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By Theodore H. Budd, Austin M. Cooney

The North Shore 9 Collector System comprised an integral part of the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewer District's Water Pollution Abatement Program. The project required the construction of 1,490 m of tunnel, ranging from 1.5 m to 4.6 m in diameter along three separate alignments beneath arterial streets traversing Milwaukee's central business and cultural districts. This paper details the various aspects of the tunnel drives which were accomplished using two Lovat EPB type TBMs in conjunction with pipe-jacking procedures. Shaft configurations developed for the project, including ancillary subsidence mitigation components and portal pressurization facilities are discussed. Anomalies in observed soil behavior at variance with the parameters delineated in the project's geotechnical report are addressed.

Jan 1, 1993

By T. Y. Yan

An effective elution technique has been developed for recovering uranium from ion exchange resins loaded in the carbonate leaching process. The procedure employs direct elution with acid. In comparison with conventional base elution, the procedure yields eluate of higher uranium concentration, results in a more complete elution, keeps the performance of the ion exchange resin at the fresh stage, reduces acid consumption, eliminates carbonate consumption and reduces waste for disposal. The technique has been successfully demonstrated in the field and patented. It lends itself to commercialization.

Jan 1, 1988

By E. Neumann

With fuel costs unstable but escalating, solid fuels are playing an increasingly larger part in industrial concerns. Coal, petroleum coke and wood are examined from a burner system design viewpoint and from operational experience in kilns, hot gas generators, etc. The burner of today must also handle multi-fuel tasks and allow immediate, painless switching from one fuel to the next as well as the simultaneous burning of two or mope fuels. The paper discusses the principle of burning alternate pulverized fuels as well as the practice both in the United States and around the world.

Jan 1, 1983

By Jue Kou, Hongda Xu, Tichang Sun, Shichao Wu, Wenli Han

To investigate the effect of simultaneous change in particle size of raw materials (including ore, reductant, and dephosphorization agent) on the direct reduction process of high-phosphorus oolitic hematite, the experimental research of method with direct reduction and magnetic separation was conducted to investigate the effect of simultaneous change in particle size of raw materials on the final reduction products in the form of mineral composition, reduction speed, metallic iron particle morphology, phosphorus distribution, and powdery reduction iron. The results revealed that under the same conditions of reduction temperature, the raw material particle size affects the mineral composition of the final reduction product, the coarser the raw material particle size, the slower the reduction speed, the lower the metallization rate, and the larger the final metallic iron particle size formed. Under the same conditions of raw material particle size, the reduction temperature affects the mineral composition of the final reduction product, the higher the reduction temperature, the faster the reduction speed, the higher the metallization rate, and the larger the size of metallic iron particles within a certain reduction time. Neither the raw material particle size nor reduction temperature affects the form of phosphorus present in the reduction product. Both the raw material particle size and reduction temperature affect the grade of powdery reduction iron to a less extent, but affect the recovery rate and phosphorus content significantly. At the same reduction temperature, the recovery of powdery reduction iron and phosphorus content gradually decreases with the increase in raw material particle size. For the same raw material particle size, the recovery of powdery reduction iron gradually increases, and the phosphorus content gradually decreases with the increase in the reduction temperature. The results identified the effect of simultaneous changes in particle size of raw materials on the direct reduction process of high-phosphorus oolitic hematite and provide a basis for the selection of raw material particle size for the industrial application.

Dec 20, 2022

By Y. Pan, V. V. S. Vytla, P. Tukkaraja, R. BHARGAVA, S. Jayaraman Sridharan

Panel caving is an underground bulk mining method that utilizes gravitational force for mining massive, steeply dipping, and deep-seated ore deposits at a lower operating cost. To control dust and gas emissions entering the production level during the extraction of ore from the draw points in a panel cave, relatively negative pressure is created in the cave by installing an exhaust fan in the exhaust drift located on top of the cave. Since caving is a dynamic process, the design of an effective ventilation system is a challenging task, and therefore, estimation of airflow resistance offered by the broken rock inside the cave is critical. The complex and dynamic nature of caving also makes it difficult to predict the airflow resistance by using traditional approaches. This study investigates the effect of changes in the bulk porosity of the broken rock on the cave airflow resistance using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) approach. The results show an inverse relationship between the cave airflow resistance and the bulk cave porosity. The pressure-quantity characteristic curves presented in this paper provide valuable information for sizing and operating an exhaust fan used for a mature panel cave ventilation.

May 17, 2022

By Robert Turner

Gold and silver processing techniques are some of the oldest in the mining industry. Gold mining of high grade veins and deposits has existed for centuries. However, only with the higher gold prices in recent years and heap leaching techniques have the low grade gold and silver deposits become feasible to mine and process economically. By mining and hauling 3,600,000 tons of ore per year at an average grade of 0.03 ounces/ton gold and 0.385 ounces/ton silver, the Zortman- Landusky operations became profitable in 1982. To maintain profitably, a stripping ratio of less than one ton of waste to one ton of ore, and mine run ore placed on the leach pads which will yield approximately seventy percent go1 d recovery.

Jan 1, 1984

By A. K. Bakshi

Slurry rheology affects autogenous grinding performance by changing the rock's breakage characteristics. In this study pilot scale batch autogenous grinding was carried out to observe the effect of viscosity on the breakage characteristics of the rocks (the media), and on the overall specific energy consumption. Clay/fines content, and temperature of the initial charge, were varied to alter the viscosity of the slurry. Results showed that at higher slurry viscosity, rocks became more difficult to break, resulting in an overall increase in the specific energy consumption of the mill. Also, it was observed that viscosity had a significant effect on the amount of critical size material present in the grinding circuit, where the critical size material is the material which is too large to be effectively ground in the mill, and too fine to act as grinding media.

Jan 1, 1996

By B. R. Arvidson

Sharper separation and improved control of the top size increases the fine particle product yield. As the milling circuit recycle stream is reduced, the overall capacity is increased. In some cases, a doubling of throughput is realized, although 25 to 30% increase is more typical. Alternatively, the energy demand may be reduced, although the best economic improvement results from higher capacity. A comparison with a high-pressure roller mill circuit shows that an optimized ball mill circuit retrofitted with the new air classifier has lower energy consumption. The new air classifier features low energy demand and substantially lower maintenance compared to similar equipment. Design and operation of this recently patented classifier are discussed. Several industrial installations will be described.

Jan 1, 1999

By T. V. Ramey

Heap leaching in certain parts of the world, such as Chile's Atacama Desert, brings unique design problems in the form of possible large differential settlements of the foundation soils due to the dissolution of salts in northern Chile the soils often contain very high concentrations of soluble salts (nitrates, potassium, magnesium, and common sodium). When a leak in the liner occurs, the escaping solution dissolves these salts and triggers differential settlement. If the settlement is great enough, the geo-membrane tears, the leakage increases, triggering more differential settlement. The nitrate plants have experienced many occurrences of this phenomenon where a brine pond will undergo a sudden and complete loss of the impounded liquors. The authors present a simplified technique to quantify the differential settlement resulting from dissolution and provide a method which can be used to select a geo-membrane with suitable flexibility under axi-symmetric (multi-axial) load conditions to tolerate the predicted settlement. (This paper was previously published for Randol Gold Forum 1996 [Ref. 6]).

Jan 1, 1997

By M. Sinirkaya

The dissolution process of phosphate rock from the Semikan area (Mardin-Mazidagi, Turkey) using dilute phosphoric acid has been investigated. The work involved studying the effect of important variables, such as reaction time, stirring speed, particle size fraction, phosphoric acid concentration and temperature. Van der Sluis et al.?s model was used to determine the rate of the partial dissolution of phosphate ore. Mass-transfer coefficients (kL) varied between 2.8 and 28.5.10-3 m.s-1. The activation energy of the process varied between 16 and 20 kJ.mol-1. It has been found that the dissolution process is controlled by calcium ion diffusion, rather than by chemical reaction.

Jan 1, 2010

By Andrew R. Thomas

As the demand for most industrial minerals on the world market continues to climb, educational institutions maintain traditional policy in emphasizing chiefly metallic ore deposits and energy resources in addition to the general disciplines. In spite of their increasing importance, few universities exhibit great depth with respect to industrial minerals courses due to the shortage of specialized faculty in a category this broad. As new ideas are formulated and technological advances are developed in the field of industrial minerals, the classroom still exists as a student's primary source of information. This opportunity to give today's students the benefit of modern developements has not been utilized to its utmost potential.

Jan 1, 1981

By Angelus S. C. Owili-Eger

Although the foundation of a unified treatment of fluid flow in variably saturated porous media was established more than seventy years ago, no serious attempt was made to develop it until the early 1970's. Ever since, a number of unsaturated-saturated numerical models have been reported in the literature. However, none of these models have treated multidimensional, multiphase flow in deforming media, parts of which may undergo extensive secondary fracturing. A situation such as this is not uncommon in coal mining operations in which the longwall method of extraction is employed. The present model has been structured to handle such physical systems. This paper presents the mathematical formulation, the numerical algorithm, and a further validation and evaluation of the modified model. The model treats a multiphase flow in a three- dimensional regime and handles mining excavations of complex and changing configurations.

Jan 1, 1980

By Vijenac Quarry, A. Iljazagic, t. Knezicek, T. Omeragic

Limestone quarry Vijenac, is one of the key limestone producers in B&H. Conventional massive drilling and blasting is the technique applied for limestone exploitation. Utilized blasting scheme causes appearance of large oversize stone pieces, uncontrolled flying stone and undesirable seismic effects. In order to reduce or eliminate exposed disadvantages and to improve environment in the area of Vijenac quarry, an innovative blasting scheme was tested. Conventional blasting scheme was changed from single row, deep inclined blast holes combined with two lines short horizontal holes to multi row, inclined blast holes combined with a single line short horizontal blastholes. Applied innovative blasting scheme reduces negative blasting impact on the environment through safer working conditions, reduced amount of dust after blasting, reduced explosive and energy consumption, reduced appearance of explosive gasses and reduced earth and air vibrations as the result of seismic effects.

Jan 1, 2005

By M. Karmis

The determination of the surface area which may be impacted by underground mining is an important consideration in subsidence engineering. A number of parameters have been utilized to identify this influence area, most notably the angles of draw and break. This paper discusses the implications of selecting an appropriate "damage angle" for defining a potential damage area due to mining, within which surface structures may be impacted Furthermore, the influence of both mining and geological factors, such as mining width and depth and overburden lithology, on this angle is examined, using the Surface Deformation Prediction System (S.D.P.S) software. Finally, recommendations are given for applying these concepts in subsidence control.

Jan 1, 1994

By T. McWaters

Miami Copper Company began a block-caving operation in 1911 using a gravity mill to separate copper minerals from the Pinal Schist host rock. The tailing was deposited by the upstream method using perimeter launders and spigot valves in six canyons adjacent to the mill until 1932. In 1928 the larger and more distant Solitude tailing pile was developed which by 1932 was receiving all tailing except for upsets. In 1925 Miami Copper converted its gravity mill to flotation which began to produce higher sulfide copper recoveries.

Jan 1, 1990

By A. K. Sheik

A small underground mine in northern Idaho was used as an experimental facility for studying the role of water in the analysis of mine opening stability. Laboratory test data, borehole measurements and geological mapping assisted in constructing a coupled finite element model of the rock mass. The model was used to make quantitative estimates of: 1) rock stress, strain and displacement changes, and 2) water pressure and flow velocity changes that occurred during historical mining. Stope cuts and wet fills were included in the analysis. Stability of crown pillars between stopes was of particular interest. The relatively low effective stress and high rock mass strength showed that water pressure changes were of no great consequence in agreement with experience. The computational tools used in the analysis may be applied to other wet mines with appropriate changes to site-specific input data.

Jan 1, 1999

By F. D. Mendes, A. H. Martins

The high copper grade in the Igarapé Bahia (Brazil) gold-copper ore restricts the direct application of the classical cyanidation process. Copper oxide and sulfide minerals react with cyanides in solution, causing high leach-reagent consumption, raising processing costs and decreasing gold recovery. According to studies, a feasible solution would be to pretreat the ore to remove copper minerals prior to cyanidation. The goal of this experimental work was to study the conditions for the removal of copper from the Igarapé Bahia gold-copper ore by sulfuric acid leaching, applying a statistical approach to the experimental design. By using the Plackett Burman method, it was possible to select the variables that exhibited the largest influence on copper extraction at the sulfuric acid leaching stage. These variables were leach solution temperature, stirring speed, sulfuric acid concentration in the leach solution and ore particle size. The individual effect of these variables and their interaction influences on the experimental response were analyzed by applying the replicated full-factorial design method. Finally, the selected variables were optimized by the ascending-path statistical method, which determined the best leach experimental conditions for maximum copper extraction. The optimized leaching conditions resulted in a copper extraction of 75.5%. Keywords: Copper, Gold, Extraction, Sulfuric leaching, Optimization

Jan 1, 2003

By William J. Shampine

The Floridan aquifer, which underlies all of Florida, yields water with a sulfate content of less than 50 parts per million in the north-western part and throughout most of the center of the State. In the southern part of Florida and along the most of the east coast, the sulfate concentration generally exceeds 100 parts per million and is as much as 1,700 parts per million. The sulfate concentration tends to be higher in the deeper zones of the aquifer. This map shows the sulfate concentration in the upper part of the aquifer. Sulfate is found in almost all natural water. Sulfate in rainwater is dissolved from impurities and gases in the atmosphere. Rankama and Sahama (1955, p. 314) report that the average sulfate content of rainwater is two parts per million; however, concentrations have been as high as 283 parts per million. Much of the sulfate in rainwater comes from hydrogen sulfide gas which is generated in shallow water on the continental shelves. The combustion of bituminous coal used for heating and industrial purposes seems to be an important local source of sulfate.

Jan 1, 1966

By Adrian Molinari

A radioisotope probe (Minexan 202) capable of simultaneously analyzing a mineral slurry for five elements and pulp density has been developed by Outokumpu Oy, Finland. The probe is designed to operate immersed directly in a process stream, or it can be equipped with a flow cell through which passes a continuous sample of the main stream. A minicomputer (PDPII) is used to control the probes and calculate the assay data. This paper describes the probe as applied to slurry analysis and compares it to the conventional x-ray on-stream analyzer (Courier 300).

Jan 1, 1977

Factors which cause thiourea consumption in gold-leaching systems include adsorption by gangue mineral particles, complexation with base metal ions, thermal degradation, and oxidation by air/ferric iron. Of these factors oxidation by ferric iron is the most significant factor. Of course, ferric sulfate is desired as an oxidant for the gold leaching reaction, but an excess of ferric sulfate leads to high thiourea consumption. In this regard, the rate of gold leaching by thiourea must be balanced against the rate of thiourea decomposition. It is important to note that the thiourea decomposition reaction in ferric sulfate solution is relatively slow in pure solutions and has been found to be first order with respect to both thiourea concentration and total ferric iron concentration. However, when mineral particles from gold-bearing ores or concentrates are present, the decomposition rate can become quite significant. As might be expected, the catalytic activity of mineral surfaces varies with particle composition and size. Experimental results are discussed with respect to the consumption of thiourea.

Jan 1, 1997