Effect of Impurities on Gold Adsorption on Activated Carbon
We performed batch equilibrium contact experiments to examine the ability of activated coconut-shell carbon to adsorb various metal cyanide complexes. Tests were also conducted to determine the effect these cyanide complex impurities might have on the adsorption of gold by the activated carbon. Metal cyanide species included in the investigation were antimony, arsenic, cadmium, calcium, […]
Procedure to Determine Helium in Water
We have developed an improved method for determining dissolved helium in water in the concentration range of 4.0 x 10 -8 to 270 x 10 -8 cm³ He (STP)/cm³ H2O. The method is a modification of a previously reported method that was developed for analyzing surface and subsurface waters in geochemical survey work. Water samples […]
Tailings Backfill
This report presents a study of three typical tailings samples as potential cemented backfill in underground mines. The testing series was unique in that the pulp densities of the samples were all above 75 pct solids. Test results included dry density; slump; percent settling after 28 days of curing; tensile strength after 28, 120, and […]
Conveyor Belt Cleaning Systems
Objective Reduce the number of conveyor-related accidents in the mining industry by providing recommendations for effective operation of conveyor belt cleaning systems. The Problem Troughed belt conveyors provide effective and efficient materials transport and their use has increased throughout the mining industry. Carryback, the spillage that accumulates under the belt, is a problem even with […]
Water-Jet Rock Drilling
Abstract The U.S. Bureau of Mines has patented and transferred to industry an abrasive-enhanced water-jet rock drill. This drill incorporates three novel components: a collimator, jet deflectors for cutting clearance, and an unpressurized swivel, which rotates at 1,000 rpm while passing 20 gpm of an abrasive slurry flowing at 1,000 ft/s. Drilling occurs through the […]
Turbo Milling & Ultrafine High-Purity Ceramic Powders
Objective Utilize innovative processing technology to prepare high-purity, ultrafine advanced ceramic powders with little or no contamination occurring during the milling proccss. Advanced ceramic materials made from these powders could substitute for high-temperature alloys containing critical materials such as chromium, cobalt, and nickel. Approach Modify and evaluate the Bureau’s turbomill, developed earlier to grind a […]
In-Situ Leach Mining Design for Copper
Objective Provide the U.S. mining industry with technology for designing environmentally sound, low- cost in situ leach mining operations to produce copper from small, deep, and/or low-grade copper oxide deposits. Approach Investigate the feasibility of a new mining method-in situ leach mining-as an alternative to conventional mining for copper. Study fundamental leaching technology that will […]
How to Make Lead from Galena Concentrates
Objective Provide an environmentally compatible means of producing lead from galena concentrates that replaces the current high-temperature pyrometallurgical primary lead smelting process and supplies pure lead metal within present and proposed Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) lead emission standards. Approach The U.S. Bureau of Mines developed an energy efficient […]
Zeta Potential
A novel technique has been employed by the U. S. Bureau of Mines to determine the zeta potential of particles for a far-reaching series of material types in a wide variety of baseline waters, both alone and with many different chemical additives. The materials tested ranged from naturally occurring Sioux Quartzite and Tennessee marble to […]
Cobalt Beneficiation Technique
Objective Develop new technolgies and techniques which enable recovery of strategic and critical minerals such as cobalt from domestic resources, thereby easing the U.S. dependence upon foreign producers for these valuable commodities. Approach The Bureau of Mines, through research, developed a process which uses mineral beneficiation techniques to recover cobalt-rich products from Missouri lead ores. […]