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By Paulo Rodrigues dos Santos Junior, Alexander de Oliveira Botelho, Gustavo Maia de Almeida, Vinícius Antonio Ramos Pin, Daniel Cruz Cavalieri

A preocupação com a análise adequada dos resultados de retificação dos diferentes tipos de cilindros realizada na oficina é de grande importância para o processo de laminação. Sua classificação correta e de forma eficiente representa uma redução de custo e contribui para a estabilidade/continuidade do processo de produção de bobinas. Atualmente, na ArcelorMittal Tubarão, a interpretação destes resultados, assim como sua classificação, é realizada manualmente por retificadores que trabalham em regime de turno no púlpito de operação, a partir de dados gerados no final do processo de retificação pelos equipamentos denominados “retíficas”. Esse trabalho mostra o desenvolvimento e a aplicação de um sistema inteligente baseado em Lógica Fuzzy. Esse sistema objetiva a criação de um classificador automático da avaliação dos resultados de retificação como um guia operacional.

Oct 1, 2019

By I Thin, L Morizzi, C Seymour, G Mungur

Olympic Dam has been investigating mine design options for the South Mine Area (SMA), which will continue using the existing sublevel open stoping (SLOS) method. The SMA is an undeveloped mining area, located south of the existing underground mining areas currently in production at Olympic Dam. The SMA study reached the stage where geotechnical inputs were required for stope design, infrastructure location and ground support forecasts. A large database of geotechnical data was collected to inform open pit designs for the ODX (Olympic Dam expansion) project (resulting from 659 drill holes). This geotechnical data has since been reprocessed to align with design inputs required for the SLOS mining method. The result has been the construction of a preliminary three-dimensional mining rock mass model (MRMM) that has been incorporated into preliminary stope mine design and infrastructure layout assessments, which have taken into account the predicted prevailing ground conditions.As with any model, it is necessary to improve the confidence in its predictability; therefore the model must be calibrated. The preliminary SMA MRMM was no exception. First pass calibration was possible with results from underground geotechnical window mapping from exposed rock mass conditions in the lateral development and surface geotechnical holes for ventilation shafts.The SMA project continues to advance and has started a program of resource drilling. Selected holes have been identified that target data limited areas. This will ensure that the data gaps are infilled in order to maintain the required data density required to improve the model confidence. In addition, further underground window mapping in the SMA will provide ‘mine scale drill hole’ data that can be used to either update the MRMM or as part of planned future calibration. Stope performance data from stopes will provide further valuable data for calibration purposes.The proposed paper will present the process and findings that have been followed in order to establish a well calibrated geotechnical model that can be used with an acceptable level of confidence in the ongoing refinements of the mine design and planning process for the SMA.CITATION:Thin, I, Morizzi, L, Mungur, G and Seymour, C, 2016. Building and calibration of a geotechnical model for sublevel open stope design at Olympic Dam, in Proceedings Seventh International Conference and Exhibition on Mass Mining (MassMin 2016), pp 523–532 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

May 9, 2016

The areas of concern lay in the processing of, and the subsequent hearing into, Waihi Gold's resource consent applications to extend Martha Mine. The proposed amendments to the Resource Management Act 1991 might see the introduction of contestability in the processing of applications - which would have assisted Waihi Gold; and the use of commissioners to hear the applications, with a right of appeal to the Environment Court on points of law only. It is also proposed to have major applications heard directly by the Environment Court. If Waihi Gold's applications had been heard at first instance by the Court, the delays in time and associated costs would have been reduced. However a hearing by commissioners only would not have been satisfactory, there being no right of appeal against the conditions of consent, which if implemented as granted by the Councils would have had a significant impact on the costs associated with the extended project.

Jan 1, 1998

By J. B. Fletcher

The Miami mine first started operations in 1910. For convenience, the history of the orebody can be divided into the following categories (Fig. 1): 1) 1910 to 1925: 24.4 million tons of high grade ore, mined by top slicing, sublevel caving, etc. 2) 1926 to 1954: 102 million tons of low grade ore, mined by block caving.

Jan 1, 1961

By A. Swanson

The Australian coal industry has been subdued in recent years and only a few new plants have been constructed, but the drive for greater efficiency has seen continued technological developments. The paper lists the new plants and major upgrades, plus summarizes technical developments in the areas of dense medium processing, fine coal treatment, froth flotation, dewatering and on-line analysers.

Jan 1, 2001

By André Luiz Moraes Alves

As transformações sequenciais estão presentes em vários materiais, como por exemplo, nos aços, onde na transformação da Austenita em Ferrita e Perlita, tem-se inicialmente a nucleação dos grãos ferríticos e em um instante posterior a nucleação dos grãos perlíticos. Recentemente, Rios e Villa apresentaram um método analítico exato que se aplica às transformações de fase simultâneas e/ou sequenciais. Neste trabalho o método do Cone Causal (CC) foi utilizado para o modelamento microestrutural das transformações sequenciais. Vale ressaltar que o CC é um método computacional muito versátil, sua eficiência em simulações de nucleação e crescimento já foi apresentada em trabalhos prévios. Os dados obtidos nas simulações foram comparados com as equações analíticas de Rios e Villa. A simulação permite obter, além da microestrutura propriamente dita, grandezas microestruturais quantitativas, tais como: fração volumétrica transformada, área superficial por unidade de volume, velocidade de avanço das interfaces e o caminho microestrutural.

Aug 7, 2018

By R. D. Pehlke, J. V. Gluck

AS a portion of a general study of liquid-metal thermodynamics, high-temperature galvanic cells were used to study the effect of added dilute solutes on the activity of zinc in dilute solution with molten bismuth in the range 450° to 650°C. 1,2 The cells were of the type The experimental procedures have been described previously.1 In the course of studies conducted in the bismuth-rich corner of the systems Bi-Zn-Au and Bi-Zn-Cu, marked discontinuities were observed in the electromotive force-temperature relations for a number of the experimental compositions. Above the discontinuity temperatures, the relations, which were linear, exhibited slopes similar to the binary alloy of the same mole fraction zinc, as shown in Figs. I and 2. Below the discontinuity temperatures, the slopes were markedly different, but the relations remained linear. In general, as the amount of the third eletnent was increased, the slope of the lower portion of the relations tended to become less positive. The slopes of electromotive force-temperature relations reflect the entropy of mixing of zinc and, therefore, the occurrence of a discontinuity marks the transition between two different equilibrium situations involving the solution of zinc. A number of other investigators3-5 have used such observations to determine liquidus boundaries in binary alloys. Since the upper portions of the ternary electromotive force-temperature relations of this study had the same slopes as the binary alloys, the discontinuities are interpreted as marking the transition between the single-phase liquid region and the underlying two- and three-phase regions. Reference to the Zn-Bi equilibrium diagram6 confirms that the binary alloys were single-phase liquids at the experimental temperatures. Fig. I shows the electromotive force-temperature relations for the alloys containing Bi-Zn-Au and Fig. 2 shows similar relations for the Bi-Zn-Cu alloys. In the lower portion of each figure, the temperature of the discontinuity is plotted vs the mole fraction of the added solute at the various levels of zinc concentra- tion. Cross-plots from these curves at constant temperature permitted the construction of the partial liquidus surface isotherms shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

Jan 1, 1967

By Sergio N. Monteiro

Polymeric composites reinforced with natural fibers are increasingly been used in several engineering applications, from automotive parts to building construction elements. In addition to the relatively low cost, the natural fibers are also appraised by their renewable and biodegradable characteristics. Fibers extracted from the crust of coconut fruits, also known as coir fibers have been investigated for a possible use in composite materials. In the present work, the coirfiber/polyester matrix interfacial strength was evaluated by means of pullout tests. The variation of the pullout tensile stress vs. the embedded coir fiber length permitted to determine the critical fiber length and, thus, to calculate the interfacial strength. Observations by SEM complemented the results from pullout tests, indicating that coir fibers have a potential for application aspolymeric composites that could replace conventional materials such as wooden and gypsumpanels.

Jan 1, 2006

Northern Iron Ltd (NIL) is an Australian listed company that recently brought the historic Sydvaranger open pit Magnetite Mine (the Project) in Northern Norway successfully back into production. NIL made the decision to operate the Project on an owner mining basis, due to limited large scale mining expertise amongst Norwegian mining contractors, a long mine life, a limited range in planned mining rate and to minimise costs. As a new mine operator in a country where labour practices are strictly regulated, there was the desire to reduce the risk associated employing and managing skilled personnel. This was achieved by coupling the purchase of the required mining equipment from the original equipment manufacturer's (OEM) regional dealers with OEM supported Maintenance and Repair Contracts (MARC). This paper examines the process that was followed to implement an owner mining operation in a short time frame; approximately 12 months from the initial requests for quotation to actual delivery of mining equipment to site, and some of the challenges faced. By following a formal and well-tested process, not only was the implementation achieved in the set time frame, but significant value was added through the cost savings achieved in the equipment purchase price and MARC rates that were negotiated through this process.

May 1, 2010

By C. Wade, A. Swart, M. Dworzanowski

AngloGold Ashanti operate a pyrite flotation plant at their East Gold Plant, Acid Plant and Flotation Plant (EGAF) metallurgical complex within their Vaal River operations in the North West province in South Africa. The flotation plant feed is reclaimed pyrite rich tailings and the concentrate produced is used as the source of sulphur for the EGAF acid plant. The sulphuric acid produced is in turn used for the recovery of uranium at the Vaal River South uranium plant. The original flotation plant built in 1960 was based on the use of many small volume flotation cells and was becoming very expensive to operate and its age severely limited further operation. A decision was taken in 2005 to replace this plant with a new one based on fewer, larger volume flotation cells. This paper describes the benefits of using larger volume flotation cells in this new flotation plant when compared to the smaller volume flotation cells in the old plant. The benefits of the new plant include a smaller plant footprint, fewer flotation cells, fewer pumps, no distribution boxes, simpler piping, a greater flotation volume and a reduction in installed power. The saving in capital cost could not be quantified because of the age of the old plant. The savings in operating cost will arise from fewer operators, less maintenance and reduced power consumption. The new plant has not been in operation long enough to quantify the benefits in operating cost and metallurgical performance. However, recovery improvements can be expected given the greater flotation volume (increased residence time) and the installation of larger, more efficient flotation cells.

Jan 1, 2007

By James R. Kerr

This study reviews the sulfur and suliuric acid industries in Eastern United States with emphasis on patterns of consumption and marketing. Output of sulfur in the East is relatively small, and most of the area's sulfur requirements are met by gulf coast Frasch sulfur. Over the long ten recovered elemental sulfur from sour natural gas and petroleum may become the East's major source of sulfur. In 1958 sulfuric acid manufacture consumed over 80 percent of the area's sulfur requirements. The leading uses for sulfuric acid were the manufacture of superphosphates and chemicals. Over the years, unit requirements for sulfur and acid in many major markets have been reduced through improved technology, but new markets always have been developed to keep the industry vital and growing.

Jan 1, 1965

By James R. Kerr

This study reviews the sulfur and suliuric acid industries in Eastern United States with emphasis on patterns of consumption and marketing. Output of sulfur in the East is relatively small, and most of the area's sulfur requirements are met by gulf coast Frasch sulfur. Over the long ten recovered elemental sulfur from sour natural gas and petroleum may become the East's major source of sulfur. In 1958 sulfuric acid manufacture consumed over 80 percent of the area's sulfur requirements. The leading uses for sulfuric acid were the manufacture of superphosphates and chemicals. Over the years, unit requirements for sulfur and acid in many major markets have been reduced through improved technology, but new markets always have been developed to keep the industry vital and growing.

Jan 1, 1965

There are many ways to classify structural slurry wall elements, but the DFI committee chooses to limit these descriptions to three functional requirements, namely: design function, plan configuration and type of panel reinforcement. (See Figure 1 in Part IV for panel classification). Slurry walls can function as: 1. Curvilinear or linear elements for temporary and/or permanent structures to resist lateral forces transferred from the ground, water, earthquakes and various surcharge loads. 2. Load bearing elements in various plan shapes to resist vertical forces. 3. Combination Elements to resist combined forces under conditions 1 and/or 2. For example, elliptical shafts with various openings for tunnels and conduits have been commonly used for deep excavations.

Jan 1, 2005

By D. Linzey

"History of Whitehorse Copper BeltThe first discovery of copper on the Whitehorse Copper Belt is reported to have been made by miners on their way to the Klondike in 1897. By 1899 the district had been well prospected and many of the presently known deposits had been staked.The first shipment of ore was from the Copper King property in 1900. This consisted of 9 tons of hand picked ore grading 46.4% copper. It was not until the period between 1912 and 1917, the production years of the Pueblo Mine, that significant ore shipments were made. Total production was 140,000 tons at 3.5% copper. An underground disaster killed six men and closed the mine in March 1917.Although the general area was dormant until after World War II, by 1947 geological mapping, magnetic surveys and diamond drilling had been done on the important showings. In 1954 Mr. Aubrey Simmonds directed the formation of Imperial Mines and Metals, which acquired by option and staking a large part of the Whitehorse Copper Belt. In 1957 Mr. Arnold Pitt reorganized the company as New Imperial Mines. With financing from Sumitomo and Toronto-Dominion Bank, a mill was built and production was started from the Little chief orebody by open pit in 1967."

Jan 1, 1977

By M. Downing

This paper gives a brief overview of impacts of coal blending on coal-fired power plants performance and discuses the preliminary results of an on-going study aimed at evaluating the effect of coal properties on the effectiveness, compatibility and thermal reactivity of coal blends. Plant survey studies reported no significant impacts on an existing plant designed for a high rank coal when switched to a blend of low-and high-rank coal. However, slight modification of some aspects (handling, fuel storage/stockpile, transportation, preparation, and general housekeeping) of plant design and operation may be necessary. The preliminary results of an on-going study at the Mineral Industry Research Laboratory shows that more compatible and better blends could be made from coals where ranks are closer than from those where ranks are far apart.

Jan 1, 1997

Underground mine designs typically try to avoid extraction beneath streams and rivers of any significant size, especially when the overburden rock thickness between the stream bed and the mine is thin. Potential issues with mining beneath streams include excessive groundwater inflow to the mine; weak ground (roof, floor, and pillar) conditions; horizontal stress effects; as well as stream loss and other potential adverse environmental effects. However, there are times when crossing beneath a stream or river is necessary to move into a new area of mineral reserve without creating additional mine access points from the ground surface. Often, stream crossings are completed without thorough assessment, potentially resulting in increased costs, decreased safety, and, in some cases, failure to advance the mine. Selection of the most favorable location(s) to cross the stream must account for numerous factors and the associated assessment often requires a multidisciplinary approach. Stream crossing investigations often require geological, hydrogeological, geotechnical, and geophysical expertise. Phases of stream crossing investigations include desktop evaluation of maps and aerial photography, stream bed observations, drilling, detailed rock core logging, downhole geophysical surveying, hydraulic conductivity testing (packer testing), geotechnical laboratory testing, assessment, and reporting. The deliverables from a stream crossing assessment typically include geological, geotechnical, and hydrogeological characterization of potential stream crossing locations; classification of favorable and unfavorable crossing locations; recommendations for entry design and pillar sizing; and recommendations for if, and how, to conduct pre-grouting activities. Examples of technical aspects of data collection and assessment are provided based on decades of industry experience conducting stream crossing assessments in various underground mining scenarios.

Jul 28, 2020

By J. W. Mills

In 1956 the discovery of nickel on Jumbo Mountain, Snohomish County, Washington, focused attention on this part of the Cascade Range, far more renowned for its timber than for its mineral resources. Hand specimens assaying as high as 13 pct Ni encouraged Discovery Mines Inc. of Mount Vernon, Wash., to stake 12 claims in Township 31 North, Range 9 East of the Willamette Meridian. The property was leased to Climax Molybdenum Co. in January 1957. Trenching, sampling, and geologic studies were carried out during the late summer of 1957 when most of the snow had disappeared. Although the deposits are only about four miles south of the logging town of Darrington and about two miles. as the crow flies, southeast of the end of a good gravel road from that town, all camp supplies and equipment were air-dropped, owing to the extremely rugged nature of the terrain. GEOLOGY The rocks of Jumbo Mountain comprise a series of folded Tertiary sediments forming a belt one half to three quarters of a mile wide, trending northwest about parallel to the strike of the beds. This belt is sandwiched between two extensive in-trusives—gabbro on the northeast and quartz dio-rite on the southwest—and has been intruded by dikes of fresh and serpentinized dunite. Shear zones follow many of the dunite-sedimentary rock contacts, and in these the nickel mineralization is concentrated. A few transverse faults offset the sediments and ultrabasics. Sedimentary Rocks: Two kinds of quartzite make up the greater part of the sedimentary section. One is dark purplish gray, very fine-grained, and thin-bedded; the other is light gray to white, medium-grained, and well-bedded. Locally the light-colored quart lites contain grit and conglomerate horizons, rich in pebbles of white chert and very fine-grained quartzite. Intercalations of dark argillites near the summit of the mountain give many of the cliffs a striking banded appearance. Dark gray to black, aphanitic, thin-bedded argillites occur throughout the entire sedimentary belt. Beds vary from a few inches to a few tens of feet thick and some, near the summit, contain numerous fossile (willow?) leaves. Only the thicker beds were mapped. The sediments are quite fresh on the northeastern side of the belt and become more metamorphosed (hornfelsed) toward the southwestern side. Brown biotite is present in the metasediments in increasing amounts as the quartz diorite is approached. Near the intrusion, porphyroblasts of plagioclase, up to 1 in. across, testify to the soaking of sedimentary rocks by solutions emanating from the quartz diorite. Most of the sediments mapped lie along the southwestern limb of an anticline, the axis of which follows the crest of the mountain and plunges at a low angle to the northwest.

Jan 1, 1961

By Steve C. Albrecht

The objective of this study is "to assess the impact of surface mining on soil compaction in the Midwest". The study revolves around a unique field sampling program targeted at four mine sites utilizing four distinct types of soil movement of midwestern prime land. Through the preparation of a final report for use as a guidebook, an assessment is made of the degree to which surface mining operations contribute to the soil compaction problem. The final report is formulated through the use of field study data as well as information gathered in an intense literature review. The final report centers on applying collected data to practical field applications. Soil sampling on the four mine sites centers on a comparison of natural and replaced soils for moist bulk density. This characterization evaluates changes in density and texture throughout the soil profile to a depth of 48 inches. Fertility of the topsoil is also assessed for natural and replaced soils. During field sampling and observations, a base of information has been gathered to compile a case study on each mine site. The report accesses the regulations in the prime farmland areas through the use of a matrix. The regulatory matrix allows easy access of mining personnel to State and Federal regulations.

Jan 1, 1982

By Yajie Wang

Traditionally, roof falls are usually attributed to bad roof strata and high vertical stress related to the overburden depth. However, roof falls under shallow overburden depth are oflen caused by a high horizontal stress field. Recent studies have proven that the high horizontal stress field, if existing, plays a major role in roof stability. Also the roof conditions are related to the entry diredions under a horizontal stress field. Questions are: How to orient the entry to a favorable direction to prevent the roof falls? If the entry cannot be oriented, how to support it? Through a case study in mine A, this paper analyzes the horizontal stress effect on roof stability. The guideline for the entry orientation is given based on the results of analysis. Additionally, suggestions are made for those entries that cannot be oriented to a favorable direction.

Jan 1, 1998

By D. H. Diering

The paper deals with the technologies required for opening up anew idealized ultra-deep level mine. First the overall philosophy of accessing ore at ultra depths is discussed. Then the individual technologies which will be required are explored. Finally a detailed overview on one of the key technologies, namely tunnel support, is given. Because this project is still in its infancy, few definitive answers are provided; instead each of the envisaged technologies are briefly discussed, with emphasis on those which require the element of speed for rapidly accessing the ore body.

Jan 1, 1997