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Typically, large volumes of data are collected during geotechnical investigations for mining projects but rarely is this done in a comprehensive manner that enables all aspects of the geotechnical environment to be evaluated. A geotechnical core logging process has been developed to record mechanical and structural properties of the rock mass. The method enables data for a wide range of rock properties and geotechnically significant major structures to be collected including rock strength, joint surface condition, fracture frequency and fracture orientation. The logging method is unique in that sufficient data is collected to enable the independent determination of all the major rock mass classification systems including rock mass rating (RMR), (Bieniawski 1976, 1989; Laubscher, 1990) Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI) tunnelling quality index (Q) (Barton, Lien and Lunde, 1974) and geological strength index (GSI) (Hoek, Kaiser and Bawden, 1995). The logging system has been specifically developed to allow better and more precise appreciation of rock mass and structural conditions across the project area thereby optimising the use and application of the available geotechnical data and improving confidence in the outcomes of geotechnical investigations. This paper describes the core logging process with case examples showing how the logged data can be used for underground and open pit mine design.

Nov 25, 2010

By E. S. Leaver

The gold that is not recovered by a particular process is refractory to that process. A study to determine how the refractory gold is associated in the ore constituents usually indicates the needed improvement in the process or additional methods for bettering recovery. In preliminary work, segregation of the various minerals, gangue or impurities, and data showing the reactions of each in the recovery method readily confines the refractory gold to a certain part on which extensive research can be directed. In this dissecting plan, the microscope is an important aid in locating the refractory gold but should be supplemented by chemical tests. Each ore is an individual problem until the association of the gold has been determined. Knowing the problem through the interfering minerals or elements, the solution often is only the application of part of a former known practice as an auxiliary or additional feature. In the treatment plan for most gold ores, it has been the custom to try each of the usual recovery methods or combinations thereof, accepting the best results on a basis of the lowest cost. A better plan includes knowledge of the association of the gold and the various minerals from which it is to be recovered. This presents reasonable foresight into the problems that should be expected and permits some provision for avoiding probable difficulties. The preliminary work should include: Determination of the percentage of free gold with classification showing size of gold particles to be expected; determination of the percentage of gold associated with each mineral and whether it be freed from the mineral by crushing; and an analysis of representative samples of the ore to include other valuable minerals and the form in which they occur.

Jan 1, 1934

By Bhaskar B. Thapa, Christopher Laughton, Michael P. Bruen

At Fermilab, located in Batavia, Illinois, a 4,000-foot underground complex of tunnels and caverns is being excavated on a decline of six percent, at depths of up to350 ft, below grade. The site geology consists of dolomitic and shale formations overlain by glacial till. Since the start of construction in March 2000, work to date has concentrated on the excavation and support of the Target Hall cavern, which is characterized by a low rock cover and a final lining of shotcrete. Ground vibrations, noise levels, and rock movement were monitored during excavation by drill and blast methods to prevent damage to experimental facilities, impacts on surrounding communities, and to allow evaluation of cavern performance. The cavern design was based on a UDEC numerical analysis that was validated during construction by comparison to encountered conditions and measured cavern movements.

Jan 1, 2001

By Germán Ruíz

El presente texto describe el "Burn cut" o "corte quemado" como el método que genera un debilitamiento de la roca. Dicha facilidad deriva de la roca comprendida entre los huecos abiertos, donde los taladros cargados se debilitan fácilmente y se expanden dentro de los huecos abiertos. Entre las ventajas de este método tenemos que: permite un mayor avance aún en rocas duras, es de fácil perforación porque los taladros son paralelos y son pocas las rocas que vuelan después del disparo, lo que permite una mayor limpieza y seguridad. De otro lado, sus desventajas son: mayor consumo de explosivos, el desviado de los taladros puede causar el soplado del disparo y debido a la cercanía de los taladros en el corte, se puede producir los disparos por simpatía.

Nov 1, 1965

By Sylvain Duchesne, Claude Bazin, Robert Grant

Grinding simulators are now widely available to assist in the selection of circuit operating conditions or flowsheet designs that yield a given product size distribution. These simulators do not inform of the impact of the grinding product size distribution on subsequent flotation stages. This paper presents a method to predict the effect of fineness of grind on a flotation bank operation. Application of the method is illustrated with data from two Canadian concentrators.

Jan 1, 1995

By C. O. Brawner, J. Kalejta II

The classical approach to control rock fall and ravel in open pit mining has been to use catch benches. The width and volume of benches is most dependent on the bench height, size of loading equipment, blast damage to the face and mining regulations. This was compatible with open pit slopes of less than about 45°. As our understanding of rock mechanics and blasting control has improved over recent years, much steeper rock slopes can be developed at many open pit mines. However, narrower benches result with less rock fall capacity. The transportation industry has been very successful in using catch fences to protect highways throughout North America and Europe for years. The authors recommend that cable and ring net fences have a potential major application in open pit mining to allow steeper rock slopes with significant economic benefit. This paper outlines the application, design and operation of catch fences in surface mining for specific conditions. Typical case examples are presented.

Jan 1, 2002

This Bureau of Mines report concerns two subjects important in the application of electric power in mining systems. Electrical transients and their suppression are discussed, and several considerations are explored with regard to the use of explosionproof or other electrical enclosures.

Jan 1, 1979

By J. E. Hilliard, J. W. Cahn

In this paper it is suggested that the degree of contiguity (or contact) between adjacent grains be described by three parameters which can be rigorously determined from measurements on a random plane of polish. An expression is also derived for the number of contacts per unit volume and it is shown that this quantity can-not, in general, be estintated from measurements on a random plane. IN a recent contribution1 Gurland has proposed various parameters for describing the degree of contiguity (or contact) between grains of the same phase in an alloy. To relate these parameters to measurements on a random two-dimensional section, it was necessary in most cases to make some assumption about the form of the structure. Since Gurland was specifically interested in sintered carbide structures, he chose, quite reasonably, to assume that the grains were constant-size spheres and that all the intersections were flat areas of constant radius. Since, as we will show, the relationships between the parameters and the measurements are strongly dependent on the grain shape and size distribution, it is evident that these assump tions will not be satisfactory approximations for a

Jan 1, 1960

By Leo Behr

RECENT years have seen important practical advances in the construction of recording instruments for use with thermocouples. The difficulties of the problem will be appreciated when it is remembered that a 10° F. change in temperature of a base-metal couple at 1500° means a change in the electromotive force of about 0.00035 volt. In a circuit having a resistance of 350 ohms, this means a change in the current of 0.00000,1 amp.; and despite this requirement of great sensitivity the instruments must be sufficiently robust to withstand the rough usage which is so often their lot. Two methods are in common use for the measurement of the electromotive force produced by a thermocouple: 1. The milliammeter method, in which the current produced by the thermocouple in a circuit of known resistance is measured and from. this the electromotive force is deduced by Ohm's law. 2. The potentiometer method in which a known potential difference is opposed to the thermocouple electromotive force. The use of thermocouple and milliammeter for measuring temperature introduces some possible sources of error, for the reading depends on a number of factors, including the following: (1) Electromotive force set up at the hot junction, (2) electromotive force set up at the cold junction, (3) resistance of the circuit including thermocouple, lead wires, and meter, (4) field strength of magnets, (5) strength of controlling springs in meter, (6) friction at pivots, of pointer on paper, etc. It is obviously necessary to so design and maintain the installation that the reading is independent of all the factors except the first. The electromotive force set up at the cold junction can easily be taken care of provided it is constant. This has been approximately accomplished by burying the cold junction in the ground or actually secured by locating it in a container, the temperature of which is kept constant by means of a thermostat.

Jan 9, 1919

Ore petrology will fundamentally determine the types of metallurgical processes employed for ore treatment, their operational efficiency and the nature of processing problems encountered. It is therefore paramount that the petrological charact

Jan 1, 1998

By H. E. Mauck

The many factors that control bumping must be carefully studied for each coal seam where bumps occur, and specifications known to exclude bumping should be incorporated in the mining plans. This calls for complete knowledge of the seam's characteristics and its adjacent strata, and in many instances these characteristics are not revealed until the seam is actually mined. Pressure and shock bumps, the two general types, occur jointly and separately. In this discussion no differentiation will be made. Whether pressure or shock, they are treated as bumps, and both must be eliminated. Bumps in mines have occurred in several places throughout the coal fields of the world. A study of many of these occurrences indicates that geologic characteristics, development planning, and mining procedure have contributed. But more specifically, there are conditions usually associated with bumps: thickness of cover, strong strata directly on or above the seam, a tough floor or bottom not subject to heaving, mountainous terrain, stressed and steeply pitching beds, and the proximity of faults and other geologic structures. Mine planning should incorporate these known factors (not necessarily in order of importance): 1) Main panel entries should be limited to those absolutely necessary to ventilate and serve the mine. This reduces the span over which stresses may be set up that will later throw excessive pressures on barrier and chain pillars when they are being removed. 2) Barrier pillars should be as wide as practicable so that they will be strong enough to carry the loads thrown on them when final mining is being carried out. 3) Pillars should never be fully recovered on both sides of a main entry development if the barrier and chain pillars are to be removed later. The excessive pressures placed on the main chain and pillar barriers by arching of the gob areas can result in bumping when these barriers are being removed. 4) Full seam extraction is better accomplished by driving to the mine boundary and then retreat-drawing all pillars. If there are natural boundaries in the mine—such as faults, want areas, and valleys —retreat should be started there. 5) Pillars should be uniform in size and shape. The entire development of the mine should call for uniform blocks with entries driven parallel and perpendicular. Only angle break-throughs should be driven when necessary for haulage, etc. 6) For better distribution of rock stresses and reduction of carrying loads per unit area, both chain and barrier pillars should be developed with the maximum dimensions. 7) Pillars should be open-ended when recovered. If they are oblong, the short side should be mined first. Both sides of a block should not be mined simultaneously, but under no circumstance should the lifts be cut together. 8) Pillar sprags should not be left in mining. If they are not recoverable, they should be rendered incapable of carrying loads. 9) Pillar lines should be as short as practicable. (Three or four blocks are adequate). Experience has shown that rooms should be driven up and retreated immediately. The longer a room stands, the more unfavorable the mining conditions. This contributes to bumping. 10) Pillars should not be split in abutment zones (high stress areas lying close to mined out areas) and if slabbing is necessary, it should be open-ended. 11) Pillars should be recovered in a straight line. Irregular pillar lines will allow excessive pressures thrown on the jutting points. Experience has shown that the lead end of the pillar line can be slightly in advance. 12) Pillar lines should be extracted as rapidly as possible. This appears to lessen pressures on the line and render abutment zones less hazardous. 13) Extraction planning should call for large, continuous robbed out areas. Robbing out an area too narrow to get a major fall of the strata above the seam tends to throw excessive pressures on a pillar line. 14) Timbering in pillar areas should be adequate but not excessive. Too heavy timbering or cribbing is likely to retard roof falls and throw excessive weight on the pillar line. 15) Experience has shown that when pillar lines have retreated 800 to 1000 ft from the solid, bumps can occur. Because this distance may vary in different seams, impact stresses should be studied for each individual condition. In any event, extra precautions should be taken against bumps in this area. This list of controlling factors may or may not be complete. It probably is not, but it covers most of the problem's significant aspects. The question is whether or not bumping can be eliminated. The answer is that bumping can be minimized and possibly eliminated if these and other established factors are thoughtfully considered and incorporated in the mining and extraction plans. If a mine has already been developed or the pattern set so that little change can be made, then it will be necessary to adjust to the most nearly practicable system that can incorporate the known factors.

Jan 1, 1959

By L. D. Patts, J. D. Noll, S. E. Mischler, G. H. Schnakenberg

In this study, we evaluated the ambient diesel particulate matter (DPM) concentrations (at the intakes and exhausts of the mine) as the entire vehicle fleet of a stone mine switched from using 35% biodiesel to using a water emulsified fuel (PuriNOx). Elemental carbon (EC) was reduced by 45% when a PuriNOx blend containing 10% water replaced 35% biodiesel and by 57% when a PuriNOx blend containing 20% water was used. Other factors such as engine duty cycle and production changes could potentially cause some day-to-day EC fluctuations, and no direct comparison to commonly used dieselfuels (No. 1 or No. 2) was achieved. Therefore, a second study was performed in a controlled “isolatedzone” environment to fametal mine, comparing PuriNOxto No.1 diesel fuel in a load haul dump vehicle. The EC fraction of the DPM was reduced by about 71% when the PuriNOx blend containing 10% water was used and by about 85% when the PuriNOx blend containing 20% water was employed. This study did not determine how the water emulsified fuel would affect the engine or power.

The ore, as sent to the sulphide mill, is a mixture, in varying proportions, of oxidized ore from above the 450-ft. level and sulphide ore from above and below (to date mainly from above) that level. The oxidized ore consists essentially of quartz, with varying amounts of kaolin and clayey material which passes into the slime and, in excess, creates a serious problem in settling. Pyrite may be present in small amounts. The gold is free and extremely fine.The ore, classed as sulphide, consists of pyritic material in a quartz gangue. The sulphides have been exposed to weathering, leaching by descending solutions and attack by ascending gases and actual burning. The alteration products occur in widely varying proportions and this variation adds to the difficulties in settling and control of grinding and flotation.Copper Minerals.-Chalcopyrite is the principal copperbearing mineral with smaller and varying amounts of covellite, which is sometimes associated with chalcocite, both these minerals being apparently of secondary origin.Examination of tailing by Dr. Stillwell has revealed all stages between clean chalcopyrite, chalcopyrite tinged with covellite, covellite with residual cores of chalcopyrite and clean covellite.The chalcopyrite is free floating, very few particles of clean chalcopyrite being observed in the tailing from granular flotation. The chief tailing loss is probably as chalcopyrite occurring as small inclusions in pyrite...

Jan 1, 1939

By L. F. Heising

This report is a general summary of pertinent data on the manufacture and use of synthetic ammonia products. It provides a condensed summary of the potentialities of a synthetic ammonia industry in North Dakota for Federal, State, and private organizations that may be interested in helping to develop an integrates synthetic ammonia and fertilizer industry. The report contains discussions of: (1) Materials used in the manufacture of nitrogenous fertilizers, nitric acid, and urea; (2) National production, imports, exports, and consumption; (3) the ammonia industry, location, capacity of plants; (4) processes used in manufacturing synthetic ammonia, nitric acid, and urea; (5) other potential industries; and (6) analyses of manufaturing and plant cosh;. Additional information on industrial compounds from ammonia and plant nutrients removed by crops is given in Appendixes 1 and 2. Synthetic ammonia is one of the primary ingredients in fertilizers. Resources required in synthetic ammonia manufacture are available in North Dakota. Hydrogen is available from the petroleum and natural gas resources, particularly in the Williston Basin, and from the large lignite resources in the State. Hydrogen can be produced from lignite by a gasification process developed by the Bureau of Mines at Grand Forks, N. Dak.

Jan 1, 1954

By L. W. Saperstein

In this paper, a number of novel hypotheses that provide a fresh perspective on the characterization of strata movements associated with longwall mining are developed by analyzing subsidence measurements with an influence-function-based computer program. Using an inverse application of the traditional influence-function technique, easily obtained surface displacements are used to analyze some of the complicated, expensive, and difficult-to- measure movements of the intermediate roof strata in a longwall panel. The primary hypothesis developed by this analysis proposes the existence of an area of partial roof caving near the edge of a panel called the "edge effect." A secondary hypothesis, interrelated with the first, promotes the importance of the effect of gate-entry closure on the observed strata movements. Both the primary edge-effect hypothesis and the secondary hypothesis concerning gate-entry closure are justified and quantified in an extensive analysis of surface subsidence that uses supporting information from related theories, design criteria, and in situ measurements. Next, the edge effect and the gate closure hypotheses are extended further and used to provide an explanation of the complex subsidence interaction of adjacent longwall panels in what is termed a "redisturbed" effect. Finally, the importance of accurately understanding these longwall strata movements for proper subsidence prediction or gate design is stressed.

Jan 1, 1988

By Lumley G. I, Duffy W. J

The risk involved with incorporating new/unfamiliar technology into mines has, in the past, largely been evaluated by the supplier of the technology. The implications on safety and productivity has been accepted as part of the process of `getting up and running'.This has changed. As companies see the lost productivity and accidents actually costing significant dollars, risk assessment is becoming an important part of the implementation of new equipment. Regulatory authorities are also seeing the preventable incidents and in some cases are now requiring a risk assessment to be undertaken on new equipment at a Mine.

Jan 1, 1992

By D A. Edmunds

The most important development that has been taking place recently relating to mining operations in New Zealand would generally be regarded as being the Resource Management Law Reform. This has been widely publicised by the Government as a comprehensive review of the laws governing New Zealand's natural and physical resources. Submissions have been sought and a free phone provided to encourage public participation. Recently a Discussion Paper has been prepared by the Core Group coordinating the review to explain progress on Phase One (Ministry for the Environment, Directions for Change: A Discussion Paper, Wellington 1988). It outlines Government decisions already taken which impinge on the Review and describes the possible models for resource management laws. However, it is possible that some fundamental practical issues of significance to the mining industry will not be addressed and may be lost sight of in the much wider issues which are to be covered. The purpose of our paper is to address one of these issues namely, the interrelationship between any new resource management legislation and the Conservation Act 1987 (as recently amended) in the context of Ministerial consents. The importance of this issue can be seen from the fact that as at 7 June 1988 there were 279 mining licence applications and 223 prospecting licence applications waiting to be determined by the Minister of Conservation. Since April 1987 only 19 mining and 13 prospecting licences have been consented to. In addition a major proportion of New Zealand's mineral resources are contained with land administered by the Department.

Jan 1, 1988

By Alberto Benavides

El presente texto señala los aspectos geológicos de la ocurrencia de la plata en el Perú a través de un cuadro donde se muestra las principales producciones peruanas en orden ascendente, así como se analiza la ubicación de estos yacimientos como la importancia de estos en la historia y actualidad. Fuera de estos grupos tenemos: Quiruvilca, Alianza,Yauricocha, Santa Luisa Pachapaqui, Cacachara y San Juan de Lucanas.

Jan 1, 1984

The mining industry continues to be a major driver of the Australian economy generating over A$130 billion in export earnings in 2008/2009. However, the industry has been cited as a significant contributor to green house gas emissions. Australia's proposed carbon trading scheme, the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS) will financially impact on mining operations; this calls for a holistic planning approach for mining operations taking into account the impact of the emissions trading scheme. Since carbon trading is a new area of study, particularly within Australia, the quantitative effect of the CPRS on the mining industry is uncertain and current mine planning practices do not directly consider emissions. This paper presents results of the study into the impact of the CPRS on a hypothetical large scale open pit operation, using a spreadsheet model based on linear programming and simulation. By varying the production rates, life of mine (LOM), carbon price and ore grades among other variables several scenarios were simulated to determine the impact of emissions trading scheme on the net present value of the project. This study found that the adoption of the proposed Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme could impact mining operations in Australia by a three per cent to six per cent reduction in net present value, for carbon credit costs of $25/t to $50/t respectively. While the six per cent reduction in net present value for a mining operation is significant, rising fuel prices have had a similar effect in recent years. The most energy-intensive processes are the milling circuit and the flotation concentrator circuit. These processes are jointly responsible for up to 60 per cent of the total emissions, depending on the production rate and the level of offshore processing conducted. Clearly, the introduction of the CPRS makes it is imperative for mining companies to assess the impact of carbon emissions on a mining project during mine planning.

Dec 6, 2010

By Taiping Lou

The effects of slag composition, additive agents, and heat treatment conditions on the perovskite (CaO ? TiO2) crystal morphology, the precipitation behavior, the crystal growth and the volume fraction (VF) in the Ti-bearing blast furnace slags were investigated. The morphology of perovskite is dispersed dendriform in molten slags. The crystal growth mechanism of the remelting of fine dendrites and the coarsening of larger grains exists throughout the solidification of molten slags. With the temperature decrease, the VF was increased and Perovskite transformed from fine dendrites to coarsening ones or equiaxed grains. The lower cooling rate can increase the VF and coarsen the grain obviously, while higher cooling rate will decrease the VF and reduce the average equivalent diameter (AED) of Perovskite. When .increasing the content of CaO and Fe20}, the VF can increase obviosly. However, high basicity will give rise to the increasing of viscosity of slag, which result in the reducing of the AED. The experimental results showed that additive CaF2 and MnO can efficiently decreased the viscosity of the slags, and obviously improved the morphology of perovskite and promote growth.

Jan 1, 2000