How to Calculate an Open Pit Mine Capacity
The calculation of open pit operations’ capacities has been the subject of many studies using computer simulations. The common problems of simulation are that if one desires a realistic picture of an operation the programming work becomes long and expensive and that the program requires a large computer and long time to run. The method […]
High Waste Dump Stability
The height, structure, rapid rate of growth, and anticipated leaching suggested the possibility of dump failure. In order to evaluate this possibility, an outside consulting firm was retained in 1966 to investigate the stability of the growing dumps. Their investigation indicated that, other than superficial movement, the waste dumps would be stable under static loading, […]
Roof Bolt Bond Tester
A measured pulse of energy is sent into the bolt by a piezoelectric transducer, and the instrument listens for reflected energy. Where the bolt is properly bonded, the energy passes from the bolt, through the resin, and out into the rock mass. Where proper bonding does not exist, a portion of the energy is reflected […]
Hydraulic Mining: A Comprehensive Guide
In evaluating the quality of coal, Storm King Mines carried out two years of exploration drilling. This drilling has established in-place reserves in excess of 500 million tonnes in seams greater than 1 meter thick, having an energy content in excess of 2.84 x 10 7 J/kg.k. During the Fall of 1981, SKM conducted its […]
Sedimentation Pond Design
In the preliminary phases of mine planning it is often desirable to quickly estimate approximate sediment basin construction costs based on readily available physiographic data for a large number of proposed sedimentation ponds. A procedure is presented whereby sediment basin embankment volumes, disturbed areas, and principal spillway pipe lengths can be quickly estimated with acceptable […]
Concrete Crib Design
This research is a part of an ongoing effort by the Bureau of Mines to improve health and safety in coal mining as directed by the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1969 and amendments of 1977. The concrete crib design and field testing project has evolved from laboratory research to a verification and […]
Claw Hammer Scaling Tool
Proper scaling is necessary for safe operation during any underground mining activity. This need is documented in the mandatory regulations for scaling found in 30 CFR 57. In many U.S. mines operating today, scaling is accomplished by manually barring-down the loose material from around the mine opening. Barring-down requires a great deal of physical strength, […]
Hydraulic Mining Methods
Although hydraulic mining was introduced in the United States before the turn of the century, it has not gained the degree of acceptance found in other countries such as Russia, China, Germany and Canada. The hydraulic mining research program, which was initiated in 1958 by the Bureau of Mines and the subsequent research by other […]
Wire Ropes & Mine Hoisting
Although wire rope has been in use for over 100 years, it is a complex structure that is still not well understood. Wire ropes are made in diameters from less than 1/32 to more than 7 in and can have as many as 900 individual wires. The mining industry uses a lot of wire rope, […]
Rock Mechanics and Pit Slope Design
Kennecott Corporation, in joint venture with Galactic Resources Ltd., recently began operation of an open pit gold mining and milling facility near Columbia, South Carolina. The deposit consists of two ore bodies (North and South deposits) hosted in deformed and altered metavolcanics and metasediments of the Carolina Slate Belt. Emphasis includes the successful use of […]