Search Documents

By E. Chilton

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has been conducting re-search to determine the influence of mining machine mounted water sprays on airflows and methane concentrations at the face when blowing ventilation systems are used. Tests were conducted in a full-scale ventilation gallery. Airflow speeds and directions were measured at several locations near the face with ultrasonic anemometers. Methane was released from the face and concentrations were measured in the entry at locations above the mining machine using fixed point methanometers. Changes in airflow speed, direction, and methane concentrations were correlated with water spray operations. The test results using different spray arrangements and water pressures showed that operation of the machine-mounted sprayers can improve face ventilation effectiveness by increasing the velocity of airflow moving toward and away from the face. The improved ventilation resulted in reduced methane levels near the face.

By B. A. Hancock

New permit discharge standards instituted at Hecla Limited?s Lucky Friday Mine required installation of water treatment plants to manage water quality at two outfalls to the South Fork of the Coeur d?Alene River. The 002 Outfall Water Treatment Plant (WTP) is a clarification-filtration plant for treating the combined mill and underground discharge water flows. Process optimization efforts were a significant challenge until the negative impact the exploration diamond drilling products had on the clarification process was identified and resolved. The products were being wasted directly to the mine water discharge system which was pumped to the surface WTP. Anionic soluble oil and polyacrylamide based products were causing TSS particle hydrophobicity and dispersion that greatly affected coagulation and flocculation response, resulting in excessive chemical usage and treatment control issues. This paper details how problems associated with the drill products negatively impacted the 002 WTP and how system changes, alternative product usage and treatment at the source resulted in more consistent plant performance.

Jan 1, 2011

By Julián Andrés Ortiz González

This work presents a series of experiments of Fatigue Crack Growth (FCG), which are intended to provide evidence about the main parameter controlling this phenomenon, whereas still no agreement about this, since the Paris´ theory is based on the principle that FCG is controlled by the ?K and the Elber´s theory says that the driving force is ?Keff. For the development of the experiments, some DC(T) specimens were machined with two different thicknesses: 2 and 30 mm to perform FCG tests in plane stress and plane strain state, respectively. Besides this, all FCG tests were carried out with a constant ?K e Kmax, measuring the strain with a Strain-Gage bonded on the back face of the specimen and seven Strain-Gages located on the crack growth path. The data needed to measure the crack opening load, and the ?Keff, were collected through a program developed in Labview. Finally, the data post-processing was carried out based on the ASTM standards and several articles of recognized authors in this field, in order to compare the two positions with the experimental data, and this way conclude which is the most consistent theory with the observed behavior.

Aug 16, 2017

By Curtis D. Edgerton

Miami Oölite limestone is the only significant construction mineral in southeastern Florida. Its source area coincides with that of rapid urban expansion. Two-thirds of the existing resource is already unavailable because of development. Land-use conflicts place future availability of limestone in jeopardy. However, a sufficient limestone resource to meet demand for many years is present if its extraction is not restricted. Adverse environmental effects of quarrying Miami Oölite are not severe; land values often increase following quarrying. Future availability depends upon--(l) achieving uniformity of Federal, State, county, and municipality statutory requirements governing quarry operations; (2) setting aside specific land areas for future quarrying; and (3) cooperative planning to provide for land utilization upon completion of quarrying.

Jan 1, 1974

By Ying Lu, Jeffrey C. Johnson, Chen-Luh Lin, Jan D. Miller, Sindhoora Puvvada

Energy dissipation and fragmentation of rock is of interest for mine-to-mill operations in order to understand breakage and to minimize energy consumption during blasting at the mine site, and comminution at the processing plant. In this regard, high velocity impact breakage of long granite cores, called bars, has been studied with instrumented strain gages to follow the energy dissipation gradient along the bar length resulting from the strain waves generated by impact. As a result of high velocity impact, three zones have been identified (fragmentation, fracture, and elastic) and these three zones have been characterized in 3D using X-ray tomography. The fragmentation zones of the granite bars were studied in detail to describe the particle size distribution and the particle shape characteristics. Finally, the experimental energy dissipation for the fragmentation zone was found to be in close agreement with the expected energy calculated from the Bond work equation, if the anisotropic granite particles are defined by length rather than by sieve size.

Recent and on-going studies on the leaching of gold, the properties and activity of carbon, developments in the elution of gold from carbon, and methods of recovering gold from solution are reviewed. Emphasis is placed on Australian contributions, and their impact on gold metallurgy. Consideration is given to the future development of selective solvent extractants, ion exchange resins or alternative reagents for cyanide.

Jan 1, 1987

By P Craig, I Canbulat, J Naylor, J Emery, A Sykes

Longwall mining is by far the most common method of underground coal extraction in Australia. Industry trends and expectations are placing increasing emphasis on the reliability and productivity of these operations. Longwalls are becoming wider and longer while retreat rates are continuously increasing due to significant improvements achieved in longwall equipment reliability and automation. This increased longwall productivity is placing significant emphasis on the reliability of longwall panel development.Although there have been significant improvements in the reliability of continuous miners and hydraulic drill rigs, the traditional resin-encapsulated bolt installation is still the principal method used in all major coal producing countries around the world. Anglo American realised that an opportunity existed to introduce an alternative roof bolt installation technique called ‘spin-to-stall’ (STS) into Australia. STS was first introduced by Anglo American Coal in South Africa, where it has been successfully used for over a decade, though implementation of South African STS resin in Australia has proven to be near impossible. Therefore, a new STS development project was initiated between Anglo American Coal and Jennmar Australia. This paper summarises the journey of this project, the results achieved and the successful implementation of STS at Grasstree mine.CITATION:Emery, J, Canbulat, I, Craig, P, Naylor, J and Sykes, A, 2014. Development and implementation of spin-to-stall resin at Anglo American’s Australian Underground Coal Operations, in Proceedings AusRock 2014: Third Australasian Ground Control in Mining Conference , pp 287–294 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Nov 5, 2014

By E. A. Gulbransen, K. F. Andrew

The gas-metal reactions of zirconium are very interesting. The metal is extremely stable at room temperature to reactions with the several gases present in air and the metal will stay bright indefinitely. However, at temperatures of several hundred degrees higher the metal reacts readily with oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen. This behavior, in addition to the fact that zirconium is one of the higher melting point metals which might have high temperature applications under the proper conditions, resulted in the work reported in this communication. There are several factors which indicate that zirconium might have good oxidation resistance at elevated temperatures. These are: (1) the high melting point of approximately 1860°C, (2) the high melting point of the oxide of approximately 2675°C, (3) the high degree of thermodynamic stability of the oxide to chemical reaction and the low decomposition pressure of the oxide and (4) the possible formation of a continuous oxide film since the volume ratio of oxide to metal is greater than unity. The unfavorable factors are: (1) the metal reacts to form nitrides, hydrides and carbides, (2) the oxide is soluble at elevated temperatures in the metal and (3) the oxide ZrO2 undergoes crystal structure transformations at high temperature. The oxidation resistance of this metal is not only a question of the rate of film formation but is complicated by the fact that the oxide and other reaction products dissolve in the metal which in turn will affect the physical and mechanical properties of the metal. The protection of the metal to nitride formation must be considered separately from the oxide problem. One unfavorable factor is that the volume ratio of the nitride to the metal is about unity. This indicates that a discontinuous film might be formed. This paper will present measurements on the rates of reaction of the metal with O2, H2 and N2 over a wide temperature and pressure range. The reaction in high vacuum and the stability of the several compounds formed will be presented. The results are correlated with fundamental rate theory and with the physical and chemical structure of the metal and film. Literature Although many papers have been published on the chemical reactions of zirconium with various gases, comparatively few are concerned with the protective nature of the metal and its reactions at normal pressures. The studies in the pressure range below 0.01 mm of Hg gas pressure are largely of interest in the nature of the adsorption of gases by hot filaments in high vacuum apparatus. The reactions of zirconium in this pressure range have been reviewed by Fast8 and by RaynOr.27 In spite of certain differences of opinion as to the maximum adsorption temperatures for various gases, the low pressure range is qualitatively understood. Some of these papers will be mentioned briefly here. 1. LOW PRESSURE Ehrke and Slack' find that oxygen reacts above 885°C and hydrogen above 760°C. Nitrogen does not react up to a temperature of 1527°C. Fast9 on the other hand observes that oxygen is absorbed above 700°C and nitrogen at temperatures exceeding 1000°C. Hydrogen is absorbed from 300" to 400°C and liberated between 500" and 800°C. It is readsorbed at 862°C and released above 862°C. Hukagawa and Nambo22 find a rather complicated picture for the absorption of oxygen. A rapid initial absorption is found between 180" to 230°C. Further oxygen is not taken up until a temperature of 450°C is reached. The optimum temperature for complete absorption is 650" to 700°C. Nitrogen is found to be completely adsorbed at 600°C. However some of the gas is evolved at higher temperatures. Their data on the absorption of hydrogen indicate some of the gas is removed at 550°C. Guldner and Wooten17 in a study of the low pressure reactions of zirconium with various gases observed that the reaction with oxygen occurs at temperatures above 400°C and that the oxide is formed. The reactions with carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide occur rapidly at temperatures of about 800°C with the oxide and carbide being formed. Zirconium reacts at temperatures of 400°C slowly and at 800°C rapidly to form the nitride and with hydrogen and water at 300°C to form the hydride and a mixture of the oxide and hydride respectively. 2. NORMAL PRESSURE DeBoer and Fast3 in a study of the electrolysis of oxygen in zirconium find that the metal absorbs up to 40 at. pct of oxygen without forming a new phase. The solubility of nitrogen in the lattice has been studied by de Boer and Fast4 and Fast10 and is found to be considerable. At higher temperatures the oxide dissolves in the lattice at an appreciable rate according to Fast10 and the zirconium surface becomes active. De Boer and Fast4 and Hägg18 have studied the solubility of hydrogen and find that at room temperature the solubility corresponds to ZrH1.95 Desorption occurs on lowering the pressure. Hydrogen is stated to be more soluble in the ß-form and the

Jan 1, 1950

By C. M. Haberfield

"1 INTRODUCTION Around the world, there is a demand for larger structures, tall buildings and large bridges. While good footing design is important for all structures, it is even more important in the case of large structures. Recent experience with footing design for tall buildings (e.g. Burj Al Alam development and Nakheel Tower in Dubai, the Gate of Kuwait in Kuwait, the City Centre Project in Bahrain and Eureka Tower and Freshwater Place in Melbourne) has shown the benefits of investing in footing planning, design and construction (Haberfield, 2011, Poulos and Bunce, 2007). The footing systems for most of these projects include the use of deep bored piles or barrettes (piles of rectangular cross-section). Many use piled rafts where the piles, while acting to support the load, are primarily used to reduce settlements. A clear understanding of the factors controlling the behaviour of the footing system is needed to enable a good engineering design to be achieved. This starts with a sound understanding of the ground characteristics and individual pile performance, including adequate collection of data and testing. The best footing solution can then be found using recent improvements in data collection and analytical techniques, complex and highly capable computer-based models and the availability of high speed computers. This paper focuses on the axial performance of deep bored piles socketed into rock – both their individual performance and their performance as part of a larger footing system. Recent research and construction practice is discussed. In practically all cases, serviceability conditions control the behaviour of the footings. Methods of establishing the parameters for input into sophisticated computer programs are described. Application of the methods to case studies is included and it is shown that the behaviour of individual piles can be closely predicted. These developments lead to lower construction costs, better constructability and shortened construction time because of the better understanding of footing behaviour. 2 FACTORS AFFECTING PERFORMANCE OF FOOTINGS ON ROCK For a typical pile-supported footing, it is necessary to consider both individual pile, pile group and raft performance. These require consideration of the behaviour of the ground immediately beneath the surface raft or footing, along the pile shaft, and at and beneath the pile toe (Figure 1). Immediately beneath the surface raft or footing, the important factors are strength for bearing capacity and stiffness for settlement and interaction effects. Along the pile shaft, of most interest are strength for bearing, excavatability and stability; stiffness for settlement and interaction effects; geology and permeability for pile stability and, most importantly, pile shaft resistance. At the pile toe all the above factors for the pile shaft are present and in addition the pile end bearing is of interest. Below the toe, stiffness for pile settlement is important to at least a depth of twice the building width."

Jan 1, 1900

By U. B. Kodukula

The iron ore beneficiation plant at Serra-Azul Mines of ArcelorMittal, Brazil operates at a rated capacity of 3.2 million tons per year. The ore is concentrated using magnetic separation, jigging, hydrocyclones and spiral concentrators. The tailings from the process plant are generated from classifier overflow of 135 tons per hour dry solids and thickener underflow of 48 tons per hour dry solids. A systematic experimental program was carried out using Multi-gravity separator (MGS), and wet high-intensity magnetic separator (WHIMS) for recovering the iron values from both of the tailing streams while minimizing the total quantity of tailings to be discarded. The classifier overflow contained 32.3 percent iron, 49.9 percent silica and 2.18 percent alumina and was 45 percent finer than 45 microns in size. The thickener underflow sample contained 47.3 percent iron, 27.6 percent silica and 2.49 percent alumina and was 16 percent finer than 45 microns in size. Separation results on the classifier overflow sample with the MGS indicated that a concentrate containing 62.1 percent of iron, 10.8 percent silica and 0.36 percent alumina can be achieved with a weight recovery of 24.5 percent. The results with WHIMS at 6500 Gauss indicated that concentrate containing 62.6 percent iron, 8.3 percent silica, and 0.65 percent alumina can be achieved at a weight recovery of 34.7 percent. 4.7 percent. WHIMS studies at 6500 Gauss on thickener underflow sample indicated that a concentrate containing 61.4 percent iron, 8.8 percent silica, and 1.74 percent alumina can be achieved at a weight recovery of 57.2 percent. Based on these results, and further in-house test works, a WHIMS installation was adopted for the recovery of iron values from the tailings in the operating plant at ArcelorMittal Serra Azul Mines, Brazil.

Feb 23, 2014

By David Estrella, Hector M. Lizama, Jhonny Carrión

"Microcel™ sparging systems were installed on one column of the molybdenum cleaner circuit and one column of the copper first cleaner circuit at Antamina. The Microcel™ system is known to generate finer bubbles than jetting-type spargers, and smaller bubbles have been associated with higher recoveries in flotation. Alternating tests were carried out on the molybdenum column, using either jetting-type spargers or the Microcel™ system. Experimental conditions of gas flow rate, wash water rate, and froth depth were tested. Use of Microcel™ decreased the bubble sizes from 2.6-2.9 mm to 1.5-2.0 mm. In addition, Microcel™ improved both unit molybdenum recovery and unit molybdenum concentrate grade. In the copper first cleaner circuit, side by side tests were carried out that compared the Microcel™ column with a parallel columns fitted with jetting-type spargers. Best results were obtained at manifold pressures of 260-290 kPa, where bubble sizes of 1.6-2.6 mm were observed. In either copper or molybdenum flotation, the Microcel™ system required only 50-60% of the gas flow used by jetting-type spargers.INTRODUCTIONAntamina is a copper-zinc mine located in the Peruvian Andes. Compañía Minera Antamina is owned by BHP Billiton (33.75%), Xstrata (33.75%), Teck Cominco (22.5%), and Mitsubishi (10%). The mine was commissioned in 2001 with a capital investment of US$2.3 billion, and has a nominal 100,000 t/d mill capacity. Mining, milling, flotation, and tailings impoundment take place at the mine site, which sits at an altitude of 4,300 m above sea level. The deposit is a polymetallic skarn ore body with intrusive phases of quartz-monzonite porphyry into Cretaceous aged limestone [Evans et al, 2005]. Ore body thickness is 100 to 150 m and has the shape of a flat-lying crescent. Copper is present mainly as chalcopyrite with a minor bornite component. Zinc is present as sphalerite. Molybdenum is present as molybdenite. Some lead, bismuth, and silver are associated with the sulphides. The deposit is currently classified into six main ore types [Dechert, 2006], grouped into two categories: copper and copper-zinc. The mill produces four concentrate types: copper, molybdenum, zinc, and lead-bismuth. Copper, zinc, and lead-bismuth concentrates are transported by pipeline down to the port of Huarmey. Molybdenum concentrates are bagged and trucked to port."

Jan 1, 2008

By R. V. Higgins

This report presents computer instructions for calculating the performance of three-phase flow of gas, oil, and water. The calculated results for an illustrative example are presented. The example is the waterflood of a reservoir containing free gas in the reservoir as a result of the partial depletion of the oil by the expansion of the gas initially in solution. The flood pattern for the example is a 5-spot.

Jan 1, 1967

By Ying Lu, Jeffrey C. Johnson, Chen-Luh Lin, Jan D. Miller, Sindhoora Puvvada

Energy dissipation and fragmentation of rock is of interest for mine-to-mill operations in order to understand breakage and to minimize energy consumption during blasting at the mine site, and comminution at the processing plant. In this regard, high velocity impact breakage of long granite cores, called bars, has been studied with instrumented strain gages to follow the energy dissipation gradient along the bar length resulting from the strain waves generated by impact. As a result of high velocity impact, three zones have been identified (fragmentation, fracture, and elastic) and these three zones have been characterized in 3D using X-ray tomography. The fragmentation zones of the granite bars were studied in detail to describe the particle size distribution and the particle shape characteristics. Finally, the experimental energy dissipation for the fragmentation zone was found to be in close agreement with the expected energy calculated from the Bond work equation, if the anisotropic granite particles are defined by length rather than by sieve size.

By P. Ulrich, V. Svalbonas

The early to mid 1980s was a period of mining consolidation, and many senior design engineers retired from the mill industry. Similar conditions have existed in the last few years. This creates a loss of a tremendous amount of experience. This paper is a look back by two senior mill designers who survived the dips in both time periods. From a continuous design practice of over 25 years, mill designs and fabrication practices are surveyed with a view of identifying what works, and is necessary, and what doesn’t, or is not necessary, in the creation of a safe, economic, long-lived grinding mill.

Jan 1, 2001

By John C. LaScola

The Bureau of Mines investigated coal storage silos to determine how gassy coal must be for methane accumulations in a silo to become hazardous and where such accumulations are likely to occur. Methane concentrations were measured in the open space above the stored coal pile, in the pile, and in the reclaiming area. No methane layering was found in closed-top silos. Reclaiming areas were as gassy as the top part of the silos. Coal samples were collected from the conveyors entering the silos in order to assess the gassiness of the coal. No simple correlation was found between the gassiness of the coal stored and the measured methane concentrations. However, at mines where the average 24-hour gas emission from the conveyor belt samples was 14 ft3/ton or more, fans or open tops were used. It appears that a large fraction of the methane released during storage remains in the void space between the coal particles.

Jan 1, 1980

By D. Brandt

The Dos Pobres Mine is a copper oxide heap-leach mine located near Safford, Arizona. Mine production is 180,000 tons (163,293 tonnes) per day with a stripping ratio of 2:1. During the startup phase of the mine, the required fragmentation size was easy to achieve as the ore was highly weathered and fractured near the surface. As the mine depth increased, the proper fragmentation size became harder to achieve due to less weathering and different rock types. Because copper recovery increases as crusher product size decreases, achieving the appropriate product size at the crusher is the operating priority. The Engineering Department started a project to improve fragmentation through blasting and thus increase throughput in the crushing system. It soon became clear that input from other departments was going to be required to make this a safe and economical project. Therefore the Crush and Convey and Ore Control departments worked together to evaluate all available data on blast patterns and explosive loads and tracked performance and results. Using image analysis, Drill Energy Index and databases, we have been able to improve fragmentation size and verify the results while controlling costs.

Jan 1, 2011

By M. T. Styles, E. Condliffe, R. C. Leake, R. J. Chapman, D. J. Bland

Paper presented at Mineralisation in the Caledonides, the Mike Gallagher memorial meeting held in Edinburgh, 27-28 June 1996. Quantitative point analysis and microchemical mapping identified 52 different types of mineral in inclusions, usually ranging in size from 5 to less than 1 micrometre, inherited from source bedrock. A combination of grain chemistry, heterogeneity and inclusions provides a grain signature reflecting the type and history of source mineralisation. Several grains from an alluvial site are needed, to allow for bedrock variation and the presence of inclusions in only 10-20% of grains. A total of 1 530 grains obtained from 30 localities in Scotland were of ten types, two of them minor variants. Two types in the Highlands may be related to centres of Caledonian igneous activity, but the most widespread is likely to have been of deep-seated origin and structurally controlled. Gold in the Ochil Hills is probably from a source associated with Devonian andesitic activity. In the Southern Uplands, grain types reflect two separate episodes of mesothermal lode gold mineralisation and relationships with Permian red beds/mafic volcanics and with Tertiary dykes

Jun 19, 1905

By J. M. Gregg, C. J. Persellin, I. D. Somerville, E. A. Atekwana, K. L. Shelton

"Zn-Pb sulfide mineralization at Abbeytown mine and Twigspark quarry comprise the only known car¬bonate-hosted base metal sulfide deposits in the Sligo syncline, northwest Ireland. Limestone sedimentation occurred uniformly throughout the region during the Early Carboniferous (Mississippian) as observed by field relationships and lithofacies; however, petrographic and stable isotope evidence indicate that host-rock dolomitization occurred under different conditions at localities to the west and east of the Ox Mountains inlier, suggesting significant uplift and geologic isolation of these areas prior to dolomitization. Localized fluid flow systems are thought to be responsible for sulfide mineralization and associated epigenetic carbonate cements. West of the Ox Mountains inlier at Abbeytown, evidence of three geochemically distinct fluids are observed: (1) a lower-temperature, lower-salinity fluid (70°-130-°C, 4-9 wt.% equiv. NaCl); (2) a lower-temperature, higher-salinity fluid (70°-140°C, 15-24 wt.% equiv. NaCl); and (3) a higher-temperature, moderate-salinity fluid (165°-220°C, 8-14 wt.% equiv. NaCl). Similar fluid types were observed at the Twigspark deposit. The source of the higher-salinity fluid is likely seawater evaporated to near the point of halite precipitation. The higher-temperature fluid is thought to have been derived from deep circulation of basinal brines. It is speculated that mixing of the higher-salinity fluid with the high-temperature fluid was vital for ore formation at Abbeytown because fluid inclusions in sphalerite have homogenization temperatures and salinity values that fall along a mixing trajectory of these end member fluids. Also, areas where the high-salinity end member fluid is absent are barren of sulfides. Less complex fluid systems are indicated for sites east of the Ox Mountains inlier where no sulfide mineralization was observed. Data from base metal sulfide prospects in northwest Ireland indicate no connection with the regionally extensive flow system thought to be responsible for Zn-Pb deposits throughout the Irish Midlands.Les minéralisations en sulfures de Zn-Pb de la mine Abbeytown et de la carrière Twigspark sont les seules gîtes de métaux usuels à encaissant carbonaté connus dans le synclinal de Sligo, au nord-ouest de l’Irlande. Ces carbonates se sont déposés d’une manière uniforme dans la région au Carbonifère inférieur (Mississippien) tel que l’indiquent les relations de terrain et les lithofaçiès; les données pétrographiques et d’isotopes stables indiquent toutefois que la dolomitisation de l’encaissant s’est faite sous des conditions différentes aux localités situées à l’ouest ou à l’est de la boutonnière des Ox Mountains, ce qui suggère un soulèvement et une isolation géologique significative de ces secteurs avant la dolomitisation. L’action de systèmes de circulation locaux sont considérés être à l’origine de la minéralisation sulfurée et des ciments carbonatés épigénétiques qui leur sont associés. À Abbeytown, à l’ouest de la boutonnière des Ox Mountains, on note les effets de trois fluides géochimiquement distincts: (1) un fluide à basse température peu salin (70°-130°C, 4-9% poids équivalent NaCl); (2) un fluide à basse température fortement salin (70°-140°C, 15-24% poids équivalent NaCl); and (3) un fluide formé à plus haute température et salinité modérée (165°-220°C, 8-14% poids équivalent NaCl). Des fluides similaires ont été observés au gîte Twigspark. La source présumée du fluide le plus salin est de l’eau de mer amenée par évaporation près du point de précipitation de la halite. Le fluide à plus haute température est probablement dérivé de la circulation profonde de saumures dérivées d’un bas¬sin sédimentaire. Il est possible que le mélange du fluide à haute salinité avec celui à haute température ait joué un rôle central dans la genèse de la minéralisation d’Abbeytown parce que les températures d’homogénéisation et les valeurs de salinité des inclusions fluide"

Jan 1, 2009

TULSA SECTION At the smoker concluding the two day meeting of the Tulsa section of the American Institute of Mining and Metallurgical Engineers, Tulsa, Okla., Feb. 26, 1919, Dr. Willis T. Lee, the new head of the Geological Department of the University of Oklahoma, was introduced to the assembled geologists and mining engineers. Dr. Lee requested that the geologists and engineers who were making a specialty of petroleum geology assist him in giving a good course in practical oil geology in the Geological Department of the University. After a motion offering the services of all present in giving lectures on their special subjects had been adopted, Dr. Perrine of Hutchinson, Kans., named the geologists who were pledged to give lectures in Dr. Lee's course. The students in geology at Norman are assured of the latest information regarding practical work in petroleum geology and will have the inspiration derived from contact with men who are actually at work upon the problems which they are studying. Dr. Lee and President Brooks of the University are to be congratulated upon the introduction of this .method of instruction. The plan thus put into operation is similar to the graduate system of coaching in athletics followed at many of the large universities; what is good for instruction in athletics should also prove good for instruction in applied geology.

Jan 6, 1919

By Bruce Mennie

PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI) operates copper and gold mining operations in a mountainous area of the Mimika regency, near Tembagapura, Papua (formerly, Irian Jaya), Indonesia. The mining and concentrating operations typically produce 240,000 metric tonnes per day of Copper and Gold ore from the combined mining of an 80,000 tonne per day (ore) block cave operation (DOZ Mine) and a 160,000 tonne per day (ore) open pit mining operation (Grasberg Open Pit). The Grasberg Open pit mine will be complete in 2016 at which time PTFI?s operations will convert to Underground. Mining operations will transition from today?s mixed surface and underground operation to full underground mining over the next 6 years. This paper reviews the history of Redpath?s relationship with PTFI, beginning with a raiseboring contract in 1981 and evolving into vertical and horizontal development contracts of up to 37,700 equivalent metres of lateral development and 4,000 metres of vertical development in 2011. An overview of the current operations (PTFI?s Grasberg Open Pit and DOZ Underground Mines) and transition period (challenges for the transition from current to future underground mines) is presented with details of development of common underground infrastructure and future mines; Big Gossan Mine, DMLZ Mine, Grasberg Block Cave Mine, and the Kucing Liar Mine.

Oct 1, 2010