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By S. R. S. Sastri, K. K. Bhattacharya, K. S. Narasimhan

Experimental results obtained on the recovery of below 0.5 x 10-3m coal fines by flotation employing geometrically similar columns of 0.056m, 0.080m, 0.100m and 0.220m diameter have been presented. The hydrodynamics of such a unit as well as its performance have been related to operating parameters to establish optimum conditions. The results have further been analysed critically in the light of the known relationship on the behaviour of similar systems to assign reasons for the critical factors established in a bid to reduce the empiricism required to be followed in the scale up of such a unit.

Jan 1, 1988

By P. J. Kientzler, Y. C. Lo

The current study is concerned with the analysis and attempt at simulating the product size distributions obtained from a vibrating ultrasonic device. Systematic experiments of comminution were performed with natural sizes as well as monosizes in order to understand the breakage behavior of the device. A precise analysis of the device's breakage performance in the case of fine grinding of alumina samples will be presented. Initial steps to model the breakage events using a detailed mathematical algorithm will be discussed.

Jan 1, 1992

By Y. Topkaya, R. E. Johnson, B. R. Palmer, Jia-Jun Ke, Da-Ping Kang

The kinetics of the leaching of antimony oxide ore (Sb2O4) in aqueous hydrochloric acid solutions has been investigated. This dissolution reaction is a heterogeneous solid-liquid reaction. It has been found that the leaching temperature and the concentration of hydrochloric acid turn out to be the significant influencing factors on the leaching rate. The apparent activation energy for the leaching reaction was determined to be 63.5 W/mol within the experimental temperature region of 50O to 90O C. The experimental results indicate that the leaching process is controlled by the rate of the chemical reaction.

Jan 1, 1993

By Michael S. Robinson, Serge Moalli

Construction of the CSO Retention - Treatment Tunnel, Segment 1 in Dearborn, Michigan includes excavation for an overflow Structure with a minimum inside diameter of 15.24 m (finished). The excavation extends downward through overburden soil including a 15.2 m thick zone of potentially weak clay. This paper presents the subsurface data for the clay and a geotechnical analysis thereof, together with predictions of the behavior of the planned 15.54 m inside diameter open end caisson as it is sunk through this potentially weak zone. In a companion paper, the writers will compare the behavior observed with that predicted.

Jan 1, 1995

By B. Moudgil, M. Bogan

A bench-top centrifuge was used to study the consolidation behavior of phosphatic clays. A mathematical model (based on, first-order kinetics) was developed to describe the relationship between the void ratio (at any time) and the effective stress. The permeability of the sediment as a function of the void ratio is also described. The results of this analysis are then compared to data obtained by other consolidation testing methods. The centrifuge results indicate that consolidation data may be developed in a short period of time (hours) as compared to days or weeks when other techniques are used.

Jan 1, 1997

By Edgardo I. Cifuentes, Andrew L. Mular, Andrew Burkert

Experimental designs are data acquisition plans which, if followed exactly, will quickly provide process engineers with information to assess statistically the individual and joint influence of factors on responses to permit of rapid decision making. Methodology employed to construct data acquisition plans is described in some detail. In production environments, factorial designs are appropriate for most purposes. Use of two level factorials to make decisions is described for a grinding circuit.

Jan 1, 1991

By L. L. Oriard

The author describes three case histories of fracture-control blasting demonstrations. This is a technique in which the walls of blast holes are scribed or notched in order to enhance the development of blast_induced fractures, and to control their direction. One demonstration was that of a tunneling application in a rock that was generally competent but strongly foliated, hence strongly anisotropic. P second test was conducted for perimeter blasting of a structural excavation in a massively jointed limestone. A third field test was conducted for tunneling through an old concrete structure. Increased applications are envisioned with new tool modifications being developed at the University of Maryland.

Jan 1, 1981

By W. P. Stroud, R. S. Dennen

A ground penetrating synthetic pulse radar system has been used by the US Bureau of Mines to probe into a coal pillar to locate hidden structures or anomalies. Direct matrix inversion was used to obtain a velocity image of the interior of the pillar. The reconstructed image showed the existence and location of a relatively low velocity material within the pillar. Core samples were taken from the pillar in a region surrounding the low velocity material. Analysis of the cores showed the presence of a clay vein coinciding with the low velocity material imaged in the tomogram.

Jan 1, 1992

By J. -C. Roegiers, M. Thiercelin

Accurate toughness determinations are difficult to achieve in the case of soft or heterogeneous rocks. The existence of a large process zone ahead of the crack tip makes the determination of the apparent toughness crack length dependent, in the case of subsized specimens. In order to use practical size specimens, the authors propose a new toughness test, the Modified Ring Test, which pre- vents a largely developed process zone to form ahead of the crack tip. This test has also the advantage that its geometry is core-based. Numerical and experimental results are discussed.

Jan 1, 1986

By R. Q. Honaker

Until recently, the application of the Jameson Cell technology in North America has been restricted to minerals processing. Recently, laboratory, pilot-plant and full-scale testing has been conducted to assess the Jameson Cell's ability to effectively treat fine coal. Based on the data, carrying-capacity relationships have been developed. In addition to its operational simplicity, the Jameson Cell has the ability to provide a separation efficiency near the theoretical separation performance on the basis of ash rejection while achieving a relatively high throughput capacity Tie results obtained from the various fine coal cleaning applications in North America is presented in this publication.

Jan 1, 1999

By David Jenkins

Grefco Inc. operates two diatomite mines in the western Santa Ynez Mountains. The larger of the two mines, the Palos Colorados Mine, is located approximately seven miles southeast of Lompoc. The Miguelito Mine is located about two miles south of Lompoc on the west side of the Miguelito Canyon. Diatomite from the Palos Colorados and Miguelito mines is trucked to the Grefco plant at Lompoc for processing (Figure 1). HISTORY Grefco, Inc. evolved from the originating Dicalite Company which in 1929 began operations at the Walteria plant in the Palos Verdes Hills south of Los Angeles. In 1942 Dicalite leased the Palos Colorados mine at Lompoc. In 1944 the Dicalite Company was purchased by Great Lakes Carbon Corporation.

Jan 1, 1995

By R. L. Unger

Restricted fields of vision are a common problem with underground mining equipment. Also, when lighting systems are provided, they may be positioned where they cause glare. This restricts the visibility around the machines even further. To help address these problems, the US Bureau of Mines has developed a PC-based software package to aid in the analysis of certain human engineering aspects of mining equipment design. The software is available for use by equipment manufacturers and mining companies for design work on new machines, as well as for evaluating proposed modifications to existing machines.

Jan 1, 1995

Little knowledge is available that considers the effects of continuous miner position on the possible respirable dust exposure of the remote mining-machine operator. Such information could be very useful for increasing the awareness of the remote operator as to those parts of an extended cut that generate higher levels of respirable dust. This data could be used to develop guidelines for positioning the remote operator to reduce his potential exposure. This work details the effects of continuous miner position on dust levels measured on the machine and at the remote continuous miner operator location.

Jan 1, 2000

By I. Iwasaki

Rest potential and linear potential sweep techniques were used to study the cathodic-polarization processes on chalcopyrite, simulating chalcopyrite short-circuited with grinding media in a wet grinding mill. Microflotation tests were carried out to investigate the effect of cathodic polarization on the collectorless flotation of chalcopyrite. It was observed that collectorless flotation of a cathodically polarized chalcopyrite sample could he obtained when oxygen was used for aeration, but not if nitrogen was used. A mechanism for the role that oxygen plays in the collectorless flotation of cathodically polarized chalcopyrite is discussed.

Jan 1, 1999

By Paul D. Tomlingson

Editor's note: This is the second of two articles on maintenance. Part one: "Downsizing maintenance to improve performance: Defining the downsizing task," appeared in the September issue of MINING ENGINEERING, pp. 1065-1066. Part one explained that downsizing must he an organizational change in which the mine moves to a more efficient, smaller maintenance organization. But the new, smaller organization must operate more productively. Determine initial reduction targets Reduce the workload - The initial reduction target can be determined by projecting manpower reduction as a result of discontinuing or deferring work. Start these reductions by not replacing personnel who retire or are disabled. Observe the right craft mix during this initial reduction. Improve productivity - Further reductions can come from better productivity. But achieving the higher productivity level will require a year or more. During this transition, the efficiencies of a well-defined program and a team organization must take hold.

Jan 1, 1994

By M. Spangler

FirstMiss Gold installed a supervisory control system that is based on Pavilion Technology's Process Insights neural-network software and Oil System's PI data historian. The first successful control loop involved controlling the limestone feed rate to the neutralization circuit. The resulting improvements in the control of the circuit resulted in savings of $31,000 per month. Although it was the primary goal of the system, supervisory control of the preconditioning circuit was not achieved. However, information gained during the modeling suggested process modifications that resulted in cost savings of $54,000 per month in the preconditioning circuit.

Jan 1, 1997

By Philip M. Rice, Paul Schmall, Peter W. Deming, Hugh S. Lacy

A groundwater cut-off is needed to provide a stable face of tunnels to be constructed by jacking precast rectangular tunnel segments beneath commuter rail tracks for the new I-90 extension in Boston, MA. Extensive obstructions are present within the path of the tunnels. This paper describes how the use of artificially frozen ground is being planned to provide a reliable groundwater cutoff and assure a stable tunnel face. Monitoring during freezing assures continuity of the cutoff. Laboratory testing of frozen soil samples aided the design of this frozen soil boundary. Logistics of installing vertical freeze pipes are described.

Jan 1, 1999

By F. Seymour

A modified three-dimensional Lerches-Grossmann (LG) graph tree algorithm that generates the complete set of nested maximum valued pits in a single run is presented. This modified LG algorithm looks at the relative strength (average value) of the branches (groups of blocks). Pointers are allocated and pruned until there are no members of weaker (lower average value) branches overlying members of stronger (higher average value) branches. The final set of strong branches arc listed in order of decreasing strength. The pits they represent form the maximum valued convex hull for a single-variable pit-limit parameterization. A description of the algorithm is given along with examples of lion it has been applied at Newmont.

Jan 1, 1996

By D. E. Ranta, M. G. Schulz

Mining of Molybdenum at Questa, New Mexico has been accomplished by block cave methods since August, 1983. As caving progresses, a periodic geologic evaluation is made of the rock types present in finger raises on the Grizzly Level of the mine. The production maturity of the cave can be monitored by relating this data to geologic cross-sections through the orebody. The draw point mapping program is a simple and effective tool that is used in making draw control decisions at Questa.

Jan 1, 1992

By D. R. Schmitt, B. L. Jensen, T. J. Ahrens, C. L. Smither

The in situ elastic moduli of rock are measured holographically by a borehole instrument in marble and oil shale. A point force induced displacement field is recorded with double expo- sure holography. Data consists of a fringe pat- tern on the viewed hologram. The elastic moduli are determined by modelling of the fringe pattern. Only Young's inodulus is fairly constrained by the present data reduction. For an applied force of 520 [ ] 50 Newtons, a marble was found to have a Young's modulus of 56 [ ] 8 GPa, near an ultrasonically determined value of 48 [ ] 6 GPa. In an oil shale, an applied force of [ ]

Jan 1, 1986