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By J. C. Danza Errico

The bauxite deposits on the Pocos de Caldas Plateau in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, were formed by the differential weathering and leaching of alcaline rocks in a ring structure. Their action on steep topography formed heterogeneous ore posture and chemical grades. Variographic analysis of several of these deposits show nested structures that are probably related to ore genesis. Kriged ore reserves estimation are presented with emphasis on the data pro cessing method that was employed. Programs were written in APL. Its intrinsic use of matrices contributed to faster programming and less computer time. In many cases looping was eliminated. The high resolution graphic resourses of APL. workspace facilitated programming of variogram analysis, fitting, and regularization. APL sub-routines are presented for variogram calculation and kriging.

Jan 1, 1986

By C. Orf. Chukabarah

Erratic behavior in convergency during iterative numerical-method evaluation of mine ventilation fan characteristic curves is one of the common problems encountered in mine ventilation network analysis. Five different sets of mine fan data points, that had resulted in unsatisfactory fan characteristic curves, were re-analyzed in the present study, using an embedded mine network optimization computer program. Current results revealed that all five fan data sets not only can be satisfactorily fitted as Yang (1992) did with MFIRE subprogram, but can further be optimized with unique solutions as implemented in the present study. It was concluded, inter alia, that the improved MFIRE-based mine fan curve-fitting computer subprogram (SPLINE) produces satisfactorily similar fan curves as SPSS-based curve-fitting algorithms, including when the latter method uses either standardized or unstandardized fan curve data sets.

Jan 1, 1993

By Athorn Mary-Lee, Randall A. Snowdon

During the development of the Selby Coalfield, UK, a Robbins full-face tunnel boring machine (TBM) and a Thyssen Titan roadheader were used to drive a pair of parallel spine roadways. This paper presents a summary of the comparative operational and cutting performance of both the Titan road- header and the Robbins TBM. Statistical techniques were employed to identify relations between machine performance and geotechnical parameters.

Jan 1, 1986

By C. R. Jenkins, G. S. Taylor

Three sedimentation ponds had their performance evaluated before and after installation of modifications. Each pond had a floating baffle installed, two had siphon outlets, and one had a floating outlet device. Baffles inhibited short circuiting, and the outlet devices retarded flow following a rainfall event and drained the pond, creating a large storage volume to maximize detention time. Total suspended solids and settleable solids tests were measured on samples of influent and effluent to evaluate pond performance. Particle size analyses were conducted on samples containing measurable amounts of solids. Performance improved in each pond, with baffles providing the major improvement.

Jan 1, 1987

By F. Figge, T. Hahn

In this article we present Sustainable Value, a valuation methodology to assess sustainable value creation of companies. Sustainable Development posits that decisions must not only take into account economic capital but also natural and social capital. Sustainable Value, the methodology presented in this paper, borrows the idea from financial economics that the return on capital has to cover the cost of the capital. Capital costs are determined as opportunity costs, i.e. the forgone return that would have been created by an alternative investment. By expanding the well established logic of the valuation of economic capital in financial markets to also cover natural and social capital we provide a methodology that allows an assessment of the most efficient allocation of economic, natural, and social capital for sustainable value creation in companies. We demonstrate the practicability of the methodology by the valuation of the sustainability performance of British Petroleum (BP).

Jan 1, 2005

By James H. Lammers

Over the years, the chemical processing industries have con­tinued to move from batch to continuous processing in order to obtain better quality control, simpler designs, and often reduced capital and operating costs. One exception to this trend has been the carbon elution circuits in the gold industry. Although some successes have been achieved on a pilot scale, no continuous elu­tion circuit using Anglo American Research Laboratory (AARL) methods has ever been used on a commercial scale until now. This paper describes the continuous elution circuit which was recently commissioned at a major gold project. The paper also presents the economic justification for the selection of the process over conventional batch technology.

Jan 1, 1998

By R. Z. Pyrih

Pressure/ ,acuum lysimeters were used to instrument column tests containing several lifts of tailings slurry, and to sample pore water as the tailings lifts dried. The results of the column testwork demonstrated that air oxidation of sulfide minerals associated wilh the tailings residue neutralized the alkalinity of the tailings pore water. Neutralization of the alkaline pH volatilized cyanide which, in turn, destabilized copper-cyanide complexes and caused the precipitation of insoluble copper from solution. Analyses of pore water samples for microbial activity indicated high plate counts. The presence of viable microorganisms in the pore water implied that degradation of cyanide was enhanced by growth and activity of cyanide-consuming microorganisms in the tailings material.

Jan 1, 1991

By Andy J. Robinson, Mark D. Claassen

Railroad companies and transit authorities have been slow to acknowledge that for many—utility crossings, a direct pipe installation below live rail can be just as effective as a more intrusive traditional cased crossing. Properly designed and specified pipe jacking work, and specifically pressure-balanced microtunneling, coupled with careful specification and analysis of geotechnical monitoring and, where necessary, ground improvement measures, can produce a low-risk, low ground movement solution to the needs of utility companies and municipalities whose services need to pass below urban and rural rail corridors. This paper discusses the design, geotechnical and ground improvement aspects of microtunnel crossings below active heavy and light rail lines and crossings beneath active subway tunnels.

Jan 1, 2003

By Tracy Braun, Dan Lampshire

Over the past decade, heap leaching at Cortez has evolved from a rather small operation producing around 30,000 ounces per year of gold to an operation scheduled to produce over 400,000 ounces in 2004. Evolution and expansions in the heap leach operations are discussed including plant design criteria and some of the design features in the various facilities. Operating parameters and production forecasting are also discussed.

Jan 1, 2005

By V Leus, J. Kallioinen

The large size of the modern flotation cells and the high product flow rate from them has increased the importance of optimal flotation of all the particle sizes and of process control. By treating all the subprocesses of flotation separately a new family of flotation cells and a new concept of optimizing the flotation of coarse and fine particles in separate units but in the same row of flotation cells has been developed. The paper discusses the possibility to enhance coarse particle flotation by varying the froth residence time. A function has been developed between the residence time of the froth, air rate and the froth removal rate of coarse apatite particles. The response of apatite flotation to different control variables has been studied and modelled. The results show that the BPL assay response depends not only on the control variable used but also on the feed assay to the cell. There exists an feed assay dependent region within which the froth assay can be controlled by using the froth residence time as the control variable. These regions can be used to tune a rougher-multistep cleaner circuit to optimal.

Jan 1, 1993

By Jean-Guy Deschamps, Allen H. Gipson

Profitability of heap leaching projects could be greatly improved if heap heights were significantly increased. Currently, heaps have been designed to a maximum height of approximately 450 feet. Higher heaps reduce ore processing costs by handling greater quantities of ore per unit area of pad. In areas with high rainfall, higher heaps also offer the benefit of a reduced catchment area resulting in less meteoric water to manage. The concern with high heaps is the functionality of geosynthetics and piping under extreme loads. Knight Piesold in Denver has developed the capability to test geosynthetics and collection piping under loads equivalent to those imposed by

Jan 1, 1996

By Richard W. Jolk

A pollution control equipment exemption which reduces the fair and equitable taxable value of a mine property is allowed under Nevada Revised Statute (NRS) 361.077 and must be filed in accordance with the filing requirements of NRS 361.155. USMX Nevada Operations annually saves a substantial amount of State property tax dollars by taking advantage of this tax exemption. The State documents received by USMX and the documents filed by USMX are reviewed in this paper. The application filed by USMX exhibits the format and detail used to obtain this tax exemption and the extent to which environmental control equipment may be claimed.

Jan 1, 1993

By Tad S. Golosinski

The paper presents the computing stream of the mining engineering curriculum at he Western Australian School of Mines (WASM), a branch of Curtin University of Technology. Learning to use computers begins during the first semester of the initial year of studies and culminates in the Mine Design Project done during the last semester of study. It covers all areas of computing which are judged to be of importance to the graduate.

Jan 1, 1996

By Robert Stauffer, John Frostiak, Rein Raudsepp

Placer Dome's Campbell Red Lake Mine in Balmertown, Ontario produces a refractory gold flotation concentrate containing the sulphide minerals arsenopyrite, pyrite and pyrrhotite. In 1991, the existing concentrate roasters will be replaced with a pressure oxidation plant based on Sherritt Gordon technology to update the facilities and to satisfy environmental requirements. A successful continuous pressure oxidation miniplant program was conducted by Sherrill Gordon in late 1989 which formed the basis for the design of the commercial plant. The paper summarizes the Campbell operation and the environmental aspects of the project, and discusses the results of the miniplant program and the design of the commercial plant. The capital cost of the pressure oxidation plant and the process operating costs are also presented.

Jan 1, 1990

By Jerry Kolstad

The Stillwater Mining Company Base Metals Refinery (BMR) leaches a PGM bearing nickel/copper smelter matte to produce a concentrated platinum/palladium filtercake. The BMR employs a two-stage sulfate based leaching process. The first stage (nickel atmospheric leach circuit) leach is performed under atmospheric conditions at elevated temperature to leach the majority of the nickel present in the matte feed. Approximately 85% of the solids mass fed to first stage leach report to the second stage (pressure leach circuit) leach. The pressure leach circuit consists of two batch autoclaves in parallel. Each autoclave has a separate feed tank. This paper will describe the second stage leaching process and report associated operating costs.

Jan 1, 2000

By F. Sachanidis

The lignite surface mines of Ptolemais basin operate according to special environmental terms regarding the concentrations of heavy metals and trace elements in water discharges. Based ?n the results of lab analyses and in-situ measurements conducted so far it is concluded that the concentrations of heavy - toxic metals and other trace elements are low or negligible. The deviations from the upper concentration limits specified by laws and regulations are rare and non-systematic both on their spatial or temporal distribution. The same results prove also the relation between water quality and type and nature of the sediments forming the Ptolemais basin and the carbonated and metamorphic rocks forming the surrounding mountain areas.

Jan 1, 2006

Contents

Jan 1, 1985

By Lynn B. Hales

Flotation performance varies widely as feed conditions change. Maintaining metallurgical targets has proven almost impossible without automatic control. Traditional control methods and procedures are inadequate. Using on-line x-ray analyzers, reagent control and accurate froth level control with flotation models and "Expert" computer control systems has improved metallurgical performance significantly. Examples of actual plant cases are described as well as the expert system methodology.

Jan 1, 1989

By D. W. Alexander

Mine fires, explosions, spontaneous heating and inundations are among the leading causes of catastrophes (unplanned, temporary sealing and recovery of major mines). Many reports are available that detail company efforts to re-establish mining operations and agency efforts to regulate away the causes, but the associated costs are rarely included. The increasing scale of coal operations concentrates earning potential and the financial risk of business interruption in fewer locations. Underground coal mine catastrophes are low probability, high loss events that happen nearly every year. This paper will present an evaluation of coal mine catastrophes from case studies.

Jan 1, 2003

By J. L. Weaver

The spiraling rate in phosphate rock demand during the period 1957 to 1967 led producers to expect a continuation of a high growth rate. Consequently they expanded production capacity to meet the expected demand. Both the domestic and the world demand has shown little growth over the past three years. Florida producers operating at less than 75% of installed mining capacity, produce all that their markets will absorb. We expect that the nest few years will bring only a slight improvement in this condition. An increased demand in the domestic agricultural market will be partially offset by a continuing erosion in the export market.

Jan 1, 1972