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By S. Phillipson

The Mine Safety and Health Administration’s Roof Control Division (RCD) evaluated the use of Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) data to identify fracture traces on Earth’s surface. Results were compared to the analysis method employed by RCD for 30 years, which relies on LANDSAT-TM Band 4. SRTM elevation models are expected to provide a direct representation of bedrock surface, while LANDSAT-TM Band 4 represents reflected near-infrared radiation as an indication of moisture content and is only a proxy for possible structures. Three areas in southwestern Pennsylvania were chosen for ground-truthing lineaments derived from both methods, following a series of desktop comparisons in six areas of the contiguous U.S. Field studies that identified numerous instances in which SRTM lineaments corresponded with joints at the projected location, and were oriented within 10° of joint strike, indicating that those SRTM lineaments represented the structural grain of the area. In some cases, lineaments were associated with individual joint zones. Photo-lineaments derived from the existing LANDSAT-TM methodology appear to offer a higher coincidence with expected trends of joints on a regional scale when performing the desktop comparisons, while field observations indicated that SRTM-derived lineaments had a higher association with individual geologic structures in the case study field area. It appears that both methods can identify the structural grain of an area, and that both tend to identify linear segments of valleys where erosion has preferentially occurred along joint zones or other structures.

Jul 1, 2023

By M. K. McCarter

A unique telemetry system was developed to monitor potentially unstable natural slopes above a residential area. Continuous interpretation of data transmitted from remote movement-sensitive devices and immediate communication of signficant changes to emergency personnel were made possible by a readily available "home" computer. Even though the computer based system was originally developed for a non- mining application, it could be used with little or no modification to monitor ground control instrumentation in open pit and underground situations.

Jan 1, 1985

By S. P. Lewis, R. L. Sundeen

Most of us are aware of the ever increasing use of underground space. At the Advisory Conference on tunneling in Washington, D. C. in June of 1970, the demand for construction oriented tunneling during the 1970s was estimated at some 21,000 Km of length with an excavation volume of 675 million cubic meters. Of this total, 11 million cubic meters were forecast for underground parking. Though this is a small portion of the total, it is significant to note it represents a 280% increase over the previous decade. Other areas of unusual increase were railroad tunnels, 150%, and rapid transit tunnels, 160% (1). Faced with this increasing demand, the need for improved excavating efficiency is obvious. Great strides have been made. In Japan, for example, several new long tunnels have been driven parallel to old existing ones at costs as much as 50; under those of the original tunnels (1). This is an impressive achievement. I am certain, however, that we would all agree that even greater improvement is required. Great emphasis is being placed upon sophisticated systems which include among others, mechanical borers, thermal fracturing, and various methods of rock weakening and softening. However, in hard rock excavation the fact remains that the drill-blast method continues to be the most widely used system. Undoubtedly it will continue to be one of the most important techniques in the forseeable future.

Jan 1, 1974

By Y. C. Kim

Using an exhaustive data set of Walker Lake, four different kriging techniques plus the inverse distance squared weighting were compared with regards to each one's performance in accurately estimating the block grades. The North-West quadrant of the Walker Lake data area was used because of its extreme variability of values and its distinct contour of the values. There were 1900 exhaustive data points in the selected area from which a total of 121 samples were drawn following the sampling strategy given in Isaaks and Srivastava (1989). The average of 5 x 5 exhaustive data points was treated as the true, known block grade. A total of 780 blocks, each block corresponding to the average of 5x5 exhaustive data points, were then estimated using the 121 sample points. The resulting estimates were then compared with the true known values to determine each technique's prediction performance. For this particular portion of the Walker Lake and for the given sampling strategies used, the obtained results for the global estimation are mixed. For the variable U which is much more variable, the rankings are; 1) Jackknife Kriging (JK), 2) Indicator Kriging (IK), 3) Inverse Distance Square weighting (IDS), 4) Ordinary Kriging (OK), and 5) Log-Jackknife Kriging (LJK). For the variable V, the results are; 1) OK, 2) IK, 3) JK, 4) LJK, and 5) IDS. When we apply several cutoff grades to the estimates to determine the conditional mean grades and tonnage, the above rankings generally get shifted around. Two exceptions to these cases are; a) UK for U and b) IDS for V. These two consistently ranked at the bottom.

Jan 1, 1995

By AMIT SHARMA, BIBHUTI BHUSAN MANDAL

Operators of mining vehicles are exposed to high levels of whole-body vibration (WBV) and are therefore at risk of developing vibration-related health disorders. For implementing an effective control strategy, it is imperative to locate the source(s) of vibration, and the specific changes that might occur to the vibration signals during its transmission through the seats to the recipient human body. With this objective, Seat Effective Amplitude Transmissibility (SEAT) values of seat modules used in dumpers (n = 10) and other heavy earth-moving machines (n = 11) were evaluated in an iron ore mine. Vibration was measured simultaneously on the seat and on the cabin floor beneath the seat using tri-axial and uni-axial accelerometers. The study aims at determining the quality of seat modules of the transport and non-transport vehicles from the perspective of their natural resonance frequencies and capability of any such seat in reducing harmful vibration. The highest acceleration values were observed in the z-axis for all the dumpers. SEATrms values ranged from 78 to 133% and SEATvdv values ranged from 72 to 130% for the dumpers. For other HEMMs, SEATrms values ranged from 55 to 125% and SEATvdv values ranged from 56 to 123%. Mechanical vibration contains multiple frequency components. To understand the changes taking place to the different signals at these frequencies, 1/3 octave band analysis was carried out for the signals recorded both on the seat and the floor. There was significant attenuation (38 to 57%) at 4 Hz for three Dumper seats, whereas they resonated in the range of 1.6–2.5 Hz. The transmissibility(%) in the resonating frequencies ranged from 108 to 156%. Resonance frequencies for the remaining seven dumpers ranged from 3 to 8 Hz. The spine has been reported to resonate at 4 Hz, whereas resonance at 1.6 Hz has little significance to human beings in regard to WBV of a seated person. Hence, the characteristic resonant frequency of 4 Hz of seats as observed in the present study has the potential of causing adverse impacts on spinal health. Evaluation of SEAT factors and resonance characteristics of seats are therefore recommended to be examined while selecting a mining vehicle for regular deployment in mines.

Mar 12, 2021

By E. J. Ostrowski

The history of ironmaking dates back to 4000 BC when an open forge was used to produce a sponge iron from a heap of ore and charcoal. Even at this early date, man recognized the need for a fuel and a reducing agent. As time passed, man developed new methods of producing iron; however, these developments were centered on the mechanical aspects, and as a result, a furnace evolved which is now known as a blast furnace. During this period of evolution,' man struggled with the only fuel he knew - charcoal. Some 5600 years passed before any attempt was made to use coal as a fuel for the blast furnace. The use of coal had its beginning in 1619 when Dud Dudley of England first attempted its use in the blast furnace; as a-fuel and as a reducing agent. Coal charged to the top of the blast furnace was not satisfactory. The volatile matter of the coal choked the flues, and also the poor, strength qualities would not support the weight of the ore. Breaking up of the coal compacted the stock column to an impervious mass. One hundred and sixteen. years later in 1735, Abraham Darby of England introduced coke as the fuel and reducing agent in the blast furnace. The acceptance of coke as a fuel for the blast furnace was not spontaneous. As late as 1870, one-half of the pig iron product of the United States was made with anthracite coal, 30 per cent with raw bituminous coal and coke, and 20 per cent with charcoal. However, by 1910, 96.2 per cent of the blast furnace product was made with coke, 2.4 per cent with anthracite and coke admixture, and 1.4 per cent with charcoal. Coke became the standard fuel in the blast furnace. As the art of ironmaking progressed, more pig iron was produced and more coke was consumed. Coke oven capacity was progressively increased. In 1910, there existed approximately 4,000 coke ovens; in 1960 there was approximately 15,000 ovens. This increase in coke oven capacity was necessary to feed the mammoth appetite of modern blast furnaces.

Jan 1, 1962

By Jamal Rostami, Ataollah Rahbar, Jürgen Paulzen

"Uma Oya Multipurpose Development Project is located in South West Sri Lanka. This project, among many components, involves a 14 km headrace tunnel in very hard and abrasive igneous rocks. The tunnel is under construction by a 4.4 m diameter double shield TBM. The headrace tunnel has already reached 5km milestone and has passed through some reaches of tunnel in very strong intact rocks with no joints. Low penetration at high thrust load has caused frequent stoppages for cutter change leading to low utilization and advance rates due to low cutter life. The original machine was dressed with 27, each 432 mm (17 inch) diameter, 19 mm (3/4 inch) tipped disc cutters. However, various cutter diameters of 432-457 mm (17-18 inch) and cutter tip widths 13 to 19 mm (0.5-0.75 in), have been tried to see if cutter life and penetration rates could be increased. This paper will review the history of the project, the geology of the site, along with TBM performance and cutter life. It will focus on frequency of different cutter failures encountered in various ground conditions. Also, results of using variation of cutter diameter and tip width to cope with the hard rock conditions and their results in increasing machine productivity will be discussed. This allows for better understanding of parameters controlling disc wear/life and leads to better cutter management for more efficient operation of hard rock TBMs in similar conditions. INTRODUCTION The Uma Oya Multipurpose Development Project (UOMDP) lies in the south-eastern part of the central highland region of Sri Lanka. The Multi-Purpose Project Of Uma Oya is planned to convey water from Uma Oya to Kirindi Oya Basin for hydroelectric energy generation includes Puhulpola RCC Dam on the Uma Oya river, Dyraaba RCC Dam on the Mahatotilla Oya river, a conveyance tunnel from Uma Oya to Mahatotilla Oya (L=3750m), a long feeder tunnel from Mahatotilla Oya to Kirindi Oya river. The feeder (or power) tunnel Lot consists of a 15554 m long headrace tunnel (HRT), the surge shaft and tank on the upstream of the vertical shaft, a 650 m vertical shaft with steel lining, and an underground powerhouse and a 3650m tailrace tunnel (TRT)."

Jan 1, 2016

By A. A. Wallach

During the early design stages of the San Manuel Concentrator, numerous questions were raised concerning the required slope for tailings pipelines. The tailings disposal area which had been selected was so situated, that an average down-slope of 5% existed. A gravity tailings disposal system was to be designed and it was necessary to determine the optimum pipeline slope for design purposes. This information was also necessary to determine the life of the available disposal areas before tailings pumping would be required. At approximately the same time as this problem arose, it was reported that a concentrator in the southwest was having considerable operational difficulties due to periodic plugging of tailings lines. These factors combined made it seem desirable to conduct some sort of test work which might give information concerning the flow characteristics of the tailings to be produced, from the San Manuel Concentrator. It was felt that the maximum information could be obtained if a tailings line could be erected which would allow for varying slopes, varying heads and accurate measurement of pulp velocity. A five-foot Denver Agitator was installed on a bank overlooking a cut for a rail- road track. Approximately 160 feet for new &-inch pipeline with victaulic connections was installed on low trestles along the track, with provisions made for varying the slope of the line by use of accurately constructed sets of shims, A valve discharge was installed on the tank so agitated pulp could be run into a standpipe at controlled volumes. This standpipe was 10 inches in diameter and approximately 5 feet high. A 4-inch nipple welded into the side of the standpipe approximately one inch from the bottom was connected to the 4-inch pipeline. At the discharge end of the 4-inch pipeline a launder arrangement was so constructed that the entire discharge could run into a pump sump or into 50-gallon measuring vessels. In normal operation the flow was from the agitator to the standpipe through the pipeline into the pump sump and from there pumped back to the agitator tank.

Jan 1, 1958

By Shawna Von Stockhausen, Hong Yang, Tung T. Vu, Derek Penrice, Kevin Huynh

"The Regional Connector Transit Corridor is a 1.9 mile long light rail transit project in downtown Los Angeles, California. The project includes approximately 4,930 feet of twin bored tunnels together with a mined crossover cavern, 3 deep stations, and other cut-and-cover structures. The bored tunnels will be excavated using an earth pressure balance tunnel boring machine through Fernando Formation (extremely weak to weak rock) and alluvium. The tunneling will be performed in close proximity to a large number of existing structures, including the existing Metro Red Line tunnels with as little as 6 feet of separation. Thus, the evaluations of the tunneling effect on these structures and the instrumentation and monitoring program is an essential part of the project design. This paper provides a very brief overview of the considerations and evaluations of the tunneling effects on the existing structures and results of evaluation obtained during the final design stage of the project. INTRODUCTION The proposed Regional Connector Transit Corridor (RCTC) project provides a 1.9 mile-long connection between the Metro Gold Line from Pasadena and East Los Angeles; and the Metro Blue Line to Long Beach and the Expo Line to Culver City. The alignment is shown in Figure 1. The Regional Connector will provide new tracks through downtown Los Angeles. The project will extend underground from the Metro Blue, Expo, Red, and Purple Lines’ 7th Street/Metro Center Station following Flower Street, curving northeast to the north of 3rd Street under the 2nd Street Tunnel. The alignment will then continue eastward under 2nd Street, turning northeast to cross under the intersection of 1st and Alameda Streets, then splitting into two branches above the ground surface, one branch extending north along Alameda Street and the other extending east along 1st Street. The project elements include 3 deep stations, a SEM cavern, segments of TBM bored tunnels, and cut-and-cover guideway structures. The bored tunnels have an excavated diameter of 20.3 feet. The subsurface conditions along the tunnel alignment generally consist of artificial fill overlaying finer-grained alluvium (dominantly medium dense to dense sandy soils), underlain by coarser-grained alluvium (a wide variety of medium dense to dense sandy and gravely soils). Below the coarser-grained alluvium is Fernando Formation, which is characterized as extremely weak to very weak sedimentary bedrock. A long stretch of the alignment will be excavated in this formation. The soil layers above the Fernando Formation are of variable thickness and spatial distribution. The geologic profile is shown in Figure 2."

Jan 1, 2016

By W. H. Langer

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in cooperation with the New Mexico Bureau of Mines is conducting an assessment of mineral resources in the 36,800 km2 Mimbres Resource Area, southwestern New Mexico. Included in the assessment is a literature-based evaluation of sand and gravel that utilizes third party geologic information. The USGS has developed a method based on existing 1:500,000 scale geologic maps supplemented by remote sensing, statistical models, and point data such as test hole or pit records. The method defines the areal extent, quality, and quantity of aggregate.

Jan 1, 1996

By K. Neumann

"INTRODUCTION For many automation and safety tasks in open cut and underground scenarios it is crucial to have highly reliable distance measurements at hand. These measurements can for instance be used to obtain the exact position of a machine in one-, two- or even three dimensions. Research and development has shown interest in the ultra-wide-band technology (UWB) in recent years. While for this technology short range, high speed data transfer is the current main research focus, the technology can also be used for highly accurate ranging applications. Due to the use of a very wide frequency band, it is robust against disturbances of many types (e.g. EMC, rain, dust etc.) and is therefore attractive for the use in mining applications. The wide frequency band also offers benefits for ranging applications. Especially in environments with strong multipath problems such as in underground mines it is possible to focus on the dominant signal propagation path, thus increasing the reliability of the measurements. [1] State-of-the-art UWB ranging equipment claims precision within the range of a couple of centimeters and working ranges of more than hundred meters. At the Institute for Mining and Metallurgical Machinery (IMR) at RWTH Aachen University in Germany a modern UWB system was examined in several laboratory and real life tests to examine the feasibility of UWB bases ranging equipment in mining applications. UWB TECHNOLOGY The term ultra-wide-band denotes radio systems that use an ultra-wide frequency band. A common definition for UWB radio systems is that it needs to work on a frequency bandwidth of more than 500 MHz or a bandwidth equal to 20% or more of the center frequency [1]. Due to the ultra-wide frequency bandwidth UWB systems overlap the frequency spectrum of narrow band radio technologies like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and other mobile communication systems which use a defined carrier frequency onto which information is modulated on (e.g. by using frequency or phase modulation). In order to not conflict with these other radio applications, it needs to be ascertained that the transmission power of a UWB system on a given frequency is so low that narrow band systems are not affected by it. As opposed to this only a small fraction of the UWB system’s bandwidth is affected by the narrow band system. The unaffected remaining bandwidth is sufficient to reconstruct the original signal, even if additional noise is present. Figure 1 shows the power spectral densities of popular radio standards [6], [7], [8]. A significant driver of research and development of UWB systems has been wireless high bandwidth communication. Using an ultra-wide frequency band is highly desirable here, as the channel capacity is dependent on the bandwidth. So far systems have been realized especially for short distances (e.g. wireless USB or Wireless HDMI) but beyond that, communication systems for long distances (several kilometers) are possible [2]. Advances in semiconductor technology led to a reduction in power dissipation of such systems. This enabled higher integration levels which in turn facilitated smaller solution sizes for space constrained applications [3]. Nowadays, UWB is also used for high-precision ranging applications [4], [5]."

Jan 1, 2015

By I. Weir-Jones

[Currently the cost of carrying out 'in situ' geotechnical investigation programmes or installing and operating monitoring systems at construction or mining sites is rising var." rapidly. This is primarily because of our ever increasing labour rates. As a result of this problem efforts are no,, being made develop techniques for the economical; collection of large quantities of geotechnical data relating, to such problems as done stability evaluation, the behaviour of underground openings, or 'in situ' testing procedures. The efforts to reduce the labour content. are particularly apparent in those procedures which have traditionally been manpower intensive e.g. 'in situ' permeability testing where an entire drilling crew and their associated eguipment have been on standby while testis has been carried out; or data collection in underground construction operations where much tine is typically wasted obtaining or maintaining access to instrument sites. In an attempt to illustrate one specialist consulting company's approach to the problem of reducing investigation costs, this rarer examines four recent developments in the field of geotechnical investigation and monitoring which have come about during the last two Years as a result of cur research and development programme. Although these techniques and devices have been developed for specific projects, they all have broad applications in the geotechnical field and they are indicative of the direction in which this company feels developments will take place.]

Jan 1, 1975

By K. C. Nathsarma

An attempt was made to extract niobium oxide from ~98.5% Nb2O5 using solvent extraction processes. Nb2O5 is used as the feed material in carbothermic reduction processes aimed at producing high-homogeneity, super-conductor-grade niobium on a laboratory scale. The Nb metal used for superconductor applications requires a residual resistivity ratio (RRR) > 300, which in turn needs a stringent purity of Nb and allows impurities (substitutional and interstitial) in ppm levels only. In this paper, solvent extraction of niobium was studied under various experimental conditions, such as effect of different extractants, concentration of methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) in the organic phase and concentration of various acids. The concentrate was digested with hydrofluoric acid, with ammonium fluoride (NH4F) as a stripping agent. The extraction of niobium from low hydrofluoric- (HF-) bearing solution was found to be low. Thus, various concentrations of hydrofluoric acid and sulfuric acid, as well as hydrofluoric acid and hydrochloric acid, were investigated towards obtaining a maximum amount of niobium in the filtrate and a minimum amount of niobium in the residue. A McCabe - Thiele plot for extraction of niobium from the aqueous phase, HF-bearing solution using HCl with 85% MIBK in kerosene has been constructed to determine the O:A ratio and the number of stages of the process.

Jan 1, 2011

By K. C. Nathsarma

An attempt was made to extract niobium oxide from ~98.5% Nb2O5 using solvent extraction processes. Nb2O5 is used as the feed material in carbothermic reduction processes aimed at producing high-homogeneity, superconductor-grade niobium on a laboratory scale. The Nb metal used for superconductor applications requires a residual resistivity ratio (RRR) > 300, which in turn needs a stringent purity of Nb and allows impurities (substitutional and interstitial) in ppm levels only. In this paper, solvent extraction of niobium was studied under various experimental conditions, such as effect of different extractants, concentration of methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) in the organic phase and concentration of various acids. The concentrate was digested with hydrofluoric acid, with ammonium fluoride (NH4F) as a stripping agent. The extraction of niobium from low hydrofluoric- (HF-) bearing solution was found to be low. Thus, various concentrations of hydrofluoric acid and sulfuric acid, as well as hydrofluoric acid and hydrochloric acid, were investigated towards obtaining a maximum amount of niobium in the filtrate and a minimum amount of niobium in the residue. A McCabe - Thiele plot for extraction of niobium from the aqueous phase, HF-bearing solution using HCl with 85% MIBK in kerosene has been constructed to determine the O:A ratio and the number of stages of the process.

Nov 1, 2011

By D. Bhattacharyya

The adsorption and desorption of gold cyanide by activated carbon is significantly influenced by particle size of the activated carbon particles and the chemical environment. A series of adsorption and elution experiments have been performed with ten different particle size fractions. The tests indicate that although the ultimate adsorption capacity is independent of the activated carbon particle size, the adsorption rate is strongly affected by the particle size. Further, desorption characteristics using traditional Mintek and atmospheric Zadra procedures reveal interesting trends with variation in particle size and will be discussed in this paper.

Feb 23, 2014

By E. J. Rorem

Rockfall and unstable rock slopes can be effectively controlled by utilizing steel wire rope net systems, either as barriers or as slope draping. The chief advantage of such systems over rigid type barriers is the flexibility of wire rope netting, permitting kinetic energy dissipation, yet providing high strength and consequently low maintenance. A review of the design considerations involved with these systems, as well as a review of several mine and non-mine installations is presented with the hope that the information may contribute to the safety against the dangers of rockfall and other mine hazards in active and abandoned mines.

Jan 1, 1996

By F. M. Benavides

This paper presents recent developments in federal environmental regulations, which in the view of the author, affect mining and the mineral processing industries. This is a summary of activities by the administration, congress and regulatory agencies during 1990. The information presented is a recap from material published. The emphasis is given to Air Quality regulations, although other environmental concerns are reviewed.

Jan 1, 1991

By Alexandru Corneliu Stematiu, Catalin Popescu, Radu Sarghiuta

"The tunnel sector is excavated into a rock mass heavily affected by tectonics, defined as a regional fault. The rock around the tunnel support undertakes the non – elastic deformation and gradually detaches from the rest of the non affected rock mass, moving inside of the excavated area and tending to fill up the whole space. The initial solution of using stiff support consisting in double steel ribs I12 with circular shape in the upper part and straight vertical pillars in the lower part has proved to be inadequate. Based on the calculations of the subsidence phenomena and a mathematical model, the proposed alternative support was provided by special circular steel ribs – SG-23 –that allows a limited rib deformation (by relative slip between the arch segments) in order to mobilize the contact between the rock contour and the inner face of the rib - not only for the deformed rib but also for the neighboring ribs. 1. INTRODUCTION Hydropower development of Jiu river in Romania, in the narrow gorge sector includes two diversion HPP and a small hydro plant that provides the minimum required flow downstream: CHE Dumitra , CHE Bumbesti and MHC Livezeni (Table 1. Hydropower parameters).The Livezeni intake reservoir is provided by a gated dam located 1250 m downstream of merging point between Jiul de Vest river and Jiul de Est river. The dam is equipped with three radial gates with flap gates with a span of 12 m each and the height of (6 + 3) m. The longitudinal profile of Dumitra head and the location of the gallery zone that is the subject of the paper are presented in Figure 2. Longitudinal Profile – Dumitra Head."

Jan 1, 2016

By L. Patts, J. Hummer

The use of diesel-powered equipment in underground coal mines has increased substantially during the last ten years in an effort to enhance mine safety and productivity. Pennsylvania and West Virginia are two of a number of states with regulations governing the use of such equipment. These states both developed and promulgated regulations before permitting diesel equipment in their underground coal mines because of concern for miners’ safety and health, especially with regard to the contamination of mine ventilation air with diesel exhaust emissions. The major components of diesel exhaust emissions are combustion gases and diesel particulate matter. The gaseous emissions consist of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, oxides of nitrogen, sulfur oxides and unburned hydrocarbons. The diesel particulate matter (DPM) is comprised of solid carbon particles, liquid and solid hydrocarbons, sulfates and moisture. The Federal Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) also promulgated regulations in an effort to control diesel emissions in underground coal mines. MSHA has adopted threshold limit values (TLVs) for all gaseous components of diesel exhaust, which were established by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH). MSHA (30 CFR Part 72 Subpart D) has established a tailpipe DPM emissions limit of 2.5 g/hr for diesel engines used in permissible equipment, heavy-duty non-permissible equipment, generators and compressors used in underground coal mines. A tailpipe DPM limit of 5.0 g/hr has been established for light-duty outby diesel-powered equipment. The rationale for the tailpipe emissions limit was that an ambient measurement of DPM in a coal mine was not feasible because there is no established sampling method able to distinguish between coal mine dust and DPM. The stringent tailpipe emissions limit mandates the use of exhaust aftertreatment devices for most diesel engines used in underground coal mines today. One method by which tailpipe DPM can be reduced to MSHA limits involves using an exhaust cooling device in conjunction with a high-temperature, disposable diesel particulate filter.

Jan 1, 2011

Though the mining industry is beset with problems-a broad slump in metal prices, a rash of acquisitions and takeover attempts, rising capital costs, and an aggressive Canadian energy program-there was an under-current of optimism at the 1981 AMC conference that's been missing at industry meetings in recent years. The industry anticipates a turnaround in the 1980s, buoyed perhaps by the new spirit of cooperation from the Reagan administration. For the first time in years, it appears that Washington and the mining industry share mutual goals for developing the nation's resources. A number of prominent Reagan officials were on hand during the three-day conference in Denver, September 28-30, to reassure conferees that restrictions plaguing energy and minerals development would be eased. Interior Secretary James Watt and other government speakers promised cooperation in bringing balance to federal public lands policies, a review of regulations that have hampered the industry, and prompt action on domestic minerals policy. Daniel N. Miller, Jr., assistant interior secretary for energy and minerals, said, "It is our intent to dismantle the overhearing bureaucracy that has stifled mineral and energy exploration. We know that Interior's rules have shackled the mining industry in recent years, and we know that those rules must be eased." Miller noted that the administration will not permit mining on national park lands or wildlife refuges, but added that "we must assess a variety of uses of public lands ... we will restore lands to multiple use where practical." EPA administrator Anne Gorsuch assured industry representatives that the administration intends to work within environmental laws and with Congress to review and revise water, soil, and air pollution policies. "We have a strong commitment to see that there are major mid-course corrections" of air regulations, Gorsuch said. Support from these "new friends in Washington" will be crucial in light of the serious problems pressuring the industry. Copper prices have plunged to almost three-year lows and prices for molybdenum, gold, and silver have slumped. Earnings are down and today's high interest rates prevent a quick turnaround. Companies are on edge after the recent takeovers of Kennecott, St. Joe Minerals, and Texasgulf Though the companies may benefit from the major injection of capital that large energy firms can provide, many observers fear the new parent companies won't be willing or able to survive the cyclical metal markets. Arco and Gulf Resources, for example, have been criticized for closing Anaconda's Montana copper facility and the Bunker Hill unit in Idaho, respectively. Canada's national energy program has brought additional pressure on the industry. This policy, which emphasizes Canadian majority ownership of the country's energy sources, resulted in acquisition of Texasgulf's Kidd Creek lead-zinc-silver complex by Canadian and French interests. In response, the American Mining Congress adopted two resolutions on takeovers. One calls for the US government to review laws regulating tender offers and takeovers "to better ensure that principles of fairness and sound investment policy govern such transactions.'' The other asks the government to demand "fairness and reciprocity" as a basis for US policy governing international trade in minerals and investment relations with other countries. AMC's shopping list included four other priority goals, aimed primarily at the Interior Department: • Prompt implementation of Interior's efforts to bring order and balance to rules governing access to public lands for exploration and development. • Statement by the President of a comprehensive and coherent domestic minerals policy. • Amendment of the Clean Air Act to remove impediments to productivity and barriers to economic development that are not necessary to essential goals of the act. • Development of new approaches to better achieve worker health and safety in the most cost-effective manner without penalizing productivity. Almost 6000 mining industry executives attended the 1981 convention-the largest in AMC's 84-year history. As in years past, the conference offered a wide spectrum of presentations-nearly 100 papers in 26 sessions-ranging from commodity forecasts to the latest technical achievements. New Administration Stockpile Goals The minerals availability session included a presentation on management of the minerals stockpile by Paul K. Kruege r of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Krueger notes that rather than providing incentives for development of a domestic raw materials industry, the government has "a history of providing disincentives to industry." In mining industries, he adds, the rate of productivity growth has been -6% over the last six or seven years. Krueger feels there will be a major change under the Reagan administration. In March 1981, FEMA began the first purchase program for the national defense stockpile in over 20 years. The stockpile is sadly out of balance, Krueger adds. Stockpile materials are

Jan 12, 1981