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It is well known that the ability to influence project value reduces significantly as planning progresses and decisions regarding project parameters are made. However, at the prefeasibility stage in particular, where one of the main aims should be to evaluate a wide range of options in order to select the best for more detailed further study, there is often a reluctance to spend the time and money needed to do this rigorously. This paper demonstrates, by a number of case study examples, how significant increases in value may be obtained by fully evaluating the combinations of alternatives for various project design parameters, including (though not limited to) mining methods, haulage methods, mining rates, processing methods and rates, sequencing of mining, and cut-off grades, with changes and upgrades over time where applicable. The additional value unlocked is typically orders of magnitude greater than the additional cost of the more comprehensive study. The dangers of misuse of simplistic sensitivity analyses and failure to identify how strategies might change in response to changes in external factors are also illustrated, and the importance of selecting the best `grade descriptor' is discussed.

Jan 1, 2007

By A. J. Jeffery

Heat transfer to a fluid flowing through a rough duct has been shown by many researchers to be a function of surface roughness. The effect of roughness asperities on the duct surface is to turbulate the fluid as it flows through the duct, increasing frictional pressure losses and convective heat transfer rates, and also increasing the surface area per unit length available for heat transfer. These factors combine to increase the total costs to the mine in terms of refrigeration and fan power requirements. A measurement system designed to automate the collection of tunnel roughness information and based on an infra-red timed pulse laser has been developed at the Royal School of Mines in London. The system allows accurate, high resolution digital recordings of tunnel surfaces to be made in two or three dimensions. Software for analysing the data has been written, and the description of a complex surface via single numerical term has been explored. A relationship between the numerically measured surface roughness and the pressure loss of the ventilating air is being investigated with a view to establishing an alternative method of describing tunnel roughness. The paper describes the roughness measuring technique developed and the analytical techniques explored so far.

Jan 1, 1993

By Pedro Henrique L. M. Lopes, Édio Pereira Lima Jr., Fernanda Santos da Luz, Fábio de Oliveira Braga, Sergio Neves Monteiro

Several works have been dedicated to study the ballistic response of multilayered armor systems (MAS), including those using natural fiber composites as second layer. These composites disclosed good ballistic performance, having economic and environmental advantages. In the present work, the objective was to investigate the effect of areal densities of each MAS layer, in the overall performance of a MAS with an alumina ceramic front, a curaua fabric reinforced composite filling, and an aluminum alloy backing the target. Ballistic “backface signature” tests were conducted, varying the areal densities of the MAS layers according to a Box-Behnken design. The results showed a similar influence of the ceramic and aluminum layers in the MAS “backface signatures”, although deformation and failure mechanisms were significantly different. The composite also showed significant participation in the overall MAS performance. Since the composite is cheaper and lighter, a balance minimizing the other layers would be advantageous.

Mar 1, 2018

By Anderson William Henrique Satini

A redução do preço de minério de ferro aliada ao aumento das restrições ambientais para licenciamento de áreas para disposição final de rejeito vêm impondo a necessidade de se aumentar a eficiência dos processos de concentração mineral. Dentro desse contexto, realizou-se esse trabalho com o objetivo de avaliar a viabilidade técnica de se flotar o atual rejeito final da planta de flotação da Usina Central de beneficiamento da Mina Casa de Pedra, a fim de aumentar a recuperação mássica e metálica da planta de concentração. Examinando os resultados dos ensaios laboratoriais de flotação, realizados com a amostra do atual rejeito final da concentração, foi possível constatar uma redução de 62% nos teores de ferro do rejeito flotado. Além disso, as análises estatísticas revelaram ser dispensável a dosagem suplementar de reagentes para flotar esse material.

Aug 16, 2017

By P. Moyo, S. Dixon, R. Norcross

The separation and recovery of copper from cyanide solution has been investigated since the early 1900s. The precipitation of copper using sulfide ion was patented in 1911 by Williamson, published by Leaver & Woolf of the USBM in 1931 and Cyanamid in 1960s. The current practice of sulfide precipitation is used in various processes such as “SART" for cyanide regeneration and copper recovery. The precipitation of copper sulfide requires the pH of the clear solution to be in the range of 4-6. The precipitated copper sulfide can be sold to smelters. Alternatively, copper cyanide can be precipitated from clear solutions in the pH range of 2-3. However, selling copper cyanide is challenging because of its cyanide content. Past work has focused on the use of boiling sulfuric acid to convert copper cyanide to copper sulfate as published by Seracini in 1991. This paper describes a simple process to convert copper cyanide to copper oxide using sodium hydroxide at ambient temperatures. The cuprite can be sold to smelters or used as a feed to an electrowinning circuit to produce copper cathodes. The process provides an effective method to recover copper from cyanide solutions with a lower capital requirement.

Mar 2, 2022

By Wangzhi Zhou, Huasheng Chen, Bowen Li, Meng Liu, Mingsheng He, Long Zou

Steel slag is an inevitable by-product from a steelmaking furnace such as a converter, an open-hearth furnace or an electric arc furnace. The yield of steel slag increases with the sharp rise of steel production. Utilizing the slag effectively and comprehensively is one of the important tasks to promote the development of iron and steel industry in China in a sustainable and efficient way. In this study, hot-poured steel slag from a converter was used to prepare ceramics by mixing with fly ash, microsilica, and quartz. After heating at 1100–1200 °C, the ceramics were well sintered. XRD revealed that multiple crystalline phases coexisted in the glass-ceramics, and the main crystalline phases were diopside and anorthite. SEM observation indicated that there was a plate-columnar composite structure in the ceramics. Reaction mechanisms were discussed.

Mar 1, 2018

By Yungang Li, Hui Li, Ramana G. Reddy, Jinglong Liang

High solid corrosion protective coatings were prepared by the dust of the converter with an average particle size of 59.33 μm. The effect of different amount of benzyl alcohol diluent on the performance of high solid anti-corrosion coatings was studied. With the increase of the amount of diluent, the viscosity of high solid anti-corrosion coatings reducing, the film apparent bubble content decreasing, and film resistant to salt water corrosion ability decreased, while acid corrosion capacity enhancement. When the dosage of diluents is 15%, the coating film is more resistant to acid corrosion.

Mar 1, 2017

By M. Bugdayci, Onuralp Yucel, K. C. Tasyurek

This paper is a contribution to the theory and quantitative understanding of the processes for the production of magnesium, calcium and strontium metals by metallothermic process. In the present study, effect of reductant type was investigated. Thermodynamic simulation of system was made by Fact Sage 6.4 program. In order to produce magnesium metal, effects of reductants “FeSi, Al, Si and CaC2” were investigated. To understand Calcium-oxide reduction system, effects of Al and CaF2 addition were investigated for different temperatures. In the last simulations, SrO reduction parameters were simulated. Al used as main reductant and BaO, CaO, CaC2 were added to green mixture as a functional additive. Finally probable phases and minimum reduction temperatures are determined.

Mar 1, 2018

By Joselito Gonsalves dos Santos, Ivani Batista dos Santos Junior, Valeria da Silva Guandelinir, Daniel Rocha de Castro, Alexandre Jose Ramos Valentim

Este artigo tem como objetivo demonstrar os ganhos obtidos com automatizações de atividades de suprimentos de média complexidade e alto tempo de execução. Para atingir o resultado sem investimento, foram desenvolvidas automatizações através de programação em Visual Basic (VBA) e Scripts SAP, utilizando como plataforma o Microsoft Excel. A integração do Excel com o SAP se mostrou eficaz, possibilitando a execução de tarefas de forma automatizada em massa, aumentando a confiabilidade das informações e reduzindo o tempo total de execução das atividades em 67%.

Oct 1, 2019

By Alexander V. Suvorin, Vladyslav M. Sokolov

"The traditional technologies for production of the coprecipitated and deposited catalysts are analyzed from the standpoint of diversion of application of the feedstock and increase of efficiency for its usage. The options for return of the metals of spent catalysts to the catalysts production are described. The novel environmentally friendly and cost efficient approach for reutilization of the spent catalysts is realized in practice. It anticipates application along with spent catalysts of the waste generated in the catalytic productions. Reutilization of the Ni-containing catalysts is referred as an illustration. Introduction The recent development of large catalytic manufacturing for organic and inorganic synthesis, and petroleum refinery as well as for applied environmental catalysis has brought about increase and diversification of catalysts production. The generation of spent catalysts has been increased correspondently. The feedstock for production of catalysts is mostly metals in a form of nitrates, carbonates, hydroxides, hydroxydcarbonates. Sometimes salts of organic acids, of ammoniates, of chlorides and of sulphates occur. All these materials are scarce and expensive. So their repeated use by reutilization of spent catalysts is very actual issue. The traditional recycling the Fe-, Cr-, Ni-, Cu- or Zn-containing spent catalysts are carried out by pyrometallurgical reclamation of pure metals or alloys. They can not be used directly in production of catalysts [1, 2]. The hydrometallurgical approach is used for recycling spent catalysts with PGM, W, Mo, Co, Ni or Cu. It provides production of salts of these metals in a form of sulphates, chlorides, carbonates, hydroxydcarbonates and sometimes nitrates or ammoniates. Only a limited number of these salts can be used directly in production of catalysts. Material losses during catalysts production The basic feedstock for manufacturing coprecipitated and deposited catalysts that may be produced from the spent catalysts is aqueous solutions of metals nitrates. Their production is based on application of nitric acid as a dissolvent. About half of it is lost with the flue gases in a form of nitrates vapor and nitrogen oxides (II, IV). The last compound is generated by reaction:"

Jan 1, 2008

By Gobbs C., J. Lam

"The Eagle East project, accessed from the existing and operating Eagle Mine in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, is an underground base metal project currently in execution by Lundin. This paper will provide an update on several aspects of ventilation including use of a twin-decline access, innovative airflow crossover arrangement and construction ventilation methodology. Integration into existing mine ventilation systems including construction methodology will also be covered. Performance benchmarks and lessons learned are discussed across these topics.INTRODUCTIONLundin has owned and operated the Eagle Mine since 2013. This hard rock underground mine is located in the upper peninsula of Michigan, USA. High-grade nickel ore is mined using sublevel open stoping mining methods and trucked to surface via haul ramp. The mine, having been in production for four years, is nearing the completion of the initial orebody. A satellite orebody 2,000 meters East of the current workings and approximately 900 meters below surface, was identified that could extend operations until 2023. In 2016, Lundin approved the Eagle East project and construction began in 2017 (Lundin Mining Corporation, 2017).Due to proximity to the existing mine, Eagle East will be both accessed and serviced from the existing Eagle Mine. Ventilation at the Eagle Mine uses two fresh air intakes with direct fired combustion heaters; one at the mine portal feeding fresh air into the ramp and one at a fresh air raise located near the Eagle deposit. The primary ventilation circuit is powered on the exhaust air side, with two 700 hp exhaust fans located at a single return air raise. Underground, fresh air is distributed through the main access decline and fresh air raise (FAR) to the production levels and controlled with mechanical regulators on the exhaust side. The exhaust air is collected through return air raises with a collector/transfer drift on 250 Level and then to the surface through a return air raise (RAR)."

Jan 1, 2019

By Jorge Cárdenas, Diego Gamarra

In previous phases of the mine, a landslide resulted in several losses in production delays. The stability of slopes in a mining operation is critical for the sustainability of the operation, as they are exposed to vibrations and damage caused by blasting. Therefore, it is essential to implement controls and innovative technologies to reduce these vibrations levels. This study focuses on the application of low-energy emulsions with lower densities than conventional explosives, developed to reduce vibrations and the energy delivered to the rock mass adjacent to the near blast holes as a buffer row. Near field studies were carried out by embedding triaxial geophones. Vibrations were recorded, and mathematical models of vibration associated with different types of explosive mixtures were generated. This allowed us to determine the benefit of implementing low-density explosives in reducing vibrations compared to Heavy ANFO explosives. The application of low-energy explosives with densities ranging from 0.7 to 0.8 g/cm³ and Relative Bulk Strength (RBS) of 51-65 allows for a 40% reduction in vibrations compared to the detonation of Heavy ANFO explosives.

Jan 21, 2025

By Karin Bäppler

Hydropower produces almost two-thirds of the world’s renewable electricity generation and delivers a major contribution on the ambition of the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) with a range of benefits to society and environment. These include clean and flexible generation and storage in addition to reduced dependence on fossil fuels and avoidance of pollutants. The Limberg III PSP is one of the European projects that addresses the implementation of the UN SDGs. The challenge of the project is the construction of a 770 m long pressure shaft to be excavated with a TBM at an inclination of 42°.

Jun 13, 2023

By Michael Somerville, Paul Voigt, Chunlin Chen, Alistair Burrows

To date, many types of primary concentrate have been smelted using the ISASMELT™ technology, with annual smelting of copper concentrate alone exceeding 7 million tonnes. Most of this material could best be described as chalcopyrite concentrate, owing to the predominance of copper attributable to this single mineral. Chalcopyrite concentrates lend themselves readily to smelting with a fayalite slag, and producing a matte containing 55–65 wt% Cu. However, the ISASMELT™ technology also stands ready to meet future copper demand through the treatment of new types of concentrates containing relatively low iron and high silica levels. Various slag systems have been considered for direct-to-blister smelting. They have been evaluated computationally, using the MPE thermodynamic modelling package, and practically, at pilot scale. The lime-silica-iron oxide slag was found to have the lowest slag make, lower dissolved copper and hence lowest copper losses. Based on the outcomes of the modelling and pilot scale testwork a future smelter flowsheet has been defined, comprising a single ISASMELT™ direct-to-blister furnace, an electric slag cleaning furnace, and appropriately designed anode furnaces.

Mar 1, 2017

By Kenneth G. Thomas

Since approximately 2003 we have witnessed the unprecedented escalation in commodity prices. Coupled with economic chaos following the 2008 economic downturn this has caused difficulties in controlling schedule, capital costs and operating costs for mining projects. Once again escalation has returned to commodity prices fuelled by growth in the BRIC countries especially China and Brazil. This is further exasperated by the missing generation of skilled technical personnel not graduating from universities in the 1980s and 1990s owing to depressed commodity prices. This paper examines the six tenets for successful project implementation.

Jan 1, 2011

By Piotr Kula

Vacuum carburising with pre-nitriding (PreNitLPC® technology) involves feeding ammonia during the charge heating stage before carburising. The purpose is to restrict the growth of grain in the surface layer of the carburised steel. The article presents the influence of nitrogen on restricting austenite grain growth during vacuum carburising and on mechanical properties (fatigue strength, impact resistance) of layers that underwent such treatment in comparison with traditional carburising methods.

Aug 16, 2017

By Liu bing-guo, Peng Jin-hui, Guo Sheng-hui, Kong dong-cheng, Hu jin-ming, Zhang Li-bo

The novel technology of calcination to prepare triuranium octaoxide（U3O8）from ammonium uranyl carbonate in microwave fields was investigated on the basis of the temperature rising characteristics of ammonium uranyl carbonate, triuranium octaoxide (U3O8), and their mixture. The result of experiments show that ammonium uranyl carbonate had weak capability to absorb microwave energy, while triuranium octaoxide has the very strong capability to absorb microwave energy and the sample temperature increased rapidly with an increase mixture ratio of triuranium octaoxide. The optimal calcination conditions were as follows: microwave power 700 W, calcination time 10 min and 60 g in this experiments range, respectively. Under these conditions the value of total uranium and 4 U of triuranium octaoxide was 84.28% and 31.02%, respectively. It is feasible to prepare triuranium octaoxide by calcination from ammonium uranyl carbonate, which mixed with small amounts of triuranium octaoxide under microwave fields.

Jan 1, 2015

By R. Viljoen, K. Manns

"The mining industry instinctively follows rule-of-thumb design velocities often based on very simplistic theoretical “economic velocity” optimization calculations to determine airway sizes. Although these are important building blocks in ventilation planning it should be recognized that mines are far more complex and various, often opposing factors, are at play. Therefore, it is important that each ventilation situation be analyzed on a case-by-case basis to determine the best-fit solution for an operation. The ventilation design process should not necessarily be constrained by theoretical optimal economic velocities that become rules-of-thumb. In some cases, this could lead to unrealistic infrastructure requirements and exorbitant capital expenditure. This type of design often lacks corporate support leading to a scenario where no ventilation upgrades are implemented. Economic velocities typically consider the cost of power, development costs and operational risk. These typical rules-of-thumb work reasonably well as a starting off point when considering feasibility of greenfield projects. For established mines that are looking at expansion these rules may not be appropriate due to capital expenditure constraints or geotechnical ground conditions. The theoretical optimum should be reviewed in the case of an established mine where existing infrastructure could perhaps be maximized. For example, the geotechnical risk of large diameter raises at depth may require multiple small diameter raise to maintain the theoretical economic velocity. If a mine has a life of less than 5 years, then the cost of power is an insignificant proportion of the total owning cost. For these mines, operating the ventilation raises at an increased velocity to avoid a complicated and expensive capital upgrade might be the more appropriate option, even though it opposes the traditional rules-of-thumb. Mines which are capital constrained may be better off accepting a higher operating cost for the interim or settle for minor infrastructure upgrades rather than run the risk of the entire ventilation upgrade not being approved at all. This paper explores a number of examples derived from case studies undertaken by the authors for several deep mechanized mining projects in Australasia. The examples explore conditions under which higher than the economic norm would be applicable."

Jan 1, 2019

By William Gleason

Despite a global slowdown in most mining sectors, Caterpillar, the world?s largest mining equipment maker continues to forge ahead with new, and improved offerings to the global mining industry. On Nov. 10, as part of its Loading and Hauling Mining Focus Session at its Tinaja Hills proving grounds south of Tucson, AZ, Caterpillar unveiled to customers and media its two latest mining products, the 994K wheel loader and 6020B hydraulic shovel. The Caterpillar 994K wheel loader builds on a nearly 25-year history of the 994 model but with one noticeable difference ? the 994K is bigger ? much bigger. Weighing in at 239,142 kg (527,218 lb) the 994 K is up to 20 percent larger and comes with up to 30 percent increase in payload capacity. This behemoth of a machine is currently being tested at Caterpillar?s Tucson Proving Grounds, Anglo Gold Ashanti?s Cripple Creek and Victor gold mine in Colorado and Taseko?s Gibraltor copper and molybdenum mine in British Columbia, Canada.

By Kenneth N. Han

The effect of anions such as sulfate, chloride and nitrate on the solubility of rare earth element (REE)-bearing phosphates and fluoro-carbonates was examined using relevant thermodynamic data. The study found that these anions have significant influences on the overall dissolution of REEs from various sources in the aqueous media.