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By D. Mjonono, S. T. L. Harrison, N. Maliela, A. Kotsiopoulos

The improvement of coal waste management practices, through the co-disposal of waste rock with sulphur-lean fine waste tailings (<1 mm in size), can potentially mitigate acid rock drainage (ARD). On exposure to natural oxidants, the sulphide compounds present in mine discards generate acidity, creating a cyclical oxidation process intensified by iron and sulphur oxidising microorganisms. To inhibit the emergence of ARD, a stable mine dump may be constructed that is structurally stable and incompressible through the mixing of complementary waste fractions that reduce voids and access to acid generating surfaces. However, large voids manifest as scale increases, due to decreased particle interlock, enabling the unrestricted access of oxidants leading to the early onset of ARD. To avoid this phenomenon, enhanced packing approaches based on geochemical and geotechnical characterisation tests were employed to improve bed stability. These were assessed for long-term prevention using aggressive oxidative conditions typical of heap leaching applications. Favourable results were obtained for both blended and multi-layered systems. However, long-term success was most notable in beds with alternating layers of waste rock and fine waste tailings with co-mingled systems being more susceptible to failure. Deconstructed co-disposed beds provided valuable insight into post-leach structural transformations. Results indicated that relative changes in initial coarse discards to fine waste ratios were most notable in blended systems. Mass fractions of the comparatively more mobile fine wastes increased axially down these test columns that ultimately resulted in increased contact of oxidants with the acid generating waste discards. Conversely, more consistent ratios were observed in multi-layered configurations. In these systems, near impervious hardpans were created by the moisture retaining fine tailings, forming stable structures with neutralising barriers sustained at each alternating layer. Consistent with post-leach geotechnical characteristics, static acid-base accounting tests showed that the uppermost sections of blended systems were more susceptible to oxidation due to structural failure with fine particles migration, while the more stable multi-layered configuration evenly maintained neutralising capacity. Keywords: Acid rock drainage (ARD), bed structure, mobility of fine particles

Jan 1, 2020

This paper reviews the development and operation of a small underground tin mine in NE Tasmania. Tin mineralisation was discovered in the Lottah area in the 1880&apos;s with early alluvial and eluvial workings leading to the development of large low grade open pit operations. Apart from short lived activities operations ceased in 1915. Intensive exploration in 1978-81 outlined substantial tonnages of low grade tin mineralisation (0.2% Sn) of open pit material. An underground ore body was also located (800 000 tonnes 0.6% Sn). Spectrum Resources Australia Pty Limited acquired a 98 percent interest in the property in 1988. Mine and mill development began in early 1989 based on an underground mine utilising trackless mining using room and pillar with fill stoping. The milling circuit involves primary jaw crushing, Barmac secondary crushing to lmm, Mogensen and DSM screens with jigs and tables to make a wet concentrate. Final tin concentrates are produced by high tension and magnetic separation. Planned production rates are 500 t/day with a mine life of 6-7 years.

Jan 1, 1990

By J. T. Dewan

An experimental setup is described whereby the responses of Neutron logging instruments have been determined opposite formations of different porosities and under various borehole conditions. The results of these tests are presented in several charts which show how the Neutron log is affected by the following factors: hole diameter, casing, cement, salinity and weight of drilling mud, and position of logging tool with respect to the wall of the hole. The responses in the case of empty holes are also shown. A chart is furthermore presented which shows the shapes of the Neutron log, as a function of logging speed and time constant, at the boundaries between two formations with different porosities. These were derived mathematically using as a basis laboratory determination of the shape of the curve under static conditions, i.e. at very low logging speed. Corrections for the readings made opposite thin beds are given by these computations. The correction is found negligible under usual logging conditions for beds thicker than about 4 ft. INTRODUCTION The Neutron log is used in borehole surveys both for the delineation of porous formations and for the quantitative estimation of their porosities.1,2,3,4,5 It is common practice to calibrate the response of the Neutron log in terms of porosity values for each given geological unit by means of empirical comparisons between the deflections of the neutron curve and the porosity values given by the core analysis in a sufficient number of wells. Usually, the plots of the porosity values vs Neutron log deflections show a definite trend. It is therefore possible to trace an average line across the plotted points. This average line constitutes a calibration curve which can be used to evaluate the porosities from the Neutron logs in the other wells drilled in the same region. Futhermore, when the porosity values are plotted on a logarithmic scale and the Neutron log deflections on a linear scale, the calibration curve is practically a straight line. Accordingly the calibration curves are often determined by simply tracing a straight line between two points corresponding to two widely different porosities. Different choices are made for these two points, depending on local conditions. For example, one point will be defined by plotting the deflection of the Neutron curve opposite a formation known to be very tight, for which an average porosity value of 1 or 2 per cent is assumed. The other point may correspond to shale sections, to which a porosity of around 40 per cent is ascribed. The information provided by the eletrical logs — in particular the Laterolog, Limestone log or Micro-Latero-log — is also very often a help in the calibration of the Neutron logs. Empirical approaches such as these make possible the derivation of fairly reliable porosity values from the Neutron logs in many cases, at least in open holes and in essentially clean formations. There are, however, several causes of uncertainty which may sometimes entail appreciable errors. On the one hand, the Neutron log readings are influenced by the borehole conditions: hole diameter, presence or absence of casing and cement, presence or absence of drilling mud, characteristics of the mud, and position of the logging instrument with respect to the wall of the hole. The amplitudes of the curves opposite thin beds are furthermore atfected by the bed thickness,

Jan 1, 1957

By W. S. CAYPLESS, H. O. Hofman, E. E. HARRINGTON

I. INTRODUCTION. LIME-ROASTING is a term proposed by Ingalls 1 for the operation of forcing air under pressure through a mixture of galena and lime at the kindling-temperature with the object of oxidizing lead and sulphur and of fritting or fusing the charge. If, finely-divided galena were treated in this manner without the addition of lime, the heat set free by the oxidation of part of the lead and the sulphur would be sufficiently great to fuse undecomposed sulphide, and thus stop desulphurization. Besides the chemical action that the addition of lime, limestone or gypsum to the charge may have, the admixture has the physical effect that it keeps the particles of galena separated from one another and accessible to the oxidizing effect of the air. At present, three methods of lime-roasting are carried out on a working-scale, the Huntington-Heberlein, the Carmichael-Bradford and the Savelsberg2 processes. In the last, which interests us here, an 8-ton charge is made up of galena, limestone and perhaps some siliceous or ferruginous flux; the whole is crushed to pass a screen with 3-mm. holes and moistened with 5 per cent of water. It is fed gradually into a bowl-shaped converter, 6.56 ft. in diameter, supported by trunnions attached to a truck. On the .bottom the converter has a grate with blast-inlet beneath. In starting, the truck with the converter

Jan 1, 1907

By S. F. LEAMING

Jade occurs with alpine-1ype serpe111iniIes in a be// of middle Paleozoic to Triassic rocks extending from southern British Columbia in10 Yukon Territory. Most known deposiIs are in BriIish Columbia and are associa1ed wi1h the Cache Creek Group. Jade deposits are generally small len1icular masses 1ha1 lie along con1acIs beIween serpenIinites and various countIy rocks; some are 1ec1onic inclusions wi1hin se1pen1ini1es. Qualify and quan1i1y of 1he jade varies widely. Deposi1s occasionally, but rarely, reach 3,000 /Onnes. The ma1erial may be rendered non-commercial by .frac1ures, impuriIies, inferior colour and poor IexIure. Because unit value of jade can approach $80.00 per kg, greaI incen1ive exisIs 10 exploi1 1his resource. Successful commercial operations, however, depend on large- *A more detailed version of 1hi paper occur in Leaming (1978). PHOTO I . Sawn blocks of nephrite ready for shipping. 270 volume sales, for which $6.00 to $15.00 per kg is more realistic. Many undiscovered jade deposits undoubtedly remain in the Canadian Cordillera.

Jan 1, 1984

By J. S. Lee, R. K. Massarsch

"A 3.2 km long immersed road tunnel forms part of the Busan-Geoje Fixed Link in South Korea, which connects Korea's second largest city Busan, with the island of Geoje. To ensure the water tightness of the joints of the segmental tunnel structure and to limit the forces in the shear keys, the differential settlements have to be limited. This was achieved by extensive soil improvement of the marine clay below the tunnel with cement deep mixing (CDM) and sand compaction piles (SCP). This paper focuses on the characteristics of the marine clay, the basic design principles, layout and constructional issues of the CDM soil improvement, and numerical and numerical analyses to predict settlement and stability.INTRODUCTIONThe Busan-Geoje Fixed Link consists of two short cut & cover tunnel access ramps, a 3.2 km long immersed tunnel (Figure 1) and two long span cable stayed bridges. The tunnel consists of eighteen concrete elements each of 180 m length having a rectangular cross section of 26.5 m in width and 10 m in height. The tunnel elements are cast in a dry dock on shore and floated out to the sea, immersed in their final positions on a gravel bed in pre-excavated trench and connected to each other by a dual gasket system. The water depth was up to 50 m making the tunnel of the deepest yet constructed. After immersion, the tunnel is protected by backfill material at the sides and rock armour on top. Each tunnel element consists of eight 22.5 m long segments. The joints between the segments and between the tunnel elements are equipped with EDPM water stops, Omega seals and concrete shear keys. The longitudinal displacement behaviour of the segmental tunnel structure in the varying ground conditions represents a complex soil-structure interaction problem which has been modelled with a FEM structural model representing the tunnel, the joints and with springs to represent the soil that are derived from the PLAXIS soil/foundation models. In order to ensure the water tightness of the joints which have limited opening capacity and to limit the forces in the shear keys, differential longitudinal settlements have to be limited. This is achieved by limiting the variations in subgrade modulus along the alignment and it in practice means that differential settlements are limited to a few tens of millimetres. Without soil improvement of the marine clay below the tunnel, long-term tunnel settlements of up to 400 mm were predicted when taking into account the likely variations in the trench profile, backfilling and uncertainties in the soil properties. Such large total settlements led to large variations in the sub-grade reaction along the alignment, which in turn resulted in significant differential settlements, unacceptable joint opening and large shear key loading. It was therefore decided to carry out extensive soil improvement with cement deep mixing (CDM) (CDIT, 1999) and sand compaction piles (SCP) (Kitazume, 2005) after studying a number of foundation alternatives."

Jan 1, 2015

By A. E. Jenkins, L. A. Baker, N. A. Warner

The electromagnetic levitation technique has been successfully applied to rate studies of the de-carburization of liquid Fe-C alloys from 5.5 to zero pct C at 1660°C using gas mixtures containing 1 to 100 pct CO2 with CO or helium as diluents. The rate was shown to be independent of carbon concen -tration in the melt and only slightly affected by total pressure. The results were shown to be consistent with control either wholly or predominantly by gaseous diffusion. As well as avoiding side reactions with the crucible, levitation allowed precise calculation of reaction rates since the geometry of the system was accurately known. It also enabled interpretation using the established mass-transfer correlations for a gas flowing past a single sphere, The existence of gaseous-diffusion control and the extremely high rates of reaction reported for gas flowing past small spheres are of great practical significance in relation to current investigations into the use of spray-refining techniques in continzcous steelmaking. PREVIOUS work on the kinetics of carbon removal from liquid iron has generally involved the use of oxygen as the gaseous oxidant. Investigations have been made on commercial steelmaking furnaces and in addition laboratory-scale experiments have been attempted with a slag phase present. The general lack of agreement and the obvious difficulty in interpreting the results is at least partly due to the complexity of the systems used. This work has been reviewed by carter1 and more recently by Bods-worth2 and ward.3 The gas-liquid metal reactions have also been studied with slag-free melts by the conventional technique of blowing oxygen onto the melt contained in a crucible. The reaction between the oxidant and carbon could be followed by sampling either the melt or the gas phase. Side reactions with the crucible material have precluded direct interpretation of the results. Fujii, 5-7 using O-A mixtures, attempted to correct for the crucible reaction and reported that the reaction between carban and oxygen occurred at the melt surface and was controlled by gaseous diffusion for carbon contents greater than a critical value and by carbon-diffusion control in the metal for carbon contents less than the critical. The critical value was given as approximately 0.15 pct C. However, whereas this was the case for oxygen contents in the gas stream up to 10 pct, between 10 and 20 pct the rate was found to be approximately independent of oxygen content, and Fujii attempted to explain this observation by postulating the presence of an oxide "film".7 Turkdogan et a1.&apos; have studied iron fuming during decarburizing and suggested gaseous-diffusion control of the reaction above a critical carbon concentration, given as approximately 2 pct C. Filippov9-12 reports in a similar manner to Fujii but makes no mention of the crucible reaction with the carbon in the melt, even though this would be expected with the temperature, crucible material (MgO), and carbon contents used. Both CO2 and O2 were used as oxidant gases. In the present work the decarburization of liquid Fe-C alloys was studied using an adaptation of the electromagnetic levitation technique, and thus the complexities introduced by crucible side reactions were eliminated. In this technique a single sphere of the Fe-C alloy is freely suspended and heated by electromagnetic induction in a flowing stream containing the oxidant gas. The full range of carbon levels up to saturation was studied, the temperature of the melts in this instance being held constant at 1660°C. The oxidant was CO2 which was used either pure or in association with a diluent gas, the total gas pressure being maintained either at 1 atm or at a reduced pressure. Thus the reaction under study was:

Jan 1, 1964

By Xiang-ning Meng, Miao-yong Zhu

"A three-dimensional finite-element heat-transfer model is conducted to predict temperature of hot copper plate in a slab continuous casting mold and the effect of casting speed on temperature difference between copper plate and solidifying shell is simulated in combination with process data. The results show that centre temperature of hot copper surface at casting speed 1.8 m·min-1 and 2.0 m·min-1 are higher than that of 1.6 m·min-1 casting speed 4.7-5.2 °C and 11.2-12.2 °C respectively and temperature is not increased linearly with casting speed. Temperature difference in meniscus between mold and shell is influenced obviously by casting speed and increased 4.0- 6.0 °C with increment of casting speed 0.2 m·min-1• Fluctuation of temperature difference in meniscus is a main reason to deteriorate casting quality as increasing casting speed.IntroductionIn conventional continuous casting of steel, a large amount of sensible and latent heat of molten steel dissipates in primary cooling zone and mold becomes a critical component of caster to govern steel quality, meanwhile, thermal load on mold is increased constantly and environment is also more abominable since high productivity and quality are required and high-effective technologies are applied. So, an in-depth understanding of thermal behavior of mold at high casting speed is essential to design cooling structure and maintain casting stability. Many studies have been carried out to shed light on thermal behavior in mold. Chow et al. [l] applied a mathematical model to heat transfer in billet mold at a high casting speed to give a new taper in order to minimize mold-strand interaction. Thomas et al. [2] researched relation between mold geometry and temperature distribution based on a finite-element heat-transfer model. Lu et al. [3] indicated that slab mold temperature are mainly affected by thickness of copper plate and nickel layer by a heat transfer model. Samarasekera et al. [4, 5] researched temperature of copper plates for both billet and slab molds and effect of a large number of factors ranging from water quality to casting speed. Park and Thomas et al. [6, 7] developed a finite-element thermal-stress model to determine temperature and thermal distortion and stress in both thin and slab molds and O'Connor et al. [8] applied an elastic-plastic-creep finite-element model in a funnel shaped mold to achieve same goals. Cicutti et al. [9] evaluated heat transfer and temperature fluctuation in a slab mold and proposed an expression to predict global heat flux as a function of process parameters and an index to quantify thermal instability. All mentioned above shown that thermal behavior is not only important to casting stability, it is also premise to further understand mechanical behavior in mold."

Jan 1, 2011

By W. A. Anderson

IN the pressure die-casting of zinc alloys it is customary to force the molten alloy under high pressure into a permanent steel die by means of a plunger moving in a bushing that has a clearance on the diameter of the order of 0.002 in. Successful operation of the plunger type of machine requires the presence in the zinc alloy of certain percentages of aluminum. Without these aluminum additions, the normal reaction of molten zinc on ferrous materials causes sticking of the plunger and a complete shutdown of the equipment. All of the zinc alloys used for pressure die-casting today contain approximately 4 per cent of aluminum, which is more than sufficient to make plunger operation feasible. The clearance between the plunger and its bushing is an important matter. As the space becomes larger, there is a loss in effective metal pressure. Ordinary gray cast iron served fairly well and is still used in some machines. However, the rate at which the plunger clearance increases with this material is considered by many to be far too great. There is, therefore, a serious interest in finding new materials more capable of retaining the desired clearance during long periods of use. Today many die casters are using special materials for plungers and bushings selected by the somewhat expensive and time-consuming test of actual experience. An analysis of the problem reveals two possible end points of plunger operation: (1) the building up of zinc-alloy plunger-material reaction products in sufficient bulk to cause sticking and (2) rapid solution, wear or erosion, all of which will increase the clearance to an undesirable extent. If neither of these takes place, the plunger will operate for a long time, of course. The authors have developed a laboratory apparatus in which the action of a plunger moving in a bushing immersed in molten zinc alloy could be simulated closely. Such a machine made possible a more rapid and less expensive survey of the available construction materials and an analysis of the specific alloying reactions taking place in the clear-ance area.

Jan 1, 1939

By F. Vasilikou

Commercial deployment of Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage (CCUS) requires field testing of a scale that can stress the geologic reservoirs. One such reservoir of interest consists of unminable coal seams that exhibit favorable characteristics and depositional environments and lower pressure and temperature than other, deeper, reservoirs. Such conditions can reduce compression costs while utilizing the action of adsorption that offers a more effective carbon dioxide (CO2) bonding than free storage or solution. To ensure the success of such tests, a number of parameters should be accurately determined, such as the seam geometry and stratigraphy, coal porosity and permeability parameters as well as optimum injection conditions. In essence the CO2 injection model should be calibrated for the reservoir characteristics using all available data. History matching calibrations are based on gas and water production from existing wells prior to injection. This paper will present reservoir models that were developed for a pilot--scale 907 tonnes (1000 tons) CO2 injection test that was performed in 2009 through one legacy coalbed methane production well in Russell County, Virginia, USA. The model incorporates a number of individual coal seams about 0.3 m (1ft) in thickness located at depths ranging from 300 to 700 m (1,000 to 2,200 feet). Model calibration was performed through history matching to prior production data, and subsequently the model was utilized to develop different injection scenarios. The developed model was used after injection to calculate CO2 plume distribution patterns that were monitored at the injection test. The paper will present model data and assumptions with a special emphasis on the effect of hydraulic fractures and the skin factor to the coalbed methane (CBM) production model.

Aug 1, 2013

By C. M. Tucker, K. R. Van Horn, W. P. Sykes

Recent investigations of the molybdenum-carbon alloys have been reported by Becker and Ebertl,‡ Westgren and Phragmén2, T. Takei3, and H. Tutiya4. Takei3 studied the Mo-C system by employing metal-lographic and X-ray methods, and the other publications described the determination of the crystal structure of the molybdenum carbides. In exploring this system by a technique previously applied to the tungsten-carbon series5, the results of Takei were confirmed with two definite exceptions; i.e., first the composition of the eutectic, and second the nature of the carbon-rich intermediate phase. Consequently, a more thorough examination of the molybdenum-carbon constitution was initiated in an effort to correlate the data supplied by the microstructures, diffraction patterns and chemical analyses. Metallographic Investigation A briquette of molybdenum powder when heated in a carburizing atmosphere at 1500" to 1600" C. for several hours develops the carbon-rich layer shown in Fig. 1. The carburization was accomplished by placing the briquette in a carbon tube, which was heated in the hydrogen atmosphere of an alundum muffle wound with tungsten resistor. While the macrostructure indicates two distinct shells, and suggests the possibility of two carbon-rich phases, no evidence of this condition could be detected by the microscope, which revealed but one high-carbon constituent. This carbide forms next to the molybdenum as a relatively dense, light-colored zone (Fig. 2) which passes abruptly into an outer layer of spongy texture. As will be noted later, only one intermediate phase was observed in the X-ray photograms prepared of different locations in the carburized zone. The metallographic structure at the inner border of the shell, reproduced in Fig. 3, shows a marked porosity accom-

Jan 1, 1935

By C. M. Tucker, K. R. Van Horn, W. P. Sykes

Recent investigations of the molybdenum-carbon alloys have been reported by Becker and Ebertl,‡ Westgren and Phragmén2, T. Takei3, and H. Tutiya4. Takei3 studied the Mo-C system by employing metal-lographic and X-ray methods, and the other publications described the determination of the crystal structure of the molybdenum carbides. In exploring this system by a technique previously applied to the tungsten-carbon series5, the results of Takei were confirmed with two definite exceptions; i.e., first the composition of the eutectic, and second the nature of the carbon-rich intermediate phase. Consequently, a more thorough examination of the molybdenum-carbon constitution was initiated in an effort to correlate the data supplied by the microstructures, diffraction patterns and chemical analyses. Metallographic Investigation A briquette of molybdenum powder when heated in a carburizing atmosphere at 1500" to 1600" C. for several hours develops the carbon-rich layer shown in Fig. 1. The carburization was accomplished by placing the briquette in a carbon tube, which was heated in the hydrogen atmosphere of an alundum muffle wound with tungsten resistor. While the macrostructure indicates two distinct shells, and suggests the possibility of two carbon-rich phases, no evidence of this condition could be detected by the microscope, which revealed but one high-carbon constituent. This carbide forms next to the molybdenum as a relatively dense, light-colored zone (Fig. 2) which passes abruptly into an outer layer of spongy texture. As will be noted later, only one intermediate phase was observed in the X-ray photograms prepared of different locations in the carburized zone. The metallographic structure at the inner border of the shell, reproduced in Fig. 3, shows a marked porosity accom-

Jan 1, 1935

By H. Stuart, L. Zwell, N. Ridley

specimen that was subjected to 700°C for 250 hr is shown in Fig. 2(c). The precipitates in this foil appear round and exhibit only very faint strain contrast. From this evidence, along with that described above for the symmetry of the strain field, it may be concluded that this coherent precipitate is spherical, which is generally the favored shape for coherent precipitates when the lattice parameter mismatch is small.12 These observations are consistent with the assumption that this precipitate is the y&apos; (Ni3Al, Ti) phase. y&apos; is known to be spherical in the early stages of precipitation. It is fcc and is similar in composition to the matrix and thus would have contrast similar to that of the matrix as do these precipitates. Direct identification of the spherical precipitate did not prove possible because of its low volume fraction and small size. The results of this investigation suggest that the increases in yield strength and the decreases in elongation observed in 45-Fe 30-Ni 20-Cr alloys containing about 0.4 pct A1 and 0.4 pct Ti on prolonged aging at 550" to 700°C are very likely due to the presence of a coherent, spherical precipitate, thought to be y&apos;. Mi-crohardness measurements indicated that the precipitation of semicoherent M23C6 resulted in some matrix hardening. However, this precipitation process occurs much more rapidly than the changes in mechanical properties at these temperatures. 1C. L. Clark, J. J. B. Rutherford, A. B. Wilder, and M. A. Cordovi: J. Eng. Power, 1962, vol. 84, p. 258. 2 F. A. Comprelli and U. E. Wolff: USAEC Report GEAP-4745, General Electric Company November, 1964. 3C. N. Spalaris: A Monograph, USAEC Report GEAP-4633, General Electric Company, July, 1964. THERE have been many X-ray investigations of the room temperature lattice parameters of austenite which has been retained in quenched steels of various carbon contents. The results of these investigations have been collected by Wrazej,1 Wever et al.,2 and by Roberts3 and are included in Fig. 1 due to Pearson.4 The dashed line in Fig. 1 was considered by Roberts3 to most reliably describe the variation with carbon content of the lattice parameter of retained austenite. This line is given by the equation: a (Å) = 3.555 + 0.044 wt % C and recent unpublished measurements by one of the authors (LZ) support this relationship. The object of this communication is to draw attention to a relationship which describes the variation of the room temperature lattice parameter of &apos;equilibrium&apos; austenite with carbon content, and which is different from that for retained austenite. The relationship a(Å) = 3.573 + 0.033 wt % C has been obtained from lattice parameter measurements made on equilibrium Fe-C austenites at elevated temperatures, which have been extrapolated to room temperature. The room temperature lattice parameter of 3.555Å which the Roberts&apos; relationship gives for pure y-Fe is no: in agreement with the value of 3.573Å obtained when the high temperature lattice parameter data of Basinski et aL.5 and of Goldschmidt6 is extrapolated to room temperature. A linear extrapolation was

Jan 1, 1970

By Vern Evans

Saskatchewan has historically been recognized for farming, but in 1943 while drilling for oil, potash was discovered. The initial attempt to gain access to the potash beds was unsuccessful, however, subsequent attempts were successful and today there are ten operating potash mines in Saskatchewan. In this paper we will provide a brief overview of the historical and current Potash industry in Saskatchewan.

May 1, 2011

By Jim V. Rouse

In situ mining and dump leaching has been practiced for years. Recent environmental concern over conventional mining and milling techniques has rendered in situ mining more attractive. While there are many environmental advantages to in situ mining, there are disadvantages which, if ignored, can lead to environmental damages, followed by stringent control. The environmental advantages and disadvantages of the various types of in situ mining operations are discussed. Current legislation and regulations governing in situ mining are cited, together with a suggested program of environmental monitoring designed to protect the mining company as well as the environment. Suggestions are made for possible solution of existing pollution problems associated with previous mining activities by heap-leaching techniques. Present and indicated control of subsurface injection is traced, because of the many similarities in philosphy and monitoring requirements to in situ mining.

Jan 1, 1974

By George Moses K, Mahendran K

Grouting is performed in rock masses in order to increase its strength properties and also to reduce the seepage. In the design of underground structures such as tunnels or caverns located in weak rock masses, grouting plays an essential role. Grouting is a complex process demanding high degree of skill and knowledge in understanding of grout flow and requirements for certain geological conditions. This paper discusses the design process for grouting in rock masses adopted for a cavern project and the practical difficulties faced during the execution at site. The design parameters of grouting includes the injection pressure, grout material properties and stopping criteria. The paper also discusses the various tests performed at site to evaluate the efficacy of the grouting process which was initially defined based on the design and previous experiences. The final grouting scheme suiting to the present geological condition is arrived based on the test results. The practical difficulties faced during the execution and the measures taken to overcome these are discussed in detail. This work shows the importance of state of art in the development of a grouting process based on geological and hydrogeological conditions prevailing at site and can be helpful in grouting design for weak rock masses.

Nov 1, 2022

By P. H. Mell

THE little village, from which this formation receives its name, is situated on a bluff of the Alabama River, 175 feet above water level. This bluff is a portion of high table land that begins in the western portion of Choctaw and extends through Clarke and Monroe counties. We find points on this ridge more than 100 feet higher than Tuscaloosa, and nearly as high as the Tennessee River at Tuscumbia. Through this the Alabama River cuts its way, exposing a beautiful cross-section of the strata, of which the accompanying sketch may give some idea. The fossils are found about 75 feet below the surface and 100 feet above the level of the river. There are seven distinct strata. 1. The lowest, extending from the water&apos;s edge up the bluff 80 feet, is a soft calcareous rock containing about 15 per cent. of carbonate of lime, with occasional specks of mica. In this a few Ostrea, Turritellce, and Flustrce were found, but so friable as to fall to pieces when handled. 2. Next comes a stratum varying from 2 to 8 feet, consisting of

Jan 1, 1880

By George J. Conroy

This Bureau of Mines publication describes several fault locators and methods, including time domain reflectometers, a frequency domain reflectometer, tone generators, an infrared method, the Murray loop method, and high-voltage "click" methods. The Bureau of Mines has been conducting research into these methods for several years, to improve mine safety and facilitate production through rapid, safe location of trailing-cable faults. The problems encountered in practical applications are discussed, and schematic diagrams of several instruments fabricated by the Bureau are presented. Since no present single method of locating trailing-cable faults is universally applicable, a kit composed of several of the more promising fault locators is advisable.

Jan 1, 1978

By S. K. Kawatra, T. C. Eisele

"Recent advances in microbiology have made the application of biotechnology to metallurgical processes possible. Hydrometallurgy stands to gain the cost from the use of microorganisms, as they are useful for both dissolution aids and for removing metals from solution. The development of genetic engineering techniques promises to greatly increase the importance of bioprocessing of metals and minerals by the year 2000.In this paper, the basic effects of microorganisms on metallurgical processes are reviewed, and the applications which are currently either in use or near being used are presented. Representative data collected at Michigan Technological University is also given.IntroductionMany hydrometallurgical operations exist which are thermodynamically possible, but which are industrially impractical due to slow kinetics, high reagent costs, or the need for a highly corrosive environment. However, recent discoveries in microbiology indicate that in many cases these difficulties can be reduced greatly by the action of bacteria and other microorganisms (1-8).A major advantage of using living organisms in hydrometallurgy is that once the culture is established the microorganisms produce their own reagents either from the material being processed or from low-cost nutrient supplements. They thus allow extremely complex chemical reactions to be carried out at reasonable cost. The major drawback of using microorganisms is their inability to tolerate extremely high temperatures, excessive concentrations of toxic metals, or very highly acidic, alkaline, or corrosive conditions. However, the complex reactions which bacteria make possible frequently eliminate the need for such extreme conditions. Also, in recent years a number of organisms have been isolated from such exotic environments as hot springs and deep-ocean vents which can tolerate temperatures higher than was previously thought possible for any organism, and can catalyze a number of metallurgically important reactions (8)."

Jan 1, 1988

By T Clemens, D Trumm

Adopting environmentally acceptable practices in New Zealand is a crucial requirement for mineral wealth development. Recent planned expansions in the coal and gold industry have increasingly placed mining in the media spotlight. A lack of appropriate standard environmental guidelines has resulted in inconsistent responses and assessments of current and proposed mines. These inconsistencies have lead to delays in decisions on developing economic mineral deposits that may have only minor short-term impacts, and have also allowed unacceptable environmental management practices to continue elsewhere. A research collaboration between CRL Energy, Landcare Research, University of Canterbury and University of Otago aims to provide regulator groups and the mining industry with a unified approach to the requirements of the Resource Management Act 1991,the legislation that largely drives the nationÆs environmental policies and guidelines. The tangible outcome of this research program will be water quality and impact management guidelines integrated into a decision-making framework. The result of this unification will assist in the development of viable mineral deposits and minimise environmental impacts. The framework will be derived from a synthesis of three objectives. Objective 1 identifies potential water quality impact. This objective is based on a targeted geochemical study of the lithology and waterways of the West Coast and Southland regions. Objective 2 categorises the degree of impacts on the ecology of receiving aquatic ecosystems and determines the processes that drive aquatic ecosystem recovery. Objective 3 identifies best strategies to sufficiently manage impacted ecosystems, and to prevent future unacceptable impacts. Wide consultation with representatives of the mining industry and regulator groups will occur frequently during the development stages of the framework. It is anticipated that this multidisciplinary approach will provide a robust and coherent, standardised system that will assist in achieving industry and environmental targets.

Jan 1, 2004