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By G Lane, M Bueno

In a recent publication (Bueno and Lane, 2011) the authors presented the analysis of a consolidated dataset composed by 137 autogenous/semi-autogenous grinding (AG/SAG) mill pilot trials. By comparing the measured data against theoretical specific energy consumption, the analysis indicated which circuit configurations were more or less energy efficient. However, the analysis has also indicated that the energy efficiency of each of the types of circuits vary significantly.There are numerous factors that contribute to the variations of energy efficiency of AG/SAG mill-based circuits, such as feed size distribution, recycle ratios and ore characteristics. In view of this, the present work accesses these factors individually and discusses what may lead a particular circuit configuration to be more or less efficient in terms of energy and costs.CITATION:Bueno, M and Lane, G, 2012. Key drivers of energy and cost efficiency in autogenous/semi-autogenous grinding circuits, in Proceedings 11th AusIMM Mill OperatorsÆ Conference, pp 113-118 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Oct 29, 2012

By Rubson Mação Camporez

Os aços inoxidáveis duplex conferem uma excelente resistência à corrosão e elevada resistência mecânica em um só material devido sua microestrutura bifásica formada pelas fases de ferrita e austenita numa proporção em torno de 50% para cada uma. Esse balanceamento de fases é devido à distribuição controlada de elementos formadores de austenita (gamagênicos) e de ferrita (alfagênicos). No entanto quando submetidos a processos de soldagem sua microestrutura pode apresentar um desbalanceamento de fases além de formação de fases intermetálicas que prejudicam suas propriedades e limitam sua utilização. O presente estudo objetiva comparar dois processos de soldagem autógenos (TIG e topo a topo por resistência) no aço UNS S32304 focando principalmente microestrutura pós-soldagem da zona afetada termicamente e no cordão de solda.

Aug 16, 2017

By Luiz Gabriel da Silva Nascimento

Um material que vem sendo muito estudado quando imerso na matriz de outros materiais, são os nanotubos de carbono, uma forma alotrópica do carbono, que são milhares de vezes mais finos que um fio de cabelo, mas que apesar disso, possuem uma extraordinária resistência mecânica. O alumínio por apresentar um baixo peso específico e ter a facilidade de se unir a outros materiais pode nos fornecer excelentes propriedades e muitas aplicações tecnológicas. Através de ensaios metalográficos e mecânico, esse trabalho avaliou o comportamento microestrutural e de microdureza do alumínio depois da adição nanotubo de carbono e nanotubo mais níquel em sua estrutura. Foi usado um processo de fabricação por fusão com agitação mecânica por um pequeno motor elétrico e resfriamento brusco por água. Depois das análises nesses diversos materiais, com composição diferenciada, o que melhor apresentou propriedade mecânica foi o Al-3%Ni+nanotubo de carbono.

Aug 7, 2018

By Dominic Ammon, Mark Rothbauer, Paul Landers P. E.

Across the Potomac River from the location of the DFI47 Annual Conference (October 2022), in Alexandria, VA, two large permanent anchored walls with a decorative shotcrete face were recently constructed for the North Hill project, a new multi-family and townhome development. The project was executed with a design-build approach for the Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority with review by the Fairfax County Geotechnical Review Board. The project was constructed in highly variable Potomac group sediments that include high plasticity clay/silt terrace deposits overlying coarser grained materials. The soils were over consolidated and exhibited potential for slickensides from relief of horizontal stresses from past erosion. The wall system was designed to include deep soldier piles and permanent long strand anchors considering past slope instability in the area. As the construction progressed, problematic soil conditions and water issues required modifications to drilling methods. The two permanent walls spanned 800 and 1,000 feet long with a maximum height reaching 40 feet.

Oct 1, 2022

By A G. Dempster, N Barnett, J Oh, S Saydam

NASA’s Artemis III mission is expected to return astronauts to the surface to explore and sample the lunar volatiles by 2026. These volatiles are anticipated to provide scientific insights as to how the Moon was created and economic value to off-Earth operations. These same volatiles can pose health implications to astronauts and Earth based personnel handling lunar regolith samples. Using Australian, USA and NASA airborne contaminant exposure limits and the Lunar CRater Observation and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS) measurements of lunar volatiles in the Cabeus crater ejecta, the minimum mass of lunar regolith that can be safely handled by humans on Earth and in spacecraft can be calculated. This analysis determined a 0.15 grams pure sample of Cabeus crater regolith within a cubic metre of air has enough volatiles to exceed safe working conditions, and 14.9 grams of pure Cabeus crater regolith per cubic metre of air can impact human life. The intent of this analysis is to assist safe handling and exposure calculations for the safe handling procedures of lunar regolith containing volatiles.

Sep 1, 2024

By Huasheng Chen, Gaifeng Xue, Jing Zhang, Mingsheng He, Bin Liu, Yexian Ouyang, Shoujun Peng

Based on the investigation and study of the topography, microstructure and composition of the buildups which form in the surface of carbon sleeve in continuous annealing furnace for lowand medium-grade non-oriented silicon steel produced by CSP process, combined with production process of silicon steel, the mechanism and major causes for forming buildups of carbon sleeve are discussed from the factors such as CSP process, the quality of carbon sleeve and so forth. Meanwhile, some countermeasures to reduce the formation of the buildups are put forward.

Jan 1, 2015

By Ian Orford, Ken L. Boyd

"Can the ever-increasing tonnages of ore and waste being mined today be accommodated simply by using bigger and better crushers? This paper updates the principal author’s earlier publication, “Crushing Plant Design and Layout Considerations” (SME Mineral Processing Plant Design, Practise, and Control, 2002). It reviews the latest primary crushing and large cone crusher designs. Its goal is to help consultants and operators select the optimal equipment and custom-designed items in the material handling flowsheet from the mine to the mill, maximizing operating hours per year.INTRODUCTIONAre larger crushers the answer to meeting the demands of existing or new mining projects for increased tonnage? The principal author’s previous paper in the year 2002 on ""Crushing Plant Design and Layout Considerations"" provided a detailed design and layout review for the design of primary and fine crushing (Secondary, Tertiary, Quaternary) mineral processing facilities. Some of the conclusions in this previous paper had predicted that larger crushers for primary and fine crushing would be beneficial and contribute to the further development of mineral processing. Larger crushers for primary and fine crushing applications are now available.The rock size reduction process, from the mine to the selected milling process facility has not changed since man first broke a rock to get at the interesting mineralization within. The rock size reduction process circuit from the mine to the mill can be summarized into four (4) stages:• Stage 1: Mining ( Rock Breakage and Fragmentation)• Stage 2: Pre-Screening (Scalping)• Stage 3: Primary Crushing• Stage 4: Fine Crushing (Secondary, Tertiary and Quaternary; the crushers used in this stage are identified by the titles which usage has conferred on them)Plant throughput and ore delivery schedule will form the basis for flowsheet design and equipment selection. Once a project's design criteria and the mine plan has been established, the actual circuit's utilization percentage (percentage of hours when the circuit is being utilized) can be optimized for each of the four stages. The mining and process departments are the key stake holders in the selection of the final comminution circuit and both departments should be familiar with and contribute to the design of the circuit."

Jan 1, 2016

By K Hobbs

Mining is experiencing a difficult period of low profitability and declining productivity. To achieve sustainability, mining companies are challenged with improving output, quality and safety while decreasing costs. At the same time, organisations are having to manage a workforce in which individuals no longer accept a traditional style of management, employees prefer more flexible employment, and diversity within teams is becoming the expected norm.Increasing organisational diversity has been shown to have a positive impact on performance and therefore sustainability. Gender diversity and equality between working men and women is the area most studied in this regard. Executives are becoming more aware of the correlation between gender diversity and performance with some larger organisations having dedicated resources to increase the number and status of women in their organisations. Despite this, limited improvement in gender equality is apparent globally over the last decade with some industries, including mining, going backwards. So why is this the case and what other strategies are available?In 2015, the United Nations Women National Committee Australia (UN Women NCA) in conjunction with Autopia released a white paper discussing the lack of visible change in gender equality despite the widespread implementation of merit-based personnel management strategies. Using research from around the world and thoughts from influential government, education and business leaders, the paper ‘Rethinking Merit’ debunks the myth of the meritocracy. It provides a number of recommendations for organisations committed to improving their performance and sustainability through diversity, including a variety of real-life company examples, instead of relying solely on merit-based decision-making.This paper takes the recommendations of ‘Rethinking Merit’ and applies them to the mining industry. It shows the relevance that rethinking merit has for the industry and why applying the recommendations can result in an increase in diversity, therefore enabling greater performance and sustainability of mining companies. This paper provides case studies from Aurizon, Iluka Resources and BHP Billiton and, as a guide for managers, a generic diversity strategy designed to be implemented alongside traditional merit-based personnel management techniques.CITATION:Hobbs, K, 2016. Rethinking merit for a sustainable mining industry, in Proceedings International Mine Management Conference, pp 139-154 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Jun 22, 2016

By Lifeng Li, Jhon Silva-Castro

"Signature Hole Technique is one method to assess the vibration waveform of a production blast.Methematically, it is the convolution between a prior measured waveform of a single blast hole (signature) and a given time delay sequence (comb function). Being an advantage, the inverse operation of convolution, known as deconvolution, can be used to estimate the signature."

Jan 1, 2017

By Laurent Airaud

For around ten years, electronic detonators are available for those who want to use advanced methods and to apply theories promoted by engineers and professors to reduce blast concerns or improve fragmentation and dilution. Furthermore, decision makers can verify the use of electronic detonators to drive down mining costs. Engineers and more specifically blasters are the actual users and have to be convinced of the easiness of electronic detonators. This paper deals with electronic detonators and the notion of easiness. Common feelings about the notion of easiness are discussed. Then, examples of new technologies like, automobile, photography or Information Technology are discussed to observe how they progressed throughout time with new features and sales volume. For the specific explosive initiation industry, each step of the life of an electronic detonator is dealt with concerning the easiness and a table is used to quantify this notion.

Jan 1, 2004

By Rodrigo Cruz Oliveira

Nos últimos anos, a indústria automotiva tem evoluído de forma significativa em relação à preservação ambiental e com respeito à segurança veicular. A Usiminas, alinhada a esses avanços, tem realizado estudos visando obter novos produtos de alta resistência mecânica que possibilitem a redução do peso dos veículos e diminuição do consumo de combustível, além do aumento da segurança. Para novos projetos de veículos, como fator de melhoria do desempenho dos materiais de alta resistência, têm assumido destaque especial nos aços Dual Phase, principalmente naqueles do grau 1000MPa, as características de expansão de furo, em função da correlação com a vida em fadiga e o comportamento à fratura. Esse trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar uma das etapas do ciclo de desenvolvimento de um aço Dual Phase do grau 1000MPa com características de expansão de furo maior que 20%. O trabalho avaliou três conceitos diferentes de liga submetidos a tratamentos térmicos específicos. Os resultados obtidos permitiram retroalimentar o ciclo posterior do desenvolvimento, no qual resultados positivos foram alcançados.

Aug 16, 2017

By Raffaele Alves Paranhos

Devido à alta competitividade no mercado siderúrgico se faz necessário à otimizaçãodo processo como forma a atendermos a demanda de produção com um menorcusto de transformação. Nesse contexto, foi utilizado para desenvolvimento dotrabalho a metodologia DMAIC e os conceitos do “LEAN”. O objetivo do grupo foiestratificar o custo de produção do equipamento e atuar nos principais fatores, tendocomo princípio a redução do desperdício, aumento da produtividade da mão de obra,aliada a produtividade de tonelagem de material. Na estratificação do custo deprodução identificamos o “Rendimento metálico” como sendo o fator maissignificativo e propomos ações internas que contemplaram alteração de programade automação para melhora do descarte da cauda (Final) da bobina e com issoatingindo valores recordes de aproveitamento material acabado. Fizemos reduçõesde lead time do nosso processo eliminando os tempos que não agregam valores,aumentando a produtividade do equipamento. Com este trabalho conseguimosreduzir consideravelmente o custo de transformação do equipamento, além, deaumentar sua capacidade produtiva.

Aug 16, 2017

By João Paulo Ferreira Santos

Neste trabalho, foram obtidas estruturas compósitas constituídas por camadas alternadas de epóxi com mantas de nanofibras de nylon 6. As nanofibras foram produzidas pela técnica de eletrofiação. O comportamento mecânico destas estruturas sob tração e sob impacto pendular IZOD foram estudados. A incorporação das nanofibras na matriz epoxídica permitiu aumentos no módulo de elasticidade (6%), na resistência a tração (7%) e na energia de impacto (2%), ou seja, houveram ganhos de resistência mecânica sem sacrificar a resistência ao impacto, ao contrário do que ocorre na quase totalidade dos micro ou macromateriais modificadores do epóxi.

Aug 8, 2018

By Lidong Teng

ArcSaveTM is a new generation of electromagnetic stirrer (EMS) from ABB for electric arc furnace (EAF) operation. Its goal is to improve the safety, increase the productivity and reduce costs. Electromagnetic stirring in the melt bath during arc furnace operation will affect the scrap smelting, bath temperature distribution, refining reactions, and also the tapping practice. This paper has summarized the investigation results obtained from the first ArcSaveTM system installed in a 90 ton EBT arc furnace in USA. The hot test results show that ArcSaveTM has enhanced the heat and mass transfer in the arc furnace process. This results in a faster scrap melting rate, lower slag superheat during arcing, more homogenous melt bath, higher decarburization rate and higher EBT free opening frequency. ArcSaveTM has also reduced the tapping temperature and tapping oxygen in the steel. This brings a higher scrap yield and saves ferroalloy consumption in the downstream ladle furnace operation. The lower energy consumption, short tap-to-tap time, and consistent furnace operation bring increased productivity and safety.

Aug 16, 2017

By Letícia Pegoraro Leal

O mercado mundial está se desenvolvendo continuamente em todos os segmentos com a finalidade de melhorar a qualidade e diminuir os custos. O aperfeiçoamento e a criação de novas técnicas de soldagem são responsáveis por conservar as propriedades mecânicas e realizar as soldas com um menor número de defeitos. Este trabalho apresenta o processo de soldagem por fricção com pino consumível, conhecido como FHPP (Friction Hydro Pillar Process) em pino AISI 4340 e chapa AISI 4140. Como toda nova técnica é importante conhecer os parâmetros que serão utilizados no processo. Compreender o efeito da velocidade de rotação, força axial e de forjamento, consumo do pino e taxa de carregamento são necessários para avaliar sua influência na microestrutura da solda. Desta forma, no presente estudo, após a soldagem foram realizadas metalografias, a fim de analisar defeitos macro e microestruturais. Por fim, verificou-se significativa influência dos parâmetros de processo no comportamento metalúrgico da região soldada.

Aug 8, 2018

By R Urie

Dilution and loss of ore during the mining process invariably occur in all underground mining operations. This dilution and ore loss can have a significant effect on the performance and value generated from a mining operation. Further, excessive dilution or greater than anticipated ore loss during mining is often one of the key reasons for the underperformance of a mining project when compared to a feasibility study or annual budget. Mining professionals often go to great lengths preparing detailed mine plans, schedules and economic models only to then apply high-level estimates or rule of thumb values for dilution and mining recovery that can ultimately lead to inaccurate forecasts for the performance of a mine with the resultant loss of value due to the mining of uneconomic material or the loss of potentially valuable ore. This paper discusses processes and practices that can be practically used to manage dilution and mining recovery in an underground mining operation with a focus on understanding and then maximising value. The processes cover items such as the definition and measurement of dilution and mining recovery, techniques for the estimation of dilution and mining recovery, consideration of the economic implications, management of dilution and mining recovery through the stages of the planning cycle, and practices to reduce dilution and improve mining recovery. Common misconceptions and omissions are also discussed.

Mar 29, 2023

By Gurupraveen Ramanathan

Slot raises are relief holes within a stope in longhole stoping methods, designed to provide a free face that facilitates the expansion of the blasted rock during blasting, ultimately achieving the desired fragmentation. Various methods are employed to produce these slot raises, like conventional drop raise drilling, raisebore & V30 drilling. However, slot drilling is generally characterized by high costs and limitations in precision, resulting in unplanned ore losses and dilution. This paper introduces a novel alternative to slot drilling referred to as the "paste slot", designed specifically for paste backfill operations in underground mining. This new method emphasizes considerations in cured paste strength, paste wall removal, and stope dimensions and employs modified drop raises or dumped rings to optimize blast gas effectiveness and material flow. The paste slot method eliminates the need for reamers and reduces the total slot drill meters an average from 650m to only 300m for narrow stopes (3-4m wide). This significantly reduces the stope cycle time, leading to substantial cost savings and increased productivity. This new method was successfully implemented at the underground mines in Canada and Australia, resulting in a 20% reduction in stope cycle time and cost savings of 53,000 USD per slot compared to the conventional slot. This paper discusses the design and execution strategy of the paste slot method in underground paste backfill operations. It highlights the advantages of the method, shares operational insights gained during implementation, and showcases its potential applicability to other mines across Canada and globally.

Oct 1, 2024

By Kíssia Carolina Bertoluci Cardoso

Para a fabricação de peças de grande porte, o forjamento em matriz aberta é o processo mais utilizado. Porém, se seus parâmetros não forem bem estabelecidos, defeitos metalúrgicos poderão surgir; esses, em sua maioria, provindos do material bruto de fusão, como rechupes e vazios. Para sanar tais defeitos, a deformação imposta na peça deve ser a mais homogênea possível. Neste estudo, a simulação numérica foi utilizada para verificar a relação entre a largura de contato matriz-peça e a espessura da parede de peças vazadas, com o objetivo de analisar o conceito de razão de mordida para esse tipo de geometria. Utiliza-se um billet cilíndrico inicial de 450 mm de comprimento, 360 mm de diâmetro externo e 120 mm de diâmetro interno, de material AISI 4140. As razões de mordida estudadas variam entre 0,2 e 1,4, sendo impostas variações de tempo em cada processo. Após análise, pôde-se verificar que as geometrias que apresentam distribuições mais homogêneas de deformação utilizaram razão de mordida de 0,4.

Aug 16, 2017

By Chang Wei, Zhigan Deng, Minting Li, Cunxiong Li, Gang Fan, Xingbin Li

Iron precipitation occupies a vital position in the metallurgy industry, especially for treating iron-bearing sphalerite in hydrometallurgical processes. This paper emphasizes techniques for removing iron from high-iron sphalerite via hematite precipitation, and describes the results of research performed to examine ferrous oxydrolysis and precipitation. The behavior and mechanism of conversion between the iron phase and hematite residue at elevated temperature under pressure is ascertained by investigating the dissolving characteristic and thermodynamics stable area of hematite at sulfate system. The results show hematite precipitation went through the process of crystallization, dissolve, oxidation and precipitation of ferrous sulfate, and the overall iron precipitation was determined to be controlled by the rate of ferric sulphate hydrolysis rather than the oxidation of ferrous sulphate or the re-dissolution of ferrous sulphate crystals, or the transformation of basic ferric sulphate.

Mar 1, 2018

By William R. Kohl, Craig B. Clemmens

"Since 2010, North Central Resources, Bridgeport, WV, has been using the sonic log to estimate the rockmechanics properties of the coal and adjacent strata in their exploration drilling program. In 68 out of the 85 boreholes they have drilled since 2010, they have conducted shear wave analysis on sonic logs run in these boreholes. By incorporating the rock mechanics logs into the geological model of the coal seam, the engineers can develop a better understanding of the support requirements for the mine.WellCAD Borehole processing software provides vastly improved efficiency in analyzing shear waves from borehole sonic data than previously available methods. The calculation of most rock mechanics parameters requires knowledge of the density and both the compressional wave velocity and the shear wave velocity. Density logs are well known and an industry standard. Sonic logging is equally well known, although less frequently used, as an accurate source of compressional wave velocity. Shear wave velocity is difficult to measure in a geophysical log, but can be estimated from digitally recorded wave form records. This is a time consuming manual procedure which requires the visual examination of thousands of individual wave forms.WellCAD allows the viewing all the wave forms on a VDL display. The observer can create a pair of false logs by manually tracing the interference points on the display for each receiver. He can check himself by observing wave forms in the traditional format. He can then create a shear wave transit time log or “Delta-S” log by subtracting the false log from the near receiver from that of the far receiver. This can be plugged into standard formulae to generate curves for most standard rock mechanic parameters, including bulk modulus, shear modulus, Young’s modulus, and Poisson’s ratio.While these parameters do not entirely substitute for destructive testing, they are extremely cost effective. An entire borehole can be analyzed for the cost of a single destructive test. This allows for a more judicious use of destructive testing while permitting the extension of test data into the rock mass with much greater confidence."

Jan 1, 2015