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By Fred Garcia, William P. Diamond

As part of its mine safety and health research program, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Pittsburgh Research Laboratory, has been investigating the geologic and mining factors influencing methane gas emissions associated with longwall mining. A primary focus of this research has been the consequences of increasing longwall panel dimensions, particularly face width, in gassy coalbeds. Continuous longwall face emission monitoring studies were conducted at two adjacent mines operating in the Pocahontas No. 3 Coalbed, where longwall faces were to be extended from 229 to 305 m (750 to 1,000 ft). Average longwall pass methane emission rates for 229-m (750-ft) wide faces were 61 % (0.072 m31sec (153 cfm)) higher at the VP-3 Mine than at the VP-1 Mine. It was predicted by regression analysis of methane emissions data from 229-m (750-ft) wide faces that extending faces to 305 m (1,000 ft) would increase methane emission rates by only 7%, or 0.009 m3/sec (20 cfm), to 0.144 mysec (304 cfm) at the VP-1 Mine. In contrast, it was predicted that extending faces to 305 m (1,000 ft) at the VP-3 Mine would increase methane emissions by as much as 13%, or 0.029 mysec (65 cfm), to 0.268 dlsec (567 cfm).

Jan 10, 1999

By Chas. F. Jackson

INTRODUCTION This paper is one of a series dealing with mining methods and costs, prepared and published under the sponsorship of the US Bureau of Mines (USBM) and made possible through the cooperation of many mining companies in the US and foreign countries. The data presented have been obtained from papers previously published by the Bureau dealing with indi¬vidual mines, from the technical press, and from infor¬mation furnished by the mining companies. DEFINITIONS Top Slicing The term top slicing is commonly applied to that method of mining in which the ore is extracted by a series of timbered slices, beginning at the capping; the slice is caved, bringing down the capping to the floor of the slice; the succeeding lower slices are mined up to the overlying mat or gob, consisting of an accumulation of timber from the upper slices and broken capping, which follows the mining progressively downward (Fig. 1). The term has also come to be applied to the mining of ore bodies only one slice thick, by a series of tim¬bered slices one beside the other. The timbers are blasted out, bringing the capping down to the floor, suc¬ceeding slices being driven alongside those already caved (Fig. 2). In USBM classifications of mining methods, top slic¬ing has been placed under the heading caved stopes. The method differs fundamentally, however, from the cav¬ing methods of mining in which the breaking of the ore itself is accomplished by caving action induced by undercutting. In top slicing the ore is broken by the ordinary methods of drilling and blasting, and only the capping is broken up by caving. Main Levels or Haulage Levels Main or haulage levels are the main extraction levels on which the ore is hauled to the shaft. These levels and the shaft constitute the preliminary development of the mine.

Jan 1, 1982

By C. G. Brennecke, R. T. Gallagher

This paper is the result of a research program entered into cooperatively by the General Reinsurance Corporation and Lehigh University in January 1944. The research program was instituted to find a more positive method to determine the presence of hazardous roof conditions in , mining operations. The co-authors, together with Mr. R. D. Currie, Engineer for the General Reinsurance Corporation, started working on the project in January 1944, first undertaking a library search; second, a preliminary study based on some existing equipment; third, the design of new and more suitable equipment; and finally, the field testing of equipment and methods. Purpose Any study of the accident statistics of mining operations will disclose the rather startling fact that approximately 50 to 60 per cent of all fatal underground accidents in the anthracite and bituminous mines are caused by falls of roof and coal, the metal and nonmetal mines showing only a slightly smaller percentage. Advancements in safety engineering have produced definite results in the decrease of accidents due to blasting, haulage, electricity, and explosions but no such decrease is shown in those caused by falls of roof, coal, or ore. Table Il,2 is a compilation of statistics as published by the United States Bureau of Mines, showing the percentages of fatal accidents caused

Jan 1, 1947

By J. Bulina, J. T. Brown

SINCE the inception of vacuum cold-hearth arc melting of high-temperature alloys (about 4 years ago) it has been theoretically reasoned and qualitatively found that better mechanical properties are often obtained from alloys which have been melted by this practice. Mechanical properties are emphasized in this evaluation because of their importance in design. Vacuum-arc melting has an intrinsic advantage in that it creates an ingot grain structure which is easier to forge and thus leads to greater yields for the finished product. The greater yield naturally gives the process an economic basis when the cost per pound of alloy is rather high. However, the question stressed here is, does the process create an alloy with inherently better properties? There are several theoretical reasons for suspecting that it does. One is the vacuum refining which should permit lowering the content of harmful residuals with high vapor pressures. A second is the vacuum process which should preclude the formation of harmful distribution of oxides, nitrides, or carbo-nitrides, by keeping the amount of such constituents formed to a minimum. A third is the vacuum-arc cold-hearth method which prevents the possibility of pick-up of harmful elements from a refractory crucible since none is used. Fourth, the rapid solidification rate, induced by having a cold mold and only small amounts of molten metal at any one time, minimizes the segregation of elements like titanium, aluminum, and molybdenum from the top to the bottom of the ingot. This rapid solidification rate also decreases the tendency of the above elements to form undesirable phases by segregating locally. Another less frequently considered vacuum-arc melting advantage is the inherently finer-grained ingot structure which can be produced. Finer initial grain size leads to better forgeability, and means that after relatively small reductions to billets or final forged products a finer-grained material is obtained, which, by virtue of its finer grain size, would usually have greater stress-rupture ductility.

Jan 1, 1960

By R. T. Gallagher, C. G. Brennecke

This paper is the result of a research program entered into cooperatively by the General Reinsurance Corporation and Lehigh University in January 1944. The research program was instituted to find a more positive method to determine the presence of hazardous roof conditions in , mining operations. The co-authors, together with Mr. R. D. Currie, Engineer for the General Reinsurance Corporation, started working on the project in January 1944, first undertaking a library search; second, a preliminary study based on some existing equipment; third, the design of new and more suitable equipment; and finally, the field testing of equipment and methods. Purpose Any study of the accident statistics of mining operations will disclose the rather startling fact that approximately 50 to 60 per cent of all fatal underground accidents in the anthracite and bituminous mines are caused by falls of roof and coal, the metal and nonmetal mines showing only a slightly smaller percentage. Advancements in safety engineering have produced definite results in the decrease of accidents due to blasting, haulage, electricity, and explosions but no such decrease is shown in those caused by falls of roof, coal, or ore. Table Il,2 is a compilation of statistics as published by the United States Bureau of Mines, showing the percentages of fatal accidents caused

Jan 1, 1947

By R. B. Yerxa, C. F. Green, H. O. Hofman

MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, In refining copper, the metal is melted down in a reverbera tory furnace in a more or less oxidizing atmosphere and then further subjected to an oxidizing smelting in order to eliminate the common impurities, most of which have a stronger affinity for oxygen than has copper. In these operations some of the copper is oxidized to cuprous oxide and dissolved by the metal bath. When the quantity of dissolved cuprous oxide has reached about 6 per cent, the metal is said to have been brought to " set-copper." A button-sample will show a depressed surface and, when broken, a single bubble at the apex of the depression; the fracture will be brick-red and dull. It is essential to carry the oxidation to this point in order to know that the impurities have been oxidized as far as it is possible under the given working-conditions. Nearly all the cuprous oxide of the set-copper is now reduced to the metallic state by poling, when "tough-pitch" copper will be obtained. A button-sample will show a flat surface. Upon breaking, it will be found that the former bubble has disappeared and that the fracture has become rose-colored and shows a silky luster. The quantity of cuprous oxide allowed to remain in the copper will vary with the impurities still present in the metal and with the degree of pitch that it is desired to reach. It is essential for the general physical and the mechanical properties of the resulting copper that such impurities as arsenic, antimony, bismuth, lead shall be present in the oxidized state, as they are

Jan 1, 1904

By C. A. Edwards

Jan 1, 1935

By C. A. Edwards

Jan 1, 1935

By Pentti Seppanen

The activities of Outokumpu Oy in the mining industry span all branches from prospecting to the production of refined metals and the manufacture of semifinished products. Products include copper, zinc, mercury, cadmium, nickel, cobalt, sulfur, gold, silver, iron ore, stainless steel, selenium, ferrochromium, lead and chromium concentrates, as well as chromite foundry sand. In addition, the activities of Outokumpu Oy extend to development and production of instruments, planning of industrial projects and instrumentation as well as the manufacture of specialized machines for ore concentration. The company now operates ten mines, eight of which are underground and all of which are in sulfide deposits except one. The fully automated monitoring and control of underground mine ventilation at the Pyhasalmi mine are an important technological contribution to the industry. Development work on the ventilation control was started in 1969, and since May 1973 it has operated in a fully automated computer-controlled mode. The Pyhasalmi mine has been in production since 1962, having begun as an open-pit operation. Development of underground mining began in 1967. The present annual production is one million tons all from underground mining. The underground mine is equipped with a main shaft and an auxiliary shaft, and two raises for ventilation. There is also a rampway from the surface to a depth of 500 m. The main shaft is for ore hoisting and the auxiliary shaft is used for waste-rock hoisting and for downcast ventilation. One of the raises is for downcast ventilation and the other is for upcast ventilation. The mining methods employed at Pyhasalmi are sublevel stoping with backfill, sublevel caving, and sublevel shrinkage stoping. Copper and zinc concentrates are produced. The Pyhasalmi mine is highly mechanized with about 4000 installed diesel horsepower underground. The maximum capacity of fresh air is 150 m3/s.

Jan 1, 1979

By R S. Suglo, G-K Er

Mineral processing is an essential component of a mine production chain and it accounts for significant proportion of the production cost. Over the past decade, significant research progress has been made in processing plant efficiency using theoretical, experimental and simulation modelling techniques. However, these studies are limited to process plant system as stand-alone units with no interactions with the mining units. In order to maximise the total mining system efficiency and more accurately simulate the system, the processing plant must be modelled as part of an integrated mining system. This becomes increasingly important in continuous surface mining systems, with limited ore processing capacity. In addition, plant efficiency is roughly estimated with known parameters or with simplistic statistical data, without regards to the stochastic processes governing these parameters, such as processing plant feed introduction. In this paper, a comprehensive model of the ore processing plant system is given and the object-oriented design (OOD) of the system is briefly introduced. The joint operation of ore processing plant system and haulage system is analysed. Numerical modelling is used to analyse the ore processing plant system under different conditions. Analysis of the results show that the optimum plant capacity is 0.7 tons/sec (2520 tons/hour). The results also show that the plant system resources cannot be fully utilised because the production rate is always less than the plant capacity. When plant capacity reaches an optimum value 0.7 tons/sec, the production rate is about 0.64 tons/sec. The underlying stochastic processes associated with plant and mine capacities cause this variability. In order to reduce this variability, there is the need to tightly set tolerances for the function variables.

Jan 1, 2003

By K. Robinson

Following the longest Smelter campaign in BCL?s history it was planned to completely rebuild the flash smelting furnace in 1987. This was the fourth major overhaul and the most extensive so far attempted. Detailed planning took place over several year$ preceding the shutdown and implementation was completed in 54 days. The key to minimising shutdown time was the method designed for installation of the new uptake shaft and reaction shaft. Major repair work was also undertaken in the waste heat boiler and electric furnaces. Both of these activities had an impact on the critical path of the flash smelting furnace overhaul.

Jan 1, 1993

By M. G. F. Söhnlein

IN THE metallurgical treatment of sulfide silver-tin ores mined at Oruro, Potosi, and Chocaya, the most important and difficult step is chloridizing-roasting. The ores are chiefly mined from veins in rhyolite, a detailed description of which can be found in most textbooks on ore deposits. The chief gangue minerals are Pyrite and quartz, and the silver content is derived from tetrahedrite, jamesonite, stibnite, and cylindrite. Most of the tin is present in the form of a rather impure cassiterite, which forms microcrystalline aggregates of varying richness with quartz and pyrite; occasionally, some tin is found as stannite, cylindrite, and other complex sulfantimonates. The silver content of the minerals that compose the ore is approximately as follows: Pyrite, 3 to 5 oz. per ton; jamesonite, 30 to 50 oz. per ton; stibnite, 30 to 150 oz. per ton; cylindrite, 200 to 300 oz. per-Jon; tetrahedrite, 500 to 3000 oz. per ton. Occasionally, some ruby silver ore is found, but it is very rare. In the mines of Oruro, which are the deepest in the sulfide zone, tetrahedrite has nearly disappeared, stibnite, jamesonite, and, in the deepest levels, cylindrite taking its place. At present, there are six mills treating this ore, two at Potosi, two at Chocaya, one at Poopo, and one at Machacamarca. The ore is crushed dry, given a chloridizing roast, leached with water and hyposulfite solution (or with brine) to extract gold, silver and copper, and concentrated for tin with or' without regrinding.

Jan 8, 1920

Jan 1, 1954

By P Clark, P A. Kirsch, R Tapia Rivera

Community members’ sources of information about companies’ social investments are often influenced by the messages in a variety of communication channels, such as newspapers, television and social media. In this sea of communication channels, corporate communications may not always have the desired effect in influencing community perceptions. This paper explores the efficacy of communication between mining companies and communities in Chile through content analysis of corporate sustainability reports and newspaper reporting.Chilean media reporting between 2005 and 2013 is examined to identify community perceptions of corporate social investments made by mining companies. Content within the Chilean newspapers El Mercurio (national) and Soy Chile (regional) is contrasted with content from corporate sustainability reports published by The National Copper Corporation of Chile (Codelco) and Barrick Gold Corporation, Canada (Barrick) for the same period. The objective is to identify differences in the way that corporate social investments are reported by companies in sustainable development reporting and by media in newspapers.Overall, the study demonstrates that the media’s framing and reporting of corporate activities was more negative than positive. Moreover, media outlets tended to focus upon the ‘negative impacts’ or ‘damage’ to communities brought about by mining developments. Conversely, companies’ public communications were largely focused upon direct improvements in livelihoods (health, education, etc) of neighbouring communities. This preliminary study provides a baseline for the development of new formats of effective communication with neighbouring communities. The paper advocates for an increase in participatory mechanisms with affected parties, which could lead towards a greater mutual understanding of the impacts and draw parties closer together.CITATION:Tapia Rivera, R, Kirsch, P A and Clark, P, 2014. Challenging Perceptions? Sustainability Reporting, the Media and Mining, in Proceedings Life-of-Mine 2014 , pp 413–426 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Jul 16, 2014

A paper describing the treatment of the Mary Kathleen uranium ores must necessarily be historical and confined mainly to a review of the four papers which have already appeared. Couche and Hartley (1958) described the development of the treatment process just prior to the commencement of operations in June, 1958. Harris, Boag and Hemingway (1961) described the treatment during the operations, and Wreford (1965) reviewed all aspects of the mine and mill, when operations were suspended in November, 1963. Harris and Steele ('1960 presented a paper especially describing the radiometric sorting operation. Some hitherto unpublished information is also presented in the paper to describe some of the peculiarities of the ore, indicate reasons for the adoption of the treatment flowsheet, and some interesting problems connected with this treatment.

Jan 1, 1968

By Alexander Malahoff

Field observations and sampling of land-based and submarine hydrothermal and geothermal sites show a definite link between the geological setting, fluid geochemistry and specialized assemblages of microorganisms found at these settings. Three initial sites have been chosen as a basis for these studies. The first site is located on hydrothermal vents in pit craters on the submarine volcano Lo?ihi (Hawai?i) at a water depth of 1,300 meters. The second site is within the geothermally active vents, ponds and lakes of the Taupo Volcanic Zone of New Zealand. The third site extends along the chain of volcanically and hydrothermally active volcanoes of the Kermadec-Tonga arc and back-arc system. To focus our work in New Zealand, a geomicrobiology field and experimental center has been established in Wairakei, New Zealand, with the relevant genomics, proteomic and bioinformatics work being conducted at the University of Hawaii. As part of a partnership between the University of Hawai?i, the Institute of Geological & Nuclear Sciences (GNS) and Victoria University of Wellington, a new interdisciplinary graduate course in geomicrobiology will be taught at Victoria University beginning next year. Since mineral-microbial interactions have been occurring for the past few billion years and these interactions have led to where one generates the other, a metal-bacteria research program has been initiated at GNS using arsenic-gold and other metal-bacterial interaction processes as a research objective. In this research program, we have completed the full genome of a new species of marine bacterium Idiomarina loihiensis from the Lo?ihi hydrothermal vents and identified specialized microorganisms living in pH 0.3 geothermal vent waters of White Island, New Zealand. The multidisciplinary approach to study the process of accumulation of metals in the hydrothermal systems clearly shows the path of how bacterial-mineral interaction can precipitate metal deposits. These studies will lead to new avenues for biomining, bioremediation and the understanding of the origins of life.

Jan 1, 2004

By D. A. Schemnitz, O. W. Ellis

Certain alloys1 that, as a result of quenching, are retained in the form of homoaeneous solid solution are known to increase in hardness and strength on standing at room temperature or on heating at slightly elevated temperatures. Other alloys2 that, on rapid cooling, are held in the form of homogeneous solid solution, as, for example, certain steels, behave in like manner on heating to somewhat higher temperatures. The observed increase in the hardness and strength of these alloys, referred to as " aging"' or as "secondary hardness," is widely accepted as being occasioned, either in whole or in part, by the precipitation in submicroscopic form of such constituents as were held in supersaturated solid solution as a result of cooling in excess of a certain critical rate. In earlier discussions of the cause of age hardening or secondary hardness, the question of the hardness of the precipitated particles does not appear to have been raised. At present, however, the general opinion appears to be that age hardening and secondary hardness are occasioned by the precipitation of hard particles within the supersaturated solid substance.3 The authors may be wrong in their belief that the last is a prevailing opinion. Nevertheless, it is thought that the following experiments,

Jan 1, 1925

By Rixon LK, Walton KP

Evidence will be presented to show that borescope inspection of mine roofs is one of the most useful techniques available for stability assessments. ACIRL currently has four borescopes, comprising two fibre-optic units of 2.7 m and 4.5 m length and two optical rod units (introscopes) 6 m and 8 m in length. (The 8 m unit is not yet fully operational because of modifications needed to meet safety regulations). Using the fibre-optic units, photographs of hole walls or ends can be taken to record features. Roof lithology and crack patterns can be observed in roof holes from 25 - 60 mm in diameter. Several crack parameters are useful: type, location in the roof with respect to height and lithological boundaries, presence of individuals or zones containing crack clusters and the estimated amount of dilation. These data are readily computer- plotted to form "borescope logs". Provided that the holes remain open, a hole or group of holes can be re-surveyed at intervals to monitor crack development across or along a roadway, for example with respect to an advancing blind-ended roadway face.

Jan 1, 1986

As part of the Australian Mineral Industries Research Association (AMIRA) P9 project, methods of characterising both the ore and the machines in flotation circuits have matured considerably over the past 15 years. Machine characteristics include gas dispersion measurements, such as bubble size, gas hold-up and superficial gas velocity. Ores can be characterised in terms of floatability parameters on a size and mineral basis. Measurements have been performed on various copper plants in many countries around the world over the last 5 years. This paper outlines the cell and ore floatability characteristics of each copper plant and provides a discussion on the differences between these plants. In general, most porphyry copper ore bodies are processed at high tonnage through several parallel banks of cells at each stage of flotation. The floatability parameters of these copper ores are very similar in terms of rate of flotation and proportion of fast, slow and non-floating material. The cell characteristics are also similar, with superficial gas velocity, bubble sizes, and gas hold-up values being of similar magnitude. Investigation of the similarities and differences of the modem copper flotation circuits has allowed an increase in understanding of the particularities of copper flotation. Comparison against other copper circuits provides a benchmark and opportunities for future optimisation.

Jan 1, 2007

Synthetic seismograms of reflectivity method and some field records available are studied to detect the amplitude anomalies at the interface of the gaothermal reservoir the gas and/or oil boundary, and the underground tunnel. The first arrival of PO wave on the P-SV record are weak and emergent while those of P wave only rotated with respect to an incident angle are clear. This can, be explained by means of the energy loss of P-SV wave conversion. The primary reflections of P waves about depth fade away as compared to SH waves which do not perform any conversion, although they hold high attenuation in the fully saturated fluid layers. Reflection of comparable strength is present at the P-wave and S-wave... boundaries, but gas-saturated zones correlating with P wave bright spots do not show equivalent attenuation anomalies. Thus the comparative technique of P-SV wave and SI i wave records is very useful to indicate the strong amplitude anomalies at the boundaries of sealing targets.

Jan 1, 1990