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By B. Westin, G. Voicu, C. Daoust

Orogenic gold deposits represent a major class of deposits that are found in various rock types of various ages. Those deposits show a strong structural control that usually complicates their interpretation at the regional and deposit scales. The Rosebel Gold district located in Surinam (South America) is hosted in a Paleoproterozoic greenstone belt of the Guiana Shield, and has been recently classified as one of those orogenic gold deposits. The gold district comprises eight distinct deposits located along three different structural trends and within different rock types. The mineralization is undefonned and shows a strong structural control characteristic of orogenic gold deposits. All the deposits of the Rosebel Gold district have been subject to a detailed structural analysis that has led to the elaboration of a new structural model for the whole gold district, which is now differing considerably from the previous models. This characterization had direct implications at three different scales. 1- While the older models were considering some areas of the property as gold-barren, the new structural model has led to recent exploration campaigns which have revealed positive results. 2- At the deposit scale, the comprehension of the various vein systems and of the folding of the host rocks has helped the establishment of optimized drilling campaigns. 3- At the mining scale, the comprehension of the architecture of the veins helps for the elaboration of optimized mining method. This study thus shows that the structural analysis of orogenic gold deposits is critical, and should be a priority for exploration and production in any mine.

Jan 1, 2011

By Frank Sames, Brad Terhune

In many construction projects and in most quarrying operations drilling and blasting remains the only feasible method of loosening rock in the removal of rock or overburden, the development of the quarry and in the production process of crushed stone. Often, a blasting plan is required for the project or the quarry’s permit with primary concerns over safety and site security, and compliance with environmental regulations or standards. From this plan, a blasting program has to be developed considering the varying requirements of production, the advance of the mineral extraction and the environmental impact. The actual blast design requires a planning and optimization process. This optimization process is driven by the blasting technicians/engineers, project or mine management and often by community concerns. The blast design process comprises the selection of blast parameters, including the explosives, and the actual layout of the blast. Design tools and controls range from conventional methods based on established blasting practices to advanced design tools or computer models. Blast monitoring and evaluation can also range from empirical to advanced blast assessment. The data and information from each blast or a series of blasts can further be used in the optimization process. Its success depends upon recording the data, the timely transformation of the data to relevant information, and the development of process oriented knowledge. The elements of the blast design process are summarized and described with examples of state-of-the art engineering controls. The reporting and monitoring of individual blasts is discussed with respect to data management and information systems. A conceptual overview of the components and interfaces of a blasting program is given and discussed on the background of technical, management and community concerns.

Jan 1, 2004

By J. D. Wright

INTRODUCTION The Endako deposit was first explored in 1926, but development waited until the early nineteen sixties. It first came under the control of Placer Development in 1963, and early in 1964 a decision to bring it into production was reached. The deposit is located near the geographic center of British Columbia, and is served by an east-west communication system including a paved highway, mainline railway and good telephone, teletype, and computer facilities. The plant area is shown in Figure 1. The operation is known as the Endako Mines Division of Canex Placer Limited of Vancouver. First production was achieved in June, 1965, at a nominal rate of 10,000 tons per day, but it soon was closer to 15,000 tons per day. In 1967, two new grinding and flotation, sections brought capacity to the present rate of approximately 27,000 tons per day. With mill heads of around 0.15 percent MoS2, production is about 14,000,000 pounds of molybdenum per year. A flowsheet of the operation is given in Figure 2. A legend for this flowsheet is given in Table 1. Published ore reserves are estimated at 214,500,000 tons at an average grade of 0.143 percent MoS2. PRIMARY CRUSHING The 85 or 100-ton haulage trucks dump over a grizzly into a 42 inch x 65 inch C.A.C. (Canadian Allis Chalmers) gyratory crusher. The

Jan 1, 1976

By Jordi Vives-Costa, J. J. de Felipe, Lluís Sanmiquel, Maria Niubó

The article evaluates the convective heat transfer coefficient of ventilation air in a potash mine. The energy balance is obtained through thermal characterization of the ventilation air and rock, allowing for the calculation of heat transfer parameters. Different models for calculating the convective heat transfer coefficient are analyzed. The results indicate that the Pethukov–Kirilov, Gnielinski, and modified Dittus–Boelter models are optimal for this mine. The study also indirectly examines the conductivity of the adjacent rock, suggesting saturation throughout the studied section and the presence of liquid water upwelling in a specific section.

Apr 7, 2022

By Earl R. Maize

Epoxy and polyester-type resins were injected into coal-mine roof strata of the thick Freeport coal seam in Allegheny County, Pa., at test sites in roof that had been exposed several weeks, in newly exposed roof, and in strata over solid coal. Test results indicate that the method of strengthening bituminous-coal-mine roof by injecting a bonding material into the roof strata can be developed into a safe, efficient support system. If roof bonding will become a standardized method of roof support and reinforcement or if it can be effective when used with other types of roof support can be determined only by extensive experimentation in various coal beds. Observations and conclusions are shown at the end of this report.

Jan 1, 1959

By Márcia Maria da Silva Monteiro Pereira

Flúor é muito usado em pós de molde aplicados no lingotamento contínuo de aços. Embora o flúor seja importante no comportamento de fusão, infiltração da escória e cristalização do filme de escória, ele tem algumas desvantagens uma vez que o flúor reage com a escória, produzindo substâncias como NaF e SiF, as quais, por sua vez, reagem com a água no resfriamento secundário, formando HF. Estas desvantagens levam a severa corrosão do maquinário e risco para a saúde dos funcionários da usina. Por isto, é necessário remover o flúor dos fluxantes. Pó fluxante para lingotamento de placas livre de flúor está sendo desenvolvido como resultado de uma parceria entre fornecedor de pós fluxantes e a siderúrgica. Relacionado a isto, matérias primas alternativas para substituir F na composição dos pós fluxantes foram investigadas. Pesquisas indicaram B2O3 como substituto em potencial de flúor para escórias de molde. Os testes industriais, feitos em uma siderúrgica brasileira, foram realizados com o objetivo de analisar seu comportamento durante a operação de lingotamento contínuo em aços de baixo carbono. Parâmetros tecnológicos como: absorção de inclusões, espessura da piscina líquida, consumo de pó fluxante e índice de erosão da válvula submersa foram monitorados durante o lingotamento contínuo com o objetivo de avaliar o desempenho do pó e de fornecer informações sobre sua influência na qualidade da superfície do aço. Os testes industriais de lingotamento de aços baixo carbono revelaram uma boa qualidade de superfície e redução na erosão da válvula submersa. Outros parâmetros estão em estudo.

Jul 30, 2018

NEW MEMBERS The following list comprises the names of those-persons who became members during the month of January, 1914. Members ADIASSEWICH, ALEXANDER, Dept. of Commerce & Industry, 11, Nadejdinskaia, St. Petersburg, Russia. BEARD, JOHN W., Mine Supt., Lane-Rincon Mines, Inca, Temascaltepec, Mex., Mexico; BORCHERDT, WALTER 0., Supt The Bertha Mineral Co., Austinville, Va BREWSTER, BURT B., Sales Engr., Sullivan Machinery Co., 1127 Central National Bank Bldg., St. Louis, Mo: CHASE, ROGER E., JR., Assayer 3906 No. Baltimore St., Tacoma, Wash. CULBERT, J. VICTOR 7S4 Wellington St., London, Ont., Canada; DICKINSON, ALBERT W., Supt. Of Mines Bevier, MO. DODSON, T. M Mores, Colliery, Schuylkill Co., Pa FORREST, CHARLES N., Chem. Engr Maurer, N. J.

Jan 2, 1914

By Steven D. Scott

The source of ore metals for base and precious metal volcanogenic massive sulfide (vms) deposits has been debated for decades. Metals can be obtained from high-temperature sea water-rock reactions in subseafloor circulatory hydrothermal systems, or provided by the magmatic fluids that are degassed from magma. The magmatic signatures are largely erased in the hydrothermal system by the overwhelming, long-term circulation of seawater. Melt inclusions in phenocrysts (plagioclase, olivine, pyroxene) of volcanic rocks provide an effective means of understanding the potential for a magmatic contribution to the ore-forming fluids. We present results of a melt inclusion study on the volcanic rocks that host active seafloor hydrothermal fields in the eastern Manus immature back-arc pull-apart basin of Papua New Guinea and an Ordovician-age back arc in New Brunswick, Canada that hosts the ?giant? (330 mmt) Brunswick #12 vms ore deposit. A fluid phase is typically observed in cavities within melt inclusions, indicating that the magma was saturated with volatiles prior to its eruption. The fluid is CO2-dominated with lesser H2O and CH4 in melt inclusions of mafic volcanics and is H2O-rich in felsic volcanics. Tiny crystals and amorphous precipitates (recrystallized at Brunswick #12) of Fe, Ni, Zn, Cu and Mn chlorides, sulfides and oxides coat the walls of the vapor cavities. The crystals include magnetite, magnesite, calcite, anhydrite, gypsum, barite, pyrite, chalcopyrite, halite, silicates and apatite. At Manus, the compositions of the precipitates on the bubble walls of melt inclusions are similar to those found in the vesicles in the matrix glass of the same sample. The ore metals in the volatile phases changed from Ni+Zn+Cu+Fe ? Cu+Zn+Fe ?Fe+Zn (+Pb?) as the magma evolved from basalt, basaltic andesite ? andesite, dacite ? rhyodacite, rhyolite. Glass of the melt inclusions compared to that of the matrix of the rocks from Manus have significantly higher concentrations of H2O (av. 1.64 vs 0.7wt%), Cl (av. 2500 vs1300 ppm) and S (av. 900 vs 100 ppm) suggesting that these volatiles were extensively exsolved from the magma. A minimum of 1.0 to 1.7wt% of magmatic volatiles is estimated to have been degassed before and during the eruptions. The focused discharge of a magmatic fluid as a result of pre-eruptive degassing could be responsible for the metals in the sulfide deposits on the seafloor. If 1 km3 of magma were emplaced in a shallow chamber, then the associated magmatic fluid would be 35.1 million tonnes. If this fluid contained 2.3 wt% Zn and 7.2 wt% Cu (Yang and Scott, 1996, Nature), a total of 0.8 million tonnes of Zn and 2.5 million tonnes of Cu would be to the hydrothermal system.

Jan 1, 2005

By V. R. Degner

The minerals industry trend toward very flotation machines, exceeding 10 m3, began in the late 1960's and responds to the continuing desire to achieve better plant economics through improved plant floor-space utilization, power requirements, and operational /maintenance manpower heeds. In general, as process design tonnage increases, the benefits of the larger flotation machine becomes more evident. The development of the larger flotation machine can be distingushed from earlier, smaller, machines in demanding a rational "scale-up" procedure to guide the basic design, thereby producing a machine prototype capable of satisfactory-operational evaluation at minimum cost. Proven flotation machine "hydrodynamic" scale-up consideration, successfully applied in the development of both the WEMCO No. 164 (28.3 m3) and No. 190 (42.5 m3) machine will be reviewed, and the resulting economic benefits of large flotation machines in high tonnage applications will be summarized.

Jan 1, 1985

By P. A. K. Wilkinson

This paper is concerned with the development of an in situ recovery of boric acid from a deep-seated colemanite deposit in California. The deposit contains 147 million tons of borate ore containing 6.4% boron oxide (B203). It is the largest undeveloped colemanite deposit in the United States and because of its unique occurrence and grade, in situ extraction appears to be the most economic viable process. The paper covers the geological, mineralogical, hydrological, well-field development, and extraction considerations leading to the initial pilot plant and subsequent demonstration plant phases of the project. Market potential aspects and preliminary economics of the project are also covered.

Jan 1, 1987

By S. K. Sharma, ANKUSH GALAV, G. S. P. Singh

Providing a suitable protective water barrier pillar (PWBP) is common to reduce inundation hazards in underground coal mines. The imperative factors influencing its performance include the water head acting on the pillar, cover depth, pillar width, strength properties, and permeability characteristics. The mechanical failure of such pillar is a stress-controlled phenomenon, whereas the hydraulic failure is a strain-based phenomenon. A finite-difference numerical modeling approach was developed to study the hydro-mechanical coupled behavior of protective water barrier pillars. The mechanical stability was evaluated in terms of the percentage of failed (ZoF) and intact zones. The influence of the strain-controlled weakening on the permeability of the flow medium was studied through the coupling of the mechanical and hydraulic effects. The coupled steady-state model was used to estimate the outflow rate and its hydraulic stability. The adequacy of the protective pillar was also investigated by assessing mechanical stability and capability to resist hydraulic pressure against the maximum expected water head. A seepage rate-based classification system has also been proposed to evaluate the seepage potential and assess the hydraulic stability. The model has been validated for two case studies at the cover depth of 136–189.5 m and the existing pillar width of 16–42 m against the water head of 25–141 m.

Aug 18, 2022

By R. A. Cattell

Every finding of the year's work, obtained under stress to meet present objectives, contributed to postwar needs, because the very nature and constitution of petroleum and natural gas require that research be conducted along the same general lines whether the results are applied in peace or war. More than 40 reports were submitted to the Petroleum Administration for War and others concerned with (1) evaluation of crude oils to determine their content of aviation-gasoline base stock, (2) evaluation of base stocks for blending with high-octane, synthetically manufactured components, (3) analyses of naphthas to determine their content of various types of hydro-carbons, such as benzene and toluene, and (4) the improvement of quality of marginal base stocks to meet future requirements of aviation gasoline. This upgrading of marginal stocks is being attained by selective distillation and chemical and catalytic removal of sulfur compounds. Asphalts were studied with respect to the characteristics of their various constituents in order to compound them, in the same way that aviation fuels now are being "built" to meet exacting requirements. The work previously initiated to give the industry fundamental data on thermodynamics of hydrocarbons progressed satisfactorily, and the heats of combustion of 10 hydrocarbons in the lubricating oil -range of petroleum were determined. Thermodynamic data requiring highly specialized techniques are so broad in application that their commercial usefulness is not yet fully appreciated.

Jan 1, 1946

By Barritt Lovelace

Collins Engineers has been researching and implementing the use of drones on Civil Engineering Projects since 2015. Applications include bridge inspection, asset management, mapping, construction site management and emergency response. Recently this technology was used to map and model construction sites with deep foundations to verify and quantify designs. The ability to collect and use large amounts of data is transforming our world. Drone hardware and software is being used to capture and digitally replicate assets, giving owners unprecedented ability to visualize and manage their projects. Our teams help owners collect and process drone data into deliverables to be analyzed, annotated, stored, and shared. The use of drones can transform the way projects are managed and can improve project workflows. Data collected with drones can be processed into a digital twin of any project site or asset. This digital twin provides owners with a three-dimensional geometrically and geospatially accurate model. These models can be annotated and tagged with information that can be stored and shared locally or on cloud-based platforms. The data can be exported and used in a wide variety of CAD and GIS platforms. Goals When considering the use of UAS for several items need to be considered when establishing project goals. Safety Drones can be used to reduce job site safety risks in two ways. The first is that use of the drone can remove personnel from harm’s way. Surveyors and other project staff will traditionally walk the site to collect survey and other site information. These efforts can be replaced with the use of a drone eliminating much of the need for personnel to be on the job site itself which improves safety. The other way safety can be improved is that a digital model of a job site can be created on a daily or weekly basis that can be quickly analyzed for safety hazards. This analysis could be done remotely by safety officers to identify job site hazards which can then be corrected before injuries happen. Improved Deliverables Perhaps the most important reason to incorporate drones into project workflows it the ability to improve the project deliverables. Drones have the ability to quickly collect large amounts of high quality data which can be processed into orthomosaics, point clouds and 3D models that give engineers and project managers the information they need to make better decisions on design or project management.

Jan 1, 2019

By Ian Martin

A precious metals refinery’s switch to personal computer-based, three-dimensional piping design saved many hours in the design of a South African precious metals refinery. Bateman Minerals and Industrial provided engineering, procurement and construction management services for Impala Platinum Limited-Refineries’ new $60 million refinery in Springs, South Africa. This project is one of the largest platinum refineries in the world. Bateman evaluated a new design method during this project that involved developing a three-dimensional model for the project. The new method saved time by reducing the man-hours required to generate complete project documentation, including plans, sections, isometrics and material takeoffs. The new method also saved design and construction time by allowing designers to detect clashes before construction began.

Jan 1, 2000

My predecessor in the office of President of the Institute started a custom of visiting the various local sections, thus obtaining their points . of view and their ideas as to how the Institute can best serve the interests of its members. Exceedingly valuable- exchange of ideas was thus brought about. I am following this custom as far as the limited amount of free time at my disposal will allow me, and I trust that my successor in office will appreciate the benefit to be derived from following the custom thus initiated and will continue the swing around the circle of the local sections. The activities of the Institute are increased by the prestige gained from large numbers and I trust that every member of this local section will consider himself a member of the committee on increase of membership and will see if he is not able during the coming year to gain at least one new member for the Institute. This is a perfectly possible proposition for, although the membership of the Institute is at present approximately seven thousand, I feel sure there are at least seven thousand more men in the United States who are interested in mining, metallurgy or geology from the metal-mining point of view who would make admirable members or associate members of the Institute. The first consideration of the Institute as a body, and of each member as an individual, is to win the war and defeat the Huns. In order to accomplish this, the Institute, as a body, has cooperated with the other national engineering societies and the great bureaus of the Department of the Interior, the United States Geological Survey and the Bureau of Mines in forming committees to study and advise the Government on pressing problems of vital importance.

Jan 5, 1918

By Richard D. Miller

The helium resources base of the United States was estimated by the Bureau of Mines to be 961 Bcf as of January 1, 1983. These resources are divided into four categories in decreasing degree of assurance of their existence: (1) helium in storage and in proved natural gas re- serves, 271 Bcf, (2) helium in probable natural gas resources, estimated at 202 Bcf, (3) helium in possible natural gas resources, estimated to be 351 Bcf, and (4) helium in speculative natural gas resources, which makes up the remaining 137 Bcf. These helium resources are further divided into depleting, nondepleting, and stored classifications. The depleting resources are those associated with natural gas fields that are, or will be, produced for the natural gas they contain. All of the helium in potential (probable, possible, and speculative) natural gas resources is included in this classification. These depleting resources are estimated to contain 789 Bcf of the total helium resource base. Helium resources contained in nondepleting natural gas resources, those in shut-in, abandoned, or otherwise nonproducing natural gas fields, are estimated to total 134 Bcf. There is 38 Bcf of helium in storage in the Federal Government- owned Cliffside Gas Field near Amarillo, TX.

Jan 1, 1985

By J. A. Finch

A closed grinding circuit, typified by a ball mill-cyclone combination, is often required to treat a feed comprised of a variety of minerals of differing properties. Usually, the individual behaviour of the minerals is not assessed, a procedure which requires sizing and metal or mineralogical assaying of each size fraction. Further, sizing is frequently by screening to perhaps 325 mesh meaning that detail on the important -44 um fraction is unavailable. It is well appreciated that minerals can exhibit both individual classifying and grinding behaviour. Recognizing that cyclone classification results from differential centrifugal settling and acceleration rates, then minerals of differing specific gravity will exhibit individual mineral cyclone performance curves. If the minerals have differing grindabilities, then individual mineral rates of breakage may be expected. When treating an ore containing minerals of a range in specific gravity and/or grindability, individual mineral behaviour in the closed-circuit grind could be notable and perhaps important to the overall concentrator performance. An example is a lead-zinc ore, as shown by Kelsall et al.(1,2) This paper describes the individual mineral cyclone performance curves at sizes down to ti 10 um for the four major minerals at two lead-zinc concentrators; the Sullivan concentrator at Kimberley, British Columbia, and the Pine Point Mines concentrator at Pine Point, North West Territories, both operated by Cominco Ltd. In addition, individual mineral grinding behaviour for the four major minerals at the Sullivan concentrator is presented.

Jan 1, 1977

By Walter R. Crane

PAGE I. Apparatus and Methods.......... 406 1. The Magnetic Circuit...........406 2. Apparatus Employed in the Traction-Method...... 406 a. The Coils............409 b. The Pole-Pieces..........409 3. Methods of Testing Fields Produced by Different Pole.Pices.. ..409 c. Testing with a Search.Coil........410 d. Testing with Iron-Filings and Glass Tube.. .. .410 4. General Forma of Pole-Pieces.........411 e. Flat Poles............411 f. Conical Poles........... 411 g. Spherical Poles...........411 h. Chisel-Edged (Chamfered) Poles.......412 II. Magnetic Fields...........412 5. Methods of Testinq for Magnetic Permeability...... 421 i. The Rod-Method..........423 j. Method Employed in These Experiments......424 k. Difference in the Results of the Two Methods..... 425 l. The Traction-Method.........427 m. Effect of Loosening the Charge.......430 n Corrections...........432 6. Theory.............433 o. Effect of Varying Weight on Tractive Force..... 434 p. Effect of Varying Pole-Distance.......436 q. Effect of Varying Magnetization.......436 T. Effect of Varying Size.. .......437 a. Summary,........... 441 III. The Relative Magnetic Permeability of Various Minerals,. 443 The form and strength of magnetic fields have attracted much attention. especially in connection with the designing of dynamo-electric machinery—an art which has been revolution-

Jan 1, 1902

By Floyd C. Bossard

In underground mining operations, the over- riding issue has to be protection of worker health and safety. The employees underground, making a living in a dangerous occupation, know these are major issues. These men bargain their lives and health on the presumption that the operating management knows its business, and they, the underground employees, can pursue their occupation with the assurance that management has provided a safe and healthy ambient underground environment. When management assumes the mantle of protection of underground workers, it has to be positive that qualified engineers have designed the project, and that capable operating personnel are in charge and always available. Those persons with these responsibilities must be knowledgeable in the engineering and occupational health aspects of sine ventilation. The ultimate function of a mine ventilation system is to provide a comfortable, healthy and safe ambient environment for the underground workers. The attainment of these objectives has been complicated with the increased application of electrical equipment and diesel-powered mechanized mining equipment underground (discharging toxic diesel emissions); increased production rates with the attendant increased production of airborne dust; and mine development in increasingly hostile mineral formations containing combustible strata gases, radon gas emissions, along with high heat and humidity. In general, the modern mechanization of present mining operations has resulted in a sore complex set of problems for the engineer planning the underground ambient environment.

Jan 1, 1983

By F. A. Forward, A. H. Ross, J. Halpern

IN treating carnotite ores by carbonate leaching it is often necessary to subject the ore to a prior roast. Among the advantages that may result from roasting are: 1) improvement in settling and filtering characteristics of the ore; 2) destruction of carbonaceous impurities that would otherwise contaminate the leach solution and consume carbonate reagent; and 3) substantial increase in extraction of vanadium, which is usually low when the un-roasted ore is leached. Recovery of vanadium may be an important factor in processing carnotite ores, and the fact that vanadium is usually recovered in good yield by acid leaching has often been an economic advantage over results obtained with carbonate leaching. It has been found that response of an ore to carbonate leaching, following roasting, depends primarily on its composition and on the conditions of the prior roast treatment, particularly with regard to the roasting temperature, the atmosphere maintained above the charge during roasting and cooling, and the presence of certain reagents. These factors, especially the last, virtually determine the extractions of uranium and vanadium attainable by carbonate leaching, as well as the reagent consumption on leaching, whereas adjustment of the leaching conditions has only a limited influence. These variables were examined systematically to elucidate roasting and carbonate leaching of carnotite ores and to establish a treatment yielding high recoveries of both uranium and vanadium. Tests were conducted on samples of four different Colorado Plateau ores, described in Table I. Roasting Procedure: The roasting tests were conducted in an electrically heated furnace in which the temperature was controlled to +15oC. The ore (usually a 500-g charge) was ground to —100 mesh, mixed with the desired reagent, and spread in a silica tray to a bed depth of about 1/2 in. During the roast the charge was rabbled at intervals of 15 min. To provide free access of air the furnace was usually ventilated; however, in a few experiments a controlled atmosphere such as carbon dioxide or hydrogen was maintained above the charge. Leaching Procedure: The pulp, generally comprising 500 g of ore and a 2000-cc solution containing 80 g per liter of Na2CO3 and 20 g per liter of NaHCO3, was agitated in an autoclave at 120°C, under 30 psi O2. Samples were withdrawn periodically, and the solution and ore residue were analyzed. Under the conditions employed, maximum attainable extractions were generally achieved in 4

Jan 1, 1958