How to Find and Determine the Specific Gravity of a Rock
In the method we use to How to Find and Determine Specific Gravity of Rocks (some call it Specific Density because they don’t know better!), we’ll use simple equipment. What is required to make this measurement is a weight scale, and the list of the different minerals SPECIFIC GRAVITIES. What specific gravity is, is the mass […]
How to do a Sieve Analysis
Let me explain as to how a Sieve Analysis is done. If you take a sample of ground ore, heat it until it is completely dry. Take 500 grams of that sample, and place it on top of a set of screens designed for size analysis. These screens have a graduated mesh size. The screen […]
If Safety Matters, Concentrator Housekeeping Matters
These are; working with and aiding other personnel and maintaining good housekeeping standards. These two definitely go together. You won’t have good housekeeping standards if you don’t work with and aid the other workers. Like it or not, good housekeeping is very important to the entire operation. If the plant is kept clean morale will […]
Monitoring a Circuit’s Operating Variables
The term “operating variable” is what I use when I refer to any condition that effects the operation and is subject to change. As a simple example tonnage, which is the amount of ore that the mill can process at any one time, is controlled by the operator. Because it can be increased or decreased […]
Quick Bearing Temperature Check
If a bearing is heating and running at high temperature it is an indication that friction is being generated by the bearing. The friction could he caused by dirt or the bearing surface itself breaking down. When the heat caused by the friction reaches a critical temperature the oil or the grease will lose its […]
Hydrodynamic, Hydrostatic, and Roller Bearing Compared
Bearings that interest us are in 3 categories: Hydrodynamic, Hydrostatic, and Roller. Hydrodynamic and the hydrostatic make use of a phenomenon called the Wedge Effect. This wedge effect is a self-generated pressure that is developed when a film of oil between a moving shaft and a collar or sleeve is forced through a wedge shaped […]
Bearing Characteristics and Properties of its Metal
To start with there are five areas of concern that are taken into account when selecting the metals that go into the construction of the different bearings. They are: ANTI-SEIZURE PROPERTIES When a bearing becomes seized, what happens is that the two metal surfaces that are in contact with one another become welded together. Different […]
Know your Flowsheet and what Matters in it
A flow-sheet is a schematic drawing that shows simply the order of processing. In the below example, the arrows indicate the direction that the ore is taking through the process. Some are very basic or conceptual, others are very detailed. Here is very basic. Use a flowsheet for a properly done circuit check that will […]
List Responsibilities of Concentrator Operating Crew
In the different concentration plants of the mining industry, job descriptions change, responsibilities fluctuate, positions are phased in and out. However there is one position whose relationship to the crew doesn’t change, and that is the foreman. Some where there is a boss, and he must be considered part of the operating crew. It has […]
Concentrator Operator – What does a Mill Man Do
The manual is aimed at laying out the basic tasks a good mill operator needs to perform and master on the path to becoming a good concentrator operator. This guide will provide a source of reference material for the operator and an instructional text containing material giving the operator a basic understanding of the purpose […]