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By C. John Dunnicliff, Birger Schmidt

INTRODUCTION To be effective and useful, monitoring of tunnel construction must be carefully planned throughout all steps. A vital and frequently overlooked step is a clear definition of the specific purposes of the instrumentation. Most tunnel construction monitoring has in the past been of benefit to research, the advancement of tunneling practice, wittingly or not. The development of monitoring instrumentation for the benefit of the project from which the data are recovered has very significant potential for risk and cost reduction of soft ground tunneling. A systematic approach to tunnel construction monitoring, from conception to full implementation, includes at least the following nine tasks or steps: Definition of benefits and purposes; design and project specification to draw full benefits; selection of monitoring parameters; selection of instruments and writing of specifications for procurement and installation; procurement and installation; reading and maintenance; data storage and retrieval; interpretation; implementation. Some of these steps are fairly easy and resolved through the use of established theories and technologies. The difficult ones are those that require the bending of minds, those that involve changes in the ways engineers design soft ground tunnels, the way owners pay for tunnels, and the construction is managed, inspected and controlled. Performance monitoring can be of benefit to the owner, design

Jan 1, 1974

By J. F. T. Agapito, J. B. Page

This paper describes part of a geotechnical study based on stress determinations and convergence measurements conducted to assess the long-term stability of an experimental room-and-pillar oil shale mine. A rock mechanics program was initiated in 1971 at the Colony Mine as part of a large study conducted for the design of a commercial operation. The Colony Development Operation is a joint venture currently consisting of four active members; Ashland Oil Inc., Atlantic Richfield Company (Operator of the project), Shell Oil Company, and The Oil Shale Corporation. Although oil shale commercialization plans are presently suspended, rock mechanics instrumentation has been continued as part of Colony's policy in maintaining readiness to proceed with a commercial shale oil plant when national energy policies became better defined. The property is located in the southern edge of the Piceance Creek Basin in northwestern Colorado, approximately 200 miles west of Denver. Experimental mining operations were conducted from 1965 to 1972 with one of the major objectives of the pilot mine being the assessment of opening and pillar sizes for the determination of extraction ratio and life of the property. Mining was conducted in a 60 foot thick portion of the Mahogany Zone in the Parachute Creek Member of the Green River Formation, at depths of 600 to 850 feet by a one-bench system. Pillar dimensions were 58 feet by 58 feet and rooms were 55 feet wide.

Jan 1, 1977

By John Ralston, Jinming Duan, David R. E. Snoswell, Daniel Fornasiero, Jingwu Yang

The colloidal stability of synthetic silica spheres with clean, methylated and dehydroxylated sur¬faces was studied at different concentrations of dissolved gas and KCl electrolyte at a fixed pH of 4.2. A classic stability ratio/electrolyte concentration analysis shows that hydrophobic, methy¬lated particles undergo faster rates of aggregation with increasing concentrations of dissolved carbon dioxide. Similar data for hydrophilic particles and dehydroxylated particles show no change as a function of dissolved carbon dioxide concentration. Zeta potential data behave simi¬larly, showing a strong influence of dissolved gas only for methylated particles. The results are interpreted in terms of DLVO theory, with the surface-to-surface interaction dominated by the presence of very small protruding bubbles. Direct evidence for the existence of these very small gas bubbles (or "nanobubbles") was obtained using tapping mode atomic force microscopy. Small bubbles do not form on smooth, hydrophilic, or dehydroxylated silicon oxide water sur¬faces immersed in aqueous solutions under known levels of gas supersaturation. Randomly dis¬tributed small bubbles were observed over the whole surface of observation on methylated surfaces of controlled roughness. Bubbles formed on rough, methylated surfaces were larger and less-densely distributed than those on a smooth surface of similar hydrophobicity. The process of bubble coalescence was observed as a function of time. The macroscopic contact angle, measured with respect to the aqueous or gas phase, is very different from the microscopic contact angle detected by TMAFM and appears to be due to the influence of line tension at the pinned three¬phase contact line. The latter has a value of -3 x 10-10 N and acts to stabilize the small bubbles, flattening them and thereby reducing the Laplace pressure.

Jan 1, 2005

By Kegomoditswe Koitsiwe, Tsuyoshi Adachi

"This paper characterizes quarterly LME copper price fundamentals from 1995 to 2011 by analyzing the transformation of the market mechanism based on structural change perspective. Using chow test for structural change based on the least square multiple regression, we divide the price fluctuation into: Stable price period (1995Q3-1999Q2), Low stable price period (1999Q3 – 2003Q3) and Price fluctuation period (2003Q4 – 2011Q2). The results show the existence of structural breaks disproves the investigation of the full sample period as a whole. In different structural breakpoints the main drivers of copper prices changes and their impact are significantly different. Moreover, the paper examines the role of speculation in copper price fluctuations.Introduction The rise in commodities price volatility and financial and economic crisis have led to questions over the organisation of futures and physical commodities markets. Spikes in commodity prices and volatility have coincided with a surge in financial speculators in the commodity markets inspiring a polarised and hotly debate among academics and practitioners about the role of investors in the development of physical markets. In his seminal work Kaldor (1939) focused primarily on whether speculative activity in the futures markets reduces the variance of commodity spot prices. Yet, part of the literature finds that the introduction of futures contracts destabilizes the spot market. IMF (2006) studied commodities boom and its causes concluding that there is little support for the hypothesis that speculative activity affects either price levels over the long run or price swings in the short-run. The impact of speculative activity on commodity prices remains a highly contentious topic. Other market analysts take the view that the supply and demand for physical commodities remain the major determinants of market trends (Krugman 2008). It is the aim of this study to contribute to the literature by examining the drivers of copper price changes from a structural change perspective. In this context we are attempting to answer to: What are the main drivers leading to copper price fluctuations? Are these factors having the same effect in different periods or not? It is meaningful to understand drivers of copper prices and thereby, their fluctuations because it will help developing countries depending on copper export to anticipate market situation and avoid bad economic development challenges that can result from price fluctuations. Moreover, this can ensure sustainable mineral supply."

Jan 1, 2017

The Mining Foundation of the Southwest (MFSW), located in Tucson, AZ, will hold its 16th annual American Mining Hall of Fame Awards Banquet Saturday, Dec. 5,1998. The Hall of Fame recognizes outstanding contributions to the mining industry by selected individuals and industry partners. Each year, one living award recipient and up to two mining history honorees are chosen by the , Hall of Fame Committee and the Board of Governors of the Mining Foundation. In 1989, the Mining Foundation initiated a Medal of Merit to recognize outstanding individual, technical and professional contributions to the mineral industry. In 1995, an award was created to recognize contributions made by companies and organizations in partnership with the mining industry. This year's inductee, guest of honor and featured speaker will be Charles G. Preble, president and chief executive officer of Southern Peru Copper Corp. He is being recognized for outstanding performance as an executive of an American company operating under difficult circumstances in a foreign country. The Hall of Fame will induct H. Myles Jacob, former chairman and CEO of Inspiration Copper Co., for innovation and farsightedness in matters pivotal to the cop- per industry of his time. In addition, John Cromwell Lincoln, former president and chairman of Bagdad Mining Co., will be inducted for his outstanding contributions to the American mining industry. These contributions include metallurgical research and development of the Bagdad Mine as well as pioneering innovation in the electrical industry. Medals of Merit will be awarded to David N. Skillings, editor and publisher of Skillings Mining Re- view, for his dedication and support of mining interests. J. Ruben Velasco Rodriguez will also receive a Medal of Merit. He is economic geologist, professor and former secretary of the board of directors and secretary general of Compania Minera de Cananea. His medal is for fostering excellent relations between Mexico and the , United States in mining geology and management and for advancing the professional development of others in the field of earth science. An Industry Partnership Award will be presented to Stephen Bechtel and the Bechtel Corp. in recognition of Bechtel's 100th anniversary and the company's outstanding service to the mining industry. The banquet will be held at the The Westin LaPaloma in Tucson beginning with cocktails at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are available from Clare A. Roscoe, manager, Mining Foundation of the Southwest 520-577-7519, fax 520-577-7073.

Jan 1, 1998

By S. J. Czehura

The Butte quartz monzonite is the host rock for early porphyry copper style mineralization and subsequent mesothermal-epithermal, enargite-gold style veining that transects the district. The east-west Anaconda system veins: including the Emma, Anaconda-Original, Syndicate, Badger-State, and Alice-Rainbow veins, each with strike lengths of over 12,000 feet and vertical continuity in excess of 4,500 feet, along with mining widths from 5 to 50 feet, are unique to Butte. The incredible dimensions and tenor of these veins have yet to be surpassed and Butte is still touted as being the “Richest Hill on Earth.” The Anaconda Company was formed in 1895 to develop underground copper reserves in the district and eventually consolidated all operations under one company. Production from underground mining continued through the mid-1970’s. Open pit mining in the Berkeley pit began in 1955 with the extraction of supergene ores, along with the remnants of deeper horsetail zones inaccessible to the underground mines. Operations in the Berkeley pit were suspended in mid-1982 because of the rejection of high arsenic, copper concentrates at major smelting facilities throughout the world. Bulk mining of porphyry style mineralization in the Continental pit began in January 1980 to supplement copper production while stripping “C” pushback in the Berkeley pit. The Anaconda Smelter closed in September 1980. A molybdenum circuit was added to the Butte Concentrator in 1981 and mining continued in the Continental pit to produce copper and molybdenum concentrates. A blend of Berkeley and Continental ores were processed to dilute penalty metals in the final concentrates marketed to toll smelters. All mining operations ceased mid-1983 when Anaconda closed the Continental pit and offered the property for sale. Montana Resources reopened the Continental pit in June 1986 to produce copper and molybdenum concentrates. Operations were suspended mid-2000, because of exorbitantly high power prices, but resumed in November 2003 with rising metal prices. Bulk open pit mining of the early porphyry style mineralization has sustained production over the past twenty years and mining is expected to continue in the Continental pit with favorable prices. Future mining will eventually develop a 500 million-ton geologic resource incorporated in a supergene enrichment blanket situated between the Berkeley pit and the Continental pit. Grades in this enrichment blanket range in the neighborhood of 0.5% copper.

Jan 1, 2006

By K. T. Dreher, J. A. Brierley, C. L. Brierley

Water from underground uranium mines located in the Ambrosia Lake district near Grants, New Mexico, U.S.A., is treated to reduce levels of uranium, selenium, radium and molybdenum. The treatment system consists of a series of ponds and an ion exchange plant. Bacterial and algal populations present in the pond system are considered agents which actively assist in removal of the pollutants present in the water. Pondbottom sediments maintain a reducing zone and a large population of sulfate-reducing bacteria of the genera [Desulfovibrio] and [Desulfotomaculum]. Uranium, molybdenum, and selenium accumulate in the pond sediment. Stimulation of the microbial sulfate-reducing activity resulted in a decrease of soluble concentrations of these elements in laboratory systems. Predominant components of the treatment ponds’ algal flora are the filamentous [Spirogyra] and benthic [Chara]. Laboratory study indicates that [Spirogyra] is more active than [Chara] in removal of uranium and molybdenum from solution. However field-collected algal samples of both of the genera contain uranium and molybdenum. Laboratory studies indicate that death and decay of the algae in association with pond sediment does not result in return of cellbound uranium and molybdenum to the water. The algae appear to act as bio-filters for accumulation of particulate pollutants and agents for adsorption and/or absorption of soluble pollutants.

Jan 1, 1980

By Vi-Duong Dang

Lithium requirements in the next few decades for batteries and controlled thermonuclear fusion reactors (CTR) may exceed the availability of the current mineral and brine reserves. It is thus prudent to search for new reserves and resources to satisfy these and future lithium applications. The lithium content of the waters from the Smackover oil field. located in the Gulf Coast region of the United States, ranges from 100 to 500 mp/l and could represent a substantial new reserve. Experimental evidence described in the literature indicates that a specific chelating agent dipivaloylmethane (DPM), of the diketone type, has a specific selectivity toward lithium in the presence of other metal ions in aqueous solutions. Based in part on this unique property of dipivaloylmethane, a conceptual design of a full-size plant to extract lithium from the Smackover brine is presented in this paper. This study includes alternate flow-sheet development, design information on the major units of the process, energy requirements, and an economic analysis of a facility capable of producing 106 kg of lithium per year. The economics of three different process concepts depend primarily on the amount of water needing to be evaporated from the initial oil-field feed waters in concentrating the brine. The results, as a function of production rates, are indicated only in a general manner.

Jan 1, 1978

By Paul C. Miclea

With the growing urban population and the concern for traffic congestion and pollution (emissions control), public transportation is becoming more and more attractive to both city dwellers and managers. To gain access to the central area of the city, the sub- way remains the most viable alternative, despite its higher cost when compared to above ground or elevated transportation systems. There are relatively few regulations and criteria for subway ventilation, particularly when compared with mine ventilation. The main document that provides guidance and general recommendations for subway ventilation and environmental control is the Sub- way Environmental Design Handbook, published in 1976 (2nd edition) by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of Re- search and Development. Many of the subway systems in existence today have been designed and built with ventilation features adequate for normal train operation, but their design does not consider stringent criteria for such emergency conditions as a train fire in a tunnel. The National Fire Protection Association's Standard for Fixed Guideway Transit Systems known as NFPA 130 as well as the ASHRAE Handbook - HVAC Applications (1995) provide specific design and operation requirements for subway ventilation systems. Some of the existing, old subways are upgrading their ventilation systems to comply with the new regulations. The ability of a particular ventilation system design to provide adequate ventilation during normal and emergency conditions can be evaluated using computer modeling and simulation techniques. A train fire will cause a sudden change in the tunnel ventilation pattern by adding an unsteady and fast-growing source of heat. The hot air and gasses created by a fire will tend to flow uphill, possibly against the normal flow, producing a 'backlayering effect." To prevent this effect from happening, enough ventilation must be provided and the governing criterion to establish the required airflow is called 'Critical Velocity." Several software packages are available for special applications on tunnel and station ventilation as well as to model the spread of smoke and heat in case of a major tunnel fire, using Computational Fluid Dynamics. This paper presents the current issues in subway ventilation, as shared by the public transit community around the world, together with modern alternative design concepts vis-à-vis the more stringent emerging Fire-Life Safety criteria. Examples of recent studies and ventilation systems design are provided.

Jan 1, 1997

By J. J. Daniels

Advances in borehole geophysical research for mineral assaying and remote detection of mineralization away from the borehole are cited. Nuclear activation measurement research has provided accurate in situ assays of economic metals with neutron-gamma activation, using a high resolution intrinsic-germanium detector. Although nuclear activation analysis is the present "best hope" for obtaining in situ assays for some elements, gamma-gamma and magnetic susceptibility measurements can provide accurate assays for lead-zinc and magnetite, respectively. Borehole optical spectroscopy and X-ray fluorescence are being investigated as possible in situ assaying techniques for some minerals. More laboratory and field calibration research is needed before non-linear complex resistivity (NLCR) can be routinely used as a quantitative assaying tool. Field tests have shown that variations in the local geologic environment can affect the quantitative accuracy of assay values from downhole NLCR measurements. Deeply penetrating borehole geophysical methods are increasingly being used for mineral exploration as drilling costs and exploration have increased. Borehole electrical measurements have been shown to be useful for detecting conductive ore bodies that are not intersected by a drill hole. Hole-to-surface resistivity and surface-to-hole time-domain electromagnetics are demonstrated to be particularly effective for defining mineralized zones in a massive sulfide environment. Borehole gravity meters and three-component magnetometers have been developed and should prove useful for defining geologic anomalies away from the drill hole.

Jan 1, 1987

By R. V. Ramani, W. Miola

The MSHA prescribed method for the determination of quartz in airborne respirable-dust samples from underground coal mines is the P-7 method, a combination of low-temperature, radio-frequency ashing (LTA) and infrared analysis (IR). There is no prescribed procedure for quartz analysis in bulk samples of coal and host rock. Dispersive infrared (IR), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) methods are most commonly used for the analysis of quartz in powders. Several aspects of the experimental procedures, such as the preparation of the analysis sample from bulk samples, ashing techniques, scanning procedures, peak measurement location, calibration techniques, sample amounts, size consist and data interpretation, affect the results from each of the methods differently. Significant differences in analytical results obtained from X-ray diffraction (XRD) and infrared spectroscopy (IR) on the same samples are reported. All studies point to the need for reliable quartz analysis methods. In a recent research program, a procedure for preparing bulk-coal and host-rock samples for quantitative quartz analysis was developed. Further, the results from X-ray diffractometry and infrared spectroscopy for quartz content on identical samples were compared. Calibrations with pure and mixed standards were used to assess the influence of particle-size distribution, matrix and calibration on the analytical results. In this paper, several issues concerning the measurement of quartz in the samples of coal, host-rock and airborne respirable dust from mines are outlined and quantified.

Jan 1, 1996

By R. I. Yano

Analyses of trace elements in bulk ores and in chalcopyrite and other ore minerals from porphyry copper systems worldwide, including skarns and breccia pipes, reveal some key factors regarding byproduct critical elements. Petrographic and scanning electron microscope analyses combined with a laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry technique developed by the USGS on selected ores from the Mackay-Stanford Ore Deposits Collection suggest that selenium occurs as atomic substitutions in sulfides, particularly pyrrhotite (up to 430 ppm) and chalcopyrite (up to 300 ppm Se); tellurium occurs predominantly as less-than-five-micron-sized inclusions of bismuth-tellurium minerals in other ore minerals, particularly chalcopyrite; cobalt and nickel are locally enriched in pyrite (up to 7800 ppm Co and 9100 ppm Ni); gallium is locally enriched in magnetite (up to 83 ppm Ga); indium and silver are locally enriched in chalcopyrite (up to 890 ppm In and 770 ppm Ag); cadmium substitutes for zinc, particularly in sphalerite (up to 4100 ppm Cd). There is considerable variation, both between and within individual deposits, in both selenium and tellurium content in these copper ores, ranging from 0.6 to 148 ppm Se and 0.09 to 64 ppm Te. Indium tends to be high in copper ores that are also enriched in silver. At current prices, many of these elements are sufficiently enriched to warrant investigation into metallurgical recovery as byproducts of the major elements.

Feb 27, 2013

By William H. Moore

Many of the gravel deposits in Mississippi which range in age from Mississippian to Recent are being exhausted. Particularly in southern Mississippi the supplies will become very short in the near future and some use of sand will have to suffice. All methods of exploration for sand and gravel are presently being used in the State and this will be of some assistance in finding other deposits. A good supply of material for expanded clay aggregates is present in the State and will be sufficient to supply the needs of this segment of the construction industry for years to come. Crushed stone has been a minor contributor in years past and will probably become no more important in the future.

Jan 1, 1979

By Z. Sartowski, M. J. Pearse

The authors present laboratory and plant results illustrating the benefits to be gained by using chemical additives, namely flocculants and surfactant dewatering aids, in the Bayer process. Advantages of synthetic flocculants over starch are illustrated in terms of more efficient solid/liquid separation in both the initial settling of blow-down slurries and in the CCD wash train. In addition, it is shown that the use of synthetic flocculants considerably reduce the levels of organic contaminants present in the process liquor. Secondly, very significant improvements in moisture removal were obtained by the application of dewatering aids to hydrate filtration/ washing operations.

Jan 1, 1984

By Terry P. McNulty

During the last 30 years, at least ten authors have dealt with startup ("ramp-up') times for minerals beneficiation, hydrometallurgical, and/or pyrometallurgical plants. Most have attempted to identity the reasons for delays and some have suggested attributes common to successful startups, as well as those shared by unsuccessful ones. The most recent has advanced a project characterization matrix as a predictive tool for qualified users. This paper will summarize past work, will review cause and effect, will outline an approach for refining our ability to avoid costly delays, and will seek guidance from professionals most likely to use such a tool. INTRODUCTION During the last few decades, many billions of dollars have been lost by investors in mineral industry projects that did not perform as well as their developers had hoped. The most common form of failure has been the inability to generate a profit quickly, and delayed achievement of planned production rate has been the chief cause. Minerals processing projects are by no means the only kind of plant to suffer from startup delays, as some authors cited in this paper considered inorganic chemical plants and other types of facilities. Furthermore, mines are not without fault and there have been many that were closed after years of disappointing performance. However, our interests as a group are most sharply focused on mineral processing and our database for such projects is relatively extensive. It is sufficient to say that the conclusions made or repeated in the following text can be readily extended to most types of projects.

Jan 1, 2004

By Patricia O. Milley

Two years ago, AlliedSignal embarked on a journey to improve QUALITY. However, the focus of this endeavor was on the CUSTOMER and not the traditional product focus. It wasn't that a focus to improve product quality wasn't fruitful in the past. We've practiced it in the chemical industry for many years with significant results. But our industry today is in a survival mode and yesterday's way of doing business is simply not good enough. In the mining industry, we have to make lug strides in how we do business or face losing our customer base. As you are well aware, other parts of the world are importing our technology at a rapid rate. We must work smarter to stay ahead of our customers ever more demanding need for higher quality at lower prices. With this as a driver, throughout the Corporation we reviewed in depth how we support our customers to keep them competitive and sought to eliminate work which did not help them reach this goal. Our first year of emphasis was on tools: how to hold meetings, gather data, and how to make decisions. This sounds very basic, I know, but you can't begin to imagine how productive meetings can become when you start with an agenda and prework delivered days in advance, and agree at the start of the meeting what should get accomplished. In the second year, we applied these tools to our work processes. We mapped how we do our work, scrutinized each step for value to the customer, and then set to work on how we could do things better. The areas we concentrated on were customer linked commercialization of new products, manufacturing and materials management. Our discussion today will focus on the commercialization of new products.

Jan 1, 1994

By Kenneth K. Humphreys

INTRODUCTION At the time the 4th edition of this book was published in 1979, the coal industry had experienced a sharp upturn in prices for its product. From 1950 throgh 1969, steam coal prices had held almost flat at about $5 US per st (about $5.50/t). Thus, when considering the effects of inflation, the price of coal had actually been declining for two decades. The passage of the Coal Mine Health and Safety Act in 1969 and its cost effects started an upward trend in coal prices which was rapidly accelerated by the effects of the Mid-East oil embargo in 1972. Prices of steam coal on the spot market eventually climbed to over $30 US per st ($33/t) and higher in some cases. Metallurgical coal prices skyrocketed in a similar manner and the industry at long last appeared assured of an adequate return on investment. Many companies did expend large sums of money to upgrade and expand their mining and preparation facilities. Unfortunately the bubble eventually burst, in great measure due to the downturn in the US domestic steel industry and the resultant decline in metallurgical coal demand, loss of export markets to other nations and even imports of large amounts of foreign coal to the United States, and more stringent environmental regulations which made many high sulfur coal measures uneconomical to mine. Compounding the problem was the rapid world decline in oil prices in the mid-1980s which encouraged many consumers to utilize oil rather than coal. During the 1980s, metallurgical coal dropped over 20% in price, which, when considering inflation, actually amounted to about a 40% decrease in value. Export coal decreased a similar amount in price. Steam coal prices held nearly constant, thus also losing considerable value when inflation is considered. All of these factors make it even more imperative than ever that the industry do everything in its power to make wise economic decisions and to examine carefully all existing operations and planned future expenditures to be certain that their full cost implications are understood and that they can be justified on the basis of an adequate return on investment. It cannot be assumed that the price of coal will increase. To the contrary, as indicated previously, when considering inflation, coal decreased in value in the 1980s, just as it also did in the 1950s and 1960s. The price surges in the 1970s merely were a catchup game, and in truth the true market value of coal is in reality even lower than it was in 1950. CAPITAL AND OPERATING COST ESTIMATION Prior to constructing a new plant or expanding existing facilities, a detailed preliminary cost estimate is necessary to determine the capital investment

Jan 1, 1991

By G. Camposano, J. Aponte, B. A. Ferguson

The paper covers mining operations and preparation of the ore prior to metallurgical treatment in the Process Plant. Mining operations are primarily concerned with the delivery to Ore Preparation of a balanced ore feed within fairly rigid specifications as to both ore type and chemical analysis. The mining method, systems of geological and engineering control, and the equipment employed are therefore reviewed in this context. In Part One of the paper the physical and geological characteristics of the orebodies, including the varied nature of the ore itself, are first described. Orebody evaluation, the calculation and classification of ore reserves, mining planning and forecasting to ensure continuity of production are covered, and the particular problems presented by sampling, the erratic distribution of ore values and the variation in the density of the ores are also mentioned. Mine design and ore excavation practice are described, together with the way in which they have evolved with recent developments in modern mining equipment. In Part Two of the paper, a detailed description of the Ore Preparation plant is given, centred around the concept of rubbling as a means of separation of the barren hard boulders from soft lateritic ore. Ore blending and ore reclamation operations are explained followed by a detailed description of the drying and crushing plant. The importance of the control of moisture content and ore sizing in the feed to the metallurgical plant is emphasized.

Jan 1, 1979

By Kostas Fytas, Sebastien Perreault

This paper presents EOLAVAL, an integrated mine ventilation design software. In its new expanded version it is a user friendly and fully interactive computer package. The features of the new version are a graphics interface fully compatible with Autocad files, an integrated database of fan characteristics and the optional use of the thermodynamic approach in carrying out network simulations. This software can be used in underground mine ventilation planning: mine ventilation network analysis and simulation, economic design of airways, auxiliary ventilation design, calculation of a mine air heating plant, and evaluation of the natural ventilation and pressure losses in a mine shaft. This paper presents a case study illustrating the use of the computer package in mine ventilation design.

Jan 1, 2002

By R. L. King

An expert system is a computer system that performs tasks that are considered by most people to require human expertise. Since their functioning relies heavily on large bodies of knowledge, they are often referred to as knowledge-based systems. These systems can contain the skill and knowledge of an individual human expert or the combined knowledge of a group of experts. The knowledge embodied in an expert system can consist of specific facts, HSHA regulations, heuristics or rules-of-thumb used by the expert, and databases. The purpose of this paper will be to introduce the participants in the ?Increase Competitiveness Thru Innovation? session to expert systems. This introduction will enable the participants to better appreciate the balance of the papers to be presented in this session. These papers will deal with specific mining problems and a proposed innovative solution. This paper will discuss such topics as problem-solving paradigms, rules of inference, knowledge representation, and the structure of expert systems.

Jan 1, 1989