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By Emil Szaks

[A great number of papers have been presented at various Engineering Society meetings on the Unit Train subject. Moat are descriptions of facilities that have been constructed or are abort to be built. Many describe the facility as being the World's fastest, newest, largest, incorporating the latest technology and so forth, Many are duplications of installations that have been recently constructed, sort of carbon copies but perhaps arranged differently. The trend has been to incorporate loop tracks, rotary dumpers, indexers and, of course, the snivel coupler equipped unit train. How that the energy crisis has increased the use of coal, there has been a tremendous Increase in applications for permits to construct rail to river coal loading facilities. This paper is different. It does not describe any single existing facility, but is given to alert prospective terminal owners and engineers that there are items that require considerable study and evaluation beside merely selecting an indexer, car dumper, stacker, ship or berg loader and so on. An important item is the selection of the railway car which in turn can affect the selection of the method of loading and unloading. Let us list a few of the items that should be considered and discuss the areas that require examination:]

Jan 1, 1979

By J. W. LaComb

High speed cameras were used to view the behavior of underground openings during the passage of ground shock generated by an underground nuclear detonation. Movies from these experiments were shown and a general discussion of the media properties, ground support utilized, and general information gained was presented. A brief discussion of "hardening techniques" developed to protect underground openings from the dynamic effects of a nuclear explosion was included. No manuscript received

Jan 1, 1979

By Donald W. Gentry

Mine valuation is a multifaceted, interdisciplinary process by which the economic viability of an old, existing, or new mining property or venture is determined. The problems associated with arriving at a representative and accurate value for a mining property are complex and numerous, and the procedures utilized in determining these values vary from simple, back-of-envelope calculations to sophisticated mathematical manipulations requiring computer modeling and analysis. Regardless of the complexity or the degree of sophistication associated with any particular project, the evaluation process must ultimately provide management with two basic types of information. First, the evaluation process should indicate whether or not the mining project is economically viable after careful consideration of all engineering, environmental, geologic, and other variables pertaining to the project. Second, the evaluation process should provide management in- formation on the relative attractiveness of the project when compared to other alternatives. In some cases, it may be extremely difficult to supply this information for a project directly. Nonetheless, the evaluation process should and must present all information necessary in a format which can be incorporated into the decision-making process as expeditiously as possible.

Jan 1, 1979

By D. Moffat

Rio Algom Limited has mined uranium at Elliot Lake, Ontario for 20 years. The production of this energy-generating element results in the need to dispose of low-level radioactive solid wastes and liquid effluents. Because of the wet-temperate climate at Elliot Lake, the liquid effluents are of particular importance. Radium-226 is the isotope which requires most attention, and the current practice for its control is by addition of barium chloride and retention of the resultant precipitates in large settling ponds. Analyses of typical effluents and waste streams are discussed and typical levels of radium-226, thorium-230, thorium-232, thorium-228, lead-2iO, polonium-2iO, and uranium isotopes are presented.

Jan 1, 1979

By Martin C. Jones

INTRODUCTION This paper outlines the methods used to drill and pregrout prior to the excavation of five Mine Shafts in the Coal Measures of the Eastern United States. One example is the use of cement pregrouting of four 240 meter deep shafts and the second is the use of chemical pregrouting of a 360 meter deep shaft. These two examples will be compared and contrasted, both at the investigation stage of each project, and during the drilling and pregrouting itself, to illustrate the different approaches taken and how these affected the outcome, both technically and economically. INVESTIGATION FOR 240 METER SHAFTS In the case of the four 240 meter shafts, site investigation was carried out prior to bid, and information was made available by the Client in the form of a report. This report was based on pressure testing of NQ cored boreholes at each shaft site. Pressure testing was repeated two or more times, at each test setting, using 345 or 690 kPa of water pressure in accordance with the procedure outlined by the U. S. Bureau of Reclamation. Flow readings were taken every minute over a period of ten minutes. Maximum computed permeabilities, for the strata which accepted water under test for the shafts, carried between 1.0 x 10-6 m/s and 3.0 x 10-6 m/s, and total calculated seepages varied between 170' litres/minute to 3891 litres/minute. Although these figures did not indicate an excessive amount of seepage, the Client decided that pregrouting should be carried out, and chemical grouting was not discussed, even though the test permeabilities indicated the use of cement grout would be limited in this case.

Jan 1, 1979

Depending upon the probability one assigns to project go-ahead, up to $10 billion (1978 figures) could be required for resource based projects in Australia in the next decade. In the past major resource projects were readily financeable against sales contracts. In the future the complexities imposed by such matters as political risk, inflation, currency movements and environmental and other socio- economic considerations on project development costs and returns may require a different approach. This paper addresses itself to the ramifications of providing development finance for resource based projects in the future - and in particular examines such factors as project completion guarantees, sales contracts, protection against exchange rate fluctuations, interest rate structures and debt/equity ratios as each relates to the provision of finance. TABLE OF CONTENTS SECTION 1 : Introduction SECTION 2 Factors Affecting Project Financing in the Next Decade SECTION 3 Some Aspects of Financing New Projects in Australia in the 1980's Conclusion

Jan 1, 1979

By Walter W. Kaufman

This report summarizes a study conducted to determine the state of the art of various rock removal systems and their capabilities. The Objective of the study was to determine if currently manufactured equipment can adequately accomplish rock removal in surface mine reclamation applications. Evaluations of state reclamation regulations, with regard to topsoil rock content, were made to determine the rock removal requirements. The major categories of equipment studied are rock pickers and rock rakes. The impact of rock removal implementation on the reclamation operations is discussed in detail.

Jan 1, 1979

By J. N. Tomlinson

Trailing-cable splices are evaluated for moisture exclusion abilities after repeated travel over shuttle-car sheave wheels. Tests are conducted on cables with jackets made of neoprene, cholrosulphonated polyethylene (CSPE), and nitrile butadiene-polyvinyl chloride (NBR-PVC) to 50° C. The results show that some splice kits are effective as received, others are improved with minor but significant changes, and still others must be redesigned to be effective in underground applications. Laboratory results are compared with actual underground splice results. Recommendations for cable preparation prior to splicing are presented.

Jan 1, 1979

1. TRAINING IN ENGINEERING WORK FOR ENGINEERS IN TRAINING 1.1 Registration as engineer in training An engineering graduate who has passed an examination recognised by the Council1 is eligible for registration as an engineer in training in terms of the Professional Engineers' Act2. Application forms can be obtained from the Registrar.

Jan 1, 1979

By Wilhelm Knickmeyer, Johannes Henneke

PREFACE For about 1 year Bergbau-Forschung GmbH, central research institute of the German Coal Mining Industry, undertakes full size tests for waterjet assisted tunnel¬boring in German coal mines (Fig. 1). These tests are performed with a tunnelborer of 2.6 m diam in an upper [ ]

Jan 1, 1979

By Jorgen Elbrond

The mineral industry shares a particularity- heterogeneity-with the other primary industries exploiting nature such as agriculture, fisheries, and forestry, which may not be found in the secondary industries, In the mineral industry heterogeneity is evident both in the raw material, the ore in situ, and in the working conditions. Mining engineering, which encompasses the tools for designing mine production systems, is mostly an assembly of the other branches of engineering and applied science. The assemblage's goal is to arrive at an optimal production system. As such, mining engineering is similar to systems engineering. The technique for the development of systems-mine production systems or mining operations -is operations research with its succession of activities: observations, modeling, experimentation, and verification. Comparisons among alternative systems are highly desirable during the development phase of a mining operation as well as during later phases where modifications, ameliorations, and expansions are carried out on the existing system. The role of the independent consultant in systems design and development lies in the collection and breadth of experiences from modeling and model verification in other operations, which he can add to a new system's development and thus in- crease its credibility with management.

Jan 1, 1979

By Richard D. Call

Data obtained from development drilling provide the basic input for open pit mine planning and design. Development drilling is defined as delineation of the size, mineral content, and disposition of an ore body by drilling boreholes (Thrush, 1968). The objectives of development drilling are: ( 1 ) determining the geometry of the mineralization, ( 2 ) determining the grade and tonnage, , ( 3 ) obtaining samples for metallurgical testing, and ( 4 ) obtaining geotechnical data for mine design. To accomplish these objectives, an appropriate drilling plan must include the number of holes, the spacing and orientation of the holes, and a suitable data collection program. The data collection program covers sample collection, hole logging, and data presentation. This chapter will present some guidelines for development drilling and data collection techniques. The operational aspects of drilling will be covered in an- other chapter.

Jan 1, 1979

By Peter G. Sechiari

The Rio Tinto-Zinc Corporation Limited (RTZ), through it exploration company Riofinex, commenced exploration for bauxite in the Amazonia region of Brazil during 1970. Following' encouraging indications, exploration licences were taken out and an exploration programme was initiated In February 1975, a preliminary 'feasibility report indicated that a project, based on the Miltonia plateau located close to the town of Paragominas in the State of Para, was viable and that barging might offer an economic solution to getting the product to an ocean-going port. A, decision was taken in April 1975 to proceed with a full feasibility study. In the latter stages of the study, an engineering consortium of Mendes Junior and Bechtel do Brasil was employed to review, and modify if necessary, the concepts that RTZ had developed for the project's operation. With these concepts agreed, the consortium was requested to make capital and operating cost estimates, and these became available during February 1978. The deposit is being developed by a Brazilian company Mineracao Vera Cruz S.A. (MVC) in which the present share-holding is owned 64 percent by RTZ and 36 percent by Companhia Vale do Rio Doce (CVRD). RTZ is a British based international group of mining and industrial companies with interests in almost every major metal and fuel. CVRD is a Brazilian mining company, 85 percent owned by the Brazilian Government, with a major interest in iron ore and also other non-ferrous metals. It is intended, in due course, that the company will become majority owned by Brazilian interests.

Jan 1, 1979

By R. H. Heinen

Introduction Drilling is the initial operating step In open pit mining. It goes hand-in-hand with the blasting operations to ensure adequately broken material for the excavation equipment employed. The drilling effectiveness is highly dependent on the quality of the drill evaluation. This discussion will center on the parameters that are needed to evaluate drill requirements for a new mine The procedure that is generated can, however, be used to evaluate whether to expand existing operations and replace existing equipment. Methods of breaking ground, other than blasthole drilling and blasting, such as ripping, will not be discussed. The importance of correct drill evaluation extends to the other facets of open pit mining. Inadequate fragmentation, the direct result of poor drilling and blasting techniques, results in oversized, hard digging for the excavating equipment. The result is higher secondary blasting costs, reduced excavation efficiencies, higher excavation costs, higher road repair costs, and higher haulage equipment costs. The main objective of evaluating drill fleet requirements, therefore, is to determine the equipment needed to minimize the operational constraints, caused by blasthole drilling, on other facets of open pit mining at the lowest cash flow costs.

Jan 1, 1979

By Edward L. Mooney

The past 15 years has .seen a dramatic increase in the use of computers in the mining industry. Sanford (1) has provided a comprehensive listing of available programs by application within the mining industry as a whole. Figure 1 below illustrates some of the primary uses and computer techniques currently in application in surface coal mines. As shown in Figure 1, computers have been applied to virtually every facet of surface mine development and operation. In particular, many programs presently exist to significantly reduce the time and effort required during the, planning and design phase of a surface mine. Close examination of the approach taken to utilize existing programs, however, reveals that in most instances applications have been implemented piecemeal with the result that users must be fairly sophisticated in their knowledge of computer applications.

Jan 1, 1979

By Donald G. Wieland, James H. Meinholz

INTRODUCTION The Milwaukee, Wisconsin Metropolitan Area provides an ideal opportunity to review the advancement of the art and science of mixed face tunneling in the past 65 years. Although there were earlier tunnel projects in the Milwaukee area, by other agencies, the majority of those driven in the Twentieth Century have been done under contract with the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District through the agency of the Sewerage Commission of the City of Milwaukee and the Metropolitan Sewerage Commission of the County of Milwaukee. Legal Description of District The Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District was created by the Wisconsin Legislature in 1921 together with the Metropolitan Sewerage Commission of the County of Milwaukee. This concept of subregional wastewater control was an outgrowth of an investigation and report from a commission appointed by the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee in 1909 to study final sewage disposal for the City. In 1911 that Commission, comprised of J. W. Alvord, George C. Whipple and Harrison P. Eddy, recommended that the City construct a water filtration plant, construct a Menomonee River flushing works, expand the intercepting sewer system and, after a thorough study of the then existing and developing methods of sewage treatment, construct a sewage treatment plant. In response to those recommendations, the Wisconsin Legislature, in Chapter 608 of the Laws of 1913, created the Sewerage Commission of the City of Milwaukee. Recognizing that the improvement of surface water quality would require action on a watershed basis, the Legislature, in Chapters 554 and 590. of the Laws of 1921, created the

Jan 1, 1979

By L. H. Wullstein

Bureau of Mines research on methods for reclaiming land disturbed by the minerals sector of the economy has produced a specific procedure for effectively germinating seed of Indian ricegrass, a drought-tolerant plant valuable for reclaiming arid and semiarid sites. This report describes the procedure which consists of acid-treating the seed followed by temperature and light cycling treatments. Use of the procedure resulted in an average germination rate of 29 percent, ranging from 18 to 56 percent. Seed subjected to long cold treatment but with acid treatment yielded an average germination rate of 9.2 percent, ranging from 6.6 to 14.7 percent. Untreated seeds (controls) gave germination rates less than 0.1 percent.

Jan 1, 1979

By M. L. Jeremic

Altered and unaltered coal from the Star-Key Mine near Edmonton, Alberta has been tested under compression and under tension. The test results showed that altered coal samples have an appreciably lower strength than unaltered coal. Altered coal samples do not give a linear load-displacement curve, peak strengths are poorly defined and yielding is observed over a range of loads, so the material can be regarded as relatively plastic. However, unaltered coal samples produce a linear loading curve with a high tangential modulus and an easily distinguished peak strength at which there is a sudden brittle failure. These findings lead to important differences in the theoretical design of ribs and pillars in underground mines in the two coal types. The substantial differences in the strength properties and behaviour of the two types of coal are governed by a higher intensity of cracks in the weathered coal. Two causes of the additional cracking can be suggested-subaerial weathering and subterranean weathering of the coal.

Jan 1, 1979

By Lucien Duckstein

The purpose of this paper is to give recommendations for utilization of water resources in a mining region, considering also water supply and environment; the case study of mining for coal and bauxite under the karstic aquifer of the Transdanubian mountain of Hungary is used to illustrate the approach, which consists in formulating a static multiobjective control model and solving it by compromise programming. The three activities of regional mineral resource exploitation, water supply and environmental protection are represented by different objectives which cannot be expressed in commensuerable units. Thus, a solution which is optimal for one objective is usually far from being optimal with respect to the other two objectives. As a result, we are not seeking an optimal solution for the conjunctive regional system, but a good compromise, trade-off or "satisfactum" (1), (2).

Jan 1, 1979

By Sivalingam Jeevan, R. L. McConnell

Ground check monitors may be made in several configurations. Each type has unique characteristics and provides different safety attributes when applied to different mine situations. In this paper, the monitor types are discussed in relation to the mine situations. It is shown that the selection of the monitor type can have a significant effect on the safety of the resistance grounded power system. The options are discussed, and the conclusion is drawn that only one monitor configuration can provide maximum safety. Unfortunately no monitors of this configuration are presently available. In addition, when the monitor capabilities and ground wire configurations are considered as a system, it can be shown that certain configurations will lead to maximum safety. This work was supported by U.S. Bureau of Mines grant G0144138.

Jan 1, 1979