Search Documents

By A. A. Cochran

Bureau of MinesThe Bureau of Mines studied the development of practical methods for recovering manganese from the extensive domestic resources of low-grade ores and open hearth slags. A one-step operation was developed on a laboratory scale in which manganese and iron compounds are treated with chlorine, volatilized, and separated by selective condensation. Manganese recoveries of 90 to nearly 100 percent were obtained from 9 of the most important domestic ores. Analyses of the manganese chloride product indicated that it was suit-able for aqueous electrolysis with little additional purification. A complete, integrated process that provides for the recovery and recycling of chlorine is proposed. This process appears to have distinct advantages over previously proposed manganese recovery processes, and, in sharp contrast to leaching procedures, it is applicable to practically any manganese-bearing material.

Jan 1, 1967

By S. J. Lötter

Analysis of the major and minor components of raw zircon as well as plasma-dissociated zircon was undertaken using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). Microwave-assisted acid extraction as well as flux fusion using lithium tetraborate were investigated as digestion methods. Microwave-assisted acid extraction samples were analysed with matrix-matched standards. The most successful microwave-assisted acid extractions yielded 44.3(1), 49.75(7), 78.3(3) and 90.0(7) per cent recovery for Zr, Hf, Al, and Fe respectively using sulphuric acid. In no instance was acid extraction capable of complete digestion of the sample matrix. A standard addition method was applied to the flux-fusion samples due to the high complexity of the sample matrix. Method validation for the flux fusion procedure was performed using the SARM 62 certified reference material (CRM) with acceptable recovery ranges being based on the 95 per cent confidence intervals of the CRM. Successful analyses were achieved for Zr, Hf, and Ti with apparent content of 66(6), 1.7(1) and 0.15(1) per cent respectively.

Jan 1, 2012

Purification of Nickel and Cobalt from Heap Leaching Effluents Using Ion Exchange Resins A comparative study among several chelating resins for purification of a heap leaching effluent from a nickel laterite ore has been finished. Chelating resins with iminodiacetate (IDA) and bis-picolylamine (Bis-PA) functional groups, from different suppliers, have been evaluated for their selectivity and loading capacities for nickel and cobalt over impurities. The two evaluated IDA resins, Amberlite IRC 748 and Monoplus TP 207, showed very similar results for both loading capacity and selectivity. Better performance was obtained at 7 BV/h at a pH of 4. Evaluation of Bis-PA resin showed that XUS 43578 has better performance than TP 220, with a 30 per cent higher loading capacity and superior selectivity for nickel over impurities.

Sep 13, 2010

By Barry James

"This paper discusses past and current energy use patterns in the mining and manufacturing sectors of the industrial minerals industry. Information is presented on the primary energy input types as purchased by the industry, the quality and form of the energy actually required by the various production processes, and the residual form of this energy, either embodied in the product or rejected in gaseous and liquid waste heat streams. With the continuing concerns about the availability of energy combined with the rapidly increasing cost of energy as a production input, the reduction of energy usage through improved efficiency will undoubtedly be an increasing priority for the industry during the 1980s. Reduced energy consumption through investment to improve energy efficiency appears to be advantageous from both the corporate and national perspectives.IntroductionEnergy, like labour and materials, is one of the basic production input s to the various mining, processing and manufacturing production stages in the industrial minerals industry. Energy costs, as a percentage of total production costs, have been well above the average for industry in Canada, accounting for more than 50 cents out of every dollar in the most extreme cases. Consequently, energy has always been a relatively important management concern in the industrial minerals industry.The energy supply and price situation in Canada and internationally has been changing rapidly since 1973, following a long period characterized by declining real energy prices and an abundance and wide choice of energy supplies. It is generally accepted that energy prices will continue to increase rapidly, and that there will be uncertainties about the long-term continuity of supply of some energy types. In essence, a period of relative stability has been replaced by a period of relative uncertainty. In such a changing situation, a reassessment of the role of energy as a production input is appropriate.The following sections outline some of the effects of the changing energy scene on the industrial minerals industry. These effects are dealt with primarily in terms of energy costs, because, in most circumstances, a change in the cost of energy as a production input is the end result of both energy price and energy supply changes."

Jan 1, 1981

By R. Pandher, R. Schonewille, N. Tripathi

Advanced process modelling tools were developed for the Xstrata Nickel Sudbury Smelter flow sheet using a combination of FACTSAGE TM METSIMTM and ARENATM software. These tools were employed to assist with plant optimisation, emission control, process design, troubleshooting and case studies as applied to the smelter. The development of process modelling tools in pyro-metallurgy commonly involves an in-depth study of the therm o-chemical properties (heat capacity, liquidus temperature, etc.) of all high temperature phases, usually matte and slag. The preferred tool for this purpose is FACTSAGETM, a well-known then-no-chemical modelling software package. The results from the therm o-chemical model have been subsequently incorporated into the development of a process model for the entire smelting facility using the METSIMTM platform. Such process model also includes a number of special features adopted to effectively simulate the complex industrial phases; matte and slag systems. To ensure the robustness and reliability of the process model, several process parameters and assumptions were verified with laboratory and plant data. Consequently, the model includes the ability to examine the impact of a number of plant parameters on potential plant performance. Primary variables are the percent sulphur elimination during concentrate roasting, furnace matte grade and degree of matte metallization. Key output parameters include operating temperature, furnace coke requirement, sulphuric acid production, CO2 emissions and overall energy requirements. Selected outputs from the process model (for example blowing time, slag production rate and matte converting rate) can then be utilised in the development of a discrete event model (DEM) for the smelter using ARENATM software. Incorporation of reliable and validated mass balance parameters enhances the robustness and reliability of the DEM model. The integration of then-no-chemical, process and DEM modeling tools has a distinct advantage in planning plant trials and examining process design initiatives at Xstrata Nickel's Sudbury Smelter. The present paper discusses the development of these three models and the synergies existing among them. Typical results from all three models are also presented.

Jan 1, 2011

By R. Pandher, R. Schonewille

Advanced process modelling tools were developed for the Xstrata Nickel Sudbury Smelter flow sheet using a combination of FACTSAGETH METSIMTM and ARENATM software. These tools were employed to assist with plant optimisation, emission control, process design, troubleshooting and case studies as applied to the smelter. The development of process modelling tools in pyro-metallurgy commonly involves an in-depth study of the therm o-chemical properties (heat capacity, liquidus temperature, etc.) of all high temperature phases, usually matte and slag. The preferred tool for this purpose is FACTSAGETM, a well-known then-no-chemical modelling software package. The results from the therm o-chemical model have been subsequently incorporated into the development of a process model for the entire smelting facility using the METSIMTM platform. Such process model also includes a number of special features adopted to effectively simulate the complex industrial phases; matte and slag systems. To ensure the robustness and reliability of the process model, several process parameters and assumptions were verified with laboratory and plant data. Consequently, the model includes the ability to examine the impact of a number of plant parameters on potential plant performance. Primary variables are the percent sulphur elimination during concentrate roasting, furnace matte grade and degree of matte metallization. Key output parameters include operating temperature, furnace coke requirement, sulphuric acid production, CO2 emissions and overall energy requirements. Selected outputs from the process model (for example blowing time, slag production rate and matte converting rate) can then be utilised in the development of a discrete event model (DEM) for the smelter using ARENATM software. Incorporation of reliable and validated mass balance parameters enhances the robustness and reliability of the DEM model. The integration of then-no-chemical, process and DEM modeling tools has a distinct advantage in planning plant trials and examining process design initiatives at Xstrata Nickel's Sudbury Smelter. The present paper discusses the development of these three models and the synergies existing among them. Typical results from all three models are also presented.

Jan 1, 2011

By Edward Capillon

THE problem of scrap is probably of greater importance inn the production of gold, silver and other precious metal alloys than is the case for base metals and alloys. Remelting of gold and silver scrap in the shop is always a costly process because it involves losses by oxidation of the base metals in the alloy with a consequent increase in the percentage of precious metal. This is most marked in the case of alloys containing the low-boiling and easily oxidized metals zinc and cadmium. Since it is. not generally feasible to assay every shop remelt it follows that the possibilities of lost values are large. So-called rolled gold and silver plate is made by soldering or welding the precious metal alloys onto base, metal. Such plate when defective must be sent to the refinery to recover the gold and silver values, thereby involving additional expense in the form of refining charges. It is obvious therefore that gold and silver alloy scrap is an important item in manufacturing cost and must be reduced to a minimum. The amount of scrap resulting from poor metal will depend on a number of factors in the manufacturing operations, not least among which is the melting and casting practice. The notes which follow are a summary of experiments performed at various times to determine what variables in melting and casting are influential in the production of sound alloys.

Jan 1, 1930

By Archer E. Wheeler

IN the copper industry, the year 1942 was one of striving for larger tonnage and increased production. The demands of the war program placed copper high in the list of strategic metals and the Government encouraged production by offering a premium of 5c. per pound for copper output in excess of the 1941 quotas. This had the effect of increasing the tempo of existing operations and also of initiating a number of projects which will eventually result in production from sources not hitherto exploited. No radically new methods of copper reduction were reported.

Jan 1, 1943

By N. Kumar, A. K. Dhawan, A. Varughese, S. K. Khullar

Abstract The in-situ stress field is one of the primary parameters influencing the performance of underground structures particularly in the Himalayas where there is strong influence of topography and geology on in-situ stresses. It is always advisable to measure the in-situ stresses, in whatever best way possible. Hydrofracturing is one of the methods by which in-situ stress can be measured. This paper briefly describes details of the concept of Hydrofracturing in arriving at the in-situ stresses of the rock mass at Pancheswar Project. The data obtained from the tests has been analysed, interpreted and the results are presented in this paper. Kurzfassung Das Spannungsfeld an Ort und Stelle ist einer der wichtigsten Parameter, die das Verhalten der Untergrund-Struktur beeinflussen, insbesondere in den Himalayas, wo die Topografie und die Geologie einen grossen Einfluss auf die oertlichen Spannungen ausueben. Es empfiehlt sich stets die Spannungen an Ort und Stelle so gut wie moeglich zu erfassen. Die Hydrofraktur bzw hydrografisches Zerstueckeln ist eine der Methoden, die bei den Messungen der oertlichen Spannungen verwendet werden koennen. Diese Abhandlung beschreibt kurz Einzelheiten ueber das Konzept von Hydrofraktur bei der Bestimmung der Spannungen an Ort und Stelle von der Felsmasse bezueglich des Projekts Pancheshwar. Die gewonnenen Daten aus den Messungen wurden analysieret und ausgewertet. Die Ergebnisse werden dabei vorgelegt. Sommaire Le champ de contraintes in-situ est un des paramèters principaux influencant l’exécution des structures souterraines particulierèment en Himalaya où les forces in-situ sont fortement influencées par les caractéristiques topographiques et géologiques de la région. La fracturation hydraulique est une technique qui permet de mesurer des forces in-situ des massifs rocheux. Cet article décrit brièvement le mécanisme de fracturation hydraulique et présente les résultats de mesure des forces in-situ des roches au site du projet hydroélectrique de Pancheswar.

Jan 1, 2003

By Hans Ruge

The El Soldado copper mineralization occurs as relatively high-grade irregular ore bodies with assay contacts and with frequent inclusions of barren rock. The sampling method must be timely for production grade control purposes, as well as accurate and inexpensive. Sampling techniques evolved from sampling dump cars at the haulage level to sampling scooptrams at the loading pockets. These were abandoned in favor of sampling production blast holes. Several sampling alternatives are discussed. These involve the selection of optimum volumes and sampling frequencies while taking into consideration geological parameters and statistical analyses of sampling data.

Jan 1, 1984

By T. Deng

Flotation of rare earths is complicated by the number of mineral classes that carry rare earth elements, including carbonates, phosphates, and silicates that often co-occur within the same deposit. Gangue constituents often belong to the same mineral classes as the rare earth minerals themselves. Chemical regimes developed for specific separations employ customized combinations of collectors, modifiers, and depressants that are not directly translatable to other operations. In this rougher flotation case study, a reagent suite including phosphate ester and sulfosuccinamate, originally developed for the recovery of bastnasite and monazite from silicate hosted ore, could not be applied to a synchysite ore hosted in carbonate gangue because the suite was aimed at silicate gangue rejection only. The separation of a fluorocarbonate mineral from carbonate gangue required a different chemical regime involving the use of hydroxamate and sodium silicate. Maximizing rare earth recovery was complicated by the presence of slimes. The effect of desliming and the increase in grind size was explored.

Jan 1, 2014

By Christopher Hebert, Michael R. King, Mehdi Ghazi

The Inland Feeder project is a critical component of Southern California’s water delivery system, relying on a strategic plan of water transfer and storage to enable the delivery of an additional 650 million gallons of water a day. The Arrowhead West and Arrowhead East tunnels form part of this system, comprising the construction of nearly13 km (8 miles) of bored tunnel under the San Bernardino National Forest. This paper describes the design and manufacture of the 4.88 m (16 ft) diameter precast segmental primary lining that will be used in these tunnels to resist rock loads, and up to 275 m (900 ft) of external hydrostatic head.

Jan 1, 2003

By F. Kongoli

Viscosity is an important parameter of copper smelting and converting processes. It affects the settling of matte or metal droplets in the slag, distribution of elements etc, Despite this importance, confusion exists on the viscosity of copper smelting slags as a result of disagreements found among the measured viscosity data of several authors especially in the slags of high ferric iron content and close to magnetite precipitation. In this work a critical review of the existing data on the viscosity of copper smelting slags has been first carried out and the effect of oxygen potential on the viscosity of copper smelting slags has been clarified through a coupled quantification of viscosity and liquidus temperature. The confusion in the literature has been clarified and the importance of the relation between the viscosity and the liquidus temperature is discussed,

Jan 1, 2003

By Michael F. Gleason

In 1986, Gold Fields began negotiations with a large Nevada electrical power utility to supply power for its Chimney Creek Mine In northern Nevada. After the long negotiations reached an impass over various costs associated with the power line, a decision was made by Gold Fields to generate its own power. Self-generation is not uncommon overseas, but it is rare for any but very large or very small operations in the United States. Surprisingly, under certain conditions a mine can generate its own power profitably and Gold Fields has found that the associated operating and maintenance problems are minimal. The following report details what factors went into this decision and how it works. Hopefully, it can serve as a guideline for those who may find themselves in a similar position.

Jan 1, 1990

By D. Sancho, M. Weber

"At the start of a new shaft project, a specific number of ground investigations are performed. However, it is not uncommon that the ground conditions during shaft sinking may differ from the designed ones. Therefore, it is extremely important to use tools which minimize discrepancies and to include a monitoring system in the shaft design to collect sufficient data. The paper presents an overview of existing monitoring techniques and discusses future works required to improve, not only the construction during shaft sinking, but also the lining design methodology. INTRODUCTION In most cases, the investigations performed at the start of a new shaft are based on the analysis of rock and soil probes obtained from boreholes. In practice, such analysis performed on a single core often leads to different results when conducted by various experts. The discrepancy in core analysis influences further rock mass assessment and design assumptions. It is not uncommon that the ground conditions during shaft sinking may differ from the designed ones, which affects the estimated stress and strain state of the shaft lining. Therefore, it is extremely important to use tools which minimize such discrepancy and to include into the shaft design a monitoring system to collect sufficient data, which enables control of important phenomena, not only during shaft sinking but also during the life of the shaft. Furthermore, the information collected during shaft sinking, while it is important for proper shaft lining design and updates to the shaft lining due to the local mining and geological conditions, it is also important after shaft sinking. In the whole shaft lifetime, it is not uncommon that the shaft lining is damaged and the liner needs to be renewed (Figure 1) due to various reasons. For this purpose, detailed information collected during construction can be extremely important."

Jan 1, 2019

By Henry P. Wheeler

Natural gas was first stored underground in Welland, County, Ontario Province, Canada, in 1915.3/ The following year natural gas in the United States was first stored underground successfully in the Zoar field near Buffalo, N, Y. Only three additional storage fields were in use in the United States in 1930, but by 1940 the number had increased to over 30, and since that time growth has been more rapid. At least 80 fields, with a combined storage capacity of 440,828 MM c. f ., were being utilized by 1949.4 / In May 1952, 142 storage projects having a capacity of 915,000 MM c.f. were in operation .5/ These fields are distributed from New York to California--from Michigan to Texas. In the Appalachian region alone, there are 101 storage fields with a combined capacity exceeding 526,000 MM cu. ft. Why Natural Gas is Stored Natural gas is stored in order to be readily available to meet the needs of consumers.

Jan 1, 1952

By Dave Price

"Canada is scheduled to become the 4th highest diamond revenue producing country in the world by year 2004 with the already operating Ekati Mine and the anticipated operation of the Jericho Mine in 2002 and the Diavik Mine in 2003.This paper provides an overview of worldwide diamond production statistics and a brief introduction to a diamond processing plant. The dense medium separation (DMS) extraction process is presented and this process is discussed in more detail with respect to the extraction of diamonds in terms of feed preparation, dense medium, dense medium cyclones, ferrosilicon recovery and dense medium cyclone operating efficiencies.INTRODUCTIONThe Ekati Diamond Mine in the Northwest Territories started commercial production of diamonds in the 4* quarter of 1998. At full production, the mine is anticipated to produce annually some 3 million carats of diamonds. The Jericho Mine in Nunavut Territory and the Diavik Mine in the Northwest Territories are anticipated to come into production in the 1'' quarter of 2002 and 1st half of 2003 respectively. The combined annual diamond production of these three mines will total approximately 10.34 million carats by 2004, making Canada the 4~ highest diamond revenue producing country in the world.A diamond processing plant initially utilizes crushing, scrubbing and screening in the beneficiation process to liberate diamonds from kimberlite ore and size the product for further treatment through DMS. Alluvial diamond operations do not require initial crushing and scrubbing but incorporate a feed preparation and sometimes a recrush facility with the DMS plant. The heavy sink product from the DMS, which contains diamonds, is further upgraded through x-ray separation and high intensity magnetic separation prior to producing the final diamond product.DMS is a relatively simple separating principle. A mixture of particles of different density is immersed in a dense fluid, so that particles having a density lower than that of the fluid will float while those of heavier density will sink. The translation of the float-sink principle from a laboratory method to continuous industrial practice offers the prospect of very precise mineral separations based on density differences alone."

Jan 1, 2000

By Cesar Sáenz Acosta

El presente texto señala las mediciones de impactos que se han realizado a los programas de responsabilidad social de una empresa minera. Esta medición se realizó a través del cálculo del indicador “Retorno social de la inversión”, aplicando el modelo SROIM o Gestión del Retorno Social de la Inversión. Los proyectos de RS medidos permiten actuar a las empresas de manera responsable con su comunidad y comprenden: salud y nutrición, educación y desarrollo económico. Asimismo, esta medición contribuye a mejorar la comunicación de los impactos generados y desarrolla una gestión adecuada de estos.

Sep 12, 2011

By Nate Ober, Heath Rushing

"Mining companies want to be in a position to move quickly and seize a favorable market or to keep their key staff productively busy. One of the problems for these companies is the time required to compensate for unavoidable impacts that the mine will have on the natural environment and to gain environmental permits. All too often, circumstances that were favorable when the project was proposed have become less favorable by the time all the hurdles have been cleared.Accordingly, many mining companies are interested in ways they can inject more predictability into their timelines for gaining environmental permits, shorten those timelines, and be more certain of getting the permits they need to carry out their next project.One increasingly popular way to do this is through a relatively new kind of service — the mitigation bank.Mitigation banks purchase property or easements through property that has been impacted by agricultural, industrial or resource activity. They then turn it around from an environmental point of view. This might include restoring streams and wetlands so that fish and aquatic organisms can survive, and animals have habitat and food to flourish.Appropriate native species of plants including trees and shrubs are planted, and steps may be taken to introduce wildlife to the new habitat. In some cases, a special focus is placed on creating habitat for rare and endangered species of plants or animals.The property is inspected by regulatory authorities, coordinated through an interagency review team (IRT). If the property is determined to be effective as natural habitat, the mitigation bank is then issued credits that it can then sell to development projects that are creating an unavoidable permitted environmental impact elsewhere. A mining company, for example, would buy credits to offset the aquatic impacts due to construction of a mine, access roads and other infrastructure — as required by the Section 404 Clean Water Act permit that governs those unavoidable aquatic impacts. The mitigation bank used for offset must have an IRT-approved service area that includes the location of the impacts."

Jan 11, 2017

By A. K. Snelgrove

Introduction ?Concerning the inland commodities, as wel to be drawen from this land (Newfoundland) there is nothing which our East and Northe.rly countries of Europe doe yeelde, but the like also may be made in (ît) as plentifully by time and industry : Namely, rosen, pitch . . . metalls, and many moe. All which the countries will aford, and the soyle is apt to yeelde ... For besides these alreadie recounted and infinite moe, the mountains generally make shew of minerall substance : Iron very common, lead, and somewhere copper. I will not auerre of richer metalls: albeit ... more then hope may be concieued thereof. " - Narrative of Captain Hayes, second-in-command to Sir Humphrey Gilbert's Expedition, IJ83 (From Hakluyt). The investigations set forth in the following pages were made in the field in Newfoundland during the summer of 1927, and later in the laboratories and library of McGill University, and in the library of the Canadian Geological Survey at Ottawa, with the purpose of collating and adding to our knowledge of the geology of an area roughly wedge-shaped in outline, and nearly nine thousand square miles in extent, stretching across the centre of the island of Newfoundland, from the southwest to the northeast coasts. To the description of this district, which contains most of the known mineral occurrences of Newfoundland, the term mineral belt is here introduced.

Jan 1, 1928