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By Deno Pappas, Chrisropher Mark, John Rusnak, Linda McWilliams

Mine planning for a new reserve is based on information obtained from exploratory coreholes. A critical component of an exploration program is the geotechnical evaluation. Poor assumptions about roof conditions greatly add to the risks of mining. Rock mechanics testing is central to a geotechnical exploration program. Typically, 3 to 5 uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) tests are made to characterize a particular roof unit at a given corehole. The average (mean) of these tests is taken as “The UCS” for that location. Isopach contour maps are then used to show spatial trends in roof strength. Two issues are raised by this traditional approach. The first is due to the large variability in UCS values that is typical even within a single unit from a single hole. The average UCS might be higher at Corehole A than it is at Corehole B, but the difference may not be statistically significant. The second issue is whether widely spaced coreholes can identify valid spatial trends in rock strength. The answer depends upon whether rock strength changes over distances that are longer or shorter than the corehole spacing. This is a classical geostatistical problem. While geostatics have been used to investigate many coal quality parameters, they have seldom been used to evaluate rock strength. This paper describes an extensive investigation of these issues conducted by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) in collaboration with Peabody Energy. The study employed the Peabody Rock Mechanics Data Base which contains more than 10,000 individual test results. Data from four important roof units were subjected to statistical analysis: • Brereton Limestone above the Herrin 6 seam (Illinois) • Turner Mine Shale above the No. 9 Seam (Kentucky) • Sandstone above the Eagle Coal (West Virginia) • Shale above the Eagle Coal (West Virginia) The study did not find significant spatial trends in rock strength in any of the cases. Perhaps there are none, or perhaps the exploration coreholes were just too far apart to see them. These results have valuable implications for the design of geotechical exploration programs.

[ ] (14) SCREENS: Description of Allis-Chalmers' complete line of vibrating screens for the mining industry is contained in a new 8-page bulletin. Primary scalping, secondary scalping, and conventional screens for wet or dry sizing and screens for heavy media separation are included. Also given is a typical fiowsheet showing how horizontally operated Low-Head screens are used in the sink and float process. (15) MILLS: Forty-six years of experience and 4000 installations throughout the world lie behind the seven basic types of mills illustrated in a recent bulletin from the Hardinge Co. Fields of application and materials handled in various installations are listed. (16) BLOWERS & COMPRESSORS: A brochure describing the manufacturing facilities and the axial and centrifugal blowers and compressors made by the Sawyer Bailey Corp. is now available. (17) LINATEX: The first catalog of the Linatex Corp. of America has been issued, outlining the advantages claimed for this special form of natural rubber, when used in corrosion, abrasion, and vibration resisting applications. (18) WIRE ROPE: Twenty-four pages packed with concentrated wire rope data is the way E. H. Edwards Co. describes a booklet which they are now making available. It was condensed from the Edwards general catalog to provide users with a concise guide to every important phase of wire rope production, maintenance, and use.

Jan 1, 1952

By William P. Lorenz

Overlying the sulfide mineralization at Anamax Mining Company's Twin Buttes Mine is an oxidized zone up to one hundred meters in thickness. The principal copper minerals in this zone are chryso-colla, tenorite, cuprite, native copper and copper-manganese-iron wad. This ox¬idized zone also contains minor amounts of uranium ranging in concentration from 0.002 to 0.010 percent. Since pit development through 1980, some 38 million tonnes of oxide ore with copper contents greater than 0.6 percent have been brought to the surface. Copper in the oxide ore is extracted at Twin Buttes in, an agitated sulfuric acid leach plant followed by solvent extraction and electrowinning producing 90 tonnes per day of copper cathode. During leaching of the oxide ores small amounts of uranium are solubilized along with the copper values. This is not limited to Twin Buttes as most acidic copper bearing leach solutions throughout the southwestern United States contain small amounts of uranium.1

Jan 1, 1982

By R. L. Lewis

A simple method for estimating the steady-state water quality of a pit lake is presented. The steady-state concentration of a conservative chemical constituent in a pit lake is shown to be a simple function of the inflow rate, the evaporation rate and the inflow concentration. An analytical method is presented for estimating the equilibrium ground water-inflow rate for use in water-quality predictions. The time required to reach chemical steady state is estimated using an iterative mass-balance model. Mine operators should find the methodology useful for planning and screening regulatory applications where conservative estimates of pit lake water quality are desirable.

Jan 1, 2000

COUNCIL OF SECTION DELEGATES F J Meek, Chairman H A White, Vice-Chairman H R Gault, Secretary Division of Earth Sciences National Research Council 2101 Constitution Avenue Washington 25, D C

Jan 1, 1954

By John Gross

The modern practice of grinding ores so that often 80 per cent or more of the product is finer than 200 mesh makes it desirable to supplement sieve sizing so as to extend considerably the range of sizing. Moreover, the fact that the material finer than sieve size represents the major part of the work done in grinding emphasizes thick need in can investigation of crushing efficiency. A method based on the settling rate of particles in grater appeared to be most practical for sizing; finely ground ores. There are two possible methods of utilizing this principle: one based on free settling or sedimentation; and the other on separation by means of a rising; current of water, or elutriation. In sedimentation, mechanical entanglement causes material at the start to settle in a mass, and this persists throughout. As this feature is largely eliminated by elutriation, which permits a comparatively clean separation of the various sizes, the elutriation method was adopted.

Jan 1, 1929

By A. A. Odunaike, E. G. Okafor, M. H. Mokwe

Microscopic Studies were performed on ore samples from the Muro banded iron ore deposit in Nigeria and the Marampa iron ore deposit in Sierra Leone. Ore characteristics that affect processing of both ores were compared with a view toward assisting mineral processing engineers in choosing the most suitable methods for upgrading the ore. The Nigerian ore contains 30% to 37% (by weight) Fe and the Sierra Leonean ore contains 34% to 51% (by weight) Fe. Hematite is the main iron mineral in both ores. The Sierra Leonean ore is relatively coarse grained (typically around 250 µm) and can be upgraded by conventional gravitational methods. In contrast, the Nigerian iron ore is fine grained and must be ground to -74 µm to liberate the hematite for recovery by flotation. Both ores contain high percentages of phosphorus and sulfur, which are above the required specifications for direct reduction and blast-furnace practice. These deleterious elements can be rejected by grinding and flotation.

Jan 1, 1999

By John T. Awald

The efficiency of search for porphyry copper and molybdenum deposits can be greatly increased. A model exploration system is here presented to show how geologic literature data and field surveys can be aided by modern statistical and computer methods. Assuming that major ore deposits occur in clusters, it is possible to evaluate rapidly large areas at modest cost and with minimum investment risk. An example of the success of these methods is given. Clusters of mine density and metal production covering the State of Nevada were plotted and machine contoured. Selection of a 47,300 square-mile area on the Nevada-California border was made. Within this area, detailed analyses were performed, and a 3000 square-mile site was picked for subsequent field examination. To initiate efficiently the field work, 81 stream sediment geochemical samples were collected and analyzed for copper, zinc, and molybdenum. These data established local variance and necessary statistical controls. Following this, a total of 151 geochemical samples were used to survey the 3000 square-mile area. Computer contouring of results directed attention to specific target areas for detailed geologic analysis, property acquisition and drilling. A total of 22 copper-zinc and molybdenum anomalies were identified. Four of these were recommended for further exploration. To date, two have been acquired and drilled and preliminary ore reserve and financial analysis have been made on one. The estimated cost and time for the regional exploration phases leading to these targets were thirty man-weeks and $16,000.

Jan 1, 1973

By C. H. Fisher

[Mxny methnhs of ,analyzing tpr oils fnr thoir tar acid ~nd base cnntent hava boon employL~d in connection mith both ac~d,.mic and. industrial investigs- tions. Mnst of thznu nnalyticel proc?durn~s aro bpsed nn th; diminution in volums caused by extract lon sit5 alkali 5 minL+ra,l acids (cantrsction rn,>thod) , although othrr mr~thrids havu &apos;sL<on ?q~lnglt 8 . In many instmccs th-: donti ti on of RT~ m~lytic~l m ithod was not ;r.:c ~d~d by ~d.jqunt9 study, and, ns 3 cone+ qucnce, tha lit .,ratur ? on thls sub,jr:.ct is consoScuous for its cnntr~dictnry . claims and rocnmmondatinna.. 1.t tiR.s b9~n shoyn in th;, cnsn of c.lrtn.in synth?tic solut innsfi/ thnt larg~ jr-orn sny rcsult if th2 ,mnlysis is c~rri~d out by sim~la extraction wi.th alidi r.nd min 3rd ncids.]

Jan 1, 1937

Jan 1, 1933

By W. H. Porter, M. E. Wadsworth, J. R. Lewis, K. L. Leiter

The oxidation of Cu2S in oxygen and the sulfating of Cu2O in oxygen-sulfur dioxide atmospheres was carried out under a variety of conditions. The oxidation of Cu2S was found to be retarded by entrapment of SO, and O2, which stabilized internal sulfates for long periods of time. The course of the reaction was followed by measuring weight changes and also by SO, evolution. Sulfating of Cu2O was a maximum at ratios of SO, to O2 approximating maximum SO, production. At elevated temperatures SO, was found to increase the rate of oxidation of Cu2 O to CuO even though sulfates did not form. All sulfating reactions followed the parabolic rate law indicating diffusion. MANY studies of the roasting of copper sulfides have been reported in recent years. Diev et al.1 investigated the roasting of chalcocite (Cu2S) in air, and oxygen enriched air. Lewis et al.2 also studied the oxidation of natural and synthetic chalcocite in air and oxygen atmospheres and their studies indicated that the maximum formation of water soluble sulfates occurred at approximately 450oC. Ashcroft3 reported that oxide production during the roasting of chalcocite resulted only from secondary decomposition of sulfates which were formed as primary products. peretti4 refuted this claim by showing that a layer of Cu2O appeared directly adjacent to the Cu2S during roasting of cylindrical briquettes of cupric sulfide, CuS. The linear advance of the Cu2S-Cu2O interface was used as a measure of the kinetics of the roasting reaction. The reactions proposed were: 2 CuS—Cu2S + 1/2 S2 [4-1] 1/2 S2 + O24 SO2 [4-2] cuzs +3/2 O2 4 Cu2O + SO2 [4-3] cu2o + 1/2 O2—2 cuo [4-4] At temperatures above 663oC, CuO was the only final solid phase reported. Below 663" C increasing amounts of sulfate were found mixed with the CuO. McCabe and Morgan5 investigated the roasting of discs of synthetic chalcocite and reported the following sequence of products beginning at the sulfide surface: Cu2O, a mixture of Cu2O and CuSO4, Cum,, CuO . CuSO4, and CuO. The principal reactions were reported to be: Cu2S + 3/2 O2-Cu2O + SO2 [5-1] CU2O + 2 SO2 + 3/2 O2—2 CUSO4 [5-21 2 CUSO4— CUO . cum, + SO3 [ 5-31 cuo . cuso4—-2 cuo + SO, [ 5-41 Eq.15-11 supports the claim of Peretti, Eq. [4-31, that CuzO is formed directly from Cu2S rather than as a secondary product from a sulfate as suggested by Ashcroft. On the other hand CuO was found to form as a secondary product from the decomposition of copper sulfate and basic copper sulfate, Eqs. [5-31 and [5-41. The formation of sulfates was explained by McCabe and morgan5 to be a direct reaction of Cu2O with 0, and SO, or SO, at distinct regions in which the partial pressures of each were such as to form the sulfate. Thornhill and pidgeon6 roasted both natural and synthetic chalcocite grains in air at temperatures between 420" and 550° C. They found a dense primary oxidation layer in contact with the sulfide. A secondary layer of porous oxidation products was found to expand with roasting time. The oxide products were leached away and the remaining core was studied by X-ray diffraction. The X-ray patterns showed an increased conversion of chalcocite to digenite with time. Digenite,7 a defect structure of cuprous sulfide, occurs naturally as Cu,-,S where x = 0.12 to 0.45, with an average analysis of Cu, ,S. The mechanism of digenite formation was proposed as: Cu2S + oxygen—Cu1-8S + 0.1 Cu2O [6-1] Cuj.eS + oxygen—0.9 Cu2S + SO2 [6-2] It is apparent from the above studies that the oxidation of Cu2S, ultimately ending in CuO, may be divided into ihree general stages (all of which may occur simultaneously): 1) primary oxidation to Cu2O; 2) secondary sulfate formation; and 3) sulfate decomposition. Consequently reactions of O2 and SO, with Cu20 constitute important aspects of the roasting of chalcocite. Virtually no studies have been made regarding sulfating reactions involving Cu,O. Mills and Evans8 noted the effect of sulfur dioxide on the oxidation of copper at low temperatures and low SO, partial pressures. They reported a measurable increase in the oxidation rate of copper when SO2, was present. Interest in the Cu2O-CuO-0, system has been limited predominantly to misciblllty studies and determinations of heats of formation by

Jan 1, 1961

By J. W. Schroeder

SEAMLESS pipe, the product produced from piercing a solid round billet of steel by the Mannesmann process, was first produced in the latter half of the 19th century, the Mannesmann machine having been patented in 1885. The products of other processes also have been termed seamless pipe; for example, the cylindrical section produced by "cupping," which consists of forming a cup from a flat plate or disk and further elongating the cup into a tube by passing it through a set of reducing dies. The purpose of this paper is to discuss some of the more important metallurgical factors and their relationship to the economical production of seamless pipe produced by the Mannesmann piercing process. The first seamless tube plant in America was established at Shelby, Ohio, in 1891, and was employed in the manufacture of bicycle tubing. For a number of years the bicycle industry was the only user of seamless tubing, and this tubing was produced by hot-rolling pierced billets imported from Europe and finishing on the cold drawbench. At the turn of the century, the automotive industry was responsible for an increase in the demand for seamless tubing. The growth of this industry was the dominant factor leading to the phenomenal growth of the petroleum industry, which in turn created a tremendous demand for seamless pipe. In addition; the old lapweld iron boiler tubes for stationary and locomotive boilers were replaced gradually by seamless tubes. Since 1929, the production of seamless steel pipe and tubes has increased over loo pct. In 1929, 1,459,9031 net tons of seamless pipe was produced, including both hot-finished and cold-drawn material, as compared with 3,087,3122 net [ ] tons in 1948. Table I gives the distribution of seamless pipe by classes for 1948. METALLURGICAL PROBLEMS From a metallurgical standpoint, the production of seamless pipe has presented many problems. Practically every type of steel, carbon and alloy, with the exception of the superalloys developed during World War II, has been pierced and rolled successfully into tubing. This includes bessemer, open hearth, by the stationary and duplex processes, and electric steels. The range of sizes produced is no less staggering to the imagination, when it is considered that the hypodermic needle, which is 0.016 in. diam with a wall thickness of 0.004 in., and pipe for gas or oil transmission lines, with a 26 in. OD, are both seamless tubes. Between these extremes, the range of diameters and wall thicknesses meets most present-day demands for seam-

Jan 1, 1951

By Klaus W. John

The geologic factor of greatest significance in rock mechanics and rock engineering is considered to be the geologic structure represented by joints, faults, and other planes of weakness. This geologic structure differentiates between the rock element and the rock system composed of these elements. Only during the last decade has the difference of the technological properties of element and system been recognized but this appears to be more in theory than in engineering practice. If rock mechanics is to achieve real significance in engineering practice, it has to provide methods of analysis which are realistic compromises between the best representation of the actual conditions and pragmatic engineering. The rock mechanics practitioner has to face the fact that many geological engineering and rock mechanics problems may be too complex to allow rigorous analysis but at the same time are deemed satisfactory for the construction of major structures. Ultimately, the geotechnical engineer or the engineering geologist has to express the effect of geologic factors in quantitative, even if approximate, terms and provide numerical data on strength and deformability of rock systems to be utilized in construction. Qualitative evaluations, quantitative descriptions of geologic features as such, and comparisons of specific test results are always of interest but may not suffice as basis for engineering decisions and designs. The present efforts of the rock mechanics group at the Karlsruhe University, Federal Republic of Germany, are based on a systematic combination of geomechanical models and numerical analyses based on the finite element approach. This group considers that at the present stage

Jan 1, 1970

By Stewart C. A

The Northparkes copper-gold project is being developed in Central Western New South Wales approximately 30 km NNW of the town of Parkes and approximately 350 km west of Newcastle. The project is a joint venture between North Limited (80 per cent) and the Sumitomo Group (20 per cent). North is the manager. The basis of the project is three copper-gold orebodies, the northern two of which are being mined by conventional open cut methods with the third and largest orebody at the southern end of the lease to be mined by block caving. A fourth mineralised body has been identified in the centre of the lease. While further evaluation of this deposit is required it would appear to be amenable to block caving. Oxide caps of gold ore and copper-gold ore over-lie the two northern orebodies. Development commenced with the construction of a carbon-in-pulp (CIP) plant to treat the oxide gold ore. Construction of a flotation plant to treat oxide copper-gold ore and sulphide copper-gold ore is underway. When full-scale operation is achieved late in 1996 the plant will treat 5.0 million tonnes of ore per year of which 1.1 million tonnes will be open cut ore and 3.9 million tonnes will be block cave ore. In terms of annual ore tonnage the underground mine will be the largest metalliferous mine in New South Wales and the second largest in Australia.

Jan 1, 1995

By J. A. Finch

"A method of sampling and presenting bubbles for imaging for use in full-size flotation cells is described. The device (bubble viewer) comprises a tube attached to a sealed glass viewing chamber. The assembly is first filled with frother-containing water (to prevent coalescence) and the tube immersed at the desired location below the froth. For a few minutes bubbles are collected in the viewer free from slurry and are readily imaged. To reduce bubble overlap and the problem of defining the plane of view, the viewing chamber has a sloped side. Bubbles rise, encounter this slope, spread into a single plane and slide up. This simple expedient virtually eliminates overlap and provides an unambiguous focus plane - the underside of the sloped glass. The bubble image is captured and processed to give size data. The bubble viewer has been employed at several concentrators on different types of flotation cells. Examples of the images are given. The impact of position in the cell and the effect of changing gas rate on bubble size are illustrated. This technique provides a sensitive measure of the effects of process variables on bubble size.INTRODUCTIONDespite the extensive use of flotation in the mineral processing industry, the methodology employed for cell design is largely based on empirical rules rather than on first principles. One of the main reasons for this state of affairs is that the local flow structures encountered in industrial-scale machines are very complex. These flow structures are difficult to simulate under the controlled conditions of the laboratory and the difficulty to solve the mathematical models that treat the randomness of such flows also mean theoretical treatment is limited. Understanding flotation cell hydrodynamics requires reliable data, which involves the implementation of measurement techniques capable of performing both at the laboratory- and the industrial-scale, In addition, it is desirable that such techniques are amenable to automation to reduce extensive manual intervention in the data collection process."

Jan 1, 2002

By P. G. Mason

The upswing in the price of gold in 1979 prompted renewed interest in the Mercur gold property by Getty Oil Company, owner and operator, and Gold Standard Inc. of Salt Lake City, Utah, currently retaining a 15% net profits interest. Extensive geological exploration work resumed to delineate the ore reserves, and metallurgical test work was initiated under the direction of A.H. Ross & Associates. This led to the development of an aqueous pressure oxidation process suitable for treatment of the refractory ores. Subsequent geostatistical studies revealed that the distribution of high refractory ore was less than previously estimated, and thus a higher return on investment could be realized if a direct carbon-in-leach process were used despite a sacrifice in overall recovery. This paper reviews the geological and metallurgical studies that led to this final process selection.

Jan 1, 1984

By J. W. Paul

This paper deals with the second phase of an extensive research on coal-mine ventilation factors. A comprehensive report of the entire work is in course of preparation, but abstracts of the various chapters are being prepared in order to make the results public as rapidly as possible. Part 1 dealt with the resistance of unobstructed entries and was issued as Serial 2621 of the Bureau of Mines, in July 1924. Description of tests. After the resistance of an unobstructed entry to flow of air had been determined by tests in the Experiment mine, mine cars were; run into the test section in various arrangements and the increase in resistance was determined. The cars used were of the wooden type with loose end gate, and would hold about one ton of coal, level full. They were 7 feet long. 4 feet 2 inches wide above the wheels, 3 feet high, and had a cross-sectional area of approximately 10 square feet. The average area of the entry was about 57 square feet, the ratio of unobstructed to total area being about 17.6 per cent. The track gage was 42 inches and the wheel-base 20 inches.

Jan 1, 1924

By Ernest G. Enck

Expanding markets and technological investigations now in progress for commercial production of titanium metal and alloys, as well as expanding uses for the oxide, have resulted in greater production, increased prices, and accelerated search for additional commercial occurrences of titanium minerals. For more than 50 years rutile has been used in moderate quantities in ceramics, in the production of ferrotitanium, as well as nonferrous titanium alloys. During the early 1930&apos;s, use of pure titanium dioxide was introduced as an ingredient of coatings for electric welding rods. For technical and economic reasons rutile was soon found to be as good or better for mild steel welding rods, and this use continues to account for a good share of the rutile sales in the U. S.

Aug 1, 1956

By Lionel A. York

THE first application of the cementation process took place in the year 1864, according to H. Standish Ball, when a break in the brickwork lining at a depth of 270', in one of the Rhine Preussen pits near Homburg, was sealed by running in milk of cement from the surface by means of a small hand pump. At about the same time Monsieur Portier adopted the method in France for repairing breaks in shaft lining. Figure 1 is descriptive of the Portier system and is of interest when compared with modern practice. During the next thirty years numerous attempts were made to improve the process; the general method used in sinking being to put clown bore holes outside the perimeter of the shaft for the purposes of injection. The cementation process was first recognized as an important as-set to mining in 1896 when Monsieur A. Francois developed his method of boring and injecting inside the shaft below the permanent water level. The Francois cementation process rapidly attained fame on the Continent and many shafts were sunk by its use in France, Belgium and

Jan 1, 1961

By R. J. Sandberg

The Copper Creek area, part of the Bunker Hill District, Pinal County, Arizona, lies within the southwest porphyry copper province of North America at the intersection of a northwest trend and an east-northeast trend of Laramide porphyry copper deposits. The Copper Creek area has been mined and explored for copper and molybdenum since the early 1900?s. The majority of this work focused on the more than 400 surface exposed breccia bodies. In the 1960 to 1970?s deeper drilling discovered a deep porphyry copper-like setting. Redhawk Copper currently has NI 43-101 compliant resources of about 0.652 billion pounds of measured and indicated and 2.745 billion pounds of inferred copper equivalent in breccia hosted and porphyry style deposits. See Figure 1.

Jan 1, 2010