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By P. K. Kaiser

3-D virtual reality (VR) visualization has opened new opportunities for complex 3D (x, y, z), 4D (x, y, z, t) or even nD data interpretation. The integration of common earth models (3D geologic data), mine models (3D excavations and stress), extraction models (1D time sequencing or mine sequencing) and nD monitoring data (e.g., seismic event parameters) into a common mining process model provides a platform for experts in various fields to better design, evaluate, monitor and modify mine plans throughout a mine?s life; from feasibility, through operation, to closure. Viewing seismic data in a stereoscopic VR environment within a mining process model offers data interpretation processes previously unavailable at lower dimensionality. MIRARCO has developed data analysis and viewing processes specifically designed to enhance microseismic and seismic data interpretation in a collaborative, immersive VR environment; bringing mine personnel and expert consultants together to evaluate data and make strategic decisions for cost effective and safe mining. Seismic events cause immediate hazards (rockbursts) and microseismicity causes gradual hazards through its cumulative effect in rockmass degradation. The focus of this paper is on understanding seismicity from a mine safety and mine planning perspective; in particular, how seismic migration patterns relate to the rockmass response to mining. The benefits of innovation in seismic data interpretation are significant, e.g., for hazardous work area identification, allowing better formulation of re-entry policies and workforce allocation planning, as well as allocation of effective support systems to strategic areas of elevated risk. Better understanding of the overall response of a mine to extraction also facilitates mine planning and design, assisting in reducing production costs and thus in enhancing profitability.

Apr 1, 2005

By Gusttavo Reis Leite Matos

Neste trabalho, a resistência à corrosão das ligas Ti-35Nb(0,0;0,5;1,0;1,5) Si e os metais puros, foram investigados em meio à saliva artificial fluoretada. Para tal, curvas de polarização, impedância eletroquímica, microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV), microscopia óptica (MO) e difração de raios-X (DRX) foram realizadas. O MEV e MO indicam que as amostras que contém Si apresentam maior ataque comparado aos metais puros. Esse fato foi confirmado através dos ensaios eletroquímicos onde foi possível observar que as ligas com a presença do Si apresentam menor resistência de polarização (Rp) e não passivam a superfície do material.

Oct 30, 2017

By Harold L. Overton, Leonard B. Lipson

The first paper in this series1 outlined practical methods for applying the theory of steady-state flow of an ideal Bingham plastic liquid through a circular pipe and axially through a stationary concentric annulus to the enginekring analysis of friction loss problems. In the present paper the properties of another useful rheological model, the pseudoplastic generalized Newtonian liquid, are considered. The terminology applied to the rheological models is derived from the following classification of rheological models. The term "generalized Newtonian" is a class designation applied to models which do not have yield points but which exhibit a dependence on shear rate. The term "pseudoplastic" applies to a sub-group of models within this class which exhibit a decrease in "viscosity" with increasing shear rate. The term "power model" refers to a mathematical model proposed for describing the behavior of the pseudoplastic liquid. This model is of interest since certain of the salt saturated, oil emulsion, and "low solids" drilling fluids, inverted emulsion- and oil-base drilling fluids, aqueous gels, gelled crudes and blocking agents employed in hydraulic fracturing operations are of this type. The present treatment considers the equations describing steady-state Poiseuille flow through a circular pipe and a stationary concentric annul us, and Couette flow between concentric rotating cylinders for a particular pseudoplastic model. As in the previous paper' it is demonstrated how these equations can be applied to engineering calculations of friction losses. Graphical procedures for recovering the various flow curves and cxample calculations are included. A method for simplifying turbulent-flow correlations is also proposed. PROPERTIES OF PSEUDOPLASTIC GENERALIZED NEWTONIAN LIQUID In contrast to the Bingham plastic the generalized Newtonian liquid is yield point-free. However, in the flow region the relation between stress and rate of shear is not linear as it is with ordinary Newtonian fluids. If the stress increases with shear rate at a less than linear rate the system is called pseudoplastic. While there is no yield point in this system, the Bingham advocates' coined the term pseudoplastic to distinguish this kind of behavior from Bingham plastic behavior. For the pseudoplastic a plot of flow rate vs friction loss or rpm vs torque, from pipe flow or rotational viscometer measurements, respectively, generally has three qualities: (1) it can be clearly extrapolated toward the origin; (2) there is very little slope at the origin. This accounts for the high apparent viscosities at low mixing and pumping rates; and (3) the flow curve possesses a continuous curvature which gradually diminishes as the shear increases. Rheological measurements on a pseudoplastic liquid can be easily misinterpreted as indicating Bingham plastic behavior. A typical case in point is illustrated in Fig. 1. These data were obtained from measurements on an oil-emulsion mud using a commercially available rotational-type viscometer (Model 35 Fann V-G meter). Applying the "two-point"* method3 gives a plastic viscosity of 17 cp and a yield point of 24 lb/100 ft2; at the same time weighting material settles very easily in this system. This illustrates that it is not possible to distinguish between the pseudoplastic and the Bingham plastic from only two data points. It is possible to determine qualitatively which model is more appropriate by a combination of dynamic and static measurements. Experience indicates that the simplest criterion for the Bingham plastic liquid is that the calculated dynamic yield point should be of the same magnitude as the measured gel strengths. For the oil-emulsion drilling fluid illustrated in Fig. 1, a value of 4 lb/100 ft2 was obtained for gel strengths measured

By Richard A. Watson

A frequency-shift keying (FSK) modulator-demodulator (modem) network has been devised for the Bureau of Mines mine-monitoring systems. This network permits an unlimited number of remote stations to communicate with one central station over the same pair of wires. The network operates at a speed of 4,800 Bd at distances up to 5 miles. This report describes the development and operation of the modems. The theory of operation, schematic diagrams, and printed circuit board layouts are provided. Although the modems were built for a specific application, a more general use is discussed whereby the network would operate with a typical serial channel format.

Jan 1, 1985

By S. L. Crouch

The general term "coal mine burp" refers to the sudden and violent failure of in situ coal. Coal bumps occur in most countries where coal is worked by underground methods, and are related to both geological factors and mining tech¬niques. Although no single set of circumstances is solely responsible for causing coal bumps, it is generally agreed that at least one of five conditions is necessary in order for then to occur: 1,2,3,4 (1) the depth of cover exceeds 500-ft., (2) the overlying strata are relatively strong and stiff, (3) the coal is structurally strong, (4) the floor does not heave readily, and (5) the mining method produces high stresses over a large area of the seam. Except for the last, these conditions relate to geological factors that are impractical to control. Consequently, methods of controlling or minimizing the occurrence of coal bumps usually are concerned with mining techniques. Coal bumps have been successfully controlled by both longwall and 'yielding pillar' mining systems 4. The longwall system is particularly effective in controlling bumps, but does not eliminate them completely, especially in strong coal seams being worked at comparatively great depths, say in excess of 2000-ft.5. Under such conditions, auger drilling or water infusion often prove helpful 5,6. These techniques are used to destress or otherwise alter the mechanical properties of the coal in an attempt to shift the peak "abutment pressure" away from the immediate vicinity of the face. Under 'normal' conditions, however, it can be expected that the coal near the face will be crushed under the prevailing high stress conditions and that the peak abutment pressure will automatically be shifted into the solid coal. In this context, coal mine bumps can be characterized as unstable releases of energy associated with successive yielding of portions of the coal seam with progressive mining. Longwall and yielding pillar mining systems are effective in controlling coal bumps because they ordinarily do not allow the zone of peak abutment pressure to become 'surrounded' by destressed coal.

Jan 1, 1973

By P. M. Kelly, E. P. Butler

Four Mn-CLL alloys, containing 60, 70, 80, and 90 pct Mn, respectively, have been examined in the quenched and the quenched and aged conditions using electron microscopy and electron, neutron, and X-ray diffraction. After certain heat treatments the alloys transform from fee to fct and in the tetraom1 condition show a domain structure parallel to {101} planes. Neutron diffraction indicates that the domains are antiferrornagnetically ordered. The domain boundary contrast has been examined using bright- and dark-field microscopy, and the contrast effects observed under favorable conditions have been used to deduce the c axis orientation in each domain. The domains are extremely mobile and can be nucleated at precipitate particles and screw dislocations. The domain mobility is responsible for the high damping capacity. In the aged material a Mn precipitates in the Kurdjumov-Sachs orientation and results of both electron microscopy and neutron diffraction indicate that the matrix separates into two components—one rich in manganese and the other rich in copper. ALLOYS of manganese and copper have the unusual combination of a high damping capacity and good mechanical properties and have been the subject of a number of investigations as part of a general interest in high damping capacity alloys for engineering purposes.&apos;,&apos; SO far, however, there has been no reported electron metallographic study of these alloys. The Mn-Cu system has an extensive range of solid solubility at high temperatures, and the equilibrium phases are expected to be y (fee) and a Mn. The high damping capacity is associated with a metastable tetragonal structure of variable c/a ratio, which forms from the high-temperature y phase. This latter phase becomes more difficult to retain as the manganese content increases, and alloys containing more than 82 wt pct Mn undergo a reversible martensitic fcc — fct transformation on quenching. The X-ray work of Basinski and christian3 showed that the Ms temperature for the transformation was below room temperature for alloys in the range 70 to 82 pct Mn and increased linearly with manganese content. When quenched from the y region, alloys in the range 50 to 82 pct Mn are cubic at room temperature, but become tetragonal if aged at temperatures between 400" and 600°C. The martensite transformation occurs on cooling from the aging temperature. Tetragonal alloys have a banded microstructure and the bands analyze to be traces of (110) planes. Similar microstructures have been observed in In-Tl4 and in other manganese-base systems, such as Mn-Au5 and Mn-Ni.6 The mobility of the bands in Mn-Cu alloys can be demonstrated by optical examination of a polished specimen surface subjected to a cyclic stress.7 The bands appear and disappear as the stress is varied, and X-ray measurements of the (200,020) and (002) peak intensities confirm that a reversible reorientation of the tetragonal structure occurs. Meneghetti and sidhu8 investigated the magnetic structure of Mn-Cu alloys and found antiferromagnetic ordering in furnace-cooled alloys of composition >69 at. pct Mn. Magnetic super lattice reflections occurred at the (110) and (201) positions and the proposed structure was fct with the spins along the c axis. A more complete investigation by Bacon et al.9 confirmed this structure. The magnetic ordering temperature Tn was found to increase linearly with manganese content in the same way as the Ms temperature, and at any composition, Tn > Ms. This relationship suggested that the magnetic ordering was responsible for the cubic — tetragonal transformation in the manganese-rich alloys. The purpose of this investigation was to study the mechanism of high damping and the structural changes that occur on aging. The main technique used was transmission electron microscopy, but X-ray and neutron diffraction experiments were also carried out. EXPERIMENTAL Materials and Heat Treatment. The four alloys, provided by the Admiralty Materials Laboratory. were of nominai composition 60, 70, 80, and 90 Mn and all had low impurity levels, <0.05 pct C, <0.2 pct Fe. This material was cold-rolled to 200-µ strip with intermediate annealing and then given a final heat treatment of 24 hr in the range 800° to 900°C followed by water quenching. An identical heat treatment was given a length of 3/4-in.-diam bar of the 70/30 alloy from which the neutron diffraction specimens were machined. It was suspected that the tetragonal structures would be metastable at room temperature, and so the alloys were not aged until required for experiments. After aging in a salt bath the alloys were water-quenched. Thin Foil Preparation. Initial thinning to 50 to 75 µ was possible in a solution consisting of: 50 ml nitric acid 25 ml acetic acid 25 ml water The surface deposit and grain boundary etching was removed by a final electropolish at around 20 V in an electrolyte consisting of:

Jan 1, 1969

By D. W. Davis, P. Landais, L. J. Robb

Abstract -Nodules of carbonaceous matter have been observed in several Archaean peraluminous granites adjoining the gold- and uranium-bearing Witwatersrand Basin. These nodules, which resemble solid bitumen, usually replace uraninite or uranothorite and are paragenetically late. They show many similarities to kerogen seams and nodules associated with the conglomerate horizons in the Witwatersrand Basin, including composition, maturation, intimate association with uraninite, and a late paragenesis. U-Pb isotope ratios for granite-hosted and Witwatersrand kerogens define a single, albeit somewhat diffuse, Pb-loss discordia suggesting an upper intercept age of circa 2300 Ma. Carbon isotope analysis indicates lighter ?13C values for the granite-hosted nodules than for the sediment-hosted kerogen seams. Raman spectroscopy indicates that granite-hosted kerogen is more highly ordered than Witwatersrand seam kerogen. A model is presented which links the granitoid­ and sediment-hosted organic matter to an event of oil generation in the Witwatersrand Basin circa 2300 Ma ago. Light hydrocarbons migrated through the sediments and into underlying/adjacent granitic rocks, undergoing polymerization and accumulation in response to radiation accompanying the presence of high-uranium phases.

Jan 1, 1994

By Xun Hu, Jian Pan, Hongbin Yu, Deqing Zhu, Yanhong Luo

Lump ores are one kind of important burdens for blast furnace (BF), their metallurgical properties have significant influence on BF performance. In this paper, the relationships between the mineralogy of five natural lump ores and the metallurgical performance have been studied. The mineralogy study includes mineral compositions, microstructure and porosity, and the metallurgical performance covers reducibility index (RI), low-temperature reduction degradation index (RDI) and decrepitation index (DI). The results show that the complex lump containing hematite, and goethite has better overall metallurgical performance. For single lump, the RI of goetihte ores is higher, the RDI and the DI is strongly influenced by porosity. The hematite and magnetite ores have good anti-decrepitation and anti-RDI, but generally the RI is lower due to lower porosity, and the RI is related to the grain size, the smaller grain size is, the better reduction will be.

Jan 1, 2015

By R. L. Bell, T. G. Langdon

A technique was developed- for determining the grain strain, and hence the grain boundary sliding contribution, occurring during the high- temperature creep of a magnesium alloy, from the distortion of a grid photographically printed on the specimen surface. The results were compared with those obtained from measurements of grain shape, both at the surface and interrwlly, and it was concluded that the grain shape technique may substantially underestimate the grain strain and overestimate the sliding contribution due to the tendency for migration to spheroidize the grains. ALTHOUGH a considerable volume of work has been published on the role of grain boundary sliding in high-temperature creep, many of the estimates of Egb (the contribution of grain boundary sliding to the total strain) have been in error due to the use of incorrect formulas or inadequate averaging procedures.&apos; One of the most easy and convenient measurements from which to compute Egb is that of v, the step normal to the surface where a grain boundary is incident. Unfortunately, this parameter is also the one associated with the treatest number of pitfalls. Values of v have been used to calculate Egb from the equation: egb =knrVr [1] where k is a geometrical averaging factor, n is the number of grains per unit length before deformation, v is the average value of v, and the subscript ,r denotes the procedure of averaging along a number of randomly directed lines. If the dependence of sliding on stress were assumed, it would be possible, in principle, to calculate k from the known distribution of angles between boundaries and the surface. This in itself is difficult because the distribution depends on the history of the surface,&apos; but the problem is even further complicated by the fact that v depends on other factors such as the unbalanced pressure from subsurface grains.3 However, the great simplicity of the measurement procedure for v makes it highly desirable that this problem of k determination should be overcome. In the present experiments, this was achieved by the use of an indirect empirical method in which the grain strain, eg, at the surface was determined by the use of a photographically printed grid. The assumption here is that the total strain, et, is simply the sum of that due to grain boundary sliding, egb, and that due to slip or other processes within the grains, eg. SO that: Et = Eg + Egb [2] Thus k is given by: In practice, it is customary to indicate the importance of sliding by expressing it as a percentage of the total creep strain; this quantity is termed y (= 100Egb/Et). The determination of Eg from a printed grid within the grains avoids the difficulties due to boundary migration which should be considered when the grain strain is calculated from measurements of the average grain shape before and after deformation. As first pointed out by Rachinger,4,5 however, this latter technique has the particular advantage that it can also be applied in the interior of a polycrystal. Recently, several workers have produced evidence on a variety of materials6-&apos;&apos; to support the observation, first made by Rachinger on aluminum,4,5 that 7 can be very high, 70 to 100 pct, in the interior, even when the surface value, determined from boundary offsets, is very much lower.10&apos;11 Although there have been criticisms both of the shortcomings of the grain shape technique&apos;&apos; and of the different procedures used to determine y at the surface,&apos; it seemed important to check whether measurements of sliding by grain shape gave values of y which were truly representative of the material. In the present experiments, grain shape measurements were therefore made both at the surface and in the interior for comparison with one another and with the independent measurements of grain strain using the surface grid technique. EXPERIMENTAL TECHNIQUES The material used in this investigation was Magnox AL80, a Mg-0.78 wt pct A1 alloy supplied by Magnesium Elektron Ltd., Manchester. Tensile specimens, about 7 cm in length, were prepared from a 1.27-cm-diam rod, with two parallel longitudinal flat faces each approximately 3 cm in length. The specimens were annealed for 2 hr in an oxygen-free capsule, at temperatures in the range 430° to 540°C, to give varying grain sizes, and, prior to testing, the grain size of each was carefully determined using the linear intercept method. This revealed that the grains were elongated -0.5 to 5 pct in the longitudinal direction. Testing was carried out in Dennison Model T47E machines under constant load at temperatures in the range 150" to 300°C. At temperatures of 200°C and below, tests were conducted in air with the polished flat faces coated with a thin film of silicone oil to prevent oxidation; at higher temperatures, an argon atmosphere was used. To determine v,, each test was interrupted at regular increments of strain and the specimen removed from the machine. At the lower strains, when v, was less than about 1 pm, measurements were taken on a Zeiss Linnik interference microscope;

Jan 1, 1969

By Eric R. Bauer

The magnitude and rate of advance of an inmine coal squeeze was deter-mined by measuring roof-to-floor convergence on a regular basis. A dial-gage tube extensometer was used to collect data. Using these measurements) Bureau of Mines employees drew contour maps and graphs to show the direction and rate of squeezing. Information on the rate of squeeze advance was used to determine whether steps should be taken to prevent roof and/or floor movement from closing an entire section of the mine and if alteration of mining plans was necessary to prevent further squeeze development. Data analysis revealed that the squeeze was decelerating; thus there was no need to strengthen support in the areas of the mine that were studied. Mining plans were altered, however, as a result of the findings of this investigation.

Jan 1, 1981

By H. H. Kellogg

The thermochemical properties of molten solutions in the binaries Cu-Bi, Cu-Sb and Bi-Sb, as well as the ternary Cu-Bi-Sb, have been correlated and described in mathematical form by use of the associated species concept combined with the three-suffix Margules equations to account for the non-idea 1 behavior of the solution species. Agreement of the correlations with experimental data is excellent (relative deviation of less than 2.5% in the values of the activity coefficients) in most cases. The correlations are applicable over the entire composition range of each system, and in the temperature range 700°-1250°C.

Jan 1, 1985

By A. Bruynesteyn

The results of a 2 phase evaluation program designed to determine the amenability of an oxide ore from the Butte, Montana mine of the Anaconda Company to a sulfuric acid leach is presented. In the phase 1 preliminary evaluation, using roll tests and percolation leaching in small columns, it is shown that the ore is highly extractable at low acid consumption ratios. In the phase 2 confirmatory tests in large columns on l-l.5 tons of material, the amenability of the ore to the leaching process is proven and pregnant solution grade profiles from planned commercial heaps established.

Jan 1, 1978

By Davis E. Traut

TiC14, AIC13, and VC14 were coreduced simultaneously via a Kroll-type magnesium reduction to form an alloy sponge as part of a research effort by the Bureau of Mines to produce titanium alloy powder. Reduction tem-peratures of 750°, 850°, and 950° C, a range of chloride feed rates from 34 to 152 Ib/(ft2·h), and crucible diameters of 7-3/4 and 10-1/4 in were tested. Microprobe analyses using a 40-um-diam spot showed no effect on alloy microhomogeneity (distribution of Al and V in the Ti, considered critical as a powder property), due to changes in process variables within these ranges. Statistical analysis of these data for alloy sponge indicated greater variation in the chemical composition (AI and V) than that found in commercial Ti-6Al-4V plate or Plasma Rotating Electrode Process (PREP) powder. Therefore, a one-step approach to pow-der, such as grinding the Ti alloy sponge, would not produce a powder product of acceptable chemical homogeneity. An approach that homoge-nized the sponge, such as with a melting step, would produce an accept-able powder product with respect to chemical homogeneity.

Jan 1, 1987

Deposit of Jinbaoshan platinum group metals (PGMs) ore ranks the second in Yunnan province, China. Study on process mineralogy shows that the grade of copper and nickel in the ore is just 0.16% and 0.20% respectively. Moreover, the impurities magnesium and iron and silicon are rich in the ore. The copper and nickel sulfides in the ore, especially the minerals of PGMs, are finely disseminated with the gangues like serpentine. Fine grinding is necessary, and high content of MgO in the concentrate is inevitable through traditional flotation technology on the basis of process mineralogy studies. Achievements on process mineralogy studies are applied to guide the flotation tests successfully. Progress on flotation has been made through comprehensive studies. Suitable grinding by two stages is required for the finely disseminated PGM sulphide ore to achieve the liberation of valuable minerals. Stage grinding and stage separation shall be conducted for a better recovery of valuable minerals. The oxidation state of mineral surface of sulphides has a profound effect on flotation of the ultra-fine sulphides, especially the pentlandite. The combined use of collectors enhances the selective collecting on the ultra-fine and low-grade valuable minerals, is of critical importance.

Jan 1, 2014

By Camila Magalhães Gonçalves

O aço inoxidável ferrítico tipo 430 estabilizado com Nb, com e sem recozimento após laminação a quente, foi laminado a frio e submetido a recozimentos isotérmicos em temperaturas de 650, 700, 750 e 800°C por tempos variando entre 10 e 86400 s. A quantificação da fração recristalizada foi realizada pelo modelo de JMAK e pela microdureza ao longo do recozimento. A evolução da textura foi analisada via técnica de EBSD. Ocorreu o refino de grão após a recristalização, resultando em um tamanho médio de 8 mm. A temperatura de recristalização aconteceu a 750°C e esta teve maior efeito na recristalização que o tempo. Os expoentes de Avrami se situaram entre 0.8 e 1.2, significando nucleação em contorno de grão. A taxa de nucleação e de crescimento do grão diminuiu continuamente com o tempo. Em relação à textura, observou-se um aumento da intensidade das componentes (111)[121] e (111)[011] da fibra g e diminuição na intensidade da fibra a de deformação. Um modelo de cinética de recristalização do aço tipo 430 estabilizado com nióbio que leva em conta os processos de nucleação e crescimento foi obtido.

Jan 16, 2018

By James P. Bennett

The Bureau of Mines is investigating the acid resistance of ceramic materials to identify construction materials for emerging technology in chemical and metallurgical processes. Eight commercial ceramic materials, were evaluated: two red shale, two fireclay, one silicon carbide, one silica, one carbon, and one high-alumina. Samples were exposed to 10 wt pct H2S04 at 50° C and 10, 30, 50, 70, and 90 wt pct H2S04 at 90° C for time periods of 110 days. Statistically significant changes in cold crushing strength were observed in the silicon carbide and car-bon materials. Weight changes and the leach rate of Al, Ca. Fe. K, Mg, Na. Si, and Ti were also monitored. The most severe corrosion conditions were at 90° C and 30 to 50 wt pct H2S04 for the acidproof and at 10 wt pct H2S04 for the acid-resistant materials. The silica and the high-alumina materials were the most acid-resistant, followed by the higher density red shale and fireclay.

Jan 1, 1986

By Priscila Alves da Silva Machado

A busca por pesquisas que provem soluções e inovações que utilizam parte de tais resíduos vem ganhando grande destaque. O poli (tereftalato de etileno) é um polímero termoplástico, e é o material base para produção de embalagens plásticas que são comercializadas mundialmente. Sabe-se que é de grande volume os resíduos sólidos provenientes de tais embalagens plásticas. Com o objetivo de solucionar um problema ambiental e verificar a viabilidade técnica, foram fabricados em proporções de 0%, 5%, 10% e 15% m/m, materiais compósitos de base cimentícias reforçados com fibras de poli (tereftalato de etileno) provenientes de resíduos de garrafas plásticas (PET), posteriormente amostras passaram por caracterizações mecânicas. Destacou-se um aumento das resistências a compressão axial e diametral do material produzido com fabricação de adição de poli(tereftalato de etileno). Tais resultados referente a resistência foram positivos, propondo assim a utilização do polímero na composição de novos compósitos.

Oct 30, 2017

By J. J. Denny

The purpose of this paper is to present, briefly, an outline of Canadian practice in the milling of gold-bearing ores- not, however, including those auriferous ores which are mined and milled primarily for their content of some other metal. It is not the writer&apos;s intention to offer technical data, nor to discuss any particular phase of the metallurgy, but rather to give a general résumé of past and present methods. As it is only within recent years that gold milling has assumed prominence in Canada, much of the technology is modern, and detailed articles describing the practice adopted in the several mining districts, and recording the various changes and innovations that have been made from time to time, are to be found in the Transactions of the Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, and in the mining journals. Prior to the year 1860, any gold that had been produced in Canada had come from placer operations in British Columbia, but &apos; during that year lode gold was discovered in Nova Scotia, in quartz veins, and in several localities mines were opened and small mills of very simple character were erected to treat the ore. These plants, equipped with stamps, or arrastre, were only effective in recovering the free gold. Concentration and chlorination were introduced in an endeavour to save the gold occurring in intimate association with metallic minerals, but, due to various circumstances, gold mining and milling did not progress in Nova Scotia.

Jan 1, 1930

By J. Fuller, J. Beale, Q. Justice, Z. Agioutantis, S. Hicks, Z. Khademian

Seismic events can be induced by mining due to unstable rock failures or slips along geologic structures leading to the sudden release of strain energy stored within the rock near underground openings. Depending on their intensity and proximity to the working area, seismic events may raise safety concerns, and thus the forecasting of the seismic potential in advance of mining can mitigate safety hazards. The integration of seismic data into geomechanical modeling can provide a tool for identifying areas with elevated potential for seismic activity. In previous works, a methodology was developed to forecast seismic potentials in a pseudo-2D geomechanical model. In this paper, seismic events, ranging in magnitude from about -1.0 ML to 3.7 ML, recorded in a deep longwall mine (> 450 m) in Virginia during mining of six adjacent panels, were evaluated to identify areas where larger magnitude events (> 1 ML) had occurred. A three-dimensional geomechanical model of the same area was constructed in the 3DEC software to calculate the state of energy in the system with the progress of mining along the entire length of each panel. The variation in the energy content of the model was monitored, and zones with potentially damaging slip-type events along bedding planes followed by compressive-type events in the sandstone roof are the mechanism for large seismic events in the studied mine. The locations of anomalous events corresponded to the regions where both compression-type SPI (C-SPI) and slip-type SPI (S-SPI) were elevated. The modeling results were compared with the recorded seismic events to evaluate the model performance in forecasting the seismic potentials. The model was able to forecast 100% of regions with elevated and moderate seismic potential and 89% of regions with low seismic potential. This shows the applicability of energy balance calculations for forecasting the approximate location and timing of destructive seismic events in advance of mining.

Jun 25, 2024

By Ewald H. Kurt

The story of America&apos;s progressing standard of living is the story of machines. The automobile, the airplane and the telephone for example have made our transportation and communication systems what they are today. Even they depend in turn on another machine -- the rock drill. By making it possible to economically mine and quarry minerals in large quantities, this versatile machine supports virtually every American industry relying on the earth for its buried raw materials. And, like all machines, the rock drill&apos;s mechanical evolution was stimulated by production demands placed upon it. All percussion drills are mechanized versions of the original drilling unit -- man, Figure - illustrates a double jack team at work before the turn of the century. The man with the sledge hammer is the impact device while the man sitting is the rotation mechanism and feed motor. The first drifter drills (Figure 2) performed the same function but with increased mechanical efficiency. A piston controlled by a valve produced impact. A built-in ratcheting mechanism provided rotation and a hand-cranked screw provided feed thrust. As the industrial revolution proceeded into the twentieth century, the demand for raw materials stimulated refinements of all recovery machinery, including rock drills. As drills became heavier and more powerful, a mounting (or carrier) had to be provided to move the drill from hole to hole. This resulted in the development of the wagon drill (Figure 3). Propelled by muscle power, the wagon drill was for years the standard tool of the surface drilling industry (Figure 4). As drills penetrated faster and as labor increased in cost, the time consumed in nondrilling peripheral operations had to be

Jan 1, 1977