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By N. J. Themelis, R. V. Flint

In a four-year period between 1973-76, the Metal Mining Division of Kennecott Copper Corp. conducted a company-wide program of operations improvement which involved line and staff personnel from all company functions. Specialist teams performed detailed studies of all operational aspects at Kennecott's four copper mines and concentrators, four smelters, and two electrore-fineries. The specific recommendations that resulted may transform the Metal Mining Division into the country's lowest cost producer of copper by the mid-1980s. In this article, N. J. Themelis and R. V. Flint describe the mechanics of MMD's integrated approach to operations improvement.

Jan 6, 1979

By Clark A. Sumner

An apparatus for agglomerating fine particles was developed in 1969 as a joint effort of Stauffer Chemical and O’Brien Industrial Equipment. Commercial sized units were built for agglomerating home dishwashing detergents. Recently, as a result of further pilot development, variation of bed depth and cage configuration has resulted in a means of controlling the amount of internal classification from a minimum, producing small agglomerates, to a maximum, producing compact rounded agglomerates. Little or no external classification of discharged agglomerates is needed. At maximum internal classification the agglomerates roll on a bed of fine particles rather than the shell resulting in increased agglomerate size.

Jan 1, 1977

By W. D. Douglas, M. J. Hampshire, G. J. C. Young

This paper describes the replacement of a conventional filtration, clarification, and zinc precipitation plant by a carbon-in-pulp (CIP) electrowinning plant, with the objective of improving the recovery of gold from cyanide leached, acid plant calcines. The discussion covers early laboratory studies to the design and erection of the full-scale plant. Particular emphasis is placed on the problems encountered with commissioning and the strategies employed to solve them.

Jan 1, 1985

By D. E. Hyatt

Many flotation plants practicing pyrite depression, mills leaching gold and silver ores, blast furnace facilities, and many metal plating shops share at least one common waste-water constituent of particular environmental concern-cyanide. In free or complexed form, cyanide ion is an emotionally and technically problematical reagent whose removal from water deserves attention. The initial consideration of the fundamental nature of soluble cyanides is followed by a discussion of decomposition or removal options for simple cyanide species. Complexed cyanide reactivity is discussed as it relates to ongoing or proposed methods for the decomposition or removal of soluble cyanides. New approaches to cyanide removal are discussed.

Jan 1, 1977

The problem of applying instrument control of variables associated with lead-zinc ore treatment has been under investigation for several years at The Zinc Corp. facilities in Broken Hill, Australia. In 1959 it was decided that there was sufficient knowledge of the problem to enable specifications to be drawn up for a system to automatically control at set conditions the roll crushing, ball milling, lead flotation and zinc flotation sections. In choosing between electrical and pneumatic control systems the broad principle was adopted that if the sensing system was pneumatic the transmission and control would also be pneumatic, whereas if electrical sensing was employed, electrical transmission and control would apply. In general. pneumatic systems were preferred owing to lack of experience with, and standardization of, the electrical systems offered at the time the specification was prepared.

Jan 12, 1964

By Charles Clayton

A study of the literature shows that the greater part of research work on annealing of cold-worked iron has been for the purpose of studying the effect on grain-size and properties other than hardness. No reference has been found of experimental work of the same nature as that explained in this short paper. The material used throughout was Vismera iron, an iron containing 0.03 carbon and made several years ago by the Inland Steel Co. One-half inch stock was cut into cylinders ¾ in. long. The cylinders were then compressed for 60 sec. in a Reihle testing machine under loads as indicated below: COMPRESSION, AVERAGE LENGTH, SERIES POUNDS INCHES 1 10,000 0.693 2 15,000 .599 3 20,000 .501 4 25,000 .426 5 30,000 .378 6 35,000 .351 7 40,000 .311 Fig. 1 shows these cylinders after compression. Each series con¬sisted of 17 specimens lettered 0, B, C, D, E, E:, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, P, Q, and R. One specimen of each series was reserved for study of the properties in the cold-worked condition. The other specimens were annealed in a Hump furnace for ½ hr. at the following temperatures:

Jan 2, 1926

The Library of the above-named Societies is open from 9 A.M. to 10 P.M., except on holidays. It contains about 70,000 volumes and 90,000 pamphlets, including sets of technical periodicals and publications of scientific and technical societies. Members of the Institute, with few exceptions, are forced to spend a portion of their time in localities isolated from sources of information. To these the Library, through its Library Service Bureau, can render valuable service through correspondence; letters requesting information will receive especial attention. The Library is prepared to furnish references and photographic copies of articles on mining and metallurgical subjects; to determine the existence of mining maps, and to furnish general information on the geology and mineral resources of all countries. All communications should be made as definite as possible so that the information received may be what is desired and not include collateral matter which may not be of interest. The time spent in searching for such collateral matter will be saved, and the information will he sent more promptly and in more usable shape.

Jan 9, 1917

By Kenneth E. Kulp, Theodore Botinelly, George J. Neuerburg

Distribution of hypogene iron oxides may be useful in prospecting the Montezuma district, central Colorado, for certain metals, some of which have not been mined or sought in the district. The depletion of accessory magnetite in fresh rocks of the Montezuma stock identifies sources of ore minerals for the pneumatolytic metals, locates probable areas of possible contact-pneumatolytic deposits, and, in the altered rocks of the stock, identifies rock through which hydrothermal ore fluids have passed. Specularite veins are located in structures through which pneumatolytic ore fluids have passed and thus indicate optimal areas for prospecting. The presence of unusual amounts of vicarious metals such as bismuth, mercury, tin, and tungsten serves to identify magnetite and specularite that were involved in the pnematolytic ore process.

Jan 1, 1972

By T. F. Witherbee

The subject of an article in the Engineering and Mining Journal for October 13th, 1877, namely, Blast Furnace Treatment of Silicious Iron Ores,, is of great interest to myself, and doubtless to many others who hare been troubled with a seemingly unaccountable percentage of silicon in their pig iron. It is to be regretted that the author of the article did not give us complete details of his charges, and thus prevent a possibly fatal error in the very beginning of the discussion of the points raised in his communication. As it now stands, I think we will have to fall back upon the statement that, " every conceivable mixture of fluxes and ores (A and B) has been used." Let us first, in order to simplify the calculations, do with she

Jan 1, 1879

By Alan E. Bland, Jerry G. Rose, Thomas L. Robl

This paper describes the observed variability of the chemical composition of coal preparation plant refuse for the major producing seams of Kentucky. Both the Appalachian Coal Field of eastern Kentucky and the Eastern Interior Coal Field of western Kentucky are represented. Also reported is the variability observed in the chemistry of the coal refuse due to cleaning, and the observed chemical variations between past and present production samples. This represents part of a larger study directed toward characterization and utilization of Kentucky coal refuse.

Jan 1, 1978

By Lawrence Dykers

The paper presents a generalized history of the growth and utilization of electronic data processing in a medium- size, mining-oriented company. A brief narrative outlines a corporate wide data gathering system, its hardware and application. Responsibility areas for corporate accounting, operations control, engineering, and research program development are defined. A Synopsis of programs within responsibility areas is presented along with a review of program language requirements for each of these areas. Anticipated additional uses of computers and the programs being developed for these uses are outlined. The scope and growth of an Information Systems Department within Duval Corporation is briefly discussed. Suggestions are presented which should help minimize the problems and avoid some of the pitfalls of program development for those contemplating the initiation or revision of an electronic data processing system. The importance of lucid and comprehensive program documentation is stressed.

Jan 1, 1969

By Jerry A. Selvaggi, Richard B. Jacob

The High Gradient Magnetic Separator (HGMS), also known as the High Gradient Magnetic Filter (HGMF), is an effective device utilized in magnetic separation. This method of separation is gaining popularity in the separation of submicron material containing feebly magnetics. The most common use of this type of separator is in the removal of iron stained particles to improve the brightness of kaolin clay. Potential areas for use of this magnet include: (1) desulfurization of coal (2) the clean-up of mill effluent (3) removal of fine particulate matter from municipal and indus¬trial waste (4) desulfurization of oil Design, operation, and applications of this separator are further dis¬cussed in papers by R. R. Oder (1975), and R. R. Oder and B. I. Horst (1975). This device is a system composed of an iron enclosure of high per¬mability material housing a set of electrical coils, a canister en¬closing a magnetic matrix (stainless steel wool), an electric power supply and a hydraulic system to maintain specified operating tempera¬ture conditions. See Figure 1.

Jan 1, 1984

By J. E. Castle

THE title of this article is descriptive, but not complete, for psychological evaluation is almost as important as rigid economic evaluation. This refers to those human traits that cause people to be too optimistic about the projects they are sponsoring, to overlook obvious weaknesses, to base decisions on incomplete and inaccurate data, and to gloss over embarrassing problems. Investment of capital in a new industrial mineral project is warranted only after rigorous economic analyses based on unquestionable facts. A plunge into production cannot be justified solely because these minerals have been deposited in the ground and are therefore free. There are no specially favorable economic laws that make the business of industrial minerals more attractive than any other. The factors of supply and demand, marketing, technological changes, taxes, competition, and fluctuating prices apply as much to industrial minerals as to other business enterprises. What is more, industrial minerals are subject to the higher risks that all mining enterprises face.

Jan 6, 1958

By M. Hayri Erten

In this research the possibility of pelletizing high grade fluorsoar fines or flotation concentrates with the use of calcined colemanite as binder is investigated, and the room temperature and elevated temperature strengths of these pellets are compared with those of pellets which are obtained by using bentonite as binder. Pellets of 10-12 mm. size and having 10% calcined colemanite showed a much higher room temperature strength than those containing 5% benonite, both being endurated at 1000°C for 15 minutes. However, when the same batch of pellets were tested at elevated temperatures of 250º to 500°C, bentonite gave better results. X-ray tests showed that in the pellets endurated at 1000°C for 15 minutes the original crystal structure of fluorite mineral is preserved.

Jan 1, 1977

By Roger N. Dokken

It is well-known1-4 that Fe-Si alloys from approximately 9 to 27 at. pct Si show an ordered structure of the Fe3Si type at room temperature. Recently Meinhardt and Krisement,' through an investigation of Fe-Si alloys at room temperature by neutron diffraction, discovered that at 10.8 at. pct Si ordering of the FeSi type occurs while above this composition the normal Fe3Si-type superstructure appears. This FeSi type of ordering was also found by Davies8 as indicated by X-ray diffraction measurements on an Fe-8.7 at. pct Si alloy. Meinhardt and Krisement7 extended their neutron-diffraction work and determined the phase-boundary temperatures for both FeSi- and Fe3Si-type ordering. Ordering phenomena can also be studied by resistance measurements.4,8-11 Krivoglas and Maty-sina" carried out a theoretical development of the

Jan 1, 1965

By N. E. Grosvenor

The study of rock mechanics is becoming more important each year and several groups are currently engaged in the study of rock mechanics instrumentation and techniques that can be used to determine rock properties in place. As it becomes necessary to mine lower grade ores, larger equipment and tonnages are required, which in turn call for larger openings underground. In addition, rock mechanics studies are necessary for designing large underground openings for defense and powerhouses, and highway and water tunnels. Meramec Mining Co. has a rock mechanics program in which they are trying to develop a means of detecting ground instability prior to failure. In one case advance warning resulted in valuable lead time for back filling stopes before pillar failure had progressed to a dangerous extent.1

Jan 2, 1968

By W. C. Kerr

When Agassiz and his party of geologists commenced their exploration of the interior of Brazil and the Amazon region, one of the first and, to the last, one of the most novel and striking phenomena which met them everywhere was the great depth of decomposed or partially decayed rock in situ, which mantles, and for the most part conceals, the underlying strata. The same facts strike all geological observers from the North who happen to penetrate the middle and southern latitudes of the Atlantic States. In North Carolina, e. g., the entire middle and western regions, outside of the Quaternary clays, sands, and gravels of the East,—that is, all that portion of the State occupied by the Archæan and Mesozoic rocks,—show everywhere this peculiarity, so new to those accustomed to glaciated surfaces. Not only do the hills and slopes, the mountain chains and

Jan 1, 1880

Jan 1, 1951

By Toyohiko Hirota, Fukuo Itoh

Oil and natural gas aside, sea floor mineral resources currently being exploited in Japan are offshore sand and gravel and deep-sea manganese nodules. The mining of sand and gravel has already started. With regard to manganese nodules, the geophysical investigation and the study of the mining method are also underway. This report outlines the activity of a few Japanese firms, the Deep Ocean Minerals Association formed by some 30 private firms, Government agencies, a public corporation and two government research institutes. Researches on new exploration instruments, properties of deep-sea sediments and the mining method currently conducted by the National Research Institute for Pollution and Resources are described in detail.

Jan 1, 1976

By F. G. Loper

Simulation as a mathematical technique is not new. However, recent increases in digital computer speeds and the ease of programming with languages such as Fortran have centered a good deal of attention around simulation in the last few years. By ignoring all but the relevant characteristics of a process, a mathematical simulator may be constructed which, when fed operating data, should react as the process would. The output becomes numbers, instead of tons, however. Thus, a trial-and-error operation of such a simulator will permit management to study a major system change at little cost.

Jan 1, 1967