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By C. P. Proctor

WESTERN Pennsylvania, eastern Ohio, and Illinois are carrying out experiments wherein much more slate and other impurities are loaded with the coal in the mine and hauled to the surface preparation plant for removal. In general everything is sent to the cleaning plant although there may be some gobbing in the mine. No conclusions have been announced as to the effect of such a mining system on clean coal costs. Such factors as ability of the surface plant to handle the impurities, land and facilities for disposing of the impurities, and the transportation facilities underground should be considered.

Jan 1, 1942

By S Benson

Staurolite is one of the major contaminant minerals contained in the Tiwest Cooljarloo orebodies. Approximately 80 per cent of staurolite in mined ore, reports to the heavy mineral concentrate that is supplied to the Dry Mill. Staurolite in heavy mineral concentrate is typically five per cent by weight and has no significant effect in the Dry Mill other than to occupy equipment space, reporting as a tailing, that requires transportation and disposal back to the mine site. Staurolite is an aluminosilicate with a MohÆs hardness of 7.5. It is known to have potential as an abrasive blast agent and it is produced in substantial quantities in the USA for that purpose. Research indicated that there was potentially a market for staurolite within Australia, as a replacement for some of the lower grade abrasives as well as a material of choice. A small tonnage of staurolite product was manufactured through a simple circuit within the Dry Mill in December 1998. This was subjected to industrial scale tests by external companies specialising in sand blasting. The most significant batch of tests were conducted at the Tiwest Chandala site on plant and equipment undergoing corrosion repairs. Staurolite was tested against three other commercially available abrasives and compared very well with respect to surface profile, surface texture, coating adhesive strength and dust generation. As part of a due diligence study, free silica, radiation and heavy metals contents of spent abrasive and dust was investigated. This information was needed to seek approval from the appropriate Western Australian statutory authorities to sell staurolite as a product. Approval was received in November 1999. Tiwest has since installed a production circuit in the Dry Mill capable of producing 20 000 tpa of Staurolite.

Jan 1, 2001

In April, 1961, a large pillar was removed by blasthole mining methods at Inco's Murray mine. More than half a million pounds of explosives were used to break 2,120,000 tons of ore in a single underground blast. The 5, 10 2-inch boreholes, involving 435,815 feet of drilling, were loaded over a three-week period, using conventional explosives and short-period electric caps. From this blast, more than half a million tons of ore have been removed to date (April, 1962) through slusher trenches situated in the footwall of the ore body. T HE Ontario Division of The International Nickel Company of Canada, Limited, operates six underground mines and two open pits in the Sudbury district in the north-central part of the Province. This paper describes the removal of a large pillar at the Murray mine (Figure 1), where 2,120,000 tons of ore were broken in a single underground blast by the blasthole mining method. This is the largest underground blast achieved to date (April, 1962) at Inco mines.

Jan 1, 1963

By Kleidon Rodrigues de Almeida

O presente projeto descreve um trabalho de otimização dos ensaios laboratoriais de liberação do produto para fins elétricos na CSN (Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional), sendo tema de um projeto Lean Six Sigma. O foco do projeto foi otimizar os ensaios de epstein, tração e dureza, reduzindo o Lead Time de liberação dos produtos para fins elétricos e a quantidade de ensaios realizados. Para a realização deste trabalho, fez-se o uso de ferramentas e métodos Lean Six Sigma, permitindo a busca dos resultados de maneira sistêmica, superando as metas estabelecidas, gerando uma maior competitividade à empresa no mercado. Obteve-se com este projeto uma forte redução do Lead Time e da quantidade dos ensaios laboratoriais dentro de um prazo estabelecido, permitindo uma liberação para faturamento no mesmo dia de produção em 80% da produção deste produto.

Aug 7, 2018

By G.A. Moore, C. E. Sims

In previous publications of the writers4-7 it has been shown that vacuum extraction of steel can be carried as close to quantitative completion as desired provided the steel is in the austenitic state and sufficiellt time is allowed. For precise work, the method claims preference because the equipmelit for holding and heating the sample can be made simple, and because crucibles, boats, and other unnecessary materials can be eliminated and the blanks thus made very small. It is well known that the evolution rate of hydrogen is smaller just above the trans. formation than immediately below, as would be expected from the increase in solubility when passing into the gamma state. Many attempts have been made to obtain analyses by extraction just below the transition, using times of approxi. mately 2 hr. while it is true that the rate of evolution drops nearly to zero under these conditions, it has repeatedly been shown that the process is incomplete since on raising the temperature into the austenitic range, evolution will be resumed, usually after a, considerable induction period. The low-temperature evolution process appears to be useful in some cases for comparative tests where the residual crror may be more or less constant between samples, For general use, however, there is no guarantee that the error caused by incomplete extraction is constant; hence, the more laborious but more reliable high-temPe'atu'e Process must be used. At high temperature, an original flash evolution, similar to that at lower temperature, is first observed. After not more than an hour, the flash subsides and cvolution settles down to a regular first-order reaction rate for which the half-life* is usually of the order of a few hours for the 5/8-in. diam cylinder at 1050°C. The regular evolution may be followed for whatever period appears justified, after which the residual gas may be estimated as equal to that which was evolved in the last observed half-life period. Tests have shown that the composition of the evolved gas does not vary greatly during the progress of evolution; therefore the residual gas may safely be taken to have the same composition as the portion col-

Jan 1, 1949

By C. E. Sims, G. A. Moore

In previous publications of the writers4-7 it has been shown that vacuum extraction of steel can be carried as close to quantitative completion as desired provided the steel is in the austenitic state and sufficiellt time is allowed. For precise work, the method claims preference because the equipmelit for holding and heating the sample can be made simple, and because crucibles, boats, and other unnecessary materials can be eliminated and the blanks thus made very small. It is well known that the evolution rate of hydrogen is smaller just above the trans. formation than immediately below, as would be expected from the increase in solubility when passing into the gamma state. Many attempts have been made to obtain analyses by extraction just below the transition, using times of approxi. mately 2 hr. while it is true that the rate of evolution drops nearly to zero under these conditions, it has repeatedly been shown that the process is incomplete since on raising the temperature into the austenitic range, evolution will be resumed, usually after a, considerable induction period. The low-temperature evolution process appears to be useful in some cases for comparative tests where the residual crror may be more or less constant between samples, For general use, however, there is no guarantee that the error caused by incomplete extraction is constant; hence, the more laborious but more reliable high-temPe'atu'e Process must be used. At high temperature, an original flash evolution, similar to that at lower temperature, is first observed. After not more than an hour, the flash subsides and cvolution settles down to a regular first-order reaction rate for which the half-life* is usually of the order of a few hours for the 5/8-in. diam cylinder at 1050°C. The regular evolution may be followed for whatever period appears justified, after which the residual gas may be estimated as equal to that which was evolved in the last observed half-life period. Tests have shown that the composition of the evolved gas does not vary greatly during the progress of evolution; therefore the residual gas may safely be taken to have the same composition as the portion col-

Jan 1, 1949

Jan 1, 1966

By Jael Moutinho dos Santos

Em função do elevado consumo de corpos moedores de alto Cromo e do alto custo de sua fabricação com matéria prima nobre, busca-se o desenvolvimento de novas ligas de corpos moedores na busca de um melhor custo benefício. Devido ao efeito sinérgico do perfil de desgaste envolvendo fenômenos corrosivos e abrasivos em bolas de moinho, o desenvolvimento de novas ligas de ferro fundido branco alto cromo tem sido uma alternativa para suportar o desgaste precoce provocado por tais fenômenos. As amostras de corpos moedores, analisados mediante ensaio de análise química, dureza, análise micrográfica e seguidos de ensaios de moagem (úmido e seco), servirão a um desempenho comparativo para se designar a melhor liga a ser aplicada nos processos de moagem secundária de minério de ferro a úmido.

Oct 30, 2017

By AIME AIME

Change of Meeting from Birmingham to Chattanooga. In consequence of the disturbed conditions attending a long¬continued labor strike in Alabama, the meeting of the Institute was changed from Birmingham, Ala., to Chattanooga, Tenn., where it will. begin on Thursday evening, Oct. 1, 1908. Information. of this change bad been sent to the newspapers through the Associated Press, and by circular to all members, when news was received of the sudden and unexpected termination of the strike referred to. It was, unfortunately, too late to change once more the arrangements for the meeting. But it is hoped that the cordial invitation of the citizens of ,Birmingham may be renewed and accepted at a future time, not too remote. Office Facilities for Visiting Members. A separate room in the suite occupied by the American Institute of Mining Engineers on the ninth floor of the United Engineering Society Building, has been equipped with furniture and telephone extension for the temporary use of members of the Institute or of sister societies, or visitors suitably accredited. Members of the Institute visiting New York for a short time, who need office facilities during their stay, or members residing in the city. who need temporary office accommodation, can arrange to have set apart for their exclusive use a room, equipped with office furniture, telephone, etc.,. in the suite of the Institute. It is not the intention to give possession of the room to any individual for an indefinite time, but to offer to members of the Institute an opportunity to acquire a well-located, well-equipped business headquarters to carry on transactions which

Jan 9, 1908

By Scott W. Hazen

This report describes the design, analysis, and results of a special experimental mine-sampling project conducted as part of the Bureau of Mines continuing program on sample-methods research. The experimental project was conducted at the Bureau?s Denver Mining Research Center and at the Climax molybdenum mine within the framework of a cooperative research agreement between the Bureau and Climax Molybdenum Co., Division of American Metals-Climax, Inc. The primary objective of the project was to investigate the interrelation-ship between sample volume, number of samples, the standard deviation of an assay distribution, and the precision required for an estimate of grade of ore, and to develop this interrelationship into a relatively simple method of application for use in mine sampling.

Jan 1, 1962

By Maycon Athayde

O processo de pelotização consiste na aglomeração e posterior tratamento térmico das pelotas, ajustando as propriedades químicas e mecânicas para o transporte ao reator siderúrgico. A otimização e aperfeiçoamento do processo no forno pode ser realizado experimentalmente utilizando um pot grate. Trata-se de um equipamento no qual uma carga de pelotas cruas é submetida a condições similares às encontradas no processo industrial. Contudo, um projeto de experimentos em um pot grate pode levar semanas. Além disso, alguns parâmetros como: taxas das reações e balanço de energia são difíceis de serem monitorados. Tendo em vista isso, o presente trabalho buscou desenvolver um software de simulação para avaliar o comportamento das pelotas em um pot grate de maneira rápida e prática. Os resultados mostram uma interface amigável para a avaliação da temperatura de pelota, umidade da água, queima do carbono e balanço de energia. Os modelos implementados foram comparados e validados com trabalhos publicados na literatura. O modelo também serve como uma ferramenta de Projetos e Experimentos no Pot, uma vez que permite testes mais rápidos e de custo mais baixo.

Aug 16, 2017

By M. Hames, K. Larmour-Ship, B. Grinbaum, E. Buchalter, R. Hackl, B. Wassink

Sodium cyanide continues to be the lixiviant of choice for gold dissolution. Many gold ore-bodies contain a significant amount of cyanide-soluble copper which increases the cost of processing due to high cyanide consumption and high cyanide destruction and disposal costs. Several cyanide destruction processes are in use today, however, there are just a few cyanide recovery plants operating. A solvent extraction process to recover cyanide has been developed which utilizes the organophosphorous extractants Cyanex 923, di-butyl-butyl-phosphonate (DBBP) or tri-n-butyl phosphate (TBP) in Bateman Pulsed Columns. Copper cyanide species are first converted to hydrogen cyanide (HCN) by acidification, with or without sulfide addition. HCN is extracted by the organic and stripped using a suitable base (eg. NaOH) resulting in a high strength cyanide solution (eg. NaCN) for recycle to the gold recovery process. Continuous pilot plant testwork on HCN extraction using a 40 mm diameter Bateman Pulsed Column demonstrated a cyanide recovery of greater than 99% with final levels of cyanide in solution of less than 10 ppm. These results illustrate the potential of this technology to recycle cyanide and to detoxify final effluent streams.

Jan 1, 2005

By D. P. Harris

This paper examines recent developments and work in progress on the application of quantitative methods and computers to the appraisal of the mineral resource potential of discrete areas by employing reconnaissance geological information and general economic relationships. The perspective of this paper might be that of a firm planning a regional exploration program or of a legislative body seeking to choose between several alternative actions on the basis of their impact upon the regional resources. In addition to this general survey and commentary, an example is presented of the use of geostatistical analysis and computer simulation to evaluate the economic mineral resources of the Seward Peninsula of Alaska.

Jan 1, 1969

By C. D. Litton

When methods to prevent the occurrence of fire in underground mines fail, the next line of defense is to rapidly and reliably detect the developing fire, so that subsequent evacuation and control procedures can be safely and successfully implemented. To provide this capability requires an understanding of the operational principles of different types of fire sensors, their merits as well as their limitations, and performance characteristics of the monitoring systems that control and process sensor data; an understanding of how fires develop and the different types of fires that can occur, along with their characteristics and the hazards they present; an understanding of the impact of the mine environment and routine mining activities, not only in terms of these effects on fire sensors but also in terms of the impact of mine ventilation and mine geometry on fire growth, fire characteristics and the detection process. All of these factors are components of the technology of fire detection, and when insufficient knowledge of any of these components exists, the ability to implement adequate mine fire detection systems is diminished. Within the last decade, significant advances have been made in fire detection technology applicable to underground mines. These advances include not only the development of improved sensors and better monitoring systems, but also an expanded understanding of how to deploy sensors, set sensor alert/alarm levels, account for ventilation effects, etc. In addition, there has been an increase in our knowledge of the types of fires that occur, the types of combustibles involved, characteristic times for fire growth and development, the levels of heat, smoke and gas that are produced and the hazards that result. It is the intent of this paper to provide not an overview of current mine fire detection technology and, also, to present data obtained for some smoke sensors that have potential for use in underground mines. The paper will also discuss the data, information and resources that are currently available and seek to identify those areas most in need of further research and development.

Jan 1, 2011

By R J. Romañach

The theory of sampling (TOS) is now followed in the development of near infrared (NIR) spectroscopic methods for the pharmaceutical industry. TOS has been the guiding light for a two-step approach for spectroscopic composite sampling available for the development of real-time analytical methods for particulate-based industrial processes. The two-step spectroscopic sample composite has been used in the development of process analytical technology (PAT), an important regulatory initiative to improve the quality of pharmaceutical products. The two-step sample composite approach overcomes the low sample volume analysed by PAT methods; one of the key limitations to PAT implementation in the industrial production of particulate-based materials.PAT methods need to be validated demonstrating their accuracy, precision, specificity and robustness. TOS provides a deeper understanding of these validation studies which involve discrete particulate material. The validation of PAT methods is now being performed considering both sampling and analytical errors, while practically all previous method validations only addressed the total analytical error (TAE) of these methods. This has been a crucial impediment for the field of chemometrics as well.PAT is a key element of continuous manufacturing (CM) processes, which are considered an emerging technology capable of increasing the flexibility, agility and robustness of pharmaceutical processes while reducing their costs. The outflow of the continuous process is a 1D lot, and variographic analysis has been shown to discern process variation from sampling and analytical errors in pharmaceutical CM processes. Thus, variographic analysis is a process improvement tool with significant potential for improving CM processes. The possibilities for improving pharmaceutical manufacturing are enormous.CITATION:Romañach, R J, 2017. Theory of Sampling – from missing link to key enabler for process analytical technology, in Proceedings Eighth World Conference on Sampling and Blending , pp 63–68 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

May 9, 2017

By K. A. Clark

"The repacked mineral aggregates of good grade oil sands have permeabilities ranging between 15 darcys to 350 millidarcys. The variation is due to the silt contents of the aggregates. Few good grade oil sands contain as much as 30 per cent •silt, most of them contain less than 20 per cent, and a large proportion have less than 10 per cent.The permeabilities of repacked good grade oil sands (oil included) depend on the degree of liquid saturation. When saturation with oil plus water reaches between 80-90 per cent, permeability is reduced to zero. As total saturation decreases below 80 per cent, permeability increases ranidly. Permeabilities of between one and two darcys were observed for total saturations between 60-70 per cent.The mean value for 18 measurements of the permeabilities of ""undisturbed"" core samples of good grade oil sands was 50 millidarcys. This value is •probably too high. The mean value for 20 measurements on core samples of interbedded oil sand and shale was 100 millidarcys. The mean value for 11 measurements on shale was 10 millidarcys."

Jan 1, 1960

By William R. Bush

This paper is a presentation of findings based upon an econometric model of the world zinc industry. The model was developed as a simple but useful aid for long-run forecasting and planning purposes. A structure was developed for both simulating real zinc price effects on production and consumption, and for forecasting long-run annual zinc prices and supply/ demand levels. Moreover, a methodology is provided to incorporate the effects of: (1) historic technological advances in zinc supply, and (2) the development of the competitive plastics industry. Finally, reduced form equations are used to generate ex post forecasts to evaluate the model's performance.

Jan 1, 1979

By G. F. LOUCHLIN

A FEATURE of the International Geological Congress to be held at Pretoria, South Africa, in the summer of 1929,. will be a symposium on the gold resources of the world. In this connection the U. S. Geological Survey and Bureau of Mines have been asked to prepare a report, showing production in the United States, describing the geology of its principal gold- producing districts, and estimating reserves (a) assuming a continuation of presen6economic conditions, and (b) assuming lower costs. This report will not be completed before April 1, but data thus far assembled are here presented with the hope of profiting by discussion and by information from those well informed on any of the important gold-producing districts. Gold production in the United States rose to a maximum exceeding $100,000,000 in 1915 and then rapidly declined to about $52,000,000 in 1920. Since then it has fluctuated, but on the whole slightly declined. Reviews of the eight leading states afford the following tentative conclusions :

Jan 1, 1929

By J Harris, P Kirsch, D Cliff, M Spinks, S Goater, D Sprott

Fires are a common and recurrent unwanted event in the operation of open pit mines. In most cases, the causes of events such as fires are already æknownÆ but are either overlooked or not fully addressed in planning. Ongoing rapid growth of the global mining industry is creating a scarcity of skilled personnel, and high turnover within operations. This contributes to loss of corporate memory in risk management activities. RISKGATE« is an online risk management system designed to support and assist in the analysis of priority unwanted events in Australian coal mining operations. Funded by the Australian Coal Association Research Program (ACARP), RISKGATE« is a knowledge management program that delivers best-practice controls for unwanted events and assists operations in staying abreast of emergent risks and threats. RISKGATE« content has been primarily developed from an association of industry experts, and enriched with input from additional academic and technological resources. In mining operations, RISKGATE« provides a continuum of knowledge and best practice for risk identification, assessment and management. RISKGATE« will assist companies in improving safety performance, operational efficiency, operating practice and training. Here we present the RISKGATE« prototype as developed in 2011 for Fires, with a case study presented for the initiating event Fires on Mobile Plant.CITATION:Harris, J, Sprott, D, Spinks, M, Cliff, D, Goater, S and Kirsch, P, 2012. RISKGATE« - A case study in application to fires on mobile plant, in Proceedings Eighth Open Pit OperatorsÆ Conference , pp 49-54 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Sep 18, 2012

By Rolf N. Schulz

The recently completed major modifications and additions to Reserve Mining Company's taconite concentrating process incorporate a totally new control system. Design of the new control scheme is centered on reliability, versatility, centralization, and optimization. The design objectives were achieved through a distributed control system based on a network of independent field located micro-processor based control systems connected to a central control room. Operation of each micro-processor can be interrogated and modified from the central control room by the operator or by either of two computer systems. The two computer systems handle logging, alarming, specialized sequenced controls, and complex process optimization routines.

Jan 1, 1980