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By P. K. Kaiser, S. M. Maloney, S. P. Singh

"Corrosion of underground support measures constitutes a concern to industry in both safety and economic terms. It also represents a potential market for corrosion resistant materials such as stainless steel.In order to assess the market potential for a stainless steel friction rock bolt, a review of current corrosion processes and remedial or preventative measures in the underground environment was undertaken. This was supplemented by distribution to industry of a detailed questionnaire, concerning the magnitude and extent of support corrosion and the costs of current support measures, and by visits to selected sites. Following data synthesis, support costs were established and the economic benefit of stainless steel rock bolts evaluated.Stainless steel rock bolts can be an effective cost reducing measure in unscreened areas requiring frequent reconditioning. Their benefit is rapidly diminished, however, if only partial reconditioning is required, the reconditioning interval is long or if screening is required.While most industry personnel are receptive to the application of stainless steel support measures, the localization of corrosion problems and the potential high cost of this type of support are barriers to its widespread implementation. They have potential for use in extreme environments. However, this relatively small market may not be economically viable.IntroductionFriction rock bolts are the simplest of all interior rock fixtures. The friction resistance to sliding of the rock on the bolt is generated by a radial pressure against the borehole wall over the length of the bolt. Two types of friction rock bolts are currently marketed, the Split Set and the Swellex.Unlike conventional point anchor bolts, friction rock stabilizers may move relative to the rock strata and maintain their capacity even if rock shifts, a condition that sometimes loosens or breaks conventional bolts. Ease of installation, effectiveness in jointed as well as weaker rock, and the possibility of having relatively long bolts are a few of the many advantages which generate considerable interest in the application of friction rock bolts (Wijk and Skogberg, 1982). However, due to their thin-walled construction and large surface area, frictional rock stabilizers are more susceptible than conventional bolts to damage by corrosion. For this reason, they are normally not recommended for long-term use (Jolly and Neumeier, 1987).In light of the above discussion; the Nickel Development Institute commissioned a study by the Geomechanics Research Centre with the objective of generating a credible database for the assessment of the feasibility of a stainless steel friction bolt system in corrosive ground and mine environments."

Jan 1, 1990

By G. C. Yao

Iron and silicon impurities can form needle and branch shape intermetallie compounds in molten aluminum when there is no manganese. It is difficult to separate them from molten aluminum by electromagnetic separation. The Fe-Si-AI and Fe-AI intcrmetallic compounds were transformed into Mn-Fe-Si-AI and Mn-Fe-AI compounds by the addition of manganesc into molten aluminum, In molten aluminum the morphology of these intermetallic compound particles is lumpish and spherical. Migration resistance of these impurity particles is small, which is beneficial to separation. FeSiMnAl4 and FeMnAl6 arc paramagnetic. These impurity particles can be moved by magnetic force and can be separated from the molten aluminum.

Jan 1, 2003

By J. G. Bouwkamp

This paper presents three general approaches towards the solution of the stress distribution and the behavior of tubular connections as used in offshore well drilling structures. First, the possibilities of using plastic models and photoelasticity techniques in evaluating the stress distribution in gusset plate connections are analyzed. The results of photoelastic studies on the stress distribution in the in-plane gusset plate of two-dimensional joints are presented. The influence of the configuration of the gusset plate (with and without cut-outs) is discussed. Second, the paper deals with recent developments and applications of computer programs to analyze connections with directly inter-welded tubes and with gusset plates. The possibilities and limitations of these programs are discussed. Stress patterns analyzed with these programs are presented for different joint configurations. Finally, the basic test procedures and results of a test on a tubular joint under static and alternating loads are discussed. INTRODUCTION The effective design of tubular connections as encountered in offshore well drilling towers or floating platforms has been complicated basically by the radial flexibility of the tube walls. This flexibility is a source of severe stress concentrations which can initiate an early failure of these joints. In an attempt to reduce the influence of the wall flexibility of the column tube, certain joints are presently designed by inter-welding the incoming branch members. In those designs, the force acting normal to the chord tube can be reduced considerably. A second group of joints incorporate gusset plates or stiffening rings to stiffen the column wall and to distribute the incoming branch member forces over a larger part of this wall. A third approach to improve the stress distribution in a tubular joint is to increase the wall thickness of the column member. This can be achieved by simply applying a thicker wall section in the vicinity of the joint. A fourth possibility to restrain the radial flexibility of the tube wall is to fill the column member with concrete. Also, a single, cast steel seat welded to the column tube can be used to improve the stress distribution in this wall. Although all these designs improve, in general, the state of stress in the column wall, the altered stiffness often causes the development of critically stressed areas in the web members. At the same time the actual design in most instances is decisively influenced by the site which governs the depth and controls the forces produced by waves, earthquakes and ice flow. Also, the towing, erection and foundation requirements of offshore structures can affect the actual design selection. Because of the complexity of the structural configuration of tubular joints, the stress analysis of these connections has necessarily been based on simplified and often crude assumptions. For the earlier and smaller type of connections with about 4-ft diameter column sections, the primary problem was to evaluate the relative stiffness of the column wall section and the load transfer between joint members. Due to the recent developments of offshore drilling structures with increasingly larger connections (e.g., column diameter. 32 ft; web members, 8.5 ft) this problem has become even more critical. One design philosophy for such large joints follows a member-to-member connection with radially heavy reinforced column sections. This radial stiffness can be attained by closely spaced and intensively stiffened horizontal diaphrams together with vertical stiffeners. A second solution incorporates a concrete-filled section between the outer and inner walls of the column tube. Another philosophy considers large gusset-plated joints. The problem in these joints is to develop an effective load transfer between the branch tubes and the gusset plate and to minimize the stress concentrations in the member walls as effectively as possible. Several concepts are followed to achieve this gradual transfer between web-member walls and gusset plates. Because the number of joints in these huge platforms is limited compared to the over-all size, a proper design of these joints is even more important than was the case for the many joints in the smaller, but multi-legged towers. A failure of one of those ultra-large joints could well cause the complete collapse of such a structure. Under these circumstances an accurate analysis of the large joints is of the greatest importance, together with information regarding the expected behavior of such joints under critical alternating load conditions. Recent applications of photoelastic model techniques have proved to be quite effective in evaluating the elastic behavior of such joints. Although a complete study of such connections is quite well possible with present-day photoelastic techniques, it might often be feasible and necessary to limit the objectives and to restrict these investigations to the study of a specific aspect of the joint. Another very promising avenue of approach to solve the complex stress pattern in these connections seems to be the recent development of digital computer programs. In this category, cylindrical shell programs and finite element methods for more complex configurations have

Jan 1, 1967

By C M. Zammit, N Cook, F Reith, C L. Ciobanu, J Brugger

The role of biological agents in the gold mining industry is currently limited to the use of microorganisms in bioleaching and bioremediation. However, there is a variety of possibilities in which biotechnology could aid the mining industry in the future. In this article we discuss the potential for the development of these novel biotechnologies and the role they can play in the exploration for new gold deposits, the processing of ores and the post-mining remediation of sites. The development of these biotechnologies has been enabled by rapid advances in our molecular-level understanding of the role microorganisms play in the solubilisation, dispersion and precipitation of gold. An understanding of the distribution of microbial species in soils overlying mineralisation can be utilised to develop bioindicator systems that assist with gold exploration. An in-depth knowledge of how microorganisms interact with gold complexes is being used to develop in-field biosensors, supporting exploration. Processing technologies may be improved based on advances in our understanding of the interactions between microorganisms, ore minerals, cyanide and gold. For instance, cyanide-producing microorganisms are being investigated for use in in situ leaching of gold. In turn, the use of cyanide-utilising microorganisms for the degradation of cyanide is being explored. Combined, the implementation of these biotechnologies in the gold mining sector may revolutionise the industry, leading to greener, more efficient exploration for and extraction of gold.CITATION:Zammit, C M, Cook, N, Ciobanu, C L, Brugger, J and Reith, F, 2013. Possible future applications of biotechnologies in the gold industry - a prospective approach, in Proceedings World Gold 2013 , pp 233-244 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Sep 26, 2013

By Hemant Agrawal, Arvind Kumar Mishra

Rock breakage using blasting is one of the important operations of the mining industry. The delay timing decides the initiation sequence of holes in the blasts and is a crucial factor to improve the overall blast performance. Blast-induced ground vibration is an undesired yet unavoidable outcome of blasting. Peak particle velocity (PPV) is commonly used to measure the magnitude of blast-induced ground vibration. Channelization and better utilization of explosive energy delay are provided between blast holes using initiating systems. The use of different initiation systems even on the same site results in a very significant difference in the values of PPV generated. Due to scattered delay timings of pyrotechnic detonators, the scaled distance predictor equations obtained become unreliable. The error/scatter in delay timing leads to overlapping of holes and hence increases in maximum charge per delay. In this paper, an analytical approach has been discussed to measure the overlapping of holes during blasting with initiation systems having inherent cap scatter. The analytical approach will be calculating the probable overlapping of holes due to scatter in delay timing and will help blasting engineers to understand the variation in maximum charge per delay due to pyrotechnic based initiating systems. In this study, a total number of 102 blasts were conducted using different initiation systems at two different opencast coal mine and 221 corresponding blast vibrations events were recorded.

Nov 10, 2020

By M. H. Waxman, L. J. M. Smits

A simple physical model was used to develop an equation that relates the electrical conductivity of a water-saturatedshaly sand to the water conductivity and the cation-exchange capacity per unit pore volume of the rock. This equation fits both the experimental data of Hill and Milburn and data obtained recently on selected shaly sands with a wide range of cation-exchange capacities. This model was extended to cases where both oil and water are present in the shaly sand. This results in an additional expression, relating the resistivity ratio to water saturation, water conductivity and cation-exchange capacity per unit pore volume. The effect of shale content on the resistivity index - water saturation function is demonstrated by several numerical examples. INTRODUCTION A principal aim of well logging is to provide quantitative information concerning porosity and oil saturation of the permeable formations penetrated by the borehole. For clean sands, the relationships between measured physical quantities and porosity or saturation are well known. However, the presence of clay minerals greatly complicates log interpretation, particularly the electrical resistivity and SP logs, and considerably affects evaluation of hydrocarbon-bearing formations. The conductance and electrochemical behavior of shaly sands and their relation to log interpretation have been studied by many workers. wylliel and Lunch2 reviewed this work in some detail. Virtually all laboratory measurements of electrical resistivity and electrochemical potential of shaly sands published to date are the work of Hill and Milburn.3 Their measurements were made on about 300 cores covering a large variety of sedimentary rocks, and a wide range of equilibrating NaCl solution concentrations. Hill and Milburn described their conductivity data by an empirical equation in which the shaly sand conductivity Co was expressed as a function of the solution conductivity C and two parameters b and F01 . The quantity b was shown to be a measure of the effective clay content of the rock, being approximately proportional to the cation-exchange capacity of the rock divided by its pore volume. The latter ratio is designated as 9, in this paper and has the dimensions meq/ml or equiv/liter. Qv is identical with the term representing the concentration of fixed charges in the Meyer-Sieved and Teorel15 theory of permselective membrane behavior. F01 is a formation resistivity factor referred to a hypothetical equilibrating solution resistivity of 0.01 ohm m at 25C,* where clay effects presumably are minimized. F01 was correlated to porosity by an Archie-type equation.6 The Hill-Milburn equation describes their data with a standard deviation of approximately 1 percent and a maximum deviation of + 10 percent. Shaly sands behave as permselective cation-exchange membranes, their electrochemical efficiencies increasing with increasing clay content. The electrochemical potential data of Hill and Milburn were expressed graphically, and demonstrate that the membrane efficiency (or cation transport number) of these sands is a function only of the b value (i.e., Qv) and the respective salt concentrations of the two solutions forming the liquid junction in the sand. The diffusion potentials are not dependent on F01 or any parameter relating to the porosity or pore geometry of the rock. The Hill-Milburn resistivity equation correctly predicts a decreasing sand conductivity Co with decreasing solution conductivity C?. However, at some low value of C,, the calculated Co-C, function goes through a minimum; with further decrease in C?, the predicted sand conductivity increases sharply. As pointed out by Hill and Milburn, an increasing value of Co with decreasing C, is physically meaningless. Since this occurs below the range of practical values of C,, the usefulness of the empirical equation is not affected when

Jan 1, 1969

By Moort van J C

A new low-intensity magnetic separator which operates by spinning particles in a continuously rotating magnetic field is able to reduce particle entrapment of non-magnetics to an almost insignificant level. In such separators the removal of ma

Jan 1, 1997

By Schofield N. A

The cross-sectional method of stope grade estimation at Cobar Mines has consistently had several shoneomings, me most imponant of which being mat stope grade is significantly overestimated in the high grade lenses.The use of mree-dimensional ore lens modelling improved the grade estimation and ore waste definition but significant overestimation still occurred in me high grade stopes, particularly those wim extremely variable grade distribution. The implementation of an indicalor kriging based method for mapping of me high grade copper mineralization has significantly improved the quality of copper grade estimates and provides a mineralisation geometry similar to that generated manually by me mine geologists. This paper presents the results of a test case study in the application of indicator kriging to the mapping of the copper grade in two stopes in the QTS North mineralisation. The results are encouraging in that they prov ide coofi rmation of the geometrical model developed by the geologists and much improved estimates of the grades of me stopes whencompared to me grade reponed from mining these stopes.

Jan 1, 1993

By Muhammad Azeem Raza, Muhammad Zaka Emad, Muhammad Usman Tahir, Saqib Ahmad Saki, Muhammad Usman Khan

Shotcrete is a key initial rock support component used in underground mining and civil projects. The strength of shotcrete plays a vital role in providing and deciding the support adequacy. The strength of shotcrete is evaluated by its uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) test that is usually conducted on extracted core samples. Shotcrete cores are commonly extracted from the test panels along the direction of its application; thus, its strength perpendicular to the direction of application is often neglected. The true bearing strength of shotcrete is thereby ignored despite the fact that higher stresses act normal to the direction of its application. Although the anisotropic behavior of shotcrete is well reported, no study has reported extensive testing of this scale and nature. This study reports extensive testing of shotcrete cores extracted from tunnels of a mega hydroelectric project in Pakistan. The study reports 7- and 28-days strength tests of shotcrete cores. The research also investigates the anisotropic behavior of steel fiber reinforced shotcrete and suggests that shotcrete exhibits higher strength perpendicular to the direction of its application.

Dec 26, 2022

By Jean-Michel Rendu

In most mining operations, some degree of selectivity is applied. Whether one deals with surface or underground operation, ore zones, and waste zones are defined not only on the basis of the value of the ore contained, but also taking mining constraints into account. A number of computer techniques are presented which can be used to determine the optimum location of the footwall and hanging wall of ore zones intersected by drill holes. Minimum mining width and minimum internal waste width constraints are taken into account, as well as other economic constraints. The system is presented as an integral part of a larger manumatic ore reserve and mine planning system.

Jan 1, 1982

By Isrun Bohlinger

Resources recovery of brasses for semifinished products often results in the formation of hard spots impairing the quality of following abrasive and/or surface finishing processes. A short survey is given on the recycling processes, followed by the actual knowlegde of genesis, composition, and possibilities of avoidance of hard spots. Informations on genesis and composition of hard spots are completed by data from recent experiments.

Jan 1, 1998

By C. Villachica

El presente texto refiere las recuperaciones de los metales (oro y plata) contenidos en productos intermedios de las minas, concentradoras, fundición y refinerías. Asimismo, se considera la lixiviación de plata en botaderos, flotación de escorias de convertidoras de cobre, flotación de escorias convertidoras de anódicos, separación de valores de refractarios usados y la recuperación de plata de relaves y productos intermedio de concentradoras.

Oct 14, 1980

By G. Akdogan, P. Mutimutema, M. Tadie

The South African gold mining industry has a legacy of abundant tailings dams, which have attracted the attention of investors because of their potential as a cheaper secondary gold resource. In this we investigate study gold recovery from a refractory calcine tailings dam. Bulk mineralogy of the tailings silicates and iron oxides to be the most abundant phases. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) showed gold to exist in submicrometre and micrometre sizes, as free gold, and associated with arsenic, sulphur, and silicates e.g. quartz and talc. Gold recovery by direct cyanidation was low at 17.3%. Mechanical (ultra fine grinding P80 -16μm) and chemical (alkaline, NaOH) pre-treatment and microwave roasting and microwave-assisted cyanide leaching were investigated to increase gold recoveries. Ultrafine grinding was the most effective, producing recoveries of 66.5%. NaOH pre-leaching of ultrafine milled material increased recovery to 71.5%. Alkaline pre-leaching overall increased recoveries for non-pretreated material, making this process the most preferred because it is less costly than ultrafine grinding. Microwave roasting and microwave-assisted leaching did not achieve higher recoveries than alkaline pre-treatment or fine grinding. The investigation highlights and confirms that chemical treatment with NaOH is a powerful tool for gold extraction from refractory tailings.

Oct 1, 2022

By Philippe Monier, Frank C. Basham

"This paper outlines the scope and applications of 'COALMOD', the British Columbia Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources' computerized financial simulation model for coal mining developments. After a description of the computer system and language of implementation, the logic and scope of current model sub-routines are presented. This is followed by a presentation of examples on the current applications of the model to public policy evaluation, including benefit-cost analysis, fiscal analysis and evaluation of the effects of public infrastructure investments made in support of mining projects.IntroductionThis presentation has been developed in response to a number of requests from coal mining companies and various public agencies who have indicated interest in understanding our application of contemporary analytical techniques to public policy in the coal sector. In particular, the subject of this paper is an explanation of COALMOD. a mnemonic given to a computerized, mine-specific, financial simulation model which is assisting the Government of British Columbia in evaluations of new coal projects, assessment of public sector investments made in support of these projects and. more generally, measurement of the financial effects of current or proposed government policies, and factors outside immediate government control such as coal prices and transportation costs."

Jan 1, 1981

By D. E. Macdonald

"Approximately 2.0 million tonnes of phosphate rock is imported from the U.S. to Alberta annually and is used in the production of agricultural fertilizers. No phosphate rock is presently mined in Canada, although sources of igneous phosphate have been mined in the past. Sedimentary phosphate rock is found in nine geological units within the Cordilleran Foothills and Front Ranges region of Alberta. The Devonian-Mississippian Exshaw Formation, Permo-Pennsylvanian Rocky Mountain Supergroup, and the Jurassic Fernie Formation have the best potential f or future development. Most of the phosphate rock in Alberta is of low grade and lies within restricted land use areas. The best over-all resource potential lies in the Fernie basin area of southeastern British Columbia, in the Fernie Formation. The possibility of deep phosphate rock deposits in the plains region should be examined.Phosphate rock is mined in Idaho, Utah, Montana and Florida, and is shipped to Canadian fertilizer plants for processing. Raw phosphate rock is acidified, usually with sulphuric acid, by a wet process. Varying amounts of ammonia are added, and the fertilizer is pelletized. Future research, in western Canada, is needed in the beneficiating of low-grade ores and in the area of in situ mining. At the present time, phosphate rock sells for around US$50Itonne, and Alberta fertilizer companies probably pay in the range of C$7D-$85Itonne for U.S. phosphate rock delivered to the plant. Environmental concerns about phosphate rock processing are centred around gypsum tailing ponds, and radioactive wastes.U.S. supplies of phosphate rock are secure until the year 2000; however, by this time, the richer deposits in the U.S. may be exhausted. Alternate deposits, such as the ones in Alberta and British Columbia, might then be considered. Phosphate byproducts, such as uranium, vanadium, fluorine and rare earth elements, may help in making the processing of low-grade Canadian phosphates economically feasible."

Jan 1, 1988

By Yueyue Ding, Yuanhui Li, Zhengrong Li, Pengfei Yu, Kunmeng Li, Zhipeng Xiong

The stress evolution and failure characteristics of overburden were studied during multi-stope mining for a gently inclined thin orebody. Firstly, an indoor physical experiment was conducted on the excavation of a multi-stope mine with an orebody dip angle of 20°. The results show that the vertical stress concentration area gradually shifts to deep-buried rock mass with the mining from shallow to deep buried stopes, resulting in shear failure originating from high stress. On the contrary, the pressure relief zone presents an asymmetric distribution characteristic that is biased towards the upper part of the goaf, resulting in large subsidence and tensile failure of the stope #1 and #2 roofs. Secondly, the numerical simulation model under the same geological condition was established to measure the roof deformation at different stages of mining. The numerical simulation results are in good agreement with the physical test results; the roof displacement is largest in stope #2, second-largest in stope #1, and smallest in stope #3. Finally, the evolution of deviator stress concentration, displacement field and potential failure zone of overburden under different orebody dip angles were studied. As the dip angle of the orebody increase, the deep-buried stope roof changes from deviator stress release to deviator stress concentration in different stages of mining, and shear failure is most likely to be induced when the orebody dip angle is 30°. Meanwhile, the closure displacement of the stope roof decreases gradually, while the tangential displacement increases, so the anti-sliding ability of the support bodies in the stope should be improved. The potential tensile failure zone gradually shifts from the center of the goaf to the upper part, and the deep-buried stope roof evolves from tensile failure to shear failure. Results of this research expected to provide guiding significance for stope support design to control roof deformation and failure, to ensure the safety of the stope.

Mar 2, 2023

By William G. Kegel

Aside from having a usable product and good mining conditions, the greatest asset for a profitable coal mining organization is an effective mine maintenance program. The first step in acquiring this is the presence of good mechanics-men who have a desire to be mechanics and who want to know more about the design and control of the machines in their charge. The knowledge and ability to be found in a good mechanic is the result of ambition, curiosity, and determination. With these qualities as a start, the aspiring mechanic can launch his career if he begins learning all he can about mechanics, electricity, and hydraulics. The path is rough, but the goal is rewarding. Mining machinery probably absorbs as much or more abuse than any other heavy equipment in use today. And when one considers the conditions under which much of the repair work must be done, it can be seen that the mine operator needs the best of men and tools to perform the service. MOTORS AND POWER SUPPLY Mining machines, from their inception, have utilized the electric motor; and down through the years of mechanization, this power source has undergone many changes to better adapt it to the job. The first motors used were large, heavy-framed, open d-c motors (direct current), using a series or shunt winding. A motor having one or more field coils connected in series and themselves in series with the armature, is called a series motor (Fig. 1). The series motor had the advantage of quickly developing starting torque, and it was, and still is, the best motor for locomotive or shuttle car tramming service. The series motor, however, speeds up as the load is reduced and, if not properly controlled, can overspeed. The shunt motor, as its name implies, has one or more field coils in

Jan 1, 1973

By H. M. Cooper

The determination of moisture in coal is an empirical test, because the time, temperature, and equipment are specified. The essential features of the equipment and details of the procedure are given in A.S.T.M. Designation: D271-44.:2. According to the specifications, the following features should be incorporated in the equipment used: 1. Oven must have uniform temperature in all parts. 2. Oven must be constructed with minimum of air space. 3. Oven must have means of changing the air two to four times per minute. 4. Air must be dried over sulfuric acid (sp. f-7. 1.84). The analytical procedures governing most of the nation's coal purchases are those given in A.S.T.M. Standards referred to above. These standards are general arid of such scope as to cover all ranks and types of coal. In cases where only the moisture is required, a faster method than the standard procedure is desired.

Jan 1, 1948

By A. J. Lena, M. F. Hawkes

Changes in hardness, tensile properties, microstructure, electrical resistance, and X-ray diffraction effects indicate that lattice strains are necessary for the embrittlement of ferritic stainless steels when heated for relatively short times at 475°C (885°F). It is suggested that 475°C (885°F) embrittlement is due to the accelerated formation of an intermediate stage in the formation of s under the influence of these strains. FERRITIC stainless steels (low carbon alloys of iron with more than 15 pct Cr) are subject to two forms of embrittlement when heated in the temperature range of 375° to 750°C. The embrittlement which occurs after long time heating between 565" and 750°C is well understood; it is caused by the precipitation of the hard, brittle s phase. Sigma is an intermetallic compound of approximate equi-atomic composition with an extended range of formation in Fe-Cr alloys. The maximum temperature at which this form of embrittlement can occur is dependent upon chromium content; and is approximately 620°C for a 17 pct Cr steel and 730°C for a 27 pct Cr steel. The other form of embrittlement occurs after relatively short heating periods in the range of 375" to 565°C; in the higher chromium steels, hours may be sufficient as compared to months for s embrittlement. This phenomenon is not at all well understood and several controversial theories have been proposed. The rate and intensity of embrittlement increase with increasing chromium content but the maximum rate occurs at 475°C re-gardless of chromium content. As a result of this, the phenomenon has been termed 475°C (885°F) embrittlement. The effect of 475°C embrittlement on the properties of ferritic stainless steels has been thoroughly reviewed by Heger.1 The embrittlement causes a pronounced decrease in room temperature impact strength and ductility, a large increase in hardness and tensile strength, and a decrease in electrical resistivity and corrosion resistance. Microstructural changes accompanying embrittlement are minor and difficult to interpret with a general grain darkening, appearance of a lamellar precipitate, grain boundary widening, and precipitation along ferrite veins having been reported at various times. With the exception of reported line broadening, X-ray diffraction studies by conventional Debye analysis of solid samples have been of little value. BY making use of electron diffraction methods, Fisher, Dulis, and Car-roll' have recently shown the existence of a chromi-um-rich, body-centered cubic phase in 27 pct Cr steels which had been aged at 482°C (900°F) for as long as four years. Two types of theories have been advanced to account for the embrittlement. The first of these requires the precipitation of a phase not inherent in the Fe-Cr system with various investigators suggesting a carbide,3 nitride,3 phosphide,4 or oxide." Theories of this type have difficulty accounting for the influence of alloying elements on the embrittlement and for the facts that a minimum chromium content is necessary for embrittlement and the intensity of embrittlement increases with increasing chromium content. The second type of theory that has been proposed relates 475°C embrittlement to s phase formation which is inherent in the Fe-Cr system. An assumption of this kind can adequately explain the influence of alloying elements, for they exert an effect on 475°C embrittlement similar to that on s phase for-mation as can be seen in Table I. The minimum chromium content is essentially the same for both phenomena and it has been shown12,13 that s is a stable phase in the embrittling temperature range. In addition, it has been reported14,15 that pure alloys embrittle to the same extent as commercial type alloys. There are, however, several factors which have prevented complete acceptance of a s phase theory. Foremost of these is that the embrittlement can be removed by reheating for short time periods above 600°C, which in the higher chromium steels is within the stable s region. No s has ever been observed after one of these curing treatments, nor has any s been found as a result of embrittlement at 475°C. In addition, the simple precipitation of s cannot explain the time-temperature relationships for reactions between 350°and 750°C. This behavior is shown schematically in Fig. 1. Newell 16 and Ried-rich and Loib4 have shown that 475°C embrittlement follows a C-type curve as illustrated, while Short-

Jan 1, 1955

By Edwin R. Phelps, Charles W. Porterfield

BACKGROUND OF SURFACE MINING Surface mining refers to the process of removing the material (over- burden) overlying a coal seam and exposing the coal so that it can be loaded out and conveyed by trucks or other methods to the preparation plant or other facility. Surface mining has not always been important in the coal industry. In the early 1900s, almost all of the coal mined in the United States was mined by underground methods. In 1900, about 192 Mt (212 million st) of bituminous coal were mined and less than 1% was mined by surface methods. The development and use of larger equipment has allowed surface mining to gain prominence throughout the years. Table 1 shows the total production of coal by mining method in the United States for ten-year periods since 1920 and indicates the growth of surface-mined coal production. Surface mining will undoubtedly continue to account for a large percentage of the coal production in the US for many years because: 1) The capacity of surface mining excavators has continued to in- crease. Today, mining companies are using shovels (see Fig. 1) which are able to move up to 137.6 m3 (180 cu yd) in each bite and draglines (see Fig. 2) which move up to 168.2 m3 (220 cu yd) in each bucketful. 2) Increasing tonnage from the thick western coal seams is being produced by surface mining methods. 3) Surface mining has normally had lower costs and a better safety record than underground mining. 4) Surface mining normally recovers a much higher percentage of the coal reserve than can be recovered by underground mining. 5) Some coal measures can best be extracted by surface mining

Jan 1, 1981