Mining Engineering Commons^™

Underground Blast Fragmentation Modeling For Use In The Mine-To-Mill Strategy, Lauren Shields

Theses and Dissertations--Mining Engineering

More than 40 years ago, the mine-to-mill concept was introduced in the mining industry by establishing a relationship or link between processing and mining activities. To date, many successful case studies have documented the evident benefits of the mine-to-mill approach. In most cases, the basis of the mine-to-mill approach is to tailor the details of a blast design and its proper execution in order to satisfy specific mineral processing requirements downstream. Most of the available literature and case studies deal with surface mine operations. Due to the relative simplicity of surface mining, the relationship between the powder factor, defined as …

Enhance Effectiveness Of Monitoring Scheme Using Insar On Tailings Storage Facility No. 2, Chatree Gold Mine, Thailand, Shanghai Chea

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Tailings storage facility (TSF) is a critical component of the mining industry, serving to safely contain waste generated during mineral extraction. At Chatree Gold Mine, the largest and only active gold mine in Thailand, TSF No.2 handles approximately 5 million tons of tailings annually. Effective monitoring of the facility is crucial for hazard prevention and regulatory compliance. This study aims to enhance the monitoring scheme of TSF No.2 by employing Small Baseline Subset Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (SBAS-InSAR) technique, processed via MintPy software, to analyze ground deformation. Despite traditional monitoring methods, such as in-situ geodetic surveying, offering valuable insights, they …

Recovery Of Tin From Kaolin Mine Tailing, Rangoon, Thailand, Archana Pandit

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

This study investigates the recovery of tin from kaolin waste using gravity, electrostatic, and magnetic separation techniques. A total of 123.500 kg of sand and 103.200 kg of silt were processed using a shaking table, spiral concentrator, high-tension separator, induced roll magnetic separator, and Frantz magnetic separator. Mineralogical and chemical characterization was conducted using X-ray diffractometer (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and microscopic analysis to determine tin distribution and occurrence. Experimental results showed that the silt fractions generally exhibited higher tin content than the sand fractions. In this study, Case A refers to the samples (Sand A and Silt A) processed …

Simulation On Acid Gas Removal From Natural Gas Processing With Membrane And Absorption Process, Ratikorn Sornumpol

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

The comparison using simulations of CO₂ removal from natural gas via membrane separation and monoethanolamine (MEA) absorption has been studied. The membrane model is applied with the single- and two-stage configurations over feed pressures 3,000–9,000 kPa, temperatures 10–59 °C, CO₂ concentrations 20–70 mol %, membrane areas 2,500–5,500 m², and flows 331,800–580,600 m³/h. At 10 °C feed temperature, CO₂ permeability is enhanced while CH₄ selectivity improves slightly, increasing CO₂ capture efficiency up to 74 % with only minor methane losses, though at the cost of higher refrigeration duty. The 10 °C operation also leads to stronger driving force across the membrane, …

The Methodology For Integrating Robotic Systems In Undeground Mining Machines, Peter Kolapo

Theses and Dissertations--Mining Engineering

Roof bolting is a critical operation in ensuring the safety and stability of underground mines by securing the roof strata with bolts. The process involves moving and manipulating heavy tools while being vigilant about the safety of the area. During the installation of roof bolts, operators are exposed to hazardous conditions due to challenging working conditions in underground mines, extensive working hours, and demanding shift schedules leading to personnel fatigue and influencing operators to take shortcuts that may increase the risk of injuries and fatal accidents. The successful completion of roof bolting tasks depends heavily on operator judgment and experience …

Autonomous Shuttle Car Docking To A Continuous Miner Using Rgb-Depth Imagery, Sky Rose

Theses and Dissertations--Mining Engineering

A great deal of research is currently being conducted in automating mining equipment to improve worker health and safety and increase mine productivity. Significant progress has been made in some applications, e.g., autonomous haul trucks for surface mining. However, little progress has been made in autonomous face haulage in underground room-and pillar coal mines. Accordingly, this thesis addresses automating the operation of a shuttle car, focusing on positioning the shuttle car under the continuous miner coal-discharge conveyor during cutting and loading operations. The approach uses a stereo depth camera as the sensor, and machine-learning algorithms are used to identify various …

Discrete Element Modeling To Predict Muckpile Profiles From Cast Blasting, Russell Lamont

Theses and Dissertations--Mining Engineering

Movement of overburden or ore from one location to another may be considered the primary physical process of mining. The means by which it is transported is then of primary concern both to economic production and cost control. The geologic characteristics of some mineral deposits, especially coal and phosphates, lend themselves to overburden transport by means of cast blasting, which when efficiently designed has proven itself to be a cheaper method than traditional truck/shovel, dragline, or even dozer push transport. Simultaneously, this movement of a significant portion of overburden using explosives may enable an operation to increase mineral production, as …

Prediction Of Final Subsidence Under Dipping Seam Conditions, Ernesto Maldonado Esguerra

Theses and Dissertations--Mining Engineering

The prediction of ground movements due to underground coal mining and their impacts on the surface are essential considerations that numerous researchers worldwide have studied. Most of these studies have focused on developing different analytical and empirical models for predicting and calculating ground deformation indices for flat or gently dipping seams under variable topography. However, a few studies are available on predicting ground movements under dipping seam conditions. Although most inclined coal seams are in China, India, and a few other countries, dipping seam conditions have been encountered in some cases in the US, where the inclination (dip) may be …

Copper Ammoniacal Recycling Process Development For Leaching Electrolyte, Solvent Extraction, And Electrowinning, Zulqarnain Ahmad Ali

Theses and Dissertations--Mining Engineering

Electronic waste (e-waste) encompasses waste originating from electronic and electrical equipment. In 2022, 59.4 million metric tons of e-waste were generated, projected to increase to 74.7 million metric tons by 2030. Among the most valuable components within E-Waste are the printed circuit boards (PCBs), primarily composed of metals including copper (Cu), gold (Au), silver (Ag), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), bismuth (Bi), and various other base and precious metals. Notably, copper is the predominant element in PCBs, with concentrations exceeding those in their respective ores. The high demand for copper driven by the ongoing push towards greener technologies and its abundant …

Characterization And Concentration Of Critical Minerals And Rare Earth Elements From Primary And Secondary Silicate Deposits, Muhammed Melih Elseyh

Theses and Dissertations--Mining Engineering

Critical materials (CMs) are crucial for sustainable energy. This investigation explored the extraction of rare earth elements (REEs) from the Halleck Creek deposit in Wyoming, and CMs from a construction sand deposit in Missouri. The Halleck Creek deposit is REE enriched (0.32%) as the mineral allanite within silicious host rock. Density fractionation tests revealed that 70% of the gangue can be rejected while recovering 90% of the REEs with an upgrading ratio of 4.5:1. By exploiting allanite’s paramagnetic properties, magnetic separations achieved a TREE upgrade ratio of 3:1 with 87% TREE recovery. Based on the density fractionation results, a rougher-scavenger-cleaner …

The Mechanism And Effect Of Seismic Source Location Using Double Waves In Three-Dimensional Microseismic Monitoring, Zhigang Wang, Xiaoqing Wang, Shunlin Yin, Maochen Ge

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Accurate seismic source location has always been the most important purpose of micro seismic and seismic monitoring. The location accuracy inside the existing monitoring networks is generally high, whereas the accuracy in the external area and sensor accessories area tends to be low. This scenario contributes to an overall limitation in the effective monitoring area. The seismic source location was performed in this study using P waves and S waves to improve the location accuracy outside the monitoring networks and in the adjacent area and enlarge the high-accuracy control area of the monitoring networks. Moreover, the mechanism of seismic source …

Forecasting Of The Next Three (3) Decades Global Lithium Demand And Pricing Using Multivariate Stochastic Model., Enoch Nii- Okai

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

The transition to electric vehicles (EVs) is pivotal in achieving global climate goals, with nations aiming to integrate a significant portion of new passenger vehicles as electric by 2030. This shift towards electric mobility includes a notable rise in battery-electric, plug-in hybrid, and fuel-cell electric vehicles to curb carbon emissions and foster sustainable transportation. Central to this transition is the critical role of lithium, often referred to as the "white gold of the 21st century," in electric vehicle batteries, especially rechargeable lithium-ion batteries renowned for their high energy efficiency, density, and durability. While lithium has historically found extensive use across …

Preliminary Remote Identification Of Unstable Zone On Large-Scale Waste Dump At Mae Moh Mine Using Insar Technique, Chitra Buth

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Mae Moh Mine is one of the largest lignite mine in Southeast Asia, operated by the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT). It is located in the northern part of Thailand, in Mae Moh district, Lampang province. In March 2018, a significant sliding incidence occurred at a waste dump site with sliding area of 1.56 km2 approximately, highlighting the pressing issue of instability within this large-scale waste dump area. This study aims to address this concern in the future and demonstrate an innovative method for investigating the failure by employing Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) technology. The methodology involves the …

Performance And Field Testing Of Geotextiles For Dewatering Rare Earth Element Hydraulic Preconcentrate From Hardrock Amd, Ian R. Bird

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

As part of ongoing efforts to develop a domestic Rare Earth Elements (REE) supply chain the Hydraulic Preconcentrate (HPC) produced at the Horseshoe bend treatment plant (HsB) was manufactured and evaluated as a potential source for feedstock. After the existing clarifiers on the site were flipped to the desired pH set points, HPC was manufactured and pumped to 24 geobags. The geobags were then passively dewatered to increase the total solids percentage. The geobags evaluated were comprised of: Woven geotextiles, composite (woven and non- woven), and geobags augmented with Capillary Channel Fiber (CCF). Column Filtration Tests (CFTs) were performed onsite …

Characterization And Evaluation Of Various Biochar Types As Green Adsorbents For Rare Earth Element Recovery From Aqueous Solutions, Oluwaseun Victor Famobuwa

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Rare earth elements (REEs) are members of the lanthanide family (atomic number 57 – 71). They are significantly important to the global economy due to their applications in renewable energy, defense, and medical industries. REEs are primarily derived from bastnaesite and monazite but may also be present in xenotime, cerite, alanite, and many other types of mineralization in lesser amounts. Due to the increasing demand for REEs and their criticality in the supply chain, the need to explore secondary sources of REEs has gained tremendous importance.

Secondary sources of REEs include but are not limited to acid mine drainage (AMD), …

Anaerobic Reductive Bioleaching Of Manganese Ores, Neha Sharma

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Manganese extraction by biological methods is a green and economical way to produce manganese from low as well as high grade manganese ores. This is especially important for US ores, which are primarily either small in extent, low-grade with a high iron content, or both. They are therefore not suitable for conventional mining, which is very capital-intensive and requires a large up-front investment and are therefore imported at high costs. The goal is therefore to develop a process that can be applied at small scales, with minimal startup costs, and low equipment and labor requirements. It is also critical to …

The Effects Of Uv-Radiation On The Removal Of Microplastics In Water Using Agglomeration-Micro-Flotation, Palot Srichonphaisarn

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Microplastics, plastic particles with diameter 1 micrometer to 5 millimeters, can disturb marine ecosystems due to their small size and surface properties which can be a carrier for hazardous matters. While wastewater treatment plants could remove some microplastics but some of them remain. Among the various removal techniques, flotation is a potential method due to the hydrophobic nature of microplastics. This study investigates the effects of ultraviolet radiation on the surface wettability of microplastics and removal efficiency of microplastics. The 6 types of microplastics were prepared from plastic boards. After the ultraviolet radiation, the results showed that ultraviolet radiation could …

Laboratory Scale Experimental Analysis Of The Effect Of Surfactants On Acid Mist Suppression During Copper Electrowinning, Thurman Kollie Elgin

Masters Theses

"The reduction in acid mist generation is an industrial occupational objective in the electrowinning industry of base metals. The technology of electrowinning as an extractive metallurgical technique of metals proficiently contributed to the recovery of pure base metals. During the process of electrowinning, oxygen bubbles are generated on the anode of the electrowinning cell because of the over potential in the cell due to high voltage. The bubbles formed tend to contain sulfuric acid of the electrolyte in the form of liquid-gas ascending particles of the solution. As these bubbles ascend to the surface of the solution, they burst at …

Dig Limits Optimization Using Binary Integer Linear Programming Method In Open Pit Mines, Hussam Naif Altalhi

Masters Theses

"Dig limits optimization is the process for classifying different materials (e.g., ore, stockpile material, and waste) into appropriately sized contiguous zones for open pit mining. The efficient determination of dig-limits is crucial for profitable and sustainable resource extraction in mining. Previous research has focused on defining dig-limits manually or using optimization approaches, but these methods are limited to only handling two material destinations (ore and waste). Thus, there is a need for operations research methods that consider the selectivity of mining equipment and can optimize dig-limits for metal mining operations with more than two material destinations. Consequently, the objective of …

A Review Of Current Safe Distance Calculations And The Risk Of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury, A. R. Loflin, C. E. Johnson

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Explosive breaching is a tactic operational professionals use to gain rapid entry and tactical advantage. This tactic exposes individuals to repeated low-level blasts (LLB), overpressure exposure generally occurring from user-directed munitions. The experimentation described in this paper highlights the need for further research into implementing explosives in tactical situations, specifically in confined areas, and the effects on individuals exposed. While current safety calculations predict peak pressures from an open-air detonation, this study incorporates the impulse of the total explosive event in a confined space. Sixteen explosive events were conducted to measure peak overpressures of the total duration of the event …

Generation Of Micro-Fracture Clouds In Rocks: Mechanisms And Applications, U. Mutlu, G. Boitnott, A. Lisjak, O. Mahabadi, Taghi Sherizadeh, D. Guner, S. Nowak, A. Ghassemi

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Volume increasing or decreasing processes in rocks can lead to inter or intragranular fractures in subsurface formations. The volume change can be caused by chemical reactions involving fluid, reactive transport, and coupling with the mechanical deformation of the grains. Depending on stress, material properties and coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical-chemical (THMC) conditions, grain scale fractures may propagate and coalesce, forming a cloud of well-connected fracture networks. The mechanisms responsible for propagation, coalescence and inhibition of cloud fractures are not well known. In this study, we review coupled micro-fracture network generation mechanisms as published in the literature and observed in field, experiments, and models. …

The Influence Of Surfactants' Ionicity On The Performance Of Coal Dust Suppression, Zidong Zhao, Ping Chang, Apurna Ghosh, Guang Xu, Yanwei Liu, Ramakrishna Morla

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Coal dust is a significant health hazard for coal workers, as prolonged inhalation can lead to severe diseases such as Coal Workers' Pneumoconiosis. Water spray with surfactants is commonly used as a pre-control strategy to control coal dust in underground mines. The zeta potential test is a widely used static test to evaluate surfactants with different ionicities. However, there are still some arguments about the evaluation criteria of zeta potential on surfactant performance between different researchers. Moreover, whether zeta potential can be used as an index to evaluate the surfactant suppression performance is inconclusive. To address these problems, this study …

Numerical Investigation For The Effect Of Joint Persistence On Rock Slope Stability Using A Lattice Spring-Based Synthetic Rock Mass Model, Mariam Al-E'Bayat, Dogukan Guner, Taghi Sherizadeh, Mostafa Asadizadeh

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This study underscores the profound influence of rock joints, both persistent and non-persistent with rock bridges, on the stability and behavior of rock masses—a critical consideration for sustainable engineering and natural structures, especially in rock slope stability. Leveraging the lattice spring-based synthetic rock mass (LS-SRM) modeling approach, this research aims to understand the impact of persistent and non-persistent joint parameters on rock slope stability. The Slope Model, a Synthetic Rock Mass (SRM) approach-based code, is used to investigate the joint parameters such as dip angle, spacing, rock bridge length, and trace overlapping. The results show that the mobilizing zones in …

Comparative Analysis Of Different Cfd Turbulence Models For A Diesel Pool Combustion Event In An Underground Mine: A Case Study, Ashish Ranjan Kumar, Oluwafemi Salami, Nana A. Amoah, Guang Xu

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Underground Mine Fires Are Dangerous, Consume Resources, and Emit Pollutants. Therefore, Acquiring In-Mine Data for Fire Research is Hazardous and Expensive Due to Unsteady Temperature Changes and Toxic Gas Emissions. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Models Are Often Developed to Mimic Airflows and Combustion-Associated Heat Transfer. However, Research on the Performance Evaluation of the CFD Turbulence Models to Mimic Fire Events is Limited. This Paper Summarises the Modelling Results for a Diesel Pool Fire Event in an Experimental Underground Mine that Uses an Exhaust Ventilation System. a Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS) Model Was Developed to Show the Spatio-Temporal Temperature Evolution. Reynolds-Averaged …

Investigation Into Helmet–Head Shock Wave Interactions At Low Overpressures Through Free-Field Blasts And Schlieren Imagery, C. J.H. Thomas, Catherine E. Johnson

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Brain Injuries in Warfighters Due to Low-Level Blasts, Even While Wearing a Helmet, Are Common. Understanding How the Form of a Shock Wave Changes When Impacting a Head Donning a Helmet May Present Solutions to Reducing Shock Loading on the Head, Thereby Reducing the Prevalence of Blast-Induced Traumatic Brain Injury. a Manikin with PCB Piezoelectric Transducers throughout the Head Was Exposed to Low-Pressure Free-Field Blasts using an RDX-Based Explosive Charge Designed to Output a Side-On overpressure of 4 Pounds Per Square Inch (Psi) [27.5 Kilopascals (KPa)] with and Without a Helmet. Orientations of 0, 45, 90, 135, and 180 Degrees …

Quantitative Proteomic Profiling In Brain Subregions Of Mice Exposed To Open-Field Low-Intensity Blast Reveals Position-Dependent Blast Effects, M. Jackson, S. Chen, P. Liu, M. Langenderfer, C. Li, H. R. Siedhoff, A. Balderrama, R. Li, Catherine E. Johnson, C. M. Greenlief, I. Cernak, R. G. Depalma, J. Cui

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The Neurological Consequences of Combat Blast-Induced Neurotrauma (BINT) Pose Important Clinical Concerns for Military Service Members and Veterans. Previous Studies Have Shown that Low-Intensity Blast (LIB) Results in BINT with Multifaceted Characteristics in Mice Exposed to Open-Field Blast in Prone Position. Although the Prone Position is Natural for Rodents, Experimental Models of Blast using This Position Do Not Represent Common Scenarios of Human Standing While Being Exposed to Blast during Deployment or Military Training. in This Study, We Used Our Previously Developed BINT Mouse Model of Open-Field LIB with Mice in an Upright Position and Then Used Quantitative Proteomics and …

A Binary Integer Linear Programming Model For Optimizing Underground Stope Layout, Theophilus Mensah

Masters Theses

"Underground mine planning engineers face significant challenges when determining what geometry provides the most profitable and safe stope for extraction. Several techniques and optimization algorithms have been developed in recent years, but most fail to find optimal solutions because they are heuristic or LP-based without efficient geometric constraints. This thesis work proposes a two-dimensional binary linear programming (BILP) model for determining the optimal combination of blocks in a stope that maximizes the economic value of the layout of stopes for a sublevel deposit. The work draws from Queyranne and Wolsey’s (2017 & 2018) formulations of tight constraints for bounded up/down …

High Strain Rate Analysis Of 3d Printed Concrete As Compared To Conventionally Cast Concrete, Weston Mcleod Thomsen

Masters Theses

"3D Printed Concrete (3DPC) is a developing method of construction that has advantages over conventional methods, including formwork reduction, complex geometry, and expedited construction. This technology has potential benefits for the military when considering the austere environments that forward operating bases are built in. This study aims to assess 3DPC applications in protective structures that protect critical assets from explosive blasts. These protective structures experience a high-strain rate response during blast loading of the structure, and the effects of this have yet to be analyzed in the literature concerning 3DPC. With the lack of prior research, the focus here will …

Experimental Investigation Of A Viscoelastic Liner To Reduce Under Helmet Overpressures And Shock Wave Reflections, Cody J.H. Thomas, Fatih Dogan, Catherine E. Johnson

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Introduction: Shock wave overpressure exposures can result in blast-induced traumatic brain injury (bTBI) in warfighters. Although combat helmets provide protection against blunt impacts, the protection against blast waves is limited due to the observed high overpressures occurring underneath the helmet. One route to enhance these helmets is by incorporating viscoelastic materials into the helmet designs, reducing pressures imposed on the head. This study aims to further investigate this mitigation technique against under-helmet overpressures by adding a viscoelastic liner to the inside of a combat helmet. Methods: The liner's effectiveness was evaluated by exposing it to free-field blasts of Composition C-4 …

Spatiotemporal Variance Image Reconstruction For Thermographic Inspections, Logan M. Wilcox, Emily M. Johnson, Emma T. Bohannon, Catherine E. Johnson, Kristen M. Donnell

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Active microwave thermography (AMT) is a nondestructive testing and evaluation (NDT&E) technique that utilizes a radiating antenna to induce a thermal increase on or within a specimen under test (SUT). The radiated power density is spatially nonuniform and therefore results in a spatially nonuniform thermal excitation, which may result in missed or false indications of defects. To this end, this work proposes a novel image reconstruction technique for nonuniform excitation/heating and is referred to as Spatiotemporal Variance Reconstruction (STVR). STVR utilizes the spatial and temporal variance of the surface thermal profile. STVR is advantageous in that it does not require …