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By George E. Aiken

Agglomeration developments in the iron ore industry of North America are closely related to shifting patterns in commercially acceptable ore grades and even the definition of iron ores. These relationships have occurred mainly during the last 20 years. Many of these changes are an outgrowth of events which involved the history of the Mesabi Range. Although magnetic taconites had been discovered in the Lake Superior area about 1870, they remained unvrorked in part for lack of concentration methods and a generally unfavorable economic climate. Some 20 years later the rich Mesabi hematites were found beginning the era of direct shipping ores which continued through World War II. These Lake Superior iron ores included reserves of an estimated three billion tons. Following World War II, decreasing ore grades and rising costs began to force the closing of many underground iron mines. The early 50's saw the beginning of the decline in direct shipping ores and a spurt in produc- tion of natural iron concentrates. However, the market for unprocessed concentrates began to decline in the early 60's as agglomerated products and foreign ore s began to dominate the U. S. market.

Jan 1, 1973

By R. L. Grayson, R. C. Althouse, L. A. Layne, M. J. Klishis

Introduction The researchers combine a detailed microanalysis of accident data and roof bolting field observations to develop new and meaningful risk indices for the roof bolter job classification. These indices incorporate information that has not been used in traditional measures of risk. The significant parameters that these new indices incorporate are the total number of accidents occurring within a particular work activity, the amount of time a miner usually spends performing the work activities in which the accidents occurred, and the average severity of the injuries incurred in the accidents. Being specific for a particular job, they aid comparisons among work tasks performed in the bolting cycle. The indices' specificity provide anew basis for reexamination of training and operational development of miners for specific jobs. Microanalysis The roof bolting microanalysis was performed by examining the empirical data and written summaries for all bolting accidents reported in the West Virginia Safety Information System (WVSIS) for the years 1983-1987. The WVSIS database contained more than 15,000 accident narratives. The microanalysis of bolting accidents covered 2083 reported personal injuries (RPIs). This large number of injuries, performed at an industry-wide level, provides a broad picture of the nature of roof bolting injuries. The analysis focuses on the activities associated with the cyclical routines of the roof bolting process. For this analysis, roof bolting tasks were categorized into work routines based on the sequence of work activities performed by roof bolters. Four work routines were identified within the overall bolting cycle. And these routines comprised 70% (1217) of all roof bolting accidents at the face. The routines include: face area preparation; tramming, positioning and setting the automated temporary roof support (ATRS); drilling holes; and installing bolts. The types of injuries most common within a routine and the average severity of those RPIs were also identified. Table 1 gives a breakdown of the percentage of accidents by the bolting routines. Another 19% of the roof bolting RPIs cannot be classified in a particular routine because of the vagueness of the narratives. However, it was clear that these accidents involved drilling holes or installing bolts. These results are consistent with previous research. It identified drilling and bolting, followed by tramming, as the most frequent sources of injuries (Helander, Krohn & Curtain, 1983). [Table 1-Accidents by bolting routines at the face Accidents Bolting routine Percent Number Face area preparation 18.2 222 Tram, position, ATRS 23.3 284 Drilling holes 34.2 416 Installing bolts 24.2 295 Total 1217] Roof bolter operators were involved in 82% (1706) of the 2083 accidents. The RPIs incurred by classified roof bolters occurred largely on working sections (95%) and at the face area on the working section (75%). Approximately 23% of the 1706 roof bolter RPIs occurred during tasks which were not part of the bolting cycle. These included belt utility work, providing supplies and section moves. Miners in other job classifications who were involved in roof bolting accidents accounted for the remaining 18% of the 2083 roof bolting RPIs. Among this group were section utility men and general laborers (41%), section machine operators (38%), and electricians and mechanics (11%). Another 9% were performing on-section supervisory functions. Face area preparation Face area preparation work led to a substantial number of injuries, although it accounted for the lowest number of injuries of the four routines. Several tasks were associated with the injuries incurred in this routine. Table 2 shows the percentage of injuries associated with face area preparation. [Table 2- Accidents occurring during face area preparation 26.6% Setting temporary and supplemental supports 24.8% Scaling roof and ribs 21.2% Installing ventilation devices 15.8% Handling supplies and materials 11.6% Miscellaneous tasks] The injuries commonly involved overexertion and 'struck by' falling coal and rock. Handling materials often led to overexertion injuries. Nearly 66% of the scaling-related injuries and about 33% of the injuries incurred during the setting of temporary supports involved 'strikes' by equipment, materials, top and rib. Tramming, positioning and setting the ATRS During tramming operations, workers were often struck by components of the machine and hit by loose roof and rib. Poor footing also led to slips, sometimes against the moving machinery. Table 3 gives a breakdown of accidents in this routine. Control levers were a significant problem in this routine.

Jan 1, 1993

By P. A. C. De Ruiter

The Lower Cretaceous salt deposits of the Gabon Basin and Congo Basin were said down on ton of an Burly Cretaceous Lato Jurassic, continental graben fill that represent!) the rifting phase of the Afro-American continent. The salt 13 characterized by high percentages of potash and magnesium salts and the scarcity of sulphates and carbonates. The salt probably originated from a brine that was already enriched in high-soluble salts before entering the Gabon Congo basins. Their low-solubility equivalents are found in the Cuanza Basin of Angola. Commercial mining of the potash salt is only possible in those onshore areas where it is essentially undisturbed, shallow and of the right chemical composition. These conditions are net in Congo where the Holle mine produces from rich sylvinite deposits.

Jan 1, 1978

By Jr. Freed

Basic design features, details of the face ventilation system, roof support and Operator protection system, certified lighting, and in-mine evaluation plans are presented for an Automated Extraction System (AES) that has been designed to fill needs which are present in the Mining Industry. The philosophy of design and proposed operation of the machine, as well as the relationships between these factors, are reviewed. The AES is designed to help overcome production problems resulting from the regulation of roof control, clean-up, ventilation, dust suppression, and operator protection required by the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969. The design permits more continuous operation and greatly improves operator safety. The machine is a full-face drum-type continuous miner which includes self-advancing, continuous temporary roof support and permanent roof support equipment. Onboard self-advancing face ventilation, dust suppression, and air scrubbing equipment are also included in the design. A further improvement over existing equipment is the incorporation of an automatic programmed cutting cycle control system. All mining functions including movements of the roof support system are handled by this automatic system.

Jan 1, 1978

By S. Mojeddifar, N. Ostadmahdi Aragh, M. Hemmati Chegeni

This work integrated selective principal component analysis (SPCA) with a singularity fractal model to map hydrothermal alterations of argillic, phyllic, and propylitic in the north-west of Kerman city in Iran. SPCA results were provided for short wave infrared (SWIR) bands of the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) sensor tomap phyllic and propylitic alterations. Also, the bands 5–7 were applied to map the argillic alteration zone. SPCA results could present useful information for alteration mapping but it does not show the purest pixels of alteration. Therefore, a fractal model of singularity was applied to highlight the different alteration pixels in the Kerman Cenozoic magmatic arc (KCMA). Thus, the singularity index of different hydrothermal alteration zones was produced. Comparing the obtained results with the field data showed that Kader, Serenu,Meiduk, and Abdar deposits were acceptably identified by alteration mapping. Also, it seems that the singularity index could not discriminate the hydrothermal alterations of argillic and phyllic. The same spectral signature of kaolinite and muscovite minerals is the main reason for misclassifications.

Jul 20, 2020

By John B. Goddard

Crystallization of ammonium paratungstate (APT) is frequently the last effective purification step in producing high-purity tungsten. However, crystallizer mother liquors are often several times higher in tungsten than predicted by the solubility of APT. The formation of heteropoly anions, particularly those containing phosphorus and silicon, is largely responsible. Solubility of tungsten in APT mother liquor can be linearly correlated with the concentration of these and other impurities. The problem can be overcome by direct treatment of the crystallizer feed solution with alum. By appropriate treatment, the aluminum hydroxide flocculates and is easily filtered, resulting in a purified low-aluminum crystallizer feed from which high APT yields can be attained.

Jan 1, 1984

By Alvaro Lucio

The continuous increase of the fuel oil price compelled CV3D to look for an alternative fuel. Charcoal was selected as the alternative energy source. This paper justifies its selection, describes charcoal properties, the methods for using charcoal in the pelletizing and shows the results of the in-plant tests.

Jan 1, 1982

By J. Platt

Debate over acid rain legislation has presented a moving target for coal and utility company planners attempting to figure out how legislation will affect their business environment. In spite of disagreement among experts, the prospect for continued change, and persistent --perhaps even growing --uncertainty, a great deal has been learned about coal market dynamics. This paper reviews progress and describes some of the major problems and controversies.

Jan 1, 1990

By B. Simser, T. Butler

Glencore’s Nickel Rim South Mine, located in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada, is a primary/secondary blasthole operation with ore zones lying between 1,100 and 1,700 m below surface. One of the main benefits of the primary/secondary mining method in high stress ground is that up to 50% of the mining will take place in secondary stopes that should be in a yielded rock mass state. Every future secondary mining stope begins as a primary stope abutment pillar. As with many mines, the stress loading history and rock mass conditions can vary considerably in space and time. Safe mining practices cannot allow for an assumption that the planned secondary stopes are indeed yielded. An incorrect assumption can result in mining development and stoping taking place in high stress ground rather than the expected yielded rock mass conditions. This can result in higher levels of seismicity than expected and incorrect ground support recommendations in areas where workers could be exposed. Seismic monitoring is the mines’ premier tool to track the actual rock mass response to mining. Yielded zones have a reasonably clear seismic signature/pattern over time that is visible in the collected data. The ability to accurately locate small magnitude seismic events can help define and delineate different stages of rock mass failure. The vast majority of the seismic data recorded by the microseismic monitoring system is below moment magnitude (Mw) 0.0. Examples are provided showing how small seismic events (Mw < -1.5) can help provide feedback from the rock mass deformation that allows the ground control engineer to gain a better understanding of how the rock mass is responding to mining processes.

Apr 26, 2022

By C. G. Anderson

The treatment of materials for the recovery of the precious metals imposes many processing and environmental challenges. Sunshine Mining and Refining Company has developed hydrometallurgical technology for recovery of values from refractory precious metal materials. At Sunshine, the industrial focus of these processes has been for the direct recovery of silver without cyanidation. However, recent work has indicated that these technologies can provide a means for treating complex, refractory gold concentrates. This will be the focus of this paper. The practice of pretreating ores and concentrates to make them more amenable to cyanidation is becoming more common. Several pretreatment options for sulfide concentrates containing gold include roasting, bio-leaching, direct pressure oxidation and nitrogen species catalyzed pressure oxidation. The industrial use of nitrogen species catalyzed pressure oxidation has been limited to the Sunshine refinery where its focus has been for the treatment of silver concentrates. Much of the reluctance, outside of Sunshine, to use this type of technology may be based on the perception that high costs are associated with using nitrogen species (e.g. nitric acid, sodium nitrite) to leach. Also, the use of nitrogen species catalyzed pressure oxidation on an industrial scale is unfamiliar to most metallurgical professionals. A summary of pressure leaching processes which utilize nitrogen species as a catalyst is presented in Tables 1 and 2.

Jan 1, 1996

By V. F. Hollister

Although it is apparent that porphyry copper deposits may have formed in the Andean orogen from Permian time onward, commercial deposits thus far developed appear to have Cenozoic ages only. Following Chilean useage, the porphyry deposits are divided into either: (a) a stockwork, or (b) a tourmaline breccia model. Stockwork type deposits tend to occur on major strike-slip structures which may be either transcurrent or transverse faults related to plate movements, while the tourmaline breccia type may more frequently form independently of regional faults. Stockwork types may be conjugate fractures that intersect and ramify as a network of veins and veinlets, cutting altered rock, and genetically related to a major regional fault, or in other cases they may reflect the intersection of two large fault structures. Circular fracture patterns may more rarely occur in stockwork deposits in response to a specific intrusive. Tourmaline breccia types are characterized by circular and radial fractures genetically connected in some way with tourmaline breccia pipe development or an intrusive piercement that preceded it. Each structural model contains mineralized intrusive8 which have a close time-space relationship to ore and in each model, mineral paragenesis is similar, regardless of age or location in the plate. Also, each model contains the same type of alterntion halos (phyllic, argillic, prophllitic) as are developed in intru- sive centers in porphyry copper deposits found in North America. The potassic zone is exposed best in the older deposits. Examples of each type of deposit are illustrated, demonstrating the feature evolved.

Jan 1, 1973

By Vas Choudhry

The eighties are likely to witness the first commercial-size coal-to-gasoline plant(s) in the U.S., although uncertainty regarding crude prices and cautious involvement of the Federal Government in the synfuels development are evident. The formation of The U.S. Synthetic Fuels Corporation with passage of the Energy Security Act is projected to pave the way for some of the projects on a moderate scale. The corporate objectives (1) are to provide funds for supporting a number of feasibility studies and loan guarantees for the construction of at least some commercial-size plants and the possibility of product price supports or purchase commitments. There are a number of coal conversion processes (2) currently under evaluation for producing either gaseous or liquid plus gaseous fuels, the other processes such as SRC I are for producing desulfurized deashed clean solid fuel for commercial use.

Jan 1, 1982

By Edmond F. Lawrence

The Calico area lies within the Walker Lane fault zone, six miles north of Schurz, Nevada. The mineralized area is overlain by a thick section of Tertiary tuffs and ash-flows, that have been intruded by a series of andesite plug, dikes, and sills. The pre-Tertiary rocks outcrops only in two areas at one to two miles distance from the drilling areas. Underlying the volcanics are sediments ranging from siltstones, sandstone, calcareous shales, to carbonates of the Luning sequence. These have been intruded by one or more phaneritic intrusives ranging in composition from quartz diorite to quartz monzonite, with the development of a skarn zone on the south flank that contains extensive mineralization consisting of magnetite, pyrrhotite, pyrite, and chalcopytite, with traces of sphalerite, galena, and molybdenite. The magnetite, pyrrhotite, and part of the pyrite appears to be contemporaneous with the skarn, while, part of the chalcopyrite, galena, sphalerite, molybdenite, quartz, and calcite, occurs as minute veinlets cutting the other minerals. This later mineralization may be associated with a late stage of the same sequence, or possibly associated with another intrusive to the southwest. Geophysical work has consisted of aerial magnetics, ground magnetics, gravity, seismic, and induced polarization surveys. Preliminary induced polarization surveys indicated anomalies at depth, both over the magnetic anomaly and to the northwest. Subsequent IP work confirmed this earlier anomaly, and drilling disclosed extensive mineralization at depths of 400 feet on the northwest end and over 1,000 feet to the southeast.

Jan 1, 1967

By T. V. Durkin

Approximately 1,390 t (44.7 million ounces) of gold have been produced in South Dakota since 1875. South Dakota&apos;s mining laws attempt to strike a balance between economic development and environmental protection by promoting mining as an industry while requiring prevention of pollution and reclamation of affected lands to a beneficial use. The mining laws have evolved since their inception in 1971, especially in response to gold mining. The laws have remained flexible to meet changing regulatory needs. Gold production has continued relatively unabated, even in the face of public scrutiny, two mining moratoriums, and isolated environmental problems. The department&apos;s system of "one-stop-shopping" for environmental permits streamlines the permit process, fosters quick resolutions to compliance problems, and helps keep enforcement actions out of the courts. Specific case histories at heap leach mines within the Black Hills are presented.

Jan 1, 1998

By I. Iwasaki

Differential flotation of bulk sulfide concentrates from Duluth gabbro into copper and nickel concentrates could be implemented by first destroying the hydrophobic coating with ozone and then by recovering the copper concentrate with a copper-selective collector. A number of parameters involved in the use of ozone; such as the sequence and the conditioning time of ozone treatment, the pulp pH, and the level of xanthate addition, were investigated.

Jan 1, 1985

By Lauren M. Roberts, Ralph R. Sacrison

The Meikle Mine uses long-hole open stoping and cut-and-fill methods with backfill as the primary ground support technique. The mine operates at 2,858 tonnes per day (3,150 tpd) and has sustained operation in excess of 3,175 tonnes per day (3,500 tpd). Consistent backfill production is critical in achieving these mining rates. The heart of the system is a 7.65 cubic meter (10-cyd) horizontal shaft ribbon mixer located 328 m (1,075 ft) underground. System control is through several PLC&apos;s, allowing for a high degree of automation and process flexibility. Aggregate feed is routed 257 m (842 A) through vertical drop pipes in the ventilation shaft, a rockbox, transfer raises, and then into either of two raisebored storage silos. The aggregate is crushed mine waste, nominally 70% 3.8 cm x 1.0 cm (1-1/2"x 3/8") and 30% -1.0 cm (- 3/8"). The binder is routed through a vertical borehole, surge bins, and transfer raises. The binder is a mixture of Type II cement and fly ash. Two primary manufactured fill designs are produced: a high strength mix for stopes which will be undercut; and a low strength mix for stopes with only rib exposure. The high strength target is 5.5 Mpa (800psi) unconfined compressive strength in test cylinders. The low strength target is 2.8 Mpa (400 psi). The systim has allowed consistent achievement of these targets, while experience has allowed reduced costs and increased efficiencies. Fill placement is through 6.1 cubic meter (8 cyd) LHD&apos;s dumping into stopes. Specific sills and cut-and-fill drifts are jammed to the back. System enhancements have included colloidal mixers for cemented waste slurry placement and transfer raises for sending manufactured fill to the lower levels of the mine.

Jan 1, 2001

By T. C. Vogt

Earlier we described the uranium mineralogy of an areally broad sampling of Crownpoint ore, including the characterization of organic carbonaceous material associated with the uranium mineral. (1) We also reported on the leaching behavior of Crownpoint ores with a mild alkaline leaching system, oxygen (02)-sodium bicarbonate (NaHC03). (2) There was a wide range of leaching responses, with samples from some areas leaching at a slow rate with low uranium recovery. Evidence indicates that in these samples the organic material is intimately associated with the uranium mineral and shields it to some extent from contact by the leachate. (1,2) One method to obtain faster leach rates and higher recoveries is to use a chemically severe leaching system such as sodium hypochlorite (NaOCI) as an oxidant. (3) The use of sulfuric acid (H2SO4) and an oxidant for leaching ore in surface milling operations is widely practiced to effect high recovery of uranium (U308) from the ore. (4,5,6) The U308 is mobilized as the disulfate complex, U02(S04)224-, or possibly, the trisulfate complex, U02(S04)34-, is the soluble species. (7) Sulfuric acid leachate formulations were used in the first in-situ leaching operation in the Shirley Basin in Wyoming. (8) More recently H2S04 formulations have been used in the Rocky Mountain Energy field tests in the Powder River Basin (Bear Creek) and in the Teapot forma¬tion at Nine Mile Lake site near Casper. (9,10) Laboratory studies related to the use of H2SO4 for in-situ leaching have been reported (11-17) and Yan has .reported packed column leach studies on Crownpoint ore using H2504 and oxidant. (18)

Jan 1, 1981

By R. Bhaskar

An airborne dust cloud is an ensemble of particles of varied size, density, shape and states of aggregation. An understanding and quantifying of the dispersion and deposition of the dust generated in mines is essential to the development of measures for reducing worker exposure to dust. In coal mining, the major portion of the dust is generated during the cutting of coal using either a shearer or a continuous miner. The major phenomenon affecting ambient concentration is the deposition of dust. Particle deposition may take place due to the effect of gravitational, inertial, electrostatic, and thermal forces, and mechanisms such as Brownian and eddy diffusion, and inertial impaction. The three major mechanisms of deposition in turbulent flow in mines are diffusion (Brownian and eddy), sedimentation and inertial impaction. The mechanisms determining particle deposition are size dependent.

Jan 1, 1990

By C. Newman, N. Schaefer

"INTRODUCTION As underground mining continues to operate at deeper depths and in more complex geologic and geometric conditions, there has been an increased demand for higher design standards in ground control safety and stability within the mining industry. Over the past 20 years, NIOSH has developed, validated, and distributed a number of free software packages (ALPS, ARMPS, AMSS, ARBS, etc.) for the safe design of underground coal mines with respect to ground control. While these programs were initially developed on a, “stand alone model,” where all program data resides on an individual or workgroup computer, modern day web applications have begun to migrate toward a, “multiple-tier model,” allowing multiple users to access an application through an Internet connection. webGroundControl provides users with access to NIOSH ground control design software (ARBS, ALPS, and ARMPS) utilizing a web-based three-tier architecture allowing users to easily access ground control designs, perform on-demand calculations, and provide online collaboration between operational personnel and engineers through a web server. Given advancements in cloud computing as well as the expansion of Internet connectivity on the surface and underground, webGroundControl users will be able to access the applications anywhere (where permissible) at any time. As web-based computing technologies continue to advance and cloud computing gains popularity and momentum, there is an industry need to develop Internet based applications for mine and ground control design (Barczak et al., 2016). The purpose of this paper is to introduce and familiarize those in the mining industry with the basic framework and, more specifically, the user-interface of the webGroundControl application. It is expected that the mining industry will rapidly embrace this new product and webGroundControl will be a new paradigm for mining engineering computer applications. APPLICATION ARCHITECTURE With the advent of cloud computing, web-based applications have become more popular with their adoption of multiple-tier, or n-tier, architecture containing independently operating tiers. The three-tier application architecture utilized in webGroundControl (as outlined in Agioutantis and Newman, 2016) contains a Presentation Tier (Web Server), Logic Tier (Logic/Application Server), and Data Tier (Data Server) as shown in Figure 1. While tiers have the ability to be deployed across and operating on multiple servers, webGroundControl is currently being deployed on a single server located on a university desktop computer. The separation of the application into a series of tiers greatly increases the maintainability and scalability allowing for the adoption of new technologies that can be applied to a single tier without redesigning the software package. The Presentation Tier maintains the user interface translating client requests (through a web server) and displaying results (through a web browser). The Presentation Tier allows for on-demand access from multiple users and compatibility with a variety of personal computers, Smartphones, tablets, etc. on different operating systems. The Presentation Tier has been developed with respect to the HTML and JavaScript languages. Through the utilization of CSS, a coding language which describes the style of an HTML document, the webGroundControl display is able to spontaneously adapt to any browser and any screen. The development of the Presentation Tier will be discussed in more detail in subsequent sections of this paper."

Jan 1, 2017

By E. Krist

The newest addition to the Anamax Mining Company&apos;s Twin Buttes copper producing complex is a by-product uranium extraction plant which was placed into service in February 1980. The plant is unusual in that it is placed internal to the copper countercurrent decantation, solvent extraction, and electrowinning plant. The plant reached full production within a month and, to date, has produced continually above design rates.

Jan 1, 1981