das áreas consumidoras. Além dos indicadores energéticos globais, o balanço apresenta os consumos específicos de cada insumo nas diversas áreas, permitindo a análise de cada setor da Usina, isoladamente. Destaca-se em 2016: - desligamento do AF em nov/2016

Jan 26, 2018

By Richard A. Winters

In 1987, at the request of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Bureau of Mines studied the 34,680-acre Lime Canyon Wilderness Study Area (NV-050-231) to evaluate its identified mineral resources. The Wilderness Study Area is in Clark County, NV, about 30 air miles southwest of Mesquite, NV. The area studied contains an estimated 44 million tons of indicated subeconomic resources of gypsum, an inferred subeconimic resource of limestone and dolomite, and occurrences of gold, copper, uranium, and zeolite. The Wilderness Study Area is underlain chiefly by carbonate rocks with lesser amounts of sandstone and shale. Metamorphic, granitic, and volcanic rocks also crop out within the area. Large portions of the area are overlain by alluvium. The Wilderness Study Area is within the Gold Butte mining district. Several gold mines with past production are nearby to the south of the Wilderness Study Area; one mine is reported in operation on a small scale. Several silver-bearing copper and zinc mines with past production are nearby to the east of the Wilderness Study Area

Jan 1, 1988

By M. M. Hassan

This report describes the analysis tools developed at West Virginia University which can be implemented to optimally design coal mine electrical systems. The basic analytical tools for all power systems are the load-flow and short-circuit analysis. Well known programs have been developed for analysis of ac transmission and distribution systems, but they are not applicable to a system which has combined ac/dc distribution, such as a coal mine power system. Furthermore, the topology of a coal mine electrcal system changes continuously due to the movement of the locomotives on the track. In the first section of this report, algorithms for carrying out load flow and short-circuit analysis of a coal mine electrical system are described. Results from the study of a typical coal mine system are presented. In the second section a method is described to optimally size power cables for cyclic loads. The method is based on the development of a thermal-electric model for a low-voltage power cable. Results from experimental verification of the model are also presented. These techniques are useful in the safe, efficient, reliable and economical design of the coal mine electrical power systems.

Jan 1, 1979

DURING the early part of August, 1880, I was directed by Prof: J. P. Lesley, State Geologist, to assume charge of the geology and mapping of the Second Geological Survey of the anthracite coal-fields. I visited the region unineumbered by any instructions other than this, that I should submit a plan for making the sur- * In the practical application of this method I wish to acknowledge the valu¬able aid rendered by my assistant, Mr. A. W. Sheafer.

Jan 1, 1881

By C. E. Sims, G. A. Lillieqvist

The following presentation is more a summation of observations made and conclusions drawn over a period of three to four years than a report of experiments made with a definite objective. Tests were made, of course, to verify hypotheses, but the large mass of data was collected incidental to other work. Lack of space forbids the presentation of more than a few of those data. On the other hand, it is unfortunate that some of the most illustrative examples are not available. The work is admittedly incomplete but is presented in the hope that it will stimulate further work along a similar line. The answers to many of the questions left unanswered by this paper will be found only after long and painstaking study, such as is scarcely possible in a commercial laboratory where problems of immediate importance consume most of the time. It is also hoped that this study will in some measure throw light on some of the dark spots of steelmaking, and help to clarify some of the annoyingly vague references to "good practice." Only cast steel was studied and the conclusions apply to cast steel, but it is the authors&apos; opinion that the quality of rolled or forged steel is largely dependent on the quality of the ingot, which is a casting. Although this discussion deals almost entirely with inclusions, it is important that the reader understand that only those natural inclusions which owe their origin to the solubility of certain materials in steel and to the chemical reactions of steelmaking are considered. Accidental inclusions, such as entrapped particles of slag, nozzle, runner, or mold arc outside its province and are not considered. Such accidental inclusions are always dangerous and should be carefully avoided. Relation between Ductility and Nonmetallic Inclusions In September, 1928, an acid electric furnace was put into operation at the Indiana Harbor plant of the American Steel Foundries. Following the usual practice, aluminum additions were made in order to obtain sound castings. Immediately the problem of low ductility arose. Previous to that time, only open-hearth steel was produced, and, aluminum being used rarely in that steel, there had been practically no trouble with low ductility in the lower carbon range.

Jan 1, 1932

By David L. Anderson

This paper explores the financial impact of the initial version of the Saskatchewan Potash Reserve Tax; first, a one; and second, in conjunction with the other taxes affecting the industry&apos;s profitability. A though the introduction of the Reserve Tax is shown to lead to a substantia increase in a hypothetical firm&apos;s effective tax burden, the more unusual outcomes frequently attributed to this levy on y occur after the imposition of other non-provincial tax rulings. Despite this qualification, the results obtained suggest that the Reserve Tax undoubted y acted as a catalyst in the polarization of attitudes during the ear y period of industry/government confrontation

Jan 1, 1979

By Elliott Giles

"Measuring a blast’s performance based on the bucket fill time or “diggability” has always been achallenge due to the subjectivity generally involved. The diggability of a blast is often based onopinions and speculation without the data to properly support the claim. This paper focuses howthe blast design can impact diggability and how it can be properly measured."

Jan 1, 2016

By A. Himsley

This paper presents a review of the existing ion exchange resin systems for treating unclarified pregnant liquor, with particular reference to uranium extraction. A new concept of a truly continuous ion exchange system is described and operating details are given,of a 0.6.-m (24 in.) diameter pilot plant treating unclarified acid leach liquor.

Jan 1, 1977

By Alfredo Valencia-Toledo

This study delves into the satisfaction levels of indigenous communities in Apurimac-Cusco, Peru, concerning mining activities in their region. Our primary objective is to elucidate the interrelationships among observable variables, which are conceived as linear combinations of multiple factors. Employing the statistical methodology of exploratory factor analysis, we aim to pinpoint the pivotal factors influencing the progress of mining activities in Apurimac-Cusco. Through our analysis, we have identified eight key factors that exert a significant impact on mining’s sustainable development in the area. These factors encompass diverse facets, ranging from the support offered by mining company to communities, environmental considerations, education, economic factors, provision of basic services, transportation and communication, support for social organizations, and social-health-related aspects. This research endeavors to provide a comprehensive understanding of the complex dynamics surrounding mining activity satisfaction among the indigenous population, offering a basis for further exploration and policy development.

Feb 17, 2024

By J. G. Kirby

According to the Bureau of Mines annual survey, as of January 1, 1954 there were 337 refineries with a total daily crude-oil throughput capacity of 8,006,897 barrels. The total daily capacity increased 368,236 barrels during the year while the total number of refineries declined 6. The capacity of the average refinery to process crude oil therefore increased during 1953 from 22,270 barrels to 23,759. With the exception of the Texas Inland, all refining districts reported gains in the installed capacity for the year, the largest being the Louisiana Gulf Coast with an increase of 20 percent. A total of 397,500 barrels of additional crude oil capacity was reported as under construction January 1, 1954. Accounting for 129,500 barrels of this total are facilities for 3 new refineries in North Dakota, 2 in Washington and I each in Ohio and Utah. Equipment being installed to replace existing units, totaled 180,750 barrels daily.

Jan 1, 1954

By E Cunha, D Roldao, TáTamantini, J F. C L Costa, T Webber, C Monteiro

The main problem of geostatistical simulations is to reproduce the real characteristics of the mineral deposit when there are few conditioning data. In this case, the geological interpretation, based on structures, geophysics and geological maps, plays the major role in terms of resource evaluation.The paper investigates the use of principal component analysis (PCA) to help classify multiple geostatistical categorical simulations considering the similarity among them and the interpreted model, herein referred as training image (TI).An iron deposit with four lithological facies, in a specific horizontal plane, was used as case study for two-dimensional (2D) simulations. Sequential indicator simulations (SIS) was used to obtain ten equally probable 2D images, which were generated and compared against the interpreted model (TI).In this study, 11 random variables are comprised by the vector of ten SIS realisations plus the training image (TI). The similarity between the TI and each SIS realisation is measured using the angle between the TI and SIS vectors projected in the new coordinate systems (PCA factors). It is possible to order the SIS realisations from the highest to the lowest PCA factor taking into account the TI similarity.The visual analysis of the images shows coherence in the PCA results as a method to measure similarity. This methodology can be used as a post-processing tool to rank simulation results and to select the ones which better represent the prior known geology or to compare the quality of different methods of simulation.

Sep 26, 2011

By Joshua Hoffman, William Chad Wedding, Braden Lusk

The emergence of electronic detonators as viable products for use in production mine blasting has enabled mining professionals to rethink the traditional blast design methodologies that pertain to timing. In many ways, electronic detonators can allow great advances in productivity, cost effectiveness, fragmentation, and safety. There are a number of commercially available systems that enable users to program delay times, usually in one-millisecond intervals, according to design decisions. While manufacturers have performed internal studies pertaining to the accuracy of these systems, an independent study quantifying the accuracy of the systems has not been completed to date. The mining industry is in the business of production and any quality control endeavors to independently confirm the accuracy studies performed by the manufacturers would only detract from their bottom lines. Furthermore, limited information is available concerning the accuracy of modern pyrotechnic delay based detonators. In 1985, the Bureau of mines completed a study of three manufacturers’ electric millisecond delay detonators (Bajpayee, 1985). This was the most recent extensive independent study performed on detonators, which unitized pyrotechnic delays, from numerous manufacturers. Advances in the manufacturing process for pyrotechnic delays may have increased the accuracy of detonators using these technologies in recent years. It is commonly accepted that electronic detonators are more accurate than both shock tube type non-electric as well as electric detonators, but the relative accuracy was not objectively and adequately quantified.

Jan 1, 2011

By Michael J. Beus

The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health-Spokane Research Laboratory (NIOSH-SRL) have developed a Shaft Conveyance Monitoring System (SCMS). Assessment of current hoisting technology has shown that monitoring wire rope tension and conveyance position and load directly from the skip or cage top offers several significant safety, production, and maintenance advantages. The SCMS consists of conveyance position and guide displacement sensors, a battery power supply and charging system, and a new sensor to measure hoist rope tension. This device provides a warning of the occurrence of ?slack rope? a particularly dangerous condition. A 2.4 GHz radio link transmits data to the hoistroom. A reduced scale hoisting test facility has been constructed to test these components prior to field trials. The advantages of monitoring wire rope tension and conveyance position and load directly from a skip or cage top will be discussed. Field tests are underway in full-size shafts to refine the concept and evaluate long-term reliability and maintenance requirements. Application of this technology may result in decreased maintenance costs as well as safer, more productive hoisting operations.

May 1, 2001

By Iván Turco

Las redes de distribución de energía eléctrica, compuestas por subestaciones, cables eléctricos de arrastre, conectores y accesorios, tienen la misma tecnología desde hace décadas. El presente trabajo muestra los excelentes resultados que obtuvimos frente a los problemas de salida de servicio y los tiempos extendidos en reconexión por fallas en los cables de arrastre y/o conectores con la finalidad de brindar la confiabilidad de alimentación de energía eléctrica a equipos movibles, asegurando la operatividad en campo, minimizando perdidas y maximizando la inversión en estos activos.

Sep 29, 2023

By R. C. Hubli

A panial equilibrium model? to simulate the dissolution of millerite (NiS) in aqueous solutions containing copper(II) chloride as the oxidizing species has been developed. The predominant copper(I) and copper(II) species are CuQ3 and CUO2 respectively. The model computes the initial concentrations of the species present in the aqueous phase under the specified input conditions, prior to the simulation of dissolution. During the dissolution of millerite, nickel enters the leach liquor as NiH and it has been found that the H+ decreases as a function of NiS dissolution. The simulation has been accomplished under conditions prevailing during actual dissolution, with only one mineral undergoing dissolution. The model can be applied for the simulation of co-dissolution of two or more sulfides. Under the given conditions, the precipitation of Cu1(OH»)O is negligible but loss of Cu(1l) could be significant if the initial H+ is lower than 0.03 M. The results of the simulation compare favorably with experimental observations.

Jan 1, 1996