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By John W. Sweeney

Florida is blessed with some of the worlds greatest phosphate rock deposits, and doubly blessed in that those deposits are uraniferous. Until recently, the uranium con¬tained in phosphate rock had been ignored, but spot mar¬ket prices in the $40-per-pound range have spurred actions which will soon transform the state into a major uranium supplier. In 1978, two plants in Florida and one in Louisiana went it on- stream to recover uranium oxide from phosphoric acid, and construction began on three other extraction facilities. Together, these six plants will be cap¬able of recovering 1940 t/y (2140 stpy) of yellow cake from Florida phosphate in the early 1980s, equivalent to 15% of the projected US requirement. By the year 2000, Florida phosphates will have produced a projected 49 000 tons (54,000 st) of uranium oxide to fuel the nation's nuclear reactors.

Jan 9, 1979

By David A. Summers, Clark R. Barker, Marian Mazurkiewicz

In May 1975 the U.S. Bureau of Mines contracted with the University of Missouri-Rolla, Rock Mechanics and Explosives Research Center to develop a Hydrominer modification to a longwall shearer unit, wherein the rotating pick-laced drums and connecting gear drives are replaced by a water jet cutting ahead.1 The concept of the water jet cutting head is based on using the high localized energy of the water jets to isolate a slice of coal by cutting a slot under, at the back of, and at the top of the web. The plow blade of the head then advances into the cut and wedges the coal cantilever over onto the conveyor (Fig. 1).

Jan 4, 1978

By H. A. Bauman, T. S. Spicer, C. C. Wright

Experimental data are presented showing the influence of size consist and firing rate upon the performance of bituminous coal-fired, single-retort, industrial underfeed stokers. Size segregation, degradation, and distributor data are also included. The conclusion is reached that size consist of the fuel as fired, is a critical factor in its performance on this class of equipment.

Jan 2, 1950

By J. A. Corbyn

An analysts of mining investment from the point of view of financial optimization is presented. The method uses differential equations to describe financial performance rather than the more usual method of modeling mine accounts from year to year. The analysis shows there is a optimum mine life that can be easily determined if certain simplifications are made. Tables are given to facilitate computation of the optimum life.

Jan 1, 1985

By L. M. Kaas

Maintenance costs comprise a large portion of total operating cost, 30% to 60% of the operating cost dollar not being unusual. Thus even a relatively small percentage reduction in this cost would represent a sizable increase to mining profitability. Mine and mill maintenance management is a complex problem. An effective maintenance manager must study the experiences of the past and make decisions based on that experience. Data Processing equipment-more specifically, the computer-can be an effective and economical tool to simplify the job of maintenance record-keeping and to aid in the formulation of many accurate and timely management reports. These reports will enable improved control to be established over day-to-day practices; permit comparisons of unit and component performance; spotlight inefficient maintenance practices; and further, better, more efficient cost control. The net result can be increased profits through reduction of operating costs.

Jan 12, 1967

By W. C. Peters

Geologists take the role of mine geologist when they apply their science to the design and operation of a specific minerals project. In doing so, they use the entire spectrum of procedures in economic geology and engineering geology to deal with a specific system of orebodies and associated environment. The objectives are established by stages in the life cycle of a mining operation as it goes from a prospect to a development project and on to a mine. This paper summarizes the elements of a mining geologist's role, with examples highlighted from the preceding papers.

Jan 1, 1984

By D. W. Kestner

Recent developments and trends in the state of the art as being commercially applied to the pelletizing and sintering of metallic ores, concentrates and reverts will be reviewed. Both ferrous and non-ferrous materials will be covered. The influence of environmental considerations on the decision to build, the process selection, and design of the plants will be discussed. Use of coal in iron ore pellet induration will also be reviewed as the availability and price structure of oil and gas becomes a consideration to the plant operators.

Jan 1, 1980

By Tennyson Smith

Jan 1, 1962

By P. Somasundaran, Yee-Ho Wang

Carrier flotation of anatase impurities from clay using oleate is compared in this study with conventional flotation. The role of relevant parameters such as carrier size, carrier amount, dissolved calcium and carbonate, conditioning speed, pH, time and temperature and collector concentration is investigated in order to elucidate the mechanisms involved in carrier flotation. Addition of coarse calcite particles is found to contribute towards the enhanced separation of anatase from clay mainly due to aggregation of anatase fines with calcite and the subsequent flotation of the aggregates.

Jan 1, 1980

By F. M. Hamilton, R. G. Fleck

As the result of extensive small laboratory experiments, the metallurgical results of sintering iron ore from the Benson mines at Star Lake, N. Y. were clearly defined. But the practical operation had not been proved; so, the sintering strand, which went into operation at the mines in 1952, was designed to minimize the risk involved. It was built by the Dwight-Lloyd Div. of McDowell Co. Inc.

Sep 1, 1956

By D. F. Toner

THE decomposition of the ß phase in the copper-aluminum system has recently been subjected to considerable investigation1-4 As a result of this work, principally by Haynes, much additional interest has been aroused concerning the various transitional or metastable phases in the Cu-A1 system. No attempt has been made to resolve the question of whether the PI and ß" phases of Klier and Grymko5 are the same as the rosette-shaped phase first observed by Smith and Lindlief6 in 1933 during an isothermal transformation study of an eutectoid alloy. It is the purpose of this study, however, to obtain

Jan 1, 1960

By K. H. Nimerick, G. P. Laflin

Laboratory data and field tests indicate that substantial losses of valuable coal can be caused by wind erosion. Wind tunnel tests show the effects of wind velocity and particle sizing on the amount of coal lost while in transit. Different coals were evaluated to determine the variables associated with wind erosion. The erosion losses can be substantially reduced by using a binder, or crusting agent, to consolidate the surfaces of the coal into a solid mass which resists erosion. This not only reduces economic loss but minimizes polllution.

Jan 1, 1980

No early records of coal in Iowa have been found, although it is very probable that coal along the Mississippi, in the northeastern corner of the state, was seen very early. The United States Census of 1840 showed a production of 400 tons, mined of course in 1839, and the earliest mining, was in Jefferson and Fairfield Counties where the coal was hauled by wagons to shops in the Mississippi River towns years before any railroad was built in the state. In 1840 mines were opened in Van Buren County, near Farmington and Douds, and in Scott County, near Jamestown, all of the product being used locally.' In 1844 D. D. Owen reported seeing mines in the tongue of land between the Rock and Mississippi Rivers, in one of them the coal being 5 to 6 ft. thick, and several other seams south of this locality? In the, late forties a number of small mines were opened in various parts of the state, and in following years in practically every county having coal. The Mystic seam was first opened in 1857 in Appanoose County, since then consistently one of the large producing areas in the state. Consumption was local until the Milwaukee Railroad was built through the county in 1887.1

Jan 1, 1942

By James S. Browning

The Mineral Resources Institute and State Mine Experiment Station of the University of Alabama conducted Humphreys spiral tests on fine coal waste from nine preparation plants of Alabama strip mining operations to determine the feasibility of recovering low ash and sulfur fuel meeting steam coal specifications. The ash in the samples ranged from 9 - 5l%, and the total sulfur ranged from 0.4J- 2.39%. Continuous laboratory tests using a Humphreys spiral gave good recovery of the coal with excellent rejection of the ash and pyritic sulfur. Coal recoveries of 83.6 - 94.1% were achieved from the different samples. Ash content of the clean coal products fell within a range of 5 - 12.2%, with a total sulfur content of 0.62 and 1.10%. In quality, the products were comparable or superior to those now being shipped from the preparation plants.

Jan 1, 1980

By Don Hendricks, Alan Dahlstrand

Introduction The subjects discussed in this chapter deal with production planning, or more specifically, how the results of production planning may relate back to long-range planning and final pit design. The items discussed here are operating slopes, geometry, bench height, ore and waste faces, relationship to equipment selection, and computer methods. Many different ideas can be presented on these subjects, but this material is a recap of mining experience in the Butte ore body.

Jan 1, 1979

By W. C. Meyer, R. R. Klimpel

A physical model of flotation, derived from viewing froth as a kinetic species since it constitutes the carrier of ore particles, not only agrees with and is simulated by engineering mathematical models, but is statistically verified by actual laboratory flotation data. The model couples the mechanical removal of froth using paddles with the more rapid interactions taking place in the bath. It clearly shows that the kinetics of mass removal is dictated by flotation cell dimensions, paddle speed, and, more importantly, froth characteristics. Some conclusions and model predictions are presented.

Jan 1, 1984

By W. W. Simpson, W. L. Staker, R. G. Sandberg

The Bureau of Mines investigated selective extraction of Au and Ag from a low-grade Au ore containing Hg. Gold and silver were extracted from the ore in cyanide slurries, and Hg extraction was suppressed with sodium or calcium sulfide. Maximum Au extraction and minimum Hg extraction were obtained using solutions containing 17 kg NaCN/t of solution (0.34 lb NaCN/st). Increasing the cyanide concentration increased Hg extraction without increasing Au extraction. Mercury extraction from the ore was suppressed with 0.5-2.9 kg CaS/kg Hg (0.5-2.9 lb/lb) in the ore. Gold-to-mercury ratios of 100:1 to 400:1 were obtained in the leach solution, and on the activated carbon in a CIP circuit.

Jan 1, 1985

Both drilling and production in Rumania showed increases in 1934 over 1933. The drilling totaled 1,138,000 ft. and production 63,500,-000 bbl., being increases of 50 and 15 per cent, respectively. During the year production gradually increased from 155,000 bbl. per day in January to 180,000 bbl. in September, and then declined slightly to the end of the year. The increases were largely due to competitive drilling in the Gura Ocnitei field (including west extension to Viforata). Wells completed during the year totaled 238, of which 215 were oil producers. The outstanding development of the year was the discovery by Steaua Romana of what appears to be a major field at Bucsani. Other important discoveries were a three-mile west extension of the Gura Ocnitei fault to Viforata and a five-mile east extension of the Moreni field to Calinesti. Strictly speaking, the latter cannot as yet be called an extension. Oil sands have been corded in the Meotic, and in all probability production will be established in 1935. The Calinesti discovery greatly restricts the unproved area between Moreni and Baicoi, and the probabilities of

Jan 1, 1935

By Donald K. Weaver

Eight different oil zones have been identified and produced at Santa Fe Springs, of which three or four are in turn divided into two or three parts. These zones, from top to bottom, are the Foix, Bell, Meyer, Nordstrom, Buckbee, O'Connell, Clark and Hathaway, or third Clark. While there has been some difference of opinion over this nomenclature with reference to the different zones referred to as Clark, it has no particular bearing on the water problems. Each of these oil zones has had waters of varying salinity associated with it, either within or at the bottom of the zone. Table 1 is a tabulation of the zones, their maximum thicknesses, salinity and heads of various waters. Surface waters are fresh, and of high head, giving artesian flow in some instances.

Jan 1, 1931

By Octavio G. Echavarria

HISTORY The Santander Mine is located on the western flank of the Central Andes of Peru, about 100 miles northeast of Lima, at an elevation of 15,000 ft. This complex sulphide orebody, whose predominant minerals are sphalerite and marmatite with recoverable amounts of galena and chalcopyrite, was discovered around 1920. In 1956 Compania Minerales Santander, a subsidiary of St. Joe Minerals Corp. acquired the property. Construction of the camps, concentrator and power facilities started in 1957. The mine, at first an open pit operation, and mill began production in January 1959. The initial capacity of the mill was around 120,000 short tons per year (stpy). Production has increased steadily to about 312,000 stpy at present. Production statistics are shown in Table 1. [ ]

Jan 1, 1970