Search Documents

By H. Salamanca

HighService has developed different equipment using wireless technology and machine vision systems that were specially designed to allow 1) the online determination of the SAG mills liner's service life, 2) the automatic detection of a missing dipper tooth in mineral extraction shovels, 3) the reduction of accident risk potential in the mineral transportation within the mine, and 4) the reduction of collision risk potential between shovels and wheel dozers during mineral extraction. For the development of all these systems at HighService, extensive research has been done in radio frequency and image processing fields. The integration of both technologies with the expert knowledge of the company on the typical harsh environment conditions of the mining industry has led to the development of heavy duty equipment that tolerate the extreme mechanical requirements of SAG mills and electrical mining shovels.

Jan 1, 2007

By A. Kishimoto, Yoshida Honmachi, T. Uda, Y. Taninouchi

Recycling of e-scrap is often performed by utilizing a pyrometallurgical Cu smelting process. Several valuable metals, including precious metals, can be efficiently recovered through the Cu smelting process. However, recovery of Sn is quite difficult because it is distributed in slag during the smelting process. Sn is used as solder and plating in electronic devices, and its recycling will be more important in the future. In light of this background, a pretreatment process that can extract Sn directly and selectively from e-scrap was developed in this study. The proposed Sn extraction process involves alkaline leaching using iodate ions, IO 3, as an oxidizing agent. We conducted leaching experiments for Sn, Sn-Ag-Cu alloy solder, and Cu, and the effective dissolution of Sn was confirmed. In principle, the electrodeposition of Sn from the leach solution and regeneration of IO3 are possible by a subsequent electrolysis process. The results obtained in this study suggest that the proposed leaching process can be an effective and useful pretreatment for Cu-smelting-based e-scrap recycling. INTRODUCTION Electronic scrap (e-scrap), including waste printed circuit boards (PCBs), is one of the fastest growing waste treatment streams in the global urban environment. E-scrap contains numerous valuable metallic elements, including Cu, Sn, and precious metals, in rich quantity. Furthermore, some metals and other materials contained in e- scrap are hazardous to human health and the environment when they are not properly managed. The recycling of e- scrap is therefore a major concern in terms of resource supply and waste treatment, and it has been performed by many companies using a variety of methods.

Jan 1, 2019

By K. Torigoe, S. Owad, C. Tokoro, Y Tsunazawa

The mechanism of an abrasion process to recover metal values by removing components from printed circuit boards (PCBs) is modeled using a discrete element method (DEM) simulation. To simulate the abrasion process, a model PCB geometry was constructed consisting of bonded particulates. The simulation allowed connections between particles to be broken if the bonding force calculated from DEM exceeded a threshold level. Simulation results were compared with experimental comminution data using an agitation mill with test PCBs on which nine capacitors were surface solder-mounted. Simulation results obtained from the DEM with the anchoring model corresponded to experimental observations.

Jan 1, 2011

By K. Kawagishi, K. Matsumoto, Y Koizumi, H. Harada

A new burner rig for cyclic and hot corrosion testing of Ni-base superalloys and high-temperature coatings has been developed at the National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS) in Japan. The concepts of the rig design include: use of kerosene as fuel, easy operation for materials research and multi-specimen testing capability per test run. The burner rig consists of six blocks including combustion block, corrosion-solution injection block, furnace block, specimen block, controller block and outdoor facility block. During verification testing, it was confirmed that the rig had accurate specimen temperature control within ±1? from 600 to 1100? and automated easy operation. Cyclic testing of several Ni-base superalloys was conducted. The results from 50 cycle testing indicated that a new NIMS alloy developed for 1700? class gas turbine had higher oxidation resistance than CMSX-4. This new burner rig testing capability at NIMS can be very useful for future oxidation, hot corrosion and coating durability studies.

Jan 1, 2010

By Y. Mitani, H. Ikemi, K. Kitamura, H. Honda

"Instead of carbon capture and geological storage (CCS) that does not rely on structural aquifers, injecting carbon dioxide into sedimentary rock deep underground has been considered. For advection velocity of the fluid is slow, the permeability of sedimentary rock deep underground is low. In order to perform the CCS on the low permeable sedimentary rock, it is necessary to clarify the behavior of long term storage properties of carbon dioxide (CO2).In this study, the permeability and storativity of CO2 injected into low permeable rock has been evaluated. The injection of supercritical CO2 has been conducted on the specimen of Ainoura sandstone (unit weight: 2.39 g/cm3, porosity: 11.9 %) saturated with water by using flow pump method. The experiment has been set up to reproduce the similar condition of deep underground reservoir under 20 MPa confining pressure, 10 MPa pore pressure, 35°C temperature and 3 µl/min CO2 injection rate. In order to prevent an increase in pore pressure, the boundary condition on the outlet side of specimen has been kept a constant pressure.As a result, it has been possible to observe step by step the change of the differential pressure between both ends of specimen. Furthermore, the relative permeability and specific storage of rock under supercritical CO2 injection has been examined by the theoretical analysis of flow pump permeability test incorporating Darcy’s law for two-phase flow. It is observed that CO2 has been transmitted gradually while CO2 stored in the rock. It is also clarified that residual water has existed in specimen after showing the constant differential pressure in the end of the experiment. Using the results of the experiment, 3D core-scale flow-simulation by using TOUGH2 has been conducted due to confirm the flow of fluid and CO2 distribution in the specimen. From the experimental results and analytical solution to them, permeability and storativity are identified, and simulation results support the validity of the experimental results."

Jan 1, 2015

By W. G. Campbell

"The region discussed comprises approximately eight million acres spreading across the Arctic Circle in Yukon and North West Territories.Encouraged by four years of surface geological and geophysical work, which strongly suggested that suit-able conditions existed for the entrapment of oil and gas, a decision was reached to drill. In due course two holes were drilled; Eagle Plains No. 1 drilled to 9589 in 1957-8 and Western Minerals Chance No. 1 spudded in 1959 is being deepened this year.Thick sections of sedimentary rocks occur on both sides of the Richardson Mountains, however, most of our activities have been concentrated to date on the west side in the Eagle Plains basin. Here are found stratigraphic units ranging from Precambrian to Tertiary age. The drilling of the two exploratory wells proved the presence of these strata at depth and have confirmed the presence of promising structures. A geological cross-section across Eagle Plains presents an interpretation of these conditions.Physical and engineering aspects of exploration in the northern Yukon and North West Territories are de-pendent largely upon seasons and transportation. Reconnaissance gravity and surface geologic mapping by air presents no serious problems. However, seismic operations on the ground are greatly affected by the season, presence of permafrost and mobility of equipment.The actual drilling of the hole may well be the simple part of a wildcat undertaking once equipment and supplies are on location. Over-all planning, assembling supplies, transporting equipment and personnel seems to be the real job. Serious consideration must be given to per-ma-frost effect in the drilling pro-gram and on surface installations as well.Programming for -the various exploration activities should be under-taken well in advance of the actual doing. Considerable extra costs may be the results of crash programs. Costs are high, and the rewards uncertain. Economic evaluation is based •on the long term outlook."

Jan 1, 1960

By T. G. Carter

"Tremendous progress has been made in recent years towards developing computational tools that allow ready solution of most common rock engineering problems, with amongst the most advanced of the tools focusing on evaluating engineered openings within Synthetic Rock Masses. These new codes have the potential to allow much more realistic design, but they must not be used without careful calibration – prior to – during and – post completion of any modelling. This paper explores some of the pitfalls of inadequate data collection and suggests more emphasis be given to calibration. Guidelines for minimum levels of parameter data are suggested for improving application of basic to sophisticated modelling codes.INTRODUCTION & BACKGROUNDTremendous progress has been made in recent years towards developing computational tools that allow ready solution of most common rock engineering problems. The degree of sophistication now possible with some of the available codes allows one to tackle extremely complex problems that were not thought tractable even a decade ago. Indeed, generation of synthetic numerical rock masses, based on discrete fracture network representations that closely mimic actual rock mass conditions, such as are shown in Figure 1, is today relatively straightforward, and not as user-challenging as employing state-of-the-art codes of even a few decades ago. This is largely because major improvements in computer graphics and in availability of ready-made user-friendly input-output interfaces have paralleled development of these new codes, now in some cases outpacing actual new analytical/procedure developments. This is something of a reversal from the first few decades of DOS-based rock engineering computational experience, when only rudimentary graphics were available and user-friendly input-output interfaces were virtually non-existent."

Jan 1, 2015

By T. L. Lee, D. Y. Tan, J. Mi

Considerable progress has been made in studying the mechanism and effectiveness of using ultrasound waves to manipulate alloy solidification microstructure, However, uncertainties remain in both the underlying physics of how microstructure evolve under ultrasonic waves, and the best technological approach to control the final microstructure and properties. We used the ultrafast synchrotron X-ray phase contrast imaging facility housed at the Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Laboratory, USA to study in-situ the highly transient and dynamic interactions between the liquid metal and ultrasonic waves/bubbles. The dynamics of ultrasonic bubbles in liquid metal and their interactions with the solidifying phases were captured in-situ for the first time. The experiments were complemented by the simulations of the acoustic pressure field, the pulsing of the bubbles and the associated forces acting onto the solidifying phases, providing more quantitative understanding for using ultrasound to control the growth of dendritic grains and to enhance grain multiplication effects for grain refinement.

Jan 1, 2014

By D. M. Ramsey

HIGH-INTENSITY magnetic separation as now practised in the commercial treatment of a large variety of industrial minerals is a com-paratively recent development, having had its practical beginning about ten years ago when it became necessary to devise more effective methods for the purification of the electric furnace abrasives and refractories-silicon carbide and fused aluminium oxide. The fundamentals of magnetic separation are, of course, very well under-stood; bur while very, very old in principle, the process has, in recent years, been developed to a point of far greater usefulness than heretofore. In fact, until the development of the high-intensity process,. magnetic separation was limited largely to the removal of tramp iron? with magnetic pulleys and the removal of the very highly magnetic portions of industrial minerals by means of horizontal conveyor-belt-type separators. All magnetic separation processes depend for their success on the fact that various materials are kinetically influenced to a greater or lesser degree by the force that we speak of as 'magnetism'. We have now come to regard 'magnetic separation' and 'high-intensity magnetic separation' as two different and distinct methods. However, both depend upon the reaction of a particle when placed in a magnetic field. The common types of magnetic separators quite generally operate on the principle that a magnetic particle can be lifted by a powerful magnetic force from a stream of material moving on a belt or other type of conveyor. The application of the force removing magnetic material by this scheme is directly opposed to the force of gravity and is, therefore, limited to sub-stances of a relatively high order of magnetic susceptibility, such as metallic iron and magnetite. Until a few years ago, one very important principle was almost entirely overlooked. Practically every substance is susceptible to some extent, at least, to magnetic attraction, and by the application of a magnetic force great enough, and properly applied, separations of materials heretofore considered 'non-magnetic' can be accomplished.

Jan 1, 1937

By G. Issid, J. McGinty, C. Lee, Y. Pepin

For more than a decade, Hatch has used process and logistics models to assist Rio Tinto Fer et Titane (RTFT) with capacity planning, debottlenecking, and optimization to help ensure design capability, capital effectiveness, and operational efficiency of the integrated production chain. Process models are used to optimize the physics-based aspects of the system, such as mass and energy balances, flow rates, yields, and equipment specifications. Dynamic logistics models are used to optimize how the various plant areas work together to achieve the desired ends and deal with such things as plant scheduling and synchronization strategies, sizing of buffers between processes, defining the required number of process and material handling units, and designing a plant layout that minimizes plant interferences and inefficiencies. The combined use of process models and logistics models enables the overall plant to be optimized from both a productivity and quality point of view, with each plant area working in harmony with one another to achieve targeted capacities and efficiencies. This paper describes the many benefits derived from such modeling efforts over the past 15 years for each of the major plant areas at RTFT: Beneficiation Plant, Smelter Plant, Steel Plant, UGS Plant, and Powder Plant (RTMP).

Jan 1, 2011

By G. M. Ritcey, K. E. Haque

"Laboratory-scale sulphuric acid leach tests were conducted on Elliot Lake and Rabbit Lake ores in the presence of various oxidants, namely: Fe2(SO4)3, CI2, H2O2, NaClO3, MnO2, H2SO5, HNO3, Oxon e, K2Cr2O7, KMnO4, O3 and O2. Uranium extraction is significantly accelerated when an oxidant is present in the leach slurry. Uranium extraction of 96-99% can be achieved by maintaining the oxidation potential of the leach slurry in the range of400 to 500 m V (S.H.E.). A rough cost comparison of all the oxidant s indicates that the use of Fe2(SO4)3, 02, O3, C12, HNO3 or MnO2 is far less expensive than NaClO3 and the uranium extraction rates are similar to or better than with NaCIO3. For uranium extraction, it is concluded that gaseous oxygen (i.e., air or oxygen) would be the most effective and economical oxidant for the 24- to 36-hour leach of Elliot Lake ore; whereas for the 8- to I2-hour leach of Rabbit Lake ore, a strong chemical oxidant (e.g. NaCIO3, H202, 03, K2Cr2O7, H2SO5 or HNO3) would be a logical choice.IntroductionThe common practice for the treatment of uranium o res is leaching with sulphuric acid or with a carbonate-bicarbonate mixture. Generally, the latter process is ad opted when an excess (> 18%) of acid-consuming components (e.g., carbonate) is present in the ore. Irrespective of the nature of the leachant, the addition of an oxidant to the leach mixture is necessary to obtain a high uranium extraction.The maximum extraction of uranium can only take place when all the uranium is in the highest oxidation state (i.e.,U +6-uranic ion) . Because a certain percentage of uranium present in the ore is invariably in the lower oxidation state (i.e.,U+4-uranous ion) , the addition of an oxidant to the leach slurry is necessary to oxidize uranous ion to the uranic state."

Jan 1, 1982

By J. A. Pigott, R J. Hall

The International Nickel Company of Canada, Limited operates five underground mines on the rim of the Sudbury Basin in the northern part of the Province of Ontario. Four of the mines, the Frood-Stobie, Creigh-ton, Murray and Garson, are located on the south range of the basin with-in a radius of IO miles of the centre of the city of Sudbury. The fifth mine, Levack, is on the north range about 30 miles northwest of the city. The ores are mined primarily for nickel and copper, and the principal minerals are pentlandite, chalcopyrite and pyrrhotite. In 1960 the total ore production was in excess of 16 mil-lion tons, 95 per cent of which was produced from the five underground mines and the balance from the Frood-Stobie Open Pit. Mining at this open pit is nearing completion and underground production has been expanded to replace the open pit tonnage.

Jan 1, 1961

By A. McLean, A. Hue, K. Le, Y. D. Yang, P. Wu

While the treatment of relatively inexpensive ferrosilicon alloys is a potential refining route in order to generate solar grade silicon, phosphorus is one of the more difficult impurities to remove by conventional processing. In this project, the use of an electromagnetic levitation technique was used to investigate the dephosphorization of ferrosilicon alloy droplets exposed for various times and temperatures to a hydrogen-argon gas mixture. It was found that approximately 40% of the phosphorus was removed from an 85%Si-15%Fe alloy after 20 minutes exposure at approximately 1673K, to a gas mixture containing 48.5% hydrogen. Further dephosphorization is expected with longer reaction times. The effect of increasing temperature was found to be insignificant, although processing at lower temperatures is not only economically advantageous, it also decreases evaporative silicon losses, thus resulting in a more efficient process.

Jan 1, 2015

By A. E. Moss

"IntroductionTHE WORLD-WIDE search for iron ore has been vastly accelerated during the past fifteen years .and Canada is playing a most prominent role in this prospecting boom. During this period, the search for .and development of iron ore deposits in Canada bas proven eminently successful and there is every indication that exploration will continue to be active for many years.This paper has been prepared primarily for the information of those who have bad little or no experience in iron ore exploration. For convenience, it is divided into three parts: ( 1) a brief discussion of the marketing of iron ores, with special reference to Canadian production; (2) a summary of the main features to be considered when prospecting for or evaluating a potential iron ore deposit; and (3) an outline of the methods and procedures used in the search for the direct-shipping iron ores in the Quebec•-Labrador iron ore field.The Iron Ore MarketDue to the tremendous tonnages of high-grade direct-shipping iron ore indicated in the iron ore fields of the Quebec-Labrador and Steep •Rock areas, it might be assumed that there would have been a sharp decline in iron ore prospecting in this country. On the contrary, the development of these two major fields, which must be classed among the world's greatest, has been responsible for much of the current activity. The search for high and medium grade magnetite deposits is being• conducted in many parts of the country and a number of these have reached the development stage. Production is being expanded from the known fields, such as Wabana in Newfoundland and Michipicoten in Ontario."

Jan 1, 1955

By Y. Sugiyama, K. Kitazono, T. Miura, K. Matsuo

"Impact energy absorbing system for automotive is an important technology. Open-cell porous aluminum alloys were manufactured through Powder Bed Fusion (PBF) process. Compressive properties of the porous aluminum alloy depend on the cell structure as well as the porosity. The authors manufactured two ordered cell structures, truncated octahedron and rhombic dodecahedron, and one disordered cell structure, random Voronoi structure using a 3D-CAD software. Compression tests revealed the anisotropic deformation of the porous aluminum alloy with ordered cell structure. On the other hand, the porous aluminum alloy with disordered cell structure showed relatively isotropic and uniform deformation, which is suitable for energy absorbing applications. Therefore, controlling the disordered cell structure designed by Voronoi diagram enables to develop the advanced porous aluminum alloy having various mechanical properties.INTRODUCTIONAdditive manufacturing (AM) process enables to manufacture near net-shape mechanical parts. The AM technology is typically focused on titanium alloys due to their high specific strength and biocompatibility (Attar, 2014). Recently, aluminum alloy parts can be manufactured through selective laser melting method (Leary, 2016). Metal foams or porous metals are lightweight cellular materials having closed-or open-cell structures (Banhart, 2001). Aluminum foams are focused on as an energy absorbing material for transport industries (Baumeister, 1997). The purpose of the present study is to investigate the optimal cell structure of open-cell porous aluminum alloy manufactured through AM process. Most previous researches on the AM aluminum lattice structure has been considered ordered and periodic cell structures. On the other hand, classical aluminum foams manufactured through cast or powder metallurgical processes have disordered and heterogeneous cell structures (Körner, 2000). The authors use a concept of Voronoi diagram (Moukarzel, 1993) in order to manufacture various cell structures."

Jan 1, 2018

By B. C. Jago, H. Derbuch

"The Freightrain kimberlite is located on the Brodeur Peninsula, Baffin Island, Nunavut. Twin Mining is exploring the pipe and adjacent land (79 claims/655 km2) using a combination of airborne geophysics, soil sampling, diamond drilling, trenching and bulk sample processing. The pipe originally was discovered by Cominco Limited in 1975, re-evaluated in 1993 by Lumina Investment Corporation, when it was staked as the Zulu pipe, and subsequently covered by three claims in 1998 by Helix Resources who called it Freightrain.The Freightrain pipe coincides with a strong, ovoid-shaped aeromagnetic anomaly. It is the only surface exposure of kimberlite within a 30 km long linear trend of fourteen aeromagnetic anomalies that are up to 600 m in diameter.The pipe is exposed in the crater facies, near the transition into diatreme facies as indicated by the occurrence of pyroclastic kimberlite characterized by abundant olivine macrocrysts, juvenile lapilli and kimberlite autoliths set in a serpentine-calcite matrix. Olivine, Cr-pyrope garnet and chromite are the most abundant macrocrysts; clinopyroxene, ilmenite and phlogopite mica occur in minor to trace amounts. Garnet and chromite harzburgite, garnet lherzolite, garnet-spinel lherzolite and rare eclogite dominate the xenolith population.Garnet and chromite mineral chemistry indicate encouraging diamond prospectivity and that potentially diamondiferous garnet and chromite harzburgite were the principal sources of diamond in the mantle at the time of kimberlite eruption.Single clinopyroxene grains define an ~42 mW/m2 sub-continental geotherm that is rooted in the diamond stability field. This compares to a slightly hotter geotherm (~48 mW/m2) for adjacent Somerset Island kimberlites with an origin in the graphite stability field. This data accords with the general lack of sub-calcic Cr-pyrope garnet, diamond inclusion chromite and diamond in Somerset Island kimberlites."

Jan 1, 2002

By J. F. Wright

INTRODUCTION Eighteen years ago about half a dozen experienced prospectors moved from northern Ontario to northwest Manitoba to prospect 'greenstone' areas shown on geological maps of .parts of northern Manitoba prepared by J. B. Tyrrell, D. B. Dowling, and Wm. Mclnnes. Gold-bearing quartz was soon discovered by these men in this new field, and in succeeding years many more prospectors entered the district. A number of the pioneers are still prospecting, and since 1913 mineral deposits have been discovered each year in widely separated areas of the large district extending 150 miles eastward from the 102nd meridian and 60 miles north of latitude 54°30'. The majority of the discoveries, however, have been made near Schist, Elbow, Wekusko, and Kississing lakes. One hundred or more mineral occurrences of some merit are known, the main types being sulphide replacement bodies containing nickel-copper or copper-zinc and gold-bearing quartz veins. Some underground exploration or diamond drilling has been completed on 25 or more of the prospects. Up to the present, three ore-bodies, namely, Flin Flon, Sherritt-Gordon, and Mandy, have been proved. Of these, Flin Flon, the largest, is estimated to contain from 16,000,000 o 19,000,000 tons of copper-zinc ore carrying some gold, silver, and lead. Next in importance in regard to tonnage is Sherritt-Gordon, with a calculated reserve of nearly 5,250,000 tons of copper-zinc ore carrying less than $1.00 combined gold and silver.

Jan 1, 1931

By N. Shi, T. G. Joseph

ABSTRACT: An interactive cable shovel simulation has been developed to mimic any shovel dipper geometry for a given cable shovel operating in any homogeneous face material. This interactive cable allows the user to predict shovel performance in any face material encountered and track both its ground stability and the dipper-ground interaction. An embedded Microsoft® Visual Basic spreadsheet was used as the platform for developing an interactive simulation that allows for maximum user-defined parameter input and interactive visual output. The result is an analytical dipper-ground interaction solution that yields crowd, hoist, and digging effort as a function of face activity position.

Jan 1, 2011

By T. Nomura, N. Saitoh, K. Tamaoki, Y. Konishi

We have developed new recycling technologies, based upon an eco-friendly biotechnology, in order to extract precious and rare metals sourced from end-of-life products and electronics. We have been focusing on the metal ion-reducing bacteria, Shewanella algae and Shewanella oneidensis, that are able to reduce and deposit gold ions (Au(III)) or PGMs ions (Pd(II), Pt(IV) and Rh(III)) into metal nanoparticles at room temperature within 120 min. When processing the aqua regia leachate of printed circuit boards, Shewanella bacteria were able to rapidly and selectively collect gold ions under acidic conditions in the presence of heavy metal ions, proposing a new bio-recovery system for gold. This biotechnological procedure also has the potential to allow the recovery of PGMs from the leachate of automotive catalysts. Shewanella bacteria were also able to successfully perform the complete reduction and deposition of the PGM ions. The ability to collect the PGM ions suggests that this represents a new process for the biorecovery of PGMs from used automotive catalysts. Our proposed biological method enables the rapid and highly efficient recovery of precious and rare metals via separation and concentration utilizing microbial reactions at room temperature.

Jan 1, 2014

By T. L. McCall

CHANGES in mining practices have evolved so quietly and unobtrusively that perhaps we scarcely appreciate how truly startling these changes are unless we cast our minds back so as to compare the past with the present. Such retrospection is, indeed, necessary when attempting to forecast the future, for it is only by carefully reviewing the past that we can hope to obtain an indication of what the future may hold in store. In this instance, it is not necessary to delve into the very early history of . coal mining, as our purpose will be served if the last three or four decades are reviewed, a period that is still fresh within the memory of many of us. These earlier days might be termed the selective period of mining, for at that time the coal resources of the world had not been tapped to anything like the extent they are at present and this condition enabled the owners and operators to exercise selective powers and only mine such seams of coal as could be most easily reached an worked at the lowest possible cost and which, at the same time, would suit the requirements of the market. Carrying this thought of selective mining still further, the miner, who was then an artisan skilled in all the branches of his calling, was able to select or discard such parts of the seam he was working that the co al sent out of the mine was acceptable to the consumer with just the barest minimum of preparation. Compare these conditions with the? conditions prevailing today, when coal seams of medium height, good quality, and readily accessible have been largely depleted and the operator has been compelled either to carry on his operations under much greater depths of cover where the coal is more costly to win, or else to work seams of lesser height or of poorer quality.

Jan 1, 1938