Engineering Commons^™

Impact Of The Ban On Illegal Mining Activities On Raw Water Quality: A Case-Study Of Konongo Water Treatment Plant, Ashanti Region Of Ghana, Sadique Anyame Bawa, Prince Antwi-Agyei, Martin Kyereh Domfeh

Journal of Sustainable Mining

The Government of Ghana prohibited Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM) operations from 2017 to 2018 as part of its strategy to address the socio-environmental issues caused by illegal mining activities, also referred to as “galamsey” operations. This study assessed the trend in the water quality of raw water abstracted at the Konongo Water Treatment Plant (WTP) for treatment before and after implementing the ban on “galamsey” operations. The main source of raw water for the Konongo WTP is the Anuru River. Secondary data on physicochemical water quality from 2006 to 2019 was sourced from the Konongo WTP and the Ashanti …

Improved Methodology For Monitoring The Impact Of Mining Activities On Socio-Economic Conditions Of Local Communities, Binay Prakash Pandey, Devi Prasad Mishra

Journal of Sustainable Mining

Mining activities can cause tangible socio-economic improvements in the surrounding regions. Such potential has not been fully realized, owing to the fact that the socio-economic impact assessment processes exercised in India merely predict the footprint of industrial activity on the surrounding population. Consequently, project proponents are mandated to implement a management plan in cases of foreseeable negative consequences. However, both, the assessment study, as well as the process of implementation of a management plan, are riddled with significant gaps and limitations. Primary data collected for this research makes it apparent that, in comparison to the revenue generated from the mining …

Global Opportunities And Challenges For Coal Combustion Products With A Circular Economy, Craig Heidrich, Joachim Feuerborn

World of Coal Ash Proceedings

No abstract provided.

Temporal And Spatial Changes Of Terrestrial Water Storage In Yellow River Basin Based On Grace, Yang Fei, Zhang Chengye, Li Jun, Song Ziheng, Guo Tianyu

Coal Geology & Exploration

The Yellow River Basin is currently the main gathering place both for economically recoverable coal and coal production in China. Understanding the water sources and its changes is not only a prerequisite for promoting the intensive use of water in the Yellow River Basin, but also the basis for carrying out the ecological protection and sustainable development of the mining areas in the Yellow River Basin. Compared with traditional methods for monitoring terrestrial water storage that are limited by the distribution and number of monitoring points, GRACE provides a new way to study the temporal and spatial changes of water …

Integrated Parametric Graph Closure And Branch-And-Cut Algorithm For Open Pit Mine Scheduling Under Uncertainty, Devendra Joshi, Amol Paithankar, Snehamoy Chatterjee, Sk Md Equeenuddin

Michigan Tech Publications, Part 1

Open pit mine production scheduling is a computationally expensive large-scale mixed-integer linear programming problem. This research develops a computationally efficient algorithm to solve open pit production scheduling problems under uncertain geological parameters. The proposed solution approach for production scheduling is a two-stage process. The stochastic production scheduling problem is iteratively solved in the first stage after relaxing resource constraints using a parametric graph closure algorithm. Finally, the branch-and-cut algorithm is applied to respect the resource constraints, which might be violated during the first stage of the algorithm. Six small-scale production scheduling problems from iron and copper mines were used to …

The Use Of Microalgal Sourced Biodiesel To Help Underground Mines Transition To Battery Electric Vehicles, Corey A. Laamanen, Kyle Moreau, Sabrina M. Desjardins, Shannon H. Mclean, John A. Scott

Journal of Sustainable Mining

The use of fossil fuel sourced diesel underground has various associated health and environmental hazards, and additional energy demand and costs associated with necessary ventilation. One way to reduce these impacts is by utilizing a biodieselblend, which generates lower levels of harmful emissions from underground equipment and can be produced regionally, reducing the impact of transportation. Furthermore, this would help allow use of existing machinery during transition towards more widespread electrification underground. Therefore, the concept of an integrated supply and use chain within the mining industry is examined based on biodiesel from acidophilic photosynthetic microalgae cultivated using CO 2 in …

Investigating The Effectiveness Of A Ground Support System Implemented On Block A: A Case Study Of Southern Africa Metalliferous Mine, Kamogelo Manyelo, Peter Kolapo

Journal of Sustainable Mining

This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of the ground support systems that are planned to be implemented on Block A, which will be excavated through the Marikana fault zone. The block of ground being prepared for mining has been physically affected by the presence of the Marikana fault and is therefore geomechanically and geotechnically weaker than the normal stoping conditions on the rest of the shaft. Joint mapping conducted in Block A raiselines indicated that there is a high concentration of shallow dipping joints which are dipping in opposite directions. Such conditions present special challenges in the planned excavations …

Development Of Univariate And Multivariate Forecasting Models For Methane Gas Emissions In Underground Coal Mines, Juan Diaz

Theses and Dissertations--Mining Engineering

Methane gas management continues to be a challenge concerning underground coal mine safety and productivity worldwide despite the extraordinary effort of the mining industry, governmental agencies, and academia to develop new technologies to monitor and control methane gas emissions more efficiently. The risk of hazardous methane gas concentrations in underground environments cannot be underestimated. Statistical data for the last 100 years indicate that around 80% of the accidents and 90% of the fatalities in the underground coal mining industry in the US were related to methane gas explosions.

Modern underground mine operations monitor and evaluate atmospheric parameters such as barometric …

Parametric Numerical Analysis Of Inclined Coal Pillars, Robin Flattery

Theses and Dissertations--Mining Engineering

Pillars are used as the primary support structures for underground mining to maintain stability by supporting the over laying strata. In the case of horizontal seams, the pillars are typically subjected to axial loading due to the weight of the overburden and/or abutment stresses, while in the case of inclined seams they are subjected to oblique loading due to both the vertical and horizontal in-situ stress. Over the years numerous studies have been completed on square and rectangular pillars in horizontal seams that have resulted in several pillar stability equations and criteria. However very few studies are available with respect …

Development Of Univariate And Multivariate Forecasting Models For Methane Gas Emissions In Underground Coal Mines, Juan Diaz

Theses and Dissertations--Mining Engineering

Methane gas management continues to be a challenge concerning underground coal mine safety and productivity worldwide despite the extraordinary effort of the mining industry, governmental agencies, and academia to develop new technologies to monitor and control methane gas emissions more efficiently. The risk of hazardous methane gas concentrations in underground environments cannot be underestimated. Statistical data for the last 100 years indicate that around 80% of the accidents and 90% of the fatalities in the underground coal mining industry in the US were related to methane gas explosions.

Modern underground mine operations monitor and evaluate atmospheric parameters such as barometric …

Noise Exposure Trends Among Violating Coal Mines, 2000 To 2021, Hanna Grace Davis

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Noise-induced hearing loss has continued to be a significant issue within the mining industry, even after the passing of the MSHA’s improved noise standard in 2000. NIOSH has recognized that the noise standard enacted by both MSHA and OSHA does not properly protect workers with the 5 dBA exchange rate (i.e., the increase in noise level leading to a doubling of energy) and the lack of emphasizing the use of engineering controls over administrative controls and overreliance on hearing protection device usage. The primary objective of this study is to investigate statistical sound relationships between MSHA noise-related violations and samples …

Experimental And Theoretical Investigation On The Initiation Mechanism Of Low-Rank Coal's Self-Heating Process, Yinan Zhang

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Coal spontaneous combustion remains a safety concern during coal mining, transportation, and storage and requires further investigation to develop effective prevention and control strategies. While various intrinsic and extrinsic conditions may influence coal self-heating, low-rank coals are more prone to spontaneous combustion, especially in humid climates. Therefore, quantifying the effect of extrinsic moisture on the self-heating of low-rank coals is critical for understanding the high propensity of low-rank coals for spontaneous combustion. Many studies have qualitatively evaluated the role of extrinsic moisture on the coal self-heating. Despite this, few studies have quantified the contribution of extrinsic moisture on wetting and …

Comparison Of Mechanical And Column Flotation Performances On Recovery Of Phosphate Slimes In Presence Of Nano-Microbubbles, Fatemeh Taghavi, Mohammad Noaparast, Ziaeddin Pourkarimi, Fardis Nakhaei

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Fine particle flotation has been one of the main problems in many mineral processing plants. The bubble-particle collision rate is very low for fine particles, which reduces flotation efficiency. Also, the existence of slimes is, generally, detrimental to the flotation process, affecting the selectivity and the quality of the concentrates. Besides, it causes an increase in reagents consumption. Hence, in most of processing plants, some of these particles are transmitted to the tailing ponds to reduce the effects of these problems and increase the selectivity of the process. Esfordi phosphate plant in Iran loses more than 30% of its capacity …

Comprehensive Report On Extraterrestrial Resource Extraction, Robinson Raphael

Student Works

The prospect of asteroid mining provides a plethora of riches that include metals and water. As the number of discovered asteroids continues to grow, opportunities arise to commercialize these resources within Near-Earth Asteroids (NEAs). With urgent applications on Earth and in space, NEAs allow for a surge in sales. Planning forward, Astroider Aerospace Systems follows a mission split into four phases. Phase 1 develops a series of spacecraft using existing technologies, titled as Near-Earth Asteroid Miners and Near-Earth Asteroid Surveyors. Phase 2 first launches the surveyors to candidate NEAs, prospecting them for ores. To identify potential celestial bodies for this …

Coal Moisture Variations In Response To Rainfall Events In Mine And Coal-Fired Power Plant Stockpiles—Part 2: Evaporation, Quentin Peter Campbell, Marco Le Roux, Fardis Nakhaei

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Additional moisture added in coal stockpiles due to rain and other climatic processes causes a significant problem worldwide, which leads to not only decrease in the heating value of the coal but also creates an extra efficiency penalty. Therefore, it is important to make some predictions for control of coal moisture within stockpiles after the rainfall. When the rain falls on the stockpile, it either runs off the surface or infiltrates the stockpile. The infiltrated water may evaporate from the surface, drain or stay within the stockpile. The aims of this study (parts 1 and 2) are to describe and …

Coal Moisture Variations In Response To Rainfall Event In Mines And Coal-Fired Power Plant Stockpiles—Part 1: Runoff, Infiltration, And Drainage, Quentin Peter Campbell, Marco Le Roux, Fardis Nakhaei

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Excessive coal moisture leads to a lower heating value and power plant efficiency, and increased transportation costs. Therefore, coal stockpile management and moisture control are particularly important in regions with heavy precipitation. This paper and Part 2 address factors influencing moisture retention and migration in coal stockpiles. Part 1 of this paper series simulates phenomena of runoff, infiltration, and drainage in a stockpile after a rainfall event. Part 2 reports the effect of coal particle size and climate conditions on the rate and depth of moisture evaporation process within a coal stockpile. To perform this study, two coal samples were …

Parametric Analysis Of Rib Pillar Stability In A Longitudinal Sublevel Open Stoping Operation In An Underground Copper Mine In Southern Africa, Kostas Kaklis, Zacharias Agioutantis, Munyindei Masialeti, Jerome Yendaw, Thierry Bineli Betsi

Mining Engineering Faculty Publications

The pillar stability factor (PSF) is calculated in three different mining stages for a sublevel open stoping mining project located in northern Botswana. Several three-dimensional finite element models were developed by varying the stope span. Pillar strength was estimated using the Lunder and Pakalnis equation and pillar stress was obtained from the numerical models. As mining progresses, both the first and second mining stages meet the rib pillar stability factor requirement for safe extraction. Geometrical improvements are suggested in the mining layout for the third mining stage to achieve the required PSF, which is based on international practices.

Correlations Between Mechanical And Index Properties Of Sandstone From The Central Salt Range, M. Z. Emad, M. U. Khan, S. A. Saki, M. A. Raza, M. U. Tahir

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Abstract: A study was conducted to uncover the possible correlations among mechanical and index properties of sandstones from formations of Salt Range area, Punjab, Pakistan. For this purpose, sandstone block samples were collected from seven formations of the Salt Range. The samples were prepared for rock testing according to the guidelines set by International Society of Rock Mechanics (ISRM). Defective samples were discarded and those meeting the ISRM specifications were tested for sonic velocities, dry density, porosity, uniaxial compressive strength, tensile strength and elastic constants. Results obtained were then statistically analyzed to find the predictive relationships. The analysis revealed that …

Development Characteristics And Controlling Factors Of Coal-Measure Source Rocks In The Global Tethys Region, Qu Tong, Huang Zhilong, Wang Rui, Tan Sizhe, Li Zhiyuan, Guo Xiaobo, Zhao Jing, Pan Yongshuai

Coal Geology & Exploration

Under the control of tectonic activity in the Tethys region, a series of basins with coal measure source rocks developed, and the Tertiary coal in the circum Pacific belt is characterized by "hydrogen-rich" and has great hydrocarbon generation potential.This type of coal measure strata is an important source rock in petroliferous basins along the southeast coast of China.Therefore, it is particularly important to systematically analyze the development characteristics and controlling factors of coal measure source rocks under the Tethys background. Based on the systematic analysis of the development age, environments, geochemical characteristics and biomarker characteristics of the coal measure source …

Socio-Ecological Analysis Of Artisanal Gold Mining In West Africa: A Case Study Of Ghana, Richard Takyi, Rasha Hassan, Badr El Mahrad, Richard Adade

Journal of Sustainable Mining

The surge in artisanal gold mining (AGM) activities and the associated environmental impact in Ghana have elicited several stakeholders' attempts to curb the problem. However, due to little understanding of the underlying issues, these efforts have been ineffective. This study aims to use a socio-ecological framework to analyze drivers of AGM activities, the environmental pressures, the state change, their impact on human welfare, and the management response as measures (DAPSI(W)R(M)) to the problem. Evaluate AGM's impact on Ghana's ability to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Data were collected from relevant literature on the subject and analyzed with …

The Behaviour Of Rare Earth Elements From South African Coal Fly Ash During Enrichment Processes: Wet, Magnetic Separation And Zeolitisation, Mero Lee Ursula Cornelius, Alechine Emmanuel Ameh, Chuks Paul Eze, Olanrewaju Fatoba, Asel Sartbaeva, Leslie Felicia Petrik

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Rare earth elements (REEs) are essential raw materials in a variety of industries including clean energy technologies such as electric vehicles and wind turbines. This places an ever-increasing demand on global rare earth element production. Coal fly ash (CFA) possesses appreciable levels of REEs. CFA, a waste by-product of coal combustion, is therefore a readily available source of REEs that does not require mining. CFA valorization to zeolites has been achieved via various synthesis pathways. This study aimed to evaluate one such pathway by monitoring how REEs partition during CFA processing by the wet, magnetic separation process and zeolitisation. South …

Analysis On The Deployment Of Mining Research Supported By The Grant Program Of Deep Resources Exploration And Mining, Fan Jun, Zhang Jialin, Qin Yuan, Wang Hao, Gao Yanan, Pei Yongzhi

Coal Geology & Exploration

The Deep Resources Exploration and Mining(DREAM) grant program, within the framework of The National Key Research and Development Program grants, is a pillar to implement China’s science and technology strategy in the area of deep resources exploitation. To tackle the insufficient of theories and technologies for the 1000-meter-deep mining, a section of mining, covering the research of basic theories, general technologies and application demonstration, was arranged in the layout of DREAM under the principle of "whole chain design, integrated implementation". In the aspect of basic research, DREAM mainly focused on the deep rock mechanics and mining theory, such as the …

The Contribution Of Mining Sector To Sustainable Development In Saudi Arabia, Mourad Zmami, Ousama Ben-Salha, Sultan O. Almarshad, Houyem Chekki

Journal of Sustainable Mining

The mining sector development is among the priorities of the Saudi Vision 2030. There is currently a lot of interest in the role of the mining sector in Saudi Arabia. This research contributes to this debate by empirically assessing the effects of mining on sustainable development in Saudi Arabia during the period 1980-2018. Unlike many previous studies, the three sustainable development dimensions, namely economic, social, and environmental, are jointly considered. The cointegration analysis, based on the ARDL, Gregory-Hansen, and combined cointegration tests, confirms the existence of long-run relationships between mining and all sustainable development dimensions. Furthermore, the findings lend substantial …

Environmental, Health And Safety Intricacies Of Artisanal Mining In The Gold-Rich Landscapes Of Karamoja, North-Eastern Uganda, Eria Serwajja, Paul Isolo Mukwaya

Journal of Sustainable Mining

Artisanal small-scale gold mining presents opportunities for Uganda’s rural poor. However, it also poses serious environmental, health and safety challenges. A suite of data collection methods including interviews, focus groups discussions, water and soils sampling were used to examine the perceptions of miners on the status, prevalence and extent of mercury use in artisanal gold mining, mercury transit routes and toxicity levels of soils and water in Karamoja sub-region. It also explores the health, safety and environmental implications of artisanal small-scale gold mining in the sub-region. The findings show that trade and access to mercury is widespread; although trade in, …

Potentials Of Airborne Hyperspectral Aviris-Ng Data In The Exploration Of Base Metal Deposit—A Study In The Parts Of Bhilwara, Rajasthan, Arindam Guha, Uday Kumar Ghosh, Joyasree Sinha, Amin Beiranvand Pour, Ratnakar Bhaisal, Snehamoy Chatterjee, Nikhil Kumar Baranval, Nisha Rani, K. Vinod Kumar, Pamaraju V.N. Rao

Michigan Tech Publications, Part 1

In this study, we have processed the spectral bands of airborne hyperspectral data of Advanced Visible Infrared Imaging Spectrometer-Next Generation (AVIRIS-NG) data for delineating the surface signatures associated with the base metal mineralization in the Pur-Banera area in the Bhilwara district, Rajasthan, India.The primaryhost rocks of the Cu, Pb, Zn mineralization in the area are Banded Magnetite Quartzite (BMQ), unclassified calcareous silicates, and quartzite. We used ratio images derived from the scale and root mean squares (RMS) error imagesusing the multi-range spectral feature fitting (MRSFF) methodto delineate host rocks from the AVIRIS-NG image. The False Color Composites (FCCs) of different …

The Evolution Difference Of Macromolecular Structures And Its Dynamic Mechanism Of Coal Macerals：Research Status And Prospect, Cao Daiyong, Wei Yingchun, Wang Anmin, Wang Lu, Liu Zhifei, Qin Rongfang, Shu Zhenyu, Chen Gaojian

Coal Geology & Exploration

The physical and chemical properties of macerals are important factors affecting the clean and efficient utilization of coal and the physical properties of coal reservoirs. It has been recognized that the essential cause of determining the properties of macerals lies in their macromolecular structure. In order to reveal the evolution characteristics of macromolecular structure of macerals and its controlling factors, the research progresses at home and abroad were summarized and the shortcomings were analyzed from several aspects, such as the chemical and physical structure of macromolecules, the tectonic stress effect on the macromolecular evolution, and the evolution characteristics of macromolecules …

Removal Of Pharmaceutical Residues From Water And Wastewater Using Dielectric Barrier Discharge Methods—A Review, Emile S. Massima Mouele, Jimoh O. Tijani, Kassim O. Badmus, Omoniyi Pereao, Omotola Babajide, Cheng Zhang, Tao Shao, Eduard Sosnin, Victor Tarasenko, Ojo O. Fatoba, Katri Laatikainen, Leslie F. Petrik

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Persistent pharmaceutical pollutants (PPPs) have been identified as potential endocrine disruptors that mimic growth hormones when consumed at nanogram per liter to microgram per liter concentrations. Their occurrence in potable water remains a great threat to human health. Different conventional technologies developed for their removal from wastewater have failed to achieve complete mineralization. Advanced oxidation technologies such as dielectric barrier discharges (DBDs) based on free radical mechanisms have been identified to completely decompose PPPs. Due to the existence of pharmaceuticals as mixtures in wastewater and the recalcitrance of their degradation intermediate by-products, no single advanced oxidation technology has been able …

Assessment Of Heavy Metal Concentration In Soils Around Geita The Gold Mine, Tanzania, Mariam G. Mgendi, Mkabwa L. K Manoko, W.J.S. Mwegoha, C. Southway C. Southway

Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

Health issues related to gold mining cannot be underestimated. Gold mining produce acid mine drainage (AMD), which in turn releases heavy metals into the nearby environment, hence causing environmental pollution. Heavy metals are naturally very toxic, thus pose a great health concern especially when their concentration exceeds the recommended permissible limits. In this study, concentrations of five heavy metals—including Pb, Ni, Cr, Cu and Zn—were assessed in the soil around Geita Gold Mine (GGM). A total of 17 sampling sites were established from which the soil samples were collected at 0-15cm and 15-30cm soil depth. The concentration of both total …

Evaluation Of Undeveloped Hard Coal Deposits And Estimation Of Hard Coal Reserves In The Upper Silesian Coal Basin, Poland, Tomasz Urych, Jarosław Chećko, Marek Rosa, Anna Wątor

Journal of Sustainable Mining

The article presents the results of works concerning evaluation of undeveloped deposits in the Upper Silesian Coal Basin and an estimation of hard coal reserves which can be developed by 2050. Evaluation of hard coal deposits was established on criterions choice and their score determination. On the basis of obtained the final score and after consultations with experts in the field of hard coal mining, there were selected three areas of undeveloped deposits with the amount of about 1.99 Gt (billion metric tons) of anticipated economic resources which can extend the coal reserve base located in the direct vicinity of …

Application Of A Novel Ventilation Simplification Algorithm, Caitlin V. Strong

Theses and Dissertations--Mining Engineering

Ventilation network analysis is an integral part of maintaining a safe mine environment. Despite its important role, liberties are often taken with the representation of networks in ventilation network analysis software. In order to provide an alternative to heuristic methods used by ventilation engineers, a simplification algorithm has been developed. This algorithm is designed to work as a compliment to ventilation software. Comparisons of original ventilation networks and simplified networks show little to no change in fan operating point. The program utilizing this algorithm provides an alternative to reducing networks with a parallel factor. It can also be used in …