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By Kyle Amoroso, Aaron K. McCain

Frozen soil shoring has been used for decades in the tunneling industry to provide temporary support of excavation for shafts and cross-passage excavations. However, horizontal penetrations through the frozen soil can prove to be challenging. The key to creating a stable portal through frozen ground is managing and mitigating groundwater flow into the excavation through the annular space surrounding the drill stem or casing. This paper will review different approaches that have been successfully used to penetrate frozen soil shoring on multiple projects.

Jun 13, 2023

By R. Wild

[When a blast furnace has a certain defined burden and is operated under fixed conditions of blast temperature, etc., the fuel efficiency is determined by the extent to which the reducing gases can remove oxygen from the burden in the furnace stack. This is determined by two distinct factors: 1) The uniformity of gas-solid contact, and 2) The ease with which oxygen can be removed from individual pieces of burden. This latter is often called burden reducibility. When burdens were poorly prepared the first factor was by far the most important and a study of the reducibility of individual lumps was of rather academic interest recent years good burden preparation with emphasis on sized material has led to greatly improved gas distribution in the stack, and thus the second factor has become much more important and there has been a marked increase in interest in methods of measuring reducibility.]

Jan 1, 1964

By D. W. McGlashan

Zeta potential changes were determined as a function of pH, metal ion, and surfactant concentrations. Prom the analysis of data, flotation experiments were carried out to correlate float-ability with the differences in zeta potential. Cassiterite in water bears a negative zeta potential, The zeta potential of cassiterite is sensitive to pH changes; the electric double layer arises from the preferential adsorption of H+ and OH- ions and subsequent ionization of the hydroxylated surface. It is suspected that hydronium-ion concentration may cause reversal in the sign of the zeta potential. The ZPC was found to occur at pH 3.4. Metallic ions and the hydrated ions thereof affect the zeta potential of cassiterite in differing degrees of intensity. Without prior activation, sulfonated surfactants do not change the zeta potential of cassiterite. Sodium alkyl aryl sulfonate is especially active on lead-activated cassiterite and ferric-activated cassiteriten Microcalorimetric fiests confimed the activity of ions on cassiterite and showed the hydrated character of cassiterite smfaces. Close correlation between zeta potential and microflotation results was achieved.

Jan 1, 1969

By Song Xiaotian

Studies have been carried out to optimize the VCR's mining sys- tem on the basis of synthetic analysis at Fankou Pb-Zn mine in Southern China. The synthetic e- valuation method is proposed for selection of mining alternatives and stope dimension optimization techniques. Theoretic calculation and computer optimization of the fragmentation of rock blasted by multispherical explosive charges are discussed. The mathematical and optimal fragmentation models are built. The optimum model is built for the main mining operations such as drilling, blasting and haulage. Lt can be used to evaluate VCR?s mining projects, select mining parameters and provide design fundations. From the point of view of system research on the geomechanical process, stoping technological process and benefit, the complex method of optimization is proposed for VCR's mining. Using computer simulation, based on this model, the optimal parameters are established and analysed. An effective approach is provided for research on the mining method optimization and getting better economical benefits from the application and improvement of VCR's method.

Jan 1, 1986

By Stephen G. Hardcastle, Michel G. Grenier, Kevin C. Butler

Today there are numerous electronic rotating vane and thermal (hot-wire) anemometers, as well as vortex meters available to measure air velocity. Of these, a laboratory and field evaluation has found that certain instruments are better suited to routine airflow measurements in mine roadways and ventilation ducts. This paper concludes a study sponsored by the Atomic Energy Control Board of Canada, that was introduced at the 5th U.S. Symposium. The study investigated the suitability of currently available electronic anemometers as replacements for the traditional mechanical analog devices while maintaining standard methods such as the continuous traverse. Six electronic instruments were subjected to extensive tests under controlled conditions both in a wind-tunnel and in the field at an underground mine. The evaluation concluded that ergonomics and design were major considerations in unit preference as most of the instruments had very similar performance characteristics. Specific findings were: a) In the wind-tunnel the vane anemometers, especially the "micro" vanes, were more susceptible to misalignment or yaw effects but these were not noticeable in the field; b) Both the vortex and hot-wire anemometers were suitable for continuous traverses of mine roadways; c) Traversing ventilation ducts was more practical than a Pitot-tube multi-point assessments or discharge measurements; d) Yaw is a major concern in duct measurements; e) The continuous traversing method for roadways overestimates the average air velocity; f) Hot-wire anemometers can require significant air density corrections; and g) Hot-wire anemometers are better suited than rotating vanes to mine roadways of less than 1 m/s average air velocity. Based on research detailed in this paper, the ventilation engineer should be able to match the mine's requirements with the presented instrument performance characteristics, thereby optimizing the purchase of a new anemometer and the efficiency with which air velocities are measured.

Jan 1, 1993

By Cheryl M. McInnes, Graham J. Sparrow, James T. Woodcock

Three composites, assaying about 3 g/t Au and 0.75% Cu, were investigated. Each contained oxide copper minerals, iron oxides, and silicates. One composite also contained copper and iron sulphides. Maximum gold extractions by thiourea leaching were obtained after copper removal by acid pre¬leaching at pH 1.5 and redox potentials of 400 mV (Pt versus SCE). Best thiourea leaching conditions were pH 1.5, redox potentials over 200 mV, and 0.4% thiourea. This gave 90% gold extraction in 2 h with thiourea consumptions of 25 kg/t. Lower potentials gave poorer extractions. Ferrous iron additions before leaching halved thiourea consumptions. Longer leach times and the presence of sulphide minerals sometimes resulted in reprecipitation of gold.

Jan 1, 1989

By Thomas D. Kaufmann, Robert C. Drury

Few factors are as important as fluctuations in aggregate economic activity and exchange rates in determining the profitability of mineral investments. Macroeconamic theory explains how the two factors are interconnected in today's world and in tomorrow's. We can use macro¬economic theory to lessen some of the risks in mineral investments. And in the current state of the world the risks are high. The above paragraph summarizes our argument. Our goal in this paper is to examine the nature of contemporary business cycles so as to explain their implications for the metal industries, particularly the implications for capacity. Thus, our first section examines the workings, causes, and history of the recent economic fluc¬tuations. In doing so we must understand how current world economy is interconnected, that is, how economic events in one country are trans¬mitted to the rest of the world. Our view is that governments and central banks are key actors in the creating of economic fluctuations. Then, in section two, we work out the implications of section one for the metal industries focussing on comparative advantage, trade, and capacity decisions. Over the last fifteen years the world economic system has had slow overall economic growth and has had strangely unpleasant recessions. While future business cycle will not repeat the de¬tailed pattern we have seen, there will be similarities. The similarities need to be under¬stood before investment occurs. The slow growth in the world economy since the early 1970s has aggravated the problems from business cycles, created its own problems, and has partially hidden the effects of other events. Major realignments of currencies are likely to take place over a business cycle. The nature of the causes of the cycle will determine the direc¬tion of change in the exchange rates. For example, whether a USA recession will be accompanied by a weaker or a stronger dollar will be determined by the cause of the recession. The realignment of currencies over a business cycle leads to a realignment of comparative advantage in the metal industries. Thus, not only will world metal consumption vary over the business cycle but the impact on various countries' metals industries will differ consi¬derably. Competitiveness often depends more on the value of the dollar than it does on inherent efficiency and wage rates. Capacity decisions are inherently riskier due to the country specific nature of exchange rate risk. A realignment of currencies changes the pattern of trade if and only if the country with the cheaper currency also has idle capacity. The importance of our topic is indicated by Table 1 which shows the impact of cyclical and exchange rate shocks on the USA metal industry. In the cyclical downturn, from the peak of 1979 to the trough of 1982, consumption dropped by a fifth to a third. Metal price moved in the same

Jan 1, 1989

By T. Carl Jr. Shelton

Surveying and mapping are used to locate and visually portray objects, lines, or areas in relation to a reference point or line. The actual making of the measurements to locate the objects and points falls under surveying while mapping is concerned with putting the survey information into a graphical form. Generally, the type or class of proposed survey depends on the precision required. Some surveys may need only approximate measurements which can be obtained by simply pacing or by using an ordinary measuring tape; others may require much accuracy, thus calling for the use of an engineer's transit or theodolite along with a graduated steel tape for horizontal measurements, or a level and a graduated rod for measuring vertical distances. Mapping is likewise dependent on accuracy requirements. For example, a general layout showing the relative position of surface facilities may not call for a large scale of dimension or great precision whereas for detailed work, a large scale plus care in plotting points and drawing lines and curves are important factors.

Jan 1, 1981

By T. L. Dobecki

Numerous seismic techniques have proven to be important and cost effective aids to both coal exploration and nine planning. Projects conducted by Sandia in recent years have sham seismic refraction is a valuable tool for determining overburden properties while high resolution, 2-0 and 3-D seismic reflection surveys are the primary means of napping coal seam distribution, structure, and continuity. Further, seismic methods utilizing existing boreholes (e.g. downhole, crosshole and guided wave) provide detailed measures of overburden/interburden modulus variation, seam continuity, and calibration for other seismic surveys. Examples include mapping faults of 2-10 m threw in seams 3-15 m thick at depths of 80-300m.

Jan 1, 1982

By William H. Langer

I spent 41 years as a geologist with the US Geological Survey (USGS) conducting geologic studies and preparing peer reviewed maps and reports describing the results of those studies. Since retiring from the USGS in 2011, I have been a consultant specializing in aggregates and other industrial minerals. Consequently, I have had the opportunity and pleasure to apply the information contained in those kinds of geologic maps and reports to real-life situations. About half of my consulting is performing due diligence for mineral resource evaluations of one type or another where resource information has been provided by the property owner. Many of those jobs necessitate that I conduct desktop studies followed by field work. I then use my information to review and comment on the written reports of others; reports variably referred to as geologic reports, resource studies, reserve analyses, and so forth. While there are many well written reports addressing geologic resource issues, I was surprised to see that there are also a significant number of so-called geologic reports that only pay cursory attention to geology. Unfortunately, that lack of rigorous geologic investigation commonly leads to erroneous conclusions. This paper addresses three such reports covering concrete sand, metallurgical gravel, and proppants (frac sand). Although all three examples are located in the Gulf Coastal Plain Province, I do not reveal the exact location of any of the properties for purposes of confidentiality. Furthermore, I have generalized the site descriptions and illustrations. However, all the descriptions faithfully define the geologic situation.

Feb 1, 2024

By H. M. Park

Risk is a major factor in all mining activities, arising from many internal and external variables. The authors? research has resulted in a systematic method for the quantification of risk in mining projects (Park, 2012), and this research is being presented in a series of papers. The first paper (Park and Nelson, 2013a) identified the variables associated with risk in mining projects, and their effects and was published in the October issue of Mining Engineering magazine. The second (Park and Nelson, 2013b) discussed methods of assessing the overall risk associated with those variables (published at www.me.smenet.org), and presented a statistical model based on a survey of 31 experts. This paper will present an evaluation of the statistical model, using data from previous mining investment decisions in which the authors have been involved.

Oct 1, 2013

By Steven W. Hunt, Gregory C. Baker, Glen J. Rorison

Microtunneling methods were utilized beneath pile-supported clarifier basins to replace settlement damaged sludge drain lines at the Jones Island Wastewater Treatment Plant in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. To minimize the risk of blockage and expensive recovery of a microtunnel boring machine against pipe piles or construction debris, a Soltau RVS 80 was utilized. This machine allowed the alignment to be initially bored with guided 114-mm diameter rods to ensure proper alignment and lack of obstructions. Casing pipe was then installed by jacking 1-m long, 305-mm diameterclay pipe along the rods and behind an auger head. This case history also discusses how 2.4-m diameter precast concrete pipe was used as a one-pass sinking caisson for workshafts and new cleanout manholes.

Jan 1, 2001

By Thomas M. Tharp, Mark A. Travers

A new method is presented for precracking three-point bending specimens for fracture toughness testing. A notched specimen of rectangular cross section is placed on a flat loading platen, with paper between specimen and platen. The specimen is loaded from above through a roller placed directly over the crack. The thin, high compliance joint between specimen and platen causes a distributed load on the bottom of the specimen. This results in bending at the cracked section and crack initiation at the notch tip. Since the joint is thin, its stiffness increases rapidly with deflection and crack propagation in the specimen generally remains stable and controllable. Fracture toughness KIC in a sandstone directly overlying the No. V coal was measured to be 0.27 MPa m 1/2. Even for cracks 1 cm long this value of KIC results in substantially lower effective tensile strength (modulus of rupture) in roof beams than is expected from intact rock strength.

Jan 1, 1986

By V. Rajaram

The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) imposed a no-blasting specification (blasting is restricted to the construction shaft and shaft bottom or boot) on the Deep Tunnel project in 1988. This was prompted by numerous complaints from the residents in the vicinity of the project, and controversies experienced on previous projects from blasting the rock overlying the tunnel. This paper will describe the methods utilized by two major contractors who are driving 20 km (12.5 of tunnel along with drilling over 36 shafts under this restrictive specification. The impacts on design, construction, schedule, cost, and the environment are detailed.

Jan 1, 1991

By Aditya Rana, A. K. Mishra, M. M. Singh, N. K. Bhagat

Many cases of derailments, train accidents and traffic interruptions due to the slope failure and rockfall have been reported in the past on Konkan Railway trackline because of unstable rock slopes. The authorities installed stability enhancement measures such as wire netting, rock bolting and shotcreting which were found insufficient. The failed geotechnical measures prompted authorities to excavate the unstable slopes. Rock blasting is generally not preferred for the excavation of slopes along the transportation route. Stabilisation and widening of slopes by blasting need closure of the route for a considerable time. Discontinuing traffic on Konkan Railway route was undesirable as it connects two important port cities Mumbai and Mangalore. The paper presents an innovative directional controlled blasting (DCB) technique for excavating three unstable slopes (i.e. cuttings) in hilly terrain without disturbing the traffic. New empirical formulae for small geometry blasting to estimate burden and throw have been developed. A unique sequence of firing and excavation with powder factor varying between 0.04 and 0.39 kg/m3 irrespective of the actual free face was used for rock blasting. The process controlled the throw of blasted material over the track and resulted in a smooth and stable wall. The slope angle has been changed from 80 to 82° to 45–47° and probability of wedge, planar and toppling failures was eliminated. About 100 such accident-prone slopes (52 km cumulative length, 7% of total route) situated at discrete locations along Konkan Railway route were stabilised using the technique. No incident of rockfall and slope failures along these slopes has been observed after the stabilisation.

By Charles G. Frush

The function of the mine surveyor is to (a) provide a network of points of accurately known position, covering the entire mine property, (b) obtain the required data for the preparation of useful maps and sections! (c) provide position and directional control for the guidance of the operations, (d) measure the progress of the work, (e) measure the movement of rock masses, and (f) make miscellaneous surveys as needed. Mining properties range from the very small to the extremely large, and from those which involve only surface operations to those involving extensive underground workings. Active mines undergo constant change, necessitating continual updating of the surveys. The differences in the character of the deposits, the scale of mining and the mining methods result in large differences in the surveyor's activities and techniques, but many of the problems involved are common to most mines. The surface work of the mine surveyor is very similar to that, of the plane surveyor in that control points are established by triangulation, trilateration and traversing. Detail is taken by direct measurement, by stadia and by aerial photography. The equipment used, the techniques and the methods of processing the resulting data are likewise very similar. However, the underground work is quite different : A. The lines of sight frequently must be carried through constricted openings, often involving short lines of sight and awkward setups. B. The lighting often is poor, requiring illumination of the backsights and foresights, and the crosshairs. C. The ambient conditions often are difficult, involving falling water, high tem- peratures, poor visibi 'kv and heavy traffic through the area being suneyed. D. The surrounding rock map be unstable, resulting in movement or loss of the surveying stations, as well as hazard to the surveyors. E. The points to be measured often are difficult or impossible to reach. F. Steep vertical sights often are necessary, requiring the use of special equipment. G. Many working levels commonly are involved, requiring the transfer of position and orientation to each with a high level of precision. This section therefore will concentrate on surveying problems peculiar to the mine surveyor, chiefly underground work. 22.1-THE MINE COORDINATE SYSTEM A system of coordinates is essential for all permanent mining operations It is very desirable that all mining operations in a ,given area b~ tied into the same system, as this minimizes problems of boundaries and connections Whenever possible this system should be tied into and made part of the state or regional grid system. It is desirable to orient the coordinate grid on a true-north line and to position the origin of the coordinates so that all of the work will be in the "northeast" quadrant, making the north and east coordinates always positive. This can be done by subtracting suitable constant values from the north and east coordinates of the regional system The residual values are of more convenient magnitude and can be used as the local mine coordinates. If the long axis of the mineralization is not generally north-south or east-west.

Jan 1, 1973

By Donald S. Bubar

The Separation Rapids property, located approximately 60 km (37 miles) north of Kenora, Ontario, Canada, is host to one of the largest rare metal pegmatite deposits in the world. This pegmatite was named the Big Whopper by its discoverer, Dr. Fred Breaks of the Ontario Geological Survey, because of the exceptional length and width of the surface exposure. The property is readily accessible from a main, all-weather road via a network of secondary logging roads. The main line of the Canadian National Railway passes through the village of Redditt, just 40 km (24 miles) south of the property. The Big Whopper is one of the complex-type (petalite sub-type) class of rare metal pegmatites that are geochemically the most highly evolved in the spectrum of granitic pegmatites. Such deposits are economically important as resources for the rare metals lithium, tantalum, cesium, and rubidium. While complex-type pegmatites are found in many areas of the world, most are too small to be profitably mined, however, with an inferred resource in excess of 15 million metric tons (mt) (17 million short tons [st]), the Big Whopper is only the fourth deposit of its type in the world with the size required to be of major economic importance. The other three deposits, which are currently in production, are the Tanco mine in Manitoba, the Bikita mine in Zimbabwe, and the Greenbushes mine in Western Australia. The Big Whopper is situated in the eastern continuation of the Archean Bird River greenstone belt which also hosts the Tanco pegmatite, approximately 60 km (37 miles) to the west. The principal commodities identified in the portions of the Big Whopper pegmatite explored to date are petalite (LiAlSi4010) and rubidium-rich K-feldspar. These are industrial minerals with important applications in the glass and ceramics industries. The Big Whopper also contains substantial quantities of lepidolite, a lithium, rubidium-mica which is the principal ore mineral for rubidium metal. Tantalum and cesium occur in anomalous levels with the petalite mineralization, and the possibility of finding zones of high enrichment in these valuable high-tech metals elsewhere in the deposit is excellent. Such enriched zones are typical of pegmatites as highly evolved as the Big Whopper. To date, the geological mapping and diamond drilling work completed by Avalon have delineated the Big Whopper pegmatite system over a strike length exceeding 1.5 km (0.9 miles), over widths ranging from 10 m to 80 m (30 feet to 260 feet) in thickness, and to a vertical depth of close to 300 m (1,000 feet), where it remains open. The pegmatite system consists of a vertically oriented massive petalite pegmatite dyke striking 280 degrees that is flanked by amphibolites containing a swarm of narrower albite and petalite dykes which have all undergone intense deformation in a high strain zone resulting in folding and intense shearing. The Big Whopper exhibits a mineralogical zonation pattern which is complicated by the superimposed deformation that has both folded and stretched the deposit. Drilling has defined a dilute geological resource totaling 7.1 million mt (7.8 million st) grading 1.283 percent Li20, 0.346 percent Rb20, and .007 percent Ta205 over a strike length of 600 m (2,000 feet), and to a vertical depth of 250 m (820 feet), where it remains open. The petalite and rubidium-rich-K-feldspars contained in the Big Whopper all appear to be of superior quality. The grades are consistent with a petalite content averaging 25-30 percent and a rubidium-rich-K feldspar content averaging 15-20 percent. The remainder of the rock consists mainly of albite, several types of mica, and quartz. Accessory minerals include columbitetantalite, cassiterite, apatite, garnet, and gahnite. Market studies show that the deposit is located close enough to existing transportation infrastructure to access rapidly growing, major markets in the glass and ceramics industries, both in the northeastern U.S. and Europe. There are only three competing lithium minerals producers in the world with the Bikita mine in Zimbabwe being the only major producer of petalite. The other lithium deposits produce spodumene, a less desirable lithium mineral. Lakefield Research Limited has successfully designed a process to produce an ultra-pure petalite concentrate containing up to 4.65 percent lithium oxide, and as little as 0.014 percent iron oxide, low levels of soda and potash, and negligible amounts of other trace elements. With these specifications, Avalon will have an excellent quality product for glass-ceramics applications such as Corningware®, CERAN® stove tops, and other thermal shock-resistant products. Lakefield is presently designing the balance of the flowsheet to produce separate concentrates of rubidium-rich K-feldspar, albite, mica, tantalum, tin, and high-purity quartz. Initial test work indicates that the feldspar products will be of exceptional quality. The K-feldspar concentrates contain 11-12 percent K20 and 1 percent Rb20, while the sodaspar contains over 10 percent Na20, and both have very low iron (0.01 percent Fe203). A preliminary economic model shows that with an initial production rate of 90,000 mt (100,000 st) per year, expanding to 170,000 mt (190,000 st) per year over 5 years, the project is capable of generating over CDN $10 million per year in pre-tax cash flow by year 5 on a capital cost of approximately CDN $30 million.

Jan 1, 2001

By G. ALBORNOZ, S. Utili, A. AGOSTI, C. VALDERRAMA, R. PELL

The steepness of an openpit mine’s slopes has a substantial influence on the mine’s financial return. This paper proposes a novel design methodology where overall steeper pitwalls are employed without compromising the safety of the mine. In current design practice, pitwall profiles are often planar in cross section within each rock layer: that is, the profile inclination across each layer tends to be constant. Here, instead, a new geotechnical software, OptimalSlope, is used to determine optimal pitwall profiles of depth-varying inclination. OptimalSlope seeks the solution of a mathematical optimization problem where the overall steepness of the pitwall, from crest to toe, is maximized for an assigned lithology, geotechnical properties and factor of safety (FoS).

By Dennis P. Bryan

The southwestern United States has an abundance of natural lightweight aggregate (NLA) deposits of volcanic origin that are being used in the construction industry within the region. New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada and California utilize NLA in portland cement concrete and concrete masonry units for weight reduction and related economic reasons. The geological environment of the western United States is amenable to the occurrence of natural lightweight rocks because it contains Tertiary and Quaternary volcanic products that include low-density glass and vesicular material. There are two major classical types of natural lightweight materials of igneous origin; pumice and cinder. These account for the vast majority of volcanic rocks that are presently utilized as NLA. Pumice is an ejecta product generally found as part of tuffaceous units associated with nearby siliceous volcanic centers. Cinder, also an ejecta product, is associated with mafic volcanics and is most often found as a cinder cone. Both are highly vesicular. A third type of natural lightweight material, though also associated with siliceous volcanics, is less vesicular than pumice. It is best described as being a slightly pumiceous rhyolite or rhyolite-tuff breccia that occurs as a siliceous dome or tuft unit that is most likely to be glassy. Uses of these natural lightweight rocks center on the construction industry where they are utilized in lightweight portland cement concrete and lightweight concrete masonry units. The major reason for usage in portland cement concrete is cost saving effected by weight reduction in high-rise construction. The major usage in concrete masonry units, or "block", is for weight reduction that enables a mason to lay more lock.

Jan 1, 1987

By Raphael G. Kazmann

The predicted warming of the earth's surface, presently the subject of much debate, controversy and legislation, is based on what is termed "the greenhouse effect." This is the result of the property of certain atmospheric gases. These gases allow the passage of radiant energy to the earth's surface and reflect back, to the earth, the infrared radiation given out by the heated surface. Physicists have computed that if there were no greenhouse effect the average temperature of the earth, now about 15° C (60T), would be close to -18° C (OT). Just what gases have produced this salubrious effect? Water vapor is the most important. Then come carbon dioxide, methane and a number of minor constituents of the atmosphere, both natural and man-made. Climate change, its cause and its impact on human activities have been the subject of scientific and historical study for more than a century. Recently, some scientists have concluded that if the man-made increase in the carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases continues, by the late 21st century the earth's global average temperature will rise between 2° to 8° F. This temperature rise would cause the water in the oceans to expand and the massive polar glaciers to melt. In 1980, it was predicted that the sea level would rise 7.6 m (25 ft) by the late 21st century. By 1985, the predicted rise was 1 m (3 ft); and by 1989, it was 0.3 m (1 ft) (Jastrow, Nierenberg and Seitz, 1990). Agricultural scientists have pointed out that an increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide would enhance biological growth including the production of foodstuffs.

Jan 1, 1992