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By A. S. Ibrado

The adsorption of silver on activated carbon from cyanide solutions was studied as a function of concentration, ionic strength and pH. In cyanide solutions, silver exists mainly as the linear Ag(CN)2 complex and adsorbs on activated carbon following the Freundlich isotherm. The uptake and rate of adsorption increase with the addition of KC1 and KNO3 but changes only slightly with pH. In contrast, the adsorption of Cu(I), Zn(II), Cd(II), and Hg(II) shows marked changes with pH, closely following the predominance profiles of their neutral and singly-charged cyano complexes. Clearly, multicharged negative complexes are repelled by the negatively-charged carbon surface. This sensitivity of activated carbon to the charge of the adsorbing species indicates that silver adsorbs as an anion, not chemically bound to the co-adsorbing counterions. For the same reason, activated carbon is selective to metals that form neutral and Singly-charged cyano complexes, namely gold and silver.

Jan 1, 1988

By V. J. McSweeney

This paper is directed at interested parties outside the Beach Sand Industry : the scope is quite broad. The geomorphology described is a successful working hypothesis which guided the author during prospecting and pegging campaigns : the author is not an expert in this field. The test data used in the text, for illustrative purposes, is original and may constitute a contribution to the state of the art. The operation- al and design philosophy embodied in the text is personal and describes the author's methods : all practising exponents would differ in some degree amongst themselves on these subjects. In this paper, no criticism of any existing operation or brand of equipment is intended and names are used to maintain a real contact with the subject matter. The author believes that the operational and design techniques evolved in the Beach Sand Industry under continual duress, have a wider application in the mining industry. This glimpse of the Industry is intended to enhance the respect for the present and past members. Space does not permit individual acknowledgements.

Jan 1, 1982

By L. K. Weaver

The objective of this Bureau of Mines publication Is to present a nomograph that provides a fast, convenient method for estimating hydrocarbon lease bonus bids for offshore acreage in the Gulf of Mexico. Discounted cash flow analyses were computed from a model derived to show the costs necessary to explore, acquire, develop, produce, and abandon a 5,000-acre block of offshore acreage, and the estimated income from the sale of the hydrocarbons produced from the block. The range of the variables in the financial analyses used to construct the nomograph are prices of oil, $2.50 to $5.00; recoverable hydrocarbon reserves, 44,651,476 to 127,575,645 barrels; and discounted cash flow (DCF) rates of return, 5.0 to 57.2 percent. A total of 1,234 sets of DCF data were used to construct the nomograph. The range of bonus bids shown on the nomograph is from 2 to 90 million dollars ($400 to $18,000 per acre).

Jan 1, 1973

By Desio S. Oddone, Mark C. Malamphy, Irnack C. Do Amaral

Most igneous rocks, and particularly those of the basic type, contain relatively high percentages of magnetite and other iron oxides, which give them moderately high magnetic susceptibilities and make them responsible for an important percentage of the magnetic anomalies observed during the course of geophysical surveys by the magnetic method. The irregular form and high susceptibility of the igneous rocks make them readily polarizable and the position and strength of the magnetic poles formed are not always explicable by theoretical calculations of anomalies due to certain assumed forms in the normal magnetic field of the area under study. During the last four years our field work has permitted us to make detailed observations of anomalies due to igneous rocks in all the states of south Brazil. The form and position of the igneous rock at some places were fairly accurately known, which made it possible to calculate theoretical anomalies and compare them with the observed data. Some of the data we obtained have been published and additional cases are now awaiting publication. In this paper, we will present a few specific cases where the geology is moderately well known and which we believe to be of considerable value as representing typical magnetic anomalies in the south magnetic hemisphere, where the inclination of the magnetic field is very low. Although the vertical intensity is negative in the Southern Hemisphere, we have adopted the convention of plotting increase in intensity (negative) as a positive anomaly; i.e., above the x axis. This convention facilitates comparison with anomalies in the north.

Jan 1, 1940

By Irnack C. Do Amaral, Mark C. Malamphy, Desio S. Oddone

Most igneous rocks, and particularly those of the basic type, contain relatively high percentages of magnetite and other iron oxides, which give them moderately high magnetic susceptibilities and make them responsible for an important percentage of the magnetic anomalies observed during the course of geophysical surveys by the magnetic method. The irregular form and high susceptibility of the igneous rocks make them readily polarizable and the position and strength of the magnetic poles formed are not always explicable by theoretical calculations of anomalies due to certain assumed forms in the normal magnetic field of the area under study. During the last four years our field work has permitted us to make detailed observations of anomalies due to igneous rocks in all the states of south Brazil. The form and position of the igneous rock at some places were fairly accurately known, which made it possible to calculate theoretical anomalies and compare them with the observed data. Some of the data we obtained have been published and additional cases are now awaiting publication. In this paper, we will present a few specific cases where the geology is moderately well known and which we believe to be of considerable value as representing typical magnetic anomalies in the south magnetic hemisphere, where the inclination of the magnetic field is very low. Although the vertical intensity is negative in the Southern Hemisphere, we have adopted the convention of plotting increase in intensity (negative) as a positive anomaly; i.e., above the x axis. This convention facilitates comparison with anomalies in the north.

Jan 1, 1940

By Jones JJ

A laboratory study of size segregation is described using a model of a Paul Wurth hopper industrailly employed for blast furnace charg- ing purposes. Experimental charge materials used in the study were glass ballotin.i (1-4mm dia.) and sinter fines (0.25-4mm). The tracer material employed consisted of coloured glass beads. The results of the study show that the discharge stream from a Paul Wurth hopper is characterised by an initial negative segregation followed by a positive segregation and that this segregation pattern is a property of the hopper geometry and the filling conditions. A simple computer model based on experimental tracer concentration results is proposed. The measured segregation results and those predicted by the model show close agreement. Application of the results with special reference to the effect of size segregation on charge permeability in blast furnaces is also included.

Jan 1, 1984

By Liu Jin

"In order to reduce the dosage costs and increase the economic benefits of a full floating process in a low grade complex multi-metals W-Mo ore, based on the study of the magnetic characteristics of the main gangue minerals, a joint process by magnetic separation and floatation technology is adopted. The first step of the flowsheet is to recover magnetite by magnetic separation, then remove the magnetic gangues by high gradient magnetic separation (HGMS) and finally recycle the W-Mo from the magnetically separated tailings by flotation. Results of the lab experiment show that in comparison with the full flotation process, the floatation feed tonnage of the combined flowsheet are only 46%. The grade and the recovery of Mo in the rough Mo-Bi concentrate is similar with the original one while the WO3 in the tungsten rough concentrate is increased from 3.85% to 6.64%. The dosage costs are reduced by 53%. The new process can significantly improve the plant economically. INTRODUCTION With the continuous exploitation of scheelite resources, the easily obtained resource is gradually depleting. The ""lean, fine and complex"" scheelite resource has become the main research object of tungsten beneficiation (Lou et al., 2010) (Xiao et al., 2013). The passive situation of tungsten beneficiation can be reversed by enhancing technological innovation and investment in science and technology, changing the business philosophy and mode of production, optimizing the process structure and process conditions, improving various technical indexes and reducing production costs of reagents, which will maximize economic benefits (Jiang et al., 2012 ) (Zhu et al., 2016). A polymetallic deposit of tungsten molybdenum bismuth original process adopts a full flotation process. With the expansion of stope mining, the content of valuable metals in the ore continues to decrease, resulting in a high cost per ton of concentrate produced and a low output value (Li et al., 2015)."

Jan 1, 2018

By George P. Demopoulos

For more than 20 years the author had the privilege of working closely on a number of R&D projects with Lucy Rosato and her team at CEZinc. Several of these projects were driven from the sustainability agenda that Lucy Rosato championed as an innovation leader that supported research collaborations. Highlights from this highly rewarding collaboration are to be presented in this paper. In particular we will deal with the following works-topics: (a) iron control via solvent extraction as alternative to jarosite precipitation; (b) production of high-density gypsum by controlled neutralization of simulated zinc plant process/waste waters; (c) selenium removal from weak acid solutions; (d) electrolyte purification by cementation; and (e) manganese control by oxidative precipitation with SO2/O2.

Jan 1, 2015

By G. A. Bezuidenhout, S. Bradshaw, W. Malan

"Currently, the matted-based collection process is most widely used for platinum group metal (PGM) recovery. However, because PGM-containing concentrates are becoming more enriched with UG2 (Upper Group 2) low-grade concentrates, this is expected to be integrated or replaced with an alloy collection process.The reduction LG (low-grade) concentrates with silicon carbide (SiC) was investigated. The purpose of the study was to ascertain the feasibility of using SiC as reductant with regard to metal fall, PGM grade in the alloy, slag composition, and overall PGM recovery, and if possible, the integration of such a process in the current matte-based collection process. Rowland and Easterns LG concentrate samples from Lonmin were analysed by Xray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). It was found that SiO2 and MgO are the most abundant oxides and Pd is the most abundant of the PGMs. Sulphide-bearing minerals such as chalcopyrite were detected in low concentrations (below 1%), and Cr2O3 concentrations are between 2-4%. SiC reduction of Rowland and Easterns concentrate were conducted at 1600°C with reductant to concentrate ratios ranging from 2.5 to 3.5 kg SiC per 100 kg concentrate.The reduction experiments revealed that PGM recoveries from Rowland concentrate were poor. SEM images showed entrained metal prills in the slag phase. The slag viscosity at the end of the melt was calculated by using FactSage, and the results indicated that the viscosity was higher than 4 poise, which is above that of Easterns slag. PGM recoveries for Easterns concentrate were significantly better. More than 85% of the Ir and Pd and almost 60% of the Pt were recovered in a test with a reductant to concentrate ratio of 3.5 kg SiC per 100 kg Easterns concentrate. At this reductant to concentrate ratio, Fe recovery was also the highest, at 66%. SEM imaging of a slag sample revealed few or no metal prills entrained. The FeO content in the initial concentrate charge was then increased by adding Peirce-Smith converter slag in order to decrease the slag viscosity and further increase PGM recovery. A test was conducted with the addition of 10 kg converter slag per 100 kg Easterns concentrate. The reductant to concentrate ratio was kept at 3.5 kg SiC per 100 kg Easterns concentrate. The Ir and Pd recoveries were more than 95%, while Pt recovery was almost 70%. Fe recovery increased to 76%. On the basis of these results an optimum feed ratio between Easterns and Rowland concentrates and Peirce-Smith converter slag were calculated. FactSage predicted that the concentrate charge should consist of 70-80% Easterns concentrate with 20-30 kg converter slag per 100 kg LG concentrate. SiC reduction of this optimum LG concentrate charge is expected to recover more than 90% of all PGMs. Cr and Si concentrations in the alloy will be below 1% in total.The effectiveness of SiC as reductant was also compared to carbon reduction. Carbon reduction of an optimum concentrate charge at the same reductant to concentrate ratio resulted in a marginally higher metal fall than SiC reduction. However, gas emissions and energy requirements are higher for carbon reduction.The study has shown that base metals and PGMs can be recovered in an iron alloy by SiC reduction of LG concentrate with converter slag additions. Integration of such a process into the matte-based collection process could be considered as a future alternative for smelting UG2 LG concentrates."

Jan 1, 2014

By Alfonso Ballón

Dado que las aguas pertolantes crean problemas en las operaciones de concentración de menas, se buscó un tratamiento selectivo de flotación por el cual pase la blenda(obtenida de yacimientos de cobre y zinc) separada del cobre. Empero, este proceso tiene dificultades porque no hay diferenciación de sus superficies cristalinas y los sulfuros de cobre son confundidos con los de zinc. Por ello, el objetivo del presente trabajo es mostrar las pruebas realizadas que permitan asegurar una perfecta activación de la blenda contenida en la mixtura, asi como una mejor separación del cobre y el zinc, entre otras, reuniendo las condiciones necesarias para su aplicación con el sulfato de cobre.

Jun 20, 1954

By John Chipman, Theodore B. Winkler

IN order to understand more fully the complexities of the reactions occurring between the liquid steel and the slag in the basic open-hearth steelmaking furnace, investigations in this country and abroad have turned to laboratory equilibrium studies. This paper is one of a series of reports on investigations being conducted at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The experimental work was completed early in 1942. The slag systems found in the basic open hearth are very complex, being made up of at least eight major components and as many others whose effect might be classified as minor. The first two papers of the series, by Fetters and Chipman,l,2 as well as the paper by Taylor and Chipman,3 dealt with the simplest possible slag system that would resemble those found in the basic open hearth-the slag system consisting of CaO-MgO-SiO2-FeO. (Taylor's rotating induction furnace eliminated the necessity of contamination of the slag by MgO.) Having arrived at some reasonable conclusions regarding the physical chemistry of the reactions between molten iron and the simple slags at equilibrium, the next step was to investigate more complex slag systems. The major purpose of the present investigation was to determine what factors control the distribution of phosphorus between molten iron and the more complex basic slags at equilibrium, and to what extent these factors are influential. The slags used contained CaO, MgO, Si02, FeO, Fe203, P205, MnO, A1203 and CaF2, but not all of the slag samples contained all of these components at one time. REVIEW OF LITERATURE Although a number of interesting papers have been published on the subject of dephosphorization of an iron bath, there are as yet no results from laboratory studies that give thoroughly reliable information on the dephosphorization reaction. Even for the supposedly simple Fe-O-P system involving iron-phosphorus melts and iron oxide-iron phosphate slags, the experimental results are contradictory and no formulas have been established that adequately fit the equilibrium conditions. The Fe-O-P system has been studied by Schackmann and Brings4' von Samson-Himmelstjerna,5 Oelsen and Maetz,6 Bischof and Maurer,7 Diepschlag and Schürmann,8 and Herty,9 and the results of their investigations appear in Table I. A number of different equilibrium constants and distribution ratios

Jan 1, 1946

By H. S. Caldwell

A magnesium-base incendiary alloy, containing about 20 percent cadmium, 4 percent aluminum, and 0.5 percent zinc, was investigated in a series of vacuum-distillation experiments to determine the feasibility of recovering magnesium and cadmium as refined metals. Alloys prepared in the laboratory and actual bomb-casing alloy were studied at temperatures of 550° to 750° C. and pressures of 100 to 150 microns. Simple distillation and fractional distillation methods were only partly effective in separating the cadmium and magnesium. They were separated satisfactorily, however, with a special vapor baffle designed to condense the metals selectively. Magnesium and cadmium products were 99 percent pure and together comprised 82 percent of the total condensate. About 17 percent of the condensate was intermediate-grade alloy that could be recycled with new charge and contained about 70 percent magnesium and 30 percent cadmium.

Jan 1, 1959

By R. C. A. Thurston

"The lack of notch ductility in structural steel in general, and in ship plate in particular, has been the object of widespread attention in the metallurgical world since the spectacular collapse of the ill-fated S.S. Schenectady in 1943. Numerous investigations have been carried out, many new tests have been developed, and a vast amount of useful data has been published, with the result that our knowledge is now far more advanced than it was at the time of this disaster. Interest has focused largely on the medium strength steels, and the various factors which cause a normally ductile steel to behave in a brittle manner in the presence of a notch and at relatively .low temperatures have been thoroughly studied.The literature available on high-tensile steels, however, is less extensive and the present paper is intended to supplement this information. Notch toughness tests have been carried out, at the request of the R.C.N., on a high-tensile manganese steel in the form of commercial ship plate. One of the newer tests, the tear test, and the Charpy V-notch impact test, were used to examine the characteristics of plate for the construction of an ice-breaker. About 250 plates, mainly in the thickness range from 11,4 in. to 1 % in., were tested. An an-alysis of the results obtained is presented, certain aspects of the tear test are discussed, and the correlation between the two types of test is studied. On the basis of information available from casualty ships, the plates, with few exceptions, were considered to be satisfactory."

Jan 1, 1959

By Frank H. Madison

The percentage depletion deduction on Federal Income Tax Returns under the provisions of the 1939 Internal Revenue Code and of Sections 611 to Section 615, inclusive, of the revenue act of 1954, have created innumerable administrative difficulties, and a new interpretation of "gross income from the property" in that the Courts have expanded the ideas of what constitutes "gross income from the property" to a degree unheard of and unthought of prior to the enactment of these two codes. Originally, under the Revenue Acts of 1917, 1918, and 1920 depletion was allowable, based upon mine valuations as of March 1, 1913; if the mine was owned prior to March 1, 1913; upon cost, as of the date of acquisition if purchased subsequent to March 1, 1913; and upon a "discovery" basis if the mine was discovered after March 1, 1913, The "jab" for mine valuations as of March 1, 1913 and for discovery valuations and depletion was not as bad as it has been made out to be. Thousands of valuations and estimates of reserves were made and agreed upon between taxpayers and Internal Revenue Service engineers and as the years went on the answers have been found to be "reasonable." However, human nature being what it is each case was a battle of wits - of a sort - and many resulted in severe differences of opinion and litigation. As tax rates increased the situation was not bettered. I could talk for several hours on this phase of depletion but it is all past now andwould not give any real service or better understanding of the matter.

Jan 1, 1958

First, a classification of the various primary sources of feed materials for the production of cobalt is presented from a mineralogical point of view : sulfides, arsenides, sulfo-arsenides and oxide minerals. Each of these cate- gories will be characterized by its behaviour towards concentration methods, taking account of the presence of the associated minerals of other metals and of the nature of the gangue minerals. Then, for each category of cobalt bea- ring ores, typical flowsheets of treatment will be presented and discussed and the characteristics of the cobalt concentrates produced will be under- lined having in view their subsequent processing by pyro - and (or) hydrome- tallurgical methods.

Jan 1, 1988

By A. Bakalarz, M. Duchnowska

"The copper sulfide ore from the Legnica-Glogow Copper Basin in Poland, which is processed by KGHM Polska Miedz S.A., consists of three lithological fractions: dolomitic, sandstone and shale. The copper ore, depending on the mining area, contains all fractions in different ratios. The lithological fractions differ in the particle-size distributions of their useful minerals. In the dolomitic part of the ore, most of the metal sulfide particles are 50-200 microns in size, while those in the sandstone and carbonaceous shale are 30-200 and 5-40 microns in size, respectively. This complex composition results in different mineralization, physicochemical properties and, in particular, upgrading selectivity. Due to the specific nature of the examined copper ore, two of the crucial parameters determining the beneficiation efficiency are size and liberation of sulfide particles. We analyzed the influence of grain size of feed on scavenging selectivity in one of the KGHM flotation plants and performed evaluation and analysis of the upgrading results of industrial beneficiation of the ore, containing mostly dolomite and shale. The upgrading efficiency was estimated using a selectivity indicator obtained by means of the Fuerstenau upgrading curve, which was then correlated with the particle-size distribution of the flotation feed.IntroductionFroth flotation is used extensively in commercial ore treatment flotation plants to separate minerals from gangue and to separate minerals from each other. The floatability of ores and their benefication selectivity are determined by many factors. One of them is particle size. The effect of particle size on flotation performance has been widely studied by many authors (Gaudin et al., 1931; Trahar, 1976; Trahar and Warren, 1976; Lynch et al., 1981; Pease et al., 2004). Particle size also plays a critical role in the probability of particle collision and attachment to bubbles (Solari and Gochin, 1992; Schulze, 1993), kinetic flotation (Taggart, 1956; Ahmed and Jameson, 1985; Debacher, 2002; Brozek and Mlynarczykowska, 2007; Potulska 2008), collector consumption (Sutherland and Wark, 1955; Vianna et al., 2003) and mechanical entrainment (Lynch et al., 1981; George et al., 2004; Konopacka, 2005). Most of the results have shown that there is an optimum particle size range for a given flotation system and that the simultaneous optimization of the recovery and concentrate grade of these particles in conventional flotation equipment is extremely difficult."

Jan 1, 2015

By P. Kawulka

An integrated pilot plant for the development of the S-C Copper Process was constructed at Fort Saskatchewan in 1975 and operated in 1976. The pilot plant was designed to treat 9 tonnes per day of a pyritic copper concentrate. A demonstration run conducted during the last quarter of 1976 averaged 90% on-stream time, and confirmed that the process is operable as a stable and integrated unit. The paper describes the parameters and equipment developed for thermal activation of chalcopyrite copper concentrates to make them amenable for the dissolution of iron and zinc, and their subsequent separation and recovery. The resulting high-grade copper sulphide was leached with return electrolyte and oxygen to extract 98.5% of the copper into solution. The copper was electrowon at 650 amps per square metre from purified solution, to produce cathodes analyzing 0.1 ppm Se, 0.1 ppm Bi, 4 ppm Pb and 10 ppm S. The electrical conductivity was >101% lACS and the spring elongation value [ ]350 mm. Elemental sulphur and gangue are removed from leach residues to make a concentrate containing over 95% of the silver and gold and most of the unleached copper. Conventional construction materials such as stainless steel, titanium, Hastelloy, acid brick, rubber and plastics performed well. The containment inherent in hydrometallurgy provided high standards of hygiene and safety.

Jan 1, 1978

By M. H. Bolu

Since undergoing a major mill expansion in 1979, Canada Tungsten Mining Corporation Limited has successfully operated a somewhat unconventional rod mill/rod mill grinding circuit at its mill in Tungsten, N.W.T., Canada. The concentrator employs two rod mills in series, of unmatched size and horsepower, for production of feed to a gravity (tabling) circuit. Cyclones and screens are closed circuited with the secondary rod mill. Outlined in this paper are the rationale behind, and consequences of operation of this unusual grinding and classification configuration.

Jan 1, 1984

By W. W. Adams

"The results of the fourth annual safety contest, 'mown as the National Safety Competition, contacted by the United States Bureau of Mines are herein announced. A bronze trophy, ‘Sentinels of Safety’, the gift of the Explosives Engineer magazine, has been awarded to the leading mine in each of the five groups into which the mines and quarries that participated in the contest were arranged. These five groups were: anthracite mines, bituminous coal mines, metal mines, nonmetallic-mineral mines, and carries and open-pit mines. The leading plant in each group was the mine whose employee lost the smallest number of days from accidents in proportion to the total number of man hours worked. Where two or more mines operated without a lost-time accident, the winner was adjudged to be the plant which operated the largest number of man hours during the year.The contest was based upon reports of accidents and exposure sent by the competing companies to the Bureau of Mines. Records of the five leading companies in each group were made known to a Committee of Award, consisting of the following seven members: H. Poster Bain, Secretary of the American Institute of Mining and Metallurgical Engineers; James F. Callbreath, Secretary of the American Mining Congress; W. H. Cameron, Managing Director of the National Safety Council; H. L. Gandy, Secretary of the National Coal Association; A. T. Goldbeck, Director of the Engineering Bureau of the National Crushed Stone Association; William Green, President of the American Federation of Labor; and A. J. R. Curtis, Assistant to the General Manager of the Portland Cement Association. Members of the committee voted for the winning company in each group in accordance with the rules governing the contest.. A majority vote prevailed."

May 1, 1929

By Martin Hertzberg

This Bureau of Mines report analyzes diverse observations of the rates and mechanisms for the pyrolysis and devolatilization of coal and polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA). New data are presented for PMMA, together with new morphological evidence for the microscopic structure of the pyrolysis and devolatilization wave front in coals. It is concluded that there is no substantive evidence to support the traditional viewpoint that the pyrolysis and devolatilization rate process occurs isothermally, under chemical rate control; or is described realistically by a classical, unimolecular Arrhenius function of temperature. Instead, the reaction process occurs as a highly nonisothermal, heat-flux-driven, pyrolysis and devolatilization wave front, whose speed of propagation is predictable by internal heat transport constraints. Except for the complication of its charlayer residue, whose increasing thickness insulates the pyrolysis wave front from the heat source flux that drives it, both coal and PMMA behave similarly during pyrolysis and devolatilization. For PMMA, decomposition occurs at a temperature of 3500 to 5500 C; for coal it occurs at 4500 to 6000 C. There is no evidence that the reactant temperature ever exceeds those values regardless of the source temperature to which the samples are exposed.

Jan 1, 1988