Engineering Commons^™

European Feedback On Post-Mining Seismicity, Isabelle Contrucci, Dalija Namjesnik, Peter Niemz, Paloma Primo, Andrzej Kotyrba, Grzegorz Mutke, Petr Konicek, Pascal Dominique, Tobias Rudolph, Stefan Möllerherm, Jannes Kinscher, Emmanuelle Klein, Simone Cesca

Journal of Sustainable Mining

Following the Paris Agreement adopted in 2015, Europe has committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions. In this context, the abandonment of coal as an energy source, both in terms of consumption and production, will lead to the closure of many mines in the years to come.

Mine closure guidelines to manage residual mining risks already exist in European countries. However, they do not include post-mining seismic risk management due to a lack of sufficient studies and knowledge on this subject. After mining closure, the flooding of the mining works leads to hydromechanical loading of the underground and, in the …

Optimizing The Membrane-Assisted Recovery Of Solids (Mars) Technology For Nutrient Removal And Recovery From Concentrated Waste Streams, Ben Yamin Hoque

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The effective management of nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, in decentralizedwastewater treatment environments is a pressing challenge. These nutrients pose significant risks to the environment and public health when discharged into water bodies, while their recovery and reuse can help alleviate nutrient shortages in various industries, including agriculture. Conventional biological treatment methods used in centralized facilities are not suitable for decentralized systems due to operational complexities and space limitations. Chemical treatment mechanisms, such as adsorption, ion exchange, precipitation, and air-stripping, offer potential solutions but are accompanied by challenges like high costs and logistical issues. Therefore, finding a sustainable and …

Applications Of Uavs In Mine Industry: A Scoping Review, Dang Tuyet Minh, Nguyen Ba Dung

Journal of Sustainable Mining

In recent years, a variety of technologies have improved mining operations. One of them is the Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), the emerging technology that has been changing the mining process, boosting mining safety and productivity. The main purpose of this paper is to review the applications of UAVs in the mining industry based on the results of 113 research papers over the past twelve years, from 2010 to May 2022. The potential applications of UAVs in the mining industry are broad. Based on the paper identified, eight categories are used to classify UAV applications in the mining sector. The reviewed …

Evaluating The Post-Mining Land Uses Of Former Mine Sites For Sustainable Purposes In South Africa, Sphiwe E Mhlongo

Journal of Sustainable Mining

This paper uses a case study of an abandoned magnesite mine in the Limpopo Province of South Africa to find ways of identifying post-mining land used from the current uses of the abandoned mine sites or features. The approach used involved carrying out a field characterization of the mine site and documentation of the current uses of the features of the abandoned mine site. The technique used to identify the internal and external factors of the land uses involved analyzing their Strength, Weakness, Opportunities, and Threats. The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) technique was used for further ranking of the land …

Technological Path And Geological Guarantee For Energy Storage In Underground Space Formed By Coal Mining, Sun Qiang, Zhang Weiqiang, Geng Jishi, Hu Jianjun, Zhang Yuliang, Lyu Chao, Ge Zhenlong, Li Pengfei, Jia Hailiang, Liu Yabin, Li Yuxiang

Coal Geology & Exploration

Coal resource is still in the main position of China’s energy structure, but the development of coal industry is facing the new challenge of “carbon peaking and carbon neutrality”. Actively developing coal underground space energy storage technology is an effective means to promote low-carbon and clean energy utilization, and also a key measure to ensure China’s energy strategic security. This study discussed the potential utilization of underground space formed by coal mining based on the current energy storage technologies. Focusing on new energy storage technologies such as underground pumped storage hydropower plants in coal mines (UPSHCM), thermal energy storage (TES), …

Diagnostic Gold Deportment Studies And Leaching Behaviour Of Small-Scale Gold Mining Tailings From Eastern Region, Ghana, Ishmael Quaicoe, Martin Beyuo, Solomon Quaicoe, Nikao A. Lasidzi

Journal of Sustainable Mining

Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) sector employs about 80% of the mining workforce but only contributes about 20-30% of Ghana’s gold production. The low gold production is linked to low recoveries associated with the activities because ofinadequate understanding of the chemical, mineralogical and metallurgical characteristics of the ores. This study examined the metallurgical characteristics of typical small-scale gold mining tailings to understand their grinding characteristics, gold deportment and cyanidation behaviour. The gold deportment results showed that 96.1% of the gold in the samples is free milling (can be leached directly with cyanide and recovered through carbon adsorption), whilst the …

Domestic And Foreign Progress Of Mine Water Treatment And Resource Utilization, Wang Hao, Dong Shuning, Shang Hongbo, Wang Tiantian, Yang Jian, Zhao Chunhu, Zhang Quan, Zhou Zhenfang, Liu Ji, Hou Yue

Coal Geology & Exploration

The treatment and resourceful utilization of mine water is an important thrust to achieve the dual goals of high-quality development of coal industry and ecological civilization construction in mining area. The decision to effectively treat and use mine water as an unconventional water resource will inevitably be made in the future due to the restrictions of a global water resource deficit and ecological environment protection. From the standpoint of the quality features of mine water in various mining sites, the formation mechanism and evaluation techniques of mine water quality were completely detailed here. Meanwhile, there were two stages in the …

Projected Long-Term Climate Trends Reveal The Critical Role Of Vapor Pressure Deficit For Soybean Yields In The Us Midwest, Wenguang Sun, David Fleisher, Dennis Timlin, Chittaranjan Ray, Zhuangji Wang, Sahila Beegum, Vangimalla Reddy

Nebraska Water Center: Faculty Publications

Extreme climate events including heat waves and droughts are projected to become more frequent under future climate change conditions. However, the mechanisms between soybean yields and climate factors, specifically involving variable rainfall and high heat episodes, are still unclear, particularly with respect to spatial trends in the United States (US) Midwest. A recently modified version of the model GLYCIM was used to evaluate rainfed soybean production across 12 states at a 10 km spatial resolution for three time periods (2011–2020, 2051–2060, 2091–2099) under Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) scenarios 4.5 and 8.5. Results showed that except for the northernmost Midwest counties, …

Acknowledgments Of Reviewers

Journal of Sustainable Mining

No abstract provided.

Exploring The Characterization, Liberation And Flotation Response Of A Nigerian Low-Grade Copper Ore, Willie Nheta, Omoyemi O. Ola-Omole

Journal of Sustainable Mining

This study explores the characterization, liberation and flotation response of low-grade copper ore from Anka area, Zamfara state Nigeria. The ore was crushed, milled and sieved in accordance with BS 410 standard. It was characterized with XRD, XRF, SEM-EDS and AAS. Froth flotation was carried out with varying %solids, pH, retention time and collector dosages using SEX and sodium oleate. Particle size distribution of the ore shows its economic liberation between -150 and +106 µm while 80% passing corresponds to 175.7 µm using the Gaudin Schuhmann equation. However, according to metallurgical balance calculation, 63 µm proved to have the highest …

An Unmanned Aircraft System For Marking Live Power Lines To Prevent Bird Collisions, Mattheuns D. Pretorius, Lourens Leeuwner, Kaajial Durgapersad, Constant Hoogstad, Peter Beckedahl, Michael D. Michael, Kishaylin Chetty

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Collisions with overhead power lines represent a significant cause of mortality for a number of large bird species worldwide. Certain threatened species are severely impacted by power line collisions, particularly those for which there are no other known significant threats. In South Africa, bird collisions with overhead power line cables, including collisions with phase conductors and shield wires, contribute significantly to annual threatened bird species mortalities associated with Eskom power lines. The most practical mitigation measure is to attach bird anti-collision devices as markers on the cables. Current marking methods involve installations by hand, where linemen are hoisted up to …

Evaluation On Potential Of Using Abandoned Mines For Pumped Storage In Nine Provinces Of Yellow River Basin, Bian Zhengfu, Zhu Chaobin, Zhou Yuejin, Xu Yunong

Coal Geology & Exploration

In view of the low utilization rate of closed mine resources and the increasing demand for power and energy storage in China, the pumped storage technology of abandoned mine is an effective means to realize the secondary development and utilization of resources and enhance the peak sheaving capacity of power grid. Based on the working principle and development status of pumped storage power plants using the abandoned mines, it was proposed to build the semi-underground and full-underground pumped storage power plants using the abandoned mines in the nine provinces of Yellow River Basin. By considering the influence factors of space, …

Building Structures From Mycelium, Noah M. Brown

Physics

The purpose of this project was to develop a method for creating bricks from mycelium and agricultural waste. The bulk of the research happened in two parts, the first part being a period in which different substrates, strains, and methods were used build the bricks. This research took place in San Luis Obispo and was aided by a group of students in PSC392 under Dr. Pete Schwartz in early 2022. After developing a method for constructing these bricks, the research was moved to St. Thomas, Jamaica, in collaboration with an ecovillage called The Source Farm from July to September. The …

Quantifying The Influence Of Variations In Rock Mass Properties On Stope Stability, Shahé Shnorhokian, Hani Mitri

Journal of Sustainable Mining

Variations in rock mass properties are well-established in rock mechanics and underground mining. The literature is replete with methods of assessing them and determining values that are used in design or numerical analysis. In this paper, a simplified 3D model is constructed for a tabular orebody in the Canadian Shield and instability is quantified using the ”brittle shear ratio” criterion to calculate the volume at risk. A 1-4-7 stope pillar sequence is implemented on four active levels, and three variations in the properties of the host formation are assessed. It is observed that the locations of ore at risk follow …

Prospects For Thiourea As A Leaching Agent In Colombian Gold Small-Scale Mining: A Comprehensive Review, Johana Borda, Robinson Torres

Journal of Sustainable Mining

Thiourea, as an alternative medium, is one of the most promising leaching agents for gold recovery by its commercial benefits and research challenges associated with performance and environmental impacts. This review article describes the operational conditions for the use of Thiourea vs cyanide, its chemistry, limitations, toxicity factors, environment, and recovery processes. Although thiourea gold extraction processes have not been applied on a large scale due to the instability of the reagent, its potential to overcome the limitations of cyanide is attractive to the process; with pH, potential, oxidant dosage, and temperature control, solubilized gold thiourea species are achieved. These …

Effect Of Mining And Geology On Mining-Induced Seismicity – A Case Study, Heba Khalil, Tuo Chen, Yu-Hang Xu, Hani Mitri

Journal of Sustainable Mining

Mining-induced seismicity is a commonly occurring phenomenon in underground mines. This poses a greater challenge to the safety of the mining operation. This paper presents a case study of the Young-Davidson mine in northern Ontario, Canada, where seismic events of magnitude Mn 2.0+ have been observed at mining depths of 600 to 800 m below the surface. The occurrence of large seismic events at such shallow depths is the key issue of this study. A comprehensive study of the microseismic database has been conducted to discern the root causes for the unusually strong seismic activities recorded at shallow depths. The …

Selection Of The Optimal Alternative Fuel In Terms Of The Sustainability Of The Shipping Industry Through The Multi-Attribute Decision Making, Kyungrok Kim

World Maritime University Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Unplanned Dilution Prediction In Open Stope Mining: Developing New Design Charts Using Artificial Neural Network Classifier, Sultan Korigov, Amoussou Coffi Adoko, Fhatuwani Sengani

Journal of Sustainable Mining

Minimizing dilution is essential in open stope mine design as excessive unplanned dilution can compromise the operation's profitability. One of the main challenges associated with the empirical dilution graph method used to design open stopes is how to determine the boundary of the dilution zones objectively. Hence, this paper explores the implementation of machine learning classifiers to bridge this gap in the conventional dilution graph method. Stope performance data consisting of the stope dilution (unplanned dilution), the modified stability number, and the hydraulic radius were compiled from a mine located in Kazakhstan. First, the conventional dilution graph methods were used …

Research Advances Into Mine Safety Science And Engineering, Hani Mitri, Rudrajit Mitra, Ting Ren

Journal of Sustainable Mining

No abstract provided.

Solid Thermal Storage As An Energy Storage Device In Insulated Solar Electric Cookers: Thermal Modeling And Experiment, Michael Antonio Fernandez

Physics

The use of solid thermal storage (STS) as an energy storage device in insulated solar electric cookers (ISEC) was explored using a thermal simulation before retrofitting an existing cooker without energy storage and testing it under several conditions. STS sizing, material selection, and geometry were examined from both theoretical and practical perspectives and re-examined following experimental results. Characterization of the system’s thermal interfaces and methods to improve their thermal conductivities were investigated resulting in several performance enhancements to the system.

A Review：Geological Feasibility And Technological Applicability Of Underground Coal Gasification, Jiang Xiuming, Wu Caifang

Coal Geology & Exploration

Underground coal gasification (UCG) is a potential new method of coal utilization, which is of great significance for alleviating China’s energy crisis, ensuring national energy security, and achieving carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals. It has always been valued by countries all over the world. On the suitability of UCG resource conditions, the feasibility of process and technology, and the controllability of environmental impact, this paper summarizes the development status of UCG technology, and clarifies the coal resource reserves suitable for UCG technology, different standards of geological area selection and location selection technology, the development history and applicable conditions of …

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.

Grid-Connected Renewable Energy Systems For Residential Hvac Load Management, Oscar Samuel Acosta

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

With an ongoing mission of utility operators to maintain a resilient and reliable power grid in the face of continuously increasing load demand, it is essential that advancements be made in developing both technology and methodology to help account for the increasing energy requirements. According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and Energy Information Administration (EIA), the residential end-use sector alone counted for 22% of all electricity used in the U.S. in 2020. Of this, approximately 32% of household electricity load is the direct result of air conditioning and space heating units (HVAC). One way to account for this …

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 …

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 …

Techno-Economic Feasibility Of Electrifying Food Markets In Nigeria With Biogas Hybrid Mini-Grids, Demi Temitope Ogunwo

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

This thesis explored the feasibility of electrifying a food market in an urban city in Nigeria with a hybrid biogas-powered mini-grid. Under the Energizing Economies Initiative of the Rural Electrification Agency of Nigeria, nine markets in the country currently receive constant access to electricity via hybrid mini-grid systems. As a majority of these systems are diesel-solar-battery systems, this thesis explored the use of biogas generators as a substitute for diesel generators in hybrid mini-grids for food markets. A fruit and vegetable market in Ketu, Lagos was used as a case study for the research. The research for this thesis was …

Source Apportionment And Health Risk Assessment Of Nitrate In Foothill Aquifers Of Western Ghats, South India, Banajarani Panda, S. Chidambaram, Daniel D. Snow, Arindam Malakar, Dhiraj Kr Singh, L. Ramanathan

Nebraska Water Center: Faculty Publications

The present research reports the level of nitrate (NO₃^-), associated health risks and possible sources of contamination in groundwater from south India. Many samples (32%) are above or approaching the recommended level of NO₃^- for safe drinking water. The correlation analysis indicates different sources of NO₃^- contamination in different regions rather than a common origin. The isotopic measurements provide information about potential nitrogen sources contributing NO₃^- to the groundwater. Based on isotope analysis, the sources of NO₃^- in the groundwater of this region are likely to be from (a) …