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By E. Turner

In a joint exercise, the European Commission, (led by DG Enterprise), the EU Member States, the various sectors of the Extractive Industry, and WWF have developed a set of Sustainable Development Indicators specific to the non-energy extractive industries. Of equal significance, a Voluntary Scheme for publicly reporting the data has been created. This paper presents these indicators at the company level and explains the role of companies and trade federations in establishing the reporting process. This has been achieved in just 18 months and the paper identifies 6 Success Factors, which have made this possible. It is believed this is the first Scheme of its kind to be put into place and to have begun operation. It is a model for co-operation between government, the NGO sector and industry. The first set of data, based on the reference year 2001, has been gathered. The SD performances of the European Minerals Industry will be publicly reported on for the first time, on the basis of these 2001 data by industry sub-sector. The Member State level Indicators will follow to complete the picture.

Jan 1, 2003

This paper talks about the experiences of groups we have worked with over the last few years in the Asia-Pacific region (Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea) and the ways that they have worked to bridge the divide between traditional and introduced structures, governance at a regional level and the introduction of traditional values into monitoring and evaluation practices. In doing this these groups have created structures and processes which have helped them engage both more effectively with external stakeholders while maintaining the legitimacy of their own operations with their own constituents. These are important ideas for those involved in the mining industry that could provide a number of very tangible benefits to mining firms and their engagement with these kinds of groups.

Jan 1, 2009

By Sean Dessureault

Information technology (IT) initiatives in the past have tended to be sold on their ability to maximize resource output and return on capital by using assets more effectively and efficiently. Many IT projects fail, not delivering return on their investment. This is known in the IT industry as the ?productivity paradox,? where increasing investments in IT do not result in comparable increases in productivity. Experiences and studies of most business sectors reveal that this paradox is rooted in the false assumption that more IT spending automatically results in financial benefit, whereas the true source of benefits is in how effectively IT is used. Most business sectors have accepted that the reengineering of processes is required to gain the full benefits promised of IT. A mining operation has organizational processes similar to most business sectors but unique operational processes. The lessons of changing business practice in more common business processes such as inventory control and customer-supplier relationships can be adequately transposed into a mine. The unique operational processes in mines, in turn require unique redesign efforts. Several enabling information technology opportunities have recently become available, such as more integrated mine production management systems and tactical manger training simulators. This paper reviews the latest IT products and ou lines the processes and kinds of change that will be required in order to benefit from these new investment options.

May 1, 2002

By G. Lipsett, S. Dessureault

Information technology (IT) initiatives in the past have tended to be sold on their ability to maximize resource output and return on capital by allowing assets to be used more effectively and efficiently. Many IT projects fail, not delivering return on their investment. This is known in the IT industry as the “productivity paradox,” where increasing investments in IT do not result in comparable increases in productivity. Experiences and studies of most business sectors reveal that this paradox is rooted in the false assumption that more IT spending automatically results in financial benefit, whereas the benefits are in how effectively IT is used. Most business sectors have accepted that re-engineering of processes is required to gain the full benefits promised of IT. A mining operation has organizational processes similar to most business sectors, but unique operational processes. The lessons of changing business practice in more common business processes, such as inventory control and customer-supplier relationships, can be adequately transposed into a mine setting. The unique operational processes in mines, in turn, require unique redesign efforts. Several enabling information technology opportunities have recently become available, such as more integrated mine production management systems and tactical manager training simulators. This paper reviews some of the latest IT products and outlines the processes and kinds of change that will be required in order to benefit from these new investment options.

Jan 1, 2009

By Lawrence C. Schneider

In the past decade regulations governing the manufacture, distribution, storage, and use of explosives have proliferated. These laws have been developed by a host of federal agencies with no coordination. The result has been contradictory and impractical standards, which once adopted, are resistant to change or repeal. The current OSHA standards are one example which is examined in detail. The Commonwealth of Kentucky has made progress in modifying these standards, and still providing protection to the blaster and the public.

Jan 1, 1981

By Paul D. Tomlingson

World class performance is the ultimate objective of many maintenance organizations. It marks the organization as a leader in its industry and sets it apart as the ultimate achiever. But what is a “world class” standard and how can it be achieved? Is there a yardstick by which an industrial organization can measure the relative performance of its maintenance activity and compare it with performance levels that universally identify “world class” status? Are there financial formulas, achievements, evaluation techniques or indices that provide this yardstick?

Jan 1, 2006

By Verya Nasri, Mehdi Bakhshi

"Fiber reinforcement has emerged as an alternative to steel bars in precast concrete segments due to advantages such as saving cost and reducing production time while developing a more robust product with improved handling and long-term durability. ACI recently drafted a new report as the first design guideline on FRC tunnel segments to provide specific guidance for this emerging technology. ACI document offers general information on the history of FRC precast segments from tunneling projects throughout the world; a procedure for structural analysis and design based on governing load cases, and a description of the material parameters, tests and analyses required to complete the design. This paper summarizes the design considerations in this ACI guideline prepared by the authors of this paper as the main contributors. Application of this guideline to design of a tunnel with an internal diameter of 5.5 m (18 ft) results in elimination of steel bars.INTRODUCTIONPrecast concrete segments are installed to support the tunnel excavation behind the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) in soft ground and weak rock applications. The TBM advances by thrusting off the completed rings of precast concrete segments that provide both the initial and final ground support as part of a one-pass lining system. These segments are typically designed to resist the permanent loads from the ground and groundwater as well as the temporary loads from production, transportation and construction. Tunnel segments are generally reinforced to resist the tensile stresses at both the Serviceability (SLS) and the Ultimate Limit States (ULS). With traditional rebar, a significant amount of labor is needed to assemble the cages and place the rebar, which results in higher production costs.Fiber Reinforced Concrete (FRC) can be used to enhance the production, handling, and placement of precast concrete segments. This is because of the uniform dispersion of fibers throughout the segment to include the concrete cover, which is very advantageous for resisting the bursting and spalling stresses. These stresses develop as a result of the high loads induced on the segments during the TBM jacking process. The presence of fiber in the concrete matrix helps mitigate against unintentional impact loads during segment handling and tunnel construction operations."

Jan 1, 2016

By D. R. Taylor

Treatment of bentonite clay with mineral acids yields a modified clay product of high surface area and acidity which exhibits enhanced adsorptive and catalytic properties. A highly specialized segment of the clay industry based on this process has evolved into worldwide business with a capacity of about one-half million tons/yr. This paper will present data on the chemistry, mining, manufacturing and applications for acid- activated clays.

Jan 1, 1986

By Rudolf Fahn

Bentonites are best suited for the preparation of acid activated clays with efficient adsorption properties. They are weathering products of acid volcanic ashes and their natural deposits are world-wide spread. The main constituent of bentonite is the aluminium hydrosilicate nontmorillonite with a high ability to swell. Süd-Chemie owns bentonite deposits in Germany and subsidiaries in Italy, Mexico and Arizona.

Jan 1, 1979

By R. Fahn

Bentonites are best suited for the preparation of acid activated clays with efficient adsorption properties. They are weathering products of acid volcanic ashes and natural deposits are spread worldwide. The main constituent of bentonite is aluminum hydrosilicate montmorillonite with a high ability to swell. Physical and Chemical Properties of Montmorillonite The clay mineral montmorillonite is named after its place of discovery, near Montmorillon in southern France. The structure of this clay is shown in [Fig. 1]. The montmorillonite crystal consists of about 15-20 silicate plates. Each silicate plate is composed of three layers. The central one is formed by aluminum or by ferric hydrate octahedrons, the two outer ones consist of silicon dioxide tetrahedrons. In the presence of water, the montmorillonite crystal swells and water molecules become deposited between individual silicate layers. Two types of natural bentonites are known: the Western type, which is a natural sodium bentonite (high swelling grade), and the Southern type, an alkaline earth or calcium bentonite (low swelling grade). Southern bentonites have efficient adsorption properties of their own. They are called natural active earths or fullers earths. Acid Treatment of Bentonite Under the influence of a mineral acid, the exchangeable alkaline earth ions of bentonite are substituted by hydrogen ions. Moreover, depending on the acid concentration, temperature, pressure, and reaction time, a more or less pronounced leaching process takes place. Thereby Al-, Fe-, and Mg-ions are extracted from the octahedron layers. This results in a change in the crystalline structure of montmorillonite and in an increase of its specific surface area and porosity, as shown in [Fig. 2].

Jan 1, 1983

By Robert J. McNally

There are three primary plant nutrients-nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium--expressed in any fertilizer compound as percent N, percent P2O5, and percent K20, in that order. This article will be concerned with the first two. The chief source of P205 is phosphate rock. As found in the western states phosphate rock is essentially tricalcium phosphate-calcium fluoride (fluorpatite). As such, it is quite water insoluble. The principal phosphate fertilizer used is single superphosphate, produced by reacting sulfuric acid with phosphate rock in the proper proportions.

Oct 1, 1956

By C. J. Brown

Since its commercialization thirty years ago, the Recoflo® short bed ion exchange process has been extensively utilized for the recovery of a wide variety of acids and metal salts. In addition to a reduction in resin bed height from 200 cm to 300 cm to 15 cm to 60 cm, the process has a number of features such as utilization of fine mesh resins in a compressed bed which together make it ideal for a number of applications. The process has been extensively exploited, for example, in the metal finishing industry for recovery of valuable chemicals from electroplating, anodizing, etching and pickling wastes. More recently, it has also been applied in the primary metals industry for purification of copper electrolytes and metals recovery from leachates. The paper discusses several of these applications and some of the issues that were found to be key to their success.

Jan 1, 2004

By Collins D. N

The Olympic Dam Copper Smelter Acid Plant is a hybrid plant capable of producing sulphuric acid from either sulphur burning, metallurgical gases or a combination of both. Commissioning of the Acid Plant on sulphur burning commenced in early April 1988 and commissioning on combined sulphur burning and metallurgical gas commenced in August 1988. During commissioning on sulphur burning a number of acid spills occurred due to balancing of tower flows and control of acid dilution. A number of other significant problems were encountered including failure of boiler gaskets, failure of strong acid pumps seals, the fracture of the teflon dilution water injector and the subsequent failing of the acid circulation pump, tank steel failures and various instrumentation problems. The Commissioning of the Acid Plant on metallurgical gases commenced in August and with the exception of the production of oleum in the boiler economizer was relatively trouble free. Oxygen Plant commissioning commenced in May 1988 and was without significant incident. An outline of the basic equipment for the Acid Plant and Oxygen Plant is presented together with aspects associated with the commisisoning of both plants.

Jan 1, 1989

By T. Patten

Inter-Mountain Labs, IML, performed a study comparing mining waste rock sample analysis by Net Carbonate Value (NCV) and Modified Sobek acid-base accounting procedures. The study looked at 468 waste rock samples and compared the data for Neutralization Potential (NP), Acid Generation Potential (AGP), Net Neutralization Potential (NNP), and the ratio of NP/AGP. The study found that a majority of the samples were below 50 Tons CaCO3/kTons. This subset of ?low-level? samples was also examined separately for Acid Base Accounting parameters. The analysis compared the NCV procedures to the Modified Sobek procedures and concludes that the NCV procedures are as protective of the environment as Modified Sobek procedures.

Feb 27, 2013

By M. Misra

The removal of lead and other heavy metals present in an active US Army small arms firing range soil was evaluated in a pilot scale test program at Ft. Polk, Louisiana. Two different acid based extraction processes in conjunction with conventional physical separation methods were used. Physical separation processes consisting of screening and gravity operations removed most of the coarse lead particulates and slugs. Hydrochloric acid leaching followed by precipitation of lead as hydroxide recycled clean soil containing less than 500 mg/L. total lead and less than 5 mg/L TCLP lead. Lead extraction efficiency with hydrochloric acid was 96 percent. The results of lead removal by physical separation in conjunction with acetic acid leaching were not consistent over the whole test period and the total soil processed.

Jan 1, 1998

By S. A. Braley

Drainage of acid mine water into surface streams of coal mining areas is one of the most serious problems of stream pollution, since there is no known method that completely prevents its forming and no economically feasible treatment after it has formed. The mine acid problem differs from other pollution hazards because acid production does not end with cessation of mining but actually becomes more evident when pumping is stopped. The acid problem in the Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, and Kentucky bituminous coal areas of the U. S. began with the first operation in 1761, and the volume of acid discharge today is largely the cumulative result of years of mining. Provided they lie above the drainage area, the oldest mines, now long abandoned, are almost without exception producing acid in the same manner as those now operating or recently abandoned.

Mar 1, 1956

By J. Lu

The impact of acid treatment in agglomeration/acid curing on copper extraction and acid consumption was investigated with respect to acid dosage and moisture. Without the addition of water, no agglomeration occurred. At an acid dosage above 15 kg/t, the acid was not completely consumed during acid curing. With the addition of 6.2% water, the particles agglomerated together. Copper, iron, magnesium and manganese were dissolved as sulfates and enriched in the fine fraction of the ore. The copper extraction and net acid consumption increased with increasing acid dosage. The copper extraction for acid curing with the addition of 6.2% water was higher than that without the addition of water due to the improved permeability and the increase in the contact with acid-soluble copper. During acid curing, the reaction of sulfuric acid with muscovite, abite and nacrite mainly took place on the surface of the particles while the reaction of sulfuric acid with clinochlore occurred not only on the surface but also inside the particles.

Jan 1, 2007

By Gus Van Weert, Samuel A. Bolorunduro, David B. Dreisinger

"Silver is currently lost as jarosite during the pressure oxidation of sulphides and cyanidation of the residues yields 5-10% of silver. Efforts to recover silver from complex sulphides, which contain economic fractions of silver require an understanding of the behaviour of acanthite during pressure oxidation. However, previous studies of acanthite (Ag2S) reaction have been complicated by the formation of argento-jarosite and uncertainties arise on the interpretation of the results.In this work, the acid pressure oxidation of high-grade natural silver sulphide mineral (acanthite) was carried out at 110-150°C and under the conditions similar to that of pressure oxidation of complex sulphide. The predominant product of reaction is elemental sulphur. The rate of reaction increases with increasing temperature and with the presence of ferric ions. The kinetics is controlled by chemical reaction with activation energy of 72.6 kJ/mol. The rate of reaction decreases with the presence of silver sulphate in the initial slurry. The proposed overall reaction is close to: []"

Jan 1, 2003

By Gus Van Weert, Samuel A. Bolorunduro, David B. Dreisinger

"INTRODUCTIONAcid pressure oxidation of high-grade natural acanthite was investigated in the range of 110-150°C and in the sulphate media. High acidity and low pulp density were used to prevent the precipitation of silver.RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONTwo sets of acanthite specimens were obtained from La Valenciana and Ingleterra mines, Mexico. Pressure oxidation tests were conducted on 1 litre scale in a standard 2-litre Parr titanium autoclave.EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE ON THE REACTION OF ACANTHITEThe effect of temperature on the rate of oxidation is presented in Figure 1. The rate of reaction increased with increasing temperature."

Jan 1, 2003

By Douglas G. Fox

Outputs from industrial activities planned in the Riley Ridge natural gas project are modeled to determine the potential locations of air pollution impacts on the Bridger and Fitzpatrick Wildernesses in Wyoming. The nature of modeling, especially with regard to its realism, is discussed. Alpine lakes which, along with their watersheds, have minimal buffering capacity are being studied because of their sensitivity to acidic deposition from proposed new air pollution sources. A hypothesis which relates a source's emissions to deposition and lake chemistry in a worst-case sense is presented. Research designed to test the hypothesis and reduce uncertainties is outlined and progress reviewed. Focus is placed on the meteorological transport and atmospheric deposition parameterization contained in the hypothesis.

Jan 1, 1984