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By S. Sakurai

"Gravitational force is an external body force acting on underground structures. It should be noted that gravitational force cannot be replaced with the surface traction vector (Cauchy stress) which is an internal force. This fact should be properly taken into account in a numerical analysis of underground structures, particularly for structures such as vertical shafts, tunnels, and caverns constructed at great depths. It is obvious that the gravitational force must be conserved at all times.In conventional numerical analyses, the initial state of stress of the ground medium is firstly calculated under the gravitational field. This means that the gravitational force is replaced with stress (surface traction vector), and after that only the initial stress is considered in the calculation of the stresses and displacements of the structure. It should be noted that the initial stress is Cauchy stress consisting of a surface traction vector, while the gravitational force is a body force acting on the mass of the materials. This computational approach may be acceptable for elastic problems because the principle of superposition is valid for elastic materials. However, this approach becomes questionable for elasto-plastic materials because there is no guarantee that the principle of superposition is valid for them.Furthermore, another problem exists in elasto-plastic analyses: The stress state in a plastic zone must satisfy a yielding criterion such as that of Mohr-Coulomb. In order to make the stress state satisfy the criterion, an excess stress beyond the yielding criterion should be transferred to an elastic zone existing outside of the plastic zone. This seems to always be possible, because an elastic zone always exists, no matter how large of a plastic zone appears. In some cases, however, the excess stress cannot be transferred to the elastic zone because the gravitational force must be conserved. Therefore, it is obvious that the magnitude of stress around underground structures may become large and surpass the yielding criterion at great depths where a large gravitational force exists.In this paper, it is demonstrated that in a conventional elasto-plastic numerical analysis of a vertical shaft at a great depth, all the stress components around the shaft become very small, even though a large gravitational force exists. This strange result may be due to the fact that the gravitational force is not properly taken into consideration in the numerical analysis."

Jan 1, 2015

By Jas. E. Thomson

PUBLIC attention was first attracted to the Crow River area of north-western Ontario by the discovery of gold in 1928. The first three discoveries were eventually developed into Central Patricia, Pickle Crow, and Albany River mines. In 1929, preliminary developments were carried out at the Howell vein on N.A.M.E. (later Pickle Crow) claims, and in 1929 and 1930 surface and underground work indicated an ore-body at Central Patricia mine. However, due to the financial depression and the distance of these properties from the railway, it was not until 1934 and 1935 that, benefitted by the revaluation of gold, the real potentialities of these two properties began to be realized. Their immediate success led to a resumption of activity on neighbouring properties throughout the area in 1936 and 1937. Preliminary prospecting in the earlier period had been limited by the scarcity of rock exposures in the country. The procedure in the recent programme of intensive exploration has been along similar lines at most properties and has consisted lf detailed geological mapping accompanied by geophysical surveys and followed by systematic drilling of favourable zones. The present importance of the camp may be judged by the fact that, in 1937, Central Patricia and Pickle Crow mines together produced bullion valued at $3,662,953, and paid $1,450,000 in dividends. In addition, there were pro-mising gold developments at Albany River mine. During the past two seasons, the Geological Branch of the Ontario Department of Mines has been making a fairly detailed study of the geology and mineral deposits in the Crow River area. It is the purpose of this paper to present a brief statement of some of the structural features of these deposits; a summary of other geological information essential for the understanding of the main topic is included. A more detailed report on the area will be published shortly by the Ontario Department of Mines. It is impossible to make full acknowledgment here for all help received, for the writer is in-debted to the management, staff, and consultants of every Company in the camp for generous co-operation in the field and for information, plans, maps, and records placed at his disposal. Reports and articles on properties in the area have been written by Hurst (1), Cormie (2), Reid (3), and the staff of Pickle Crow Gold Mines ( 4).

Jan 1, 1938

By H. C. L. Reemeyer

One of the fundamental trade-offs for copper concentrators is between grinding circuit product size and copper recovery. The capital and operating cost savings and throughput increases for a coarser grind should be evaluated against potential recovery reductions. Other benefits of coarser grinds, such as GHG emissions reductions and favourable effects on tailings and water management should also be considered. This paper assesses the formation of laboratory and pilot test programs, design of process flowsheets, equipment selection, and evaluation methods to determine the most appropriate and economical grind size for a given deposit. The paper will include an evaluation of case studies. INTRODUCTION The majority of the world’s mined copper comes from sulphide deposits, which are mostly processed using crushing, grinding, flotation and dewatering flowsheets to produce copper-bearing concentrates for smelting. Ores must be ground to a sufficiently fine size to achieve an acceptable level of liberation to allow both high recovery of copper and valuable by-product minerals while efficiently rejecting gangue to tailings. Therefore, a key design parameter in process plant design is the grind size of the flotation feed. Copper concentrators use a variety of grind size targets that depend on various factors, including ore mineralogy and the grain sizes of valuable and gangue minerals; the sensitivity of valuable mineral recoveries in the rougher flotation stages to grind size, ore hardness; electricity costs; and mining vs. processing throughput constraints. Typically, copper and by-product recovery increase as grind size is reduced, which can improve revenue, but finer grinds increase power and grinding media operating costs and may have implications for tailings management. This paper explores the trade-offs that should be assessed in determining the optimum grind size, and to answer the question if coarser grinds are worthwhile. METALLURGICAL AND FLOWSHEET FACTORS Recovery-by-size behaviour of sulphide-bearing particles In base metals sulphide flotation, it is typical that flotation recoveries vary by particle size. Metal sulphide particles rendered hydrophobic by collector in intermediate size ranges (e.g. 10 to 100 um) usually show very high recoveries, often approaching 100%. Recovery usually falls away in finer size fractions (<10 um) as fine particles have little inertia and can move around bubbles without colliding and attaching to them. Coarser particles (>100 um) are susceptible to particle-bubble detachment and dropback (Jameson, 2019).

Jan 1, 2019

By A. Ghahreman

Activated carbon is proven to be able to catalyze arsenic oxidation in aqueous solution under acidic conditions. A commercially available granular coconut shell based activated carbon (AC) has been evaluated for catalysis of arsenic oxidation in this study. The rapid small-scale column test (RSSCT) has been developed to simulate and predict the performance of a carbon-based arsenic treatment system in a pilot scale reactor. Effects of residence time, aeration rate, and initial arsenic concentration in the influent solution on the AC catalysis of arsenic oxidation under dynamic and continuous conditions were studied by manipulating these parameters during RSSCTs. The effectiveness of the AC on arsenic oxidation was examined over the course of constant diffusivity based RSSCT operation. Residence time and initial arsenite concentration are proven to be the most effective impacting parameters on the arsenic oxidation process. For the 218 min residence time, the highest steady-state arsenic oxidation efficiency achieved was 98% with 1 g/L As(III) being treated at pH=1 under 0.05 L/min oxygen aeration. In a long-running RSSCT, the oxidation efficiency did not seem to deteriorate over a course of 666 hours operation, corresponding to 13986 mL total influent throughput volume. INTRODUCTION Arsenic is toxic to both animals and plants and inorganic arsenicals are proven carcinogens in humans. The increased extraction of low grade and complex mineral resources has introduced high ratios of arsenic into metallurgical processes. Discharge of arsenic by acid mine drainage resulting from mining activities has added intensive pressure on the need for proper treatment (Lawrence & Higgs, 1999). Since trivalent arsenite is more toxic and has lower affinity to solid surfaces for adsorption, many treatment systems initiate with an oxidation step to convert arsenite to arsenate and reach the ultimate immobilization of arsenic by the following precipitation of arsenate (Nazari, Radzinski, & Ghahreman, 2016). Scorodite precipitation has been studied extensively as a means of arsenic immobilization due to its high stability and negligible potential of releasing arsenic (Filippou & Demopoulos, 1997). As a stable ferric arsenate mineral, crystalline scorodite can contain up to 30 wt% arsenic (Paktunc, Dutrizac, & Gertsman, 2008). Arsenic must be in its pentavalent oxidation state in order for scorodite to be precipitated via oxidizing ferrous ions (Clancy, Hayes, & Raskin, 2013).

Jan 1, 2019

By J. Brent Hiskey

At present, approximately 80 % of the worlds mine production of copper is achieved by smelting and electrorefining. The principle aim of copper electrorefining is to satisfy the large demand for extremely pure copper. It is remarkable that high quality copper cathodes with the required purity (99.99+% Cu, ASTM B115-10) and structural characteristics (i.e. deposit density and morphological texture) are produced from impure copper anodes dissolved in electrolytes containing a variety of impurities. This is accomplished with the proper control of operating parameters such as: current density; temperature; copper and sulfuric acid concentration; agitation; substrate preparation; and the application of electrolyte additives. The basic elements of the electrolysis of copper have not changed significantly over the past 150 years since the early developments of James Elkington. Importantly, our fundamental understanding of the underlying electrochemistry has advanced considerably. This is especially true regarding our knowledge of the mechanistic role of additives during the electrocrystallization of copper. This is a very complex subject and modern electrochemical techniques and the development of surface characterization and imaging instruments has helped immensely in our ultimate understanding of how additives control the deposit structure and morphology. The purpose of this paper is to review the historical development and application of electrolyte additives in copper electrorefining and to examine our current knowledge regarding their use. INTRODUCTION The first transatlantic telegraph cable was completed in August 1858. Regrettably, this cable failed shortly after the initial connections. After several more failed attempts, improvements in materials and copper quality resulted in successful communication between Europe and America on July 28, 1866. In many ways this hallmark event demonstrated the need for high purity copper. The first copper refinery in the world was commissioned in May 1869 in Pembrey, South Wales by partners Josiah Mason and James Balleney Elkington. (Historical Note). The 1865 and 1868 British patents issued to James Balleney Elkington were the foundation for the first commercial production of high purity electrolytic copper (Elkington, 1865, 1869, 1870). This important achievement was made possible primarily by the invention of the dynamo which was based on the fundamental operating principles advanced by Michael Faraday. A symbiotic relationship between copper refining and the dynamo was henceforth established. The dynamo provided electric current for electrolytic refining of copper and the electrorefining tankhouse provided pure copper which was required for the generation and transmission of electricity.

Jan 1, 2019

By Paul E. Mather, Matthew J. M. Krane

Anode or fire refining is the final pyrometallurgical step in the production of copper anode. Part of this process purifies liquid copper by reducing its dissolved oxygen with a natural gas-steam mixture. Until now there have been no transient models of this process coupling the injected gas jet mass transport with its chemical reactions. A transient, 1D flow, chemical reaction model was made to estimate the time-dependent behavior of anode copper composition, soot formation, and the transient gas jet composition along its height. Model estimates were made for reduction rate, soot emission rate, and exergy loss and destruction distributions for two melt temperatures and a range of steam addition rates. It was found that increases to melt temperature and steam addition rate increased reduction rate and decreased soot emission, while having little effect on exergetic performance. Estimates for reduction histories were compared to industrial data. INTRODUCTION Anode/fire refining is the final pyrometallurgical step in the production of copper anodes; it is essential for removing dissolved gases which cause porosity in cast anodes. Despite its significance, the open literature appears devoid of any transient models of the entire process; furthermore, there are very little published process data with which to validate any models made. This dual dearth of modelling work and process data inhibits studies of the tradeoffs between process and performance changes, desirable for decreasing reduction time and soot formation as well as quantifying changes in the exergy losses and destructions of the process. This work introduces a reduced-order, transient model of reduction during fire refining, examines performance trends with operating conditions, and compares model estimates with industrial data. Overview of anode refining The purpose of anode refining is to produce liquid copper which can be cast with minimal gas porosity, which disrupts the downstream electrorefining process. Dissolved sulfur is removed first, then oxygen, by reactions with different injected gases. The removal of oxygen (the reduction step) is the subject of this proceeding and is effected by the bubbling of natural gas, typically mixed with steam, through the melt from tuyeres. A typical refining run reduces dissolved oxygen from 3000 ppm to 300 ppm in 2–3 hours (Schlesinger, King, Sole, & Davenport, 2011). The refined copper is then cast as anodes. Figure 1 shows a schematic of the furnace vessel.

Jan 1, 2019

By C. Matthews, A. Vo

Australia is one of the world’s leading exporters of bulk commodities and the extensive use of sampling equipment is key to the successful management of each mining operation. At the process plant, without a full understanding of the feed, product and tails, it is impossible to fully optimise the performance of the plant, such that the metallurgical balance is often open to error. At the port, a statistically correct, bias free and compliant sampling system is crucial to ensuring exported minerals are reflective of their true value and to avoid penalties. Over the last decade, as a result of the iron ore boom, there has been high demand for reliable, representative and standard compliant solids sample systems in Australia. This paper reviews several solids sampling applications at Australian mine sites, the challenges and experience gained and how the implementation of reliable representative sampling systems has provided better understanding of plant process performance, improved plant control and overall benefits to the operations. INTRODUCTION Mining is the primary contributor to the Australian economy with Australia ranking in the top 4 in economic resources for 21 primary industrial minerals in 2016 (Britt, et al., 2017). Australia is one of the world leaders in the export of the majority of its commodities including gold, copper and iron ore (Britt, et al., 2017). Therefore, a suitable and standard compliant sampling system is essential for evaluating plant performance and content verification. At the mine and at the port, the larger iron ore miners in Australia have developed stockpile models to predict the grade of their ore down to individual blocks of the stockpile. This allows the miner to create the right blend of material for sale to their customers and ensures they are not underselling their product or at risk of penalties for impurities or low grade. As an example, the average difference between the benchmark 62% Fe and low grade 58% Fe fines at the time of this report averaged US $20/tonne according to the Metal Bulletin Iron Ore Index (Fastmarkets MB, 2019). At a shipload of 180kt this would be a variation of US $3.6M. Whilst this is an extreme example, it highlights the economic importance of producing the correct grade product and a recognised representative sample of said product.

Jan 1, 2019

By Zhang Wei

"Pulang Copper Mine is located in Shangri-La county, Diqing Prefecture, Yunnan Province, with currently defined copper reserve of 4.8 million tonnes of copper metal and an average grade of 0.34% Cu. The mineralized zone in a dome shape is 2,300 m long, 600–800 m wide, and 1,000 m high. At present, the project is at a construction phase, with a first-stage mining and processing capacity of 12.5 million tonnes of ore per year. Ore haulage is planned via a drift and ore pass development system. The cavability of mineralized rock is classified into three types (II, III, IV), with type III accounting for more than 98% of the total reserves. The cavability of the orebody is generally considered to be good and block caving mining method is planned. Semi-autogenous grinding and ball milling are adopted for the mineral processing. The tailing dam construction method is a center-line method.INTRODUCTIONAs the China's largest underground nonferrous mine, Pulang Copper Mine is located in the northeast of Shangri-La County, Diqing Prefecture, Yunnan Province, China. It is 62 km northeast of Shangri-La city. Shangri-La County is a Tibetan-dominated, multiple-ethnic region, with a population of approximately 163,000 in 2009. The county is rich in mineral and water resources, thriving with tourism. Its economy is also dominated by agriculture. To date, the defined copper reserves at the Pulang Copper Mine is 4.8 million tonnes of copper metal at an average grade of 0.34% Cu. In addition, it contains a gold reserve of 145 tonnes, a silver reserve of 2,754 tonnes, a molybdenum reserve of 0.19 million tonnes, and a sulphur reserve of 10.5 million tonnes. The first-stage mining and processing capacity is planned at 12.5 million tonnes of ore per year. When it ramps up to this production rate, the mine will produce copper concentrate containing 50,000 tonnes of copper and molybdenum concentrate containing 968 tonnes of molybdenum. A drift and ore pass system is planned for ore haulage and mining method is a block caving method. Semi-autogenous grinding and ball milling are considered for mineral processing. A center line dam is adopted for the tailing dam construction (Feng, 2010; Feng, Li, & Wang, 2011; China Enfi Engineering Corporation, 2014)."

Jan 1, 2016

By Ata Akcil, Z. B. Karshigina, Ye. G. Bochevskaya, Z. S. Abisheva

"Phosphorus slag is the most heavy-tonnage waste of yellow phosphorus production, which is stored in the dump fields for many years creating ecological problems in the regions. Despite of the actions taken to utilize the slags, most of them remain in the slag disposal area. One of the relevant and priority directions is rare-earth metals production (REMs), presence of which in the phosphorus slags allows considering the latter as an acceptable raw material source. Phosphorus slags contain about 30–40 wt% of silicon dioxide, therefore they can serve as a source of production of precipitated silicon dioxide highly required in different industries.The purpose of this work is the most complete REMs recovery in the solution while leaching and subsequent processing of siliceous cake. The work shows results of researches on establishment of the chemical and phase compositions of phosphorus slags, determination of the forms of presence therein of REMs compounds, processes of phosphorus slag leaching by nitric acid and processing of produced siliceous cake by NaOH solution.Based on the data of the instrumental and chemical methods of phosphorus slag analysis, it was established that it consists of pseudowollastonite a-CaSiO3 for 90–92%. It was found out that REMs are present in it in the form of carbonate apatite Ca10(PO4)6CO3 or rare earth apatite, and La2S3 compound inclusions.Optimum parameters of phosphorus slag leaching process were selected: HNO3 concentration 7- 7.5 mol/L; L/S ratio = 2.6–3 mL/g; temperature – 50–80o?; duration – 1 h; pulp stirring – 500 rpm. Recovery of SREMs, CaO, Al2O3 and Fe2O3 into the solution were achieved at 98.0, 99.1, 99.0 and 18.8%, respectively. Presence of 10 elements of the rare earths group in the phosphorus slag was established. It was found out that recovery of almost all REMs is within ~92–99%, except for Sc and Lu – ~39% and ~28%, respectively.For the purpose of optimization of siliceous cake leaching by NaOH solution, influence of some physical and chemical parameters was studied: N?O? concentration, L/S ratio, temperature, and duration. Results of the experimental data will serve as a basis for development of the technology of complex processing of the technological waste of phosphorus industry with production of REMs concentrate and precipitated silicon dioxide."

Jan 1, 2016

By Bruce Regensburg

As trucks become larger and larger, haul roads take on a more significant role in mining costs and economics. The School of Mining at the University of Alberta has compiled a design manual for haul roads using both empirical and theoretical information. One section of this manual deals with the economics of haul road construction. While many mines look only at the construction costs of haul roads, this paper looks at all associated parameters including construction costs, removal costs, timing, truck productivity and width implications. The authors demonstrate the method to determine the most appropriate quality of road for different road conditions and life spans.

May 1, 2001

By J. M. R. Carvalho, M. T. A. Reis, M. R. C. Ismael, M. J. N. Correia, S. M. C. Santos, J. M. Carvajal

A sulphide zinc concentrate (Zn-40%) has been leached in sulphuric and chloride media to optimize the conditions for the recovery of zinc and copper. Previous results showed that extractions of 95% zinc and 20% copper can be achieved in just one stage, after two hours of leaching at 80°C with a solution 0.5M in Fe2(SO4)3 and H2SO4 and a solid/liquid ratio of 5%. This work presents the results obtained in the leaching experiments carried out in sulphuric and chloride media using two and three crosscurrent stages and a countercurrent process simulation for a solid/liquid ratio of 10%.

Jan 1, 2008

By Kan Xing

This paper introduces common detrimental consequences to the environment from mining in the Beijing West Mining Area. For example, ongoing mining operations can cause the following environmental deterioration: rock burst, roof rises, roof falls and inrush (Pit dash for ward water). Post-closure, after minerals resources are exhausted, the following environmental issues may remain: landslides (collapse, and mud-rock flow), dropping or exhausted water tables, water pollution, desertification and soil erosion, water accumulation, Slay endanger, ground subsidence, and causal factors in seismic activity. This paper analyzes this wide range of environmental consequences of mining, and offers a theoretical foundation to underpin a corresponding management scheme.

Aug 1, 2013

By X. Wu, W. R. Chen, J-G. Legoux, B. R. Marple, E. Irissou

Cold gas dynamic spray (CGDS) has been considered a potential technique to produce the metallic bond coat for TBC applications, because of its fast deposition rate and low deposition temperature. This paper presents the influence of spray processes for bond coat, including air plasma spray, high velocity oxy-fuel, and in particular CGDS, on the oxidation performance of TBCs with a Co-32Ni-21Cr- 8Al-0.5Y (wt.%) bond coat. Oxidation behaviour of the TBCs was evaluated by examining the coating microstructural evolution, TGO growth behaviour, and crack propagation during thermal exposure at 1050°C. The relationship between the TGO growth and crack propagation will be discussed.

Jan 1, 2010

By Grazyna Zakrzewska-Trznadel

The paper outlines the main objectives of the project that concern the evaluation of the possibility of uranium production from indigenous resources since Poland enters the nuclear program. The best available technologies are considered for uranium extraction and obtaining the yellow cake - U3O8. Liquid-liquid extraction with novel extracting agents, as well as membrane processes for separation of by-products will be tested in course of the project. The technological part will be completed with techno-economical analysis. Acknowledgement The studies were supported by the POIG project, No 01.01.02-14-094-09-00 ?Analysis of the possibility of uranium supply from domestic resources?.

Aug 1, 2010

By John Monhemius

Looking back over the past half century, it can be seen that the growth in the importance of hydrometallurgy for the production of non-ferrous and precious metals almost exactly parallels the rise of the environmental movement and its principal NGOs, such as Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth. The paper will review important landmarks in the development of the science and technology of hydrometallurgy and show how many of these have been influenced by pressures on the industry brought about by environmentalists. Successful innovations as well as commercial failures will be considered and reasons for the success or failure will be analysed and lessons drawn to guide future developments.

Jan 1, 2014

By Kousuke Takahata, Hirofumi Yoshimura, Jun Nakahigashi

Studies of a protium treatment for grain refinement of a + ß type titanium alloy are reviewed and recent experimental results are introduced. Protium treatment consists of the following three processes: (1) protium absorption, (2) martensitic transformation and hot working, and (3) final treatment for protium desorption and recrystallization. A combination of these processes results in the ultra-fine grains of 0.3 to 0.5 µm in diameter with high angle boundaries. The ultra-fine-grained material exhibits superplastic elongation of over 9000%. Superplastic forming was successfully used to fabricate a denture base. These materials may be widely applicable as biomaterials in various medical industries.

Jan 1, 2004

By Y. Dong, L. Li, L. Yu

Converter slag has become an important secondary raw material. Consequently, vanadium bearing converter slag is of great interest for the recovery of vanadium. Solidified converter slags are made up of three main mineral components: dicalcium silicate, calcium ferrite and wustite. Vanadium in modified slow cooling down converter slag of Magang is found mainly concentrated in a separate mineral phase. The mineral phase with high content of vanadium (24%, wt, V205), concentrating 83% of vanadium, can be separated from the slag for economical vanadium recovery. Some characters of the mineral phase were discussed comparing with dicalcium silicate, one of the typical mineral phases in converter slag studied well.

Jan 1, 2004

By A. Yoshida, H. Miura, S. Yamaguchi, Y. Oyama

A discussion is given on the ionic equilibria and precipitation reactions in seawater based on thermodynamic analysis, in order to understand the solubility of nutrient salts from dephosphorization slag for marine phytoplankton. Solubility of constituent ions in aqueous solution in equilibrium with solid phases are determined using thermodynamic data. It is proposed that CO2 potential defined as log Pco2 should be considered as an additional parameter to the Eh- pH diagram for the ionic equilibrium of slag components in seawater, since magnesium and calcium carbonate precipitation reactions determine the solubility of ligand ions in nutrient salts, such as phosphates, silicate, and sulfate.

Jan 1, 2004

By J. Aguilar-Santillan, H. Balmori-Ramirez, R. C. Bradt, I. Vernet-Patiño, F. Cunha

Kyanite is an alumino-silicate mineral that has been widely used for the production of refractory products for industrial applications. Kyanite provides a high alumina content, it readily produces mullite during firing, good hot strength of products and can be adapted to produce dimensional stability of products during firing. This research addresses the application of kyanite in mixes to produce (0 dense mullite aggregates with the addition of alumina, (ii) dense composite refractory aggregates of forsterite / spinel with additions of magnesia, and (iii) dense cordierite aggregates with the addition of talc. Effects of attrition milling and conventional ceramic processing are addressed as they affect the properties of these unique aggregates.

Jan 1, 2004

By G. Tozsin

A six-stage sequential leaching procedure was used to assess the leachability of heavy metals from waste rock in Antamina Mine. Sequential extractions procedure is well established for fine and small (? 1g) samples. However procedures for coarse and large test samples are lacking. This study presents results of the sequential leaches tests conducted on relatively coarse and large representative samples in terms of the availability and mobility of metals. Selective chemical reagents were used to extract metals from six different fractions where metals released with each subsequent extraction are believed to be bound tighter than those released in prior steps and therefore less likely to be leached.

Aug 1, 2013