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By Leroy O. Gieseke, John B. Begley

If the particles produced and transported in your plant are as chunky as rough crushed coal or as fine as cement, there are probably several conveying and elevating systems suitable for your operation. The problem is deciding which is most suitable in terms of space, energy cost, allowable product degradation, productivity, and angle of movement. Each conveying and elevating method should be fit to the products it can handle successfully, to desirable economics, and to suitability for the overall operating scheme. Matching along these lines will result in selection guides that should be useful for many years, although design evolution is expected for the materials handling equipment involved. There are several common bulk material handling devices for moving solids: belt conveyors, screw conveyors, bucket elevators, chain conveyors, and en-masse conveyors/ elevators. En-masse conveyor/elevator equipment is commonly compared and contrasted with the other devices. These comparisons often involve en-masse versus all others. En-masse has developed into a versatile technique because the machines can move materials horizontally, vertically, or in closed circuit. Such machines unload, elevate, store, reclaim, and distribute materials-all without ancillary equipment except for chutes and gates. Bulk material can be carried, as with a belt conveyor or bucket elevator; pushed, as with a flight or screw conveyor; bumped, as with a vibrating conveyor; blown, as with a pneumatic conveyor; fluidized, as with a dense phase pneumatic conveyor; or by applying internal forces to it to induce "en-masse" flow. Conveying en-masse is analogous to the flow of a fluid in an open channel, and elevating en-masse is analogous to the flow of fluid in a pipe. In the case of a fluid, flow is caused by a differential in pressure. With en-masse movement, flow results from resistance to shear induced by the movement of chain and flights.

Jan 12, 1980

By C. F. Chung, F. P. Agterberg

"Prediction of a variable sulphur content in Cape Breton seams is important for planning the production of a highgrade metallurgical coal. Two extrapolation methods (Kriging and a version of Universal Kriging) to predict sulphur content in blocks of coal before mining are presented and applied to the New Lingan Mine reserves in the Harbour seam. The uncertainty of the predicted values is expressed by using standard deviations. Some statistical results for the Phalen seam, which occurs about 400 ft below the Harbour seam, are presented for comparison. The two mathematical models consist of two sets of equations which have been used in computer algorithms. Some limitations of the present approach and possibilities for further statistical work are indicated."

Jan 1, 1973

Commercialisation of outcomes from research projects is a process often poorly understood and managed, but has the potential to achieve significant benefits for the industry and community as a whole. JKTech Pty Ltd was established in 1986 to transfer viable research outcomes from the Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre (JKMRC) at The University of Queensland, Australia. This paper describes successful and unsuccessful examples of commercialisation by JKTech over the years, and draws some conclusions as to the factors that contribute to success and failure in technology transfer.

Jan 1, 2012

By H. M. Thorne

The Union of South Africa has been interested in oil shale for a long time, and deposits of oil shales, torbanites, and similar rocks have been found in many parts of the country. (Fig. 1.) Samples differ markedly in oil yield and in the characteristics of the oil. The strata vary in thickness, and most of the deposits that have been found are in unfavorable locations because of remoteness from markets or absence of transportation facilities. This report deals mainly with the torbanite deposit near Ermelo, Transvaal, in the Union of South Africa, and the operations of the South African Torbanite Mining and Refining Co., Ltd. (hereafter referred to as Satmar), in mining the torbanite, retorting it, and refining the crude oil.

Jan 1, 1954

By Staff

A major emphasis of the U.S. Bureau of Mines is to perform research on the prevention of fatal accidents at mining operations. The leading cause of fatalities in the underground coal mining industry is groundfalls. This proceedings volume presents several new developments that are helping to prevent fatalities and reduce injuries by groundfalls. The papers focus on the problem from two different perspectives. About half of the papers present information and techniques that can be used to train and motivate miners to protect themselves from groundfalls. The other papers explain how to identify and respond to various geologic conditions that affect the stability of the mine roof. Of the 95 groundfall fatalities that occurred during 1986-90, 75% took place in Kentucky, West Virginia, and Virginia. The rate of groundfall fatalities was much higher at small mines. During 1986-90, the rate of groundfall fatalities at mines employing fewer than 20 people was 4.3 times higher than the rate for larger mines. Because so many groundfall fatalities are occurring at relatively small mines in the southern Appalachian coalfields, many of the papers focus specifically on the needs of this category of mine operations.

Jan 1, 1992

By Alan Dahlstrand

The Jamestown Mine is a 6.3-kt/d (7000-stpd) open-pit gold mining operation located in the central portion of California's historic Mother Lode district. Most early production from the Jamestown area occurred in underground operations from 1906 through 1916. Pit production began at Jamestown in early 1987 and continued until July 1994. Although additional mineral resources existed, they were deemed to be uneconomic. About 23.3 t (750,000 oz) of gold were produced from pit operations, compared to 31 t (100,000 oz) from early underground mining. Recent operations at Jamestown included two open pits, a flotation mill and a flotation tailings facility. Flotation concentrates were produced in Jamestown and shipped to Yerington, NV for cyanide leaching in a carbon-in-pulp (CIP) circuit.

Jan 1, 1995

Thank you for your introduction and the opportunity to speak at such an important forum. I feel honoured to be the Tas McKee speaker for this yearÆs conference. I can honestly say that Tas McKee typified the spirit that has ensured the survival of the mining industry despite the modern-day challenges that we encounter. He was one of the most influential people in the New Zealand minerals industry. In 1938, with his father and brother, Tas established Lime & Marble Limited. Over its history, this company evolved from its original base of marble mining to diversify into gold mining and exploration for other industrial minerals, uranium, precious and base metals. He was truly a pioneer that persevered against the odds.   That leads me to the subject of my discussion today. I am going to delve into todayÆs challenges as they apply to gold companies. While we gold miners should be generating record returns, the gold industry shareholder return performance in this buoyant market has barely equalled that of the gold price. It is a dilemma but one that can be resolved with the right strategy.

Jan 1, 2006

Management of Mining Wastes in European Union and Developments in Turkey

Sep 13, 2010

By M. Mahan, D. D. Blue, O. C. Garst, F. Fraas, L. Fink

"Early in World War II it became apparent that the known bauxite re- serves might not be adequate to supply the demands of the American aluminum-producing industry, as the transportation of bauxite from abroad to this country might easily be interfered with by hostile action. Consequently, the Bureau of Mines set up an intensive, well-integrated program for the production of cell-grade alumina from low-grade domestic ores. This pro-gram of investigation covered the production of alumina from clay, alumite, red mud, and other low- and marginal-grade ores. In line with the Bureau's usual policy of conservation of natural resources, it was decided that the investigation should be extended to cover the production of alumina and other valuable byproducts from aluminum dross.Statistical information showed that during the year 1943-44, an average of 2,900 tons of aluminum dross was generated monthly. This dross, after partial removal of free metal, had an average metallic aluminum content of approximately 9 percent. Some of this dross was produced by the melting of alloyed aluminum; but a large proportion 1,700 out of 2,900 tons - was generated by two producers of primary aluminum, and the dross did not contain an great proportion of alloying metals. Compared with dross from other sources, this 60 percent of the country's capacity can be assumed to have relatively uniform composition. Moreovcr, the problem of collection and distribution can be minimized because of the relatively small number of plants included in the organization of these two producers of virgin metal.Except for large pieces of metallic aluminum that easily can be mechanically separated for remelting, this dross has been discarded and scrapped. Inasmuch as chemical analyses show that the alumina content of dross is far higher-than ordinary ores - 111 percent alumina equivalent in dross compared to 57 percent alumina in bauxite - aluminum dross is a far richer source of aluminum than any known naturally occurring ores. The discard, of this waste material during the war and reconversion periods would be unsound economically. The work reported herein describes tests at the College Park Station of the Bureau of Mines on the recovery of metal, alumina, ammonia, methane, and abrasive-grade corundum from dross."

May 1, 1946

Iron Concentrate Synthesised from Waste Ferrous Sulfate Produced in Titanium White Preparation

Sep 13, 2010

By Reed. Donald F.

"Deposits of gray hematite occur in two districts in Talladega County, Ala., the Emauhee-Tallasochatchee and Weewoka, both in the vicinity of Winterboro, 50 miles east of Birmingham.The deposits were investigated by the Bureau of Mines in 1943 and 1944. Approximately 13,000 feet of diamond drilling was done and 6,000 linear feet of trenches excavated and sampled.A total of 13,000,000 tons of ore averaging 36 percent iron was indicated in all areas.A detailed discussion of each property investigated, drill logs, and sampling results are given in this report.In the work done in the Talladega County iron investigation, special acknowledgement is due to Paul M. Tyler, formerly regional engineer, Eastern Region, and Richard W. Smith, formerly district engineer, for aid and direction of the project; also to J. B. Clemmor, metallurgist, for diligent research work in the Southern Experiment station laboratory. All were members of the Bureau of Mines Staff.The project was conducted in cooperation with the Federal Geological Survey, whose field work was in charge of T.G. Andrews assisted by Brewster Baldwin. The able and valuable assistance of Andrews and Baldwin aided greatly in accomplishing the project.The areas investigated by the Bureau of Mines were in two districts: The Emauhee-Tallaseehatchee district, between Sylacauga and Sycamoer (marked B on fig. 1) and the Weeworka district, between Winterboro and Sycamore (marked A on fig. 1)."

Mar 1, 1949

By R. M. Whyte

The complexities that exist in the nature of the basic feedstock to the metallurgical process call for a high degree of ingenuity from the extractive metallurgist in seeking the best possible treatment method for a particular ore. Drawing from personal experience the author presents four case studies that demonstrate the value of creative thinking in addressing the challenges typically encountered by the extraction metallurgist. It is concluded that creative expression most often occurs in response to a perceived strong need within an organization. By deliberately laying down meaningful challenges management can stimulate innovative thinking and achieve extraordinary results.

Jan 1, 2009

By Steven J. Page

Researchers have developed a model to describe airborne respirable dust (ARD) generation on surface coal mine drills. By measuring a few basic parameters and using a graph, a drill operator or engi­neer can estimate the relative severity of drill dust emissions as well as how much of a reduction in ARD can be obtained by changing any given parameter. Geometric parameters include: drill deck cross-sectional area, shroud leakage associated with the deck shroud as well as the operational parameters of bailing air­flow, and dust collector airflow. The rela­tionships yield predictive ARD values which fall in the range measured on oper­ating drills for collector/bailing air flow ratios greater than 2. Overexposure to airborne respirable crystalline silica dust can cause serious or fatal respiratory disease. Exposures of sur­face coal mine rock drillers to respirable crystalline silica are of particular concern. In a 1992 alert on silicosis in rock drillers, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) reported on 23 cases of advanced silicosis (acute, acceler­ated, and chronic) ranging in ages from 25 to 60 with drilling tenures ranging between three and 20 years.1 Most of the cases involved drill operators in their 30?s and 40?s, indicating high silica exposure levels are associated with their occupation. A more recent lung x-ray surveillance study of a 664 volunteer population of surface coal miners showed that the prevalence of silicosis-like abnormalities was 9%.2 The two most significant factors associated with these abnormalities were increasing age and years of drilling experience.

Jan 1, 2008

By Clark P. Mangelsdorf

The report consists of two parts. In Part I is a state-of the-act study of roof truss technology as of January 1979. Included are a history of the truss concept, a review of analysis techniques, a record of hardware available and equipment used in its installation and numerous examples of user experience. Part II is concerned with a study of the role of friction in the behavior of a roof truss. The appendices include laboratory tests by the author.

Jan 1, 1979

By R. P. Proulx

The Meikle Mine is a high grade, underground goldmine utilizing primary-secondary longhole open stoping with delayed backfill to produce 2700 tpd(3000 stpd) of ore. Hot and reactive ground conditions were encountered early on in the mine life. Ground temperatures up to 166°C (330°F) were measured. In the early stages of mining, the mine experienced premature detonations using different explosive products. The learning curve to safely mine this high-grade gold deposit in hot and severely reactive ground was indeed very steep. Currently, the Meikle Mine uses a special buffered bulk emulsion in all blasts to address hot and reactive ground concerns. In addition, exacting procedures are also followed to ensure safe work with explosives. The combination of new explosives technology and strict loading procedures permits high mine productivity with the highest degree of safety.

Jan 1, 2000

Coal research and related activities in 1964 by the Bureau of Mines resulted in many advances in the production, preparation, and utilization of this valuable natural resource. Mining research during the year was marked by work on hydraulic mining, coalbed degasification, mine drainage control, mine sealing, strip-mine rehabilitation, and quenching of mine-refuse fires. Bureau research continued to produce information leading to increased safety in underground mining. Such research included roof and rib control via bolting and bonding, pressure monitoring of coal and mine rock during mining operations, and development of safety devices for detecting conditions leading to roof falls. Other safety work was continued on methane detectors, coal-dust suppression, and mine ventilation equipment and techniques. Mine explosion and explosives research, mine equipment and materials, safety rule modernization, and safety education and training of mine workmen were continued. Coal storage and preparation work in 1964 ranged from freezeproofing of lignite for rail shipment, through washability studies of coals and washing equipment, to research on new ways to remove ash and sulfur from coal. Electric power production, which accounts for a major portion of the market for coal, received further study. Unique power generation systems, including coal-burning gas turbine and megnetohydrodynamic generators, were intensively investigated. Conventional power systems were improved through continuation of work on furnace performance, powerplant stack gas purification, and engineering and boiler water service.

Jan 1, 1965

By Paul Clark

Generation - Profile l 9,726 megawatts (MW) of capacity l 46,877 gigawatt hours (GWh) produced at an average plant availability of 88.4% l 47 facilities in four geographies: Canada; the U.S.; Mexico; and Australia l Fuel mix of coal (62%), gas (26%), hydro and renewables (12%) l 23.2 million tonnes of coal mined l 47.0 million gigajoules (GJ) of gas consumed

May 1, 2004

By A. L. Anderson, J. T. Rybock

KEECO has developed the Silica Micro Encapsulation (SME) technology for the treatment of acidic, metal-laden waters. Utilizing a silica-based chemical formulation that entails chemisorption and micro-encapsulation of heavy metals in a permanent silica matrix, encapsulated particles settle quickly and are effectively isolated from the surrounding environment, producing a stable sludge that is characteristically non-hazardous. In a number of independently-verified pilot and full-scale applications (including the Bunker Hill Mine, Leviathan Mine, Wheal Jane Mine, and Meldon Quarry), SME has been proven highly effective. The technology has been featured in a number of mining publications and selected for innovative technology awards.

Jan 1, 2000

By Toshiki Kabutomori

In fuel cell powered automobiles, hydrogen is required to be stored in materials that have a hydrogen storage density of over 4 mass%; further, these materials should be capable of supplying hydrogen by using the waste heat from a fuel cell, which is at a temperature of 373 K, in order to match the mileage of gasoline-powered vehicles. A Ti-Cr-V alloy, which exhibits a BCC structure and forms a solid solution, is a promising candidate for onboard hydrogen storage materials. Although it has a large hydrogen storage capacity of over 3.9 mass%, the rechargeable hydrogen capacity is limited to approximately 2.6 mass%. In this study, the effects of fine pulverization of the alloy on PCT (hydrogen pressure-composition-isotherm) characteristics were investigated in order to improve the rechargeable hydrogen storage capacity of the alloy. From the PCT measurements of the finely pulverized samples of the alloy, a plateau in the absorption curve was observed to begin at a hydrogen concentration of 0.5 mass%; further, a rechargeable hydrogen storage capacity of 3.3 mass% was obtained. This was greater than that obtained from the sample that was not finely pulverized, i.e., 2.5 mass%. However, the plateau width in the desorption curve was 2.5 mass%, which was the same as that observed for the sample that was not finely pulverized. The increase in the rechargeable hydrogen capacity during absorption is attributed to the precipitation of the -hydride phase (MH~2) directly from the metal phase (phase). The precipitation of the phase (MH~0.5), which should be formed in low hydrogen concentrations, is suppressed as a result of a possible reduction in the internal defects such as dislocations, vacancies, and grain boundaries by fine pulverization and annealing of the alloy.

Jan 1, 2006

The paper presents the development of an integrated computer aided design and planning of open cast mining, with the use of object-oriented modelling and geoinformation technologies, on the example of interaction of the subsystems on planning optimisation and freight traffics.

Dec 6, 2010