Search Documents

By Charles Vaught

The U.S. Bureau of Mines evaluated the self-contained self-rescuer (SCSR) donning proficiency of 243 miners. These workers were from eight underground coal mines in the eastern United States. The objectives of the study were (1) to gather information on skill levels, since all miners in the study had prior instruction and opportunity to practice donning the apparatus, and (2) to summarize a quality control procedure useful in conducting periodic evaluations of donning proficiency. The sampling procedure used proved to be both reasonable and efficient in gathering information on training effectiveness_ It also provided a good statistical base for making informed site-specific decisions regarding SCSR training needs. Results from the observed samples at each of the eight mines indicate a wide variability across sites. The rate at which miners failed to isolate their lungs varied from 33 to 40.0 pct. Concomitantly, proficiency rates (miners either performing adequately or demonstrating a perfect 3+3 sequence) ranged from 13.3 to 63.3 pct.

Jan 1, 1991

By Nadir Ansari, Brian W. Wilson, Marina S. W. Li

"A hybrid shoring system consisting of cast-in-place soldier piles with Cutter Soil Mixing (CSM) infill panels was constructed for temporary support of a 19.8 m (65 ft) deep excavation in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Deep Mixing (DM) was completed up to 9.7 m (32 ft) in fill, peat, wood waste and clayey silt with embedment in dense till, and soldier piles constructed through the dense till extending to below final excavation level. Two trial CSM panels were installed ahead of production to assist with developing the termination criteria of the CSM panels in the dense till. The constructed depth of the CSM panels was based on interpretation of real-time monitoring data obtained through the Bauer B-tronic system. Inclinometer monitoring data from two CSM panels and two soldier piles, as well as soldier pile survey target data was used to assess and monitor the performance of the hybrid shoring system throughout bulk excavation. The objectives of this paper are to provide an overview of the design and construction aspects of the hybrid DM shoring system and to present inclinometer and pile target data to demonstrate the lateral performance of the CSM infill panels and soldier piles. This paper also discusses the merits of using real-time monitoring data as part of the engineering decision-making process for validating CSM panel construction. BACKGROUND A hybrid DM shoring design was recently completed for a high-rise development in downtown Vancouver, British Columbia for temporary support of a five level basement excavation. Deep mixing was proposed by the excavation and shoring design-build team as the preferred method to construct infill panels between soldier piles because of the speed at which the shoring system could be constructed in variable fill, peat, wood waste and overburden compared with traditional secant piling methods. The development site is generally a truncated triangle in plan, with the longest side of the triangle being approximately 115.7 m (380 ft) long and the two shorter sides being approximately 71.6 m (235 ft) (Hybrid Shoring Wall 1) to 75.0 m (246 ft) (Hybrid Shoring Wall 2) long. The site is bounded by an existing bridge off-ramp structure along its longest side, and by city streets on the other two sides, as shown in Figure 1. The truncated section is approximately 16.8 m (55 ft) (Hybrid Shoring Wall 3) long. Due to project constraints, the hybrid DM and soldier pile shoring system was only proposed for the two shorter sides of the triangle and the truncated section. Traditional secant piles were installed for the longest side. This paper focusses on the hybrid shoring system. A typical detail showing the CSM infill panel with the soldier piles is presented in Figure 2."

Jan 1, 2017

By Y. FUJII, E. CHANDA, J. KODAMA, D. FUKUDA, M. NISHIHARA, Y. NAKAYAMA, P. SINKALA

For over 40 years, Mufulira underground copper mine has been recording incidents of rockburst. Laboratory tests and numerical analyses were carried out to understand the rockburst mechanism at the Mufulira mine. Rockburst did not occur in the chain pillars or at the mining face, but mainly in the mining drives along diminishing pillars or ahead of the mining face. RQD suggested that the rock mass in the rockburst areas was relatively intact. Laboratory tests confirmed that the rock at Mufulira mine is very strong and brittle. Elastic stress analyses for the rockburst sites by 3D displacement discontinuity method (DDM) indicated very high stress in the chain pillars and low-stress concentration at the sites of rockburst during the initial mining stages. However, there was no apparent positive correlation between the elastically calculated normal stress values and the occurrences of rockbursts. The 2D elastic FEM analysis was conducted under the concentrated stress by DDM and indicated that some stress increase with face advance for the rockburst in the vicinity of the mining face. However, stress severity indicated almost no increase, and the rockbursts cannot be explained as an instantaneous rock mass failure due to stress increase by mining. Therefore, a creep damage model was proposed to clarify the mechanism of the rockbursts. Cumulative rock damage was evaluated for the edge elements of each sidewall of the mining drives, based on the normal stresses by 3D DDM. The rockburst occurrences were well hindcasted. A method to estimate the volume of the rockburst source was proposed, and a likely result was obtained.

Aug 12, 2022

The Golden Ridges Mine, one of the properties of New Guinea Goldfields Limited, is situated on the right bank of Nami Creek, not far from the township of Wau, in the Territory of New Guinea.The property is somewhat unique, in that the goldbearing ore-body occurs in the form of a flat seam-like deposit lying on a volcanic breccia, and covered with a mantle of overburden of decomposed porphyry. The overburden varies in thickness up to a maximum of about 65 ft.The ratio of overburden to ore is about 3 to 1. The practice developed is to strip the overburden by hydraulicking, and to mine the exposed ore under open-cut conditions, blasting to a vertical face, and using electrically operated scraper hoists for conveying the broken ore to the mill bins.The stripping of the overburden involves the boring of well-drill holes, blasting the holes and then hydraulicking the shattered material.

Jan 1, 1934

By Heiner J. Sander

Stanford University operates the National Research Facility which is located at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center (SLAC) in Menlo Park, California. In order to improve and allow for enhanced experiments, the current facilities required expansion. A1500 foot long tunnel (20 ft wide by 21 ft high) and a 220 foot long underground cavern (49 ft wide by 32 ft high) were excavated through the Ladera Sandstone formation which is an intermediate geo-material with week rock properties. The overburden between surface and crown of the structures varies from 10 to 80 feet. The underground structures were excavated according to the principles of the NATM (New Austrian Tunnel Method). This paper addresses the challenges that were encountered during the construction phase of the project and how construction issues were resolved mutually by the owner, engineer and contractor. The implementation of geotechnical instrumentation, recorded data and interpretations, soil conditions and behavior encountered during construction are also presented.

Jan 1, 2008

By Greg Partington, Darryl Thorburn, Charlene Wildman, Elisa Puccioni, Connie Payne, Campbell McKenzie

"Mineral prospectivity modelling of polymetallic nodule deposits has been completed over the Cook Islands Exclusive Economic Zone (CIEEZ) using the GIS based Weights of Evidence modelling technique. Polymetallic nodules, also known as manganese nodules, have been explored as a possible resource for a number of metals including cobalt since the early 1970s. Recent data on the nodule composition and abundance in the CIEEZ has led to a renewed interest in the prospectivity for manganese nodules in the region. The predictive modelling has used the most recently accepted mineral model for polymetallic deep-sea nodule deposition to identify factors that are most likely to map the presence of this type of mineralisation in the CIEEZ.Manganese nodules form on the deep seafloor as concretions formed by concentric layering of iron and manganese hydroxides around a core and they grow at a very slow rate, on the order of millimeters per million years. The available data for the CIEEZ indicates a greater abundance in the area of nodules formed by hydrogenetic processes, which are the result of slow precipitation of metallic components from seawater. The environment in which the nodules are most abundant is at depths between 4,000 m and 6,000 m in areas of low sedimentation rate. Hydrogenous nodules commonly grow on siliceous and pelagic clay sediment, they are less common on other types of sediment."

Sep 1, 2014

By H. D. Kline

This paper is one of a series being prepared by the Bureau of Mines on methods, practices, and costs in various mining districts in the United States. The paper describes mining and ore recovery methods common to the Batesville manganese district, Independence County, Ark., and gives the costs of producing merchantable ore by three operators whose methods were more or less typical of those of many other local manganese producers. The operating costs reported were those of Leonard Baxter at mines on Brooks Hill for the calendar year 1958 and Arkansas Mining and Exploration Corp. at Section 16 mine and the Searcy group of mines and Miller-McGee Corp. at the Diener mine during the first 6 months of 1959. Manganese are was mined in the district as early as 1849 and almost continuously thereafter until August 1959, when termination of the Government's domestic manganese purchase program resulted in complete cessation of mining activity. During those years, production came from more than 189 mines and properties, of which only a few produced as much as 30,000 tons of merchantable ore.

Jan 1, 1962

By R. L. Unger

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

Jan 1, 1994

By R. Bellotti

The theory of cavity expansion in an infinite frictional soil mass whose strength is represented by a curved Mohr-Coulomb failure envelope has been used to predict with some confidence the cone resistance of a clean dry sand. Experimental data were obtained from cone penetration and pressuremeter tests on two sands, conducted in a large calibration chamber (CC) under carefully controlled placement and boundary conditions. A plane strain bearing capacity theory was developed, and to convert the results to axi-symmetric conditions, an empirical "shape factor" was used. In the paper, the theoretical background, experimental data, calculation procedure, and the results of the analysis are presented. In general, a reasonable validation of the cavity expansion approach to the bearing capacity of deep foundations has been obtained.

Jan 1, 1987

This technical note describes a problem with WANG82, a ventilation network analysis programme. The problem was highlighted by Renison Ltd when using the programme on large, complex networks. Under certain circumstances the programme produced incorrect results or failed to converge to a solution.

Jan 1, 1986

By H. R. Bullis

"A 2003 paper discussed the idea that as gold mining companies grow larger it becomes more difficult for them to discover or acquire new gold deposits large enough to replace extracted reserves on an annual basis. Deposits of the size required to replace annual production of very large gold producers (VLGPs) are statistically few. An update in 2005 reviewed VLGPs with respect to production, reserves, and reserve life and observed recent changes in the gold mining industry. Now, more than 12 years later, this paper explores how those VLGPs have fared and how the gold mining industry has changed. KEYWORDS Gold, Gold price, Production, Reserves, Very large gold producer (VLGP) RÉSUMÉ Un article de 2003 examinait le concept selon lequel, à mesure que les sociétés d’exploitation aurifère se développent, il leur devient de plus en plus difficile de découvrir ou d’acquérir de nouveaux gisements aurifères suffisamment grands pour remplacer les réserves qu’elles extraient annuellement. Statistiquement, il existe très peu de gisements de la taille requise pour remplacer la production annuelle des très gros producteurs d’or. Une mise à jour de l’article en 2005 se penchait sur la production, les réserves et la durée de vie des réserves des très gros producteurs d’or ; elle portait sur les récents chan¬gements au sein de l’industrie de l’exploitation aurifère. Aujourd’hui, plus de 12 années plus tard, cet article explore l’évolution et les résultats de ces très gros producteurs d’or, ainsi que les changements qu’a connu l’industrie de l’exploitation aurifère. MOTS CLÉS or, prix de l’or, production, réserves, très gros producteurs d’orINTRODUCTION In 2005, the world’s top five gold producing companies were Barrick (after purchasing Placer Dome; 9.1 million ounces; Barrick Gold Corporation, 2005; Placer Dome, 2005), Newmont (8.2 million ounces; Newmont Mining Corporation, 2005), AngloGold Ashanti (6.2 million ounces; AngloGold Ashanti Limited, 2005), Gold Fields (4.2 million ounces; Gold Fields Limited, 2005), and Harmony Gold (3.0 million ounces; Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited, 2005). During the years leading up to that point, there had been a flurry of activity in the gold sector directed at consolidating production and reserves to create very large gold producers (VLGPs). As defined in Bullis (2005), a VLGP is a mining company whose primary busi¬ness is gold production and that has annual gold production more than 5 million ounces. A stated corporate goal of several of the VLGPs at the time was to become the largest gold producing company in the world."

Jan 1, 2019

By David S. Yang, Osamu Taki

The innovative Soil-Cement Mixing Wall Technique, developed independently in Japan, consists of mixing in-place soils with cement grout using multi-axis augers and mixing paddles to construct overlapping soil-cement columns. The applications of overlapped soil-cement columns include cutoff walls for groundwater control and structural diaphragm walls for excavation support. The special features of this technique include water tightness, versatile strength design, and efficient installation in subsurface materials varying from clayey soils to cobbles or soft rocks. Through the introduction of two recent subway projects in Japan, this paper presents the design parameters, construction procedure, quality control and performance of soil-cement wall for excavation support and groundwater control.

Jan 1, 1989

By Sanford J. Douglas

This publication describes a study by the Federal Bureau of Mines of devices and methods used for testing and splicing 4,160-volt and 440-volt cables and for providing ground-fault protection for 440-volt circuits, as developed and used by the electrical staff of the Tecumseh coal mine, an open-pit operation at Boonville, Ind. The testing and ground-fault devices described should find ready application in other open-pit mines, and, with suitable modifications for voltages involved, in underground mining. The devices and testing methods are based on sound engineering principles and are time-tested and economically feasible, Four devices are used: A high-voltage tester, and a low-voltage high- current tester, both for testing 4,160-volt cables; a tester for 440-volt cables; and, electronic ground-fault protective device for 440-volt cable circuits. All the cable testers and the grounding device were designed and built at the mine from standard parts. They are inexpensive, dependable, and job tested, An attempt has been made here to describe them in enough detail so that interested persons can assemble duplicate units.

Jan 1, 1960

By T. L. Joseph

A DEMAND for specialized knowledge has directed engineering curricula towards competency in some particular field or occupation. Preparation for life in a broad sense of completeness has received little consideration. Ways and means are needed for weaving some of the threads of liberal education into the fabric of engineering education. Any effort to develop a humanistic-social stem of engineering education will depend largely upon the content of the courses and the type of instruction offered. Many of the courses in college curricula are intended to lay a foundation for more advanced courses to be taken later by those. who specialize in some particular field. Students in other fields lack the background necessary to take the advanced courses and have too much detailed information, soon forgotten, forced upon them if they pursue the foundation courses. To develop a humanistic-social stem for engineering education existing catalogue courses selected should follow some general plan aimed towards broad educational objectives. Courses packed with detailed factual information are necessary for the stu-

Jan 1, 1947

By D. K. Fountain

"High metal prices and advanced technology in open-pit mining methods have resulted in considerable interest in the development of large, low-grade mineral deposits. Brenda Mines Limited is presently testing such a deposit of copper-molybdenum mineralization near Penticton, British Columbia.The mineralization of economic interest at Brenda has a total metallic sulphide content of between 1 and 1.5 per cent. This sulphide content approaches the limits of detectability of standard geophysical methods. How-ever, due to a favourable geological environment, it has been possible to utilize the Induced Polarization Method to outline the mineralization at the Brenda property."

Jan 1, 1968

By W. A. Gow, G. M. Ritcey, M. C. Campbell

"Uranium is a unique commodity. It is both a metal and a fuel, It has both commercial and military uses. It yields ""clean energy "" but presents environmental concerns. All of these factors have an impact on the commerce of uranium.Being a metal, uranium is extracted from ore like many other metallic minerals. As a fuel, it is subject to the vagaries of energy commodity market forces. The history of uranium in the first nuclear weapons has led to nation al governments carefully controlling production and sale of uranium. The spectre of radioactive contamination of the environment adds further to the public concern over the disposal of low-level radioactive wastes from uranium processing and use.There have been a number of excellent reviews on the commercial aspects of the uranium industry. In this discussion, these aspects will be briefly summarized to provide a general picture of the strengths of the Canadian uranium industry and the pressures to which it is being subjected currently. The principal thrust of this paper will be to outline Canada's resource strength and to identify some factors which will affect Canada's ability to continue holding a sizeable share of the world uranium market."

Jan 1, 1985

By Max L. Glenn

As part of its goal to minimize requirements for mineral commodities through conservation and substitution, the Bureau of Mines conducted research to develop molybdenum as a potential substitute for superalloys containing the strategic and critical materials, nickel, chromium, and cobalt. Since molybdenum requires protection from oxidation at high temperatures, several complex oxides of the spinel and perovskite structure were investigated to determine which possessed the greatest potential for use as oxidation-barrier coatings. Two spinels (MgCr204 and MgA1204) and five perovskites (BaHfO3, YCrO3, NdCrO3, BaZrO3, and LaCrO3) were selected for testing. Various high-temperature prop¬erties that are important for oxidation-resistant coatings were examined, including diffusion rates of oxygen and molybdenum, recession (vaporization) rates, hardness, erosion resistance, sinterability, reactivity with molybdenum, and ease of application. From the evaluation of high-temperature properties, two spinels (MgCr204 and MgA1204) stand above the other oxides as possible coatings for molybdenum. However, laboratory coatings of MgCr204 at 1,360° C (2,480° F) are equivalent or inferior to currently available MoSi2 coatings; laboratory coatings of MgA1204 may be comparable under limited conditions to currently available MoSi2 coatings at the same temperature.

Jan 1, 1979

Underground Mine Drainage may be conveniently divided into two operations:(a) Collecting and transporting drainage water to the pump eastern.(b) Elevating water to the surfacc by pumping.This short paper describes a system which automatically performs operation "a" and which has been developed on the South mine at Broken Hill, under the supervision of the mine foreman, Mr. F. McDonell. Operation "a" does not come under the heading of "subsidiary mine" drainage.SUMMARY(1) All drainage waters are collected by gravity flow into sumps.(2) Automatic control boxes operate syphons which transfer water from level to level to pump cisterns or to feed water service.EQUIPMENTSyphon Control Boar - Constructed of 10 ft. x 2 ft. oregon timber, suitably bolted together and equipped with a Bailey's cistern valve, with copper ball float control, and 12 in. pipcs and fittings forming a syphon (Fig. 1). One of these boxes is placed on each level at the shaft.The valve and float are so arranged that when the float is up (ie, box full) the valve will be fully open, and when the float is down (ie, box empty) the valve is closed. The vertical range between the cxtreme positions can be altercd by lengthening orshortening the adjustable arm of the float. The ideal valve is one...

Jan 1, 1927

By W M. Gilchrist

This paper gives an estimation of the future requirements of the western world in relation to energy re-sources. It then goes on to outline the role that atomic power -with its basic raw material, uranium -will play in supplying these energy requirements. Canada's position in this picture is covered, and some interesting forecasts are made. Introduction I T is possible that the following remarks will appear to have more to do with power than uranium. However, to fully comprehend what is in store for the Canadian uranium mining industry, we must be able to estimate the potential requirement, and, to do this satisfactorily, a thorough understanding of the circumstances that will give rise to that demand is necessary. The growing need for electrical energy will play by far the major role, as large tonnages of uranium will be required for its generation. The nuclear weapon has, up to the present, comprised the major market for uranium.

Jan 1, 1964

By Larry L. Anderson

Enormous quantities of organic wastes are produced each year in the United States. The total amount is in excess of 2 billion tons and at least 880 million tons of this is moisture- and ash-free organic material (dry organic solids), representing a potential energy source of significant magnitude that is not being utilized. Bureau of Mines scientists have developed methods for converting these wastes to convenient energy forms. This report itemizes and evaluates for the first time in detail the quantities and sources of moisture- and ash-free organic material contained in manure, urban refuse, industrial wastes, sewage solids, and agricultural wastes in the United States. Furthermore, estimates are presented for amounts of organic wastes collected or concentrated. The potential for fuel, either oil or gas, from both the total organic wastes generated and those collected or concentrated is also estimated.

Jan 1, 1972