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By Reginald E. Hore

I. INTRODUCTION. SINCE the discovery of silver at Cobalt, Ontario, in 1903 more than 100,000,000 oz. of silver have been produced b: the mines in the Nipissing district, and there is reason to believe that at least as much more will be produced in the next five years. The estimated value of the aggregate output o ore to the end of 1910 is $48,327,280. The ore yielded 93,977,833, oz. of silver and was mined at a net profit of about $26,000,000. For 1910 the production was 30,558,825 oz. valued at $15,436,894, and yielding a profit of about $9,000',000 The details of the production of the Cobalt district for the years 1904 to 1909, inclusive, are given in Table I. TABLE I.-Silver-Production of the Cobalt District, 1904 to 1909 SMELTING-ORE. Production. Value. Silver-Content. Value Per Ton Ounces. Oz. Per Ton. 1904 206,875 $111,887 1,309 $708 1905.:.... 2,451,356 1,360,503 1,143 634 1906 5,401,766 3,667,551 1,013 687 1907 10,023,311 6,155,391 677 416 1908 18,022,480 8,468,293 736 363 1909 22,436,355 10,809,872 809 389 CONCENTRATES. 1908 1,415,395 $665,085 1,240 585 1909 3,461,470 1,651,704 1,174 559 The shipments from Cobalt are in the form of smelting-ore, concentrates from milling-ore, and bullion. The smelting-or( is largely high grade, averaging about 3,000 oz. per ton- A

May 1, 1911

By J. A. Marts

Reservoir properties including porosity and permeability distributions in longwall coal mine gobs have direct application to modeling the flow patterns and gas distributions in the gobs. Proper assessment of these distributions is required to assess gob gas hazards such as spontaneous combustion and explosive methane mixtures and to optimize gob gas venthole operation and nitrogen inertization. Determining the reservoir properties is difficult given that the gob is inaccessible and direct measurements cannot be easily taken. Several techniques had been used by previous researchers and will be discussed. This paper will present the methodology used to model the gob compaction by simulating the sequential extraction of coal. Two Western US coal mines were used for case studies. By determining volumetric strain, the porosity and permeability distributions in the gob can be calculated. The geo-mechanical model predicts an axisymmetric volumetric strain distribution with a steeper slope near the start-up room and a shallower slope near the active face.

By Thomas E. Lobb, Harry C. Verakis

Significant progress has been made in the reduction of serious injuries and fatalities resulting from mine blasting operations. Despite the progress, injuries and fatalities continue to occur. A leading cause of injuries and fatalities from blasting continues to be inadequate blast area security. Even though significant improvements in technology have been made, insuring adequate blast area security remains a challenge and requires constant vigilance. The advances in technology have created safer blasting products and have improved productivity and economics by enabling large, more efficient and effective blasts. However, as blasts grow larger in size, the complexity of adequately securing the blast area increases even more. Periodically the basic fundamentals involved in blasting safety should be reviewed, particularly for securing a blast site regardless of the size of the planned blast. Factors such as flyrock and toxic fumes must be taken into account to insure the safety of persons and property from the results of a blast. This paper examines the factors related to injuries due to inadequate blasting shelters and blast area security, and identifies mitigation techniques. The key concepts are: (a) accurate determination of the bounds of the blast area, (b) clearing employees from the blast area, (c) effective access control, (d) use of adequate blasting shelters, (e) efficient communications, and (f) training. Fundamentals are reviewed with an emphasis on analyzing task elements and identifying root causes for selected blasting accidents. Mitigating techniques are presented along with discussions and examples.

By R. S. Conti, M. R. Krump, C. P. Lazzara Ph. D., R. L. Derick, L. L. Chasko

A mine fire is one of the most challenging safety issues facing a mine operator and can occur at any location underground. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the Twentymile Coal Mine, CO, conducted in-mine experiments to determine the capability of high-expansion foam for addressing underground fires. The tests were conducted in sloping entries with high-capacity diesel-powered foam generators. The following results were observed: a well-designed, maintained and properly operated high-expansion foam generator can propagate a foam plug hundreds of feet in steep upward-sloping (20%) multiple entries against a ventilation pressure; stoppings and partitions designed to contain the foam plug in upward-sloping entries must be substantially constructed; and the predicted quantity of foam concentrate can be significantly less than the actual amount used, due to foam losses, such as bubble breakage on dry surfaces. This paper describes the production of high-expansion firefighting foam and discusses the in-mine experimental tests and results.

Jan 1, 2010

By Lucas Monteiro Corrêa e Lopes, Carolina Carvalho Nunes, Nathalia Luiza Nascimento de Carvalho

The characteristics of each ore make it impossible to predict the quality of a flotation concentrate without exploratory tests. The research begins with laboratory batch tests, and then, after advances in the determination of process conditions, the complexity of the tests increases in order to evaluate new parameters. The closed cycle test (LCT) simulate circuits with load recirculation and the greatest difficulty of this test is to stabilize the circuit and achieve equilibrium. Depending on mass availability, the types of tests that offer the highest reliability and informations about flotation in an ongoing process are mini-scale or pilot-scale tests. This work aimed to compare the results of the flotation tests in three scales (batch test, LCT and mini pilot) for the Bonsucesso ore, a new deposit, owned by Nexa Resources, that has sphalerite, zinc ore, and galena, lead ore. In the open flotation circuit of galena was obtained 27.57% content with 26.70% recovery, in the LCT test the content was 31.54% with 64.64% recovery and in the mini pilot reached 51.22 % content with 65.51% recovery. In the open sphalerite flotation the zinc content was 55.51% with 77.35% recovery, in the LCT test the zinc content was 56.71% with 84.42% of recovery and in the mini pilot of 50.02% content with 94.54% recovery.

Oct 3, 2019

The 81 st Regular Meeting and convention was called to order by the President, Charles W. Margolf at 9:00 a.m. Monday, July l, 1985 in the Silverton Room of Tamarron, a resort hotel near Durango, Colorado. President Margolf welcomed the members and others in attendance to the convention and noted his theme of "Make It Happen!" He introduced those present of the 1985-86 Board of Directors and Officers who were elected by the Board of Directors at their Annual Meeting June 29. They were: Arthur K. Neill, President; Bernard Bernstrom, President-Elect; Loren V. Linville, Convention Liaison Officer; Vice Presidents Douglas J. Hammer of Colorado, C. Joe Presley of Montana, Alva L. Smith of New Mexico, Fred Wertz of North Dakota, Rex Berry of Utah and Thomas J. Lien of Wyoming; and Doris G. Finnie, Executive Secretary & Treasurer. He also introduced Ira. E. McKeever who was elected to serve as chairman of the Advisory Board by that group. Margolf mentioned that one three-year term as a Director would be voted upon at the annual business meeting which would be held Tuesday, July 2 at 1:30 p.m. in the Windom Peak Room and introduced James "Doug" Ingram, the nominee of the Nominating Committee. A convention update was made by the Conven-

Jan 1, 1985

By Frank Rieber

THE discovery that strongly magnetic bodies localized near the surface of the earth could be detected by the distortion which they produced in the resultant magnetic field marked the beginning of magnetic surveying methods. From an original ability to detect bodies of magnetic iron ore and the like when located very close to the, surface, these methods have been extended until today they promise to give much information with regard to the structure of such slightly magnetic material as sedimentary rock containing only a very small proportion of iron.1 The recent extensions have been made possible through the development of more delicate instruments, and of methods for their use. From the original compass and dip needle, the design of apparatus has progressed until equipment Is typified by magnetic balances capable of measuring the components of the earth's field to an extremely high degree of accuracy. It seems unlikely that the limit of such instrumental development has been reached. Just as the change from compass and dip needle has enabled the location of relatively minor changes in magnetic materials, so additional developments in the direction of increased sensitivity, as well as in greater dependability and constancy of operation, should reveal positively many slight changes which either escape notice in the present surveys or are so small that they cannot with certainty be separated from uncontrollable errors due to inconstant operation of the equipment. The ability to read smaller and smaller variations does not mean, of course, that deductions as to the causes of these variations will be made as accurately and definitely as -is possible with the more pronounced anomalies.

Jan 1, 1928

By L. A. Baker

The presence of goethite in a hematite ore has been shown to strongly affect the time of heating to the firing temperature. The investigation of spalling of single pellets and of packed beds has enabled free water and goethite spalling to be identified as separate phenomena. In addition, it has been shown that even for an 18 inch deep bed of green balls the free water and goethite drying periods can be considered separately. Based on this observation, a method of predicting production rate and hood temperature profile is presented. The method required knowledge of the ore goethite content, ore grind and the green pellet bulk density. Laboratory results were found to be in good agreement with actual plant practice and have led to improved process performance.

Jan 1, 1972

By George Vranesh

Synfuels development in the upper Colorado River basin and the population growth attendant with such development demand sizeable quantities of water. Unfortunately, the water supply in the basin is limited and such limitation may impose a significant constraint on the development of the West's abundant energy resources. Although the water for the synfuels development will be governed by the law of prior appropriation adopted in the upper basin states, the authors point out that an apparently senior water right .my not deliver a firm supply of water. The federal and Indian Reserved Water Rights Doctrine, the Colorado River Compacts the Doctrine of Equitable Apportionment, and the federal and state environmental laws can all severely diminish the value of any given water right and the synfuels industry should take care to evaluate these factors in acquiring its water.

Jan 1, 1981

By Solange Kazue Utimura

As placas de circuito impresso (PCIs) dos resíduos eletroeletrônicos (REEEs) possuem diversos metais na composição. A recuperação desses metais tem incentivado as pesquisas inovadoras no seu processo de extração. Como alternativa de recuperação de metais das PCIs de forma sustentável optou-se pela biohidrometalurgia envolvendo a fase extração. O presente trabalho avalia a biolixiviação do cobre na presença de duas cepas bacterianas distintas em PCIs de REEEs provenientes de impressoras obsoletas. As PCIs foram caracterizadas mediante as técnicas analíticas de espectrometria ICP-OES e de fluorescência de Raios X (FRX) para determinar os elementos químicos presentes na amostra inicial. As cepas utilizadas na lixiviação bacteriana foram Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans (AF) e Leptospirillum ferrooxidans (LF), cultivadas em meio de cultura T&K. Os ensaios de biolixiviação foram realizados em incubadora orbital, com velocidade de rotação de 170 rpm, temperatura de 30 oC, volume de inoculo de 10% (v/v) e densidade de polpa de 30g/L. A técnica empregada na concentração de cobre da solução após a biolixiviação foi a FRX. Foi possível determinar que a cepa AF apresentou uma extração de 100% de cobre em 8 dias em comparação com a LF na qual foi observado que a extração de cobre foi de 100% em 5 dias.

Oct 30, 2017

By W. W. Dudley

The U.S. Geological Survey, in support of underground testing of nuclear explosives, has developed a technique (Dudley, 1910) to predict the inflow of ground water to large underground chambers that are cylindrical in shape. By treating the chamber as a large-diameter well pumped at constant drawdown, the nonsteady discharge can be computed by the method of Hantush (1961) for analyzing flowing wells under leaky artesian conditions. In mining applications, whether for mineral recovery or for nuclear testing, the most serious departure from the conditions of Hantush's model results from the gradual enlargement of the opening under drained conditions. Inherent in the analytical technique is that the "well" is fully completed at the time that dewatering begins. Because safety is the prime concern, however, initial pumping systems or personnel evacuation procedures must be designed to handle the greatest conceivable inflow. DEFINITIONS Because somewhat different meanings are attached to similar words in different technical fields, the U.S. Geological Survey definitions (Lohman, 1970) of several hydrologic terms used in this report are given below. An aquifer is a formation, group of formations, or part of a formation that contains sufficient saturated permeable material to yield significant quantities of water to wells, and springs. A confining bed is a body of material lying stratigraphically adjacent to one or more aquifers and having a hydraulic conductivity distinctly lower than that of the aquifer. The total head (dimensions L) of a liquid at a given point is the sum of three components: (1) elevation head, he, which is equal to the elevation of the point above a datum; (2) pressure head, hp, which is the height of a column of static water that can be supported by the static pressure at the point; and (3) velocity head, hv, which is the height the kinetic energy of the liquid is

Jan 1, 1971

By S Chatterjee

The production scheduling of an open pit mine determines the optimal extraction sequencing that significantly impacts a mine’s life as well as net present value. The optimisation of production scheduling of large open pit mines with geological uncertainty is a computationally very intensive process. In this paper, an approximation algorithm is proposed to schedule an open pit mine, where instead of solving the whole problem at once, the production schedule is generated by sequentially solving subproblems. The subgradient method is used to generate the upper bound solution of the Lagrangian relaxed subproblem. If the upper bound relaxed algorithm is not a feasible solution, a mixed integer programming is solved on the generated upper-bound solution. An application at a copper mine with an orebody represented by 16 532 mining blocks is presented using the proposed algorithm. Results show that all constraints are satisfied. The net present values are also calculated and results reveal an 11 per cent higher net present value (NPV) is generated when compared to the NPV generated when the same approach is applied to the deterministic model of the deposit where uncertainty is not accounted for.CITATION:Chatterjee, S, 2014. Stochastic production scheduling – solution through Langrangian relaxation with the branch-and-cut algorithm, in Proceedings Orebody Modelling and Strategic Mine Planning Symposium 2014 , pp 323–328 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Nov 24, 2014

By L. T. Leyson, U. C. Tainton

Some time ago, at ameeting of the Institute Prof. J. W. Richards1 said, "I take exception to the statement that all the factors in the production of electrolytic zinc were known long ago.... There is possible in my opinion an improvement of perhaps 50 per cent. in the new electrolytic processes." An examination of the literature of the subject will show the justness of Professor Richards' contention. The work of the earlier investigators was carried on in the shadow of difficulties that, today, are hardly more than memories. We seldom hear now of zinc sponge, that bête noir of the electrolytic-zinc pioneers. Zinc sponge was the name given to a peculiar, soft, black, non-adherent form of zinc deposit that was utterly useless for melting into ingot form. At the big plant at Cockle Creek, New South Wales, in 1897, Edgar Ashcroft2 said that the solution in the plant would suddenly, and without ascertainable cause, go' "bad" and begin to deposit spongy zinc. The most delicate, even spectroscopic, methods of analysis were unable to detect any difference between "good" solution and "bad" solution; either form might change to the other on being kept for a while. When it is added that an outbreak of this insidious disease (which appeared to be infectious, or at least contagious) could be dealt with only by discarding the solution and washing out all tanks and pipe lines, some idea may be gathered of the troubles of the zinc electrometallurgist in what may be spoken of as the "sponge age" of electrolytic zinc. Thanks to the efforts of a number of investigators, we are today able to diagnose with considerable certitude the nature of the malady that puzzled Ashcroft and his co-workers. The researches of Mylius and

Jan 1, 1924

By Robert P. Stevens

It is important for a refractory supplier to make systematic petro-graphic examinations of products which have been in service in the furnaces and kilns of customers. The petrographic examination of refractory service samples involves the microscopic study of polished and/or thin sections, supplemented by electron probe microanalysis, as well as the bulk chemical and XRD analysis of zones in the samples. The evolution of the A. P. Green Refractories Company petrographic laboratory is described, and the application of petrographic methods is illustrated in the examination of service refractories from a Portland cement rotary kiln and an AOD stainless steel vessel. The objectives of such studies are to assist the customer in the solution of his refractory problems, and to accumulate data which are of use in the design of improved refractory products.

Jan 1, 1981

By L. A. Kaufman

"AbstractThe Bureau of Mines, Ottawa, in conjunction with Eldorado Mining and Refining (1944), Limited, has developed an automatic concentrator for uranium ores.A brief review of radioactivity is given which shows the present limitations for obtaining •good results by electronic concentration. The ores after being mined, or at any other stage of a concentrating process, can be analysed for the uranium dissemination and from these results the possibility of an economical concentration can be estimated.The electronic and mechanical parts of the equipment are described. Difficulties in the operation's, and means by which they have •been and are •being overcome, are discussed. The capacity of the units, the results obtained, the man-power required, and other pertinent data are presented. Simple control analysis on the percent U3O8 has been developed.Research is continuing along lines to develop a more completely automatic unit using a scintillation detector, and applying a few new ideas and some devices that have been developed in colour sorting.IntroductionIt is well known how important the Geiger counter is in the field of exploration for uranium. It was in late 1946 that Dr. C. Lapointe, of the Bureau of Mines, Ottawa, first started work on an automatic picking unit to concentrate uranium ores. He used the principle that if a number of pieces of unknown ore, some of which contained uranium, were individually brought up close to a Geiger-Müller tube, then the pieces containing uranium could •be easily picked out due to their activity. Since then a good deal of work has been done by the Bureau of Mines in conjunction with Eldorado Mining and • Refining (1944), Limited, to develop an electronic concentrator."

Jan 1, 1950

By W Valery, A Jankovic

A growing demand within the minerals industry for sustainable development and the introduction of carbon taxes have resulted in a significant focus on improving the energy efficiency of comminution circuits. However, in this drive for improved energy efficiency the role of classification has been overlooked. Inefficient classification and large recirculating loads reduce circuit capacity, result in over-grinding and higher specific energy consumption.It is well understood that classification increases mill capacity; therefore, closed ball mill-cyclone circuits have become an industry standard. However, due to limitations in cyclone classification efficiency, the optimum recirculating load is limited to about 250 per cent. A simple relationship quantifying the effect of classification efficiency and recirculating load on grinding circuit capacity is presented in this paper. The possibility of improving the capacity of ball mill circuits by improving classification efficiency is discussed, considering the current practical limitations of classification equipment. Simulation tools were used to evaluate circuits with cyclones and with high frequency screens to identify opportunities to improve energy efficiency. The investigation also identified potential benefits to flotation recovery due to a reduction in over-grinding.CITATION:Jankovic, A and Valery, W, 2012. The impact of classification on the energy efficiency of grinding circuits - The hidden opportunity, in Proceedings 11th AusIMM Mill OperatorsÆ Conference, pp 65-70 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Oct 29, 2012

By H. Cevizci

"Numerical simulation of the plaster stemming method (PSM) was performed and compared with the conventional drill cuttings stemming method (DCSM). Many earlier in situ tests have proved that PSM can use the blast energy more efficiently than DCSM. Despite PSM generating more blast vibrations, it has advantages over DCSM such as better fragmentation and lower cost per unit volume of rock blasted. In this study, numerical simulation with Autodyn software using a 2D tool was employed to prove the efficiency of plaster stemming by comparing parameters such as pressure, Y-velocity, Y-force, internal energy, acceleration-Y, and compression. For example, the maximum pressure attained at the top of explosive column was 7 395 MPa for DCSM whereas it was as high as 11 945 MPa for PSM. Most of the computed parameters were significantly higher in PSM than those obtained for DCSM. This paper is the first study elucidating the efficiency of PSM by numerical simulation. It is concluded that PSM can save substantial amounts of money and effort. IntroductionThe stemming of blast-hole collars in surface mines with an inert material redirects blasting energy to the rock more efficiently, thus the blast-induced energy is utilized more effectively in breaking rock. With proper stemming, the gases should not escape due to loose stemming material. More efficient stemming with better confinement therefore increases the blast fragmentation. In addition, the distance of scatter is increased, giving rise to a looser rock pile that can be more easily loaded and transported. In order to improve the performance of a blast, stemming is used to help maintain the gas pressure over time (Konya and Konya, 2018). Proper stemming has been shown to increase the explosive efficiency by over 41% (Snelling and Hall, 1912).The most common stemming material in open pits and quarries is drill cuttings because of their ready availability at blast sites and the drill cuttings stemming method (DCSM) is a low-cost method. However, it has a major disadvantage in that dry drill cuttings eject very easily from blast-holes during an explosion, thus a great percentage of the blast energy is wasted and lost to the atmosphere. Cevizci (2012, 2014, 2013, 2017) studied blasting parameters in open pits and obtained better results with the plaster stemming method (PSM) in many limestone, basalt, and clay quarries. Moulding plaster is preferred for stemming because of the fast hardening time of 25–30 minutes."

May 1, 2019

By Bradford NL

The Isa Mine of Mount Isa Mines Limited produces 2.6 million tonnes of silver-lead-zinc ore annually from sub level open stopes of which approximately 40% comes from the narrow Racecourse orebodies below 15 level.Geologically the stoping environment is complicated by highly fissile shale hangingwalls and below 17 level by a high stress regime.The realization that major hangingwall failures and generally poor ground conditions could lead to serious dilution problems, and ultimately production shortfalls, prompted investigations into the use of low strength explosives.

Jan 1, 1985

By McMillan W. D.

Vermiculite is the name of a group of micaceous minerals characterized by their property of exfoliating when heated and thereby increasing many times their original volume. The resulting product has excellent heat-and sound-insulating properties, is used as a lightweight aggregate, and has numerous other industrial applications. Deposits of vermiculite occur in areas of pre-Cambrian rocks of the Llano uplift of central Texas, particularly in Burnet and Llano Counties. Because of the growing economic importance of vermiculite products, the Bureau of Mines undertook a detailed investigation of several deposits in Llano County. This investigation was completed in February 1947. The work comprised topographic surveys of five deposits, drilling with a 4-1/4 inch Parmanco power auger drill, and laboratory evaluation of samples. 342 drill holes, aggregating 4,905.5 feet, were completed, and 377 samples were taken. Laboratory evaluation of the vermiculite comprised expansion tests on both crude and beneficiated samples. The products obtained were compared with commercial-grade vermiculite from Montana.

Jan 1, 1949

By D. J. Donaven, Manuel Gomez, W. S. Landers

Bulk density tests were made on a Western U.S. coke oven plant blend to obtain bulk density control data that would be directly transferable to plant practice . Maximum bulk density values were obtained at zero surface moisture . Increase in surface moisture to about 6 percent decreased the bulk density to a minimum value . Increase in the fine grinding of the blend , at constant surface moisture , decreased the bulk density . The effect of oil on bulk density was observed with five oils at concentrations ranging from 1/8 to 1-1 / 2 gallons per ton . Maximum bulk densities were obtained within the 1 / 2- to 1 - gallon - per - ton range . Essentially the same bulk densities were obtained with petrolatum- and nonpetrolatum- containing oils . Storage effects were observed on samples tested at selected intervals from 0 to 56 days . No significant change in bulk density took place if no surface moisture was lost during storage .

Jan 1, 1964