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By T. Narita

The diffusion barrier coating system (DBC system) was designed to suppress interdiffusion between alloy substrate and coatings in addition to ensuring slow oxide growth at high temperatures. In this report the concept of the DBC system will be introduced, and the results obtained for various heat-resistant alloys are presented. In this DBC system the s-phase of the Re-Cr-Ni system was selected as the barrier and is formed by electroplating Re-Ni and Ni films from aqueous solutions, followed by Cr and/or Al pack cementations. A typical DBC system consists of Ni-base superalloy / triple s-Re based alloy layer / ?’-Ni3Al and/or ß-NiAl (with or without Pt addition) / a-Al2O3. It was found that the DBC system maintained its structure for long time exposures because the s phase has tie-lines with the ? and ?’ alloy substrate and the ?’ and/or ß coating. The s-Re based alloy can suppress both the inward Al diffusion and the outward diffusion of alloying elements. The DBC system was successfully applied to various heat-resistant alloys such as Ni-Mo and Fe-Cr-Al based alloys, and these alloys with the DBC system were creep-deformed slowly under external applied stresses. A simultaneous diffusion coating process for Al and Hf was developed using Hf+NH4Cl+Al2O3 pack cementation. To obtain reliable and long-life coatings the combination of alloy substrate, coating, and external scale should be considered as a total system, to optimize oxidation resistance, structural stability, and mechanical properties.

Jan 1, 2010

By Norman J. Tienkaivip, Christopher J. Preston

"This paper describes the use of electronics for physical measurement and computer analysis in both open-pit and underground mining operations for the ultimate purpose of optimizing production blasts. Techniques in monitoring single borehole blasts using both pressure and vibration sensors to establish in-situ dynamic rock properties are outlined, including characterization of multiple borehole production blasts with regard to stress generation.Once field derived measurements are computer analyzed, they are channelled as input parallel to other data, such as the explosives thermochemical performance properties generated by a sophisticated computer program called ""HT-65"" into BLASPA . BLASPA, a blast simulation computer program, then couples these input with a mathematical model which defines the blasting processes. Aspects such as the blast geometry, explosive loads and distribution, hook-up, and costs are studied. The final output table gives specific blast performance or quality factors for each blast procedure. These results are then easily compared and rapidly optimized to achieve maximum performance at lowest blasting and drilling cost."

Jan 1, 1984

By C. E. Arrington, A. C. Rice

"Part 1. REDUCTION AND USE OF OXIDANTSSUMMARYA study has been made of the volumetric determination of molybdenum by reduction in the Jones reductor, receiving the reduced solution in a mixture of ferric alum and phosphoric acid, and titrating with standard oxidizing agents. In addition to potassium permanganate, which has long been utilized for this titration, potassium dichromate and ceric sulphate have been found to be applicable. The latter oxidants have been found to be especially useful in the form of dilute solutions for the determination of small amounts of molybdenum. The tests revealed that certain internal indicators give excellent results in these titrations.Reason for These ExperimentsThe following study was initiated with the hope of providing the mining and metallurgical industries with an accurate and rapid technical method for the determination of molybdenum in such low-grade materials as ores, rocks, tailings, steels, and alloys containing less than 0.3 percent molybdenum. Although the experimental work was designed with this purpose in mind, many of the results are applicable to material containing a higher percentage of molybdenum.While the Bureau of Mines had an experiment station in Colorado, considerable analytical work was done on what were then (up to about 1923) classed as rare metals. One of these was molybdenum; and in Bulletin 212, Bonardi's (1) 3/ 60-page chapter covered all methods for the analysis of molybdenum."

Apr 1, 1939

By AIME AIME

APPARENTLY unperturbed by any misgiving as to ill luck connected with the mystic number thirteen -for there were exactly that number of Directors on deck-the Board held two sessions on Tuesday, Feb. 21. , . Between the executive session at 5:15 p. m. and the general session at 8:30 p. m., 28 Section and Division delegates were wests of the Directors at dinner. Committee chair- " men and past officers brought the attendance to 75. Messrs. McAuliffe, Merica, Mudd and Tally had expressed their intention to be at the Directors' meeting, but each was prevented unavoidably at the last minute. At the executive session of the Board, J. V. W. Reynders was unanimously chosen to fill the unexpired term of Dr. Becket as Director: and Eugene McAuliffe in like " manner was selected to become Vice-president to fill the vacancy created hy Dr. Becket's assumption of the Presidency. Upon nomination of President Becket the following Executive Committee was appointed: Frederick M. Becket, chairman; Howard N. Eavenson, H. A. Guess, J. V. W. Reynders and William Wraith; and the Finance Committee was appointed as follows: Henry Krumb, chairman; Paul D. Merica and H. G. Moulton. Karl Eilers was reelected Treasurer and A. B. Parsons was re- elected Secretary to serve for the ensuing year, whereupon the executive session was adjourned.

Jan 1, 1933

By N. Madani, S. Abulkhair

In multivariate geostatistics, it is common to have different types of complexities between variables of interest. In this context, an inequality constraint is an example of complex bivariate relationships. Unfortunately, traditional co-kriging and co-simulation algorithms cannot reproduce this type of bivariate complexity, leading to the overestimation of disturbing elements. This paper proposes a new algorithm based on a hierarchical sequential Gaussian co-simulation framework, integrated with inverse transform sampling, to model inequality constraints between variables. First, the proposed methodology's validity was evaluated by applying it to a real case study from an iron deposit, with an inequality constraint between iron and aluminum oxide. Then the simulated results were compared with a conventional hierarchical co-simulation algorithm to investigate the effect of inverse transform sampling on the quality of the co-simulation. The results showed that the proposed algorithm can reproduce an inequality constraint between variables.

Sep 1, 2021

By Patrick S. Hudd

Traditionally in hard rock mining, large diameter raise boring was thought of as 3.04 metre or 3.66 metre diameter holes 300 metres deep. Mine and ventilation engineers were challenged to design systems either incorporating such holes, or slashing and modifying to suit. Now, 5.49 metre diameter holes up to 1,000 metres deep are being excavated. The ability to pilot and ream such holes not only creates new options for mine engineers in mine ventilation system design, but also creates new opportunities in mine access. By combining holes of this diameter with the ability to accurately drill long pilot holes within the diameter of the pilot hole through the entire length of the hole, borehole hoisting systems are now fully capable of being main production or service accesses for mines. This paper will review the present day capabilities of large diameter raise boring, potential applications for such excavations and some considerations for companies contemplating using large diameter raise boring in their operations

Oct 1, 2010

The panic bars (and associated linkages and electrical circuitry) that are defined in this document are a machine operator-actuated control for the emergency deenergization of the tram motors on self-propelled, electric and diesel face equipment; including haulage equipment such as shuttle cars. There are nine basic types of panic bars (and several variations) that are recommended in this document, but all of the panic bars are characteristically of the "fire door" type that is frequently encountered on outside exit doors of many public and some commercial buildings. It is also the intent of the following panic bar designs that, when emergency brakes are added to the face equipment machinery for which they arc required, that they be designed and hooked up so that actuation of the panic bar will result in automatic application of the emergency brakes (immediately following the deenergization of the tram motors). The following panic bar design requirements are a restatement of the proposed requirements defined in the Federal Register, requirements cited in "Guidelines for the Design and Installation of Devices for Deenergization of Self-Propelled Electric Face Equipment/Automatic Emergency Brakes" by G. E . Lester and J. D. Greenhalgh of MESA, and Bendix recommendations that were formulated as a result of discussions with personnel at the various machine manufacturers and underground coal mines that we surveyed, discussions with G. L. Judy (our consultant), etc:

Jan 1, 1974

By G. C. Adams, J. H. Fowler

Canada's gypsum industry began more than 200 years ago in the Maritime provinces when farmers attempted to supplement their incomes by selling "land plaster" to traders bound for the United States. Rising from such humble beginnings, gypsum now contributes significantly to the economies of nine of Canada's 10 provinces. Thirteen open-pit and three underground mines produced a total of 8.4 Mt (9.3 million st) of crude gypsum, and 17 processing plants manufactured 2.5 Mt (2.8 million st) of finished products in 1985. Recent economic growth in North America has resulted in steady increases in gypsum production. However, competition from foreign producers and by-product gypsum pose a growing threat to Canada's gypsum mining industry.

Jan 1, 1987

By L. P. Durham

DuRing the early mine development period, 1929 and the first part of 1930, a 300-ton pilot-plant concentrator was built at Nkana mine of the Rhokana Corporation, Northern Rhodesia. This plant operated from May 26, 1930 until Oct. 26, 1931, treating 101,080 tons of Nkana ores and producing 4372 tons of concentrate. The plant was built, primarily, as a test unit to determine the grinding characteristics, floatability, etc. of the Nkana ores and other ores of the Rhodesian copper belt and to supply sufficient data on which to base the design of a 5000-ton concentrating plant at Nkana mine. The test unit operated wholly on development ores and no attempt was made to grade or select the ores from any section of the mine. The average assays for the 17 months of operation are given in Table 1. The first ground was broken for the 5000-ton concentrator during June, 1930, and the construction of the plant was completed in November, 1931. The plant started on Dec. 10 and has operated continuously since that date: The whole of the concentrating plant is compact and closely connected, yet with sufficient space for expansion of all sections up to 20,000 to 25,000 tons per day capacity. Mining operations are carried on along a length of about four miles on the easterly limb of the Nkana syncline. This length includes the North orebody, from which all production has thus far originated, and the Mindola orebody, now being developed for production. The ore-bearing measures in the North orebody are leached for some 75 ft. below the surface; the oxidized zone varies in vertical extent from 100 to 150 ft. Practically all the ore below the 200-ft. level is sufficiently

Jan 1, 1935

By A. J. Kraemer

For a number of years the Bureau of Mines has been conducting an investi-gation of crude petroleum from producing fields in the United States and the Western Hemisphere and has published a series of reports on these fields. Analyses of crude-oil samples from some oil fields of Louisiana are given in Bulletin 291. Analyses Of 26 representative crude oils from various producing formations of southern Louisiana are given in this report. These samples are from 14 fields in 10 parishes in the southern part of the State, usually designated as the "Louisiana Gulf Coast area."

Jan 1, 1934

By J, T C. McCuaig, J Hodgkison, T Fouet

Olympic Dam is the eighth largest Cu deposit and the largest U deposit in the world, with approximately 35 million tonnes of contained Cu and 1.2 million tonnes of U. The most recent resource estimate was for 2.95 billion tonnes of mineralised material with average grades of 1.2 per cent Cu, 0.4 kg/t U, 0.5 g/t Au, 2.6 g/t Ag as contained mineral resources. Olympic Dam is expected to produce >200 000 tonnes of Cu and 4200 tonnes of U3O8 from 9.8 million tonnes of ore in 2004, making it the 12th largest Cu producer in the world. One of the impediments to achieving targeted rates of production has been oversize material (>0.9 m) reporting to stope draw points. A major contributor to oversize material may be overbreak along pre-existing structural weaknesses from stope walls and backs during the production life of a stope. Underbreaking to structures can also have a detrimental effect on the performance of a stope. In an effort to understand the influence of structural geology on stope performance, WMC Resources and SRK Consulting partnered during 2003 to refine the current system of structural mapping, and to use historical data to produce a structural interpretation covering a large part of the mining area. The interpretation has been wireframed in DATAMINETM into a three-dimensional structural framework model. To date, there are more than 600 structures of >50 m strike length incorporated into the structural framework model, which covers a study area 1500 m + 600 m + 350 m. A back-analysis exercise to assess the influence of interpreted structures on overbreak and underbreak was completed for laser-surveyed stopes.

Jan 1, 2004

By D. W. Blaylock

I. The Lower Kittaning bed is the most important bed in Clarion County from the standpoint of present production, but the Clarion bed has the largest recoverable reserve. 2. Known measured and indicated reserves in all beds, based on a minim thickness of 14 inches and 1,800 short tons per acre-foot of coal in place, are estimated at 1,210 million short tons as of January 1, 1952. Of this total, 790 million short tons is in beds 28 inches and mare thick. Areas in some beds were omitted from the estimate because available data relative to the bed characteristics are too wager for ding an estimate that conforms with the definitions of measured and indicated coal adopted for this study. Should future drilling or development prove reserves in these areas, they should be added to the total estimated reserves.

Jan 1, 1956

By C. R. Knopp

Gas-oil relative permeability ratio is an important relationship in oil reservoir predictive calculations. A correlation has been developed from 107 gas-flood k/k tests on Venezuelan core samples. The correlating parameter is based on restored-state water saturation tests and' is applicable to both consolidated and poorly consolidated sandstone reservoirs. Data of the correlation show that there are no distinguishah1e differences between the mass-data groupings for the two c1assifications A procedure is recommended for running .sufficient relative. permeability analyses to compute a geometric mean of the sample group. The geometric mean is more representative of the total core, and probably the entire reservoir. For example, while only one in four of the k,,/k,., test curves agreed closely with the resultant correlation of this report, the geometric mean curves of the 16 suites (three samples or more). showed good agreetment ill three cases out of four. INTRODUCTION The gas-oil relative permeability ratio is an important, fundamental relationship in most oil reservoir predictive calculations. Predictive calculations are made to estimate future reservoir production characteristics and ultimate oil recovery. The k1,/k2, relationship is specifically needed to relate the surface gas-oil ratio to the reservoir oil and gas saturation, and to calculate the relative movement of these phases within the reservoir whenever some of the more complex driving mechanisms are present. Laboratory k1/k2, tests are not generally run as a routine analysis. Consequently, k1/k2 data often are not available when needed because the cost of laboratory work could not be justified or the need for such data had not been properly anticipated. When laboratory k1/k2, data are available, they are often very difficult to interpret. For example, wide divergence is sometimes shown in a family of k1,/k1, tests representative of the producing horizon in a single well. With these considerations in mind, a study was made to determine if a relationship might exist between the k1,/k2, curve and some other simple laboratory test criteria. The most probable k1/k2, curve correlation for Venezuela described in this paper is the result of the investigation. The presented correlation defines the most probable gas-flood k,,/k,, curve through the medium of air-water capillary displacement and centrifuge water saturation tests. The laboratory procedures of these tests are. relatively simple, and inexpensive; test data should be. widely available- from routine analysis. DATA AVAILABLE, LABORATORY METHODS The report correlation utilized 107 gas-Hood k1/k2, tests run on sandstone cores of Venezuelan reservoirs. Table 1 is a general tabulation of data pertinent to the tests, while Table 2 summarizes the data. Thetests include 96 from Western Venezuela and 11 from Eastern Venezuela. Eighty-two- of the 107 test samples were sandstones that varied from poorly consolidated to-unconsolidated; 25 were consolidated. The average sample porosity was 26.7 per cent and the average permeability was 1,121 md; these values typify the better sandstone reservoirs of' Venezuela. The Welge gas-flood technique,' based on fundamental Buckley-Leverett frontal displacement theory, was introduced in about 1952 and is widely accepted in the industry. The laboratory procedure is relatively simple, rapid, and can be performed on small core samples. While there have been some minor variations in sample preparation and laboratory procedure in the tests used for the correlation, these tests can be generally summarized as follows. The core sample was first sol vent-extracted and dried. Connate-water saturation was restored by the oil-flushing or evaporation-blow down methods. At the beginning of gas flood the hydrocarbon pore volume was completeiy saturated with the test oil phase. Unsteady-state gas-oil displacement then began with the injection of nitrogen or helium. while the displaced oil and gas phases were incrementally metered at the out-flow face. From the test data, the k,,/k,, curve was calculated by the Welge method.' The individual oil and gas relative permeabilities were also calculated." CORRELATING PROCEDURES In attempting to establish a basis of correlation, we found that broad mid-range sections of 105 of the 107 k,,/k,, test curves could be closely duplicated by a straight line. Only two curves did not show a degree of linearity in this region. Correlation-curve definition parameters were subsequently developed from this observation of consistent mid-range linearity. Possible correlating variables were limited to the physical properties measured on core samples that (1) were widely available as common test data and (2) could be easily and cheaply obtained through future laboratory work. The more obvious possibilities were porosity, permeability and

Jan 1, 1966

By Merwin H. Howes

In constructing the NORAD Combat Operations Center, controlled blasting techniques were employed to achieve smooth walls and to avoid shattering the rock beyond excavation lines. Extraordinary measures were taken to stabilize the rock to permanently preserve the openings. Rock stabilization was accomplished by means of reinforced concrete and gunite linings, rock boltings, installation of chain-link fabric, and epoxy resin and cement grouting. A particular zone of weakness at B vital location was supported by exceptionally thick reinforced concrete lining, rock bolts, and cement grout.

Jan 1, 1966

By Yotamu Stephen Rainford Hara

"The aim of our work is to investigate a low energy and clean route for the recovery of copper and cobalt from complex sulphide mineral concentrates. The mineral concentrates were roasted in air, in the presence of CaO (MS + CaO + 202 =MO+ CaS04) at temperatures below 973K. The roasted products containing CuO, CoO and Fe203 were carbothermically reduced at 1073K within an hour to preferentially reduce copper and cobalt. The kinetics of reactions were studied using the thermogravimetric technique and by characterisation ofreaction products using the XRDSEM-EDX techniques. The effects of MS:CaO ratio, roasting temperatures and physical nature of the mineral concentrates were analysed. The method for capturing S02 by forming CaS04 was analysed for reuse in the process. The energy balance for the above process is compared with that of conventional continuous smelting/converting process.1.0 IntroductionCopper sulphide mineral concentrates from Zambia contains substantial amouot of cobalt. The cobalt metal content in the concentrates ranges between 0.7 and 2 % weight, which corresponds to 3 and 9 % weight copper, based on the spot price of copper ($7 386/tone) and cobalt ($31 000/tone). Although the traditional approach using a combination of roasting-leaching-electrowining steps can be applied to recover copper and cobalt from sulphide mineral concentrates [1-4], there are two major draw backs of the traditional process: (i) the S02 emitted during roasting is too lean for economical conversion for sulphuric acid manufacture, which causes serious environmental pollution. (ii) silver and gold which are normally present in the sulphide concentrates are lost out [5] because they are not leachable by H2S04 or HCl which are the common leachants. The above two problems have been overcome by adopting flash smelting in which a rich S02 gas above 20% is produced [1, 5] and successfully converted into sulphuric acid. The precious metals tend to partition to blister copper and recovered during refming. However, nearly all cobalt is lost into the slag phase uoder oxidising condition which prevails during flash smelting. It is important to note that the cobalt content in the slag can be up to 2.6 % weight [6]. The recovery of cobalt from the slag is a process which requires huge amouot of energy since the slag is smelted above 1873K [6]. With a view of minimising the amouot of energy and S02 emission during metal recovery, our investigation involves roasting the sulphide concentrates in the presence of lime and reducing the roasted samples with carbon."

Jan 1, 2013

Micro-computers have made it practical to install a high-speed acquisition system to collect data from a longwall face in near real-time. By simultaneous data analyses using neural networks and fuzzy sets, information regarding longwall mining performance and underground behavior can be provided and forecasting longwall instability and detecting geological anomalies is feasible. This paper presents details of the application of neural networks and fuzzy sets in developing on-line evaluation of longwall roof behavior. Techniques for interpreting longwall shield pressures and characterizing roof conditions are discussed.

Jan 1, 1996

By Edward (Ted) R. Lord

The application of thickened/paste tailings for surface disposal has been practiced for many years but has recently started to gain wider international acceptance. With tailings ponds coming under increasing environmental scrutiny, there is growing momentum towards mine/tailings plans that greatly reduce the size or even eliminate tailings ponds completely. This paper provides examples from the author's own experiences of the application of thickened/paste tailings for surface disposal in different countries, under different climatic conditions and in different industries. The paper will also comment on current research initiatives and future trends.

May 1, 2001

By L Abrahamsson

This paper describes results from a gender study for a new mine in Pajala, a small community in northern Sweden. Using a gender perspective, the study examines migration, education, local culture, the labour market, and work organisation as problems and opportunities in the regional context for the planned mine. The most obvious ‘gender issue’ for the Swedish mining industry is the very low percentage of employed women, which is even lower among mining workers. To recruit the best people, a company actively needs to attract both women and men; however, the mining companies find it difficult to recruit women as cultural, labour market and educational traditions as well as the mining companies’ own cultures often make it difficult for women to find work in the mining industry.The Torneå river valley, the region surrounding Pajala, has a gender-segregated labour market and gender-stereotyped culture and few young women live in this traditional and oldish region. Many young people leave the region and this is especially true for women. Compared to the rest of Sweden, there is a low educational level, especially among the men. In the mining companies, as in many other male homosocial workplaces, the workplace culture has strong connections to a certain type of traditional masculinity (laddishness, a kind of ‘macho-style’) and for a long time this has excluded women. ‘Gender’, however, is not only a question of recruiting women to a male-dominated industry. An organisation that discriminates according to gender can become inflexible, hindering communication, learning, innovations and change processes. In mining companies, this can manifest itself in hesitant attitudes among the miners about safety as well as organisational and technological development.This study found that companies establishing a presence in this region should develop a strategy for how to deal with and manage the risks and opportunities in the surrounding society (the regional culture) as well as inside the company (the mining culture). This need to be strategic will also be required of future mining companies as they will face higher demands on safety, gender equality, and technology to become modern, efficient and lean organisations.

Nov 22, 2011

By Monserrat Rebolledo, John L. Uhrie, Candice Simms

Jetti Resources has developed a catalyst which overcomes the passivation of primary sulfides, enhancing the heap leach recovery of copper from chalcopyrite. It is important to emphasize that heap leaching of copper sulfides, whether with or without the Jetti catalyst, is a biooxidative process. We have demonstrated the efficacy of Jetti’s technology in bioreactors, with a chalcopyrite-dominant porphyry ore. In the presence of Jetti’s technology, optimal bioleaching conditions significantly increase copper extraction by 2.6 times that of the baseline.

Feb 1, 2025

By C. Özgen Karacan

Methane emissions from the active face areas and from the fractured formations overlying the mined coalbed can affect safety and productivity in longwall mines. Since ventilation alone may not be sufficient to control the methane levels on a longwall operation, gob vent boreholes (GVB), horizontal and vertical drainage boreholes, and their combinations are drilled and used as supplementary methane control measures in many mines. However, in most cases, the types of degasification wellbores chosen are decided based on previous experiences without analyzing the different factors that may affect this decision. This study describes the development of an expert classification system used as a decision tool. It was built using a multilayer perceptron (MLP) type artificial neural network (ANN) structure. The ANN was trained using different geographical locations, longwall operation parameters, and coalbed characteristics as input and was tested to classify the output into four different selections, which are actual degasification designs that US longwall mines utilize. The ANN network selected no degasification, GVB, horizontal and GVB, and horizontal, vertical and GVB options with high accuracy. The results suggest that the model can be used as a decision tool for degasification system selection using site- and mine-specific conditions. Such a model can also be used as a screening tool to decide which degasification design should be investigated in detail with more complex numerical techniques.

Jan 1, 2009