Search Documents

By George W. Bain

Summary During the last three years the discovery of gold in the belt of volcanic and sedimentary rocks extending eastward from the Porcupine and Kirkland Lake gold-fields has caused a great deal of excitement in mining circles. The area is heavily drift covered, and every aid to the location of veins is eagerly grasped. A knowledge of the physiographic history of the area is of the utmost importance in the application of many of these aids. Evidence is presented to show that glacial erosion has lowered the general elevation very little below the pre-glacial level, and that many glacial erratics have been carried less than three miles southward. Probably a knowledge of the general geology of a: region was never more necessary to the understanding of the distribution and continuation in depth of the mineral veins than in this area. Four distinct granites occur in the region, and gold-bearing veins are genetically associated with only one of these. Two types of quartz-feldspar porphyries have been found, only one of which has any bearing on the locus of the mineral veins. Many other examples of this complexity of associations might be cited, but everyone goes to show that in most cases the economic importance of the deposits can be realized only after the regional geology is understood. A series of sandstone, limestone and shale intruded by granite lies unconformably below the Keewatin lavas. The latter are intruded by a gneissoid granite and are overlain unconformably by the thick series of Timiskaming greywackes and silts. These are intruded by carbonated syenites and syenite porphyries which have since been rendered somewhat schistose.

Jan 1, 1927

By Alan P. Prosser

The heap leaching of gold ores by cyanide solution was simulated by computer program. The program uses only basic m1neralogical and chemical data; no process testwork data, such as column leach results, are required. The simulation can be used to forecast the consequences of various changes before and during the testwork, design and operation stages of a particular ore-process system. Also, data about the state of different parts of the heap at various times help create an understanding of what is happening. The effects of mineralogical and process variables on the overall performance of the ?heap leaching process are illustrated. Comparisons are made to column leach tests and production data. The potential of the simulation strategy is discussed for making better use of operating experience and for suggesting specific research objectives. It has become clear that more attention should be paid to other metals that dissolve in the solution.

Jan 1, 1989

By Brad Bulow

Blasting is an essentially violent process aimed to disrupt and loosen rock for productive excavation. Some dilution of any ore present is the inevitable result. This makes blasting a dirty word to most geologists, particularly in narrow vein gold mines. A 1% increase in gold recovery may be worth $1 M extra revenue to a large mine.

Jan 1, 2000

By Howard L. Hartman

Pardon my audacity, but I feel that this is the solution, not just a solution. Further, I will be so bold as to maintain that this is the last-ditch, eleventh-hour chance for the mineral industry to solve its critical technical manpower shortage. I am not being facetious. I am convinced that there is only one solution--just as there is but one real cause of the problem. My conclusion 'is reinforced by countless talks of endless hours with people both in and out of the industry, with employers and employees, and with educators and students. While I claim no originality for the idea and have no pride of authorship, I am concerned that the industry hear and heed in time. It is quite unlikely that the mineral industry and the mineral engineering profession will willingly subscribe to my thesis or gladly buy my proposal. I am convinced, however, that it is the only course of action open to us, and the only course of action which will succeed.

Jan 1, 1967

By R. Wisniewski

Every underground coal mine in the United States must deploy and operate a wireless communication and tracking system. This paper addresses the reliability and availability of an installed tracking system and the communications infrastructure that supports it. A particular interest is the requirements for the systems to operate continuously without failure after a mine disaster for 96 hours, and the requirements in the MINER Act for the tracking systems to be ?calculated to be serviceable? and the communications systems ?redundancy?. These requirements imply a certain reliability and availability. This paper describes a quantitative way to assess these systems requirements, using the tools that are available and commonly used by the Reliability, Maintainability, & Availability community.

Feb 23, 2014

By T. P. Johnson, A. Vathavooran

"Conventional mining operations can produce a wide range of wastes containing gold and other precious metals but which are less suitable for processing by traditional methods. There are also types of ore that do not fit easily into a traditional processing flowsheet, e.g. because the refractory nature of their minerology or the combination of valuable metals is less suitable for traditional processes. Nevertheless, these potential sources of valuable metals remain unexploited resources that have attracted growing interest in the metals and mining industries over recent years. The challenge is therefore to develop and use alternative processing methods that have the flexibility of operation to cope with a wide variety of material types and tonnages, whilst providing high recoveries for valuable metals. Tetronics’ DC plasma smelting technology achieves industry-leading recovery rates for precious metals from a wide range of input materials and initial precious metal concentrations, whilst generating an inert slag-based material as a by-product (even when starting from a hazardous waste input material), approved within the EU for use in construction applications. This paper describes how this technology can be used as a key part of an overall process for the recovery of precious metals from these interesting materials.INTRODUCTION The extraction of gold from its ores by various forms of cyanide leaching has been practised by the mining industry for over a century (Minerals Council of Australia, 2005) and it remains the primary extraction method in a wide range of mining operations. The ability of cyanide to extract gold efficiently and quickly from lower grade ores without extensive additional processing, coupled with well-known methods to recycle the cyanide for re-use within the process mean it is often both the most economically preferable and environmentally acceptable method for recovering gold. As a result, 88% of all gold produced from mines in the USA in 2014 was recovered via leaching of open heaps or dumps (UGGS, 2016). Nevertheless, there are occasions where certain combinations of mineralogy and other circumstances reduce the effectiveness of cyanidation techniques, so that ever more elaborate additional processing steps are required, with inevitable increases in operating costs (Swash, 1988). In these circumstances, which are likely to be more common in future as ore qualities diminish, other methods of extraction may offer better alternatives. Whilst much less commonly used for Au extraction at present, pyrometallurgical methods are amongst the longest-established of these alternative approaches and merit serious consideration in such cases."

Jan 1, 2017

By Mauro Vivaldino Fernandes

Os desafios para o aprimoramento do desempenho operacional dos altos-fornos constituem um campo aberto para o desenvolvimento e aplicação de métodos de controle que promovam a otimização da operação do reator, aliada ao prolongamento da sua vida útil. O Alto-Forno 3 da Usiminas - Ipatinga, nesta sua 4ª campanha, foi projetado para 15 anos de operação, com uma produção estimada de 41 milhões de toneladas de gusa. Os resultados da campanha atual, em termos de produção e de duração da campanha, superam os dados projetados. Neste contexto, são apresentadas as principais características do Alto-Forno 3 na sua atual campanha, a evolução do seu desempenho em termos de produtividade e tempo de operação, além das principais ações direcionadas para a preservação e estabilidade do sistema de refrigeração e do cadinho, contribuindo para o prolongamento da sua vida útil. Como resultado destes esforços, a vida útil estimada do Alto-Forno 3 é de 22 anos, superando em 7 anos a duração prevista.

Oct 30, 2017

By G Pitkin, D Sorley

The purpose of any consultancy is to provide a superior service for their client. Organisational structure is a key element in providing this service and differentiating between consultants.In an organic organisation the emphasis is on effectiveness, problem solving, responsiveness, flexibility, adaptability, creativity and innovation. Such an organisation is able to respond in a timely manner to change because employees are empowered to be creative, to experiment and to suggest new ideas. The process of innovation is triggered by employees throughout the organisation in a collaborative manner.Problem solving becomes a core competence of the consultancy. A multidisciplined approach arrives at superior solutions that are rigorous, holistic, achievable and often novel. It allows the mining consultancy to extract the most from a very talented and experienced team.This paper highlights the advantages of an organic structure for a mining consultancy and how to implement such a structure. It draws on examples of innovative problem solving from feasibility and strategic studies carried out in Australia and Africa.CITATION:Pitkin, G and Sorley, D, 2016. Organic management structure – its advantages in a mining consultancy, in Proceedings International Mine Management Conference, pp 155-162 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Jun 22, 2016

By D Craw, R Norris

The Golden Bar pit is part of the Macraes mine, the largest gold mine in New Zealand. The Macraes mine is mainly developed in the late metamorphic Hyde-Macraes Shear Zone. However, the Golden Bar pit was developed in a mineralised zone about 200 m structurally above the Hyde-Macraes Shear Zone. The host rocks are dominated by massive quartzofeldspathic schist (5 - 10 m layers) with minor intercalations (1 - 5 m scale) of micaceous schist. All the host schist has disseminated pyrite (micron to mm scale) from pervasive late metamorphic hydrothermal alteration.   In addition, there has been more localised (metre scale) relatively intense hydrothermal alteration controlled by shears subparallel to foliation. Gold occurs in three types of mineralised rock: silicified schist, which dominates, fissile black sheared rock, and cross-cutting quartz veins. There are three principal structural zones in the deposit: 1.   a strongly sheared micaceous and graphitic zone at the base of the structural sequence; 2.   a weakly deformed schist zone cut by relatively flat-lying (= 20¦ dipping) quartz veins; and 3.   a stack of imbricated schist pods and deformed silicified schist confined between two sub-parallel low-angle (ca. 30¦) shears.   These structural zones were juxtaposed during thrust deformation. The lower black shear zone has m-scale folding and over-thrusting packages, kink folding and foliation stacking with associated striations that imply west-directed thrusting. Striations and imbrication geometry between the upper two shears imply oblique thrusting that was directed towards the west. Post-mineralisation normal faults locally disrupt the mineralised zone. The Golden Bar pit mineralised zone has some of the structural and mineralogical characteristics of the main Hyde-Macraes Shear Zone, and may be genetically related.

Jan 1, 2006

By M. M. Neale

The pottery department has been aptly described as the "heart of the zinc plant," md every operator of a horizontal-retort plant is acquainted with the fact that good retort practice is the keystone of the smelting process. Since retorts and condensers are clay products, it is obvious that improvements in other branches of the ceramic industry should be observed for possible adoption in the pottery process for zinc smelting. Deaeration of clay bodies is one of the improvements that have become fully, established in many brick and pottery plants. Our investigation of a number of these installations always yielded the same answer—improved practice. Improvement in workability, elimination of laminations, less porosity, greater wet and dry strength, were among the claims put forth for this process. All of these features are exceedingly desirable characteristics in the manufacture of a zinc retort. A preliminary test, which involved truck transportation of deaired slugs over a relatively long distance, did show the value of many of these characteristics in forming the retort. Results from the standpoint of , longer retort life in the smelting furnace were not outstanding. The idea lay dormant for several years but was revived again in 1940, when it was decided to make whatever changes were necessary in the equipment for pottery manufacture to fully demonstrate the process. A number of the manu- facturers of machinery for clay work were asked to submit proposals, and the plan finally adopted was extremely simple and economical. Machine FOR DeaeRRATING Selection of the ''Straight-line'' principle for conversion of the "Wettengel" pug mill to a ''vacuum-extrusion" machine preserved some usable parts of the original equipment, such as the drive mechanism, and main shaft. The converted machine consists of a feed hopper, a compression and shredding zone, a vacuum chamber, and an extrusion barrel, as shown in Fig. I. In operation the clay mix travels from the feed hopper into the compression zone, where it is compressed and finally forced around the tapered cone into the vacuum chamber. As it enters this chamber the clay body is shredded into thin plates, for exFosure to the vacuum. The shredder consists of a hub mounted on the main shaft, to which are bolted segmental sections, each of which carries shredder knives. The compression zone and extrusion barrel function as seals for the vacuum chamber and the shredded clay mix is agitated thoroughly during its exposure to the vacuum. A vacuum pump, equipped with a 3-hp. motor, is attached to this chamber, and maintains 25 to 26 in. vacuum during operation of the mill. Changes in Practice Prior to the adoption of the deaeration process, our standard pottery practice called for double mixing in the combination 7

Jan 1, 1944

By S. A. Falconer

D. A. Dahlstrom—Mr. Falconer has done an admirable job of proving the adaptability of the cyclone to the beneficiation of a very difficult size range in the preparation of coal. The addition of the cyclone to other coarser size methods makes it economically feasible for the coal operator to rigorously control his marketed products at a high and uniform quality level down to the 48 and 100-mesh size. Furthermore, it should be pointed out that by utilizing the cyclone as a deslimer or classifier the —3 200-mesh fraction, usually containing large percentages of undesirable material, can also be quickly and cheaply removed from the clean coal. Advantages of such a step are several: (1) Reduction of ash content, especially where clays and slimes are serious. (2) lower moisture content of the final coal. (3) easier mechanical and thermal de-watering of the fine coal due to higher cake and bed permeabilities. The author has indicated that adjustable control means should be installed on the cyclone operating on a heavy-media slurry. This also holds true for the cyclone acting as classifier, deslimer or preliminary dewatering agent and is worthy of special emphasis. Such controls, while not necessarily automatic, must be simple, rapidly adjustable, and require a minimum of attention. Three methods available to the operator are (1) throttling valve on the feed line, (2) back pressure valve on the overflow, and (3) adjustable diameter underflow nozzles. The first two, while fulfilling the specifications, suffer the disadvantage of restricting capacity if severe throttling is necessary. The third method has little effect on capacity and easily maintains an underflow of correct moisture content. Several designs are possible, but two find the widest application. The first was developed by Robert Piros of The Truax-Traer Coal Co. and uses a simple casting containing two holders for underflow nozzles which can be rotated about an axis parallel to the cyclone centerline. These holders retain the underflow nozzle flush with the conical section walls. When a change in nozzle diameter is required, the new size is placed in the spare holder and rotated into place. A second design utilizes a soft rubber cylindrical tube which is compressed or released from three sides, causing the inner diameter of the tube to decrease or increase. This is achieved by using a machine-threaded,

Jan 1, 1951

By S. A. Falconer

D. A. Dahlstrom—Mr. Falconer has done an admirable job of proving the adaptability of the cyclone to the beneficiation of a very difficult size range in the preparation of coal. The addition of the cyclone to other coarser size methods makes it economically feasible for the coal operator to rigorously control his marketed products at a high and uniform quality level down to the 48 and 100-mesh size. Furthermore, it should be pointed out that by utilizing the cyclone as a deslimer or classifier the —3 200-mesh fraction, usually containing large percentages of undesirable material, can also be quickly and cheaply removed from the clean coal. Advantages of such a step are several: (1) Reduction of ash content, especially where clays and slimes are serious. (2) lower moisture content of the final coal. (3) easier mechanical and thermal de-watering of the fine coal due to higher cake and bed permeabilities. The author has indicated that adjustable control means should be installed on the cyclone operating on a heavy-media slurry. This also holds true for the cyclone acting as classifier, deslimer or preliminary dewatering agent and is worthy of special emphasis. Such controls, while not necessarily automatic, must be simple, rapidly adjustable, and require a minimum of attention. Three methods available to the operator are (1) throttling valve on the feed line, (2) back pressure valve on the overflow, and (3) adjustable diameter underflow nozzles. The first two, while fulfilling the specifications, suffer the disadvantage of restricting capacity if severe throttling is necessary. The third method has little effect on capacity and easily maintains an underflow of correct moisture content. Several designs are possible, but two find the widest application. The first was developed by Robert Piros of The Truax-Traer Coal Co. and uses a simple casting containing two holders for underflow nozzles which can be rotated about an axis parallel to the cyclone centerline. These holders retain the underflow nozzle flush with the conical section walls. When a change in nozzle diameter is required, the new size is placed in the spare holder and rotated into place. A second design utilizes a soft rubber cylindrical tube which is compressed or released from three sides, causing the inner diameter of the tube to decrease or increase. This is achieved by using a machine-threaded,

Jan 1, 1951

By W. W. Wen

A continuous pilot-scale test of the GranuFlow Process was conducted using a screen- bowl centrifuge for the dewatering and reconstitution of column flotation concentrate at a coal preparation plant in Virginia. In this test, a slipstream of the fine-clean-coal slurry from the column flotation concentrate was treated with a bitumen emulsion before dewatering. The treated products from the screen-bowl centrifuge appeared to be dry and in a free-flowing granular form, while the untreated products were wet, sticky, and difficult to handle. Specifically, test results indicated that the average moisture contents of the dewatered coal were 35.7, 35.5, 32.6, 29.9, and 26.5 wt% with Orimulsion additions of 0,0.7,3.2,4.8, and 6.4 wt%, respectively. The handleability and dust reduction of the dewatered coal product were also vastly improved.

Jan 1, 1997

By J. E. Fraley

This report describes the preliminary results of a Bureau program to develop and test an inexpensive grout for full-column support of roof bolts. Various inorganic grouts were tested in both cartridge and slurry form. Tests were also performed on methods of water packaging and on the effect of fillers on the grout strength. Results showed that some grouts had poor early strength and exceptional mid-to long-term strength. Laboratory tests have shown that rapid-setting inorganic grout could be an economical replacement for resin bolts if the short-term strength could be increased. Further development to improve its early strength would need to be tested in the laboratory and underground to prove its potential for the mining industry.

Jan 1, 1987

By SDN Wessels, WA Naismith

On 16 July 2004, at 07:10 a collapse of about 1.8 million m3 (about 4 ½ million tonnes) took place on the north wall on Nchanga Open Pit This collapse was the result of a developing instability that was first identified when the benches in this area were exposed during September 2002. The NOP Geotechnical and Survey Departments closely monitored the development of the failure. Control measures were implemented to reduce risk to men and equipment. These measures were continually improved and adjusted in reaction to observations and changing conditions. The purpose of this paper is to describe in detail the monitoring results that were obtained both by traditional methods and the novel Slope Stability Radar System (SSR). Difficulties encountered in establishing critical deformation levels and deformation rates that can be used to predict the onset of collapse are described. Details of the monitoring and control measures, which led to the successful completion of mining in the area, are also described in this paper.

Jan 1, 2005

By E. J. Y., G. J. McLachlan, E. Amini, Koha

Inferring individual component flotation rates from recovery-time data of ore complexes is important in optimising and designing minerals processing plants. However, existing two-component first-order flotation models are computationally intensive to solve using conventional non-linear least squares regression. In this paper, a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) is used to approximate the inverse function which predicts the two-component first-order model parameters using recovery-time data. This paper compares the accuracy and computation speed of the proposed CNN against traditional non-linear least squares regression on 1 million generated data based on a known two-component firstorder kinetic model. It is shown that using a CNN is possible to approximate the inverse function for the non-invertible two-component model with recovery-time as an input matrix for convolution operations. The CNN method is 450 times faster to compute than the Trust-Region (TR) non-linear least squares regression algorithm. However, the CNN model is less accurate compared to the TR algorithm overall. Keywords: Flotation kinetics, convolutional neural network, inverse problem, modelling and simulations

Jan 1, 2020

By Emilio Cordero Cordero

En los proyectos de excavaciones subterráneas, túneles de obra civil y galerías mineras es necesaria la realización de cálculos para el sostenimiento adecuado para cada situación y comprobar que este cumple los parámetros de seguridad indispensables para garantizar la estabilidad de la excavación en el tiempo. En este sentido, el texto señala el uso de SDT(software) como aplicación informática decuada para el cálculo de sostenimiento en túneles y galerías mineras que suministra una respuesta a las necesidades de proyectistas e ingenieros mineros. Dicho software se basa en cerchas metálicas con capacidad de deslizamiento (perfiles THN), cerchas de perfil HEB, pernos de anclaje y hormigón proyectado en túneles y galerías mineras que utiliza el método “Convergencia – Confinamiento”, procedimiento de referencia en el cálculo y diseño de sostenimiento en excavaciones subterráneas, con las premisas de sección circular, presión sobre el sostenimiento uniforme y el campo de presiones hidrostático.

Jan 1, 2016

By H. J. Fraser

LIKE a runner catching his second wind, the mining geologist in 1944 has had some opportunity to appraise the result of three years of active and intense search for the metallic sinews of war and peace. The war period has been one of physical activity and accumulation of new data but has not so far resulted in the announcement of any profound or revolutionary theoretical concepts or techniques. Most technical publications during the year have been either descriptive or statistical. A review of accomplishments during the war years, although affording some measure of satisfaction in individual cases or regarding production of certain metals or' ores, is far from justifying any feeling of complacency regarding the growth of the profession either in fundamental knowledge or in application. During 1944 an abundant supply of all metals and minerals flowed steadily to smelters and fabricating plants. Also, during this and preceding years, adequate stock piles for war needs, in view of the improved foreign and domestic supply situation, were accumulated in many metals in such quantities that the mining industry has become concerned not with the problem of supply but with the effect these accumulated stocks, if maintained, might have on the postwar market. These considerations culminated in the enactment by Congress of the Surplus Disposal Act, which, admittedly a tempo-

Jan 1, 1945

By Y. L. Mehta

The working experience of the Zinc Smelter, Debari, Udaipur with process modifications and iron control practices is described in detail in this paper. Most of the modifications were made at different times as part of capacity enhancement campaigns that led to distinct advantages, thereby increasing both zinc production and recoveries. This smelter came into existence in 1968 with a humble beginning of producing 18,000 metric tonnes (MT) of zinc per annum, using the conventional batch hydrometallurgical roast-leach-electrowinning technology. Zinc production capacity was increased stepwise to 45,000 MT, 49,000 MT and 59,000 MT, by making suitable process modifications and adopting new technologies, particularly in the leaching section. During these modifications, the process of iron separation as Moore cake was also changed to jarosite cake production. At present, jarosite is being disposed in a secured landfill at the Zinc Smelter, Debari (ZSD) and as Jarofix at the Chanderiya Lead Zinc Smelter (CLZS). As a result of subsequent in-house performance improvement and debottlenecking campaigns, this smelter could achieve further increases in production. Zinc production for the financial year 2005-06 was 81,000 MT.

Jan 1, 2006

By George H. Holmes

Beryllium deposits in the northern Virgin Mountains , Clark County , Nev . , and Mohave County , Ariz . , about 70 miles northeast of Las Vegas , were investigated by the Bureau of Mines . The investigation indicated a widespread occurrence of beryllium- bearing pegmatites within an extensive belt of mica - schist . Several deposits with significant beryllium mineral concentrations were encountered . Only a few of the samples analyzed contained more than 1 percent beryllium oxide ( BeO ) ; in many of the samples , no beryllium was reported . The average tenor of samples from the more important occurrences was 0.25 percent BeO . Chrysoberyl is the predominant beryllium mineral in the pegmatite sills ; beryl predominates in the more massive bodies . Minute quantities of cesium and lithium minerals also occur , but no columbium , tantalum , or other rare minerals were found . Ore dressing tests on a composite sample containing 0.28 percent BeO which was representative of the pegmatite sills , indicated an 85 percent recovery of the chrysoberyl ( 70 percent recovery of total BeO ) by gravity concentration in a concentrate containing 17.6 percent BeO .

Jan 1, 1964