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By H. A. Kortmann

For the commercial production of iron ore pellets from hematite ores, as it is practiced in various pellet plants, the addition of lime has shown to be an efficient means with a view to improving cold compression and abrasive strength of the indurated pellets considerably. Unfortunately, it has also been shown at the same time, that the metallurgical properties as, for instance, swelling behavior, softening during reduction under load and disintegration of the grain, can be adversely affected to a high degree. In the course of smelting tests carried out by renowned steelworks, blast furnace operation was heavily disturbed by the swelling and early softening of the pellets, also by their disintegration in the low-temperature range, which altogether led to a considerable lowering of the smelting rate (1, 2, 3).

Jan 1, 1972

By Yotamu Stephen Rainford Hara

"The aim of our work is to investigate a low energy and clean route for the recovery of copper and cobalt from complex sulphide mineral concentrates. The mineral concentrates were roasted in air, in the presence of CaO (MS + CaO + 202 =MO+ CaS04) at temperatures below 973K. The roasted products containing CuO, CoO and Fe203 were carbothermically reduced at 1073K within an hour to preferentially reduce copper and cobalt. The kinetics of reactions were studied using the thermogravimetric technique and by characterisation ofreaction products using the XRDSEM-EDX techniques. The effects of MS:CaO ratio, roasting temperatures and physical nature of the mineral concentrates were analysed. The method for capturing S02 by forming CaS04 was analysed for reuse in the process. The energy balance for the above process is compared with that of conventional continuous smelting/converting process.1.0 IntroductionCopper sulphide mineral concentrates from Zambia contains substantial amouot of cobalt. The cobalt metal content in the concentrates ranges between 0.7 and 2 % weight, which corresponds to 3 and 9 % weight copper, based on the spot price of copper ($7 386/tone) and cobalt ($31 000/tone). Although the traditional approach using a combination of roasting-leaching-electrowining steps can be applied to recover copper and cobalt from sulphide mineral concentrates [1-4], there are two major draw backs of the traditional process: (i) the S02 emitted during roasting is too lean for economical conversion for sulphuric acid manufacture, which causes serious environmental pollution. (ii) silver and gold which are normally present in the sulphide concentrates are lost out [5] because they are not leachable by H2S04 or HCl which are the common leachants. The above two problems have been overcome by adopting flash smelting in which a rich S02 gas above 20% is produced [1, 5] and successfully converted into sulphuric acid. The precious metals tend to partition to blister copper and recovered during refming. However, nearly all cobalt is lost into the slag phase uoder oxidising condition which prevails during flash smelting. It is important to note that the cobalt content in the slag can be up to 2.6 % weight [6]. The recovery of cobalt from the slag is a process which requires huge amouot of energy since the slag is smelted above 1873K [6]. With a view of minimising the amouot of energy and S02 emission during metal recovery, our investigation involves roasting the sulphide concentrates in the presence of lime and reducing the roasted samples with carbon."

Jan 1, 2013

"U.S. Bureau of Mines Publications and Articles, 1994 with Subject and Author Index Compiled by Office of Public Information U.S. Bureau of Mines (USBM) Department of the InteriorINTRODUCTIONThe U.S. Bureau of Mines (USBM) was established in 1910 to conduct inquiries and scientific and technological investigations on mining and the preparation, treatment, and use of mineral substances; to promote health and safety in the mineral industries; to conserve material resources; to promote economic development; to increase efficiency in the mining, metallurgical, quarrying, and other mineral industries; and to inquire into the economic conditions affecting those industries. The organic act of the Bureau, as amended by Congress and approved February 25, 1913, made it the province and duty of the Bureau of Mines to ""disseminate information concerning these subjects in such manner as will best carry out the purpose of this Act.""In accordance with this directive, USBM reports the findings of its research and investigations in its own series of publications and also in articles that appear in scientific, technical, and trade journals; in proceedings of conventions and seminars; in reference books; and in other non-USBM publications. This edition describes reports and articles published during calendar year 1994. It supplements the 50-year list of Bureau publications issued from July 1, 1910, to January 1, 1960; 1 the 50-year list of articles by Bureau authors published outside the Bureau from July 1, 1910, to January 1, 1960; 2 andthe 5-year lists of publications and articlesfrom January 1, 1960, to December 31, 1964,3from January 1, 1965, to December 31, 1969,4from January 1,1970, to December 31,1974,5from January 1,1975, to December 31,1979,6from January 1,1980, to December 31,1984/and from January 1, 1985, to December 31,1989.8"

May 1, 1995

By Jaime Tumialán

El presente texto describe el diseño y ejecución del sistema con winchas de fricción" Koepe" del pique central de Casapalca, dado que será uno de los más modernos del Perú y su aplicación se realizará en minas con características semejantes. Existen dos sistemas básicos de izaje: el de izaje con wincbas de tambora, donde el cable es enrrollado o desenrrollado en la tambora durante el izaje, y el de izaje con wincbas de fricción ("Koepe"), en el cual el cable pasa sobre la polea o tambora de fricción durante el izaje. Cada sistema tiene sus ventajas y desventajas y solo debe usarse en una correcta aplicación. Las principales ventajas de las winchas de fricción sobre las de tambora son: menor consumo de energía para igual capacidad, menores dimensiones de las partes mecánicas, menor costo de capital y operación, mayor seguridad debido a que se usan varios cables y una mayor capacidad a grandes profundidades.

Jan 1, 1983

By S. Castro, L. Uribe

Seawater can be considered as a particular process water with a high concentration of NaCl (about 0.5- 0.6 mole/L) and high concentration of hydrolyzing metal cations (mainly, Mg2+ and Ca2+ ions). Micro-flotation tests, induction time measurements, and zeta potential measurements have been used to investigate the effect of these ions on the natural floatability of molybdenite. The results demonstrate that molybdenite is strongly depressed in the alkaline pH range over which hydrolysis products of Mg2+ and Ca2+ ions are formed. At pH 10, colloidal magnesium hydroxide seems to be responsible for molybdenite depression in seawater and in Mg2+ solutions. This is also supported by the measurements of the effect of Mg2+ ions on the zeta potential of molybdenite. The mechanism of depression of molybdenite with Ca2+ ions is different, and depression takes place in the pH range were Ca(OH)+ complexes are formed, below the pH of precipitation of calcium hydroxide. Adsorption of the cationic hydroxy species and/or hetero-coagulation of the positive charged colloidal hydroxide on the negative charged molybdenite particles seem to be the main mechanisms involved.

Jan 1, 2014

By Mario Samamé Boggio

El presente trabajo describe el período de la Colonia dentro de la historia minera peruana. Dentro de esta época no se utilizó método alguno para su explotación y no hubo un adecuado manejo de recursos y energías. Posteriormente se describe la mita, expansión (Huancavelica, Huantajaya, Laicacota, Hualyacoc), así como se describe las minas de plata, oro, metalurgia colonial y la misión Nordenflicht.

Sep 1, 1983

By D. J. Cassidy

This document discusses commercial strategies and applications of specialty processing plants for the recycling of nickel, copper, zinc and cobalt bearing by-products. For this discussion, I will focus on materials originating from the metal plating, electronic circuit board· and chemical industries. The review of select processes and the required service, sourcing, material handling, processing and marketing strategies necessary for a successful recycling program are highlighted. Materials discussed in this summary include filtercakes, filters, dusts, spent catalysts, spent solutions and solids. Both pyrometallurgical and hyrometallurgical applications to these materials are addressed. A comparison of targeted finished markets, including smelter feeds and value added products are also reviewed.

Jan 1, 2000

By D. F. Cater

The Macassa Mine is a mature mine with a 61 year history of continuous production. The majority of past production has been derived from a zone called the '04 Break (Main Break). Recent underground mine exploration has been successful in locating several neighbouring ninera1ized zones. This paper will characterize the spatial location, geometry and mineralogical properties of these secondary zones. Future plans for underground mine exploration to follow-up on these target zones will be outlined.

Jan 1, 1995

By G. Viramontes-Gamboa, A. Encinas-Oropesa, S. Velázquez-Roque, L. A. Ibarra-Bracamontes

Some industrially relevant applications for pyrite nano/micro-particles have been proposed in the literature, such as the catalysis of chalcopyrite leaching, the removal of As(III), As(V) and Cr(VI) from solution, as photovoltaic devices, and others. Even though pyrite can be recovered from solution by flotation, for some applications it may be beneficial to provide pyrite with magnetic properties. In this work, a methodology to synthesize magnetic shell/core composites made of pyrite as the shell and either natural or synthetic magnetite as the core is presented. The size of the magnetic composite may range from tenths to hundreds of microns. The synthesis is basically made by stoichiometrically mixing iron nano/micro-particles with sulfur microparticles with magnetite particles, and bringing the mixture in an oxygen free atmosphere from 200 to 300 °C for 4 h. The composites were characterized by optical microscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy and X-Ray diffraction.

Jan 1, 2014

By Michael F. Kitto

The production of sulphuric acid at base metals smelters is predominantly an involuntary activity and now comprises approximately 17% of all-forms sulphur supply in world terms. The majority of elemental sulphur is also produced involuntarily in response to environmental regulations regarding emissions from hydrocarbon processing plants. The paper examines the points of similarity and difference in the sulphur and smelter acid markets, and reviews their interactions. The reasons for the merchant acid market collapse of 1993 are analyzed, and the prospects of a recurrence are considered.

Jan 1, 1996

By Gordon H. Dechman

This report presents the concept, design, and testing of a sonic velocity monitoring system for the early detection of slope failure in open pit mines. The heart of the system is a device for producing reproducible sonic signals in rock. Because changes in the velocity of sound through rock near the top of the pit wall are a measure of extent and rate of fracturing of the rock, velocity histories obtained from periodic, automatic sonic velocity surveys provide positive information about developing slope instability.

Jan 1, 1976

H. Van F. Furman, Denver, Colo. (communication to the Secretary): There are some statements in Dr. Carpenter's interesting paper which appear to require explanation, if not modification.

Jan 1, 1901

By J. Forster, C. A. Pickles, Mackowiak. K.

The future development of nickel laterite deposits is crucial with regards to satisfying impending nickel demands. The commercial implementation of new hydro/pyrometallurgical processes in recent years has led to significant improvements in the extraction of nickel from the laterite ores. One potential alternative pyrometallurgical processing route would be to selectively reduce the nickel and produce a concentrate with nickel contents similar to those attainable in the conventional flotation of sulphide ores. However, even bench scale studies have not yet been able to produce a high grade (>15% nickel) concentrate from a low grade laterite ore. The present research involved the microwave vacuum reduction roasting of a nickel laterite ore to yield a high grade concentrate, rich in nickel. Firstly, the effects of temperature and pressure on the nickel grade and recovery were investigated using a thermodynamic model. Secondly, briquettes containing a mixture of charcoal and a low grade silicate nickel laterite ore were reacted in a microwave vacuum system. The experimental variables studied were the input microwave energy, pressure and absorbed microwave power. Thirdly, the ferronickel in the reacted briquette was concentrated by magnetic separation and nickel grades of up to 21% could be achieved.

Jan 1, 2015

By William Gleason

"More than 6,300 people converged on the Colorado Convention Center for the 2017 SME Annual Conference and Expo and 119th National Western Mining Conference in Denver, CO on Feb. 19-22. Many of them crammed in to hear Douglas Silver deliver the keynote address to the conference.Silver is a portfolio manager for Orion Mine Finance, a private-equity fund focused on providing funding to advanced-stage base and precious metal projects and is one of the most respected voices in the field of mineral economics. Prior to joining Orion, he served as chief executive officer and chairman of International Royalty Corp., a global mineral royalty company, which he founded in 2003 and sold in 2011.Those who were hoping that Silver would deliver at least a bit of optimism during his 90-minute presentation got what they came for from the talk titled, “When are commodity prices going to rebound?”It marked the second time Silver has presented the keynote address to SME, the first was in 2008 and was delivered during the height of mining’s super cycle (ME, June 2008). In his 2017 address, Silver looked back on the previous 10 years and the massive contraction of the global economy that resulted from the great recession that began near the end of 2008.It has been a challenging time for the mining industry. About US$1.4 trillion was lost in the global mining stocks from 2011 to Jan. 6, 2016. Major mining companies exceeded $60 billion in write downs between 2012 and 2013 and investors lost confidence in the sector, putting the global mining industry into a bear market that has taken mining equities to historic lows.However, that was then and this is now.Using numerous examples, including rising commodity prices, a steady decline in the U.S. unemployment rate, increases in discretionary income and the Dow Jones Industrial Average, which topped the 20,000 mark for the first time ever in February, Silver theorized the current down cycle is near its end and the demand for metals and other commodities will see a sharp increase by 2025. He also noted that investors are beginning to rotate back into mining equities."

Apr 1, 2017

By T. M. Barczak

The term "resultant load vector" is defined as the representation of the forces applied to a longwall roof support element by strata activity through a single, quantifiable measure of support resistance. The relatively complex kinematics of the shield structure prohibits determination of support resistance simply from the summation of leg forces. In the research reported in this Bureau of Mines study, the mechanics of the shield structure were evaluated, and a technique was developed whereby the resultant shield loading could be determined by instrumenting supports with pressure transducers and strain gauges to measure leg, canopy capsule, and lemniscate link forces. This technique has been laboratory tested in the Bureau's Mine Roof Simulator. Functional relationships among variables were assessed, and confidence intervals were established for prediction of the resultant load vector parameters. Resultant load measurements were taken on five instrumented shields on an active longwall face in Colorado. Results were analyzed and found to be consistent with shield mechanics and anticipated roof behavior. Benefits to be derived from this research, future efforts, and long-range goals are discussed.

Jan 1, 1986

By K. N. Mayfield, T. Novak

"The applications for automation continue to expand within the mining industry. These applications can range from the startup, control, and shutdown of processing plants to the autonomous operation of surface haulage trucks. However, the term “automation” should not necessarily be interpreted as the total elimination of human interventions since numerous mining processes can be partially automated. The future survivability of many mining operations will be influenced by a company’s willingness and ability to understand, accept, and utilize this technology. The mining workforce, including management and engineering, should be familiar with the technological capabilities and limitations for effectively implementing automation into mines for improving safety and productivity. The Department of Mining Engineering at the University of Kentucky has recognized this educational gap and developed an automation laboratory, along with project-oriented courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The laboratory and the course objectives are described in this paper, as well as the skills and abilities that students obtain at the completion of the course(s). BACKGROUND The touted benefits of automation include: improved productivity, lower operating costs, reduced drudgery of repetitive operations performed by workers, and the removal of workers from hazardous locations. The acceptance of advanced technology by the mining industry, however, has traditionally been slow. This cautious approach is understandable considering the complex and harsh conditions routinely encountered in mining operations. Bad experiences with some premature installations of newly hyped technologies may have also resulted in lingering skepticism by many mine operators. Nonetheless, with thoroughly demonstrated reliability and proven applications, automation based on programmable logic controllers (PLCs) has made significant inroads into the mining industry. Programmable logic controllers (PLCs) are the workhorses of automation. They were originally conceived in the late 1960s, long before the invention of the personal computer (PC). Initial PLC applications were directed towards sequential relay control in manufacturing plants, which subsequently eliminated the use of “relay logic” that was based on hard-wired electromechanical relays. With continuous advancements in electronics and computer technology over the years, PLCs have evolved into sophisticated and powerful devices with very stable operating systems. They are designed for deterministic logic execution with extreme consistency in timing, along with a high tolerance to temperature, humidity, and vibration (Smith 2003). Because of their robust characteristics, PLC networks now provide the backbone for most industrial automation applications."

Jan 1, 2017

By L. D. HUNTOON

MY first article on Canadian Gold, published in the Canadian Mining Magazine in 1911 expressed the view that the Hollinger mine would repay all the money invested and that other mines would be developed in this area. Many published forecasts have since been made. Quoting from the Northern Miner of Oct. 29, 1931: "It will be noted in studying the chart prepared by this engineer that his forecast for 1931 at $50,000,000 was too modest, as the output for this country this year will be closer to $54,000,000."

Jan 1, 1932

By R. P. D. Graham

It is almost exactly two hundred years since the foundations of the mining and metallurgical industries in Canada were laid. There '."'as nothing spectacular about this early start. It had to do with the most basic phases of these industries-the mining of coal and iron ore, and the manufacture of cast and wrought iron. At several points along the coast of Cape Breton island, coal seams may be seen outcropping quite conspicuously, and it is probable that they had been observed, and possibly worked in a small way, in very early times. However that may be, these coal seams have the distinction of being the first in North America of which there is any printed record, reference to them appearing in a volume by Nicolas Denys which was published in Paris in 1672. Regular coal mining in the district did not commence until about fifty years later, however. The metallurgists started their operations along the north shore of the St. Lawrence river. Here, at many points between Montreal and Quebec, are to be found deposits of bog iron ore, and in 1 730 a furnace for smelting such ore was established on the St. Maurice river. The St. Maurice forges continued in operation until 1880, and throughout that long period they were famed for the fine quality of castings produced, and also for a-superior wrought iron.

Jan 1, 1924

By E. J. Owen, A. Appah, I. C. Sanchez, K. T. Stafford, N. Hurtig, R. Otoo, N. A. Iverson, S. A. Moses, V. T. McLemore

New Mexico lies at the eastern edge of one of the world’s great metal-bearing provinces hosting numerous Laramide and Paleogene mineral deposits. Southwestern New Mexico contains Laramide porphyry Cu (±Mo, Au) and Paleogene Mo-W deposits. Porphyry deposits are generally large, low-grade deposits containing Cu, Fe, Mo, Au sulfides (and other metal sulfides) associated with porphyritic intrusions and exhibit characteristic alteration styles. Porphyry deposits can also be spatially and temporally associated with skarn deposits and polymetallic veins. All of these deposits have the potential to host various critical minerals, including Cu, Zn, Bi, Co, Ni, rare earth elements (REE), Te, and W. Critical minerals may be found as substitutions within ore minerals or as separate mineral phases. These deposits are constrained using 40Ar/39Ar dating into three ore-producing magmatic pulses: 1) ~78–71 Ma Laramide pulse, 2) ~59–50 Ma, Laramide pulse, and 3) ~40–30 Ma Paleogene pulse. New and historic whole-rock geochemical data have highlighted areas with critical minerals potential that require further study.

Feb 1, 2025

By J. D. Galloways

The northern part of the P. G. E. railway traverses and opens up that part of the province known as the Cariboo district, comprising the Cariboo and Quesnel Mining Divisions, which are a part of the Northeastern Mineral Survey District. Williams lake, a divisional point on the P. G. E. is near the southern boundary of the Quesnel Division and from this point the railway runs northerly to Quesnel, its present terminus. From Quesnel the railway is projected and partially constructed to Prince George on the Canadian National railway; therefore its general trend is northerly through the heart of the Cariboo district. Early History There is no need to outline at any length the early history of mining in the Cariboo. It is sufficient to say that the great gold rush to the Cariboo, in the early sixties, was practically the commencement of mining in British Columbia. These early placer mining operations centred around the old towns of Quesnel Forks, Keithley Creek, Barkerville and Van Winkle, the latter now called Stanley. Many millions of dollars of placer gold have been taken out and the end of production is not in sight yet. The maximum yearly production was reached about 1863, after which there was a gradual decline in output. During the war years production was at a very low figure but a steady, even if small, increase has occurred in the last three years and prospects are encouraging for a much greater output.

Jan 1, 1925