Search Documents

By C. Dupuis

Thiourea is a promising reagent for gold extraction especially from refractory ores that cannot be treated by traditional cyanidation route. In this study recovery of gold from thiourea leaching solutions was investigated by direct electrowinning. The electrolysis cell consisted of a carbon flow-through cathode and a lead anode. The anodic and cathodic compartments were separated by a membrane. Galvanostatic mode was chosen for operation of the cell. Factors affecting recovery efficiency such as cathode thickness, linear flowrate, current intensity, thiourea and gold concentrations were investigated. The influence of some species in solution on efficiency and selectivity of recovery was investigated. Gold recovery reached 99% but current efficiency was lower than 10%. The complex formed with ferric ion and formamidine disulfide are reduced before gold-thiourea complex. Thiourea consumption occurred during leaching mainly by oxidation and reaction with dissolved copper.

Jan 1, 1989

By Jack T. Work

Spiraling costs in every segment of the open-pit mining cycle is a fact of life that every operator must reckon with. The introduction of various shock absorbing devices for rotary drilling is one recent innovation that may significantly reduce overall drilling cost, increase drill availability, and lower maintenance requirements. In a recent all-inclusive test in taconite ores, shock absorbers on Bucyrus-Erie BE 60R and Gardner¬Denver GD 120 rotary drills were directly responsible for overall savings of up to $41.06 per hour. What is It? A shock absorber is simply a device installed between the rotary drive head and drill steel that cushions the two. It functions in the same manner as springs and shocks on an automobile. Some benefits associated with use of the tool are readily apparent on a daily basis; other benefits are realized over longer time intervals and through continued use. A properly designed shock absorber will: •protect the drill from severe vi¬brations, improve rock bit performance, allow application of the best weight-on-bit and rotating speed under all drilling conditions, •function effectively over a wide range of applied bit weights, • have a spring rate soft enough to perform its primary function of absorbing both rotary and vertical vibrational forces generated by rough drilling, •be reliable and subject to as little maintenance as possible, •be easy to install and remove, and • be of such an economic benefit so as to offset the added expense of its application. A shock absorbing tool developed by BJ-Hughes Inc. was used in a recent test. The "Smoothdrill" is just one of the products currently available. This unit absorbs both rotary and vertical shock loads and has no mechanical parts so lubrication is unnecessary. A rebuild of the unit consists of removing the worn rubber element and inserting a new element, an operation taking less than one hour. Minimizing Vibrations Severe vibrations on a blasthole drill operating in broken and discontinuous formations have visible effects. These vibrations often cause structural damage when allowed to' continue, resulting in fatigue cracks in the mast and related structural components in the drill. When rough running formations are encountered, drilling must be interrupted and possibly shut down. Usually, the drill operator resumes drilling using less down pressures and various rotational speeds until firmer drilling is encountered. An effective shock absorber can substantially reduce these vibrational forces so more down pressure can be applied in bad ground. It is generally accepted that longitudinal vibrations and cyclic forces are more effectively reduced if a tool is designed to incorporate a relatively "soft" shock absorber. The softness of any shock absorbing tool is best judged by its spring rate-the weight required to produce a given amount of deflection, commonly expressed in units of kg per mm or pounds per inch of deflection. All shock tools use a resilient member such as rubber springs, steel springs, fluid, or gas springs to absorb

Jan 4, 1980

By C. M. Díaz, P. J. Mackey, P. Coursol

In a recent paper [1], the present authors discussed calculated energy consumption numbers in copper sulphide concentrate smelting for four different smelting technologies. For the present study, from among these technologies, they selected the Noranda/Teniente continuous bath smelting followed by Peirce Smith (PS) converting route to investigate the impact on total energy requirement of some key process variations, such as tuyere injection of dry concentrate vs. slingering of wet concentrate over the molten bath, continuous converting vs. conventional batch PS converting and commercially proven slag cleaning alternatives. In their calculations, the authors used the same thermochemical model and methodology used in their earlier paper. This approach to explore plant design options provides an interesting basis for evaluating flowsheet modifications that could lead to significant copper smelting energy savings. The METSIM software was used in the present paper to carry out heat and mass balance computations for 8 different flowsheet configurations. The results are presented and discussed in the paper with respect to copper recoveries, energy requirements and CO2 emissions.

Jan 1, 2011

The HB 2500 hydraulic breaker attachment from Atlas Copco Construction Tools features Krupp percussion technology and a service weight of 2,500 kg (5,512 lbs). This makes it ideal for demolition, tunneling, trenching, foundation work, rock mining and secondary breaking. Suitable for carriers in the 29-to 43-t (32-to 47-st) weight class, the HB 2500 accepts maximum hydraulic flow of 219 L/min (58 gpm) at 18 MPa (2,610 psi) of pressure, and delivers an impact rate of up to 550 blows per minute. The HB 2500 features PowerAdapt, a new system that automatically shuts down the breaker in the event that it receives excessive oil pressure from the carrier.

Jan 1, 2006

Mine drainage and mine reclamation are topics of major interest to the mining industry, federal and local governments, and the general public. This publication and its companion three volumes are the proceedings of a conference held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, April 24-29, 1994. There were twelve sessions (69 papers) that dealt with mine drainage, including modeling, geochemistry, prediction, treatment, control strategies, characterization, hydrology, and case studies. These sessions comprise volumes 1 and 2. The six sessions (34 papers) that dealt with reclamation and revegetation of disturbed lands are included in volume 3. Volume 4 includes the six sessions (34 papers) that dealt with such topical issues as fires at abandoned mine sites, subsidence, hydrology, mine wastes, and policy. Poster session presentations are represented by 49 papers and 92 abstracts that have been placed in the back of volumes 2, 3, and 4, consistent with the subject of that volume.

Jan 1, 1994

By Hasan Nizamoğlu, Z. Abidin Sarı, Aslıhan Demiraslan, M. Deniz Turan, Tolga Depci

In this study, recovery of copper from solid material (obtained by leaching of chalcopyrite with oxalic acid in the presence of hydrogen peroxide) with a copper oxalate structure was carried out selectively using HCl. The chemical composition of the solid was as 29.3%, 9.7%, and 13.3% for Cu, Fe, and S, respectively. Selective recovery of copper by degrading the copper oxalate structure with a low-solubility product (Ksp = 4.43 × 10−10) was performed by conventional leaching in the presence of HCl. The optimum leaching conditions were determined as 5 M of HCl concentration, 318 K of leaching temperature, 120 min of leaching time, 25 ml/g of liquid–solid ratio and 400 rpm of stirring speed. Under these conditions, approximately 77% of copper and 3% of iron were taken into the solution. According to the characterization of the leach residue that was obtained, the oxalate structure was degraded. Moreover, the results of XRD analysis showed that the sulfur (S) and cubanite (CuFe2S3) phases were mostly observed in leaching residues, and this was supported by the SEM-EDX data. Based on the results, it may be stated that selective copper extraction can be obtained from a chalcopyrite concentrate by a two-step leaching method using a conventional hydrometallurgical technique.

By Miguel Reyes, Chenming Zhou, MATTHEW GIRMAN

Electromagnetic energy emitted from electronic devices has been known to interfere with other electronic systems, hindering their ability to function properly. Mines have many electronic devices critical to the health and safety of mine workers that could be negatively affected by electromagnetic interference (EMI). To ensure that devices are electromagnetically compatible, tests must first be conducted to measure emissions and check for immunity. Standards are available across multiple industries that prescribe emission limits and test methods for electronic devices. A literature review was conducted in this study, and an overview of EMI standards in other industries is provided. Also, an example of how a standard can be applied to mining equipment is presented.

Nov 1, 2022

In the interest of safety in mining, the Bureau of Mines recommends: 1. That cages or skips used for hoisting or lowering men in vertical and steeply inclined shafts shall be provided with safety catches designed to prevent falling of the cage or skip if the hoisting rope or other connections break; and 2. That cars used. for hoisting or lowering men with ropes in slopes shall be provided with arresting devices, other than ordinary brakes, that come into action if the hoisting rope or other connections break. In presenting this decision, it is recognized that the principal requirements for safety in hoisting operations are the use of hoisting ropes of ample size and strength to provide a factor of safety recognized as adequate by the best en engineering practice; their proper care, protection against undue wear and corrosion, and frequent inspection; and immediate removal of ropes from service when inspection or tests cast doubt upon their further safe serviceability.

Jan 1, 1938

By R. L. Grayson, G. Mishra

Introduction Many old underground mines have been developed extensively into reserves requiring large numbers of workers to maintain and rehabilitate lengthy track haulages and/or belt conveyor systems. Often, large numbers of fans are required to maintain minimal airflows in areas where poor conditions and huge leakages prevail. Problems that beset one such coal mine and projects undertaken to restore it to potential profitability are presented. Brief history The Vesta No. 5 mine was opened in 1908. Drift development began near the Monongahela River, which was the primary avenue for shipping metallurgical coal to coke ovens in Pittsburgh. Over the ensuing 75 years, the main haulage entries were developed a distance of 16.1 km (10 miles) to the present mining area. Track haulage was used to transport coal from working sections to the river loading facility. As haulage distance and areas of high water influx increased, management decided, in 1973, to construct an underground conveyor belt system. The project spanned 36 months and culminated in a system of 22 flights, ranging from 205.7 to 1767.8 m (675 to 5800 ft) long. Six intake and eight return entries were developed as the mains were advanced. These entries provided adequate ventilating capacity over the years, but as extensive gob areas progressed and roof conditions deteriorated, the entries became inaccessible and more resistant to airflow. By 1981, five fans were being used to circulate 943.9 m3/s (555.5 cfm) of air through the mine. An average of 6440 t (7100 st) were produced from 20.8 continuous miner unit shifts and 2.7 longwall unit shifts each day in 1981. The ratio of support to production personnel was 1.94. To maintain the outby 16.1 km (10 miles) of haulage, 110 personnel were used. The average cost per ton was $43.54 ($39.58 per st), resulting in excessive bottom-line losses. The mine possessed a rather promising reserve, mostly in lease, of good quality, medium-sulfur metallurgical coal, but it also had a number of formidable operating problems. Operating problems Contributing factors toward relatively low productivity and high costs were the conditions of the track haulage, conveyor, and ventilation systems. Productivity was affected greatly by downtime associated with the conveyor system, which lacked adequate access for making splices or other repairs. Many areas within the conveyor belt entry itself required more

Jan 3, 1987

By Douglas Kathol

Coal in the 1990?s Exit of the integrated oil company [Shell Arco Mobil Exxon Mapco Kerr McGee Hansen Nerco Sun] Continued decline in coal prices Significant mergers & acquisitions (M&A) activity ?Most properties traded, some twice ?Significant consolidation ?Massive recapitalization ?New industry leaders ?Frustrated expectations

Jan 1, 2002

By Thomas P. Kwiatkowski, Joginder S. Bhore, Christopher D. Orlandi, Jose Velez

Three case histories of successful TBM tunneling for New York City Water Tunnel No. 3 are presented. The tunnels, costing about one billion dollars total, are the 5-milelong, 18'-11" OD Brooklyn Tunnel; the 5-mile long, 23'-2" OD Queens Tunnel, and the9-mile long, 12'-4" OD Manhattan Tunnel. The three tunnels are the first major tunnels constructed in New York City rock utilizing the TBM method of construction. This paper describes and compares the three tunnel projects in terms of geology, construction methods, TBM’s, rock and groundwater behavior, rates of advance and other performance data, and challenges and solutions encountered during the projects.

Jan 1, 2007

By Jerry J. Ran

In open stope mining borehole deviation is one of the main factors affecting the blasting results. Though previous research has identified some actual deviation patterns, these studies are unable to relate the hole deviation pattern with the blasting results and therefore it is not possible to modify the design or take remedial measures based on the prediction of the blasting results. An alternative to the conventional method for borehole surveying is the in-hole probing techniques. With their inherent errors, it is important to evaluate these surveying systems under conditions of different mine sites. The lack of available assessment methods has limited the application of these techniques. In this paper some of the characteristics of the actual hole deviation pattern are discussed based on data from surveying production holes in six stopes. A method of predicting the blasting results is proposed by considering the borehole deviation pattern. Based on the prediction stope design can be modified or further surveying is carried out to improve the blasting results. The tolerable error is introduced to relate the surveying error with the drilling pattern and therefore it is possible to assess various in-hole-surveying techniques.

May 1, 2002

By J. C. Reed

CINNABAR was discovered in southwestern Arkansas on Little Missouri River in sec. 1, T.7S., R.26W., in April, 1930, and near Antoine Creek in sec. 28, T.6S., R.23W., some 15 miles farther east in May of the same year. It was not, however, until June, 1931, that cinnabar was identified as such in a specimen from the original discovery area sent to W. M. Weigel1 by Walter F. Hintze of Murfreesboro. Almost simultaneously2, in July, 1931, Moritz Norden of Hot Springs identified specimens from the Antoine Creek area as cinnabar. Immediate interest in the district followed the identification of cinnabar and by January, 1932, the district was known to extend as a mineralized belt about one mile wide trending east-northeast from sec. 13, T.7S., R.27W., in Howard County-across central Pike County and into Clark County to sec. 19, T.6S., R.23W., thence extending southeast into sections 33 and 34 of the same township. Since then, cinnabar has been found in sec. 6, T.7S., R.22W., thus giving a total east-west length to the district of approximately 30 miles. Interest focused mainly on the two discovery areas, with the result that mining development has progressed most rapidly in those localities. In the Antoine Creek area the Arkansas Quicksilver Co. has done con-siderable exploration work and has retorted the high-grade ore so .obtained. In the Little Missouri area the Southwestern Quicksilver Co. has had a 12-ton rotary furnace in more or less continuous operation since April, 1932, and has been the largest producer in the district.

Jan 1, 1935

By Thomas M. Barczak

The 1990s brought an unprecedented increase in the development of innovative technologies to provide more effective and easier-to-install roof support in underground mines. To facilitate the application of these technologies in improving mine safety, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) developed the Support Technology Optimization Program (STOP). STOP is a Windows-based software program that provides mine operators with a simple and practical tool to make engineering decisions about the selection and placement of these various roof support technologies. The program includes a complete database of the support characteristics and loading profiles obtained through safety performance testing of these supports at the NIOSH Safety Structures Testing Laboratory. A support design criterion in the form of the required support load density at a specified convergence can be established from four options: (1) a database of measured ground reaction obtained from various mines or ground behavior information input by the user,(2) load requirements based on a detached roof block or rock failure height, (3) criteria based on the current roof support system, and/or (4) arbitrary criteria set by the user. Using these design criteria, the program will determine the installation requirements for a particular support technology that will provide the necessary support load density and convergence control. Optimization routines are also available to determine the most efficient support design for a user-specified support installation. In addition to these performance measures, STOP can be used to compare material handling requirements and installation costs. Comparisons among the various support technologies are easily made, including a graphical analysis of relevant support parameters. This paper describes STOP and its application to optimizing standing secondary roof support systems.

Jan 10, 2000

By Robert F. Chaiken

An absorption-desorption model of particle reactivity was employed to describe the observed relationship between two apparently diverse phenomena which have been the subject of considerable study at the U.S. Bureau of Mines: (1) coal-rock dust reflectance and (2) coal-rock dust explosibility. The model accounts for heterogeneities in particle-size and material properties; however, in the present report, only particle-size distribution is considered. A mean particle-size parameter, appropriate to the explosion extinction process, is derived, and then taken as appropriate to describing optical reflectance. The derived form-to-function relationships for the two processes, when compared with experimental data, suggest that a problem exists with previously derived theory relating optical reflectance to rock dust concentration. A reexamination of that theory leads to a new theoretical expression, changed by a factor of 2, for the variation of rock dust concentration with reflectance which is in quite good agreement with experimental results. The current work offers justification for measuring and establishing rock dust requirements for specific coal dust size distribution(s) found in the mine-distributions that undoubtedly depend on the mining method and the type of coalbed.

Jan 1, 2010

By E. L. Rawlins

The development of commercial natural-gas reserves in the Michigan stray sandstone horizon of central Michigan during the past few years has resulted in expansion of the natural-gas industry in that State. The location of the natural-gas reserves of Michigan in the general vicinity of domestic and industrial markets is of economic importance, and in supplying these markets with natural gas a reasonable knowledge of, the extent and availability of the reserves is needed in formulating regulations for drilling gas wells and producing natural gas in analyzing the feasibility of projects to construct natural-gas transmission lines, in promoting and developing markets for the domestic and industrial consumption of natural gas, and in solving many engineering and economic problems common to the natural-gas industry. The development of the natural-gas industry in Michigan has been related closely to the development of oil production. The potential oil production of Michigan is comparable with that in most of the eastern oil-producing States. The development of oil production probably will continue, especially in the central Michigan Basin area; and as wells are drilled to deep horizons in the search for oil, more knowledge will be obtained of the gas reserves in formations above the oil-bearing horizons.

Jan 1, 1936

By M J. Van Der Merwe

The mining industry is facing a serious skills resource shortage, growing commodity demand and cyclical prices. This makes focus and allocation of resources in the early stages of project development very important. To assist with these six key elements in the project prioritization process is proposed, namely: 1) Define the project vision, objectives and business case, 2) Determine the potential show stoppers, 3) Determine the key value drivers, 4) Track changes and provide regular feedback, 5) Evaluate the alternatives and, 6) Ensure proper gate management governance at the decision point. Incorporating these elements in the project development process will assist in resource allocation and focus on the high value aspects of projects and alternatives during the early stages of the project development lifecycle. Keywords: Resource allocation and focus, vision, show stoppers, value drivers, project prioritization, linear programming, business case modelling, management decision.

Jan 1, 2008

By J. W. Walkiewicz

The Bureau of Mines investigated alloys containing lanthanum (La), praseodymium (Pr), neodymium (Nd), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), and magnesium (4g) as possible components of a permanent magnet mate¬rial utilizing a cerium-free synthetic mischmetal (M) as a substitute for scarce samarium (Sm) metal. Magnets containing M-Co-Cu-Mg and M-Co-Cu-Fe-Mg were fabricated by powder metallurgy techniques and evaluated. A synthetic mischmetal (M20) containing 20 pct La, 60 Pr, and 20 Nd yielded the best overall magnetic properties. The M20-Co-Cu-Mg alloys had energy products as high as 13.2 MGOe, remanences as high as 7.89 kG, normal coercivities as high as 6.26 kOe, and intrinsic coercivities as high as 13.4 kOe. The best value of intrinsic coercivity, 22.9 kOe, was obtained with an M-Co-Cu-Mg magnet in which the synthetic misch¬metal contained 30 pct La, 50 Pr, and 20 Nd. These values compare favorably with those of the Sm-Co magnets fabricated and measured at the Bureau's Reno Research Center, which had energy product of 15.1 MGOe, remanence of 7.8 kG, normal coercivity of 7.5 kOe, and intrinsic coercivity of 27.4 kOe. Iron substitution for part of the cobalt resulted in a decrease of magnetic properties, although several percent iron can be added before a drastic loss of magnetic properties occurs.

Jan 1, 1983

By Steven R. McCutcheon

ABSTRACT - The Bathurst-Newcastle district, a subcircular area approximately 50 km in diameter, contains 37 massive-sulfide Zn-Pb-Cu deposits that have defined tonnages, and has 58 additional significant occurrences. The largest deposit is Brunswick No . 12, with total reserves (including past production) of 148 million tonnes grading about 12.50% combined Pb-Zn. The deposits/ occurrences are spatially associated with a felsic volcanic pile that contains a significant sedimentary component. In the vicinity of the Brunswick deposits the pile is divisible into lower and upper sequences. The lower is characterized by megacrystic rhyolite (QFAS) and coarse- to fine-grained quartz ( ± feldspar) wackes and/or tuffites (QAS); the upper sequence is characterized by aphyric to sparsely porphyritic rhyolites (HWR), micro-breccias, and acid hyaloclastites with interbedded dark gray sedimentary rocks. A greenish gray to dark gray siltstone (GGS) separates the two sequences and hosts the sulfide deposits. Lithogeochemistry of !east altered samples shows that the QFAS and HWR have an igneous character, whereas the QAS and GGS have a sedimentary sig­ nature. The two types can be distinguished on the basis of total alkalies (Na2O + K2O) versus SiO2/Al2O3, and Ti02 versus Fe/(Fe+ Mg). Some trace elements, such as Sr and Y, also help differentiate the two types. The QFAS differs from HWR by having higher La/Yb ratios but lower Zr and Th. The Bathurst deposits do not show a close spatial association with rhyolites but rather are stratiform bodies (lacking clastic textures) within fine-grained sedimentary rocks. The scarcity of barite and other sulfates indicates that there was little mixing between the metal­ bearing fluids and cold seawater. High Fe/(Fe+ Mg) ratios in chlorites also indicate the fluids did not contain a significant seawater component. These features and the large size of many deposits suggest that the deposits formed from metal-rich pore waters that were released catastrophically from an acquifer in the footwall stratigraphy.

Jan 1, 1992

"To prevent the propagation of mine explosions, the Bureau of Mines recommends:1. That all coal and lignite mines, except anthracite mines shall be rock dusted.2. That rock dust shall be distributed upon top, bottom, and sides of all underground openings of every description, to within. at least 4o feet of all working faces and the areas not rock dusted shall be kept wet.3. That the rock dust shall be maintained in, such quantity that the incombustible material in representative samples of dust collected shall not be less than 65 percent. Where methane gas is present in the ventilating current, the minimum percentage of incombustible matter in the mine dust shall be increased 1 percent for each 0.1 percent of methane.4. That when the rock dust in any area becomes caked so thatit cannot be dispersed readily as a cloud in the air, that part of the mine shall be redusted immediately.5. That the dust to be used shall not contain more than 5 percent of combustible matter nor. more than 25 percent of quartz or free silica; all of the dust shall pass through a sieve having 20 meshes per linear inch and 60 percent or more shall pass through a sieve having 200 meshes per linear inch; the dust shall not absorb moisture from the air to such an extent as to cake and destroy its effectiveness as a dry dust.6. That rock-dust barriers shall not be regarded as a substitute for generalized rock dusting.Research and experience have shown that maintenance of an adequate percentage of rock dust in all underground openings, whether gassy or not, of bituminous and subbituminous coal and lignite mines (anthracite dust does not propagate explosions) is the best means of preventing coal dust explosions. In rare instances where all fine coal particles on the floor, ribs, roof, and timbers are in a muddy condition continuously rock dusting is unnecessary.The term ""underground openings"" refers to all unsealed openings whether they contain track or not, and includes rooms, entries, crosscuts, breakthroughs, rock tunnels, slopes, haulageways, airways, and travelingways. The sealing of unused or abandoned parts of a mine in accordance with Mine Safety Board Decision avoids the necessity of rock-dusting the sealed-off openings.The kind of rock dust to be used should have the approval of the State Mine Inspection Service. Pure limestone or pare dolomite produces the best rock dust, as these dusts have low silica content, little tendency to cake, and a light color that aids illumination. To reduce tendency to cake it is preferable that not more than 75 percent of the dust pass the 200-mesh sieve. All sieve sizes are those of the Tyler screen scale. If the mine personnel is repeatedly exposed to breathing high concentrations of the dust, the percentage of free and combined silica should be as low as possible, preferably less than 5 percent. Persons engaged in the application of rock dust should wear approved dust respirators as listed in Bureau of Mines Information Circular 7030 or revisions thereof."

Mar 1, 1940