Search Documents

By Rex B. McLellan, W. A. Oates, William W. Dunn

Vapor transport experiments have been carried out in order to determine the saturation solubility of carbon in cobalt and nickel with respect to graphite over a large temperature range. Some of the uncertainty existing in the thermodynamics of these systems has been removed and accurate estimates of the heat and entropy of solution of carbon in nickel and cobalt have been deduced. The relatitle partial entropies of carbon are considered to be predominantly vibrational in origin. ALTHOUGH the thermodynamic properties of solid solutions of carbon in cobalt and in nickel have been investigated previously, the results of these investigations show a marked lack of agreement amongst themselves. In this investigation simple vapor transport experiments have been undertaken in order to measure the temperature variation of the saturation solubility of carbon in nickel and cobalt with the object of removing to some degree the uncertainties in the thermodynamics of these systems. In the case of the C-Co system, early measurements of the saturation solubility of graphite in Co show results at the same temperature differing by almost an order of magnitude.1-5 Recently Schenck, Frohberg, and Jaspert6 measured the equilibrium between CH4-H2 mixtures and C-Co solid solutions at five temperatures ranging from 850° to 1050°C. Their values of the activity of carbon in the solid solution, deduced from a knowledge of the chemical potential of carbon atoms in the gas, varies linearly with composition at each temperature and the authors concluded that the solutions were Henryan. The saturation solubilities deduced from Schenck, Frohberg, and Jaspert's measurements are in good agreement with the solubility determined at 1000°C by Rao and Nicholson7 and the value at 1000°C deduced from the measurements of smith8 on the equilibrium between CO/CO2 mixtures and C-Co solutions. The object of this investigation was to check the results of Schenck, Frohberg, and Jaspert and also to extend the range of solubility data to higher temperatures. In the case of the C-Ni system, there is fairly good agreement between the values given by schaefer9 for the saturation solubility of carbon C, in nickel, the value given at 1000°C by Rao and Nicholson,7 and that deduced from Smith's8 measurements of the equilibrium between C-Ni solutions and CO/CO2 mixtures at 1000°C. The values of C, deduced from Schenck, Frohberg, and Jaspert's6 measurements of the carbon activity in nickel are also in fairly good agreement. However, there is a large discrepancy between the above set of measurements and those of Lander, Kern, and Beach," who measured the carbon solubility of nickel in equilibrium with graphite by depositing an excess of graphite on the surface of Ni-foils from a gaseous mixture and subsequently diffusing in the carbon. These results are considerably higher than those mentioned above. The determinations6 of carbon activity a, in nickel from the CH4-H2 equilibrium showed that at all the temperatures investigated, the ac-values varied linearly with concentration up to about a, = 0.6 and then began to increase with concentration much more rapidly. On the basis of auxiliary experiments in which C-Ni solutions were equilibrated with graphite, Schenck, Frohberg, and Jaspert concluded that their CH4-H2 solid equilibrations at high values of a, were spurious and a, behaved linearly with composition up to the saturation limit (a, = 1). The short linear extrapolations of Schenck, Frohberg, and Jaspert's a, data yield values of C, in good agreement with those of Lander, Kern, and Beach." The solubility data for nickel discussed here is presented in Fig. 1 in the form of plots of ln[Cc/(l - 2cc)] vs 1/T. The discrepancies mentioned are clearly seen. In this investigation a vapor transport method is used to measure C, over as wide a temperature range

Jan 1, 1969

Constraints on the mineral industry are best treated as issues that have to be understood and managed in partnership rather than in conflict with communities. TheZapopan development at Mt Todd in Australia and the Martha Hill development at Waihi in New Zealand are but two of many recent successful examples at the local level.   However, at the national level, the issues are more complex and more difficult to resolve because the most influential stakeholders are now the urban electorates and governments defer to their perceptions when making decisions and policy. In the developed countries, government policies for the development of mineral resources have been progressively eroded since the early 1970s. At the same time policies for the environment and for native land rights have generally been carried out in a way that has reduced access to minerals and increased the cost and risks for prospectors and developers (Hancock, 1995). Since the end of the Cold War, the lesser developed countries (LDCs) have introduced policies to attract investment in their mineral resources that remained undeveloped under previous unstable or hostile regimes. The increased attraction of these LDCs and the decreased attraction of the developed countries has caused many Australian and North American companies to outlay increasing proportions of their budgets and capital investment in the LDCs.   Significantly, LDC policies for environment protection do not discourage exploration and mine development, Surveys of the relative appeal of the LDCs and the traditional mining countries of the developed world, rate Chile, Argentina and Indonesia ahead of Australia and Canada in terms of risk, delays and ease of doing business (Australian Mining Monthly, February 1994).

Jan 1, 1995

By R. Dawson Hall

LONG regarded as nearly worked out, the anthracite region still shows promise of a hundred years of life, for means are being found to get bottom, top, pillar, and other coal that earlier generations disregarded as too expensive to mine. Rock drivages and, still more, machinery are making it possible to get such coal. Mechanical methods enable the owner of thin beds to mine these with profit, and the miner recognizes that he must permit the use of machinery or the inexorable laws of economics will deny him opportunity to work. E. L. Dana, Jr., well outlines this situation, which in the past year became definitely established. Stripping also is recovering, safely and inexpensively, coal that past generations regarded as too hazardous and costly for mining.

Jan 1, 1935

By Ryan W. Ulansky

This paper presents the conceptual design of a magnetically-levitated skip for use in an underground mine. A skip is used to move rock from an underground mine to its surface processing facility. Conventionally the skip is raised and lowered by cables, similar to an elevator. In a magnetically-levitated skip, the cable is replaced with a linear induction or synchronous motor to provide propulsion and levitation. Removal of the cables in a magnetically-levitated skip provides many advantages over a conventional system including the ability: to negotiate corners, to travel vertically in the shaft as well as horizontally to the mining face, and to move a very large volume of material using multiple skips in a small shaft. A magnetically-levitated skip is a safer, more environmentally-friendly, productive alternative to conventional skipping. It has the further advantage to decrease haulage distances for underground vehicles.

May 1, 2002

By K. J. R. Ford, Botz. M. M.

Porphyry copper ores are frequently a source of low-grade gold ore, but gold in these ores is often associated with significant levels of cyanide-soluble copper. Cyanide leaching of such ores increases flowsheet complexity and operating costs, and requires thorough planning to satisfy environmental requirements for tailings disposal and mine closure. This paper presents a review of the chemistry of cyanide leaching of gold-copper porphyry ores, carbon adsorption phenomena and means of removing base metals from leach solution. The primary economic drivers behind the processing of such complex ores are also analyzed.

Jan 1, 2011

By H. D. Hagen, George W. Abbott

2.2-1. Need for Acquisition Operating Plan. In planning a trip by automobile, a road map is procured and studied. Travel by plane suggests detailed examination of route maps, weather charts, and navigation charts. Planning for construction of a factory, office building, shopping center, or housing subdivision envisages working out a complete development plan. Household needs arc generally jotted clown on a shopping list, with each item checked off as it is purchased. In turn, forwarding of any surface mining project should be undertaken only after an acquisition operating plan has been set out, by checklist, under three general headings: 1. Public relations-a check list setting out applicable Federal, State, and local laws and regulations, and the office, board, commission, and individuals having responsibility for licensing, administration, and enforcement of each such law or regulation. 2. Land requirements-a complete check list encompassing all aspects of land acquisition, ownership, management, control, and disposition, with applicable laws. 3. Water requirements-a full check list embracing all aspects of water development and control, acquisition of rights to use, manner of use, and manner of disposition, with applicable laws and regulations. 2.2-2. Public Relations Aspects of Operating Plan. NEED TO DETERMINE APPLICABLE LAWS. The laws and regulations governing acquisition of land and mineral rights, water and water rights, and the use and control of those rights, vary so much from state to state that one cardinal rule must govern all preplanning: determine applicable Federal, State, and local law at the outset. Changing conditions in the past century have resulted in a multiplication at all levels of governmental agencies interested in, and having responsibility for, acquisition, use, control, and disposition of minerals and mineral lands. The same is true of waters and water rights found in, brought to, or discharged from, the operating site.

Jan 1, 1968

By R. L. Fleischer

IN 1925 a criterion for localized deformation in a single crystal was derived by Taylor and Elam.' They noted that for a single active slip plane the slip plane area is constant, but the direction of the stress with respect to the slip direction changes during deformation so that, when the increase in stress due to this rotation is large enough relative to the work hardening, instability occurs. (By instability is meant continued slip on the active slip plane.) The instability criterion may be written t>dt/d?/m tan2? [1] where t and ? are resolved shear stress and strain, m the Schmid factor for resolving shear stress, and ? is the angle between the slip direction and the axis of tension. The formula points out that regardless of the atomic mechanism involved, for large flow stresses and low work hardening rates, slip on a single plane—once started—should continue. The case of alloying provides a direct possibility of adjusting the parameters in Eq. [I]: As an alloying element is added to a pure metal, the flow stress is raised and the work hardening in easy glide may be either decreased2 or unaltered.3 Since flow stresses in easy glide may rise to the kg/mm2 range for alloy crystals while easy glide slopes may be less than % kg/mm2, 2 it is possible for the inequality to be satisfied. Indeed Garstone and Honeycombe3 report that slip becomes coarser with increasing stress in the easy glide range, where the flow stress would be increasing and the slope would be essentially constant. Another case where high flow stresses and low hardening rates accompany coarse slip is that of quench hardening.4 Maddin and Cottrell report that quenched aluminum crystals display slip markings resembling those of a brass. A similar effect has been observed after irradiation.'

Jan 1, 1960

By J. M. Benson

Metal powder compaction offers unique advantages in the manufacture of net-shape components using techniques such as laser sintering, conventional press and sintering, metal injection moulding, direct rolling, direct forging, and hot isostatic pressing. If the output from the primary metal production process is in powder form, then considerable cost and energy savings can be realized by direct conversion to semi-finished or final shapes. This possibility exists for titanium and possibly also for Ta, Zr, Hf, and Nb metals. However, these attractive benefits are associated with some significant risks. The high surface-to-volume ratio of powder particles coupled with the reactive nature of these metals means that special care must be taken when handling them. Powder explosions are unfortunately still a regular occurrence internationally and these often result in serious injury and loss of life. Even seemingly 'safe' compounds such as sugar, flour, and grain can be extremely hazardous when handled or milled and dust clouds are produced. In addition, exposure to airborne particles can have adverse effects on the human body, especially when particles are inhaled on a regular basis. Furthermore, the medical consequences of these are not fully understood, especially in the case of nanoparticles. The impact is often not observed immediately and debilitating illnesses may emerge only years or decades later. As far as is known, there are no South African guidelines for handling of metal powders. This paper attempts to provide an awareness of the risks associated with metal powders (including those produced indirectly by other metalworking/finishing operations) as well as some guidelines for their safe handling, based on international best practices.

Jan 1, 2012

By J. Du, V. Shukla, C. R. Kumar, U. Shivangi, D. P. Chakraborty

During the processing of iron ores, a large quantity of low-grade tailings containing abundant iron values in fine particle size range is produced. Due to the increasing demand in the high-grade ores for metallurgical operations and the stringent environmental conditions imposed on mining activity, it is essential to utilise the waste tailing pond slimes. Recovery of iron values from these tailing ponds not only enhances the life of the existing operating mines, but also enables achievement of a sustainable process. Iron ore tailing/slime (-150 μm) is produced after scrubbing and wet screening of a low-grade iron ore. Tailing beneficiation of iron ore has been addressed either by flotation or wet high intensity high gradient separation. The present paper aims to recover iron values from discarded slime containing assay ~56% Fe, ~6.5% SiO2, and ~7.0% Al2O3 from the Noamundi processing plant by using a high gradient magnetic separator (HGMS). In this process, tailings are effectively processed with a vertical pulsating high gradient magnetic separator to produce a relatively high-grade iron concentrate. The results of investigation indicate that this novel process is capable of producing an iron concentrate assaying ~ 60% Fe and ~3.25% alumina with a yield of ~55 % on weight basis and recover > 65 % iron bearing particles from the tailings. More importantly, the corresponding tailing contained ~45% Fe. It was concluded that this novel process may be effectively used to recover iron values from low-grade hematite tailings. Keywords: Iron ore slime, Fe recovery, HGMS, yield, Noamundi

Jan 1, 2020

The design of a mine should aim to optimise the market value by maximising revenues whilst minimising costs. In open pit mining, the nature of the extraction technique translates this objective into the maximum recovery of reserves while minimising waste extraction subject to technical, economical and safety constraints. Since the introduction by Lerchs and Grossman, in 1965, of a model that is now considered a classic in the area, open pit design has reached a level of maturity and acceptance by industry. These models are being used on a regular basis by designers and planners.This paper proposes a new alternative model for open pit design. It is based on genetic algorithms (GA) and exploits a reduction of the number of decision variables of the more traditional techniques. The novel approach provides more flexibility than traditional models; it can also be extended to consider planning problems that traditional open pit design models are not capable of handling. The algorithm has been designed for two dimensional problems and tested in a simple instance. The results obtained in this simple test are encouraging and are a good supporting argument for the development of a GA model capable of handling three-dimensional (3D) instances. The model presented in this paper is just a first step towards a full GA to solve the pit design problem and it is believed that novel tools like the one presented herein could become great allies in tackling challenging problems in open pit design, an illustration of such a challenging problem is presented and discussed.

Dec 6, 2010

7133. Clewell, D. H. The Gravimeter. Prec. and Trans. Texas Acad. Science 1941, Austin, Tex., vol. 25, 1942, pp. 86-88. Static gravimeters, unastatized and. astatized, are considered to be the most practical for oil exploration. One gravimeter is described using a beam whose moment about a pivotal axis is elastically balanced. Magnetic or electric fields are deemed unsatisfactory for balancing gravitational force because they cannot easily be kept constant. The gravimeter described is capable of detecting a change in altitude of 3 inches and a change in latitude of about 150 feet. V. S.

Jan 1, 1944

By H. M. Park

Risk is a major factor in all mining activities, arising from many internal and external variables. The authors? research has resulted in a systematic method for the quantification of risk in mining projects (Park, 2012). This research will be presented in a series of papers, this one and two more that will be published on Mining Engineering?s web site, www.me.smenet.com. This paper identifies the variables associated with risk in mining projects, and their effects. The second paper discusses methods of assessing the overall risk associated with those variables, and presents a statistical model based on a survey of 31 experts. The third paper presents an evaluation of the statistical model, using data from previous mining investment decisions in which the authors have been involved. There are several major competing entities, including BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto, Anglo American, Xstrata, Freeport-McMoRan, Chinese government- run companies and Japanese trading companies, that have large foreign holdings, controlling deposits in most of the world?s established and productive mining districts. In general, the mining industry considers the United States, Canada, Australia and the European countries to have good mining investment environments, but because the major companies have already achieved market dominance in those countries, large investments are required there. Newcomers seeking to enter the industry, either as producing companies or as investing partners, often have difficulty breaking into these established markets. Thus newcomers are increasingly turning to new areas like South America and Africa, which are relatively less developed. The competition among businesses to secure a share of the new market is intense, but there are still good investment opportunities. However, because most of the countries in these areas are not well developed, several additional risks are associated with participation in mining projects in those areas.

Oct 1, 2013

By Lawrence Williamson, Randall J. Essex, David P. Field

As part of a $2.2 Billion bridge project that will link Indiana and Kentucky, an interchange project northeast of Louisville will require the mining of a 6-lane tunnel system about 2,000 ft long in order to cross beneath the historic Drumanard Estate. This paper will discuss preliminary engineering that has been undertaken to compare two-bore and three-bore layouts, the planning of an exploratory tunnel facility, and the potential for including a test chamber to investigate the ability of high capacity roadheaders to mine the 22,000 psi limestones.

Jan 1, 2005

By W. R. Reed, G. J. Joy

The personal dust monitor (PDM) is a new coal mine respirable dust sampling instrument that has the ability to provide accurate end-of-shift and real-time respirable dust exposure data. A hypothetical cost comparison analysis of the PDM with the current MSHA-required coal mine dust personal sampling unit (CMDPSU) was conducted. Some simplifying assumptions were made to create hypothetical cases for analysis. This analysis was limited to respirable dust sampling of one designated operator (DO) and one designated area (DA) for one mechanized mining unit (MMU) which operated one shift per day. Only sampling intervals of the minimum sampling as required by federal regulations and continuous sampling were analyzed. This cost analysis from the company perspective is only one part of an overall cost/benefit analysis that should be conducted at a later date. In this analysis, company-associated costs were examined for both sampling systems. Results show that the PDM, while it has high initial costs of approximately $12,600, may be a cost-effective sampling system for measuring coal mine respirable dust. The estimated present worth cost of conducting the minimum required dust sampling over a five-year life ranges from $5,850 to $19,000 for the CMDPSU, with the higher present worth cost including costs of potential violations incurred. For the PDM, the comparable present worth cost is $14,900 to $19,300, with the lower present worth cost representing a lower capital cost of $8,150 per unit if more than 850 units are produced per year, while the higher present worth cost reflects the result with the higher $12,600 capital cost.

A model has been developed as part of the AMIRA P420 Gold Processing Technology Project to simulate the recovery of gold by centrifugal gravity devices. The model (which is available online) uses the simulation methodology developed by Laplante et al (1995) to predict gravity recoverable gold (GRG) recovery under varying operating conditions and circuit configurations. In addition to predicting GRG recovery, the model also predicts the GRG content and size distribution of the cyclone overflow and underflow. The predicted overflow GRG content and size distribution can be used as inputs for a leaching model in which size dependent leaching rates are applied for each size class of GRG and non-gravity recoverable gold (non-GRG) in the cyclone overflow, allowing size-by-size leach recoveries to be determined for GRG and non-GRG. The application of the gravity model and leaching model are demonstrated using a case study. The simulated gravity recovery and leaching performance showed excellent agreement with the measured values. The developed models can be used to assess the sensitivity of gravity gold and leach recoveries to varying feed GRG content, GRG size distribution, gravity circuit feed rate, classifier performance and leach residence time. The described methods can be used to optimise new and existing gravity and leaching circuits.

Aug 1, 2010

By B. M. Wainstein

An extension of lognormal theory and its application to risk analysis models for new mining ventures by B. M. WAINSTEIN*, B.Sc., M.B.A. (Witwatersrand) (Visitor) The lognormal distribution, which remains the most popular distribution model for ore values, is investigated. The T-distribution, an integral part of this theory, is dependent on the sample size, n, and the unknown population parameter, o2, which cannot be integrated out. Hence, o2constitutes a nuisance parameter. In this study, the robustness of the T-distribution to changes in o2 is examined. It is found that the T-distribution is robust for 0,1 <= o2 >= 2,5, a domain covering most practical applications of the lognormal theory. By the use of o2 = 0,7, multiplier factors, which facilitate the computation of the confidence limits, are derived for a comprehensive set of confidence levels.

Jan 4, 1975

By F P. Hao

Organo-sulphur-based collectors (eg xanthates, dithiocarbamates and dithiophosphates) are widely used in the flotation of sulphide minerals. Xanthates (ROC(=S)Sû), for example, adsorb strongly at sulphide mineral surfaces, in a reaction that is electrochemically coupled with the reduction of dissolved oxygen. One of the oxygen reduction products, hydrogen peroxide, reacts directly with dissolved xanthate, leading to its oxidative decomposition. Experimental work has been conducted, using ethyl xanthate, to understand the molecular mechanism by which hydrogen peroxide reacts with xanthates. A number of degradation products have been identified, some of which have not been reported previously. This oxidative decomposition reaction pathway is discussed in the broader context of xanthate decomposition in flotation systems. One of the identified ethyl xanthate decomposition products, ethyl perxanthate (ROC(=S)SOû), has been observed in the process water of a number of mineral processing operations. The interaction of this molecule with goethite (&alpha;-FeOOH) particles, typical of that found in tailings dams, has been studied in more detail using attenuated total reflectance (ATR)-FTIR. The ethyl perxanthate molecule has been found to coordinate to iron (FeIII) at the goethite surface, and undergo a surface-catalysed decomposition process. In the presence of both PbII and goethite, a ternary surface complex is formed, where ethyl perxanthate is coordinated directly to surface adsorbed PbII atoms. The results obtained give some insight into the environmental fate of ethyl xanthate in tailings streams, and a basis on which to consider the environmental importance of such species in tailings dams. Strategies for the destruction of residual xanthate levels in waste water streams are discussed in terms of the likely reaction products.

Jan 1, 2002

By James C. Fowler

This report contains a description of the contract activities performed by ENSCO, Inc. under contract H0292025. The purpose of this project was to prove the feasibility of detecting hazards in a coal seam using a synthetic pulse radar. This work was conducted in three phases. The first was an analysis of the types of errors which might cause problems. The second was to build a breadboard radar and the third phase was to conduct a field test with the system. The work from each phase is discussed and the results of the field tests are presented. These results show propagation of the radar signal through 200 feet of coal along with reflections from 50 feet away. The final section contains recommendations for future development.

Jan 1, 1981

By H. F. Kendall, J. H. Ffolliott

MANY papers and reports have been devoted to the geology and ore deposits of the Ducktown district, Tennessee, especially the complete report by W. H. Emmons and F. B. Laney, published as Professional Paper 139, by the U. S. Geological Survey. The present paper discusses the work of the geological organization of the Tennessee Copper Co., which is based on the field work of the above paper and the consulting work of W. H. Emmons. The Ducktown basin lies in the southeastern corner of Tennessee and extends a short distance into Georgia and North Carolina. All productive mines are contained in an area of 15 sq. mi. in the center of this basin, which is an undulating plateau at an elevation of 1650 to 1800 ft. above sea level. It is surrounded by the relatively high mountains of the southern Appalachian region. The rocks are of early Cambrian age. Deposition of the ores probably took place during the latter part of the Paleozoic era. The ore deposits are rudely tabular to lens-shaped bodies of massive sulfide, varying from a few feet to over 200 ft. in width. In general they all strike northeast and dip southeast at angles from 45° to 70°. Locally, where affected by folding and faulting, the variations in dip may be even greater. The lodes usually are parallel at distances of from one-half to one mile measured normal to the strike. The deposits are a replacement of a fairly continuous bed or a series of disconnected limestone lenses, highly folded and somewhat faulted, which probably represent the same stratigraphic horizon.

Jan 1, 1933

By Francis Wm. Gray

The preparation of a paper read before this Society in 1927 on Undersea Mining led to representations to the Deputy Minister of Mines at Ottawa, Dr. Chas. Camsell, and to the Director of the Geological Survey and the Director of the Mines Branch, which resulted in the undertaking by these bodies of a geological, physical, and chemical survey of the Sydney coalfield, combined with revision of the geological maps, on all of which much progress has been made. Preliminary studies revealed the necessity for a new base-map on a scale that would permit the representation of the whole coalfield from cape Dauphin to Mira bay on one sheet, and in the making of this map the Geodetic and Topographical Surveys have collaborated, with the assistance of airplane surveys for filling-in of detail. The new map will show all the data accumulated by 50 years of active mining and will show also the extent of mine workings, with level-contours under the sea. Dr. W. A. Bell, of the Geological Survey, has, over a number of seasons, studied in the field the historical geology with the purpose of elucidating the sequence of earth movements that have determined the structure of the coalfields, especially those that have governed the course and extent of the complementary folds that traverse the Sydney coalfield. Dr. B. R. MacKay, of the Survey, and the officers of the Fuel Testing Laboratories at Ottawa have made exhaustive studies of the Phalen seam, chemical and microscopic, intended to elucidate the conditions under which this seam was deposited, and some very interesting conclusions have been reached.

Jan 1, 1934