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By R. A. Hodge

Over the past decade, there has been a significant increase in effort put to tracking progress toward sustainability. Many aspects of society are participating in this “movement” including mining. The drivers are diverse and include evolving ideas in business and public administration as well as concerns for human well-being, community robustness, environmental integrity, and overall social and ethical responsibility. The scale in question varies greatly from local to global. For the most part, there has been a pre-occupation with developing discrete measurable signals. This paper argues that the overwhelming focus on the quantitative is ill-advised and that a more effective approach is to bring together the best of both quantitative and qualitative. The mining industry in particular is well-placed to affect this shift and reap the associated benefits.

Jan 1, 2004

By Frank Baczek, R. Q. Honaker, D. P. Patil, B. K. Parekh

Fine refuse slurry impoundment is a requirement for the coal industry to dispose the fines. Impoundment maintenance is an on going problem for the coal industry and its breakage creates environmental as well as financial problems. Deep Cone thickener technology which has been successfully applied in the alumina industry to dewater red mud was evaluated for fine refuse slurry. Preliminary obtained in a pilot-plant test showed that properly flocculated conventional thickener underflow slurry could be thickened to about 52.5 wt % solids and could replace belt filter press. The Deep Cone thickener was also found to dewater clean coal slurry to about 70 wt % solids. Further testing of the unit at other coal preparation plant is in progress.

Jan 1, 2004

By M. Scherbakov, W. Shi

Abrasion is an important mode of performance for any element of an engineered product that involves material contact for example, a conveyor belt cover. Abrasion resistance is considered to be one of the leading factors in belt cover design and improvement. Various types of abrasion testing are reviewed by and compared to actual belt applications. A new quantitative screening torsional abrasion test is developed by Goodyear to mimic a dynamic contact between belt cover and differently shaped stones of various weights dropped onto belt at any angle, velocity and height.

Jan 1, 2004

By W. de Moura, R. Fueyo, M. M. Botz, J. C. Scola

The Cerro Vanguardia mine is an AngloGold Limited operation in southern Argentina that includes multiple open pits and a hybrid Merrill-Crowe and CIL circuit to recover gold and silver from oxide ore. Operations were commissioned at the site in 1998, which included a plant in the metallurgical circuit to recover cyanide from mill tailings. The cyanide recovery plant was initially configured to process tailings slurry and achieved greater than 90% cyanide recovery from tailings containing about 600 to 800 mg/L WAD cyanide (as CN). The cyanide recovery circuit was operated in this manner for approximately eight months, during which time the consumption of sulphuric acid and sodium hydroxide was relatively high, leading to high rates of scale formation in the acidification tank and stripping towers. In July 1999, several piping changes were made in the cyanide recovery system to permit its operation with clear solution, which reduced the sulphuric acid consumption and eliminated scale formation in process equipment. The cyanide recovery system currently operates with a two-stage counter-current decantation (CCD) circuit which provides clear solution for processing in the cyanide recovery plant. The cyanide recovery efficiency now averages about 90% to 92% from solution containing about 350 mg/L WAD cyanide (as CN). Recovered sodium cyanide now accounts for about two-thirds of the total cyanide added to the leaching circuit. This paper presents a description of the cyanide recovery plant and details regarding its current operating efficiency.

Jan 1, 2004

By O. Lashkari

Swirled Enthalpy Equilibration Device (SEED) is a new patented Slurry-on-Demand, SoD, processing route. The semi-solid slug preparation is carried out by off-center swirling of aluminum melt in a metallic mould. As part of the current research program on the semi¬solid processing of aluminum alloys, the morphological evolution of 356 aluminum foundry alloy microstructure is reported here. Semi-solid slugs were prepared using two different pouring temperatures of 645°C and 695°C respectively. Morphological evolution of the semi-solid microstructure was characterized using image analysis through measuring of primary a-Al particle size, number density, aspect ratio and sphericity. The possible relationships between microstructural features and process parameters were also investigated. The current report covers the effect of pouring temperature on the morphology of primary a-Al dendrites and attempts are made to explain the differences between the predicted percentage primary a-Al phase and those of the actual values in the as-cast slugs.

Jan 1, 2004

By William J. Davis, R. Blair Hrabi, Sally Pehrsson, Amelia V. Logan, Ross Sherlock

"Abstract - The Meadowbank gold deposits are hosted by a series of polydeformed and metamorphosed auriferous iron formations located in the Neoarchean Woodburn Lake group, western Churchill province, Nunavut. The supracrustal rocks in the Meadowbank area consist of a thick sequence of intermediate-composition volcanic rocks with intercalated iron formation, ultramafic volcanic rocks, and quartzite to quartz arenite. U-Pb geochronology gives an interpreted age of 2711 ± 3 Ma for the host strata at Meadowbank.The intermediate volcanic rocks are predominately volcaniclastic and have a geochemical composition that is consistent with an active continental margin setting. Iron formation deposition was coeval with the intermediate volcanism, as indicated by incorporation of volcanic detritus in the chemical precipitate. The geochemistry of the iron formation indicates that it precipitated from a fluid that at one time was at high temperature (>250°C), reducing, and likely acidic. Intercalated ultramafic rocks rarely show spinifex textures and have trace element ratios that are consistent with mantle plume-related undepleted mantle asthenosphere, likely recording episodic mantle upwelling associated with rifting in an active continental margin. The contact between the ultramafic volcanic rocks and the overlying quartz arenite is a disconformity marked by a quartz pebble conglomerate. However, similar geology on the structural hanging wall and footwall of the contact suggests that the conglomerate does not represent a significant hiatus in deposition, and is more likely a prograding terriginous siliciclastic unit.Three metamorphic events are recognized. The first, M1, is a cryptic greenschist facies event that is pre-D2. The second event, M2, is a mid-greenschist to amphibolite facies, syn-D2 event. M3 is the last event recognized, and is a post-tectonic greenschist facies event that is regional but inhomogeneous in extent, possibly reflecting thermal aureoles around post-tectonic 1.7 to 1.8 Ga Nueltin granites. The structural geology of the area is complex with four phases of deformation recognized, two of which had a significant effect on the geometry of the deposit. All of these regional events are interpreted as Paleoproterozoic in age. Relationships between deformation fabrics and mineralization, as well as the overall geometry of the mineralized envelopes, suggest that the deposit formed during syn- to late-D2. Superimposed on the mineralization are D4 structural elements that postdate gold mineralization.The main control on gold mineralization is replacement of magnetite by pyrrhotite and pyrite in high-strain corridors. The composition of amphiboles and chlorites associated with gold mineralization is remarkably consistent and shows no spatial or temporal variation, suggesting that it was buffered by the iron-rich nature of the host rocks. The bulk metasomatic effect on the intermediate volcanic rocks is characterized by the addition of K2O and the loss of CaO, Na2O, and MgO, with little variation in the total iron content. The elemental losses are likely the result of destruction of feldspars, stilpnomelane, and ferroactinolite, which are relatively common in the unmineralized rocks, and the formation of sericite, chlorite, and grunerite."

Jan 1, 2004

By Jenq-Gong Duh, Jyh-Wei Lee

"Hard chromizing process is a method for developing a surface modified coating providing wear, corrosion resistance and high temperature surface protection. Two carbon steels with 0.45 wt% and 0.95 wt% carbon contents, respectively, were chromized with pack cementation process at 950'C for 4 and 9 hours, respectively. The phase transformation and microstructure phenomena of chromized coating layer and matrix of two steels were studied with X-ray diffractometer and electron probe microanalyzer. (Cr,Fe)23C6 and (Cr,Fe)7C3 carbides and (Cr,Fe)2N1-x nitride phases were observed on the chromized surfaces. The thickness of chromized layers obeyed the parabolic rate law. The mechanism and diffusional kinetics of the chromizing process were proposed. The diffusivity of chromium in the (Cr,Fe)7C3 carbide phase was calculated using the moving boundary method.IntroductionChromizing process is one of the surface treatment technologies that can produce a chromium contained surface layer with sufficient corrosion and wear resistance on the steel matrix [1-7]. The relatively low cost and no ""line-of-sight"" restrictions are main advantages of chromizing. Adequate bonding strength of these coatings to the substrate was reported [7]. Chromizing process can be classified into soft chromizing and hard chromizing [2]. Soft chromizing is applied to steels containing less than 0.1wt% carbon through which chromium will be diffused. High temperature oxidation resistance improvement is the main purpose of soft chromizing process. On the contrary, the hard chromizing can be applied to steel containing more than 0.3wt% carbon, and very hard chromium nitride and carbide layers will be formed on the surface, which are very resistant to wear, corrosion and temperature [5-7]. In the previous studies on the Fe-Mn-Al-Cr alloy [5,7] and carbon steels [6], the thickness (X) of chromizing layers was analyzed and found the parabolic rate Jaw prevailed:"

Jan 1, 2004

By J-F. Turgeon, Y. Pépin, G. Hudon

The high temperature hydrochloric acid leaching of titanium slag in the QIT upgraded slag process (UGS) creates a harsh environment for materials of construction. Because of their excellent chemical and heat resistance, furan mortars are a key component in the lining system of the UGS pressure leach reactors. Similar products coming from different manufacturers have however shown unequal performances in service. In some cases, cracking of the brick lining has occurred during curing of the mortar. This study was initiated to investigate the impact of the curing conditions on the properties of carbon filled furan mortars. Laboratory tests were conducted to assess the effects of temperature and exposure to water and HCl solutions on mortar shrinkage and mechanical properties (tensile, compressive and bond strength). Three commercial furan mortars that have been used in the UGS leach reactors were thus characterized. Mortar properties were found to vary significantly among the products tested. Moreover, the curing conditions were shown to have a significant impact on mortar shrinkage and mechanical strength. The experimental findings provide explanations for the unequal performances of the mortars in service and for the problems of brick lining cracking that occurred in the UGS leach reactors. This study demonstrates that excessive mortar shrinkage compromises the integrity of a brick lining system.

Jan 1, 2004

By T. Cutard, E. Cailleux, F. Nazaret, G. Bernhart

This paper deals with the study of the mechanical behavior in the 20°C-900°C temperature range of refractory concretes reinforced with metallic fibers. Fibers are introduced to improve the damage resistance and to minimize the quasi-brittle behavior of refractory concretes. In some cases, a plastic or ductile like behavior can be obtained. Two approaches are considered in these studies. The first one is based on the micromechanical scale. Main objectives are to understand, quantify and predict the thermomechanical behavior of monofiber microcomposites. Such considerations are helpful to optimize the composite formulation for a better behavior. The second one is based on the macromechanical scale. Main objectives are to characterize and to model the macroscopic thermomechanical behavior of randomly reinforced refractory concretes. A particular attention is firstly paid to the relationships between the microstructural changes and the mechanical properties and secondly to the structural size effects.

Jan 1, 2004

By B. Day, L. Elinson

There is general agreement among those involved in occupational and public health that work-related diseases are under-diagnosed and under-reported. Highmark is particularly well positioned to carry out industry health analysis as it provides medical insurance for approximately three quarters of the insured population of Western Pennsylvania including some of the areas largest employers. The purpose of this study is to gain a more accurate understanding of the mining industry rates of respiratory diseases that maybe occupationally related and identify those inflated respiratory disease and hearing loss rates. Conditions examined included COPD, asthma, and pneumoconiosis.

Jan 1, 2004

By H. Tveit, E. H. Myrhaug, J. K. Tuset

Silicon metal as a commodity material is produced by carbothermic reduction of quartz in electric submerged arc furnaces, where CO2 forms as a by-product. Since 1997 the Norwegian Ferroalloy Producers Association have been engaged in research programmes aiming for reduced CO2-emissions associated with fossil carbon in their processes. One important issue has been to study how charcoal and wood chips perform compared to coal and coke in the silicon process. The ability of the carbon-rich reduction materials to react with SiO-gas is commonly assumed to be of large importance to the performance of the process. Based on laboratory experiments with different carbon materials, combined with estimation of parameters in a mathematical model of the reaction between carbon and SiO-gas, a foundation for a theoretical study of the performance of the carbon materials in a silicon furnace is established.

Jan 1, 2004

By J. N. Van der Merwe

The principal goal of the research described in the paper was to determine, by measurement of pillar scaling on pillars that have not failed, whether the pillar life prediction method developed by van der Merwe (2003) was valid as it stood or whether adjustments were necessary to the rates indirectly derived from observation of failed pillars. To this end, measurements were taken on over 350 pillars at 13sites on 6 mines. The project was done as a collaborative effort between the University of Pretoria, the Nancy School of Mines and CSIR Miningtek. During the course of the investigation, it was found that the majority of pillars display maximum scaling at mid height, that there was no clear preferential direction of pillar scaling, and that pillar corners do not scale significantly more than the mid pillar areas. The most important conclusion was that the scaling rates found by measurement agreed with the inferred rates found in the previous work. The previously developed procedure for the prediction of pillar life spans consequently requires no adjustment, although the error span is in the region of 20%. It is recommended to do further research into the effect of sealing of panels and, possible chemical changes taking place in the pillars as they age on the scaling rate.

Jan 1, 2004

By Shengqi Chen

The reduction smelting of nickel laterites produces slag, consisting principally of the chemical components MgO, "FeO", SiO2, and A12O3, and ferro-nickel alloy. Despite the fact that the phase equilibria for the ternary MgO-"FeO"-SiO2 up to 1500°C is well established limited experimental data are available in the MgO-"FeO"-SiO2-Al2O3 system, which is relevant to commercial operation of the process. A methodology has been developed for the experimental investigation of the liquidus temperatures for the multi-component system MgO-"FeO"-SiO2-Al2O3-Cr2O3 in equilibrium with metallic iron. Experiments have been carried out using high temperature equilibration, quenching, followed by electron probe X-ray microanalysis (EPMA). Liquidus temperatures have been determined in the silica primary phase field in the composition ranges directly relevant to the Cerro Matoso S.A. ferro-nickel smelting slag. Liquidus isotherms have been determined for temperatures between 1450 to 1600°C. The study enables the liquidus to be described for a range of MgO/FeO ratios. It was found that liquidus temperatures in the silica primary phase field decrease significantly with the addition of AI2O3. Keywords: Liquidus temperature, ferro-nickel, pyrometallurgy, smelting

Jan 1, 2004

By L. A. Anestiev

A method based on use of calorimetric data for the determination of solidification kinetic parameters is proposed. The method incorporates recent theories of nucleation and growth and allows modeling heat fluxes observed in calorimetric experiment. Statistically optimal estimations of the kinetic parameters, which include the activation's energies of nucleation and growth, are derived from experimental data by means of nonlinear regression analysis. The method is applicable to pure substances and alloys. The evaluation of the kinetic parameters characterizing solidification of pure Al is used for clarifying and exemplifying the method.

Jan 1, 2004

By Jerome H. Stofleth

In June of 1998, the DeBruce Grain Elevator was devastated by an accidental explosion caused by the unintentional ignition of grain dust. The DeBruce grain elevator was the largest ‘single head-house’ grain elevator in the nation. It was comprised of 450 cylindrical grain silos, 30 feet in diameter by 120 feet tall, with a centrally located headhouse. Immediately after the explosion, rescue operations were started for seven missing workers. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) had taken over operations of the site by day two. On day three FEMA contacted the Washington DC office of the Department of Energy for explosive expertise, who in turn contacted explosives experts at Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) and Los Alamos National Laboratories (LANL). FEMA was looking for guidance in making the decision to downgrade their operation from a rescue to a recovery operation. Based on some chemical equilibrium calculations, and basic explosive engineering techniques, the SNL/LANL team was able to provide the necessary input to allow the decision to be made for the operational downgrade. At this point, only one worker remained un-recovered.

Jan 1, 2004

By F. M. G. Egerton

Mechanisation of mining operations is not a new concept in the world of mining. Machinery has been developed, manufactured and used for many decades in massive orebodies and coal mines, both locally and abroad. Because of their size and the huge tonnages available, massive ore bodies lend themselves very easily to mechanisation. However, little progress in mechanisation has been made in narrow tabular orebodies in South Africa. The equipment available for narrow tabular orebodies requires excavations of a size that introduce large volumes of waste dilution. Nevertheless, it is essential for South African miners to experiment with mechanisation and to find a solution to the problem. This address looks at current conventional mining methods and compares them to bord-and-pillar type mining methods. Off-reef mechanisation is also touched on. It then looks at different hybridised mining methods that are being used, i.e. a mixture of conventional mining and mechanisation. It finally looks at future prospects for mechanisation in narrow tabular orebodies.

Jan 1, 2004

By Rainer Alles, Markus Keller

INTRODUCTION For overland conveyors of several kilometres length and as well as wide for conveyors designed for high mass flows, the cost for the conveyor belting share is 40% to 50% of the invested cost 173. The German Standard DIN 22101 is used for calculation and dimensioning of - conveyor belts and belt conveyor components. Developments in rubber technology and conveyor belt design required a revision of the standard released in 1982 121, which was published in August 2001 131. New research results and publications 16-9, 13-15] led to a better understanding of the material behaviour and their influences on conveyor belts. Test and calculation methods have been established to determine the most important parameters which are related to the performance of a conveyor belt line. These parameters are • The running resistance of the idlers • The indentation resistance of the belt • The dynamic splice efficiency • The distribution of belt load in the splices, transition zones and on pulleys. As a result, new rubber compounds with low indentation losses allow the use of reduced friction coefficients and thus lead to reduced power consumption, smaller drives and lower belt tensions. The deeper understanding of the flux of forces within belt splices led to both optimised splice design and optimised rubber compounds which significantly improve the dynamic splice efficiency. Therefore, in accordance with the standard, the benefits of these technologies and the better understanding of material behaviour allow a reduction of belt strength still maintaining sufficient safety factors. Thus engineers are enabled to calculate belt tensions more exactly and users are encouraged to pay more attention to starting and braking techniques. DETERMINATION OF DRIVE FORCE According to the DIN standards the resistance to motion generally has to be determined for each different section of the belt conveyor including upper and lower run separately. The necessary drive power P is calculated as [ ] with v as the conveying speed. The total of all resistances to motion of carry and return run can be determined as [ ] FHo and FHu are the primary resistances consisting of the running resistances of the idlers, the indentation resistance of the belt, the fulling of the conveyed material and the flexure of the belt. While indentation resistance and idler resistance are measurable, they have been deter- mined to be responsible for up to 70% of the primary resistances covered by FH. Further FN is the secondary resistance that covers, for example, the resistance of feeding points and scrapers. Fa are the total slope resistances and Fs is the total of all special resistances, resulting, for example, from belt steering devices. These three resistances should be neglected in the following discussion. For conveyors where a determination of the substantial parts of the resistances to motion is not possible, according to the new DIN standard [31 a determination of the drive power is acceptable by using the fictitious friction factor) [ ] In this formula the index i identifies the individual section of the conveyor, 1 is the length of the section and MR, MG and ML are the related masses of the idlers, the belt and the load in kg/m. The fictitious friction factor f determines the ratio between the overall resistance to motion and the total of moved masses within the

Jan 1, 2004

By Edward L. Hajduk

During sonic logging quality control testing of the drilled shaft foundations for the replacement bridges crossing the Broad and Chechessee Rivers for SC 170 in Beaufort County, South Carolina, irregular signals were observed on a consistent basis near the shaft top elevations. These irregular sonic signals were attributed to access tube ?debonding?, which is the separation of the access tubing from the surrounding concrete. A total of 160 drilled shafts were installed for this project, of which 41 were evaluated using sonic logging testing. Both PVC and steel access tubes were used during the project to allow for sonic logging testing. This paper details the investigation of access tube debonding with time, discusses the solutions used to minimize access tube ?debonding?, and presents the results of the sonic logging testing for the entire project. The solution selected, installation of PVC along the pile length and steel access tubing within 40 feet from the top of shaft, allowed for reliable sonic logging to effectively evaluate the upper portions of the drilled shafts.

Jan 1, 2004

By R. C. Warner, L. Mills, S. D. Botts, M. Marticorena

The Antamina Mine is located in the mountainous region of the Ancash Department of Peru at an elevation of approximately 4200m.The 120 km main access road crosses the headwaters of numerous high-value trout streams and is adjacent to pristine lakes, some of very high ecological and scenic value. In addition, the mine discharges mine water and tailings supernatant to the Antamina and Ayash watersheds. These streams provide the primary water supply for irrigation by local residents and provide excellent fishery habitat. The rock walls and earthen diversions constructed by historic and current indigenous residents of Peru are world-renowned and local residents continue this tradition, passed down from the Inca Civilization, for both agricultural purposes and water distribution. The key elements of sustainable development – economic, environmental and social development have been incorporated into Antamina’s sustainable development program through integration of indigenous knowledge and capabilities into enhanced storm water, erosion reduction and sediment control systems. Examples of incorporating indigenous technologies and knowledge into cost-effective and environmentally sound environmental controls are:(1) placement of rock walls on steep terrain to reduce slope length and erosion, (2) installation of rock walls (porous rock check dams) within elongated sediment ponds to increase detention time, (3) construction of rock-lined ditches to convey clean water (4)use of rock walls, with or without geotextile, to function as a seep berm, and (5) appropriate selection and usage of native Andean species for protection of canals and sediment ponds, and steep slopes.

Jan 1, 2004

By S. G. Shabestari, S. Saeidinia, P. Mokarian

"The experiments were conducted to investigate the influence of various process parameters in rotary degassing of aluminum alloy AS5U3G. Degassing was carried out by use of argon inert gas. The flow rate of the gas was investigated in the range of 12 to 21 L/min., 350 to 500 rpm rotor speed, 6 to 12 minutes degassing time, and 755°C to 780°C melt temperature. Degassing efficiency was evaluated through measuring the density of RPT samples. By optimizing the process parameters, RPT sample density was increased up to 2.73 g/cm3, which guaranties the production of high-quality aluminum castings. Tensile strength and elongation were increased considerably by degassing process. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) shows small size and well-distributed microporosity. IntroductionOne of the major problems associated with the casting of aluminum alloys is the formation of gas porosity. Aluminum and its alloys are very susceptible to hydrogen absorption. Because solubility is much lower in solid state than liquid state, hydrogen atoms leave their position during solidification and combine together to form hydrogen molecules. These micrometer- scale cavities, called microporosity, cause the reduction of mechanical properties, particularly strength, ductility, fracture toughness, fatigue resistance, pressure tightness, and corrosion resistance (Laslaz, 1991; Jorstad and Rasmussen, 1993; Sigworth and Wang, 1994; Korasani, 1996; Anson and Gruzleski, 1999; Zhang et al., 2000). To avoid these problems and produce good quality castings, it is necessary to remove hydrogen from the melt. Several methods are available for degassing aluminum melt. One of them is a rotary degassing system using inert gas, e.g. Ar or N2. Various thermodynamic and kinetic factors govern the removal of hydrogen from molten aluminum (Anderson, 1987; Sigworth, 1987; Pignault, 1993; King and Reynolds, 1995). These are some parameters that affect degassing efficiency. Some of them are discussed here and some are examined in this project."

Jan 1, 2004