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By Martin L. Smith

Mine waste characterization and risk assessment currently focesses on water quality and largely ignores boththe charteristics of the wastes themselves and how wastes interact with the environment. Characterization of the parameters that control contamination of pore waters and their migration can quantitatively assess risk and remediation strategies in terms of cost effectiveness and risk reduction. Since mine waste characteristics are spatial, geostatistical methods should be used for characterization and assessment. A number of geostatistical methods are reviewed in terms of their application to mine waste sampling, modeling and risk assessment and management.

Jan 1, 1995

By Houston Kempton, David Atkins

Mining in semi-arid climates can produce environmental impacts that will not begin for hundreds of years, but once started, may continue for thousands of years. Pit lakes may eventually exceed toxicity thresholds as metals are evaporatively concentrated, and slow unsaturated flow through acid-generating waste can eventually load several kg-SO4/m2-yr to underlying water tables. U.S. regulations are poorly equipped to respond to delayed and long-term environmental impacts, delaying permits as operators and regulators grapple with uncertainty. Improved uncertainty analysis, additional long-term mitigation options, and explicit regulatory guidance offer solutions to this dilemma.

Jan 1, 2000

By H. Nakazawa, A. S. Malicsi, K. J. Reid, P. J. Ryan, I. Iwasaki, P. W. Weiblen

Precious metals are commonly believed to be recovered along with sulfide minerals in flotation, but a few neutron activation analyses showed that the recoveries of gold and silver were unexpectedly low. Reasons for low recoveries of platinum group metals remained unresolved due to interferences in the analyses. Electron microprobe, scanning electron microscope, and scanning Auger microprobe analyses have identified nickel arsenide minerals in the ore and confirmed a close association of platinum group metals with the arsenide minerals as minute inclusions. These results indicated a need for re-evaluation of flotation procedures that have so far ignored special problems related to arsenide minerals. The electrochemical and flotation behaviors of nickel arsenide and their application to the flotation recoveries of precious metals from copper-nickel bearing Duluth gabbro are presented.

Jan 1, 1987

By V. Prabhu, D. Mantha, R. Reddy

Secondary copper blast furnace slag was treated with carbon to derive the conditions for maximum recovery of copper with a minimum simultaneous reduction of iron oxide. Experiments were carried out to study the effect of temperature, carbon and CaO additions to the slag on the efficient recovery of copper. A two-stage reduction process was also employed to study the efficiency of copper recovery and the results were compared with those of single-stage reduction. The maximum recovery of copper in alloy phase was obtained with 5 % initial carbon in the slag, 2% CaO addition to the slag and at a reducing temperature of 1573 K. Higher grade of the alloy phase with respect to copper was obtained by employing a two-stage reduction process. The results obtained in this study are comparable to those of the earlier research on the recovery of copper from reverberatory furnace discard slags.

Jan 1, 2004

By Y. C. Kim, I. S. Roditis, P. K. Medhi

The strongly skewed grade distributions and the need to estimate the local recoverable reserves in a selective mining environment are the two problems that ordinary kriging (OK) cannot easily handle. With the recent introduction of the non- parametric, distribution-free technique of indicator kriging (IK), the above problems can be solved. This paper describes the result of performance evaluation of IK in an open-pit gold-silver deposit. For performance evaluation, the predictions of local recoverable reserves using IK were compared with the actual reserves based on blasthole information. The IK estimator, although a bit optimistic (or overestimating), performed very well in predicting the total recoverable ounces of gold from each panel on a test bench. The OK estimator was also used to try to predict local recoverable reserves, by treating each panel as either waste or ore, depending on the panel's average grade. Under this criterion, OK was found to be quite biased and pessimistic (or underestimating).

Jan 1, 1988

By R. Q. Honaker, D. P. Patil, A. Sirkeci

Because of increasing production of fine coal during mining over the past century and because of inefficient fine-coal recovery technologies, a vast reserve of high-quality coal now exists in refuse ponds. A novel finecoal circuit, consisting of a hindered-bed classifier, an enhanced gravity concentrator and a flotation column, was evaluated for the recovery of fine coal from refuse ponds. The treatment of a pond derived from Pittsburgh No. 8 seam coal resulted in the production of a premium fuel containing less than 5% ash and a calorific value of about 30,170 kJ/kg with 60% mass yield. Results from the treatment of two refuse pond materials are presented in this paper.

Jan 1, 2002

By C. D. Harrison, G. S. Stallard

The 199O Clean Air Act Amendments specify national objectives for reducing sulfur dioxide emissions from coal fired power plants. System-wide reductions can be achieved by combining various emissions control technologies and allowances, or compliance credits, that can be purchased, sold or traded. As part of the Coal Quality Expert development project funded by the US Department of Energy and the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), Black & Veatch has developed an interactive computer tool, the Acid Rain Advisor (ARA). Through this program, integrated, system-wide compliance plans are generated by comparing the costs and emissions reduction benefits of emissions allowances and various SO2-control technologies (coal cleaning, fuel switching, scrubber retrofits, etc.)

Jan 1, 1993

By J. M. Mutmansky

This paper outlines the results of a study of the opinions of practicing engineers concerning the value of environmental engineering courses in a mining engineering curriculum. One hundred engineers with significant experience in mining-related engineering work were carefully chosen. Of the 67 responses, about half were from mining engineers, and the other half were from environmental engineers. In this paper, the results of the survey are outlined. The number and type of courses recommended by the respondents are summarized as well as the specific topics recommended for inclusion in a mining engineering curriculum. The survey form also asked for the stages in the mine life when environmental experts were needed and the percentage of environmental engineering performed by outside experts for many mining-related environmental tasks. The results of this line of questions are provided. Finally, the paper offers a comparison of the results for environmental engineers and mining engineers and analyzes the differences.

Jan 1, 2003

By Michael L. Nave

Belt Conveyors are an important method for transportation of bulk materials in the mining industry. The control of the application of the starting torque from the belt drive system to the belt fabric affects the performance, life cost, and reliability of the conveyor. This paper examines applications of each starting method within the coal mining industry.

Jan 1, 1993

By E. V. Manlapig, B. K. Gorain, N. W. Johnson, K. Ward

A flotation model developed at the Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre was used to predict the performance of copper rougher and scavenger circuits at the copper concentrator at Mount Isa Mines. The model describes the kinetic response of an ore in a flotation cell in terms of ore floatability, cell characteristics and froth recovery. The floatability parameters of the rougher feed ore were obtained directly from a detailed plant survey. Flotation analysis was carried out for twenty different size-by-liberation classes to account for the effects of particle size and liberation on flotation. This paper investigates the capability of the model to predict the flotation behavior of 20 different size-by liberation classes in the rougher and the scavenger banks.

Jan 1, 2000

By Tso-Min Shih, Ching-Hua Liu, Chung-Jen Lin, Hsi-Chiang Fang

This paper presented herein, describe the special design of an open type coal dust explosion apparatus and the laboratory works for investigating the effectiveness of the parameters on coal dust explosion and the prevention of the propagation of the coal dust explosion flame. Coal sample which were taken from the San-Ying collieries, were passed through the process of crushing ,grinding and screening to get the required particle size, ranged from 40 mesh to 200 mesh under size for testing purpose, the rock dust spreaded on the surface of coal dust and water mixed with coal dusts were employed for preventing the coal dust explosion and the propagation of the explosion flame.

Jan 1, 1991

By G. D. Criswell, F. Palkovits, J. M. Johnson

A paste technology investigation was completed for non-pozzolanic fly ash from Units 3 & 4 of PPL Montana’s Colstrip Steam Electric Station. The purpose was to assess the feasibility of converting from dilute slurry deposition of ash products to a system using thickened or paste ash to reduce excess water storage in the impoundment, reduce seepage losses, and increase storage efficiency. The investigation included laboratory and field testing to characterize the rheological, geotechnical and dewatering properties of the ash products, an assessment of potential seepage reductions and an evaluation of potential for increased ash storage capacity by modifying impoundment operating procedures. The studies concluded that the conversion project was feasible, cost effective, and permittable. Critical facilities for the conversion project are currently under construction.

Jan 1, 2004

By R. Lindsay Mundell

During the past 12 years, use of longwall methods to mine coal in the United States has continually in- creased. Although these methods offer several advantages, health hazards often exist because of unique and difficult problems in the control of respirable dust. This paper discusses the results of respirable dust studies conducted on United States longwall mining operations in 1972and 1978. Current engineering control methods (ventilation, water application and use of machine cutting parameters) and administrative controls for minimizing employees' respirable dust exposures are discussed.

Jan 1, 1980

By F. F. Aplan, C. E. Raleigh

Three run-of-mine bituminous coals, ranging in rank from low volatile to high volatile A, were floated at nominal -28 mesh (590 µm), -100 mesh (150 µm), and -400 mesh (37µm) feed particle sizes with selected pyrite depressants and a dispersant. For the three coals tested, pyrite and ash -forming minerals were usually rejected best at -100 mesh feed particle size. Depressant additions tended to improve flotation selectivity between pyrite and coal. When joint dispersant-depressant systems were used at -100 mesh (150 µm) feed particle sizes, the total sulfur content of the clean coal decreased further. For a comparable coal yield, less fuel oil collector was required for the flotation of -100 mesh coal than was required for the flotation of either -28 or -400 mesh feed.

Jan 1, 1992

By J. A. Herbst, J. E. Bohrer, Y. C. Lo

A systematic approach has been developed to analyze a phosphate grinding circuit with a view toward determining promising alternatives for increasing mill capacity. This analysis was carried out and capacity increases were predicted in the context of detailed population balance models developed for the plant ball mills and classifier systems. Model development and verification was performed using data obtained in a series of batch tests and two plant test campaigns. The effects of feed rate, percent solids, ball size, and mill material filling, etc., on grinding were investigated in the laboratory and plant. Residence time distribution tests were also performed to determine the transport behavior in the mill. The population balance models were found to provide accurate predictions of full-scale grinding circuit performance. Based on the findings of this study, additional capacity in excess of 25% was predicted for these ball milling circuits by a proper combination of ball size change, mill dilution, and adopting screen classification in place of hydro-cyclones. These predictions have been confirmed by plant tests in which the recommended operating changes have been implemented. Understanding the effects of operating variables on breakage kinetics and the interplay between kinetics, transport, and classification has contributed significantly to increasing the mill capacity.

Jan 1, 1988

By Raymond E. Riethmann

El clasificador de espiral fue diseñado originalmente para circuitos cerrados de molienda. Desde entonces se ha aplicado con éxito a otros trabajos de clasificaci6n donde se necesita realizar un corte de dos productos. Inherentemente a las cualidades especiales de este cla- sificador está especialmente preparado para: clasificar, lavar, o agotar materiales tales como minerales, roca fosfática, arenas, carbbn, conchas de ostra y sales fosfáticas. Presentamos ahora las características de operation, flexibilidad de diseiio y líneas maestras para una apropiada aplicación.

Jan 1, 1982

By Anthony D. Hammond, Charles A. Kliche

A slope stability study for the Annie Creek and Foley Ridge Mines was undertaken to provide Wharf Resources, Inc. with a technical assessment of the stability of the slope for an overall pit slope angle of 60°. A rock analysis of the most critical and persistent combination of discontinuities was carried out using probabilistic methods. A detailed discontinuity mapping and assessment of the rock mass provided the orientation data used in this study. The orientation data were reduced and analyzed to identify the discontinuity sets. A statistical analysis provided information about the distribution of the data. A deterministic wedge stability analysis identified the critical combination of discontinuities; those with a low factor of safety were further studied using probabilistic kinematic and kinetic stability analyses. The results from this approach were used to obtain the reliability or probability of failure of the slopes.

Jan 1, 1988

By K. S. Narayanan, Marcia L. Bartges, K. S. Venkataraman

The starting powders' physicochemical properties and consistency are essential for technical ceramic products to meet their performance specifications. The need for finer and more consistent powders has opened new technologies for synthesizing powders from atoms and molecules. However, submicron and near-micron powders obtained from conventional comminution and classification techniques are still competitive. This paper shows several examples from electronic ceramic applications of how we can use powder characteristics for micromanaging by design the ceramic properties such as the green and fired densities, slurry rheology, shrinkage during sintering, and the microstructure of the sintered bodies. The cross-disciplinary nature of the technology requires that the researcher not only should have a firm grip on the fundamentals of one or more disciplines, but also should be generally aware of the intricacies of other disciplines as well.

Jan 1, 1992

By Jakub Nalaskowski, Robert Aranowski, Jan D. Miller, Jan Hupka

The polyolefins, mainly polyethylene and polypropylene particles, are used as an active filler material in polymer-polymer blends and are being used for the modification of asphalts to pro- vide for high-load, low-maintenance road construction. The stability of prepared blends depends on the interaction forces between polyolefinfiller and the matrix and/or between two polyolefin filler surfaces in the polymeric matrix. Various additives, especially surfactants, can be used to modify these interactions and improve the stability of polymer blends. In current research, direct force measurements between polyethylene (PE) surfaces in n-tetradecane, a nonaqueous solvent imitating the polymer matrix, were performed in the presence of lauric acid and dodecylamine using the AFM colloidal probe technique. Additionally, the zeta potential of polyethylene particles in the presence of surfactants in n-tetradecane was measured. The interac- tion forces between the polyethylene surfaces can be described as a combination of electrical double layer repulsion and steric repulsion between polymer chains extending into the n-tetradecane sol- vent. The addition of surfactant to the n-tetradecane was found to increase the repulsive force between the PE surfaces. The strongest repulsion was observed for dodecylamine. Additionally, the temperature efect on the interactions in n-tetradecane was studied. It was found that steric repulsion between the PE surfaces increases with an increase in temperature.

Jan 1, 2003

By F. Aurelian

The development of the uranium mining industry in Romania started in 1950. The exploitation of Bihor region, one of the most important metallogenic zones of the country, began in 1962. Uranium exploitation activities were ceased in 1995 due to the exhaustion of the ore deposits. Between 2001 and 2002, due to the entire mining zone closure, ecological rehabilitation and decommissioning was initiated. The proposed solutions, concerning terrain, equipment and buildings utilization were elaborated according to the guidelines of the Romanian Environmental and Nuclear Authority.

Jan 1, 2006