Mining Engineering Commons^™

Artificial Neural Network Approach To Predict Blast-Induced Ground Vibration, Airblast And Rock Fragmentation, Raymond Ninnang Tiile

Masters Theses

"Blasting has been widely used as an economical and cheap way of rock breakage in mining and civil engineering applications. An optimal blast yields the best fragmentation in a safe, economic and environmentally friendly manner. The degree of fragmentation is vital as it determines to a large extent the utilization of equipment, productivity and mill throughput. Explosive energy, besides rock fragmentation, creates health and safety issues such as ground vibration, air blast, fly rock, and back breaks among others. As a result, the explosive energy impacts structures and buildings located in the vicinity of the blasting operation, and causes human …

Studies On Flocculation Of Fine Mineral Tailings Using Novel Polyacrylamide Based Polymer, Simin Khatibi

Masters Theses

"One of the important features in managing or treating sulfide fine tailings is separating solids from liquid by settling test. This thesis presents results of studied conducted on flocculation of Kaolin suspensions (a model tailings) and sulfide mineral tailings. Two polymers (PAM and Al-PAM) were tested as flocculants. The zeta potential value of slurries was measured by Nano Zetasizer device.

Al-PAM was found to be more effective for flocculation of kaolinite samples and also sulfide samples while PAM with used concentration was not. This study represents the power of flocculation as a possible solution to deal with industrial tailings"--Abstract, page …

A Petrophysical Evaluation For Permeability Of A Gas Reservoir In The Taranaki Basin, New Zealand, Musa Cetin

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

The goal of this study was to evaluate permeability and study the controls on permeability in a gas saturated formation. Conventional well logs, mineral identification crossplots and empirical models were applied to analyze different lithologic and diagenetic features and to examine the effect that these features may have on the reservoir. An unusual feature was observed, and required detailed examination: there existed (in two wells) five zones of lower resistivity (higher water saturation) above the gas-water contact. This is unexpected, as above that contact, the water is usually at irreducible water saturation. I conclude that the lower resistivity (the higher …

Investing In Least Developed Countries: The Aynak Mine Project, Roosevelt Barfield

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The rise of market globalization creates challenges for business executives seeking to pursue foreign direct investment (FDI) in least developed countries (LDC), such as Afghanistan. Multinational corporate (MNC) executives need strategies that will improve the timely delivery of minerals for mining projects in LDCs. Guided by the force field analysis theory, the purpose of this holistic, single-case study was to explore the strategies that 5 MNC executives in Beijing, China, used to improve the timely delivery of minerals associated with the Aynak copper mine project in Afghanistan. Semistructured interviews were used to elicit detailed narratives from MNC executives about their …

Investing In Least Developed Countries: The Aynak Copper Mine Project, Roosevelt Barfield

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The rise of market globalization creates challenges for business executives seeking to pursue foreign direct investment (FDI) in least developed countries (LDC), such as Afghanistan. Multinational corporate (MNC) executives need strategies that will improve the timely delivery of minerals for mining projects in LDCs. Guided by the force field analysis theory, the purpose of this holistic, single-case study was to explore the strategy that 5 MNC executives in Beijing, China, used to improve the timely delivery of minerals associated with the Aynak copper mine project in Afghanistan. Semistructured interviews were used to elicit detailed narratives from MNC executives about their …

Dynamic Impact Of Ageing Dump Truck Suspension Systems On Whole-Body Vibrations In High-Impact Shovel Loading Operations, Saeid R. Dindarloo

Doctoral Dissertations

"Surface mining operations typically deploy large shovels, with 100+ tons per pass capacity, to load dump trucks in a phenomenon described as high-impact shovel loading operations (HISLO). The HISLO phenomenon causes excessive shock and vibrations in the dump truck assembly resulting in whole body vibration (WBV) exposures to operators. The truck suspension system performance deteriorates with time; therefore their effectiveness in attenuating vibrations reduces. No research has been conducted to study the impact of ageing suspension mechanisms on the magnitudes of WBV in HISLO operations.

This study is a pioneering effort to provide fundamental and applied knowledge for understanding the …

Subterranean Photobioreactors For Commercial-Industrial Scale Algal Culture, Daniel James Vidt

Doctoral Dissertations

"There are many potential benefits to the mining industry accruing from the application of algal biotechnology. The main benefits are in the production of biodiesel and in the remediation of mining brownfields. The research in this study was centered in the original idea that these brownfields represent a tremendous opportunity for use as a hybrid model for redevelopment into sustainable "mines" of biomass. The ability of these underground spaces serving as bioreactors to control all aspects of the growing environment, from lighting, to temperature, to biosecurity, are key advantages that have been identified in the literature. The many benefits inherent …

Modeling Explosive Lensing On A Cylindrical Body In Air: A First Step Towards Sealing An Underwater Offshore Oil Spill, Phillip R. Mulligan

Doctoral Dissertations

"In 2010, the British Petroleum (BP) Deepwater Horizon accident leaked oil into the Gulf of Mexico for 87 days. A fast response method that can seal an oil pipe and stop the release of oil is needed in order to prevent future oil leaks from turning into ecological and financial disasters. Explosives can serve this need.

This research examined how a circular implosive discontinuous explosive lens interacts with a cylindrical surface. The following research was designed to study the applicability of the Method this author developed to predict the peak pressure from multiple shockwaves converging on a centrally located cylinder. …

Applications Of Simulation And Optimization Techniques In Optimizing Room And Pillar Mining Systems, Angelina Konadu Anani

Doctoral Dissertations

"The goal of this research was to apply simulation and optimization techniques in solving mine design and production sequencing problems in room and pillar mines (R&P). The specific objectives were to: (1) apply Discrete Event Simulation (DES) to determine the optimal width of coal R&P panels under specific mining conditions; (2) investigate if the shuttle car fleet size used to mine a particular panel width is optimal in different segments of the panel; (3) test the hypothesis that binary integer linear programming (BILP) can be used to account for mining risk in R&P long range mine production sequencing; and (4) …

Energy Efficiency And Carbon Dioxide Emissions Across Different Scales Of Iron Ore Mining Operations In Western Australia, Shanuka Dilhani Palamure

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

During the last two decades, Western Australian iron ore mining industry experienced an exponential production growth arising from increased global demand for steel. The upturn in the iron ore price and considerably lower production cost encouraged extensive mining and consequently high-grade ore reserves were gradually depleted. Despite the energy-intensive nature of mining, high profitability motivated the mining companies to extract marginal-grade deposits with additional processing requirements, which increased energy consumption and ultimately increased the cost of iron ore production. This thesis sought to identify the energy efficiencies of open-cut iron ore mining operations, in terms of scale of operation as …

Impacts Of Artisanal And Large Scale Gold Mining On Tropical Rivers In West Africa: A Case Study From The Brong Ahafo Region Of Ghana, Karunia F. Macdonald

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Mining communities in more than 70 developing countries, mostly in the tropical regions, still practise artisanal and small scale gold mining (ASGM). ASGM commonly operates along rivers and streams for easy access to process water and as receptacles for mine water discharges. A largely unregulated industry, ASGM employs rudimentary mining and processing methods including the use of mercury amalgamation, and is often found near to larger scale and modern mining (LSM) operations.

The substantial use of mercury by ASGM has drawn the attention of agencies and researchers but so has its persistent economic role in providing much needed rural employment. …

Bio-Physical Closure Criteria Without Reference Sites: Realistic Targets In Modified Rivers, Melanie L. Blanchette, Mark Lund, Robyn Stoney, Digby Short, Colm Harkin

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

The use of reference sites for establishing closure criteria in areas disturbed by mining activities is common practice. ‘Reference’ sites are those considered to be largely unimpacted by anthropogenic activity (retaining desirable natural characteristics), and occurring near disturbed sites. Sites are considered rehabilitated when their biophysical condition approximates that of the reference site. However, this approach often creates impossible or unrealistic targets for miners seeking to close rehabilitated lands. For example, reference sites are often limited in availability (or non-existent) due to impacts by other land uses. Further, any available reference sites might not be realistic matches for the rehabilitated …

Degradation Of Organic Pollutants And Microorganisms From Wastewater Using Different Dielectric Barrier Discharge Configurations—A Critical Review, Emile S.Massima Mouele, Jimoh O. Tijani, Ojo O. Fatoba, Leslie F. Petrik

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The growing global drinking water crisis requires the development of novel advanced, sustainable, and cost-effective water treatment technologies to supplement the existing conventional methods. One such technology is advanced oxidation based on dielectric barrier discharge (DBD). DBD such as single and double planar and single and double cylindrical dielectric barrier configurations have been utilized for efficient degradation of recalcitrant organic pollutants. The overall performance of the different DBD system varies and depends on several factors. Therefore, this review was compiled to give an overview of different DBD configurations vis-a-viz their applications and the in-situ mechanism of generation of free reactive …

Information Seeking Behaviour Of Petroleum Engineers In Niger Delta Region Of Nigeria: A Survey, Edonkumoh Victor Ebiye (Mlis), Ngwuchukwu M. N (Phd), Emmanuel Agyo (Mlis)

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The success of the petroleum industry at all levels depend largely on petroleum engineers’ awareness and access to relevant information for making sound Exploration and Production decisions. This study investigated the information seeking behaviour of Petroleum Engineers in selected companies in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria. A survey design was adopted using questionnaire as the instrument for collecting primary data from 250 petroleum engineers randomly selected from four oil companies. Data gathered were analysed using frequencies, simple percentages and mean score count. Results showed that petroleum engineers spent time seeking health and safety information, oil and gas E&P information, …

Karst Paleo-Collapses And Their Impacts On Mining And The Environment In Northern China, Gongyu Li, Wanfang Zhou

Sinkhole Conference 2015

Karst paleo-collapses are unique collapse structures widely found in the coal measures of northern China. Their geometric dimensions and internal properties indicate that a compound dissolution of carbonate and gypsum rocks may contribute to their formation. When these collapses are permeable to groundwater flow, they hydraulically connect the coal seams and the karst aquifers, which is a pre-requisite for water inrushes during coal mining. Over the last 40 years, water inrushes through these collapses have caused fatalities, economic losses, and degradation in the environment in northern China. Determination of locations and hydrogeological characteristics of the karst paleo-collapses are essential in …

The Impact Of Mpowir A Decade Of Investing In Mentoring Women In Physical Oceanography, Sarah Clem, Sonya Legg, Susan Lozier, Colleen B. Mouw

Michigan Tech Publications, Part 1

MPOWIR (Mentoring Physical Oceanography Women to Increase Retention) is a US communityinitiated and community-led mentoring program aimed at improving the retention of women physical oceanographers in academic and/or research positions. This article describes the MPOWIR program elements designed by the US physical oceanography community, quantifies the participation in these programs, describes MPOWIR’s impact to date, and outlines future directions. An examination of surveys to date indicates that MPOWIR, several years after its implementation, is having a positive impact on the retention of junior women in physical oceanography, primarily by giving them a broad professional network and focused mentoring.

Review Of Sampling And Evaluation Techniques For Diesel Exhaust Particulate Matter In The Mining Industry And The Application Of A Vapor Phase Organic Carbon Correction Factor, Ryley Bosch

Graduate Theses & Non-Theses

The health effects associated with diesel exhaust exposure have been documented for decades. However, methods used to assess diesel exhaust have experienced considerable revision over the past twenty years. The latest sampling methodology considers particulate matter elemental carbon (EC) and organic carbon (OC) analysis along with the vapor phase OC analysis. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of vapor phase OC on the current National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) method 5040 sampling and evaluation techniques for diesel exhaust particulate matter.

A pilot study was conducted as part of a larger study evaluation biodiesel …

All-In Sustaining Cost Analysis, Asseu Gilbert Yapo

Graduate Theses & Non-Theses

Cost reporting has focused on the direct cost of mining and processing ore which was summarized in the non-GAAP cash cost developed by the Gold Institute in 1996. In 2013, a group of mining companies, working with the World Gold Council, developed a more inclusive approach to reporting costs designed to solve the dilemma of showing a more comprehensive reflection of recurring costs involved in producing gold, without discouraging investors.

Characterising Volcanic Cycles At Soufriere Hills Volcano, Montserrat: Time Series Analysis Of Multi-Parameter Satellite Data, Verity Flower, Simon Carn

Michigan Tech Publications, Part 1

The identification of cyclic volcanic activity can elucidate underlying eruption dynamics and aid volcanic hazard mitigation. Whilst satellite datasets are often analysed individually, here we exploit the multi-platform NASA A-Train satellite constellation to cross-correlate cyclical signals identified using complementary measurement techniques at Soufriere Hills Volcano (SHV), Montserrat. In this paper we present a Multi-taper (MTM) Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) analysis of coincident SO2 and thermal infrared (TIR) satellite measurements at SHV facilitating the identification of cyclical volcanic behaviour. These measurements were collected by the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) (respectively) in the A-Train. We identify …

Design Of Push–Pull System To Control Diesel Particular Matter Inside A Dead-End Entry, Yi Zheng, Magesh Thiruvengadam, Hai Lan, Jerry C. Tien

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Diesel particulate matter (DPM) is considered to be carcinogenic after prolonged exposure. With more diesel-powered equipment used in underground mines, miners' exposure to DPM has become an increasing concern. This paper used computational fluid dynamics method to study the DPM dispersion in a dead-end entry with loading operation. The effects of different push–pull ventilation systems on DPM distribution were evaluated to improve the working conditions for underground miners. The four push–pull systems considered include: long push and short pull tubing; short push and long pull tubing, long push and curved pull tubing, and short push and curved pull tubing. A …