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By George B. Clark

More economical methods of rock disintegration are needed for mining and for rapid excavation. Two major systems are drill and blast and mechanical excavation, including tunnel-boring machines. Current drill and blast methods are cyclic and there- fore limited in speed of operation. Boring machines are limited to moderately hard rock due to bearing and cutter wear. The recent development of ANFO, which has reduced blasting costs markedly, was largely fortuitous because of the method of manufacturing AN prills. New slurries and fluid explosives are easy to load and have high energy-pressure characteristics.

Jan 1, 1971

By Michael Wieland

Delay blasting in underground coal generates shock waves and rifting forces that damage charges remaining in the blast pattern. Damaged charges detonate poorly, raise fume toxicity and reduce coal breakage. Such circumstances could be prevented by using explosives resistant to cross-hole interaction damage. The design of rugged explosives is fraught with contradictory requirements, but tradeoffs related to hard-particle size characteristics prove useful. Hard particles, related voids or trapped bubbles represent reaction nucleation centers which strongly influence the performance of coal mine explosives.

Jan 1, 1992

By Cliff G. Paton, Sheldon B. Bland, Roger E. Melley

This paper looks at four critical lubricants used in the conveyor systems of the northern Albertan oil sand facility. The requirements for the lubricants used in the electric motors and gear boxes of the drive systems, the pulley bearing and the idler bearings are discussed in terms of the applications and the environment. A number of developments that have occurred in recent years are presented. Data from the field and from custom designed testing in the laboratory are used to support the role of simulation testing in problem solving in this area of technology.

Jan 1, 1996

By James H. Neisz, Gregory P. White

This paper discusses the development of surface coal mine planning programs for a microcomputer. A set of seven programs which were originally written for a large mainframe computer are described. The problems encountered in converting these programs to a micro with 52K of available core storage are discussed. A program for economic evaluation which is currently running on the micro is described and plans to convert other programs to the micro are detailed. In addition, we explain the microcornputer system we have assembled and give the rationale for each component. Problems we have encountered with this system are described for the benefit of others who may follow our path.

Jan 1, 1983

By R. L. Pozzo, A. S. Malicsi, I. Iwasaki

The electrochemical nature of mineral-grinding media interaction in the wet grinding of one and two sulfide mineral ores was investigated with regard to the flotation behaviors of the minerals. Two iron sulfides (pyrite and pyrrhorite) and mild steel were used to represent the sulfide minerals and the grinding media, respectively. Galvanic currents in two- and three-electrode combinations under abrasive and non abrasive conditions were correlated with the floatabilities of these minerals under corresponding conditions.

Jan 1, 1991

By L. A. Adorjan

The tensile strength of agglomerate models due to capillary forces has been determined by computation of the exact surface profiles. Graphs showing tensile strength as a function of moisture content and contact angle me given for spheres in cubic arrangement. Another model of cones attached to cube faces, in cubic packing, provides a better representation of angular particle agglomerates. An algebraic formula approximating tensile strength as dependent on surface tension, particle size, moisture content, contact and cone angles was developed. The phenomenon of "capillary evaporation" due to high negative capillary pressures is explained and its influence on tensile strength of agglomerates is evaluated.

Jan 1, 1977

By Joseph Peterson, Alexander May

The Bureau of Mines used geochemical modelling computer programs to characterize a site containing lead slag generated by a lead processing facility. Tests for toxic elements by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) extraction procedure showed that all elements except lead were in compliance. Concentrations for lead ranged from 28 to 30 ppm. However, analysis of water samples from monitoring wells resulted in no lead concentrations that exceeded the National Drinking Water Standard. A discussion of a computational program to calculate concentrations of lead species and several other ions is presented.

Jan 1, 1991

By J. A. Corbyn

An analysts of mining investment from the point of view of financial optimization is presented. The method uses differential equations to describe financial performance rather than the more usual method of modeling mine accounts from year to year. The analysis shows there is a optimum mine life that can be easily determined if certain simplifications are made. Tables are given to facilitate computation of the optimum life.

Jan 1, 1985

By Robert L. Thoms, Joseph D. Martinez

The development of Gulf Coast salt domes thus far, although enormously successful and productive, has proceeded in an unscheduled fashion governed by events rather than by a comprehensive plan. Motivation for the sequential progress of exploitation has included mineral discoveries, inventions, technological improvements, new needs, and a dynamic economy. Although it is too late to implement a plan for the entire cycle of exploitation of this resource, it would seem advisable to introduce now a system concept for further development. Viewed from this perspective, general determinative parameters should include economic, environmental, logistical, technical, and resource considerations, and more fundamentally, basic societal goals. Experience gained from planning in the Gulf Coast should provide guidelines for use elsewhere in the world.

Jan 1, 1981

By Michael L. Nave

Mining belt conveyor elements are becoming larger and more expensive. Conveyor reliability requirements are rising. Conveyor condition monitoring can aid maintenance, reliability, and risk management in conveyor system operation. This paper examines the application of condition monitoring in coal mining belt conveyor systems. Types and form factors of condition sensors are described. Example costs are included. Suggestions for OEM developments are examined. Application problems are discussed. Two simple cost case studies are presented.

Jan 1, 2000

By D Manhire, G Hogan, M Ryan, S Whiteley

Site restoration at the L&M Mining Limited alluvial gold mining project at Waikaka near Gore, Southland is described. In 2000 mining operations started to recover alluvial gold beneath historical dredge tailings over 244 hectares in the flood plain of the Waikaka Stream. The project had an eight to nine year mine life but was prematurely closed in 2002 because of economic considerations. Restoration of the site back to pastoral farming, with shelter-belt and amenity tree, shrub, and wetland plantings is described. Dealings with the landowners and regulating authorities are addressed in the paper.

Jan 1, 2003

By Donald Towse

Geothermal energy can substitute for and compete with other fuels, but until now it has been used only in special situations where it costs much less than alternate fuels. Geothermal heat is expected to be developed where it can: (1) compete with alternate fuels, (2) replace scarce fuels, (3) be more environmentally acceptable, or (4) is especially adapted to local needs. Economic problems in development include the often high capital costs of wells and gathering systems and the long lead-times required for electric generating plants. The large investment and long payout times for large industrial uses adversely affect the economics.

Jan 1, 1977

By Pieter Hoekstra, Jim Hild, Mark Blohm

In the Basin and Range Province of Nevada, geophysics is used to assist exploration for bulk minable gold deposits, particularly over pediments. It is employed for mapping thickness of alluvium and Tertiary valley fill, for mapping covered structures, and for identifying alteration zones. In addition to potential field and seismic methods, three different electrical and electromagnetic methods are frequently used, resistivity-induced polarization, controlled source audiomagnetotellurics, and time domain EM. A review and comparison of the principles of these methods, illustrated by case histories, is the topic of this paper.

Jan 1, 1989

By W. E. Crandall

The No. 4 shaft and hoist at Hecla Mining Co.'s Star mine have been in operation for seven months, and as development of new mining areas proceeds in the lower portions of the mine, the system is being depended upon more extensively for personnel and material handling requirements. The hoist plant is handling full payloads, at rated speeds, over a vertical distance of 5650 ft. One of the special features of this hoist is its precision braking control under all hoisting conditions. Tests indicate that emergency stops can be made with safe deceleration rates and minimum rope and conveyance oscillation.

Jan 1, 1971

By M. J. Mrugala

Typically the conventional pillar design methods consider the behavior of the pillar alone. In such analysis the contribution of the associated roof and pillar is not considered. The focus of this paper is a study of pillar behavior in the context of interaction between a different rock material sequence in the associated roof and floor. The finite difference element code FLAC (1)is used to perform modeling of pillar response to various stratigraphic sequences.

Jan 1, 2003

By P. Somasundaran, D. W. Fuerstenau

Adsorption isotherms for dodecyl sulfonate on alumina were determined at 45°C and 25°C and the data was used for calculating the partial molar heat and entropy of adsorbed ions under various concentrations. Changes in OH and AS observed at certain concentrations agree with the postulate of interaction of surfactant ions to form two-dimensional aggregates at the solid-liquid interface. Values of the total OH and AS for the aggregation process calculated using the Clausius-Clapeyron equation is used to interpret the interactions of surfactant ions with each other as well as with the solvent molecules.

Jan 1, 1973

By R. H. Grau

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health's Pittsburgh Research Laboratory is now involved in research to identify silica dust generation in underground metal/nonmetal mines. The ultimate goal of this research is to develop control technologies to reduce worker exposure to respirable silica dust. Commodities and job classifications with the highest silica dust exposure have been identified through analysis of the Mine Safety and Health Administration's compliance dust-sampling database. Dust surveys were conducted in an underground limestone and gold mine to investigate silica dust sources, generation levels and the controls being used. A summary of the mining operations, sampling procedures, resulting data and suggested methods to improve dust control are provided.

Jan 1, 2003

By J. H. Johns, G. R. Stephan

The Climax mine has a history of dealing with ground control problems caused by major stress concentrations in the orebody. These stress concentrations, called weight, can arise in a variety of ways. The general effects of depth, rock type, and mining method give rise to weight problems, but local geologic features and daily cave line management can have even greater effects. Over the years a number of techniques have been developed for identifying weight problems in advance and for cow with them. These techniques all help us to amid interrupting the pace of cave advance and minimize the loss of production.

Jan 1, 1984

By J. M. Stuve

The standard heats of formation (?Hf°) of holmium trichloride and terbium trichloride were measured by solution calorimetry. Heats of solution of holmium and terbium metals and their anhydrous chlorides were measured in 4.360 molal HCI at 298.15° K. From these measurements ?Hf° for HoC13 (c) was calculated as -240,290 ±1,700 cal/mo1e, and ?Hf° for TbC13 (c) was calculated as -238,330 ±1,500 cal/mole at 298.15° K.

Jan 1, 1967

By B. S. Butler

It is suggested that at high temperatures both sulfur and iron combine with oxygen. Iron may precipitate at the high temperatures as the oxides of iron, and sulfur also in combination with oxygen as the low solubility sulfates of barium, strontium, calcium, and potassium (alunite). At lower temperature the precipitation results from change of sulfate sulfur to sulfide sulfur, and the iron precipitates as the sulfide.

Oct 1, 1956