Table Of Content

SME Mining Reference Handbook Editor Mining Reference Handbook.book Page i Thursday, January 8, 2009 5:40 PM SME Mining Reference Handbook Raymond L. Lowrie, P.E. Editor Published by the Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration, Inc. © 2002 by the Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration. All rights reserved. Electronic edition published 2009. Title Page: Aerial photograph of the Kemmerer Mine in Wyoming. P&M Coal Company. Courtesy of Manley Prim Photography, Inc. Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration, Inc. (SME) 8307 Shaffer Parkway Littleton, Colorado, USA 80127 (303) 948-4200 / (800) 763-3132 www.smenet.org SME advances the worldwide mining and minerals community through information exchange and professional development. SME is the world’s largest association of mining and minerals professionals. Copyright © 2002 Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration, Inc. Electronic edition published 2009. All Rights Reserved. Printed in the United States of America. Information contained in this work has been obtained by SME, Inc. from sources believed to be reliable. However, neither SME nor its authors guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any information published herein, and neither SME nor its authors shall be responsible for any errors, omissions, or damages arising out of use of this information. This work is published with the understanding that SME and its authors are supplying information but are not attempting to render engineering or other professional services. If such services are required, the assistance of an appropriate professional should be sought. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher. Any statement or views presented here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of SME. The mention of trade names for commercial products does not imply the approval or endorsement of SME. ISBN 978-087335-297-0 © 2002 by the Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration. All rights reserved. Electronic edition published 2009. Mining Reference Handbook.book Page iii Thursday, January 8, 2009 5:40 PM Contents PREFACE xi ABOUT THE EDITOR xiii CHAPTER EDITORS xv CHAPTER 1 PROJECT EVALUATION 1 Feasibility Studies 1 Due Diligence Studies 4 Due Diligence Checklist 4 References 7 CHAPTER 2 MATERIAL PROPERTIES 9 Soils 9 Rocks 9 Minerals 10 Coal 10 References 11 CHAPTER 3 EXPLORATION AND GEOLOGY 55 Geologic Time 55 Geologic Map Symbols 56 Rock Classification 57 Structural Geology 60 Geophysics 65 Aerial Photography 65 Drilling 67 References 67 CHAPTER 4 PHYSICAL SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING 69 Chemistry 69 Statics 71 Dynamics 80 Mechanics of Materials 83 Fluid Mechanics 90 Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer 96 iii © 2002 by the Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration. All rights reserved. Electronic edition published 2009. Mining Reference Handbook.book Page iv Thursday, January 8, 2009 5:40 PM Electricity and Magnetism 99 References 102 CHAPTER 5 MATHEMATICS, STATISTICS, ANDPROBABILITY 103 Elementary Analysis 103 Algebra 105 Trigonometry 107 Geometry 109 Derivatives 112 Integrals 113 Probability and Statistics 114 Miscellaneous 119 References 125 CHAPTER 6 WEIGHTS, MEASURES, CONVERSIONS, CONSTANTS, ANDSYMBOLS 127 International System of Units 127 Fundamental Physical Constants 140 Selected Constants, Measures, and Time 140 Selected Unit Equivalencies and Approximations 141 SI Prefixes 143 Greek Alphabet 143 References 143 CHAPTER 7 SAMPLING AND ANALYSIS 145 Sampling 145 Analysis 155 References 159 CHAPTER 8 ECONOMICS AND COSTING 161 Interest Formulas 161 Discrete Compound Interest Tables 162 Capitalized Costs 166 Depreciation 166 Depletion Allowance 167 Effective Tax Rate 168 Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR) 168 Present Value Ratio (PVR) 168 Inflation 168 Consumer Price Index 169 Capital Structure 169 Cash Flow 170 Costing 171 References 172 CHAPTER 9 QUALITY AND SPECIFICATIONS OFPRODUCTS 173 Abrasives 173 Aggregate 174 Aluminum 175 Barite 176 iv © 2002 by the Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration. All rights reserved. Electronic edition published 2009. Mining Reference Handbook.book Page v Thursday, January 8, 2009 5:40 PM Chromium 176 Clays 176 Coal 177 Cobalt 178 Copper 178 Diamonds, Industrial 179 Diatomite and Perlite 179 Fluorspar 179 Gold 180 Graphite 180 Iron Ore 180 Lead 180 Limestone and Dolomite 181 Manganese 182 Mercury 182 Mica 183 Molybdenum 183 Nickel 184 Phosphate Rock 184 Platinum Group Metals 184 Potash 185 Pumice 185 Quartz Crystal 185 Sand and Gravel 185 Silver 186 Soda Ash and Sodium Sulfate 186 Stone, Crushed 186 Sulfur 187 Talc 187 Tin 188 Titanium 189 Vanadium 190 Zeolites 190 Zinc 191 References 191 CHAPTER 10 HAUL ROADS 195 Haul Truck Specifications 195 Stopping Distance 195 Number of Lanes 196 Safe Distance Between Trucks 197 Road Width 198 Sight Distance 199 Gradient 199 Super Elevation 199 Construction Material Factors 200 Other Considerations 200 References 200 v © 2002 by the Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration. All rights reserved. Electronic edition published 2009. Mining Reference Handbook.book Page vi Thursday, January 8, 2009 5:40 PM CHAPTER 11 BLASTING AND EXPLOSIVES 203 Characteristics of Explosives 203 Blast Design 206 Ground Vibrations and Air Concussion from Blasting 211 Vibration Attenuation and Peak Particle Velocity Predictions 211 References 214 CHAPTER 12 EXCAVATION, LOADING, AND MATERIAL TRANSPORT 215 Equipment Performance 215 Production Calculations 218 Equipment Operating Costs 220 Draglines 222 Clamshells 222 Shovels 222 Backhoes 222 Wheel Loaders 222 Crawler-Mounted Loaders 225 Scrapers 227 Bulldozers 228 Rail Haulage 229 Belt Conveyors 232 Hoisting 238 Selected Underground Equipment 239 References 241 CHAPTER 13 GROUND CONTROL/SUPPORT 243 Introduction 243 Safety Factor 246 Rock Bolting 246 Pillars 248 Subsidence 254 Slope Stability 256 References 257 CHAPTER 14 VENTILATION 259 Air Composition, Density, and Psychrometry 259 Gas Laws 263 Airflow 263 Fans 266 Natural Ventilating Pressure 267 Parallel Flow 267 Natural Splitting 267 Controlled Splitting 267 Mine Gases 268 Regulatory Requirements 270 Tubing 270 Velocities for Mineral Dusts and Gases 273 Explosion-Resistant Seals 273 References 274 vi © 2002 by the Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration. All rights reserved. Electronic edition published 2009. Mining Reference Handbook.book Page vii Thursday, January 8, 2009 5:40 PM CHAPTER 15 PUMPING 275 Introduction 275 Centrifugal Pumps 275 Calculating Dynamic Head 275 Net Positive Suction Head (NPSH) 277 Pump Characteristic Curves 277 Pumping Power Formulas 278 Flow Rate Formula and Other Facts 278 Affinity Laws 279 References 279 CHAPTER 16 POWER: ELECTRICAL AND COMPRESSED AIR 281 Electrical Power 281 Compressed Air 283 References 286 CHAPTER 17 MINERAL PROCESSING 287 Crushing 287 Grinding 289 Classification 293 Screening 294 Sorting 298 Gravity Concentration 300 Flotation 301 Solid–Liquid Separations 303 Solvent Extraction (SX) 312 Heap Leaching 315 Carbon Plants 317 Bacterial Oxidation 319 Coal Cleaning 323 Dust Collection 326 Electrowinning (EW) and Electrorefining (ER) 329 Pyrometallurgy 332 Industrial Minerals 341 Gold Leaching 343 Vat Leaching 344 Miscellaneous 344 References 348 CHAPTER 18 SITE STRUCTURES AND HYDROLOGY 351 Facility Layout 351 Earthworks 353 Liner Systems 353 Pipes 360 Hydrology and Hydraulics 362 Inspection and Maintenance 367 References 367 vii © 2002 by the Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration. All rights reserved. Electronic edition published 2009. Mining Reference Handbook.book Page viii Thursday, January 8, 2009 5:40 PM CHAPTER 19 PLACER MINING 369 Placer Ore Bodies 369 Placer Evaluation 371 Placer Operations 373 Costs 377 Gravel 377 References 377 CHAPTER 20 IN SITU LEACHING 379 In Situ Leaching 379 In Situ Leaching of Uranium 380 CHAPTER 21 MAINTENANCE AND INVENTORY 383 Maintenance 383 Recordkeeping 389 Inventory 390 References 392 CHAPTER 22 ENVIRONMENT AND RECLAMATION 393 Major Federal Laws 393 Citations and Regulations 395 Permits and Approvals 397 Air Quality 398 Water Quality 400 Treatment 406 References 409 CHAPTER 23 HEALTH AND SAFETY 411 Legislative History 411 Health and Safety Regulations 412 Mine Safety and Health Administration’s Mission 413 Statutory Functions 414 Organizational Structure 414 Enforcement 415 Technical Assistance 416 Testing Products Used in Mining 417 Mandatory Training 417 Historical Data on Mine Disasters in the United States 418 References 418 CHAPTER 24 BONDING AND LIABILITIES 419 Bonding (Financial Assurance) 419 Liabilities 420 References 422 viii © 2002 by the Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration. All rights reserved. Electronic edition published 2009. Mining Reference Handbook.book Page ix Thursday, January 8, 2009 5:40 PM CHAPTER 25 WEB SITES RELATED TO MINING 423 Professional Societies, Institutes, Councils, Associations, Foundations, Boards, and Commissions 423 Reference, Information, and Publications 425 Associations 426 Economics 427 Computing Applications 428 Machinery and Equipment Trading 428 Trade Unions 428 Government 428 International 430 INDEX 435 ix © 2002 by the Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration. All rights reserved. Electronic edition published 2009.