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By Howard C. Turnage, Dana T. Updyke, Wayne C. Muhler

The objective of this project was to develop technical data and evaluate performance and utility of leaky feeder communications systems currently used in North American underground mines. The desired information was obtained principally through on-site surveys. Altogether, six of the seven mining companies known to be using leaky feeder communications were visited. This report covers the findings of these surveys. In addition, the report provides a brief background summary of mine communications, a technical discussion of leaky feeder systems, and conclusions and recommendations based on the results of the survey.

Jan 6, 1980

By C. E. Wood

A special appropriation made by Congress in July 1940 provided funds for the investigation of methods for recovering manganese from low-grade [ ] domestic deposits. These funds were assigned to the United States Department of the Interior, Bureau of Mines. A committee, identified as the Technologic Committee on Manganese of the National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences, was appointed to recommend the allocation of the funds for investigation of the more promising projects.

Jan 1, 1942

By J. G. Bruwer

Paper written on project work carried out in partial fulfilment of B Eng Met Surface coatings persisting on zircon particles, after being leached in an acidic solution, are believed to be the cause of zircon misplacement during the electrostatic separation of heavy mineral beach sands. Electrostatic separation is employed to separate non-conductive zircon particles from more conductive rutile particles. Surface coatings on zircon particles are believed to render the non-conductive zircon particles more conductive, resulting in the contamination of the more conductive rutile stream with zircon particles. Resistivity measurements, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were performed to compare the surface characteristics of zircon particles found in the different product streams following electrostatic separation. XPS analysis showed that no significant difference exists in the outermost layer of the zircon particles found in the different streams. SEM analysis showed the existing surface coatings on zircon particles from different product streams to have similar chemical compositions. Resistivity measurements confirmed the results obtained from both the XPS and SEM analysis; no significant differences in the resitivities were observed. From the results obtained it suggests that surface coatings present on zircon particles are unlikely the primary cause of zircon misplacement. Zircon losses can possibly be a result of machine related aspects. Key words: XPS; SEM; resistivity measurements; electrostatic separation; heavy mineral sands.

Jan 1, 2007

By C. E. Wood

A special appropriation made by Congress in July 1940 provided funds for the investigation of methods for recovering manganese from low-grade [ ] domestic deposits. These funds were assigned to the United States Department of the Interior, Bureau of Mines. A committee, identified as the Technologic Committee on manganese of the National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences, was appointed to recommend the allocation of the funds for investigation of the more promising projects.

Jan 1, 1942

By A. du Plessis

The study summarized in this paper focused on expanding existing South African mine closure cost calculation models to provide a new model that incorporates risks, which could have an effect on the closure costs during the life cycle of the mine. This research is important because currently there are a number of mines that do not have sufficient financial provision to close and rehabilitate the mines. The magnitude of the lack of funds could be reduced or eliminated if the closure cost calculation is done in a more risk-orientated manner. The model consists of an expansion of existing closure cost calculation models, by applying the Monte Carlo risk simulation technique to model influences of external and internal changes affecting closure costs. It is shown that the proposed risk-based model provides a way to understand better the implications of uncertainty on the closure costs.

Jan 1, 2006

Council Members 1988/1989, left to right: Row 1 (seated): H.E. James, P.W.J. van Rensburg, Dr H. Wagner, B.C. Alberts, C.E. Flvaz (President), H.G. Mosenthal, R.D. Beck, Professor A.N. Brown, Dr P.R. Jochens Row 2 (standing): P.C. van Aswegen, J.P. Hoftman, D. Wllson, P.M.T. White, K.A. van Gessel, Dr LA. Cramer, J.S. Freer, V.J. Moore, G.A. Brown, R.A. Snodgrass, J.D. Austin Row 3 (standing): Dr G.A. Fourle, Dr J. Lurle, A.M.P. Henderson, R.P. Mohring, J.A. Cruise, J.L. Nel, H. Scott Russell, J.P. Deetlefs, D.A.J. Ross-Watt Inserts, top row: K.R. Beard, N.J. De~ine, R.J. Dlppenaar, G.T.G. Emere, Dr J-P. Franzidls, Professor R.P. King, J.G. McCallum. Bottom row: G.Y. Nisblt, Professor R.P. Plewman, Dr R.E. Roblnson, Dr O.K.H. Steften, P.A. van Wlelllgh

Jan 1, 1989

By Orville R. Lyons, A. C. Richardson

F. X. Ferney—We are pleased that this paper was presented at this meeting and thank Mr. Richardson and Mr. Lyons for their effort and work in preparing it. We agree with the authors that it was unfortunate that more comprehensive data were not available when the paper was prepared, this being particularly true since we had no knowledge that the paper was being written and could not make available data which were in our process files. Further, it is our opinion that because the data are not sufficiently comprehensive the results which are presented are erratic and will lead to false conclusions. As we see it, there are three Specific reasons why the data which are presented cannot be considered accurate. 1. The preparation plant was not at equilibrium while the samples were being taken. This is indicated by the fact that the percent of solids in the circulating water varied from 3.9 pct to 10.7 pct during the period when the plant was sampled. 2. We do not believe that the samples of Bird feed which were taken were representative and could indicatc the true feed to the filter. Evidence of this is shown in the data where the dewatered product leaving the centrifuge contains more coarse material than the feed to it, that is, material which is +6-mesh in size. 3. We question if the data concerning screen analysis in the fine sizes is accurate and would conclude (from the data) that these tests were made by a dry-screen method. We have found that wet screening is always necessary to obtain a true picture of the quantity of —200-mesh fines which is present. The test work described in the Lyons-Richardson paper was conducted some time ago and the tests were carried on during a period when the preparation plant had not ironed out all of their start-up problems. Since that time most of these problems have been corrected and now this is a smooth running, well-operated prep-

Jan 1, 1951

By Orville R. Lyons, A. C. Richardson

F. X. Ferney—We are pleased that this paper was presented at this meeting and thank Mr. Richardson and Mr. Lyons for their effort and work in preparing it. We agree with the authors that it was unfortunate that more comprehensive data were not available when the paper was prepared, this being particularly true since we had no knowledge that the paper was being written and could not make available data which were in our process files. Further, it is our opinion that because the data are not sufficiently comprehensive the results which are presented are erratic and will lead to false conclusions. As we see it, there are three Specific reasons why the data which are presented cannot be considered accurate. 1. The preparation plant was not at equilibrium while the samples were being taken. This is indicated by the fact that the percent of solids in the circulating water varied from 3.9 pct to 10.7 pct during the period when the plant was sampled. 2. We do not believe that the samples of Bird feed which were taken were representative and could indicatc the true feed to the filter. Evidence of this is shown in the data where the dewatered product leaving the centrifuge contains more coarse material than the feed to it, that is, material which is +6-mesh in size. 3. We question if the data concerning screen analysis in the fine sizes is accurate and would conclude (from the data) that these tests were made by a dry-screen method. We have found that wet screening is always necessary to obtain a true picture of the quantity of —200-mesh fines which is present. The test work described in the Lyons-Richardson paper was conducted some time ago and the tests were carried on during a period when the preparation plant had not ironed out all of their start-up problems. Since that time most of these problems have been corrected and now this is a smooth running, well-operated prep-

Jan 1, 1951

By Martin Stone

Industrialized countries, particularly the United States and the United Kingdom, remain at the forefront of international efforts to control the potential disruption from computer malfunctions caused by the date change from1999 to 2000 — widely known as the millennium bug or Y2K. Disruption is least likely in the developed world, including the United States, Canada, western Europe, Japan and Australasia. However, the picture is potentially different in developing countries where many mining companies operate. The less developed the country, the greater the chance of some form of Y2K-linked disruption.

Jan 1, 1999

By W. R. Lindsay

Anyox, where the Hidden Creek mine of the Granby Consolidated Mining, Smelting and Power Company is located, is situated on an excellent deep-water harbour in Granby bay, at the head of Observatory inlet, about 600 miles from Vancouver and 90 miles north of Prince Rupert. Anyox is the Indian name for the little stream which empties into Granby bay, and means 'hidden creek'. The Ore-Bodies The ore is a replacement deposit and occurs at and near the contact between argillites and a later intrusive greenstone. This contact locally has a general north-and-south trend, an irregular westerly dip, and in the vicinity of the ore-bodies there has been intense folding, accompanied by faulting. The mineralizing solutions supposedly were derived from the Coast Range granite batholith, distant one to two miles to the east and north. The whole area is cut by many dykes of varying widths, which seem to have had but little part in the ore deposition.

Jan 1, 1929

By A Raza, D P. Kohn, D A. Foster, A J. W Gleadow

A large and increasing data base of apatite fission track results from sedimentary and granitic rocks exposed within the south-eastern highlands and along the continental margin ofAustralia provides constraints for the tectonic development of the south-eastern passive margin. The fission track results suggest that many regions of the south-eastern margin of Australia experienced distinct episodes of relatively rapid cooling during the middle Cretaceous to early Tertiary that can be attributed to the effects of rifting. One cooling episode is middle Cretaceous in age and related to denudation of the south eastern highlands from Tasmania to northern New South Wales between ~90 - 100 Ma. Rocks exposed along the present coast line record a later episode of rapid cooling, which is diachronous and decreases in age northward from ~80 to 90 Ma in northern Tasmania to southern New South Wales, ~60 - 80 Ma in central and northern New South Wales, and to ~50 - 60 Ma in southern Queensland. The results are consistent with models suggesting that underplating occurred inward of the rift along the eastern margin of Australia as a result of the onset of continental extension in the Tasman Sea at ~96 Ma. This resulted in a significant change in base level and km-scale denudation of much of the southeastern highlands. Subsequently, as breakup commenced during the Late Cretaceous at ~80 Ma and continued into the Paleocene at ~60 Ma, the second stage of cooling was imprinted on the rocks along the margin. This cooling is probably due to the relaxation of elevated geothermal gradients associated with rifting as well as some denudation. Because rifting was oblique to the present-day coast, different regions record different ages of cooling associated with the rift. The southern regions of New South Wales and Victoria yield ages associated with earlier rifting while regions of northern New South Wales and southern Queensland give ages associated with later rifting.

Jan 1, 1995

By J. E. Burke, C. W. Mason

In attempting to study precipitation from a tetragonal lattice, using solid solutione of bismuth in tin, it was found that although a Widmanstätten pattern is observed1,4 only a qualitative analysis of the orientation relationships is possible, because of the unusual structural changes that accompany the precipitation process. Microscopical Studies Alloys were made from Chempur tin (Standard samples 42b and 426, National Bureau of Standards), and bismuth (Kahl-baum C.P.) by melting weighed quantities together under palm oil, stirring well, and castilig in a heated graphite mold. The polishing and etching techniques employed largely govern the visibility of the structural changes. The preliminary surfacing operations were similar to those recommended by Villela and Bergekoff,5 through Behr-Manning 3/0 abrasive papers, lubricated by a solution of paraffin in kerosene. A rough metallographic polish was next given, using a thin cotton cloth charged with relevigated alumina (maximum particle size of about 4µ) and soap solution; repeated etching and polishing served to remove disturbed metal. For high-power examination better preparation was necessary. It was found that on such soft metals the threads of the fabric, rather than the abrasive, cause most of the scratching. Cotton outing flannel, which had been brushed so that the nap lay down, was fairly satisfactory, but a heavy grade of silk velvet (not the noncrushable kind) was found to be better, especially after some use. A better procedure was as follows: The metal lap was warmed slightly, and a 4-in. circle of woolen broadcloth was cemented to its center by a thin film of melted paraffin. The broadcloth was then moistened with water, and a 30 to 40 per cent solution of sodium hydroxide heated to about 50°C. was poured over it, allowed to stand for I to 2 min. and then washed off. It was neither necessary nor desirable to remove all the sodium hydroxide from the cloth, since its etching action aided in the removal of the flowed layer from the sample. The cloth was then charged with a paste of the relevigated alumina in water. Since this lap did not remove deep scratches, it was necessary previously to polish the specimen on some material such as the silk velvet. The sodium hydroxide softens and partly gelatinizes the woolen lap covering, permitting a scratch-free polish, but its action continues, and the cloth deterioratcs after about 24 hr. This is not serious, because a new lap can be prepared in about 5 min., and only small pieces of cloth are used. Etching with a strongly acid solution of ferric chloride was found satisfactory for removing the flowed layer. For the final etching, the most satisfactory reagent was that of Tafls,7 the formula for which is: FeC13.6H2O, 2 grams; HC1, 5 c.c.; H2O, 30 c.c.; C2H5OH (95 per cent), 60 C.C. This etchant reveals differences in com-

Jan 1, 1942

By J. E. Burke, C. W. Mason

In attempting to study precipitation from a tetragonal lattice, using solid solutione of bismuth in tin, it was found that although a Widmanstätten pattern is observed1,4 only a qualitative analysis of the orientation relationships is possible, because of the unusual structural changes that accompany the precipitation process. Microscopical Studies Alloys were made from Chempur tin (Standard samples 42b and 426, National Bureau of Standards), and bismuth (Kahl-baum C.P.) by melting weighed quantities together under palm oil, stirring well, and castilig in a heated graphite mold. The polishing and etching techniques employed largely govern the visibility of the structural changes. The preliminary surfacing operations were similar to those recommended by Villela and Bergekoff,5 through Behr-Manning 3/0 abrasive papers, lubricated by a solution of paraffin in kerosene. A rough metallographic polish was next given, using a thin cotton cloth charged with relevigated alumina (maximum particle size of about 4µ) and soap solution; repeated etching and polishing served to remove disturbed metal. For high-power examination better preparation was necessary. It was found that on such soft metals the threads of the fabric, rather than the abrasive, cause most of the scratching. Cotton outing flannel, which had been brushed so that the nap lay down, was fairly satisfactory, but a heavy grade of silk velvet (not the noncrushable kind) was found to be better, especially after some use. A better procedure was as follows: The metal lap was warmed slightly, and a 4-in. circle of woolen broadcloth was cemented to its center by a thin film of melted paraffin. The broadcloth was then moistened with water, and a 30 to 40 per cent solution of sodium hydroxide heated to about 50°C. was poured over it, allowed to stand for I to 2 min. and then washed off. It was neither necessary nor desirable to remove all the sodium hydroxide from the cloth, since its etching action aided in the removal of the flowed layer from the sample. The cloth was then charged with a paste of the relevigated alumina in water. Since this lap did not remove deep scratches, it was necessary previously to polish the specimen on some material such as the silk velvet. The sodium hydroxide softens and partly gelatinizes the woolen lap covering, permitting a scratch-free polish, but its action continues, and the cloth deterioratcs after about 24 hr. This is not serious, because a new lap can be prepared in about 5 min., and only small pieces of cloth are used. Etching with a strongly acid solution of ferric chloride was found satisfactory for removing the flowed layer. For the final etching, the most satisfactory reagent was that of Tafls,7 the formula for which is: FeC13.6H2O, 2 grams; HC1, 5 c.c.; H2O, 30 c.c.; C2H5OH (95 per cent), 60 C.C. This etchant reveals differences in com-

Jan 1, 1942

By R. A. Pyper, J. L. Hendrix

Laboratory leaching experiments were conducted to ascertain the effectiveness of acidic solutions of thiourea, CS(NH2)2, for dissolving gold from finely disseminated gold ores. The ore tested was from the Chipmunk ore body of the Northumberland mining district in Nye County, Nevada, USA. Extractions of up to 90% were attained from the ore. Extraction was shown to be dependent on thiourea concentration, ferric sulfate oxidant concentration, acid concentration, and leaching time. Optimum conditions were an ambient temperature leach near pH 1.0 utilizing 100 to 200 kg/ton thiourea and 50 kg/ton ferric sulfate for 8 to 24 hours.

Jan 1, 1981

By S. Frimpong, S. R. Dindarloo

Material handling in open pit mining accounts for about 50% of production costs. The selection and deployment of efficient, safe, and economic loading and haulage systems is thus critical to the production process. The problems of truck and shovel selection and sizing include determination of the optimal number and capacities of haulage and loading units, as well as their allocation and operational strategies. Critical survey and analysis of the literature has shown that deterministic, stochastic, and experimental approaches to these problems result in considerably different outputs. This paper presents a comprehensive simulation framework for the problem of truck and shovel selection and sizing based on the random processes underlying the network-continuous-discrete event nature of the mining operation. The framework builds on previous research in this field and attempts to address limitations of available methodologies in the form of a comprehensive algorithm. To test the validity of the framework a large open pit mine was evaluated. The stochastic processes governing the uncertainties underlying the material loading and haulage input variables were defined and built into the stochastic model. Discrete event simulation was used to simulate the stochastic model. The proposed model resulted in several modifications to the case study.

Jan 1, 2015

By K. Kawakami

In Japan, pile foundations have been used extensively for buildings, bridges and port facilities. A large number of steel pipe piles were first used in the 1960's and the amount of steel used in foundations increased by 1973 to one million tons. This report describes current practice in the actual use of large diameter and long steel pipe piles in Japan, related to their performance: including consideration of pile size, hammer types used for driving the results of field tests measuring stress occurring in the piles and the driving formulae currently being used in practice in Japan.

Jan 1, 2010

By R. L. Castro

The extraction of ore in panel caving operations also involves the coextraction of non-economic material, known as dilution. Forecasting, avoiding, and understanding the mechanics of dilution is critical to longterm planning. The models of dilution that are currently in use in panel caving operations are those by Laubscher (1994), who postulated that dilution is due to gravitational flow and depends on the height of interaction, the column height, and the draw uniformity. This paper presents a back-analysis of extraction and dilution behaviour at Codelco?s El Salvador and Andina Divisions, which use panel caving as a mining method. This analysis was conducted in order to review the existent dilution entry mechanisms and calculation methods. Three sources of dilution were identified. The first source is ?gravitational dilution?, which is due to gravitational flow and mixing as dilution migrates by gravity from a sector located above the panel under analysis. The second source of dilution is ?caving dilution?, which occurs when an air gap is formed in a large area and a sudden propagation of a hang-up occurs, inducing early ingress of waste into the production level from a level above. The third mode observed is ?lateral dilution?, which occurs when the panel is located next to an exhausted sector and the broken material enters the draw column early during draw. In the last two cases, dilution could migrate large distances horizontally. The mine data indicated that draw and caving strategy are key for long-term planning of large panel caves.

Jan 1, 2014

By E. Yalçin

The data set often contains one or more secondary variables. These secondary variables are usually spatially cross correlated with the primary variable. The addition of the cross-correlated information reduces the variance of the estimation error by using the cokriging method. The grade estimation results of ordinary kriging and cokriging methods are evaluated and it was found that the estimation variance of cokriging method is slightly lower than ordinary kriging. The effect of variation of block dimension on the estimation results is also investigated and it was seen that the cokriging estimation variance values also decrease as the block dimension increases.

Jan 1, 2005

By David Dardick

Tround International Inc. is developing rock excavation and drilling devices which utilize a simple patented mechanism for firing frangible projectiles. This system launches a salvo of three projectiles with every shot in automatic sequence. Studies conducted by Physics International Inc. have demonstrated that firing projectiles into hard rock such as granite creates fragmentation which is much faster and cheaper than conventional drilling and blasting. The Tround salvo approach enhances this further by a controlled stresswave interaction created by a slight time difference during impact of the individual projectiles. The University of Maryland is conducting additional studies to optimize these parameters.

Jan 1, 1981

By Peter White

The Hemlo Gold District, located on the north shore of Lake Superior, was discovered in 1981 and will become one of the largest gold mining camps in Canada. Three major Canadian mining companies are presently developing large orebodies and are scheduled to commence production at various times through 1985 and 1986. This paper describes the types of shaft sinking equipment and technology being used by contractors in constructing the required shafts to depths below 1000 metres. The principal shaft design criteria, types of shaft sinking machinery and relevant manpower allocations are discussed.

Jan 1, 1985