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By W. Stahl, K. Keller

In addition to classifying bulk material, vibration screens are commonly used in dewatering. However, the lack of a comprehensive physical theory of dewatering often leads to difficulties in the design and operation of the vibration screens. First, in this report, the dewatering of bulk material are shown based on a physical model. Because of tile oscillatory motion of the liquid in the bulk, the inertial force of the accelerated liquid and the dripping of water out of the bulk or screen must be taken into special consideration. The physical model put forward shows the effect of the various operations parameters of dewatering screens. A comparison between dewatering theory and practice are shown by measurements using coal, limestone, etc. Dewatering measurements conducted on a vibration screen demonstrated that different vibration frequencies and rates of acceleration lead to different residual moistures. Finally, the possibility of improving vibration dewatering is described.

Jan 1, 1998

By Sadatoshi Ohmori, Karen Shinoda, Nobuharu Isago

Method of tunnel excavation is generally classified such as full-face excavation, bench-cut excavation, diaphragm with center pillar excavation, center drift advancing excavation and so on. These excavation methods should be selected properly in terms of ground condition, the area of tunnel section, the arrangement of construction. Center drift advancing excavation method in mountain tunnel construction, is often applied under quite weak ground condition, prior to the main tunnel widening excavation. Recently, the advancing drift is for the excavation of extreme larger section in main tunnel to confirm the stability of face. In addition, we make advancing deformation occur in drift when the construction was done in poor ground like squeezing and swelling ground, and the force occurred in main tunnel was expected to reduce by the effect of ‘dodging’ for support structure. Mechanical relation between drift and main tunnel has been mainly grasped on past experiences in Japan. However, the characteristic of tunnel enlargement was partially discussed by using the three dimensional analysis and the result was grasped by past experiences on the basis of each tunnel construction. It is considered that the natural ground stress is normally released as the advance displacement, but it was released after the main tunnel widening, causing a displacement and deformation increase. Up to now, the construction practice has shown the reduced displacement during the main tunnel widening excavation by the drift, and the numerical analysis agreed with above observation. However, there is no report found that the displacement and deformation at the time of widening excavation of the main tunnel become larger in case of a drift application. In Kyusyu area, western part of Japan, the northern part of Yoshinomoto tunnel was applied an advancing bench-cutting method for a center drift for the purpose of obtaining the geological information for support selection of the main tunnel in widening excavation. The shape of center drift was a perfect circle with a diameter of 4.0 m or 6.0 m and the same temporary support regardless of the geological situation. As a result, the displacement and deformation of the main tunnel after widening excavation were larger than the section where the center drift was not applied. Furthermore, the displacement and deformation of the main tunnel after its widening excavation was considered larger in the section where the cross-section of the center drift with 4.0 m diameter was applied than one with 6.0 m. Therefore, the center drift with a high rigidity support structure had the effect of suppressing the advancing deformation prior to the main tunnel widening excavation.

Jun 13, 2021

By J. C. Stankus, J. J. McCaffrey, S. Guo, S. S. Peng

An innovative concept in longwall tailgate support is discussed. This new concept utilizes a high-capacity roof-truss system to replace conventional wooden cribs. The first field test was conducted at the Bailey Mine and was very successful. Similar tests were installed in other mines and seams. An extensive instrumentation plan was designed and implemented in the truss test area. The test data demonstrated that the dynamic roof-truss system effectively controls the various abutment pressures caused by longwall mining. Thus, a stable tailgate entry is maintained

Jan 1, 1997

By T. T. Chen, J. L. Jambor, J. E. Dutrizac

A reconnaissance study of the neutralization potential of 30 diverse minerals, 28 of which are silicates and aluminosilicates, has shown that most of these minerals contribute minimally to the neutralization potential (NP) in standard static tests. Feldspars in particular give low NP values and would not be expected to attenuate the acidity to any significant extent in acid rock drainage settings. The BET-determined surface areas of the minerals vary considerably, and the large surface areas of some of the pulverized samples have clearly affected the NP values even though the standard static-test protocol was used for the preparation of the samples. The low NP values of most silicates and aluminosilicates are in general agreement with the laboratory-determined slow dissolution rates for these minerals. The results suggest that, in the prediction of whether rocks will be acid-producing, the most realistic measure is that of the carbonate content. In mine wastes from metalliferous ore deposits, the contribution to the NP by the non-carbonate gangue assemblage is unlikely to be more than a token amount until well after the establishment of an acid rock drainage situation.

Jan 1, 2000

By F. A. Camisani-Calzolari

South Africa has adopted its own code for public reporting of Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves in 2000. The South African Code for Reporting of Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves (SAMREC Code or Code) (SAIMM 2000) is presented here in its local and global context. The main aspects of the Code are listed and elaborated upon. The Code has been written with the participation of the major South African stakeholders in the field including Government institutions, the legal confraternity and the mining industry. The Code is modelled on, and is 90% compliant with, the Australasian Code for Reporting of Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves (JORC Code) (AusIMM 1999). The paper also elaborates on the duties and responsibilities of Competent Persons signing off resource and reserve reports and on the listing requirements of the Johannesburg Securities Exchange (JSE), formerly the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, which has officially adopted the Code. The listing requirements were updated in 2000 to incorporate the SAMREC Code and subsequently in 2002, effective 2003. The ongoing obligations of the JSE for the exploration and mining companies are being compiled and are expected to be effective from early 2004.

Jan 1, 2003

By R. L. Garrett

The quality of mineral additives used in a drilling fluid (mud) can dramatically affect the fluid's properties and the overall cost of drilling an oil or gas well. The principally wed minerals are bentonite, barite, barite/hematite blends, and hematite alone. The high specific gravity minerals, barite and hematite, are used to increase drilling fluid density. Bentonite clay is used to increase drilling fluid viscosity and gel strength and to provide a low permeability filter cake. A multimillion dollar investment in a well and the safety of the personnel on the drilling rig can depend on how effectively these mud additives perform with other constituents in the mud. This paper points out effects caused by small amounts of certain carbonate and sulfide mineral impurities in barite or hematite and how polymeric extender additives in bentonites contribute to unpredictable behavior of a mud. Effects like these are the reason oil companies using these materials sometimes set their own quality standards beyond those already specified in APZ Spec. 13A. Also discussed in this paper are the current standardization activities of API Committee 13 on these minerals.

Jan 1, 1988

By J. B. Stockton, D. J. Robbins, E. T. Woodburn

Batch flotation data in an equilibrium cell show that beneficiation improves with froth drainage. The limiting lamella thickness in a well- drained 3-phase coal froth appears to be determined for ultra-fine particles (-45µm) by the d90 particle size. The froth stability is considered to depend on the existence of a very thin liquid film between the outer surfaces of the d90 particles and the bounding bubble interfaces of the lamella in which the particle is held. The dependence of the coalescence rate of bubbles in these froths on the residual surfactant concentration in the lamella liquid is then consistent with stability analyses for two-phase foams.

Jan 1, 1988

By Carmine Nappi

This article examines some important trends in East-West trade in non-fuel mineral products, in particular the recent decline in Eastern bloc exports of such products. It relates this decline to an improvement in Soviet terms of trade; a deterioration of geological and locational conditions in Soviet mineral production; an increased integration of the CMEA-countries based on a regional pooling of resources; and a surge in demand for mineral commodities in Eastern countries coupled with a slowdown in Western economic growth. Finally, it evaluates to what extent these determinants may evolve in a different direction during the eighties and thus foster East-West mineral trade. Eastern1 bloc trade in mineral products is a subject of perennial interest in the West. When exports increase, there is much talk of the dangers of dependence on the East for critical fuels and materials. When imports increase, talk turns to the danger of Soviet dependence on Western supplies. A common fear is that the USSR may not only seek to meet its own resource needs but also deny the access of Western countries to these resources. This paper, like three other recent additions to the lite5ature on Soviet foreign trade of commodities2, tries to put matters in clearer and cooler perspective. The first section evaluates the structure of East-West mineral trade and tries to identify some important trends of recent years. The second section relies on supply and demand factors, as well on the Comecon connection (the intra-Council for Mutual Economic Assistance mineral cooperation) to explain why there has been a reversal in the mineral trade trend since the end of the seventies. The last section evaluates the factors which could stimulate East-West mineral trade in the future.

Jan 1, 1986

By G. C. Adams, J. H. Fowler

Canada's gypsum industry began more than 200 years ago in the Maritime provinces when farmers attempted to supplement their incomes by selling "land plaster" to traders bound for the United States. Rising from such humble beginnings, gypsum now contributes significantly to the economies of nine of Canada's 10 provinces. Thirteen open-pit and three underground mines produced a total of 8.4 Mt (9.3 million st) of crude gypsum, and 17 processing plants manufactured 2.5 Mt (2.8 million st) of finished products in 1985. Recent economic growth in North America has resulted in steady increases in gypsum production. However, competition from foreign producers and by-product gypsum pose a growing threat to Canada's gypsum mining industry.

Jan 1, 1987

By W. E. L. Minter

The most important Witwatersrand gold placers occur on extensive unconformity paleosulfaces that were produced during protracted periods of fluvial degradation. The erosional etches on what was generally unlithified sub-strate indicate that low sinuosity erosion patterns prevailed. The transport systems were dominantly braided fluvial with a minor debris-flow component. The placer sediments were non-cohesive sands and gravels. They were evidently transported by fluctuating, yet perennial, discharges across extensive, low relief braid plains, not far from littoral environments. Progress made in understanding heavy mineral transport processes now emphasizes the importance that selective entrainment probably had in producing concentrations. Cognizance that these characteristics are not unique to the Witwatersrand should be taken into account when designing exploration models.

Jan 1, 1991

By Mitchell J. Willis

Recovery of fine particles has been considered to be a major limitation of the classical flotation process. However, the beneficiation of kaolin, a naturally occurring fine ore, via flotation has been practiced over the last 40 years. Kaolin is valued as a white pigment, and therefore, the goal in kaolin flotation circuits is to remove the colored impurities to result in an acceptable brightness product. Kaolin flotation originated with a novel carrier flotation process, and later on carrier less flotation techniques were developed. The collector chemistry utilized to beneficiate kaolin is based on fatty acids, and recently hydroxamates have been successfully used. The purpose of this paper is to cover the flotation practice in the kaolin industry in terms of the history and the reagent schemes.

Jan 1, 1999

By K. Hanumantha Rao, K. S. E. Forssberg, H. R. Manouchehri

The responses of calcite, feldspar and quartz minerals in a laboratory free-fall electrostatic separator after tribocharging with stainless steel, PVC and copper plates were investigated. The effects of H3BO3 and BaC12 chemical pretreatment on the electrical properties of the above minerals were examined. The changes in the electrical properties are discussed along with the determined charge, dielectric constant and electrical conductivity of the mineral samples. The electrical properties of the minerals and their responses to the electrical field during separation after tribocharging and chemical pretreatment are explored relative to the electrical behavior of the minerals.

Jan 1, 2000

By R. A. Jankowski

The US Bureau of Mines (USBM) conducted a series of laboratory tests to investigate the effectiveness of using a flooded-bed scrubber with exhaust ventilation in deep-cut faces. An experimental test program to determine the impact on respirable dust levels resulting from changes in face airflow, curtain-setback distance, operator positioning and operating parameters of the external spray system on the miner was completed. Gravimetric sampling was conducted in the immediate return and at three sampling locations on the off-curtain side of the entry. Statistically significant differences in dust levels, on the order of 0.5 to 1.2 mg/m3, were observed between specific sampling locations and changes in several test parameters. Dust sampling results indicated that a flooded-bed scrubber and exhaust ventilation can be a viable dust-control system for extracting deep cuts up to 12.2 m (40 ft) in length. The impact on methane was not evaluated.

Jan 1, 1998

By Ted D. Maki, Joseph B. Taylor

INTRODUCTION FMC's Paradise Peak mine, located 13 Ian (8 miles) south of Gabbs, Nevada, became opera¬tional in April of 1986 (Figure 1). It was designed and built by Davy McKee, who was instrumental in equipment design and selection. It is the 7th largest gold deposit in the United States with defined reserves of 10.9 mt (12 million st) containing 34 million gms (1.1 million tr oz) of recoverable gold and 933 million gms (30 million tr oz) of recoverable silver. The mine extracts ore by the open-pit method, taking advantage of a 1.5:1 stripping ratio. The mill operates at a 3600 mt/day (4000 st/d) capacity. Crushing is done in three stages to achieve an ore size of minus 0.635 cm (0.25 inches). Grinding further reduces the ore to 85% minus 100 mesh. The ground ore is treated with cyanide in agitated leach tanks and then washed in the counter-current decantation (OCD) thickeners. Zinc is added to the clarified, deaerated pregnant solution to precipitate the precious metals. The precipitate is acid digested to eliminate excess zinc, filtered and retorted to drive off contained mercury. The retorted precipitate is then fluxed, melted and poured through cascade molds. Dore bars are cleaned for shipment and the slag is sent to an in-house slag treatment system. ELECTROSTATIC SEPARATION The dry electrostatic slag treatment system at Paradise Peak is the first installation of its kind. Electrostatic separation has been widely used in mineral processing since the early 1950's. A brief discussion of the theory behind the process is helpful to those not familiar to electrostatic separation. Charging and sepa¬rating slags, dry minerals or other materials by ion bombardment is the most common form of electrostatic separation. Millions of tonnes of minerals are processed each year by this method. In an ion bombardment separation, granular material is fed onto a grounded metal cylinder (or roll) and charged by a corona-producing electrode placed above the roll's surface (Figure 2). While both conductors and non¬conductors become charged, only the conductor is able to lose its charge. The charged non¬conductor, as it rests on the roll's surface, "sees" an oppositely charged image of itself in the metal surface. It is attracted to the image charge, becomes electrostatically pinned to, and moves with the roll's surface. The conductive particle also sees an image and is attracted to it. But upon touching the roll's surface, it discharges rapidly to the grounded surface and is thrown free from the roll's surface with a projectile motion. In the case of precious metal slags, the con¬ductive particles would be metallic prills of dore metal; and the nonconductive particles would be the slag, free of metal. Middling grains, generally, are in the form of a metallic prill encased in or incompletely liberated from slag. LABORATORY TESTING A number of precious metal slag samples have been tested in the laboratory. It has been found that the composition of slags vary widely from one refinery operation to another. Typical laboratory procedure is to crush and size the slag followed by two-stage lab-scale electro¬static separation. The conductor fractions from the first and second pass are then combined as a prill concentrate; middlings fraction and clean slag tailings from the second pass are held separate. Selected results from laboratory testing are shown in Table 1. It is important to note in Table 1 that the assays represent overall silver and gold, not metallic values. From experience, the laboratory results are typically lower in grade and recovery than the industrial installations. This is largely due to the hydroscopic nature of precious metal slags coupled with the high local humidity in Carpco's Jacksonville, Florida, location. Relative humidity in Jacksonville can range form 60-95%, while most mining locations in the

Jan 1, 1987

Successful longwall gate entry design requires control of vertical and horizontal stresses. Vertical, or overburden, stresses are most severe in the tailgate where they are concentrated by longwall panel extraction. Horizontal stresses can also be highly destructive but they are less well understood. This paper discusses measurements of in situ horizontal stress fields in the eastern United States, experience with horizontal stress in longwall mines and methods for predicting and controlling horizontal stresses. The information presented was collected through site investigations at 45 US longwalls and an international literature review.

Jan 1, 1992

By K. G. Sutterer, R. J. Sweigard, U. Graham, T. C. Hopkins

The prevalent use of coal combustion byproducts in engineering applications has been with Class C and Class F fly ash as admixtures in structural concrete. But, the use of fly ash and bottom ash byproducts from modern desulfurization processes is receiving increased attention. The University of Kentucky has been conducting research into civil- and mining-engineering applications of these products. The studies have included extensive investigation of the geomechanical behavior of the materials and the effect of mineralogy on this behavior. These studies indicate important mineralogical considerations in the selection of materials for a specific application and highlight the importance of quality control before and during usage on specific projects.

Jan 1, 1998

By A. Covelli, A. B. Cecala

Two recent US Bureau of Mines studies evaluated workers' dust exposures in automated pallet loading processes. The first study involved a Bureau designed dust control system using a push-pull ventilation technique. The unit was shown to reduce workers' dust exposures by 76% during pallet loading at a ground silica operation. A hydraulic lift table was used to automate the bag stacking process. This kept the loading height constant throughout the entire pallet loading cycle. The second study evaluated different commercial, automated-pallet loading systems. These systems automatically stack the bags onto pallets, shrink wrap the pallets, and deliver the pallets to a fork lift pickup location. Results from a ground silica evaluation site indicated respirable dust samples taken were below the Threshold Limit Value (TLV) as established by the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA).

Jan 1, 1992

By Neil Hepworth

Neves Corvo Mine employs four mining and four backfill methods, including paste fill. The paper shows how the strength requirement for backfill in primary stopes was calculated and the relationship between laboratory strength and in situ strength requirement. The liquefaction of paste in secondary stopes is discussed with methods to determine the liquefaction potential. It was found from laboratory tests and the preliminary results of the underground trial, that the liquefaction potential of the paste is low at 2% and is high at 0.5% cement. The results to date are inconclusive regarding 1% cement.

Jan 1, 2001

By K. N. Han

The kinetics of gold dissolution in iodide solutions with oxygen in an autoclave was investigated. The leaching process was described by a gas-liquid-solid heterogeneous reaction. The effects of stirring speed, temperature, oxygen partial pressure and lixiviant, concentrations on the overall leaching rate was investigated. It was found that the dissolution of gold could be represented by a heterogeneous chemical reaction. Under the conditions studied, the apparent activation energy ranged from 34.7 to 54.3 kJ/mol. Experimental findings were in good agreement with the kinetic model proposed.

Jan 1, 1998

By Raj K. Singhal

This paper is a report on a task force study dealing with many facets of computerization. The primary mandate of the task force was to examine the software and hardware currently available for application relating to reserve estimation, mine planning, economic evaluation, equipment selection, production scheduling and composite mine simulation and to evaluate how adequately the software fulfills the user needs in surface mining of oil sands and coal. To meet its objectives the task force consulted extensively with the users, developers and suppliers of hardware and software. The paper outlines the approach taken by the task force to fulfill its mandate, summarizes its findings and presents some pointers which might be useful to others considering this type of evaluation.

Jan 1, 1986