Bomasang Magazine

Rig Control System (RCS) – removes operators from the risks of the mine, minimizes interruptions and
makes rigs more precise and efficient.

Diesel Particulate Matter (DPM) – made up of unused fuel, soot and aldehydes that are suspended in
the air.

Battery Electric Equipment (Advantages)

• Reduce heat load

• Healthier and Safe Environment for the mine workers
• Reduced mine operating cost due to lower ventilation equipment

Technology for the Mine Ventilation Underground Metal Mine modeled 3 Different fleet Scenario:

• All Diesel 2,962 KW (Heat Generate)

• Mixed Diesel (Electric and Diesel) 2,301 KW (Heat Generate)
• All Battery 1,380 KW (Heat Generate)

Question. What Technology is currently being________________ to minimize the heat load from
underground mine equipment

a. Blank
b. Use of Battery Technology
c. Blank
d. Blank

Question. What country is the world’s biggest producer of REEs.

a. China
b. Japan
c. Germany
d. USA

(Number 18 Volume 70 #8)

Question. Mineral Resources that are essential to our economy and whose supply may be disrupted.

a. Rare Earth
b. Critical Minerals
c. Precious Metals
d. Base Metals

Question. It is a Critical Mineral because, it is six (6) times stronger than steel, has a high melting point,
and when alloyed with other metals, it prevents metal – fatigue failure.

a. Beryllium
b. Blank
c. Blank
Question. What commodity has become important because it is used in batteries to power a variety of
electronics?

a. Blank
b. Lithium
c. Blank
d. Blank

Question. What was the tailings dam that failed in January 2019 kills 248 people?

a. China
b. Japan
c. USA
d. Brazil

(Number 28)

Development of a new Web – based platform for Ground Control Applications in Underground Mining

(webGround Control) – provides users with a platform through which one can access National Institute
for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and other ground control design software utilizing web
based, multiple tier architecture. Ability to perform on demand calculations, as well as increase online
collaboration between operational personnel and engineers through a web server.

United States created the Energy Resource Governance Initiative (ERGI) as way for participating nations
to help decrease their reliance on China for a host of critical minerals, including Rare Earths. The
Countries joining the United States include AUSTRALIA, BOTSWANA, PERU, AGENTINA, BRAZIL,
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO, NAMIBIA, PHILIPPINES, and ZAMBIA. Will share mining expertise
to help them discover and develop their minerals such as Lithium, Copper and Cobalt.

Lithium and cobalt- the world bank has created an initiative to address growing concern about
developing nation’s ability to sustainably mine the minerals powering the green energy economy.

The global demand for COBALT has double due to the growth of electric vehicle?

Ammonia salts is use in selective copper extraction from tailings with different leaching media. The
highest recovery rates were ammonium carbonate and ammonium persulfate.
Questions seen from Magazine

• Which of the following is needed in manufacturing of batteries of electric vehicles?

• Lithium b. Cobalt c. Nickel d. all of the above

If, mag ask ug which of the following is the highest needed in manufacturing of batteries of electric vehicles?
Answer: NICKEL
EV’s Batteries:
1. Lithium----------------16kt
2. Cobalt -----------------1.5kt
3. Nickel------------------17.5kt
4. Graphite--------------25kt
5. Manganese

• A man tailing by a developed machine to be able to mitigate abandoned mine tunnels with the
use of: a. LHD b. Cable Bolts c. Robots
• Which of the following by product of coal combustion can be replace used by magnetic
sequent? a. Fe2O3 b. SiO2 c.Fe3O4 d. FeCO3

Magazine Terms seen from the beautiful eyes of the beholder

• HydroFloat Separator
*Overflow Coarse Mineral
-recovers virtually all particles which exhibit greater than 1% hydrophobic
surface expression
*Underflow Coarse Mineral
-rejects only those particles that have no hydrophobic surface expression
• Au & Ag Extraction World Wide
➢ Gravity Concentration
➢ Amalgamation
➢ Cyanide Leaching
➢ Roasting
➢ Zinc Precipitation
➢ Carbon/Charcoal Adsorption

• Coal- mainly composed of energy producing elements (Carbon and Hydrocarbon)

• Steam Coal- used to create energy in coal
• Subbituminous Coal- most commonly used to generate electricity in coal-fired power plant
• Very thick seam covers very large area
• Lignite- used almost entirely for electricity generation in coal-fired power plant
• Anthracite- primarily used for household furnace and some metallurgical process
Metallurgical Coal- “Coking coal”; used in steel manufacturing
• Bituminous Coal- more commonly used as coking coal since it is relatively less cost
• webGC (webGroundControl)- provides a web-based platform from which uses will be able to
access ground control design application anywhere (where permissible) at any time
• Li-ion (Lithium-ion) Technology- most advance batteries now with respect to gravimetric energy
density and deep cycle stability
• Fuel- Cell Engine- are ZERO EMISSION, producing only electricity and water
 • Newmont- leading company of gold in the world
Newmont Mining Corp., based in Greenwood Village, Colorado, US
• Limestone- dominant source of CaO (Calcium Oxide- also known as quicklime or burnt lime)
• Cement Kilns- use high-density fuels (mainly: coal and petroleum coke)
• Graphite- an allotrope of carbon characterized by HEXAGONAL STRUCTURE that facilitates easy
cleavage; grey to black, opaque, very soft, low density and metallic luster; spg 2.2; Mohs
Hardness 1-2

Graphite Forms:

1. Amorphous Graphite- Underground using SELECTIVE ROOM AND PILLAR similar to coal
2. Flake Graphite- mined by OPENCAST
3. Vein Graphite- mined in selective underground method
• Spherical Graphite- for battery anode application
• Iodine- heaviest of naturally stable halogens; largest sources are seawater
• Al2SiO5- kyanite, andalusite, and sillimanite are aluminum with same chemical formula but differ
in atomic structure and physical properties
• Brines and hard rock mineral concentrate- dominant source of Lithium
• Chile- world’s biggest lithium reserve and 2nd largest producer
• Sodium Carbonate- known as SODA ASH
• Strontium- 15th most abundant in Earth’s Crust
• Copper- have its antimicrobial properties
• KPC Operartion (Kaltim Prima Coal)- Bumi resources, Indonesia; world’s largest coal mine

Question. Clean and renewable fuels are the final products of:

a. aviation b. transportation c. combustion d. gasification

Question. What commodity has become important because it is used in batteries to power a variety of
electronics? Ans. Lithium

Question. Which of the following country is actually instrument in private initiative focus the exploration
case of space resources? Ans. Luxembourg

Liquid fuel – remain world’s largest energy source (importance in transportation and industrial end user
sector)

Drilling grade Bentonite – use fracking technology for gas and light oil recovery from shales for rapid
increase.

Swelling Bentonite – Wyoming UN is the leading producer

Diatomite – a chalk like soft, friable, very fine grained, siliceous sedimentary rock. Accumulate in oceans
or fresh waters from the cell walls of diatoms composed of amorphous hydrous silica.

Dimension Stone – can be defined as natural rock material quarried for the purpose of obtaining blocks
or slabs that meet specifications as to size and shape for the architectural or engineering purpose.
(Principal Rock Types: Granite, limestone, marble, sandstone and slate.)
SFuture of Mining Technologies

Automation – is one the most prominent technological trends in mining, has great potential
safety and health risk by removing people hazardous situations and allows workers to control and
interact with machinery remotely, they’re ideal for use in underground mines and other high-risk
environments.

Common types of automated mining technologies include:

• Trucks
• Site monitoring
• Drilling systems
• Ventilation systems
• Long-distance trains

Artificial Intelligence – solutions in mining use smart data and machine learning to improve
mining production, efficiency and safety. These technologies allow companies to generate data in half
the time than what has been previously seen in the field, enabling companies to improve decision
making with faster and more accurate data driven insights. Ultimately helped minimize costs, reduce
environment impact and improve safety and reliability.

3D Modeling – technologies generate life-like impressions of mines using depth perception to

reimagine these environments and help companies better understand.

Virtual reality – type of mining technology creates an artificial environment using real-life data
to immerse miners and prepare them to take on new mining environments.

• Report generation
• Mineral exploration
• Tailing and Facility management
• Geochemical and hydrology information
• Regulatory compliance
• Sustainability

Augmented reality – a technology overlays digital imagery onto a real environment by using
computer-generated materials, such as video, sound, graphics, and applications. Mining companies use
this technological concept in virtual simulators to train miners and reduce equipment costs.

Global Positioning System (GPS) – are navigation and positioning systems that mining
companies use to generate three-dimensional (3D) images of their equipment locations on Moving Map
Display (MMDs). When operators can see where their machines, tools and devices are, they can better
navigate, operate them from remote locations. GPS technologies are also built durability to withstand
the extreme environmental conditions of the mines.

Geographic Information System (GIS) – are integral for discovering geographic relationships on
the job site and determining how they impact the environment. These systems create geospatial data
that depicts an objects shape, size and location.
 Workforce Tracking – devices improve operator safety in mines by enabling Radio Frequency
Identification (RFID) personnel monitoring and visibility in real-time, allowing workers to be tracked and
located instantly in case of emergencies. They can also restrict access to a certain area to prevent
accidents and ultimately minimize safety hazards, also valuable for machine inspections and field
maintenance by improving operator-based care.

Drones – remotely piloted drones and other unmanned aerial systems have many essential uses
in the mining industry. These technologies improve mine site efficiency and quarry management by
providing accurate site condition data. They are often used to surveil and map out areas, measure
inventory, create tune-lapse operation records, and manage business assets.

Other typical applications of drones in mining include:

• Safety management – drones collect visual data of hazardous areas with deep or high
terrain to reduce the risk of exposure to these dangers
• Surveilling and mapping – miners use of drones to take images of open-pit miners and
quarries. Then, they use photogrammetry software to generate 3D renderings with
these images, which companies often use to make realistic topographical maps, digital
terrain models, and more to monitor site changes over time.
• Stockpile management – stockpiles create complications for mining companies due to
their changing areas and heights, making it challenging to estimate their volume. Drones
resolve this issue by flying over stockpiles and using advanced software to generate
calculations, models, and measurements.
• Tailings Dam management – mining companies often use drones to accurately measure
tailings dams instead of surveilling them manually to ensure structural integrity.
• Drilling and Blasting – companies can create 3D surface models and reconstructions of
areas they’re preparing to blast and drill. They can use photometry and thermal imaging
software to ensure there are no hazardous material shifts and compare surveys to
improve planning for future blasts.

Celestial Bodies – legislative framework for exploration and commercial use of moon’s resources.

Lunar Exploration – key role in development of new space economy

Artemis Program – to land “first woman and next man “on the moon by 2024 using innovative
technologies to explore the lunar surface in more detail, the goal is to establish sustainable exploration
on the moon surface by 2028.

Lunar Gateway – a small spaceship in orbit around the moon designed to provide access to lunar surface

Heterogeneity Test – was conducted to estimate the fundamental sampling error for Blasthole sampling

Diesel Engine – widespread use for well over century due to their relatively high thermal efficiency and
fuel economy.

Diesel Particulate Matter (DPM) – solid components of the diesel exhaust, which are ultrafine mixture
of elemental and organic carbon, and minor constituents including sulfates and metal ash.
Information diffusion potential of social media networks

• Facebook and Twitter (prime mode of information diffusion)

Different Information Diffusion Models

Fourt and Woodlock (1960) – mass media communication as the primary source of diffusion

Mansfield (1961) – word of mouth as the primary source of diffusion

Frank Bass (1969) – Bass Model: mass media communication and word of mouth as the source
of diffusion (adoption) of a new technology

Yang and Counts (2010) – information diffused over Twitter

• 3 major properties of information diffusion

1. Speed
2. Scale
3. Range

1. New law will rise royalties on Cobalt from Congo – signed by the president of the Dominican
Republic of Congo (new mining code that will impose higher royalties on Co, Cu, and Au)

- Royalties on Cobalt rise to 10% if determined as strategic by the government

- The new mining code will lea to higher costs for consumer
- Would scare off new investment and violate existing agreements.

According to Google

The President of the Democratic Republic of Congo signed, on 10 March 2018, a new mining code into
law. The new law will increase royalties on copper from 2% to 3.5%, on gold from 2.5% to 3.5% and
could potentially increase royalties on cobalt from 2% to 10%, if deemed a “Strategic Substance”.

Strategic Minerals are commodities essential to national defense for which the supply during the war is
wholly, or in part dependent upon sources outside the boundaries of the U.S. because these resources
would be difficult to obtain, strict measures controlling conservation and distribution are necessary.

2. Annual Survey of Mining Companies 2017 by the Fraser Institute based on the Investment
Attractiveness Index

- Top 1. Finland
- Top 2. Saskatchewan, Canada
- Top 3. Nevada, US
- Top 4. Ireland
- Top 5. Western Australia
- Top 6. Quebec
- Top 7. Ontario
- Top 8. Chile
- Top 9. Arizona
- Top 10. Alaska
“Capital is fluid and one jurisdiction’s loss can be another’s gain because mining investors will flock to
jurisdiction that have attractive policies.”

Policy Perception Index (PPI) – policy factors examined include uncertainty concerning the
administration of the current regulations, environmental regulations, regulatory duplication, the legal
system and taxation regime, uncertainty concerning protected areas and disputed land claims,
infrastructure, socioeconomic and community development conditions, trade barriers, political stability,
labor regulations, quality of the geological database, security and labor and skills availability.

- Top 1. Ireland
- Top 2. Finland
- Top 3. Saskatchewan Canada
- Top 4. Sweden
- Top 5. Nevada
- Top 6. Northern Ireland
- Top 7. Michigan
- Top 8. Wyoming
- Top 9. Quebec
- Top 10. New Foundland and Labrador

The Bottom 10 least attractive jurisdiction for investment based on PPI rankings (starting with the worst)
2017

- Top 1. Venezuela
- Top 2. Chubut
- Top 3. Zimbabwe
- Top 4. Guatemala
- Top 5. Congo
- Top 6. China
- Top 7. Philippines
- Top 8. Indonesia
- Top 9. Bolivia
- Top 10. Ecuador

The expected demand for lithium-ion batteries to power the growing electric vehicle market has
sparked a cobalt boom with multiple million-dollar deals happening around the globe.

- Nearly all cobalt, which prolongs battery life is mined as a by product of copper and nickel,
making it difficult for miners to increase output.

Optimization of Cable Bolting

- Cable bolts installed at higher installations angle have a stiffer behavior and are subject to a
higher axial load and lower displacement
- When using two cables in each wall, they should be installed at a later deformation stage of the
drive and should be perpendicular to the foliation to achieve a more ductile performance.
- When using three cables, they can be installed at an earlier deformation
Making dry stack tailings storage more efficient using Decanter Centrifuges

• The dry stacking process deposits dewatered tailings into containment areas that are smaller in
the overall footprint and significantly safer by reducing the transfer of reagents into the tailing’s
storage area
• Thickened sludge is processed through mechanical dewatering machine to achieve dry tailings
for stacking.
• Three devices are proven to have various degrees of success with dewatering thickened sludge:
o Belt presses – provides a continuous feed operation with slightly wetter end products
than other dewatering processes.
o Chamber Filter Press – the filter press is a batch process for the solid-liquid separation
of suspension; it provides a higher dry solid output than the belt press and discharge
cycles. Labor extensive batch process
o Decanter Centrifuge – provides a continuous product discharge with high dry content
and the unique ability to make on the fly adjustments to maximize discharge material.
Require less fresh water, less manual labor intervention, and less maintenance for
dewatering; easier to use in difficult to access areas.

SME Volume 69 no. 8

August 2017
Control no. 9

1. Tesla (owned by Elon Musk) will build the world’s largest lithium-ion battery storage facility in South
Australia.

2. Moon Express announced its plans to become the first private company to put a spacecraft on the
moon for the purpose of ferrying payloads for NASA and others intent in mining the moon and other off
Earth Deposits.

Harvest Moon – would begin moon express’s mining operation

According to Moon Express – Company Profile Tracxn

Moon Express is a privately funded lunar transportation and data services company that aims to
commercialize space activities beyond earth orbit. It plans to be the first commercial robotic spacecraft
to the moon next year, and began mining operations on the moon (for Gold, Cobalt, Iron, Palladium,
Platinum, Tungsten, and Helium-3). Moon express is one of six U.S. companies selected by NASA for its
commercial lunar data program and is a contender for the $30M Google Lunar X PRIZE competition.

3.The beneficiation of lithium minerals from hard rock deposits

Lithium – soft, silver white alkali metal with atomic number 3

As of 2015 the end use of Lithium

• 35% lithium-ion batteries

• 32% ceramics and glass
• 9% lubricating greases
 • 5% air treatment
• 5% continuous casting mold flux powders
• 4% polymer production
• 1% primary aluminum production
• 9% other uses

Extraction and processing of Brines is relatively low capital costs and are less energy intensive than the
extraction of lithium from hard rock mines.

There are >30 Lithium Bearing minerals but lithium is mined from these 5 Major minerals

• Spodumene
• Amyglonite
• Zinvaldite
• Petalite
• Lepidolite

Spodumene is the most prevalent economic lithium bearing mineral; it is tabular, extremely hard, and
insoluble in dilute acid. Occurs in pegmatite deposits along other silicate minerals (like feldspar, micas,
quartz). Spodumene is upgraded to produce either chemical-grade or ceramic-grade concentrate

Beneficiation of Hard rock deposits:

• Dense Media Separation – preconcentration process commonly used to reject gangue minerals
prior to grinding for final liberation. Effective to preconcentrate Spodumene from hard rock
operation with the benefit of less feed to the grinding and flotation circuits and subsequent
capital, energy, and operating cost.
• Ore Pretreatment – spodumene is more efficient after first cleaning the mineral surfaces prior
to flotation where NaOH is added to the grinding mill to help activate spodumene.
• Desliming – done using hydrocyclone. Without desliming, it is difficult to achieve selective
flotation of spodumene from gangue minerals
• Flotation – to upgrade spodumene from pegmatite deposits
• Reagents – typically includes mica flotation to avoid significant quantities of mica in the final
spodumene concentrate
• Tantalum recovery – can be a valuable by product in spodumene ore if the head assay is high
enough.

Surface Chemistry Considerations

• Collector adsorption
• Isoelectric point
• Effects of ions on Spodumene Flotation
• Magnetic Separation
• Roasting – one of the most energy intensive steps among all the beneficiation processes until
operations.
4.Roof control, Pillar Stability, and Ground Control issues in UG stone mines – roof stability begins with
the selection of a stable back horizon based on the presence of a thin shale parting, stylolite, and other
discontinuity. Bed thickness, fracture spacing, jointing and the material properties of the roof strata
control the room width. Horizontal stress controls the header and the crosscut azimuth. Stable pillar
dimension depends upon the interaction of the vertical stress resulting from the overburden thickness
and multiple level interaction of overlying levels. Floor Stability is not a significant issue for underground
stone mines because the bearing capacity of the stone typically exceeds the vertical pressure
transferred to the pillar. Floor heave can be a ground control issue where shale partings, moisture
sensitive strata, weak stone bands, or horizontal stress is present.