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By Steven J. Page, John A. Organiscak

Laboratory crushing experiments were conducted on a range of low- to high-volatile bituminous coals to investigate the various factors influencing airborne respirable dust (ARD) generation. This research was conducted to identify the principles of ARD liberation from the coal product. Five U.S. bituminous coals were uniformly prepared and processed through a double roll crusher located in a low-velocity wind tunnel. Experimental factors studied included inherent coal seam constituents, coal grind ability, specific energy of crushing, product size characteristics, dust cloud electrostatic field, and specific ARD generated. The results of this investigation indicate that a combination of several factors are associated with ARD generation. One factor is the effect of coal rank, described by the inherent moist fuel ratio, on the product size characteristics, defined by Schuhmann size function parameters. Another key factor is the effect of air dry loss(ADL) moisture in the coal seam on the breakage-induced electrostatic field of airborne dust. The effect of these factors is that different percentages of <10-m coal particles are dispersed as ARD. A discussion of electrostatic field principles, coal ADL, and its effect on ARD generation is presented.

Jan 10, 1998

By J. R. Goode

The first part of this paper comprises a general discussion on refractory gold ores and their mineralogy processing methods now in use are reviewed and test procedures for the important methods are discussed. Factors determining the selection of a process are outlined. The paper includes a survey of production plants using pressure oxidation, roasting and biological oxidation to process refractory ore. The status of processes under development is briefly reviewed.

Jan 1, 1993

By Fred W. Gordon

The North Chicago Rolling-Mill Co., of Chicago, have four furnaces at South Chicago, built during 1881. Each furnace is 20 feet diameter of bosh, and 75 feet total height, the hearth being 11 feet diameter, and the top 15 feet 4 inches. They are blown through seven 7-inch tuyeres placed 5 feet 6 inches above the hearth level. Cubical contents, 15,000 cubic feet. Each furnace is supplied with 2 blowing engines, 84-inch blowing cylinder, and 36-inch steam cylinder, and 54-inch stroke. These two have one jet-condenser worked by an auxiliary pump. The blast for each furnace is heated by the aid of three Whitwell fire-brick stoves, each 21 feet diameter and 60 feet high. In the batteries of boilers furnishing steam for four furnaces there are 36 double-length boilers, 76 feet long, 48 inches diameter and 16,000 square feet heating-surface. The plant was designed to produce 3600 tons per week, or 900 tons for each furnace, and was fitted as above with such engines, boilers, and hot-blast stoves as were thought requisite for that production ; hence, calculated from the present make—not the least remarkable feature is the economy of construction—there are less engines, less boilers, and less hot-blast power for the iron made than at ally plant within my knowledge, or it could to-day be duplicated for less money per ton of iron made per week than could any plant now in existence, whether using fire-brick or cast-iron stoves for heating the blast. This is a practical demonstration of my assertion in a paper on fire-brick stoves, read before the Institute," that the application of fire-brick stoves in construction really lessens the first cost. In view of the statements just made, I must be most emphatic in assuring the members that nothing is strained or overburdened.

Jan 1, 1886

By D. Robert Weir, Roman M. G. S. Berezowsky

Pressure oxidation can virtually always render refractory auriferous sulphidic ores and concentrates amenable to cyanidation. Its effectiveness as a pretreatment of refractory gold feedstocks is reflected by the successful startup and operation, over the past four years, of four commercial plants. At least three more are scheduled to come on stream during the next three years. Over the past eight years, a variety of ores and concentrates have been subjected to integrated miniplant testing and process demonstration by Sherritt, and data derived from these studies have been used in the design and construction of several of the commercial facilities. Some factors affecting the selection of pressure oxidation in gold recovery processing are discussed.

Jan 1, 1989

By J. B. Rosenbaum

This report presents new findings and consolidates previously published data to provide a single reference containing a concise and comprehensive description of the Bureau&apos;s work on electrolytic chromium. Two separate systems for electrolytic-chromium recovery were developed, one designated as the oxidized system the other as the reduced system. The electrowinning of chromium metal follows the dissolution of chromium from the ore or from ferrochrome and its separation from gangue and metallic impurities. Chromite was first solubilized by pressure digestion at slightly elevated temperatures in an oxidized acid solution using Na2Cr2O7 as an oxidizing agent. Later it was found that a sodium-free electrolyte was preferable, using return-cell anolyte containing H2SO4 and Cr03 as the oxidizing agent. Gangue materials were separated from the soluble metallics by filtration; and, after the Cr+3 had been stabilized, the metallic impurities were separated as crystalline ammonium salts by vacuum crystallization.

Jan 1, 1957

By G. M. (Frits) Swinkels

The Apex property, mined in the early Twentieth Century for direct shipping copper, also contains gallium and germanium in iron oxide minerals. In 1982, Musto Explorations Limited began an exploration program to define reserves. A metallurgical process was developed, and a production decision was reached in late 1983. This text describes the process development and design. The Apex mine, located near St. George in Southwestern Utah is owned by St. George Mining Corporation, a subsidiary of Musto Explorations of Vancouver, B.C. Musto acquired the property in early 1982. A pilot plant was operated by Hazen Research, Inc., Golden, CO later in 1982. In late 1983 sufficient information had been developed for St. George to proceed with the project. The final process design was prepared by G. M. Swinkels of Vancouver, consultant to Musto, and Hazen Research. Process engineering was done by Hazen Research, and St. George acted as its own contractor. Commissioning of the plant began in October 1985.

Jan 1, 1986

By R. L. Klueh, W. W. Mullins

During the course of a study on the periodic precipitation (Liesegang phenomenon) of water vapor bubbles in solid silver, some interesting observations were made concerning the formation and growth of these bubbles. Under certain conditions it was found that the bubbles which formed in the single crystals led to the formation of large blisters ad cracks, and when poly crystalline specimens were used grain boundary cracking was observed. These two phenomena were examined in some detail, and it was found that an important step in the formation of the blisters and grain boundary cracks was the impingement of neighboring bubbles. DURING the study of Liesegang precipitation in solid silver,&apos; some interesting observations were made concerning the formation and growth of water vapor bubbles. The bubbles were formed by annealing oxygen-saturated silver in hydrogen. Because of the similarity of this phenomenon to the hydrogen embrittlement of tough pitch copper,&apos; it is known in the literature" as the hydrogen embrittlement of silver. In some respects it appears that the hydrogen embrittlement of silver is similar to the processes of hydrogen attack of steel5 and blister formation.&apos; Hydrogen attack results from the high-temperature reaction of hydrogen with dissolved carbon or carbides in the steel to form methane (usually at grain boundaries). Blister formation occurs in steel and other materials as a result of hydrogen produced by corrosion, pickling, and so forth. Because of these similarities, some speculations were made concerning these other processes. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE Water vapor bubbles were formed in 99.999+, 99.99+, and 99.9 pct Ag by annealing in a partial pressure of oxygen (pq) until saturated and then in a partial pressure of hydrogen (pH,). The hydrogen diffuses into the silver and reacts with the dissolved oxygen to form water vapor which precipitates in the form of bubbles. The specimens were then sectioned, silver-plated, mounted in cold-setting plastic, ground and polished through a preliminary polishing, and finally chemically polished.&apos; The bubbles were visible without etching.

Jan 1, 1969

By William O. Vanderburg

This paper describing the practice at the Wolf Pongee concentrator at Federland, Colo., is one of a series on similar subjects being published by the United States Bureau of Mines. The author acknowledges the assistance of Loach, manager of the Wolf Tongue Mining Co., and of W. G. Roseborough, superintendent of the golf Tongue mill, in the preparation of this paper.

Jan 1, 1933

By G. E. Goodspeed

The Cornucopia gold quartz veins form a parallel vein system traversing meta-morphic and granodioritic rocks. Field and petrographic evidence suggests that inetasomatism has played an important role both in the emplacement of the grano-diorite and in the formation of the veins. Structurally the veins appear to be related to the major tectonic features of the Wallowa Mountains and to be narrow shear zones rather than filled fissures. Petrographic studies indicate a complex history of formation starting from initial alteration along fractures or joints followed by recurrent fracturing and a quartz-forming stage, and closing with continued shearing and microbrecciation, which permitted the upward percolation of the later ore-forming solutions. The precipitation of ore minerals from these solutions formed ore shoots. Postmineral effects include the injection of Tertiary basaltic dikes, a shght amount of cross faulting, and some movement along the planes of the veins as well as oxidation. Introduction Cornucopia is in the southeastern part of the rugged Wallowa Mountains of northeastern Oregon. It was founded over 50 years ago following the discovery of its system of gold quartz veins. The major veins are roughly parallel and dip into the western side of Pine Valley, which drains the southern slope of the range. Previous operations had cut the upper portion of four major veins with two tunnels over 1000 ft. apart, when the present operating company drove a third tunnel, called the Coulter, at the level of the valley over 1000 ft. lower to intersect the most easterly major vein at over 6200 ft. from the portal. General Geology of District The oldest rocks in the vicinity are metamorphosed sediments and volcanics. These, for the most part, are presumably Mesozoic in age, although some black argillites outcropping along East Pine Creek are considered to be Permian.l,2 These rocks have been deformed and metamorphosed in general to hornfels at the close of the Jurassic. The series was then invaded by a granodiorite batholith, the origin of which is

Jan 1, 1941

By Mahesh C. Jha

Molybdenum, a major refractory metal, is widely used as an alloying element in steels and superalloys to improve their corrosion resistance, physical properties and mechanical strength, particularly at elevated temperatures. The current worldwide production and consumption is estimated at about 130,000 tons contained molybdenum per year. Molybdenum occurs in nature as molybdenite mineral and is recovered by a flotation process as a primary concentrate at molybdenum mines and as a byproduct concentrate at copper mines. The concentrate is roasted to a technical-grade molybdic oxide (tech oxide) in multiple-hearth roasters. About 80 percent of the tech oxide is sold, as such or after conversion to ferromolybdenum, for addition to iron and steel. The remainder is further refined to pure oxide and molybdate chemicals that are used in the manufacture of catalysts, specialty chemicals, molybdenum metal and superalloys. This paper discusses the various steps in the extractive metallurgy of molybdenum, from flotation of sulfide concentrate to reduction of pure oxide to molybdenum metal.

Nov 26, 1999

The old single-jack may have been portable- but it left much to be desired in drilling speed and depth of hole. Portable compressors for drilling can be snaked into tough spots. However, that calls for more men, equipment, and money, with corresponding loss of mobility. The drills listed in this notebook sheet meet three requirements: They are light. They are self-powered. And all are reported proven in practice. Undoubtedly there are other units filling the requirements that are not listed. Extreme mobility for far-flung exploration teams is always an acute need. The drills listed here help solve the problem. Canadian Longyear, for instance, reports that the Porta drill has been parachuted into wilderness spots and helicopters have lofted light core drills onto mesa tops in the Colorado Plateau uranium country.

Jul 1, 1955

By John Paul Gries

During World. War II, when the curtailment of imports led to an unprecedented demand for domestic mica, beryl, spodumene, and other pegmatite minerals, the Bureau of Mines and the Geological Survey entered upon a program designed to expedite mining of these minerals from the Black Hills area of South Dakota. The program involved napping, sampling, and drilling of many pegmatite dikes in the southern portion of the Black Hills and beneficiation conducted in the field and in the Bureau of Mines laboratories at Rapid City, S. Dak., Rolla, Mo., Salt Lake City, Utah, and College Park, Md. This report describes the occurrence and sampling of the Beecher No. 2 pegmatite, which was investigated as part of the general pegmatite study in South Dakota. Investigation of the Beecher No. 2 pegmatite was started on November 20, 1943, and terminated in the spring of 1944. During this period, the Bureau of Mines took a series of trench samples across the pegmatite at the surface for grain-count studies and chemical analyses. The Geological Survey mapped the geology of the deposit after it was exposed by trenching and stripping.

Jan 1, 1950

By D. R. Hanson

This Bureau of Mines study examines the acoustic vibrational spectra of rock slabs in the range of 0 to 5,000 Hz. The power spectra of so-called drummy rocks were found to be diagnostically enhanced in the range of 200 to 1,000 Hz. Comparison of the power in this band with that in a band from 3,000 to 3,500 Hz provides a quantitative measure of rock stability. A prototype field instrument was designed, constructed, and field-tested. This battery-powered instrument computes the power contained in the two frequency bands mentioned, compares the magnitude of these two quantities, and displays a number that is related to the detachment of the block tested. Field tests show that this instrument is capable of giving reliable measurements of block stability under conditions of noise and dust that would seriously degrade the accuracy of normal sounding techniques.

Jan 1, 1985

By A. N. Lazaridi, S. I. Afanasenko, S. A. Safonov

"This scientific work presents the results of comparative tests of centrifugal concentrators with a vertical and horizontal axis of rotor spinning. The article also describes a qualitative analysis of the behavior of mineral particles in a centrifugal field with fluidization for concentrators with a horizontal axis. The analysis was aimed at studying the effect of the quantity of fluidization holes in the basket on the degree of magnetite recovery and the effect of the basket rotation speed. The experiment demonstrated that concentrators with a horizontal axis are not inferior in terms of the qualitative recovery indicators to concentrators with a vertical axis. The researches also provided facts about the wide practical application of concentrators with a horizontal rotor arrangement. INTRODUCTION Methods of gravity concentration, attractive for their ecological purity, see their revival. First of all, this is due to the invention of centrifugal concentrators with the fluidization of the layer of mineral particles. The creation of a new generation of gravitational centrifugal concentrators made it possible to achieve a tangible breakthrough toward the direction of reducing the grain size of mineral particles effectively divided by density, up to 10 µm at a high production capacity of the vessels reaching 500-600 tons per hour. Such separators enable dressing a crushed ore of flotation grade and in some cases replace the flotation process, especially in primary operations, in joint cycles. In the long term, this method of concentration should significantly expand the scope of application, replace partial flotation processing, ensure the introduction of environmentally friendly energy-saving technologies at ore-processing plants. Summarizing the international experience for the last 30 years, it can be confidently asserted that centrifugal methods of concentration have become widely used in processing schemes for the separation of finely dispersed products in the mining industry. An interest in the creation of installations using centrifugal acceleration for the separation of mineral particles by density has particularly grown. Dozens of centrifugal concentrator designs have been created and continue to be improved. Centrifugal concentrators have a number of obvious advantages, which are especially relevant today. Losses of fine gold during the process of mining are well known. Gold washers screw, spiral separators, jigging machines and sluices traditionally used in the production processes do not solve the problem of fine gold recovery. Table 1 shows the results of comparative tests of a centrifugal concentrator (ITOMAK) and other concentration equipment. According to the research conducted by the company GMRS, Krugersdorp, South Africa (2000), the initial material was gold ore crushed to 150 micrometers (90%)."

Jan 1, 2018

By Hans S. Carlsson

Like most industrial processes, nuclear power production creates wastes, which have to be handled and ultimately disposed of in a safe manner. Some of the wastes contain very long-lived radioactive substances and have to be isolated for very long periods of time before they have decayed to harmless levels. Sweden, like many other countries with similar geology, intends to use crystalline rock for isolating the high-level nuclear waste from the biosphere. The suitability of a rock mass for a repository needs to be investigated extensively. Apart from the political and practical considerations for a site selection, a detailed study has to be performed in terms of geology, hydrogeology, geophysics, geochemistry and rock mechanics. The responsibility of the site selection studies in Sweden is entrusted to the Swedish Nuclear Fuel Supply Company, Division KBS (SKBF/KBS) . The paper gives a brief presentation of the "Standard Program" for the studies that will be carried out during 1980-1990. Modifications of the program are justified on the basis of gained experience or specific circumstances for each site. The program is compiled by the Geological Survey of Sweden (SGU) in cooperation with KBS.

Jan 1, 1982

By A. A. Nourbakhsha

The main application of refractories based on andalusite in ferrous metallurgy are in air heaters of blast furnaces, mobile mixers, and hot-metal transfer, pig iron ladle, steel-casting, and intermediate ladles. Three specific properties of andalusite are very interesting for the production of high-quality shaped and unshaped mullite refractories: being free of water, its crystal a remains stable without changing its density or volume after firing and therefore has no internal porosity .Graphite additives due to its great wetting ability play an important role in raising the property of refractory bodies. In order to improve properties of andalusite graphite bodies, oxidant agent for increasing in hot strength and oxidation resistance can not be avoided. In this research, firstly 8 pig iron ladles from ESC(esfahan Steel company) with different conditions selected and monitored during usage to determine of main factors affecting on corrosion of refractories. Results showed that tap to tap time, undischarged pig iron ,penetrated pig iron are the main ones.Literature studies showed that the graphite addition help to thermal shock resistance and liquid penetration(steel,pig iron) effect. In this research particle size distribution of aggregates containing andalusite and graphite determined by andreazen equation. Then different mixes with different percentage of graphite,Si, FeSi, SiC prepared by uniaxially pressing under 1500kgf/cm2 pressure by adding 4%wt novalak resin and 0.4%wt HMTA as hardner. Samples fired at 1100-1500oC under reduction atmosphere. According to specific standards density, porosity and CCS measured. Analytical tests such as XRD, SEM were carried out on sample selected from point of view of mechanical properties at different temperatures. Results showed that optimized amount of Si and Fe-Si for _-SiC formation in body is 4 and 6 %wt respectively at 1500OC. XRD and SEM analysis on sample with Fe-Si additives showed no destructive phase through the matrix, also SiC additives not only increase oxidation resistance but also no effect on thermo-mechanical properties.

Oct 1, 2011

By M. Clair Smith

The Bureau of Mines investigated the Rip Van Winkle mine, which is about 25 miles northwest of Elko, Nev., from October 1942 to February 1943 to determine possible resources of lead-zinc-silver ore. The property is owned by the Rip Van Winkle Consolidated Mining Co., which maintains its offices in Salt Lake City, Utah. Ore was discovered in the 1860&apos;s, and active mining was carried out intermittently until 1939, when the Rip Van Winkle Consolidate Mining Co. acquired the property. This company equipped and developed the mine, erected a flotation mill, and operated on a 65-ton daily basis. The ore is mined from veins, mineralized faults, and replacement deposits of wall rock. The country rock comprises cherty shale, granite, porphyry, intrusive breccia, and breccia, and brecciated shale. Mining operations were carried down to the 700-foot level. The Bureau of Mines drilled 5 diamond-drill holes, totaling 1,084 feet, from the 600- and 700-foot levels, excavated a 250-foot surface trench, and took 26 underground samples. The ensuing sections note the location and physical features of the district, mention the equipment, and specify the property and ownership. The history of the mine is briefed, and the geology, mine workings, and plant are described. The work performed by the Bureau of Mines is summarized and supplemented in detail by assay maps, logs of diamond-drill holes in appendix A, and by tables of sample analysis in appendix B.

Jan 1, 1949

By Clemens Kuhnert

"Nickelhütte Aue GmbH is specialized in the recycling of waste materials containing non-ferrous metals. We treat nickel, copper, cobalt, vanadium, molybdenum and precious metal containing materials like spent catalysts, ashes, dusts, grindings, liquids, slurries and sludge's as long as they contain one or a combination of the above mentioned metals. In our pyrometallurgical works we produce non-ferrous metal concentrates suitable for further treatment in our hydrometallurgical plant where we refine Ni-, Cu-, Co- and V-chemicals. Our production is based on synergy effects due to the combination of pyro- and hydro-metallurgy. As an example we can mention our heat recovery system and internal recycling of by-products. Furthermore, the use of alternative fuels instead of fossil fuels contributes to the economic and environ-mentally friendly treatment system.INTRODUCTION Nickelhütte Aue GmbH (NHA) can look back on nearly 400 years of tradition as a pyrometallurgical works and recycling company. The existence since its foundation in 1635 as a blue dye works shows responsible and successful action in the past. Therefore, we see highest customer service, minimization of interferences with nature by closing material cycles and maximized health and occupational safety protection by avoiding injuries and diseases, still as our future duties. These duties are evaluated and monitored by an integrated management system that meets the standards of DIN EN ISO 9001, 14001, 50001 and BS OHSAS 18001. We commit ourselves to the observance of all juridical and customized demands. The management and the department managers perceive their model function. We require responsible action from all employees. To protect the continuity of our enterprise, we will also perform in future continuous improvement of products and their quality, as well as steady progress in the areas of environment protection, health protection and industrial safety. Equally the effectiveness and propriety of the management system is checked and developed regularly. In order to obtain the objectives resulting from this policy, our company determines activities and measures by involving all employees."

Jan 1, 2017

By V Barrera, A Brzovic, M Gaete, L Burgos, E Arancibia

Fragmentation is one of the most relevant parameters in the design and operation of a mine using the caving mining method. Fragmentation affects all subsequent operations, including extraction, comminution processes, secondary blasting and transportation.There are a number of different models in the literature to estimate the size of the ore fragments that report to the drawpoints; however, there is still no industry consensus about which one to use. This paper proposes a new model for predicting the fragmentation reporting to the drawpoints that is based on the geotechnical unit characteristics, extraction height and column of primary ore. The model is developed from observations of fragmentation measurements in different mine sectors of Codelco’s El Teniente mine in Chile.This work focuses on the following three steps:collecting fragmentation and hang-up data from several mine sectorsdeveloping a geotechnical block model using oriented core placed within the main geotechnical unitsanalysing the data and modelling the fragmentation process.The proposed model is used to discuss the mechanisms and the influence of preconditioning on the size of the ore fragments that report to the drawpoints.CITATION:Brzovic, A, Vallejos, J, Arancibia, E, Burgos, L, Delonca, A, Gaete, M and Barrera, V, 2016. Analysis and modelling of the fragmentation process – case studies at El Teniente Mine, in Proceedings Seventh International Conference and Exhibition on Mass Mining (MassMin 2016), pp 305–310 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

May 9, 2016

By Roberto Parra

The classic criteria of the preparation of the charge for the smelting of copper concentrates in a flash furnace considers the mass and energy balance from the chemical and mineralogy composition of the concentrates. The operation parameters fixed with this method don&apos;t assure the stability of the operation and the critical problems of the slag quality and dust formation occurs very often. This paper presents the results of a laboratory test that allows the predicition of the behavior of concentrates blends in the view of the minimization of the dust formation and the magnetite control in the slag. The combustion of different copper concentrates and blends were done in a drop tube furnace. The results show that the magnetite and dust formation don&apos;t have a linear behavior with the weight proportion of the blend and some optimal blends of 2 or 3 types of concentrates can be identified. From the reasonable hypothesis that the qualitative behavior of blends in the drop tube represents the real behavior in the burner, the preparation of the charge with this approach could help to solve those operational problems.

Jan 1, 2003