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By Grigori Abramov

Borehole Mining (BHM) is a remotely operated underground and underwater method of extracting (mining) mineral resources by high-pressure water jets. It can be carried-out from the land surface, open pit floor, underground mine and floating platform or vessel. The method is currently in use in mining and exploration of such natural resources and industrial materials as: uranium, iron ore, quartz sand, gravel, coal, poly-metallic ores, phosphate, gold, diamonds, rare earths, amber and several more. Yet another application of Borehole mining technology is construction of subsurface collectors, ground walls and storage for compressed or liquefied gases, oil and other products.

By J. B. Edwards

"The case is presented for the use of simulators for the computer-based training (CBT) of mining plant operators and for introducing them to automatically controlled systems. As well as their use in the classroom, the role of simulators is examined for ""on-plant"" use in trouble-shooting, fault-finding and maintenance of automatic systems. Case studies are presented showing how specific simulators are becoming established or have potential in the areas of automated materials handling, machine testing, setup and guidance. The evolution of scientific simulations into simulators of widespread practical use is discussed and present-day limitations of computer speed and graphics are considered. Related areas of research for the Canadian Centre for Automation and Robotics in Mining (CCARM) are identified.IntroductionCCARM's Commitment to Simulator DevelopmentAs automation is progressively developed and exploited in mining operations, there arises an urgent need to educate and train staff responsible for its introduction and operation in our mines and for its maintenance. For this purpose , an essential ingredient of an automation program is the development of appropriate mining system simulators for use by a wide variety of personnel. The author has been fortunate to have been closely involved with the development of automatic control systems for a variety of mining machines and mining systems in the United Kingdom. A key ingredient of the research phase in each case has been the use of simulation techniques. As projects have moved toward their commissioning and exploitation phase, the simulations have evolved into simulators tailored for use by machine operators and maintenance personnel. Illustrative case studies are presented later. The researach of the newly constituted Canadian Centre for Automation and Robotics in Mining (CCARM) will likewise involve extensive simulation, and the development of simulators (from the scientific programs) for use at the mine by operators and technicians will be given high priority in the Centre's over-all work program."

Jan 1, 1990

By D. Mudd, G. Robertson

"Ask an average non-industry person on the street “What is coal? What is coal mining? What is a coal miner?” The most common answers are coal is something Santa puts in your stocking for being naughty, coal mining is destroying the earth causing global warming, and a coal miner is a person that uses a pick and shovel to dig coal out of the earth. As farfetched as these answers seem, unfortunately this is the opinion of many Americans. Realizing the lack of educational opportunity regarding coal and coal mining, a first-of-its-kind grassroots coal education program known as CEDAR (Coal Education Development and Resource) was created. What started from a general conversation at the December 1992 North Carolina Coal Institute (NCCI) Winter Meeting at the Mid Pines Club in Southern Pines, North Carolina led to the creation, and later expansion of, CEDAR. NCCI President, Gene McBurney, challenged John Justice, NCCI Board Member from east Kentucky, to come up with an idea of how to improve the image of the coal industry, pledging $5,000 from the NCCI as seed money to assist in the development of any such program. John then met with the leaders of Coal Operators and Associates, Inc., (COA) in Pikeville, KY where they agreed to match the NCCI commitment, as well as to assist in the program’s development. After further meetings with representatives from industry, business, and the local school system, CEDAR, Inc. (of east KY) was born. The first year of implementation, the program offered coal education programs to public and private schools in one county in east Kentucky. Although it started in the coalfields of eastern Kentucky, it certainly did not end there. After an amazingly successful first year of the program, it didn’t take long for industry leaders in the western Kentucky coal-fields to learn about, and take note of this new, unique, and exciting program that provided opportunities for teachers and students to learn, “the rest of the story” about the coal industry. Through the joint efforts of Costain Coal, and the Western Kentucky Coal Association, CEDAR of West Kentucky, Inc. was formed in 1994, and has operated since that time, except for the two year period from 2004-2006. The program restarted in 2006 under the name of CEDAR West, Inc. and continues to be offered in six western Kentucky counties."

Jan 1, 2015

By Elmer Peña Matta

Un estudio anterior sobre la mena Pb. Zn en la concentradora de Paragsha determinó que los finos encontrados en la alimentación de los molinos, se podía separar, evitando la remolienda y la alimentación directa del ciclón, para luego obtener los productos destinados a la flotación y molienda, respectivamente. En este sentido, el objetivo del texto, radica en mostrar los resultados del uso de los cedazos DSM en los molinos primarios, asi como el proceso de la adaptación del mismo. El acondicionamiento de los cedazos DSM es un proceso que permite recibir alimentación de una faja transportadora y descargar su cajón de alimentación original, que está diseñado para la descarga de la bomba. De forma que la aplicación de los cedazos DSM es factible en menas que no necesitan molienda, donde se aumenta la capacidad en el equipo de la molienda, se mejora la clasificación de los productos, y surgen nuevas perspectivas de incrementar la metalurgia, especialmente en especies friables. Asimismo la ubicación de un cedazo DSM varía de acuerdo a la necesidad, sea la entrada de molinos, ciclones, descargas de molinos de varillas, bombas con productos por clasificar, equipos de heavy medium, etc.

Jul 20, 1960

By Deepak Vidyarthi

This paper deals with various measures adopted in protecting a conveyor duct (named after a Conveyor Belt that was numbered as ‘02’) housing a 1600 mm (63 inches) belt conveyor system in a large, heavily mechanized open cast iron ore mine, producing about 20.0 million tones of ore per annum.

Jan 1, 2008

By G. Kosick, G. Dobby

CEET, an acronym for Comminution Economic Evaluation Tool, was jointly developed by MinnovEX Technologies Inc. and 13 major mining companies for the purpose of designing and predicting the performance of grinding circuits. It fundamentally differs from other methods by using as its’ data set a geostatistically significant population of hardness data distributed across the mine block model. Historically the characterization of an orebody for the purpose of either designing a grinding circuit or predicting the performance of an existing circuit has been done with a relatively limited number of discrete samples. In addition to power selection, shell sizing, and costing for multiple circuit options, CEET also outputs tons per hour, P80, and operating cost on every mining block for subsequent integration back into the block model. This paper will provide an overview of what CEET is and how it works.

Jan 1, 2001

By P. R. A. Andrews, R. K. Collings

"There are more than thirty-five deposits or occurrences of celestite in Canada, chiefly in Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Ontario and British Columbia. Deposits of economic interest are the Lake Enon and MacRae deposits in the Loch Lomond district of Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. Two Cape Breton deposits were operated from 1969 to 1976 by Kaiser Celestite Mining Limited, which supplied an upgraded celestite concentrate to an associated strontium carbonate plant at Point Edward, near Sydney.The MacRae deposit is of current interest because of its possible development for strontium carbonate production using the ""black ash"" process. This process involves chemical leaching, rotary kiln calcining with petroleum coke, washing and treatment with carbon dioxide.Celestite is the basic material used in the manufacture of strontium chemicals, principally strontium oxide, carbonate, nitrate, chromate, chlorate, chloride, sulphide and phosphate. Strontium chemicals, in turn, are used in the manufacture of glass and ceramics, in pyrotechnic devices, in the production of strontium metal and in other metallurgical applications. Recently, strontium ferrites have been introduced into permanent ceramic magnets."

Jan 1, 1991

By Joussemet R, Fabre F

The paragenesis of the Escuzar Mine (Andalusia-Spain) comprises: ò major constituents: celestite and carbonated minerals (abundant calcite and less frequent strontianite). ò minor constituents: sulphates (gypsum and anhydrite), clays and some iron oxides and hydroxides. The average content is at about 60 per cent SrSO4. Since liberation size was fine (from 30 to 50 ¦m), the flotation method was chosen. Laboratory batch tests have shown the relevance of using alkylsulphates with as long as possible hydrocarbon chains. The recovery obtained led to an expected 95 per cent SrSO4 concentrate with nearly 70 per cent recovery. Pilot plant tests (160 kg/h) have confirmed these results and attained a recovery of more than 65 per cent of a 96 per cent SrSO4 concentrate. Extrapolation to the industrial scale (14 t/h) has been successfully carried out : up to 600 t of a concentrate at more than 95 per cent SrSO4 has been obtained. Non optimised recovery has already reached 60 per cent for a 97 per cent SrSo4 concentrate.

Jan 1, 1993

By Roland Kammel

For electrolytic recovery of silver from dilute aqueous solutions improved mass transfer is necessary to achieve favourable current efficiencies and high space-time yields. The many cell designs proposed for this application can be divided into two different groups: cells from which the silver must be redissolved and cells from which the deposit can be reclaimed as a metal. Introduction Electrolytic silver recovery methods have proven advantageous under technical and economic aspects for the treatment of rinse water, still rinses and spent silver solutions in the electroplating and surface finishing industry, of exhausted fixing baths from photographic processing, bleed electrolytes from silver refining processes and leach liquors. Examples of the compositions of typical dilute silver solutions are listed in Table I.

Jan 1, 1984

By J. de Visser, J. A. Davis

Since the mid 1970's, development of zinc electrowinning (EW) facilities has out-paced its counterparts in the copper and nickel electrowinning industries in the design of efficient, compact, and automated production plants. Recent advances in process automation have provided opportunities to increase current efficiency, productivity and cathode quality, while reducing the footprint of the plant and the number of operating personnel working on top of the cells. Usually, the practice has been to allow a totally contaminated building structure, combining the plant ventilation system with the process cooling air. As a result, facilities employing this practice are finding difficult to meet their process design criteria and the stringent labor and environmental requirements. This paper provides an overview of the problems and disadvantages associated with these older process designs. It also describes new developments in ventilation systems, particularly building design developments and cost savings that are possible when improved ventilation systems are introduced into efficient process operations. Lead-

Jan 1, 2000

By C. -G. Zhang

This paper presents the results of a study on cellular acclimation of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans to sulfur biooxidation in terms of cells growth and changes in surface properties and morphologies of both cells and sulfur particles. The results showed that A. ferrooxidans cells were grown faster and demonstrated higher concentration in the soluble thiosulfate substrate than in nonsoluble hydrophobic S0 substrate. The results showed that A. ferrooxidans cells acclimated to the sulfur biooxidation by actively expressing some extracellular polymers substance and maybe some outer membrane proteins that modified the surface properties of both sulfur particles and the cells themselves. In addition, the results showed that the A. ferrooxidans cells were able to dynamically adsorb to or desorb from the surface of sulfur particles. The cells aggregating onto the S0 surface enhanced the use of S0 substrate by the bacteria cells. This mode may be one of the most important characteristics for the better growth and propagation of the cells in solid sulfur-containing media.

Jan 1, 2009

By Yan Beygelzimer, Alexander Spuskanyuk, Victor Varyukhin

"A cellular model of the plastic deformation of polycrystalline aggregate is proposed and comprehensively described. Representative volume element (RVE) of a solid body, that is being deformed, is described as a population of interconnected units that, in turn, can consist of lower scale level units. Sliding along the various allowed sliding systems deforms simple units, which do not have an internal structure. For consideration of stress distribution within the limits of components, the approach of self-consistent field is used. Rotation of units and moment stresses connected with it are taken into account. Results of computer experiments are analyzed.1. IntroductionMicromechanical models of polycrystals are a link between the research of plastic deformation on micro and macro levels. Computer simulation of inelastic strain of polycrystals has found a great deal of interest as well. Despite the fact that this approach does not allow to obtain macroscopic constitutive relationships that are used in deformed solid body mechanics, it clarifies essential features of the phenomena in many aspects. First of all, it concerns effects stipulated by interdependence of micro-level and macro level of plastic deformation processes. Also, with the computing mechanics, instead of constitutive relationships, the adequate computer models can be used. Broad possibilities for computer simulation of various processes are opened by cellular automata approach. By means of numerical experiments, the cellular automata allows to study the macro behavior of the whole ensemble of cells depending on the local microscopic laws that define evolution of each cell and its interaction with the closest environment.We propose a mathematical model of a polycrystalline aggregate (the cellular model) based on a self-consistent scheme and on the interaction law similar to the one by Berveiller and Zaoui [1]. Our original solution is the self-similar structure of cellular automata that allows modeling of the fractal nature of real materials (Figure 1). The goals of this work are to present the major structures and relations of cellular model of polycrystal and to test this model for its adequacy as for describing known effects and dependencies. Identification of the model and its application for studying of concrete polycrystals are put aside for the future research."

Jan 1, 2001

By Jr. Napolitano, Jr. Sanders

"Morphological evolution of a dendritic growth front in a binary alloy is simulated using a cellular automaton approach to establish the feasibility of modeling such growth with a local rule-based scheme. The motivation for this work is derived from the need to predict the development of solidification structures within real components of complex geometry, where significant constraint of the thermal and solutal fields may exist. Such cases present complex boundaries and large domain sizes, which may preclude the effective use of more conventional methods. In this work, a model is presented which couples a two-dimensional alternate-direction-implicit finite-difference diffusion solution with a cellular automaton growth algorithm to simulate morphological evolution in alloys solidifying under directional growth conditions. Temperature, composition, and interface curvature are incorporated into a local growth potential which is used by the automaton, allowing the interface to evolve. Alloy solidification is simulated over a range of experimental conditions, producing various structures. Issues addressed include morphological instability, primary spacing selection, interface curvature, microsegregation, and tip conditions.IntroductionThe development of dendritic structure plays an essential role in alloy solidification. Virtually every microstructural feature, within a cast alloy component, is related to the interface morphology present during solidification. Conventional solidification theory, describing dendrite tip kinetics and mushy zone phenomena, provides a means for estimating overall microstructural parameters for an alloy solidified under steady-state conditions. Microstructural prediction for actual components, which are finite in size and complex in geometry, requires a description of the evolution of the interface morphology under transient conditions and geometrical constraint and an understanding of how the structure propagates through the mold. Any useful simulation tool must be equipped to handle these circumstances within the limits of computational feasibility."

Jan 1, 1998

By David Crouthamel, Raymond Henn

"The need to fill the void space or annulus created between an excavated tunnel or shaft and the final lining system has long been a requirement in underground construction. Most of those types of voids are created as a result of employing the two pass tunneling lining method. Filling of this void is called backfilling. For many years the materials used as backfill were primarily reinforced and non-reinforced concrete, sanded grout, neat cement grout, or blown-in sand/pea gravel. However, in the past 20 years the use of cellular grouts/cellular concrete as the backfill material has greatly increased. Most cellular grout is made of a mixture of water, Portland cement (with or without the addition of fly ash), a foaming agent and admixtures such as a water-reducer or superplasticizer.It is the authors’ preference to use the term cellular grout as opposed to cellular concrete since by ACI Concrete Terminology an ACI Standard (ACI CT 13), concrete contains aggregates. Normally cellular grout does not contain sand (finite aggregate), but almost never contain course aggregates.The authors believe there are several reasons for this increased use of cellular grout as backfill, such as:• The increase utilization of the various trenchless tunneling methods. Tunnels constructed using trenchless method tend to be smaller in size, excavated diameter or cross sectional area. Making man-entry for placing backfill from inside the secondary liner, utilizing pre-installed grout posts, more difficult if not impossible. It is these workspace restrictions that are the drivers as to when to utilize grout ports installed during the pipe/liner fabrication versus grout delivery pipes installed within the void/annulus space.• The ability of cellular backfills to be pumped and flow longer distances.• The unit weight of cellular grouts can be controlled by mix design and generally can range from 560 Kg/m3 (35 lbs/CF) to 1040 Kg/m3 (65 lbs/CF)."

Jan 12, 2017

By C. E. Doran

Since the early 1990s the underground mining industry has embarked on a vigorous program of improving process and eliminating costs. A leading development in this program has been the implementation of leaky feeder radio systems as an enabling infrastructure for future automation. El-Equip Inc. has led this development with more than 175 mines implementing mine-wide radio infrastructures for voice and data. In this paper, we describe the implementation of a digital radio network which supports existing installations through to an automation infrastructure employing full digital cellular communications with mobile video roaming capabilities. We outline the evolutionary path from existing low speed data communications links through to 155 Mbps and beyond.

Sep 1, 2001

By M. Werner

Mining in the Coeur d'Alene Mining District has been going on for over 100 years with a long- term continuation very likely. Mining is presently carried out at depths below the -5000' horizon. As mining continues at ever increasing depths, higher in-situ rock stresses and subsequent rock deformation is encountered making mining costly and hazardous. To provide access for men and materials in such areas, a wooden raise preparation structure is typically built. Although these structures provide adequate support and access, they have proved to be very costly to construct and maintain.

Jan 1, 1986

By Upali Siriwardane, Tushar V. Kudale, Naidu V. Seetala

"Cellulose acetate (CA) membranes with 25% triethyl citrate (TEC) as plasticizer were prepared with varying thickness for CO2 gas separation from water-gas-shift (WGS) reaction products. The AFM analysis of the CA membrane showed that the uniform coating had fewer and smaller pores as the film thickness increased, and corroborated by gas permeability studies. The CO2 permeability has decreased faster than CO permeability with the CA/TEC membrane thickness, and findings support that the CA membrane could be used to entrap CO2. Several CA/TEC membranes were also staked to increase the separation efficiency. Positron Annihilation Lifetime Spectroscopy (PALS) was used to estimate the nano-porosity (pore size and concentration) changes of CA/TEC films. PALS results show a decrease in pore size with increasing CA-TEC concentration in acetone, while the pore concentration increases. The PALS results are correlated with the CO2/CO permeability variations as the CA-TEC concentration change.IntroductionHydrogen is one of the main energy sources available for the future advancement of clean fuel technologies especially for fuel cells. Generation of hydrogen and CO2 from Water Gas Shift (WGS) reaction mixtures of CO and H2O is of interest to many researchers since it allows a large scale production of hydrogen [1, 2]. Once hydrogen is produced using the WGS reaction, the output products contain mixture of CO, CO2, H2, and water vapor. Metallic membranes have been used as hydrogen separation membranes [3-6]. As H2 is separated from the mixture using the metal membranes, we need to separate CO2, and find ways of sequestration of CO2 to avoid environmental problems by greenhouse gasses. Polymeric Membranes have been used for CO2 separation [7]. Plasticizer can control the micro-structural properties such as pore size and concentration of polymer membranes [8], which influence the size/molecular weight dependent diffusion rates of the gas molecules. We have used cellulose acetate with triethyl citrate as plasticizer to separate CO2 from the WGS reaction products. Positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS) is very sensitive and able to identify different kinds of defects and their agglomerates such as vacancies, vacancy loops, and voids [9, 10]. PALS has been successful in determining the free volume in polymers that influence the properties of the polymers [11, 12]. Microscopic properties of the free volume obtained from PALS have been correlated to macroscopic properties [13, 14]. We used PALS to study the nanoporosity (pore size and concentration) and fractional free volume changes of CA/TEC films, and used to understand the variations observed in the CO2/CO permeability as the CA-TEC concentration in the membranes change."

Jan 1, 2014

By George H. K. Schenck, Peter G. Donald

There is an accelerating acceptance of change by management of cement companies. Diversity of response is noticeable in efforts across the country to reverse the downward trend in profits that brought margins in 1966 to the lowest point in 20 years. New concepts are emerging among managers as they seek to increase the efficiency in use of the basic corporate resources of men, capital and technology. The shift towards computerized control of cement manufacturing is making new gains as is diversification of cement companies into allied fields such as production and sale of natural and light- weight aggregates, crushed stone and concrete products. Increased interest in special products such as white cement and further moves overseas are also significant. Perhaps the most dramatic event of recent years occurred in Washington at hearings before the Federal Trade Commission where cement producers split on whether there should be FTC guidelines that would prevent ownership of ready-mixed concrete producers by cement companies.

Jan 4, 1967

By Harold S. Davis

SURROUNDING the nuclear core of an atomic energy plant there are usually one or more thick walls of concrete, as required to protect instruments and personnel from the harmful effects of nuclear radiations. Sometimes these massive walls are of ordinary concrete weighing about 150 pcf. To reduce wall thicknesses, concrete weighing 200 to 350 pcf may be used. Such high densities are obtained by using natural aggregate processed from heavy ore, or by using steel slugs or iron shot in concrete. Mix data for a number of high-density concretes are summarized in Table I.1 High density at low cost is of prime importance in shields designed to absorb gamma rays. On the other hand, biological shields located near the reactor core must attenuate neutrons as well as gamma rays. In general, a biological shield should contain: 1) heavy elements to slow down high energy neutrons and to absorb gamma rays, 2) either light elements or hydrogenous materials to moderate neutrons of intermediate energy, and 3) materials to absorb neutrons once they have been slowed down to thermal energies. Some shield materials, iron and water for example, are effective in one or more of the above ways. On the other hand, some otherwise excellent shield materials have certain undesirable radiation properties that limit the ways or number of places they can be used. For example, when iron absorbs neutrons it emits secondary gamma rays of high energy. On the other hand, boron absorbs neutrons avidly without producing high energy gamma rays. In spite of its high cost, boron is sometimes used in concrete to minimize production of secondary gamma rays. In some shielding applications it is necessary to avoid materials that become radioactive when subjected to neutron bombardment, continuing to give off high energy gamma rays for long periods after being removed from a neutron field.

Jan 5, 1957

By John A. Ames

Webster's dictionary nearly equates portland cement with its current primary definition of cement. While such equation may be a triumph of common usage, the confusion between the terms cement and concrete unfortunately is very widespread. Full definition of cement properly would extend to many substances, but for purposes of this chapter cement is restricted to "varieties" of portland cement including "portland-pozzolan" cement. Among the usually recited historical notes concerning cement is that it was developed by the Romans. Their use of cement in the great structures of Rome, and even in the far corners of their Empire, such as Hadrian's Wall in the north of England, testifies to the antiquity of a major cement industry. From English sources we know of John Smeaton's carefully proportioned hydraulic cement mixed in 1756 and of Joseph Aspdin's patented cement to which, in 1824, he gave the name portland cement. (He claimed that his cement mortar looked like the famous dimension limestone quarried from the Isle of Portland on England's south coast.) The year 1971 marked the centennial of portland cement manufacture in the United States. A fair historical account of the many real contributors to the cement industry between 1756 and 1972 unfortunately would be too extensive for this chapter. Development of rotary kiln practice and burning at higher temperatures clearly was the major move into today's technology. As part of the 4th edition of Industrial Minerals and Rocks, this chapter on utilization focuses on inferred interests of the anticipated readers. The main period for which statistics are cited generally is that since the 3rd edition (1960) of this same volume. Cement manufacture is the processing of selected and prepared mineral raw materials to produce the synthetic mineral mixture (clinker) that can be ground to a powder having the specified chemical composition and physical properties of cement. Cement making incorporates a number of distinct steps, but it is characterized by the key pyroprocessing (or "burning") step, which brings about the necessary changes in the raw materials. This pyro processing is a chemical process. Conversion of large volumes of mineral raw materials into specification-controlled cement at relatively low cost is the objective. Statistics on the cement industry are of uneven quality. The U.S. Bureau of Mines (USBM) is the principal collector of available data. These statistics can be only as good as the quality of information supplied by the reporting companies. The data perhaps most often questioned relate to productive capacity of the industry. The questions submitted by USBM are valid, nevertheless, and the information gained from them, as good as is available, is what is generally used. The Portland Cement Association also is a source of much quality information. The year 1972 witnessed a test of the adaptability of cement industry statistics. This was the year of conversion from barrels and sacks of cement as the units of measure to tons and hundredweights. The barrels and sacks related to volumetric measures in that a sack was judged to be 1 cu ft (weighing a "standard" 94 lb). A barrel was 4 sacks. Volumes of concrete are stated in cubic yards, and the number of cubic feet of cement in a cubic yard of concrete was a sensible approach to the mensuration involved. However, cements do not weigh the same amount from plant to plant or from type to type, and the buyer was more interested in getting an assured weight for his money than in "buying air." Thus, a sack, in accepted practice, became 94 lb instead of 1 cu ft, and a "barrel" became 376 lb, regard- less of whether it would fit into 4 cu ft of space. With the de facto dealing in weight rather than in volumes, the awkward numbers made little

Jan 1, 1975