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By A. R. Taylor

In recent years, thermodynamic data have been used to a greater degree than ever by the chemical and metallurgical engineer as a means of predicting and controlling chemical reactions. To satisfy the spiraling demand for basic physical data needed for the calculations, the Bureau of Mines is studying the heat capacities of a variety of chemical compounds at high and low temperatures. This paper is one of a series presenting such data. The heat capacities of two alkaline earth compounds, strontium bromide and strontium nitrate, were measured in a temperature range of 60° to 300° K. in an adiabatic calorimeter and at temperatures of 300° to about 1,200° K. in a Bunsen ice calorimeter. The construction and operation of the calorimeters are discussed in other reports.3 4 The heat-capacity data presented in this report were extrapolated to 0° K., and smooth values of heat capacity, entropy, enthalpy function, and free-energy function were calculated and tabulated at even 10-degree intervals. The enthalpy data were fitted with algebraic equations by applying the method of least squares; calculations a£ heat-capacity values, entropy, enthalpy function, and free-energy function were made at even 50-degree intervals. The heat and entropy of fusion of strontium bromide were calculated from the enthalpy measurements.

Jan 1, 1962

By Shinji Sassa, Naoki Takahashi, Eiji Kohama, Wakaki Tsuda, Hidenori Takahashi, Ikuo Towhata, Yoshiyuki Morikawa

"Abstract Deep mixing method has been employed increasingly in recent years as a countermeasure against subsoil liquefaction. Column-type solidification, however, has been thought to have little effect as a liquefaction countermeasure, because the shear deformation of unimproved soil between the columns cannot be reduced. In recent years, experimental results have been reported that imply that solidified columns can reduce the shear deformation of unimproved soil around them. A new arrangement has been proposed to mitigate lateral flow induced by liquefaction. In this study, a series of dynamic centrifuge model tests was conducted to verify the lateral flow resistance of stabilized columns. The results indicate that stabilized columns can reduce the lateral flow of liquefied ground if the column displacement and the column head rotation are restricted. This paper concludes that it is important to restrict the displacement and the rotation of the column head by surface improvement to mitigate the lateral flow of liquefied ground.INTRODUCTIONDeep mixing method has been employed increasingly in recent years as a countermeasure against subsoil liquefaction. The solidified body formed by the deep mixing method is usually block or lattice shape, composed of solidified columns that overlap each other horizontally. Lattice-type solidification has been shown to be effective as a liquefaction countermeasure despite the presence of unimproved soil inside the lattice wall, because the shear deformation of the interior soil is restrained by the wall (Suzuki et al., 1989). On the other hand, it has been thought that column-type solidification cannot reduce shear deformation of unimproved soil around columns, because the displacement of a solidified column is less restricted than that of a lattice wall. Column-type solidification has been reported to have little effect as a liquefaction countermeasure, but to be superior in terms of construction cost and applicability around existing underground structures (Koga et al., 1986). However, there are experimental results implying that solidified columns have reduced the shear deformation of unimproved soil and mitigated its liquefaction (Yasuda et al., 2003; Tanaka et al., 2003). Yamamoto et al. (2006) conducted dynamic analyses of ground improved with lattice- and column-type solidification. Their results showed that column-type solidification with an improvement ratio of more than 35% reduces excess pore water pressure generated by earthquakes. Furthermore, the new column arrangement shown in Figure 1(a) has been proposed to mitigate lateral flow induced by liquefaction. It was developed and has been verified using dynamic model testing in a 1 g field (Takahashi et al., 2010a; 2010b; 2013; Towhata et al., 2010). The stabilized columns in this configuration interrupt lateral flow in any direction, unlike those placed in square and triangular arrangements."

Jan 1, 2014

By E. H. Boswell, E. M. Cushing

The Mississippi embayment east of the Mississippi River is part of a vast geologic and hydrologic province. The abundance of water available is largely responsible for the agricultural history of the area and is perhaps the key factor in the rapidly accelerating trend toward industrialization. The multiple artesian aquifer systems that underlie the region and the alluvial aquifer along the Mississippi River are virtually undeveloped sources of fresh water in that they are yielding only a fraction of the water available. The potential yield of the 12 aquifer systems is estimated to be about 25,000 mgd (million gpd) of which only about 600 mgd is presently being withdrawn. The amount of water in storage in these systems is about 1600 trillion gal. Ground water having a dissolved-solids content of less than 500 ppm is generally available at depths of less than 1000 ft, and water having a dissolved-solids content of less than 1000 ppm is available in some places to depths of more than 3000 ft. Iron is the most common troublesome chemical constituent in the ground water. Water in varying amounts is also available from streams within the region. The amount of water which originates within the region and which leaves it as streamflow during a year averages about 50 million acre-ft (about 45,000 mgd). An additional 375 million acre-ft (about 340,000 mgd), which originated outside the region, leaves the region as streamflow during an average year. Some streams have considerable flow during periods of no precipitation and the water during these periods generally has a low dissolved-solids content. Large quantities of water from streams and waterbearing sands (aquifers) are available in the Mississippi embayment east of the Mississippi River. Most of the region is underlain by aquifer systems that will yield large quantities of water to wells, making ground water the most readily available source of fresh water. About 90% of the water used in the region is obtained from wells. Streams have been used primarily to dispose of, and dilute, wastes that have been dumped into them. The Mississippi, Ohio and Tennessee rivers, and the lower parts of the Tombigee and Yazoo rivers also serve as a means of transportation. This nominally water-rich region receives from 48 to 56 in. of precipitation in average years and is crossed by several large rivers. The largest, the Mississippi River, is the western boundary of the region discussed in this paper. The economy of the region is basically agricultural, but industry has become increasingly important since World War 11. The diversification and mechanization of agriculture have resulted in a surplus of manpower, most of which is being absorbed by the expansion of industry. Further industrial expansion probably will occur because of the available manpower, natural resources and economical transportation. Increasing demands on available water supplies will be made and the future economic growth of the region will be largely dependent upon wise utilization and management of the water resources.

Jan 1, 1969

By R. A. Westin

[Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCR's) have been widely utilised as fire-resistant dielectric coolants; in electrical equipment used in mining applicants, including transformers, capacitors, electric motors, and electromagnets. In addition, PCB's have been used in hydraulic fluids and heat-transfer fluids and are present in many oil-filled transformers. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently banned the manufacture of PCB's and equipment using PCB's, and imposed strict requirements on the continued use and disposal of existing PCB equipment. This manual discusses the EPA requirements, suggests ways to decrease the risks resulting from continued use of PCR equipment, and surveys the non-PCB equipment that is available as replacements for the PCB electrical equipment presently used in mines.]

Jan 1, 1980

By A Bax, G Wardell-Johnson, A Giblett, W Staunton

This paper presents a number of key considerations for process development testwork as a reliable basis for the inclusion of gravity separation in gold recovery flowsheets. Operating data, experiences and numerous case studies are also discussed in support of identifying best practice principles for gravity circuit design.CITATION:Giblett, A, Bax, A, Wardell-Johnson, G and Staunton, W, 2013. A review of best practice in gravity circuit design and operation, in Proceedings MetPlant 2013 , pp 272-284 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Jul 15, 2013

By H. Aykul

The choice of which mining method to use at many large surface coal mines is often dicated by what machinery is available or what experience the mine management can offer. One of the most significant surface coal mines in Turkey is owned and operated by the Turkish National Coal Board, located to the west of the city of Kütahya. The Seyitömer Lignite Enterprise (SLE) extracts low quality coal, the majority of which is supplied to an adjacent power station. The coal seems at SLE contain bands of ash which under normal mining conditions are extracted with the coal. This increases the ash content of the run of mine coal and results in lower efficiency at the power station and financial penalties for SLE. In this paper, therefore, selection of the best possible equipment and production method was identified to achieve high selective mining at SLE. The research found that two different high selective mining methods were suitable for selective excavation of the B3 seam, which were hydraulic excavator and truck and surface miner and truck combinations. It was also found that high selective excavation could provide the desired coal quality at 52% lower costs when the whole process (excavation, transportation, processing, etc.) was considered. Keywords: coal mining, surface mining, selective mining.

Jan 1, 2007

By R. Bergstrom

The implementation of a Quality Management System (QMS) or an Environmental Management System (EMS) that conforms to the standards issued by the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) no longer needs to result in a bureaucratic nightmare supported by mounds of paperwork. In this sense, this paper describes the Quality Management System that was implemented and demonstrates how the technologies that were developed can be used to satisfy other similar requirements.

Aug 25, 2002

By Allison

During the 1980’s, laboratories opened throughout the United States to serve the analysis needs of a rapidly growing asbestos abatement industry. The samples analyzed were either collected during the abatement of known asbestos-containing materials or were suspect asbestos-containing construction materials. Many asbestos analysts received minimal training and used analytical protocols that were industry specific. False positives (reporting a sample as containing asbestos when none is present) went unnoticed or had minor repercussions. The mindset of the industry was to err on the conservative side – it would be better to identify a non-asbestos fiber as asbestos than visa versa. With growing public awareness of the health hazards of asbestos, other materials began to be tested for asbestos content. Rock and ores began to be tested for naturally occurring asbestos by these laboratories using the same protocols or an in-house protocol. Analysts were given no additional training and accreditation, in most cases, it was not required. With no consistency in sample collection, testing protocol or expertise in analysis, significant discrepancies in final results can be expected. If we further complicate this scenario with misidentification of naturally occurring look-a-likes for asbestos, expensive false positives are likely. To avoid the repercussions of misidentification of naturally occurring chrysotile asbestos from look-a-like fibers in rock and ores, correct sampling and analysis protocols with more stringent scientific diagnostic criteria are needed.

Jan 1, 2005

The Round Hill gold-scheelite deposit is located three kilometres from Macraes Flat and approximately 60 kilometres due north of Dunedin, New Zealand. A mining feasibility study is currently being undertaken on the deposit by BHP Minerals (New Zealand) Limited, who are the managers and operators of a Joint Venture with Home Reef Mining Limited. BHP has a 70 per cent equity in the project area.

Jan 1, 1987

By R Cowen

Past successes of low impact mineral exploration and rehabilitation of mined areas in developed land of subdued contour provide little guidance for similar activity in more sensitive high country or mountain environments. Land management agencies and environmental pressure groups have expressed considerable concern about mineral development in these areas by land especially where the land involved has high environmental or productive values. Mineral explorers are responding with detailed proposals for integration of environmental assessment and mineral exploration at an early stage. A model programme for Fiordland National Park presented in this paper illustrates this approach.

Jan 1, 1981

By James F. Archibald

Research has been conducted for the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board of Ontario (WSIB) to characterize thin, spray-on lining materials (TSLs), as well as combinations of TSLs and conventional spray supports, and to assess their capacity for inhibiting damage created by mining-induced rockbursts. This study has been performed to assess the capabilities of such support systems for preventing rock and support material damage that often results due to rockbursting. A variety of TSLs and other spray support media were subjected to the effects of simulated rockbursting, through use of explosive detonation trials, to evaluate their damage mitigation capacity. Results have validated that TSLs and variant layer combinations may be as effective as or better than conventional support materials for mitigating rockburst or like damage in highly stressed mine environments. In civil engineering construction, and typically in underground tunneling operations where concrete linings are applied, liner deterioration is a continuing and pervasive problem that often requires expensive and time-consuming rehabilitation effort. The ability of TSLs to provide effective concrete structural reinforcement while providing sustainable resistance against underground or restricted environmental hazards, as with fires or dynamic failure events, may permit wider use of TSLs than is currently foreseen by the mining industry. Significant benefits for use of TSL materials in concrete liner rehabilitation and for concrete material protection have been assessed.

May 1, 2006

By C. Treworgy, C. Chenoworth

Geologic and technical factors such as coal seam thickness, stripping ratios, roof conditions, partings, faults, and size and geometry of the reserve block greatly impact the availability of Illinois coal for mining. Residential and commercial developments also restrict access to coal reserves in some areas. Despite the collective effects of these factors, large blocks of bituminous coal reserves suitable for efficient, low-cost underground mining remain available in Illinois.

Feb 24, 1997

By A. G. Galaitsis

This report summarizes the work performed under the USBM Contract No. J0245001. The purpose of this work was to expand and improve the scope and accuracy of the method developed under USBM Contract No. J0113056 for the prediction of the number of overexposed workers in the mining industry. A significant portion of the noise data were acquired during mine visits-that took place in the-course of this contract. These data were obtained with time-resolved dosimeters which among other things store a time history of the sampled noise for an eight hour work period. The remainder of the noise data have been obtained from MSHA files and from other BoM-sponsored projects. The report reviews the prediction model, discusses the model's assumptions and approximations, describes the function of the developed software, offers typical examples on the use of the software and includes plots of the newly acquired noise data records.

Jan 1, 1986

By Harry R. Price, Bharat Doshi, Awni Qaqish, Abdul-Ghani Mekkaoui, Thaddeus Znoy, Ramesh Shukla

In 1992, a detailed inspection of the Southfield Sewer revealed a reach of approximately 0.8 kilometers in length, located directly below the freeway lanes, which was severely distressed. Failure of this section of the sewer would result in the closing of the busiest roadway in the state as well as the potential backup of sewage into homes and spilling into nearby surface waters. As such, repair of the distressed section required development of a procedure that would not jeopardize the conveyance of flow through the existing sewer nor impede travel on the overlying freeway. Based on these constraints, the DWSD and NTH team developed a repair concept that entailed the mining of a new, 3.05-meter (10-foot) diameter bypass away from the traffic lanes. The new bypass section was connected to the existing sewer, up stream and down stream of the distressed area, using a “top down” construction approach, that required only minimal freeway closures during weekend periods. This paper, prepared jointly by the Owner, Consultant and Contractor will describe existing conditions, design considerations and construction methods.

Jan 1, 2001

By H. Yavuz

Physical modelling is one of the research tools in the understanding of the failure mechanisms and the deformations likely to be experienced by the strata during mining operations. Success of the physical models to predict the strata behaviour depends on satisfaction of the scaling requirements in modelling material used. This paper gives results from a laboratory work carried out into the factors influencing the strength and elastic properties of a physical model material to satisfy the scaling requirements determined from application of dimensional analysis to the pertinent variables affecting the deformation and failure of the underground structures. It was found that the conditions for preparing the material over its composition had a great influence on the final properties. The effect of different water quantities, sand size and mixing time upon the properties of modelling material was studied and water requirement for different proportions of sand/plaster to prepare the material was optimized. Various sand/plaster ratios of compositions were cured at three different levels of oven temperatures. Curing at low temperature produced material within the average modulus ratios ranging from 290 to 432, which are common to most rock types according to Deere?s rock classification, whilst curing at high temperature produced material within the low modulus ratios ranging from 64 to 140 depending on its composition. A combination of low and high temperature curing resulted with an increase in modulus ratio compared to high temperature curing. Curing the material at low temperature compared to other curing temperatures provided a satisfactory range of strength ratio. It has been shown that the relative amount of filler to plaster in the mix controls the frictional properties of the material and results with an increase in strength and modulus ratio of the material provided that suggested preparation and curing conditions were applied. Model material developed by curing at low temperature simulated modulus ranging from 241 to 343 and strength ratios ranging from 11.6 to14.8 of a coal mine rocks, satisfactorily.

Jan 1, 2003

By Renliang Shan

Site conditions of China?s coal roadways are complex and changeable, and scientific classification of them is the fundamental basis for coal roadway support design, with great significance for ensuring proper roadway service. Upon analysis of the issues, a commentary regarding the research progress on classification of the stability of rocks surrounding coal roadways in China has been achieved from the point of view of classification methods and indexes. The shortcomings and applicable scope of rock stability classification methods related to coal roadways have been analyzed. It has been asserted that combining artificial neural networks with fuzzy mathematics, combining fuzzy mathematics with grey theory, applying new avenues such as support vector machine algorithms or unascertained average classification, and making classification indexes more scientific are future directions for development of rock stability classification for coal roadways.

Aug 1, 2013

By M. K. Pelser

The purpose of this paper is not so much to provide a scientific study of the selection process for the perusal of other psychometrists or industrial psychologists?the purpose is to provide line management with a practical, relatively user-friendly guide to fair and scientific selection. The main areas that are to be covered are: ? Why fair and scientific selection? ? Job analysis ? The job requirement?selection technique circle ? Assessment centres in the mining industry?the Tavistock Collieries Ltd experience. Why fair and scientific selection? Seen from a line manager?s perspective, fair and scientific selection should be pursued for two main reasons: ? to remain within the ambits of the law ? to maximize the probability of selecting the potentially most productive and efficient candidate for the job.

Jan 1, 1997

By Yotamu Stephen Rainford Hara

"The aim of our work is to investigate a low energy and clean route for the recovery of copper and cobalt from complex sulphide mineral concentrates. The mineral concentrates were roasted in air, in the presence of CaO (MS + CaO + 202 =MO+ CaS04) at temperatures below 973K. The roasted products containing CuO, CoO and Fe203 were carbothermically reduced at 1073K within an hour to preferentially reduce copper and cobalt. The kinetics of reactions were studied using the thermogravimetric technique and by characterisation ofreaction products using the XRDSEM-EDX techniques. The effects of MS:CaO ratio, roasting temperatures and physical nature of the mineral concentrates were analysed. The method for capturing S02 by forming CaS04 was analysed for reuse in the process. The energy balance for the above process is compared with that of conventional continuous smelting/converting process.1.0 IntroductionCopper sulphide mineral concentrates from Zambia contains substantial amouot of cobalt. The cobalt metal content in the concentrates ranges between 0.7 and 2 % weight, which corresponds to 3 and 9 % weight copper, based on the spot price of copper ($7 386/tone) and cobalt ($31 000/tone). Although the traditional approach using a combination of roasting-leaching-electrowining steps can be applied to recover copper and cobalt from sulphide mineral concentrates [1-4], there are two major draw backs of the traditional process: (i) the S02 emitted during roasting is too lean for economical conversion for sulphuric acid manufacture, which causes serious environmental pollution. (ii) silver and gold which are normally present in the sulphide concentrates are lost out [5] because they are not leachable by H2S04 or HCl which are the common leachants. The above two problems have been overcome by adopting flash smelting in which a rich S02 gas above 20% is produced [1, 5] and successfully converted into sulphuric acid. The precious metals tend to partition to blister copper and recovered during refming. However, nearly all cobalt is lost into the slag phase uoder oxidising condition which prevails during flash smelting. It is important to note that the cobalt content in the slag can be up to 2.6 % weight [6]. The recovery of cobalt from the slag is a process which requires huge amouot of energy since the slag is smelted above 1873K [6]. With a view of minimising the amouot of energy and S02 emission during metal recovery, our investigation involves roasting the sulphide concentrates in the presence of lime and reducing the roasted samples with carbon."

Jan 1, 2013

By Thomas P. Mucho, Dennis Dolinar, Christopher Mark

Horizontal stresses are caused by global plate tectonic forces. During 1995 alone, they were largely responsible for closing two U.S. longwall mines. This paper presents six case histories from Pennsylvania. West Virginia, Kentucky and Alabama. In each case history, a mine encountered roof falls or difficult ground conditions in the headgate, caused by horizontal stress concentrations. The problems are detailed and the control measures adopted are described. In most cases, nearby longwall panels without stress concentrations were trouble-free. The paper also discusses detailed measurements made at two adjacent Pennsylvania longwalls. One headgate was oriented to avoid a horizontal stress concentration, and the other was not. Eliminating the stress concentration dramatically reduced roof support loads and roof deformation. The paper concludes that proper panel orientation and sequence is the key to maintaining headgate ground control. The optimum orientation is not parallel with the maximum horizontal stress, as previously thought but rather 200 in the stress shadow of the gob. Other stress control techniques, including artificial support, are briefly discussed.

Feb 24, 1997

This work shall consist of furnishing and driving foundation piles of the type and dimensions designated on the plans or in the special provisions including cutting off or building up foundation piles when required. This specification also covers providing test piles and performing loading tests. Piling shall conform to and be installed in accordance with these specifications, and at the location, and to the elevation, penetration and bearing capacity shown on the plans or as directed by the Engineer. Except when test piles are required, the Contractor shall furnish the piles in accordance with the dimensions shown on the plans or special provisions. When test piles are required, the pile lengths shown on the plans are for estimating purposes only and the actual lengths to be furnished for production piles will be determined by the Engineer after the test piles have been driven. The lengths given in the Engineer's order list will include only the lengths anticipated for use in the completed structure. The Contractor shall, with-out added compensation, increase the lengths shown or ordered to provide for fresh heading and for such additional length as may be necessary to suit his method of operation.

Jan 1, 1989